Welcome to The Glowdown, our brand-new series where we’ll be diving into the beauty secrets of our favourite celebrities and industry experts as they get real about their routines and nonnegotiables exclusively with us. Join them as they sit in our beauty hot seat and we fire off a round of quick-fire questions, giving you never-before-shared insight into the products they cannot live without, their secrets to red carpet–ready skin, pet peeves, and the genius tips they have picked up from experts along the way. This is no-holds-barred beauty at its finest.
This month, we’re talking to iconic celebrity makeup artist Lisa Eldridge, who has not only worked with stars such as Dua Lipa, Kate Winslet and Keira Knightley but also every illustrious fashion photographer and publication that you can imagine. She is the author of Face Paint: The Story of Makeup and has held the position of Lancôme’s global creative director since 2015. Fun fact: She’s also a collector of vintage makeup, and her assortment includes a Cartier lipstick holder created for Audrey Hepburn in 1954. You’ll have no doubt watched her informative YouTube makeup tutorials, too, so you can believe she has plenty of makeup tips to share. You’ll find all her beauty secrets and musings ahead.
Which makeup product gives you the biggest mood boost?
Lipstick.
If you could steal someone else’s makeup bag, whose would it be?
Elizabeth Taylor.
You’ve got a spot. Are you team pop it or team leave it alone?
One-hundred per cent pop it—I’m a squeeze monster.
You only have one product to use for the rest of your life—what is it?
Concealer.
What’s the best piece of beauty advice that you have ever received?
A sun tan lasts a week, but wrinkles last forever.
It’s a bad hair day. What do you do?
It’s not going to be a good day.
What is your signature fragrance?
I have many. I like to layer and mix fragrances. But a couple of my favourites are Prada Infusion d’Iris Eau de Parfum and Daringly Different by Diana Vreeland.
Strong lip or a strong eye?
Strong lip.
You’re having your nails done. What’s your go-to colour?
Bonfire Serenade by OPI.
What is your beauty philosophy in a sentence?
Apply a little just where you need it.
What is your favourite lipstick colour?
My current favourites are my True Velvet Lipsticks in Kitten Mischief by day and Velvet Dutchess at night.
What’s your biggest beauty no-no?
A facial foundation that bears no relation to neck, chest and body.
Candles, reed diffusers or nothing at all?
Candles.
If you could share one piece of beauty advice, what would it be?
Less is more (except for SPF).
What beauty product do you recommend to everyone?
The Skin Enhancing Treatment Cleanser, which is my new cleanser-mask hybrid.
Name one beauty product that is always in your handbag?
Lip pencil.
Are you team dewy or matte?
I’m team patchwork—dewy in some areas, matte in others.
The greatest drugstore product for under £10?
Weleda lip balm.
Your brows in one word.
Natural.
Your worst hairstyle (or hair moment) ever.
A fringe.
You have to wear your hair crimped or blue eye shadow for the rest of your life—which do you choose?
Blue eye shadow.
Makeup primer—love it or hate it?
Never use it.
Confession time: How often do you clean your makeup brushes?
About once a week.
Which beauty “rule” do you always break?
Not getting enough sleep.
Would you rather have ultra-skinny brows or bleached brows?
Bleached.
Which celebrity’s hair would you love to steal?
Dua Lipa.
Which era of beauty inspires you most?
That’s too difficult a question. I have to say every era.
Eyelash curlers—love them or hate them?
Love them.
Best beauty hack?
Pinpoint concealing: Use heavy-coverage concealer with a tiny eyeliner brush to target blemishes, shadows and pigmentation to “digitally retouch” your skin.
Up Next, The Glowdown: Maya Jama Shares the Beauty Secrets We All Want to Know
