Rae Morris eats, drinks, and loves makeup. An award-winning author and Makeup Artist of the Year, here she shares her journey from the very bottom to the very top. 

My breakthrough career moment was …
I have had a couple of breakthrough moments. I was photographed touching up Naomi Campbell’s makeup when I wasn’t actually a makeup artist while working at a pageant in Istanbul – it was certainly a kick-start.
Secondly, going from someone who failed at school and suffers from Dyslexia (me) to a best-selling author. Anything is possible. 

The top five most useful products in the salon are …
Blotting papers – they take away shine like nothing else.
Ellis Faas Creamy Eyes – the easiest cream eyeshadow to blend while also staying all day.
Egyptian Magic All Purpose Skin Cream – so versatile, for body, eye, and lip gloss on set.
Mecca Cosmetica Lip de Luscious – a beautiful feminine tint for a healthy, youthful, and glossy lip. The sun protection is a bonus!
My brushes – I truly can’t do makeup without my brushes!

The products most worth the investment are …
Ellis Faas Skin Veil Foundation, for Victoria’s Secret skin.
Ellis Faas Creamy Eyes.
Surratt Beauty Expressioniste Brow Promade – the wand is just incredible!
Chantecaille Mermaid Eye Colour, for creamy, soft shadow.

My biggest beauty trick/tip is …
I have a few that I love. In terms of complexion, I always recommend for people to take a selfie with and without flash before you leave the house – it allows them to make sure that their foundation matches the skin.
Use blotting papers before powdering the skin to avoid a cakey, creased complexion.
Lastly, do under eye makeup first. All the lifting abilities come from below, so extend makeup out with a wing or through blending, then join a top shadow to the bottom, rather than the bottom to the top. 

My favourite career memory/ highlight is …
When Kelly Rowland asked for my autograph it was a pretty cool moment. But I think becoming a best-selling author, winning Makeup Artist of the Year, and creating the first magnetic brush range have all been momentous highlights. To have products that are loved by so many people around the world is such an overwhelming achievement.

My advice to people getting started in the industry is …
You need to eat, drink, and love makeup. Passion is everything. It is important to stand back and ask yourself if you would still do it even if you weren’t being watched, gaining followers, or even getting paid. If the answer is yes, then you’re on the right track.
It is so important to master your craft and learn to be good at what you do across many different faces … rather than just your own. No matter the shape, age, race, or gender, being able to adapt is what it is all about. When you have mastered this, the choices are infinite, and you can decide the path you want to take.