This week, FashioNZ pro makeup artist Ashlee Kellett answers two readers with common makeup issues. From eye makeup that just won’t stay on, to those pesky dark under-eye circles, Ashlee has some tips on fixing these universal beauty problems!

Hi Ashlee,
I have quite small eyelids - no crease or anything. I have huge problems with my eye makeup sweating and falling off so I always look badly smudged. I hardly bother wearing eye shadow anymore as have tried them all and none work. What can I do to stop looking like a disaster all the time? Thanks for your help.
Kristen

Hi Kristen,
This is an easy problem to counteract with eye-lid primer. Primer holds your makeup to the eye. Make sure you put no moisturiser on the lids, start with a base layer of foundations, then prime with eye-lid primer (I use Bobbi Brown lid primer which works a treat!) Dust over with a mineralized compact powder (see MAC’s Mineralise range) then start applying your eye shadow. Try and steer clear of shimmery colours as those colours tend to move more, stick with matte colours and maybe a dab of shimmer in the inner corners of the eyes to open them up.
Ashlee xx

Hi Ashlee,
I have quite dark bags under my eyes, and I’m wondering what the best product is that will cover them up?
Rebecca

Hi Rebecca,
You and I are the same, along with most other women out there! For whatever reason: working too much, not enough sleep, drinking, we all have a point when we wish those dreaded dark circles would go away! I've found using MAC's concealers work a treat! Start with a fine layer of foundation under the eye (when you’re applying the base to the rest of your face just place a little under the eyes as well) then choose the MAC Counteract colour that suits you best (ask the ladies at the MAC counter) and using your index finger, (warmth from your finger helps it to settle into the skin giving you a more natural look) slowly and softly dab little by little the corrector under your eye. I also tend to mix the corrector with a little of the MAC Studio Fix concealer, which is my personal favourite in the collection.

Ashlee xx

Visit Ashlee’s website http://www.beautified.co.nz
Ask Ashlee a question here.