Celebrity Make-up Artist Brendan Vartan and Sr Contibutor Gail Gross

In the Pacific Northwest we go casual whenever possible. There are times, though, when we trade our flannel shirts for a bit of glamour. On November 26th, Brendan Vartan hosted a holiday trunk show at the House of Vartan in Seattle, featuring perfumers Ellen Covey of Olympic Orchids and James Elliot of Filigree Parfums. I arrived looking for some fragrance glam to brighten dark days.  Ellen Covey’s Mardi Gras was the perfect antidote to grey skies and James Elliot’s Incurable proved a lovely, natural new take on winter spice.  While sniffing these beauties, I watched in awe as Brendan and his staff performed magic with skin care and make-up.

Brendan Vartan with a client

Brendan Vartan is a licensed cosmetologist with 20 years experience, including work with celebrity makeup artist Paul Starr and international entertainers Gerard Butler, Michelle Yeoh, Michael Douglas and The Corrs, among others.  Today Brendan shares his favorite beauty tips and  tricks to look glam for the Holidays. –Gail Gross, Senior Contributor     

Intraceuticals Hydration Gel and Moisture Binding Cream

Skin is Always in:  Makeup looks best on beautiful skin. Before an event, I like to prime most of my clients with products that will give them an effortless glow. (Keep in mind that glow does not mean an oil slick!)  Unless you are extremely dry, opt out of thick creams and use lighter moisturizers that hold and pull moisture to your skin. Allow a little time for products to absorb.  Try hyaluronic layering with Intraceuticals Hydration Gel ($88) and Moisture Binding Cream ($69). Apply makeup where needed to cover imperfections. Thick makeup, so popular on Instagram, is often too much for real life. You want people to notice the vibrant you, not a layer of makeup. Focus powder on the t-zone, naturally highlighting the high planes of your cheeks. This effect will flatter in any lighting.

Kerastase Thermique 

Hair Dos: Although I don’t believe in rules, an elaborate evening up-do is now seen, by some, to be outdated. For a more effortless style I like to do a mixed blowout. Starting with Kerastase Thermique for the appropriate hair type ($43), I use a boar-bristle paddle brush and blow hair straight focusing on the crown and mid-lengths. I follow with a curling or flat iron to turn select pieces of hair away from the face giving the mid-lengths to ends a sexier texture. It doesn’t have to be perfect, but trust me; it creates a polished yet come-hither effect that frames the face.

Natalie Wood 1960s

Perfect Pout: Red lips are a classic statement of glamour that never go out of style. If you have been intimidated by red lipstick or if the red you have doesn’t seem quite right, here is a trick I’ve come up with.  

Surratt Beauty Automatique Lip Crayon in Alluring

Mix a bit of your foundation with the lipstick to adjust the undertone of the red. This will help your red lipstick work with the undertone of your skin. A wonderful red that lasts without drying is Surratt Beauty Automatique Lip Crayon in Alluring ($34).

 

Surratt Relevee Lash Curler

Ooh La Lashes:  Many would choose mascara as their desert island makeup and would never leave the house without it. However, I have seen too many spidery, un-natural looking lashes that draw more attention to the eye makeup than to the beauty of the eyes. Beautiful lashes start with a good curl (Surratt Relevee Lash Curler – $30).

After curling I like to use Paul & Joe Beaute’s Waterproof Mascara Duo ($30). This product’s Japanese tubing technology defines, lengthens and thickens without clumping – and really lasts. I hold mascara at the base for a few seconds before wiggling the brush through lashes to the tip. For more volume I move the wand toward the bridge of the nose, in the opposite direction.

Surratt Pointilliste Mascara

For extra appeal, I apply a tiny, tiny brush (Surratt Pointilliste Mascara – $26) vertically to elongate outer lashes and apply dark liner as close to the lash-line as possible (Paul & Joe Beaute Waterproof Eyeliner – $20).  This gives an appearance of thickness and depth to the lashes.

Post-Party:  Most people remove eye makeup before going to bed but some don’t remove their eye makeup remover!  These products can leave oil on the skin, causing makeup not to wear well. Instead of a wipe, opt for a gentle cleanser that you can rinse off, like Natura Bisse Diamond White Luxury Cleanse ($74) and/or Arcona Kiwi Cream Bar ($42).

–Brendan Vartan, Monthly Beauty Contributor

We welcome Brendan as a Monthly Contributor

Thanks so much to Brendan Vartan for these great beauty tips AND for todays fabulous give-away!  Brendan is offering your choice of Intraceuticals Moisture Binding Cream or Paul & Joe Beaute’s Waterproof Mascara Duo  or Kerastase Thermique  for one registered reader  in the US  sure to register or your comment will not count). To be eligible, please leave a comment about which Drab to Fab tip or product you think would make the biggest difference in your beauty routine and one that you would like to win. Also please tell us where you live.  Draw closes December 6, 2016.  The products Brendan  recommends above are available at the House of Vartan, 325 NE Thornton Place, Seattle 98125, (206 588-2041) and online at http://www.houseofvartan.com.

We announce the winners only on site and on our Facebook page, so Like Cafleurebon and use our RSS feed…or your dream prize will be just spilled perfume