I glory in the glow of rebirth
Creating my own tomorrow
When I shall embody the earth...
However, like many young teenagers, I had a warped sense of what a healthy body should look like and spent many hours pouring over the pages of Vogue, Glamour and Cosmo! Skinny models looked amazing to me and I didn’t understand why I couldn’t look like them!
When I became a makeup artist I worked with tons of professional models and I discovered something…they have a very hard job. They have to stay thin (sometimes abnormally thin) in order to work. They don’t eat! They don’t indulge in a craving! They are not “normal!”
No offense to anyone; it just became very clear to me that my body type was not that of a fashion model even though I had the height! I was happy that I chose a different path by making those models even more beautiful through the art of makeup.
We can’t all have a dancer’s body even if we spend 5 days a week in the gym! Dancers are gifted and use different muscle groups when they “work out” and getting on the machines at the gym just doesn’t do the job! You have to move your body and dance like no one is watching!
Through the natural process of aging our skin looses elasticity and muscle tone if we do not exercise and we have to watch what food we put into our body as well. When this Pro was young, eating the occasional Hostess Twinkie was not a big deal, but today I would feel incredibly guilty if I allowed myself to taste that delectable treat.
Why? Because I know myself and I can’t have just one Twinkie, I must have several and that is bad for the body! Plus, do you know how far you have to walk on the treadmill to burn off the calories in just one Twinkie? Yikes! I don’t have that kind of time!
When you are a Pro MUA and you work on a movie or television set, there is an area that I try to stay away from as much as possible…that area is called “Craft Service!” Now, craft service is made up of amazing chefs and other crewmembers, whose full-time job is to provide the cast and other crew with food. Sometimes healthy and sometimes not!
You can get almost anything your little heart desires from craft service; grilled chicken, steamed veggies, fresh fruit, Ding Dongs, donuts, ice cream…see what I mean? Combine that food with the amount of stress a cast and crew is under while making that next big blockbuster film and you can imagine how out of control a person’s eating habits can get!
Celebrities have personal trainers and nutritionist that helps them stay fit, but what about us? It takes a village my friends and support from others for this Pro to control her cravings and to put those Ho, Ho’s DOWN!
Thank goodness there are many incredible beauty products on the market that can help your body look hot even when you have skipped your routine work out days at the gym or if you happen to be a complete couch potato!
This Pro thinks that all women are beautiful regardless of size, shape or color and it is time we all took a good look in the mirror! We need to appreciate ourselves and love those things we can’t change and take control of those we can!
Self-discipline is the name of the game, but there is no harm in purchasing those little body “helpers” invented by smart people who understand that sometimes we just don’t want to exercise or that we love to eat bread with loads of butter everyday (thank you Spanx)!
When this Pro is feeling lazy or like my body could use a little…makeover, I reach for the following products:
Clarisonic - this unbeatable skin care system comes with a brush head for both your face and body. Use it to say sayonara to dry spots and dead skin cells on your arms, legs and decollete!
Orlane Paris – S.O.S. Abdomen Firm & Reshape – "the must-have bodycare product to help remodel your abdomen and control sagging skin." Ladies!!!! Have you recently had a baby or have lost weight? Does your abdomen need a little tightening? Then you should try this product! Your skin will appear firmer and better toned!
CoverBlend – Corrective Leg & Body Makeup SPF 18 – an opaque, natural finish makeup developed to correct any imperfection on the hands, legs and body. Smudge and water resistant treatment makeup that moisturizes and protects the skin from the sun! Can cover tattoos and other discolorations (age spots, varicose veins, bruises, birth marks).
Talika – Bust Serum – this serum is a comprehensive beauty package giving volume, lift and firmness to the breast. It can prevent the tissue from sagging and improves bust appearance.
Lucy B – Frangipani Bronzer – pour a small amount of this incredible bronzing oil into your hands and apply to decollette, face, arms, and hair to add shine and shimmer! Has an amazing tropical fragrance of frangipani and coconut! Hello summer!
Clarins – Extra-Firming Body Care Replenishing Cream – gives your body nourishment and moisture. Helps to firm and revitalize skin everyday. Overtime skin can become more supple, softer and silky-smooth.
fresh – Umbrian Clay Treatment Soap – this bar can be used on your face and body to dramatically improve the overall quality of your skin. I use this daily in the summer to clean off sunscreen residue after a day at the pool or the beach!
It Cosmetics – My Beautiful Breasts – can't afford a "boob" job? Now you can and the best part about this amazing product...no pain! This ket contains everything you will need to make your breasts appear full and lifted instantly. Plus this is a waterproof formula so you can exercise or swim and this product will not fade. Comes with a handy step-by-step instruction guide and this kit works on all body types and skin tones!
Carol’s Daughter – Almond Cookie Sea Salt & Body Scrub - what I love most about all the products from Carol's Daughter is that Carol's Daughter is really making, mixing, blending and testing all of those incredible products herself! This body scrub is perfect for smoothing rough or dry skin and it contains pure ingredients. Your body will be glowing!
Tarte Cosmetics – celluFight – this product does double duty! You can get a great tan and get taut in one easy step! This product helps to hydrate the skin and gradually tans your skin overtime, which can help to minimizes the appearance of cellulite. Also, it is formulated with skinTIGHT complex which will firm and tone the skin increasing elasticity.
Mdskincare Dr. Dennis Gross – Alpha Beta Daily Body Peel – designed with all skin types in mind, this product is first a peel formulated for daily at-home use. It is a unique two-step system with ready-to-use pads that contain a precise blend of alpha-hydroxy and beta-hydroxy acids, as well as many other ingredients that will smooth and moisturizer your skin making it appear healthier and more vibrant.
Orlane Paris – Refining Arm Care – this product was created to target the arm area and to effectively fight against sagging skin. Used properly this product will help your arms regain their toned, defined and firm appearance. Make sure you follow directions and use for the recommended 45 days of treatment for the best results.
Sampar – Dew It Again Shower Gel – when this Pro needs a little pick-me-up I reach for Sampar's shower gel. This product completely indulges all of your senses and will make you feel renewed and invigorated. Plus it removes toxins and pollutants from your skin while reinforcing a natural barrier of defense helping to keep your skin smooth.
Laura Geller – Body Frosting – this is an extremely fine, silky smooth powder that adds warm luminosity to the body. Use to add a sexy shimmer to your arms, legs, shoulders, back and decollette.
Me! Bath – Shower Sherbet – when it is time to have a little bit of "fun" in the shower (no, ladies, not that kind of fun!), I reach for this Shower Sherbet! It smells just like a weekend afternoon when the dark clouds are rolling in and you get caught in a huge rain storm. Jump into a hot shower and let this product energize your body!
These products don’t exactly make me a Dolce & Gabbana super model, but they make me feel like The Body Electric song says…”and in time, and in time, we will all be stars!”
PRO TIPS & TRICKS:
If you suffer from chest wrinkles then you are going to love what this Pro discovered at the recent IMATS Convention back in June. Nothing is more aging than wrinkles on your once beautiful chest! Decollette Pads were designed to correct and prevent chest wrinkles caused by sleeping on your side, sun damage, aging and gravity! These pads are made of 100% medical grade silicone and are reusable for up to 30 days! To place an order for Decollette Pads visit them online at www.decollettepads.com.
STAY TUNED:
Up next on IMPO: Cover up! Got a tattoo or other skin issue? Tired of people commenting on it or need to cover it up for work or special occasion? Our next post will take you through step-by-step instructions on how to disguise your body art or birthmark!
– a gift from the sunless tanning gods! This product comes in Light/Medium and Medium/Deep and we also love the tinted lotion for the face. This product is a lotion, which means that it absorbs quickly into the skin! Bonus - because you can actually “see” where you have placed the product you can ensure that you are rubbing it into the skin and not creating streak marks. For best results we recommend that you exfoliate your body first and wash your hands after application. Clinique does recommend a drying time of 15 minutes before coming in contact with clothing.
– the Pros were gifted this product to try for an upcoming shoot with an actress who was extremely adamant that only natural products were used on her skin during filming. Most mineral based products, while amazing for every day use, suffer under studio lighting and do not give enough coverage for extreme close up on HD cameras, but this moisture tint from Youngblood proved to be different! It is sheer on first application, but you can build it up to cover small skin imperfections (most tinted moisturizers don’t have enough pigment to cover – they just provide a sheer “wash” over the skin). Bonus – this product is packed with free-radical fighting antioxidants, calming botanicals and nourishing minerals. Plus, it protects your skin from environmental damage!
– this product saved us during the shoot we mentioned above because our actress was extremely allergic to any type of talc powder. The Pros grabbed this powder out of our kit and were amazed at how incredibly finely milled this powder was, which left our actresses complexion flawless, almost looking airbrushed. Bonus - if you are prone to excessive oil or live in a high-humidity area, this product will keep your makeup fresh and matte for hours!
– we purchased these amazing blotting papers at the recent IMATS Convention in Pasadena because we just HAD to have them! They are incredible for absorbing and removing excess oil without disturbing makeup or adding powder to the face. Infused with lavender oil that calms nerves on hectic shooting schedule days, they have become a luxurious addition to our Pro kits and personal makeup bags! Bonus – these blotting papers are also available in blush colors or bronzing color for instant application sans brush or to add a pick-me-up of color when touching up the face!
– since one of the summer time trends seems to be matte makeup, we are in love with Bobbi Brown’s cream shadows! They last all day and won’t crease or smear. Our favorite colors are Shore, Ash, Malted and Cement. They leave a matte finish and the Pros love to apply these shadows with a brush or fingertip, plus they are safe for contact lens wearers. Bonus – Bobbi Brown also makes these shadows in shimmer and metallic colors! 
– if you are looking for an amazing bronzer then look no further! This product creates a radiant, sunny hue on the skin with a matte finish! Oil-Free, paraben-free and packed with skin soothing properties so it is perfect if you have sensitive skin! Bonus – comes in colors that are perfect for all skin tones!
– this is by far our most favorite lip gloss! Contains 3D pigments to enhance the lip’s natural color, fullness and shape! Comes is three colors, but we are partial to Rose Shimmer. Bonus – can be worn alone or with another lip color and the Beige color is the perfect nude lip color gloss!
– this is a rinse-free makeup remover! Yes! You heard us right…rinse-free! The Pros use this product a ton when we are on set and need to change makeup looks in a hurry! Made for all skin types, this cleansing lotion is made with a solution of cornflower, witch hazel and chamomile water. It is like a cleanser and toner all in one! Even water resistant makeup is removed easily! Bonus – impurities and daily pollution are removed in one sweep, leaving the face clean and clear so for those beauties that hate to take their makeup off at night…you now have no excuse!!!
