Valentine’s Day Makeup: Tips from Kazuhiro Hiruma of Givenchy

Valentine’s Day is just around the corner and while dressing your best is essential, so is creating a seductively stunning makeup look. This year, we’re ditching the champagne-coloured eyeshadows and fuchsia pink lipsticks for something a little more edgy, yet still oh-so-sexy.

We spoke to Givenchy makeup artist, and all around beauty guru Kazuhiro Hiruma regarding the dos and dont’s of creating an effortlessly chic makeup look that would come in handy for Valentine’s Day.

Marie France Asia: What are your must-have products for creating a unique yet romantic look?

Kazuhiro Hiruma: Our Folie de Noirs Christmas collection (still available in stores) is perfect for creating a seductive yet sweet smokey makeup look. The eyeshadow palette contains of 9 sexy and dark shades that contain beautiful pearl shimmers. The shadows are super easy to use and can all be blended to complement one another.

MFA: Can you give us a few tips on how to create voluminous, fluttery lashes without extensions?

Kazuhiro Hiruma: We have our new Noir Couture Volume mascara. This 4-in-1 product naturally enhances length, curl, lash care, and most of all, volume. Because of the volume intensity, there’s no need to use an eyelash curler beforehand. The new mascara wand contains a hard and soft side to perfectly cradle the eyelashes. Wiggle the mascara wand from the bottom of the lash to get the best results.

MFA: We love Givenchy’s Prisme Libre – how can we achieve a flawless complexion without a cakey appearance?

Kazuhiro Hiruma: This Prisme Libre is ultra-light, no matter how much you use, you will not get a cakey appearance. However, when applying a liquid foundation you should use a primer beforehand. This smooths out your skin, creating a silky base for the product.

MFA: What are some of your tips on achieving a perfect pout without our lipsticks creating dry spots or bleeding?

Kazuhiro Hiruma: Using a lip liner is essential if your lips tend to bleed with lipstick application. To reduce the signs of dry spots, use a lip exfoliator and balm before you apply lipstick. To achieve kissable lips, you should give our Gloss Revelateur a go. It is a pinky clear lipgloss that changes colour depending on your natural pH balance. Some women will get an orange hue while others a shade that is a light pink to red. If you don’t like lip glosses and want to stick to lipsticks, I recommend our Le Rouge collection. It is ultra-hydrating and contains natural bees wax – making it impossible for dry spots to appear.

MFA: Singapore weather is constantly hot, what are your tips and tricks on ensuring our makeup lasts all day long without having to reapply multiple times?

Kazuhiro Hiruma: In this weather, it is very hard to avoid reapplying makeup to touch up. But I think that keeping the products to a minimal is a key step. Also, you should always carry blotting paper. This way you can soak up any oil before it ruins your foundation.

MFA: What is the most important beauty advice you can give to Asian women?

Kazuhiro Hiruma: Don’t go too light on the foundation. Try and fit your natural skin tone. One to two shades darker or lighter is okay, but when your face is visibly lighter than your neck and your body, it doesn’t look good.

MFA: What is the easiest/ quickest way to turn a boring day/ work look into something more suitable for a cocktail event or night out?

Kazuhiro Hiruma: The first thing you should do is touch up your powder. Keep a bold lipstick in your makeup bag to take your makeup look from daytime to night time very quickly. Instead of applying a whole range of eyeshadows, simply add a little bit more eyeliner and mascara.

So, whether you’re treating yourself to a candlelit dinner or escaping to a romantic island getaway with your loved one this Valentine’s Day,  keep these makeup tips and tricks in mind and you’ll be a real head-turner.

Shannon Gallagher