Givenchy Beauty Creative Director Thom Walker talks about the brand's star products, the secrets of natural makeup and skin radiance, as well as current makeup trends.

In your opinion, what are the Givenchy must-have makeup products and why?
My Givenchy hero products would be the Prisme Libre Skin-Caring Glow and Matte Foundations along with the Prisme Libre Loose and Pressed Powders &ndash; it&rsquo;s such a cult beauty range.
I also love Rose Perfecto Liquid Balm with its desirable Couture pack. The balm has a marbled effect, mixing two shades together to create one unique finish. I love shade Black Pink No. 011, a forbidden twist of pink and black, delivering a bitten plum effect on the lips.
And Le Rouge Interdit Intense Silk is such a modern take on a classic satin finish lipstick. Delivering an ultra-comfortable silky finish, the effect is both intense and luminous.
Photo: Thom Walker &copy;Nicolas Kuttler RVB

What are the key Givenchy products to use to achieve a glowy look? And what about a matte finish look?
My tips for achieving a glowy look is to create a look with balance, with just the right amount of glow. This helps you look naturally enhanced and glowing rather than have an all-over shine. Indeed, there is a big difference between glowy and shine. Skin prep is vital to achieve this: using Skin Ressource will help hydrate the skin and prepare it for foundation. Then use Prisme Libre Prep &amp; Set Glow Mist &ndash; hold the can about 20 cm away from the face and gently spray a light mist, swiping across the face to allow for even distribution. Allow to dry, using a beauty blender or foundation brush to remove any excess product. Next, applying Prisme Libre Skin-Caring Glow foundation &ndash; which is made of 97% ingredients of natural origin and includes a 90% skincare base &ndash; helps to create a super natural and glowing look. For this, you can use your fingers, a blender or a brush, it&rsquo;s really down to you. The finish is seamless. In areas prone to shine (e.g. side of the nose, forehead and chin), you can take a small amount of Prisme Libre Loose Powder, using a small, precise blending brush, this will allow to pinpoint where you want to remove shine. By doing this, you will diminish the shine and enhance the glow.
To create a matte look, again, I start with skin prep with products from the Skin Perfecto range; and using a naked powder brush or beauty blender I like to soften any shine remaining on the skin. Next, using one pump of Prisme Libre Skin-Caring Matte Foundation, I start first where I feel coverage might be needed (e.g. any redness or coloration). Using a foundation brush or beauty blender, I work quickly to allow for a seamless and naturally matte complexion. Step back from the mirror to look at any areas you may need to remove or set any unwanted shine. Using Prisme Libre Loose or Pressed Powder with a small powder brush, gently knock back the shine by swiping left to right.

What are your tips for achieving a natural makeup look that enhances the complexion?
My tips for achieving natural-looking makeup whilst enhancing the complexion would be to fully prepare the skin so that&rsquo;s its ready for makeup application. I love to use the Skin Ressource range: the Protective Moisturizing Rich Cream leaves the skin feeling plump with lasting hydration, the perfect base for makeup. Right before I apply foundation, I also add a spritz of Prisme Libre Prep &amp; Set Glow Mist, this adds a very natural-looking glow whilst protecting the skin from the sun with its SPF45. I love this product, it&rsquo;s an all-year round must-have for me. By using the Prisme Libre Prep &amp; Set Glow Mist before makeup, you will have an unbelievably hydrated looking complexion so you will need less foundation. Apply only where needed for a natural finish. Then, set your makeup using Prisme Libre Loose Powder.
How can we achieve a sophisticated makeup look that highlights the lips? 
For me, lipstick is a very quick and easy way to look and feel sophisticated, along with a simple skin prep a light veil of foundation/concealer. Le Rouge Interdit Intense Silk is the perfect lipstick for a luxurious and sophisticated finish. It&rsquo;s available in 25 shades ranging from elegant nudes to the Givenchy classic reds.

What would be your 3 tips for using the Givenchy products perfectly?
1. For a fuller coverage, I like to use the Prisme Libre powder puff. I like to fold the puff in half and dip the tip of the sponge in the case, picking up a small amount of product and applying in a more direct and controlled way. This technique is perfect for a more controlled application, under the eyes, nose and chin. The result will be a hyper blurring finish.
2. My tip for foundation application changes depending on skin texture. Sometimes I like to apply it with my fingers, sometimes with a brush. But the technique that I like the most is to go over the skin with a beauty blender. I almost do this gesture as a way to polish the skin. I apply a spritz of Prisme Libre Prep &amp; Set Glow Mist onto the sponge so that my blender is a little damp. This allows for extra hydration and a really natural finish.
3. There really are no rules to apply a lipstick. There&rsquo;s something so beautiful about applying a lipstick from the bullet. I love the sound a lipstick makes when you open it, it&rsquo;s almost melodic! If you look for a fuller coverage, it&rsquo;s great to apply starting in the center on the mouth and then push the lipstick to the sides of the mouth repeating the process several times. If you prefer a softer look, pressing the lipstick in almost dots on the mouth will deliver a softer, almost stamped finish.
How can we prepare the skin for a successful makeup application?
I love to use massage as a way to awaken and plump up the skin. I like to be quite vigorous with my own skin and I believe you can be too. Starting from the center of the face I work out towards the ears and then down towards the neck. Around the eyes where the skin is more delicate, I use the Le Soin Noir massage tool. This cooling applicator allows you to softly awaken the eye area, leaving the skin looking well rested and youthful.

In your opinion, what is the autumn 2022 makeup look? How can we achieve it?
Now is the perfect time for lipstick. Swapping cooler lipstick tones (red and dark berry) for something warmer, coral (like Le Rouge Sheer Velvet No. 32 Rouge Brique) will help keep your makeup in the summer mood. If you have already said goodbye to summer, go for berry shades and all shades of red.
Also, I love using Prisme Libre Pressed Powder shade Flanelle Epic&eacute;e No. 06 as a super natural bronzer. The coral shade in this colour harmony also makes a great blush, balancing the coral lips.
In your opinion, what are the next makeup trends that could emerge or expand in the years to come?
Rather than specific trend-based looks, I feel it&rsquo;s more a shift in what people want from their makeup, how they want their makeup to feel, how well it lasts. A trend more driven on performance and comfort. Over the past two years the whole world has experienced something like never before: we want to breathe, we want to feel safe, we want to be at ease and enjoy a sensorial approach to both applying and wearing makeup. I think this trend will be around for many years. Our Prisme Libre Skin-Caring Glow and Matte foundations are perfect examples of this, with formulas made of 97% ingredients of natural origin and offering long-lasting hydration. They take care of the skin all day, whilst enhancing natural beauty with they long-wear luminous finish. Both foundations work great on women and men.

Givenchy Beauty make-up products can be purchased at the Neroli Cult Beauty store (Blaumana street 3, Riga), as well as on the website <a href="https://www.nerolicultbeauty.lv/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">nerolicultbeauty.lv</a>.

Make up trends from Thom Walker (Givenchy Beauty)

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