Beauty and the Geek

With her big blue eyes, perfect pouting lips and lush long hair, 22 year-old Central Coast model and hairdresser Donna Thompson was a favourite amongst both the boys and the girls in Channel 7's Beauty and The Geek, Australia.

Based on a social experiment, it sees eight vivacious, fun loving women, known as the ‘Beauties' teamed with eight academically gifted yet socially awkward men, known as the ‘Geeks'. Throw them into a house together, pair them up to complete a series of challenges that test their brains and charisma and watch as they evolve throughout the process with their eyes on the $100,000.00 prize money.

Donna and her ‘Geek', Daniel, made it to the final four - only to be sent home after coming last place in a challenge. However, Donna's natural beauty and style stood out on the show. So we got together with her to ask about this ‘Beautie's secrets.

A good skincare routine is on top of Donna's list. ‘I really look after my skin. I make sure I cleanse and moisturise both morning and night and exfoliate twice a week,' she says.

And her best beauty tip? ‘Always wear sunscreen when heading outdoors, drink plenty of water and eat beauty foods such as fish, nuts and avocados,' she offers. ‘I like to use products that are naturally derived, so I favour Bare Escentuals Mineral Makeup,' says Donna.
She prefers softer, more natural looking makeup during the day. In the evening Donna loves to play up her big baby blues with a dramatic smoky eye balanced with a pale, nude lip.

Get the look

Tamee Rene' tells us how to achieve Donna's smouldering look.

Smoky Eye

While for some the thought of creating a smoky eye is enough to make them break into a cold sweat, there is an easy, foolproof way to achieve this dramatic look. I used this technique on Donna for our shoot. It simply involves using a very soft black eye pencil, I love Gorgeous Cosmetics Ink Liquid Eye pencil in Carbon Black.

After applying a light foundation to the eyelids to even out the skin tone simply take your pencil and gently ‘colour' the entire eyelid staying within the eye socket. Don't worry about being too neat. Next with your finger gently rub the eyelid where the pencil has been applied and simply blend the colour to just above the eye socket. Repeat this same process along the lower lash line to create a soft, smouldering effect. A smoky eye should be the darkest along the lash line then gradually fade out.

To finish apply a soft champagne coloured eye shadow where the smoky pencil finishes above the socket. Finally, finish of with lashings of black, volumising mascara and for the daring apply a set of false lashes for eyes that really pop.

Lush lips

To balance a dark smoky eye I love to keep lips lush yet neutral in colour. Either a glossy or matte lip looks divine with dramatic eyes. Lining and filling your entire lip with a nude coloured pencil creates a base on which your lipstick or gloss can adhere to, making it last longer. If you want to create the illusion of fuller lips, draw slightly beyond your natural lip line.

Next use either a cotton tip or a small makeup brush and apply a shimmery soft gold or champagne coloured eye shadow to the cupids bow - the small v or dip on your upper lip. Applying shimmer here catches and reflects light giving the illusion of a plumper pout. Finish by applying a gorgeous gloss.

Blushing beauty

Blush is one of my all time favourite products, but unfortunately many people have difficulty with it. Blush can be your best friend. It creates a bright and healthy glow, making you appear more youthful. But what is the best way to apply it and exactly where should it go?

Depending on your product of choice - cream or powder - blush needs to be applied along the cheekbone, blending towards the hairline. If you prefer a cream blush, don't apply powder after your foundation, cream blush needs a creamy base to blend flawlessly into. If a powder blush is your product of choice then you will need to apply a powder after your foundation to allow the blush to glide on smoothly.

The key to achieving the perfect glow is to blend. I find using your fingers or a foundation brush works well for cream formulations whereas a medium sized, good quality blush brush works best for powder blush. Word to the wise; never use those tiny little brushes that come with your powdered blush as they simply are not big enough to allow you to blend the product without creating harsh lines.

Makeup: Tamee Rene' Makeup Artist
www.tameerenemakeupartist.com

Photography: Chocolate Chilli
www.chocolatechilli.com.au

Hair: Susana Calvo-Glam Van
www.glamvan.com.au

Donna's Agent: Vixen Management
www.vixenmanagement.com