Sophisticated in Fenty Pink… Alex Boldea

This ever so slightly 1980’s inspired pink look seemed like the perfect time to dig into the latest Fenty Mattemoiselle Plus Matte Lipstick collection. Alex and I both fell in love with Candy Venom, the shade in the above image. It’s a cool toned electric pink with just enough depth to keep it wearable. In fact, Alex loved it so much (and she is not really a huge fan of pink) that she took it home.

Note: I used the NARS Blush in Desire on Alex’s cheeks and in the crease of her eyelids. To keep her eyelids even and help the blush blend more smoothly, I tapped on a small amount of the NARS Smudgeproof Eyeshadow Base.

MODEL // Alex Boldea
MAKEUP // Robin Black

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Fenty Mattemoiselle in Candy Venom

NARS Blush in Desire

Koh Gen Do Maifanshi Moisture Foundation

Sisley Paris Mascara So Intense

Sisley Paris Thickening Brow Gel in Transparent

Lavender & Magenta… Chloe Blanchard

I am re-discovering lavender. It’s been a while since the color held much interest for me but after seeing it coming down recent runways in silks, cashmere and tulle, it’s suddenly intriguing again. Tom Ford’s new Extreme collection (which I just got my hands on a few days ago!) includes several sparking lavender/violet/purple hues as well as a magenta Lash and Brow Tint. I couldn’t resist using them together to create a sort of futuristic monochromatic eye.

With so much excitement around her eyes, I kept the rest of Chloe’s face glowing and minimal for balance. A sheer nude lip, high sheen skin with a subtle touch of cream contour and a well blended pop of color on her cheeks to finish the look. Chloe has some of the most flawless (and perfectly freckled!) skin I have ever seen so I mixed my favorite Koh Gen Do Maifanshi Moisture Foundation into a tiny bit of Sisley Paris Black Rose Skin Infusion Cream to create a very sheer tint.

MODEL // Chloe Blanchard
MAKEUP // Robin Black

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Tom Ford Shadow Extreme in Lavender

Tom Ford Shadow Extreme in Deep Purple

Tom Ford Lash and Brow Tint in Magenta

Tom Ford Ultra Shine Lip Color in Bare

Tom Ford Soleil Sheer Cheek Duo in Exotica

Tom Ford Shade and Illuminate in Intensity Two

Tom Ford SS18… Alex Boldea

The new Tom Ford SS18 collection just arrived (very conveniently on the day Alex was joining me in the studio) and although it’s just three pieces, it’s absolutely striking! The Extreme Shadow SS18 is a sparkling charcoal black which looks great worn alone but is even more exciting when topped with the SS18 Eye Gloss. The SS18 Eye Gloss definitely gives a longer wear time (30-45 minutes before serious creasing starts) to a glossy eyelid than actual lip gloss, which I used in my pervious post to create the oil slick eyes. And of course, if you don’t mind a messy smoky eye (I don’t!), it’s worth experimenting with it for an evening out on the town.

The Tom Ford Shade and Illuminate is one of those products that has had a place in my kit since it was first released years ago.  It’s the quickest way to a super glam highlight and contour. I used it along with a tiny pop of Shade and Illuminate Cheeks in Scintillate. The lips are a mixture of Ultra Shine Lip Gloss in Naked and Peach Absolute.

Note: Alex and I got really inspired and followed this look with two more… stay tuned!

MODEL // Alex Boldea
MAKEUP // Robin Black

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Tom Ford SS18 Shadow Extreme

Tom Ford SS18 Eye Gloss

Tom Ford SS18 Shade and Illuminate

Oil Slick… Giannina Oteto

I never get bored of Giannina’s striking features! I could do makeup on her every day and it would take me years to run out of looks. This particular one was the result of a discussion about black lipstick that turned into a quick experiment.  I used the same Marc Jacobs Liquid Lip Crayon in Blacquer lipstick on her lips and eyelids, then created the oil slick vibe by applying MAC Lip Glass on top.

Note: I should have continued the Fenty Match Stix foundation down over her chest and shoulder to keep the texture more consistent… and yes, I am my own worst critic.

MODEL // Giannina Oteto
MAKEUP // Robin Black

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Marc Jacobs Liquid Lip Crayon in Blacquer

Marc Jacobs Glow Glistening Illuminator

Fenty Beauty Match Stix Matte Skinstick in Espresso

NARS Blush in Exhibit A

Artist Series 01 : Regina Yazdi

Welcome to our new Artist Series! We will be featuring makeup artists, illustrators, hair stylists, wig makers, fine artists, graphic artists, nail geniuses and anyone else that catches our eye. The photo style will stay the same so that the focus is on our guest artist’s creation. To kick off the series, we collaborated with my dear friend and brilliant illustrator, Regina Yazdi.

Regina was my second Instagram “date” (the first was @ruba, Instagram has been good to me!). I was crazy about her artwork and when we discovered that we lived five minute apart, we set up a coffee. Since then, we have collaborated on all kinds of beauty projects and have been spotted together at so many beauty events that people assume we are sisters. I suppose we are sisters in creative spirit because there is no one I would rather spend a day shopping with in Paris (read the story here!) and certainly no one who can debate about the merits of true red lipstick vs. just slightly brighter true red lipstick for hours on end. However, aside from my personal connection to Regina, it’s really her talent that made me want her as our first guest artist.

She has worked with too many big names for me to conveniently list (Chanel, Allure, Harry Winston, Harpers Bazaar, L’oreal, etc.), loaning her distinctive style to projects as diverse as luxury cosmetics packaging, fashion magazine spreads, decorating designer heels, theatre posters and live events. What I find fascinating about Regina is her ability to add beauty to just about anything you put in front of her. She can do the most gorgeous free flowing portrait using a broken wooden chopstick and some black ink (true story!) or sit down with her paints and create a perfectly detailed diamond necklace that looks like you can lift it off the page. I’ve seen her illustrate shoes, bags, canvas, boxes, fabric, ceramics and every form of paper imaginable but never directly on skin. So for our Artist Series feature, I thought it would be fun to have her paint directly on a face!

Note: Regina used MAC Pro Chromacake for the roses. The rest of the makeup (all NARS) is listed below.

Note: Cameron Rose is not just an amazing model, she is also a talented painter who is currently working on a gallery show.  Check her Instagram for updates!

Note: An extra thank you to Ericka who drove across town and created the perfect curls!

ILLUSTRATOR // Regina Yazdi
MODEL // Cameron Rose
HAIR // Ericka Verrett
MAKEUP // Robin Black

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NARS Blush in Misconduct

NARS Blush in Gina

NARS Velvet Matte Lip Pencil in Get Off

NARS Audacious Mascara in Black Moon

NARS Custard Radiant Creamy Concealer

What’s Your Favorite Lipstick?… Jesse Somera

I’ve been thinking quite a bit about lipstick lately – the way a simple swipe of color can change your mood, act as emotional armor, make a statement about your personality, be an accessory to your style, enhance or overwhelm your face and even become an “I feel naked without it” staple. Such a small thing but surprisingly powerful and the best part is that there is no commitment.  You can change lipstick ten times a day with no consequence aside from dry lips.  I can’t think of another form of physical enhancement that is so easy to experiment with. That being said, I am always astonished how often people say “oh but I can’t pull off red/orange/etc  lipstick”. Life is short so go try on a new lipstick right now! Paint your lips with all the colors that have caught your eye but you were afraid “weren’t you”. Go red, go black, try neon or metallic!

Note: Lipstick is cool on men, women, transgendered people, drag queens, drag kings, androgynous folks and the undeclared! If you don’t believe me, check out the ridiculously good looking Jesse Somera in the images above!

Note: I’ve always admired women who wear a strong shade with such frequency that it becomes a signature (Diana Vreeland’s red red lips!) and while I would like that to be me, it’s not.  I do have a favorite shade of red plus three nudes that I bounce between but on the side, I have flirtations with 90’s brick, orange reds, vampy darks and every once in a while, a deep pink.

MODEL // Jesse Somera
MAKEUP // Robin Black

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Chanel Rouge Allure Velvet in No. 3

Smashbox Always On Liquid Lipstick in Carat Stick

Tom Ford Lip Color in Spanish Pink

NARS Powermatte Lip Pigment in Rock With You

Lash Out… Ella Flood

How much lash is too much? Last week Ella Flood stopped by the studio and we conducted some very scientific tests to determine this urgent question. By “scientific” I mean we listened to old tunes, ate snacks, talked blue hair dye (she does her own) and then tried on a variety of fake lashes.

We settled on this top and bottom combo (both Ardell) paired with Charlotte Tilbury’s Luxury Palette in The Rock Chic. The smoky gray and silver shadows soften the dramatic lashes for a look that subtly references the 1960’s. The pale peachy nude lips and cheeks also give a nod to the 60’s but the textures keep the look modern.

Note: Ella is a very talented fine artist and she occasionally posts artworks to her Instagram, @oscarcash. Definitely worth checking out!

MODEL // Ella Flood
MAKEUP // Robin Black

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Charlotte Tilbury Luxury Palette in The Rock Chic

Ardell Double Up Wispies

Charlotte Tilbury Hot Lips in Kim K W

Charlotte Tilbury Cheek to Chic in Ecstasy

Ardell 112 Lower Black

DIOR DOES PINK… Crystal Van Commenee

I’m not always a fan of pink but when Peter Phillips at Dior launches a whole collection dedicated to the color, well consider me a convert! My favorite items in the limited edition Glow Addict Spring 2018 collection include the 5 Couleurs eye palettes (two palettes, each with a mix of pink, burgandy and neutral shades), the Bold Brow in 005 Pink (surprisingly flattering) and the new shades of Lip Glow (currently wearing 001 for an ultra subtle flush of color).

Oh and no need to wait for the actual spring to break out these shades. Unexpected pops of pink brighten up the gloomy January weather and pair perfectly with your favorite sweater.

MODEL // Crystal Van Commenee
MAKEUP // Robin Black

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Dior Glow Addict 5 Couleurs 887 Thrill

Dior Lip Glow 008 Ultra Pink

DiorSkin Nude Air Luminizer 001 Holo Pink

Diorshow Bold Brow in 005 Pink

DiorSkin Forever Undercover

Dots and Spikes… Brooke Candy

Brooke and I finally managed to find a day where both of our schedules were clear! It doesn’t sound that complicated but between her recording sessions, travel and performances plus my photo shoots, travel and various work obligations, it’s been months since we have been able to get together! One of my favorite things about Brooke is that she always shows up with a new look. This time she arrived at the studio with several new face tattoos, shaved brows and black hair (a dramatic difference from her previously platinum blonde).

Brooke does a lot of dramatic makeup on stage (which I love!) so when she visits, I always want to do something completely different. Taking inspiration from the three tattooed dots in the center of her brows, I simply continued the shape with more dots. A pair of spiky fake lashes, peachy nude lips and cheeks with glowing skin completed the minimal makeup look.

Note: She is performing live in Sao Paulo, Brazil on February 3rd as well as at the Crofoot Ballroom in Pontiac, MI on the 22nd.  Check out her Instagram for more upcoming dates and ticket details!

Note: For past looks featuring Brooke Candy, click here, or here, or here, or here!

MODEL // Brooke Candy
MAKEUP // Robin Black

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Kat Von D Tattoo Liner in Trooper Black

Ardell Spiky Lashes 388

Charlotte Tilbury K.I.S.S.I.N.G. Lipstick in Bitch Perfect

Marc Jacobs Glow Glistening Illuminator

Smashbox X Beauty Is Boring… Photo Edit Trios

So excited to finally show a few of the images from my recent collaboration with Smashbox! This is just a little taste so make sure to check out @beautyisboring_ for more photos, I’ll be posting them over the next month.  And of course, you can also see even more looks in Smashbox’s Venice store, on their website, etc.

Note: The Photo Edit Eyeshadow Trios come in palettes shaped like a camera lens so obviously this was the perfect collaboration for me!

MODEL // Minji Money
MODEL // Mae Van Der Weide
MODEL // Raven Lyn
MAKEUP // Robin Black

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Smashbox Photo Edit Eyeshadow Trio in Holy Crop

Smashbox Photo Edit Eyeshadow Trio in Night Shoot

Smashbox Photo Edit Eyeshadow Trio in Punked