Brooke Moinet

This time of year usually calls for a lot of get-togethers and social gatherings. Some of which can last all night and leave you wondering what happened to all that primping you did pre-party. Here are a few of the extra steps I like to take for those special occasions.

• Be sure to use a primer under your foundation. whether you like a loose mineral powder or an all out liquid foundation, this will keep your coverage true on through the cocktails.
• Pack blotting papers in your purse to ensure excess oil doesn’t shine through in photos.
• Use waterproof/smudge-proof mascara and eyeliner for the night. If you’re like me and always messing with your eyes and face, this will help ensure you don’t rub off the cat-eye look you’ve mastered.
• Use a highlighter on the high points of your cheekbones, and on the inner corner of your eyes.  This trick will help those features pop not only in pictures, but from across the room as well.
• GO Smile makes these amazing little travel touchups that fit perfectly in any clutch, or purse. If you’re a red wine drinker these babies will save your life (well, maybe just your teeth). 
• Always pack a concealer pencil/pen, black eyeliner, backcombing comb, and of course your lip-shade for the night to make sure you stay flawless the whole night through.

It’s that time of year again. Time to start brainstorming for that fashionista on your gifting list. Lucky for you, designers and cosmetic companies alike are combining beauty, fragrance and fashion together to create an accessory fit for a beauty queen.  Brands such as Dior, YSL, Marc Jacobs, Juicy Couture, Urban-Decay, Givenchy and more are offering these chic two in one gift-ables.

Whether she opens a sparkled ring with lip-gloss inside, or a bracelet containing her favorite fragrance, these items will not disappoint. Now, head out to your favorite beauty store and mark that fashionista off your list.

Whether you’re in freezing cold temperatures or tropical weather your skin is parched, and needs some hydration. I have always been a fan of BLISS products, and Blood Orange+ White Pepper Body Butter is no exception.

Bliss Body Butter new flavor is just as juicy as it sounds. Not only does it smell delicious but your skin feels quenched after you apply it, without a greasy residue. Blood Orange + White Pepper also come in a sugar scrub and shower gel, to help you prep your skin for the ultimate in body butter bliss.

Other Body Butter scents come in Lemon+ Sage, Vanilla Bergamot, Naked, and of course a holiday scent perfect for gifting.

A common trend I have been spotting on celebs is this “retro” look. Bright, light colored  shadow and bold black eyeliner, i.e. Cher circa 1970.

Madonna and Alicia Keys tried to play off the look as an everyday type trend by off setting it with Marilyn Monroe soft curls. However, to me it just looked unbalanced.

Christina Aguilera and Lady Gaga on the other hand, played up the look with a coordinating retro hair style. In my opinion, this flows a little better…

Still, this is a bold look. If you are going to attempt this makeup trend may I suggest trying it at night? And don’t forget to play in your hair and overall style when going for the retro eyes. And maybe seeking a professional to show you how to apply the makeup correctly, without looking too clownish.

My tips:

• Start out with a light nude, or pastel shadow all over the eye lid. A cream base would suit best for this look, because they tend to deliver a higher concentration of pigment.
• (optional) For contrast use a slightly darker shade for depth in the outer lash line up into the crease, or your “V” area on the lid.
• Use a black liquid liner on the lash line starting out thin and building up as you go. Using the liner, raise the outer corner to avoid making your eyes appear too small.
• On the bottom lid, use a white eyeliner on the inner lash line to give your eye that retro “pop”.
• Line the bottom lashes below the lash line up to the inner corner and out to the edge of the eye. For more dramatic, Cleopatra-esque look drag out the liner past the lash line.
• Apply several coats of mascara, and false eyelashes are also an option.

This season bejeweled hair pins, and headbands, silky and sparkle alike are all the rage. You’ve seen the look on the runways and on your favorite TV shows. Keep the look up-to-date with textured hair. Add curls and volume to your hair to stay in the now.  Don’t be afraid to layer, and mix texture.

Has the city, state, or region you live in, still not passed the “non-smoking ban” in bars and restaurants? Yes, it’s disgusting and annoying. Especially if you’re too tired to take a shower and spend an hour blowing-out your locks before bed.

Until your area of residence catches up to modern times, my suggestion is a dry shampoo. The dry shampoos come in a powder, or spray form and contain ingredients that soak up excess oils and diffuse odors in the hair.

As a Cosmetologist I have seen my fair share of damaged hair. That would also include my own hair.  This also feeds my interest for trying products, any and all of them. Can I just tell you that no, not all products are created equally.

Lets see, you have the store brand products that claim salon quality (I’ve yet to see the similarities there), and then you have low-end salon, mid-grade salon, and high-end salon quality. Yes, I know they aren’t labeled that way but, trust me, there are different quality levels of professional products.

For me the best products are sold only at a higher professional level salon.  The products distributors look into the salons for certain qualifications to carry their product.  Luckily for me I have had the opportunity to work with some of these different brands so I can now tell you what my favorite is. The best brand for all hair types is Kerastase, hands down.  Whether your hair is wirey, dry and curly/unruly, or weak, damaged, and on the verge of falling out of your head, this brand works wonders.

From shampoo, and conditioner, to vitamins, and treatment for swimmers hair, Kerastase has you covered. Not only will Kerastase work your hair into salon shape on a daily basis, their in salon treatments work miracles as well. I have felt the difference in my clients hair, my hair, and my family’s hair. Trust me on this one, it’s well worth the price tag.

I have always been obsessed with mascara. I am constantly searching for that miracle mascara that thickens, lengthens, and doesn’t smear throughout the day. I think I found it. My current everyday mascara (that I can even carry into night by reapplying for more oomph) is Imju Fiberwig. This miracle in a tube is exactly what it sounds like, black fibers that build just like a wig on your lashes.  What’s even more amazing is when you wash off the mascara, it doesn’t leave you with raccoon eyes. Therefore, it’s also great for weddings and hot weather!

Another daily favorite of mine is, Laura Mercier tinted moisturizer SPF 20 - illuminating version.  this formulation is lightweight and flawless, just like it says. This tinted moisturizer is great for a sheer coverage or you can achieve a bit heavier application by layering the product.

If you’re more into a matte look, try Glo-Minerals tinted moisturizer.  this product also gives a healthy dose of moisture plus coverage, while protecting your skin from UV rays.

It doesn’t seem right. Perfect bodies, and even flawless faces. Magazines and television have airbrushing and special effect teqniques to diffuse any imperfections a model or actress may have. Now, you too can achieve a flawless face for a special night out.

Rather than going to a makeup artist for a makeup application, try an at home application of airbrush-esque  foundation and high-defination makeup.

Every so often it’s nice to be reminded of what’s not so “in” anymore. I gatherd up a few of my  top peves.

As far as hair goes:

•  ”Chunks” are out , as in highlights. This not only looks out-dated but it looks tacky and cheap.
•  Hair that is too dark can make you look stark and pale, especially in the colder months. Try a chocolate shade oppose to a blue black. This will keep you from looking older than you want to look. Too dark of hair can bring out the not so flattering lines and textures on your face.

Skin, Body, Face:

• If you’re tanning everyday, or on a regular basis and you’re looking like you’ve just gotten back from the tropics, not only are you severely jeopardizing your health, but you look like a freak of nature. Please stop. There is a difference between a “healthy glow” and  future skin cancer patient.
• Brows; Natural, full brows that are groomed and have shape are in-style, and most flattering. So, if you’re still sporting the two rows of hair above your eyes, you need to cancel your next brow appointment and make it for about six months to a year. Unless you’re a drag queen, you need to start growing those baby’s out.
• Makeup; A “full face” is not appropriate unless you’re onstage. If eyes are heavy, keep the rest of the face neutral. And if lips are dark, keep your eyes light and natural. Cheeks should be kept light with a heavy lip.

Hope this helps!