ABOUT FACE / PHYL CLARKE:Make-up artist Caoimhe Grogan takes a young debutante through seven steps to achieve a glowing face fit for a ball
WE'RE BANG IN the middle of the debs' season, when frills vie with flounces for attention on the dancefloor. Getting the right balance, make-up-wise, can be tricky on an young face.
Too much will overwhelm, but the formality of the occasion calls for an indulgence of shimmer. Common mistakes include the dreaded "tango" tan, Tippex nails, troweled-on foundation and overdone hair.
Make-up artist Caoimhe Grogan, who specialises in looks for special occasions, also also gives one-to-one private lessions. She introduced young debutante Helen Powell to a seven-step method of application to achieve a bit of razzle dazzle for her big night out.
One of Helen's good friends, Shauna Tracey, styled her hair in a soft and natural way, in keeping with the modern, red-carpet trend.
Step by Step
Apply foundation over a good moisturiser - using a brush ensures a professional base. Finish with a high quality translucent powder to set the make-up.
1Colour in eyelid with a liner pencil in a deep blue shade up to creaseline. This helps powder
shadow to adhere and also strengthens colour.
Apply a heavily pigmented blue shadow powder over eyelid up to creaseline. Soften line with a soft
clean brush (a "ponytail" brush is ideal). This softens edge and creates a smoky effect.
2Line halfway under lower lashes with the same shadow - then blend inwards to create a soft line to inner eye. This mirrors colour perfectly and guarantees a smoky finish.
Apply a dab of blue shimmer shadow with a fat brush in centre of top lid. (Dabbing rather than brushing ensures colour underneath will not be disturbed).
3Use a highlighting pencil under entire length of eyebrow and blend with finger. Layer over a shimmer powder in frosty silver with a hint of blue. This pulls the whole look of the eye together.
4Apply liner beginning in centre of eyelid. Start applying colour working outwards using short brush strokes which you then join together
5Apply concealer from inner corner of eye as shown diagonally across darker area - this is enough
to conceal the under-eye area.
6Apply highlighter along cheekbones in a crescent shape to frame eyes. Contour underneath cheekbones with a matt bronzer.
Brush a soft sugary pink onto apples of cheeks. Lightly brush intense black mascara to ends of lashes only.
7Line and fill in lips with a soft neutral tone and finally, add a dab of lipgloss to the centre of each lip.
Caoimhe Grogan 087 7595384