Emma Cam and Jeremy Reading took out top spot in the Beauty & the Geek grand final. Makeup artist Tamee Rene' Brancati gives us the insider's tricks to achieve Emma's winning looks.

She's as beautiful on the inside as she is on the out. With her sparkling blue/grey eyes, sun-kissed skin and a smile that lights up a room, 22-year-old Emma Cam was a favourite among both the boys and the girls in Channel 7's Beauty and The Geek Australia.

The show, based on a social experiment, pairs up eight vivacious, fun-loving women, known as the ‘Beauties' with eight academically gifted yet socially awkward men, known as the ‘Geeks'. Throw them to live in a house together, add a series of challenges to test their brains and charisma and watch as they evolve throughout the process, all with their eyes on the $100,000 prize money.

Emma's natural beauty and love of life stood out on the show. So what are this Beauty's secrets? A good skincare routine which involves wearing sunscreen daily is key. Emma also swears by keeping her moisturiser in the fridge. ‘It gives a nice cooling feel after a long hot day,' she says.

Favouring M.A.C cosmetics, Emma's preferred makeup look is sun-kissed skin and dewy foundation, paired with peach-toned lips and cheeks finished with long, lush black lashes.

If you're after glowing skin like Emma's and want to know how to make the most of your features, here are a few tips and tricks of the trade.

Luminous skin

The secret to achieving gorgeous, glowing skin is an illuminiser. Available in most brands, illuminisers are a lightweight cream with a slight hint of shimmer. The secret to using them is to mix a small amount with your foundation before application for a soft, all-over glow to the skin. Alternatively you can apply your foundation first before lightly dabbing the illuminiser to the tops of your cheekbones, a touch down the bridge of your nose and on your brow bone just beneath your eyebrows. The secret is to blend well and not use too much product. The effect you want to achieve is glowing, not greasy.

Lush lashes

Who doesn't want thick, long lashes? Unfortunately we're not all naturally blessed with lashes to die for, but we can fake it! To create the illusion of more lashes the secret is to carefully smudge and blend black eye pencil right at the roots of your lashes and along the lash line. Next use a volumising mascara and apply to your lashes by starting at the roots and zig zagging your way up and out along the lash. Apply at least two coats, allowing the first coat to partially dry before applying the second. Finally, finish off with a pair of false lashes. Available in full sets or individual clusters, false lashes are the finishing touch to any makeup look. No Hollywood red carpet event is without them!

Beautiful brows

Eyebrows frame your eyes and bring dimension to the face. Perfectly groomed and shaped brows are an absolute must! I strongly recommend getting your eyebrows professionally shaped at a reputable salon as too often I see disastrous results of people attempting to do it themselves. If you're blonde and have fair brows like Emma, use a soft taupe-coloured eyebrow pencil or matte powder to fill the brows, using small strokes in the direction the hair is growing to create more definition. If you're brunette use a colour the same tone but one shade lighter than your hair colour. An insider's tip is to comb your brows through with clear mascara to keep any unruly hairs in place.

Lovely lips

Keep dry lips at bay by always wearing a lip balm, even at night while you sleep. If you wish for fuller, plumper lips I recommend wearing lipglosses with a high shine and shimmer as they reflect light and therefore create fuller looking lips. To create fuller lips on Emma I use a nude coloured lip pencil to draw just slightly beyond her natural lip line before applying lipgloss or lipstick. Alternatively, if you're fortunate to be naturally blessed with a bee stung pout and don't wish to emphasise it further, creamy satin or matte lipsticks will work best for you. bella

Tamee Rene' is a makeup artist and stylist. Visit www.tameerenemakeupartist.com

MAKEUP AND ARTICLE BY: Tamee Rene Makeup Artist,www.tameerenemakeup artist.com

PHOTOGRAPHY: Chocolate Chilli, www.chocolatechilli.com.au

HAIR: Nics Hair 2U, 0416 714 384

Bella Beauty Magazine #17