My summer look created by Ivan Castro of Le Métier de Beauté: Photos

On my lunch break today, I skipped over to Liberty for my eagerly anticipated appointment with Ivan Castro, Global Artist for Le Métier de Beauté, to learn about the new "Endless Summer" collection.  I was really looking forward to meeting Ivan (visiting from LA), whose background in the fashion, editorial and celebrity world is nothing short of impressive. And he didn't disappoint! Here are some photos from the session (click to enlarge), but read all the way to the bottom for my thoughts on the look he created...

Above, Ivan creates a perfectly luminous base using Soft Touch Tinted Moisturiser (shade 1), Classic Flawless Finish Concealer (shade 5), Classic Flawless Finish Loose Powder (translucent), Blushing Bronzed Duet (Traviata) and Bella Bronzer Liquid Illuminator.

Above, Ivan uses True Colour Eye Shadow in "Jade" (jewel-toned emerald green) as a shadow liner.

Above, Ivan lines my lower eyes with True Colour Eye Shadow in "Jade" and "Platinum" (silver), and lines my waterline with Dualistic Eye Pencil in "Tamarack" (a glimmering, metallic bronze).

Above, my upper lashes are coated with Anamorphic Lash Mascara in "Midnight Blue" (a navy-black shade to highlight brown eyes).

Above, my lips are lined and coloured in with Dualistic Lip Liner in "Rouge".

Above, Lip Crème Lip Gloss in "Manhattan" (beige nude) is dabbed on. A fantastic, non-sticky gloss.

Above, the finished look after a touch of True Colour Eye Shadow "Innocence" as a highlighter. (That "stuck-on" nose effect is from a spotlight directly above me... haha)

Above, look how pleased I am with the completed face chart that Ivan creates for me!

I was wonderstruck with Ivan's attention to detail (even down to painstakingly creating the face chart as if it was a real face - loved that!) and approach to creating a look that would complement my features. My base was totally flawless, with a glow that made me look as if I'd been on a Maldivian holiday, thanks to the dewy tinted moisturiser and bronzing shades used to contour my face.

I also loved the jewel-toned emerald green and silver eye make-up Ivan used to enhance my brown eyes. I would never have thought to use those colours individually to line my eyes, let alone both together. But it looked fabulous and I couldn't stop admiring his perfectly drawn lines in the mirror. The navy mascara was a first for me too - it looks black on, but gives a secret little oomph.

Le Métier de Beauté is known for being priced at the premium end (face products cost between £40-£50, eye and lip products start from £20), but when you see and use the products in real life, you can see why they're not short of brand advocates. Every single product and colour has clearly been well thought through and artfully crafted. Remember when I raved about the Crème Fresh Tints?

If you need to perfect a glowy, bronzed look for the summer, have a gander at the Le Métier de Beauté counter next time you're near the Liberty London store, or online at www.liberty.co.uk where you'll find a limited selection of products. You won't be disappointed!

Oh, and a big thank you to Ivan for the beautifully constructed look and a brilliant time, and also to Olly, my favourite colleague who diligently took a gazillion photos of the session!

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