Gregory Arlt- see what the Director of Makeup Artistry for Mac Cosmetics has to tell you
Watch Gregory Alt behind the scenes at Goerges Chakra in New York Fashion Week- Click Here
Q.What do you look for in a model’s face?
A.Besides the obvious, what I also look for in a model is a GREAT personality! It really helps my makeup application when I can “see” someone’s spirit come through!
Q. Everybody does their makeup differently, I don’t understand when people talk about “current trends in makeup”.. . How can I find out what the current trends are?
A.One of the best ways to find out what the current trends are is by going to www.maccosmetics.com to check out the most up to date trends straight off of the runways of New York, London, Milan, and Paris. And you’re right
What’s your favourite concealer????
I can’t live without my MAC Select Moisturecover concealer. I seem to find it works on every skin type and really looks like skin!
What is the best Mac primer to use before applying foundation?
One of my favorite MAC primers to use before foundation is Prep Prime Skin. It literally is like “velcro” for your base. It keeps the foundation on all day, and even has an anti-redness ingredient!
What’s your favorite MAC foundation to use when creating a red carpet look?
I LOVE MAC Face and Body foundation or the Mineralize SPF Satin Foundation for red carpet looks. Both are HDTV ready and sit beautifully on the skin.
I still have the list of your favorite HD products! with all the new product, do you have any new kit must haves?
I can’t live without the new Prep Prime Highlighting pen! It’s a pen-style highlighter that efficiently brings a soft sheer wash of colour to the skin. With its precision application, adds radiance just where you want it. You can use over makeup for highlights, touch-ups or under makeup to brighten and prime. HD ready!! 🙂
What’s the best foundation for over 50’s?
As we mature, skin can usually get a bit on the dry side. I recommend moisturizing foundations like the MAC Studio Tech or MAC Mineralized SPF Foundation as they will sit beautifully on the skin, never collecting in unwanted places (like fine lines!). Also try primer on the face as well. MAC Prep Prime Skin is one of my favorites!
What products of make up do you recommend for oily skin?
I have oily skin too! But we won’t get wrinkles as fast, so there’s hope in being oily! LOL! I recommend matte textures as they will help to absorb oil and look most flattering on oily skin. Try MAC Studio Sculpt Foundation with a bit of MAC Blot Powder over it and use the Blot Powder to touch up with during the day. It will disburse and absorb oil from the skin. Also MAC Blot Film are amazing for absorbing oil throughout the day!
How to get rid of dark circles? What’s the best highlighter?
That’s MY issue, too! A common theme here today (and with most people) are dark circles. A big mistake people make with concealing is using a color that’s too light. It results in a greying effect on the skin. It’s all about using a peach based concealer. Peach will cancel purple which is a main component of darkness; I love the MAC “NW” range in concealer. Try it. As for highlighter, I love MAC Cream Colour Base in Pearl for lighter skin tones, and Fantastic or Bronze for darker skin tones:)
What’s the best face primer you can recommend for someone who still has a few acne problems and some scarring too?
I can’t recommend the MAC Prep Prime face primer as it really holds the foundation on the skin. For scarring or any texture on the skin, I love the Prep Prime line filler primer that can be used post-foundation, pre-makeup to camouflage, soften and relax expression lines and wrinkles….AND scarring! Applies as a dense cream: dries to a transparent, smooth, natural matte finish. With ongoing use, clinically proven to help rejuvenate your look.
What are the must have eye shadows for the fall and everyday use?
For Fall I am totally into the smoky grey eye look! MAC Print, Satin Taupe, and colors from the MAC Me Over collection are some of my must-haves!
What eye brushes are must haves? There are so many out there, it can get overwhelming!
I know….the choices seem limitless!! If I had 4 to choose from for the eyes I’d say MAC #252 (dense, firm large shadow brush, great for the lids), #224 (fluffy blending brush for the crease/outer corners), #266 (angled defining brush, great for brows or shadow lining), and the #275 (medium angle blending brush). Happy brushing! 🙂
What is the best way to achieve the smokey eye look without looking like a racoon?
To achieve a smoky eye, basically start by applying the darkest shadow all over the lid and up into the crease with a dense brush like the MAC #252. Take a softer blending brush like MAC #224 with a medium tone shadow and blend into the crease, back and forth like a windshield wiper. Then use the darker shadow with a soft angle brush like the #275 and apply to the lower lash line. Add black pencil to the water line (inner eye) for maximum drama. Finish off with a few coats of black mascara and pair with a softer lip.
What is a good kind of eyeshadow to use everyday .
There are so many great shadows to use every day….It depends on what you do for a living or your personality. If you want to just wear one, try something with reflection so it shows up nicely. MAC All That Glitters is my personal favorite!
What red shadow would you recommend that will not give a gothic look?
I LOVE red shadow! The application will depend on whether it takes a gothic turn or not. Try it with minimal mascara and no eyeliner. Black liner can take it to a gothic place (which I actually love!)
How do you recommend you do your eyes, if using a light pink lipstick? Simple with eye liner and mascara or colour?
There are SO many ways you can do your eyes when wearing a light pink lip. A simple eye would look beautiful, or a smoky eye (try eggplants, plums, or even grays) would really show off the lips nicely!
I love using lighter, reflective textures on the lids (particularly the inner lids) to “open” up the eyes. Also try using a liner on the outer corners to “lift” the eyes up and stay away from too much liner on the bottom as it can weigh down eyes.
What are some blush colors that you would recommend?
I LOVE blush. Think warm- corals, peaches, and orange tones. MAC Pinch O’ Peach, Margin, Melba, and Peaches are some of my favorites!
What’s the best lipstick colour for olive skin???
Wow….there are SO many lipsticks for olive skins!! It depends on what you’re in the mood to wear. For reds, stay in the blue red or brick red family. Plums look amazing as well. Red? I love Viva Glam 1 or Diva. Plum? Try Brave, Del Rio, or Twig.
What are your top 3 must have lipstick colours?
If I were on that proverbial desert island with just 3 lipsticks in my kit they’d be Viva Glam 1 (my all time favorite red), Del Rio (a chic deep plum brown), and Freckletone (a light, neutral warm shade that I swear I used on a million fashion shows this season!!)
I love red lips, but how to look great but still balanced with both red lips and dramatic eyes?
A woman after my own red-lipped heart! I’d keep the eyes fairly simple with a red lip, or for drama maybe add black liner to the top of the eyes or inner water line. Not too much.
What’s the best red lipstick for olive skin?
Viva Glam 1 is my favorite red for ANY skin tone! It just depends on what pencil you choose to wear with it! 🙂
What is your favorite go-to look when you are in a hurry?
When you have only a small amount of time to get ready, think bold color. I LOVE a nude face with a bright sort of lip will make a statement and appear like you spent more time that you had; it is a great way to “throw and go”! Also a nude face with a dramatic liner can also really help! Don’t forget the skin….take time minimizing imperfections should you have any!
Is it okay to put make-up even when I’m at the beach (just chillin’) and what would be the best make-up for beach parties?
For the beach, less is MORE….but….that being said, I love a chic red lip at the beach! Try MAC Diva….matte, gorgeous, and beach ready! 🙂
What are your favorite MAC products for creating a pin-up look?
My FAVORITE look of all time! With pin-ups, think brows, lash line, and lips (usually always red!). I love using shadow for brows
How can I achieve a perfect sun kissed face?
Sun kissed skin is some of my favorite skin! I love using a bit of MAC Bronzer, ONLY in the places would hit the face.
Please suggest an eyeliner style for almond shaped full eyes and With full visible eye lid.?? as I don’t find any style according to my face (my face is oval- with proper jawline) + my jawline contouring techniques. I have brown skin.
Sounds like you can go many different directions with your eyes. I love MAC Fluidline liner as it glides on and stays on all day. Try a cat eye.
It’s so humid where I live. What are the Mac products that I can use here that won’t melt off my face?
You’re lucky- humidity is SO good for the skin (but doesn’t it feel awful to walk out in when you’re dressed to the nines??). I can’t sing the praises of primer enough. It really acts like “velcro” for your foundation….keeping it on all day. Also the MAC Pro Longwear Foundation and concealer are MUST haves! The foundation gives up to FIFTEEN hours of wear in any condition!! I was in Singapore where the humidity is unreal and used it on clients. They loved it!
Is there any method to over-come oily skins and dark circles for man?
Yes….definitely! The good thing about MAC is that it’s genderless.
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| Best known as a Hollywood makeup artist (his clients include Dita Von Teese, Victoria Beckham and Liza Minnelli), Gregory Arlt teaches his red-carpet techniques to artists all over the world. |
Gregory’s Professional Advice for Make Up Atrists
I’m starting as a makeup artist…. do you have any tips for me?
Welcome to the amazing world of makeup artistry! To begin, I say practice, practice, PRACTICE!! Look at pictures in magazines that you love and try to replicate the looks on your willing “victims” like friends and family. Practice on yourself as well! None of my friends were safe when I was starting out
As a MAC artist, I was wondering if you have any advice when it comes to moving up in the company?
For people who work for MAC and want to move up, I can’t stress enough the power of ambition. It also depends on which direction you want to go.
I’m looking for a good make up artist school, what should I look for/ watch out for?
As far as makeup schools, I’d shop around for ones that specialize what you’re interested in. Prosthetics? Beauty? Special effects? Look around
How long did it take to become a famous make up artist?? It seems like being behind the scenes is so much more fun..
I STILL feel like it’s a process! I’ve been doing makeup officially for over 20 years, which I still can’t believe. I do love working behind the scenes…. Many fun stories from the “backstage” area!
As a fan of Dita Von Teese, I was wondering how you make her skin this pale and flawless. Products, tips…
She’s definitely one of my favorite faces (and people!) to work on. We LOVE a flawless, matte finish. The new MAC Matchmaster foundation is a new fave of ours! 1.0 or 1.5 mixed together with a bit of “Light” Mineralized Skin Finish powder is our secret recipe for glam!
What is your favorite kind of makeup to use on Fran Drescher and why?
As you know, Fran Drescher is one of my favorite faces and people to work on. She LOVES MAC! Some of our fave products are “Cream O’ Spice” lip pencil, “Love Nectar” Lustreglass, “Prunella” eye liner to liner her beautiful almond eyes, and we love “MAC Mineralize SPF 15” foundation!
Could a blonde girl wear a Kim Kardashian smokey eye nude lip?
YES! I love a blonde with smokey eyes and nude lips. Think Bridget Bardot or even Pamela Anderson….totally sexy! 🙂
Instead of depending on a beautician, i always go for my own make-up. Nowadays many companies offer Wholesale Cosmetics packages, it is side-effect free and worth for the cost.