July 2006

Slick Summer Beauty... NYC Style!

By Rhonda Jackson

Okay makeup and beauty fashionista's, I'm ready to give you

"the dish" on the top products, and insider beauty tips straight from NYC!

That's right, I was lucky to rub shoulders with some of the top makeup artists in the fashion and beauty industry such Billy B., Sam Fine, and Tobi Britton during Makeup Week in New York -like fashion week for makeup artists. Just imagine hundreds of makeup companies, makeup studios, and industry's top makeup artists all under one roof during the two day Makeup Show, which kicked off the fabulous Makeup Week in Chelsea, New York! So I stayed cool, but my ears were hot on getting the latest and greatest info on products, beauty tools, and airbrushing!

Getting the 411 on beauty from top makeup artists in the industry was truly "The Buzz" for everyone who was in-the-know.

Billy B, Makeup artist for Super Celebs such as; Madonna, Mary J. Blige, Beyounce (Destinys Child), Pink, Mariah Carey, TLC, Missy Elliott, and Christina Aguilera (just to name a few) gave us his favorite products to work with and here's theskini:

FACE Atelier foundation- contains a silicone ingredient to keep makeup smooth and in check- especially in the hot summer heat. MAC Studio Fixx Spray- great for setting makeup also contains a bit of silicone and will give your makeup an airbrushed look when used in between foundation application and over finishing powder. Billy says it "seals your makeup perfectly." Not to mention the cucumber aroma is very cooling on hot summer skin. 

Kevyn Aucoin foundation/concealer pots- these universal foundations have so much pigment and coverage that it only takes a minimal amount to create smooth, flawless skin, which is perfect for days when all you need is a little concealer under the eyes or to cover a blemish.

MAC invisible setting powder- will set any foundation or concealer shade without leaving a trace of powder on the skin. Billy B. used it to keep eye concealer and creme blush color in check! 

After getting the scoop from the brilliant Billy B., I was off to find Sam Fine whose elegant style (and hands of God) has graced the faces of Iman, Naomi Campbell, Alicia Keys, Tyra Banks, Alek Wek, Queen Latifah, Patti Labelle, and Vanessa Williams-and believe me the list goes on.

Here's theskini straight from Sam!

Kiehls moisture mask- Sam moisturizes the entire face with this product before applying any makeup. He especially concentrates around the eyes and lips (the driest parts of the face). After applying he tissues off any excess and "viola" beautiful, glowing skin, the perfect canvas for beautiful makeup.

Alcone makeup sponges- Sam swears that these are the best for smoothing and blending (find'em at alcone.com).

Pressed Powder & Bronzer by Iman- these universal shades give the correct color range for women of color (Sam uses them on Alicia Keys and Tyra Banks), but my "lighter" sisters can find a great bronzer in Iman's line for them too!

YSL loose Powder- According to Sam this is the best for setting your makeup and for touch up during the day.

Shu Umera Blush #58d- Okay this is a hot color that is perfect for anyone who wants a chic cheek for those hot (like mui caliente!) summer nights- add a touch of bronzer and you will feel the need to tango!  Sam uses this color to give cheeks a little "sizzle".

Sam Fine is a true perfectionist when it comes to brows.  He swears by Maybelline eyebrow pencils that come in shades such as blonde, light brown, medium brown, and black.  " They give perfect definition to the brows without being too waxy or too dark." Sam uses a clear brow mascara first (check out the one by Smashbox) to lift and hold brows in place. This is also a great way to see if there are any "stragglers" that need to be tweezed away. Next, Sam lightly fills in the brow where needed using small "hair-like" strokes. " Just remember to keep the brow pencil color as close as you can to your hair shade for the most natural looking brows," says Sam. 

Next, it was off to get theskini from Airbrush guru Tobi Britton!

Tobi is a master of makeup airbrushing, which is gaining popularity within the makeup industry and has been a secret for years with celebrities who want a truly flawless look for red carpet events, magazine covers, and high definition television. Not to mention makeup companies like Dior and Sally Hansen that have added airbrush foundations in an aerosol can to their cosmetic lines.

Tobi gave us the scoop on the latest techniques in airbrushing and how you can get an airbrushed look!

Here's theskini:

Prep skin with a lightweight moisturizer (Yonka is Tobi's favorite) and apply concealer where needed.   Next, Tobi recommends using a water-based or silicone based liquid foundation for long lasting coverage. (Insiders tip: Revlon Colorstay can be used in your airbrush with a fluid silicone thinner). Check out, OCC (Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics), Temptu, and Kett for the best formulations and current airbrush foundations and colors.

Slowly and steadily start airbrushing over the face, controlling the pressure with your finger. For those of you who have never done this before, Tobi recommends practicing on your legs before applying to face. This is also a great way to perfect flawless leg color for those summer shorts and dresses.

After airbrushing foundation, use a large, soft, powder brush to lightly blend out hairline and jawline areas for an absolute flawless finish.

"What you will love about airbrushing is that it is truly weightless on the skin and virtually undetectable", says Tobi. Not to mention it stays that way until you wash it off!

After the excitement of Beauty Week, I hit the New York City streets to see what products I could find to keep cool & cute during the Minneapolis summer streak.

Here's what I found:

*Primer for face by Napoleon- lightweight, yet durable. Kept my tinted moisturizer and creme bronzer in place.

*Fast Lash by Tweezerman- Love this! Longer lashes instantly, just apply to lashes before and after mascara. This is 100% better that a regular lash primer. It kind of looks like cotton candy (polyester fiber) on your lashes before you apply your mascara over it for super length and thickness!

*Instant Smooth Perfecting Touch makeup base by Clarins- a real miracle product that fills in fine lines and can be used under and over makeup, I loved how it worked under lip gloss too!

 

...Now That's Theskini!::permalink


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