Your Hair: You are the Living Proof

One day I was walking down the street with some friends when we saw a woman with messy, unkempt hair (and not in a good way). My friend Paul says, “What! How hard can it be to just put your hair in curlers while you do your makeup then let it down and go?” The rest of us looked at each other and said, “It’s pretty hard.” He just stared at us. (Of course, Paul is bald – but he is amazing makeup artist who does great hair so I will give him a little credit.) Since I generally never do anything with my hair he may as well be talking about me. I am wash and go – blow-drying my hair bores me; curling – too much trouble. At least I’m not vain, right? But even I’ll admit that putting some extra effort is sometimes nice.

Hollywood Glamour

Flex

Living Proof is a hair company that happens when a team of scientists and stylists come together to develop some hair products. One of its co-founders is Jennifer Aniston - perhaps the woman most recognized for her hair in the last couple decades. Who doesn’t know “The Rachel” from Friends?

No Frizz

I once did makeup for a celebrity who also wanted me to do her very curly hair. I told her I was not a hairstylist but she said she would "just need a touch-up.” Which never means “a touch-up” because suddenly people realize what they really want and start making all kinds of requests. I mentioned to this my hairstylist friend and she advised me to go to Sephora and pick up Living Proof’s “No Frizz”. I ended up using it and her hair looked really good. It was a humid day so when I saw her doing appearances on live TV, I was relieved to see that it held up. That was my introduction to Living Proof. The company is called Living Proof because, they say, “We are the Science. You are the Living Proof.” Indeed.

Amanda Beczner and I worked with Guggenheim Productionsto do the makeup for the models. The Living Proof hairstylists - including “The Rachel” creator Chris McMillan - demonstrated how to use the products to create different looks. Living Proof likes their models to look clean, fresh and very natural - here are some of the looks we created together:

Flex - Hollywood Glamour

Flex - Beach Waves

Satin 

Laura Benanti & The Sound of Music

I recently met a rabid fan of Broadway musicals (his name is Francois). I’ve never seen anything like it. His walls are papered with playbills starting from the 70s and he’s seen every Broadway show you can think of. When I told him I sometimes work with Laura Benanti he looked like he was going to faint. He then went on to name everything she’s ever been in, raved about her Tony winning performance in Gypsy and even knew exactly what she's doing now. Unlike Francois, I am not a fan of musicals. It makes me uncomfortable when someone is about to say something but instead suddenly starts to sing. And everything is so dramatic – I don’t know, maybe that kind of public display of emotion is a little too free for the Japanese in me (not to generalize about Japanese people, but it’s a culture more known for personal restraint, not wild free emotion). However, for me there is one exception – The Sound of Music. This may be because I saw it when I was so young, learned and know all the songs and still vividly remember the Von Trapp family singing and escaping into those beautiful mountains. I don’t know. If you ask me to watch a musical I will say no. But if you look in one of my cabinets right now you’ll find a boxed set of The Sound of Music.

A number of years ago Laura played the role of Maria in The Sound of Music on Broadway. When I found that out I peppered her with questions because I couldn’t help myself. She told me how she got into it and what it was like. And she told me the story about how nervous she was when Julie Andrews came to watch her. If you don’t know, Julie Andrews is the original Maria from the movie but has since lost her ability to sing. Afterward she told Laura that she never thought she’d hear herself sing again – until she heard Laura sing. Ever since, I’ve wanted to hear her sing but…well, you know, musicals.

I found out that tonight she will be Elsa Schraeder in NBC’s live performance of The Sound of Music. So I can’t wait to hear her sing. The Daily Beast has an article called, "Laura Benanti is about to be One of Your Favorite Things."

These are some photos of Laura when I did her makeup for fashion week. I’ve meant to post them but I just never got around to it. When I saw her on TV I remembered, and since she’s going to be performing tonight I’m posting them just for her. And Francois, of course.

Sparkles & Bangles, Pretty in Pictures

These are some of the images we created for Kelly Bruggema's Soo Ihn Kim Jewelry. Kelly is a talented jewelry designer who also photographs her beautiful designs. Or you can say she's a talented photographer who started her own jewelry line. And though it's a fairly young company, her collections have already been seen on celebrities such as Heidi Klum and Zoe Saldana – as well as featured in magazines such as Vogue, InStyle and Harper's Bazaar.

Hair is by Kyung Min Chon. I love Kyung's story because she really followed her heart to become a hairstylist. She began her university education in Korea as a German Studies major. But once there she realized her true passion was to be in beauty. Being Asian myself I know that any career implying "artist" is not one most Asian parents get that excited about. So she somewhat independently applied to the prestigious Osaka Mode Fashion College, was accepted, and moved to Japan to study hair and makeup. Kyung has since become an accomplished hairstylist and makeup artist with numerous celebrity and corporate clients. She currently works at Warren-Tricomi in NYC.

And myself...well, you already know about me. I just had so much fun working with Kelly and Kyung - and seeing those gorgeous pieces of jewelry too.

Kelly’s designs can be found in boutiques throughout the world and with online retailers ShopBop and The Gilt Groupe (where I will soon be looking for some pieces myself).

Who to Watch: Tony Nominated Laura Osnes

If you’re a Broadway fan, you already know that this weekend is the Tony Awards, taking place at The Beacon Theater, right across the street from where I live (you might not know that last part but now you do). It's a huge production that's been setting up for weeks so there are trailers and roadblocks and staff everywhere getting things ready. And they already have the red carpet in, which is where Laura Osnes will soon be walking. I met with Laura to do her makeup for an Accesshairize pre-Tony event hosted by Style & Accessories Expert Kimmie Smith and Celebrity Hairstylist Kristan Serafino. As the featured guest, Laura shared thoughts on her career path, her feelings about being nominated, and some of her upcoming performances.

Laura first became nationally known through NBC’s competitive reality show, You’re the One That I Want! - A show looking to cast the next Sandy and Danny for Broadway's Grease. She won the role of Sandy, and from there, Laura’s star continued to rise.

Following Grease, she went on to lead roles in South Pacific, Anything Goes and Bonnie and Clyde – and it’s as Bonnie Parker that Laura is nominated for a 2012 Tony Award for Best Lead Actress in a Musical.

Laura said that her first reaction to being nominated was complete disbelief and surprise – that she had not expected it at all. And even when I asked how she felt about winning, she said she didn’t even want to think about it, that there were other extremely talented women nominated so it wasn’t something she wanted to dwell on. And good for her, because I would think that dwelling on something like that could make you crazy. You have to just let it unfold. So tomorrow night, watch Laura as it unfolds and root for her win!

If you miss her at the Tonys, you can see Laura perform at The Cafe Carlyle (June 19-30). And she'll soon be returning to Broadway as Cinderella!

Scenes from the event, held at the James Bentley Salon:

Discussing what to wear at the Tonys with Cosmo mag

Laura's Makeup

Having Fun with Kristan Serafino

And, of course, Kimmie and Kristan made sure we did not leave without a goodie bag of things to try. We left with some great Kraaral hair products, a Victoria’s Secret Beauty fragrance and, my personal favorite of the night, an adorable Nina bag!

In attendance: Cosmpolitan Magazine, Birchbox, Victoria’s Secret, SocialDiva.com, Entertainista.com, MidtownGirl, PamelaPekerman, ButterflyDiary,

GlamazonDiaries, Divaliciousblog, Mormoninmanhattan.blogspot, and, of course MakingUpBeauty

The Beacon Theater, preparing for the 2012 Tony Awards

The Many Moods of Red

Red is a beautiful, enigmatic shade.  It stands for so many things – Paint the Town Red = Fun. Seeing Red = Anger. Red Hot = Sexy. Red is passion, it’s heart, it’s emotion. For this story, Red is Beauty.

Of course, the inspiration here starts with gorgeous red hair. The images are the collective creation of photographer Chris Eckert, hairstylist Kristan Serafino, model Melinda Lennox and makeup artist, me. With a signature red, Melinda transforms into anything from a sweet gamine to a stunning, wicked vixen – and each transformation mirrors the moods of red (with a sexy edge as Melinda can’t help but smolder). Enjoy!

Be Natural Tip: For a natural look keep the bottom lash line clean – mascara and eye liner on top lash line only.

Subtle Color Tip: Use earth tones to build color that looks soft and natural.

Luscious Lip Tip: To make lips look fuller, add a touch of shimmery gloss on top of lip color.

Contour Tip: For deeper eye contour, blend a darker shade into the crease.

Intense Eye Tip: To make eyes more intense, use a black kohl eye liner on the inner and outer lash line.

Drama Tip: To create a more drama, use contrast – concentrate color on eyes, and go nude on lips.

Click here for hairstyling tips from Kristan Serafino!

Next: How to Create the Looks. 

Can You Run Your Fingers Through Matthew McConaughey's Hair?

Um, probably not. Unless he's your husband. Or his love interest in a starring role. Or if you are lucky enough to be Kristan Serafino, his personal hairstylist! Kristan has styled Matthew's hair for television, movies and magazines, as well as for the Dolce & Gabbana campaign.

And though she is an accomplished celebrity to the stars, she is also a celebrity in her own right. Kristan is the spokesperson and face of Kiss' Silicone Protexion Flat Iron, and is one of Cosmopolitan magazine's top beauty experts. The list of her accomplishments is long, so here is just a sampling of some of the things she's done.

You'll love Kristan's work if...

You watched Tony Soprano in therapy.

You loved the tough NYPD boss Anita Van Buren in Law & Order.

You grew up with Ferris Bueller.

You love tennis . . .

. . . or ballet.

To see more of Kristan's work, go to www.kristanserafino.com and  to get some of her tips and techniques (and maybe get to know her), go to www.serafinosays.com.

Electrolux Meets America's Top Chef

This video was fun because it was for Electrolux kitchen appliances, which also meant it included food. And not just any old food. Food prepared and styled by Chef Dave Martin, a finalist from the first season of America’s Top Chef. Not only is Chef Dave a talented chef, he is also a very nice person. While they were filming I'd sneak over to his table of food and he'd let me sample his delicious wares. I learned later that you don't mess with Chef Dave, who is famously known for telling off a too-aggressive  fellow TC competitor. "I'm not your b*tch, B*TCTH!" apparently became known as the most quoted line of Season 1. If you'd like to see Chef Dave in action, he just opened The Meatball Factory at 2nd Avenue and East 14th Street in NYC. Just don't mess with him!

Aside from eating, I did actually work doing makeup for the featured spokesperson, Sissy Biggers. Sissy is a lifestyle expert with particular expertise in food as she previously hosted the Food Network’s show, “Ready…Set…Cook!” Here she shares preparation tips for entertaining. She also points out how this refrigerator has 9 pre-set temperature controls so you can set it to exactly what you’re storing, which is pretty cool (unlike how I put things I want colder in the back of the fridge).

Since this clip only shows what’s in the refrigerator, I have included a picture I took of the beautiful turkey in the oven. Mmmm…

Clinique Laboratories Expert Tips Videos

Check out the Expert Tips and Trends videos I did with Clinique. You can’t see me in the video, but you can see my hands! And maybe learn some makeup tips too. http://www.clinique.com/cms/expert_tips_trends/how_to/video_makeup.tmpl

Here’s what I like: Clinique is very strict about using only Clinique while filming—no false advertising. Everything you see is what a Clinique product will do. And this is HD video. No PhotoShop or alterations. What you see is what you get. I admire and am proud to be a part of that kind of integrity.

LOFT Loves Teachers Makeovers!

If you didn't already know, Ann Taylor LOFT has a teachers' perks program that includes every day discounts, special events, as well as sweepstakes and a cool 50K grant program in support of educators! If I were a teacher, I'd be heading off to LOFT to be appreciated.

We took a trek to Connecticut to do the hair, makeup and fashion makeovers currently featured  in LOFT Loves Teachers. I had not been in a high school since...a long time ago. So being in the gym, walking halls through the halls and seeing those little desks brought back memories of Spanish class (Me llamo Robyn), dreading algebra and hearing the bell ring (running to get back in the classroom on time). Memories good and bad, of course. It's high school!

If you're looking for "before" shots, we don't have any. The makeover was more about letting the teachers have fun with a new look, so it's just the "after." See some images below. Enjoy!

Photos by J. Ryan Roberts and Guggenheim Productions. Hair by Katie Ambrose, makeup by Me. 

RealAge with Dr. Amy Wechsler

As a makeup artist, I can share knowledge and give tips on skin care. But I’m no doctor. Dr. Amy Wechsler is! She's brilliant dermatologist with a degree in psychiatry—she understands your skin, but she also understands how it affects you as a person.

Dr. Wechsler is also a spokesperson for RealAge and is Marie-Claire magazine’s resident dermatologist (In other words, she's a rock star).

Here’s a RealAge video clip of her dermatological skin tips. And, you’ll see that in addition to everything else, Amy is beautiful. I merely did her makeup to accentuate that beauty.

http://www.realage.com/videos/bclid=5982078001&bctid=16659702001&click=vid_sr

Behind the Scenes Kenneth Cole Fall '11

One of my favorite places to be is with Guggenheim Productions. Here are videos we did for Kenneth Cole’s Fall 2011 Behind the Scenes, featuring GQ stylist Brett Fahlgren and Isabel Dupré of Vogue TV.  The male model, Sam, is not hard on the eyes either. I wanted to title this post as Sam! but thought that wasn't very informative to the content.

Makeup by Me, Hair by Kristan Serafino. Get hair and more beauty tips from Kristan at: www.serafinosays.com

Robyn Goes to Bollywood

Well, not really. I did make it to New Delhi, where friends tried drag me to a movie - but how could I sit in a theater when just being in India was far better than any movie? So my closest trip to Bollywood was in New York, doing makeup for a bona fide Bollywood star.

Mallika Sherawat is one of the biggest names in Bollywood. When I mentioned to friends that I had met her they (my Indian friends...even my New York City Indian cab drivers) were jealous. Mallika has gorgeous skin, beautiful hair and has a graciousness that makes her all the more beautiful.  This image was taken for The Rotary Foundation’s Campaign to End Polio. Photo by Chris Lee. Makeup by Me, Hair by Kristan Serafino.