One of the best things about my job is that I have celeb hair stylists and makeup artists on my speed dial. No lie. If I need a quote for a story, to find out how Sarah Jessica Parker's hair was done for a red carpet or selfishly have a question I always have someone fab to call for advice. Here are some of their most out of the box beauty tips that may be wierd, but work!
For a natural, wavy set of hair, take tin foil and morph it into a rod/cigar shape. Wrap your hair around the it from end to root and then fold it in half to create a clamp. Take a straightening iron clamp it over the tin foil. The finished look will be a beautiful soft wavy buckle. - Rodney Cutler, Founder of Redken/Cutler Salons
When painting eyebrows, use a darker color to define the inner lower, and outer portions and fill in the center with a neutral soft color to create a defined brow that reads in pictures but still looks natural. - NYC New York Color Celebrity Makeup Artist, Mathew Nigara
For sexy bedhead, after curling your hair, spritz hairspray into your brush, then brush out the curl for more defined waves. It's a better techinique to finish and polish the hair than spraying the hairspray directly onto your waves. - Joseph DiMaggio, L’Oréal Professionnel Master Session Artist
My all time favorite tip is to use a highlighting eyeshadow to trace the perimeter of the lips. This makes your lips standout and look fuller without using a lip liner. - Carmindy
Mix lipstick with moisturizer to tone it down and use it on the eye lid. This makes for a great glossy lid look, or you can use it as a base and layer powder shadow on top. - Neutrogena Makeup Artist, Michiko Boorberg
Use Lubriderm lotion as styling product in curly hair. It has the right texture and will save you money on styling product. - T3 Lead Stylist, Dan Sharp.
Selena Gomez looked stunning last night at the MTV Video Music Awards as she had an honorable role to play, hosting the pre-show. While I thought her black mini and updo made her look a little too mature (Britney anyone?), I like how she kept her makeup natural. I got the scoop from her makeup artist, Karan Mitchell on how to get the look.
"To compliment her lace gown, I went for a classic and clean route with Selena's makeup," Mitchell states. The look consisted of bronzed skin, smoldering eyes, bold brows and a metallic pink lip.
Last week I had dinner with Celebrity Makeup Artist, Jake Bailey, known for perfecting Taylor Swift's flirty lash look in the Cover Girl ads and Katy Perry's signature cat eye. While I learned a ton of great makeup application tips and tricks from him throughout the meal, there was one that deserved a post on its own – the best mascara tip ever!
Somewhere in between testing out an eyeshadow on my hand and drinking a glass of red, Bailey began doing a mascara demo that changed my life (well, changed my makeup routine). His secret was a prop – a business card. Here's the how-to:
It's no secret that the key to rocking a bold lipstick shade is confidence, but until recently I couldn't bring myself to do it and I don't think it was confidence that I was lacking. Instead, it was lack of what I like to call lipstick knowledge. I'm a gloss girl. I spoke with Celebrity Makeup Artist, Carmindy and got some tips on how to pull off a bright lip with pride like Jessica Alba.
1. How should you prepare your lips for a bold or bright colored lipstick?
Today I'll be doing a Satellite Media Tour appearing on 27 TV stations across the country talking about preparing for the prom. I'm really excited because I know how important prom season is and love the fact that I have the opportunity to share some beauty secrets for all of the ladies and gents who will be attending! By far, the best accessories for prom are clear skin, a bright smile and kissable lips.
Since skin care is a main concern for most teens, it's important to start taking care of it now and not wait for the night before the prom. God forbid you get a pimple! I recommend using the new 
Backstage at the Monique Lhuillier fall 2011 show Val Garland for MAC and Jan Arnold for Creative Nail Design were joined by Odile Gilbert for Kerastase to create a glamourous yet edgy look.
"The gowns are cleam, long and slender," commented Arnold. "Think Angelina Jolie in The Tourist."
The Fall 2011 Elise Overland collection was presented on an ice rink at the Standard Hotel. To create this Icelandic “winter playground,” the models had an ethereal look. David Cruz for Tresemmé was the lead on hair, and he pulled all the models’ hair back into a ponytail from the roots, then made a fishtail braid and used the braid to form a kind of deconstructed bun. Since the designer’s collection was pretty big on texture, he didn’t want the models to look like animals and give them a lot of hair! The fishtail braid bun is simple and tightly frames the face, but still adds that extra pizzazz for the runway.
Napoleon Perdis did the makeup, and the look was all about luminous skin. He avoided using creams and gels, and used minimal foundation so that more light would reflect off the models. To prep the skin, he applied Napoleon Complex Skin Renewal Serum and Auto Pilot Pre-Foundation Primer.
Rebecca Minkoff’s Fall 2011 collection has an urban gypsy theme – a mix between sexy bohemian and classic.
Ouidad herself was the lead on hair, said that she wanted to bring curls back to the runway. The soft yet textured look she created was a refreshing change from the silky straight tresses that have been so popular at past shows. The “morning after” hair was achieved by using Ouidad’s line of light and water-soluble products. The PlayCurl line was used to create more movement and volumize the models’ naturally straight hair. The hair was rolled with a 1" curling iron to get curls, but not that ultra curly look. Right before the models went on the runway, their hair was tousled up to create that messy bed head look.
Sarah Lucero was the lead makeup artist for Stila and went for a complete vintage look – a worn in feel with a modern and glossy finish. She applied a sheer colored tinted everyday moisturizer to the face, a peachy cream blush in Convertible Color Gerbera, and an apricot lip glaze. The eyes were the focal point to the look. She applied Chinois and Espresso Eye Shadows and she used Smudge Stick Waterproof Eye Liner in Stingray (an intense black shade) to achieve a tight, smoked out line versus the typical smoky eye. Lots of fluttery lashes were created with Glamoureyes Mascara, and as a finishing touch took Kajal Eye Liner in Topaz and swiped it right inside the eyes.
Backstage at Cynthia Rowley I taped a video for the Style Coalition interviewing the lead hairstylist with Redken, Rita Marmor. As soon as it's posted I'll put it up so you can all see it. I absolutely love doing on camera work!
The makeup was hot. It was perfect for going out late night in the city. I got the scoop from Charlotte Willer, the lead makeup artist with Maybelline on the inspiration and how-to get the look. The perfect skin is compromised of 50% powder and 50% foundation. The main focal point were the eyes. The key to achieving the sexiness a was outlining the eye on the top and bottom on the outside and inside of the eye and blending it with the finger. Spiky lashes were a must and they were created with layers of Maybelline Falsies Mascara.
Personally I’m not a huge fan of wearing a ton of makeup, a little mascara and gloss and I’ll call it a day in a second. However, I’ve had to learn how to do my own face for TV because believe it or not they don’t even put as little as a blush brush to your face before you go on air. That being said, I can proudly say I’ve learned how to fake flawless skin. You need three things: a yellow-based liquid concealor for under your eyes, a heavier, stickier green-based concealor for blemishes and a light foundation. Many women make the mistake of using the same concealor for everything, however different textures and pigments work better in different areas.
Under Eye
Rid dark circles underneath your eyes with a yellow-based liquid concealor that has light reflecting properties. Dab three dots in a triangular shape under each eye with your ring finger and use a brush or your ring finger to blend. The ring finger is the weakest finger and therefore doesn’t pull the skin when blending and placing the concealor in a triangular shape will accentuate the shape of your face. 
Before she opens her mouth I think Sofia Vergara is one of the most beautiful women, then when she speaks, she's totally girl crush worthy. For this years Golden Globes, the Modern Family star rocked a fuchsia Vera Wang and had her makeup done by Kayleen McAdams and opted to concentrate on her eyes.
To get the look, fill in your brows with Lancome Le Crayon Poudre in Brunet, and use Artliner in Aubergine, layer Definicils High Definition and Hypnose Custom Mascaras. McAdams also used a new eyeshadow palette on Vergara that's not out until February called Color Design 5 Pan Palette in Coral Crush.
It's been an incredible year thanks to you, my readers! According to your clicks and the time you've spent on my site I can measure which posts you really read, which you didn't care for and which were a huge hit this year. Allow me to introduce the top five posts of 2010 according to you:
1. 
I was so thrilled to get a personal makeover with my all-time favorite make-up artist Napoleon Perdis. While I was enjoying champagne and chocolates at his New York apartment; I was shown his new makeup collection, taught inspiration behind the look, and of course easy application tips.
Napoleon Perdis is known for enhancing natural beauty and his makeup tips are perfect for any woman wanting just a bit of color. His inspiration for the season was his homeland – Australia. Say hello to a warm winter glow. Here are some tips I picked up on how to enhance your beauty.
Tom Pecheux created a golden California girl look by enhancing the models natural features with sunkissed contoured cheeks, false lashes and a bit of pink on the lip.
Last week I attended a 
Rid dark circles under your eyes with a liquid concealor that has light reflecting properties. Dab a few dots underneath each eye with your ring finger and use a brush or your ring finger to blend. My favorite is 
To cover blemishes, I use 
After perfecting problem areas use a light foundation so everything is evenly blended. My top pick: 
Well NYFW has certainly come to an end, and so has my coverage. Til' next season, allow me to leave you with some of the top beauty looks that all transulate from runway to real way. The best part about these looks – you can try them all on in DailyMakeover's 
MAC lead makeup artist Val Garland at Cynthia Rowley was going for an innocent look, so she put the focus on the eyes with 20 coats of mascara on the bottom lashes to give models that ingenue appeal. A smudged red lip provided color, while metallic hair extensions were added to a sleek updo for a punk edge.
The hair and makeup at Charlotte Ronson was sweet meets street. Tresemme lead stylist Jeanie Syfu added subtle texture and a bit of curl to models' hair, then created tiny braids on each side. Instead of tying them off with elastics, she applied Tresemme Curl Activator to the ends of the braids and then clamped with a flat iron to secure.
While a few of the looks at Fashion Week were over-the-top and extravagant, the majority were much more low-key and wearable, like this effortlessly sexy one worn by models at Alexander Berardi. A volumized, side-swept low ponytail and naturally defined eye makeup created a casually chic air that was more real life than runway.
There’s nothing in the world that compares to a Betsey Johnson show. It is a true spectacle, and I was lucky to have the chance to attend her latest runway presentation. The vivacious designer always goes over the top, and her Spring/Summer 2011 collection consisted of her signature crazy neons and clashing patterns.
The inspiration behind the collection was simply taking a bike ride through New York City. Sarah Lucero, the lead makeup artist for Stila said, “The look is optimistic, happy, and colorful.” Lucero wanted a “bright, bold green eye” and accomplished it by wetting Fiji Palette no. 5 eyeshadow and painting it on like a thick paint splotch. To complete the face she used a hot pink hue on the cheek and Caprice Long Wear Liquid Lip Color (another bold pink) on the pout.
Nonie Creme, the Founder and Creative Director for Butter London of 
Worn by Sarah Jessica Parker (who was at the show tonight), and other hot celebrities; Halston is one designer that knows how to set trends. Despite the down pour the show went on and the audience was packed at Gladstone’s Gallery in New York. Halston showed off their designs and fresh, natural look for this season. I went backstage for Beautysweetspot to get all the tricks of the trade in creating what the pros called – the perfect natural look.
Inspired by the 1960’s and 70’s, MAC’s head makeup artist, Amora, shares a few secrets in creating a “no makeup” look. The team dabbled on foundation with a brush in a circular motion to polish the skin while giving it great coverage. For a natural flush, Amora applied blush with her fingers in the center of the models cheek. The eyes lashes were absolutely amazing, and I found out the secret is to make sure the mascara’s brush is spikier and rubbery, similar to a comb. To get these lashes apply lots of product and separate the lashes one by one with brush. To do this take the mascara brush and bend up in layers to separate and lengthen. To complete the natural look, skip the eye liner.
