A La Carte In Conversation
With a portfolio spanning Vogue to You Magazine and a roster of high-profile clients, we sat down with international professional makeup artist Nadira V Persaud to talk about her work and inspiration, positive ageing and the Cosmetics à la Carte products she can't live without.
Why do you choose to use Cosmetics à la Carte?
"When I began training at the London College of Fashion in the early 90s we were given Cosmetics à la Carte in our kits and I found a lot of their shades were unique with beautiful payoff and ease of application such as the Eye Define mineral eyeshadows.
I felt that using them enhanced my skills as a professional makeup artist.
For every client from celebrities to private individuals, the impact after using CALC is astonishing because they see themselves looking polished, never overly made up, just a brighter, perhaps even bolder version of themselves. I also love how I can create a personalised palette to suit each individual."
In your career working with high profile clients, what is your fondest memory so far?
"I've so many fond and wonderful moments with clients in my career spanning almost 30 years but I did quite recently work with Felicity Kendal on a cover shoot for You Magazine. She is rightly a national treasure and a legend and I always learn something from her as we tweak her look every time we work together.
As well as this she always asks me to write down the products I've used on her and there is always a plethora of Cosmetics à la Carte products on there - she’s a fan.
What Cosmetics à la Carte product can’t you leave the house without?
"This isn't easy as I have so many go-to products from the range but I'll settle on Complexion Enhancer in Sunkiss because it retains a glowing-bronzed finish as well as saturating skin with hydration.
If I could sneak in another product it would be one of the latest launches, Rapid Renew Eye Serum because there are a lot of eye products out there which make unrealistic claims and this is by far one of the best. It generously hydrates in a sweep with the cooling roller ball under the eyes, day and night, it is just heavenly!"
What top tips can you share for keeping skin in good condition after 50?
"As I've just turned 50 myself I’m particularly aware that the skin changes and loses its elasticity. Working from within by taking collagen supplements is a good start, along with a skincare routine to create balance.
For those in perimenopause and menopause you might find your skin misbehaving so calming ingredients like as rose otto used in Cosmetics à la Carte’s Rose Dew is very beneficial for soothing complexions.
Simple face massage techniques can also be used to apply products like Cosmetics à la Carte’s Hydrasmooth Night Cream to skin to diffuse tension.
Regular massage improves circulation and oxygenation improving more clarity and tone as fluid is dispersed and nodules are broken down.
Above all the element of touch and self-soothing is highly beneficial as part of a skincare routine and a great way to tackle common hormonal symptoms such as anxiety.
Simple facial exercises for you to try can be found in my book, Press Here! Face Workouts for Beginners available here."
What would you say the beauty industry gets right and wrong about beauty as we age?
"I believe there are too many ridiculous claims surrounding beauty products, with not enough evidence to back them up. I feel passionately about trialling skincare for at least 4 weeks before I can give an honest review which is why I am loathe to believe an expert or influencer who unboxes a moisturiser, applies it once and gives their verdict.
We are also bombarded by social media 'experts' telling us in online tutorials that we are making mistakes i.e. “stop applying your foundation wrongly” or “stop using black eyeliner over 50” which hardly comes from a place of pro-ageing or empowerment.
The more we uplift ourselves as we age the better it is for our state of mind which leads to feeling good in the long run. The message should be less of an attack and more of a helpful guide."
What would you say is your signature look?
"I'm all about skin; I really have a passion for it so this is the focus of my signature look with an effortless and uber-real finish, accompanied by very natural ‘no-makeup-makeup’ in the rest of the makeup.
I always recommend Cosmetics à la Carte Sheer Balancing Foundation as a lightweight, yet natural base that helps create the complexion finish I love. In the rest of the makeup, I’ll set out to define the shape of the eyes, create a naturally enhanced brow, add a smudge of colour to the lips and a hint of hue on the cheeks."
The shades that suit me personally are Sheer Balancing in ‘Cinnamon’, Gel Eyeliner Pencil in ‘Sienna’, Brow Design in ‘Taupe’, Moisture Plus Lipstick ‘Aria’ as a rich nude, dabbed on gently with a ring finger, and glowy Bare Blush ‘Butterscotch’ on the cheeks, with Intense Volume Mascara to create longer-looking lashes.
Where do you find your inspiration for makeup looks?
"When it comes to shoots or advertising a lot of prep goes into a look and it’s often inspired by a theme or narrative. This collaborative process with the team might lead to me being asked to put together a mood board or they might have seen a look in my portfolio that resonates.
Or I get to be inspired by the clothes a stylist brings to the shoot in terms of their colour palette or mood.
For private clients, I gather a lot of information about their lifestyle and routines as well as skin concerns which all help to build a bespoke plan for the individual.
Before the session I pull out products and chosen colours I believe will bring out their features and enhance their natural beauty also keeping in mind a practical, time saving routine."
Which product in your professional makeup kit could you not live without?
"Eek! This is even harder! Definitely one of the Cosmetics à la Carte foundations, which all have their own unique qualities, and which I rely on a lot to achieve a ‘second skin’ natural look.
But if I have to choose I would pick Flawless Foundation. For me as a makeup artist it's the most versatile.
Worn alone it easily covers pigmentation, rosacea, thread veins and other skin concerns, yet still offer well-rested skin, never settling into lines. But I can also add Complexion Enhancer to sheer it out to achieve a lasting base with a “lit from within” glow effect."
What would you say is the biggest myth about makeup?
"I think the idea that there are so many rules in makeup is quite absurd.
Of course, perfecting application is an art which can be taught but so many of us believe we are not allowed to do certain things such as wear green or blue on our eyes, use shimmer, or use powders.
I say there are so many shades or blue and green that it’s impossible to be prescriptive, plus there are oodles of textures from powders to cremes to pomades to gels to experiment with. It’s a case of try before you buy and playing without limitation and - most importantly - having fun with it! I always remind clients, it’s makeup, it comes off, so no stress!"
What's the most wearable trend this year?
"Trends don't tend to be my thing but I'm loving how more over 50s are experimenting with a bold colour on their eyes, whether it be as a wash of eyeshadow or coloured eyeliner. I believe this is the positive power of social media tutorials offering people a place to try something new.
You can create these effects with products like Cosmetics à la Carte Luminous Cream Shadow ‘Grace’ or Eyeliner Pencil ‘Baroque’."
