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Tania Russell – Makeup Artist

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#MakeupMonday – In Praise of Minis

Tarte Cosmetics Ring It In Mini Cheekstain Set

As an artist and as a woman I am a minimalist. When it comes to my makeup – both personal and professionally – I have always aspired to carry as little as possible and still be able to get the job done. When I heard that makeup powerhouse Francesca Tolot often carries little more than a small sized Art Bin™ box, she became my patron saint. I do not know if that rumour was ever true but it’s my goal and I am sticking to it!

One of the ways I keep both my kit and my own personal makeup bag small is by carrying minis – travel sized versions of my favorite products – whenever possible. From nail polish to skincare to eyeliners, if you want a mini version it probably exists. Here are some of my favorites new and old.

1 ) Tarte Ring It In Mini Cheekstain Set (pictured above) -
I mentioned these here on Makeup to Go! when they first came out, but these are worth a second mention. As we all know, I think the Tarte Cheekstains are some of the most fab makeup items ever, and this little set in three great shades is just the perfect size for work and play. Continue reading →

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#MakeupMonday – Prepping for Fall

Pangea Organics Facial Scrub

Pangea Organics Facial Scrub


While most women are mourning the end of Summer I am singing Hallelujah for the start of Fall! Autumn, as I’m sure I’ve mentioned before and I am certain I will mention again, is my favorite season of the year, November being my fave month (Thanksgiving and birthday month!) Admittedly this probably comes from having been born and raised in Southern California where I get all the sunny beautiful days without all the heat of summer. Makeup-wise, fall is a time of transition between the easy breezy days of summer and the deeper tones of winter. It is also likely that you’ll need to start tweaking your skincare routine a bit.

Trend-wise, Fall 2011 went refreshingly against the grain. While the tendency is to jump to dark and dramatic colors in the cooler and colder months, this year the trend is more towards a softer, more neutral palette. Soft eyes (even when “smokey”), soft lips, a soft blush of cheek and a soft matte finish is not only more wearable on the day to day for more women, it is also more flattering for more women. Dramatics can be great but the harder, darker colors can also be quite aging. Here are a few things I am loving going into Fall… Continue reading →

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#FNOLA: Fashion’s Night Out Los Angeles 2011

Fashion's Night Out 2011

Tomorrow (Thursday, September 8th) marks another Fashion’s Night Out event here in Los Angeles and in many cities nationwide, the main of which is – of course – New York.

While not a fashion biz town, Los Angeles is a formidable fashion-shopping town and we certainly held our own last year. Any event that gets people out of their cars and mingling with one another gets a Thumbs Up in my book. Last year there was plenty of music, drink, food, fashion and beauty to keep the street party going all night long all throughout the city. FNO is primarily a fashion-oriented event however you know we makeup mavens will not be denied! As was the case last year, there are several beauty vendors hosting fun events for Fashion’s Night Out as well as several fashion vendors incorporating beauty treats into their Fashion’s Night Out events. Here are some of the ones that caught my eye…

Fred Segal -

Both stores had great events last year. You would expect Fred Segal Santa Monica to be great for beauty because that’s where Fred Segal Studio is housed. Again this year the entire complex is going to become one big block party complete with DJ, drinks, munchies, and a photo booth. Continue reading →

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#MakeupMonday – The Basics: Face Moisturizers

dermalogica active moist moisturizer

The winner and still champion...


It’s time to return to our installment feature: The Basics. I’m trying to think of this series in order of how I apply makeup and that means next up is Facial Moisturizers.

Actually if I had started out doing this series in the exact order I apply makeup, this would have been first. As we all know, if the skin does not look good the makeup will not look good. The End. Well prepared skin — whether you are doing your own makeup or you are a makeup artist doing someone else’s makeup — will make your application easier, look better and last longer. Continue reading →

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#MakeupMonday – Holiday Season Skincare

Ah the holidays… too many events, too little time, too much food and drink. Yes it is a magical time in a lot of ways, but let’s be real: it is also quite stressful. I don’t even celebrate Christmas in the traditional sense (my family stopped giving gifts when I was a kid) but with the travel and the this and the that… it takes its toll. Plus, even in milder cold weather like we have here in California, the increased amount of time indoors with forced hot air can eventually do a number on your face (and hair). In addition to plenty of rest and water, Winter is usually an important time to adjust your skincare routine (I actually recommend a slight tweak at all the changes of season). Since your makeup cannot look good if your skin doesn’t look good, here then are some tips on keeping your skin under control for the duration of the holidays… Continue reading →

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#FNO – Fashion’s Night Out

Fashion's Night Out 2010

As many of you are no doubt aware, tonight marks the inaugural Fashion’s Night Out event in Los Angeles.

Fashion’s Night Out was started in 2009 in New York – fashion mecca of America – in response to the flagging economy. It’s aim was to get people back involved with – and excited about – American fashion and design. This year Los Angeles is jumping in on the fun and hosting it’s own FNO to feature our bustling garment industry. While not on the same level as New York’s fashion industry (which is their 2nd largest industry. finance is #1), Los Angeles is home to a multitude of garment manufacturers as well as plethora of designers and ateliers, and has many flagship stores of the top tier designers. In other words – a successful, happy and healthy fashion industry is important to our economy as well. And this is where this effects all of us; as consumers we’ve seen many magazines and brands wither away and in some cases die due to the slowing of the economy. As beauty professionals, you’ve felt jobs wither away as well. FNO has become a global initiative to keep the fashion industry strong and thriving so that we all – consumers and professionals – can benefit!

Fashion’s Night Out Los Angeles events are taking place in 8 primary neighborhoods/malls which are Abbot Kinney (Venice), Beverly Center, Los Feliz Village, Melrose Avenue, Robertson Boulevard, West Third Street, Westfield Century City, and Westfield Topanga Mall.

To see a listing of the events as well as maps of the areas, you can visit Fashion’s Night Out Los Angeles Events. Most of the events are wardrobe oriented, but there are some beauty events mixed in as well. Here are some of the things that caught my eye;

- Strange Invisibles Perfumes (Abbot Kenny) – Strange Invisibles is a craft parfumier using all natural bases and ingredients. I’m fortunate to have known about the brand since it’s inception – I’ve met the owner and a close friend is one of the executives of the line – and to own 2 scents and several bath products. The scents are indescribably exquisite. You really have to experience the scents to understand. SIP will be hosting a trunk show featuring mini massages, aromatherapy consultations and a pre-release sale of their newest fragrance.

- Beverly Center – The Beverly Center is going to be a zoo. They are hosting 2 of the major fashion show events featuring celebrity hosts, and pretty much every store in the mall is participating in FNO in some way. On the beauty tip, Aveda will be giving out free samples all night, The Body Shop will be giving away samples and mini makeovers and hand massages, Carlton Hair is having a $50 Happy Hair Blowout package that includes champagne!, and interestingly, Wet Seal is having in-store makeovers that include stylists and makeup artists to help customers create new looks. Fun!

- Betsy Johnson (Melrose) – the Stila team will be there to do in-store makeovers

- Fred Segal (Melrose) – makeovers taking place at Smoak Cosmetics & Kissable Couture and “Eyelash Guru” Ja’maal Buster will be on site doing his specialty eyelash applications.

- Tarina Tarantino (Melrose) – Makeup artists will be on hand to do mini-makovers using the Tarina Tarantino line.

- Benefit Cosmetics (West Third) – Mini makovers, raffles and cocktails.

- The Grove (West Third) – Not listed on the FNOLA site, but there are several events taking place at The Grove (including a fashion show at Nordstrom’s featuring Fergie of the Black Eyed Peas) so The Grove should also be pretty zoo-y. This not a beauty event but this involves friends of mine so I’m gonna shout it out anyway. Blogger’s Cafe/Dedicated Followers are hosting a styling event in which my fashion stylist friends Kallah Maguire (Emerald Scarab) and Reah Norman are both involved. Raffles, games, prizes and refreshments as well a makeover consultations are involved. For more information, you can visit Blogger’s Cafe/Dedicated Followers FNO Event. There are several other events taking place at the Grove as well, so for more information visit FNOLA @ The Grove.

- Westfield Century City – Events mall-wide. Discounts, samples, mini-makeovers & refreshments at Aveda, Fresh, Crabtree & Evelyn and Origins.

- Westfield Topanga – Likewise as Westfield Century City, the whole mall is participating. Participating beauty stops include Bare Escentuals, Carlton Hair, Dermalogica, and Kiehl’s.

All Fashion’s Night Out Events take place between 6-10pm. So go out, have fun and SHOP!

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#MakeupMonday – Extending Your Summer Glow

In beauty, time waits for no one and the cosmetics companies are already starting to unveil their Fall Collections (which we here at Makeup to Go will be talking about soon). However, most women are still enjoying their beautiful glowy skin and the warm summer weather. If you want to extend your summer glow (or if you live in Southern California like me, where the summer glow never really ends), here are some products that will do the trick.

1 ) Dermalogica – Skin Hydrating Booster and Solar Defense Booster

Dermalogica Skin Hydrating Booster and Solar Defense Booster

Dermalogica Skin Hydrating Booster and Solar Defense Booster

Great makeup on wonky skin is no good. Be sure to give your skin the extra hydration and sun protection it needs to stay glowy and not turned baked on you. If you’ve read the blog, you know I’m a huge fan of Dermalogica skincare. Amongst their more ingenious products are their Boosters, which are specialty elixirs that you can add to ‘boost’ other products. For the summertime, the Hydration Boost and the Solar Boost are the champs. I add the Solar boost to foundations or moisturizers I love that either do not have or have a low SPF to make them summer sun ready. The Hydration Boost adds a serious jolt of moisture to any skincare product without adding oil or making the skin feel greasy. Mix a dab of the Hydration boost and a dab of the Solar boost with a dab of your favorite foundation and voila! You have a perfect tinted moisturizer.
Continue reading →

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#MakeupMonday – Event Makeup

I recently went makeup shopping with friend and colleague, Kallah Maguire – stylist and owner of The Emerald Scarab – and she echoed a complaint I hear fairly often from women; How do I stay looking great when I have an event to attend? Like many busy professionals, Kallah regularly attends events where she not only wants to look great for herself, but where she’s frequently photographed. Why is it that when we attend these events we look so different from when we see photos of celebs at events? Well, most women do their makeup as they normally do when in fact, they should approach these functions as photographic events. When we professional makeup artists do celebrities for Events, please believe, we pull out every makeup trick in the book.

1 ) Don’t Over Do It – Resist the temptation to apply “more”. It’ll cake up, crease up, oil up and generally be difficult to maintain. Also, while you want to look good when the camera flashes, you also want to look good to the person you’re talking to standing in front of you. Hyper makeup looks crazy in real life. Use as much as you need, but not a drop more. Continue reading →

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