The mastermind behind her eponymous magnetic makeup brush line, Rae Morris is an internationally renowned makeup artist, best-selling author and four-time Australian Makeup Artist of the Year. Her work has graced the covers of Vogue, Marie Claire and Harper’s Bazaar. She was trained by Richard Sharah – the man behind some of David Bowie’s iconic looks – and was the longest serving Makeup Director for L’Oreal Paris (2003-2013).
Rae Morris will present a masterclass at Canberra Centre on Saturday 19 October; canberracentre.com.au
1. What’s your favourite makeup look for spring/summer?
Monochromatic makeup. I love taking soft shades and using them everywhere, from lips to cheeks and even eyes, particularly peachy pastels that feel like spring and soft feminine caramel pinky shades.
2. What are top 3 must-haves in any makeup bag?
Brushes are a must-have. Contoured shapes will cut blending time in half. I always say to makeup lovers to invest in good brushes and look for not-so-expensive (but good quality) makeup. My brushes are the world’s first patented magnetic makeup brushes, with Japanese point technology (available at www.raemorris.com and Mecca Cosmetica).
An amazing sunscreen – even better if it’s a sunscreen and foundation in one as they make the skin look super hydrated.
And tweezers, for those ‘stray eyebrows’ that appear above our lips or are nowhere near our brows, if you know what I mean!
3. What advice would you give to your younger self when you were just starting out?
Learn from the best, as soon as possible. I was lucky to do that with the late Richard Sharah – I just wish I did it earlier.
If you want to work with the best creatives in the world, don’t expect them to be normal. We always need incredible minds and out-of-the-box thinkers in what we do, because it takes all types to create the looks we create. So, learn to deal with all types of people at any time!
Skin is everything. I wish I knew how important skincare is and to address skin concerns without always reaching for a cover up, for myself just as much as clients.
4. Who is your favourite celebrity/supermodel that you’ve ever worked with and why?
The best were Pink, Kelly Rowland and Jess Mauboy. They are all such incredible, strong women who are so kind and supportive of others. I have to say Jess is probably the most special to me, because I always say to my husband after every job with her, “She makes me want to be a better human.”
5. You’ve had an amazing career so far; what would you consider to be your career highlight?
There are two. Finding the last living Japanese “Master of Craft” to make my brushes. It wasn’t an easy road but to know I’ve produced the world’s first magnet makeup brushes with the endorsement of other respected artists like Nikkie de Jager, Peter Philips and Mario Dedivanovic means so much. And writing four best-selling books, despite failing school and being dyslexic, warms my heart.
For more:
