2 Easy Glam Beauty Looks for New Year's Eve!

Getting ready to paint the town red for New Years Eve?  These are two of my favorite looks that don't take alot of effort but look super glam!

I just adore this soft side pony look paired with a classic and sexy red lip on Kate Bosworth.

Start by curling hair in one inch sections with a medium curling iron.  Once cooled shake curls to loosen and secure in a low side pony tail with an elastic band.  Wrap the band with a section of hair to finish the look.  Be sure to leave a few strands loose around the face for a more romantic feeling.
For makeup: Keep the rest of the face clean and simple with foundation, a neutral blush, groomed brows a little black liner along the lash line and mascara.  On lips choose a clear deep red tone for the most impact.

Or this pretty and elegant look on the gorgeous Natalie Portman.

  This style works well on unwashed hair or hair that has a bit of product or grooming cream added for texture.  Lightly tease the crown of the hair and smooth to soften. Pull hair back into a low pony and twist into a bun.  Secure with bobby pins and pin or spray hair in the crown to secure it back.
For makeup: Line eyes top and bottom along the lashline with black or dark brown liner.  Blend with a small makeup brush, then add a shimmery shadow in brown, burgundy or pewter, blend well, then line the inner rims of the eyes with black or brown liner.  Keep the rest of the face soft and chic with a clear pink blush and lipstick.

Pro Hair Tools

As a photo stylist part of the game means that you are often changing a models looks on the spot with little time and few conveniences. In my early days of shooting I can’t tell you how often I was asked whether on the rooftop of a hotel, or in the middle of the desert to perform some spectacular quick hair change. In those moments not only your experience but your tools are your saving grace and even now when in the same situation, I still need a box of tricks that I can rely on in an instant. And it seems that you my lovely readers have no shortage of questions as to how you too can get the same looks at home that you see in the glossy mags. We covered some easy styling ideas yesterday so today, I am sharing the scoop from of the hottest powerhouse stylists in the biz on their favorite heated styling tools!

Orlando Pita backstage

One of my favorite editorial stylists Orlanda Pita helped create a line of T3 styling products for his backstage gigs. T3 Pro EverTwirl has a tourmaline and silver infused barrel that leaves curls looking shiny and smooth. This iron will create the bouncy Jessica Alba waves I spoke of in yesterday’s post Hair Look We Love. www.t3micro.com

 

Bumble and Bumble’s Travis Peck digs the Turbo Power Turbo 2800 Silverado dryer because of it’s ergomic design and customizable heat settings that dry hair in a snap. Just remember to use the lowest setting you can on a daily basis and save the super hot temps for only when you are in a rush www.turbopowerinc.com 

Hair by Jimmy Paul

Jimmy Paul the celeb favorite whose work has appeared in W and Vogue also a Bumble and Bumble guy uses the Linea Pro C2 Digital Flat iron which features an advanced titanium technology that produces negative ions and far infrared rays for fast even heat. Both work like lightening to smooth and silken hair. But resist the temptation to use it every day to give your locks a break. www.linea-pro.com

Guido Palau backstage

Guido Palau the Redken creative consultant loves the Babyliss Pro GT gold titanium marcel curling iron because it locks in the curl without damaging the hair. If you aren’t a pro you might want to try to spring loaded version but I can say from experience once you get the hang of a marcel style (the barrel clamp without the spring) you will love the results.

Cleaning Your Makeup Brushes - 101

All the recent going’s on with Barneys at the mall last week prompted me to do something that I rarely have the time to do anymore… that is, casually shop. Since I am often running from client to client and pulling wardrobe for photo shoot after photo shoot, lingering in any one store purely for pleasure is a thing of the past… So it was quite the shock when I perused the aisles of a popular beauty spot only to find what could possibly be the most messy tester units I have ever seen.



Being in the beauty biz for as long as I have I have developed what one might call a “physical” reaction to even the idea of dirty lipsticks, smeared eye shadows, unwashed brushes and used mascara wands.
Why even as I write I have to pause (gulp) to regain my composure…


Fresh out of beauty school I did an event for a prominent makeup line at a she-she luxury store, where I was shocked to see that I was the only artist who had alcohol wipes or any means of sanitizing brushes between clients. I suspect this is because so few counter artists have formal beauty school training in sanitary procedures. And, of course over the years I have heard some hellacious stories from models that have fallen victim to unclean brushes and makeup palettes which led to some serious Dr bills…not kidding!

Backstage at Just Cavalli

Perhaps there is a germ-a-phobe in my nature but when you work with skin day in and day out you see a lot of things that aren’t so pretty…. Thank goodness I haven’t had the need to sit at a makeup counter and have my makeup done since I was in high school.
At my own beauty biz we sanitize and clean our brushes practically to the point of disintegration…I would rather buy new brushes than cause a public health issue…besides we love our clients too much to have it any other way.

Kevyn Aucoin Brushes

So the next time you are happily trying on makeup at your favorite mall joint, please dear readers keep this in mind:

Brushes accumulate makeup, oil and dead skin cells (and so much more oogy stuff) if they are not cleaned between uses they will harbor bacteria. Opt for using the cosmetic counters clean disposable brushes for lips, eyes and lashes. For everything else use a clean sponge. If they don’t provide these… run … as fast as those Manolo’s can take you!


Anytime you book a makeup application at a makeup counter don’t be afraid to ask questions… Were those brushes used on anyone prior to you? Have they been sanitized? Or How do you clean your brushes at this counter?

Dr. Bronner Cleaning Soap

At home be sure to clean your brushes at least once a week with a mild organic shampoo or soap like Dr Bronner’s or an organic laundry soap, this will not only rid your brushes of the bacteria but your makeup will go on more smoothly and your skin will thank you.
Though there are several brush cleaners on the market, many contain harsh chemicals and simple cleansers do the trick just as well.


My favorite method for cleaning brushes is as follows:
1. Wet brushes in warm water, put a bit of soap/shampoo in the palm of your hand and swirl the brush around, work the cleanser through to the ends and rinse, repeat until the brushes are thoroughly clean.
2. Squeeze out excess water in a towel and lay brushes flat to dry on a separate towel.
3. Don’t stand your brushes up to dry, eventually the water that drips into the ferrule (metal piece that attaches the handle to the brush) will weaken the glue and you will find yourself with topless brush handles.
4. Once the brushes are dry wipe them off again with a cotton pad and tea tree oil or alcohol to be sure that all bacteria has been completely removed.

Trend - 80’s makeup

It is official- I have reached that dreaded and often talked about stage of life where I cannot get through a day without referencing old movies, music, magazines, TV or better yet starting a conversation off with “I remember when…” I knew it was coming…it was out there like some sort of swamp thing slowly creeping towards me… and now it is here. Some days I wear it proudly like a fine vintage coat, other days I fight to suppress the vast trivial pursuit collection of nonsense that streams through my brain….



Though recycled as some trends may be, they are still dashingly fabulous and I covet them wholeheartedly So of course it is only natural while combing through my recent press releases that I would liken the latest fall beauty looks to those old glam rock images of Tina Chow and Jerry Hall… those dark shimmery eyes complete with almost glossy looking liquid liner and cherubim lips dripping with red gloss…. Cue Roxy Music…



Every fall we see lots of color but this season the division between wearable and un-wearable is all in the flick of the wrist. At Gucci eyes were lovingly swept into winged perfection with washes of pinks, purples and cobalt, but for real life take away the excess off the temples and scale back to smoldering shadow and only elongated liner and you have a sensuous autumn look that’s a perfect update on the smokey eye of the last few years. Kevyn Aucoin - Eye Shadow Palette - #5 is beautiful with a little practice….and blending of course.



Chanel’s new eye gloss in rouge noir worn over smudged eye liner lends an instant sex appeal that goes beyond a safe neutral eye.



Super strong red lips topped with gloss is all the rage but don’t even attempt this without the aide of a good lip pencil… I love Lipstick Queen Shine Gloss in Red along with the matching pencil. This vibe might take some getting used to if, like me you are the kind that likes a natural looking lip. But I am finding what looked so terribly wrong last year actually looks quite luscious now. If you can’t bear the red go the exact opposite end of the spectrum by covering lips with foundation and topping with shiny gloss for the nudest nude.



Lastly keep blush to a minimum and try a bit of neutral contour slightly brushed on the cheeks this will keep the face from looking flat. Try Kevyn Aucoin The Pure Powder Glow on in Dolline. Brush it right along the cheekbone under your own natural “dent” remember that blending is essential… and your goal is not to go from Snow White to J-Lo … but rather to look ravishing.

Fall’s Fresh Face

Normally as the autumn approaches I crave that change from light and airy summer garb to darker, richer fall fare. But somehow in my uh- hmmm “advancing” years I seem to gravitate to the same safe go-to shades when it comes to makeup. Yes love, I confess for someone who owns a makeup store and has every shade of the rainbow available to her… it’s bananas! Back in the day it was not uncommon for me to sport blood-red lips, the kind of 80’s crimson made famous in Desperately Seeking Susan. I am positive that the MAC red craze started shortly thereafter , until then if memory serves it was all about the Chanel opal gloss and the darkest tan you could muster…. Imagine purple/white lips and skin the color of a brown shoe…. and let me just say we worked that look to it’s grave…and than thankfully it stayed there!

So now I am desperately seeking a low maintenance look that I don’t have to touch up every two seconds… is that so much to ask? Even though the fall catwalks are always littered with deep dramatic makeup looks, there were a few surprising fresh faces amongst the smoldering ones that work perfectly.


Phi, Stella McCartney and Marc by Marc Jacobs all reminded us that glowing skin and a flush of blush always look modern no matter what season.


So if you are more of an au -natural girl like moi try these tips to get the look.



REN Jojoba Micro Bead Purifying Facial Scrub
Don’t neglect your skin, the better your skin the less makeup you will need.
Proper cleansing and moisturizing is essential, and be sure to use a gentle exfoliator once or twice a week to keep skin smooth.
Deep cleanses with gentle micro beads of jojoba oil to remove dead skin and encourage health cell renewal.


FACE Atelier Ultra Foundation
Mix a few drops of moisturizer with your foundation to keep skin looking hydrated and glowing.
FACE Atelier Ultra Foundation provides the perfect combo of luminous skin with a matte finish.


Kevyn Aucoin Creamy Moist Glow in Bliss
Easy to apply with just your fingertips or a brush it’s the perfect rosy pink that lends a fresh just- came- in- from -the- snow flush of color.



Becca Eyeshadow in Bouclé
One of my go to beige shades. It gives eyes a finished look without looking makeupy.


Fuchsia Crush Lip Gloss by Becca
This sheer pink has just a hint of color and keeping lips smooth and hydrated.

4 Easy Steps to a Smokey Eye

Have you ever tried to do a smokey eye on yourself only to end up looking like a racoon? Here are Diane's easy steps to get the look just right!

Here Comes the Sun

Unless you live under a rock.... (and frankly if you do you will also want to listen up because you are probably looking pretty pale) you know that the sun is the numero uno cause of skin aging and wrinkles. Some of us have found out the hard way and are paying the stupid tax now for all the tanning sins we committed in our younger days! So, we are pleased as a golden bowl of punch to offer Glow 365 tanning services by Val at Glam Lounge. Starting Sunday July 12th you too can experience the perfect organic- chemical free tan loaded with skin nourishing vitamins!

STEPS TO GET THE PERFECT SPRAY TAN!
1 Exfoliate throughly (but gently) the day PRIOR to your appointment.
2 Shave 8 hours prior to tan or 2 days post tan
3 The day of tanning the skin should be free from makeup, deodorant and moisturizers
Post Tan - wear loose fitting clothing,
AVOID - showering or bathing for a minimum of 8 hours - longer if possible
Avoid body washes and soaps that contain Sodium laurel sulfates,skip exfoliators or rubbing of skin - pat dry only
Avoid swimming, chlorine, exercise, soaking in a tub - or rain!
Moisturize twice a day to extend the life of your tan (this spray tan last an average of 7-10 days)
Exfoliate only at the end of your tanning... we recommend a dry exfoliation method especially if you are prepping for another tanning session!

Val is available Sundays from 12-5 for tanning and aesthetic services all other days of the week are by appointment only.