Back to School - Teen Queen II

This Pro is not only a makeup artist, but I am a mom too and more importantly, I have teenagers! In a past IMPO post titled Teen Queen, I mentioned a few of my “pet peeves” when it comes to teen girls who must put loads of makeup on their pretty faces in order to feel confident or to “fit in!” This post will be a little different, it is time to go back to school and that means it is time to help your teen get prepped for the upcoming year.

As parents we shop for new clothes, school supplies and other back to school “must haves,” but have you ever stopped to consider that now is the perfect time to replenish your teen’s supply of skincare and makeup?

Go through your teen’s accoutrement of facial wash, moisturizer, sunscreen and all cosmetics. Throw out the gross, expired, crusted, stinky product and shop for some new items. And, it is o.k. for your teen to express herself when it comes to her individual look. Embrace her differences, encourage her to play up her most outstanding features (eyes, lips, skin) and help her cover those areas that she feels are embarrassing, like acne or other skin issues.

When I was a teenager I wanted to change my looks so badly! I didn’t like my face, my hair or the fact that I was 5 feet taller than everyone else! Instead of being guided to appreciate my gorgeous green eyes, high cheekbones or the fact that I had perfect skin at the age of 14, all I wanted was to look like someone else! I hated my nose, my hair was not blonde enough, I was too tall and it took several agonizing years before I was able to be thankful for what I was born with!

Junior High is the worst time for teens! High school is a little easier, but not much. Your teen is in desperate need for a parent’s approval and attention, but at the same time, she or he wants their independence and privacy! Others who are huge influences surround them and if you are not careful, your teen will latch on to someone they think is the ultimate and that can spell disaster.

I try hard to be the “cool” mom by listening to my teenager’s needs; feelings, anxieties and I try to help however I can. Sometimes all I can do is listen and offer good old mom advice like, “tomorrow will be a better day!” And one of the most important things I do is to accept and inspire my teen’s individuality.

Now, I am not an expert and I am not here to lecture anyone who is reading this blog post, but I am going to advise other parents in my position to set aside a few dollars and go shopping for products that will boost your teen’s confidence and help them brave a new school year.

It is worth every penny and it is an investment in the one person who will not appreciate your effort on the outside, but on the inside loves you more than you know! That is tough love, but I’ll take it!

This Pro has tested more beauty products for teens than I ever care to admit and I will tell you that most have gone straight into the garbage because they either clog the pores of the skin or they damage the hair or they make beautiful, young ladies look like tramps.

But, there are many products that I do love and have given to my own teens to wear and use with much success. Here is a list of the “goods” that have this Pro’s seal of approval:

Jan Marini Teen Clean – this skincare line is top notch and helps to fight all adolescent skin concerns. This is a 3-step program that includes a wash, lotion and daily face protectant. It is amazing on skin that is changing and developing and that may be suffering from more major acne issues. Jan Marini says, “most sun damage occurs before the age of 10 and at least 80% of sun damage happens before the age of 18!” I cannot stress enough the importance of giving your daughter or son a good skincare regime that includes proper sunscreen. Think about it – did your mom make you wash your face every morning and night and apply sunscreen before you left for school? How do you feel about your own skin right now? Enough said!

Dermalogica Clean Start – this product line does not have a bejeweled jar or glittered packaging like most teens love however, what it does have is a star-studded following and user base like the cast from The Suite Life of Zack and Cody and Wizards of Waverly Place. The kit contains a foaming cleanser, toner, scrub, two daytime moisturizers, a nighttime moisturizer, spot treatment for blemishes and a lip moisturizer. It does not have a sunscreen so you will want to purchase a facial protectant to accommodate this regime. I like this line for more dry to normal skin with few acne issues.

It is important to instill in your teen the effectiveness of cleansing and you must show them how to maintain, prevent breakouts and protect their skin everyday. Starting them off with good skin habits will last a lifetime and when they are in there 30’s they will thank you for nagging them!

Foundation, concealer and powder are part of the skincare team and it is mandatory to purchase good cosmetic formulas that are made to work along side your skincare and not against it! Mineral lines are great for teens and the only line that I approve of is Purely Cosmetics.

Purely Cosmetics is great for teen skin because it contains 100% natural ingredients that have no bismuth, talc, micronized minerals or other skin irritants. This product line is formulated by hand to match the exact skin tone and it will effectively cover minor to major skin blemishes without clogging the pores. Purely’s color line is not full of sparkles or glitter so allowing your teen to wear the latest colors from the runway won’t be as intense (even though that is what she wants)!

One of the tricks that I have taught my teens is to use an all over neutral wash of color on the eyes from the lid to the brow bone – like a warm vanilla shade. Then use a more vibrant and fun color to line the top lash line – like a sapphire blue, amethyst, emerald or gray. Black liner will always be a parent’s nemesis, but it is time to make peace with that enemy and either encourage your daughter (and now your son with guy liner) to only line the top lash line or inside, bottom water line and use more neutral colors as eye shadow.

Mascara can be any drug store brand that is easy to remove with soap and water or eye makeup remover. It is up to you which formula you allow your teen to wear and with many mascaras debuting colors for the fall season, you may find that using a pretty blue, green, purple or gray product really makes your teen’s eyes pop instead of the traditional black or brown.

Neutral blush is very important and it is crucial that you encourage your teen to choose a light color in a peach or pink tone or wear no blush color at all opting for the natural flush of their skin tone to show through.

A highlight is not recommended for teens because they tend to go overboard when they apply something with more sparkle and that can be an overwhelming look on any young person (like they were playing in their mother’s makeup)! I don’t want my girls looking like Brooke Shields a la Pretty Baby!

This Pro makeup mom loves the Sephora brand of cosmetics because they have a wide range of color in all textures with great prices! My teens feel as if they are shopping like grown ups instead of being treated like little girls! However, the testers at some of the Sephora stores do not meet with my approval and so I have forbidden my girls to place a “tester” product directly onto their face and insist they use the backs of their hands in order to test product prior to purchasing.

Lipgloss is the only approved product for teens. I do not like the look of a heavy lipstick and lip liner on any young lady. I allow my teens to use pretty colors from M.A.C. or Lancôme Juicy Tubes also score big points from my girls. Even though your teen will constantly be applying and reapplying lipgloss (especially if it smells and tastes like chocolate, strawberry or watermelon), we parents have to pick and choose our battles and as long as the gloss color is not neon yellow, orange, green, blue or red than I say, let this one go!

Now get out there and bond with your teen over a trip to the mall and enjoy the one-on-one time you will have with your offspring! They are growing up fast and you never know, they may end up teaching you a thing or two about beauty products!

PRO TIPS AND TRICKS:

If your teen suffers from very oily skin after they have washed their face properly, have them apply at mattifying product. This Pro loves Eve Pearl’s Anti-Shine product, which goes on after skincare, but before cosmetic. Also, have them use blotting papers during the day to control the shine instead of constantly powdering their face. I love Rodan + Fields UnBlemish blot papers with Zincidone, they will absorb oil without adding product to the face!

STAY TUNED:

Up next on IMPO: Spotlight on Julie Hewett! Ever wonder what Annette Bening, Jodie Foster, Nicole Kidman or Mandy Moore wears on their face? Step into the world of Julie Hewett and discover exquisite beauty!

The Makeup Show 2011 - Los Angeles

The Pros are excited to attend this year's The Makeup Show on February 26th and 27th at the California Market Center in Los Angeles.  This event is a highlight that we look forward to each year because it is a gathering of some of the top Pros in our industry.  The mentors we turn to for advice, collaboration and continuing education will all be in attendance.

We have been attending this event for the past 4 years now both in New York and Los Angeles and this year we are excited to catch up with fellow artists that are representing some of the biggest brands in professional artistry and to discover new techniques that can take our makeup skills to the next level.

The Pros will also be attending the Blogger Preview Party and a reception honoring Maurice Stein, who is a legend in our industry having worked with many top celebrities, Grammy award winners and three US Presidents!  He is also the owner of Cinema Secrets, which is a cosmetics, hair and special effects supply store located in Los Angeles that provides product to every major studio, professional makeup artist, hair artist, celebrity, as well as the general public.  If Cinema Secrets doesn't carry it, it doesn't exist!

The Makeup Show Los Angeles is also the place to learn to become a makeup artist directly from the best in the business or if you already are a Pro, fine tune or learn a new skill that will boost your marketability.  This year top artists from Make Up For Ever will inspire you with their incredible workshops, as well as attend Makeup 101 with Orlando Santiago or Airbrush 101 with Myles O'Reilly.

Interested in the editorial industry?  Then attend Understanding Photo with Jon Hennessy or for bridal artists, you won't want to miss The Modern Bride seminar with Jo Levy for Becca Cosmetics. Legendary artist, Eugenia Weston will be demonstrating the art of perfecting eyebrows in her Master Workshop-The Art of Brows and Kathy Aragon will be conducting a workshop on achieving Essential Eye looks.

Need to be schooled on hair?  Guru Daven Mayeda will be teaching Basic Hair Styling for Makeup Artists this year and will show you how to maximize your career by understanding hair products, principals and fundamental techniques.  Danessa Myricks will show you how to achieve a perfect canvas in her hands-on workshop Perfect Skin and Joanna Schlip will be conducting a Master Workshop on how to achieve Everyday Hollywood Beauty.

Are you a makeup artist interested in getting into the local Union 706?  Then don't miss Susan Cabral Ebert's seminar called State of the Union.  Susan will tell you exactly what you need to do to become a makeup artist on Union film and television shows. Michael DeVellis for The Powder Group will help you learn how to capture long term success in his Marketing Your Career Now seminar and you must attend Women In The Industry with legends Eugenia Weston, Eve Pearl, Crystal Wright, Joanna Schlip and Danessa Myricks as they walk you through what it takes to to become a brand creator, bridal and beauty artist or Department Head on major television and motion pictures.

Esteemed artist Pati Dubroff, whose worked has graced the magazines of Vogue, Vanity Fair, W, InStyle and Harper's Bazaar and who is called on by A-List Celebrities such as Gwyneth Paltrow, Julianne Moore, Drew Barrymore and Gisele Bundchen, will be on hand to demonstrate and share many secrets on how to become a successful celebrity artist in her workshop Making Up.

For a list of all education opportunities - click here!

As if this wasn't enough, all the major industry brands will be on hand for discount shopping and demonstration directly at their booths. Exhibitors include: Alcone, BeautySoClean, Cinema Secrets, Crown Brush, Dermalogica, Dinair Airbrush, Embryolisse USA, Eve Pearl, Face Atelier, Frends Beauty Supply, Graftobian, Hakuhodo USA, Inglot Cosmetics, Kett Cosmetics, Kevyn Aucoin, Make Up Designory, Make Up For Ever, Mehron, Naked Cosmetics, Naimies Beauty Center, Nigels Beauty Emporium, Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics, Senna Cosmetics, Smashbox, Stila Cosmetics, Temptu PRO, Yaby Cosmetics, Youngblood Mineral Cosmetics and Yves Saint Laurent, just to name a few.

For a complete list of exhibitors - click here!

The Pros are looking forward to interviewing renowned makeup artist, Victoria Stiles and Liz Yu owner and creator of Yaby Cosmetics!  We also can't wait to catch up with our YouTube friends Koren Zander from EnKoreMakeup and Eleesa from PurseBuzz because these two always have their fingers on the pulse of what is bigger, better and happening in the makeup industry!

On the Main Floor, we can't miss Academy Award Winning Makeup Artist, Ve Neill as she talks about the new SyFy show, Face Off! Ve is a judge on the show and she will takes us on a behind-the-scenes look in her seminar Face Off: Inside the SyFy Reality Show on Sunday.

We will definitely be stocking up on our disposable supplies because the discounts offered from industry stores like Alcone, Cinema Secrets, Frends, Naimes and Nigel's can't be beat!  So if you need sponges, puffs, mascara wands, brush cleaner or even if you need empty palettes, we highly recommend purchasing them at this event!

There is still time to get advanced tickets to this event - click here and if you see any of the IMPO Pros at The Makeup Show, make sure to say hello!  We would love to meet you!  See you there!

Get the Look - Rocker Chick!

“Rock and Roll is one of these jobs where you sort of live in this strange world of not really ever growing up but having to grow up at the same time!” – Joan Jett, Elle Magazine 2009.

You don’t have to love the sound of guitar-thrashing music to look like someone who does! Rock n roll babes give off a sexy, rebellious scent along with an “I don’t care what people think of me” vibe!

This makeup Pro is a lover of the classy yet hard-core rock chicks like Joan Jett, Ann and Nancy Wilson or Suzi Quatro and I adore the characters actresses like Jennifer Aniston (Rock Star) and Kate Hudson (Almost Famous) have portrayed on the big screen! And who doesn’t love the sultry look of Kate Moss strutting her stuff on the catwalk?

Those women could pick up a guitar and microphone and have us rocking out instantly or make us jealous of their abilities to charm the bad boy musician we so desperately wanted in our beds!

These ladies are the muses of song lyrics and the inspirations of designers. They give off the impression of total confidence, with a hint of “I could kick your ass without even smearing my eyeliner” charm!

You move out of their way when they strut down the street and you watch in amazement as a crowded dance floor parts like the Red Sea to make room for a rock goddess who wants to shake her groove thing!

They intimidate, frighten and bully. They are self-assured, bold and poised. They smell of sex, drugs and rock n roll and we want to be them, we want to live their lifestyles, but only for a few hours!

To go with your traditional rock star wardrobe consisting of a studded jacket, leather pants, ripped t-shirt, boots and to match your seductive tousled hairstyle, you must have a certain makeup look to complete your transformation.

The smoky eye is always a good choice and works well day or night. It is almost expected that a gorgeous, dangerous, bad-ass girl would be rocking the dark shadow and black eyeliner.

If you admire a certain femme fatale and want to reproduce her style, there are cosmetic products that can give you a fresh-faced Penny Lane appearance or an “I just-rolled-out-of-bed-with-some-drummer” look! Either way, everyone will know that “you’re with the band!”

When this Pro wants to put her best rock star face forward, I reach for the following:

Dior - DiorSkin AirFlash Spray Foundation - gives the look of flawless skin with a subtle glow and leaves you with an airbrushed effect. Completely evens out the skin tone and diminishes fine lines and wrinkles. Apply by spraying onto a sponge and blend. Rocker chicks are totally ageless; this product will keep people guessing how old you really are!

Eve Pearl - Pressed Powder - is a sheer powder that eliminates shine and adds highlights while removing discolorations and redness from the skin. Apply with a powder puff using a blotting motion or with a large, fluffy brush. This powder is perfect for travel and is in a very slim compact that will tuck into the pocket of your skinny jeans or snake-skin clutch!

Kevyn Aucoin Beauty – The Precision Brow Pencil - is made of the thinnest point on the market, which allows you to draw individual lash hairs precisely to create a natural look. Gorgeous brows shape the eyes and give them a lift making the face appear younger and fresher. All rocker chicks know how to speak with their eyes and having amazing eyebrows send many messages without uttering a word!

Kat Von D – True Romance Eyeshadow Palettes - in Ludwig, Beethoven and Metal Orchestra are packed with tons of colors that will embrace any mood from pin-up perfection or rocker chic! Embrace your inner bad girl and boost your confidence 100%! Use various sizes of eye shadow brushes for application.

Eve Pearl – Black Pearl Smudgeproof Liquid Eyeliner – this is a very black color that applies easily, dries quickly, but allows you plenty of time to smoke it out! It will let you forget about checking on your makeup every 20 minutes and keep your sights on what is really important…catching the eye of that lead singer! Warning: your new rocker boyfriend may steal this from your makeup bag!

Dior - DiorShow Mascara - just like our rock n roll legends, this mascara is truly iconic! With a cult following as big as the Rocky Horror Picture Show, you will be doing the “Time Warp” again and again while your ultra-glam, runway-length lashes flirt throughout the night! Curl lashes prior to application if necessary.

Orlane Paris – Bronzing Pressed Powder – every rock n roll beauty loves to indulge in luxury and they also sport killer cheekbones! To achieve both those goals, reach for this silky powder that will instantly sculpt your face and brighten your skin all year around! Apply with fan brush for sculpting or large powder brush for overall dusting.

Nars – Blush – add a sheer wash of highlight and color onto the cheeks using shades like Orgasm, Deep Throat or Luster. These colors will add a super sexy flush to your cheeks that will give off the effect of basking in the afterglow of a backstage “quickie!” Apply with fan brush for light application or traditional blush brush for more color.

Dior - Crème de Gloss - is the ultimate creamy lipstick in a gloss! Deeply moisturizing, this gloss is lush, sensuous and gives rich color with a sexy shine. A true rock goddess would love shades like Red Venetian Satin 851, Sweet Praline 341 or Beige Elixir 611.

Now that you have collected your cosmetic arsenal, here are the how-to’s:

Fresh-Face - “Penny Lane is in my ears and in my eyes. There beneath the blue suburban skies.” Remember Kate Hudson’s Penny Lane muse from the movie Almost Famous? Her character’s makeup was created by artist Lois Burwell, who wanted to keep Kate angelic, but play up her eyes and smile.

Like a “blue jean baby, L.A. lady, seamstress for the band, pretty eyed, pirate smile, you’ll marry a music man…” This Pro would recreate Kate’s character by:

1. Start out with applying the DiorSkin AirFlash to create flawless skin.

2. Setting with Eve Pearl’s Pressed Powder.

3. Fill in brows with Kevyn Aucoin pencil.

4. Lightly apply Orlane’s Bronzer along the cheekbone, jaw line and add a very light sweep of Nars blush in Luster to the apples of the cheeks.

5. Using the Kat Von D Palette in Ludwig, keep the eye shadow natural by using Tequila on lid, Downtown to define crease and Clay to highlight brow bone. Use Downtown to line lower lash line.

6. Line very close to the upper lash line with Eve Pearl’s Black Pearl liner applied lightly. Blend softly into lash line.

7. Two coats of DiorShow Mascara to top lashes only.

8. Light application of Dior Crème de Gloss in Sweet Praline 341.

Voila! A tiny dancer is in my hand…

Retro 80’s – “I love rock n roll, so put another dime in the jukebox baby, I love rock n roll so come and take your time and dance with me!” Joan Jett is an American rock guitarist, singer, songwriter, producer and actress. Gorgeous and hard-edged, she is a rock n roll legend.

“A girl can do what she wants to do and that’s what I’m gonna do!” To recreate Joan’s Bad Reputation image circa 1982 start with:

1. Follow Steps 1, 2 and 3 from above.

2. Apply Orlane Bronzer starting near the ear area and sweep downward under cheekbone, stopping two-finger widths from the nose. You can be slightly heavy handed with the bronzer. Sweep Nars Deep Throat from the temples downward along cheek and blend in with bronzer. Leave apples of cheeks nude.

3. Using Kat Von D Palette in Beethoven, create a deep, rich blend of shadows by using Sinner on lid, Rad Purple in crease and Galeano on brow bone. Use Rad Purple to line lower lash line. Blend.

4. Apply Eve Pearl’s Black Pearl liner starting in the middle of the upper lash line and create a thin line that gets thicker toward the outer corner of the eye. Keep the line very thin toward the inner corner. Create a cat-eye effect by sweeping liner up slightly at outer corner. Blend.

5. Three coats of DiorShow Mascara and apply one coat to bottom lashes.

6. Dior Crème de Gloss in Red Venetian Satin 851 and apply a neutral color lip pencil like Julie Hewett’s Omit before using the gloss to prevent bleeding.

You might as well face it, your addicted to love and the 80’s!

Modern Glam - Kate Moss is the ultimate supermodel and she has been engaged to some very famous musicians and actors; Johnny Depp and Pete Doherty! She has also been the face of Calvin Klein, Gucci, Dolce & Gabbana, Louis Vuitton, YSL, Chanel, Dior and Rimmel. She has graced the covers of Vogue, Vanity Fair and W and as notorious as her high-profile relationships, is her party lifestyle!

To recreate Kate’s bad-girl, skinny jean, thigh-high boot wearing look begin with:

1. Follow Steps 1, 2 and 3 from above.

2. Lightly apply Orlane Bronzer starting near the ear area and sweeping downward under the cheekbone, stopping two-finger widths from the nose. Dust Nars Orgasm lightly on the apples of the cheeks. Blend.

3. Using Kat Von D Palette in Metal Orchestra, blend Dagger onto the lid area, add Glock and Thrasher on top of Dagger and blend. Take Lucifer and Razor Gray and blend into the crease and outer corner. Apply First Class to brow bone and blend. Use Lucifer along lower lash line and smudge.

4. Apply Eve Pearl’s Black Pearl in a thick line along upper lash line and smudge.

5. Three coats of DiorShow Mascara and one coat to bottom lashes.

6. Dior Crème de Gloss in Beige Elixir 611, the ultimate nude lip color!

As RuPaul would say…"you better work (cover girl) work it girl (give a twirl) do your thing on the “runway!”

No matter which type of rock chick you choose to be: remember to be creative with your makeup, which will bring an air of instant mystery and edgy-glam to your world!

PRO TIPS AND TRICKS:

Change up the mood by breaking away from the normal charcoal hues of the traditional smoky eye and go for something a little more colorful like purples, greens, blues or earth tones, but the colors must be deep. Bright eye shadow tends to give off a very neon vibe, which is more in line with your punk rock days, then the bang-your-head persona!

STAY TUNED:

Up next on IMPO: Keeping it clean! We've discovered how to keep your powdered products fresh and clean even if you use them every day! Don't miss our next post featuring information on how to prolong the life of your cosmetic investments!