Nikki Wolff x Glamour Beauty Festival

I’ve always looked up to Nikki Wolff, who is the Global Makeup Ambassador for Becca Cosmetics. She has 711k followers on Instagram (@nikki_makeup) and all her photos are literally #InstaPerfection. Her signature look is flawless skin that looks like skin, brushed up brows and high fashion looks. 

I’d been on the lookout for Nikki led masterclasses but couldn’t find anything about this. When I found out she would be doing a live demo at the Glamour Beauty Festival, I jumped at the chance and immediately purchased tickets. 

Here are some tips and tricks I learnt from Niki’s live demo on “Insta looks for likes”:

N.B. She had already done a base backstage on a beautiful blonde model with cheekbones up to the ceiling. 

Eyes

Nikki started with the eyes and explained how she likes to use a soft brown pencil as a base. She then likes to apply a powder to set it, to keep it in place all day. 

Browns are the way forward and suits every eye colour. 

A tip she gave to create the wing is to look straight in the mirror and use the lower lash line as a guide, following that angle instead of the top lash line - “Practice makes perfect”.

Nikki prefers gel eyeliner.

Loves to curl lashes with the lash curlers as it helps to open the eye. 

Advised not to pump your mascara as air gets inside. 

Skin

Likes to use her hands and fingers on models to “really get in there”. 

When asked why she felt her pictures were so likeable, Nikki explained that no matter what the look, the texture of the skin needs to be seen to show “real skin”. 

Cheeks/ contour

The Bodyshop liquid blush is a firm favourite, which doubles up as a cheek and lip stain. She likes it for that ‘flushed look’ and applied it with a MAC contour brush. She used the same brush for the contouring.  

Nikki used some of the bronzing powder to softly blend the crease of the eye, in order to tie everything in. 

Highlighter

Loves the glow as “glowy skin = healthy skin’.

It’s important where you place highlighter so it doesn’t look too shiny etc. 

She used the Becca Moonstone liquid highlight and advised to apply the highlight on the highest point of the cheekbones and to keep away from the eye area, as skin is thinner there and can emphasise lines 

Likes to highlight the tip of the nose and Cupid’s bow to emphasise lips.

“Less is more with highlight”. She sometimes goes with a lighter shade in order to avoid overloading it. 

”Chin glow” can be too much. 

Brows

Hated stencil brow looks from past trends. 

Brows should be “sisters not twins”.

Favourite brow products include the soap brows, which she wets using fixing spray.

Likes to then fill in the gaps with the ABH Dipbrow Pomade. 

Powder

Powders to make the makeup last, including under the eyes, centre of the face, T-zone, chin and forehead. 

Uses a small brush for precision on models.

Lips

Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk liner first which is a cult classic. 

Lid lacquer for eyes pressed onto lips, for a sexy sheen without the sticky texture of lip gloss.

Something that will be ‘on trend’ for the upcoming season is a statement lip such as red, and going over the edges with a cotton bud. This will create a soft ‘lived in’ look emphasising the lip shape and is much sexier. 

A bit about Nikki

As a child, she liked mixing her own makeup.

She enjoyed applying makeup on her sister as she had beautiful green eyes. 

Nikki completed a LCF makeup course and it was there she met a fashion photographer. She did makeup for his shoots which was more creative with feathers and different coloured bold lips. 

She described herself as a ‘technophobe’ and though she doesn’t have the best camera, she takes advantage of natural light.

Firm Favs

Always has to have a liquid liner with the Sensai one being her favourite.

Lash curlers are a must. She gave a great tip about curling your lashes before bedtime and apparently it lasts until the following day. I must try this!

Bodyshop liquid blush (cheek & lip stain).

Favourite mascara changes all the time but currently it’s IT cosmetics Superhero Mascara. 

Final thoughts

The time spent with Nikki was short but certainly sweet. I love her calmness and professionalism. Plus, she has the hair of half Shakira and half Grecian goddess!

A lot of the tips Nikki gave, are tips I know and follow already but it was reassuring to know that I’m doing the right things in my beauty routine. Moreso, because the reassurance came in the form of a makeup maestro.

Last but not least, the final makeup application was flawless of course and she was very very down-to-earth. What a boss lady!

Until next time xo

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All pictures in this post are my own