MEET COLLIER STRONG – CONSULTING MAKEUP ARTIST FOR L’ORÉAL PARIS
Makeup artist, cosmetics consultant and L’Oréal Paris spokesperson Collier Strong’s trademark faces begin with skin that appears to glow from within. From super clean innocence to sexy sophistication, Collier creates a range of stunning beauty looks for his roster of A-list celebrity clients and shows millions of magazine readers and television viewers how to recreate the same gorgeous looks at home. As L’Oréal Paris Consulting Makeup Artist, Collier has been showing real women how to achieve his signature effortless-looking beauty since 1999. As part of L’Oréal Paris’ creative team, he works on the beauty company’s print and television advertising shoots as well as cosmetics product development. Collier’s talent and savvy also have led to his nine seasons (and counting) as the featured makeup artist with television show Project Runway.
L’OrealParisUSA – Collier Strong
Tell us a bit about your background. How did you discover that makeup was your calling?
I became obsessed with beauty at an early age when working at my sister’s beauty salon as a teenager. Severe acne delivered another lesson – the critical role that skin plays in a person’s self confidence and how gaining that self confidence can change a life. After graduating from beauty school, I set up my own salon in West Palm Beach, FL. In 1988, I packed up and moved to Los Angeles to pursue my calling as a makeup artist.
What’s typical work week like for you?
A “typical” work week could be a photo shoot with a big celebrity or a trip to India for a shampoo commercial. There’s really nothing that’s ever “typical.” It all depends!
Is there an easy-to-adopt professional secret you can share with our readers?
It’s easier than you might think to look good. Blush and lipstick or gloss are a girl’s best friend. Even if you don’t want to do your makeup, throw on these two products and you’ll not only look better, but feel better!
Please describe a key makeup look for fall/winter 2011.
For fall, there is a sophistication to the beauty looks. I’ve created a collection for L’Oréal Paris and Project Runway that epitomizes that playful sophistication. Called “Colors Take Flight,” the shades were inspired by the exotic hues of beautiful birds from around the world. The palettes are fun and interchangeable.
What are some of your tricks for finding the right foundation for your skin tone?
Foundation is the trickiest product to pick out in a drugstore, yet L’Oréal Paris has broken it down into three skin tone categories with their True Match line (warm, neutral and cool), which takes a lot of the guesswork out of picking a shade. If you’re unsure whether you are warm, neutral or cool, look at your wrist on the inside of your arm and observe what color it is. Does the color look more pink? Or yellow? Or does it fall somewhere in between? Pink is cool and yellow is warm. Somewhere in between is neutral. If you are still unsure, simply take a piece of pink and gold fabric and lay it on your arm to see which one your skin looks more like. If it’s neither, than it’s neutral.
What’s next for you? What do you hope to be doing in five years?
I plan to continue as a L’Oréal Paris consulting makeup artist. Andie MacDowell has a new TV show coming out and I’ve been busy helping her during the promotion of the show. Diane Keaton has her autobiography coming out soon and I’ll be on the road with her during her book tour. I have been doing a bunch of Personal Appearances for L’Oréal Paris. In fact, I just returned from one in Arlington, TX. It was so fun! I led the L’Oréal Paris Pro Team and we did 50 consumer makeovers at ULTA! Spread the Beauty!!!
MEET GINA BROOKE – HOURGLASS COSMETICS’ ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
Gina Brooke
An architect of glamour, Gina Brooke is the artistic director of Hourglass Cosmetics, the popular niche makeup brand created by Carisa Janes. In addition to collaborating with Carisa on product development, Gina leads photo shoots and makes appearances on behalf of the brand. Her work exudes an appreciation for art, color and the rejuvenating power of light. And her gifts have been appreciated by some of the world’s most beautiful faces, including Madonna, Anne Hathaway, Naomi Campbell and Gisela Bündchen. Gina attended the Fashion Institute of Technology and discovered her calling for makeup on her first test shoot. Central to her makeup philosophy is the idea of illumination and the belief that each individual face requires its own approach. Read on to learn more about Gina’s beauty history and tips.
MEET VALERIE SARNELLE – BEVERLY HILLS MAKEUP ARTIST
Valerie Sarnelle
Valerie Sarnelle is a makeup artist who grew her passion for beautifying into a thriving destination in Beverly Hills and a complete line of makeup products. For the past 25 years, the Valerie Beverly Hills salon, now located at the corner of North Canon Drive and Little Santa Monica Blvd., has transformed some of Hollywood’s most famous faces for VIP events, wedding, photo shoots, TV appearances and film premieres. Some of the bold faced names that frequent her salon included Nicole Kidman, Terri Hatcher and Pamela Anderson, as well as scores of local and bicoastal socialites. As a young girl, Valerie’s love of beauty, glamour and femininity coincided with the arrival of her stylish grandmother, a wealthy Greek socialite. Under the loving and watchful eye of her “Ya-Ya,” Valerie’s life was transformed forever. Today, Valerie’s makeup and eyebrow shaping expertise is regularly featured in top fashion glossies like Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar and Allure, while her products are favorites on a throng of television sets.
.jpg)
.jpg)
