Welcome to What I Put On My Face, a column on FEMME MAG that interviews different womxn about their approaches to beauty. It’s our way of unpacking the different philosophies, tricks and routines that vary across the womxn we speak to, showing that there are no one-size-fits-all rules. Today, we’re featuring Ayopo Abiri, the makeup artist and creative director that uses her lipstick as blush.
How would you describe your relationship with makeup?
I’m going to be very honest: I have a complicated relationship with makeup. Don’t get me wrong, I LOVE makeup but I have to push myself to constantly experiment and try new things or else I get bored. I guess that’s why some of my favourite projects tend to be editorial shoots/work because I love the creative process. It lets me come out of my comfort zone and really push myself. Makeup is my life.
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How has it evolved over time?
I’m not entirely sure how it evolved from glam to avant-garde/editorial. I used to play around with my cousin’s and mum’s makeup before I was allowed to even wear it. I started off wearing glam but that got boring really quickly. I just felt like it was the same thing – cut creases, heavy eyebrows all of that. I decided I needed to switch it up and made a conscious effort to move into a more creative zone.
Funny thing is that I didn’t want to be a makeup artist. As I said, I love makeup, but I kind of felt that if I made this into a career it would take the fun out of it. That’s why I like to pick my shoots because it helps keep me on my toes.
Don’t get me wrong, I LOVE makeup but I have to push myself to constantly experiment and try new things or else I get bored. I guess that’s why some of my favourite projects tend to be editorial shoots/work because I love the creative process
You’re asked to create a makeup look using your holy grail makeup products/products that you can’t do without, what are you reaching for?
Ah, I’m reaching for my Born This Way concealer, Fenty Beauty foundation, LA girl concealer and Revolution Pro Regeneration Mischief Matte palette ( I love this product so much).
Walk me through why you picked these products.
Ok so for Fenty Beauty, that foundation really works well for me in Nigeria. Nigeria is humid as fuck and it just works. The Born This Way concealer is one of the best concealers ever. It. Does. Not. Move. It’s super full coverage but you can thin it out if that’s not your thing.
I noticed that a lot of your holy grail makeup products focus on skin. Is there a reason why?
I hatee unblended makeup that’s why. If I see someone with unblended makeup I actually have to help them blend it out! It’s all about that base for me.
I also feel like makeup for me is about accentuating your features. I mean you can create new features if that’s what you’re going for, but for everyday makeup and not editorial I feel like it’s just about upping the ante. I barely even use foundation on my clients, I’m always just trying to just achieve a flawless finish.
I feel you! So what was the last beauty product that you bought that left you shook?
Danessa Myrick Dew Wet Balm. Everyone needs this. It’s soo beautiful. You can use it on top of your highlighter on a full face or with no makeup at all. It gives you a really dewy look. It’s a staple for sure.
Apart from drinking water and minding your business, what’s your morning and nighttime skincare routine like?
Omg, you guys are going to come for me but I don’t really do much. In the morning I cleanse with Arami Onyx Light, put on some of their Glow Oil and then some Nivea sunscreen that I cannot remember the name. Finish.
At night I do the same thing. If I’m wearing makeup I take it off with the Garnier micellar water (which seems to be everyone’s favourite). I’ve also been trying out a tester from Lancôme. It’s called the Bi-Facil makeup remover. It really breaks down my foundation and takes off all my makeup.
Beauty “rules” that you break?
I use all my products everywhere and use lipstick as blush! I don’t believe that eyeshadow is only for your eyes for example, I mix and match.
But do you know one thing I haven’t found yet? Good eyelash glue. It STRESSES me out. None really have the hold that I need for myself or for my clients. If you know any, please let me know.
We’ll be on the lookout for sure. Ok, let’s talk hair. What’s the craziest thing you’ve done?
I think the “craziest” thing I’ve done is cut my hair. I did this in 2018 and never thought I’d cut my hair. I regularly have different colours in my hair, but that’s normal for me. Right now I have a yellowish/whitish gold, some orange, black and brown in different parts of my hair. It’s really fun.
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If you had the chance to work with any womxn dead or alive who would you choose and why?
Pat McGrath. She is the MOTHER of makeup, I have no words. Her work is so flawless and she’s the one that sets all the trends. Everything is her.
We agree. She is the G.O.A.T. What makeup look would you do on her if you had the chance?
Ha! This is so hard because she doesn’t wear makeup at all. But, I feel like I’d give her the cleanest glam, with a cut crease and just a lit dab of highlighter.
But I’d try to recreate one of her looks for sure and see how she reacts because the thing with makeup artists is that we don’t usually like to create some of our looks on our clients on ourselves.
