Charlotte Blakeney is one of Australia’s most in-demand makeup artists. For almost 20 years she has worked her magic on covers, campaigns and countless celebrities. By Charlotte began as a side business: “I have always wanted to make women look and feel beautiful and I guess jewellery is another way of achieving this.” It’s now booming to the point where Blakeney is putting away her makeup brushes for good.
’O Why did you get into makeup?
Charlotte Blakeney: It all started when I was eight years old. My mum, who had recently bought me Mary Quant’s makeup book, took me to Harrods for a meet-and-greet with the designer. I soon became obsessed with makeup and learning all the tricks of the trade. I loved experimenting with colour and perfecting the art form of application. I found the transformation you can achieve with different textures and shades thrilling. Throughout high school I pored over magazines as I knew that I also wanted to work in fashion. When I realised there was a profession that would combine both of my passions, I knew what I was going to be.
’O What do you most enjoy about the industry?
CB: I love the creative aspect, conceptualising a look for a shoot. The travel side of work has also been amazing. I’ve visited some incredible destinations around the world, such as Rambagh Palace in Jaipur and Six Senses Laamu in the Maldives. I feel very blessed to have had those experiences.
’O Do you have a particular career highlight?
CB: I was fortunate enough to recently travel to Hayman Island to work with the divine Rosie Huntington-Whiteley. She has such an incredible face for makeup and is a true professional. Rosie is definitely one of my top beauty icons—along with Brigitte Bardot and Helena Christensen.
’O What inspired you to go into jewellery design?
CB: I’ve regularly visited Bali and on one trip a few years ago—when I was thinking about the type of bohemian, layered jewellery I like to wear while on holidays—I just decided to do it. I have a workshop in Bali and another in India. I basically ran my office at home on my dining room table for the first two years and I now have a gorgeous little boutique in Sydney. I’m really enjoying building the brand. It’s developing organically and with a lot of help from social media and clients. When Rosie Huntington-Whiteley wore my jewellery on the cover of Harper’s Bazaar it was just so exciting for me.
’O What’s the By Charlotte style?
CB: It’s a fine, delicate, feminine range. The tagline is ‘spirited jewellery that evokes your senses’. Most of the stones and symbols have meanings. For example the lotus flower, which is a signature, means enlightenment and new beginnings—it’s a best-seller for us. I also work with exotic stones like ruby garnet, amethyst and peridot, all sourced from Rajasthan.
’O What’s a great way to work jewellery back to your makeup?
CB: I’m a massive fan of a bohemian look: minimal makeup and lots of layers of fine gold jewellery. Bronzed skin wears this look particularly well.
’O How would you describe your makeup philosophy?
CB: Less is more. I’m a big believer in keeping the skin as natural as possible and only playing up one feature on the face—either eyes or the lips. My signature style is very light-handed. I love to create a look that enhances a person’s beauty and makes them appear to have an inner glow shining through.
’O What changes have you seen in the way makeup is worn?
CB: I think most women are quite light-handed these days as the key trend now is for natural, healthy-looking beauty. Women are increasingly using cream textures over powders, which helps give you this dewy, glowing look. Also, thanks to apps and the likes of YouTube, there’s a lot more education about makeup application. Women seem far more open to trying different products and techniques such as contouring and highlighting.
’O What’s your ultimate makeup advice?
CB: Most women don’t have much time to apply makeup and in the end the process can stress them out. I believe if you keep it simple and have a just a few key products, you’ll apply them well and it will become a more enjoyable activity. Makeup should be, above all, fun.
’O What’s the most underrated makeup product?
CB: Women are obsessed with using primers, but the best product I’ve ever found for both priming and brightening the skin is Clarins Beauty Flash Balm. It launched long before the current craze for primers, which are mostly silicone based, and it has been sadly lost in the sea of skin-prepping products out there.
’O What other products do you love that will make the transition from kit to purse now you’ve moved into jewellery design full-time?
CB: Chanel Vitalumière Satin Smoothing Fluid Makeup, Becca Shadow & Light Bronze/Contour Perfector, Chanel Le Volume de Chanel Waterproof Mascara, Stila Convertible Color in Rose… I also always burn my By Charlotte Lotus Island candle—a tropical island blend of coconut, papaya and a dash of lime. I might’ve moved out of makeup but I can’t give up beauty completely.
