Eye Love Eyeliner....

You ever wonder how to get that cat eye look with your liner?? Well, the key is a steady hand to start with, a nice liquid or creme liner, and a flat eyeliner brush. You keep the eye shadow to a minimum if any at all when wearing this look. Too much eye shadow won't allow the line to show up.

Line looks more even when eye is completely open.

Line has more of an angle when the lid is down

You have to draw the line at an angle outside of the eye first, then go back in and connect the liner from the inner corner of the lid. It may look crooked at first, but once you connect it, it will all come together. I recommend you use Bobbi Brown Longwear Gel Eyeliner and BH Fine Eyeliner Brush.

Color your holiday...

Inspiration in make up can come from anywhere. What I love about my fashionista clients like Simone Smith, is that they get inspired by their wardrobe. When we discussed her look for her SIS Jewelry Trunk Show at Bloomingdale's, she immediately wanted me to see her green blazer. I love color, but I am NOT a fan of matching your make up with your clothes. I will, however, think of a creative way to compliment your pop of color. Take a look at what we decided to do with her eyes...

I took MAC Artjam Paint and applied it to her lids first. I then took MAC eye shadow in Sketch and placed it on the lid with Bronze eye shadow on top. Blackberry in the crease. I applied Tarnish Green eyeliner under her bottom lashes, then coated the line with YSL Green Shimmer Eye Shadow. Stila Kajal Liner was heavily applied in her water line. To keep her look as natural as she likes, she has on no foundation, no lashes, and no top liner. We finished the look with Bronzer on her cheeks and YSL Rouge Pur Couture #5 with MAC Plum Lip Liner on her lips.

This can be a great look for a holiday party with any black, gold, beige or emerald green dress! Enjoy! xo

Pompadour...holiday style!

Here's my take on how to rock a pompadour this holiday season. Check out Yahoo's OMG! take on the trendy style and the celebs who rock it the best! Click the link to read the article and see my mention:)

http://omg.yahoo.com/blogs/aline/celebrities-bring-back-pompadour-again-182111039.html

You can do a small one with a ponytail to keep it simple and classic. The higher the pomp, the bolder you're feeling!

You can do it with short hair and spike it upward. The key to this type of look and the one below is strong holding hairspray. I recommend you do this type of style if you plan on washing your hair the next day, because it will have lots of product in it. Good luck!

Although, I'm not a hairstylist by trade...I can do hair for the moment of magic! I hope you enjoyed the few pompadour inspired styles I've done! xo

A day in the life...

I have been truly blessed to work in the field that I love with such amazing clients. I love what I do, so it's never really like work to me. Here is quick look at my week with Vivica Fox. We start out working on her new TV show "Mr. Box Office" where she plays a hot and spicy teacher. I like to keep her make up look conservative for the show. Not too much shimmer or trendy make up because it wouldn't read well on camera anyway. We always pop up her lip, because that brightens her face when the rest of her look is more calm in color.

 Here is a look we did for the episode about school uniforms. The red lip added just enough to finish pretty!

 If I'm not shooting and working on the show, Vivica has me travel with her when she's promoting that show and any other projects she may be working on. Here she is backstage at KTLA getting ready to talk about "Prank My Mom" her new show on Lifetime, as well as "Mr. Box Office". As you can see, the look I gave her here is more fresh faced and clean.

Thankfully, I have a full plate...and my schedule changes week to week. I never know who I'll be working with or for what until the day of sometimes. There is not much down time, but when there is I can blog, and write, and shop for the newest products that make my clients look and feel their best! 

Simone Smith style...

My client Simone has amazing skin! So amazing, that I only do her eyes when she has me do her make up. I also put a little YSL #2 Bronzer on her to give her a nice glow, but that is it! She is simple when it comes to her beauty regimen, but she knows what she wants. Here are a few looks that we've done that has her stealing the show without a full face of make up on. Remember my motto...Less is More!

Here we did a nice natural eye, but it was a bit smokier in the outer corners. I lined her water line with Stila Kajal Eye Liner for an added edge, but her lip was Bobby Brown's Rich Color Gloss in Melon 2 (as seen below in the orange jacket)

For this look, we kept the eyes very natural since we knew we were going to pop the lip. On her eyes I used my favorite YSL palette with the gold, and MAC Coquette in the crease with a little Arena for warmth. Her lip was a combination of Jordana Lipstick in Rasberry and YSL #2 Golden Gloss on top.

On this day, she wanted to keep it in the pink family so I did a natural eye using MAC Expensive Pink eye shadow, Blackberry in her crease, Brown Down under her lash line, and MAC Prrr Lip gloss.

The way she wears her make up is a true testament to natural beauty, and the fact that you don't have to do a whole lot with your face to make a statement. Just enhancing those features that you want to "pop" is a great way to look polished and pretty without putting a million things on. Way to go Simone! xo

Rich Texas Beauty...

Vivica Fox was asked to host the Big Rich Texas reunion show....I can't give too many details, but here is a peek at her behind the scene Southern style glam!

If she looks the same on the monitor as she does in person, then I've done my job well. Stay tuned for the show to air soon. Check your local listings! 

Blush anyone ...

Choosing a blush can be difficult, especially when there is a million shades to choose from. Once your canvas is even and your foundation is in place, you need a pop of color to bring life back into your face. Lots of people think that the word blush means pink for some strange reason. Just because pink blush is available, that doesn't mean it's the only option to purchase.

I recommend you start with a warm color in the nude or peach tones, this way your blush will work with every lip and eye combo you experiment with. Pink blush goes well if you're doing a red lip, neutral eyes and winged out black liner (like we did below). All skin tones can wear a red lip too as you can see:) Good luck!

My friend Daniela Ruelas (far left) wanted every lady to rock a red pout to her bday party...and we did! xo

Rob G Rules...

Ladies, as you know I also do grooming for men on occasion for videos, TV, photo shoots, etc. Mostly all men need is lip conditioner, lotion, shine reducer, and a little TLC for their brows. Lol! It was my pleasure to receive the call to work with the very handsome, Rob G., on rebuilding his portfolio. He is a former model, talented rapper/writer, and chef to top it all off! This particular shoot was set up for him to get back in front of the camera, and from the looks of things, I'm sure he was missed! 

Keep an eye out for him and some new projects he is working on. His plate is full right now....literally as he is back in the studio, and getting ready to release a cook book that will teach all ladies some secrets to winning a man's heart. Born and raised in Compton, CA with Alabama roots, he was definitely a treat to work with...charming would be an understatement. Take a look at some of my behind the scenes shots.

 

Working with guys is always an easy breezy day, and it's always funny seeing them react to everything I "attempt" to put on their face. Thankfully Rob had nice skin:) Good luck to you sir, and ladies stay tuned! 

Smoking isn't all bad....

Smoking as in, smoking out your eyes for a gorgeous evening look! If you have an event to go to and your outfit is simple, do more with your face. Bring attention to your eyes by taking colors like grey, dark brown, dark green, navy or black to the lid first. Using a blending brush, blend a neutral tone eye shadow like a peach or light taupe through your crease so the edges of the dark color aren't so harsh. Then take a kohl liner (my favorite is Stila's Kajal), and line your water line and on top for smudge ability. Take an angle brush and reapply some of your dark smoky color under your bottom lash line for a more dramatic effect.

You can do mascara for 10 minutes each eye or just pop on a pair of lashes to really bring the drama. When doing a smoky eye, keep your blush neutral like bronze or flesh tone. Your lips should be neutral too. I used YSL #4 Rouge Volupte, MAC Plum Liner, and Milani 'Puttin on the Glitz' lipgloss. Good luck!

Simply Dashing....

Stacey Dash has the most amazing skin, so doing her make up is extremely easy. When someone has great skin and beautiful features without make up, putting on too much make up can ruin their look. Stacey loves Armani foundation and she likes to keep her make up dewy and light.

Fresh faced beauty.

I use light gold shimmer eye shadow from YSL on her lid, and then I use MAC Texture in the crease. Her lashes are already super long, so we just use Revlon Lash Blast mascara. I use NARS blush in Orgasm mixed with MAC's Pink Glow on her cheeks, and super light pink lip gloss to keep her look natural.

No need for false lashes here!

Go GoGo Go!...

As those who read my blog know, I love working with new artists! Up and coming talent is the future, so I always try to make sure I'm on board to help with the project, especially when dealing with image. My main focus is on changing the game...or at least not repeating what's already out there. So I get more creative with make up, but still keep it pretty! Here is a behind the scenes look at my day with the talented GoGo Morrow...

Smoky eye shadow with white eyeliner in the water line  really pops the eyes.

Wardrobe is super dope!

GoGo Morrow, just off The Monster Ball tour as one of Lady Gaga's dynamic background singers, is ready to take center stage and do her own thing. She has also performed as a solo opening act for Rick Ross, Lil Wayne, and Kendrick Lamar, just to name a few. Her debut single HD debuted on September 20, 2010. Take a listen here! "HD" - GoGo Morrow


Watch out world....GoGo is going places fast! xo

On the set of MBO....

Every week I am excited to do make up for a new TV show called Mr. Box Office. I work with Vivica Fox, but the show's cast is full of big names and it's always a good time on set. Check out some behind the scenes shots as they get ready to prep for camera.

Vivica as teacher Cassandra Washington 

Tim Meadows, Alex Thomas, Vivica Fox, and John Lovitz on the set of Mr. Box Office

Mr. Box Office comes on every Saturday and Sunday in LA on KTLA, but check your local listings for times and dates! If you need a good laugh and that old sitcom charm, be sure to tune in:)

Vivica in New Orleans

Simply stunning she is... all dolled up to give a speech to some high school scholarship recipients near New Orleans. 

When wearing a bold color, keep make up natural.

The students were very deserving and very honored that Vivica Fox was there to share her words of wisdom along with sponsors such as Olive Garden and Outback Steakhouse.

Hostess with the mostess....

Being a host for television, red carpet, video or anything is no easy job....but after getting their make up  and hair done, these ladies are definitely ready!

Since you never know how many wardrobe changes a host may have, it's best to keep the make up clean and pretty. Focus on even brows, light contouring and making sure the eyes pop.

Spectacular Simone Smith...

Being a wife, mother, entrepreneur, and cancer survivor aren't the only qualities that make Simone Smith an inspiration to me...she's also extremely talented. She creatively came up with a way to share her message about her life experiences with the world in a glamorous way. Her jewelry line SIS by Simone Smith was brought to life to raise cancer awareness after two years of recovery from her own bout with a rare bone cancer in her legs. A portion of the proceeds from select pieces of her collection will be donated to charities supporting the ongoing fight against cancer.

Many celebrities have earrings, bracelets, or lollipop necklaces from her fabulous line...I actually own a pair of the Precious Fruit Rose Gold hoops myself:) She has recently developed a more affordable collection of mini-lollipops to sell on QVC, and I was enlisted to do her make up for her appearance on EXTRA to promote it! It was mass chaos at The Grove when she announced that she would be giving away some jewelry to the audience!!

Simone is an amazing woman to know. I love what she represents and what her message is with her pieces. This line of jewelry is fun, sassy, and available soon at a Macy's or Neiman Marcus near you! Check out more of the pieces online at http://simoneismith.com/

Beautiful Bria...

Bria Myles and I go way back. I was the make up artist on some of her earlier shots that still get millions of hits online worldwide. Well, it was only fitting that she come and see me for yet another simply clean and flawless makeup. Known for my "less is more" approach to beauty, a model's natural face can still be seen with the make up on. She had a video shoot with the popular photographer from Indos Place, but she stopped at my studio first!

Here are a few of the shots from behind the scenes.

FACE TIME: I prepped Bria's skin with Kiehl's Rare Earth Pore Minimizing Lotion (my new favorite), mixed with a little of Murad's Skin Perfecting Primer. As that combination settled onto her skin, I worked on her brows. I used MAC Expresso Eye Shadow to fill in her brows, and NARS concealer in Toffee as her brow and under eye highlight. I then used MAC Bamboo Paint on her eye lid, adding Texture Eye Shadow through her crease. I lined her eyes with Shiseido Creme Black Liner and Kajal Black pencil by Stila. For her skin, although it's already flawless, I blended Koh Gen Do foundations in #301 and #302 into her perfect match. I set the foundation with NARS pressed powder in New Orleans and Benares, with Tahoe as her highlight. Raisin blush from MAC warmed her cheeks, and YSL Rouge Volupte in #14 with YSL #7 Liner gave her mouth the perfect nude.

Bria is always a pleasure to work with, and her smile is contagious. Keep an eye out for her hosting one of your favorite entertainment shows very soon. She's a natural in front of the camera.

Check out another natural look I did on her for J'Adore Magazine back in the day. I still think this photo shoot was one of my favs...timeless! xo

The award goes to...

Emily Gerson Saines is a client of mine who is no stranger to winning awards for her many accolades in the entertainment industry. She always calls on me to make sure her make up is clean and pretty, and I am happy to deliver. Here are some of her most beautiful and winning moments...

Emmy's 2010

AFI Awards 2010

Golden Globe Awards 2011

Low cost GLAM...

I have so many women asking me which lipstick color will work best for their skin tone. I can always give a general answer, but it's always best to try ANY make up on...especially lipstick! Spending money on cosmetics can be frustrating if you find yourself taking the wrong colors home, then having to exchange or return the products.

 I always say, experiment with new lip colors sold at drugstores or beauty supplies. The cost can be anywhere from 1.99 to 8.99, but it's much cheaper to by five or six of those versus one lipstick at a department store. This way if you try it and hate it, it's not a huge loss. Not to mention, you can always mix colors, or put them with glosses to change the look.

So the next time you're out and about, pick up a few lipsticks from Jordana, Milani, or even Wet N' Wild and try them out on the town! Good luck! xo

Korrina Rico Rocks...

I've known actress Korrina Rico for about six years, and it's always a pleasure to work with her. I met her as a model, which should be no surprise since she is absolutely stunning...but her acting career has definitely been taking off. She's been in several major films, and it's only a matter of time before she is a house hold name. I'm so excited to be working with her on her upcoming projects!

I dolled her up for a charity event for Lupus here in Los Angeles, and she wanted a natural look with a pop. She has amazing eyes, so it wasn't that hard to find the "pop" feature:) I played up her eyes with MAC Jardin Aires pigment, and Texture eyeshadow. I added Stila Black eyeliner in Kajal to her water line to create a more intense look. I used a mixture of Make Up Forever HD Foundation #125 and Koh Gen Do #301 for her foundation, and I highlighted and countoured her face with NARS pressed powders. I used YSL Bronzer in #2 to give her a sunkissed look. Her lip color was #7 YSL Lip Pencil, Rouge Volupte #14 Lipstick, and MAC Nymphette Lipgloss.

Needless to say, her total look was a success on that coralcarpet. Stay tuned for more from this beauty. She is one to watch! xo

Oya...Beauty In Motion

Check out a great video that shows the process of bringing a concept to life in front of a camera. My client, singer Oya Thomas, shares her experience behind the scenes of her CD photo shoot. See the many makeup and wardrobe changes as we glam her up! Her album is dropping Sept. 23rd, so make sure you pick it up! Her debut single 'Love' is playing in the video and is also available on iTunes.

"Prank My Mom" Beauty...

Vivica Fox is looking better than ever, and hosting a new show that's sure to make you laugh and wonder if you're ever being pranked. The original woman's network 'Lifetime' has ordered 10 episodes of the hidden camera show. The show puts you in the mind of Ashton Kutcher's "Punk'd", but on a different level. You know how people are about their kids...lol! Check out some of her fab looks created by myself and her hair stylist, Dr. Boogie...

We had to change her look  many times, so I wanted to change the tone of the make up as much as I could. In the above picture, I went with a warmer golden look. In the below two pictures, her look is much cooler. Changing the tone in make up also makes clothing look better on. If you have on peaches or browns, gold jewelry and warm make up will make the entire vision flow better.

If you have on blues, purples, or magenta's....going with silver jewelry and cooler colors in your makeup will have the same effect on the look. Warm colors include shades like MAC Raisin blush, MAC Peaches blush, coral or orange lip colors, and any bronzer. Cool colors include shades like NARS Desire blush, MAC On Hold lipstick, MAC Sable or Patina eye shadows, and any berry color.

"Prank My Mom" is a series that features children pranking their moms, and from what I've heard, it's hilarious!!  The series is set to premiere on Tuesday, Oct. 9th, so stay tuned! In the meantime, if you're a mom....stay on your toes:) xo