Now You See It...

This is one of those items that makes me want to scream, "Why didn't I think of that?" They're liquid filled cotton swabs made by a company called Swab Plus. The liquid in this case is makeup remover that's released into one end of the swab after you snap the striped tip on the opposite side. No spills, no waste - hygienic and disposable. They're perfect for the mascara smudges you might have under your eyes in the middle of the day or for when you sneeze right after applying mascara. They also come filled with antiseptic ointment, nail polish remover, cuticle oil or tooth whitener!

I bought a box of 72 for $8 at my local beauty supply store, however, if you go to their website, www.swabplus.com, they'll direct you to a store in your area.

The 2010 Bridal Manicure

Lately, I've been wondering when the French manicure is going to go away. Specifically, from brides but generally from the planet! Especially the long, squared off version which, in my opinion, has no place on an elegant 2010 bride. I don't think it enhances a woman's hands or her ring finger. Think of the fingers like you do legs and the nails as shoes. If you have short legs, you lengthen them by wearing a heel with a slightly pointed toe . You would give them an even longer look by wearing a shoe in a neutral color. If you want to lengthen your fingers, you file them to a more natural arch and keep the color sheer and neutral.

A few of my favorite nail colors are by Essie in Ballet Slippers and Blushing Bride.

OPI has a great feature on their website, www.opi.com, where there's a picture of a hand. You adjust the nail length and match the skin tone to your own then pick out the color you want to try.

New Service For Brides

I was recently contacted by a Los Angeles bride-to-be named Daisy Church who was to be married at a destination wedding.

She explained that she wouldn't be able to hire a makeup professional at the destination, and couldn't manage the expense of bringing me from Los Angeles. But she had a clever proposition: Could I teach her some of my techniques so she could count on looking perfect on The Big Day? She already had a look -and a face-in mind: the timeless dewiness of Grace Kelly. (You could easily choose a photo of Kate Winslet, a model from a Bobbi Brown ad, or yourself with a look you loved). On the day of the lesson, Daisy came to my studio with a photo of the movie icon as well as her own bag of makeup.

My first step was to sort through her products, choosing which were appropriate, which weren't, and what she would have to purchase. I knew that she needed a foundation primer to help the makeup go on smoothly and last longer. Even though her liquid foundation was the right color for her skin tone, I suggested another type that provided more coverage in front of all those cameras and videos. Since even mascaraed lashes tend to disappear in photos, I recommended individual false eyelashes. With me as instructor and Daisy as model/student, I taught her how to apply the chosen products. Afterwards, I took photographs and printed them on- site. Then came the coolest part: I made a "face-map" of what products to use and where to use them so she would have a can't-miss guide when it came to do it yourself. I can do the same for you.

New Favorite Product

Shadow Shields

These are self adhesive, half moon shaped

shields that protect the under eye area from

eye shadow fallout. They're perfect when

you're doing a smoky eye. I got a box of 30 for

$10 at my local beauty supply but you can also

get them at Sephora or go to www.shadowshields.com

for more retailers.

Wedding Featured in February Issue of Ceremony Magazine

In August of 2009, I did Ruta and Alain’s wedding at the Hotel Bel Air. Coverage of it is featured in the February, 2010 issue of the Los Angeles Ceremony Magazine. Sean Azul was the photographer and Kathleen of, To Love and To Cherish was the coordinator. Sai Fernandez assisted me and we all had a great time with Ruta and her family, who were in town from Romania. I’d just like to add that the Hotel Bel Air is one of he most beautiful locations to have a wedding. Right now it’s closed for remodeling. It’s hard to believe that they could improve on such a wonderful thing. I can’t wait to see it, though!