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

A few of my Summer Favorites

I love surfing the web and discovering cool items, recipes, fashion, make-up, etc.  This weekend for LA's Carmageddon (The 405 freeway was closed for the weekend) I had a chance to stay home and do some surfing. There are some really great bloggers out there sharing fabulous tips and surprises.  Here are my summer picks....

I am counting the days until the opening of the movie "The Help," co-starring my friend, Octavia Spencer as Minny.  I met Octavia over 5 years ago when we were both working on a Comedy Central show that she co-starred in called "Halfway Home."  Now, years later, it is so exiting to see Octavia in a hot new film and her picture on the poster and books!  I am so proud of Octavia and can't wait to see the film. P.S. I had a chance and was thrilled to meet co-star Viola Davis and Kathryn Stockett (writer) at the press junket....  Be sure to check out "The Help," opening on August, 10th. 

One of my favorite sites is Stylelikeu, a style blog that celebrates the individuality of one's personal style.  You get to see a variety of people and check out their closets and find out their feelings on why they wear what they wear.  I love the inspirational stories of people who dare to be different regardless of age, size, gender...... Check out this video of one of my favorite inspirations Ilona Royce Smithkin ....


                       
                                       Ilona Royce Smithkin for Stylelikeu.com from StyleLikeU on Vimeo.


I have known for a while that I have a gluten intolerance (which for me also includes rice and pasta).  So, I am always looking for ways to get a rice or pasta alternative.  I have discovered Quinoa and have started to experiment with it.  The bloggers at OurBestBites.com have a great recipe for cooking Quinoa....check it out

                                            Courtesy OurBestBites.com

For the last year and a half, photographer, Dimitry Loiseau and I have been publishing our own magazine (Regard Magazine).  It started as a way to give fashion designers some visibility but has now turned into a fashion and celebrity editorial book.  My hat goes off to the extreme talent that is Dimitry, as he photographs and often styles all of our editorials.  I, of course, do all the hair and make-up and we have been lucky enough to work with some fabulous celebs along the way.

Check out our current issue, with Karina Smirnoff (This season's winner of Dancing with the Stars) on the cover. The issues are always available to view anytime on-line (don't forget to look at the past issues) and can be ordered as a coffee table magazine.  And be sure to check out the blog for current fashion trend reports and behind the scenes videos of all of our photoshoots.

Miss USA... Alyssa Campanella

As you know, I am the beauty editor and co-founder of REGARD Magazine. It is a fabulous job because I get to work with so many cool, talented and stylish people including the other co-founder and my partner in crime, Dimitry Loieasu. So, last night the current Miss California, Alyssa Campanella, took the title of Miss USA.  We had a chance to work with her (she is featured in RegardMag.com issue 6) shortly after she won the Miss California title. As you can see, she was stunning in our photoshoot and we are not surprised that she took the Miss USA title.  Congratulations, Alyssa, on a job well done.... Here's to the Miss Universe win!!

                                                     Miss USA, Alyssa Campanella former Miss Ca  (Photo:AP)

                                                        Alyssa Campanella for RegardMag.com Issue 6

2 cool projects from 2 of my favorite photographers.....

It's a new year and I was thinking back to all of my industry relationships and wanted to give a shout out to some of my friends who are successfully working their own projects.

One of my favorite celebrity photographers, Alan Mercer, is doing an amazing job with his online magazine, Alan Mercer's Profiles.  For the last two years, Alan has been doing amazing photoshoots and interviews with some of Hollywood's most glamourous legends and newcomers.  Along with stunning photography, people like John Schneider, Gilles Marini, Ruth Buzzi, Jackee' Harry, Greg Allman, Jane Lynch, Dayanara Torres and many more, give in-dept insights to their careers and longevity in the business.  Check out his fabulous magazine,  Alan Mercer's Profiles and be sure to check back often as he promises more interviews and more stars......

p.s. Check out this shoot with legendary jazz singer Marlena Shaw.... Alan providing the stunning image of her, of course, that I did with him a few years back.  Check out his updated interview with Miss Shaw. from March 2010....

                                          Jane Lynch by Alan Mercer for Alan Mercer's Profiles

My next friend, international celebrity photographer, Jonas Mohr, has a fantastic project that he put together called Mugshots, which takes an interesting look at 38 portraits of redemption and inspiration from the people who lived through it.  Even a few celebrities like Coolio, Antwone Fisher, Manny Jimenez, Eric Roberts tell their stories.  Each story provides a universal tale of triumph over adversity and is accompanied by Jonas' beautiful black and white images. Check out the website for more information on the book and feel free to contact Jonas to get your copy of this beautiful coffee table book.

                                           Mugshots the Book from Real Deal Media

Omar Benson Miller

I'm a film buff and love to go to film festivals when I get a chance. Last year my girlfriends and I went to the ABFF. We saw several good movies over that weekend but the last movie we saw, Gordon Glass, turned out to also be our favorite. We loved the story and found out that the main character, Omar Benson Miller, was also the writer and director. I had never heard of Omar and was so impressed that this (I thought) newcomer, could do such a great job. Imagine my delight when I met him at an industry party. I ran up to him ranting and raving about his movie, Gordon Glass. He was so nice and allowed me take a picture with him. He said that he had 2 new projects coming out and it turns out to be Spike Lee's, Miracle at St. Anna (I loved his role as "Train" the Chocolate Giant) and the first black Heisman trophy winner movie, The Express. Congratulations to Omar and I'm looking forward to his future projects...


Omar Benson Miller and Valerie

ABC Family's New Hit Show

My friend, hot new actress, Francia Raisa, is the bad girl in ABC's new summer hit "The Secret Life of the American Teenager." I have to say that I am hooked on the show. She was on hand for Disney And ABC's "TCA - All Star Party." I did her make-up, of course........




Francia also had a nice article in Valley Life Magazine. Dimitry L did the photo and yours truly did the Hair and Make-up.......


Francia in Valley Life Magazine

Behind the Scenes with Actress Scout-Taylor Compton

DimitryL. and I along with Stylist Toni Ferrara, did this editorial shoot for up-and-coming Actress Scout Taylor-Compton.


Valerie and Scout

Dimitry gives Scout a few pointers on how to pose for this shot.


Scout and DimitryL.

This is the final shot.....you can see the rest of the spread on my website under doubles. Scout did her thing......

Hollywood Black Film Festival

DimitryL. and I had a amazing week last week at the Hollywood Black Film Festival. This was the 9th year of an incredible line-up of films, panels, networking and of course, parties. Dubbed the "Black Sundance" this festival is a visionary beam of light for independent black filmmakers, giving them opportunity and access to directly interact and meet with other key industry professionals. They're motto "Access. Opportunity. Deals." speaks to the atmosphere fostered to make a filmmakers' dream come to life.

Dimitry and I were invited by Blue Entertainment PR, to participate by setting up the first HBFF Celebrity Portrait Studio. We were able to take some fantastic pictures of a cross-section of talented celebrities. I also had a chance to work with the Founder and Executive Director of the HBFF, Tanya Kersey, doing her make-up. She is a really amazing woman who I admire for her tireless work and vision in helping the independent filmmaker community by creating such an exciting and innovative festival.

We look forward to participating again next year. As it will be the HBFF 10 year Anniversary, it will be a festival not to be missed. I will keep you posted.



DimitryL and I at the HBFF Whtie Party


Writer/Director of the film, Deadmeat, Q and I at the HBFF White Party



Tanya Kersey and I at the HBFF Celebrity Portrait Studio



Bleu Entertainment PR owner, Cecy Galvan and I at the HBFF closing party



DimitryL. and Cecy Galvan at HBFF White Party



First time Filmmaker, Mo Hines and I at the HBFF closing party.

Mo's film "Choices" showcased his writing, producing and acting talents.

LA Direct Spread for February with Brittny Gastineau

Here is the opener for the LA Direct Magazine fashion spread we (Photographer Dimitry L. and I) did with reality star, Brittny Gastineau. We did the shoot at the upscale Parc resturaunt and lounge in Hollywood. Christopher M. did a wonderful job styling Miss Brittny. We did the whole shoot in a little under 5 hours for 5 looks. And that was with time taken by Brittny for an interview and behind the scenes shoot with a camera crew. For the complete spread, check out my site.



me and Brittny after the shoot




Photographer: Dimitry L. and Brittny ater the shoot.

The Olly Girls

I had a chance to work with The Olly girls from E! television's #1 show, Sunset Tan, on a 6 page fashion spread for LA Direct Magazine. We actually met a while ago when they came to visit Sam Sarpong when we (DimitryL. and I) were doing a shoot with Sam at my studio. We shot the LA Direct spread at Seven in Hollywood and had a blast. The girls are really funny and are enjoying their popularity as Sunset Tan's dynamic duo.....stay tuned to see if they get re-hired.



(L-R): Molly, Valerie, Holly