So we’re all totally excited that Katy Perry is touring New Zealand this weekend! And to get you all prepped for the concert, we’ve come up with an easy guide on how to recreate two of her gorgeous looks so you can spend more time making costumes like a cupcake bra that shoots out whipped cream, or one that lets off fireworks. If you’ve spent your life savings on the ticket, don’t despair as we’ve included some bargain buys in the mix too. 

'California Gurls'

Face
Start by priming your face with to ensure your makeup stays put throughout the night. To feel like you’re dreaming on a cotton candy cloud like Katy, try Maybelline Dream Liquid Mousse Foundation, which is air-whipped to give an airbrushed finish. Use a highlighter on top of your brow and cheekbones, chin and nose. With a light doll pink blush like MAC Mineralise Blush in Daft Pink, sweep over the apples of your cheeks for a glowing look.

Eyes
Because you’ll be wearing heavy glitter on your eyelids, it is important to prime the eye area first. You want to be dazzled by Katy’s performance, not the glitter falling from your eyelids! Smashbox Photo Finish Lid Primer is my absolute favourite. Using a wet sponge tip applicator, apply MAC Glitter in Reflects Very Pink onto eyelids. Use a black gel liner to draw across the upper lash line, flicking up and out at the outer edges. To make your eyes really pop, use a white eye liner on your lower water line and create a white shimmer at the inner corner of your eyes using MAC White Frost Eye Shadow. Using a dark brown eyebrow pencil, fill in your brows to create a neat and dense look. Finish with black mascara or use false lashes for a dramatic effect.

Lips 
Your lips are spoilt for choice as there are so many candy flavoured lip products on the market. Sugar coat lips with Lip Smacker Candy Kiss or Maybelline Crushed Candy Sensational Lip Gloss. To build up colour, use Napoleon Perdis Lip Lacquer in Candy.

Nails
Paint a coat of baby pink colour as the base like Maybelline Mini Colorama in Cotton Candy and follow with a pink glitter polish such as Katy Perry’s Teenage Dream from her O.P.I. range at the tips of your nails.

Hair
Smooth down hair and tie into a low bun. Pop on a fringed silvery-pink wig à la Katy (or a blue one which featured in the music video).

I Kissed a Girl and I Liked it...

Face
Prime your face with Napoleon Perdis Pilot Pre-Foundation Primer so your skin stays smooth and makeup lasts all night. Follow with Napoleon Perdis China Doll Foundation, which is light in texture to achieve flawless porcelain skin. Using NARS Highlighting Blush Powder in Albatross as a highlighter, sweep on top of your cheekbones, the bridge of your nose and chin. To create a healthy glowing look, apply a pink blush like NARS Cream Blush in Penny Lane onto cheeks.

Eyes
Eyes are kept simple by using a natural nude colour on the lids and lining your upper lash line with a black gel liner, creating a small flick on the outer corner. Try award winning Bobbi Brown Long-Wear Gel Eyeliner or wallet-friendly Maybelline Eye Studio Lasting Drama Gel Eyeliner. Line your lower water line with white eyeliner to make eyes appear larger and follow with brown eyeliner, gently smudging out, on the lower lash line. Finish with black mascara or apply false lashes for a dramatic effect.

Lips
Sadly the original cherry Chap Stick isn’t sold in NZ, so use Nivea Lip Fruity Shine in Cherry for kissable lips. To build up colour, apply Maybelline Color Sensational Lip Color in Very Cherry.

Nails
To get Katy’s intensely glittery gold nails, try O.P.I. Bring On The Bling from the Burlesque range.

Hair
Use a curling iron to create loose waves. Tie hair half way up and pin with a large flower clip.

Scent
Complete both of Katy’s looks with a spritz of her new perfume available exclusively at Farmers from May 2. Purr has top notes of peach and forbidden apple, and base notes of vanilla orchid and coconut. Come on let your colours burst…

Article by Joy Fung