THIS week Timeout speaks with Australian make-up artist Ms Bree Sharpe, at the Sedona Hotel. Bree, who works as a Revlon cosmetic beauty trainer, is touring Southeast Asia on a mission to spread the secrets of good make-up. We asked her about the tour and what she thinks of make-up Myanmar-style.

Timeout: Is this your first visit to Myanmar?
Yes, this is my very first visit. I’m a make-up artist from Revlon Cosmetics and I live in Sydney.

How long have you been working as a professional make-up artist?
I’ve been working in cosmetics for eight years. And I’ve been a professional make-up artist for six years. I joined Revlon in early 2006.

In Myanmar, most make-up artists are gay. What do you think about that?
I think that that’s not only in Myanmar but within the whole make-up industry.
I personally find that there are a lot of gay men in the make-up world because they are generally a little bit more flamboyant with things creative and have a little bit more sense with color choices.

Like fashion, are there any trends in applying make-up?
Of course. Make-up always changes just like fashion. In fact, I find that colours frequently change for make-up. Even in Australia, our make-up trends change dramatically and magically according to the seasons. In winter, we wear darker colours but lighter ones in summer.

What have you discovered about women on your Asia tour?
The first most obvious difference I’ve noticed travelling throughout Asia, is that there are so many rules with make-up application. In the Asian market, there are a lot of things like you can’t do this, you shouldn’t wear this colour, you should wear this and so forth. I personally disagree with that. I think you should wear what makes you feel good. For example, pink lipstick makes you feel good when you wear it. You should forget the rules and wear it even if you’ve been told not to wear it.
And they [Asian women] are wearing the same shade all the time… I think it’s very boring if you wear the same colour everyday. Try new colours and new exciting trends.

What do you think of Myanmar women?
Compared to other Southeast Asian countries, the make-up wearing style in Myanmar is probably a little bit more natural. I think it’s very humanising, very nice and fresh.

Do you have any make-up advice?
In my opinion, I would much prefer if someone says to me you’ve got beautiful eyes rather than I like the colour of your eye shadow. Women should wear make-up to get noticed for their features, not their make up. But women should have confidence with make-up rather than feeling it’s a chore.

Do you have any tips for Myanmar women?
In Myanmar, the weather is humid and hot. I think particularly, that you’re normally oilier and you should use oil-free products whether you use liquids, powder or any form of make-up foundation.