Party ready - straight from work

I missed out on an opportunity tonight to go the Dancing with the Stars finale with Terri Seymour because I wasn't prepared at a moment's notice. It will NEVER happen again because I will always have a party kit on me! Here is how to get ready at a moment's notice and what to have in your desk/car to make sure you look amazing in 15 minutes:

Makeup sponges: Use these to smooth out and blend any smudges or greasy areas that have occured during the day.

Rosewater Balancing Mist by Jurlique http://www.jurlique.com/ : Spray a light mist over your whole face and neck to freshen your skin and let dry for a few seconds.

Photo Op Under Eye Brightener by Smashbox Cosmetics http://www.smashbox.com/ : Sweep this under your eyes, on your cheek and brow bones for a quick brightening effect that makes you look awake.

Disappear Smoothing Concealer by Estee Lauder http://www.esteelauder.com/ : Cover any blemishes with this highly pigmented, non creasing concealer and if you need any extra help under your eyes, blend a little there too.

Hello Flawless Powder Foundation by Benefit Cosmetics http://www.benefitcosmetics.com/ : This is my saviour! Great skin in an instant. Using the sponge that comes with it, apply this all over your face or just where you need a little help.

Opaline Creme Eye Definer by Three Custom Color in Aurora http://www.threecustom.com/ : This is a gorgeous black eyeliner shot through with blue opalescence that makes all eyes look brighter. You can define with a strong line using a pointy brush or blend out for a smokier look.

Diorshow Mascara in Black by Dior http://www.dior.com/ : One coat of this will thicken and lengthen your lashes.

Eyebrow Manicure by Shu Uemura http://www.shuuemura-usa.com/ : This is my latest find and I won't go anywhere without it now! It's a colored brow get that really does darken and hold your brows in shape all night and it's so fast to apply.

Mineral Bronzer by Tarte in Hotel Heiress http://www.tarte.com/ : Dust this lightly all over your face or just on your cheekbones for some glowing definition.

10 Years Younger Makeup Finish Spray by Skindinavia http://www.skindinavia.com/ : This sets your makeup all night and stops it creasing and looking dull, perfect if you've had a long day!

Quikee toothpaste and gum by Supersmile http://www.supersmile.com/ : These freshen your breath and whiten your smile without a drop of water in sight! The gum is in separate little packages of two pieces, perfect to keep in your purse or pocket.

Glossy Pencil by Lipstick Queen http://www.lipstickqueen.com/ : This makes defining and glossing your lips a cinch. My favorite color is Chinatown Crime - a bright pink that is a great party shade but not too shocking for those that usually steer away from color.

Straight and Curl hair irons by UBe http://www.defabulous.com/ : These are amazing! Tiny little irons that can straighten or curl and they heat up to 410 F in 10 seconds! Makes refreshing your style extremely quick and easy.

Keep it all in a little makeup case in your car or desk. I have the Mitte Case by Face Stockholm http://www.facestockhom.com/ which has several different compartments and a space for brushes but is big enough to carry all your essentials. I keep all Terri Seymour's personal makeup in one!

For the final finish I like to carry a solid perfume in my purse. Saves carrying a big bottle and any spills you might have. I love Lotus Garden Solid Perfume by Pacifica http://www.pacificaperfume.com/ it smells like you're on vacation - something you need during the cold Winter nights!

I will keep a little black dress and heels in my car too and will be ready for the next time!

My kit essentials

As a makeup artist I have a vast selection of products but there are always a few constants in my kit. These are the products I can't do without:

Lancome Eau Fraiche Douceur Cleansing Water http://www.lancome.com/ - this takes off makeup thoroughly without irritation or leaving a greasy film. Ideal for putting makeup straight back on or at the end of a shoot to take off makeup before leaving.

Janson Beckett Alpha Derma CE moisturizer http://www.janson-beckett.com/ - perfect for under makeup, this moisturizer also gets rid of fine lines before your eyes.

Jouer Luminizing Moisturizer http://www.jouercosmetics.com/ - I carry all the shades of this so I can mix and match colors. I love this for a lighter base that gives an amazing glow and an SPF 20.

Hourglass Fluid Veil http://www.hourglasscosmetics.com/ - I use this on most of my clients to give a flawless almost airbrushed look to their skin.

Alison Raffaele Transparent Finish Loose Powder http://www.alisonraffaele.com/ - I love this powder for it's light and luminous finish. I use this to set foundation and make it last.

Cargo blusher in Catalina http://www.cargo.com/ - this is my favorite blush color, it looks good on everyone and gives that just got back from the beach flush.

Tarte Mineral Powder Bronzer in Hotel Heiress http://www.tarte.com/ - to get a bronzey shimmery glow all over for evenings, this is the bronzer to reach for.

Benefit Hoola Bronzer http://www.benefitcosmetics.com/ - for more of a daytime look or for the boys (sssh) I use this matte bronzer that is never too orange, just looks like you've been on vacation.

Christian Dior Waterproof Eyeliner Pencil in Trinidad Black http://www.dior.com/ - this pencil is a true deep black and it lasts! The basis for most evening eye makeup starts with this.

Christian Dior 5 Couleurs Eyeshadow Palette in Incognito http://www.dior.com/ - the perfect set of neutrals in matte and shimmer shades that can take you from day to night in an instant.

Estee Lauder Sumptous Mascara in Black http://www.esteelauder.com/ - a mascara that gives the sparsest lashes the full and feathery look.

Guerlain Cupidon Lip Pencil http://www.guerlain.com/ - I use this on almost everyone to highlight their cupids bow and make lips look fuller.

Lipstick Queen Medieval Lip Treatment http://www.lipstickqueen.com/ - an amazing red stain with a slight sheen that makes lips look naturally bee stung.

All about lips

Most girls I know like to have pouty lips and at least wear gloss most evenings. Here a few tricks that can help you have the prettiest pout about!

First of all, taking care of your lips is the best way to make them look fuller. Flaky dry lips don't look good on anyone! I start by exfoliating them daily with Befine Lip Exfoliator (available at CVS) http://www.befine.com/ which smooths them instantly. I then use Beautifull Lips by http://www.janson-beckett.com/ to moisturize and plump them. If you'd like a more glossy finish Befine Lip Serum is great, it gives a moist shine without being sticky and treats the skin with it's firmimg properties too. For special occasions I sometimes use Lip Injection Intensive Plumping Lip Mask by http://www.toofaced.com/ to give an extra plump rosy look! If you are just preparing your lips as part of your nightly routine I like to give them a nourishing treat by leaving a decent layer of Superbalm by http://www.lizearle.com/ (which is a multi use balm) and leaving it on overnight.

Now that your lips are smooth and plump begin by outlining the cupids bow with a highlighting pencil, I particularly like Benefit's Cupid's Bow Lip Shaper http://www.benefitcosmetics.com/ which has a highlighting pencil on one end and a definer on the other. I use the defining one just under my bottom lip and blend it well. It makes your lips stand out more but I don't recommend lining your whole lips as this tends to make them look smaller. Next I like tp apply a lip stain all over to give a lasting base of color, again Benefit do some great ones, the original Benetint and now Posietint which is a really pretty pink shade. I concentrate color in the center of the lips which gives a natural just bitten look. Now you have a choice of whether to put lipstick or gloss on or just a little balm to keep the look soft and natural. My favorite choice at the moment is to top off with Medieval Lip Treatment by http://www.lipstickqueen.com/ I find this really looks like I have flushed full lips and is natural in a Snow White rosebud lips kind of way! You could also use a lipstick, again Lipstick Queen have an amazing array of colors and textures or a gloss like the ones from Smashbox http://www.smashbox.com/ which are a favorite of my client Terri Seymour. If you want further plumping I highly recommend Freeze 24/7 Lip Plumper http://www.freeze247.com/ , in the clear version - it really works!

Now get out there and start pouting xx

Getting ready for Summer

If you're anything like me, you've spent the Winter months cocooned in layers of warm clothing (yes even in Southern California!) and need a little help before you shed some of them in public. I like to prepare for this with the help of a few beauty rituals....
First of all you need to start getting your skin into shape by smoothing it with a good scrub a few times a week, I like Coconut Sugar Rub by www.purefiji.com as it softens and gets rid of the dead skin all at once and smells like a tropical vacation, something I could do with right now! Next shave your legs with a good quality shaving cream (or foam if your prefer) unless you have them waxed and then you can concentrate on your face. I exfoliate it with my Clarisonic Brush and my favorite face wash Clarifying Cleanser by www.murad.com which is great if you have oily skin like me, you can use a wash specifically for your skin type which there are many of by Murad. I now wash my hair and get out of the shower and put on a hair mask like 3 minute mask by Fekkai and cover it with a shower cap. Run a bath and add a creamy bath milk like the ones from www.purefiji.com and apply a gentle face mask like Rose Petal Mask by www.fresh.com. I like to have a candle burning to help me relax and to read but if you prefer to just relax now is a good time to put on cotton wool pads that have been soaked in Eyebright lotion by www.lizearle.com to brighten and refresh tired eyes. Soak for at least 15 minutes to let all the products take effect and then get back in the shower and rinse off. After drying yourself with a soft fluffy towel, massage in a cellulite lotion that has self tan in it - Cellufight by www.tarte.com is amazing and apply a self tanner to your face, Solartan by Hourglass is my choice as the color is so believable but subtle. It is a primer but I also like to use it at night so that I wake up glowing! Moisturize and plump your lips with Beautifull Lips by www.janson-beckett.com and that completes your skin's beautifying routine. Leave your hair to dry naturally so it gets the full benefit of the treatment and get a good night's rest, Murad sleep reform supplement can help if you have trouble sleeping but consult your Doctor before taking it. You should wake up looking and feeling ready to wear that sundress that has been hiding in the back of your closet!!
Now you've done the prep work and are feeling smooth, fresh and glowing you can get ready for your day with a few simple steps. After your shower smooth Body Firming Cream by www.murad.com all over to keep up the body firming treatment from the night before, if you are going to be out in the sun let it sink in, then apply suntan lotion as usual. Towel dry your hair and then put a little Marine Styling Balm by www.ecrunewyork.com in for hold, softness and body that won't flake or become gummy in the heat. It also protects the hair and soothes the scalp. Finish your style by spraying with Sunlight Finishing Spray by www.ecrunewyork.com which keeps it in shape and protects from the any harmful rays. For a fast simple sunny makeup look I start with Highnoon Face Glow by www.fresh.com which is a golden tinted moisturizer which gives a really great glow. Then I add some more color with the bronze cream shade from the Illume palette by www.hourglasscosmetics.com I put this across the cheeks and the bridge of the nose, on the forehead and chin and a little blended well on the eyelids. Use the highlighter shade in the palette on your cheekbones and the inner corner of the eyes for a little shimmer. If you need powder, dust a little on now, I love Translucent Finishing powder by www.alisonraffaele.com which is so light and sheer you won't feel like you're wearing any at all! Emphasize your eyes by filling in your brows with Brow Pen by www.anastasia.net which is a liquid pen that stays put all day and a couple of coats of 4 Day Lash Stain by www.tarte.com. Finish your look with a easy to use gloss pencil in a sheer but bright shade (I like Chinatown Crime) by www.lipstickqueen.com and your summer glow should last as long as you do!