Make-up tips from celebrity artist Martin Aitken

May 16 2009 By Francesca Craggs, The Journal

Martin Aitken, regional make-up artist for Dior, has glammed up many a red carpet starlet. He dropped into Fenwick Newcastle to give Francesca Craggs some star treatment of her very own.

Follow Martin's top make-up tips for the perfect look

PERFECT BASE:
ALWAYS colour match your base to your natural skin tone. Never try to add warmth to the complexion by using a darker foundation as this can age the appearance of the skin.

Select the correct type of foundation to suit your skin type whether it be dry, combination or oily.

Apply base with a brush starting from the centre of the face and blending outwards to create a naturally flawless finish. Use a light reflective concealer, such as Dior Skinflash, around the eyes, nose and mouth to banish any shadows and give radiance.

Apply a multi-tonal blush lightly to the cheekbones and apples of the cheeks, to give warmth and lift the complexion. Dior Bronze Harmonie Blushers create the perfect combination of blush and bronze for a natural summer glow.

BLUSHERS AND BRONZERS:
Keep your blushers multi-tonal, this gives a much more natural blushed effect.

Apply from the apple of the cheek to accentuate a thinner face, or from the cheek bones down to add structure to the face. Choose tones that compliment your complexion without over loading them. Dior Blush in 639 Sunkissed Cinnamon is excellent for adding instant warmth to any complexion.

Bronzer should be used sparingly to add structure and warmth to the skin. Apply from the outside of the face inwards to give structure and warmth. Choose a colour only slightly warmer than your skin tone to give the most realistic finish. Dior's new Collagen-Activ Bronzer range offers natural tones that smooth on the skin and create a radiant dewy finish on the skin, perfect for that sunkissed effect.

LIPS:
Don’t be afraid to try colour on the lips. You will be surprised. Dior Addict Lipsticks offer this seasons hottest on-trend colours, with added hydration and intense true colour.

Lip liner is essential. Begin by choosing either a natural tone to match the lips or a colour that matches the lipstick. Dior Lip Liner in Sparkling Beige offers a good all round natural colour.

Apply the liner to the cupids bow firstly, then smooth the liner from the outside edge of the upper lip, moving upwards to meet the Cupids Bow. Repeat this on the bottom lip. Always apply lip colour with a brush as this allows you to control the intensity of the finish. A slick of gloss can be added to give extra volume.

This summer it is all about colour on the lips so why not give it a go?

SMOKEY EYES:
Always use at least three tones of shadow on the eye when creating a smokey effect. The shadow should be pressed on with a smaller brush then blended with a second, larger brush.

Begin by applying a light reflective tone in the arch of the brow and the inner corner of the eye.

Then press a medium base colour over the main area of the eye lid. The darkest colour should be pressed on in a crescent moon shape at the edge of the upper lid. Taking the colour a third of the way in at the lash line, then sweeping round to the socket line. Blend the colour in soft sweeping motions from the outside in.

For extra smoulder, add black kohl inside the lower eyelid. Lashings of Dior Show Blackout Mascara will give that extra intensity to the eye.