When we think of a favourite make-up artist who delivers stunning looks day after day, Patrick Ta immediately comes to mind. And with just one quick look at his star-studded Instagram feed, it’s not hard to see why we’re so obsessed.
He’s the man behind Gigi Hadid’s signature bronzed glow, Taylor Hill’s elongated cat eye and Shanina Shaik’s statement red lip. So when he revealed some of his top make-up tips to his Instagram following recently, we scrambled to grab a pen and paper to take note.
#1 / For the perfect foundation finish
Sometimes choosing between different foundations and their finishes can be an absolute chore. You might want a natural ‘my skin but better’ look however, many lightweight foundations tend to disappear throughout the day. To create a long-lasting base that doesn’t rely upon a fuller coverage foundation, Ta says to “use a long-wear foundation but mix it with a moisturiser.” For a flawless finish, try Maybelline’s Fit Me! Matte Poreless Foundation.
#2 / For long lashes that refuse to budge
There’s nothing more annoying than meticulously applying your mascara to have it end up halfway down your cheek come lunchtime. To rectify this messy situation, Ta’s top tip is to apply waterproof mascara to the bottom lashes, while using a normal mascara on your top lashes. This makes sure that your mascara won’t budge, while still having long and dramatic lashes on top. If you’re looking to try this trick for yourself, we recommend Clinique Bottom Lash Mascara, L’Oréal Paris Volume Million Lashes Waterproof Mascara or Maybelline New York Define-A-Lash Waterproof Lengthening Mascara.
Maybelline Define-A-Lash Mascara, $13.47
Maybelline Lash Sensational Full Fan Effect Mascara, $15.36
Maybelline The Colossal Go Extreme Mascara, $13.96
#3 / For a perfect smoky eye
It’s the age-old dilemma…what comes first: foundation or eye makeup? It turns out Ta has the simple answer for us all; “do your eyeshadow prior to your foundation and concealer! If not, use creams for easy application with no fallout.” Message received! For a sensational dramatic look, try Maybelline’s The Nudes Palette to mix and match different shades!
#4 / For an enviable glow
While Ta is a makeup whiz who can create a huge array of different makeup looks, his work has become synonymous with radiant and glowing skin. It turns out he credits one product for that youthful glow and it’s none other than La Mer’s Renewal Oil. “ When you want to look dewy, add a few drops of La Mer Renewal Oil into your foundation to create an effortless glow from within.”
If your bank account can’t quite stretch to Ta favourite oil, we’d suggest giving Estée Lauder Resilience Lift Restorative Radiance Oil or Ren Vita Mineral Omega 3 Serum Oil a go.
Ren Clean Vita Mineral Omega 3 Optimum Skin Oil, $37.80
Resilience Lift Restorative Radiance Oil, $117.50
La Mer Renewal Oil, $325.00
#5 / For a perfect pout
Along with dewy skin, plump lips have become huge makeup trends in recent years. For a full pout that still looks natural, Ta says, “when over-lining your lips, only over-line towards the centre of the lips. This ensures that the outer lip shape doesn’t change.”
#6/ For a subtle contour
If the dramatic contour the Kardashian clan have made famous isn’t for you, Ta’s technique might just be! “When contouring, I find using creams prior to the foundation application better for a more natural and blended look,” he explained.