Frey-ja Barker Masterclass: Back to Work Make-up

The summer season is cooling off and as we bid farewell to our idyllic holiday life, we begin to start getting back into our daily routine. [Transitioning back to work life](https://www.fenwick.co.uk/daily-muse/article/?cid=3920b88e-6b9a-44cc-a551-94a9db6d9465), whether you’re starting a new job or returning to an existing one, always presents itself as a challenge after the holidays and it can be hard figuring out what works for a different setting. In the third instalment of our monthly column, we speak to Fenwick’s resident make-up artist and personal beauty shopper, [Frey-ja Barker](https://www.fenwick.co.uk/319837da-586c-4b66-866b-9cd5b2af6878.html), about how to put on your best presentable face.

##### What are your tips for achieving a well-groomed base when we’re getting ready in the morning? FB: “Reach for an all-in-one [moisturiser](https://www.fenwick.co.uk/beauty/skincare/moisturisers), like [Estée Lauder’s DayWear Sheer Tint Moisturiser](https://www.fenwick.co.uk/beauty/skincare/moisturisers/day-creams/daywear-multi-protection-sheer-tint-moisturiser-spf-15/2500000724657.html). It’s rammed with antioxidants, making it great for those who live in cities. As you blend it on your face, it releases tinted pearls, giving the skin a glow before you even put make-up on. Then look for a powder [foundation](https://www.fenwick.co.uk/beauty/make-up/face/foundations) as they apply beautifully onto the skin. [Laura Mercier’s Mineral Powder](https://www.fenwick.co.uk/beauty/make-up/face/foundations/mineral-powder/2500001066725.html) is a great buildable foundation that allows you to control the amount of coverage you want.” ##### How can we prevent our skin from appearing dull and lifeless? FB: “I think it’s important to add colour to the face because high-coverage foundation can block out all the natural colour and warmth to the skin. [Blusher](https://www.fenwick.co.uk/beauty/make-up/face/blushers) is key for adding a youthful glow. [Lancôme’s Cushion Blush Subtil](https://www.fenwick.co.uk/beauty/make-up/face/blushers/cushion-blush-subtil/2500002337985.html) is a compact blush that’s very handy to use with your fingers and gives the cheeks a healthy-looking flush.” ##### When we’re coming back to work from the summer, how can we make a golden glow work for the office? FB: “[Bronzer](https://www.fenwick.co.uk/beauty/make-up/face/bronzers) helps to enhance a warm complexion and maintain our tan from the summer. [Charlotte Tilbury’s Glowgasm Palette](https://www.fenwick.co.uk/beauty/make-up/face/highlighters/glowgasm-palette/2530010183762.html) is a great all-in-one product as it contains a bronzer, a highlighter and a mirror, so you can apply it easily on-the-go. Another product that helps give the skin a soft glow is [Hourglass’ Ambient Light Palette](https://www.fenwick.co.uk/beauty/make-up/face/palettes/ambient-lighting-palette/2530007452444.html). It’s got a bronzer, blush and highlighter so you can pinpoint specific areas of the face for a hint of radiance.”

##### What’s an easy way to define our eyes and eyebrows with make-up? FB: “Grooming the [eyebrows](https://www.fenwick.co.uk/beauty/make-up/eyes/eyebrows) adds structure to the face and a fantastic product for that is [Charlotte Tilbury’s Legendary Brows](https://www.fenwick.co.uk/beauty/make-up/eyes/eyebrows/legendary-brows/2500002482081.html). It comes in four shades, so you can match it to your hair colour. As you stroke it through the brows, the hairs will grab the pigment from the wand, and it will give the brows more colour and definition. If you have any balder patches, use the tip of the wand like a pencil and draw it on the skin.” ##### For eyeshadows, what colours work best for a professional setting? FB: “I recommend neutral colours as a matte finish works well in a professional setting. Cream eyeshadow sticks are great products as they don’t budge and move around the face. Generally, use two shades for a polished look. Start with a matte white or pearl highlighter like [Laura Mercier’s Caviar Stick Eye Colour in Vanilla Kiss](https://www.fenwick.co.uk/beauty/make-up/eyes/eyeshadows/caviar-stick-eye-colour/2530001140330.html) and apply that underneath the eyebrows. Introduce colour across the eyelids with the shade [Au Naturel by Laura Mercier](https://www.fenwick.co.uk/beauty/make-up/eyes/eyeshadows/caviar-stick-eye-colour/2530001140347.html), which is a rich brown tone that’s perfect for definition. For eyeliner, [Clarins 4-Colour All In One Pen](https://www.fenwick.co.uk/beauty/make-up/eyes/eyeliners/4-colour-all-in-one-pen/2530008047403.html) contains different colours within one eyeliner pen. Use the brown shade for a subtle enhancement or the grey or black to add some drama.” ##### What are your recommendations for lipstick shades? FB: “[Lipstick](https://www.fenwick.co.uk/beauty/make-up/lips/lipsticks) really helps to tie a look together and [Charlotte Tilbury’s latest Hot Lips 2 collection](https://www.fenwick.co.uk/beauty/make-up/lips/lipsticks/hot-lips/2530011624387.html) has some great shades that don’t look too harsh or bright on the face. The shade [In Love with Olivia](https://www.fenwick.co.uk/beauty/make-up/lips/lipsticks/hot-lips/2530011624387.html) has a nude, peachy pink tone, that makes it an easy colour to wear. If you want something brighter and a longwearing formula, [Tom Ford’s Lip Lacquer Matte in Jaquar](https://www.fenwick.co.uk/beauty/make-up/lips/lipsticks/lip-lacquer-matte/2530009262294.html) is a coral shade that’s universally flattering on every skin tone and brings a summery touch to the office.”

##### What are your tips for making sure lipstick stays on our lips, even while we’re sipping tea? FB: “A [lip liner](https://www.fenwick.co.uk/beauty/make-up/lips/lip-liners) helps lipstick formulas stay put. To avoid a dark line around the edge, use a lip pencil all over the lips, so when the lipstick wears off, the lip pencil pigment is still on the lips. [Charlotte Tilbury's Lip Cheat in Pillow Talk](https://www.fenwick.co.uk/beauty/make-up/lips/lip-liners/lip-cheat/2500000807695.html) is a shade that gives the illusion of a fuller pout. I would also recommend the [shade Pink Venus](https://www.fenwick.co.uk/beauty/make-up/lips/lip-liners/lip-cheat/2500000807763.html) as its peachier undertones counteracts blueness. [Tom Ford’s Lip Sculptor](https://www.fenwick.co.uk/beauty/make-up/lips/lipsticks/lip-sculptor/2530006637958.html) is a twist-up lip pencil that has a brush on the opposite end, so you never need to sharpen it. To prevent your lipstick coming off a glass or coffee cup, lick the glass first before drinking it because it puts a barrier of saliva between the glass and your lipstick.” ##### How do we make sure our make-up stays on when we’re working long hours? FB: “Use a setting powder to ensure that your make-up stays put throughout the entirety of a day. Powder takes down any high shine and takes off greasiness, which is essential for a professional look. A great one is [Chantecaille's HD Perfecting Loose Powder](https://www.fenwick.co.uk/beauty/make-up/face/finishing-powders/hd-perfecting-loose-powder/2500004888935.html) as it’s got a built-in brush so you don’t need to carry separate make-up brushes with you when you're travelling. Simply take the powder brush and dust it over your foundation to set it.”