For the past two days, several of the D Beauty staffers, a slew of MAC makeup artists, and two Frederic Fekkai hair stylists converged in downtown Dallas to pull of a most spectacular photo shoot (if I do say so myself). Of course there were others involved—the photographer, his assistants, the location coordinator, the stylist, etc.—but I only mention hair and makeup because when my interviews are done and the women are gorgeous and ready for their close up, I get to hang out, chit chat, and learn a few tips from the pros. These are the fruits of our conversations.
1. For volume, get some velcro (or self grip) rollers. We do a lot of talk about how to achieve voluminous hair here, mostly focusing on miracle salves. But here’s a technique you can stick with. Grab a section of hair (maybe an inch or so) and heat the section while turning the hair through your round brush. After it is heated, roll it around the curlers and spray with hair spray. Fekkai makes a great one that keeps hair brushable, not stiff. After you hair has cooled, remove the curlers and voila! It’s volume. You can buy the rollers at your local drugstore.
2. When you want to step your makeup up a notch, try contouring. Most of us wear makeup every single day—a quick brush of blush, swipe of mascara, dab of gloss, at least. And when we have a special event to attend, we simply add a bit more to the eyes and maybe a more vibrant shade of lipstick. Those are the basics, right? But I knew there had to be something more. Something that we could do that would really make a statement, give us the “who’s that lady” impact. The answer is contouring, and the technique is simple. Use a highlighter and lightly brush in onto the top of the cheek bones (just below the outer corner of the eye). Use it sparingly, though. It should only be noticeable when it just catches the light. Then apply the darker shade—a bronzer will do—just below the cheekbone, on the side of your cheeks. If you’ve applied too near the apple of your cheek, you’ve gone too far and will look sallow. This technique will take your look to the next level.
I learned so much more these past two days—more beauty tips and tricks from the 10 Most Beautiful finalists, but also their words of wisdom. These truly are remarkable women. Women you’ll learn all about in the Winter issue of D Beauty. Go here to pre-order your copy.
