In the face of Covid-19 safety measures, FASHION had to embrace a totally new method of image-making for our September issue cover with L’Oréal Paris. A traditional photo shoot would have seen makeup artist and L’Oréal Paris global makeup director Val Garland on location in Paris with cover star Cindy Bruna, but strict gathering and social distancing measures meant that her makeup needed to done virtually. So, while sheltered in place from her London studio, Garland sketched stunning, fashion-forward beauty looks that were later applied onto Bruna digitally using L’Oréal Paris’s Virtual Try-On app (click here to try the looks on yourself right now!).

Photo courtesy of L’Oréal Paris

“I was inspired by what I felt would suit Cindy and how she would carry it off while working in line with the fashion looks as well,” says the makeup icon. Below, Val Garland breaks down each of her makeup sketches and the key L’Oréal Paris products for scoring each look at home.

Totally Addicted To Base

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PRODUCT ART DIRECTION BY MIRA METTER. PHOTOGRAPHY: PRODUCTS BY JON LOYD; PRODUCT STYLING BY RODNEY SMITH.

Before you get started, perfecting your base is a key first step. Try Infallible 24h Fresh Wear Foundation and True Match Eye Cream in a Concealer (note: this hybrid formula not only conceals dark circles, but also contains 0.5% hyaluronic acid to hydrate the delicate eye area) for a flawless canvas. “I like applying products with my fingertips for a great skin finish,” says Garland.

Red, She Said

The inspo: “It’s quite nice when there is just one strong detail. The moment you put on a signature flash of red, it immediately gives you confidence. This is a look that will take you anywhere.”

To get this lip look: For a statement lip, “I used the Brilliant Signature in 312 Be Powerful ,” says Val, a bold-meets-high-shine lip lacquer that delivers a weightless sensation. “To make the colour really pop, first fill in lips with the Colour Riche Matte Lip Liner in In-Matte- Uated With You as a base before applying the lip lacquer.” Bonus: Using this creamy matte lip liner to fill in your lips completely before going over them with your lip colour will stop your statement lip from budging and fading throughout the day.

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PRODUCT ART DIRECTION BY MIRA METTER. PHOTOGRAPHY: PRODUCTS BY JON LOYD; PRODUCT STYLING BY RODNEY SMITH.

To complete the look: “When doing this sort of makeup look, the first thing I like to do is go straight in and do the brows to frame the face.” says Val. Her go-to brow enhancer for getting the job done? Unbelieva’brow,  a long-wearing tinted brow gel. “Gently fill in brows in by brushing hairs up, focusing on any areas where there are any little gaps to make them look full and healthy.”  A waterproof oil-infused neutral eyeshadow was used to finish this look. “I applied Color Queen Oil-Eyeshadow in Bravery 38 onto the upper eyelid and blended it out up towards the brow and also down towards to lower lash line.”

Shadow Shifter

The inspo: “I wanted to create a smoky eye that broke away from the typical black-brown look. You want to keep it feline and fierce by pulling the colour out toward the temples.”

To get this eyeshadow look: “This is all about laying down the colour first. If you wanted, you could start with a pencil to trace your shape first, then go over it by applying the Color Queen Oil-Eyeshadow in Keep-On 28 and blending it out — but you don’t want to apply shadow higher than the eye socket line,” explains Val.  “What makes this look feline and fierce is smudging the eyeshadow down along the lower lash line by pressing the shadow with an angled makeup brush.” She then rimmed Cindy’s eyes with Le Liner Signature in Noir Cashmere 735, a smudge-resistant twist-up pencil. “This will add definition and depth very close to the lash line.”

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PRODUCT ART DIRECTION BY MIRA METTER. PHOTOGRAPHY: PRODUCTS BY JON LOYD; PRODUCT STYLING BY RODNEY SMITH.

To complete the look: “Finish the eye look off with lots and lots of Voluminous Million Lashes in Blackest Black ,” says Val. The volumizing mascara works overtime to plump up lashes. Proceed with taking the True Match Blush in Subtle Sable , a skin tone-enhancing pressed powder, to contour the face — “even going a little bit into the hairline,” adds Val. “For the lips, because we’ve got a strong and lashes, I’m using Matte Signature in Rule 105 and I would just tap it into the lips with my finger.” The nude ultralight liquid lipstick is very thin and saturated with pigment, giving you a comfortable, long-wear finish.

Redrawing The Line

The inspo: Negative space doesn’t only apply to nail art. “We’ve all seen a cat-eye liner — the feline flick. This takes liner to a much more innovative, modern level.”

To get this eye liner look: “The way to recreate this at home is to use the Infallible Flash Cat Eye. It has a fine felt tip, which will give you a super smooth application and create the sharpest of wings. The lid turns into a detachable wing stencil that you can use for placement of your diagonal wing,” shares Val. “Then you’re going to freehand draw a line along the eye socket line. A cotton swab is going to be a good tool here because then you can just erase a section in the middle.”

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PRODUCT ART DIRECTION BY MIRA METTER. PHOTOGRAPHY: PRODUCTS BY JON LOYD; PRODUCT STYLING BY RODNEY SMITH.

To complete the look: It’s all about a light touch of lash-defining mascara. “Putting a soft coat of Bambi Eye Mascara in Extra Noir just on bottom lashes makes this look more editorial, modern and fresh,” says Val. “I want the emphasis to be all on the eyes, so I used bronzer on the across the cheeks, temples and into the hairline for a sun-kissed finish, and went with the Brilliant Signature in Be Determined 301 on the lips.” One coat of this super comfy lip ink and you’re good to go. “It’s a lovely beige lip makes your focus goes straight to the eye.”

Try on these beauty looks

Learn about all the L’Oréal Paris products that Val Garland used for Bruna’s FASHION cover shoot and virtually try on each makeup look by scanning this QR code.

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