FEBRUARY ISSUE 2021 MAKEUP POWER

Inside Lisa Potter-Dixon’s Feel-Good Beauty Stash

When it comes to makeup, it's safe to say Lisa Potter-Dixon knows a thing or two.

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“Before a product becomes a favourite, it needs to tick the criteria for pay off and longevity.”

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The Power Of Makeup

Right from when I was little, I was surrounded by beauty. My mum was a model in the 80s, so my childhood home was always overflowing with beauty products, and my Nanna Dorris (who is now 91) taught me to never leave the house without a bit of lippy. During lockdown she’s worn it pretty much every day - what a woman! It’s because of these amazing women in my life that I fell in love with makeup. The transformative power of makeup and how it can make you feel isn’t something that can be ignored. It truly can change your day and this past year has been a great example of that. I have received countless messages from people telling me how they’ve turned a down day into a good one just by putting on a bit of makeup.

The Criteria Of A Good Product

For me, there are few things more thrilling than discovering a new incredible formula. Before a product becomes a favourite, it needs to tick the criteria for pay off and longevity. I love strong pigments and products that really stay put. Having a unique point of difference also matters. The products that I use on myself are the same as the ones in my kit bag for clients and shoots. These are the reliable formulas that I’ve tried and tested on myself and pass the tests. It’s not often a new product makes it to my kit bag but when it does, you know it’s good.

Mastering The Feel-Good Basics

In my experience, giving your complexion a boost of luminosity is a quick way to lift your mood. One of the most common questions I get asked is around concealers and how to disguise blemishes and dark circles. NARS products never disappoint and the Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer, £27.00 is an essential in my makeup bag. If you want to create an airbrushed finish, always apply it using a fluffy eyeshadow brush. This is one of the best tips I can offer as it blends into the skin seamlessly and connects it flawlessly to your foundation.

Talking of foundation, I love the Shiseido Synchro Skin Self-Refreshing Foundation, £45.00 for dewy, flawless-looking skin or Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Flawless Filter, £39.00 for a stunning soft focus glow. If you really want to amp up your glow, try mixing a little bit of liquid highlighter into your foundation. To extend the longevity of your base, look to Kevyn Aucoin. He is one of my top five makeup artists of all time and I adore - it gives the most beautiful luminosity to the skin.

The Makeup Mood-Boosters

Once you’re happy with your base, the fun can really start. Mascara is a makeup essential for most of us. I love Nars Climax Extreme Mascara, £27.00 for jet black, volumised and feathery lashes. Apply it along your bottom lashes first, so you don’t get any transfer or smudging when you look up. During lockdown, my love of glitter has only grown and the Stila Magnificent Metals Shimmer & Glow Liquid Eye Shadow, N/A are everything. The Rose Gold Retro shade really enhances any eye colour instantly and accessorises your lashes.

For more of a lip focused look, my go-to lipstick is the in Anita or for a more non-stick, glass-look finish, it's the Hourglass Unreal High Shine Volumizing Lip Gloss, £30.00 in Solar. If you find your lipstick often bleeds, instead of a lipliner, take a pencil brush around the lip line to diffuse the lipstick slightly. I also love multi-use products like By Terry Baume de Rose Lip Care, £42.00 as it not only hydrates the lips and gives a subtle hint of colour, but it also works as a blusher on the cheeks. RMS Beauty Lip2Cheek, £35.00 is also a great multitasker and very wearable.

Regardless of whether you’re going for a strong lip or a bold eye, don’t forget about your brows.

How To Store Your Stash

I’m very lucky that I have my own beauty room (or sanctuary as I like to think of it) in my house, which I designed to have plenty of storage. If like me, you struggle to keep your makeup haul organised, I really recommend the tiered storage organisers from Primark. I keep all my lipsticks in these, face down so I can easily read the name. For all of my glosses, I group them in glass jars by shade, so all my nudes are in one, reds in another and so on. It’s so satisfying when everything is in order and easy to find. I do the same with my makeup brushes, so each has its own jar or pot and the same for mascaras and eyeliners. For all of my palettes, I order them by brand. If you’ve only got a few I’d suggest grouping them by colour and stacking them vertically in your basket or drawer. My everyday makeup is all in my makeup bag and every month I commit to putting one new thing in to try and use.



Words by: Samantha Nice

Image Credits: Emma Palmer

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