Max Factor: Cate Blanchett’s makeup artist Liz Kelsh shares her holy grail mascara

Celebrity makeup artist Liz Kelsh has multiple different ‘bags’ – like the ‘Cate’ and the ‘Nicole’ – to house all of the products she uses on her star clients.

And while those bags are reserved for Australian actresses Cate Blanchett and Nicole Kidman, the Irish-born beauty maven also works with the likes of Ruby Rose, Jennifer Hawkins and Karlie Kloss.

The Max Factor Australia makeup artist firmly believes there is no ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach to a product and that the greatness of a foundation, eyeliner or bronzer depends on a person’s skin texture, complexion and face shape. That’s why she has so many bags.

‘You can’t expect one product to look amazing on a woman with a Greek skin tone and also translate on a woman of Indian descent. It’s best to take ‘holy grail’ items with a pinch of salt and try it first,’ she told FEMAIL. 

Celebrity makeup artist Liz Kelsh has multiple different ‘bags’ – like the ‘Cate’ and the ‘Nicole’ – to house all of the products she uses on her clients

Despite this, there are a few all rounders that seem to adapt to lots of different faces, particularly when it comes to mascara.

‘The Max Factor False Lash Effect mascara ($25.95) is without doubt the best one on the market. I would never use anything else,’ she said.

‘I also really like Charlotte Tilbury and Tom Ford products across the board. 

If she has to prepare her own - or someone else's face - quickly she'll always opt for a bold lip over doing the eye because 'they take longer to balance out' (pictured with Jennifer Hawkins)

If she has to prepare her own – or someone else’s face – quickly she’ll always opt for a bold lip over doing the eye because ‘they take longer to balance out’ (pictured with Jennifer Hawkins)

'If I only had 10 minutes I would put on a red lip, use mascara, bronzer, a little bit of highlighter and spot conceal any redness,' she said (pictured with Anna Heinrich)

‘If I only had 10 minutes I would put on a red lip, use mascara, bronzer, a little bit of highlighter and spot conceal any redness,’ she said (pictured with Anna Heinrich)

If she has to prepare her own – or someone else’s face – quickly she’ll always opt for a bold lip over doing the eye because ‘they take longer to balance out’.

‘If I only had 10 minutes I would put on a red lip, use mascara, bronzer, a little bit of highlighter and spot conceal any redness,’ she said.

‘Forget the foundation and blush if you’re in a rush, they’ll be the least missed.’

While Liz is professionally trained in the art of makeup she did offer some helpful tips for those who might be trying to perfect the craft at home. 

'I also really like Charlotte Tilbury and Tom Ford products across the board,' she said (pictured with good friend Hugh Jackman)

‘I also really like Charlotte Tilbury and Tom Ford products across the board,’ she said (pictured with good friend Hugh Jackman)

Liz helped put together this Elle cover with Cate Blanchett

Working on set with Paula Joye

While Liz is professionally trained in the art of makeup she did offer some helpful tips for those who might be trying to perfect the craft at home

When it comes to filling in your eyebrows she recommends choosing a whole shade lighter than your actual eyebrow colour so they don't appear too 'caked on' or clumpy (pictured with Jennifer Hawkins)

When it comes to filling in your eyebrows she recommends choosing a whole shade lighter than your actual eyebrow colour so they don’t appear too ‘caked on’ or clumpy (pictured with Jennifer Hawkins)

When it comes to filling in your eyebrows she recommends choosing a whole shade lighter than your actual eyebrow colour so they don’t appear too ‘caked on’ or clumpy.

And if you hold your mirror underneath your face, look down, and stroke up the eyelashes with your mascara you won’t get black smudges on your eyelid.

While makeup is her forte, Liz understands the importance of having a glowing base to work on and takes good care of her skin.

‘I believe in “chemicals”. Exfoliation [using beneficial acids] is the key to health and youth,’ she said.

'I believe in chemicals. Exfoliation is the key to health and youth,' she said

‘I believe in chemicals. Exfoliation is the key to health and youth,’ she said

'I'll exfoliate twice a day with a Clarisonic and then I use a home made elixir with salicylic acid every four days. You obviously don't need to go so hard when you're younger though,' she said

‘I’ll exfoliate twice a day with a Clarisonic and then I use a home made elixir with salicylic acid every four days. You obviously don’t need to go so hard when you’re younger though,’ she said

What are Liz Kelsh’s top makeup tricks?

* If she has to prepare her own – or someone else’s face – quickly she’ll always opt for a bold lip over doing the eye because ‘they take longer to balance out’.

* When it comes to filling in your eyebrows she recommends choosing a whole shade lighter than your actual eyebrow colour so they don’t appear too ‘caked on’ or clumpy.

* If you hold your mirror underneath your face, look down, and stroke up the eyelashes with your mascara you won’t get black smudges on your eyelid.

‘I’ll exfoliate twice a day with a Clarisonic and then I use a home made elixir with salicylic acid every four days. You obviously don’t need to go so hard when you’re younger though.’

She believes that dewy skin can be achieved with a ‘less is more’ approach and using various kinds of serums will not necessarily make much of a difference.

When she’s busy jet-setting around the world on press junkets sleep becomes even more important for the skin, but there are products that can help with airborne dryness.

Liz said she never leaves the house totally barefaced, not even to workout, so when she arrives at the airport she’s got a light touch of makeup on.

In order to strengthen her lashes she'll put on Max Factor's new Lash Revival Volume Boosting Primer, followed by Rejuvenate Mascara when she hops off the plane (pictured with Karlie Kloss)

In order to strengthen her lashes she’ll put on Max Factor’s new Lash Revival Volume Boosting Primer, followed by Rejuvenate Mascara when she hops off the plane (pictured with Karlie Kloss)

Liz said she never leaves the house totally barefaced, not even to workout, so when she arrives at the airport she's got a light touch of makeup on (pictured with Jennifer Hawkins)

Liz said she never leaves the house totally barefaced, not even to workout, so when she arrives at the airport she’s got a light touch of makeup on (pictured with Jennifer Hawkins)

When she’s seated she’ll remove her base layer with Olay Wet Cleansing Cloths before putting on the SK-II Whitening Mask or Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream.

She finds these work well to lock in the maximum amount of moisture while she’s in the air.

In order to strengthen her lashes she’ll put on Max Factor’s new Lash Revival Volume Boosting Primer, followed by Rejuvenate Mascara when she hops off the plane – which gives you stronger looking lashes in 28 days.  

‘I swear to you the difference is noticeable in four weeks,’ she said. 

And if she’s needing an all-over polished look she’ll reach for Sally Hansen’s Airbrush Legs and roll on illuminator with the brand’s Colour Therapy floral-inspired nail polish. 

Read more at DailyMail.co.uk