When Estelle burst onto the music scene with her nostalgic hit '1980' back in 2004, it struck a chord with many as we gleefully reminisced about Connect 4 and LA Gear trainers. It wasn't until she left UK shores and collaborated with U.S rapper, Kanye West and released 'American Boy' in 2008, that her profile soared and she soon became a household name on both sides of the Atlantic.
Currently promoting upcoming single 'Back To Love', the Grammy award winning artist, took some time out of her busy schedule to answer a few burning beauty questions I had for her.
You always have lovely, glowy skin - what are your fave skincare products? Do you have a routine that you stick to?
Thank you and yes, I do a routine. I I try and get facials regularly and I use Dermologica Calming Skin Face Wash. Because I fly so much, I have to keep my face under control, it gets dry, I break out…it’s a moment, so I try and use that all the time. I also use Creme de La Mer face cream, it costs everything in life, but it’s worth it. It’s heavy, and when you’re travelling a lot like I do, with many late nights, you don’t want your skin to break out. So I wash [my face] and moisturise with it.
A few days a week I use a toner, I found a brand new one by YSL and it’s like a make-up remover and toner at the same time. It’s the truth! I use the Clarasonic face wash too, and then I use the toner.
Black people, especially dark skinned, we get pigments, so I try not to use anything with hydroquinone in it, or as little hydroquinone in it as possible, because it doesn’t help your skin. I get microdermabrasion too, which takes off the top layer of your skin, is which is made up of dead and dry skin.
I'm somewhat of a blush addict, what are your favourite blush shades?
I’m not really a blush girl. I go for contouring more than blush. My cheek bones, as they are, when I smile they pop up anyway. But when I do use it, there’s a really, really dope one by MAC called
Gingerly, which works for everyone. It makes you look fresh faced, not like you’re trying to look like your Aunty in the 80’s. No red! Gingerly, and maybe a bit of pink in it too. It works for black girls too – all shades. It’s the best!
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| Photo Credit: Roxanne Lewit |
Which foundation(s) do you use?
I use Make Up For Ever foundations, their HD ones, they’re the best for everyday, as I work a lot. But for general wear I love Georgio Armani in 6 and 7 Face Fabric, just for like running down the street and you don’t feel too peppy or your skin is having a moment. Georgio Armani Face Fabric feels like you have nothing on. Just literally put it in your hand and rub it on and it works!
I use it in number 6 and 7 and mix them together because I’m like 4 shades. We’re all really like about 12 different shades, never stick to one, mix them together. The bottom half of your face tends to be darker than the top half, you always want to highlight your eyes, your nose and your T-zone, so you use your lighter shades in the middles and your darker shades around the sides. Mix them and blend them!
You attend a lot of prestigious award ceremonies, have you ever experienced make-up artists who have found it difficult to work with black skin?
Oh yeah! I have my own make-up artist with me, or I do my own. The first year, when you’re trying to be a nice, agreeable artist, I rock out with what they have, and then you end up looking like a clown, and then everyone’s upset by the entire thing! I found it makes sense to fight for your people so you look good. If we look crazy, then it’s all a waste of money, outfits and trips, because if your face looks crazy, you’re gonna sit there looking stupid. I always fight for the right people to make me look good.
What has been your worst beauty disaster?
When people don’t quite get black skin and they go for the bog-standard. I think a lot of brands are yet to formulate their best foundations for black skin, as many can show up a bit ashy after a while.
You need people you really understand your skin tone and the type of skin you have, and there’s not a lot of make-up artists who have access to the right shades as well, so they just do the best they can. Everyone thinks you want to be lighter than you are or darker than you are and it’s like, “No, I just want to be the colour that I am!” So you have to be really sure and clear with them about the colour.
When you find a really good make-up artist, you realise how much of a fine art it is. You’re matching someone’s skin tone, and trying not to over their look or anything different. You just want to enhance their beauty.
