This weekend, I'm off to the Berkshires for a Core Fusion retreat at the Kripalu Center. I'm going with the fantastic Keri Blair, and I needed something fun on my nails to get me through all the long, arduous workouts ahead! There was nothing better than Essie Neo Whimsical. Now, you may remember my last foray into the fabulousness that is this amazing color. (In case you've forgotten, here's a look back.) In any case, I have been desperately hunting down this nail polish ever since my manicure at Eve last month, to no avail. Imagine my surprise and delight when it appeared at a Duane Reade during a shopping trip this week! I immediately squealed, screamed and snatched it up.
In sunlight with no flash In sunlight with no flash and the wonderful city of New York behind me
Please pardon the semi-shoddy job I did on my nails! I painted them at my desk this morning in anticipation of my trip.
The What's Your Beauty Indulgence? series gives you an inside look into the products that my fellow industry insiders hold in highest regard. Be it a moisturizer or a lipgloss, a styling tool or a candle, these products aren't to be missed.
Once in awhile, I meet a blogger who really makes me stop and take notice. And Adina Zilberman of Krasey Beauty fits the bill. When it comes to makeup, this gal knows her stuff -- I can't think of a time where her eye makeup hasn't looked absolutely flawless. AND she's got a fabulous personality to boot! In her own words, here's Adina's beauty indulgence.
My beauty indulgence is color in the form of Make Up For Ever powder eyeshadows. It is with a great deal of pride that I declare that I have purchased (and use on the regular!) 48 of those pigmented nuggets of colorful shadowy goodness.
The steamy love affair began with a single shade purchased during a typical Sephora run -- Number 9 if you must know -- and developed into a driving desire to own every shade of the rainbow. I am not quite there yet, but I am awfully close.
Check back soon for another edition of What's Your Beauty Indulgence?.
Last month, I was treated to an amazing hair treatment at Paul Labrecque -- the Lemongrass Deep Conditioning Treatment. My locks had been ravaged by the harsh winter weather and were in need of some MAJOR love, so it came at the perfect time!
My stylist, Elana, began by applying a mint menthol scalp treatment to my locks. This very tingly step helped to exfoliate the scalp -- think of it like a face scrub but for your head! She then applied lemongrass oil from mid-length to the ends, which penetrated into the hair cortex and cuticle, thus moisturizing hair better than a regular conditioner. After an AMAZING scalp massage -- seriously, Elana’s hands are magic – she settled my locks into a shower cap and towel combo and set me under a dryer for about 20 minutes.
Sitting under the dryer! Don't I look pretty? :)
The piece de resistance? Two shampoos with Paul Labrecque Repair Shampoo, rinsed in between with cool water! Elana said this was necessary to remove all of the oils. Milk and egg proteins restored, repaired and moisturized my tresses. She then conditioned my locks with Paul Labrecque Repair Conditioner and ran Paul Labrecque Repair Leave-In Conditioner through afterwards to protect my hair from heat styling.
After a blowout, my locks looked healthier, shinier and smoother. What a lifesaver!
For more information on the Lemongrass Deep Conditioning Treatment and other services offered at Paul Labrecque, visit paullabrecque.com.
The Lemongrass Deep Conditioning Treatment at Paul Labrecque is $55. (Editor's note: I received this treatment free for editorial consideration.)
NYC chicks, listen up! The Rebecca Minkoff sample sale is just around the corner. Might they have a Studded Devote Tote or Morning After Mini? I totally can't wait. Check out the pic below for all the details (click it to enlarge). See you there!
If you don't know who Kim Vo is, you're missing out. He's the mastermind behind some of the biggest names in Hollywood, from Britney Spears to Kate Hudson. Not to mention his stint as a judge on Bravo's Shear Genius! Recently, Kim and I have become acquainted on Twitter -- and I'm so happy to bring you An Insider's Look on how he first became a colorist, his top trends for spring and so much more.
Can you tell me a bit about yourself? I am from Vietnam. I always am in wonder about coming from the jungles of Vietnam to the jungles of Beverly Hills. My education was in LA, but my true training was in New York.
How did you know that you wanted to become a colorist? I’ve always loved color. I paint with oils and acrylics when I’m impatient! My eyes are truly sensitive to different variations of color.
How did you become involved with Shear Genius? After doing Extreme Makeover for five years and the Daily 10 on E! I had gained enough TV knowledge and respect for our industry to be a judge.
What do you think are some of the biggest color trends for spring? The big spring trend is working with your natural texture. Golden highlights created by carving and painting while using the natural hair pattern.
How do you get your inspiration? I find inspiration every day, everywhere! I have a photographer's eye. Every ordinary object is extraordinary to me.
What are your top 3 hair tips? 1) Mimic the shine, body and fullness of youth.
2) Use a deep conditioning moisture mask.
3) Don’t kill a fly with a shotgun. For example, Don’t over highlight because it causes more dryness. When using hot tools you need a thermal protectant (like Kim Vo Radiant Styling Cream.)
What is the product you simply can't live without? The Kim Vo Glaze has always given me a boost of confidence. It is my liquid courage!
Being a colorist must be fun -- but what do you do in your free time? I’m the male version of Martha Stewart -- hot glue gun and all!
If you're in love with spa and salon appointments, then today is your lucky day -- because they're available for massive discounts on Rue La La! Check out what you can score today:
Advanced Skin Care (10 West 55th Street, New York): Advanced SkinCare Day Spa and Laser Center is about much more than pampering with services. Personalized skin and body care programs will substantially improve your appearance, including Forever Young Face, Light Therapy Oxygenation and Benefit Peel.
Mizu (505 Park Avenue, New York): Mizu New York’s newly designed salon features relaxing lounging areas, private workstations and a wide selection of nutrient-rich, feel good products for your hair. Services being offered include a haircut, color or wash and style.
John Barrett Salon (754 Fifth Avenue, New York): For more than a decade, John Barrett has been the mastermind behind some of the world's most fashionable women. The salon, located in the penthouse of the famous former Goodman apartment, offers a haircut, half head of highlights, wash & style for the ultimate New York look.
The Parlour on Third (8113 W. 3rd Street, Los Angeles): The Parlour on 3rd is a chic hair care oasis in the heart of Los Angeles. They offer an exceptional and unique hair salon experience: an elegant décor and chill vibe with a truly hospitable staff committed to ensuring you walk out looking great with healthy and beautiful hair. Whether you’re looking for a cut, color, a new style or drop-dead gorgeous highlights, you will be rewarded with a “miracle of magic” provided by the one and only Alyson Powell.
Carissima (2901 N. Clark Street, Chicago): Carissima translates to “an endeared one.” In conjunction with their name, they strive to maintain that each and every experience throughout their salon. Services being offered include facials, highlights, single process color and haircuts.
Sean Patrick Salon & Spa (1304 S. Halsted, Chicago and 7 S. Lagrange Rd., Lagrange, IL): As a full service salon celebrating its 12th year in business, Sean Patrick’s offers the finest in hair and skincare services Services being offered include Swedish Massage, Spa Manicure & Pedicure and Facial.
It's a momentous day here at The Beauty of Life -- I'm bringing you my very first Outfit of the Day! Though I'm usually a fan of injecting color into my wardrobe, I dressed all in black this morning -- a company meeting called for it. I spruced up the black separates with some gold jewelry and boldly hued pumps. Hope you enjoy!
Here's the breakdown: Diane von Furstenberg “Teela” Top (also available in Hot Red) Theory “Elly” Leggings Bing Bang Chain Hanger Earrings Cara Accessories pearl and chain bracelet Kara Ross Small Hammered Flower Ring Garnet stone ring (gift from my mom when I turned 18) Gold signet ring (gift from my mom when I turned 16) Manolo Blahnik turquoise suede pumps Nails: Essie Lilacism (from the Spring 2010 collection)
Thanks to the fearless Deenie Hartzog for being my photographer!
I have a confession to make. While I am a self-professed skincare junkie -- seriously, I'm quite obsessed -- I don't always actually take care of my skin like I should. For example, the only time I use a mask is during a facial. (Oops.) I usually don't like the feeling of a heavy mask that adheres to the skin and feels like it should be removed with a hammer. Well, that has changed recently, thanks to the Eve Lom Rescue Mask.
A bit of an impulse purchase during a recent trip to the Space NK counter at Bloomingdale's, this mask has quickly become my skincare mainstay. It's formulated with kaolin china clay (to reduce puffiness and even skin tone), honey and glycerin (to hydrate and condition) and ground roasted almonds (to exfoliate and smooth the complexion).
I love the thick, rich and dense texture of the mask. It feels almost like a thick moisturizer when applied, and has a cooling effect that immediately soothes the skin. Left on for 15 minutes and then removed with a wet washrag, it leaves skin looking and feeling soft and smooth. It removed any trace of dry skin from my visage and gave me a dewy glow after just one use!
My skin has seriously never looked or felt better. I'm a mask convert!
The Eve Lom Rescue Mask is $45 for 1.7 fl. oz. and $80 for 100ml.
At an event held by Robert Verdi's Luxe Lab awhile back, I was gifted with the beautiful R.J. Graziano Clear Lucite Bubble Necklace. I was immediately drawn to this necklace for the following reasons:
1) I've been coveting R.J. Graziano jewelry for years, and this was my first acquisition.
2) Lucite is the season's biggest jewelry trend, and I was ecstatic to finally get my hands on a stunning, original piece.
3) The oversized clear bubbles reminded me of marbles -- and, while I was never good at playing with marbles as a kid, it did bring me right back to my childhood.
Now, a word to the wise. This necklace is HEAVY. I'm talking many, many pounds (I haven't weighed it, but I'd venture a guess of at least 5 pounds). It will weigh down your neck throughout the day. (Not smart to wear the day after an intense workout -- take my word for it.) But...
This necklace WILL get you noticed. Every time I slip it around my neck, I get compliments all day long. From strangers on the street to coworkers to friends, people can't get enough! And I'll let you in on a little secret -- I can't, either.
The R.J. Graziano Clear Lucite Bubble Necklace retails for $75.
Let me be the one you run to Let me be the one you come to When you need someone to turn to Let me be the one --The Carpenters, Let Me Be The One
I have a long, steamy and torrid affair with Tocca candles. While Cleopatra is my all-time favorite scent, I’ve dabbled in almost every one at some point in my life. So it came as a surprise to me that the Montauk Candle had escaped me for so long. Luckily, I finally started burning this glorious candle -- and I’ve been left anything but disappointed.
Inspired by the easternmost tip of Long Island, where the Sound meets the sea, Montauk contains notes of sea grass and fresh air, creating a scent that’s at once refreshing and calming. I’ve been burning this candle for the past two weeks, and I honestly think it’s helping to keep me sane in times of undue stress.
The Tocca Montauk Candle (10.6 oz.) has a burn time of 60 hours and retails for $36. If you’re looking to give your pocketbook a small break, the Tocca Montauk Candelina (2.85 oz.) has a burn time of 20 hours and retails for $16.
I'm trying to summon warmer temperatures this week with my manicure choice -- Essie Lilacism, part of the Spring 2010 Collection. This creamy lilac polish makes me think of 75-degree weather, sitting at an outdoor cafe with a margarita and some friendly conversation. Hopefully this color will make it happen!
My one caveat with the polish -- it really did take two coats. The first was pretty streaky and left too much of the natural nail showing, so I really needed a second coat to make sure the streaks disappeared. I topped it with Deborah Lippmann Addicted To Speed Top Coat -- it's my first time using this particular top coat, so I'll be interested to see how the polish wears over the week without my normal Seche Vite.
I must admit that I'm a lifelong fan of Coach. While I don't dig the interlocking C's that make up a big portion of the brand's collective handbags and accessories, I do find myself yearning for a leather satchel or kicky wristlet time and time again. But recently? It's the jewelry that's calling my name.
Case in point: the Daphne Flower Cuff. I'm on a neverending quest to spice up my jewelry collection, and I think this cuff would do the trick. I love the intricate laced gold petals interspersed with multiple faceted stones in varying shades of rose and violet. It's elegant enough for day, but dramatic enough for evening -- a true statement piece.
It's time for another beauty giveaway here at The Beauty of Life -- and this one is pretty amazing, fellow beauty chicks! I've partnered with the fabulous folks at TRIA to offer one lucky winner the chance to receive the Skin Clarifying System Be Clear Starter Kit. This system is valued at a whopping $395 and includes everything you'll need to give your skin a beautiful, radiant glow. The system includes the following:
Clarifying Foam Cleanser: Exfoliates and prepares skin for blue light therapy.
Clarifying Blue Light: Heals existing breakouts and eliminates the bacteria that causes acne. It's the only prescription-strength blue light treatment available!
Rebuilding Complex: Restores the skin and accelerates cell renewal.
With this system, you'll notice a difference in your skin in just 7 days. Pretty amazing, right? Entering this giveaway is easy. Enter your name and email address in the box below. The winner will be selected on Sunday, May 2 and notified by email. It's that simple!
This giveaway is open to US residents only. Giveaway runs until Saturday, May 1 at midnight. One entry per person, email address and IP address. Multiple entries will be disqualified.
There are some makeup artists who I just connect with immediately. Keri Blair, one of the Senior Makeup Artists for M.A.C, is one of them. After corresponding for months over Twitter, we finally met this past Fashion Week -- and I'm so glad we did! Keri's unbelievable knowledge of all things M.A.C, not to mention a wealth of fabulous makeup tips and a delightfully effervescent personality, make her one of my favorite people to talk to. Over Pinkberry a few weeks ago (one of our shared obsessions), she sat down with me to share how she got started in the makeup business, some of her favorite products and where she gets her inspiration. Read on to find out more.
What are your top makeup tips?
1) If you’re not a super-savvy makeup artist, choose a feature and learn it, live it, love it. It can be your lashes, your eyes, your skin, your lips. Whatever it is -- practice, get yourself a color that puts you in a great mood. Focus on one feature. People get makeup junked out, and suddenly you look like Mimi from the Drew Carey show!
2) If you like a smoky eye, always start with your eyes first. It really saves you in the foundation department. When you do a really smoky eye, you need less foundation because you have so much going on that it becomes the focal point of your makeup.
For fast cleanup around the eyes after doing a smoky eye, M.A.C Fast Response Eye Cream on a sponge or a Q-tip is really the best way to go. It keeps the skin lubed, it breaks down any long-wearing product and it picks up everything so you don’t worry about getting it in your foundation.
3) Always moisturize.
4) Always take your makeup off at night.
5) Concealer is the most overused and misunderstood product out there for the basic consumer. I think it’s important that people don’t try to cover up dark circles or imperfections with concealer. A sheer coat of foundation, then go back and spot conceal where needed -- [it's] better than 14 pounds of concealer under your eye!
6) If you want your lipstick to stay longer, stain your lips with a lip pencil, lightly powder it and then apply your lipstick or lipgloss. As your lipstick wears off, you still have color on your lip and you don’t wind up with duck mouth!
What are your tips for applying mascara or false eyelashes? Always apply mascara last. If you are feeling up to the challenge, you can use a small brush like the #212, a square-tipped brush. Load it up with mascara and then use your mirror, tilt your head back. Press the black mascara right at the root, that helps to keep you from having marionette lashes. You can also use a little Smolder pencil in the waterline, that gets into the roots of the lashes to give more intensity. I’m also a fan of using a small brush to put on your first coat (like Dazzle Lash). Go right into the root and just wiggle out as hard as you can. Then let that dry and go back in with something like a Plushlash or Opulash. Swirl the brush from the top of your lashes out. It feels a little weird because it feels like you’re combing your lashes, but it gives you really intense lashes.
If you want to apply false lashes, first curl your lashes, then apply a light coat of mascara, then apply the lash. Lashes stick better to a light coat of mascara than they do to plain lashes.
How do you use Pigments, anyway? I use them dry, but I use them on top of something creamy. I love to use them over things like the Eye Kohls, because they leave a sticky almost Velcro finish, they just grab onto them. And the other thing that’s so unique about the Pigments, especially ones like Pink Pearl and Old Gold and Blue Brown and Pink Opal, is that they’re duochromatic. So if you manipulate them and put them over something black or something dark, it actually brings out one of the other shades in the color. You get this really diaphanous, multifaceted, multicolored eye with no work, which I’m all about!
Take your brush and run it through your fingers before you put it into the Pigment, because your fingers have natural oils on them. It will make the brush a little sticky, and when you pick up the Pigment, it doesn’t fall off as much. Then you can press it on that sticky Eye Kohl and it really holds and gives you this really intense, metallic, oil slick effect on the eye. I use the lid most of the time, because then you can press it into the brush and you don’t get as much fallout.
In a fit of cleaning frenzy this week, I came across three Dior makeup palettes that had somehow gotten buried underneath mountains of hair products, shower gels and lipglosses. I felt immediately remiss in not bringing you information on these three palettes sooner, as each one is unbelievably gorgeous. Check them out!
Dior 5-Colour Designer All-in-One Artistry Palette in Amber Design ($58): Open the black lacquered compact to discover five coordinating bronze tones that shimmer, sparkle and shine more than any others I've seen in quite awhile. The palette includes four shadows, a liner and two double-ended brushes for multiple wearing options -- that is, if you can actually make yourself use it.
Dior Holiday Collection Makeup Palette for the Eyes ($42): Four beautiful glittery shadows reside inside a diamond-quilted black compact with a gleaming signature "D" charm. The colors range from light to dark brown -- perfect for day to night glamour. Unfortunately this palette is no longer available, as it was from the holiday collection.
Dior Bronze Harmonie de Blush in Sunshine Tones Coral Riviera ($43): This is most definitely a palette that's so pretty, I'm finding it difficult to actually use it! I love the coral and bronze puzzle piece-like design laced with threaded gold ... it's oh so chic and just exudes the feel of the Riviera.
There are some makeup artists who I just connect with immediately. Keri Blair, one of the Senior Makeup Artists for M.A.C, is one of them. After corresponding for months over Twitter, we finally met this past Fashion Week -- and I'm so glad we did! Keri's unbelievable knowledge of all things M.A.C, not to mention a wealth of fabulous makeup tips and a delightfully effervescent personality, make her one of my favorite people to talk to. Over Pinkberry a few weeks ago (one of our shared obsessions), she sat down with me to share how she got started in the makeup business, some of her favorite products and where she gets her inspiration. Read on to find out more.
Is there a makeup artist that has stood out in your career? Hands down, Val Garland. One of my biggest makeup heroes from a fashion and beauty perspective. I don’t know where she gets her inspiration from, or how she sees the makeup that she sees, but the way that she works and having the opportunity to work with her has been probably one of the most ... I’m not anywhere the makeup artist that she is, I’m not even close. But there’s something about her approach to makeup that I get, and that I aspire to be like. I feel like everything she does is so magical. And she will teach you.
I just had the most amazing opportunity to work with Rick Baker. Watching someone who understands the anatomy of the face the way he does, moreso than just bone structure, but actually the muscles and the fiber tissue and all that stuff underneath the skin. Watching someone be able to recreate that paint, the striations with a brush and a Paintstick, is mind-blowing. Because he does prosthetic makeup and special effects makeup, he knows the skull inside and out, he knows how the muscles lay across it. That is somebody who can really do unbelievable things ... talk about the power of makeup, it was life-changing! He’s really gracious and generous.
We have a relationship with these artists that are the best in the industry. I’m on Twitter with Sam Fine, who although does a very different style of makeup than I do, I’ve learned so much from him. We have a relationship! That says a lot about how mac treats not only their staff and their senior artists, but the professionals we work with, and the kind of relationships we can build through the people who work with us.
What do you like about Twitter for your work life? How has it helped to bring you forward? What’s been interesting about Twitter is the exposure that you get. M.A.C really started as a company that was like Faberge. I truly feel that social media, especially Twitter, is a way to get one message out to a lot of people in a very fast way. It’s a modernization of that Faberge organics idea. I’ve been able to connect with professional makeup artists, with beauty bloggers, and not only build relationships with them, but connecting with makeup artists who have questions and need guidance. I’m a very fit person, I love to work out. A lot of these women who have special needs -- waterproof, long-wearing, what should I try? -- it gives us as a brand a voice in cyberspace that they can come to and they can trust. A lot of people know who I am through Twitter! Someone who doesn’t go on Facebook or go to master classes, the everyday layman can see stuff from backstage!
I think that M.A.C has opened a window, or a peephole, or a wormhole! -- to a whole generation of people who live in middle America and aren’t ever going to actually be exposed to working backstage. And suddenly it’s a click away on YouTube! That’s pretty magical! When I was a kid, there were three makeup artists -- Kevyn Aucoin, Wayne Bandy and Linda Mason, and that was pretty much it! They were doing everything, they would do the whole show by themselves! Now we have this whole united front, this whole industry. We try really hard to be equal opportunists and really give the brand a really great voice. I work for those followers, I try to interact and be timely in my responses and really showcase what the brand has to offer, even if it’s just free shipping on our website. I’ve gotten to meet people like you and other bloggers! It’s a good place to feed all your neuroses and meet so many great people and reconnect with people. Even celebrities you get to work on, they’re on Twitter and you can give them a shoutout!
It’s such a fun, fascinating art, and one thing I will say is I feel like over the past 10 years, makeup artistry is a very viable, very lucrative career. Whether that’s working at the counter, assisting someone or really freelancing and getting out there. Even being a bridal makeup artist, it may not be as exciting as you wish it would be but you can make a lot of money and really meet some amazing people. It’s amazing to be part of such a great field that’s so creative and so beauty oriented. I think women just want to feel good about themselves, and I’m so blessed and lucky that I have the opportunity to make women feel that way.
Check back tomorrow for the next installment of my interview with Keri Blair. To follow her on Twitter, click here.
A few years ago, I met Charli Rousseau at an event in Los Angeles. Right away, I was drawn to her innate knowledge of all things beauty -- not to mention her uber-vibrant personality! And the fact that she was the first one to tell me about L'Oreal Infallible Never Fail Lip Gloss? Thank goodness. Read on to discover the red lip trick she swears by, her number-one beauty essential (it may surprise you!) and so much more.
Can you tell me a bit about yourself? I'm originally from Los Angeles and have spent most of my adult life here, but I grew up overseas and on the East Cost because of my parents' jobs. I studied journalism at USC with plans to work at a fashion magazine in New York City but never could seem to leave the beautiful weather and scenery here. Luckily, I was still able to build a career here as an L.A.-based beauty writer/editor/blogger, and now makeup artist.
How did you first become interested in beauty? When I was growing up in Japan, runway shows were always on television -- at home, at the airport, everywhere. I watched them as if in a trance, and had a crazy obsession with fashion, beauty, costumes and fantasy worlds as a kid. I was always trying out looks in fashion magazines on myself and my friends, complete with makeup, dress and hair. It seemed only natural to find something related to do in life.
How did you make the transition from beauty writer to makeup artist? I loved watching my dad, whose hobby was cartooning, as a kid. He inspired me to want to work with my hands as an artist, so I took lots of drawing and design classes. But I never pursued fine arts beyond college since, well, somewhere along the way, I was convinced that writing was more practical. While covering beauty, I was in awe of every makeup artist I met. Watching them work made me excited to go to work, and suddenly it just clicked. I thought, "I should be doing that!" So I enrolled in makeup school immediately.
What are your top 5 beauty essentials? 1) A good night's sleep -- otherwise it's all downhill from there
2) Moisturizer -- Josie Maran Argan Oil and Giovanni Body Butter
3) Conditioner -- Kevin Murphy and Marco Pelusi are my faves
4) Concealer -- love the one by W3ll People
5) Lash Curler -- total necessity for my pipsqueak lashes!
What are the products and brands you simply can't live without? Tough one. If I had to pick based on the products I use most, I would have to say:
NARS -- love The Multiple and the Duo Eyeshadow palettes Bobbi Brown bronzers and cream shadows Stila Convertible Color Illuminating Foundation and Perfecting Concealer M.A.C shadows, lipsticks and Technakohl liner
But there are so many other brands I love that I'm leaving out here: Laura Mercier, Hourglass Cosmetics, Make Up For Ever, Korres, CoverGirl ... I could go on for hours.
What are your top 3 makeup tips?
1) There's nothing better-looking than good skin, so if you don't have time to do anything else with makeup, at least moisturize, use sunscreen and blend some concealer or foundation over any patchy areas to even out your complexion.
2) I get asked a lot how to get red lips to last all day and I always recommend exfoliating first with a sugar scrub (I like Sara Happ or LUSH), then moisturizing with a face cream or eye cream (that's a Bobbi Brown tip).
My secret weapon is Lancome Le Lipstique, which I use to trace and fill in lips really well before applying matching lipstick. Think of the lipstick as the cherry on top of all those layers!
3) Shape your brows regularly and don't forget to fill them in. It really helps bring out your face and make you look "complete," especially if you're not wearing much makeup.
Playing with makeup must be fun -- but what do you do in your spare time? When I'm not working (which is rare), I love experimenting with new recipes in the kitchen, doing yoga, dancing in the living room and watching movies with my husband. And I love, love, love trying new restaurants ... I think I was a restaurant reviewer in a past life.
To visit Charli Rousseau's website, click here. To follow her on Twitter, click here.
The What's Your Beauty Indulgence? feature gives you an inside look into the products that my fellow industry insiders hold in highest regard. Be it a moisturizer or a lipgloss, a styling tool or a candle, these products aren't to be missed.
Have you heard of the fabulous polish line, butter LONDON? The nail polishes are unbelievable -- and the woman behind it all, Nonie Creme, is amazing! I've had the great fortune to see her in action at Fashion Week for shows like Betsey Johnson and Vena Cava, and her bubbly personality is truly unmatched. In her own words, here's Nonie's beauty indulgence.
My beauty indulgence is not terribly indulgent price-wise, and YES, I know, it’s from butter LONDON’s collection, but I can’t help myself. We just launched a range of Luxury Lotions in Black Tea, Champagne and Country Garden, which I keep by my shower. I’m really into experimenting with a different scent each day, and wear these top to toe for a beautiful, soft scent and skin.
Today I’m wearing Champagne, which people just love so far, but I think my personality suits the Black Tea best. It’s quite masculine and exotic. (Errr, not that I am, despite my bloke-y hairstyle!) My skin has never felt better, and is especially transformed if I start with a vigorous body brushing session before showering. It’s supposed to help with cellulite, but my bum still looks like the surface of the moon. (Pun absolutely intended!) Skin feels fab though.
There are some makeup artists who I just connect with immediately. Keri Blair, one of the Senior Makeup Artists for M.A.C, is one of them. After corresponding for months over Twitter, we finally met this past Fashion Week -- and I'm so glad we did! Keri's unbelievable knowledge of all things M.A.C, not to mention a wealth of fabulous makeup tips and a delightfully effervescent personality, make her one of my favorite people to talk to. Over Pinkberry a few weeks ago (one of our shared obsessions), she sat down with me to share how she got started in the makeup business, some of her favorite products and where she gets her inspiration. Read on to find out more.
What are some of the products that you think are staples in every woman’s kit? As an aesthetician and someone who loves skin -- because without good skin, you’ll never have good makeup! -- Fix+, hands down.
Fast Response Eye Cream -- I have to have.
I love Studio Moisture Fix.
Smolder Eye Kohl for sure.
I love Mascara X -- black. Must-have for me. There are some other mascaras that might work better for other people, like Dazzlelash and [the new Opulash]. It’s amazeballs!
Mineralize Skinfinish Naturals, have to have them.
If you have the means to go to a PRO store, I highly recommend it. The PRO Shaping Powder Palette ... there’s so much beauty makeup here, so much sculpting, so much bringing out the features of the face, that’s a must-have palette.
I think with color it’s important that you have a palette that’s full of neutrals, and at least one palette that’s full of color that you like, and that’s how you start your kit.
What is your desert island product? I hate this question! I would have to say it’s probably SPF moisturizer! But either a moisturizer or a lip moisturizer or something like that, lip conditioner or something that I could wear if I had to on my face and on my lips. I’m obsessed with having something on my lips, usually it’s a lipgloss, but I couldn’t wear that on my face!
How do you recommend finding the colors that are complimentary? [Laughs and leans into the voice recorder] Come to one of my master classes! One of the things I feel like M.A.C is really good at is having neutral tones that actually you don’t even realize exist in skin but do. So colors like Omega, and Coquette, and Wedge, and Cork, Shroom. Those kind of colors are really the staples that we use all the time. Tete-a-tint is a great one to have. Brown Script, Soft Brown. I didn’t really understand the purpose of neutrals when I first started at M.A.C. As I’ve matured as a makeup artist, and really gotten the exposure of working with my heroes like Val Garland and Tom Pecheux and James Kaliardos, I’ve started to really appreciate what neutrals do for you, and how they actually take your makeup from ordinary to extraordinary.
I wear color almost every day. Women in New York wear a little mascara, they want to blend in for the most part. Everyone thinks women here are so funky, but really unless you live on St. Marks it’s about neutral, beautiful, blending in. You’ve got your good lipstick or lipgloss that you love, maybe your powder. And then it’s about mascara and a little liner. That’s a staple in a New York woman’s purse. But I wear color, I love color, I’ll stay true to myself and probably be one of those old ladies that wear purple. But color is something you have to play with and you have to figure out a way to incorporate it into your makeup repertoire without feeling garish. So if you feel like your lips are your best quality, you find a really beautiful coral lipstick, which is really in right now. A beautiful pink or red that you feel really expresses your personality that day.
What’s so great about makeup is that it’s the ultimate accessory. You can change it up within the same day! It’s not that expensive! So it’s not like hair color, where you kind of are stuck for at least a few weeks!
Check back tomorrow for the next installment of my interview with Keri Blair. To follow her on Twitter, click here.
There are some makeup artists who I just connect with immediately. Keri Blair, one of the Senior Makeup Artists for M.A.C, is one of them. After corresponding for months over Twitter, we finally met this past Fashion Week -- and I'm so glad we did! Keri's unbelievable knowledge of all things M.A.C, not to mention a wealth of fabulous makeup tips and a delightfully effervescent personality, make her one of my favorite people to talk to. Over Pinkberry a few weeks ago (one of our shared obsessions), she sat down with me to share how she got started in the makeup business, some of her favorite products and where she gets her inspiration. Read on to find out more.
How did you first get into makeup? I started collecting makeup when I was 9. My mother and I went to this English town market in New Jersey and I bought this white compact with one eyeshadow in it, this plum brown eyeshadow. That was my first eyeshadow I ever bought. It's interesting as an adult -- how I talk about makeup and what inspires me about makeup -- is where women learn to put it on originally. Whether it’s from your mom, your sister, your aunt, your grandma -- and what habits as adults we still hold on to today. I can’t really give a specific answer because my mother didn’t wear a lot of makeup. But I was that kid in the grocery store that would look at all the candy, and if it was out of place I would line up all the candy so it was in all the right bins! I’m not a super-anal person but I’m very OCD! I don’t know how that relates back to makeup -- only that I realized the connection as an adult that I love things like how Target is marketed, the same image circa Andy Warhol, pop culture, pop color, all those things really inspired me.
At one point in my career with M.A.C I worked with Cyndi Lauper, and it was many years ago. I did 3 concert days with her and I remember watching her put her makeup on -- because she really didn’t want me to do her makeup, she wanted me to hang out with her while she did her makeup! So I did a little bit on her, but most of it was kind of assisting her. And I remember telling her that I had this insane epiphany that I’ve always talked about where women learn to put their makeup on, and where I learned to put makeup on was from you! From the She's So Unusual album, and watching [her] on TV. And she looked at me halfway into her eyeshadow and was like, “SCARY!”
I feel like I’ve always been a true 80’s girl in the sense that I love color, I would match my mascara to my shirt. I grew up on Garanimals in the 70s, it evolved into the 80's of loving color, and playing with color, and mixing textures. I feel like it really translates as an artist who works on skin as my canvas. It’s a little bit all over the place and kind of Mad Hatter! I’m obsessed with chemistry, I’m obsessed with mixing things together to see what color combinations I can get. I respect the color wheel in the sense that I trust it, and I just hope for the best when I mix color. I try not to disrupt Mother Nature too much.
How did you become a makeup artist? I wanted to be a chemist. I really wanted to work developing color for Revlon or L'Oreal, I didn’t really understand what that meant at the time and M.A.C wasn’t even around yet. As a girl who’s 17 years old, living in a very small town in Maryland, is it even feasible to think you could become a makeup artist? Is that something you do for a living? I didn’t know. So going to New York and fulfilling my dream didn’t really seem like a reality. I tried to do chemistry, I had an A in lab and I was failing lecture! So instead I went to school for communications, which in some weird way has circled back around. I public speak for a living, I’m on camera, I do all this really great stuff for M.A.C. In the 14 years that I’ve been with the brand, it’s allowed me to evolve into the person I was supposed to become.
How did you first get involved with M.A.C? I was really into makeup and hair in high school. I did everybody’s hair and makeup, they would come into my lair! My poor best friend, she had more stuff slathered on her... I collected and collected and collected, and my grandmother would take me makeup shopping. I went to college and wore makeup for the firstst year and a half that I was there, and then I joined a sorority. After that I had no time to put makeup on, and I stopped wearing makeup! I got kind of into the grunge scene, I was a grip, I moved lights around, I had jean shorts and hiking boots and flannels -- it was the 90's! I started to get a little bit back into makeup and got reinspired by it in 1993. I had just graduated from college and I was at a nail salon with my mom in Maryland, and these 3 women were talking about this new makeup line at Nordstrom called M.A.C. And everyone wore black, and had flare pants on, and plaform shoes, and white ruffled shirts with black vests. I perked up, we went to Nordstrom and I went to the counter. They had one little tiny bay and this woman named Nancy helped me. I bought a graphite cream liner, a #25 brush and a black mascara, and that was how it started. They had no M.A.C in north Carolina where I was living, so every time I went home, I would try to go to the counter and there would be lines around the counter. And I would be like, "Can I get a Freeze lipstick, can I get Ecstasy lipstick?” You could not get helped to save your life, it was a mob scene!
I worked on a film in 1995 and ... the makeup artist really opened my eyes back up to it. I made a decision that I wanted to work in makeup, and I went to the M.A.C counter and I applied, and I interviewed, and I got the job. Nordstrom was really interested in my customer service background, and I had an art background, which M.A.C was interested in, and the rest is history. I went to school for aesthetics my first year, and that’s it!
After a year being at the company in Maryland, I became a trainer, and I was a trainer for about a year and a half. Then I moved to Atlanta and was a trainer for 2 years there, became a Senior Artist in 2000, then moved to New York as a Senior Artist, then I moved to Chicago and was the director of training, then I moved back to New York two years ago. So my 14-year anniversary was on the 22nd of march.
Check back tomorrow for the next installment of my interview with Keri Blair. To follow her on Twitter, click here.
This weekend, I'm off to the Berkshires for a Core Fusion retreat at the Kripalu Center. I'm going with the fantastic Keri Blair, and I needed something fun on my nails to get me through all the long, arduous workouts ahead! There was nothing better than Essie Neo Whimsical. Now, you may remember my last foray into the fabulousness that is this amazing color. (In case you've forgotten, here's a look back.) In any case, I have been desperately hunting down this nail polish ever since my manicure at Eve last month, to no avail. Imagine my surprise and delight when it appeared at a Duane Reade during a shopping trip this week! I immediately squealed, screamed and snatched it up.
In sunlight with no flash
In sunlight with no flash and the wonderful city of New York behind me
