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

Make-up Essentials....My favorite picks....

So, I've been really busy the past few months, working on the new issue of Regard Magazine and doing hair and make-up for an up-coming reality series (with a few Red Carpets sprinkled in). This has been a great few months, though, because I love to be busy!  The next issue of Regard Magazine Issue 8 (available onliine on June 15) is on fire so here are a few behind the scenes from the shoots we did with Blogger, Fashionista and YouTube sensation  Dulce Candy and Actress Claire Coffee (who is in the new TNT show, "Franklin and Bash.")

                                             Val and Dulce Candy for RegardMag.com Issue 8

                                                Val and Dulce Candy for RegardMag.com Issue 8

                                         Val and Claire Coffee for RegardMag.com Issue 8

Since I've been doing so much make-up, I wanted to share some of my favorite go-to products that I love to use. Many are drug store brands (I'm a big fan of many of them) but all are essentials in my kit.

For Face: I've never really liked primers until I tried this one by Celestine Signature Color Cosmetics... It leaves the skin soft and silky and makes foundation application a breeze.

Celestine Signature Color Cosmetics

Maybelline's Fit Me Pressed Powder is a great a great finishing powder that can be worn over foundation or alone as a light base.  I love the texture of this powder and the colors include colors for golden toned skin.

Maybelline's Fit Me Pressed Powder

P.S. I found out about Maybelline's Fit Me Pressed Powder from the fabulous Ms. Loretta Devine when I did her for the May cover shoot for Ebony.  She wanted to know if the powder that she just bought was a good choice and when I tried it, I loved it. Thanks, Ms. Loretta....

My favorite trick for creating amazing cheek bones is to use a highlighter at the top of the cheek bone.  This one by The Balm is amazing because it has a fine gold shimmer that works on any skin tone. You can also use it to highlight under the eyebrow or as a shadow base.  

                                                  Hot Mama highlighter by The Balm

Eyes: 

I almost always use fake eyelashes when I do make-up so I don't know which mascara works the best on natural lashes.  But my favorite mascara for my kit is Maybelline's Volum Express Classic.  It really plumps up the added lashes and makes them look really fabulous. 

                                                  Maybelline's Volum Express Classic Mascara

I usually use gel liner because it stays put when it dries but lately I've been mixing in a little liquid liner (Thanks to a tip from Dulce Candy) from Wet n Wild for a more dramatic look. 

                                                              Wet n Wild Liquid Eyeliner

Lips: 

I am really a fan of using a lip liner, filling in the lips with the color and then using a gloss on top.  Most pencils are thin but I love the jumbo lip pencils that are sort of a lipstick and pencil in one.  One of my favorites is the Elf Studio Matte Lip Color. They are a great for lining and as a base under any lip gloss color.

                                                               Elf Studio Matte Lip Color

I love mixing lip glosses to get unusual colors and I love color with lots of shine.  So some of my favorite glosses are the Diamond Sparkle Lip Glosses from NYX Cosmetics. They have  a smooth moisturizing texture and lots of shine.

                                                              Diamond Sparkle Lip Gloss

I also love the Celestine Signature Lip Gloss Trio.  Great color and shine without being sticky.

                                                    Celestine Lip Gloss Trio    

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...

Make-up Essential....New Hot Pick...Celestine Signature Line

I had the chance to check out the new make-up line from the brains behind the famous Celestine Agency.  Renowned for decades for its roster of top makeup artists and hair and fashion stylists, the Celestine Agency has been delivering style to some of the biggest names in Hollywood. 

By tapping into the collective creativity of the agency, combined with leading cosmetic research and development they have formed a “beauty think tank.” As a result, CSL products are made in small batches using the highest quality ingredients and the latest in cosmetic technology, including smart molecules and minerals that create a flawless finish from the fairest to the darkest skin tones. All are paraben- and fragrance-free, with no animal testing.

I really like the line and find the foundation one of the first to really match my skin color with minimal transfer (It doesn't rub off on my clothes) and all day wear. It's like I'm not wearing foundation....  My Thanks to CSL and Angelika Schubert for the fabulous products....


If you want to check it out for yourself click here.

Primer

The essential first step to optically minimize lines, smoothing the skin surface and allowing the foundation to glide on with long-lasting effectiveness. It also contains vitamins A, C and E and antioxidants – so, along with extending the wearability of your makeup, this unique primer nourishes your skin all day long.

Foundation

This is lightweight and water-based foundation that creates a soft, silky airbrush finish that’s perfect for all skin types and remains barely detectable throughout the day, even at close inspection and under high definition

Pressed Powder

Their waterproof pressed powder creates the perfect finish over the primer and foundation, or it can be applied on its own when you find yourself just running out the door.

Duo Blush

Created with sunflower seed oil  and cornstarch to alleviate any oiliness while providing a lightweight blendable color.

Mascara

This is a lush, vitamin-enriched mascara that boosts volume and curl with every stroke. 

Lip Gloss

Has rich pigments and creates glistening color while it hydrates and protects lips from dryness all day. The colors have been selected to wear well on a wide range of skin tones – whether by itself or applied over other lip products. 

For more info check out Celestine Signature Line or to order...

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Favorite Make-up Essentials.... Palettes

I love eye colors and I have increasingly become addicted to palettes. I am loving that the packaging on many products are becoming more green and it has seemed to lend itself to make-up companies creating more compact color palettes.  Here are a few that I love....

                                     Sephora 5-in-1 Color Palette

This collection comes with five runway-inspired sub palettes, each its own color story. The five sub-palettes can be removed from the main array to fit easily into a conveniently portable compact. Each of the five sub-palettes includes: - 10 eye-shadows - 2 lip colors- 1 blush

                                        Sephora Colorful Artist Palette

This 15 shade highly intensive pigment shadow palette offers smooth, long-lasting coverage with antioxidant protection.

                                    Kat Von Dee True Romance Eye Palette

A palette of eight passion-inspiring eyeshadow colors from tattoo artist Kat Von D. Everything you need to create a beautiful smokey eye.

                              Bobbi Brown Pretty Powerful  Palette

This palette features four beautifully wearable soft pinks and browns for eyes. Plum blush and a shot of bright pink for lips complete the look.

                                
                                     Lorac Private Affair Palette

This mini palette includes six highly pigmented eyeshadows of shimmering neutrals, silvery grays, and sparkling purples. It also contains a compact drawer that holds a mini eye primer and double-ended brush (blender and smudger).

Red Carpet Glam...

It's been a few weeks since I've posted so here's a little update.... February was crazy busy, which I love, with finishing issue 6 of Regard Magazine doing photoshoots and  doing lots of red carpet glam for Tia Mowry and Gloria Govan. I love being able to do glam for red carpet events and both ladies had lots to attend so here's a look at a few....

                                                         Tia at the Children's Dream Award

                                                             Tia at the Essence Luncheon

Tia at the NAACP awards

                                                  Tia at the Battle: Los Angeles Premiere  

                                     Husband Cory Hardrict and Tia at Battle: Los Angeles Premiere

Gloria at Basketball Wives Reunion show

                                                       Gloria at her event for All-Star Week

                                                       Matt and Gloria at an All-Star event

                                                               Gloria at KTLA appearance