NYC Style: Makeup Artist & Author Riku Campo

International Makeup Artist Riku Campo started his career 1988 when Stendhal, the French skincare and makeup company, hired the 18-year-old as their demonstration makeup artist in his hometown of Helsinki, Finland.

Riku traveled Europe fashioning faces before venturing to the United States in 2002.  In his 20+ years in the fashion industry he  has worked with such celebrities as Anne Hathaway, Felicity Hoffmann, Anna Kendrick, Meg Ryan, Cindy Crawford.

by Kimberly Rae Miller

Name: Riku Campo
Borough/Neighborhood: Los Angeles-New York
Profession: Makeup Artist & Author of BEST IN BEAUTY

How would you define your personal style?

It is always relaxed, bohemian European.  I love designers such as Ann Demeulemeester, Dries Van Noten, Yohji Yamamoto, and Commes Des Garcons.

When I am working I might wear just pair of Marc Jacobs jeans (skinny ones), Adidas snickers, white T-shirt and a big scarf…I have a huge collection of different scarves. I also like big coats and turtle necks.

When you're making someone up, what are you looking for/what kind of process do you have?

It all depends what the process is: is it an editorial shooting? Red carpet? Wedding makeup?

It all starts with the style of the clothes, hair style as well the overall style. [After taking that in] I will come up with my idea.  I always start with a mini-facial: I cleanse the face, add the eye-area cream and then massage the day-cream on my client's/model's face. Then I will start the makeup: it really starts with the skin.

Are there any make-up trends you wish would just go away already?

Every decade, every season there are some trends that you might feel [are] awkward.  When we look back, however, we can really see that those trends really underlined its fashion and trends.

I would say that I am happy that makeup has become more and more light and natural than it was 10-20 years ago…thick foundations and cream-powder foundations are history!

What are the biggest make-up mistakes you see people make on a regular basis?

Too dark, yellow, pink or ashy foundation. Too dark lip liner. Too much lipgloss.

Too much shimmer in makeup on daytime. Bronzer in winter.

Favorite Five in the Five Boroughs?

Henri Bendel.  I always find something new, individual and unique there.
Barney's New York has the best selection of everything.

Sephora.  Everything a beauty junkie could ever ask for.

Image Exclusive Hollywood.  This store is a actually in LA, but you can order online.  They have an amazing eyelash collection and much more.

Make Up For Ever Boutique. This is my all time favorite brand.