Monday Beauty Blog- Andrea Valentini

If there is one makeup look that people continually ask me to replicate from StyleWeek in January, it is easily Andrea Valentini’s. Andrea had a very specific look she wanted for her models. She wanted a strong smoky eye; but much more rock n roll than the other smoky eyes we did that week. This is in my humble opinion, the sexiest of the smoky eyes we did for the week. There were many beautiful and exotic smoky eyes during StyleWeek. This one just had such a “bad girl” feel to it. The woman who wears this look is in complete control. This woman is fearless. She owns any room she enters. This is definitely not a look for the meek or the timid.

Courtesy of Daniel Gagnon
http://www.danielgagnonphoto.com/

Andrea is already a very established accessory designer (I personally covet more than a few of her handbags). This was her first showing of her apparel; and she pulled out all the stops. She combined incredibly luxurious fabrics with these edgy almost primitive touches. So the whole show was kind of seductively savage.

During preparation for the show, the models kept commenting on how sexy they felt. I even got emails from models from other shows asking how to create this look at home. I love it when something comes together perfectly and Andrea’s show is definitely one of those special times where everything did.

This is a very easy look to apply, but can be messy so it is wise to keep some cotton swabs and eye makeup remover close at hand for fallout.

Courtesy of Daniel Gagnon
http://www.danielgagnonphoto.com/

1. With a crème shadow brush apply eye base lash to brow.

2. Tightline top and bottom lash line in black ebony cake liner using an activator.

3. Using crème detail brush place the black caviar liner lash to crease and with a wet dry liner brush along the lower lash line, including inner rim.

4. Place noir shadow across the lid and along the lower lash line.

5. Put a shimmery nude shadow on the brow bone and inner corner of the eyes.

6. Buff the edges of the black shadow with a soft clean finishing eye brush along the lash line and into the crease.

7. Curl lashes apply two coats of black mascara to top and bottom lashes.

8. Prime the skin with foundation primer and then even out the skin with appropriate foundation. For the show we used Illuminating Tinted Moisturizer. Cover and spots or dark circles with Secret Camouflage and Secret Concealer, using a Camouflage brush. Set t-zone only with Universal Setting Powder and a fan brush.

9. Use a nude-nutty colored crème blush on the contours of the cheeks. Apply this lightly, Crème Cheek Colour brush makes this easier.

10. Dab just a touch of foundation to the lips to tone down natural lip color. Outline with a nude lipliner like Naked. Then last but not least apply a generous coat of Sparkling Glace.

As I mentioned this is not a makeup look for a shy violet. This is when you want to let your inner rock star shine. Save this look for when you want to be the center of attention.

Courtesy of Daniel Gagnon
http://www.danielgagnonphoto.com/

Next week I will write about Joseph Aaron Segal and his show stopping knit wear!

Send your questions and requests to Jessica@StyleWeekProvidence.com

Monday Beauty Blog- Jessica Abernethy

Jessica Abernethy is easily one of my favorite designers. I love her silhouettes, her color palettes, and most especially her attention to detail. She is meticulous. I love her clothes!

She also has easily given me my all time favorite makeup request for a look for a show. She sent me an email requesting “Winter Safari Zsa Zsa Gabor”. I literally squealed when I saw that. Visions of Green Acres (I know that was Eva) mixed with Dr. Zhivago (Julie Christie) danced in my head. I was so excited to start working on her look. Heck I am excited to work on her look for August and I don’t even know what she wants yet! Jessica looks at the world through eyes I wouldn’t mind sharing. I always fall in love with her visions. And I am honored that I get to contribute to that vision.

Jessica and I met up to play with colors in person. We came up with a classic Hollywood defined smoky eye, and a deep sultry red lip. I was so thrilled with how this look translated onto the models. Their hair was rolled into soft curls piled on top of their head and then wrapped in white turban-like head wraps. The hair team really hit it out of the park. The clothes were soft and feminine but tailored perfectly. The final product was absolutely gorgeous.

by Daniel Gagnon
http://www.danielgagnonphoto.com/

This look is gorgeous on the runway but also translates beautifully in real life. It is a strong day look for some of us, and a dramatic evening look for others. But it is completely wearable for everyone! You just can’t beat old Hollywood glamour.

by Daniel Gagnon
http://www.danielgagnonphoto.com/

1. Mix together appropriate eye base with Platinum Crème Metallic. Apply evenly lash to brow.

2. Place the lightest color from the Orchid Mosaic from lash to brow with a soft eye shadow brush.

3. Tight line the lash line with Black Cake Liner.

4. Define the lash line and outer corner of the eye with Deep Night shadow. Using the same shadow line the lower lash line with a smudge brush.

5. Prime skin. Even out complexion with foundation, and secret camouflage. Set with loose setting powder with puff.

6. Conceal under eyes, and set with Secret Brightening powder.

7. Define brows with brow powder keeping the arch soft and round.

8. Place Violet Orchid blush on apples of Cheeks. Then swirl a finishing brush into Orchid Mosaic and dust on the high points on the face.

9. Apply false lashes, and a generous coat of mascara top and bottom.

10. Line and fill the lips with Very Cherry pencil. Then apply Bing Cherry Lip Color to the lips.

Bing Cherry is one of my most favorite lip colors ever. It is one of the most universally wearable lipsticks ever. Definitely try this lip color out.

by Daniel Gagnon
http://www.danielgagnonphoto.com/

Next week I will be writing about Andrea Valentini’s rocker chic smoky eye! 

Send any questions to Jessica@StyleWeekProvidence.com

Monday Beauty Blog- Philip Sawyer

I first met Anh Vu Sawyer (wife and creative voice of Philip Sawyer) when she came to my home to discuss the makeup look for the StyleWeek show. She is easily one of the loveliest people I have ever had the pleasure of meeting. We had an instant rapport, and my dogs adored her (and that is a very big deal to me). She is the kind of person you can find yourself losing time with chatting without ever running out of things to discuss. The downside to this is as I have mentioned in previous blogs I put more pressure on myself when I care about the people I am working for. The pressure increases when it is someone I admire like Anh. Anh is a really special lady; the kind of person who lights up a room just by entering it. She is an accomplished author, as well as designer. It was really important to me to make sure that her look was just what she wanted.

 She asked for a stronger more avant guard look; bold and clean, but without overshadowing the clothes. The look that we came up with was very minimal: matte skin, with a defined brow and then a straight line of black under the eyes out to the temples, and a shimmering sequin blue under the eyes and across the tops of the cheek bones.

 At the last minute Anh decided she wanted a pink lip for the female models. And so we added Rosewater with Rose glace. It actually softened the look some which made it mesh nicely with Anh’s very feminine sillohuettes.

Photo by Daniel Gagnon
http://www.danielgagnonphoto.com/

I figured since this look is not exactly real world friendly, but the colors are, that I would show an adaptation of this look for real life. I used all the same colors but just moved them around to be more wearable for the average person.

Real Life version puts the color on the lid instead of the  cheekbones, and a soft flushed cheek

• Start by prepping the eyes with an eye shadow base lash to brow.
• Then line the upper lash line with black cake liner.
• Cover the lid in a shimmery nude shadow.
• Put Topaz shadow into the crease.
• Then work Lapis sequin along the lash line, outer corners and into the crease.
• Prime the skin and even out with foundation and concealer.
• Set complexion with loose setting powder and a puff.
• Two coats of black mascara applied to the top lashes and one then applied to the bottom lashes.
• Tender Mauve blush applied to the apples of the cheeks (if you have a darker complexion try Violet Orchid).
• Define the brows and fill in any gaps.
• Line the lips with Potpourri lip liner, then apply Rosewater stick gloss, and Rose glace.

This is a perfect example of how you can take an intense runway look and adjust it to something you can wear to the office or dinner. Look to the runway for color inspiration. Learn to experiment with techniques. But do it in a way that keeps you from getting a little too Gaga for the workplace.

Next week I will talk about Jessica Abernethy’s ultra glamorous makeup. Send your questions to Jessica@styleweekprovidence.com

Monday Beauty Blog-Jennifer Greeke, Harpy

I first met Jennifer Greeke at the photoshoot StyleWeek Providence had arranged with RI monthly with a number of the designers. I must have walked by her about 4 times before I realized she wasn’t one of the models and was actually a designer. She is stunningly pretty, with sandy blonde hair and a flawless bone structure. Jennifer has a background in film costume departments, and an amazing eye for detail. Her designs are incredibly feminine while remaining bold and strong. Jennifer's collection consists of beautiful silhouettes with flame-like patterns and clean bright lines. One of the most memorable dresses for me was a dazzling white cocktail dress with black netting draped across it, a perfect blend of ladylike grace with a deconstructed edginess.

photo by Daniel Gagnon
http://www.danielgagnonphoto.com/

When it came to developing a makeup look for her show she wanted something that worked with her designs but wouldn’t compete with them. The inspiration images she sent me were classic Hollywood glamour. We developed a look that was universally flattering on every woman; which makes it extra exciting to share today, because it is one of the most real-life wearable looks shown that week. It is a look that works on all skin tones, and is easy to apply even for the novice.

photo by Daniel Gagnon
http://www.danielgagnonphoto.com/

Photo By Hilary Block
http://hilarybphotography.com/

• Start by applying a light layer of eye shadow primer lash line to brow. Using a brush will give a much smoother application.
• Apply a matte eye shadow that compliments your skin tone. Fair skin looks lovely in Laura’s Buttercream, Mid tone skin should try Sesame, deeper tones will likely look great in Café Au Lait.
• Using a black cake liner tightline the upper lash line. Pack the liner in from above and underneath the lashes.
• Work a shimmery bronze shadow into the crease and just above.
• Using a pointed eye liner brush and your black cake liner line the upper lash line a bit more and create a bit of a wing for a “cat eye” effect. Light sketching motions will create a smoother line than attempting to create just a single solid line.
• Curl lashes (it really does make a big difference). Apply false lashes and a coat black mascara top and bottom lashes.
• Prime your skin with a foundation primer, than apply a medium coverage foundation. Any spots that show through can be concealed with a concealer.
• Set complexion with a loose setting powder and a puff.
• Apply a fresh rosy blush light to medium tones should try Rose Bloom, deeper tones skin should give Spiced Cider a try or Pink Rose Quad.
• Fill in and groom brows. They should be soft but defined.



Photo by Hilary Block
http://hilarybphotography.com/

• Line lips and fill in with a Ruby pencil and then apply a rich coat of red lipstick. True red looks beautiful on all skin tones. You can vary intensity with the texture of the color, go sheer for a softer look like Sweet Cherry, go creamy to replicate the look from the show with Truly Red, and if you are feeling saucy try Scarlet Lip stain which is extra vibrant.

Like I mentioned this look is universally wearable. Depending on your chosen outfit and accessories this look can very easily be worn with anything from a party dress to a pair of jeans and a sweater. I personally think all women should venture into the world of red lipstick every now and then. Treat it like an accessory and not makeup. Let your lips be a bright jewel for your face!

Jennifer’s show was a pleasure to watch and to be a part of. I am so excited to see what she has in store for us this summer!

Next week I will be telling you all about Phillip Sawyer’s show. Send your questions and requests to Jessica@StyleWeekProvidence.com