Self-confessed ‘beauty junkie’, former Vogue Editor, and journalist at large, Kirstie Clements has had access to the world’s most coveted makeup artists. This year Kirstie had her first foray into publishing with The Vogue Factor (watch our interview with Kirstie here) and now, just in time for our summer reading list we have her second offering, Tongue in Chic. We couldn’t wait to take a peek in Kirstie Clements own (rather large) beauty bag, so for this week’s Beauty Bubble, Rescu. Beauty Expert Michael Brown unearths her must-have products, and the secrets behind her beauty.
Beauty is not a chore for Clements, but a passion. ‘I’ve always loved makeup,’ she says. ‘And I do spend half an hour every morning with the magnifying mirror, and I just really enjoy the process.’ In terms of an off-duty beauty regime, Kirstie Clements never drops the ball. ‘I wouldn’t go to the letterbox without makeup’ she says. Her morning makeup regime is her ‘happy place’ and helps to prepare her for all that the day may bring.
When it comes to her signature look, for Kirstie Clements, it’s all about the eyes. ‘I really like a pale good skin base and then really defined eyes,’ she says. ‘I don’t think I have gone a day without eyeliner since I was thirteen.’
Like many women, Kirstie Clements draws her personal beauty philosophy from her mother. ‘My mother always would notice one beautiful feature on somebody, so rather than saying to someone ‘I love your bag’ she’d be more like ‘you’ve got beautiful hands’ or ‘you’ve got beautiful skin’ or ‘don’t you have lovely eyes’. It’s such a nice thing. I always look at people and I look for their best feature, rather than looking for the negative all the time.’
Rather than looking to celebrities for beauty inspiration, Clements turns to the women around her. ‘I think you can just see it from the woman in a store, or on a plane, and you think ‘doesn’t she look incredible!’ she says. ‘I think it’s that lack of artifice but more sort of growing into your own look and feeling confident and proud about that, as opposed to that Real Housewives kind of thing.’
Kirstie Clements’ love of trying new products extends to her personal fragrance. ‘I use different fragrances every day. I’ve probably got about a hundred.’ she says. ‘at one point I liked florals, then I liked greens, now I like really, really spicy things… I like things that are a bit odd. There’s a rose fragrance by Byredo, but it’s called Rose Noir, so it’s a little bit bruised and a little bit strange, and I like that sort of odd fragrance.’
Steal Kirstie Clements’ Look:
1. A beautiful base. Kirstie Clements wears Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation ‘because all the makeup artists use it and there must be a reason.’ She loves the ‘nice lustre’ this hydrating foundation gives. Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation ($90) is available at David Jones stores.
2. Eyeliner. ‘I wouldn’t leave the house without doing my eyes,’ says Clements. ‘I use eyeliner, these are NARS. Of course I have two, one smaller one for next to the lash and then this thicker one which is a smudge pencil.’ NARS Larger Than Life Long-Wear Eyeliner ($24), offers a rich, creamy colour and is available at Mecca Cosmetica stores.
3. The very best Mascara. Kirstie Clements can’t live without her favourite mascaras. ‘I try them all, I love Dior mascara, Saint Laurent mascaras are fantastic, that’s a Lauder one that I just pulled out, but I’ve got probably twelve on the go.’
Rescu. Recommends: Yves Saint Laurent Mascara Volume Effet Faux Cils ($52) for a luxurious false lash effect that’ll have your peepers popping. Available at Myer, David Jones and selected pharmacies.
For more from Kirstie Clements follow her on Twitter: @kirstieclements
To check out Kirstie Clements’ latest book Tongue in Cheek visit: randomhouse.com.au
