Her signature bold graphic looks partnered with perfectly luminous skin usually catch our eye as we scroll through Instagram. Recently, however, she has used her huge platform to raise awareness and demand change for the ‘black lives matter’ movement. Voir got to know the girl behind the Instagram.
1). Who inspired you growing up?
My biggest inspirations stem from movies and their creative ways of introducing and establishing characters. I was always in awe with the way scenes were lit and the makeup and fashion aspects.
2). How did you get into makeup?
I got into it by accident. I was not the type of person that would wear bold looks on a daily basis, but I needed a creative outlet and found it in art and makeup. Once I realised how much fun I had creating it, I knew I had to work on realising ideas and showing them through my photography.
3). What is your biggest source of inspiration for your makeup looks?
It can be anything. A mood, a colour, even a song or an object. Of course, I also find inspiration and motivation in the work of others, especially my talented friends on Instagram! Although it’s important to separate recreation and inspiration, which is why I try to find looks in other forms of art, instead of makeup.
Images taken from @kali.ledger Instagram
4). How would you describe your style?
I think, bold, glowy with a graphic liner describes me best!
5). What is in your everyday makeup bag?
A lot of liquid blush and highlighter. My faves are from Iconic London. As well as the one and only perfect match foundation, the Anastasia Beverly Hills Luminous Foundation.
6). What is your go-to look?
A glowy cheek and a very simple foxy eye that I do with my brow pencil! I usually use my nude lipstick (Kabcosmetics in ‘Lace’) on my lips and cheeks, if I am on the go.
7). You can only use three items of makeup for the rest of your life, what are they?
I think I would never stop using my liquid highlighter by Iconic London, my Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Flawless Filter Primer and my soap brow, done with regular hand soap and water.
8). Which is your favourite look you have created?
Anything that was not in my comfort zone. For example, my first videos! I had a hard time feeling confident and relaxed in front of the camera, and that has gotten so much better over the last months.
9). How do you achieve such flawless, glowing skin?
It’s all in the skincare and way you apply your products! Most importantly is your skincare. You need to find the right products for your skin and more sure to use them properly. The next step is the application of products. Do not layer products on top of each other that don’t need to be layered. Best example: Powder, Foundation, then Concealer all underneath your Highlighter? That is a no go for me. Try a routine where you apply your eye makeup your lip makeup, your brows then your primer, contour, blush, bronzer and highlight and THEN go in and start to spot conceal and apply a very small bit of foundation. You will notice that your results are super lightweight, and you do not need to apply every product on your whole face. By always applying product to the back of your hand first, you will a lot more control and it’s not going to cake or crease on you.
10). Have you ever faced any struggles/ setbacks?
Yes, but they mostly came from myself. I suffer from anxiety, and depression and I can get very hard on myself when I am unproductive.
11). How did you overcome them?
I have learned to take breaks, have a work schedule and also take the weekends off sometimes, making space for my mental health, well-being and friends.
12). Do you have any advice for young women trying to get into the makeup industry?
Do not underestimate your worth, talent and time. Success does not come overnight, I have worked nearly 2 years on Instagram, and I learned about photography, retouching, and videography 3 years prior. That is everything I have done to get to where I am right now. I have done over 230 Looks with almost 690 Images and 429 Instagram posts. This is hard work and dedication and cannot be achieved in a short time. With that said don’t get discouraged when you don’t see progress immediately. Always strive to work hard and do your best, change your looks, techniques, and never give up on yourself. Do what makes you feel good, that is all that matters.
Images taken from @kali.ledger Instagram
On your social media, you have been a part of creating a voice around the black lives matter movement to your large following. Is there anything you want to say to our readers regarding the movement, from an activist perspective, a business perspective or a personal perspective to continue to raise awareness and create change?
13). Have you experienced discrimination in the beauty industry?
From a business perspective, I can tell you that a lot of brands are treating this subject as a trend and a PR Stunt. If they have not shared their business insides as well as their actual plans to change their way of working, they are not serious about it. Please look at the challenge and demand your favourite brands to be more transparent.
Though we are still a long way off, we’ve recently seen more focus on trying to achieve diversity within the beauty industry.
14). What are your thoughts on the representation of black people within the beauty industry, and whether the beauty industry is truly trying to change this?
I have, in almost all campaigns that I have been a part of, been ‘the darkest option/person’. I have noticed a lack of black and PAID creators in the industry and that is solely because brands are not catering to these creators. I have also noticed that I was not following a lot of black creators because they were never recommended to me and my feed.
Images taken from @kali.ledger Instagram
Only during the last shout out for black creators has there been a light on them. I think it’s so sad to see brands still not seeing their worth, but I am hopeful that things will change. Companies are solely based on their profit and demand. Let us demand more inclusivity and diversity and only spend our money on brands that listen!
Words by Ella Winfield
Graphics by Katie Janes
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