Sure, we all want Jennifer’s derriere, Angelina’s lips and Madonna’s cheekbones and in this “penny-pinching” economy, women are at an even greater risk to sign up for the best deals available. Consumers should be aware that there is no bargain when it comes to cosmetic procedures and that basement deals can result in scars and for some, even death.

We caught up with Dr. Bruce Katz, board certified dermatologist and director of the Juva Skin and Laser Center who offered us advice on what to look for and ask when considering cosmetic procedures.

“Recently I’ve seen an increase in patients coming to me in desperation to help reverse their botched procedures,” says Katz. “Cosmetic procedures are medical procedures and should always be performed in a medical office or hospital setting by a board certified dermatologist – I often propose the question, would you let a foot doctor perform brain surgery at a friend’s house?”

Dr. Katz suggests the following tips for patients looking to undergo a cosmetic procedure.

• Do Research – There are many people claiming to be a board certified dermatologist. Look beyond the degree on the wall in their office. Call a professional dermatology association to ensure that this physician is indeed a board certified dermatologist trained to perform the specific procedure.

• Ask Questions – Be sure to ask about your specific procedure and how many times they’ve performed the procedure and over how long a period of time and how often. Also, ask to see before and after pictures of patients that have had the procedure.

• Be Wary of “Deals” – If a deal is too good to be true, chances are it is! Get multiple consultations and compare costs. If one cost is significantly lower than the others then it should be ruled out.

• Go with Your Instinct – Do not make excuses for how you feel before a cosmetic procedure or blame your feelings on nerves. If something does not “feel right,” then you should speak up and cancel the procedure.

• Avoid Cosmetic Parties – Don’t rely on other people’s research! If you are attending parties where cosmetic procedures are performed, chances are you haven’t had a chance to confirm that they are a board certified dermatologist and trained in that procedure.

• Don’t Be Fooled – Many spas claim to have a board certified dermatologist to perform cosmetic procedures. Don’t be fooled! These “ghost doctors” may only visit the spa once a week and may not be present during your procedure. Ask questions during the consultation about how often the dermatologist is on site.

• Don’t Be Embarrassed – Speak up! If you experience a botched procedure, you should contact a board certified dermatologist immediately. Waiting could result in further damage and even death.

Thank you to Dr. Katz for the words of wisdom. We hope to hear from you again soon.

A Natural Makeup Look On Tanna Fredrick

A natural makeup look may sound like a bit of an oxymoron, but when we hear women asking about it, we know what they mean.

Not every woman wants to look “made up.” But they still want to accentuate their best features.

And while Hollywood dresses up the hard knocks movie business with glitz and glam for the public, the Indie Film business is the place where big stars and starlets of the future work day and night to advance their passion into a long term big screen career.

Celebrities make Hollywood look easy. But the Indie Film industry where many of them start is where they undergo test after test of their thick skin, their talent, and their commitment.

Tanna Fredrick is an up-and-coming actress who has starred in several Indie films and is living her dream. Her appearances include indie films such as “Hollywood Dreams,” “Irene In Time,” and “Queen Of The Lot” to name a few. She is one of the hard working heroins of the entertainment business that are the real future of Hollywood and inspiration to anyone who wants to live life in the midst of their passion.

Much of her work has been with English born Indie Film maker Henry Jaglom. His films are known to be dramatic and full of life. But Henry’s philosophy on makeup in his movies is: No makeup.

As you can imagine, any actress wants to look incredible on screen and the right makeup application is one of the keys. So Henry’s philosophy creates a bit of a catch 22. Fortunately, Tanna had a very talented makeup artist at her side to bridge the gap.

Sherilyn Segal has worked on movie sets such as “From Mexico With Love,” “Irene In Time,” and many others. Here are her suggestions on which products she uses to giver her celebrity clients a natural makeup look.

When I met Tanna Frederick five years ago, it was her first feature film with Henry Jaglom. Henry has a very specific approach to makeup… None. So it was a bit of a challenge to convince him that, as an accomplished film and television artist, I need to use makeup on film, even if to give the appearance of the actress not wearing any.

I created a look that met both Tanna’s desire to look beautiful on camera, and Henry’s desire for her to be “not wearing makeup.” Fortunately, Tanna has exceptional skin and this task was rather easy to accomplish with MAC Face & Body Foundation, and a sheer pink crème blush by La Prairie. I set her makeup with a very light dusting of Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Powder.

While I still continue to create a very natural look for Tanna, we have now moved into a world of hi-def and as any quality artist, I’ve had to evolve with the technology. I still stand by the MAC Face & Body for a sheer and healthy look, but I mix it with a good, light moisturizer for an even more natural finish suitable for high definition. So far, I’ve found the best mixture with La Mer’s The Lotion, and La Mer’s Eye Crème for mixing with under eye concealers.

Sherilyn Segal
- Celebrity Makeup Artist

Thank you to Sherilyn for her quick lesson on how to create a natural makeup look. Be sure to check out some of Tanna’s work in the following Indie Films, and support Tanna in her blossoming film career.

Katie Q (2009) (post-production)
Queen of the Lot (2009)
Irene in Time (2009)
Rising Shores (2007)
Hollywood Dreams (2006)
First Impressions (2003)
Inescapable (2003)

Apply Under Eye Concealer Like A Day Time Star

Undereye concealer can be a woman’s best friend when she is on the go. But the need to cover dark circles isn’t just a problem for the every day woman. The big stars need help in that department, too.

Celebrity makeup artist Vanessa Elese is a lead makeup artist on the set of All My Children. But she is more than just a celebrity beauty expert…

Vanessa is very active in helping women take a step back from the barrage of media images and expectations to be physically flawless and get in touch with their real inner beauty. You can read more about Vanessa on her True Hollywood Makeup profile page and find links to more of her work.

In the mean time, here’s how Vanessa applies undereye concealer on the cast of All My Children.

On “All My Children” I loved using Alison Raffaele True Concealer as a one-stop-shop for great under eye and spot coverage that works perfectly for day to day use and looks magnificent on camera.

To apply:

I like to spot touch the concealer with a small concealer brush and lightly apply to any blemish or spot and blend out so it is completely flawless.

Another approach is to mix a touch of the concealer with your under eye cream and spot apply it light patting it from your inner eye corner about 1/4 way under the eye, disguising dark circles and bags.

This technique hydrates, allows a more sheer coverage, sets itself with the powder finish, and lasts without repeat touch-ups. The true beauty about this product is it’s healing powers it provides with the antioxidants and goji berri complex.

Try it on any blemish and it helps to heal and conceal with its cream application and long lasting powder finish.

- Vanessa Elese
Celebrity Makeup Artist
Celebrity Beauty Expert

Click here to learn more about Vanessa Elese.

Create Beautiful Lips With Tips From Mariah Carey's Makeup Artist

Beautiful lips can make for a beautiful look on any woman. That doesn’t necessarily mean bigger or plumper are always better. Sometimes it means having the right techniques on hand.

Belinda Moss is a celebrity makeup artist and celebrity beauty expert who has appeared on True Hollywood Makeup in the past.

She is a makeup artist to many stars, and among her famous clients:  Mariah Carey. Belinda’s work with Mariah is proof that artificially enhanced, plumped lips aren’t always necessary. Belinda does a fantastic job with bringing all of Mariah’s best attributes together in a way that is best for her.

Here is Belinda’s set of beautiful lips tips that you can use.

Cover:

An excellent, anti-feathering lip base is already in your bag…your concealer or liquid foundation; apply this facial make-up to the outside edge of the lips to help prevent the lip color from “bleeding” onto surrounding skin.

Balm Your Lips:

Apply a coat of Softlips® lip balm with SPF 20 to help condition your lips and protect them from sun damage. This product will soften and moisturize the lips without making them waxy or greasy for the top coat of lipstick or lip gloss.

Brush on Berry:

For maximum precision with a berry colored lipstick, use a lip brush to apply your lipstick neatly and evenly. For a sheerer berry look, look for a gloss with a hint of berry color and shimmer.

Not a Fan of Berry? Try Bronze Lip Colors:

Consider a more subtle shade, such as a metallic brownish lip tint, a rich color that complements all skin tones and accents your fall wardrobe. For sheer bronze lip color with a little shimmer, look for a Tinted Lip Balm in Bronze.

It’s perfect to wear alone for a little color or under your favorite bronze lip stick to add a little bit of shimmer. Apply some gloss for added shine.

-Belinda Moss
Celebrity Makeup Artist

For more information about Belinda, her recommended products, and information on her own line, check out her True Hollywood Makeup Contributor Page

Until then, take good care of those beautiful lips!

Professional Makeup Application - Beyonce Knowles

We love Beyonce, but she is human. She is naturally pretty, but the images of her that get captured by the cameras are greatly enhanced by extremely high levels of talent. It’s all in the name of great American entertainment, and only the best of the best can perform behind the scenes.

Celebrities depend on real artists to give them the image they need to maximize their careers.

One of the celebrity makeup artists that has the talent that Beyonce demands is Belinda Moss. She’s got some great tips that we’ll be releasing through True Hollywood Makeup. Here’s a few to get you started.

“Start with your concealer that’s one shade lighter than your foundation. Make sure you BLEND out…no raccoon eyes.

I can’t live without Dior AirFlash Spray Foundation. Spray it over your face for a light clean coverage, then blend around nose and eyes.

The spray foundation will automatically even out your concealer and skin tone. For a healthy looking skin tone, apply a cream blush in light pinks or peaches to the apples of the cheeks.

After that then sculpt your face with a bronzer in the hollow of your cheeks and jaw line.

Here’s another secret tip: Dust powder on your face with a big fat fluffy brush to set it. This will help avoid the “Bozo” look of too much blush while giving you a nice glow.”

We hope you enjoyed Belinda Moss as much as we did. How often do you get access to superstar level makeup talent like this?

We look forward to hearing more from Belinda in the near future. Stay tuned!

Uma Thurman's Vibrant Glow Comes From Expert Skin Care

According to today’s celebrity beauty expert, Ling Chan, regular facial beauty treatments are a necessity for healthy skin. And if you have been reading True Hollywood Makeup for any period of time, you might notice that nearly 1 in 3 posts to do with expert skin care. There is good reason for that.

Celebrity makeup artists need a healthy and clean palette in order to get the most bang for their buck when working with their clients. And without tremendous skin care, they can only do so much. The same goes for women applying makeup at home.

This is especially true for anyone that comes into contact with even modest amounts of product on even a semi-regular basis. Typical home based regimens and cleansers can be great, but they don’t provide the same deep cleansing and rejuvenation that some expert treatments will.

So what’s the answer?

One of the foremost and talented providers of facial beauty treatments is Ling Chan. She is the founder of Ling Skin Care in NYC and savior to celebrities such as Uma Thurman and other big Hollywood names. Here’s what she has to say about the importance of receiving regular expert facials.

Ling’s Supermodel Tips for Fabulous Skin!

“Maintaining your skin is a lifelong commitment. Taking care of the skin is just like taking care of the body – it becomes part of a lifestyle. It is important to dedicate time to your customized plan to help achieve great
skin.”

She recommends: Get an expert monthly facial to clean the pores of impurities. Heavy makeup and our bodies natural 28 day cycle leads to clogged pores. In order to maintain a healthy complexion and get the most benefits from your products, it is important to go in for a pore cleaning every month to six
weeks.

What Ling offers isn’t your every day vacation spa pampering. She offers the real deal, deep pore cleansing and extractions that makes skin absolutely radiant.

This post is part 1 in a 5 part series of tips from Ling Chan. So stay tuned for more fantastic expert skin care tips.

And if you are lucky enough to be in the NYC area, or are willing to travel for top of the line expert skin care, Ling Chan is a destination of choice.

Thank you Ling, for your excellent contribution to True Hollywood Makeup.

Celebrity Makeup Christina Ricci *Photo Courtest of PopOnThePop

Celebrities sometimes have to work very long hours. Between being up late for publicity events and having to be up early for morning shoots, they can end up with puffy eyes just like anyone else.

Your average person may not know what to do to get rid of puffy eyes, but an expert celebrity makeup artist sure does.

So who better to help than a pro makeup artist and celebrity beauty expert to Christina Ricci?

Here is a fantastic home based remedy to get rid off puffy eyes from Tina Roesler.

“Early morning calls and long days bring along puffy, tired eyes. Pro makeup artists often use glass balls with a stem or handle that have been dunked in ice water.

These can be hard to find and expensive, so a great substitute are spoons. Put four spoons in ice water, use two and trade out as they warm up.

Put the back of the spoons under your eye after applying a de-puffing eye cream. A favorite is AbOvo Skincare’s Enriched Eye.

“I have used the balls or spoons on numerous celebrities including Christina Ricci and Catherine Keener,” says Roesler.

Often actresses go to the hair person first, that’s the ideal time to do it if you are in the morning rush. This gives it some time to work before you begin applying makeup.

Later in the day, a tiny bit of de-puffing eye cream applied under the eyes again will help with the creases or dryness that may happen after hours of wearing makeup and concealer.

This works every time to freshen up the eyes and it feels good too.”

Thanks for the great tip Tina!

Celebrity Makeup Joey McIntyre

When we think celebrity beauty, we usually think about women. But what about all those male celebrities who always look flawless?

They’ve got some expert help too! We seem to forget that when we’re wondering why we don’t see a Brad Pitt look alike every day. Or perhaps…a Joey McIntyre look alike…something I’m sure a large percentage of our readers would love!

Well when it comes to taking good care of our beloved male celebrities makeup, pro makeup artist Stephanie Frlekin is no new kid on the block.

She’s worked with the likes of Joey McIntyre on many occasions and she’s given us the inside scoop on how she keeps him looking flawless. Perhaps even when Dancing With The Stars?

Here’s Stephanie’s routine:

1. Prep skin with a silicon based primer to keep skin moisturized and lines filled in, requiring less makeup.
PRODUCT RECOMMENDATIONS:
a. MAC Cosmetics: Prep + Prime
b. SmashBox: Photo Finish

2. Concentrate on skin brighteners, to eliminate need for actual makeup.
PRODUCT RECOMMENDATIONS:
a. Benefit: Eye Bright

3. If needed, use a lightweight and silicon based concealer to cover up any blemishes / dark circles.
PRODUCT RECOMMENDATIONS:
a. Benefit: Boing (No.2 works best for most skin tones)

4. Cover face with a mineral-based powder to even moisture balance of skin, without a “made up” look.
PRODUCT RECOMMENDATIONS:
a. MAC Cosmetics: Mineralize SPF 15 Foundation

5. Use a LIGHT bronzer instead of blush. Bronzer should not have any glitter in it.
PRODUCT RECOMMENDATIONS:
a. Benefit: Hoola

Thanks for the insight Stephanie!

Celebrity Makeup Doutzen Kroes

Many of the top models in the world find themselves at the pinnacle of celebrity makeup prowess. And the professional makeup artists that work with them give them some of the most sought after looks of all celebrities.

One of the most foremost pro makeup artists and celebrity beauty experts, Jen Hoover, gave us some insight into the stunning appearance of Doutzen Kroes. Here’s what she says.

I work with [Celebrity/Model] Doutzen Kroes and here’s a product and technique I do that she loves:

Mac Pro Strobe Creme mixed in with foundation primer. I love this technique and use it often on models because it creates a wonderful glow and natural looking radiance to the skin.

And when used underneath the foundation, it does not interfere with camera flashes. It creates subtle highlights when used on natural high points of the face suck as cheekbones, nose, and above and directly under eye brows.

Thanks to Jen for the fantastic insight into celebrities makeup!

The stunning Lauren Conrad has been a client of Cynde's.

Cynde Watson, professional makeup artist, celebrity beauty expert, and founder of Color by Cynde Watson Cosmetics caught up with us to share this eyebrow tip for when you don’t have the time to get them shaped before a big event.

Cynde explains: If you have a special event and  don’t have the time to get your eyebrows shaped, fill them in with a pencil or shadow.

Then – using a concealer and concealer brush – trace the perfect shape starting on the brow bone from the inner base (fullest part) of the brow to the tail.

Next, using your foundation (cream or stick is best) repeat the technique on the top of the brow. You will have perfect eyebrows without the salon visit. It really works!