Knowing how to present yourself at a casting is an important part of working as a model. It is not simply about showing up; but showing yourself to look at your best and most versatile.

The best way to achieve this is by looking natural (and many casting directors require you to wear little or no make up).

The key to getting natural radiance starts at the basic of the skin care routine. Cleanse, tone and moisturise. I like to cleanse with L’Occitaine Olive Cream Cleanser and Toner then moisturise well with Neal’s Yard Remedies Jasmine Day Cream. A really sound piece of advice that I have picked up along the way, is to apply a face mask the evening before the casting, then exfoliate in the morning. This will make sure you really glow!

I asked make-up artist Amarjit Kaur how to achieve the most beautiful, natural look with the help of make-up.

“Finding the right shade of foundation is vital; it should not be too dark or too light for the skin tone. Use a foundation that is invisible to the skin, to find the right one apply some to your jaw line and make sure it matches your skin tone. I would recommend Studio Fix by MAC. Apply this with a foundation brush and blend in with your fingers around the nose and mouth, also blend the foundation to the outer edge of the face. Apply concealer if necessary to cover dark circles or any pigmentation. The concealer should be one or two shades lighter than your skin tone. Then apply loose powder with a powder brush.”

“To apply blusher, it is important to apply a natural shade of blush on the apples of the cheek. This should be applied with a blusher brush while smiling. Blend up towards the hairline. Make sure to tap or blow off excess powder from the blush brush before applying. It is easier to build color where necessary then to remove it and start again.”

“To achieve a natural look on the eyes, it is important to use colors that bring out the eyes rather then make a statement. I always begin by applying the shadow underneath the brow bone. I would also apply liner on the upper lash line with a dark shadow possibly black or dark brown. I normally use the Gel Pot from MAC to create a darker line. To finish off the eyes I apply waterproof mascara to enhance lashes.”

“For the perfect pout, I apply Vaseline on the lips before applying any color as this just softens the lips and makes it easier to apply lipstick smoothly. It is important to always condition the lips with lip balm or Vaseline. Before applying lipstick, use a liner slightly darker then your lipstick shade and outline the shape you desire. Then fill in the lips with a natural color with a lip brush.”

“My three favorite products are MAC’s Studio Fix Foundation and Waterproof Mascara and Bobbi Brown’s Rouge Pot, which can be used for lips and cheeks.”

Learn how to glow girls! And good luck with your next casting!

Amarjit Kaur is a make-up artist based in London UK. She works within the fashion and beauty industry and her work been published in many UK magazines. For more information visit www.amarjitmakeup.co.uk.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: KATY

Katy is a commercial model and writer living in London, UK. She is a University of London graduate, now furthering her journalism career. Like every 20-something, Katy loves fashion and beauty, and her guilty pleasure is rock music (played loud!). Katy is also an official presenter of the Miss England competition. As a modern vegetarian, she enjoys living an ethical lifestyle whilst remaining fashion-forward. More…