Get Her Look – Brigitte Bardot
One of our favourite make-up artists, Craig Alexander Wilson brings you this month’s Get The Look, on Bombshell of the Month, Brigitte Bardot…
When I was asked by the Beauty Bombshell office to write this ‘Get Her Look’ for French bombshell Brigitte Bardot I jumped at the chance. Overflowing with sex appeal and an air of effortless glamour that wouldn’t look out of place today, Brigitte really was the original boho babe. The tumbling sun-bleached hair, the dark kohl lined eyes balanced out with an innocent nude lip laid the timeless path for her contemporaries. But try as they may even Kate Moss and the insipid Ms Sienna Miller can’t live up to the Bombshell that is Brigitte. Here’s how to Get Her Look…
As always, start by perfecting your base. I know the girls at BBHQ are big fans of YSL Teint Resist Long Wear Endless Comfort Transfer Resistant Foundation (£28, www.johnlewis.com) which is lovely, long-wear foundation that gives a flawless finish and a great matte base. For Eyes I chose one of Revlon’s Matte Eyeshadows in Vintage Lace, £4.99, www.boots.com) . Blend this all over your lid from lashline to socket. Apply a couple of layers for intensity. Next, line the upper , lower and inner tearline with Sisley’s fantastic Phyto Khol Perfect Eye Pencil in black (£29, www.sisley-cosmetics.co.uk). It contains beeswax and essential oils, and is soft and easy to use.
Coat lashes with BeneFit’s Bad Gal Lash Mascara (£15.50, www.benefitcosmetics.co.uk) in black, of course, and then if you want to really go for those big Brigitte eyes, finish with some fluttering falsies. I suggest a thick black pair from Eyelashes Direct, where prices start at just £2.50. Line the spine of the lash with the glue and with tweezers come down onto your lash as you apply from above then push up to fit snugly at the base of your lash. The key is glue to lash - not lids. Apply another coat of mascara on top to blend your own lashes into false ones.
This Autumn sees a big swing towards velvety rich shades of mink and taupe’s on the lips, and Brigitte’s really does fit this mould. So for a perfect natural pout, line the lips with Mac Lip Pencil in Spice (£10, www.maccosmetics.co.uk) and then before lipstick, to get the bee-stung look, apply a plumping primer. Try BeneFit’s Lip Plump, £14.50, www.benefitcosmetics.co.uk) which you apply, let dry and then put lipstick over Then fill in with Estee Lauder’s Pure Color Long Lasting Lipstick in Vanilla Truffle (£17, www.esteelauder.co.uk) or Clinique’s High Impact Lip Colour in Nude Beach (£14.50, www.clinique.co.uk) for a really solid matte finish. Lipsticks are back in a big way, but if you’re still a glossier fan, why not try a lip balm, like Comfort Zone’s Lip Blooming Balm (£15.50, for stockists telephone 01827 280 080) which you can apply over your lipstick for a bit more shine. With a little blusher, dust some colour onto the apples of the cheeks but not much. Stay away from pinks and look towards camel colours. I like Clinique’s All-in-one Blush and Brush in Hurry Honey (£21.50, www.clinique.co.uk)
For Brigitte’s fabulous hair, It’s all about volume. If you need a hand with that, BBHQ recommends the TIGI Catwalk Your HIGHness range – use the Elevating Shampoo (£8.60) and the Nourishing Conditioner (£9.45). Before blow-drying, comb through a few drops of their Thickening Gel Creme (£8.60) to add body, volume and va-va-voom! Also in the range, available at www.lookfantastic.com, is a fantastic Root Boost Spray (£9.45) which can be sprayed onto sections of hair, and then blow dryed from the root to add extra Brigitte oomph!
I would also recommend finishing with a spritz of Bumble &Bumble Surf Spray (£18, www.lookfantastic.com) through the hair, and and roughing it up for some texture and body. Randomly pin it high, or let it tumble free. Et, voila! Bombshell a la Brigitte!
