Interview: Makeup Artist Lizzy Marsh

As I put together this little collage above, I said out loud, “Oh Lizzy, I love her!” to Benjamin.  Yes, I love her so much that she’s done my makeup for the following (Christmas shoot, cover of PHOENIX magazine, my wedding day):

And my darling brides (this is not all of them, just a few):

I always ask Lizzy Marsh, (makeup artist to the professional models) for makeup advice since she and her best friend Michael (another talented makeup artist) are the only ones who really know my face super well.  Here’s some fun advice on getting makeup ready for summer’s heat, and the most requested makeup look asked – Kim Kardashian’s look of course.  Which, ironically enough when I first met Lizzy I asked her to make me look like an Asian Kim Kardashian, which she very well did, see it here.  Oh, and every woman’s must have beauty products.  Thanks for your wisdom Lizzy!  See more of her work on her website, www.lizzymarsh.com.

What is your primary line of work and what is the best thing about it?
I primarily work with models from The Agency AZ and FORD/RBA here in the valley. I have to limit the amount of brides that I work with each season to stay available for photo shoots but I really do enjoy both very much. The best thing about photo shoots is the variety of working with all types of models and photographers. No shoot is ever the exact same and seeing the end result of all the collaborative creativity is always exciting! The best thing about working with brides is the connection I make with my brides and truly becoming apart of their day. Knowing that they are trusting me to make them look  the best version of themselves for such an important day is so important to me. I love that personal connection so much so that I’ve become friends with several of my clients.

Summer is just about here, can you give some recommendations on how to switch up or change makeup to accomodate the change in weather?
Your skin changes throughout the seasons and so should your products. If you live in warmer climates as I do, you may get oilier in the summer months and need a mattifying moisturizer or you may need to introduce a primer into your daily makeup regimen to prevent your foundation from melting. Also you should wear an SPF 30 on your face all year round but especially during the hotter months when you may experience more sun exposure. One of my favorite products is (1) Sunforgettable Mineral Sunscreen from ColorScience. It’s a mineral powder than you can get in translucent or color matched to your skin tone and it has a brush attached for easy application. You literally swirl the brush in a circular motion over your face throughout the day and it’s waterproof and won’t compromise your makeup. The translucent is also great for men.

What is the most requested makeup look you are asked?  And what are your tips or products to achieve it?
Hands down the most popular look is the “Kim K smokey eye” The key to getting this look is practice and lots of blending. If you aren’t comfortable with black or darker shadows start out with a brown smokey eye. You’ll need a black kohl pencil to rim your eyes, a great blending brush, eyeshadow and concealor to clean up any darkness left under the eyes. Clients always seem thrown when I start eyes before the foundation application. The reason for this is so that no loose eyeshadow gets onto the foundation you just applied. One of my go-to pallets of shadows for a smokey eye is the Urban Decay Naked Pallet 1. Another look which is my favorite is the clean and pretty dewey look. This is a favorite for photo shoots as well.

What product does every woman need to use? 
Moisturizer, Sunblock every day, and an amazing, good quality under eye cream. I’m a fan of brands such as Dermalogica and Skin Medica. These brands are a little bit pricier but they’re active ingredient percentages are higher than most brands so it’s more bang for your buck. I worked for a dermatologist and learned through that experience that women’s under eye skin starts breaking down at the age of 18. I wish someone had told me this! A great skin regimen is KEY. Also drinking lots of water along with Omega 3 vitamins and Biotin for skin and nails. I’m 31 years old and I am constantly complimented on my skin. Thankfully my grandmother taught me the importance of skin care at a young age so I try to pass this wisdom onto all of my clients and friends.

Diana Elizabeth always ends up buying a lot of products after Lizzy does her makeup.  She figures it’s like the most perfect custom makeup consultation!