Clean Slate: Our Interview with master make-up artist Jenny Bowker

The new year has us inspired to simplify our look AND our beauty regimen. For our Clean Slate shoot we wanted to compose a modern look with natural looking make-up that radiates a healthy glow. We worked with make-up artist extra-ordinaire, Jenny Bowker, to achieve this gorgeous look and were so in love with the results, we had to know her subtle secrets to creating the same natural looking camera-ready face for busy boss-ladies like us.

Read on for Jenny’s top tips to creating a beautiful, fresh and natural face.

CleanSlateFace Clean Slate Campaign ~ January 2017

No. 1 : Exfoliate!

Consistent exfoliation is the key to radiant skin. Without it dead skin cells build up and skin looks dry, products can’t absorb and makeup applies unevenly. All skin types benefit from proper exfoliation, and as long as you’re not using a harsh product you can use it 2-3 times a week. My favorite scrub is the Fruit Enzyme Scrub by Mychelle and available at Whole Foods, it smells amazing and gives amazing results while still being gentle. (Tip: leave it on like a mask for a few minutes before rinsing to let the fruit acids break down all the dead skin cells.)

No. 2 : Hydrate & Prime

Don’t skip the very first step in makeup application. Priming smooths the skin and allows makeup to hold longer and blend better. Glossier came out with one of my favorite products ever recently; the Priming Moisturizer. It has a big dose of glycerin which hydrates the skin so well that foundation and concealer glide on like butta, it’s one of my top skin secrets that I use on every client. If you want extra glow without all the work apply a healthy blueberry size amount of Laura Mercier Radiant Primer. It gives a gorgeous lit from within glow and will lock your makeup in place all day. You can also mix these two products for an even speedier application.

No. 3 : Bronze & Highlight

All skin tones benefit from these two magical products, they simply give life and brightness to the face without looking like you tried. After blending your foundation and or concealer, lightly set with powder and then with a large fluffy brush apply your bronzer over the top of the forehead, over the temples and under the cheekbones, down the sides of the nose and then lightly on the chin and just under the jawline. Finally don’t forget to blend bronzer down the neck! Our heads act like little umbrellas for our necks and they are often much lighter than the face and chest, trust me it makes a huge difference in the end result. Highlight goes in all the opposite places, tops of cheekbones, brow bones, inner corner of the eyes, cupid’s bow and lightly down the center of the nose. This combo gives the face dimension, so not only will you glow you will also look slimmer in the face. My favorites for almost any skin tones are NARS Laguna bronzer and MAC Soft & Gentle highlight.

No. 4 : Hint of Tint

Tinted moisturizers have come a long way recently, if you haven’t tried one of the new extra radiant formulas it’s time to join the club! Using a tinted moisturizer gives you a supernatural glow and with the proper concealer to finish up with, you’ll have just as flawless looking skin as if you had used a more full coverage foundation, but it will look effortless and fresh. Jouer Luminous skin tints are my go to on everyone, they are truly stunning. I pair them with NARS Creamy Concealer where needed and the result is gorgeously glowing and flawless.

No. 5 : Color Story

Choose one neutral shade and carry it through eyes, lips and cheeks- this monochromatic look not only takes guesswork out of how to pair shades it gives you an instantly cool and effortless look that plays up the face without distracting from your features. You can even use the same product for eyes and cheeks as long as it’s not too bright, keep the tones earthy. My favorite shades to do this with are rose gold, tawny nude bronze and peachy corals. Keep the look simple and clean, full soft brows and a couple coats of mascara to finish the look.

JennyAtWork

Thanks for the tips, Jenny!

Photo Credits / Clean Slate Campaign
Photographer: S. Elle Quintana – @selle_quintana ,  sellestudios.com
Model: Miriam – @1realmiriam at @freedommodelsla
Make-up/Hair: Jenny Bowker –  @sistergolden , jennybowkermakeup.com