Several ladies have asked me about my makeup routine, which is, as you might imagine, somewhat … uh … formidable.
Now, I must preface this whole discussion by saying, point blank: I do NOT enjoy wearing makeup, so I won’t put it on unless I absolutely have to. In my case, “absolutely have to” means the following: tv shows, photoshoots, tv photoshoots, photoshoots near a tv, prom, dates, prom dates, weddings and breakfast with my grandmother.
Pretty much any other time, I’m wearing none. I’m not really a “dab of blush, bit o mascara” kind of girl. It’s Tranny or Nothing, baby.
It also bears repeating that I’ve honed my makeup technique from years of working with the best TV makeup artists in the business. TV makeup, by definition, is just heavier than your average makeup (even photoshoot makeup, although I suppose it depends on the shoot.) Plus, I started before the networks had HD cameras, which meant the norm was more makeup than what you might want for, say, “work” - unless your work involves thigh-high boots and the Reg-Bev-Wil, Viv.
I tease. Honestly, the easiest way to look ten pounds lighter with a perfect complexion is proper makeup application. I’ll frequently catch “before and after” photos in some tabloid mag that alleges a star had work done, and I’ll think, “No, you idiots - that’s just “before makeup” and “after makeup.”
Okay, enough. Let’s talk products here:
Foundation: Chanel Pro Lumiere (20 Clair)*
Foundation Brush: Stila 27
Eyeliner: MAC fluidline (Blacktrack)
Eyeliner brush: MAC angled eyeliner brush
Shadow: Stila (Kitten), Nars (Night Snow), Nars (Galapagos
Eyelash Curler: Tarte
Mascara: Lumene Blueberry Curl **
Brow Pencil: Lancome (Brunet)
Concealer: Chanel Correcteur Perfection 10
Blush: Tarte (True Love)
Bronzer: Nars (Laguna)
Powder: Chanel pressed powder (20 Clair)
Lip Liner: Chanel precision lip definer (Nude)
Lipstick: Almost Lipstick Black Honey
Gloss: Clinique (Black Honey), Chanel (Spark), Flirt
Plumper: DuWop Lip Venom
* If you’re going to spend money on ONE THING, it should be your foundation. This is the single most important part of looking perfectly finished, and if it looks crappy, so will you. Also, please, please, please don’t forget bronzer! That’s where you do all your shading/contouring, and that’s how you leave the house not looking like you’re an extra in New Moon.
** Best mascara I’ve ever used. I would supplement this with individual fake eyelashes, which I talk about here.
I would also highly recommend Revitalash (which I’ve used for the last four months, thanks to them sending me a sample tube, and which works like you’re taking horse vitamins or something.) Although I’ve never tried it, I would assume Latisse works similarly well. That said, please be aware that you should not use either Revitalash or Latisse if you have blue or green eyes, as they have been known to cause the adverse side effect of, uh, turning your irises brown. Given that I already have brown/hazel eyes, this isn’t a problem for me, but I do think that would be a most unwelcome result for most of my fairer-eyed friends.
*** If you don’t get the reference, “Awesome makeup great job” please go here, now. Kevin Rose tortured me with this show about two years ago, and it’s sort of … tough to forget.
