Breaking Beauty Podcast Episode Summary Episode: Makeup Artist Ash K Holm on How-to Create a “Snatch-ural” Lifted Look, The Throwback Bronzer She’s Resurrecting and the Lip Combo Duo She’s Got Us Sharing in The Group Chat 💄
Release Date: May 14, 2025
Hosts: Jill Dunn and Carlene Higgins
Guest: Sheena Shay (Makeup Artist)

Introduction

In this vibrant episode of the Breaking Beauty Podcast, hosts Jill Dunn and Carlene Higgins welcome renowned makeup artist Sheena Shay, known for her work with high-profile clients like Ariana Grande, Kim and Khloe Kardashian, Demi Moore, and Shay Mitchell. Sheena shares her expert insights on achieving a “snatch-ural” lifted look—a seamless blend of natural beauty with defined, sculpted features.

Skincare and Base Preparation

Sheena emphasizes the foundation of any flawless makeup look: skincare. She highlights the importance of a hydrated base, especially when multiple layers of makeup are involved.

"You always want to start off with a hydrated base because there's a lot of layers involved to the technique that I like to do." (07:49)

For clients with dry skin, Sheena recommends the Elements Superfood Facial Oil for its soothing properties, followed by the Road Barrier Cream as an excellent lightweight moisturizer suitable for oily skin when used alone.

Foundation Choices

Selecting the right foundation is crucial for a natural yet lifted appearance. Sheena shares her top picks:

• Armani Luminous Silk: A versatile favorite that works across all skin types and is perfect for both red carpets and everyday wear.
• House Labs Foundation: Another staple in her kit, praised for its quality and adaptability.
• Pat McGrath's Foundation: A go-to for many makeup artists due to its superior performance.

"It's one of those foundations that you can always go back to. It's this tried and true product that makeup artists swear by." (08:16)

Contouring and Bronzer Techniques

Contouring is essential for sculpting the face, and Sheena distinguishes it from bronzing:

• Contour: Uses cooler tones to create shadows and define facial structure.
• Bronzer: Adds warmth, simulating a sun-kissed glow.

Sheena advises selecting contour shades based on skin tone:

• Cool Tones (e.g., Westman Atelier's Biscuit and Truffle, Dior's Contour Sticks) for lighter to tan complexions.
• Warm Tones (e.g., chestnut or mahogany shades) for deeper skin tones to enhance natural warmth without appearing ashy.

"Whenever I'm contouring, I like to reach for tones that are definitely in the cooler world... For someone with darker skin, I'm reaching for tones that are really warm, really rich." (17:01)

Bronzer Placement for a Lifted Look

Proper bronzer placement enhances the lifted effect:

• Top of the Ear: Use as a guide to apply bronzer in a 'C' shape across the forehead, cheekbones, and temples.
• Avoid the Neck: Keeps the focus on the upper face for a more youthful, lifted appearance.

"I connect that all throughout the forehead, bringing that underneath the jaw. I mix the contour in with the bronzer just right here." (23:10)

Blush Application

Blush placement further defines facial features:

• High Placement: Applied under the outer corner of the eye in a W-shape to lift the face.
• Blending: Ensures a harmonious transition between contour, bronzer, and blush without harsh lines.

"I would place it kind of like in a W shape right here under the eye and then going over the nose." (27:10)

Concealing for a Lifted Look

Concealer is pivotal in achieving a lifted visage:

• Application Technique: Apply concealer on the back of the hand first for better blending, then use a dense brush like the Morphe Concealer Brush to avoid over-application.
• Strategic Placement: Under the eyes up to the lash line and along the bridge of the nose to erase shadows and enhance the face's structure.

"You want to keep it as open as possible. If you have smaller eyes, you bring the liner halfway or a quarter of the way to open them up." (32:09)

Lip Enhancements

Sheena shares techniques for lip lifting without invasive procedures:

• Lip Liner: Create a V-shape above the cupid’s bow to lift the appearance of the lips.
• Hydrating Lipsticks: Opt for shades like YSL Candy Glaze in Shade 15 for a rosy, hydrated finish.

"It's shocking. You literally make your lips look even, powder, instantly ageless." (37:48)

Lashes: Mascara and False Lashes

Achieving luscious lashes is a key component of the lifted look:

• Mascara Application: Focus on wiggling the brush from the base to the tips to add volume and lift.
• False Lashes: Sheena endorses the Kiss Falscara Studio for its easy application and natural-enhancing effects, perfect for both everyday and glamorous looks.

"It's water-resistant and gives incredible long wear. It's like applying mascara without the clumps." (44:19)

Brows: Sculpting and Maintaining Lift

Well-defined brows frame the face and accentuate the lifted look:

• Technique: Draw fine strokes with a darker shade at the inner corner and lighter shades outward to maintain fullness and naturalness.
• Products: Utilize Kelly Baker Brow Pencils for precision and Got2B Gel to lock brows in place.

"It's important to have those strokes of hair. It's not just about filling, but creating the illusion of natural hair." (51:12)

Finishing Touches with Powder

Powder sets the makeup while maintaining glow and definition:

• Selective Application: Powder under the eyes, along the nasolabial folds, and in the T-zone to mattify without eliminating dimension.
• Preferred Powders: Sheena loves the Kosas Powder for its breathable, weightless feel and the Givenchy Loose Powder Reformulated for its talc-free, flawless finish.

"Keep some glow here because that's the dimension that you're going to miss after you do all of that." (57:19)

Common Makeup Mistakes to Avoid

Sheena highlights two major pitfalls that can detract from a modern lifted look:

1. Overly Heavy Lashes: Can make the eyes look closed and tired.
2. Carved Brows: Artificially high arches can give an unnatural Spock-like appearance.

"I would say an overly heavy eyelash. Sometimes it's a really heavy eyelash out in the wild, and I wish we didn't." (59:56)

Conclusion and Final Tips

Sheena wraps up with encouragement to embrace tools and techniques that enhance natural beauty without overdoing it. She emphasizes the importance of investing in quality brushes and being mindful of product application to maintain a fresh, elevated appearance.

"I feel like when you look at someone, that's the first thing that you see. Why not put emphasis on that area?" (03:10)

Notable Quotes

• Sheena Shay on Hydrated Base:
  "You always want to start off with a hydrated base because there's a lot of layers involved to the technique that I like to do." (07:49)

• On Contouring for Different Skin Tones:
  "When you have really fair skin, you have to be so careful about that...use two shades lighter than your foundation to highlight." (20:16)

• On Brows:
  "It's important to have those strokes of hair. It's not just about filling, but creating the illusion of natural hair." (51:12)

• Avoiding Heavy Lashes:
  "Overly heavy lash can make the eyes look closed and tired." (59:56)

Resources and Further Information

All products mentioned in this episode are linked on the Breaking Beauty Podcast website under the “Episode Recaps” section. Listeners are encouraged to visit breakingbeautypodcast.com for detailed product information and exclusive promo codes.

For visual learners, the full conversation is available on the podcast’s YouTube channel, allowing viewers to see live demonstrations of Sheena’s techniques.

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