Get ready with the Makeup Junkies

Lockdown left you feeling a little lack lustre? Lost your make-up mojo? Don’t panic! We sat down with June from Makeup Junkies International to hear her top tips on getting back to beauty bliss.

Hey June! Can you tell us a little bit about yourself and Makeup Junkies?

Sure! I’m June Kelly, founder and owner of Makeup Junkies International, a London based make-up artist agency. We provide professional make-up and hair artists to the TV, fashion, film and music industry in the UK, Europe and Australia. We’re proud to say we get to make up some of the most gorgeous faces in the industry, which include all the fabulous QVC presenters!

At Makeup Junkies International, all our artists have a creative and can-do attitude and we want to pass on some of our expertise to you guys and help you feel inspired after lockdown. You’ll be back at your make-up mirror and styling those locks in no time.

We’re ready, June! Take us through it.

Step one: it’s time to deep clean, team!

As they say, ‘a change is as good as a holiday’ and seeing as we can’t go on many holidays right now, let’s start with changing up our make-up bags. It’s out with the old and in with the new.

Gather all your beauty products and I mean all. Check the expiration dates. Are they clean? Stop holding onto eyeshadow palettes from years ago – get rid of them! Pop your make-up bags in the washing machine. Let’s start fresh!

We use a sterilizing spray every single day on the presenters’ make-up kits at QVC. You simply spray it on powder, lippies, palettes and more to sterilize them. Let it dry, and you’re good to go. We also sterilize all the presenters’ brushes with brush cleaner each day. Having clean, sanitized make-up and brushes helps massively in the fight against blemishes and germs.

As an artist, you get through so much make-up and we’re constantly trying new brands. It’s always so exciting trying new products, textures and finishes. Get out there and start to sample all the new, awesome make-up and beauty goodies!

June’s top QVC beauty brands:

Step two: skincare, getting the skin hydrated for masks

Beauty is only skin deep, or so they say. Let me tell you, having a proper skincare regime is 100% where it’s at. As a make-up artist, preparing the skin is step one and the founding pillar to flawless, lasting make-up.

Two free and natural ways to beautiful skin are as simple as getting plenty of sleep and plenty of water. The next step is to stick to a skincare regime like your life depends on it. Personally, I can’t recommend double cleansing enough. Never, ever leave your make-up on overnight, and moisturise, moisturise, moisturise! Your skin is the largest organ in your body and needs a lot of hydration and care. It goes through a lot in a day, so remember to look after it. Face, body, hands, feet… basically head to toe!

I’m turning 40 this year and I am obsessed with face and eye masks. They’re an amazing way to get a whack of hydration back into your skin, and I’m also a big fan of supplements for skin, nails and hair.

Self tan is my secret weapon to make myself look healthier and feel slimmer in one swoop. I’m a big fan of any kind of tanning products. There are so many amazing gradual and instant formulas, plus it’s a safe and simple way to look and feel better.

When working with models, actors and of course, the fabulous QVC presenters, we use great moisturisers, primers and facial mists to prep, lift and hydrate the skin before we apply any make-up.

June’s top names for priming and tanning:

Step three: make-up tips – re-establishing the basics

This summer’s make-up and hair trends are all about fresh, clean skin and make-up. We’ve all been mask-bound and we’re ready to freshen up our looks and brighten things up.

My new find that I’m officially obsessed with is the Doll 10 Skin Serum Primer. It’s incredible. Pop some on the skin and follow with one of my absolute go-to products – IT Cosmetics Your Skin But Better CC Cream. It has SPF 50 and looks like your skin but on a really good day.

Fresh base done, then onto the eyes. I personally don’t wear a lot of eye make-up but I love liner and lashes. It’s a simple, quick, fresh look. I recommend a Laura Geller liner followed by a Tarte mascara, a magic combination! My secret summertime weapon is Tahitian Glow by Laura Geller, which is a shimmery, glowy bronzing powder. It’s for face and body and I use it as an eyeshadow and contour too. It’s a Makeup Junkie must-have. Then it’s lips – QVC presenter Eilidh Nairn loves her bold lips and funky liners.

Step 4: enjoying getting ready, make an event of it

As a make-up artist, every day is glam day. There’s always a reason to make someone fabulous and look their best. Why not take that same ethos into your daily make-up and skincare regime? Your face, body and mind will thank you for it! Pamper, treat and look after yourself. After all, there’s only one you. Now that we can get the girlies round for a make-up party, help each other out with what you know and love, and we’re finally allowed out to mingle with friends, so why not try something new? A pop of colour on the nails, a new up-do, some self-tan, a different fragrance. Put your face on and style your hair – life is for living and being fabulous. Plus, it’s so much fun too.

Step 5: the finishing touches

When we create looks for the presenters or the models we work on, it’s all about the finishing touches. That last spritz of hairspray, matching the nail colour to the outfit, carefully spritzing fragrance. It’s all about the detail and everything coming together. If it’s daytime events you’re heading to, pop a clean, fresh scent with hints of summer-like roses and citrus notes. If it’s a romantic dinner with your other half, make the scent a little moodier, possibly a hint of sandalwood or bergamot. Who doesn’t love a sassy scent?! Having different fragrances for different occasions is a great way to create memories. I have so many that with one spritz they immediately take me back to that day, event or memory, the same way music does. It’s time to shine, ladies and gents. Get your summertime scent on and get that brunch booked in!

June’s top brands for finishing touches:

Thanks so much, June! We can’t wait to get back out there. Head to our virtual shelves to find the latest in beauty must-haves for your revamped collection.