Melanie Burnicle, Makeup Artist

Like many makeup artists, Melanie Burnicle, was creatively inclined from a young age. She discovered the lure of the makeup brush while studying dance and never looked back. Fast forward 17 years and Melanie has worked in fashion, advertising and TV with an enviable plethora of brands, all the while tending to some of Australia’s best-known faces including Isabel Lucas, Sophie Monk and Jessica Mauboy. She was also recently named Makeup Director for Revlon in Australia and New Zealand.

We sat down with the hilarious and hospitable Melanie in her beautiful Potts Point home and got the grand tour of her makeup kit, beauty cabinet and beyond.

“With skincare, I try to keep it really simple

I try to stay away from too many chemicals. My skin doesn’t cope well with scrubs and things like that. At night I use Ultraceuticals MD – the brightening serum, which has been great. My skin is on the dry side so I use the Skinmedica Dermal Repair Cream, which is an intense moisturiser but my skin needs it. Well hydrated skin keeps my makeup looking fresh all day. I have been known to massage olive oil into my hands when they are dry in winter. I always have a mani and a pedi, my favourite colour at the moment is Jokers Wild in Revlon’s Gel Envy range.

MELANIE WEARS GINGER AND SMART SKIRT AND GENG DRESS

MELANIE’S MAKEUP BAG IS WELL EQUIPPED WITH REVLON ULTRA HD LIPSTICK AND PHOTO READY CONCEALER

My desert island essentials would be concealer and mascara.

Being a natural blonde, without mascara I look like I don’t have lashes, so it would be a very rare occasion that anyone would see me without it on. I’ve been loving Revlon Bold Lacquer Mascara. People keep asking if I have eyelash extensions! That’s when you know it’s a good product. To cover up dark circles Revlon Photo Ready Concealer is really easy and fast to use. When I’m doing a really natural makeup look. I use the Highlighting Palette in Bronze. I pop it on my cheeks, the eyes and just dust a little over the lip and add a little bit of paw paw ointment on top – it’s so fresh and livens up my skin. I love a hydrating lipstick because they are so comfortable to wear so the Revlon Ultra HD Lipstick is my go to. The wax free formula makes it feel so light, and the colour payoff is amazing! I choose Marigold when I feel like a Hollywood moment and Rose when I feel like being soft and feminine.

I’ve suffered from pigmentation

It’s seven days downtime and very intense but to be pigmentation-free is amazing – and it naturally gets your skin to regenerate and reproduce collagen.

ACTINICA SUNSCREEN IS HER DAILY GO-TO TO PROTECT HER SKIN

MEL WEARS MATICEVSKI SKIRT AND KEEPSAKE DRESS

Melanie Grant does my facials.

She is amazing, I swear by her. She does a light microdermabrasion, the lactic acid peel and then she does the Omnilux light. I get facials done whenever I have the time or when I have a big event on. When you are presenting, as a makeup artist, you can’t afford to look tired. After one of her facials everything looks so plump, the extra smile lines have disappeared.

For hair, I use the Wella Ocean Spray

This sea salt spray is quite strong and really intense. I brush it through with a paddle brush while blasting it different directions with a blow dryer to get more volume. I then put it in a bun to get shape in it and once it cools, I let it down and spray some Fudge Membrane Gas in it to keep the textured shape. It’s amazing and doesn’t move! For my colour I go to Nicole Abela at LSG Creative in Double Bay and for my cut I go to Luana Coscia at Edwards & Co in Surry Hills.

MEL BOOSTS HER FINE HAIR WITH THESE STRAND SAVERS

MEL STICKS TO A CAREFUL GLUTEN FREE DIET

I’ve been gluten-free for so many years

Coeliac disease runs in the family but I don’t have it – it’s just allergies. I’m allergic to yeast, gluten, strawberries, bananas, fennel and some nuts. I can have almond meal, which is fine, but even a slither of brazil nuts and I’ll be in hospital. It’s not fun. When I first went gluten-free I blew out like nothing else because everything on the shelf was High GI and been put through chemical processes to make it white, so the best thing you can do if you are just starting out is to research all Gluten free low GI foods like buckwheat pastas and even low GI gluten free bread. When I go to Fratelli’s I always ask for the polenta…and the ragu. Everything down there is good, I wish I was able to eat it all.

I have a fascination with Italy and wine

I studied wine as a hobby and sat a big Internationally recognised wine certificate at a high level. I wanted a hobby outside of work and I love wine and now I really respect the process. When I went to Italy I was invited to taste and chat to the wine makers at the top wineries in the Barolo region – it’s my favourite region. My friends usually buy me presents from there. I like the non-commercial wines and I have a lot of books on wine.

FASHION AND WINE BOOKS DECORATE THE APARTMENT

MEL SWEARS BY A NATURAL PAIN RELIEVING OIL

In terms of supplements I swear by

‘Armaforce’ and ‘Ultra Muscle Ease’. I have a back injury from a car accident and for years I could eat Nurofen like they were tic tacs. I found this Australian product called ‘Be Relieved’ – it’s an oil that is made like a medicine (in that it’s made to TGA standards). It’s a proven anti-inflammatory and pain reliever and it works really well. These days I stick to the natural therapies for pain relief – it’s much better for your body and mind.

I also use these Essential oil sprays by Hanako Therapies

The “Protected” one is for when you are working with lots of different people on set and it says ‘I’m safe, secure and protected I attract wonderful people and opportunities into my life’. It’s just a nice way not to take on other peoples’ energy when you’re working with so many people. My clients love it too, it calms them before a shoot. Then there’s the ‘I am Inspired’ one which I spray when I have to come up with a creative brief. When I was going for the Revlon job I used the ‘Bold’ one. It’s a really strong and empowering scent, they all have a little affirmation. So this one says, ‘I’m adventurous, fearless and courageous. I take heart-centered action’. And I got the Job!”