Makeup artist Shannon Key shares her holy grail lip liner and concealer hack
image via @shannonkeymakeup/instagram
words by lara daly
Top three.
I’m a notoriously nosy person when it comes to beauty products. I want to know whether you double cleanse at night, how often you wash your hair and exactly what you’re using. I want to know if there’s some special facial tool or pair of tweezers that have (hyperbole warranted) changed your life.
In short, I adore products. This is why I’ve asked some of our favourite Australian beauty experts to share the ‘top three’ they can’t live without. The scope is broad – it can genuinely be anything, as long as they’re the three they value the most.
Want to snoop inside the beauty regimes of other creatives? Head here.
Joining us this week is Sydney-based makeup artist Shannon Key. Known for her bold and conceptual looks, it’s no surprise that Shannon’s love for makeup artistry was inspired by music and performance art. “Honestly, Lady Gaga and drag is what really got me into experimenting with fun makeup,” she says.
After honing her skills at the M.A.C counter (iconic), Shannon has gone on to work on countless runways at Australia Fashion Weeks and built an impressive portfolio of clients, including local designers Nicol and Ford, Niamh Galea, Raga Malak and musician Brooke Candy.
While drag makeup remains close to Shannon’s heart, getting to join musician Rico Nasty on her Australia and US tour in 2023 was a major career highlight. “We did a different look every night, so getting to collaborate with her and come up with new looks everyday was so fun,” Shannon tells me.
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Naturally, professional makeup artists get to experiment with a tonne of different products and looks. When it comes to her own beauty routine, Shannon says her personal makeup style both bleeds into her work, and influences her the other way around.
A lover of French skincare and ice-rolling in the morning, her daily non-negotiables include a great moisturiser and SPF, always. Other than that, these are the three products Shannon is never without.
Product one: M.A.C Skinfinish Lightstruck Liquid Highlighter
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How did you first discover this product?
I’ll always be a M.A.C girl (as an ex-artist), so I love to stay up to date with all the new releases.
What is it, what does it do and why do you love it?
This is such a multi-use product, it’s a liquid highlighter essentially but you can mix it with foundation to add glow and sheer it out. But my favourite way to use it is under the eyes to hydrate, plump and enhance your concealer.
Who would you recommend it to and where can you find it?
You’ll find it at M.A.C or Mecca. I’d recommend it to makeup artists or any makeup-savvy wearers!
Product two: Makeup Forever Artist Colour Pencil
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How did you first discover this product?
At Fashion Week, where the brand was the major sponsor of the show.
What is it, what does it do and why do you love it?
I love these pencils because they can be used anywhere on the face, eye or lip, just pick your colour. They blend so effortlessly and have the best colour range.
Who would you recommend it to and where can you find it?
I’d recommend it to makeup artists and consumers alike. You can find it at Sephora or online.
Product three: Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder
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How did you first discover this product?
I think another artist got me onto these while working together.
What is it, what does it do, and why do you love it?
The Hourglass powders are like nothing else, buffing these over the skin once all base products are done just blends everything together in such a seamless way.
Who would you recommend it to and where can you find it?
You’ll find it online in Australia and I’d recommended it to anyone!
Keep up with Shannon here.
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