Makeup artist shares knowledge

Suzanne Harvey make up her model Molly.

RIGHT, LADIES. If you have been wearing the same makeup, the same way, for years and are looking for a fresher, brighter look, I have the solution.

Suzanne Harvey has been doing hair and makeup for longer than she cares to admit and she's more than willing to share her knowledge.

She has worked in the beauty industry both in New Zealand and overseas.
Her makeup lessons are perfect for women of any age. She offers individual lessons or group lessons for a social clubs.

"It's a fun thing to do for a group of women. We pick one person to be the model and then everyone else can ask questions as we go."

The lessons are for women of all ages. "I've had a mother send her 16-year-old along so she learned good makeup habits from the start."

However, Suzanne says most of her clients are women who wake up one morning, put their makeup on, look in the mirror and decide what they have been doing since they were 16 is just not working anymore.

"I get them to bring their makeup kit in with them and some of them have some real shockers in there. Most of them already know they have been sold something that really doesn't suit them but by the time they get it home, open it and use it they feel they have to finish the product even if they know in their heart it's the wrong shade, because they have just spend quite a bit of money."

I know that feeling. Actually, I have several items I have bought over the years that I've used a couple of times and then thought, 'No, that's just not right' - especially lipsticks.
Suzanne says as we age our skin changes. "Older women need light-reflecting products. We need light to enhance what we've been left with once youth had deserted us - a soft and dewy look."

It takes just one lesson with Suzanne, which lasts around two hours. "I do full makeup and show people exactly how to achieve the look at home, but you have to practice. I'll show you how to create an evening look and a day-time look for work or leisure."

And just because you wear glasses, doesn't mean to say you shouldn't wear eye makeup. "In fact, it's all the more reason to wear it. When you wear glasses your eyes disappear. We want to see your eyes."

Suzanne doesn't believe in going over the top when it comes to makeup. "When you walk into a room you don't want the first impression people have of you is the person with the makeup on. They should see a beautiful woman who looks polished."

If you want to wear minimal makeup, Suzanne says groomed eyebrows are a must, and "everyone looks better with mascara on, then add a bit of lipgloss".

"Older woman should avoid red lipstick. As you get older the area around your mouth usually ages more than your eyes. so draw attention to your eyes rather than your lips."
So what's in a the moment?

"Lots of metallic, golden eyes that shimmer and sparkle. Blue or teal for that 60s or 70s look, however that's best left to the youngsters. Eyebrows are big at the moment as are pretty pinks for the lips."

Clients leave with a full list of products used along with a face chart showing how to recreate their look.

*For more information contact Suzanne: suzannemhardy@hotmail.com or 021465126.