After losing a significant amount of weight, finding a new sense of style is often the main priority.
However, there’s one man proving that a new makeup routine can make an even bigger difference – London-based A-List make-up artist Mikey Philips, 48.
One need not look further than the self-described ‘glam man’s’ recent portfolio of glowing transformations, including Karren Brady, Alison Hammond, and Josie Gibson.
And with Mikey’s signature look of a bronzed, full-coverage base, with up to six different foundations at once, a dramatic eye with false lashes and a glossy lip, it’s not hard to recognise.
Baroness Brady, for instance, has wowed fans with her new look in recent times, and it’s not just her tiny waistline, cascading curls, and smooth visage, but also her make-up overhaul.
Though Karren, 56, has admitted to receiving several aesthetic procedures, such as a £3,500 ‘invisible facelift’, the impact of her new, supercharged make-up routine is undeniable.
Mikey has ditched the TV star’s formerly pared-back look, which consisted of a natural, next-to-nothing base, light eyeliner, and sheer coloured lip, for flashy glam.
Today, her new look is all about a golden base with lashings of bronzer alongside a smoky eye, defined arches on the brows, and a thick, glossy lip.
Baroness Karren Brady, 56, once adopted a simple make-up routine, but now that’s all changed
Pictured: Karren Brady at the Cosmopolitan Ultimate Women of the Year awards in London, 2010
Brady’s recent social media activity has prompted the inevitable claim that weekly weight loss jabs are responsible for her rapid physical transformation.
But she insists her slimmer figure was achieved the old-fashioned way – through a controlled diet and regular exercise – rather than quick-fix injections.
She’s not Mikey’s only famous client, and after working in the industry for over 20 years, he’s come to team with some of the UK’s biggest TV personalities, including Olivia Atwood, to deliver stunning looks around the clock.
Speaking to The Sun, he said: ‘There isn’t a normal day – it could be a crazy day, it could be 3am, 5am, I think every day it’s totally different, which is the thing I love the most.
‘I would’ve packed the kit the night before, depending on who I’m working with, and my longstanding girls all have their own special kit bags.
‘The bags are their own products so it’ll say ‘Alison’ or ‘Olivia’ on the front and it’ll contain make-up I’ll use just on those people so they feel special.’
Mikey has also recreated Alison Hammond’s look after she lost 11 stone in five years, prompted by the discovery that she was pre-diabetic – a situation she has reversed with healthier food choices and workouts.
Alison has previously revealed how she managed to lose the pounds without the assistance of weight-loss jabs, giving an insight into her exercise plan with her personal trainer.
Now on the other side of her journey, she’s recruited the help of Mikey, who, much like Brady, is benefiting from the make-up artist’s dramatic skills.
Mikey admitted that Alison Hammond’s look requires plenty of foundation: ‘I like Alison to be really golden and warm so I mix two Lancome Teint Idole Ultra Wear Foundation, then Laura Mercier’s Real Flawless Weightless Perfecting Foundation’
Hammond (pictured), has lost 11 stone over the past five years, prompted by the discovery that she was pre-diabetic – a situation she has reversed with healthier food choices and workouts
Before working with Mikey, TV personality Josie Gibson typically chose to sport a more natural make-up look
Josie, a regular fixture on ITV’s This Morning, received liposuction therapy on her legs, given her health battle with lipoedema
The Apprentice judge has shocked her fans after revealing her new, refreshed look (seen in 2010)
Karren has taken to social media to spread word of the skin treatments that have left her feeling more confident
Talking to Good Housekeeping, Philipps revealed some of his top beauty secrets when working with the presenter, including developing a trademark look, as opposed to constantly mixing things up.
He admitted that Hammond’s look requires plenty of foundation: ‘I like Alison to be really golden and warm so I mix two Lancome Teint Idole Ultra Wear Foundation, then Laura Mercier’s Real Flawless Weightless Perfecting Foundation.’
After mixing those on the back of his hand, he also incorporates two shades of Huda Beauty’s Easy Blur Foundation and another two shades of a different foundation from the same brand.
That’s not all; the make-up artist then tops up the base with two different foundation sticks from American brand Black Opal for ‘extra coverage and dimension’, he said.
Brozer is from Rihanna’s Fenty, and when working on her eyes, Mikey’s go-tos include Victoria Beckham’s popular Satin Kajal liner, Patrick Ta eyeshadow, and Eyebrow Queen Brow Pro.
He also looks to Fenty for the lip gloss and completes Alison’s look with Kryolan Fixing Spray.
It’s worlds away from the Birmingham-born TV star’s previous look, which, while it included a glam eye and lip, had a much less dramatic base.
Mikey has also extended his skills to Josie Gibson, who recently showcased her five-stone weight loss after revealing she was on the ‘1970s diet’.
The celebrity make-up artist has also worked with 48-year-old former Steps singer Claire Richards
Pictured: Claire Richards of Steps fame at a film premiere after party in London, 2008
The London-based make-up artist has also lent his make-up skills to Rebekah Vardy, 43
Before working with Mikey, the former I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here contestant went for a different, less bronzed look
Baroness Karren Brady of Knightsbridge CBE previously underwent ENDOLIFTX to banish her ‘dreaded jowls’
Karren has opened up on the cosmetic procedures she has undergone, including a skin tightening treatment
The mother-of-two showcased her glamorous new look during the most recent season of The Apprentice
After losing 11 stones in five years, The Great British Bake Off co-presenter typically favours fuller make-up looks
The 40-year-old has ditched her natural skin for the heavy look favoured by the make-up artist.
Much like Brady and Hammond, Gibson has adopted a new, bronzed base with concealed undereyes, alongside thick and arched brows, plenty of eyeshadow and false lashes.
Josie, a regular fixture on ITV’s This Morning, underwent liposuction therapy on her legs, given her health battle with lipoedema.
She recently admitted she went under the knife to try to reverse the effects of the condition – and plans to have several more surgeries despite the £7,000 price tag.
During an appearance on This Morning, Josie told Cat Deeley and Ben Shephard: ‘Somebody actually said on Instagram, ‘You’ve got a typical lipoedema body’.
‘I always knew something wasn’t right with my body, but I didn’t know what lipoedema was at all – and I got diagnosed about a year ago and in September I had surgery.’
Josie underwent surgery, which involved her having liposuction, a procedure that helps remove stubborn, localised fat deposits from areas of the body.
She followed up with VASER (Vibration Amplification of Sound Energy at Resonance) treatment, which uses ultrasound waves to break down fat cells.
According to the NHS, Lipoedema is a long-term (chronic) condition of fat and connective tissue which builds up in your legs, hips, bottom, and sometimes arms. It affects both sides of the body equally.
