Pro Makeup Artist answers YOUR questions

Ashlee Kellett is a freelance makeup artist, hairstylist and stylist who has worked on numerous photoshoots, fashion shows, films and weddings, now she answers YOUR beauty questions.

Dear Ashlee
Every time I put bronzer on, my face looks dirty, but it's the same product the lady at the cosmetic counter put on me and it looked amazing - all glowy and natural. What am I doing wrong? Do I actually need to buy that brand's brush to apply it correctly?
First, have a look at your brush - is it dirty? A buildup of product on a brush could do this, wash it well with shampoo and try again.
You may also be putting too much bronzer on your brush for each application. Try sweeping your brush over the bronzer rather than dabbing it in, and slowly build up to the level of intensity you desire in circular motions.  It may take a few more minutes but you will avoid that ‘dirty’ look.

Dear Ashlee
You probably get asked this heaps, but here i go... I have terribly bad dark under eye circles. I have tried all the expensive creams which say they clear the darkness but I have had not luck. I've heard it could be genetic also..?
Dark circles under the eyes can certainly be a generic trait, but can also be health related as well. Firstly, I know you probably hear this everywhere but drink at least eight glasses of water a day, it flushes out the toxins and can clear up so many problems. It’s free so you’re not breaking the bank by trying it! Another neat, healthy trick is to put cut potatoes (the potassium is fab for dark circles) under the eyes for 15 minutes per night - plug your ipod in and have a nap. If this all fails and you still have the dark circles then try this makeup application after you have applied your base : Step 1, Smashbox photo op, using your finger tip, gently tap it under the eye and out to the temple. Next using Smashbox high definition (my favourite concealer!) and a concealer brush, (QVS brushes are great and inexpensive) slowly dab some onto the back of you hand warm up the product, then lightly start applying to the inner eye working your way outwards. Remember to use a little several of times rather than one big clump, smearing it everywhere. Finish with a mineral powder and voila ... !

Dear Ashlee
What do you do with your makeup when you wear glasses? You hear eyes OR lips alot - I can't wear fine frames or god forbid framless glasses - what do I do? And how do I change it for night time?
These days nearly everyone has glasses and with such great designs available nobody is self-conscious about it. A few tricks to have your make-up more effective is to concentrate on the eyes or the lips. Red lips with well-applied mascara and lining the eye in black is one of my favourites, it takes only a few minutes to do and is a god-send when you don’t have too much time. Another trick is to use more colour to accentuate your eyes.

Dear Ashlee

I have freckles on my face and quite a pale complextion. When I try us a foundation to hide some of them it just makes me look like a ghosts cause it drowns my face. What would you recommend as a good foundation?
I have exactly the same skin as you have and when I was younger found this to be a problem as well. There are two options if you have freckles; the first is to accept them and only wear a sheer-tinted moisturiser. If you would like to cover them up a bit, the absolute best thing for freckles are Tans, now not a real sun damaging tan but faux tan. Either a face faux tan, or a spray tan. I find spray tans work much much better although both work. As the tan is bringing up your complexion colour you can then go for slight darker bases that will cover the freckles better and more evenly. Remember to ALWAYS wear sun block, SPF 30 for you face at least.

Ashlee Kellett
FashioNZ Pro Makeup Artist