LONG before she took the plunge to become a freelance make-up artist, Kirstin McKay would often find herself putting cosmetics before everything else.

"I was the person who was always late for my school dances, proms and graduation balls because I was doing other people's make-up," she says.

The 27-year-old has since turned her passion into a career – and is now the Evening Times' new regular beauty blogger, focused on demonstrating to readers how to recreate catwalk and red carpet looks as well as reviewing the latest hot products.

Her first blogs on perfecting the punk look of model Cara Delevingne and finding the perfect red lipstick have already got her faithful social media followers talking.

"A lot of people have said they enjoyed reading the punk make-up blog and they were going to try it at home," says Kirstin.

"I've had some good feedback so far, so I'm looking forward to doing more."

Kirstin, from Gourock, will also tackle common make-up problems, such as applying false lashes and creating a smoky eye that lasts.

Finding a foundation that matches skin type is another bugbear she is happy to address.

"One of the classic mistakes is foundation," says Kirstin, who recently set up her own limited company, Harmony Marketing.

"Scottish girls always want a tan – I always want a tan! But people often buy their foundation too dark.

"Your foundation should never be any lighter or any darker than your natural skin tone – it should blend into your face so it looks invisible.

"If you want more colour, that is when you start to add bronzers and blushers to add more colour to your face."

This summer, Kirstin, a sole trader under the name Kirstin Alexandra Make-up Artist, has a packed diary of clients who want her to create a natural look for their special occasion.

ABOUT 90% of her workload consists of bridal parties, with most clients recommended through word-of-mouth or those who have viewed her portfolio of work on her website.

She meets brides almost two months in advance to perform a make-up trial.

"It's important I build that rapport with the bride and they feel happy and comfortable with me," she says.

"Bridal make-up has to be very well-blended and very well-applied to your skin so it lasts all day.

"People think it is an easy thing to do, but it's not – you can feel under pressure being such a big part of somebody's big day."

An honours graduate in marketing from Caledonian University, Kirstin gained a diploma in make-up artistry from the Carlton Institute two years ago while working full-time in marketing for the Evening Times.

She then used money from birthday presents, and any early paid jobs, to put towards the £1000 cost of a full make-up kit, which includes her favourite Mac, Bobbi Brown, Arbonne, Estee Lauder, Clinique and Laura Mercier products.

"It was a long while before I felt I was making money out of doing it," she says. "It's such an expensive thing to run – you need good quality products and they do not come cheap."

In addition, Kirstin also gives make-up lessons and hosts parties using products from the Mary Kay cosmetics range.

And she credits her parents – who met on an art course when they were 17 – with her artistic genes.

"I was always painting and drawing when I was little, drawing a lot of faces," she adds. "I just feel make-up is a bit like drawing but I'm doing it on someone's face."

Read Kirstin's beauty blogs here or go to www.kirstinalexandra.co.uk for more information.

Bourjois Healthy Mix foundation, Number 54, £9.99.

Mac Prep+Prime transparent finishing powder, £19.50.

Lancome Hypnose mascara, £22.

Rimmel Professional eyebrow pencil in Hazel, £2.99.

Mac Satin lipstick in Snob, £14.

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