With the brushstrokes of decades on the sets of TV and film, painting the faces of Australia's most beloved celebrities, I've mastered the canvas of the human countenance. Today, I'm peeling back the curtain on the subtleties of sophistication .This isn't about transformation; it's about enhancement, about finding that delicate balance where your natural beauty meets a touch of tv & film magic.

In the bustling makeup room and under the bright lights, I've learned that the secret to a sophisticated everyday look is simplicity. But simple doesn’t mean insignificant. Every product choice, every color blend, every stroke matters. It’s the nuanced approach, the gentle layering, and the strategic highlights that culminate in a look that's as comfortable as your favorite hoodie but as refined as a tailored blazer.

A makeup aesthetic that speaks volumes of your style without saying a word. We’ll talk about the go-to products that have stood the test of time and the latest innovations that are worth your attention. Get ready to embrace a look that's not just seen on the red carpets but made for the rhythm of your daily life.

Before i even prep the skin i love using an ice roller especially in the morning to help depuff the skin & stimulate blood flow whilst providing lymphatic drainage. I keep mine in the fridge but pop it into the freezer 5 minutes before I'm ready for it. It's also great for a quick wake up if you're feeling a little dusty from the night before.

Always allow a few minutes for your moisturizer to sink into your skin before applying foundation.

An exception is, lets say your foundation is too matte, too thick or too dry. Mix a small amount of your moisturizer or serum into a pump of your foundation- you've instantly revived your foundation into a lighter, glowier dewier version!

The art of achieving a natural base is all about evening out the skin without masking the entire face .

As a professional makeup artist, I find the beauty sponge to be an indispensable tool in my kit. The beauty sponge, often recognized by its egg-like shape and soft, bouncy texture, is not just a trend but a revolutionary way to achieve a flawless, natural foundation finish. Here's why beauty sponges have taken the makeup world by storm

The design of beauty sponges allows for a stippling effect that is difficult to achieve with brushes or fingers. The stippling technique involves "bouncing" the sponge over the skin, which presses the foundation into the face for a smooth, airbrushed look. This method eliminates any harsh lines or streaks that brushes might leave behind, ensuring the foundation melds seamlessly with the skin.

Beauty sponges are designed to be used damp, which offers a two-fold benefit. Firstly, a damp sponge won’t absorb as much product, allowing for a buildable coverage without waste. The trick is to really let the sponge get soaked completely with water then squeeze out all excess moisture until it is slightly damp. You'll know if you wet it enough as it will almost double in size & have the texture of a marshmallow .Secondly, the moisture helps to sheer out the foundation, which is the key to a natural, skin-like finish. It can blend the product so well that it essentially becomes one with the skin, rather than sitting on top of it.

Its ability to create a natural, second-skin finish with foundation is unmatched.

You can shop The Airbrush FX Beauty Sponge by melli HERE

As a makeup artist, one of the most transformative tricks I've mastered is the art of making eyes look bigger and more expressive with the strategic use of eyeshadow. Eyeshadow isn't just color to adorn your lids; it's a powerful tool that can alter the perception of your eye's shape and size. With the right shades and careful placement, eyeshadow can create an illusion of larger, more captivating eyes.

When lining the eyes here's a trick to create balance and to ensure it doesn't close up the eyes.

Use a black or my preference a coffee brown pencil to line the top lash line making sure it is pressed right into the top lash line so there is no gap between the liner & the lashes.

Then on the lower lash line use a softer shade in an eyeshadow and buff gently under the lower lash line for a soft smokey halo effect. This will actually open up the eyes rather than closing them up.

If you have problems with the top liner transferring the trick is to set it with an eyeshadow - i also love doing this to soften the top lash line further.

My love affair with Cream Blush is deeply rooted in its unparalleled ability to impart a natural, healthy glow that seems to emanate from within. Unlike its powder counterparts, cream blush blends seamlessly with the skin, creating an effortless, lit-from-within radiance that flatters every skin tone.

Why is cream blush so universally flattering? It all comes down to its unique texture and blendability. Cream blushes are infused with emollient ingredients, allowing them to melt into the skin rather than sitting on top of it. This integration with the skin's natural texture makes for an incredibly natural look, one that mimics the way your cheeks naturally flush. It's a foolproof way to achieve a youthful appearance, as the dewy finish of cream blush adds a touch of hydration that enlivens the skin, making it especially beneficial for those with dry or mature skin types.

Furthermore, the versatility of cream blush cannot be overstated. It can be applied with fingers, a brush, or a sponge, and it can be layered to adjust the intensity of the color—from a sheer wash of color to a bold statement cheek.

Neutral lipliners are on my my favourite lip products as i find them so versatile. My favourite shade is MINK in the lip creators which is perfect for correcting lip symmetry.  A neutral lipliner allows me to subtly correct this by 'over-lining' one side and 'under-lining'  the other, creating the illusion of balance & a subtle fullness or even creating a more feminine cupids bow.

The transformative power of a neutral lipliner extends beyond shaping and defining. It can double as a full-lip color which is perfect for those who prefer a minimalist approach or are aiming for a 'no-makeup' makeup look. Simply fill in the lips with a neutral liner and top with a gloss for a polished finish.

Meet the founder of melli Cosmetics HERE