Di Kennedy is a one-woman beauty powerhouse. She’s a makeup artist, a makeup brand, and an endless source of makeup tips and tricks (just click on Di Kennedy and see for yourself). So who better to profile in time for the party season. Whether you want to try 1950s-style glamour, pretty-as-a-picture blush, or knock-em-dead smoky eyes, read on to get the low-down and how-to on your gorgeous new look.

Tell us a bit about your background:

“Originally I studied painting at Sydney College of the Arts, which I loved. It gave me a great foundation in both technique and art/social theory and philosophy. Personally I feel that my Bachelor of Visual Art is the cornerstone of all the things I do. I soon realised that I wanted to move into a more commercial arena, as the idea of sitting in a loft being an angst-ridden artist wasn’t really for me, so I studied graphic design at the Enmore Design Centre.

After finishing my studies, I worked as a graphic designer/art director for about 12 years, designing brochures, CD covers, posters, packaging, magazines, newsletters, ads to name a few things.

After having children, I got back into design and wound up as the Senior Graphic Designer/Art Director at Nutrimetics, which led me down the path of being passionate about beauty and cosmetic design.

After leaving Nutrimetics I felt the need to a change, but still wanted to be involved with cosmetics and, having a husband who photographed beauty, as well being a painter and illustrator, I moved into makeup artistry, working alongside some wonderful makeup artists and doing some short courses in things like airbrush makeup and, of course, studying the health and safety aspects of the profession.”

Phew, and as if that wasn’t enough – Why did you go into your own range?

“That’s interesting, because I didn’t actually plan to have a range. I was teaching friends and family, and then a select few women how to apply makeup, and would send them off to the department stores to shop for products. They would come back to me, disillusioned by the confusing number of products and the conflicting advice and service they received. To solve the problem, I imported in a few products for my small number of clients, and they were popular, so I imported in a few more things, and started to package them up nicely, like little presents.

Before I knew it I had pretty much a full range, and popped them up on a website, just to test the water, see if they sold. Within weeks I had people wanting to sell the range in beauty salons and specialty makeup stores. While I didn’t set out to do this, I could see there was a market for the products. It’s a very niche market, and basically caters to make up artists and their personal clients, as well as women who want something a little bit fun and girlie, but still exceptional quality.”

What are you most proud of in your range?

“I really am proud of the quality of the products, high pigment levels and performance of the products. I love the taste of my lip lacquers, lipsticks and glazes. And I love the scent of the crème rouge and cheek highlights.”

What are your top-selling products?

“The best-seller is Lip Lacquer in Crème Dream ($33) – pictured here. It’s the perfect, slightly sheer pinky brown that looks like lips, but better. It suits most people and makeup looks.

The second-biggest seller is the Brush Set. It makes it easy for women to apply makeup, it’s affordable ($99) and all the products are named to remind women which brush to use when – and how.”

What are some of the unique features of your range?

“Even though the products are professional quality, I have kept the range sexy and fun, because the clinical, generic look of many other professional ranges doesn’t really do it for me. I like to get women sitting up at their dressing table having fun with make up, so it’s not a chore. I want women to feel pretty, young and happy with my products.”

What’s your signature makeup look?

“Well, if my web stats are anything to go by, or the questions I get on the email, it’s the smoky eye look. It’s not a hard look to create, and looks amazing on most women, but it does take a little practice, good products and the right tools. I taught Sabrina Houssami (pictured here) how to do it for Miss World.”

Can you give us a lesson if smoky-eye how-to?

“1. Start out with Liquid Mineral Foundation ($51), Heavy Duty Concealer ($26), and a light Dusting of Triple Milled Loose Powder ($35). Sweep an extra layer of loose powder under your eyes to catch any fall out.

2. Apply the lightest Eye Shadow colour – e.g. Sugar Daddy ($28) – from your lashline to your brow bone, using the Shadow Brush.

3. Brush the medium Eye Shadow colour – e.g. New Cool ($28) – onto your crease with the Crease Brush and blend up so it is visible when you open your eyes. Make sure there are no harsh lines. For those with no crease or a small one, apply the Eye Shadow below the browbone, starting at the outer corner and working your way up. Blend downward onto the eyelid using the Shadow Brush.

4. Draw a line on your upper lashline with Di Line Gel Liner in Wicked ($29), using the Liner Brush.

5. Apply the darkest colour – e.g. Secret ($28) – on top of the liner with the Crease Brush. Blend upward to the medium Eye Shadow colour using the Shadow Brush.

6. Line your top and lower inner rims with Powderliner in Coal ($29). Extend the liner just a little past the outer corner of your eyes.

7. Go over your lower lashline with the darkest Eye Shadow colour. Smudge with the back of the Powderliner Pencil.

8. Brush the lightest Eye Shadow colour (A) on your browbone and inner corner of your eyes.

9. Apply two to three coats of Waterproof Mascara ($28).

10. Sweep off the excess loose powder and clean up any smudges with a cotton tip.”

Any other smoky eye rules?

“With eye make up this intense, it’s best to keep the rest of your face simple. Stick with nude lips and soft cheeks…Blending is the key so make sure you blend, blend and blend…The smoky eye look can be done using any Eye Shadow shades. Rich plum, blue, green, grey, browns are all very effective.”

What if you want to play up your eye colour?

“I use complementary opposites. For green eyes, I like to use reddish coppery or plumy shades (red is the opposite of green so a subtle version of this makes eye stand out). For blue eyes, go for golds and peaches (orange is the opposite of blue). And for brown eyes, using purple tones will bring out the gold in the eyes (yellow/gold is the opposite of purple).”

You trained as a painter – how has this influenced how you work?

“I apply make up that way I used to paint. I use translucent layers of product (primers mixed with foundation, luminisers etc) to build up a naturally luminous look. I use minimal product in a diffused way, not unlike the way I used to mix linseed oil with paint to create glazes.

In oil painting, no matter how good the painting is, if you use cheap canvas, don’t prepare the surface, or use low-pigment paints, the end result is flat and uninspiring. However, if you prime the surface of good canvas, taking care to ensure a smooth base, if you use the best brushes and high pigment paints, mixed with quality mediums, taking time to blend each layer, you’ll end up with something that literally jumps out at the viewer.

I see makeup as a simplified version of this. I used to get lonely painting, but now my canvas talks back to me, and smiles when I finish. It’s very rewarding.”

What’s your stance on foundation?

“Match it perfectly to the colour of your skin at the jaw (if it needs much blending or you can see it, it’s the wrong colour) and use sparingly, only where you need it. Don’t use foundation to cover stuff, use a well-matched concealer for that. Match foundation in bright daylight, not the orange lights of a store. If you have good skin, why wear foundation? Just even out the skin tone with a tinted moisturizer or only apply it where you need it.”

What’s the one product that makes a huge difference?

“Blush – it makes you look younger and prettier, if applied well. Many of us learned to apply blush in the 1980s and still do the ‘80s stripe, with the sucked-in cheeks and pink-brown shades. Using lighter brighter shades on the applies can enhance pretty much any woman from the age of eight to 80. The apples are the bits of the cheeks that sit up when you smile. I apply blush lightly to the outer part of the apples and blend towards ears. For oily skin, use a matte powder blush; for dry skin, go for a crème formulation.”

What are your top tricks of the trade?

”Keep it simple . . . Use the best brushes you can afford and wash them regularly . . . Throw out anything that is old or you don’t use . . . Apply foundation with a brush. . . Replace mascara after 6 weeks . . . If you are pale, accept it and celebrate it . . . If you need some oomph, wear a matte red lipstick for a day . . . Don’t go shopping for make up if you have PMT.”

What are the biggest makeup mistakes you see women making?

“Foundation tidemarks . . No blush . . . Old mascara . . . Too much makeup . . . Dark lip liner with skintoned lipstick . . . Lip gloss with long hair on a windy day . . .Eyeliner on the bottom inner rim only . . . High shimmer shadow on an older eye . . . Orange lipstick on anyone over 15 in public . . . Black eyebrows with grey hair . . . Light eyebrows with dark hair.”

Who’s your beauty icon?

“I have a few. I love Dita Von Teese, Maria Callas and Audrey Hepburn. To me they personify fifties glamour, which I adore right now. – that look of polished beauty, infused with a theatrical quality.”

You must be happy then that 1950s-style lipstick is on the way back – what are your tips for applying it well and keeping it there?

“1. Line the lips in a neutral shade that’s similar to the lipstick. Use a cotton tip or lip brush to soften the inner edge.

2. Apply powder to the lips to absorb any oil and moisture.

3. Using a lip brush, paint the entire lip surface with the lipstick (the best shade is the one that matches the colour on the inside of the bottom lip).

4. Blot with a tissue.

5. Reapply lipstick and blot again

6. Clean any edges with a concealer brush with concealer.”

Finally, what’s your favourite . . .

Skincare: “Clarins (an old favourite), Dermalogica (new best friend) and for cuteness, Absolutely Gorgeous (available from Di Kennedy and Absolutely Gorgeous). I also use Lucas’ Papaw Ointment for lip balm.” Perfume: “Sarah Jessica Parker Covet (the ad and packaging got me), Chantal Thomass (packaging again), and Bvlgari. Bodycare: “Palmer’s, and my own combo of Sweet Almond Oil, carrot extract, Bulgarian Rose Essential Oil, and grape seed oil. Used on damp skin and then patted dry, it works a treat. I also use Lucas’ Papaw Ointment on elbows, knees and heels.”