Sally Foran: What I learned at Val Garland's beauty masterclass

The beauty legend recently hosted a masterclass for Primark in London 

Val Garland is a leading figure in the modern fashion and beauty industry

One of the most influential and innovative makeup artists working in the fashion and beauty industry today, I had the pleasure of spending an hour with Val Garland last week.

She has worked on the catwalk shows of Alexander McQueen and Vivienne Westwood, painted the faces of some of the world’s most iconic artists, including Lady Gaga, Rihanna, and Kate Moss, worked with publications like Vogue and Harper’s Bazaar and served as Global Makeup Director for L’Oréal Paris. Some of you might recognise her (and her stunning specs!) from the BBC’s make-up artist reality competition Glow Up, where her now-famous “ding dong” became shorthand for approval.

Given her expertise, I’ve been following her recent deep dives into the high street’s beauty offering with great interest. She’s offered her thoughts on everything from Zara to H&M, but it was Primark she said had “smashed it out of the park”.

No surprise then that the Irish giant invited her to host their PS... Pro masterclass in London, where I and other beauty journalists and influencers hung on her every word.

Sally Foran with Val Garland in London

“This is like professional-level makeup,” she said of the PS...Pro range, claiming the Irish brand “nailed it” at an affordable price point. She also noted how inclusive the range felt for all ages.

“I was in there as a 67 year old woman and I got talking to a 15 year old girl about mascara.”

She shared some great makeup tips, too, like to do your “bad eye” first when applying liner.

“If you’re right handed, do the left side first, basically do the bad eye first.”

She’s a big fan of tightlining as it enhances the eye, but is easier than a cateye: “It’s such a game changer, and much easier to achieve.”

Val Garland at work backstage at Erdem

When it comes to applying lip liner, she advises warming lip pencils on the back of your hand for a softer look.

“You’ll get a rounded nib and that’s what gives a very soft edge to the lip line, which they’re now calling a ballerina lip.”

For mature skin, she also advises working with cream as opposed to powder.

“Mature people tend to wear the same makeup in their 70s as they did in their 20s. As we mature, it’s less about the bake and more about the hydrate.”

Val's top picks

The PS Pro line, she insists, isn’t merely “good for the money”, it contains products she would add to her kit.

“I get to work with every product on the market, budget to high end. I know what’s good and what works. If a product makes it to my table it’s got to be good, and hand on heart, these are low price products that deliver.”

Here’s what she recommended.

PS... Pro Illuminating Foundation

1. PS... Pro Illuminating Foundation, €8

Foundation is the makeup product she traditionally would have advised people to spend the money on because “you’ve got to get this right, if it isn’t right nothing else is going to work.”

But, she says, this foundation pleasantly surprised her.

A liquid foundation with skin-forward ingredients such as glycerin, squalene and hyaluronic acid, she said the ingredients were “really good.”

“It feels heavy, sexy,” she said. “It doesn’t feel like an under €10 foundation.”

PS... Pro Cream Bronzer, €6

2. PS... Pro Cream Bronzer, €6

“It just sinks into skin,” she says, “you get that glow from within consistency”.

“It’s so easy to blend - you just fluff it into the skin.”

PS... Pro Ultimate Neutrals Eyeshadow Palette, €6

3. PS... Pro Ultimate Neutrals Eyeshadow Palette, €6

“It has it all. Mattes, shimmers, creams. You can go from a minimal look to a smoky one, and it’s so finely milled, there’s no fallout even with a super fluffy brush. That says to me this is a premium product.”

“I could just have this in my kit and all looks would be covered.”

QUICKFIRE WITH VAL

Three things you always keep in your makeup bag?

Elizabeth Arden 8-hour cream, Weleda Skin Food and a Tide Stain Stick.

Best skincare advice?

See a facialist once a month

Best makeup advice?

Makeup that looks expensive is all about the blending — blend, blend, blend until it’s seamless and flawless.

Your dream client?

Madonna. A phone call came through my agent saying Madonna wanted to book me, but it was on the same day I was working with J.Lo, so I wasn’t available.

• Prices correct at time of print but subject to change