CW Make-up: The return of the matte

As with all trends – they tend to reach their peak and then die. This happened just recently to the beauty movement known as ‘glow’. I blame the Instagram glossy posse. There was just 1 (million) posts too many on how to achieve a glass-like shine on cheekbones. I mean girls were starting to look so dewy, it’s as if they’d been 'spinning' for the entire day, or were sporting killer stripes of highlighter that looked straight out of Star Trek. So what’s the new alternative? Well, the antithesis of glow is matte of course. However, don’t despair, this modern interpretation isn't flat at all. More like a fusion of powdery-luminosity, a gentle lit-from-within radiance, all courtesy of a new non-drying wave of mattifying products that can be worn by anyone – from 18-80-year-olds. Think along the lines of skin resembling that of a peach, rather than a shiny apple. It screams French sophisticate and will subtly up-date your look for winter and beyond. We talk to make-up artist Nathalie Eleni – who’s worked on Yasmin Le Bon, Lily James and Jenna Coleman – on how to achieve the perfect matte skin, whatever your age and skin type.

7 TIPS FOR CREATING FLAWLESS MATTE MAKE-UP by Nathalie Eleni

1. Skin prep is vital for keeping a flawless and poreless matt base. Use AHA serums regularly to remove dead skin build up, which cause patching or flaking, and can prevent a smooth velvet finish. I love Zelens PHA+ Bio Peel Resurfacing Facial Pads, £65 or Nataliya Robinson Quantum Botanika Clarifying Serum, £45 Clarifying Serum, £45.

2. A good primer will keep everything in place for the entire day and acts as scaffolding for your foundation. Opt for something smoothing for normal/dry or dehydrated skin; I like Arbonne Makeup Primer, £32, it prevents foundation being sucked up by parched skins, which can leave it looking patchy. Or if your skin is oily then try Matticlear by AlumierMD £52, which unlike some other mattifiers doesn’t go chalky on the skin, it just cleverly dissolves excess oil on the surface throughout the day.

3. Choose your foundation carefully. Not all are created equally, so it’s good to ask the counter for a tester to see how your skin reacts with it. Try Dolce & Gabbana Perfect Matte Liquid Foundation, £43 for full finish and Oxygenetix Foundation, £43.50 for buildable coverage (also great for skin prone to breakouts).


4. Apply like a pro. I like to use a damp beauty blender or makeup sponge – bouncing the product across the skin this way you can build the product to areas you may need a little more (generally T-zone) but still keeping it light.
5. Apply a superfine dusting of powder. For drier skin types, look for something with hyaluronic acids, such as by Terry Hyaluronic Hydra Powder, £42 – as it moisturises instead of soaking up all your natural oils. Plus the new wave of powders offers a mix of mattifying qualities with just a little glow to let skin shine through. Try Laura Mercier’s new Translucent Loose Setting Powder – Glow, £29, it has a mix of highlighting radiance and skin refining properties.



6. If you need to re-energise and bring your matte makeup back to life then spritz with a hydrating mist throughout the day, try Skinceuticals Spray Toners, £23.99.
7. If you can’t get to grips with the new matte skin thing, then opt for a non-sheen nail polish or lip colour instead; try Chanel Rouge Allure Velvet No.5, £32, or Zoya’s new Matte Velvet Nail Colour in Iris, £13.