Cassandra Kennedy

I've changed my blog address

2011-02-05T22:47:00.000-05:00

Thank you readers! Please come and visit my new blog at www.cassandrakennedybeauty.com/blog

Obsessive Airbrushing

2010-12-28T15:07:00.000-05:00

Winter is my off season and I always have a list of things I want to accomplish during that time. Topping the list this year is to work on my airbrushing and take it to a new skill level. I decided that formal instruction would be helpful (you know I love my makeup classes!) and why not learn from the best. Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics (OCC) creator David Klasfeld is considered an expert on the subject and an authority in the industry. To say that he knows about airbrushing is to say Steve Jobs knows about computers. I also am in love with the actual airbrushing makeup OCC has formulated. It looks fresh and beautiful on the skin, whereas some just look thick, lifeless, and mask-y.

Our instructor was the wonderful Michelle Coursey, a working artist with an amazing portfolio and a long-time airbrush user. She talked to us about the various ways she utilizes airbrushing in her work and the kind of results it provides. Between her, David, and the other OCC staff, there were a lot of really helpful discussions - from the super technical to the philosophical.

The class was completely hands-on and we spent the day doing various exercises to hone our skills. We practiced airbrushing on paper which allowed us to really examine our work against the white background. Unevenness, heavy handedness, and splatters were all exposed!

Zeroing in on blemishes with airbrushed dots...

Arcs for contouring, experiments in air pressure variations...

Watch and learn: the perfect application of airbrushed foundation, blush, highlighter, contour, and a light eye color contour.

We rounded out the day by airbrushing on a partner, trying to utilize the color-matching and application techniques.

I cannot say enough good things about this class. The other artists and I left feeling inspired, motivated, and much more savvy. Thank you Michelle and OCC!

Happy Holidays 2010!

2010-12-23T09:55:00.000-05:00

I'd like to wish you, dear reader, a very happy holiday season. This year has been one of the best and busiest of my life. I had the opportunity to meet and work with so many incredible people, the opportunity to learn really useful and amazing things, and lots of family fun and craziness with friends thrown in between. Reflecting on this year I realize how truly blessed I am. Cheers to all the adventures and memories we will make in 2011!

The Little Mermaid of Tappan Hill Mansion

2010-11-30T12:33:00.001-05:00

Courtney's wedding was one big party. When I arrived the morning of the wedding, it was still going on from the night before! I don't think I've ever had so much fun...

We had a tight beauty schedule that day mixed in with lots of shenanigans and crazy stories. Since I did all of the makeup and hair for the whole party (including mom) we had to get started pretty early. Coffee and red bull helped pump up the gang for the beauty fest.

We were aiming for makeup and hairstyles at 8AM that would still look good at 8PM and beyond. It can be a challenge for people to asses evening makeup in the bright morning sun, but as the evening set in and they donned their black dresses, everyone looked perfectly glamorous.

The bride chose a simple nude, flawless face with an espresso lined and smudged eye and an emphasis on lashes. We added waves and body to her straight hair with a touch of retro inspiration to the shape.

Her gown had this gorgeous body-hugging mermaid shape and we were all in awe when she put it on. When she turned around and said "Well, what do we think?" her attendant and uber comedian Joey burst out into spontaneous song with the theme from The Little Mermaid. Another bridesmaid joined in and then another and then another. I've always loved the song so I sang along as I touched up her hair. As it echoed throughout the rotunda, more people stepped in to join the chorus and by the end there were about twenty people belting out this Disney song at the top of their lungs. Courtney laughed until she cried as she surveyed the scene that was really like something out of a movie.

The wedding took place on the former estate of Mark Twain at the stunning Tappan Hill Mansion of Tarrytown, NY. The entire place is one big photo op and the superstars from J. Ferrara Photography captured the day so beautifully. Thanks for sharing these images with us! Good luck Courtney. A lot of great memories were made that day!

Winter Nude Palette Inspiration Board

2010-11-19T19:12:00.001-05:00

With all of the twinkling lights and holiday displays, how you can you resist adding some sparkle to your makeup? The nude-colored fashion offerings of the season consistently attract me so it's no surprise that I chose a nude gold shimmer for my little wintertime treat. Tarina Tarantino's Sparklicity Pure Gold shimmer powder, with its shiny gold top and box, is a sophisticated and finely milled (no glitter chunks here) powder. It's SO shimmery that a fluffy brush tapped lightly before applying helps keep it toned down. I like adding it to the inner eyelids of a grey smoky eye, alone on lids with lengthening mascara, or mixing it into a plain nude gloss. It can even be used on the body (again - fluffy brush is key).

Speaking of nude glosses, if you have a friend who is also attracted to sophisticated nudes or loves high fashion, Burberry Lip Glow in No. 9 Nude Beige would make an outstanding little gift. The Burberry packaging is some of the best I've ever seen: heavy, patterned gunmetal, classic and sleek. The gloss color is universally flattering (a good thing when buying makeup for someone else) and is thick enough to have substance while still feeling light and smooth. It's almost as if the texture were universally flattering too.

The Best Concealer and Primer I've Ever Used

2010-11-12T00:36:00.001-05:00

Right before I got married I asked my boss at the time if he had any advice for me before I ran off and tied the knot. "Don't drink the Dom" he said. Come again? He explained that someone was bound to give us a bottle of Dom Perignon as a gift and that I'd better not even try it because I'd love it and I could never go back to drinking the cheap stuff after that. I've found his advice to be true with a lot of things including beauty products. Sometimes they're so amazing I wish I'd never tried them. Cle' de Peau concealer had intrigued me for ages, winning Beauty Best awards left and right, but I steered clear due to the whopping $70 price tag.

I mean, it's concealer - how great could it be? But one tiny swipe of the beige color while perusing a cosmetics boutique and I was stunned. The saleswoman actually laughed and said "Perfection, isn't it." I had been mixing two concealer colors together for years and I still never felt like I had a perfect color match like I did on this day, let alone the feeling. The texture is so interesting. It's light but it covers. It's solid, but one touch turns it into a smooth-gliding cream that's moist enough to use under the eyes but dry enough to use on the face (usually you have to use two separate concealers for these areas). After I took it home I realized that I needed to prep the eye area with a lot of eye cream for it to look smooth. Still the finished look was worth the extra step. Then I read a tip in Lucky Magazine by the fab beauty editor Jean Godfrey-June who said to try using L'Oreal Studio Secrets Professional Magic Perfecting Base under the eyes before applying concealer and it will look "1,000 times less crinkly." I was already obsessed with the L'Oreal primer but had never tried it under the eyes. That combo really is perfection.

Two years ago I spent countless hours scouring every makeup and skincare line looking for a primer that was thick (think spackle) that I could pat into the deep wrinkles of my mature clients. The best I could find was that smooth silicone-feeling stuff but it was too thin and barely washed over lines and bumps. L'Oreal's primer is thick and scoopable. It's velvety texture gives the skin a diffused soft-focus look, even without makeup on. I use this on almost every client and definitely on myself. Try a light touch if you just want makeup to go on smoothly and stay on longer or use more to fill in nooks and crannies. It's perfect for all skin types and luckily sells for around $12!

At Last...A Website!

2010-11-08T22:29:00.001-05:00

I am very excited to announce the launch of the Cassandra Kennedy beauty website! So many friends helped me while putting it together and so many generous photographers were willing to share their work with me. Thank you all!

Real Life Rapunzel

2010-10-11T10:56:00.000-04:00

Jen is like a tiny little doll with this amazing mane of long shimmery red hair. When I held the hair in my hands I thought "Wow, I'm sure this is worth more than my car!" She made excellent choices for her wedding day look that really emphasized her natural beauty. Her hair cascaded down her back in big loose waves and her makeup was peachy and natural toned and sheer enough to show off her beautiful freckles. Come to find out, she was living right down the street from my old house in Alexandria, VA, so I got an update on the old 'hood and found that we had many favorite places in common. I really enjoyed seeing all of the details of her elegant wedding unfold.

Her organized and cheerful bridesmaids were not only beautiful but seasoned professionals that anticipated her every need. I was assisted by Nancy Geldres who did all of the bridesmaids' makeup and tag-teamed with me on their hair. I love these fun group portraits of them.

Jen has the SWEETEST mother you could ever know. She was so nervous about getting her makeup done but I was able to talk with her at length during the trial and assure her that I would keep it natural and light. One of my favorite moments of the day was seeing her mom's astonishment as she looked in the mirror. She hugged me and asked if I would come and do her makeup like that every day for her. Another favorite moment was with her brother. I know when I got married I was so worried that my brother would show up in a concert t-shirt and jeans (whew - he didn't). I'm guessing her brother gave her a hard time about wearing a tux (see how brothers are!?) and she had resigned herself to seeing him in something else. So when he stopped by the room that morning to deliver something she was absolutely stunned and overcome with emotion at seeing him in his tux. He just smiled like "heh heh!"

I want to wish Jen and her husband the best of luck as they start their new life together in a new place (Texas, no less!). I know it will be a wonderful adventure together! Thank you very much to The Artist Group for sharing these lovely photos with us.

New Hampshire Beauty Haul

2010-09-10T21:37:00.004-04:00

I'm just back from a GLORIOUS vacay in New Hampshire where I enjoyed a refreshing trip to the beach and loaded up on some new beauty goodies. The source of my treats was none other than New Hampshire goddess Joanne McDonough of Joya Beauty. Joanne is my "it girl" and I want to be her someday when I grow up! Not only is she super talented and generous with all of her knowledge but she has this amazing studio where she does all kinds of things like makeup lessons and spa treatments. One of the things that sets her apart is her custom makeup blending. Knowing that I have a product that's made especially for me that no one else has gives me such a little thrill. Ok, I am really LOVING the souffle' she whipped up. They are little frosted glass pots of whipped jelly cheek color that give off this gorgeous luster. Such a nice way to freshen the face and offset the powdered down t-zone. I'm also trying her shimmery eye creams that dab on ever so lightly with a wand to wake up tired eyes. Joya Beauty also carries other hard-to-find lines like Three Custom Color and I scored two of their Mood Lighting Shimmer Cremes. I am totally obsessed with the paler color Afterglow, although the golden On Fire color is great for the times when I'm more tan or for those with medium to dark skin tones. The problem with highlighter creams is that they tend to be overly frosty or shimmery. The pale ones often have a pinkish tone that I'm not a big fan of. You want one that just blends into the skin and makes it look glowy without anyone detecting a streak of frost. The cream-to-powder feel of it is exquisite and these are sheer enough for anyone to use with ease. I think I like how light it feels and how it really isn't too powdery after it sets. Thanks Joanne! You never steer me wrong :) People, if you are in New Hampshire or even passing through, you need to set aside a little time to visit Joya Beauty!

My favorite vacation photo of the kiddos...

Polish Beauty

2010-09-07T09:30:00.001-04:00

We may have been in Brooklyn, but getting ready for Edyta's wedding was like a mini trip to Poland. Polish parents and relatives, polish language (which sounds really hard to understand by the way), Polish breakfast, and even Polish water (fizzy and refreshing). I loved this family so much and Edyta was one of the most relaxed and down to earth brides that I'm sure I will ever meet. When I saw a photo of her drinking a can of Miller Lite in the limo on the way to the wedding I just smiled and thought "That's my girl!". Edyta's face has a kind of beautifully intriguing and mysterious quality about it that I can't really describe. I really enjoyed studying it and collaborating with her on the look for the wedding.

She wanted her eyes fully lined in grey but we did it in a light and shimmery way that would look fresh for a daytime ceremony and pictures. Her skin and lips were softly flushed and just happened to match one of my favorite bridal bouquets of all time.

She wanted a nice voluminous updo with movement and texture- something that looked like she had a lot of hair - with intricate curls in the back. The relatives loved it and said it looked very "aristocratic", which made us chuckle.

Another beauty I got to work with was Edyta's mother. She wanted to keep hair and makeup simple and natural which I thought was a great choice. I mean look at that amazing skin - why cover it up?!

I got such a kick out of her Maid of Honor who happened to live in Japan during the same years that I did. We spent time during the trial and the wedding day reminiscing and trading wacky tales from our unforgettable time there. She is also getting married this year so it is wedding mania for these two friends.

I heard everyone had a wonderful time at the wedding and I thoroughly enjoyed seeing the photos.

Thank you very much to Kimberly Salem for sharing them with me. You can see a few more details from this wedding such as the yummy Polish cookie favors and the gorgeous flowers on her blog. Good luck to you Edyta! And you too, Misato! I wish you both all the best in your marriages and in life.

Double Happiness

2010-08-27T00:09:00.003-04:00

Helen was a breath of fresh air - relaxed (even on her wedding day!) and so fun to hang out with. I loved how she and her friends couldn't keep a straight face for very long. There were too many stories and clever quips floating around. My kind of people.

She had a traditional Jewish wedding ceremony with elements of Chinese culture throughout the day to really represent the couple and the two families coming together. I thought she looked absolutely beautiful in her lace gown.

I also had the pleasure of doing the mother of the bride and the bridesmaids' makeup.

And speaking of makeup, I have to credit the mother of the groom (a real makeup junkie!) for urging us to try a brighter lip color at the hair and makeup trial run. I really love how it photographed.

Mazel tov, Helen! I wish you and your husband a lifetime of double happiness. Thank you very much to Michael Brook and his second assistant Anthony DeCarlo who took these lovely photos and even took time out from moving to send them to me!

Bobbi Brown Beauty Photography Workshop

2010-08-18T10:07:00.000-04:00

One of the worst ideas I ever had was to try and save money by not taking any classes for a whole year, even though I am living near some of the world's top artists. It was a kind of torture that I don't care to ever repeat! I'm a big believer in continuing education - no matter what field you're in - and one class I'd been waiting over a year for is the Bobbi Brown The Studio Makeup Photography Workshop. For every stunning image in a magazine or portfolio, there is a team of people behind it - planning and executing every aspect. This workshop brought makeup artists and photographers together to talk about common vocabulary, roles and responsibilities during planning and on-set, handling delicate situations, conceptualizing a shoot and assembling a team, and loads and loads of technical nitty gritty stuff. Participants also got to network with each other and form groups that carried out actual photo shoots on day two.

We started out at Bobbi Brown The Studio, a gorgeous loft-like place in Montclair, NJ that is part intimate retail setting and part classroom dedicated to the study of makeup. This is also the place that those in the Professional Makeup Artist program such as myself go to buy products. We were met by The Studio manager Kim Richards (love her!) and one of our instructors, Bobbi's brand ambassador and professional team member Gregg Hubbard.

We then took off to the site of our workshop at nearby Unique Photo, which hosts lots of similar workshops and had the perfect space for both the makeup artists and photographers to learn and collaborate.

There we met our co-instructor and photographer extraordinaire Claire Rosen of North 7 Studio. Not only do Claire and Gregg have GORGEOUS portfolios, they are both excellent and taking what they know (which is a lot!) and sharing it with others.

Claire and Gregg proceeded to pack our brains with all kinds of information - from different types of lighting to different types of concealing. "You don't take a photo, you make a photo." They talked to us about different ways to tap into our own creativity and how to channel it, map it out, and translate it through planning.

The photogs and makeup artists later split up to talk more in-depth about their craft. Gregg rolled out his kit ("You guys have to be able to do this in seven minutes or less!") and let us snoop around in all his stuff - which we loved.

He demonstrated one example of a classic Bobbi Brown-style face: pretty, flushed, polished. We were free to ask his advice on any aspects of his work and he showed us how he handles various application details such as false lash fittings and liner options. The thing about Gregg and Claire is that they are both so generous with what they are offering. There was not a sense of "we are here to impart our knowledge unto you" but more a sense of them inspiring us, teaching us, encouraging and building us up, helping us take ourselves to the next level. I would like to thank everyone involved who helped put this workshop together and to the participants who were such a great group of folks. I hope to be seeing many of you again soon!

Get Glowing: Tips from an Expert

2010-08-09T14:43:00.001-04:00

As a makeup artist, I love giving people that flawless "lit from within" glow. But what a difference when the person sitting in my chair already has glowing skin to start with. We all want it, but how can we get it for REAL? This was the topic of discussion at an exclusive Beauty Influencers event I recently attended with Dr. Jeanette Graf, renowned and well-respected dermatologist and former NIH fellow. Beauty bloggers, tweeters, and vloggers (yes, that's a term!) were treated to cocktails overlooking Manhattan while learning about Dr. Graf's research, which has become quite a hot topic in the beauty world. It all started with some frequent flier patients at her dermatology office. You know the ones - botoxed, plumped, peeled, lasered, and slathered with all of the best serums and creams - but STILL that glow eluded them. The scientist in her decided to investigate and got busy researching and testing. What resulted her groundbreaking premise that "our cells, and consequently our skin, can only function best when the pH balance of our bodies is at its proper level".

She decided to write the book Stop Aging, Start Living (which I am really enjoying BTW) about this and detail exactly what people can put in their bodies to get their cells and skin on the fast track to glow central, while slowing down the things that make us age. She challenged us to give her program a try and promised us we'd see immediate results. I like the sound of that!

Most people experienced a complete life change in terms of skin glow, energy, healthful feeling, and brighter eyes in two weeks. We were all given a set of pH testing strips (high school science class flashback) and were told not to get depressed if we had a low score because hers was quite low the first time she tested. The goal is to get a reading between 7 and 7.5 and I rang in with a 5.5. This is lower than the bad case cited in her book. Yikes. [Note: The next day I grabbed a neighbor who has been looking radiant these days. Everyone, including me, thinks she looks fantastic. She has reduced stress in her life and and only eats healthy stuff. I forced her to put a pH strip in her mouth and it was a perfect 7.0! Maybe there's something to this...]

Dr. Graf then outlined the three main things we need to do right now to try this.

1. Buy some greens powder which is sold in health food stores (her favorite brand is Greens First) and mix it with a scoop or two of fiber. Yeah, it may look and taste nasty but it's the antioxident power equivalent of TEN servings of fruits and vegetables. So pretend you're on a Beauty Survivor show, mix it with some 100% fruit juice, and down the hatch!

2. Start taking mineral supplements with lots of calcium. We need it big time! Did you know that because of commercial fertilizers and acid rain, the veggies we eat today have up to 75% less minerals than they did 50 years ago? Even things like table salt have had all the minerals processed out of them (so you gotta use sea salt). When she brought up salt I raised my hand to ask about my beloved sugar. We all know it's bad, but why? Alas, it is one of the big acid-producing age accelerators - especially refined sugars. I was afraid she'd say that :( Better to stick with raw honey (the kind that you scoop out) or alternative sweeteners like stevia, agave, fruits. Even splenda and raw sugar is better than refined.

3. Start taking probiotics - 5 billion colony-forming units per day to be specific (she prefers the refrigerated kind). Wow, that sounds a lot but we actually need a lot of good bacteria in our gut to keep our immunity up. Did you know skin issues like psoriasis (I have this myself), dermatitis, and acne are immune-related skin disorders? These good bacteria also help keep the bad ones and yeast from producing too much acid in your stomach.There goes your pH reading if they do!

As for overall eating she had a lot of tips and the book is chock full of them too. Think cave man and eat more like our early ancestors did: leafy greens, fruit, seeds, and roots, with occasional wild game (organic meat for us modern hominids). Eat real food, not from a package. Eat organic food - remember those higher mineral contents. Colorful food is good, beige food is bad. Dr. Graf left us feeling inspired and I actually felt like this is doable. And as I mentioned, I like the immediate results. In the coming weeks I'm going to report about this. Does anyone want to try it with me? She also gave us a great swag bag full of products she uses in her dermatology practice. Of course I will report back on those too.

As you can imagine, this was stylish crowd and I had a great time putting faces to names I had already been following on-line. Hello The Informed Makeup Maven and twitter juggernaut This That Beauty . I was also introduced to new artists -hey Vintage Soul Beauty- and some young mavens of the video world.

Chloe Beauty NYC and her BFF kept me completely entertained while we waited for Dr. Graf to inscribe our books. And Musings of a City Girl told me about her surprising 25,000 YouTube followers who check in regularly to learn different makeup looks.

These ladies were as smart as they are beautiful and I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know them. Good luck to all! Thank you to Gorgeous on the Go's PR Goddess Genevieve Santos for rounding us all up. And most of all, merci beaucoup Dr. Graf!

Sweltering Summer Skin Care

2010-07-25T13:55:00.000-04:00

I meant to post this before going on vacation in early July but time got the better of me. Now I'm back in the hottest and muggiest part of the year and am thankful I have these products on me. What I've learned through the years of testing summertime products is that there's no silver bullet that "feels like nothing at all". When you're hot and sweaty, the last thing you want to do is put something on top of that. Even so, if you want to prevent burning and aging, you've just got to. And remember, if you don't moisturize your skin, your body will produce its own moisturizer and the only kind it can make is oil. That's why you'll wake up with an oily sheen on your face even if you didn't put anything on. Moisturizing will tell the skin there's no need to produce oil. Sometimes there is an initial breakout with a new product regime as your skin adjusts to everything. This is quite normal so give things a good two weeks before you make up your mind. Here are my top summer picks:

DAYTIME FACE - DDF (Doctor's Dermatologic Formula) Mattifying Oil Control UV Moisturizer SPF 15. I had been using their Ultra-Lite Oil Free Moisturizing Dew in SPF 15 for about seven years but I saw they had a new similar product and decided to give it a try. I could find very little difference between the two and recommend them both. Using these in a humid climate still feels like product on the face, but still they're the lightest feeling ones I've found. I was surprised to find the mattifying one actually felt matte when I was on vacation in a drier climate. No weird perfume-y smells either. Two thumbs up!

NIGHTTIME FACE - Dr. Brandt's Pores No More Anti-Aging Mattifying Lotion. Back in the day my only summertime concern was keeping breakouts at bay, but now that I'm getting older I need something that also combats aging. My go-to product for years was a sheer coat of Murad's Skin Perfecting Lotion, an oil-free super light moisturizer that did amazing things to my face overnight. But a sample of the Dr. Brandt led me astray and I decided to give it a try. It feels a little more matte on the skin and is producing great results. It has an earthy smell which might be from the alpine extract used to control the oil. I hate flowery scents but this seems doable. I highly recommend both of these.

NIGHTTIME HELPER - Clean & Clear Advantage Acne Spot Treatment. I always have a little tube of gel that contains 2% salicylic acid on me. It dries up little breakouts in a day or two and is great for prevention. I often trace it along my hairline and dab it on my nose before I go to bed when I feel a breakout coming on. I've tried several brands and they all seem basically the same to me so I've just resorted to buying the cheaper ones. Clean & Clear has reformulated and repackaged theirs and it seems to blend into the skin better. However, it now has more of an alcohol-y feeling. I don't want to use the word "burn" but you definitely feel it on the skin at first.

DAYTIME BODY - Neutrogena Ultra-Sheer Dry Touch Sunblock SPF. I love this whole line and have the SPF 30, 70, and 100. What's amazing about this line is that it is thicker and more "hard core" than anything I've ever used but once it's dry it is truly dry to the touch. Kudos to the chemists who came up with this. My mommy duties take me to many outdoor parks where I'm basically baking in the sun and these have really been a savior. When I worked in an office and spent very little time outside in the summer, I always used my beloved fragrance free hypoallergenic Coppertone Oil Free Lotion SPF 15.

Experts say you need at least an SPF 25 if you are spending much time in the sun but I have yet to find one for the face that is bearable. Not giving up hope on it though. Last but not least, don't forget your lips - any lip balm with SPF will do!

California Love

2010-06-06T16:43:00.002-04:00

When I first talked to Dale on the phone about her wedding, I could tell that this native of the New York area had crossed over and adopted the laid back cool California style of her new home. We wouldn't have a chance to do a trial run beforehand, but just chatting with her put me at ease and we were laughing about wedding madness together in no time. She decided on some loose waves pulled casually to the side. Although I curled the hair sections in various directions, they seemed to have a mind of their own (hair just does sometimes!) and looped around each other naturally when pulled together. That and a last-minute addition of flowers were such a surprising and beautiful touch. As for the makeup, all she said was "I don't wear makeup. Ever. Like any." Her sister Jill put in a request for a smoky eye but I thought that might be too big of a leap for someone who doesn't wear any makeup. We decided that a light touch of neutrals was the way to go. She had such beautiful skin that I barely touched her face with sheer foundation. Softly glowing cheeks and sheer shimmering pink semi-permanent lip color and gloss topped off the look.

These gorgeous sisters, along with their mother and photographer friend had me dying laughing over their uproarious stories that included full volume re-enactments. I love a good storyteller so being with this family is like winning the storytelling lottery (definite reality show material!). The girls talked of warning past boyfriends before bringing them home for the holidays - where the whole house would be filled to the brim with family and friends who were just like them. I imagined a ruckus of 20 people shouting crazy stories at each other all at the same time. Knowing not every guy made it out alive, Dale cautiously warned her man before his first visit. It was a major sign when he not only survived, but said he quite enjoyed himself. The rest, as they say, is history...

Good luck you two! I hope we meet again somewhere down the road and then let's try that smoky eye! Thank you very much to Mike Losquadro for the photos.

The Makeup Show NYC 2010 Report

2010-05-18T15:11:00.003-04:00

I had such a great experience (as always!) at The Makeup Show NYC this weekend. It is certainly sensory overload from the minute you enter this trade show. One of the first things everyone notices is the body painters. I am always amazed at the type of creativity and precision that these artists possess!

The big highlight for me is getting up close and personal with famous and legendary Makeup Artists. This year attendees were treated to a keynote presentation by Charlie Green! Not only did we get to pepper her with questions about makeup and her career, we got to watch her do a smoky eye step by step just like she would do on a sexy celeb or perhaps one of her Victoria's Secret models. I won't even attempt to describe her quirky and eclectic style which made it all the more fun to watch.

And speaking of smoky eyes, my favorite seminar, Achieving Editorial Beauty with Jon Hennessey, featured a beautiful editorialized version. In other words, it's the type of makeup that you might see in a fashion magazine instead of the red carpet or on a celeb. The way he manipulates the skin and eyes with very little product is really something. I especially loved hearing his thought process about achieving these looks ("How can I take this basic idea and make it my own? How can I modify this color, shape, or texture?"), where he finds inspiration, and how he tries to push his artistry continually in new directions.

The kids from MAC Pro never disappoint either! Keri B and Romero J tag teamed to show us lots of backstage runway tips and tricks, all while taking typical kit items and making them work quickly for any challenge. Who knew you could prep brown brows and then comb through concealer to turn them blonde?! Loved the cheek sculpting method too!

Of course the main attraction for the 4,000 makeup artists that attended was meeting up with industry friends shopping like crazy! Some newcomers such as the Inglot booth were so crowded I could only get my hands on some thick and deliciously sticky pots of gloss called AMC lip paint. These were exactly like NARS lip lacquers but with more colors to choose from. Another thick and long-lasting gloss discovery was from Armour Beauty. Impressive staying power! There were some surprises such as the Egon Schiele Cosmetics booth. My husband is a huge fan of Schiele's artwork but he doesn't exactly conjure up images of lovely ladies the way some artists like Vermeer did. Turns out the lady at the booth (founder perhaps?) was friends with the Schiele family. Very cool story! I revisited the Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics booth again, to buy some more of last year's breakout hit: Lip Tar. They have re-packaged it and added new beautiful colors. Lip tar is so extremely pigmented it's like putting house paint on your lips and having it dry into a smooth satiny finish. There is nothing else like it out there. Some of the vendors were nice enough to give us some goodies for free! Thanks L'Oreal Studio Line and Geri G. Cosmetics!

My niece had just graduated from high school three days before the show and tagged along to learn more about a career in makeup artistry. She was blown away by the experience. Thank you to The Powder Group (TPG) for producing another amazing show!

Two Innovative, Lovely Spring Faves

2010-04-26T11:55:00.001-04:00

Call me a traditionalist but I want my spring makeup to be fresh and pretty - even if the runways are trending otherwise. I mean petals are blooming about and my skin looks so GOOD (not dried out like in winter or summertime greasy). There are two major standout discoveries on the product front this spring that I'm pretty much dying over. First was Make Up For Ever's High Definition Blush, a highly pigmented cream that comes in a pump. Cream blushes are an obsession of mine and I don't think there's anything on the market that's quite like this. Once applied it doesn't feel like cream. It kind of bonds to the skin (longer lasting than any I've tried) and feels smooth and weightless. Cream-to-powder blushes come close but end up feeling and looking powdery. This one does not- it gives off a very subtle light. There are no shimmery particles at all so that is the mystery. How does it subtly glow like that? I am already using these on my brides and they love it. The most used and universally flattering color is #3, a rose with a touch of brown (their site calls this fuschia but it is not even close to being that bright). A similar color for warmer complexions is # 7, a light warm pink described on their site as light peach. I personally enjoy wearing the bright peach #14. A little goes a long way so you'll want to barely touch it and apply in a series of rapid pats and sweeps with your finger. You cannot really judge the colors by looking at them in the bottles or the site swatches so it's best to try them in person.

I struggle with lip stains because I LOVE the look of them but I don't like the weightless feel ones. It feels like I'm drawing on my lips with a magic marker. Others feel and smell like lipstick, which I don't wear much. I really want to reward the people who came up with Tarte's Natural Lip Stain with LipSurgence Technology. This solid gel (just like their amazing cheek stain) feels like a minty moist lip balm but leaves a stain behind when it wears off. The closes thing I've tried is a tinted lip balm, but those don't come in a gel form and don't leave behind a stain. It feels GREAT on the lips and looks so fresh! As an added bonus, I have finally found a gorgeous SHEER tomato red lip product that can be worn in spring . Although the color is called Lust, I don't think it's too overtly sexy. I hope they come up with more colors. I feel like their future cult favorite color that everyone will love is just around the corner.

My Very Own Freida Pinto

2010-04-12T23:42:00.001-04:00

Anjali is not a model but she is one of those "regular people" that is quite a head turner! When I first met her it was during Slumdog Millionaire mania. Like everyone who watched the movie, I was enthralled with Freida Pinto's beauty. Then she was featured in that pinup style photo for Vanity Fair and I totally wanted to re-create it. I asked Anjali to be my Freida and was so glad she was into it. As the planning progressed, we began to lose sight of the retro theme and it took a new direction, She wanted big hair and I wanted to use my Liquid Metal greenish gold cream shadow from Illmasqua. What a fun night vamping it up for the camera!

Bowled Over

2010-04-07T00:48:00.027-04:00

Nicole is from a family of hard core bowlers so it was no surprise to learn that she met her man (where else?!)...bowling! And while the girls spent the morning of the wedding primping, he was (what else?!)...getting in a few frames before the ceremony. I loved this family so much and really enjoyed spending time with them. Nicole wanted a very classic look for herself and the wedding details so she chose a classic updo for her hairstyle. She had been using black eyeliner with white shimmery shadow but I thought it was a bit too stark of a look for her. We softened it with an espresso brown liner with taupe and shimmery champagne shadow accents. She loved it and agreed that it suited her skin tone and style perfectly. Like many people, Nicole's eyelids tend to get oily so we primed them with Urban Decay's Eyeshadow Primer Potion and used Tarte's waterproof creaseproof Lock and Roll Eyeshadow Duo in rose gold on the lids. Nicole's sister (who was more nervous than her!) opted for a "french twist with a twist" hairstyle. Nicole surprised her with a beautiful gift of custom made jeweled hair pins - perfect for an updo. Mom went for a nice blowout to give her bob a little shape and movement and very natural makeup to show off her beautiful skin. I heard the groomsmen were blown away when they saw the ladies. That's what I like to hear! Good luck Nicole! I wish you and Frankie the very best. These lovely images were taken by Zaven's Photography for Bella Pictures.

Meatpacking District Couple's Shoot

2010-03-25T23:27:00.005-04:00

When I was a college freshman, my boyfriend and I decided to get our pictures taken together by a professional. They were just a bunch of poses in a cheesy studio in Boise, Idaho- not a cool shoot like this in NYC's Meatpacking District- but still good memories. Capture that youth on film, people!!!

Fernanda is a half Spanish, half Arab dream-come-true to put makeup on. Those eyes, those pillowy lips!

Heck, I even put a little makeup on David. I assured him he wouldn't look like one of those guys wearing makeup but just took a little redness and shine out of his skin, groomed the brows, and exfoliated the lips. He was so fascinated when he saw himself in the mirror. "No, you can't wear makeup every day!" I teased. Love his cool rockabilly style.

Perfect backdrop for these two who went to the same art school...

Thank you so much to Jang Photographers for sharing these images with me.

MAC Pro Master Class + new MAC faves

2010-03-08T21:49:00.002-05:00

Every year I try and take a MAC Pro Master Class because I learn so much from watching these master artists and really feel a sense of inspiration afterwards. The New York pro store is also an amazing space that was clearly built to inspire. Kudos to MAC for choosing Keri B to teach the bridal class which I thought was the best I'd ever attended. Keri was very prepared and willing to share information with us, from business and social aspects of working with brides to kit essentials and techniques. Of course the big treat for everyone was watching her "build" the model's face layer by layer. I loved the way she moved the Tete-a-Tint eye shadow (a warm matte caramel color) throughout the crease of the eye, coaxing it up towards the inner eyebrow and outer eye. The matte color contrasted with the shimmery pigments on the lid were such a beautiful balance. I pledged myself to use warmer colors more often on blue-eyed blondes. After all, as our teacher pointed out, blue and orange are complimentary colors on the color wheel. Look how BLUE the model's eyes seem framed in the warm colors.

My super new favorite product I had to have after the demo was the eyeliner she used to line the inner rim of the lids. Longwearing waterproof Powerpoint pencils are one of my kit staples but the burnished gold color Power Surge is amazing (downside: these are the hardest MAC liners to blend). I'm already thinking ahead for summer when dark liner just looks too heavy and this shimmering almost-khaki will look great with my green eyes and a light (fake! :) tan. I don't see the color listed on the MAC website...panic panic...but I found one easily in a MAC store. My other favorite from the class is Shaping Powder in Lightsweep, a limited edition pro product that you can only buy in MAC stores that sell the pro line. This is the most absolutely subtle highlighter I have ever seen. It looks just like a powder compact but it is velvety goodness! Brides and highlighters don't always go hand in hand. A lot of them are just too shimmery or sparkly for photographs or a long day. When buffed into the skin, this gives you that barely discernable lit-from-within glow. I just used it on a bride yesterday and it looked GORGEOUS. Thank you Keri B for an afternoon very well spent!

Smitten Kitten

2010-02-27T10:03:00.013-05:00

The morning of Tricee's wedding I saw her groom in the lobby by himself grinning from ear to ear. He didn't see me watching him but he was almost floating on air with happiness. I almost expected him to skip down the street and jump up and click his heels together! Out of all the grooms I've met, he wins the award for most smitten. It's easy to see why when you meet Tricee, the picture of classic simple elegance. I think she may have been a First Lady in a former life.

The wedding took place in their home on a beautiful sunlit morning. The soft rosy makeup look was perfect for this time of day. A key product for achieving this look was Graftobian's Hi-Def Creme Blush Palette. This is one of the longer lasting cream blushes I have found as it lightly stains the skin and every color in the palette is beautiful. I must admit Tricee had me losing sleep when she told me that if we did not find the perfectly understated not-too-light not-too-dark smudge free mascara she would just not wear any. WHAT?! No mascara?!! The thought of sending her down the aisle without any physically pained me. Luckily she and I both shopped it up for mascaras and found a winner. It came down to the wire with her hairstyle, as we were still not completely decided about it on the morning of the wedding. In the end, she decided too much volume on top and too much hair pulled back looked overdone for the overall feel of the occasion. I was so happy when I received an email from her saying her beloved was over the moon when he saw her and that he was glad I had "preserved her natural beauty". Yay! Thank you to David Lindner Photography for the photos. Good luck Tricee! I can't wait to hear about your second overseas wedding!

Back to the Field Makeup Solutions

2010-02-21T21:40:00.011-05:00

My years in Washington, DC gave me the opportunity to work with amazing women who have dedicated much of their careers to working overseas. Whether they are professional humanitarians, Peace Corps volunteers, government, NGO, or U.N. workers, returning from a long stint overseas often means a big readjustment to the beauty routine. Power suits and professional makeup and hair are a must in that town so you need to kick it up a notch! This weekend I did a makeup lesson, hairstyling lesson, and guided shopping trip with a woman who works for the State Department. She will be spending the next seven months in DC for language training before returning to a new assignment in a hot and muggy Asian country so the focus was preparing a beautiful professional look to beat the heat.

A common thread amongst nearly every returnee is the toll it has taken on the skin around their eyes. EYE CREAM people! PLEASE! This woman's skin was also prone to breakouts so I recommended an oil-free budge-proof regime. She had been using mineral makeup but I convinced her to ditch it because it was the kind that needs to be buffed which would only enhance the shiny look. A nice alternative might have been a pressed mineral compact (not as messy and no need to buff) but I didn't think she'd get enough coverage from it. We visited the Laura Mercier counter where I had her try on the long-wearing buildable coverage oil-free foundation. It looked gorgeous but I still recommended that she walk around with it on to see how it felt after time. It held up well through the day and felt lightweight so she ended up purchasing it. I also recommended Laura's undercover pot which is a trio of her beautifully creamy undereye concealer (my favorite out of all brands and great for eyes that need moisture), a drier concealer for facial blemishes, and a translucent powder to press on the concealer and set it. We decided that something simple for everyday would be best on eyes so I showed her my favorite all-day-wearing cream shadows from MAC, Bobbi Brown, and Benefit. She has brown hair and blue eyes so she can wear both browns and greys. Benefit's pewter colored creaseless cream eyeshadow (a warm grey with a brown olive tinge) in skinny jeans was the winning color and the perfect middle ground. I showed her how to use her pinky to apply it darker on the outer half of her eyelid first and then keep it more sheer on the inner half. Warning! This product sets very quickly so you have to work fast to blend it properly. Waterproof mascara, some highly pigmented powder blush, and Smashbox's limitless long wearing lip gloss in infinite finished up the lovely and long-lasting look.

Like many people who have thin oil-prone hair, she does not put any product in it. That only makes it worse! We determined that her shampoo and conditioner were weighing it down from the start. Our key theme for hair was VOLUMIZING. She needed volumizing shampoo and conditioner (only use on the tips of hair if tangled-not at the scalp) and volumizing mousse to add body and help stop oil production at the roots. I begged her to blowdry it upside down in the months that weren't too hot just to give it some body. Another option is to sleep with wet moussed hair in the hotter months. It will need a little re-styling in the morning but will have much more body than just wash-n-go. I'm looking forward to getting my post-report from her on how everything is working out!

Face to Face with my Idol

2010-02-13T10:38:00.021-05:00

I met Jeanine Lobell yesterday and I am still floating on cloud 9. When I found out that she was going to appear at the Healing Arts for Haiti event, I freaked out and made the kids trek with me into the city in hopes of catching a glimpse of her or hearing her speak. Not only did I see her, she put makeup on me!!! Seriously, it was heaven. Jeanine is the creator of Stila cosmetics and a brilliant makeup artist. I have been a Stila fan since the late 90s. I loved all of the innovative products and packaging she came up with, the seasonal limited edition palettes were consistently gorgeous, and they even had little mini booklets with step by step directions so people could learn how to "get the look" after buying the products. The weightless feel lip stains, the now famous click-turn pen style lip glosses, the wet/dry shadows, the anti-bacterial touch pad foundation, the lipstick colors named after the movie stars who wore them, the illuminating properties of the products, the multi-use stuff such as convertible color, the quotes from famous women on the inside of the shadows...all of these things rocked my world back then. Most of all, when cruising through the department stores looking at the various makeup lines, Stila's aesthetic always stood out to me as a beauty ideal. Fresh, pretty, fun. Jeanine is still a busy working makeup artist. Here are a few recent magazine covers.

I thoroughly enjoyed talking with her while she put makeup on me. We discussed what kind of projects she is doing now, a little product talk, and she gave me some great advice about integrating kids into your life as a makeup artist (she has four!). I loved what she did on my eyes especially and I wish I had a picture that did it justice. The look was dark plum but up close there was very carefully blended in shimmery parts that made the whole thing look illuminated in certain light (you can see a bit of this in the Liv Tyler cover). She used a pale shimmery mauve-y color to line the inner rim of the eye which I would have never thought to do. It balanced so nicely with my green eyes but didn't make them look smaller. I spent the rest of the evening doing a happy dance and studying my face in the mirror. What a treat!

MAC Pro fashion week class + Lady Gaga 4 viva glam

2010-02-10T18:17:00.018-05:00

MAC flatiron store & Chic Studios NYC presented a wonderful pro class on Monday, complete with demos of two fashion week inspired runway looks using MAC's newest products. Artists were also treated to an exclusive sneak peak days before the official launch of the two new viva glam lipsticks inspired by Cyndi Lauper and Lady Gaga that [sidebar: I was mortified when a youngster sitting near me had no idea who Cyndi Lauper was!]. Cyndi's lipstick is a fresh strawberry red - nothing sultry or vampy - that is perfect for spring and for those who like a bright mouth or a new spin on red. Gaga's is a real baby pink that balances out a smokey eye. Both have a lustre finish (shiny and moist feeling) and come in the coolest red chrome packaging with the artist's autograph on it. Best of all, MAC donates 100% of the price to its AIDS fund.

One of the demonstrations focused on an alternative to the usual shading in the eyes crease. This look had a dark matte color shaded on the inner and outer crease corners but left the center of the eye blank. Super shimmery crushed metal pigments were pressed and buffed into the center of the lid and crease to really elongate the entire eye. I thought this was a great technique for runway as it can really be seen from a distance. I also agreed wholeheartedly with the presenter's comments about creating texture. You have to use combinations (e.g. matte + shimmer + satin shadows) to get a textured look. Drugstore eyeshadow quads often have four shimmery colors that do not allow for this. I adored every well-chosen eye shadow in the plum-themed quad used in this demo (you can see her holding it in the picture).

The other demonstration showcased all three of their new Spring Colour Forecast blush ombres (gradiated shades of color in one huge blush compact that can also be used as eye shadow). The first look paired several of the colors together in a light wash that was meant to look like someone who had light from a stained glass window reflecting on them. Clever! The second look showed the ripe peach blush used on the eyes and face, paired with my favorite pigment color of all time: melon. We were all enamoured with the way the artist, Reagan, used the 239 eye shader brush to press the pigments on and sculpt the eye and lip details.

Besides the presentation, it is always fun to network and exchange information with other makeup artists. I sat next to a budding YouTube sensation, Jinah chae , whose broadcasts focus on makeup for asians with monolids (no crease in the eye). We both agreed that most makeup books that deal with the issue (sadly) focus on creating something that looks like a crease with makeup. To me, it's the equivalent of super overdrawn lip lines - it doesn't usually look realistic or good. She has inspired so many girls to embrace their monolids instead of hoping to surgically change them or wear the dreaded little tape thingys that force your eye into a crease shape (yes there are such things). I met such a fun variety of people working in several different aspects of artistry. I also got to catch up with one of the leaders of our NYC Makeup Artists Meetup Group, Genevieve Santos, who was a model for the demos. Oh and we got to shop! A wonderful night!

I Like CT in Fall

2010-02-07T13:35:00.015-05:00

I was looking out at the blizzardy miserable winterness when I received these pictures that instantly transported me back to autumn, my favorite season. I thoroughly enjoyed the road trip through the New England foliage to get to Laura's wedding where I was part of the hair and makeup team. I was dying over the espresso colored gowns and the GORGEOUS orange flowers. These girls were really sweet and all took turns helping to soothe and calm the groom's mother who literally cried the entire morning. She was so overcome with the thought of her son finding the absolutely perfect person to marry that her joy just turned to tears. I was repeating positive thoughts about the day while applying 100% waterproof makeup to her face but in the end my eyes filled up with tears too. "Oh no, why are YOU crying?" asked my colleague. "I just know that this is going to be me on my son's wedding day!" I said. The groom's mom laughed, as did we all. Group hug! Thank you very much to Ted Morton for the photos. If you are planning a wedding in Connecticut, look him up. And while you're up there, check out all-around great guy Glen Andrew's videography services. Good luck Laura!

Most Requested Bridal Hairstyle 2009

2010-01-27T18:12:00.087-05:00

Popularity continues for the half-up half-down hairstyle, which was the number one choice of my brides again for 2009. I love this style because there are a surprising number of variations and it looks good on almost everyone. It's a nice way to showcase your hair while still adding a little touch of formality. The strands that are pulled back can be finger combed loosely, perfectly smoothed, or even braided back. Some brides prefer some face framing strands to be pulled out and some have a specific pattern they want the hair to form in the back (knots, swirls, mini french twist, etc.). In Kim's case, we started with adding big loose curls to her perfectly straight hair with the under layer in waves to keep the length looking long. We tried a side part at the trial consultation but decided that hair smoothed straight back suited herface shape better. On the day of the wedding her makeup artist and I took turns getting her and the rest of the bridal party ready. Her hair curled up nicely and as you can see and she was an absolutely beautiful bride. I also had the pleasure of doing several of the bridal party members' hair as well as her mother's. What a lovely group of ladies. Good luck to you Kim! Thank you Milton Gil for the photos!

Winter Skin 911

2009-12-26T22:25:00.009-05:00

It's the end of the year and the cold dry weather is taking its toll on my skin...again! Luckily this year I am ready and not struggling as I did last year. It was a nightmare really - nothing could quench my thirsty face. Plus everything I tried either had a horrible perfume-y smell or had lots of anti-aging stuff thrown in that ended up irritating. Then my product-loving friend gave me this sample of Atopalm, a thick, creamy, yet surprisingly not greasy (and NO SCENT) cream that can be used on the face or body. Talk about "saving face"! It's made specifically to replenish lipids in the skin but is ideal for super sensitive skin, including those with rosacea and eczema. This was a great discovery for me and I am still using it in winter (too heavy for other seasons). If you're interested, just google it because a lot of sites have free shipping.

Every winter my husband and I would get chapped lips and then our house and car and bags would be littered lip balms. I counted seven different ones on the night stand once. Then I did a wedding where the bride (Brenna, where are you girl?) and her mother were completely obsessed with Blistex Lip Medex. They had them everwhere, including the bridal emergency kit, and could not stop touting its amazing qualities. They were so adamant that I buy it but now I can see why. I put a little on before bed as a preventative measure but if your lips are severely chapped, this will help give immediate relief. It has that cooling feel and a medicinal smell but it works. It may take two or three days depending on how chapped but stick with it.

If the skin on your body is super dry, even after using thick creams or body butters, it's time for Aquaphor Healing Ointment. Like many makeup artists, I have a small one in my kit for various uses. I only recently realized that this would be perfect to put on my arms and legs and feet as a moisture treatment. It's so thick and heavy that you have to scoop it out. It feels like a thicker cleaner version of vaseline. You would think it would be unbearably greasy but it absorbs completely within minutes. It's almost magical! I'm still wondering how it's possible...

Happy Holidays!

2009-12-25T23:05:00.005-05:00

I just wanted to take a moment and wish everyone Happy Holidays. I have enjoyed meeting so many new people this year and re-connecting with old friends. Thank you for your support of this blog and for all of your wonderful ideas. Looking forward to 2010! Love, Cassandra

p.s. Here's a picture of my guys (Kai, Sho, and Takeshi) choosing our tree. This was a big decision that needed serious discussion :)

A Knot for Tying the Knot

2009-12-10T21:10:00.016-05:00

I had so much fun hanging out with Jenna and her man during the wedding trial. He played a great mix of tunes for us and kept us entertained with his comedic style. We looked at several pictures she had for hair and makeup inspiration, including this really cool one (pictured here) of hair tied half up in a big knot to the back and slightly to the side of the head. She wanted to keep her hair's natural texture and curl for the most part but just de-frizz the "jew'fro" as she lovingly referred to her mane. We added in a few straighter pieces for fun and re-curled as necessary. For her makeup she wanted pale shimmery lids, brown liquid liner, and nude glossy lips. For the month following the trial I obsessed over it and lost sleep at night thinking about her makeup. I looked at the trial photos over and over. I liked what we settled on at the trial but I often think something better is right around the corner. About a week before the wedding it hit me - this MAC pigment (cream colored that has a hint of pink in certain light) would be absolute perfection on her. I also thought of the perfect gloss for her from Rouge Cosmetics that had a nude look but with a touch more pink. I was afraid her lips were at risk of looking too washed out in photos.
On the day of the wedding I showed her the alternate colors to see what she thought and she loved them. We added a beautiful hair ornament made by her cousin who also did the wedding flowers. When I was all finished and she saw herself in the mirror, she was overcome with emotion. "This is what I wanted," she cried, "I just didn't have the words." Moments like these mean everything to me. It's what I love, it's what I hope for (that every bride loves her looks!), and it's why I lie in bed thinking about things like eye shadow at night. The groom also had to wipe away the tears when he saw her for the first time out on the balcony of their suite. Sharing a private moment together like this is really a fabulous idea. It would be hard to explain this in a blog post, but these two were made for each other. I would like to wish them a long and happy life together. You guys rock! Thank you very much to Stephanie Violette Photography for several of the lovely pictures shown. You can see a cool picture of the crazy matching purple shoes this couple wore on Stephanie's website.

What's the Dealio with Dry Shampoo?

2009-11-22T11:05:00.016-05:00

A few years ago, the concept of dry shampoo was foreign to most people but now it's being mentioned everywhere. In fact, Marie Claire magazine just named Klorane Dry Shampoo one of the 15 Best Products of ALL TIME. Rebecca Romijn said the Klorane was her one "desert island" product she couldn't live without. Dry shampoos are basically powders that absorb oil and odors and add texture. They come in a powder form (just like a bottle of baby powder) or a spray form (my favorite). Using traditional shampoo on your hair every day is a sure way to dry it out, damage it, and speedily fade out any color you've had done. Yet for many, hair becomes oily by the second day and something's gotta be done! Who might need dry shampoo? Let's see...

1. The Busy Mom - Can't take a shower until the kids are napping at 3:00 but still need to run errands and host a playdate. Luckily Oscar Blandi makes this nice travel size spray called Pronto that fits right in your diaper bag. And smells like lemon verbena!

2. The Partier - Shut the bars down at 2:00 am, hit the all night diner at 3:00, too tired to take shower by 4:00 but hair smells like cigarettes and french fries. Just spray some vanilla scented Ojon Rub-Out Dry Cleanser and pass out.

3. The Always Late One - Oh NO! Overslept again and must catch bus to work in ten minutes. Hair looks a little greasy but no time to wash. Sponge bath and dry shampoo to the rescue!

4. The Oily-haired one - Ok, here are my rules for you. Use a clarifying shampoo, do not use conditioner anywhere on your hair except the roots if you have to, and put some mousse on the roots after showering. If roots seem a little crunchy when dry, just brush through. This will help slow up the oil production. Dry shampoo should get you through the next day.

5. The Thin/Limp-haired one - You already use volumizing products and blowdry your hair upside down and all that jazz. Yet the next day you are back to thin and limp hair. Add some texture and body back with dry shampoo.

6. The Coarse-haired one - Your hair looks terrible when you first wash it, all frizzed out and unruly. Yet by day three, the natural oils have calmed it down and things are looking better. Hey, even Justin Timberlake confesses to only washing his hair every ten days. If there were just a way to wash only the roots of your hair... Oh wait! There is!

7. The Salon Regular - Don't you wish you could have that professional blow-out salon look ALL the time? Some people do. They go to the salon for a blowout once a week (say Monday or Tuesday) and then use dry shampoo to keep the style going through Friday. Multiply the price of a blowout by 4 and it doesn't seem that outrageous for having amazing hair the entire month.

8. The Stylist - There's no better way on a photo shoot to add some grip and volume to a style (especially with super clean hair) than this. Batiste is a hair stylist's kit staple and super affordable.

I thought of some more (The Camper! The Humanitarian!) but you get the idea. Remember to keep spray about 12 inches from your roots. Let dry and then brush through. Powder (try baby powder if you're not sure this is for you) needs to be shaken, then quickly open bottle and poof powder into the air ABOVE hair so that it lightly falls down on head. If you poof it directly onto the hair, you will have big white spots. It's kind of like spraying perfume in front of you and then walking into it. People with really dark brown or black hair need to be careful because even the sprays can show up as white if used too closely. There are some dry shampoos made especially for dark hair (try Orlando Pita T3 Refresh Volumizing Dry Shampoo in dark tone - also comes in light and auburn ). One of the first companies to try colored ones was Bumble and Bumble. I hope they re-formulate because it's a great concept but the product is a little too sludgy. Want to try one that's not so heavily scented? Rene Furterer Naturia Dry Shampoo may be the one for you.

L'Oreal HiP review

2009-11-07T23:20:00.009-05:00

The thing about drugstore makeup, especially powdery stuff like eye shadows and blush, is that it used to be so sheer. When trying it on, it rarely looked like the color in the case. L'Oreal HiP (High Intensity Pigments) changed all that by giving us "intense color payoff" in a drugstore brand and it has been immensely popular with regular folks and beauty editors alike. I decided to compare a few HiP versions of some of my favorite products, starting with MAC pigments (color shown: melon). A staple in every pro's kit, MAC pigments ($20) are moist (see how it clumps up from the moisture), velevety smooth, and made to adhere to the skin - unlike most shimmers that blow away or fall off without pressing them or mixing them into another product. I found the HiP Shocking Shadow Pigments (color shown: visionary) to be only slightly grainier than MAC's but adhered fairly well and looked almost the same on the skin. HiP Pigments ($12) come in a much smaller jar but it is PLENTY for individual use and it also comes with a nice little brush to apply it with. I have gotten a lot of compliments on this golden color which works great to brighten the eyelid and inner corner of the eye.

The HiP Cream Shadow Paints ($12) are almost exact replicas of the MAC paints ($16) (note: I think MAC stopped making new paint colors and changed the format to Paint Pots). You can use the little brush it comes with to apply the cream but you need to act VERY fast. Once it dries it is literally budge proof and there is no turning back. There is probably a better margin of error if you use a color that is close to your skin tone but with a dark one like steely (shown above), you need above average blending skills to use it on its own. A better idea is to use steely as a base for a super smoky eye then go over it with a dark shadow and use a fluffy brush to blend away any edges.

Several cosmetics lines are coming out with their versions of the immensely popular Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencils ($17). These are very creamy and blendable (for a short time only - about 30 seconds) and once set they do not budge. They are even waterproof and come in fun chrome metallic colors. I have been enjoying HiP's Color Chrome Eyeliner in violet volt ($10) - even though the color looks closer to navy blue in some lighting. The package says "liquid pencil" (huh?) but it goes on very smoothly like a gel. In fact it's so smooth that it's almost slippery as it glides across the eye and it's so soft that you can easily put a lot on with just a touch (slightly softer and creamier than Urban Decay's). It therefore needs constant sharpening. I almost always need a little brush or smudger to blend it just a tad so it doesn't look so much like a clear line. Also like the Urban Decay ones, you need to act fast before it sets. It claims to be smudge-resistant and I would agree with that for the most part. There are liners that last longer than this but not many in a pencil form.

Backstage at Bridal Fashion Week

2009-10-30T00:13:00.008-04:00

Like Fashion Week, Manhattan is abuzz with designers and shows and parties during Bridal Fashion Week. This year I worked behind the scenes at the Wedding Trendspot Spring 2010 runway show as part of the MG Hair and Makeup (my agency!) beauty team. The look for the models was bronze-y with coppery eyes and a "bitten" mouth. Stainiac's hint of tint lip and cheek gel stain was applied to models' lips in the universally flattering color beauty queen (sheer berry pink) and topped with a dab of sheer melon gloss. Hair was casually smoothed half back with subtle twists on the side and loose cascading curls down the back. We were each assigned a model to help dress during the show. Never a dull moment behind the stage as models sprinted back from the runway over and over, unzipping their dresses and diving into the next one, all while wearing 5-inch heels! At times it seemed surreal with all of the taffeta, chiffon, and silk layers flying around with headpieces and bustles, tulle and jewelry. Fifteen designers' collections were showcased and the pace was fast. These girls rocked it! A very big thank you to Paul Newland at Solvara.com for sharing some of his great show photos with me.

Just One of the Guys? Not Tonight!

2009-10-14T23:05:00.008-04:00

I love receiving messages like the one I got from Robyn recently. "I need to book you! I got this invitation and it says 'dress to impress!'". Special events are fun because it's a great excuse to do makeup and hair that's way more glamorous than you would normally wear. Robyn is not a big makeup wearer and dresses pretty casually. She hangs out with a lot of guys doing things like watching football. She decided this was the perfect event to remind them that she is, in fact, a woman. Channeling her inner Jessica Rabbit, she chose a slinky little black dress and super smoothed hair perfectly rounded in front and back. I told her I was feeling bold and that I really wanted to put a ton of black eyeliner and shadow on her. She had never worn black makeup in her life. "But it's a nighttime event and this will be makeup that looks good at night. Circle of trust! Circle of trust!" I said, making my case. She decided to go for it and couldn't believe it when I showed her the mirror. Even her trademark freckles were completely gone. "Woa!" she said. And apparently that's what the guys said too when they saw her. I got a two-word email the next day with these pics attached: MISSION ACCOMPLISHED!

A Perfect Mess

2009-10-08T11:29:00.016-04:00

Erin is one of the biggest characters I've ever met! Larger than life would be a total understatement. Her Motown-themed wedding in the Harlem church where she is a gospel singer was as unique as she is. And just like how she knew her man was the one for her (he agreed to dress as a can of Raid to complement her sparkly cockroach costume for Halloween), she knew exactly how she wanted her makeup. "Not too matte!" she warned me. A nice glow with long lashes and a little melon colored shimmer on the eyes to match her delicious wedding colors of creamsickle and tangerine. "Satin finish on the lips please - I'm not really a gloss girl." No problem. Love a girl who knows what she wants. When it came to the hair, she knew she wanted some texture added and finger-raked back with a few pieces falling out. We played around with the back but it just seemed too curly and "done" for her taste. On the day of the wedding she watched in the mirror as I, under her orders, roughed up the waves in the back. She kept saying "Messier!" so I went for it until I heard the word "Perfect!". Yay! Many thanks to Convey Photography for the photos. Good luck Erin! I had so much fun getting to know you!

Showing Off Some Gorgeous Hair

2009-09-27T10:59:00.012-04:00

Tristanne has some of the most beautiful hair I've ever played with: long, thick, lush, and a gorgeous deep brown color. I was excited that she decided to show it off and wear her hair down for the wedding. We went for a combination of waves, curls, and her hair's natural texture so it didn't look too "done" and had nice movement. We ended up having a fun little beauty party that morning with her sister (a complete beauty junkie like myself) doing the bride's makeup and then I did her sister's makeup. The groom's mother also joined our little beauty party. There was something very special about the way they interacted with each other. They all had so much respect and love for one another. It was such a pleasure to spend time with them. Lina Jang photographed this wedding like the rock star that she is. Good luck, Tristanne! Come back to New York soon! We miss you!

My Allure Magazine "Debut"

2009-09-26T22:05:00.012-04:00

On my very first blog post I talked about how exciting it was to have my ideas for an Allure magazine article make it all the way to their editor. She even said the ideas were great! The story was to be a re-cap of "The Year in Beauty" so I submitted ideas for makeup, hair, and fashion. I was absolutely thrilled to receive the October 2009 issue and find three of my ideas there in print! Of course I'm sure I wasn't the only one with those ideas, but still....! The three ideas that made the cut were 1) the uproar over Michelle Obama's bare arms - especially in her official First Lady portrait, 2) the media backlash over Jessica Simpson's "mom jeans", and 3) the "ugly duckling" story of the year: Susan Boyle. So I have to recommend this issue to everyone, not just so you can see my "debut", but because it's the Allure Best of Beauty 2009 issue. People like me wait for this issue all year to see what products win in each makeup, hair, and skin category. If you are confused about products or find the sheer amount of them overwhelming, this is the issue for you!

Lash Lengthener Last Call

2009-09-20T13:32:00.014-04:00

The Estee Lauder Company just announced that they are closing their Prescriptives division after 30 years as of January 31st :( That means you only have a few months left to purchase one of the best mascaras ever created and their best selling product: False Lashes. It has tiny fibers mixed into it that adhere to the ends of your real lashes to make them look even longer. If you already have a mascara that you love but like the idea of trying the fibers, get their Lash Builder Mascara Base Coat. It is a clear primer full of fibers that you put on before your regular mascara is smoothed over the top. When visiting with my neice earlier this summer, we got the chance to talk about her upcoming wedding makeup and play around with some products. Penny had just bought the new Maybelline Pulse Perfection by Define-A-Lash Vibrating Mascara [many of you know I'm a fan of the Define-A-Lash mascaras -not sure I need it to vibrate though!] and tried it with the Prescriptives Base Coat, which she often uses with her mascara. Since she already has pretty long lashes, we agreed that it was kind of "overkill" for a wedding so she ended up wearing the vibrating mascara on its own that day. As you can see from the picture I snapped, the lashes were certainly out there! For those with sensitive eyes and contact wearers, mascaras and primers that contain fibers are not recommended as they can be irritating to some wearers.

To Each Her Own

2009-09-10T14:14:00.005-04:00

Each year I wonder what the trends for bridal parties that I work with will be. This year brides seem to be very relaxed when it comes to their bridal party's hair and makeup, letting them choose a style that they like and that suits their hair length and texture. I am always careful to make sure that none of them come too close to the bride's look unless she approves of it. As an artist, it's fun to work with a "variety pack" like this wedding where I styled the bridal party's hair. They were such a fun group that I smile whenever I look at this picture. Thanks to Bill Fredericks Studio for the photos.

Mascara for Sensitive Eyes

2009-09-08T11:16:00.008-04:00

Putting mascara on your eyes is like putting shoe polish on them. For those with sensitive skin, mascara is usually the worst offender. I was just visiting with my friend Kristina and she said "You know, I'm still using that mascara you recommended to me a couple years ago. It's the only thing I've ever found that doesn't irritate my eyes or smudge all over." That is exactly the reason I love blinc mascara. You don't even need soap to remove it! A few brush strokes form micro "tubes" around the lashes that can be removed with warm water and gentle wiping. The result is a sink full of what looks like little spider legs. Weird, yet somehow great. The "tubes" stay on your lashes all day until removed but are not harsh on your eyes or lashes like a waterproof mascara is. The mascara seems to perform better after using it for about 2 weeks so give it a chance to "air out".

Born in Japan under the name KissMe, it soon became a hard-to-find cult item in boutiques across the U.S. The packaging and name have since been updated but the formula remains the same. No trendy brushes or fibers here. Just straight up wonderful mascara!

Naturally Curly Solutions

2009-08-31T11:24:00.009-04:00

I was very happy to receive an email from Nicole, a bride whose hair I styled for her wedding, reporting that her hair remained frizz-free the entire day. Yes!!! Nicole has super curly hair that is seriously prone to frizz, especially in the humid New York summers. Even so, I applauded her for choosing to showcase her beautiful natural hair (and for choosing a red wedding dress!). We decided to start with the BEST gel for curly hair on the planet: DevaCurl's AnGell, applied to super wet, combed hair. Nicole recognized and loved the gel since she had just gotten her hair cut at their famous salon, Devachan. When it comes to curls, the top two rival salons in the country are Devachan and Ouidad.

I first learned about Devachan working as an assistant at a wedding several years ago. A curly-haired bride had hired her own special stylist for the day (Lorraine Massey, Devachan founder). The bride's wet hair was so loaded with gel that I was alarmed. She was instructed to let it air dry. Both could see the concern on my face and told me not to worry - to wait and see what happened. As it dried, the hair strands plumped up into smooth, bouncy, frizz-free curls. It astounded me. I got to hear all about the philosophy behind her products and salon and none of my curly-haired friends who I've forced to go there have ever been disappointed.

Nicole's hair needed a finishing cream to smooth the strands a bit more and to add some shine. I worried that my favorite Fekkai Glossing Cream would be too oily on the gel (contains olive oil) but an extensive search of other products turned up only products that are applied to wet hair before styling. I decided to go with the John Freida Frizz-Ease Secret Weapon Flawless Finishing Cream. I found it to be very light for a finishing cream (perfect for someone with thin or oily hair) so I had to use quite a bit on Nicole. We finished with the Frizz-Ease Moisture Barrier Firm-Hold Hairspray. This spray is too firm for everyday use in my opinion, but good at blocking out humidity for special occasions. I'm looking forward to trying the new Garnier Fructis anti-humidity hairsprays (Sleek & Shine, Volumizing, and Full Control). Congrats Nicole! And thank you to Ryan Brenizer Photography for the photo!

Lauren Luke's Makeup Launch

2009-08-09T15:49:00.006-04:00

I am so proud of my girl, Lauren Luke! Long ago my friend Julie sent me one of her YouTube makeup instructional videos. It had a real homemade feel but she was incredibly bold with color and did an amazing job on herself. Best of all, she seemed like England's version of a "down home" girl. I got the feeling I was chatting about makeup with a girlfriend. In other words, you can't NOT love her. Apparently I was not the only one who liked her "every woman" appeal. Her youtube channel (screen name panacea81) subscribership grew to over 250,000 and has had millions of hits. This week her dream of having her own makeup line came true. I can't wait to try her beautiful, affordable palettes. Sephora even had a special launch for her By Lauren Luke collection at the opening of its Times Square store. Good for you, Lauren!

Indian Wedding

2009-07-19T23:35:00.010-04:00

When I met Sarah for her wedding hair and makeup trial, she told me about the Indian wedding she had planned and showed me the most gorgeous red embroidered dress and ornate jewelry she was going to wear. I was immediately excited and a little bit jealous (I want an Indian wedding! How cool!). She has straight hair that does not usually hold a curl so she had already ruled out her favorite styles and was ready to settle on a simple bun. I asked her what her dream hairstyle was and to let me decide whether or not it was doable. She wanted textured hair that was finger combed to the side into a subtly messy curly little chignon. I thought we should at least TRY for it - it is a trial after all. We were both pleasantly surprised with the result. We decided on a grey smoky eye but kept it very very light since she was not used to wearing so much makeup. Then came the element that we would both lose tons of sleep over: lip color. She normally wears pale pinks but they seemed washed out and did not match the dress. Warmer versions looked too warm. Sheer reds and darker colors looked too vampish. As a former bride myself (who obsessed over the day's lip color for ages), I decided we needed more time to shop for the perfect color. She would go to the makeup counter and find one that she liked and I would continue to search. It began to haunt me. Should I break my "red lips" rule? No red lips at a wedding unless it is part of her everyday makeup routine and people are used to seeing her that way. But this was an Indian wedding - certainly cause for a waiver. I consulted my colleagues and they all recommended a flesh tone. Yes. Something close to the natural color of her lips. When we met back up on her wedding day she showed me the results of three trips to various counters: glossy red, long lasting red, and exactly-matching-the-dress red. I showed her the two fleshy nudes I found (ones with enough color that she wouldn't looked washed out) and you cannot believe her reaction. Is there a word that means jubilant relief? We tried it on and she sighed so heavily I could see the weight on her shoulders instantly lifted. "I didn't want to wear red!" she confessed. "You don't have to" I said. And with that I was reminded of why I have the "red lips rule" in the first place. You can look more glamorous on your wedding day - it is a special occasion after all - but you still should look like you. Congratulations Sarah! You are a sweetheart! A special thanks to Lewis Studios for the beautiful photos.

Braids Are Back

2009-07-19T00:33:00.006-04:00

Hollywood is crazy for braids. A few stars had been sporting the style but when Jennifer Aniston wore her hair in a braided headband to the Oscars, the floodgates were opened. Now I'm starting to see this look not only in the streets but at weddings. Here is one style I did recently for the sister of the bride. She wanted most of her hair down like Jennifer Aniston but the braid to come up the side more like Anne Hathaway. Isn't she cute?!

longwear lip options

2009-07-05T22:02:00.008-04:00

I often receive emails from friends and previous clients about product advice. As they know, I love to talk product! Here's an email I just received the other day: "Dearest Cassandra, When my mother was last visiting, she noted that my lipstick doesn't stay on very well, but that other brands would. I knew immediately who to ask. Which brands stay on the best? What are your recommendations? Please cover this on your blog and/or my Facebook Wall at your earliest convenience. All best, Lipstick-needing Lisa". Lisa: you know I'm partial to lipgloss for everyday wear. I just think it looks fresh and youthful. I think you would look absolutely lovely in a shimmery (not glittery) pale (not too pale) pink gloss. There are loads of long-wearing lipsticks out there. Many of them seem a bit dry or "serious" looking. The really moist ones do not last very long - perhaps this is the kind you are using now. Luckily there are some new solutions to get the look of a gloss without feeling super dried out AND they actually last a long time. Option 1: L'Oreal Infallible Never Fail Lipgloss, which allegedly lasts 6 hours. I was impressed with this product's longevity. It felt like a gloss, went on like a gloss, and lasted a very long time. After a while it only looks like a gloss but feels more like a moist lipstick but it certainly outlasted regular gloss. Option 2: Maybelline Superstay Gloss. This looks like a gloss but you need to apply it carefully and let it set (dry completely). The color makes a little film that bonds to your lips and stays on for allegedly 16 hours. You then apply clear gloss over the top as much or as little as you like throughout the day. They have a beautiful selection of colors - Beaming Blush is a gorgeous nude - and are available in drugstores everywhere. Covergirl also makes a version of this product. If the glossy feel is not for you, try Maybelline's Superstay Lipcolor which comes with a balm topcoat instead of a gloss. [Lisa, they have a pink one with gold shimmer that would look great on you]. The downside is that these can crack after several hours and leave teeny lines in your lips. Still they are quite impressive! Option 3: super hardcore stays on for 2 days...LipSense Liquid Lip Color. This product is perfect for occasions like weddings where you want the color to last all day with no touch-ups. Like the Maybelline, you apply the color and let it set. This stings a bit (briefly) as it stains the first few layers of your lips. Once it dries it's on there until you remove it (coat with vaselline and then scrub off with washcloth). Several of these are sheer colors that let your real lip color show through (try the ones with champagne in the name). You can also do two coats for a more intense color. You will need to choose a gloss or balm to go over it and the company sells several different finishes. Lisa, if you are interested I recommend the color Pink Champagne - a light shimmery wash of pink (more natural than bubblegummy). The company works like Avon so you have to order from a distributor. You can look them up on-line and order from their web page. Products are sent to you very quickly. I hope you find something that works for you. Let me know how it goes!

best summer lip stain

2009-06-24T00:12:00.003-04:00

There are three sure signs that summer has arrived in my world: the makeup stores are loaded with bronzers, the magazines are loaded with beachy waves hair how to's, and my li'l old man is back at the park with his sno cone cart. I find myself looking at his usual spot in the winter and spring and feeling wistful -hoping he is not gone for good. So I just had my first cherry flavored hand-scraped cone of the season ($1!) and it left the most beautiful sheer red lip stain. If you have the misfortune of not living near a sno cone cart, there's always Stila's best selling Cherry Crush lip and cheek stain. Fresh and youthful, even in the sweltering heat.

Make Up For Ever

2009-06-22T09:46:00.008-04:00

I am thoroughly enjoying the Make Up For Ever pro program which includes trainings and introductions to pro-grade products. Their NYC store recently hosted a product talk and demonstration for our NYC Makeup Artist Meetup Group. Their new HD (High Definition) line was the big buzz at last year's Makeup Show. When I finally tried their HD Powder, I was amazed. To me, all translucent powders are pretty much the same. They are supposed to be colorless and used to set product on the skin. For example, you'd apply it to the face when you have the foundation and concealer exactly how you want it and don't want it altered by adding colored powder. It's often used in between layers of lipstick to make that first layer really set. The problem is that they're not really translucent. They can look kind of white, especially against darker skin tones. The HD Powder was so finely milled that it barely stayed on my brush. The little particles flying around weightlessly in the air were a beautiful sight. Dusting it lightly onto a client's face was even more lovely a sight. It toned down the shine and set the foundation and concealer without looking powdery and overly matte. My MAC version now looks like ground up chalk dust in comparison. I haven't found any artist who has tried the HD and doesn't like it. I was even talking to a friend who is a corporate trainer for MAC and he confessed that their artists were secretly emptying their MAC powder containers and filling them with this. I think word has gotten back to the folks at MAC, as they have come out with a new version of their translucent powder: Prep + Prime Transparent Finishing Powder (which I have not tried). A lot of Make Up For Ever's products are not user friendly (hard to blend, too heavy/intense for everyday, etc.). If you are interested in trying their stuff, go for the HD products or the Aqua Eyes waterproof eyeliners in a fun variety of colors.

Armani Face Fabric - like buttuh

2009-06-11T23:46:00.004-04:00

I had the immense pleasure of trying Giorgio Armani's Face Fabric Second Skin nude makeup (spf 12) today. I rarely get to Saks anymore but was surprised to find it at Nordstroms. WOW. Love at first touch... and I kept touching my face for the rest of the day. I cannot even describe how it feels. It's light and creamy - like buttercream frosting- but then instantly dries to the smoothest thing you've ever felt. They call this it's "unique (3d) micro-fil formulation." It's not a tinted moisturizer because with those you feel a moistness on the face. It seems too light to call a foundation, although it does have some tint. As promised, you get a no-makeup look. Super super natural, yet skin is evened out and discoloration is gone. I would recommend this for anyone with already lovely skin or people who are not big on wearing foundation but want to take the first step. An expensive indulgent little treat to keep in mind!

Adventures in Self Tanning

2009-06-10T23:07:00.007-04:00

I haven't fake baked since 1991. My aunt had a tanning bed in her house and I saw her skin turn into leather. Seriously. I reached to Bain de Soleil but those early self tanners were dark and and orange-y and not very believable. Luckily new strides are being made every day in this arena. For the past few years I have used L'Oreal Sublime Bronze for the body. I like the fact that it's tinted so I can see if I'm missing any spots and has some subtle gold sparkle in it. [Note: thumbs down on their any angle spray version of this]. I also like the fact that I'm tan after one application. It was always too dark to apply to my feet/ankles and I could never reach my back so I ended up using Neutrogena MicroMist Sunless tanning spray for those areas. I could never apply the spray evenly for the whole body, nor could I stand the smell of spraying my whole body with it (think of that brown liquid you find in an antique perfume bottle from 1948). So even though I found a winning combo to get the look right, I hated lying around waiting for it to dry in the muggy summers feeling greasy and smelling like self tanner. I decided to try the famed Jergens natural glow Daily Moisturizer. I felt like I had done so much work applying it nice and evenly (not tinted so I was scared of missing a spot) and it was barely noticeable. On the third day I grew tired of "building" my tan. I knew what I was getting into but realized I am just not a daily body moisturizing kind of gal. Recently I read 2 great reviews of the new foam version of it, Jergens natural glow Foaming Daily Moisturizer, and decided to give it a try. They claimed it did not streak, did not smell, and dried rapidly. Intriguing! It came with a sample bottle of the Healthy Complexion Daily Moisturizer (spf 20 for the face) so I tried that too. After just one (heavy!) application, two neighbors asked where I'd been that I got so tan. They couldn't believe it was fake. Then I showed them my usually bright white legs. They winced at the streaks. I loved the "barely there" smell so much I decided to try again. I figured out that I was using WAY too much product. It comes out like hair mousse but does not dissipate the way hair mousse does. A little goes a long way. It feels lotion-y on, but much lighter than the others I'd tried. Two back-to-back light applications looks quite nice. I still use the neutrogena for the feet and back. The face stuff looks great and like the foam, not much is needed for a nice glow. If you are the palest whitest person you know and the thought of self tanner scares you, I recommend the lotion version which somehow seems slightly more subtle. And remember the old rules of putting vaseline or shea butter or the like over knees, elbows, and ankles before applying any tanning product. And just say NO to real tans from the real sun. Why age your skin even more?!!

Chris March!

2009-06-07T23:46:00.003-04:00

Today I and some friends were out at the Hell's Kitchen flea market and who do we spy? Chris March - everyone's favorite crazily creative Project Runway contestant. When asked what he was doing today he just said "Puttering." Yup yup, us too.

Farewell to Max Factor Makeup :(

2009-06-05T00:12:00.005-04:00

Proctor and Gamble announced that they will no longer be selling Max Factor makeup in the U.S. beginning early next year. I have to give them credit for trying, though. Even with the help of Carmen Electra ads and Pat McGrath's prestige in the makeup world, they still struggled. When I got married in 2001 they had just come out with the first long lasting semi-permanent lip color: Lipfinity. I mixed a pink and orange color together for my own wedding day and it lasted well into the night. Thanks for the memories, Max!

Jenny B.'s Wedding

2009-06-03T16:00:00.014-04:00

I just heard from Jenny B. that her cool beach-themed wedding cake is being featured on Brides.com ! Jenny and I worked together way way back in the day, locked away in a small windowless office . I would console myself by putting makeup on Jenny while she would tell me her latest dating woes. She made me promise that if she ever got married I would do her wedding makeup. Fast forward to May 2009, I kept my promise and went to the DC area for the big day. Her sister, the Matron of Honor, and I both had babies with us so she got to "test drive" them for a bit. I wanted to do a nice silvery shadow on the lids to accent her blue eyes. When I got there, I found her to be very tan and wanting something bronze-y. I switched to a warmer silver (has a touch of brown in it) and did a bronze crease. Unusual combo but looked great with peachy cheeks and tan skin. One of her bridesmaids had the cutest hairstyle. It's a great idea for those who have chin-length or bobbed hair but want to put it up or do something different for the occasion. Congrats Jenny! I'm glad you found Mr. Right.

Ask and Ye Shall Receive

2009-06-02T23:09:00.005-04:00

So today as I prepared to enter the blogosphere, I was hoping something interesting would happen that I could write about. Sure enough, I received a fabulous little email from my friend who works at Allure magazine. Now you have to understand that for me Allure is the holy grail of beauty magazines. She mentioned a piece for the magazine they were working on and wondered if I had any ideas to contribute. HELLO!!! Bien sur. And best of all, these ideas made their way to the editor and she responded back that they were good and thanked me. Woo hoo! It will be fun to see if they make their way into magazine after all.