BEAUTY TALK: MAC Q&A with Ellie Goulding

Q&A with Ellie Goulding on her collaboration with MAC launching in Harvey Nichols plus Stephanie Smith's Beauty picks of the week.
Ellie Goulding is collaborating with MAC Cosmetics.Ellie Goulding is collaborating with MAC Cosmetics.
Ellie Goulding is collaborating with MAC Cosmetics.

What is your earliest memory of wearing makeup? How has your look changed over the years? What is it that drew you to M·A·C?

Ellie: From a very early age I remember watching my mom put on lipstick at our house and reapplying it in the car mirror. She did her makeup really well. I also recall the tea cups around our house always had lipstick marks on them. I first started wearing makeup at about 13 years old. I had a gothic look back in the day. It was quite striking. I couldn’t really afford my own makeup when I was young so I would wear the same lipstick as my mom or sister. I would use it on my eyes, lips and cheeks. As I got older and began working with Lucy about 6 years ago, I’ve learned what’s right for my skin and face. It just takes time and experience. It’s a case of trial and error. We’ve gone through lots of different looks over the past few years and now I think we’ve got to a point, both of us together, where we know what looks work best for me.

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Describe your involvement in picking the products, shades and packaging for the collection. What was your favorite part?

As from this month, Revlon is simpllifying its presentaion of its mascara by creating five mascara and brush combinations, each doing a different job. So there's Ultimate All-in-One, Ultra Volume, Super length, Volume + Length Magnified and Dramatic Definition Mascaras. Each costs £9.99 at Boots, Superdrug, Tesco and Amazon.As from this month, Revlon is simpllifying its presentaion of its mascara by creating five mascara and brush combinations, each doing a different job. So there's Ultimate All-in-One, Ultra Volume, Super length, Volume + Length Magnified and Dramatic Definition Mascaras. Each costs £9.99 at Boots, Superdrug, Tesco and Amazon.
As from this month, Revlon is simpllifying its presentaion of its mascara by creating five mascara and brush combinations, each doing a different job. So there's Ultimate All-in-One, Ultra Volume, Super length, Volume + Length Magnified and Dramatic Definition Mascaras. Each costs £9.99 at Boots, Superdrug, Tesco and Amazon.

Ellie: I have always dreamed about having my on makeup collection and if I was going to do it the only brand I would want to do it is with Mac. I relied on Lucy a lot when creating the collection. We talk about makeup all the time and have always dreamed of having a makeup collection. Now we do and it’s so surreal! It’s so cool to see all these things in my own collection that I genuinely use every day. We worked very closely with the creative and product development teams at M·A·C. They truly wanted it to be MY collection.

Ellie: I don’t wear makeup every day and, when I do, I don’t necessarily wear a lot of it. That doesn’t mean that you can’t still be passionate about the smaller and more subtle things. That’s why I and chose products and shades that were versatile and multifunctional. I wanted a collection that you could play with and layer a bit more so you could do something more natural for the day or more extreme for the night – whatever you want for whatever kind of person you are. And, because I’m such a nerd, I wanted a bit of practicality as well. I love the idea of practicality and not having to have a million things in your handbag.

What is your signature beauty look?

Ellie: When I perform I go for a more metallic look – shimmer on my eyes and cheeks, and I always add more lashes. I love lashes, like the #30 lash in my collection. I never really go crazy with makeup though. I like a natural look but you can be fresh and glowy and still look striking. My off-duty beauty look is a bit lighter. I always go for bit of concealer with mascara and a lip gloss. I don’t like my makeup to look or feel heavy.

Jo Malone's new Orris and Sandalwood Cologne Intense evokes the scent of Tuscan hillsides with irises in bloom, all wrapped up in creamy sandalwood and sensual amber. It's £109, from Jo Malone in stores and online.Jo Malone's new Orris and Sandalwood Cologne Intense evokes the scent of Tuscan hillsides with irises in bloom, all wrapped up in creamy sandalwood and sensual amber. It's £109, from Jo Malone in stores and online.
Jo Malone's new Orris and Sandalwood Cologne Intense evokes the scent of Tuscan hillsides with irises in bloom, all wrapped up in creamy sandalwood and sensual amber. It's £109, from Jo Malone in stores and online.
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What is the one make up product you can’t live without? Why?

Ellie: Definitely powders. My skin tends to be oilier, especially when I’m traveling, and is very fair. Powders work best for my skin. I have one opportunity during my set to walk off stage for a touch up and I always use a powder at that time.

How does your beauty style compare or contrast to your fashion style?

Ellie: With both fashion and beauty, I’ve genuinely discovered the power of confidence. It’s amazing how the feeling of confidence can affect how you are, how you project certain things and overall how you look. Some days I’ve worn no makeup and I don’t feel remotely insecure at all. It’s interesting because that wouldn’t be the same back in the day. I was still naïve and thought I had to impress people and wear a certain thing or a certain amount of makeup to be noticed. I think I’ve genuinely discovered this power of acceptance and having a bit more love for myself.

This tinted Complexion Rescue gel cream alleviates the need for a heavy foundation, giving a smooth tint to your face and evening out your complexion in the stroke of a brush. Ultra lightweight and hydrating, you won't be looking for face care anywhere else.

Try Complexion Rescue with our NEW dual fibre Smoothing Face Brush for a professional, flawless finish. It's £26 on the bareMinerals counters.This tinted Complexion Rescue gel cream alleviates the need for a heavy foundation, giving a smooth tint to your face and evening out your complexion in the stroke of a brush. Ultra lightweight and hydrating, you won't be looking for face care anywhere else.

Try Complexion Rescue with our NEW dual fibre Smoothing Face Brush for a professional, flawless finish. It's £26 on the bareMinerals counters.
This tinted Complexion Rescue gel cream alleviates the need for a heavy foundation, giving a smooth tint to your face and evening out your complexion in the stroke of a brush. Ultra lightweight and hydrating, you won't be looking for face care anywhere else. Try Complexion Rescue with our NEW dual fibre Smoothing Face Brush for a professional, flawless finish. It's £26 on the bareMinerals counters.

Which product is your favorite in the collection and why?

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Ellie: The Halcyon Days and Halcyon Nights compacts are amazing because they have everything you need to create a complete look. You can use the crème colour base on your cheeks, eyes and lips. They are buildable and versatile and the colours work for everyone.

How did the collaboration with M·A·C come about?

Ellie: I’ve been a fan of M·A·C for years and my makeup artist Lucy’s kit is filled with M·A·C products. It is such an inclusive brand and I was so flattered when they approached me to collaborate on a collection. M·A·C has a long history of supporting the music community so it felt like a perfect fit for me.