Michelle Keegan never looks anything less than stunning on the red carpet, with gorgeous make-up looks to complement her chic ensembles. And many of her most memorable looks are courtesy of celebrity make-up artist Krystal Dawn, who has worked with the star for three years. We caught up with Krystal, who did Michelle's make-up for her wedding to Mark Wright, to find out her beauty tips - and how we can recreate the HELLO! Online blogger's look for ourselves.
How did you start working with your celebrity clients including Michelle Keegan?
I started my make-up career with a pop group called VS and through the girls in the group I met Chloe Sims from The Only Way is Essex. Before long, I began working on the glamour side of make-up, particularly with Lauren Pope and Maria Fowler before TOWIE started. I also did the comeback of Sophie Anderson for Gossard at this time. About five years ago, I met Jess Wright and then Michelle who I've been working with for about three years. She saw my work, started using me for red carpet events and then eventually her wedding. Jess was a stepping stone to Michelle but it was my work on her face that she fell in love with. I work with her and discuss every look before we start anything. We have definitely tried a variety of looks throughout the years.
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What is your favourite thing about working with Michelle?
My favourite thing about Michelle is that she isn't scared to strip back the make-up. It's not all about Instagram and perfection. It's a relief to be able to do more natural looking make-up, like you see on Hollywood red carpets. This is the kind of make-up I enjoy doing and Michelle likes too.
Where does the inspiration come from for the red carpet make-up looks you create?
I look up to artists like Hung Vanngo who works with the most glamorous models and actresses in Hollywood. His work is seamless, effortless and sheer perfection. He is known for blending make-up so finely that you can't even see an eyeliner line! Like him, I believe in showing off beautiful skin.
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Do you have a go-to look for red carpet glamour?
I don't have a go to red carpet look as for me, it's about making sure it's right for the person I'm working with. I always discuss with my clients' stylists what they will be wearing, what kind of look they will be doing and I go from there. I research different looks, make a mood board and that is where my work starts from. Rosie Huntington-Whiteley features on my mood boards a lot! I love her look!
What are your three essential products for a flawless make-up look?
My three essential products would be a peach corrector for under the eye, foundation sticks that I can use as concealer, a light foundation base or to contour and a powder for a flawless finish. My main tip would be to exfoliate before make-up application! Clarisonic is my absolute go to for this!
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What is your top beauty trick?
I have a few! My top beauty trick would be to use a corrector (e.g. peach) for under the eye. Another is to put soap in the brows to give them a fluffy model-like look. And finally, to make the whole face come together and look seamless, I often use a contouring product or bronzer on cheeks and eyes and sometimes just use these two on the eyelid with no eyeshadow at all.
Is there a particular look you are most proud of?
I loved Michelle's BAFTA look. She looked stunning with glowing and radiant make-up which I think was just perfect!
How can we recreate Michelle's natural glow from the NTAs?
For the NTAs we stripped everything back. We used Becca Illuminator as a base before foundation to really get that dewy glow. And for the first time ever I introduced pinks onto the cheeks and lips. We normally do bronze and peaches on Michelle but the pinks just gave her such a natural youthful look. This is definitely up there with my faves!
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