Get the celebrity look
Her super-scheming Ugly Betty character Wilhemina Slater may be severely lacking in morals - but US actress Vanessa Williams certainly isn't lacking in beauty. The 45-year-old stunning star's seemingly flawless skin and brilliant bone structure make her the envy of many women half her age.
'There's no denying Vanessa's a striking natural beauty,' says celebrity make-up artist Paola Recabarren. 'But she also takes great care of herself and always looks incredibly glamorous.'
To emulate the star's dewy complexion, Paola has three words of advice: 'Moisturise, moisturise, moisturise!' Even the best make-up job in the world will look chalky on dull, rough skin so it's important to exfoliate regularly as well. 'Vanessa's eyes look gorgeous against her dark skin, so her overall complexion is very luminous,' says Paola. 'Choose a light coverage foundation - nothing too heavy - to allow the skin to glow.'
And instead of a translucent powder, Paola advises using a bronzer. 'That way you can really highlight the cheeks, bridge of the nose and forehead,' she explains. 'Vanessa's bronzer is expertly applied towards the hair line and around the edge of the face using lighter colours towards the centre of the face: this gives a really well-defined, healthy-looking appearance.'
Vanessa tends to use a white shadow around the eyes and below the brow to give a wide-awake look. 'When the brow appears higher, it creates a more youthful appearance,' says Paola. 'Blend a light-coloured shadow up towards the brow and keep brows well groomed. Use a brow brush to comb upwards and outwards, with a clear brow gel if required.' A smoky black liner and lashings of mascara will complete the look around the eyes.
And for lips? 'Deep corals show off darker skins to perfection - and make your teeth look dazzlingly white,' says Paola. 'Vanessa's overall look is glossy, bronzed and dewy.'
