The first thing you need to absolutely know about taxi make-up from someone who’s done it many a time is that it is entirely possible to take your look up a considerable notch during a journey. That transition is the easy bit. The hard bit is twofold: you need to stick to a look you know well, and you need to make damn sure that you stop when it’s enough.
That first rule just involves being a little strategic. Do the majority of your skin at home, fill in your eyebrows, try to fit in blush lest you end up looking a bit panto, and don’t think it’s the time to try anything wild – doing it en route is wild enough.
That second rule, however, is damn hard when in all likelihood you’ll be doing this make-up in a teeny tiny mirror, straining your eyes because we now live shrouded in darkness and if you’re anything like me you’ll be doing this taxi make-up on your way to a party.
The below are intended to make the situation easier. To prepare you for what will invariably be a tricky feat but, when pulled off, makes you feel very leading lady. You’ll see what I mean.
Even if it requires a swivel – seatbelt and safety permitting – you must turn towards the light source when doing your make-up so that it is aimed directly at your face, giving you the best possible chance at successfully applying the same amount of make-up to both sides.
You may think you could do yours in the dark, you may think you’re emerging with no streaks – but, no, that way disaster lies. Instead, only conceal what must be concealed, and remember the technique of patting rather than stroking for the most seamless finish.
Never loose, for obvious reasons, but if you have a mini brush and a pressed powder, this is permissible and actually quite a smart thing to do right before arrival, especially if you’re prone to greasiness. Remember the golden rule of going in with a little – much harder to take away product than add.
Lisa Eldridge
… But don’t try powder eyeshadow
The thing here is not the powder element – though that could end up under your eyes – but rather the blending. Too fussy in the back of a car. Fortunately many brands now make liquid shadows that need little if any blending at the edges. I’m partial to a Lisa Eldridge Liquid Lurex, pressing it on with fingertips to my mobile eyelid (basically everything north of my lashes up to the natural crease).
Do be liberal with mascara
Even if you’re an adherent to that slushy 1990s brown thing that’s somehow still going strong, the back of a taxi is not the time for this kind of work. If you need liner for a clean edge, it’ll have to wait until you’re at your venue. Trust me on this one. And apply the same rule to liquid eyeliner, please.
Do focus on your good features
Painfully obvious, but worth repeating: corrective work is a delicate business and is generally quite arduous and skilled. Far easier to just add emphasis to things you like, to pop a bit of highlighter on high cheekbones, or a bright red lip to draw attention if you’re a fan of yours.
