We got the exclusive on Nicole’s beauty look for the X-Factor live shows this weekend
The X Factor ‘Lives’ are go, and for judges and contestants that means margins for error needs to be minimal. Voices need to be as slick as dance moves, judge’s need wit at their fingertips and the whole process should be as smooth as silk. No pressure. Avoiding outfit malfunctions and looking the part in the glare of a HD camera is also a priority for pretty much everyone. Here’s how Nicole Scherzinger stayed polished and unflappable throughout the weekend, according to her X-Factor makeup artist Emma Osborne...
Saturday Night
“Nicole's look for the opening night for the lives shows on the X Factor was all about brows defined eyes and soft full lips. I began prepping the skin with cult51 moisturiser , £49.99, as I find that this gives a gorgeous glow and invigorates the skin, helping to create a more radiant effect. For fuller lips I always use Instant Effects Instant Lips , £24.95. Once applied I can see the results within minutes; it gives the illusion of fuller lips and it’s also a perfect base from which to apply colour.”
“For skin, I used ex1 Invisiwear Liquid Foundation in 11.0 , £12.50. This is perfect for Nicole as the yellow undertones work beautifully with her olive skin, allowing her skin to look flawless, with enough coverage for live HD TV. There's no SPF in this which also makes it ideal for TV- there’s not ‘flash effect’.”
“For this makeup look, the emphasis was on the eyes so I started by using HD Brows Kajal in Rich Brown , £19, all over the eye, blending it out towards the outer corners to create a feline effect before adding Charlotte Tilbury Bronze and Gold shadows from the Dolce Vita Palette , £38. This added drama and went rather nicely with Nicole’s gold dress. I finished eyes off with a Stila Mascara , £18. As makeup complementing fashion goes, I think this was a perfect fit!”
Sunday Night
“Nicole's look for tonight was all about dewy skin and ombré lips. We wanted to keep the lips the main focus, and also not go all out on the makeup as Nicole’s jumpsuit was quite ‘loud’. There was lots of fringing going on, so we didn’t want to overcomplicate the makeup. I used my go-to cult 51 moisturiser to prep, and as with the previous night I used Instant Effects Instant Lips, which was actually more key tonight as lips were the focus. I let it sink in while I worked on Nicole’s base.”
“I used Nicole’s preferred ex1 Invisible Skin Foundation, setting it with pressed powder for a seamless finish. Then I added a light blush; EX1 blusher in Natural Blush , £9.50.”
“As above, lips were the most important thing tonight, so I rubbed in any leftover Instant Effect, before getting started on a flawless, precise red lip. I used MAC Retro Matte Liquid Lipcolour in Relentlessly Red , £15.50, rounding off with MAC Lip Pencil in Dark Moth , £13, for intensity.”
Follow Emma on Instagram @eosbourne_makeup , Nicole @nicolescherzy and Anna @annyhunter