Valentines’ Va-Va-VOOM!
It’s impossible to avoid the abundance of pink-and-red-all-over in mid-February, but – being my cynical self – it’s a moodier burgundy that’s been stealing my heart this month.
In my search for love and lip color this week, my kit’s been filled with variations of this shade from Nars, NYX, a shiny L’Oreal bargain too good to pass up, and a LimeLight by Alcone shade with rhinestoned packaging too shiny to ignore called JOY, that’s available at Elite Secrets Bridal on Charles.
That hue in JOY was perfect this week when I was making up fashion columnist and Radio One host Margo Burr backstage at Midday Maryland.
We used a Trish McEvoy plum pencil to hold the gloss together – and keep it from going astray – then added flirty lashes. We achieved those blushing cheeks that say “in love” by using a matte plum contour blush, topped with a vibrant berry and a touch of sheen right on the apples to create contrast.
Once on set, we got a lesson in how much that green screen – as opposed to an easier blue weather or news screen – will take the bloom right out of those carefully crafted cheeks and lips. So – on (LtoR) model Muka, anchor Elsa M, Margo, and models Jolean, and Lia – we used Nars cream foundation with red and pink undertones that I don’t often gravitate towards. Those with a yellow base have been the standard for HD video and photos in recent years. But, the yellow against the green screen however will leave you looking a little sickly.
Host Elsa herself confessed having to switch to stronger red tones, even more so than her regular news room war paint. So, if you know you’re going somewhere where there’s lots of greenish fluorescent lighting, or the walls of the special Valentine’s Day restaurant are green – or even wearing neon green or chartreuse – you might think of “pinking” it up, as well.
Love was in the air when I snapped hair stylist and newly certified health coach Gregory Dean – a gem to assist me – putting the finishing touches on our model and blogger for a non-traditional bridal shoot at the newly renovated Assembly Room. (If only THOSE walls could talk, though we’re betting many who knew the space as Hammerjack’s and then Bourbon Street are mighty glad they don’t!) Our gorgeous model is also a stylist and runs The Primpy Sheep blog? She’s wearing my favorite “Bobbi ” pencil by Bobbi Brown and Flower liquid matte lip stain by Drew Barrymore.
Valentine’s Day isn’t just for the “kids,” either. I caught up with newly single empty nester Denise Vick for her Fab Over-50 shoot with Reva Silber in Quarry Lake. One was for a professional profile and another more fun photo for a dating profile.
Denise is a beauty school classmate of mine from Pikesville many moons ago and I’m definitely the one showing my age more than she. She was famous for her pink lipstick and lashes. So, we let her off the hook with the burgundy trend (though not without sneaking a little burgundy pencil in her waterline to give her a romantic eye).
Sometimes knowing what expresses you best IS the best. Here’s to a rosey V-Day!
