Tips and How-To's
My first ad with Olay in the November issue of Cosmo!
Exciting news! Cosmo just came out with their November issue with Nicki Minaj on the cover, which also marks my very first advertorial with Olay!
November issue of Cosmopolitan magazine
My Olay advertorial!
Kim Kardashian x Heidi Klum do smoky eyes
Photo credit: AOL
I know, I know. I’m so insanely late in posting this video that maybe many of you KK or Klum fans have already seen. I saw the link earlier but I never got around to checking it out since I was at the office. But I thought this was a fun watch to see another technique in doing the signature Kardashian smoky eye look. There are so many different eye shapes and colors that I’ve realized there are just so many ways to make it look smoky, so this is a little different than the way I learned from, say, Mickey’s team. But still just as pretty. Watch on:
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Shy
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Interview with Bollywood makeup artist Mickey Contractor – Part II
[This is Part II to my interview with Mickey Contractor, M.A.C's Director of Makeup Artistry for India. The first part of the interview can be found on MarieClaire.com HERE]
Me and makeup artist Mickey Contractor
As promised (a while ago, I know), here are some more details on my interview with makeup genius Mickey Contractor. I sat down with Mickey the day after he came with us on a tour of M.A.C’s headquarters. In between doing makeup for Bollywood celebs like Priyanka Chopra for the IIFA’s, he shared some of his thoughts on his experience at M.A.C’s labs and a few tips too!
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BATF: Did going on the M.A.C. tour with us change your perspective at all on makeup?
Mickey Contractor: I wouldn’t say it changed my perspective on makeup. For me it was like a religious experience. Going into the M.A.C lab and meeting all the chemists who actually made my products was like a wish being granted. I was so tired that morning on the bus as you might remember. Once I went there though, I woke up. I don’t know how! I didn’t sleep until 3 that morning. It was an overwhelming experience. It truly was a dream come true.
BATF: What was the most challenging part in creating your own line?
MC: Mixing colors was challenging but extremely joyful. To tweak the submissions that came back after the testers was the most challenging because there is very little difference between tester 1, 2 and 3. Apart from that, I would say doing Master Classes. I hate being in front of people doing makeup. I rather do it behind the scenes, be really quiet about it. For me, doing makeup is a very personal time with who I’m working on. It’s very sacred to me.
Eyes a la MAC’s Siahi Fluidline from Mickey Contractor’s collection
MAC loung at the Royal York in Toronto
One of the perks of covering the IIFA Awards was being able to get my makeup done by the talented MAC artists in the makeup lounge set up at the Royal York hotel. On Awards day, I was planning on using the blue “Siahi” Fluidline from Mickey Contractor’s collection that I had just gotten from their Bloor Street store (the collection is no longer available, but they re-issued it just for the weekend in Canada…I would have been crazy not to pick it up!).
MAC's Siahi Fluidline from Mickey Contractor's Collection
My travel makeup bag…
I can’t claim to be the best packer, but I can say that I’ve made significant strides in overcoming the need to pack my entire apartment for a trip. When it comes to rounding up my makeup and skin products, I stress. For one, sifting through all the different products and shades while you’re still trying to figure out what exactly you’ll be doing on your trip is just not fun. Second, I used to think this whole “all your liquids have to fit inside this little baggy if you want to take in on board or else we’re gonna throw it away right in front of you and crying won’t help” was just crap. But I realized that it forces me to pick and choose what I really need. And for my current trip to Miami, it kinda looks like this:
My travel makeup bag
{What? I’m a beauty writer. Leave me alone} Anyway, since it’s a combo of some of my old and new faves, I thought I’d share.
Travel face products
Left to Right:
1. CERAVE AM and PM moisturizers (in little travel capsules), $14 each
2. MAKE UP FOR EVER Uplight Face Illuminizer Gel, $29
3. MARIO BADESCU Enzyme Cleansing Gel, $12 for 8 oz.
4. SMASHBOX Photo Finish Primer, $16 for .5 fl oz.
5. MD SOLAR SCIENCES Tinted Mineral Screen sunblock, $24
6. MEHRON Celebré HD Pro Cream Foundations, $9 each
I already told you all how much I love Mario Badescu and CeraVe face products. I think these little travel capsules are so clutch for a short trip. You can fit a lot of cream in it and it’ll last you longer than you think. I was sent Make Up For Ever’s Uplight to experiment with and what I found was the only illuminizer I ever liked using (that doesn’t look tacky, doesn’t crease, and since it’s water-based, won’t irritate my skin). More on this soon! I usually like to take one primer with me too, something I can wear under my makeup to help it last longer and look more even. I decided to go with Smashbox Photo Finish (good for pics!), and the small size was perfect for traveling. I also recently got introduced to MD SolarSciences when they sent me their Tinted Mineral Gel. It’s perfect for Miami because it’s not greasy AT ALL, water-resistant, goes on super smooth, and doesn’t make anything I put on top all gooky. I’m pretty particular about my sunblock, and I’m putting this up there with Neutrogena (another fave of mine).
Celeb makeup artist James Vincent on concealer, foundation, & the new products he’s most excited for
I first met James Vincent at The Makeup Show last year. He was giving bloggers a preview of some of the latest and greatest products and seriously, he was like a reservoir of golden beauty tips. His ability to create the most flawless faces has led his career to movie sets and photo shoots to working with some of the most well-known celebs like Lady Gaga, Liv Tyler, and Joan Jett. I caught up with him about some of the beauty concerns you all have asked me about recently. In true James Vincent-style, he eloquently lists his useful tips on skin and color theory in a way that just shows you why he’s so respected in this field. Read on:
Makeup artist, James Vincent
BATF: You’re already well-known in the fashion and beauty circles, but for those readers who may not be familiar with your work, could you give a quick run down of how you got to where you are, doing makeup on celebs like Lady Gaga to becoming the Director of Artistry Relations and Education for The Makeup Show?
James Vincent: It’s a combination of setting goals, having the drive to meet my goals, having the personality and ability to follow up, and the makeup technique to back it up. Having the ability to put yourself out there and network has gotten very easy because of social media, but if you don’t have the technique to back it up then there’s not a credibility that comes along with. I feel like I’ve been very lucky — I’ve met people who have been mentors to me and that’s one of the reasons education and mentoring is such a big part of what I do. Giving back is so essential.
