Some things are kinda pricey - but totally worth the splurge. Others can be found at drugstores and work just as well, if not better than the more expensive counterparts. I'm a practical girl.
To achieve show stopping status, it is as simple as fire engine red lips. It has taking me a loooong while of trying lots of lousy lipcolors to find the tried n true red that not only makes you look like a Hollywood Starlet, but also LASTS the party without drying out your lips or bleeding outside your lip-line. An these are the WINNERS! These are THE classic shades that have never failed me or any other glamour queen that I have applied it to. DRUMROLL please :)
#1) Maybelline Color Sensational Lipstick 'Red Revival' ($6 at CVS or Walgreens). BEST THING EVER. The Perfect Pinup Red! It's not too purply and not too orangy... juuust right! It's smooth, never ever bleeds, and stays puts. Thank you Maybelline!
#2) Chanel Rouge Hydrabase Lipstick in 'Shanghai Red' ($28.50, Chanel.com). For those who want to step it up a smidgen and feel like you just rolled off the red carpet, this is #1's exotic equal. It is a moisturizing creamy formula with a long-lasting satiny finish that packs a punch and wont fade, smudge or feather. It's as beautiful and classy as it gets.
**For an extra 'umph' or if you prefer a shiny finish, throw on a coat of DIOR ADDICT Ultra Gloss in 'Little Red Dress' ($28 Sephora) and you'll be sure to never dissapoint :-) Its a cherry colored sheer gloss with a slight shimmer that sets it off like a firecracker, or by itself gives your lips a lovely rosy stain. Either way it is a MUST HAVE!
This is quite possibly the best and easiest eye makeup remover in the world. Almay Moisturizing Eye Makeup Remover Pads ($5.99 at Walgreens) takes everything off in a gentle swipe. You don't want to be scrubbing the delicate skin around your eyes - and with all the crazy stuff I wear sometimes, I never want to be scared of how hard it will be to remove afterwards. It also takes off all traces of even the darkest lipsticks. Absolutely fantastical.
If couldn't use my Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion ($17 at ULTA) before putting on my eyeshadow colors (or anyone else's!), then I seriously wouldn't wear any! You put a thin coat of this on your eyelid before applying shadows, and your color will NOT CREASE or come off all day OR night - regardless of heat - or any other element. And the colors will be outstanding. Also, Urban decays shadows are at the top of my list of favorites as well. It's sometimes difficult to find a consistently wonderful black. Well look no further than "Oil Slick". I've used no other for three years.
One the the most common questions I get asked is how I get my liner so precise. I have a bit of a soft spot for vintage cat-eyes as a lot of you know, and these are the three things that help me achieve that: Covergirl Perfect Point Plus self-sharpening pencil ($6 at drugstores) is the perfect simple standard eyeliner. Smashbox Liquid Liner Pen in Jet Black ($22 at Sephora) is a liquid felt tipped marker. Lastly, my staple is Almay Liquid Liner in Black ($7 at drugstores). If you are going for a very sharp look but don't have much experience, try drawing the lines with a pencil liner first and then tracing over it in liquid. This also makes it last forever too.
If diamonds weren't a girls best friend, it is probably safe to say that her mascara would have to at least place in the top three. After years of debate on the subject, I have found two personal equals: DIORSHOW Blackout Mascara (Sephora $28) and Covergirl LashBlash Volume ($6 Drugstores).
Pucker up! These are my trusty always-in-my-purse shades that look incredible on just about anyone! Smashbox 'O'Gloss ($22 at Sephora) goes on clear with the perfect not too sticky or thin consistency, then changes to a perfect pink to suit you. It gives you a rosy, bitten look that is fabulous. I have used it on women age 4 - 60. Seriously. My favorite standard gloss is DIOR Addict Ultra-Gloss. It has a brush applicator (which I LOVE) that makes it easy to "lay 'er on thick" :) Ever color is amazing. The one shown is #577 Fucshia Poplin. Lastly, for a glam look Lorac Couture Shine Gloss ($23 at ULTA) has amazing coverage and stays put. For hours. I love the formula and how it feels. The color shown is "Trend Setter".
These two shades will have your cheeks perfectly flushed regardless of your skintone. I haven't found a person yet that they didn't flatter! The first is by NARS and is called Orgasm ($26 at Sephora). Yep - that pretty much says it all. It is a perfectly peachy. Secondly is Smashbox Blush Rush in Radiance. The color scares people away because of it's cotton candy appearance, but they are missing out. It is a denser powder and doesn't go on bright or clownish. It's wonderfully natural. But never forget - you can truly only be as good as your tools! And I always apply blushes with Sephora Professional Kabuki Brush ($24) and everyone always comments on how good it feels.
OK. This is serious. Ladies, you HAVE to stop covering up your slick spots by piling powder on top of your beautiful faces over and over and clogging your pores in the worst way! First, ABSORB the excess oil off your face with Palladio oil-absorbing blotting tissues ($3 for a 40 pack at Sallly's Beauty Supply). The little pack is smaller than a pack of gum. Buy several and keep them everywhere! Each sheet has a thin powder layer - get the TRANSLUCENT ones. It doesn't budge your makeup at all - just soaked the shiny stuff out of your skin - THEN and only then do you powder you pretty nose. You'll be shocked how much longer you can go before you start to show signs of shine again. This is especially important in the steamy summer months. *And remember to change that powder puff that you have in the compact in your purse several times during the life of the powder. Those things harbor bacteria... and that equals breakouts. Yuck.
**FOUNDATION**: I use two different types of base makeup depending on weather and situation. After much deliberation and wasted money on expensive brands versus drugstore brands, I am proud to announce that my faves are both found at Walgreens! (Hallelujah!) For Summertime and long days (AND nights) I love 'Maybelline Super Stay 24 hr Makeup' ($10 at Walgreens - my shade is sand biege). It is a liquid and requires no primer to stay put for as long as you need it there. Best if applied with a foundation brush. It blends flawlessly, weighs nothin, and has great coverage. It survived the summmer of 2010 like a champ - and that is saying something.
In the cooler winter months I use 'Covergirl AquaSmooth Makeup' ($7 at Walgreens - my shade is buff beige). It is a cream foundation which has excellent coverage and is a water based formula which keeps you skin more moisturized during the cold and dry months, and not to mention is just BETTER for you. I've been going back to this one from more expensive brands for years.
These are what I have used for EVERY single photoshoot I have ever done.
Skin. I swear by OLAY Body Quench Lotion ($7.78 at Wal-Mart). I slather it on EVERY day. No exceptions - and my skin stays consistently smooth and soft. For evenings, events and photoshoots I use "Make Me Starlit Illuminating Body Lotion" from Victoria's Secret ($17) to give a perfect glow. Not too subtle and not sparkly, this just perfect soft shimmery lotion smells amazing and gives the skin a perfect sheen in photos and on the runway.
Love your locks. All hair types can benefit from my favorite hair treatment. Moroccan Oil ($40 at Medusa Salon in Lyndon) makes your hair smooth, shiney, and weightlessly protected. I use it on towel dried hair and style as usual. And did I mention that it smells like a far-away exotic dreamland?! Your hair will love you, and so will that guy behind you in the check out line. Enjoy.
I am hard on my nails, and these formulas do the job in awesome colors. My favorite drugstore surprise is the Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure Collection ($6 at drugstores). It really does rock my world. The colors are modern and fresh and it is strong and shiny for dayssss. Color shown is 'Gilty Pleasure' which is great for fall. The others are Nicole by OPI in Vituous Violet and Sephora by OPI in Mermaid.
The scents that I cannot live without: "Stella" by Stella McCartney ($50 at Sephora) - I wear this a lot in the fall and winter. It's very sultry, interesting, and unlike anything else. It has hints of roses but is dark and moody. "Coco Chanel Mademoiselle" ($80 on Chanel.com) is soft, strong and beautiful with just the right amount of sweet. The notes change through the day as you wear it and its great year round. "Bebe" ($42.95 at bebe Stores) surprised me with this classy coconut concoction. It is the scent of summer, but without smelling like another Bath n Bodywork bodyspray headache. It's not super sweet and screams 'SOUTH BEACH!!! Here I come!" but carries into cooler temperatures with class.
Oddly enough, another common question is what brand deodorant I wear. I hope that means I am doing something right! Spending hours in the sun or under bright lights makes you get a lil bit toasty - and quick! Thank God for Secret Clinical Strength. It hasn't failed me yet! ($8.99 at drugstores)
Feel free to keep sending in the questions!
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