Congrats! Irish Make-Up Artist Emma Farrell Scoops Top Prize In L’Oreal Competition

Irish make-up artist Emma Farrell is one step closer to a €100,000 prize – having won the UK leg of L'Oréal's online make-up competition, The Brush Contest!

Emma was rubbing shoulders with serious stars at the UK competition, which was judged by L’Oréal spokesperson Cheryl Cole (debut-ing that new ‘do!), beauty blogger Ruth Crilly of A Model Recommends, international make-up artist Val Garland, beauty editor of Glamour mag, Alessandra Steinherr and Sarah Sharp, head of beauty at Superdrug.

“I was absolutely gobsmacked – I burst into tears like a big eejit!” says Emma. “I couldn’t really compose myself to even say anything; I was literally speechless.”

The contestants were given a make-up challenge – using S/S’15 as their inspiration, to do some sort of graphic liner. “I decided to do a kind of modern ’60s vibe but elongate rather than rounding it, and keep skin really fresh with just a hint of rose on the lips and a tiny hint of blush on the cheeks,” says Emma.

And the judges’ verdict? “I bumped into Val [Garland] afterwards and she said she felt I stuck to the brief and really listened to what she was asking for,” says Emma. “I think they were impressed with how clean the liner was and how symmetrical they were.”

Next up, it’ll be the final in Paris in May – hosted by Eva Longoria, it’ll be a star-studded couple of days of making up and challenges. “I’m getting nervous thinking about it!” says Emma. “But to be honest I’m not really thinking that far ahead – I’m basking in the celebrations!”

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