New Blog Website

I have moved this Blog to my  new Website........... Check me out there!!

Cheers,
Valerie

A few of my Spring Favorites......

Spring has truly sprung and I am so happy for the warmer weather and spring fashion. Oh, wait..... I live in Los Angeles and it's always warmer and we always wear spring and summer fashion!! Lol.... Well, with that in mind, I want to share a few of my spring favorites......

One of my all-time favorite Blogs for style and fashion is Advanced Style by Ari Seth Cohen. I am always so impressed at the phenomenal creativity and style of the ladies featured on the sight who show that style is not limited to young fashionistas. This lovely lady (Tziporah Salamon)  caught my eye with her killer head-to-toe look.  Ari also has a book by the same title (Advanced Style) available May 22... Check out Ari on Twitter: @AriSethCohen

 

(Tziporah Salamon) for Advanced Style

I love anyone who is creative and especially love the new crop of bloggers and fashionistas who are creating new ways for advertisers to market.  The Curvy Fashionista (aka Marie Denee) is one of these ladies who is wracking up quite a catalog of resources for the curvy lady.  I love her style and work ethic.  She has created a great site and style resource in only 3 years. We were lucky enough to do a feature on her for our Regard Magazine blog..... Check her out and follow her on Twitter: @MarieDenee

 

Marie Denee,  photo: Dimitry Loiseau, Hair/Make-up: Valerie Noble

I am obsessed with small spaces and making them stylish.  It might be because I have my office in my living room, but anyway, I am always on the lookout for good websites that feature great design for small spaces. One of my faves is Apartment Therapy.... they really give you tons of great small space and DIY ideas. Love it!!  Check out this really small but stylish house in Tokyo... so cool.. Follow them on Twitter: @AptTherapy

Tokyo house from design firm Mizuishi Architect Atelier

Products I Love

I received a sample package with some Carol’s Daughter hair products and rediscovered how fabulous they are.  I remember when they first came out years ago, but had not used the products for some time.  This all natural prestige hair, body and skincare line is made with rare, natural ingredients like Monoi Oil, Shea and Cocoa Butters and Açai and have no parabens, petroleum, mineral oil, or artificial colors. For dry hair I love the Black Vanilla  Moisturizing Hair trio. Not only does it smell good but it makes my hair feel and look fabulous. My other favorite is the Macadamia Heat Setting Foam made with heat-protecting, super-ingredient Macadamia Oil and Honey Extract that helps wet style your hair without any flaky, crunchy, or sticky residue. Fantastic!!  Follow Carol's Daughter on Twitter: @Carols_Daughter

Black Vanilla  Moisturizing Hair trio

Macadamia Heat Setting Foam

I can never seem to keep my lip color on my lips even though I use a liner and fill my lips in with the liner. And most of the stain lip colors are sooo drying. But, I found one that works like a charm and stays for most of the day without the dryness.  It’s Maybelline’s Super Stay Stain Gloss and I love it! And, of course, it’s a drugstore brand so I get a big bang for my buck.  My fave color.... Pleasing Plum......

Maybelline’s Super Stay Stain Gloss

More cool things

I don’t have a green thumb and my attempts to grow plants for my patio have been disastrous..... until I discovered succulents. I started with jade plants and found them to be pretty self sufficient and needing little water. Well, that’s pretty much the story for succulents as a whole so I now have a patio full of cool and different succulents. I saw this cool vertical wall art kit from So Succulents that I think I have to have. I just love the texture and colors of all the different succulents. Check it out.....

Succulent  Verticle Wall Art

I always burn candles and finding the good ones that are highly fragrance, with no lead wicks, soy or vegetable based and long burning, that’s not $30-$40 a piece, has been no fun... until I found the Slatkin and Co. 3-wick candles from Bath and Body Works. Not only do they have all the requirements listed above but they come in at least 50 amazing scents ranging from fruity, to tropical, to clean and fresh. My favorite.... Coconut Leaves! Watch out for the 2 for $20 sale and stock up!!

Slatkin and Co. 3-wick candles

Enjoy!!!

Styling by Dimitry

So, I've been working on building Regard Magazine with my partner in crime, photographer,  Dimitry Loiseau for the last 2 years and it's been a fantastic experience. We are so thankful to all the wonderful celebrities we feature and people we work with for their support and enthusiasm. Because we do everything for the magazine, Dimitry has become a fantastic stylist as he styles almost all of the editorials for the magazine.  This has turned into many requests for red carpet styling and I wanted to show a few of his looks.....

Christine Lakin at New Years Eve Movie Premiere

Dress: BackStage Clothing

 

Christine Lakin at New Years Eve Movie Premiere

Dress: BackStage Clothing

 Nicole Tuck, DJ Khaled's wife for 2012 Grammy's
Dress by Michael Costello
Jacket by Alana Hale
Both pieces available at La Maison De Fashion

Gloria Govan for All Star Red Carpet 

 Dress by Daisy Gonzalez

Available at La Maison De Fashion

Feel free to contact and book Dimitry if you have a Red Carpet or special event coming up...  Be sure to follow Dimitry on Twitter: @DimitryL
Great work, Dimitry!!

The New Issue 12 of Regard Magazine is here featuring Carmen Electra

The new, February Issue 12 of REGARD Magazine, is here and they are featuring the dazzling Miss Carmen Electra on the cover. This actress, author, dancer and former face of MAX Factor cosmetics took time out from her busy schedule to do a fantastic editorial showcasing the beautiful designs of designer Margi Kent. A big Thank You to Carmen for a great shoot.  Be sure to follow Carmen on Twitter: @CarmenElectra

                               Carmen Electra for RegardMag.com Issue 12


As always, this issue features a variety of movie and TV celebrities as well as some amazing designers and industry profiles. They have a new and improved website which will allow you to have a more interactive experience online.  Some of the new added features include having the ability to get more info or purchase featured designs directly from the website. You can also like and share your favorite celebrities’ images from each editorial. Check out the latest style-packed issue and see for yourself....

Featured Editorials include:

Carmen Electra: (2-Headed Shark Attack)

- Still Electara-Fied

Gretchen Christine Rossi: (Real Housewife of Orange County)

- Unbreakable 

Industry Insider: Brillstein's Power Sisters
Get the Look: Glitter and Glam

Andrea Osvart (Transporter TV Series)

- Ready to Transport

Look Los Angeles: Award Show Style Guide

Jessica Parker Kennedy:(Secret Circle)

- The Secret Beauty

Fashion PR: Shara Koplowitz

Erica Jayne: (Billboard Artist)

- Glamour and Dance

Designer Profile: IceLink Watch

Katrina Law: (Spartacus: Vengeance)

Be sure to Friend REGARD Magazine on Facebook and Follow them on Twitter to get their exclusive issue and video releases.  Check back to the blog often to see behind the scenes videos of all your favorite celebrity photoshoots....

And please feel free to tell a friend about Regard Magazine.... They love and appreciate all of your support...

Octavia Spencer for the Win!!

So, it has been quite a busy beginning of the year for me.  I am really lucky to be doing the hair and/or makeup for a very talented, Oscar nominated Octavia Spencer, as she wins some amazing awards leading to the Oscars.  It is a very exciting time and I am betting all my cards on Octavia to win the big award! Whoo Hoo!!

                                         Octavia Spencer on the SAG Award Red Carpet/Hair by me

I had a chance to talk to Blogger extraordinaire, Patrice Grell Yursik, from Afrobella to give the details of Octavia's red carpet make-up for the Golden Globes.  Thanks a million to Afrobella for a fantastic interview.... check it out here..

                                           Octavia Spencer winning the GoldenGlobes/Makeup by me

Here's to winning the Grand Prize, Ms. Spencer, for a spectacular performance!!

The New Issue 11 of Regard Magazine featuring Camille Grammer of RHOBH

The new issue 11 of Regard Magazine is here  featuring Camille Grammer, one of the stars of Bravo's, Real Housewives of Beverly Hills. Designer, Oday Shakar, brought some amazing designs as you can see by the stunning editorial. The amazing jewelry was provided by Black, Starr & Frost and I must say it was dazzling. We all had a fabulous time shooting on location and you can get to know more about Camille when you check out her interview. As always, I did Camille's hair and make-up and Dimitry did the photography.  Thanks to Oday Shakar, and Black, Star and Frost for a fantastic shoot!!

Camille Grammer for RegardMag.com Issue 11

As always, this issue features a variety of movie and TV celebrities as well as some amazing designers.  Check out our latest style-packed issue and see for yourself.....
Camille Grammer (Star of Bravo's Real Housewives of Beverly Hills )

-Stronger than Ever
Tiffany Hines (Co-starred on CW's Nikita, currently working on 90210)

-Lover and Fighter
Rachel Boston (Co-starring on USA's In Plain Sight)

-In her Element
Get the Look: Beauty Tips
Robin Antin (Creator of Pussycat Dolls and Girlicious TV Show)

-Pussycat Doll Is Back
Man of Style: Chris Galya (Starring in Disney's Jessie)
Scottie Thompson (Starring in Skyline)

-Deck the Halls
Look Los Angeles: Holiday Gift Guide
Shaun Robinson (Anchor on Access Hollywood)

-Girl Power
Sarah Lancaster (Stars in NBC's Chuck)

-New Beginnings

Designers featured:
ABS by Allen Schwartz
Dina Bar-El
Donna Mizani
La Luna London
Margi Kent
Ocatvio Carlin
Oday Shakar

And please feel free to tell a friend about Regard Magazine....
We love and appreciate all of your support...  Cheers!

Make-up Tips featuring Gloria Govan from BBWLA

So, I love doing make-up for red carpets and events and I had the chance to do Gloria Govan's make-up for the BBWLA Reunion show.  I have been getting lots of feedback and inquires as to what make-up I used, so here is a breakdown.  Gloria went to rapper T.I.'s book signing event after 6 hours of shooting the reunion and as you can see by the red carpet pic below, she still looked amazing. (Thanks to the primer I used under her make-up).

This amazing look was achieved with mostly L'Oreal make-up... as drugstore brands are some of my favorites.

Thanks a million, Gloria for including me in the fun..... and Thanks to L'Oreal for the make-up gift basket for Gloria.....

                                                    Gloria Govan from VH-1's BBWLA

 

Makeup for Gloria by missval14 on polyvore.com

Buy Now Studio Blush for Professional Makeup Artists
$3 - eyeslipsface.com

visible lift under eye concealer at Target
$9.99 - target.com

L'Oreal Studio Secrets Face Primer : Target
$11 - target.com

L'Oreal Voluminous False Fiber Lash Mascara - Bl... : Target
$7.94 - target.com

Professional Studio Endless Eyes Pro Mini Eyeshadow Palette – Limited...
$5 - eyeslipsface.com

L'Oréal Elnett StrongHold Hairspray - 11.0 oz. : Target
$50 - target.com

LOreal Bare Naturale SF Mineral Finish : Target
$11 - target.com

L'Oreal True Match SuperBlend Liquid Mkp : Target
$7.99 - target.com

L’Oreal Colour Riche Le Gloss Collection « Musings of a Muse
$7.99 - musingsofamuse.com

L'Oreal HiP Color Truth Cream Eyeliner : Target
$10 - target.com

OCC Fall 2011 Lip Tars (Banjee, Femme, Narcissus, Pretty Boy, Queen)...
temptalia.com

NYX Cosmetics - FABULOUS LASHES
nyxcosmetics.com

My L'Oreal Make-up Pics for Your Make-up bag

I have more make-up than I need but I cannot help myself.... especially when I find a good deal.  One of my favorite brands that I like to use on Celeb photoshoots is L'Oreal. Here are some new products that will work for you, as well, like the Voluminous False Fiber Lashes and their Studio Secrets Face Primer, True Match Foundation finishing with Visible Lift Under Eye Concealer. I love lip glosses and their le Gloss is a new favorite. (There are a great range of colors.) And don't forget to use a night moisturizer... I'm loving the Advanced Revitalift Night Cream, it absorbs into the skin and is non-greasy. Try these for yourself.....  Enjoy!!
                     
                    Loreal Must Haves by missval14 on polyvore.com

        

                                                                          -Valerie

Behind the Scenes at The Hollywood Reporter's Actress Rountable 2011

This has been a very busy few months for me since I've been working with Octavia Spencer..... So, last month she was one of the actresses along with Viola Davis, Glenn Close, Charlize Theron, Michelle Williams and Carey Mulligan, featured on the cover of The Hollywood Reporter for their Actress Roundtable. Check out the Hollywood Reporter site for the behind the scenes of the interviews.... and here is a peak at the photoshoot that followed and the gorgeous magazine cover.  Congratulations, to Octavia and all the ladies for a fabulous roundtable and shoot!!!

                        

My Ultimate European Restaurant Trip

So, last month I was able to do a 14-day European trip on a movie press tour. (Hint: It was the #1 movie this summer featuring 4 ladies)  As much as I love to travel, I hadn't been out of the country in 10 years.  But, I am always ready with a current passport, just in case.  So, I was really thrilled to be able to go on this 6-city trip... 5 of the cities were my first time visiting. One of the best parts of the trip was the incredible restaurants we tried.... including one of the oldest restaurants in the world, started in 1725, Restaurante Botin in Madrid.
Amazingly, with all the pastry, food and chocolate I ate, I didn't gain any weight...whew....

So Here is the rundown on my gastronomic fun...



London-
Gordon Ramsey's at Claridge's
A lavish high-end experience with amazing food and one of the best chocolate deserts I've ever had. 

Oxo Tower 
Fabulous lunch overlooking South Bank London ... Very tasty seasonal faire.

Madrid-
Botin 
Authentic Spanish food.... we sampled everything from anchovies with red peppers, croquettes, Iberian ham, roast chicken... and it was all delicious.





Dublin-
Crack Bird
Yes, this pop-up chicken joint was a delicious hoot.... very tasty chicken, including  buttermilk fried chicken and garlic chicken all washed down with a fabulous rhubarb lemonade.     





Hamburg-
Cox
A delicious french-German-Italian fusion restaurant..... my fish entree and chocolate mousse desert were outstanding....






While we were in London, we had the chance to get a bird's-eye view of the city with a ride on the famous London Eye. I used to like roller coasters but somehow, I'm getting a little afraid of heights...so it was a funny but beautiful ride.

I didn't take too many pictures but I did capture this view outside of my room in Ghent, Belgium! There is just nothing like this in America....

I am anxiously awaiting my next opportunity to travel... I hope it will be soon....

My favorite Website for Fashion Inspiration...

One of my favorite blogs I like to visit regularly for inspiration is Stlyelikeu.  This site along with Advanced Style is brilliant for checking out how other people relate to style and life and everything in between.  So I was checking out Stylikeu and watched this video with Preston Davis.  I love when style and philosophy merge and after watching his video I must agree with him that:

1. We are all connected.
2. We are only with competition with ourselves.
3. We always have a choice.
4. We direct our reality by our thoughts.
5. There's no need to be attached to things, because you can always get another one.

Preston Davis is an actor, model, and surf instructor based in Los Angeles. Ladd Denim jeans, jacket from Rose Bowl Flea Market, vintage hat.
                      

Preston Davis for Stylelikeu.com from StyleLikeU on Vimeo.

I also loved the wordly style and fashion of DJ Rashida Robinson. And her message to remember to be Grateful!!

                     
                          Rashida Robinson For Stylelikeu.com from StyleLikeU on Vimeo.

3 Gorgeous Make-up Looks featuring NYX Cosmetics

I love make-up and with so many brands to choose from, I usually mix and match.  I recently started using a lot of the NYX Cosmetics line and I did a few of the editorials for our current issue of Regard Magazine featuring this fabulous make-up line. This line is really luxurious and the variety of colors gives me endless creative choices. Here are 3 different looks you can try at home.

Plus don't forget the importance of removing your make-up at the end of the day, ..... Check out their extra gentle but effective Eye and Lip make-up Remover.

Here is the NYX make-up breakdown for Erica Cerra's smokey eye look....
HD Photogenic Studio Foundation in Natural

Powder Blush in Espress

Slide on Pencil Eyeliner in Black

10-Shadow Palette in Haute Model

Fly With Me Mascara

Jumbo Lip Pencil in Iris

Mega Shine Lip Gloss in Crystal

                                             Erica Cerra for RegardMag.com Issue 9

Here is the NYX make-up breakdown for Caity Lotz' 60s-inspired look.......

Liquid Make-up Foundation in Natural

Slide on Pencil Eyeliner in Black

Trio Shadow in Honey Comb

Doll Eye Mascara

Powder Blush in Terra Cotta

Mega Shine Lip Gloss in Sweet Heart

Caity Lotz for RegardMag.com Issue 9

Here is the NYX make-up breakdown for Sandra Vergara's beauty-inspired look.......

HD Photogenic Studio Foundation in Sand Beige
Loose Face Powder in Medium Beige

Slide on Pencil Eyeliner in Black

10-Shadow palette in Versus

Eyelashes: Dreamcatcher

Mega Shine Lip Gloss in Juicy Pink

                                    Sandra Vergara for RegardMag.com Issue 9