How-To’s:
Red Carpet Hair Tips from a Celebrity Hairstylist
Paul Gooch is a celebrity hairstylist and makeup artist whose clients include Reese Witherspoon, Emily Blunt and Liv Tyler. Last month, he was the recipient of a BAFTA (British Academy of Film and Television Arts) award for his fantastic work on Tim Burton’s, Alice and Wonderland! On the heels of award season, Paul is here to give us some hair tips so that you too can look red carpet ready, everyday!
1. Elegant High Chignon
“To achieve an elegant high chignon, brush towel dried hair with your head tipped upside down, then secure it into a high ponytail with an elastic band. Smooth over any stray hairs with Umberto Gianni’s Sleek and Chic Seriously Straight Gloss Serum to catch any stray, flyaway hairs. Next, twist the remaining ponytail around the covered elastic to create the stylish chignon. Pin into place.”
2. Classic Waves
“Create classic waves using a medium sized curling tong taking hair section by section (Umberto Gianni’s Smoothy Curling Tong is a favorite of Paul’s). Push the tonged hair into soft waves and smooth any stray hairs with Curl Friends Silky Curls Smoothing Balm. Loosely gather the ends of your hair into a nape chignon and secure with pins or a hair decoration. Once you have the desired effect, spray with hairspray to keep it in shape.”
3. Beautifully Blonde
“Enhance and maintain your pure blonde hair by using Umberto Gianni’s Beautifully Blonde Enhancing Shampoo. This color enhancing formula gently cleanses away the dullness of the day to reveal blonde tones and highlight so you will dazzle as if you were on the red carpet.”
All product recommendations are personal preference of the artist, they do not reflect the views of Last Looks, nor has Last Looks received compensation of any kind to mention these products.
Trend Alert: Side Braids
The Side Braid:
The Hottest Hairstyle This Spring/Summer
Alexander Wang S/S 2010
Ok, I admit it, I’m a little behind on reporting this trend but since I’m really loving braids at the moment, I figured there’s nothing wrong with being a little bit fashionably late. 
The side braid frenzy all started on Alexander Wang’s Spring/Summer 2010 runway. Hairstyling master, Guido Palau gave each model a long, messy braid which rested on their left shoulder. To create this style, Guido was inspired by the seventies and early eighties; he added extensions in the model’s hair because he says “girls of that period didn’t really cut their hair.”
Top: Rachel McAdams, Leona Lewis. Bottom: Selena Gomez
Soon after the Spring/Summer Fashion Weeks came to an end, celebs all over began adopting this trend and making it their own! Rachel McAdams kept the style messy, while Leona Lewis switched it up by making her side braid into a fishtail style plait. Selena Gomez kept the style young by abandoning the matte texture seen on the runway and making her style shiny and fresh.
Polish supermodel, Kasia Struss was seen sporting a Rapunzel-like, platinum side braid in a recent issue of Vogue Korea. No coincidence here, Guido Palau was responsible for this look as well.
Elle Netherland’s recent June 2010 issue features Nimue Smit on the cover wearing a crimped side braid!
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To Get the Messy Side Braid Look:
1. The original style seen on the runway is very matte, so start off by spraying or sprinkling a mattifier into your hair. I love Osis’ Dust it Mattifying Powder. It gives your hair the matte texture we want, while also giving you tons of body! Great for the messy/big look.
2. If your hair lacks volume, tease it up near the hairline and on the sides. The look is supposed to be messy so don’t worry about making it perfect.
3. Part your hair to side and bring it all around to the opposite side that you just parted it.
4. Now it’s time to braid! (I’m assuming you know how to do a simple braid but if not check out this simple picture tutorial here).
5. Secure the end with a small hair tie or ribbon and you’re good to go!
What’s the Deal With Green Concealer?
Have you ever been makeup shopping when you run into a green concealer or face primer?? Were you confused?? The first time I discovered green concealer was in high school. I snatched it up right away because I was desperate to conceal the redness in my cheeks. Unfortunately, after I applied it for the first time, I was pissed! It did what it promised by concealing the red, but I was left with green cheeks!! haha.
If the mere thought of rubbing green all over your face freaks you out, keep reading It actually makes a lot of sense and works great when properly applied…
How to Conceal and Correct Redness with Green Primers and Concealers:
Why Green Concealer Corrects Redness:
The concept behind concealing certain colors (ie: redness, blue under eye circles, brown sun spots etc) with other colors, goes way back to art class and color theory!! Whichever color you want to conceal or counteract, choose the color directly across from it on the color wheel to get the job done!
In our case, we want to conceal red (rosacea, pimples, rosy cheeks, injuries). Directly across from red on the color wheel is green, so as a rule, we should use a green concealer. It will effectively neutralize the redness.
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Now that the underlying concept makes more sense, you’re probably wondering how to wear green concealer/primer without looking crazy..
When To Use Green Primer vs. Concealer:
My favorite method to use green as a way of counteracting redness is in primer form. If you have minor ruddiness, or just wish to cover up slight inflammation, primer will probably be your best bet. I feel that since a primer is much more sheer, it takes way less effort than using a heavy concealer, which is harder to layer on top of. On myself, I use Makeup Forever’s Green HD Microperfecting Primer. It doesn’t completely erase the red, but I notice a huge difference, as it takes the color down a few notches. By the time I am ready to apply my foundation, my redness is much easier to cover, and as a bonus my skin is already perfectly primed!
How to Use Green Concealer:
If you have sensitivities to primers, need more coverage, or wish to spot-cover redness from a pimple or a cut, opt for a green concealer instead. Using an appropriate sized brush, apply the concealer to the area you wish to neutralize. Blend the edges so that they feather out seamlessly into your skin. Once you apply enough product, go over the concealer with your regular foundation. Finally, set the area with powder to increase longevity and to ensure that the makeup doesn’t move.
**Important Tip: Remember, when using unnatural color correctors, the less product the better! The last thing you want is a green overcast to your skin. You’ll wind up looking ill and people probably won’t want to hang out with you for fear of catching your germ 
Primers I Recommend:
Left to Right: Smashbox Photofinish Primer in Green, Makeup Forever’s HD Microperfecting Primer in Green
Concealors I Recommend:
Physician’s Formula Gentle Cover Concealer Stick in Green
Green Vs. Yellow!!!
While green concealer’s do work, I actually prefer to use a yellow-y concealer to counter-act redness!! The extra hassle of having to cover up green is a little too much for me when I’m working on set, where time is of the essence. Yellow (not primary yellow, but more of a golden undertone) works like a charm and looks a lot more natural if you mess up :) But, I’ll talk about that a different day…
How to Look Good Under Fluorescent Lights
Makeup Tips For the Office
Millions of people work in an office environment. We sit inside classrooms from the time we are five years old, until we are 18+. With so much of our lives spent beneath fluorescent lighting, it is a shame just how unflattering it really is!! While candlelight may not be ideal, it sure as hell would make us all look a lot better ! On a recent trip to the doctor’s office, I was visually assaulted by the powerful, cobalt blue eyeshadow beaming off of the receptionist’s eyelids. While mildly inappropriate at 8am under most circumstances, the fluorescent lighting was not doing this poor woman any favors. If you are working in an office or attending school, these next few tips are dedicated to you! Your makeup can still look hot despite your unfortunate lighting circumstances 
Keep Reading for the Do’s and Don’ts of Fluorescent Lighting
How To: Make Your Nose Look Thinner
Rhinoplasty is one of the top five most common plastic surgery procedures performed each year! The good news is makeup can be an effective way to slim your nose instead of choosing to go under the knife.
Plastic Surgeons say Kate Middleton has the most requested nose.
Using Makeup to Create the Illusion of a New Nose
What You’ll Need:
Contour Powder/Cream
You can use a product made specifically for contouring, or try a foundation 2-3 shades darker than your skin tone. Soft matte brown eyeshadow can work just as well too! If you’re a makeup beginner, I recommend starting out with a powder product vs cream.
My favorite contour products are Kevyn Aucoin’s Sculpting Powder, and Senna Cosmetic’s Contour kit (cream). The contour shades are really unique and give off a “shadow” color which is exactly what you want your contouring to look like!
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Highlight
I prefer a matte highlighter when contouring noses. An off white/nude eyeshadow can work well. My favorite highlight is a lighter foundation color. Try a color 2-3 shades lighter than your skintone.
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Angled Brush
An angled brush works great for sculpting noses. Keep it small and firm so that you have more control over where your product ends up.
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Fluffy Blending Brush or Sponge
For blending your contouring. I prefer the Beauty Blender sponge to soften lines, but brushes work well too.
How To: Slim a Wide Nose
Step 1- Whether or not you apply your foundation before or after your contour is a personal preference. I like to apply contour after I’ve done foundation because I feel like I have more control over what the end result will look like.
Step 2- Dip your angled brush into your contour powder/cream/eyeshadow and draw a line down each side of your nose. Keep it light. It’s easier to build product than to take it away. (Check out the diagram above to get an idea about where to place your lines).
**Different Contour Placement Options: Depending on Your Specific Nose**
If your nose is wide all the way up, carry your line to the bridge of the nose. Blend into the tip of your eyebrow for a seamless transition.
If your nose is wider at the bottom, draw a small line outward when you get to your nostrils.
If the tip is wide or bulbous (I hate that word! I had to use it though, sorry), draw a “down-facing arrow” once you reach the bottom. This will give the illusion of a slimmer tip.
Step 3: Clean off your brush.
Step 4: Dip your brush in your highlight powder/cream/ eyeshadow and draw a slender stripe down the center of your nose. (See Diagram).
If the bottom or tip of your nose is wide, only take your highlight half-way down.
Step 5: Take a clean fluffy brush or makeup sponge and blend your lines (try not to blend them together though). Blend until you can’t see a “line” anymore; just subtle shadows. It should look natural!
Obviously, my diagram is just for reference. Please don’t go outside with stripes down your nose..
If you have followed the directions correctly, you should notice a subtle change in your nose! Let me know if it worked for you, or if you have any questions!!
How To: Conceal a Pimple
We all get them, and for some reason it’s usually during life’s most inconvenient moments! Your wedding, prom, first date, important meeting… you know how it goes. Instead of freaking out and playing hooky, try these simple steps to cover up the monster and live your life!
Megan covers up her pimples too! From a distance, they are practically invisible
Zap Your Zits With Makeup
1. If you have time, press an ice cube onto the offender for several minutes. Ice will help to make the swelling go down and will also reduce the redness. You can also rub a little Visine on it; Visine banishes the red in your eyes and does the same for pimples!
2. If it’s already been popped, apply some moisturizer to eliminate as much flakiness and dryness as possible.
3. Apply your full foundation. Covering up any pimples you may have is the last step.
4. Next, get out your concealer, and it should match your skin perfectly! I hear a lot of people recommending that your concealer be lighter than your skin. MAYBE for under eyes but not when covering up zits. If you use a lighter concealer, it will just bring unwanted attention to your monster.
5. Load up a concealer brush, the pointier ones will work best for this. Now, stipple the concealer onto your zit with the brush.
**Stippling means to dab the product on, rather than rubbing or stroking it over your zit. Pretend you’re doing morse code over your pimple! **
You want as much coverage as possible and stroking tends to rub off the product. No bueno.
5. Now that the product has been stippled on, blend the outer edges of the concealer into the rest of your foundation. DO NOT touch or blend the actual zit. If the concealer that’s layering your pimple looks cakey or thick, keep stippling it in, or dab the excess off with your finger.
6. Once the outer edges have been blended, set the area gently with powder. Loose powder is best but if you have to use a compact powder don’t rub it on. Take an eyeshadow brush, load it up with your powder and gently touch it to the newly concealed pimple.
Voila!
**REMEMBER: Makeup can only cover up color, not texture. You will probably still see “the bump” but as long as it matches the rest of your face, it won’t be noticeable.
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Concealers I Recommend:
Makeup Forever Camouflage Creme Palettes.
Benefit’s Boi-ing Concealer
Amazing Cosmetics Concealer
5 Quick Steps to Voluminous Hair
A Quick and Easy Way to Add Volume to Your Hair!
Voluminous hair is one of those things that girls die for! Kim Kardashian, Jessica Simpson and all of the Victoria’s Secret angels have it, so why is it so difficult to achieve?? Take a look at these simple steps and find out how easy it is to add some extra volume to your lifeless hair!
You’ll Need:
Blow Dryer
Heat Protectant
Round Brush
Hair Spray
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Hair How-To
1. After your shower, wait until your hair is about 80% dry to reduce the risk of adding extra damage to it by using a blow dryer.
2. Spray your locks thoroughly with heat protectant and then flip your head over and blow dry the roots only for several minutes. If you blow dry all of your hair when your head is upside down, it becomes poofy and wide, not voluminous.
3. Next, flip your head back up and brush it lightly to smooth out any tangles.
4. Start taking several 1 inch sections of your hair at the crown of your head and pull them up and over in the opposite direction that you want it to fall.
5. Blow dry these sections, preferably with a round brush, spray with hair spray at the root and then let them fall in the direction you want.
**Tip:Take it one step further by washing and conditioning your hair in the shower with a volume enhancing shampoo and conditioner!
How To: Treat Chapped Lips
Banish Dry, Flaky Lips Fast!
As it’s getting colder in some areas of the world (certainly not in LA!) lips are beginning to get more and more chapped. The colder climates cause skin to lose moisture, and our bodies to become dehydrated leaving our lips dry, cracked and peeling. Not only are chapped lips uncomfortable, they don’t look very cute either!
Follow these simple steps to help keep your pucker smooth and moisturized!
1. Grab a bowl of hot water and a washcloth. Dip your washcloth in the water and gently lay over your lips for 30 seconds or until the washcloth becomes cool. Repeat 2 times, and then use your washcloth as an exfoliator, by gently massaging your lips with it. As you massage, the dry flakes will start to lift and come off. Keep doing this until you feel like you lips are smooth.
2. Rub in a creamy lip balm like Aquaphor, or try Petroleum Jelly. Let this soak all the way into your lips. This will deeply moisturize. (PS. Aquaphor is amazing!!)
3. Once your lip balm is absorbed, apply a regular chapstick. Chapsticks are a little bit more waxy and therefore provide an awesome barrier to your hard-earned, moisturized lips!
Also Remember:
Drink Lots of Water!
Staying hydrated is one of the #1 ways to prevent chapped lips.
Avoid Licking Your Lips!
This may provide (very) temporary relief, but it is only making your chapped lips worse!
How To: Shape The Perfect Eyebrow
Megan Fox (The hair on her head is a bit of a mess but her eyebrows are
flawlessly groomed)
Shaping The Perfect Eyebrow For Your Face
It’s no secret that I am obsessed with eyebrows. More often than not, eyebrows are overlooked. Many women really underestimate the power of amazing eyebrows. I’ve already listed my picks for the best celebrity brows and now I’ll give you the steps to making your own eyebrows red carpet worthy.
Shaping-
Creating perfect shape can definitely be the most difficult part of your perfect eyebrow quest. “Do I tweeze, wax, thread, shave?” are the first questions that always come to mind. Personally I prefer tweezing, but please DO NOT shave your eyebrows. Ew.
If you decide to go the “do-it-yourself” route by tweezing, follow these easy steps to creating a great brow shape for your face!
1. Start noticing which type of brows you like. Looking through magazines, and watching celebrities are excellent ways to get references for your own eyebrows. Check out my list of Best Celebrity Eyebrows here for some great examples.
2. To start the shaping process you will need a brow comb, or spoolie, and a good pair of tweezers. Comb your brows to lay all the hair in one direction and smooth it out. If you have never shaped your eyebrows before, they might be a little out of control (I know mine were!), so this step is important.
3. Next, you need to determine where they start, where they end and where your arch should be. Take a look at the Megan Fox picture above. Line “A” shows you where your eyebrow should start. Take a pencil, or anything with a straight edge and align it straight from the corner of your nose up to your eyebrow. Wherever the pencil hits your brow is an indicator of where you eyebrow needs to start. However: Notice Megan’s eyebrow does not start where the line ends. Her eyes are more wide-set, so she can get away with having her eyebrows start closer it, and it even makes her eyes look closer together. Remember, beauty tips are not set in stone, if you feel that something may not look right on you, alter it!
4. Now, it’s time to see where you should place your arch. Take the same pencil and look straight ahead in a mirror. Align the pencil diagonally so that it starts at the corner of your nose, and skims the outside of your iris (not literally!). See Line “B” on Megan’s face. This is where your arch should be. When creating your arch, make sure you keep in mind what type of brow you are going for. Making too much of an extreme arch will make you look constantly mad or surprised.
5. To find out where your brow should end, take your pencil, start at the corner of your nose and place it diagonal, this time skimming the very outside corner of your eye. See Line “C.”
6. Now that you’ve got your dimensions down, it is time to start plucking! Hold your tweezers at a 45 degree angle and go to town. A good tip is to take a white eyeliner pencil (wet and wild makes a really cheap one, 99 cents), and trace an outline of how you want your brow to look. Then, whatever you do, do not pluck inside the white lines! If you want to forget the white pencil, start plucking random strays, making your way up to the brow. Go slow, and pull one by one. You might need to step back half way through and see how it looks from other angles. Don’t forget your uni-brow, if you have one!
Tip: DO NOT GET TOO CRAZY WITH IT! lol. The first time I held a pair of tweezers, I plucked my intense catapillar eyebrows into skinny, barely there worms. I thought it looked amazing at the time, but I was 10. Now, I’m still regretting that day because my eyebrows have taken years to grow back, and they still have much more work to do.
Some Things to Remember:
- If you have naturally thick, unruly eyebrows, it’s probably best to keep them full. If you make them too thin, you will have a hell of a time keeping up with it.
- If you’re new to tweezing, slanted tip tweezers will probably work best. You have more control and lessen the risk of pinching yourself.
- There is a myth out there that you shouldn’t pluck above your eyebrow. This is not true. Plucking above is as important as plucking below, if you need it.
- Make sure you have enough light!
- Do not overpluck!!
