Make-up artist shares his top tips for creating a flawless look at home - including using two shades of blusher and using eye cream on your LIPS

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A makeup artist who works for Bobbi Brown has revealed his top DIY hacks when it comes to achieving makeup like the stars. 

Warren Dowdall, 35, from Ireland, who was inspired to join the beauty industry after struggling with his skin, has since worked with high-profile talent including Irish top models, Thalia Heffernan and Roz Purcell.

Speaking exclusively to FEMAIL, to coincide with the extended shade range of Skin Long-Wear Weightless Foundation SPF15 and Skin Foundation Stick, the expert unveils his beauty secrets.

These include adding eye repair cream to your lips for longer lasting lipstick and ‘nontouring’ to enhance natural bone structure. 

Warren Dowdall, 35, from Ireland, has revealed his top tips for recreating the perfect makeup look at home. Pictured, stock image

SKIN IS IN

I'm a big believer that beautiful makeup starts with great skincare; choosing the right skin care is so important. 

I'm a fan of skincare wardrobing - I love to have options because the skin's needs can change daily, weekly and monthly.

Coming into the colder months, a face oil is a must-have addition to any skin care routine. It's like an instant shot of moisture and restores vitality and radiance to the skin. Apply a small amount morning and evening over moisturiser to lock in the goodness.

ACE YOUR BASE 

Talking to clients, the biggest struggle is choosing the right colour in foundation. When looking to match foundation, we need to look at two things: undertone and intensity. 

Intensity is simply how light or deep your skin is while undertone takes a little more know-how.

Undertones are the colours that come through your skin from underneath its surface that affect it's hue. They can be warm, cool or neutral. 

Warmer skins tend to have a more yellow or golden tone. Cooler skins have a pink or redder tone, while neutral has a balance of yellow and pink.

Warren Dowdall, 35, from Ireland (pictured), has since worked with high-profile talent including Irish top models Thalia Heffernan and Roz Purcell

An easy way to gauge your undertone is to look at the veins on your arms; if they appear more blue, you're likely a cooler undertone. If they appear more green you're likely a warm undertone, and if you can't tell either way, you may be a neutral undertone.

THE SECRET OF THE UNIVERSE 

Does using orange lipstick around the eye area works to camouflage dark circles? In theory yes, but there's an easier way to do this and it's literally the secret of the universe.

Corrector is an absolute must-have for everyone from beginner to pro. 

After prepping the eye area, apply a small amount of product from the inner corner of the eye and around the orbital bone. 

This neutralises discoloration and brings the area forward, instantly lifting the face and making you look fresher. 

Next apply a skin-tone correct concealer over the top and set with powder to finish.

Choosing the right shade is key: if the discoloration is more blue toned under the eye, the bisque family of correctors will work best. 

If it's more purple, the peach family of correctors are for you.

POWDERFUL 

A lot of people skip powder as they find it can add texture to the skin and make them appear older. 

The trick is to find the right powder for your skin type. For drier skins, choose a powder with a soft, luminous finish that takes down shine but leaves a glow. If your skin is oilier, go for a mattifying powder that will absorb excess oil throughout the day.

Use a press and roll motion with a brush or powder puff to apply the powder so as not to move the foundation/concealer underneath. I apply down the forehead, nose and chin leaving the rest of the face with a natural glow.

NONTOURING 

If you want to add structure without the stripes, try nontouring. Use a bronzer on the halo of the face from the forehead, around the temples to the cheek bone and then around to the jawline in a "3" formation and repeat on the other side. 

This will add a sunkissed back-from-Barbados warmth to the skin while still enhancing your natural bow structure without being obvious.

DOUBLE BLUSH 

Blush is a quick and easy way to lift your complexion when you're feeling less than fresh. I'll normally use two shades: a neutral colour and a pop shade to create a dimensional look.

Look for a neutral, earthy toned blush and apply from the cheekbone back towards the temple. 

Then smile into the mirror and apply the brighter, pop shade just on the apple of the cheek. You'll feel brighter and refreshed instantly.

The senior pro makeup artist at Bobbi Brown also says you should never line just your bottom lash-line - as it can drag the eye down and look unflattering. Pictured. stock image

EYELINER 

To make the eyes really stand out, liner looks beautiful no matter your age. Lining the upper lash line is a goof-proof way to define and make the eyes look bigger and more lifted. 

If you prefer a more subtle look, try a gel liner and place between the lashes to create a fuller-looking lash-line instead.

The golden liner rule: if you choose to line the bottom lash-line, you should always line the top as well. Bottom liner alone can drag the eye down and look unflattering.

LUSCIOUS LIPS 

To prep your lips for perfect application of lipstick, apply a little eye repair cream around them and follow with some lip balm when doing your skincare routine pre-makeup. This leave them super soft and hydrated meaning your lipstick will glide on and last longer.

Dehydrated and dry lips take moisture wherever they can find it, meaning they draw the moisturising ingredients from your lipstick, leaving the pigment on the lips looking textured and dry.

Apply your lip colour first, then look to see where the lips need definition and apply liner in a similar shade to the lipstick. This means the liner and lipstick will look more natural and wear evenly together.

FOCUS ON WHAT'S RIGHT, NOT WHAT'S WRONG 

Be kind to yourself. Many times when I meet a client, she may tell me all the things she doesn't love about herself while I'm looking at how fabulous her eyes are or her killer cheekbones. 

Look to makeup as a tool to bring out your inner vibrancy and individual beauty, not as something to change yourself.