Author Archive

After a fun-filled week of Oscar events like the 7th Annual Global Green Pre-Oscar Party (attended by Jessica Alba, James Cameron, Benji and Joel Madden, Nicole Scherzinger, Serena Williams, and more celebs), I finally get to pick the brain of makeup artist to the stars Bruce Grayson, whose work we’ll be seeing all over our TV screens tomorrow at the Academy Awards.

As head makeup artist for the Oscars, Bruce is responsible for touching up every A-list mug in town before he or she goes onstage to present or backstage to accept an award. He has worked on Tom Cruise, Katie Holmes, Brooke Shields, Rosario Dawson, Kate Walsh, Denzel Washington, Sarah Silverman, Hayden Panettiere, Sarah Rue, the Clintons … the list goes on! (Fun fact: Bruce’s father, David Grayson, perfected the faces of Hollywood legends like Lauren Bacall and John Wayne.) Here, Bruce shares his red carpet predictions and his favorite get-glam-quick tips for special events:

The Daily Obsession: So, Bruce, what are the big trends we’ll be seeing on the red carpet this year?

Bruce Grayson: It’s always about picking the best feature, eyes or lips, and creating a glowing complexion, which makes up most of the face. Getting your skin in shape does the work for you. We’re going to see a more transparent smoky, sultry eye, not too much darkness around the eye, and more shades like slate gray, beige and brown … with a soft, pinky-coral lip, which makes lips look bigger. For red lips, we may see bright, matte, unique colors like the coral shade that January Jones wore to the Emmys.

(more…)

I’m excited for Sunday, and here’s why!: The second annual Makeup Show kicks off in downtown L.A., rounding up some of the best makeup brands and artists in one place. The show runs from Sunday through Monday at the California Market Center –  definitely a must for network-hungry budding makeup artists and the makeup-obsessed. Expect to find big names in the makeup world like Ve Neill, Joanna Schlip, Eve Pearl, Jon Hennessey, Myles O’Reilly, Ronnie Specter, Orlando Santiago — collectively responsible for the faces of Audrey Hepburn, Eva Longoria, Alicia Keys and Sarah Jessica Parker, the list goes on! — there to share their skills. (Tips, tips, tips!)

I’m especially excited to check out the latest product demos, pro makeup tips, beauty how-tos, hands-on workshops and more from brands like Make Up For Ever, MAC, Temptu,  Stila, Smashbox Cosmetics, Korres, Youngblood Mineral Cosmetics and Face Atelier. Will keep you posted on what little delights I find.

If you’re in town, check out the lineup and get tickets at www.themakeupshow.com. (Or hit up The Makeup Show in NYC in May.) See you there!

With Valentine’s Day in such close proximity to Presidents Day, why not celebrate love, life and happiness with a luxury getaway that’s fit for a president — or in this case, fit for 14 presidents? My husband and I were fortunate enough to check out a Signature Suite recently at the Old World French- and American Indian-inspired U.S. Grant Hotel — voted one of the 100 best hotels in the world — in downtown San Diego, Calif. And let me tell you, whether alone or with a sweetheart, this is one romantic place for glamour-lovers to steal away this weekend. Here’s why:

(more…)

Over the weekend, yours truly had the fortune of visiting Make Up For Ever’s station at the 2010 Grammy Style Studio in Hollywood, where Kesha, Adam Lambert, Keri Hilson and Colbie Caillat all stopped by for a little celebrity pampering (see below). Make Up For Ever makeup artist and regional educator David Hernandez went to town on my bare face, going for a bold red lip with a bright poppy orange center (created with Make Up For Ever Aqua Lip Waterproof Lipliner Pencils,$17 each). To compliment them, he did a clean eye with black Make Up For Ever Aqua Eyes waterproof liner (also $17) on the bottom rim only. The finishing touch: false lashes, specifically Make Up For Ever Strip Lashes #14 ($15/pair), which were long and glamorous yet not too feathery or Cirque du Soleil-ish. (Tip: Snip off the outer edges for a wide-eyed look, and to save the “tips” for later use!)  I happily fluttered these babies all day long.

In other news, Make Up For Ever was busy promoting their bang-up makeup jobs on Kristen Stewart, Dakota Fanning and the rest of “The Runaways” cast. Unbelievably gorgeous colors transformed both famous faces to the point where I could barely recognize them! Check out the trailer for a quick preview.

Photos above courtesy of Jana Williams and Make Up For Ever.

It’s awards season, and with the Grammys and the Oscars around the corner, you know what that means — skin treatment specials galore!

Now I must confess, I love spas but I’m not a plastic surgery & medi-spa guru … at least not through firsthand experience. I’m still trying to stomach the idea of injecting a filler into my slowly hollowing face. Thankfully, I’ve been able to live vicariously through others by tagging along on their Botox visits, post-surgery checkups and laser treatments. And after visiting beautiful medi-spas all over L.A., I can tell you — if this magical courage were to come — where I would go: Beverly Hills Plastic Surgery, Inc., featuring the talented and very personable Dr. Gabriel Chiu.

(more…)

I can think of a million stylish gifts for the women I know but when it comes to men, every year I’m at a loss. Enter yet another reason for me to believe that an oracle steers the ship at J.Crew: The Designer Gallery.

My two favorite picks for the men in your life, from brothers and dads to boyfriends: the timeless Selima Optique® for J.Crew aviator sunglasses (hot, hot, hot!), $198, and the vintage Timex® military watch, $150, customizable with striped or solid watch straps, sold separately at two for $30. (Flying lessons not included … unless you’re feeling generous.)

Smitten? Get a matching pair for yourself (they’re so chic on women)!

As a makeup artist who is always trying to find more eco-friendly choices to work with, I’m hippy-happy about Austin-based, toxin-free eco-beauty brand W3LL PEOPLE Supernatural Cosmetics. It’s affordable, high-quality, revolutionary and recyclable … and oh yeah, super FUN to use!

The brainchild of cosmetic dermatologist Dr. Reneé Snyder, former NARS Cosmetics leader Shirley Pinkson and tree-hugging brand developer James Walker, this modest collection of makeup and skincare products lacks parabens, phthalates, artificial dyes, sulfates — all that nasty stuff. And with pomegranate extract, reishi mushroom and organic green tea, it’s packed with protective antioxidants (and smells a lot like nature)! Products come in stick and powder form, perfect for experimenting with color and finger-blending (Ah, to be a kid again … ). My fave so far: Narcissist Supernatural Foundation, $38, a mineral-derived cream foundation and concealer stick, and Universalist Supernatural Multi-stick for Eyes, Cheeks and Lips, $34, (inspired by NARS The Multiple, perhaps?).

Check them out in person at Marie Mason Apothecary, Ron Robinson’s Apothia Beauty, Planet Blue stores, Vert Los Angeles or at W3LL.com!

As a petite individual with what we like to call “a figure,” I have long maintained that skinny jeans only look good on skinny bodies. But (finally!), it appears you don’t have to be Lindsay Lohan or Angelina Jolie look good in skinny jeans — not if you have a pair of Zana Dis or Z Co.s.

Featured in Lucky and Allure (and on curvy gals like Jessica Simpson), Zana Di Jeansand Z Co. Jeans have made the “impossible” possible: Little women with curves can now wear skintight skinny jeans with confidence (and for less than $45 apiece). I’m so into them, I now have several pairs — from classic black to daring neon purple (keepin’ the trend alive for Spring 2010!) Best of all, I’ve had to alter exactly none to fit. (Hm, I guess miracles do happen.) Slide your hips into a pair at your local Macy’s junior section and say “zip zip hurray”!

Find Zana Di Jeans, $38, and Z Co. Jeans, $44, online at www.zanadi.com and www.zcojeans.com.

P.S. Here’s a handy size chart:

26 = 1; 27 = 3; 28 = 5; 29 = 7; 30 = 9; 31 = 11; and 32 = 13.

If there’s anyone who incites inspiration to pursue a great business idea, it’s founder and creator of lip heaven, Sara Happ. A former broadcast journalism major, Sara was happily bound for a career in the male-dominated world of sports media. But at home, she clung to her girly side by whipping up batches of lip exfoliant to cure a case of persistently chapped lips. The next thing she knew, the former Bonne Bell addict had a great breakthrough, The Lip Scrub by Sara Happ, and a blueprint for what is now a small yet lucrative Redondo Beach-based beauty business.

I recently got the chance to sit down with Sara and find out how she got the nerve to create her latest offering, The Lip Slip by Sara Happ, aka “the greatest lip balm of all time.” Behold the secrets of her success: (more…)

Who: Hotelier and Kor Hotel Group President Nicholas Clayton, General Manager Marie-Helene Morowati

What: Bastille Day Celebration at Maison 140 Beverly Hills

When: July 14, 2009, 6-11 p.m.

Where: 140 S. Lasky Dr., Beverly Hills

Why: Because French wine and cheese is your favorite food group.

Ask anyone who knows me well and they will tell you I am a “oui” bit obsessed with all things French. (That’s what too many fashion magazines and a tiny crush on Carine Roitfeld will get you.) Am I alone? Mais non, and the chic Maison 140 Beverly Hills knows it. If you’re excited to relive the celebration of a nation’s independence, or you just want to show off those new Louboutins, you now have another excuse to party in July: Maison 140’s Bastille Day Celebration on July 14. (more…)