First Look Fridays: Makeup Artist and Stila Global Education Director Sarah Lucero

If you've had the opportunity to meet the fabulous Sarah Lucero, Makeup Artist and Global Education Director for Stila, consider yourself fortunate. This spunky gal turns up at tons of major shows throughout Fashion Week and she's worked with some of the biggest names in the business! Plus she's the nicest person ever ... and of course she's gorgeous! I'm thrilled to bring you this week's edition of First Look Fridays with Sarah Lucero. Read on to discover the Stila product she can't live without, how she spends her days off and the makeup artists who have taught and inspired her.

Can you tell me a bit about yourself?
I was born in LA and grew up in Northern California. I have an older sister and my parents are the best ever! I went to Santa Teresa High School, Almaden Beauty College, West Valley Junior College, and spend 2 summers at Vassar College taking business development courses.

How did you first become interested in makeup, and what led you to become a makeup artist?
I always had an interest in fashion and beauty since I was 10 years old. I was always sneaking into my mom’s makeup bag and using her stuff and reading her beauty books like Victoria Principal’s Principal’s Secrets ... that’s where I learned how to use an eyelash curler! During high school I wanted to go to beauty school and learn how to do hair, so I signed up and learned I was terrified of cutting hair, so I went to makeup school next and felt right at home there. The makeup school I went to was amazing, because it gave me so much “on the job” experience and I was able to build a strong resume. I went to work for M.A.C Cosmetics for 4 years and loved every minute of it. I learned so much working at M.A.C and I was so inspired to move on and create a career in the industry.

Have you worked with any makeup artists who inspired you? What did they teach you?
I have been so fortunate to work with many amazing artists and assist them backstage and on photo shoots. The artists that have inspired me and taught me the most are Jeanine Lobell, Charlotte Tilbury, Monika Blunder, Pati Dubroff and Sam Bryant. I always learn something new every time I work with a new artist. I learn how to create new looks, how to work with the press, how to bring your vision to life, how to handle a stressful situation, and so much more.

Jeanine Lobell really taught me how to do great beauty makeup and create timeless looks for today.

Charlotte Tilbury gave me the opportunity to work in Paris for fashion week and be on her team!

I am so grateful for all of the amazing artists that have offered my the opportunity to shadow them and learn from them so I can become better at what I do everyday. I hope to inspire someone one day and help them get to the next step of their career.

When did you become involved with Stila as the Global Education Director, and what do you love about working with the brand?
I have worked for Stila for 10 years. I have had several different jobs at the company, but always seemed to fall back into training and education. I love to develop people and help them achieve their goals. I am very passionate about Stila’s products and I believe in them. They are purely about performance and I love how approachable our products are.


If you could only pick one Stila product to take with you on a desert island, what would it be?
I would have to take Illuminating Tinted Moisturizer with me. I love how this makes my skin look, plus it has sunscreen protection! I wear this everyday and if I ever travel without it ... I panic!

What are the products you simply can't live without?

I’m totally into Shiseido Nourishing Mascara Base. I like to prime my lashes with this and top it off with Stila Major Lash Mascara. I always get compliments when I wear this combo on my lashes.

I also can’t live without Stila Convertible Color in Peony. I have worn this product for 10 years and love it so much.

My other obsession is Hourglass Illume Bronze Duo. It make my skin look so amazing and sometime I even skip foundation and just wear this!

What are your top 3 makeup tips?
1) Curl lashes.

2) Wear cream blush on the apples of your cheeks.

3) Always pick one feature to maximize and let that stand out. Ask yourself ... what do I want to enhance and what do I want to correct?

What do you think are the biggest trends for summer and heading into fall?

I am seeing a big trend in bold eyes and strong eyeliner. It's not necessarily smoky, but more defined and strong. Try Stila Smudge Pots Liner in Black or Golden Noir to create this look. Those were always pulled out backstage at NYC Fashion Week at all the shows.

Also, satin-looking skin, perfected and polished ... use a cream concealer like Stila Perfecting Concealer and mix it with moisturizer. Apply in small areas where a little coverage or correction is needed. Don’t feel like you have to apply foundation everywhere.

What is the most rewarding part of what you do?
I love working with women and showing them how to do their own makeup. It's rewarding when a client loves how I made her skin look or how big her eyes can look with the right products and correct application.

Being a makeup artist must be fun -- but what do you for fun when you're not playing with makeup?
I love hiking in LA. I also love going to the day spa and getting massages anytime and anywhere! I am starting to learn how to speak French; my recent trip to Paris inspired me to learn.