My first foray into theater...

I recently had the opportunity to provide the makeup design for a local theater company's upcoming production. Needless to say I jumped at the chance to create the looks. I spent the weekend with my makeup case and tools in hand thinking of concepts for each look for the various characters. What a fabulous time I had! Then, yesterday I presented my designs to the actors, director and producer.  I will return to complete the looks with the actors and do a makeup application later in rehearsals. Here are a few of my face charts and ideas that I presented yesterday. The theme was tacky intense makeup so you can imagine how fun this was.  Therefore, the makeup was heavy and full of color. I can hardly wait to see the finished looks during the show. I promise to post pictures.

Thinking about fall 2012...

As I was perusing August's issue of InStyle magazine I was blindsided with the fact that it's already time to start thinking about Fall 2012. Just when I got used to the warm 80 degree days I realized that my happiest time of the year is just around the corner. I am definitely a fall girl. Some of my most fond memories are of going school shopping with my mom at the mall when I was younger. I say fond because those days are long gone by over 20 years. Back then it was a struggle and argument to have to choose between my favorite Esprit and Benetton sweaters. Yes, I was a preteen of the 80's. Of course I wanted all of them. When I finally whittled my selection to a reasonable amount and brought home my goodies I had to painstakingly wait months before the weather cooperated enough to allow me to actually wear these colorful gems of yarn without suffering from a heat stroke. I can remember how I dog eared my favorite pages of Elle magazine and dreamed that the miniskirt I just purchased would drape as glamorously over my awkward thighs and butt as it did on the models who graced the pages of the magazine. Hey, a girl can dream....  

When I begin thinking about current fall trends that have been across the runways and in the minds of the hottest designers and stylists I wanted to focus on a few of my favorite emerging trends. One of my favorites is the Burgundy lip. For years bright red lips have been a signature look for many top models. But it seems for me, no matter how many shades I have tried I just feel like I can't rock a bright red lip.  Enter Burgundy... It's bold but not to harsh, it can be played up or played down depending on how you apply it. You can go all out and apply it with a lip brush right from the tube or keep it light by mixing it with a matte lip gloss and toning down the shade to a light purple pink. Whatever way to apply it it's simply gorgeous. One to try is Tom Ford's Black Orchid Lipstick, $48.00. Available online at Bergdorf Goodman. This beautiful burgundy shade in particular can be played up or down depending on your mood or occasion. Below you can see that this shade works with all skin tones and hair colors.

For a lighter look use a burgundy shade as a gloss like Kate Hudson below. It takes on a pink tone and looks sheer and fresh. Mix the color with clear gloss and tint as desired.

Or try it matte like below. Apply the lipstick and blot with a tissue. Place the tissue over your lips and blot translucent powder over the tissue. Remove the tissue and you have sexy stay in place matte lips.

One of my other favorite trend this fall, that isn't makeup related, but I love it anyway, is the blunt bang.  This can be rocked on short or long hair. Plus you can mix up your prim blunt bang with edgy cat eyes for extra attention. Meow!

Let's face it trends are eclectic nowadays. It seems that everything goes. Have fun with mixing different makeup looks with different hairstyles. Here are a couple more clothing trends I am loving at the moment. 

The denim chambray combo. Once a no no now it's a Oui on the streets of Paris.

Shiny denim. Too cool for school. This season is full of amazing new denim trends.

Colored denim is still around and now in fall colors to boot.

Wedding Makeup Tips

Grace Kelly in her 1956 wedding portrait

Modern bride keeping it simple and elegant

Here comes the bride.... and she looks like herself.  That is probably the number one tip for wedding makeup is to keep it simple, elegant and understated. Grace Kelly was the master of elegance. Even today her wedding photos are timeless.

Weddings are a perfect excuse to glam yourself up but you don't want to be thumbing through your album years later wondering who's that girl in the bright eyeshadow and dark liner. It's best to stick to a neutral eye palette of creams and taupes and soft pinks or peach lip shades depending on your skin tone. 

On your wedding day you have plenty of time to spend on your makeup. If you are hiring a makeup artist for the big day make sure you have a consult with him or her. Show the artist pictures of the look you are going for and have them do a trial so you know you will be pleased with the results on the big day. At the trial the artist can assess your skin type which will aid in selection the proper foundation and any correctors that need to be used. Such as for redness removal or oily skin types. If you are choosing to apply your own makeup set a day aside at your local Sephora or department store and set up an appointment with a specialist. They will be able to assist with foundation matches for your skin type and shade.  Below I have listed some of my recommendations for makeup that is functional easy to use and naturally gorgeous.  

Primer: Benefit The POREfessional

             Smashbox: Photo Finish Foundation Primer

Foundation: Oily Skin: Guerlain-Parure Extreme Foundation Fluid-available online 

                                      Lancome Teint Idole Fresh Wear 18 hour wear 

Dry/Combination Skin: Make up Forever HD Foundation

                                      Lancome Teint Miracle

                                      Chanel Perfection Lumiere Long Wear

Blush: Nars Orgasm, Deep Throat

Bobbi Brown: Peony (bright pink)

Bobbi Brown: Nectar (pink coral)

Waterproof Mascara: Dior DiorShow Waterproof Mascara

Eyeliner: Urban Decay 24/7 assorted shades, stick to brown like Underground

Eyeshadow: Dior 5 shade collections Rose Porcelaine, Incognito & Nude Pink

                     Bobbi Brown Desert Rose Collection

                         

A Brand to Know... Inglot

Created by a chemist over 25 years ago Inglot offers high quality products at reasonable prices ranging from $10.00-$40.00, you will find vibrant pigments and cutting edge products that are sure to please the most discriminating makeup buyer. Their new Freedom System allows users to sample multiple products in a variety of shades and combinations. Here are a few must have products from their makeup line. 

Colorplay Mascara in 03

Colorplay Mascara in 04

Sleeks Cream

AMC Cream Blush

I am completely obsessed with the color play mascara. I have been pairing it with smokey eyes and nude lips. I also purchased quite a few of their body pigments powders and I have yet to try them.  I will post a review as soon as I check them out. They come in everything from hot pink to soft champagne shades.  They are also available in matte and pearl.

Inglot Body Pigment Powders

Check out www.inglotusa.com

Girly Glosses for Saucy Summer Lips

Raspberry Splash & Blushing Berry

Ok call my lip obsessed but I have been having fun picking out some new shades lately. My last post focused on Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetic's Lip Tar. On my weekly rounds at CVS I came across some sexy glosses by L'oreal. Proving that you do not have to break the bank to look good. They were have a buy one get one half off sale on these saucy shades and I could not resist.  They are in the pink tones but because they are a gloss you can apply them light or heavier. They would pair very well with bronzed skin and light eyes. A very resort chic look. Make sure you grab a matte bronzer for this look or you will wind up looking shimmery from the bronzer and the gloss and that kind of defeats the whole chic look. A good bronzer to try is Stila's sun Bronzing powder in shade 2, or Rimmel's Sun Shimmer in Medium.  Then apply the bronzer to the crease or socket area of your eye as well. Contour your face with bronzer. Apply in an E shape from the top to the middle of your nose down to your chin. Then curl your lashes and add mascara. Add these glosses and perhaps a quick pop of pink blush on the apples only of your cheeks and you are ready to go! The look should be similar to Freida Pinto's below.  Classy, Simple and sexy.

Obsessed with Obsessive Compulsive Lip Tar

Last weekends IMATS LA haul included a must have product absent from my bag back in NYC.  Obsessive Compulsive's iconic Lip Tar.  I picked up five of these babies on my recent visit to IMATS Los Angeles. They go on strong and stay on long. I believe I have just created a new Lip Tar slogan. :) But seriously, if you are looking for a lipstick in a lipgloss package then this is your new friend. It applies thick and glossy and dries to a satin finish. I had to elbow my way to the front of the line to grab a few pink shades for my bridal makeup kit.  From left to right I have ...

Tone, Hush, Memento, & Narcissus

These can be applies with your fingertips or your favorite lip brush. You can amp up the look of these pink tones by adding a colored gloss or clear one. Or take it down a notch by blotting with a tissue and giving it a matte feel. Either way you will be able to kiss your way to colorful lips that won't wear off after the first smooch. For more info visit. www.occmakeup.com

IMATS LA 2012-International Make Up & Trade Show

Oh what a beautiful sight for a make up fanatic like myself. Even though there was a line around the block that morning it was worth it when I made it inside. Many of my favorite make up brands selling their products at 20, 30 and 40 percent discounts! No wonder it was sold out! Before I arrived, I plotted my plan like an enemy attack, I highlighted and circled a small map of booths that I wanted to hit up and I have to say even with all the detractions I did pretty well. I did encounter long lines and some pushy consumers but I made it to almost all my must stop picks. What I didn't get to I order from online and surprisingly they were having a sale so I was able to score some pro palette kits at super inexpensive prices. Check out Coastal Scents online, www.coastalscents.com I think they are still having a sale on their 88 warm palette and must have for any pro make up artist.

This is a picture of all my purchases above. Plus, I scored a super cool rolling make up case that was over half off the listed price online. I am preparing my kit for a wedding so I have been gathering a lot of neutrals and shades that are blendable and long wearing. Although, I did manage to find some amazing bright body pigments from Inglot. Check them out online at www.inglotusa.com They have this crazy amazing holographic lipgloss AMC gloss that is quite possibly the coolest gloss I have ever come across. It changes color when applied.

More to come from my IMATS trip and next time I will be mentioning a few of the brands that were new to me at IMATS LA. If you are interested in attending, I just got word via email today the next IMATS LA show will be in January the weekend of the 18th-20th. Apparently, they swapped the London and LA show dates.