How To Create A Gorgeous Valentine's Day Look

Valentine's Day is fast approaching, and since i know you beauty gals love tips and how-to's (i know i do!), i asked my new friend and celebrity makeup artist Melissa Walsh to put together a fabulous V-Day look (complete with tips and product suggestions) that will have you looking flawless in 30 minutes! take a look...




for the best looking skin, prepping it first is key.




Melissa says, "start by cleansing your face thoroughly. i love the Clarisonic Brush and combine this with a good face wash by Murad (i use the clarifying wash as i have oily skin but there are many different types to suit every skin type). the brush not only gets rid of any dull dry skin but also gets the circulation going and gives it an instant healthy glow!"








"next, moisturize with a good moisturiser. as anyone who has read any of my previous features will know, i adore Alpha Derma CE by Janson Beckett as it creates a tight smooth base, just perfect for putting makeup on."







"now that your skin is prepped you can start your makeup. i love Hourglass Fluid Veil foundation and use this on all my celebrity clients as it creates a perfectly even, flawless base that doesn't look at all heavy. blend this well with a sponge and then apply an undereye concealer- Jouer Age Repairing Brightener is amazing. cover any blemishes with a concealer that is perfectly designed for the job - Murad Acne Treatment Concealer hides and treats at the same time."









"for a really romantic glow, use cream blusher and blend onto the apples of the cheeks (Josie Maran make some lovely natural colors). finish with a light dusting of powder over the t-zone, omitting the cheeks so as not to dull the natural sheen of the blush."





"for your eyes, a light look with some definition is all that is needed. i really like cream eyeshadows for this as they are easy to apply and the right ones stay put all night. i really like Tarte Lock and Roll. just use the cream for this look (there is a powder on the other end). smooth the cream eyeshadow over the lid and into the crease, making sure it feathers out and doesn't have a hard edge. then, taking Laura Mercier's Smoky Eye Brush, dip the tip of it into a dark matte powder eyeshadow (dark brown or black preferably) and lightly line your top lashline."







"line your lower lids with a metallic eyeliner in gold or silver for a bright eyed look. once again a light hand is essential - Urban Decay has a great selection and they stay on all night! now, a few coats of mascara- Lash Venom by DuWop is my choice of the moment - and your eyes are done."






"for a soft kissable mouth use a rosy tinted stain- Benefit Benetint is the original and still one of the best. finally, top with Beautifull Lips by Janson Beckett; it plumps up the mouth instantly and makes your lips rosier without leaving gloopy lipgloss on your man!"



thanks Melissa!

want to create a look in 15 minutes or less? check out my feature that Melissa helped me out with for a Style Bakery Beauty feature by clicking here.

xo

Interview with Celebrity Makeup Artist, Melissa Walsh

i had the opportunity to interview the very fabulous, not to mention uber-talented, celebrity makeup artist Melissa Walsh, and i must say, she is a doll!* as busy as she is, she still found time to answer my questions regarding herself and her career.

she currently works with Terri Seymour, but has also worked with celebs like Dannii Minogue, Hanson and Jamie Oliver. she has many credits to her name, but is still very down-to-earth. she's a beauty herself, and uses her love of makeup to bring out only the best in people.

so dear readers, please meet Melissa Walsh (and admire some of her work between questions)...

BGM: have you always been into makeup?

MW: "i've always been artistic. my mom says that ever since i could hold a crayon i was obsessed with drawing faces. eventually that turned into playing with makeup just as soon as i discovered it! from the age of about 11, i spent all my allowance on makeup. i didn't wear it though, instead i used to do makeovers on my friends and anyone who would sit still long enough!"


Terri Seymour

BGM: what inspired you to take the leap into full-time makeup?

MW: "i started out testing with photographers (that’s when you do a photo shoot for free pictures for your portfolio). to make ends meet while i was starting my makeup career, i worked part time in a movie theater. then one of the photographers i tested with gave me my first paid job. it was with a band called The Quireboys managed by Sharon Osbourne. after that, one job led to another until i landed my first big break, which was becoming personal makeup artist to Vanessa Mae, a young classical violinist of 16 years of age. i toured the world with her when i was 26. it was such an amazing experience that i knew then i never wanted to do anything else for a living."

BGM: who are some makeup artists you admire (living or dead)?

MW: "i think the greatest makeup artist that ever lived was Kevyn Aucoin. he passed away a few years ago and it was such a loss to the makeup world. i also love Topolino; he is outstandingly creative and is known for not carrying a huge makeup kit around. i don't either. once, i remember someone telling a photographer 'she turns up with a little bag but don't worry, she's amazing!' i thought that was hilarious!"



BGM: how would you describe your personal makeup aesthetic?

MW: "i love to make people look beautiful but natural (i work with men a lot too)! they shouldn't look like they are wearing a lot of makeup. i sometimes do heavy makeup for photo shoots, but even then it still looks glowing and it will only be on one area, maybe smokey eyes perhaps or dark lips. i think far too many people wear unnecessarily heavy makeup and it hides their real beauty."

BGM: if you weren't a makeup artist, what do you think you'd be doing?

MW: "my other passion in life is sharks! i know everything there is to know about them and have even been cage diving in the ocean off gansbaai, south africa. it was such a thrill to see great whites up close. i would have loved to be a marine biologist specializing in sharks if i hadn't gone into makeup- about as far removed as you can get i think!"




BGM: what are your favorite beauty brands?

MW: "ah! where do I start?! i love a lot of brands and have particular favorites from several of them. i have to say that among my particular favorites, that i use over and over again, are: Smashbox, Hourglass, Jouer, Janson Beckett, Fresh, Dr Hauschka and Liz Earle. all these brands have certain products that are staples in my kit or bathroom! for male grooming jobs i particularly like Anthony Logistics For Men and Murad. so, ladies, if you need some ideas for your men for Christmas...."

BGM: what are the three must-have makeup items or products every women should have?

MW: "i think a good anti-aging moisturizer with SPF is essential- my favorite is Janson Beckett Alpha Derma CE. a great mascara will help define the eyes even if you have no other makeup on- Prescriptives Lash Envy is amazing. a good face powder is the third item i recommend- a little of this evens out the skin and gets rid of shine- Hourglass Invisible Veil not only does this but also brightens the whole face, which is why i love it!"


Melissa is based in hollywood and can be contacted through her agency website, beautyandphoto.com (check out her amazing portfolio of work while you're there!)

be sure to stay tuned, as you will be hearing more from Ms. Walsh in 2009!

xo
*thanks to jenn for introducing me!