ULTRAMODERN… Sara Cummings

Sara Cummings, Robin Black, Beauty Is BoringI generally find models through their agencies, occasionally through friends or email submissions and every once in a while, on the street. Recently I’ve also been seeing some amazing faces on Instagram, including Sara Cummings. I stumbled on an image of her posted by a mutual acquaintance and was so taken with her look that I immediately reached out. We experimented with two completely different makeup styles so stay tuned for another round of Sara later this week!

Note: Sara’s skin is really this good, no retouching or foundation needed!


PRODUCTS // Soleil Tan de Chanel (used on cheeks and eyelids), Anastasia Brow Wiz in EbonyEyeko Brow GelMAC Chromacake in Pure White (used in hair), Laura Mercier Secret Camouflage in SC-3 (mixed with lip treatment to create nude look on lips), Avene Cold Cream for LipsClarins Toning Lotion with CamomileClarins Double Serum (applied under moisturizer and tapped over it on the cheekbones to add sheen), Clarins Multi-Active Day Correction Cream.

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SUMMER GLAM… Kylie Cusick

This look needs a party to attend, preferably one with a disco ball and lots of dancing.

Note: I first shot Kylie back in 2012 in the early days of Beauty Is Boring.  She had long hair and bleached brows, totally different from her current style.  It’s always fun to see the models evolve over the years!


PRODUCTS // NARS Dual Intensity Eyeshadow in Himalia, NARS Matte Eyeshadow in Bengali, Clarins Crayon Khol Eye Pencil in Intense Black, Clarins Be Long Mascara Intense Black, DiorSkin Nude Tan Matte in Cinnamon, Rouge Dior in Trafalgar

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MUGLER RESORT 2015… BACKSTAGE WITH CLARINS

I’ve been getting lots of requests for a product list and details from the Mugler Resort 2015 presentation so here is a full look breakdown from the backstage at Milk Studios in NYC. All products by Clarins!

It is important to start with a completely clean face so I began by gently pattin each model’s skin with organic cotton pads saturated in the Water Purify One-Step Cleanser. Then I used a light tapping motion with my fingertips to apply the Toning Lotion with Camomile. After that, I gently pressed on a tiny bit of the Double Serum followed by the Multi Active Day Correction Cream. Finally, I applied the Super Restorative Total Eye Concentrate to the tips of my fingers and starting at the inside of the eyes, pressed gently from the inside corner of the eyes to the temples.

With the skin prepped, I created a palette on the back of my left hand with small amounts of Double Serum, Skin Illusion Foundation and Instant Concealer in several shades. Using a foundation brush, I painted on the various products, mixing the foundation and concealer with the Double Serum to make them more sheer. I concentrated the paler colors on the high points of the face and the deeper colors as contour. Then I blended them together. This might seem more difficult than just applying a single shade but the results are worth it and it’s surprisingly easy to do at home!

To give the effect of light reflecting on the center of the face, I dabbed the Instant Light Brush On Perfector under the eyes and on the brow bones. I then applied the Instant Light Complexion Base on the top of the cheekbones, down the center of the face and on the peak above the lips.

Using the Multi-Blush Cream Blush in Grenadine (it looks bright in the package but the color is amazing on most complexions!), I painted it on the apples of the cheeks and then blended toward the temples to create a lifted face shape. Without adding any additional product to the brush, I blended both temples for a healthy flush.

Brows were groomed upward and secured into place with the Double Fix Mascara. I also brushed a coat of Double Fix Mascara onto the eye lashes and then curled them to open up the eye. This step makes going sans mascara easier and prettier!

For the final touch, I applied Rouge Eclat in Woodrose and gently pressed it into the model’s lips using my finger. I applied a light second coat and then blotted the corners of the lips to reduce excess shine gathering in that area.

Note: Model, Katia Selinger. Hair by Charlie Taylor.


PRODUCTS // Clarins Water Purify One-Step Cleanser, Clarins Toning Lotion with Camomile, Clarins Double Serum, Clarins Multi Active Day Correction Cream, Clarins Super Restorative Total Eye Concentrate, Clarins Skin Illusion Foundation, Clarins Instant Concealer, Clarins Instant Light Brush-On Perfector in 03 Medium Beige, Clarins Instant Light Complexion Base, Clarins Multi-Blush Cream Blush in Grenadine, Clarins Double Fix Mascara, Clarins Rouge Eclat in Woodrose

MODEL // Katie Selinger
HAIR // Charlie Taylor

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MUGLER RESORT 2015… Steffi Soede

Click here to check out my backstage feature on the Mugler Resort 2015 Presentation on the newly launched Yahoo Beauty site! All the makeup is by Clarins,  a French heritage brand that is best known for it’s skincare but has surprisingly great color products.  The lip shades shown above are Clarins Rouge Eclat in Nude Caramel, Juicy Clementine, True Aubergine and WoodRose (the color we used for the presentation).

Note: Gorgeous face provided by Steffi Soede.

MODEL // Steffi Soede

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SUMMER COLOR… Polina Protodyakonova

I love the idea of mixing clashing tones and it’s especially easy to pull off when you have a subtle tan.  This warm orange eye and coral cheek contrast with the cool pink lip to create an interesting interpretation of summer color.  These shades can go very bubblegum so leaving off the mascara gives the look a more modern edge.

Note: The extremely thin black eyeliner on Polina’s upper lashline was created with an amazing product I recently discovered, the Clarins 3-Dot Liner.  It’s a liquid liner with three prongs that makes tight lines like this one simple.


PRODUCTS // NARS Duo Eyeshadow in Mediteranee, Clarins 3-Dot Liner in Black, Anastasia Brow Wiz in Soft Brown, Chanel Cream Blush in Presage, Chanel Soleil Tan De Chanel Bronzing Makeup Base, Dior Addict Lipstick in Singuliere, Koh Gen Do Liquid Concealer, Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer in Sand

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WHY DON’T YOU… Maggimae Cecelia

In honor of Diana Vreeland’s spirited view of beauty, here are five suggestions for a less ordinary weekend:

1) Indulge in gilded eyelids flecked with 24k gold flakes – appropriate for a picnic or a disco.

2) Abandon social media for an entire day. Breathe. Your skin will look better.

3) Conspire with expert colorist Aura Friedman to create the perfect rose gold hue for your tresses. Take inspiration from Anna Sheffield’s gorgeous jewelry.

4) Wear an architectural vintage Mugler piece to celebrate the reinvention of the line by  David Koma and Virginie Courtin-Clarins.

5) See at least one thought provoking piece of art.


PRODUCTS // Make Up Forever Flash Color Pot in Gold, Le Volume De Chanel Mascara in Noir, Tom Ford Shade and Illuminate in Intensity Two, Tom Ford Lip Color in Nude Vanille, Koh Gen Do Maifanshi Makeup Color Base Lavender Pink, Koh Gen Do Maifanshi Moisture Foundation in 013, Koh Gen Do Moisture Concealer in Medium, Koh Gen Do Maifanshi Face Powder

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Charlotte Tilbury… Dallas Hernandez

I couldn’t resist doing another look on Dallas, her features and freckles are so cool! Plus, it was a great opportunity to do an entire face with the gorgeous new line by Charlotte Tilbury.


PRODUCTS // Luxury Palette in The Rock Chic, Charlotte Tilbury Rock-n-Khol in Bedroom Black, Charlotte Tilbury Full Fat Lashes in Glossy Black, Cheek to Chic in Love Glow, K.I.S.S.I.N.G in Love Bite, Charlotte’s Magic Cream

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SKIN… Dallas Hernandez

I have a skincare obsession and lucky me, I get the chance to experiment not just on myself but on models, actresses, friends, etc.  As a result, I have a pretty comprehensive skincare arsenal.  These are some of the tried and true products I use daily, on myself and/or on set:

Clarins Radiance-Plus Golden Glow Booster is the reason I don’t look like a zombie after an overseas flight.  I mix two drops with my moisturizer and smooth it on pre-boarding.  When the plane lands, I have a subtle glow.  Another star product, Clarins Double Serum is an award winning serum that does just about everything!

Sisley Paris Botanical D-Tox and Supremya la nuit are two of the best night time anti-aging products I have tried.  Are they expensive?  Yes.  Do you look better in the morning? Yes.

I’ve been using Creme De La Mer for years as backstage skincare.  It’s great for revitalizing tired, dehydrated skin or for models who have already done three runway shows that day.  My current favorites are The Moisturizing Soft CreamThe Eye Concentrate and The Lip Balm.

I am a huge fan of face mists and tend to spray myself (and the models, and my assistants, and the stylist and pretty much anyone who comes close) all day long.  Topping my list of face mists are the legendary Avene Thermal Spring Water and Heritage Rose Water.

Charlotte Tilbury’s Magic Cream is a new product that I just recently started using on set.  The finish is really beautiful and ideal under makeup, plus the smell is divine.

I frequently have reactions to fragranced products so Perricone MD’s Hypoallergetic Nourishing Moisturizer is my go-to for calming daytime moisture.

Koh Gen Do Cleansing Water is one of the most soothing makeup removers I’ve come across.  They also make a great Soft Gommage Gel that is gentle enough to use pre-photoshoot.

You can’t go wrong with slathering your face in Chanel.  Hydra Beauty Nourishing Lip CareHydra Beauty CremeHydra Beauty Serum and the Gentle Bi-Phase Eye Makeup Remover are always in my kit.

Speaking of cult Korean skincare, I recently tested the Sulwhasoo Essential Revitalizing Serum and was very impressed!

I love sake so it stands to reason that I adore SK-II.  Their Facial Treatment Essence makes my skin feel incredibly smooth and the Treatment Mask is a quick fix for dull, dry skin.

For those of you that prefer natural skin care, the following companies make some of my favorites:  RMS, Tata Harper & Dr. Hauschka.

Note: Click here to see a photo of my studio skincare stash…

Note: Dallas is completely au naturel in the above image – no makeup just lots of skincare and amazing freckles!


PRODUCTS // Clarins Radiance-Plus Golden Glow Booster, Clarins Double Serum, Sisley Paris Botanical D-Tox, Supremya la nuit, Creme De La Mer, The Moisturizing Soft Cream, The Eye Concentrate, The Lip Balm, Heritage Rose Water, Charlotte Tilbury’s Magic Cream, Perricone MD’s Hypoallergetic Nourishing Moisturizer, Chanel Hydra Beauty Nourishing Lip Care, Chanel Hydra Beauty Creme, Chanel Hydra Beauty Serum, Chanel Gentle Bi-Phase Eye Makeup Remover, SK-II Facial Treatment Essence, SK-II Treatment Mask

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CHANEL… Courtney Money

It’s been a while since I did a look using just one brand but I really wanted to try out the latest Chanel Illusion D’Ombre Eyeshadow in New Moon, Le Blush Creme De Chanel in Cheeky and the Chanel Le Blanc Light Revealing Brightening Makeup Base in Rose. Since I was already deep into my Chanel stash, I figured I might as well keep it in the family with the lipstick, bronzer, mascara, skincare, etc.

Note: The one item not Chanel in this image is the white eye-liner used on the inner rim. It’s my go-to NARS Eyeliner Pencil in Iceberg.

Note: Courtney (and yes, her real last name is Money) has the most amazing features and skin… stay tuned for more looks with her!


PRODUCTS // Chanel Illusion D’Ombre in New Moon, La Ligne De Chanel in Noir, Le Volume De Chanel Mascara in Noir, Chanel Soleil Tan De Chanel Bronzing Makeup Base, Le Blush Creme De Chanel in Cheeky, Chanel Rouge Allure Moire in Farouche, Chanel Le Blanc Light Revealing Brightening Makeup Base in Rose, Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua in 20 Beige, Chanel Hydra Beauty Nourishing Lip Care, Chanel Hydra Beauty Creme

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RED SPRING… HANNAH VANDERMOLEN

I refuse to give up red eyeshadow simply because it’s Spring.  I love the wisteria and roses that bloom in my garden this time of year but that is no reason to surrender to pastels.  Besides, this combination of rich amber red eyes with glowing skin and pale lips reminds me of a flower… just a really gothic flower.

Note: When Hannah isn’t busy playing muse, she creates oil paintings and illustrations.


PRODUCTS // Tom Ford Eye Color Quad in Burnished Amber, NARS Eyeliner Pencil in Iceberg, Le Volume De Chanel Mascara in Noir, Tom Ford Lip Color in Vanilla Suede, Koh Gen Do Maifanshi Makeup Color Base Lavender Pink, Koh Gen Do Maifanshi Moisture Foundation in 013, Koh Gen Do Moisture Concealer in Light, NARS Matte Multiple in Vientiane

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