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!!!

                        

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

Fashion Inspiration from Advanced Style.....

So, in a past life I prided myself in being a creatively, stylish fashionista.  I loved shopping and dressing to chic perfection.  But, alas, in recent years my penchant for shopping and stylish dressing has greatly diminished.  In fact, my current style is rather utilitarian and drab... (as you may have noticed in a few behind the scenes videos.)

But this is all going to change!  Thanks to a fabulous blog from Ari Seth Cohen, Advanced Style, which showcases seasoned fashionistas, I am newly inspired to bring back the fashion and style of my past! Check out the following video and you'll see what I mean.  You'll also notice  Ilona Royce Smithkin from one of my past posts among the lovely ladies....  

                        


So I'm going to start with some tips from Debra ( below).....Wish me luck!  Thanks a million, Ari, for such a great blog!!  Advanced Style

                        

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

The new April Issue, 7, is here featuring Gilles Marini from ABC's "Brothers & Sisters"

The new exciting issue 7 of  REGARD Magazine featuring the talented Gilles Marini is now available to view online. Gilles is currently playing Luc on ABC’s hit family drama, "Brothers & Sisters" and is also well-known for his second-place finish on season eight of "Dancing with the Stars."  Gilles is featured in a gorgeous editorial, find out how this actor makes it all happen.

This is the Men's issue and the celebrity editorials include:

Gilles Marini (Currently on ABC's "Brothers and Sister"
- Template of a Gentleman
Cory Hardrict (Star of the spring blockbuster, "Battle: Los Angeles)
- Ready for Battle
Dmitry Chaplin (Dancer on ABC's "Dancing with the Stars")
- Dancing with Stars
Louise Roe (Host of CW's makeover show"Plain Jane"
- She's No Plain Jane
Tim Griffin (Star of the upcoming movie "Super 8")
- Dapper in Franklin + Gower
Virginia Williams (Star of USA's new hit, "Fairly Legal")
- Fairly Legal
Matt Barnes (Los Angeles Laker) 
- The Man Behind Elusion
Sydne Summer (Top fashion blogger and contributor to Style.com)
- Fashion 101 in Session
Ross Thomas (Star in new movie "Soul Surfer"
- Gets Smart in Caulfield Prep
Noel Fisher (Star of the spring blockbuster, "Battle: Los Angeles and the upcoming "Twilight" movies
- No Shame in his Game
Mauricio Umansky (High-end Beverly Hills Realtor, with appearnces on "Million Dollar Listing"
-Business as Usual


Be sure to check out Regard Magazine online for all the exciting editorials...

NY Fashion Week

New York Fashion week is this month and lately I have been wanting to go and check it out.  I came across this video of a young designer's (Nary Manivong) documentary (Dressed) about his dream to produce a line and show at fashion week.  His harrowing personal story tells of his unwavering determination against huge obstacles to be a fashion designer and inspires me to dream big and never give up the fight for the dream....  I can't wait to check out this documentary.

                 
Also, check out Nary's closet on and his personal style on Styleikeu.

Behind the Scenes with Cindy Busby

I love to do photoshoots, especially because I can do both hair and make-up. I've been busy lately doing shoots for the up-coming issue of Regard Magazine.  Here are some shots of me in action working with actress Cindy Busby with some amazing gowns by Chagoury Couture and of course, Dimitry taking the photos.....

                           

Valerie and Cindy Busby 

                                          

Valerie and Cindy Busby

Cindy Busby in Chagoury Couture with DimitryL.com taking photos

                                              

Cindy Busby in Chagoury Couture with DimitryL.com taking photos

                                 

Cindy Busby and Valerie

                                              

Red Lips for Fall

Red Lips are back for fall. Check out this sneak peak of a beauty editorial that I have coming out soon. Model, Susette did a great job as did my fave photographer, Dimitry L...... Stay tuned for the full editorial......


Model: Susette, Photo: DimitryL.com

Fahionberry Editorial Spread

One of the last photo shoots we did at CS Studios was for an online magazine called Fashionberry. The 6-page spread just came out and here is my favorite shot from the layout.



Fashionberry Editorial, Model: Courtney, hair/make-up: ValerieNoble.com

Check out the entire fashion layout featuring the eclectic designs of Kafkca Couture.......