Greetings from my Flight from New York City with The Pussy Cat Dolls. Life has become more hectic so I am taking these peaceful 6 hours and using them to answer the questions you have all sent over the past few weeks.
I first want to thank you all for the response to the video tutorial Kim and I made for you all. It became bigger than either of us expected and we thank you so much for your thanks and kind words. We are currently putting together our next one and will let you know when to look for it. Blog subscriptions really help justifying the cost, so make sure you all subscribe to mine and tell your friends to do the same.
Over the last month, many other exciting things have happened professionally and personally. Season 3 of Keeping up with Kardashians has been keeping me busy and getting me up way too early :) Adrienne Bailon (Cheetah Girls) has had a lot going on too, so she and I have been spending a ton of time together. Mine and Nigel's Goddaugher got the shock of her life a couple of weeks ago when Adrienne invited her to join us all for the world premier of One World. There's a great picture of the two of them in my albums. SO cute!! Of course, the Pussy Cat Dolls are dragging me across country so there is plenty of stuff going on. Additionally, I have lots of really exciting things that I cannot tell you yet since it is all in the pipeline. I will let you know when I can.
Personally, life is no less hectic. Nigel's birthday is on Labor Day and I am throwing him a big party. We are also moving into a new condo on the 6th of September and adding about 1000 sqft to our living space. Our lives are little more than stacks of taped up boxes right now and we are both feeling the stress. We just ordered a ton of custom made furniture from India and Tibet so we are really looking forward to moving in and making ourselves a spiritually restorative home. Nigel can't wait to go back to London and pick himself up an authentic teapot. I guess you can take the boy out of England but not England outta the boy!!!
Ok, on with the questions...
What colors look best on dark skintones?
The darker the skintone the more color you can get away with. Just remember to play up one feature: the eyes or the lips (but not both).
Lips look fuller with a brighter color and gloss. but dont go overboard!
Eyelash tinting is a great idea if you usally don't wear makeup. It does not give the thickness that a masscara will.
I did not realize (when doing my makeup spot with Adrienne and Kim) that MAC discontinued the 180 kabuki brush. I have not found a BRUSH that I like as much as the kabuki 180. When I do, I will be sure to post about it. I also recommend that you write into MAC and request they bring it back. I am getting a lot of emails from MAC consultants telling me that tons of people are going in telling them about the videos and about me, so I am sure they will know what you are talking about.
Darker, smokey eyes are best on a larger eye. Smaller eyes need lighter colors. If your eyes are close-set, try not lining them and putting a litttle light shimmer in the inner corner.
I like using blush in the cream or liquid form, but you still have to go with what looks best on your skin. The makeup I do is not always for everyday. A dry, powder blush might be best for you if you have oily skin.
Makeup is something that definitely has a varied price range. I think that, for the most part, you can get a great foundation at any price. Stick to what you can afford, but the less expensive makeup doesn't transfer to your skin the way it should and you end up using more of it. MAC doesn't do that and last forever, so it might make sense for you to put in a little initial investment.
As far as brushes go, make sure they are from free range animals. This means they DO NOT kill the animals to collect the hair. I know MAC brushes are inexpensive for how long they last and, most importantly, are FREE RANGE! Nigel is a member of PETA and asked that I tell you all to make sure you follow this rule.
I know I have told a lot of you, but I just wanted to mention that I use a skin product called Sodashi (Sodashi.com) on all my clients. They are now using it on themselves. It is a high end, organic line that I believe is the best on the market. It is expensive but well worth the investment. If you have any questions about it, I will gladly answer them.
Well, I think I have covered some of the questions you all have asked. Please understand that, although I try to answer each of you personally, it is often more time effective for me to answer you in my blog.
I hope you are all well and happy. Thanks again for your endless support and your emails. Keep them coming.
Oh, one last thing: Don't forget to vote on LETCALIFORNIARING.ORG. Nigel and I thank you all, from our hearts and from the hearts of those you might know and love and who love you, for your part in giving life to equality. This is an important fight.
Best,
Stephen
The Makeup Man Inc