In the heat of mid-July, celebrity make-up artist and best-selling author Hannah Martin is all smiles amidst our festive photoshoot, draped in sequins and surrounded by oversized Christmas gifts. "I bloomin’ love Christmas so much! " she exclaims.
It's her passion for the holiday season, coupled with her impressive client list that includes Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie and Dame Helen Mirren, and her down-to-earth beauty guidance, that makes her the perfect candidate to launch her very own advent calendar. Following the triumph of her one-off OK! Beauty Box last year, the Beauty Advent Calendar by Hannah Martin, created in association with OK! Beauty Box, is packed with her favourite beauty picks.
These are products her nearly 400k Instagram followers will recognise from her quick make-up tutorials and single-product smoky eye demonstrations. The calendar is also a steal at £100, considering its contents are valued at over £570.
Here, Hannah shares some of her top beauty tips and Christmas wishes...
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David Venni)Hi, Hannah! How does it feel to have your very own beauty advent calendar?
It feels amazing! It’s something I’ve thought about for ages, and then after my OK! Beauty Box came out last year so many people dropped into my DMs saying I should do an advent calendar. I met up with the OK! Beauty Box team, and we got the ball rolling.
How would you describe your calendar?
It’s just so good! We had a wish list of brands we wanted to work with, and we’re delighted that so many of them came through. My followers will recognise so many of these products as ones I’ve adored for years, and we’ve covered a bit of everything – make-up, obviously, but also skincare, body care, fragrance – all these little lovely moments of self-care. Yes, I want you to have pretty products in your make-up bag, but also to have genuine moments of joy each day in the run-up to Christmas.
How would you describe your signature make-up look?
I would say my own make-up style is quite chaotic, because I’m just as comfortable in no make-up as I am in full glam. I love the process of applying full glam – that’s my playtime – but for the work I do, I’m probably best known for classic, timeless and elegant make-up looks.
You’re known for your make-up expertise but there’s some really great skincare in this advent calendar too. How important is skincare when doing make-up?
I’ve always said that great skincare is absolutely key to great make-up. You can have the very best make-up on the market but it won’t look good if you’re putting it onto skin that hasn’t been prepped or looked after.
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Dennis Pedersen)You’ve worked on some high profile weddings. What’s a great bridal make-up look for winter?
I’ve done a lot of brides with bold lips in winter. It just seems to work. Less eye make-up – not so much shadow, just a cool sparkle and a bit of diffused liner – and then a bold lip. Sometimes I’ll do a neutral lip for the ceremony and then as soon as the photos are done, it’s on with the red.
Do you still get nervous before a big job?
Massively. I pretty much won’t sleep the night before. I have routines to try to help – I always eat protein in the morning so I know I’m not going to faint during the day. I won’t drink any caffeine as I can’t afford to get the shakes. And I’ll often wear a high-necked top because when I’m anxious my whole chest flushes, and I don’t need my clients to know that I’m feeling stressed.
What one make-up product can instantly transform a face?
Mascara on a well-curled lash instantly brings everyone’s eyes into focus [you'll find a top L'Oréal mascara inside Hannah's advent calendar]. However, bronzer transforms me; I look really insipid without it on. Blusher, too; I’ve worked with loads of people who have said, “Blusher doesn’t suit me,” but trust me, it does!
What is your go-to Christmas party make-up look?
If in doubt, always a smoky eye. Don’t get me wrong, I love nothing more than half an hour to make my eye make-up look spectacular, but if I’ve just got three minutes I’ll whack on an eyeliner and smudge it out. Doing a smoky eye honestly isn’t as tricky as it sounds!
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David Venni)Any advice to make yourself look perkier after a late night this festive period?
An illuminating moisturiser or primer can be really beneficial. Charlotte Tilbury’s Hollywood Flawless Filter is the OG, but there are so many alternatives now to suit every price point. And plenty of light, hydrating layers of skincare.
Your book Makeup is a bestseller – who would this make the perfect Christmas present for?
I think my book is relevant for anyone who’s even slightly interested in make-up. It’s filled with everything I know, writing in (hopefully) easy-to-follow, digestible, bite-size pieces. It has loads of practical diagrams and step-by-step instructions, and each chapter has a list of my favourite product recommendations.
What’s Christmas like in your household?
I’m a slight maximalist when it comes to Christmas. I decorate the tree as early as my husband Simon will let me, and I have a very traditional tree, all red, green and gold, and obnoxiously big stockings made by my sister. And on Christmas Day, it’s all the champagne, all the nibbles, Christmas tunes, the full works. I get glammed up too. We’ve always been a “dress up for Christmas” family.
What’s on your Christmas wish list this year?
Believe it or not, I usually have some kind of cosmetics on my Christmas list, which Simon knows not to deviate from. I also love a candle or a reed diffuser. And if in doubt, champagne, babes!
* The Beauty Advent Calendar by Hannah Martin is available to buy now. Use the code NOTEBOOKHANNAH to get it for just £90 instead of £100 (worth over £570).
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