5 Secrets from a make-up artist to up your beauty routine

We caught up with this Julia, an elite makeup artist, hair stylist and esthetician. She’s proof that beauty is more than skin deep, and she was happy to share some trade secrets with us. Here are five beauty tricks that you know you want to know:

What’s your “Can’t live without” item in your beauty routine?

A great moisturizer is an essential start to a perfect beauty routine. It’s important to use a product suitable for your skin, but If you’re unsure of your skin type, I recommend booking a consultation with your local beauty consultant. (A beauty store, or a good cosmetics counter at a department store are generally great places to have your skin analyzed ). For my skin type (normal to sensitive), I like to use Yves Rocher Youth Energy Day Care. It makes my skin feel hydrated without feeling heavy and greasy.

What do you think about BBs? (That’s beauty balm, we love the lingo!)

Everyone needs a great BB cream. It’s a great way to achieve even skin without feeling like there’s something thick caked on it. I really like the silky texture of the Biotherm Aqua Source BB Cream.

One of the biggest issues for moms – especially those with little ones – is sleep deprivation. How can you combat the bags and dark circles?

To cover up a sleepless night, there’s nothing better for a mom than a really good concealer. I love the creamy texture and portability of The Body Shop stick concealer. Before putting on your BB cream, apply the concealer stick under your eyes and dab it down with a damp “Beauty Blender”. This will make for a smooth and blended application. Goodbye dark circles!

Mascara, yes or no?

Yes! This beauty secret is my favourite. Mascara is a great way to make a mom’s tired eyes look bright and awake. My must-have mascara at the moment is the Diorshow Extase, but a great comparable one for the mom on a budget is the cult favourite Voluminous Mascara by L’Oreal.

Any other must-haves in the beauty routine?

My last beauty tip is to get a really good tinted lip-balm. The balm provides naturally juicy, plump lips for the mom on the go. A great one to try is Burt’s Bees Tinted Lip Balms. They are amazingly moisturizing with just a hint of luscious colour.

Julia is a Makeup artist and Hair stylist located in Toronto. She loves her craft, and is highly passionate about beauty. She also believes it’s important to involve the inner soul to achieve true beauty. You can find her on Instagram @V.I.B.E.withlove, or check out her website at www.lilfrenchfry555.weebly.com