Glamorous makeup for a superstar mother
When Barbara Moore Toronto nominated Megan Raines for a makeover, she gave us quite a convincing argument. “Megan is the mother of nine (yes, nine) children, she has long beautiful brown hair and skin like the Dove soap commercial girls. She could definitely use some pampering.” With those qualifications, beijingkids just couldn’t resist.
With children ranging from five months old to 12 years old, Megan typically spends a precious 20 minutes getting ready in the morning with the same self-taught makeup routine she’s had since 1985. “Someone recently told me I look like a ‘70s hippie,” Megan said, although that doesn’t bother her much, since this mother of nine is also a classically trained and aspiring folk singer. Mei Li Autumn, a professional makeup artist trained by the ultra chic MAC cosmetics company, revamped Raines’ brunette locks and creamy skin with a modern twist that rendered her less Joni Mitchell and more Julianne Moore.
Four-Step Makeover
1. Mei Li first applied moisturizer to Megan’s face. “Beijing is so dry, that moisturizer is really necessary,” Mei Li advises. “Plus it gives the face a glow.” She then applied concealer to cover undereye circles. Other ways to combat those dark undereye circles? Hydration and sleep. Since Megan has a warm complexion, Mei Li applied an appropriate foundation dotting and blending in the MAC color NW25. She lightly dusted her face to set the foundation and added a touch of bronzer. “It really brings out the bone structure, and Megan has great bone structure. I usually start at the temple and swoop down onto the cheekbone.” Mei Li chose a peachy pink color shade of blush and applied it to the apples of Megan’s cheeks.
2. After applying an eye shadow base to avoid smudging, Mei Li applied a light color to highlight the brows, then swept a neutral color across the top lids. She then lined the eyes with an eyeliner gel (gel doesn’t smudge) in a gun-metal gray to make Megan’s green eyes pop. For extra glamour, Mei Li applied fake eyelashes to the outer edges of the upper lashes to accentuate the eyes. She finished the eyes with mascara. For a more natural look, says Mei Li, only apply mascara to the tips. For extra glamour, apply several coats.
3. Since Mei Li focused on Megan’s eyes, the makeup artist applied a nude color to lips that complemented the peachy blush. “I always line the lips so they look fuller,” says Mei Li.
4. Curled locks and a healthy amount of hairspray gave Megan’s brunette locks va-va-voom volume.
The verdict? “I love it. My daughter Bethany is 7 going on 17. She’s going to go crazy,” says Megan. Husband Rob quipped, “When we go out, people are going to think I’m your bodyguard.”
Mei Li Autumn is a Beijing-based makeup artist trained by MAC. She offers private makeup and style consulting and can be hired for weddings, photo shoots and special events. Visit her website at www.meiliautumn.com.
Know a tired, overworked mom who deserves a makeover? Nominate her by e-mailing editor@beijing-kids.com.
