Singer Jessie Ware can croon like no other, seriously knows how to rock a crop top, and has a knack for pitch-perfect nude lips. We chatted up the lovely Ware for the full debrief on her sartorial sensibilities last year. Since then, Ware has been named a ck one color cosmetics global tastemaker, so we discussed all matters of prettifying with the singing dynamo…
How’d you feel when ck one color tapped you?
I’ve always regarded Calvin Klein as a completely iconic brand, so when they approached me to be a global tastemaker talking about their gorgeous new makeup, I was really shocked—and completely on board. It was a no-brainer!
They even named a lipstick after your album, Devotion!
I’d been working with CK for a few months, and they knew about my love for nude lipsticks; they wanted to create one that was totally mine. Now, I’m thinking about my new album…and how it will sound as a lipstick name.
What’s the trick to a sublime nude lip?
You have to get nude really right; sometimes it can wash you out. A nude is so personal, depending on the color of your lips. I have very deep-colored lips, so not all nudes work for me. I chose one with a little bit more pink in it; it brightens you up.
Why did nude become your go-to lip look?
It feels more natural. Sometimes you don’t want to look like you just raided your mother’s makeup bag—and my mom always wears a really red lipstick. Nude lips were my introduction to makeup when I was younger. I used to be really into Jennifer Lopez’s lips. She was my lip muse!
What’s the best trick you’ve cribbed from ck one color global makeup artists Kayleen McAdams?
Kayleen also does Lily Collins’ makeup. Kayleen and I obsess about Lily’s eyebrows together! Kayleen taught me how to do my eyebrows correctly: I use the ck one eyebrow pencil in two different colors. I always thought I should only use a brown brow pencil, and Kayleen told me to use a grey color, too.
What was your biggest makeup faux pas as a teen?
It had to do with the nude lip, actually. I used to put concealer on my lips when I was younger, I thought it was a two-in-one process, of covering up spots and lips. It was a really bad look…
What beautifiers do you always have on hand?
I always have ck one skin illuminator: if you have nothing else in your bag and you just need a little fix-up, it goes a long way to looking fresh-faced. I also always use ck one volumizing mascara—and ck one pure color lipstick in devotion, which I change up by putting different lip shines on top.
How has your style evolved over the past few years?
I’ve definitely learned what fits my body shape. I learned that my waist is quite small so I wear quite a lot of crop tops on stage.
What are your crop top-donning commandments?
A crop top has to be paired with a high-waisted trouser or skirt. You don’t want too much belly on show; that’s not the look I’m going for.
Who are your style crushes as of late?
Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen are brilliant and very stylish. Eva Mendes looks amazing, Gwyneth Paltrow always looks turned up and chic. Jessica Alba looks wicked at the moment; I love following her on Instagram.
