31 / 03 / 2010

Natalie Bascand Make-up Artist Interview

Falling into the world of make up via a love for dance and art, Natalie Bascand has become a make up artist with a mind perched on the outside of the box. Her creatives go beyond the runways, always pushing the boundary between make up and art, most of the time persuing the latter. Working alongside creative and like minded people and artists such as Leila Jacobs, Alexandra Owen, Carlo Van de Roer, Hollie Smith, Electric Wire Hustle, Antony Nobilo and Good as Gold.

I love her ideas and execution, her way with words and the way she always cracks me up! For anyone that knows Miss Bascand they will agree that she is not only a witty and humble person to be around she is also bringing the injection of life and creativity into the world of beauty that we all desire.

I asked Natalie a few insider type questions about her work and her lifestyle, what is important to her, what she loves and where she is going. Enjoy the read!

What is your personal beauty regime?

As much as I wish I could say it’s loaded with the most luxurious products and gallons of fresh spring water; it’s not. But I try to be consistent. Depending on how much makeup is on my skin, I sometimes use a makeup remover first. Not all cleanser’s are designed to remove makeup they’re designed to clean the skin and when it’s time for the makeup to go, I want it gone! Always cleanse the skin and always with warm water. Cold water will close your pores. Generally I don’t use a toner, although there are a lot of gentle toners out there I guess I’ve found they disrupt my skins natural balance. I heart serum. They calm/hydrate/soothe/rebalance….then I moisturise like it’s a religion; being the owner of very dry skin, moisturiser is vital. For daytime, I’m based under a New Zealand sun and now that it’s the future; I use an SPF 50. Yes I do use an eye gel, I’m 25 and on a mission to preserve what I got.

-Talk us through your ‘putting on make up’ regime..

When I wear makeup, I truthfully just want my skin to look healthy with a little flush and my lash-line to look thicker.. that’s it. Of course if I’m really going out that’s a whole different story, but on a reasonably daily bases and always using brushes I do the following:

prime
foundation
concealer (if needed)
fill in/structure brows
apply gel eyeliner to the top lash-line
lash primer
mascara
contour with a bronzer
flush the apple of the cheek with crème blush
sometimes a little concealer over the edge of my lipline
lip conditioner
Usually takes under 10 minutes & lasts for the day. No powder to ‘set’, my dry skin would kill me!

Who’s face would you love to put make up on?

Anyone who looks after their skin.

Can you talk us through the difference between using sponges to apply make up as apposed to brushes? When is the best time to use either?

The difference between a sponge and a brush is you have more control with a brush (maybe to do with the pen grip..?) The brush is cleanable, there are many different types for different products/finishes/effects and I personally would only use a sponge for when I was really layering makeup, like character makeup, when you’re using a dabbing motion or as a tool to blend or clean. When it comes to ‘tools’ in makeup, it’s about what motion you are using to get the effect; be it smooth or textured. The reason sponge’s are a kind of ‘no no’ for foundation application is unless you are using a new sponge every time, they can harbour a lot of bacteria and soak up your product.

What do you think it was that drew you to the make-up artistry world?

I walked into a Halloween party and had nothing with me to dress up, my friend who lived at this house is a makeup artist and she let me borrow her stuff. I went into the bathroom and came out bleeding with black eyes, bruises and a busted lip. She took a look at me and told me I should be an artist.

It felt effortless to do, I felt I could do it.

What is in your bag right now?

A $50 voucher for a great store that I love (Yes!!), a notepad and it’s inner scrawlings, tickets from last night’s movie, wallet, mirror, comb, sharpie pen (?), a M.A.C black eye pencil and lila crush lip gele, peppermints, M.A.C darkside and archetype (from Alexander McQueen collection) lipsticks, a 3g parfum solide, a 4GB usb stick, ipod and about a million flyers for a million things.

One product you swear by daily?

Moisturiser.

Any news in the beauty world we should know about?

Keep your ear to the ground and stay online for some incredible collaboration’s..

What beauty trends coming off the runways do you think will channel down nicely to the streets?

There are two which will translate easily, The first one; Pale & Dandy is clean, minimal, hydrated, androgynously beautiful, glossy and reflective uber nude look. The second; American Nomad has been described as ‘surfer girls after a day at the beach..’, youthful, dusky tans and honeyed skin.

Who’s make-up artistry do you admire and why?

I really admire Kabuki’s artistry. He finds balance in the extreme, it takes a futuristic mind to come up with his fantasy visions. They are beautiful.

What is the best thing about your job?

Being creative on the spot, each face is different.

Blondes should wear more…

Reds and SPF

Brunettes should wear more…

Greens and SPF

Red heads should wear more….

Purples and SPF

How do you re energize yourself creatively?

I search for inspiration a million miles away from make up. I’ll walk to the library (you never know what you’ll see on the way) and look at books on all sorts. Architecture/interior design, plants, famous painters, old photos, ancient civilizations, animals.. anything.

What is your ‘never fails’ outfit?

Would have to be dresses. Dress them up with heels, dress them down with hats and belts. Let the accessories do there thing.

What do you wear while working?

Comfortable clothes are essential. There is nothing worst than feeling irritated or distracted by your clothes when you’re trying to work. Casual is amazing, if I feel good in what I’m wearing there’s no extra worries.

Tell us about what is coming up for you this year.

A few freelance photo shoot’s, I’m waiting for some film production to start up and while waiting for that I have two photographic projects of my own to get stuck into. I’m also doing an interior design course in my own time, which I love and draw so many incredible and inspirational parallels with my makeup visions. It’s anything colour, anything texture or even the absence of it.