meet our guest editor... Tahira
Our first ever Guest Editor is Killing Eve make-up artist Tahira who specialises in using natural, organic and ethically made beauty products. That pink top was totally planned by the way.
We once had the pleasure of sitting in Tahira’s make-up chair, many moons ago and what struck us was how calming, nurturing and all round confidence boosting she was. What could have been a highly intimidating environment (a fashion shoot full of stunning women) felt fun and safe with her smoothing away fly-aways, expertly creating eye-liner flicks and taking down the shine like yours was the only forehead in the whole wide world. Chatting with Tahira and learning that all the products she uses are as environmentally friendly as possible and made from all-natural ingredients only added to that feeling of being nurtured and cosseted. The fact that Tahira, with her mellifluous Montreal tones is a trusted session make-up artist regularly working on film sets and tending to the likes of Killing Eve’s Sandra Oh and Jodie Whittaker for red carpet events, makes perfect sense but even more so when you consider her precocious start in the world of lipstick, powder and paint.
“I’ve been doing it since I was really small I think there are pictures of me when I was 3 years old (see below and melt) doing my mum and my godmother’s make-up and from the age of nine, if someone asked me what I was going to do when I grew up, I would always say hairdresser. The school play was a huge deal and I remember being so excited doing all the make-up – it was just something I absolutely loved doing. I remember my mum’s friend gave me a little box with all her cast offs – all those free gifts with purchase you used to get with Esteé Lauder – when I was around 12 and that was my first kit that I carted about to friend’s houses…
(Swag Bag pictured, £28, Scamp & Dude)
We asked Tahira for her Top 5 natural skincare heroes.
I love Romilly Wilde cleanser, it’s just a beautiful product to use – a little too much packaging for my liking - but the product itself is a delight.
This unique treatment should only be used twice a day as a plumper or revitaliser but really acts like a drink of water for your lips.
Like a primer but it adds just a little extra moisture and has a gold finish that gives that lit from within look. It works with all skin tones without being too shiny. It gives great radiance with a hint of colour that I really like.
It’s all about the scent. The ritual of inhaling that smell is so calming and my skin feels great afterwards and if I have dryness or any skin issues it always seems to soothe. It just works. It’s such a beautiful product to use -it’s really worth the luxury price tag.
This is such a great mask - a brilliant overnight treatment that plumps and hydrates.
How amazing to have such certainty about what you want to do in life, but then even a dyed-in-the-wool makeup artist like Tahira finds her mind wandering into other career possibilities.
“There are pictures of me when I was 3 years old doing my mum and my godmother’s make-up…”
“ Oh, I still spend a lot of time wondering what I’m going to do when I grow up! But I know I’m doing something I love and it’s not just about hair and makeup; the skills I have learnt in this job are things that you just can’t learn in school or college. It’s about relationships, soothing a nervy client, being tuned into people’s emotions and human relationships, real life skills that I’m very grateful for. ”
Picture 1: Tahira on the set of Killing Eve, Series 3 tending to Sandra Oh’s make-up. Photo courtesy of AMC BBC America Picture 2:Â The youngest make-up artist in history. Tahira, age 3 doing her godmother’s make-up. Picture 3: Lederhosen + makeup – we can’t cope!
We asked Tahira to give us a personal Top 5 that reflected an interest outside make-up and fittingly for someone who gives out so much advice and support in her career, she chose Self-Help Gurus – the team of experts she turns to when she needs a bit of life back-up.
Got to love me a little Gabby Bernstein. For me she’s a great reintroduction to modern spirituality from a younger person’s perspective. Bernstein does great “Dear Gabby” lives on a Wednesday so I’ll have her on in the background while I’m cooking.
Deepak’s got my back! Seriously, he could read me the phone book and I’d be happy. He’s a sage of the modern era and just has so much knowledge and wisdom. His voice is so calming and soothing – it’s like a meditation in itself just listening to him.
How do I say this without getting myself into into trouble?! Forlio has so much expertise when it comes to relationships. She also has a great book called Everything is Figure Outable that covers all aspects of life and you can apply it to work, relationships, personal issues – it’s a great part of a personal improvement tool kit.
Dr Shefali is my go-to for parenting advice. She works on the principle that all behaviour is communication and that it’s not about bad behaviour it’s about your child trying to communicate with you. There’s also the idea that a parent really needs to parent themselves first to make sure they’re not repeating patterns that aren’t healthy. Her talks are really helpful – I try to reference her in my mind if I’m having a challenging parenting moment but I’m not always successful!
The 5 products that don't leave this make-up artist's kit...
I LOVE this serum foundation. It's very smoothig and gives a beautiful finish.
I would really recommend anything from this range their products are so good but their cheek colours are excellent. It’s a higher price point but they are worth it. I love the cream bronzer/highlighter best.
This is a great natural mascara and I find it doesn’t smudge easily and it has a lovely formula that give really good definition. They do a lengthening and a volumising version but they’re open about the fact that it’s the same product with just a different brush - I appreciate the transparancy of that!
These are great palettes with a beautiful selection of shades that are crystal infused and the packaging is completely recyclable.
These are lovely. Great colours, deep pigment and a great matte finish.