Beauty411

Beauty Bylines™ Interview: Meet Trish McEvoy!

This month's Beauty Bylines™  interview with makeup artist Trish McEvoy has me in awe. I remember when I first started reading the makeup artist credits in magazines (my own versions of rock stars, I guess!) and seeing Trish McEvoy's name. Yes, she's worked on models and celebrities, but she has always believed in making personal connections with her clients. 

From the beginning of her career, Trish's focus has always been to give her clients the best quality products and teach them the most effective makeup application techniques.  It goes without saying that I am beyond excited to introduce you to Trish McEvoy!

Beauty411:  Your makeup line is streamlined and edited; your Makeup Planners keep everything organized. Does that mirror your philosophy on makeup in your own life?

Trish McEvoy:  Of course!  As makeup continues to evolve and I get to create exciting new products each season, my philosophy has always remained the same: get organized. Keep it simple.  Learn to do it yourself. Enjoy the process.

Beauty Bylines™ Interview: Meet Jean Godfrey-June of Lucky Magazine!

Do you love Lucky magazine?  If you do, chances are one of your "must-read" columns is by June Godfrey-June, beauty director at Lucky.  This month, Beauty Bylines™ chats with Jean Godfrey-June and finds out what beauty products rock her world!

Beauty411:  Reading your column every month makes me want to run out and try everything. A few months back, it was the Russian Amber Shampoo by Philip B--and you were right on!  What are a few of the products that you've tried recently that have worked their way into your personal beauty routine?

Beauty Bylines™ Interview: Meet Karen Robinovitz of PurpleLab!

Did you ever wonder what it would be like to create your own cosmetic line and build a brand?  This month, Beauty Bylines™  talks with uber-entrepreneur Purple Lab Creatrix Karen Robinovitz. Karen is a non-stop whirlwind of energy.  Read on for her story.

Beauty411:  Can you give us some insight into how Purple Lab and Huge Lips Skinny Hips was born? (I'll just toss my editorial objectivity out the window and tell you that you have the perfect lip gloss formula:  A lip-plumping lip gloss that doesn't burn, tastes and smells great, isn't sticky...love!)

 

KR:  Thank you! It wasn't planned and sometimes the best things happen without a road map to follow. I was with my husband, Todd, at a party and literally plowed my way through all of the carb-infested passed food! At fashion parties, I tend to be the only one who eats! After 20 minutes, I told him we had to go. I had ring around the waist - the red line that forms around your belly when you've eaten so much that your pants suddenly feel one size too small. He was disappointed, as we had just gotten there. I jokingly said "If my lip gloss would plump my lips and not my hips, I wouldn't be in this mess." And that was how the idea of Huge Lips Skinny Hips started.

He was the one who encouraged me to figure out how to manufacture it and get it out there. It took us two years to get where we are now - and literally every dime we ever had (and then some because I got to the point where I sold shoes along the way to pay for things!).

 

Sitting down the lab to formulate the product was one of the best experiences. As a former journalist who covered beauty, fashion, and style, I tried everything and I do mean everything. So there was no way I was going to make something unless it would replace what I already edited down to the best of the best in my makeup bag and medicine cabinet.

 

The gloss is formulated so that the plumper doesn't sting. It plumps with a Vitamin B derivative that naturally draws blood flow to the lips, not an irritant that hurts. The lemon peel oil and fruit extracts add a delicious flavor and cooling agent that tingles but lovingly.

 

And the meadowfoam is what keeps it all oh so moist. It binds all the moisture to the lip surface. I use the "No Panty Lines", which is clear, as a lip balm.

 

Beauty Bylines™ Interview: Meet Jenny Muller of Sephora's Beauty & the Blog!

Beauty Bylines™ is headed to Sephora this month to chat with Beauty & the Blog's Jenny Muller.  Jenny has her finger on the pulse of what's happening at Sephora and shares some of her favorite products, as well as one of the hottest new makeup trends, with us.

Beauty411:  Sephora is practically every gal's version of Candyland.  What is it like to blog for Sephora?  Since there are a team of bloggers, do you meet to decide who reviews/writes each post?

Jenny Muller:  I think my job title should be "Luckiest Girl In The World" - so if I’m just dreaming this all up, I’d like not to be pinched awake.  There are a few of us blogging, but there are so many products out there, we have plenty to chat about.  Plus, the beauty of beauty is that it’s so individual.  Two of us can try on the same mascara, and have totally different reactions.  I love trying on and discovering new products – it’s a thrill to  be able to slap on all these great brands, then spread the word when I find something that just changes my beauty routine.

Beauty411:  In the endless quest of product testing, have you ever had a disaster? I know I have!

JM:  I love trying out trends, but they’re so not one-style-fits-all.  For example, Sephora created a few really strong eye looks a few months ago, and I tried out the “opposite color wheel” look, pairing orange eyeshadow as a contrast to my blue eyes. It worked- orange made my eyes looked so strikingly blue it was like I was wearing contacts...and also had a communicable skin disease. 

Beauty411:  Working at Sephora, you've got your finger on the pulse of beauty trends.  What is one strong trend you're seeing now?

Beauty Bylines™ Interview: Meet Jason Backe, President and CEO, ted gibson beauty

This month's edition of Beauty Bylines™ allows me to introduce you to Jason Backe, President and CEO, ted gibson beauty, Clairol Color Director and Celebrity Colorist.  Obviously, he's got multi-tasking down to an art!  I met Jason a few months ago at a Clairol event in Chicago. He is completely charming, funny, accomplished and yet, thanks to Midwestern roots, so grounded.  Jason gives us great insight into how to get the look you want from your hair colorist. 

Beauty411: Jason, you have an incredibly successful career.  I'm a firm believer that success doesn't happen by accident.  What are some of the lessons you've learned along the way? 

Jason Backe:  Wow.  That’s a great  question and I agree with you 100% success doesn’t happen by accident.  In the 15 years I have been building my career as a colorist, trust and believe I have definitely learned some great lessons.  There is a wonderful little book called The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz.  In it he lists: be impeccable with your words, don’t take anything personally, don’t make assumptions and always do your best.  Those four things pretty much summarize the way I want to live, work and play

Beauty411:  You started out in the Midwest, hailing from Minnesota.  Did you always know/dream that you were headed for New York?

JB:  NO WAY!!!  When I was a little kid in Northern Minnesota, I fantasized of moving to the big city and having a home on the lake – back then my idea of the big city was Duluth.  In my twenties I began my career in Minneapolis.  Once I became established, I was sure I had made it and was more than content.  It’s only because of Ted Gibson that I ever left Minnesota.  I told him I would try NYC out for a year.  I had never even been to New York before except for a half day excursion to the Statue of Liberty and the World Trade Center with my family when I was 9 and then the exact same excursion when I was 20!  The day I moved to NYC I couldn’t believe it took me so long to get here and that it would be a very long time (if ever) that I left.

Beauty411:  Women have such a connection with their hair stylist/colorist.  What is your advice on how best to handle it if you (the client) aren't happy with a service?

JB:  Always be honest.  I was quoted in Allure magazine one time (to the horror of my mother) saying “The last thing I want is a woman to leave the salon saying “Jason totally fucked up my hair” – hehe and it’s true.  Beauty is individual – what I think is spectacular you may think is less than lovely.  Because of that I try not to take it personally when someone doesn’t like what I did for them.  I know all of my work is beautiful and if my guest doesn’t think so, it’s ok.  I’ll change it into something else I think is beautiful that she thinks is beautiful too.  If you are working with a colorist who doesn’t listen or isn’t open to your feedback, move on.

Beauty Bylines™ Interview: Meet Kerry Diamond of Lancome!

This month's edition of Beauty Bylines™ features Kerry Diamond, Vice President of Public Relations at Lancome.  Kerry has been involved in many aspects of the beauty and fashion world and took a few minutes out of her busy day to answer some questions for us.  I'm honored to introduce you to Kerry Diamond...

Beauty411:  Kerry, you write the Lancome blog, which is in my regular beauty blog reading rotation.  What are your thoughts on blogging so far?  Has it been fun?  How do you decide what to cover?

Kerry:  I'm glad to hear it's in your reading rotation. The response has been really nice. I'm having a good time with the blog and it lets me deal with the frustrated-former-beauty-editor side of my personality, but I have to confess--it's very time consuming! I know there are a lot of bloggers out there with day jobs and I don't know how they do it. As for what we cover, we don't plan it in advance. I try to write about something I think will be entertaining, informative and insider-y, whether you're a Lancome fan, a makeup artist, a fellow blogger or my mom.

Beauty411:  You've had amazing jobs at Harper's Bazaar, WWD, authored Kevin Aucoin: A Beautiful Life and now are in a high-profile position at Lancome.  Is there one project or accomplishment professionally that you're most proud of or get the most satisfaction from?

Kerry:  One? Yikes. It’s honestly three things. 1. The Kevyn Aucoin book. He was a remarkable human being and I was deeply honored when his team asked me to work on the project. 2. The Pout-a-Porter lipstick project. That has brought much joy to me, my team and to beauty and fashion junkies everywhere. We still can’t believe the Proenza lipstick sold for more than $120 on eBay. I still wear those lipsticks all the time. 3. My interns! I was lucky to have some great internships, so I’ve always made sure to have a great intern program wherever I am. I’m really proud that my former interns are amazing gals scattered around the industry, from Self to Nike Communications to Ladies Home Journal.

Beauty Bylines™ Interview: Meet Kim Soane of Bobbi Brown's Artistry Team

This month, Beauty Bylines™ explores the what it's like to be on Bobbi Brown's Elite Artistry Team with Kim Soane, Manager of Artistry at Bobbi Brown Cosmetics.  Kim is an accomplished makeup artist, having worked in fashion, on celebrities, in print and TV. 

Beauty411:  Did you always know you wanted to be a makeup artist?  How did you decide to turn your passion for beauty into something more? 

Kim:  When I was in grade 12, I ripped out an article about a woman that had started her own business by making women beautiful. I found it so inspiring and still have the article to this day.   

I was raised in a conservative environment where success in your job meant to work in an office, like a lawyer or an accountant does. After years working as a cosmetics buyer for a mass retailer in Canada, I would sit in buying meetings, stare at a vendor and say, “Yes, we will ship this product, but did you know that you would look great with some blush?”  

I started to do friends’ makeup for their weddings, and then I left the world of cubicles to work at a makeup counter. Since then, I have never looked back and have never been happier. 

Beauty411:  Describe for us what it's like to work with Bobbi Brown.  As a member of her Elite Beauty Team, how intense is the training? 

Kim:  I have been very fortunate over the past four years in New York to work side-by-side with Bobbi, and represent her brand on many occasions throughout North America, Europe, and Asia.  Bobbi leads by example. She is hard working, has high expectations, and is kind and honest. She challenges you to be the best you can be, to step back, look, and ask yourself, “Could it be better?” 

Every photo shoot, fashion show, and television appearance I do with Bobbi is a day of training. Each time I work with Bobbi, I learn and move forward, making me stronger and more creative.

Beauty Bylines Interview: Meet Jennifer Walsh of Behind the Brand Media

Jennifer Walsh holds many titles in the world of beauty: entrepreneur, makeup artist, CEO, beauty writer, stylist, TV beauty expert and brand builder.  Whew!  When I was developing the concept for Beauty Bylines, my goal was to introduce you to some of the people that make or shape beauty news or are connected to the beauty industry.  In Jennifer Walsh, you get the total package.  I'm very honored to introduce you to her!

Beauty411:  Have you always been interested in beauty and makeup?

Jennifer:  Not always. However, my mother was a make-up artist in NYC while I was growing up so I was always surrounded by the industry.  I really didn’t really begin my love affair with beauty until my college days.

Beauty411:  When and how did you decide to start turn your passion for beauty into something more?

Jennifer:  After college I tried my hand at a few different jobs – financial, real estate, etc but I began doing make-up for movies ,TV ,runway, concerts and photo shoots a year or 2 after college. I knew that I didn’t have much experience so I would offer my services for FREE! That way, I could build my book of work, build my experience, and build relationships (all the while I had other jobs). People would “hire” me all of the time because I would come on set excited to help, I was eager to learn and I was free. I have had the opportunity to work on A list celebs, athletes, top models, pop stars ~ you name it, I’ve done it!

BEAUTY BYLINES Interview: Meet Heather Park of MAC Cosmetics!

Heather Park lives life like she means it.  By day, she's a public relations pro for MAC Cosmetics.  She's a social media darling, regularly posting on Twitter and interacting with followers from every walk of life.  At night she's a powerhouse singer with killer pipes.  Beauty. Fashion. Music. Media.  Where these worlds intersect is where you'll find Heather Park.  Come meet her!

Beauty411: You work for MAC; a makeup line every beauty addict is familiar with.  Can you share a little about what you do at MAC?

Heather:  I work in the PR department for M·A·C, with a focus on regional media an New Media.  Basically my job is to secure press for M·A·C and our M·A·C PRO Team in those media outlets: local newspapers, magazines and television stations, as well as blogs, websites and other alternative media.  Oddly enough, the two areas couldn’t be more polar opposites of each other!

Beauty411:  I was so lucky to meet you in person in September at Fashion Week.  What is your primary involvement with Fashion Week?  When do you start planning? 

Heather:  M·A·C is the official cosmetics sponsor of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week.  Each season, M·A·C does the makeup at nearly 75 shows.  My role is to escort press and media backstage so they can get interviews with the key makeup artist, the hair stylist and the nail team so they can write their beauty trend stories for the upcoming season.

Beauty411:  If we peeked into your makeup bag, what products would we find?

BEAUTY BYLINES Interview: Confessions of a Beauty Addict author Nadine Haobsh

This month's BEAUTY BYLINES features one of my favorite authors, bloggers and beauty authorities, Nadine Haobsh.  I had been a reader and fan of Nadine's first blog, "Jolie in NYC" from the beginning.  That blog has morphed into "Jolie Nadine", which is full of beauty news and Nadine's forays--only now she's based in LA.  When I had the opportunity to meet her last May, I was charmed. Nadine has recently published her second book, "Confessions of a Beauty Addict". 

I'm so thrilled and proud to introduce my Beauty411 readers to Nadine Haobsh:

Beauty411:  You've been in the news, you've done infomercials, you've done book tours--how do you feel about being in the fishbowl?  Has being a celebrity changed your lifestyle?  For better or worse?

Nadine:  I don’t think of myself as a celebrity in the slightest, and I’m always taken aback when somebody recognizes me – it happens really infrequently and is so jarring.  “Me?  You are talking to ME?”  I’ve had one or two famous types recognize me, from the Bare Minerals commercials I did, and it’s a trip.  My life is completely the same, though; it’s hardly like I’m Lindsay Lohan!  The one thing that is bizarre about living in the fishbowl, however, is in regard to dating.  I’ve asked some guys I’ve dated if it bothers them that I put most of my life online, and they don’t seem to mind—in fact, it seems to attract some of them in the beginning—but then I end up feeling a pressure to always be “on”. 

My online persona is sometimes very different from me in real life; I’m much more free and open on paper/on screen, and really have to push myself to open up in some real-life scenarios.  I’ll document my entire life exhaustively, yet can barely carry on a three-minute small-talk conversation with somebody I’ve been dating for a month!

Beauty411:  You've lived a little of everywhere--what's been your favorite place to live and why?

Nadine:  I miss London like a crazy person – I have a lot of friends and family there, so I feel very comfortable and surrounded by love and fun, but it’s also such a vibrant, buzzing city!  (Or, at least, it was before the markets collapsed and the pound declined!)  Plus, London has the royals, it has polo, enjoys some of the best restaurants, clubs and hotels in the world, and you can hop on a plane or train and be anywhere in Europe in just a few short hours!  I dream of a day when I can live in the Sussex or Gloucestershire countryside with my dogs, Wellies and Land Rover, writing all day and having wine and brandies with friends in the study all night.  (My personal England doesn’t traffic in clichés at all, no siree.) 

Beauty411:  If you weren't involved in the beauty business, what would you be doing?

Nadine:  If I weren’t involved with beauty, I think I’d still be doing something creative that involved writing: perhaps working for a PR firm or an advertising agency as a copywriter.  When I was younger, I wanted to be a CIA operative, so, you know, there’s always that…