Brush With Fame

Monday morning I received a call asking if I did "Celebrity Makeup", and would I be available Wednesday night.  I of course said, "YES".  After some schedule juggling and last minute running around on Wednesday, I had the great pleasure of doing the makeup for both Stacy Keach, who has a long and illustrious career on screen, you may remember him from "The Hammer", as well as Bill Kurtis, who you may know from A&E.  They were both here in Washington DC narrating for the VA-Medical Musical Group who performed Wednesday evening at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception which will air later this month on PBS.  This was a wonderful experience for me.  They were truly down to earth and extremely friendly.  Unfortunately, I didn't have the opportunity to do any wild dramatic evening eye makeup,or show either of them "how anyone can wear red lipstick", but I was able to give Stacy that "sun-kissed" look by using the "Artistry Bronzing Powder" and I showed Bill how to quick fix wild flyaway hair without hairspray ;o)

Skincare & Flying

I will be flying out of Maryland later this afternoon to Florida and want to make sure my skin survives the flight.  After a week of recovering from a nasty cold, with the constant nose blowing, the dehydrating medications and the struggle to get a good nights sleep, I now have to defy the effect that flying will have on my skin.  No worries...  My plan of defense is to exfoliate first with Artisrty's  hydrating cleanser, then I'll prep my skin for the moisturizer by following up with Artistry's hydrating toner.  Before I put on the hydrating moisturizer though, today I will also use the vitamin rich moisture boost from Artistry,  The Essential Moisture Plus.  This is the real deal, & scene stealer.  It is a concentrate and with just a few drops applied prior to my moisturizer it will help my skin stay super soft & moisturized during my flight (as well as the massive amounts of water I plan on drinking).  Later this evening after I arrive at the hotel before heading off to dinner, I'll finish off with the Artistry Essentials Moisture Intense Masque.  This makes all the difference in how well my makeup application goes, and I'll have that beautiful glow at dinner where I can begin my wonderful weekend getaway!  There will be no shying away from the camera tonight, flash away!

Recovering Your Skins Beauty After A Nasty Cold

It came on late Thursday morning with a tickle in my throat & sneezing.  I thought it could be allergies & prayed it wasn't the swine flu that's been going around.  By late afternoon I had a slight fever, headache, stuffy nose yet runny (how does that happen??) and knew without a doubt, I was sick.  So like most people, I treat the symptoms with a slew of medications, herbal teas, juices & plenty of rest.  I can't say that I am fully recovered but I do believe the worst is behind me.  Unfortunately my skin is now left with the aftermath.  My raw nose and dehydrated skin will certainly look a mess come Monday when I need to go back out into the world so I haven't any time to waste if I want to put my best "face" forward.  The first thing is to continue drinking as much water as possible, especially since I am still taking some of the medicine that helps dry up that nasty post nasal drip, but on the surface I have solutions too.  After waking up this morning I immediately cleaned my face with a mild foaming facial cleanser and then proceeded to apply a moisturizing mask from Artistry that I left on for 10 minutes.  The recommendation is from 5-15 but I thought 10 was a good start.  I followed that up by rinsing it off, using an alcohol free balancing lotion and a day moisturizer with your usual spf of 15.  I have swabbed my nose with a rose scented all purpose salve from CO Bigelow and my face now feels like silk.  I think tomorrow is going to be a beautiful day!  Let me help you help your skin from the aftermath of a cold.  http://www.TheCosmeticStylist.com/SkincareStyles.html

Beautiful Brides don't just happen on their wedding day

I've done makeup artistry for over 15 years and always hear about how beautiful a bride looks. Some really shine on their wedding day, but some fall short of their potential. The ones that truly look beautiful do so, not just because they are born with great bone structure or great features or because they have a great makeup artist. It's because they take care of their skin. The professional application of makeup will only get your looks so far. I think of makeup artisty like painting on a canvas, if the canvas is stucco, all the paint in the world isn't going to make it look like high quality canvas. My biggest pet peeve is a bride who fails to take care of her skin or thinks that a facial the week of the wedding and the makeup itself will make her beautiful. Ladies, makeup artists are not magicians. We bring out your natural beauty, enhance your features and make you photo ready. If you are planning a spring wedding, you had better get a jump start. Schedule a skincare consultation now and be camera ready by spring! www.TheCosmeticStylist.com

Beaded Headbands: Not Just for Weddings! - This Week - What's Right Now - Fashion - In Style

Beaded Headbands: Not Just for Weddings! - This Week - What's Right Now - Fashion - In Style

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Updating your skincare with the change of the seasons

I find that everything effects how my skin looks & feels, from seasons changing, getting older, hormones, stress, diet... so it's important to be aware of what your skin needs and making sure you're meeting those needs to get the best results. A lot of what affects your skins appearance can be controlled through proper nutrition, regular exercise, plenty of fluids (water, not wine), and rest. Seasons changing & aging however, cannot be controlled so much. It's important to update your skincare products as spring turns into summer and fall turns into winter. The intensity of the moisturizer I use in the winter months and the types of cleansers I use is far different than what I use in the the summer, not just for the skin on my face but for the entire body. I have a normal to dry skin type overall, however it tends to be more oily in the summer and it can get so dry in the winter that my knuckles will crack and bleed. I have also found that as I have gotten older, I have become prone to breakouts brought on by the changes in my hormones. I have found that using a mild scrub daily in the warmer months and then every other day or two in the winter months helps to keep my skin exfoliated so that the moisturizers I use are absorbed better. I also use a light moisturizer with AHA (alpha hydroxy acid) in it to stave off the breakouts and keep my skin bright looking. If you're unsure about your own skin type and how best to care for it, I would recommend scheduling a consultation and trying out different product samples based on the recommendation of your consultation. Winter is right around the corner, so there is no time like the present! http://www.thecosmeticstylist.com/SkincareStyles.html