Lisa Matson, who has been associated with L’Oréal Paris since it began sponsoring the inaugural New Zealand Fashion Week in the early 2000s, has been appointed make-up director of the company’s New Zealand outpost.

Matson will work on new product launches, product, fashion and beauty shoots and shows, trade education and events and work with beauty editors.

‘Internationally we have some extremely visible and successful make-up artists working with our brand—the likes of James Kaliardos in the UK and Rae Morris in Australia. With Lisa’s appointment we now have one of the best local make-up artists working with us,’ says Sally Giles, group marketing manager for L’Oréal Paris in New Zealand.

We caught up with Lisa on all things makeup...

Spring Trends – This season we are seeing full sculptured brows reminiscent of the 1940s and flawless skin. Other key looks are:
The natural face: semi-matte complexion and/or sun-kissed skin, pastel toned blush, honey, taupe and/or brown eye shadows applied in a wash or smoky style, finished off with barely there nude lips with a pink undertone .
The playful face: a wash of bright coloured or pastel toned eye shadow in hues of blue, green, purple and pink, complimented with a nude or bright flirty coloured lipstick and/or gloss.
The glamour face: smoky eyes and nude lips or liquid liner with nude or vibrant red lips.

Product recommendations: Invest in at least one coloured eye shadow. A great one to try is L’Oreal Paris’ Color Appeal Trio Pro in Addictive Plum or Stay Ultra Violet. These gorgeous purple hues complement most skin tones and eye colours. If you want to achieve a nude look, L’Oreal Paris’ Made for Me Natural lipstick range has some great shades to choose from, or for a fabulous red lippy try L’Oreal Paris Color Riche Anti-age Serum (for younger looking lips) in True Red.

Essential spring makeupfrom your kit - From L’Oreal Paris:
Skin: Studio Secrets Smoothing Resurfacing Primer, Matte Morphose foundation, Glam Bronze Mineral.
Eyes: Trend colours from the L’Oreal Paris’ Color Appeal Trio Pro or Color Appeal Chrome Intensity palette, Telescopic Liquid Eyeliner and the new Volume Million Lashes Mascara
Blush: True Match Blush in Candy Cane
Lips: L’Oreal Paris Color Riche Anti-age Serum in True Red or Infallible Lip Duo Compact in Immortal Red and nude lipsticks from the L’Oreal Paris Made for Me Natural range.

Best Celebrity Makeup:
Jennifer Lopez & Beyonce Knowles – for their flawless, perfectly contoured and skilfully highlighted skin
Eva Longoria for her love of the smoky eye and nude lip – it’s one of my favourite combos!
Gwen Stefani for her commitment to style and old school glamour

Favourite new products:
It would have to be L’Oreal Paris’ Studio Secrets Smoothing Resurfacing Primer. This product fills in fine lines and pores, acting like a second skin for a smoother, more youthful appearance. Applying the primer before liquid foundation or own its own helps give the skin a gorgeous velvety texture and means you get one step closer to a flawless complexion.
My other favourite at the moment is Volume Million Lashes mascara for beautiful thick lashes.

Best advice given to you:
Perfect your blending. Flawless makeup no matter how dramatic will always look amazing.

Advice for the novice:
Start light and build your cover and colour slowly and carefully until you are more confident (less is more when starting out).

Makeup as you age:
Make primer and concealer your friend. Keep foundation coverage light and only powder through the t-zone. Wear blush in a tone that looks natural. Define and draw attention to your best assets – whether it be your eyes or lips. As you age assess your makeup shades and move from dark toned colours to mid toned.

Summer predictions:
Summer makeup will pretty much be a continuation of spring. But I predict there will be a lot more bright fruity coloured lipsticks and glosses launched in time for the summer season.