Beauty Tips from the Stylists Behind the Stars
By Jennifer James
Although talent does still count for something, a fashion or beauty misstep at an awards show or movie premiere can upstage even the most Oscar®-worthy performance. When merely looking good is not an option, celebrities call on an entourage of hair stylists, makeup artists and fashion experts to raise the bar. Here, the pros who make all the A-list stars look drop-dead gorgeous share the tricks and tools of their trade, so you can get the red carpet treatment at home.
1. Smiles everyone!:
Any trip down the red carpet starts and ends with a beautiful smile - and brilliant white teeth are a prerequisite. Luckily, getting them from Crest has never been easier - or faster. Crest Whitestrips Premium is clinically proven to remove up to 14 years stain buildup in only 7 days. And the take-anywhere compact makes whitening on the go a breeze. Dr. Jeff Golub-Evans, dentist to the stars, reports, "For the money, in my opinion, Crest Whitestrips and Crest Whitestrips Premium are some of the best whitening retail products out there."
2. When in doubt, trust a classic:
At this year's Golden Globes®, old Hollywood glamour reigned supreme. And what did all the award-winning actresses have in common? Enchanting red lips. Celeb makeup artist Carol Shaw wasn't at all surprised. "Old Hollywood glamour is the traditional red lip," she says. "That never goes out of style."
3. Less is more:
Sculptured, very styled hair is de rigueur for high profile celebrity appearances. But John Ruggiero - a hair stylist for Bumble and bumble - takes it easy on hairspray, mousse and gel. "You don't need to throw a million products in your hair to make it look good," he says. "This year, I used a light setting lotion and a little Does It All hairspray for hold. That's it."
4. Concealer is a girl's best friend:
"Bottom line? You must wear concealer," says makeup artist Bobbi Brown, founder of the eponymous cosmetics line. "Eye shadow - even light colored ones - makes under-eye shadows worse." To camouflage them, Brown first applies an eye cream ("Something light that absorbs easily and isn't at all greasy," she says). Brown follows the cream with a yellow-toned (the best color to neutralize darkness) concealer and a touch of yellow powder on top. "Even someone with ivory skin can find a yellow tone to match," insists Brown.
5. Details make the difference:
Deborah Lippmann, creator of the Lippmann Collection (a complete line of nail care products and polishes), jets between New York and Los Angeles weekly to keep the fingers and toes of celebrities in tip top condition. The look of the moment? "Nails with a little length - about ¼ inch past the fingertip - with a softer, more rounded feminine shape," says the manicurist. For spring, Lippmann loves pastels. "Lilacs, lavenders, soft whites and pinks with a little shimmer and iridescence."
6. Luminous skin is in:
All the makeup in the world can't hide tired, sun damaged, over dry skin. Sonya Dakar, whose celeb-packed Hollywood Skin Clinic, deals with these problems on a daily basis, gives us this advice: "Wear sunscreen everyday. It's our most important defense against aging." For quick fixes on the day of a big event, Dakar has a few secret weapons:
- Zucchini Slices: Ten minutes on the eyes reduces swelling and puffiness.
- Plain Yogurt: Massage onto skin and let sit for 15 minutes. Wipe off with warm water and voila - a bright, glowing complexion.
- Cold Water: Splash for a fresh, radiant complexion.
7. Makeup should compliment...not match:
Color was all over the red carpet at the Golden Globes®- with peach, silver, and pink gowns being worn by A-list celebs. But the makeup didn't follow suit - exactly. "It's very passé to match your eye shadow to the dress," says makeup artist Sue Devitt. "You want to create a harmonious look that enhances the color of the dress and the eyes." That means using soft golds, deep browns, lavenders and silvers on blue or green eyes; really warm colors like bronzes and rusty oranges on hazel or brown eyes.
8. Don't try too hard:
Tumbles of waves, finger curls and sleek chignons make for beautiful hair, but not if they're overdone. "You want the style to be interesting but not overpower the overall look," says Pantene celebrity hair stylist Brett Freedman, who preps for movie premieres. "If it looks like you spent all day on your hair, you've failed." And too much time blow-drying or flat ironing can undermine all of your efforts by leaving hair full of split ends and flyaways. "Protect the hair from heat styling by using products that act as a barrier," says Freedman. "Thermal sprays, serums and mousses all shield the hair and give the benefit of 'finishing' [it]."
9. Staying power is everything:
Any makeup artist will agree: You're only as good as your last touch-up. "When I work with a celebrity, he or she may still be in a photography shoot six hours after I applied the makeup. It's got to last," says Shaw, who created Lorac - a professional-quality but easy to use cosmetics line - to do just that. "If you use quality products and tools, you're more than halfway there." To keep lipstick on all night, she has another trick: "Fill in the lips with a lip pencil and then apply lipstick," she says.
10. Be yourself:
"Beauty is not a cookie cutter thing," says celebrity makeup artist BJ Gillian. "Don't create rules for yourself. Pick and choose between products and techniques that work for you. Empower yourself by taking advice and incorporating it into your own personal style."
 |
 |
Jennifer James is a freelance writer for national magazines, newspapers and corporate clients. The former beauty and health director at Teen People, James has written for Shape, Lucky and The Washington Post and has more than five years experience reporting on beauty- and lifestyle-related topics. |
Back
