Being pregnant can mean changes in your beauty routine. This make-up guru and mum-to-be shows how it’s done.

Elsa's son, Jet, was born on January 23, 2008.
Elsa Morgan, 34, hair and make-up artist.

Hair and make-up artist extraordinaire Elsa Morgan, 34, spent most of her pregnancy jetsetting between Sydney and Paris, working her magic for runway shows such as Christian Dior, Balenciaga, Valentino, Emilio Pucci and Missoni.

And when she’s not creating looks for international designers, Elsa’s busy working on photo shoots for Cosmopolitan, Harper’s Bazaar and Madison magazines. So what does a professional do differently during pregnancy? Elsa reveals the changes she made to her beauty regimen.

Did you notice any changes in your hair?
At around three months, my hair was suddenly a lot thicker. I usually have fine hair, but it definitely became more voluminous during my pregnancy. I loved it because it meant less styling!

Did you colour your hair?
After consulting my doctor, several hairdressers, friends and searching on the internet, I was surprised to find that I could still colour it, providing the dye didn’t touch my scalp. I had a quarter to a half head of foils about three times.

When did you get your pregnancy glow?
At three or four weeks, my skin was glowing! I used Kosmea Skin Clinic Certified Organic Rose Hip Oil ($22.95), which is safe because it’s a fruit oil, not an essential oil. It left my skin full of moisture and didn’t need to be reapplied very often. I was in Paris for most of my pregnancy, so my mother told me to stock up on Chanel and other French products, but all I wanted to use was my rosehip oil!

Did you change your normal skincare routine?
I wore more sunscreen than usual – being in the European sun, I was extra cautious. Although the Australian sun is harsher, I still wore sunscreen daily and a hat, especially when I was on location for a fashion shoot.

Any tricks to combat pregnancy breakouts?
Because they’re hormonal, treating breakouts topically isn’t an option. But, obviously, you want to dry out the zit and not the rest of your skin. Like any other breakout, use a concealer that has a slightly dry consistency and spot it on using a concealer brush.

What about covering tired eyes and black circles?
I would use an illuminator rather than a concealer, such as Yves Saint Laurent Radiant Touch ($75) and Guerlain Issima Precious Light Smoothing Illuminator ($72). It will brighten up your eye area. Some illuminators contain concealer, so you can create coverage and glow at the same time.

Were there any products you stopped using?
I became cautious around most oils in general; I stopped using essential oils, bath oils and even oils for aromatherapy burners once I fell pregnant.

Did you change your usual make-up look or routine?
I opted for less of a glam look. On special occasions I went for a smoky eye, just  mascara! It’s the one product I really can’t live without. When I was feeling sluggish, especially at the beginning of my pregnancy, it really opened up my eyes, making them look brighter. Skin pigmentation can be tricky, as skin tends to go darker. Try a quality concealer that matches your skin colour exactly. Use one that’s a bit tacky but not too dry, like MAC Select Cover-Up Concealer ($32). Just pat it on with your finger to blend. A touch of eyeliner, and to really amp it up I used a cream cheek blush. Otherwise, I embraced being natural, kept make-up to a minimum and enjoyed the rawness and beauty of pregnancy.

What make-up advice can you give to other mums-to-be?
Do your research and find out what ingredients are in your beauty products. There is a lot of speculation about what you can and can’t use, so consult your doctor before using anything to ensure it’s safe. Otherwise, stick to pure products and keep it simple. I felt so comfortable and beautiful embracing just being natural.