A lot of women ask about my make-up and beauty secrets.  I'm glad, because I love talking make-up!  I'm incredibly happy to help. 

Foundation: Laura Mercier oil-free (sunny beige)

I have used this brand 'off and on' for years now.  I apply it with a foundation brush and then blend it with my fingers.  It's not too heavy and it's not too light.  It photographs well.  It doesn't cause breakouts and the coverage is good.  It's often challenging to find just the right shade in this brand, and sometimes I'm in between shades, but when this happens I go lighter rather than darker.

There are several other great foundations out there, but because my skin is acne-proned I have to be careful what I try.  If you are apt to breaking out as well, I suggest you stick to oil-free.  Watchout for foundations containing SPF...they can also cause acne even when they are oil-free.     

Loose Powder: Laura Mericer oil-free (trans)

This is the great mainstay loose powder.  I use it to set my foundation.  *Should be applied with a large puff to get that polished matte look.  You can buy the high quality puffs, which I suggest from Laura Mericer for $12.  This powder will not fail you.  It is absolutely flawless.  It has a natural finish and doesn't clog pores.  This powder will last 6 months.   

Under Eye Concealer: Amazing Cosmetics www.amazingcosmetics.com

I can't say enough about this concealer.  In my opinion it is the best!  If there is something better out there, I don't know about it.  This is made to go underneath the eyes to cover darkness.  It truly does do its job!  Very good stuff!  1st I apply it with a brush and then tap with my finger around eyes.  This product is very concentrated, so you won't need much.  Be sparing. ***Never forget to set with a concealer powder!!!  This is a vital step in looking picture perfect.          

Concealer powder: Laura Mercier

This is the powder I use to set my concealer.  It's a finer ground powder, perfect for around the eyes on delicate skin.  This is a very important step, because it gives the finishing touches for a flawless, polished look.  Apply with concealer brush.

Concealer powder brush: Laura Mercier

This is probably my favorite brush.  So important!  Perfectly shaped to smooth under eyes and get in the corners.  Holds just the right amount of powder.  Roll or tap over eye area with brush to set powder in place over fresh applied concealer.  This will hold you concealer in place for most of the day.

Blush: Lorac oil-free (pink)

I really like this blush a lot.  One reason is because it will not break you out.  Many many blushes will, especially if they contain glitter or shimmer.  My favorite color in this brand is matte pink, which I wear in many of my shoots.  It looks extremely bright in its container, but when you apply it, it looks completely natural and fresh.  Only apply it to the apples of your cheeks (in a circular motion).  Apply with a high quality brush...you'll definitely see the difference.

Bronzer: Laura Mercier, Lorac, Chanel

This is a product I use sparingly!  In my opinion, bronzers are to be lightly brushed over top of forehead, temples, nose, under cheekbones, and on the jawline ~ to add a sunkissed glow and/or to contour to your bone structure.  You're trying to achieve the look of..."I'm healthy and have some color".  I don't use bronzer all the time.  Mainly at night...rarely during the day. It is important to buy a high quality bronzer and the proper brush to apply it.

Bronzer can be a great addition to your look, especially if you're skilled at the contouring aspect of it to enhance your natural bone structure.  Contouring with bronzer can give you an exceptional look.  However, make sure you DON'T contour with orange or pink bronzers. 

Blush Brush: M.A.C.

Pretty self-explanatory.  Quality brushes are so important!  Breakdown and get them!  I used to make myself buy at least 1 brush each time I went to the make-up counter.  You'd be surprised, it doesn't take long and you've got all you need.  The good things is they last a very very long time...maybe forever if you take care of them. 

Brow shadow: Laura Mercier (Brunette)

This also is such an important step in beauty.  Your brows frame your eyes and really make a big different in your overall look.  It is most important to get it right - meaning apply it properly and don't "draw" anything unnatural.  I've tried all kinds of things with my brows: thick, thin, in between, arched, angled, and straight.  Brow shape and color can dramatically alter your look...for the better or worse.  Too thin can make women look older and harsh.  It is important to have hair there!  Let it grow!  Throw your tweezers away until you have enough hair in plain sight.  A child's face is characterized by bushy brows.  Thick, healthy brows represent strong hormones and vitality.  Instinctually, when we see weak thin brows our brains tell us that person is perhaps unhealthy or maybe their hormones are gone?  Not biologically attractive.  On the otherhand, heavy, unkept brows look dirty and overpowering.  They actually take away from the person's face.  Not good either. 

So, my overall suggestion is to allow your brows to completely grow out in their natural form, then gradually start to shape by removing stray hairs from outer edges.  Use brow powder/shadow to fill in spars areas, enhance arch, darken overall shade, or lengthen outer tips.  Here is an extra tip: keep darker shades of brow shadow only on the middle/outer portion of brows.  It will look less harsh.                             

This product gives you two shades, a mocha brown and a light black.  This is perfect for my complexion, but they also offer lighter shades as well that will suit both light and darker blondes and redheads, etc...

Doing great brows is an art.  It starts with a nice natural shape, then depends heavily on a good waxing and shaping - it's topped off with expert shadowing.  Brows are so much fun to play with.  Just remember don't pull out too much hair.  Sometimes it never grows back :(             

Brow brush: Stila

This is a nice brush I've had for some time.  There are other good ones out there too.  It should be sharply angled with very stiff hair. 

Eye Shadow: M.A.C., Stila, Laura Mericer, Mary Kay, Nars, Urban Decay, Chanel, etc...

It is important to try all kinds of high quality shadows.  Play with them...experiment with color.  M.A.C. is really great, because they have so many colors and shades, and they are reasonably priced.  I like to see shadows go on the way the look in the pot.  If I buy bright, metallic green...I want it to look that way on my lids.  Don't let the trendy packaging fool you!  Try it on in the store.  DO NOT stick with the same colors that you wore in 12th grade!  Please!  Life is too short and you're too beautiful.  There is no such thing as "this looks best on you".  That statement is according to the source only.  Most people working at make-up counters are far from experts.  Don't base your looks on their opinions.  You can lightly take their advice, but use your own common sense.  The very best advice I can give you for applying eye shadow and making it look amazing is to READ, READ, READ!  You need to invest in some well-known make-up books (easily found at Barnes & Noble).  Another key factor is fashion magazines...pay attention to detail and try to mimic what you see.  Allure Magazine is one of the very best for keeping us abreast of various trendy and beauty inspired make-up looks (including many close-up pictures).  If see something you really like and want to try, but aren't sure how to achieve the look -- take the picture and go to a counter like M.A.C., where they are open to helping people with new colors and technics.                                 

Eyeliner: M.A.C. (black waterproof)

This is a must...a staple for all occasions.  I only use one other color of eyeliner and that's bright white for the inner rim of my lower lid.  That's another trick of the trade.   

Lipliner: M.A.C., Shishido, Nars, Estee Lauder

This is an area I get asked about all the time. Lipliner can be tricky, but it's absolutely the best when applied correctly.  I don't believe all this Hollywood hype about "doing away with lip liner".  Forget about it! 

Sometimes you'll even read where make-up artist loath it and urge people not use it.  This is BS.  As a personal rule of thumb; always buy a lipliner that matches the color of your natural lips.  In M.A.C. this color is called Spice, which is pinkish/tan.  It goes very well with most lip colors, lipsticks, and glosses.  If your lipstick is noticeably lighter than the liner, simply blend it in by putting the lipstick over it.  Use your pinky finger to smear and blend until there is no more harsh line.  A faint line is acceptable, but a seamless blend is best.  Lipliner definitely enhances the size of your lips too, this is no secret, but do not draw too far outside of the borders.  It really looks odd and it is noticeable.  Instead, if you want to make your lips appear fuller, use lipliner on the lip's outer borders and make sure you keep contact with your actual lip. Use your liner to lightly color in the entire lip and prep it for lipstick or gloss.                           

Lipstick: M.A.C., Lorac, YSL, Christian Dior

Okay, everybody asks me about my lipstick colors.  I wish I could tell you just one.  That would be easy, but I use all kinds.  I mostly use mattes and satins.  I'm not big on high shines and glosses, but I do I have them for occasions.  I love lipstick...much more than glosses or paints!  My two favorite colors from M.A.C. that I use all the time are: HoneyLove, Amp it up, and Snob.  I also really like Brownberry from Clinique.  All have matte/satin finishes.  Not everyone looks good in mattes or nudes.  Some people think they look dead.  I like them, because they're pouty, but not screaming for attention.  Just try them on and play around.       

Lipgloss: M.A.C., Chanel Glossimers, Christian Dior, Too Faced, Pout

Again, these are great on occasion.  Some people absolutely love glosses and don't wear anything, but glosses.  However, you asked about me, right?  Glosses are great if you're not playing-up your eyes.  Typically, I aim to "pop" my eye color, which means I'm wearing full eye make-up, so that's why I settle my lips with matte colors.  If I wear subtle eye make-up, I tend to layer on the lip gloss.  I love glittery pinks and peaches best, but I also have some flat lavenders and tans too.  Everything has it's place and time, believe me.  I'm not into blues and greens...to me that's kind of lame.  Lip Glossimers by Chanel are best...talking about amazing pigment and thickness.              

Mascara: Lancome Definicils

The best.

Liquid Eye liner: M.A.C., Chanel

I use this for a dramatic line that pencil won't give.  Practice 1st, because it takes a steady hand.