BEAUTY

THE BEAT BREAKDOWN: BRAT EDITION

By Ayis Stephen-Diver, 5 August 2024

Keeping the clubs hot, experimenting with her style, and releasing the soundtrack of the summer, Brat, has made Charli XCX one to watch this year. And after her (very brat) 32nd birthday party, there's no better time to break down her look. Charli favours slept-in grungey-looking makeup with smudged eyeliner, a natural (but perfectly blended) base, and a low-key lip – a look now being dubbed as 'club siren' makeup. If you want to replicate the star’s signature beat, look no further.

STEP 1: UNDERPAINTING

Made By Mitchell Curve Case - Medium, £30

ICYDK, underpainting is a technique designed to give a more natural look to contouring, in which cream blush and bronzer are applied before foundation. After priming (to keep your look from sliding off after hours), use your cream bronzer to carve out your features and add some warmth to the skin. Then with a large fluffy brush, apply a cream blush on top. Top tip: for darker skin, use a hot pink mixed with some orange, and for lighter skin, a baby pink. P.S. Applying slightly more product than usual when underpainting is essential for ensuring it shows through the foundation, so keep it heavier on this occasion.

Estee Lauder Foundation SPF10, £39.50

NARS Soft Matte Concealer, £27

STEP 2: FOUNDATION & CONCEALER

According to Charli's makeup artist, Nick Lennon, she loves a 'no-makeup makeup' moment with a clean, flushed base – so that's what we're going for. Using a dense brush, apply a light layer of foundation, lightly tapping it over your blush and contour to give a glow-from-within look. Use a concealer a shade lighter than your skin tone for a subtle brightening effect on your undereye, chin and forehead before setting with powder. Remember, the goal is to enhance your natural features, not hide them.

STEP 3: EYELINER

MAC Eye Kohl in Feline, £20

The key to Charli-level aura – smudged eyeliner. Using a black kohl pencil, create a long wing that finishes about two-thirds into your lashline and fill it in. With a dense eyeshadow brush, slightly smudge the harsh line to look like you’ve been partying all night long. If you *really* want to stand out, line your bottom lashline too.

STEP 4: EYESHADOW

Barry M Neon Pigment - Current, £4

Any placement works with this one, as long as you're using a Brat-green shadow. Using a flat eyeshadow brush, you can line your bottom lashline and follow up with mascara for the perfect party look, or dab a little pigment on your inner corner for a fun but subtle effect. For extra drama, overline your wing with a touch of green.

Pictures: ASOS

Charlotte Tilbury Lip Cheat, £21

The Beauty Crop Lip & Cheek Tint, £10

STEP 5: LIPS

The key for this is to keep the colour matte, and close to your natural tone. Line your lips first, ideally keeping to your own shape instead of overlining for the natural vibe that Charli loves. Apply a lip tint or balm in a slightly lighter shade than the liner, then dab the colour with your finger, spritz your makeup look *twice* to set, and voila – a bratty, bold look that'll last you into the night (and morning).