March is here and we can now officially "Spring forward" to the new season. The first place to start is to get lip tips from the March 2007 issue of Sophisticate's Black Hair magazine entitled "Perfecting the Pout".In the article they interviewed me and a few other celebrity makeup artists to get a list of our favorite products and the latest trends for your lips. The issue is in stores now so keep an eye out for it. If you look close enough you can even get a glimspe of a smiling picture of me!
With Spring colors comes Spring fashion. The Spring collection of Paul Stuart is now available. I got a chance to do the makeup, hair and men's grooming for the campaign. I had a great time working with the crew and Switzerland photographer Christian Coigny. Even though the model looks happy and warm in the outside shots, it was actually very windy and cold. He looks great doesn't he?!
They carry men's and women's clothing. I really love their color palettes in this collection. Look at that yellow! It's so fresh and beautiful. Their classic style would look great in anyone's wardrobe....hmmm....maybe I need to go back to their online catalog and see if there is something I need to get.Well....I think I'd better start answering your beauty questions instead so I won't start spending money! LOL!!!
Beauty Questions
Beauty question: "Exfoliator, what are the different types, and what is most preferred?"- from Elizabeth in Missouri.
Answer: There are exfoliators for the face, the body and the feet. All exfoliators are designed to remove dead skin so younger looking fresh skin can show through. Exfoliators are also great to make the texture of the skin smooth, so products like moisturizers, bronzers and shimmers can go on more evenly and quickly onto the skin.
Exfoliators can range from simple scrubs which are made up of tiny granules to gentle rub off the dead skin, to complex lotions and creams that exfoliate. Some may contain ingredients like alpha-hydroxy to remove the unwanted skin to reveal fresher skin. There are also tools, like loofahs, brushes and scrub pads that can be used as exfoliators also.Exfoliators for the face are the least abrasive than the ones designed for the body, while scrubs for the feet are the most abrasive because the skin is thicker.
If you are looking to start using an exoliator for the first time, for your face, try a mild one like Turnaround Concentrate Visible Skin Renewer that is mild enough to use twice a daily.
Beauty question: "My daughter is wearing a deep teal dress with silver jewlryfor her formal, she is 16 yrs old how should I do her eye colors and lip colors?" -from Carrie in Arizona.
Answer: The teen years is usually the time when girls like to be more trendy and funky but when it is for a formal it is more important to keep her makeup simple and complimentary to her best features to ensure that the attention stays on her and not her makeup. Start with a good moisturizer and foundation only where her skin needs it, so skin looks flawless without looking cakey.
Cheeks can have a natural hint of color by using a cream blush instead of powder in a soft pink like Kevyn Aucoin Creamy Moist Glow in Pravella. Then lips will look polished but not over powering with a sheer lip color like Almost Lipcolor in Almost Blush by Cliniques. To finish the look and add a bit of sparkle to the eyes, just sweep lids with Metallic Cream shadow in Portobello 011 and then line upper lash line with a thin line of Special Eyes Eyeliner pencil in Azure Shimmer 121 and extending the liner slightly past the edge of the eye to add a touch of drama. Now she will be ready to dance the night away looking like the beauty queen that she is!Beauty question: "I am a fair skinned girl with a Latina background. I was looking to actually higlight my hair so that I can do something different with it. The problem is that I have very dark brown hair and I don't know what color would best suit and enhance my overall features. Can you help?"- from Jackie in Florida.
Answer: I am not an hair colorist, but my best suggestion is to take a hint from mother nature. As we head towards warmer weather, think about what your skin will look like.
If your skin turns more golden or sandy then lighter brown and golden highlights will compliment your skin. If your skin gets more red or bronze, then auburn and copper highlights will look better.To see what you will look like with the new hair, stop at a wig shop and try on wigs with the same color that you decide to use. This will give you a preview of the tone of your hair against your skin. No matter what you decide to do, always go to a professional especially if it is your first time coloring your hair.
To help make your color last use shampoos and conditioners to help lock in moisture and hold color. Nioxin has a variety of products to consider including a hydrating mask for your hair.
Keep the questions coming! The more you ask, the more I can answer for you.
MY FAVORITE THINGS
For every makeup application that I do I love to hydrate the skin first by spritzing it with Algo Mist by Repechage before I add a moisturizer.It has a light refreshing seaweed mist, that is great to use in the morning and through out the day when your skin needs a quick pick-me-up.
