Vive La Rouge

Vive La Rouge

I wrote this article on how to wear red lipstick a couple of weeks ago for "Best Things in Beauty", and with the holiday's upon us I thought I would repost it. Hope it inspires you to break out the red lipstick... Happy Holiday's Everyone!




                                                   VIVE LA ROUGE!!!




I love red, and nothing says “festive, and fun” better than a beautifully applyed red lip.The holdays are coming, and what better time to break out a racy red lipstick?


Many women shy away from red lipstick, but when applied correctly  it is stunning, and makes a bold statement. Pair it with a gorgeous Little black dress, (or little red dress!) and you’ll pack a powerful punch.


Here are a couple of tips to help you get the most Vavoom out of your red…


Choose a color that works with your skin tone…

You Have Darker Skin and Darker Hair:

Choose a blue based red (try M.A.C Ruby Woo, or Estée Lauder Signature Hydra Lustre Lipstick in Rich Red). Darker hair and skin tones can support stronger colors without looking harsh. Also, the darker your skin the more color you will need or it will end up looking washed out on your lips.

You have Dark Hair and Pale Skin:

You can get away with some yellow/orange based reds (try Dolce & Gabbana’s Classic Cream Lipstick ) as long as they do not have very prominent undertones. And if you have pink tones to your skin the blue based reds work well for you as they are the “truest reds” (try Guerlain KissKiss Lipstick in Exces de Rouge, or Chanel Rouge Allure Lipstick 14 Passion,)

You have Light hair and darker skin:

If you’re skin is golden brown, then reach for a yellow/orange lipstick first (try Revlon Super Lustrous lipstick Fire and Ice). However, if you have naturally dark skin and you have lightened your hair then don't be afraid to experiment with yellow/orange tones, but remember to go darker so it doesn't disappear when you apply it. Keep I mind, if your skin is  naturaly very dark then you should try a blue-based shade first (try Russian Red by M.A.C,) and then see if you can find a good deep yellow/orange shade (try Jungle Red by Nars).


Keep the rest of your makeup to a minimum…

A precise line of liquid black eyeliner drawn close to the lash line and a sweep of mascara is really all you need to set off your gorgeous crimson lips. This look is timeless and oh so reminiscent of classic Hollywood glamour girls.


Set your pout….

To avoid having your color feather and bleed all over your face, napkin, and clothing and keep it on your lips where it belongs, try this pro makeup artist tip and your color will last for hours:

Apply your lipstick, then place a tissue directly on your lips. Dip a powder brush in loose translucent powder and dust over the tissue. Just enough powder will transfer thru the tissue to set your lipstick. Re-apply one more coat, blot lightly and you’re good to go!


Remember, it’s all in the attitude and wearing a red lip screams “sexy, seductive, siren”. So be bold, have fun, and wear your red with confidence!

Good For You Girls...Organic Skin Care for Teens!

I recently discovered a fantastic organic skin care line for teens called Good For You Girls, when founder Kimberly Grustus generously sent me their Blemish Wash. I gave it to my 16 year old daughter Giselle to try, and after using the wash for the last 3 weeks, her skin is completely clear, and blemish free and she is super happy with the results!

I love that there are no harmful ingredients in Good For You Girls products and that they are made with all natural cleansing and skin soothing ingredients like Jojoba, Willow Bark, Aloe, Calendula and Chamomile. They smell amazing too as they have natural aromotherapy oils of Grapefruit, Orange, Lemon, and Bergamot. All of the Good For You Girls products are 100% Vegan, with no Dyes or Sulfites and are entirely cruelty free. Even the packaging is green!

My daughter loves that her skin has never looked better and I love that it's organic.... Thanks Kimberly for such great productshttp://www.goodforyougirls.com!

Good For You Girls-http://www.goodforyougirls.com
Guest blog on Best Things in Beauty...

Guest blog on Best Things in Beauty...

Check out my latest guest post "Vive la Rouge" on Best Things in Beauty http://bestthingsinbeauty.blogspot.com! and break out the red lisptick!

VIV Magazine

New beauty for Viv Magazine on "must have makeup". Photo Dorit Thies, Model Jaimie Van Dyke and makeup by me! :-)

Olima Gets Apparel News Cover!

Guest Post on Beauty Junkies Unite Blog!

Guest Post on Beauty Junkies Unite Blog!

Check out my latest feature on Beauty Junkies Unite about some of my favorite multi-use products. :-)

http://www.beautyjunkiesunite.com

Olima Atelier Fashion Show

Last night was the Beverly Hills Fashion Festival for Charity, a day long fashion event where Proceeds from ticket sales went to benefit various worthy charities.

I was honored to help out for a great cause and create the makeup for Oscar Olima's exquisite line of clothing Olima Atelier, representing the Teddy Bear Clinic for abused children.

Oscar's pieces are very architectual, and the lines clean and modern, so for the makeup I wanted to keep it quite minimal.

I smoothed Chanel Pro Lumiere foundation over the models entire faces for a super flawless finish. No mascara, blush, or eyeshadow. I then added a bright "pop" of color to the girls lips using MAC Pro longwear lip creams in "Love Forever", a bright fuschia,  and "Good to Go" a deep, vibrant Orange, and that was it. Patricia Morales kept the hair clean, and slicked off the face. You can see how simple but striking the look is on Dallas, and Charlotte below....

Thanks to my fabulous makeup team, Kristina Brown and Anthony Nguyen for helping me rock out 13 girls in record time....You guys are awesome! :-)
My Guest Post on Best Things in Beauty!

My Guest Post on Best Things in Beauty!

My Feature on Windy City Glow's Blog!

My Feature on Windy City Glow's Blog!

Thanks so much to Traci Kuhn for the great feature on me that she did as part of her new series "Women You Should Know" on her blog Windy City Glow. Check it out here! :-)

Windy City Glow-http://www.windycityglow.com

"Kaleidoscope Floral"

Just out today, my new beauty story "Kaleidoscope Floral" in the November issue of Qlix Magazine!
Photography by Dorit Thies, Model Krystal Martos@Nous Agency, , Jewelry by Joe Polthakorn for Vilaiwan, and makeup by me!

I wanted to keep the makeup abstract and modern and use colors to compliment the beautiful handmade jewelry of designer Joe Polthakorn .




Krystal's fabulous face was the perfect canvas to play with gorgeous red, gold, silver, and purple pigments from MAC, OCC, and Benefit. The colors really showcased Joe's amazing pieces. So much fun! :-)
Sephora's Sexy Vampire Video

Sephora's Sexy Vampire Video

For all you sexy vampires out there, this video from Sephora's Halloween 2010 collection is one of my favorites. Very informative and great use of product..Now go out and bite someone...Happy Halloween!
My Guest Blog on My Beauty Bunny!

My Guest Blog on My Beauty Bunny!

I'm very excited about my Pro Makeup Artist Guest Post "How to use Pigments" on My Beauty Bunny! 
Check it out! xxx :-)
My New Favorite Skincare Line, Votre Vu!

My New Favorite Skincare Line, Votre Vu!

I recently discovered Votre Vu skin care when Traci Kuhn generously sent me some samples to try. Created in France and launched by Harold Zimmerman in 2008, Votre Vu is a line of luxurious Natural based skin care products with over 50 botanically infused  products including face crèmes and sérums, slimming gelées, shampoos, and hand crèmes. 


I get tons of product samples to try from different companies claiming to be the best thing in skincare so I'm always a little skeptical when evaluating a new product,  but I have to say that I was very impressed with Votre Vu.


I have very dry, sensitive skin, and their Sérum Delicat Pour Le Visage and Crème de Jour Sensitive Skin have made my face feel as smooth and soft as a babies butt!


The Calming Cotton Masque, has soothed and revitalised my irritated skin and the Toute Le Monde Antioxidant Eye Gelée has de-puffed my tired eyes and I was happy to see how much fresher I looked (be gone tired circles!).


I've taken to carrying around Tart D'Amande Luxe Hand Crème, and matching Lip Balm (Makes your hands and lips so soft, and they smell soooo good!!) in my purse to stave off dry hands and lips. I have to say that I'm more than a little bit addicted to Votre Vu!
SPOTLIGHT ON...... KEVIN JAMES BENNETT!

SPOTLIGHT ON...... KEVIN JAMES BENNETT!



In Spotlight on,  I will be featuring some of the beauty industry's heavy hitters in the fields of Hair, Makeup and Photography. 

To kick off my first installment I've turned the spotlight on emmy Award winning Celebrity Makeup Artist and Beauty Expert Kevin James Bennett www.madenyc.com.

Kevin is based in New York, and as an industry expert he has appeared on national entertainment shows including Access Hollywood, Entertainment Tonight, Good Morning America, "E" Entertainment Network and HSN (Home Shopping Network). His advice has been featured in the pages of Vogue, Glamour, Elle, InStyle, Town & Country and Self as well as trade publications WWD, Makeup Artist Magazine and American Salon.

An accomplished educator and public speaker, KJ is regularly requested to appear at premiere media and industry events in the US and abroad and has been contracted to create training curriculum for cosmetic companies and makeup schools worldwide.

I asked Kevin to share a few of his Kit Essentials with me, and he was happy to oblige! Below are a few of his pro faves....

Moisturizers:

Perricone MD
Face Finishing Moisturizer
Perricone MD Face Finishing Moisturizer, 2-Ounce Tub 
This Anti-aging moisturizer is packed with high octane anti-oxidents, firming ingredients and super hydrators to give skin an instant glow and smootheness.  The marvelous multi-tasker is also a perfect pre-makeup prep...even under eyes.  This is where serious skincare makes sense in our kit...this stuff delivers when you need the help!






 Peter Thomas Roth
Peter Thomas Roth VIZ-1000 1 fl oz (30 ml)viz-1000

This concentrated serum has a staggering 75% hyaluronic acid complex that keeps the skin super hydrated by attracting 1000 times its weight in water from the moisture in the air.  Sodium PCA binds all this moisture to the skin to prevent dehydration and a blend of intense saccarides (sugar derivitives) regulate and slow skin's moisture evaporation in the DRYEST conditions. Add a potent cocktail of honey, algea and minerals Zinc, Copper, Manganese, Iron and Silica to smooth out fine lines and rough texture almost immediately...Can you say SUPER SERUM!


Alison Raffaele Reality Base, Skintone 3, 1-Ounce BottleFoundation:
Alison Raffaele Reality Base Foundation


We're finding an increasing need for "natural' alternatives in the makeup kit, but mineral makeup continues to be a nightmare for pro artists.  They just don't work on camera (too much mica, high levels of spf or titanium dioxide, etc.)
Until Alison developed this fab formula with all the properties a Pro artist craves.  The new, improved formula is oil, talc and paraben free.  It offers medium coverage that easily builds to full, has a satin finish (very 'skin-like') and is safe for ALL skin types...even sensitive.


MAKE UP FOR EVER HD-High Definition Foundation 
MAKE UP FOR EVER HD Invisible Cover Foundation 118 Flesh
The current "it" foundation.  Killer coverage and still undetectable to a camera that can see over 6x closer than the human eye?  Can we really believe the buzz?  In a word...YES!
I have yet to meet an artist who wasn't wowed by what this stuff can do...covers like a champ and still looks like beautiful skin (not a coat of house paint).
Must Haves:
Cool - 115, 155, 178
Warm - 117, 128, 177




YSL Touche Eclat "Radiant Touch"
YVES SAINT LAURENT TOUCHE ECLAT RADIANT TOUCH #1-NIB
OK, if you don't know about this stuff you've been living in an alternate makeup reality.  Often copied, but never duplicated...the four sheer, light diffusing cream colors are dispensed through a built in brush.  Use this magic wand around the eyes, inside nasal folds and around the mouth to highlight, brighten and create a more youthful look.




Mascara:

Christian Dior Diorshow Unlimited Backstage Makeup Ultra-Lengthening Curving Mascara, Black (#090), 0.2-Ounces
 Christian Dior
Diorshow Unlimited Mascara
We all thought Dior had created the ultimate guilty pleasure when they introduced the first Diorshow mascara.
Guess what ...they made it more sinful.  Unlimited is lavishly lengthening, impossibly volumizing and ...it curls too! The double-side brush allows unsurpassed control and brilliant results every time.
FAR from inexpensive, but we're talking mascara nirvana!


 


Kiehl's Lip Gloss - Mahvelous Mauve - 15ml/0.5ozLip gloss:
 KiehlsLip Balm #1 & Lip Gloss
A legendary lip balm developed over 40 years ago and still at the top of every makeup artist's list. Tons of moisture and lots of shine is what you'll get and now it's also available with an SPF 15...
AND they've introduced glosses using the same legendary formula (with the addition of apricot and grapeseed oils).

 


NYX Cosmetics Mega Shine Lip Gloss #101A Sugar PieNYXMega Shine Lip Gloss
Creamy texture, high shine lacquer finish, serious color payoff...at under $6!  No wonder this stuff is a pro artist's best kept secret.  The fact that it comes in 60 colors (yes, 60) is just plain mind boggling!

 

 


For more information on Kevin, or any of his workshops and seminars;  Contact him at:
http://madenyc.com/, connect@madenyc.com/ or follow his blog @ http://makeup-me.kjbennett.com/.

FACE Magazine Cover

 FACE Magazine November Cover!


Beauty Photographer Dorit Thies  shot this gorgeous image for FACE Magazine's November Cover, and Bernhard Tamme@cloutieragency.com did the fabulous hair. We wanted our model Angela Bordeaux's amazing freckles to show through, so I skipped the foundation and used MAC strobe cream on her skin to give her a beautiful, luminous glow. I kept the focus on her eyes and rimmed them with MAC Pro Eye Pigment -- Emerald Green (Boxed) 7.5g/.26oz.

Our concept for this look was "Forest Wood Nymph", and we used natural fresh green moss as the base for Angela's hair and makeup. I always love incorporating elements of nature in my makeup, so this was happy play time for me!
Bernhard used pieces of the moss and natural twigs to weave throughout her hair and construct an amazing sculptural head piece. I continued the fantasy effect by creating lashes using bits of the moss, and then molding it around the her temples, and eyes to give her an ethereal "fairy like" quality. So much fun!!

Behind the scenes for Kurv Magazine shoot with Miranda Cosgrove

Last Friday I had the pleasure of working with actress/singer Miranda Cosgrove who stars as iCarly on Nickelodean for the December issue of Australia's Kurv Magazine.  Photographer Heidi Gibbs,  wanted to go for an edgy rock and roll feel for the shoot, and I wanted Miranda's makeup to reflect that. Here is the low-down of how to get her look...

On Miranda's Face I mixed Neutrogena Healthy Skin Enhancer in Ivory to Fair, and Neutrogena Skin Glow Sheers in Ivory to Fair to give her skin a gorgeous sheen and radiance, without looking like she was wearing tons of foundation.


I then dabbed Neutrogena Healthy Skin Brightening Eye Perfector in Fair on her cheekbones, under her brow bone, and on the inner corners of her eyes as a light reflecting highlighter.

Miranda rocked a beautiful smokey eye, which I created by applying Neutrogena Nourishing Eye Quad in Blue Smoke to top and bottom lids to add depth and density. I lined her eyes with Neutrogena Nourishing Eyeliner in Cosmic Black, and swept Neutrogena Healthy Lengths Mascara Waterproof in Black on her lashes. I then used a small angle brush and dark shadow to fill in between the lashes, and give them extra definition. A soft and subtle way to pump up your lashline!

On Miranda's cheeks,  I swept Neutrogena Mineral Sheers Blush in Natural Apricot to give them a subtle peachy glow, and I finished her look by slicking Neutrogena Moisture Shine Lipstick in Caramel Kiss on her lips, and topping it with Moisture Shine Gloss in Copper Power to give her them a Matte/Nude feel. Gorgeous!!
Behind the scenes....

Behind the scenes....

Check out the behind the scenes video of my shoot with Dorit Thies for Qlix Magazine!

Powder Beauty

Hi guys,

Here is my new beauty story shot by Jerry Avenaim www.avenaim.com. 

The beautiful Kirby@Nous Models was our Muse and the perfect canvas for me to play with all my Makeup Forever colored powders...Fun!









New Beauty Preview!

Hi Everyone!

I wanted to share a first look with you from my new beauty story that I just shot with photographer Dorit Thies www.doritthies.com, and the beautiful Jamie Van Dyke@Nous Models. Jaimie has such gorgeous skin and I wanted her beautiful freckles to show, so I didn't use any foundation or powder on her.

First I prepped her skin by massaging it with I.Q. beauty "Luminous"; an amazing aloe based gel moisturizing cream with Aloe and crushed Pearls; that brings out a beautiful "glow" on the skin.

I really wanted the focus to be on her gorgeous green eyes and deep purples really bring them out. MAC makes the most brilliant pigments, and the colors are very concentrated so a little really goes a long way.

I wet my brush to add extra intensity and rimmed her eyes with MAC Pro Eye Pigment in Grape, on both the upper and lower lids, then added just a touch of MAC Zink Color Glitter Brilliant Purple for extra Pop! More coming soon...xx ZINK COLOR Glitter Brilliant PURPLE pro cosmetics glitter MAC comparable MAC Pro Eye Pigment -- Grape (Boxed) 7.5g/.26oz