Smashbox Global Artist Lori Taylor talks to BDNZ

For almost 20 years, Lori Taylor has been working her artistry magic. When she’s not heading up the Smashbox artistry team, she’s working Fashion Weeks from L.A. to Toronto and sharing studio secrets on Extra, The Today Show and beyond. This week Taylor was in New Zealand to train the Smashbox team and meet the media to promote some new and exciting products launches from the brand. BDNZ nabbed five minutes with the make-up extraordinaire to talk all things beauty and what we can expect from Smashbox this year.

What is your make-up philosophy?
My make-up philosophy is that skin shouldn't be overdone, overly painted. It should be enhanced.
A lot of women tend to over use foundation to hide imperfections but I'd recommend just working a little bit slower and concentrate on the areas that need coverage and leave the ones alone that don't and then you will get a more natural finish. If you've got 10 minutes to do your make-up, seven of that should be on foundation and three should be for colour last.

Who and what inspire you?
I think it has to be the other make-up artists, and that's not something that happens on a regular basis because most of the time it's me, the hair stylist and the camera. So definitely being around other make-up artists and my travel allows me to see how women like to enterprate the Smashbox brand - that's a lot of inspiration.

What is your schedule like for the next six months? What exciting projects are you going to be part of?
We are now in the first part of autumn and the next six months are actually going to slow down for me - phew!
In January we were in the UK and February we were in Australia. March we came to see you wonderful people in NZ. Now in March, we're doing a trade show called Makeup Show where make-up artists come from all over the world. It's a chance to see all different new make-up brands and we're part of that which is also hugely inspiring and fun.
In April we're doing Coachella so we will be busy doing make-up for an artist from there which is very exciting. I May, I will be venturing to New York and will meet with all the media beauty ladies over there. And finally in June... well, I'm not too sure yet, but I'm sure there will be something exciting going on sure!

What can we look forward to from Smashbox this year?
We are actually flipped from your calendar, so at the moment we're currently heading into summer. We're creating a whole lot of exciting and new products like our Smashbox Photo Finish Primer Oil which has just launched here, along with the #Shapematters Palette, Brow Tech Shaping Powder and new Mascaras. Also, let's not forget the new lip products called Insta-Matte which can transform any of your favourite cream lippies into a matte finish.
Our #Shapematter Palette is our hashtag because at Smashbox shape is so important. You're also going to start seeing more products that will really help you become your own make-up artist. So more cheeks - Smashbox cheek palettes and L.A Lights, more mascaras, lip glosses and maybe some more brushes coming and a whole lot more - stay tuned.

What are the top two make-up trend you're excited about for this year ahead?
The two make-up trends have got to be colour and pop-art.
Colour is really starting to come into play and we're going to see a whole lot more rose gold shadows and make-up that's more warm and earth-toned - almost like a homage to the 70s. I definitely loved the 70s for being so cutting-edge.
With Pop-art you're going to see more blue eyeliner and bright lips which are coming straight from the runways. You're also going to start to see gorgeous and fresh make-up. We've been seeing a lot of heavy make-up previously, but now it's out with the old and in with the new - beautiful and bright.