Wednesday, April 15, 2009

Leaving for NYC....

I'm going to New York today for a week of meetings and hopefully some fun! I will be quiet for a while but will hopefully come back with some new finds to tell you all about....

Tuesday, April 14, 2009

Foundation 101




Here is my guide to getting a perfect base:

You must start with clean, smooth skin. I suggest cleansing thoroughly with an oil like Nude Skincare Cleansing Facial Oil http://www.nudeskincare.com/ to remove all traces of makeup and dirt. Then smooth your skin's texture and brighten at the same time with Liz Earle's Brightening Treatment http://www.lizearle.com/ which is a quick face mask that you remove with a hot muslin cloth that acts like a mild exfoliant and revives dull complexions. Next apply a non greasy moisturiser suited to your skin type - for aging and or dry skin I like Alpha Derma CE by Janson Beckett http://www.janson-beckett.com/ as it has tightening properties and leaves skin glowing. If you have oily/combination skin try Oil Control Mattifier by Murad http://www.murad.com/ which is honestly the only oil control lotion I have ever found that actually does the job (this is also good during the Summer months or in humid climates to control shine)!

Now you've prepped your complexion you can massage in a primer if you like to use them - my favorites are Face Forward Primers (both Age Response and Acne Response Formulas) by http://www.alisonraffaele.com/ . Let the primer settle for a minute and then take your preferred base, I use Hourglass Veil Fluid Makeup http://www.hourglasscosmetics.com/ on all my clients, and put a little on the back of your hand. Using a wedge sponge (I prefer sponges to brushes as I think brushes just leave a mask like layer on top of the skin and it looks heavy and unnatural) dip into the foundation and blend well from the inner areas of your face out towards the edges. You usually need more foundation in the center of your face and less on the outer, as the skin is usually finer here. Blend thoroughly, making sure there are no tide marks under your chin and you have blended around the nose, an area people don't check and believe me I've seen it looking extremely crusty before - not a good look! Taking a good concealer especially formulated for the delicate skin under the eyes (Age Repairing Brightener by http://www.jouer.com/ is ideal) dot it straight from the tube or using a small brush apply it from the inner corners to the outer corners, not forgetting the little crease at the edge of the eye and gently blend with your ring finger. If you are using the right concealer it won't cake or accentuate lines and will make you look brighter and younger. Using a smaller brush conceal any pimples by dotting concealer on top and patting it in, being careful not to rub it off - Acne Treatment Concealer by http://www.murad.com/ is great for this. If you use cream blusher now is the time to add it to the apples of your cheeks and yes you guessed it blend, blend, blend! Dust a very fine layer of powder over your your whole face with a big fluffy brush to set your makeup, help it last and also give it an airbrushed quality - Hourglass Invisible Veil Powder is perfect as is Transparent Finish Powder by Alison Raffaele.

You now should look flawless and have a great canvas for the rest of your makeup!

Saturday, April 11, 2009

Alison Raffaele Cosmetics

So.....I had a late night last night and woke up feeling none too pretty. I was very happy though when I opened my door to the mailman and received a parcel of makeup from www.alisonraffaele.com the company that has amazing bases, primers and concealers. I have just tried the Face Forward Primer in the Age Response Formula which created a really smooth base then with the True Concealer and Transparent Finish Powder on top, my skin looked great - I didn't even need foundation! I will definitely be trying these out on my celebrity clients very soon....

Wednesday, April 8, 2009

Parminder Nagra's makeup for the ER Finale party

Thanks to Talking Makeup’s Celebrity makeup artist contributor, Melissa Walsh, we have the scoop to how to get Parminder Nagra’s at the ER Finale Party.
Parminder Nagra is an English actress who came to international prominence in 2003 after starring in Bend It Like Beckham. More recently she starred in the Emmy Award-winning American medical drama series ER.
Melissa Walsh: “I started with a light base of Hourglass Fluid Veil foundation and brightened under her eyes with Jouer Age Repairing Eye Brightener.
I gave her cheeks a glow with Jouer Cream Tint in Petal and then dusted all over with Hourglass Invisible Veil powder to set the base.
I used a combination of Cream Eyeshadows Urban Decay in Moonshine and Asphalt on the lid, blended well and then created more depth with Smashbox powder eyeshadow in Obsidian along the top and bottom lash lines.
I finished the look by lining inside the eye with Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil in Zero and added Tarte 4 Day Stay Lash Stain on the lashes for ultimate staying power!

I lined Parminder’s lips with Hourglass lipliner in Bare and filled in with Girlactik lipgloss in Pin Up to complete her glamorous look.”

To see the complete piece including pictures go to: http://talkingmakeup.com/beauty-news/get-the-look-parminder-nagras-makeup-at-the-er-finale-party/

Tuesday, April 7, 2009

Check out my how to get Reese Witherspoon's look on The Daily Obsession

How To: Get Reese Witherspoon’s Natural Look
Posted by The Daily Obsession
on April 7, 2009
We simply adore Reese Witherspoon and think she’s totally gorgeous. We also think she’s been making more smart, but bold fashion choices lately. We particularly liked her fashion-forward Rodarte dress at a recent premiere and thought her makeup complimented the choice appropriately.
We wondered how to get a similar naturally gorgeous look and asked celebrity makeup artist Melissa Walsh to help us out! “Reese’s look is natural with a modern twist,” says Melissa. “The matte pink lips rather than the usual neutral shade update a classic and give it a new fresh feel.” To get the look, follow Melissa’s instructions behind the cut.
1) Start with a light base of a glowy tinted moisturizer such as Jouer Luminizing Tint and conceal any areas that need extra help. Then brighten under the eyes with a product especially formulated for the job like Smashbox Photo Op. Next, dust a very fine milled translucent powder all over the face to eliminate shine but still keep an ethereal quality to the skin.
3) On the eyes, start with a light camel colored semi matte shadow all over the lid (Urban Decay has a great selection), deepen the crease with a slightly darker brown shade, but be careful not to be heavy handed. Blend well.
4) Define the lash line with a liquid eyeliner pen. (Melissa likes Hourglass Calligraphy in Ebony.) Shade under the lower lash lines with a light brown pencil; Cargo Eye Pencil in Wood is a good shade. Two coats of volumizing mascara finishes the eyes and adds extra depth.
5) Fill in your eyebrows lightly with a color that is as close as possible to your natural shade. Melissa uses Tarte Toolbox, which has a combo of brow gel and wax, to keep them in place!
6) The cheeks are a bronzey shade, which you can do double duty with your usual bronzer by shading under the cheekbones and topping with a slight shimmer on the apples.
7) The lips can be achieved by using some lip balm, followed by a lip pencil in a light pink shade. Josie Maran Lip Liner in Blush is a good choice to keep the look matte and long lasting.

To check out the full piece including pictures go to: http://thedailyobsession.net/2009/04/how-to-get-reese-witherspoons-natural-look/

Jouer Event @ Henri Bendel's NYC

JOUER AT HENRI BENDEL SUMMER ESSENTIALS EVENT
One Week Only: April 6th–April 11th, 2009Free Jouer Summer Essentials and limited edition Henri Bendel beach bag (includes deluxe samples) with any Jouer purchase of $125 or more.Jouer Summer Essentials include:
Jouer Essential Lip Enhancer (best seller!)Nourishing, conditioning and clinically proven to naturally increasethe fullness of your lips while decreasing fine lines. *Loaded with Vitamin E, Shea Butter, Jojoba Oil
Jouer Sunkissed TintPerfect for cheeks and eyes to give a naturally sunkissed glow.
Jouer Mini Travel BrushThe perfect brush to apply Jouer sunkissed tint.
Order by phone: 1.800.HBendel (1.800.423.6335) - Ask for JouerOr 310.312.0557Or email info@jouercosmetics.com Store Hours:Monday - Saturday : 10am - 8pm Sunday : Noon - 7:00 (Closed Easter Sunday April 12th)
*Offer exclusive to Jouer purchases at Henri Bendel. **While supplies last

Staying the night....

It's always a dilemma the first night you stay at a new boyfriend's house. You don't want him to see you barefaced but you also don't want to wake up looking like Baby Jane! There is also the skincare factor at stake, who wants clogged pores and pimples as a result of leaving your makeup on?? Fear not help is at hand from a few clever items.....

First of all cover any blemishes with Murad Acne Treatment Concealer - it covers well and heals pimples at the same time. Make dark circles disappear with TimeBalm Concealer which due to it's anti wrinkle ingredients is good for your skin even while sleeping! Next even out your complexion with a powder especially formulated for night use but has good coverage - Bare Escentuals RareMinerals Skin Reviving Treatment is ideal. Give your cheeks a glow with Bare Escentuals BareMinerals blush in a hint of pink so you don't look overdone, it has the good for your skin minerals too. For your eyebrows I'd recommend having them professionally dyed and then keep them in place with a clear conditioning eyebrow gel. To give your eyes some definition, darken your lashes with Tarte 4 Day Stay Lash Stain for the ultimate staying power and plump your lips with Janson Beckett Beautifull Lips, which makes them naturally rosy. He'll think you always look that good first thing in the morning!!

http://www.murad.com/
http://www.janson-beckett.com/
http://www.tarte.com/
http://www.sephora.com/ (for Bare Escentuals and TimeBalm)

Monday, April 6, 2009

NuFace

For those of you who have been asking for more information on the NuFace machine - here it is direct from NuFace itself:

Red Carpet Beauty Gets Instant “Lift” At the Beverly Wilshire, A Four Seasons
Hotel
Los Angeles, CA, Feb 19th, 2009 – The Spa at the Beverly Wilshire, a Four Seasons
Hotel, announced today an exclusive, invitation only, pre-Oscar promotion galvanizing
its relationship with NuFACE®, the only FDA approved microcurrent, hand-held device
for instant, visible, facial lifting, toning and rejuvenation. Catering to the Red Carpet
worthy celebrities, The Spa at the Beverly Wilshire is offering the only instant and noninvasive
facelift to its prominent guests.
“Award season is about results – from taking home an award to being red-carpet ready.
Oscar weekend is a focus for us at The Spa and we are pleased to offer our preeminent
clientele the optimum instant anti-aging results, focusing on facial lifting and toning,”
says Daisy Tepper, Spa Director.
To participate, guests must be invited to partake in the NuFACE® thirty minute visible
lift facial treatment during the Friday and Saturday prior to the Oscars.
“Due to a keen commitment to sourcing cutting-edge technology in professional services,
The Spa at the Beverly Wilshire is a beauty industry power player - and now VIP guests
can enjoy substantial, immediate anti-aging benefits as a substitute to traditional SWAG.
A non-invasive facelift versus a free handbag, the choice is obvious”, say Keri Parker,
Director of Spa Distribution, NuFACE®.

www.mynuface.com

New Lipgloss

I have been trying out my new makeup and have decided that my new favorite lipgloss is Orange Twist by Girlactik. What a gorgeous color!

Girlactik is available at:

Planet Blue Essentials in Malibu
Wishire Beauty Supply on Wilshire & LaBrea
Naimies in Valley Village
www.girlactik.com

Saturday, April 4, 2009

Instant Facelift!

I was working with Terri Seymour today and I hadn't seen her hairdresser Sean Duncan (I will be interviewing him very soon, so look out for it) for a few days. He said to me 'have you had surgery?' 'no' I said 'Botox?', 'no', 'you look different' (in a good way he added)! Well all I could think of that I've been doing differently, is giving myself an at home facelift with my NuFace machine. It seems to be working so I am definitely going to carry on using it - I'll look 21 again soon!

You can find information and buy NuFace at http://www.mynuface.com/

Friday, April 3, 2009

Beauty night!

I stayed at home tonight after a few hectic nights out with my friend from London, he works for British Elle and is here for a shoot . As he has to get up early tomorrow I thought it would be a good time to treat myself to a night of beauty to repair the ravages of the last few days!

I started by thoroughly cleansing my skin using my Clarisonic Brush and Clarifying Cleanser by Murad. After drying my face gently with a soft towel I put a layer of Fresh Sugar Face Polish on and left it to work it's magic for 10 minutes. After rinsing and drying again, I sat watching TV whilst giving myself an at home facelift with my NuFace machine! Time for a layer of my favorite moisturiser Alpha Derma CE by Janson Beckett and I'm ready to face the world again!

Coming soon....

behind the scenes of the Hourglass Cosmetics shoot for their gondolas in Sephora. We did several different looks and I'll tell you how you can achieve them at home.
I have just tried the Silky Hydrating Primer byBecca Cosmetics. It glides on and leaves a smooth even base for the rest of your makeup - great product!

A few of my favorite things......

Here are some of my favorite products, things I not only use on clients but also on myself. In no particular order:

Alpha Derma CE Moisturizer by http://www.janson-beckett.com/

Clarifying Cleanser by http://www.murad.com/

Cleanse & Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser by http://www.lizearle.com/

Veil Fluid Makeup by http://www.hourglasscosmetics.com/

Sheer Lip Tint by http://www.beccacosmetics.com/

Photo-Op Under Eye Brightener by http://www.smashbox.com/

Powderflage Powder Concealer by http://www.benefitcosmetics.com/

Age Repairing Brightener by http://www.jouercosmetics.com/

Powder Blusher in Catalina by http://www.cargocosmetics.com/

Freshface Glow in High Noon by http://www.fresh.com/

4 Day Stay Lash Stain by http://www.tarte.com/

Lash Venom Mascara by http://www.shop.duwop.com/

24/7 Glide on Eye Pencils by http://www.urbandecay.com/

Noir Precieux Eyeshadow by http://www.bourjois.com/

Microquatic Tinted Body Moisturizer by http://www.suedevittstudio.com/

Clarisonic Face Brush by http://www.clarisonic.com/

NuFace by http://www.mynuface.com/

Coconut Milk and Honey Body Butter by http://www.purefiji.com/

Vanille Coco perfume by http://www.comptoir-sud-pacifique.com/

I will be giving tips on how to use these soon....

Hello!

Hi all,

This is my own blog! I have been contributing to lots of others:

beauty in real life: Search results for melissa walsh

http://talkingmakeup.com/beauty-news/terri-seymour-makeup-tutorial/

beauty girl musings: Search results for melissa walsh

Create A Gorgeous Valentine's Day Makeup Look in 15 Minutes - StyleBakeryBeauty

Star Style: Get Terri Seymour's Luminous Look - StyleBakeryBeauty

Makeup Masala » Blog Archive » Beauty and Photo#comments#comments#comments#comments#comments

and thought it was about time to start my own! Stay tuned for tips on how to create Red Carpet worthy looks at home and what my favorite products are.....

Melissa xx