Interview with Julie Massé, nose and perfumer
Get started
29.02.2024
MEET THE TEAM : BRUNO (BOUBERT) & MANU (DESGRUGILLERS)
Both are make-up artists and Haute Cosmétique consultants, and are an essential part of the Senteurs D’Ailleurs team.
They are make-up experts
eand true specialists who know how to find THE blush colour or THE skincare product that’s right for you. Make-up, particularly good make-up, is far from trivial or insignificant, they say. It’s a global concept that takes every woman, whatever their age, through every facet of the quest for self-esteem and total well-being.
What has been your career path?
Manu : I worked for about ten years for M.A.C Cosmetics (Estée Lauder). I was hired as a make-up artist by Senteurs d’Ailleurs. My role is to advise clients on purchasing this or that cosmetic product. I also do personalised make-up. Throughout the week, with or without an appointment, we share our expertise and give make-up ‘lessons’ to those who are interested. And, believe me, make-up is an almost exact ‘science’! Looking your best, is quite an art. It’s all about choosing the right colours, textures, and shades. There’s no room for guess work.
Bruno : I’ve been working as a make-up artist at Senteurs d’Ailleurs for 14 years, mainly for the Laura Mercier brand. Like Manu, my main role is to guide the client. Why do they wear make-up? What is their personality? What are they trying to highlight? Some women also want to change their routine. In short, nothing to do with make-up is trivial! By evening out the appearance of the skin, accentuating the eyes and brightening the complexion, make-up is used to enhance. It conveys a positive self-image. I should also point out that when I was young, I was involved in the Brussels drag scene. So, I know a thing or two about make-up! (laughs)
Tell us about the Laura Mercier Cosmetics brand.
Manu : French pioneer of the flawless face, Laura Mercier inspires women to accentuate their unique beauty features, giving them the products, techniques, and confidence to reveal their most self-assured face. In 1996, she created her own brand. An expert in the art of effortless, natural make-up, she has built her intuitive approach around a personal philosophy: ‘What makes you unique makes you beautiful.’ Her hallmark: a perfect complexion! Bruno : Trained as an artist, she went on to become a professional make-up artist in New York (editor’s note: she did Madonna’s make-up for a shoot in ELLE magazine). Laura personally created each shade to meet the needs of her clients and created her own blends to design the products she wanted but couldn’t find anywhere. She launched a number of products that have become truly iconic make-up bestsellers! These include Translucent Loose Setting Powder, Tinted Moisturiser, and the famous Caviar Stick Eye Colour.
What’s the current trend?
Bruno : The trend is ‘no make-up’ make-up! A perfect complexion, nothing more! However, this trend doesn’t mean no make-up at all. Above all, no make-up means having a flawless, radiant complexion thanks to subtle, imperceptible, ultra-natural make-up. It’s about enhancing beauty without excessive make-up. Quite an art!
Manu : The message (which is also Laura Mercier’s) is that you no longer have to conform to the precept that a woman must wear make-up to be feminine or beautiful. The result: an increasing number of selfies on social media using the hashtag #NoMakeUp. We love a bare-skin complexion, also known as the ‘glowssy’ effect, a blend of glowing and glossy.
What’s new at Laura Mercier?
Bruno : The brand now offers (almost) all its products in a liquid version: foundations, moisturising tinted bronzers, blushes, Rose Glow liquid highlighters, and so on. The liquid texture makes make-up easier to apply and blends perfectly with the skin. This guarantees a light, long-lasting effect! The result is a more natural-looking make-up, with less of the heavy, powdery look you used to get.
A mistake that should be avoided:
Bruno : Mistaking a monochrome look for a healthy glow, using a foundation that’s darker than your own skin tone. You’re certain to get that ‘orange’ effect.
Manu : That said, there are no rules when it comes to make-up. It’s all a question of tone and taste. And, as you know, there’s no accounting for taste or colour. As long as the make-up is coherent and confident…
Make-up implies make-up removal…
Manu : This is essential! The best make-up removers are water-soluble oils, such as Micellar Prebiotic PreCleanse (Dermalogica) or Gentle Cleansing Oil (Whamisa). Then I’d recommend Damask Rose Petal Mist (Whamisa), which moisturises, refreshes, and detoxifies the skin in a single spray.
What’s your ‘trick’ for a beautiful mouth?
Manu : Lip gloss! Because it’s shiny, gloss brightens up any make-up and makes it sparkle. It adds freshness while giving the illusion of fuller lips, because it often provides less coverage and is more subtle than a traditional lipstick. Above all, don’t choose a colour that’s too dark or a lipstick that’s too red if you have thin lips.
If you had to choose just one lipstick?
Bruno : Velour Extreme Matt Lipstick by Laura Mercier, in the Fire shade, a flamboyant orange red.
Manu : Also from Laura Mercier, a powdery mauve red: Soft Petal Lipstick in the Élodie shade.
Something you should always have in your handbag?
Bruno : Translucent Pressed Setting Powder by Laura Mercier, a high-performance translucent powder that sets make-up without weight or texture.
Manu : Mega Water by TALM (To All The Mamas), a high-tolerance facial treatment that fights all forms of imperfections to reveal a radiant complexion on a daily basis. It is particularly effective for the most sensitive skin.
Posted in:
Cosmetics