cosmetics

A-list makeup tricks that’ll help you contour like a Kardashian

Kim Kardashian Instagrammed a selfie of her sculpting makeup, pre-blending and buffing. It looked like a topographic map, a landscape of natural and man-made features.

“Kontour!!!! Not finished with my make up yet but wanted to share a pic of some contouring make up tricks!” she captioned.

With more than 30 million followers on social media, Kardashian has played a major part in the revival of this century-old technique. It started with screen legends like Greta Garbo in the silent-movie era, returned to the spotlight in the ’70s and ’80s (when famed makeup artist Kevyn Aucoin “invented” cheekbones), and now, thanks to stars like Kardashian and Jennifer Lopez, is back in the mainstream.

Sculpting Powder by Kevyn Aucoin

Sculpting Powder by Kevyn Aucoin

With so much iPhone-camera action, looking just OK doesn’t cut it anymore, says makeup artist Rob Scheppy, chiseler-in-chief to Kim Kardashian and “Shahs of Sunset” looker Lilly Ghalichi. “Everyone is so aware of shading techniques now, and how to enhance their features,” he says. “They’ll say, ‘I just want to look more perfect.’”

Contouring can help achieve that illusory perfection, but only if you execute well — and save it for the right setting. “Obviously a regular woman going to work wouldn’t want to wear the same makeup she wears to a special event,” says Scheppy. “But then again, I have clients for whom contouring is an everyday look. If they’re on TV or in magazines all the time, I think it’s appropriate.”

Lip Service

Marie Claire, April 2015

Marie Claire, April 2015

Marie Claire published "Lip Service" in their April 2015 issue.  The article translated color physiology into our everyday lipstick choices.  

"Researchers showed 2,375 people images of nine different women wearing six different shades of lip color.  The participants then made spot evaluations of the women's personalities, rating attributes like how creative, reliable, and professional they seemed."

We have summarized Lip Service into a short synopsis of what we learned:


Job Interview: Plum

Plum is a unique combination of power and warmth, making people look professional and ambitious.

First Date: Nude or Plum

People look for loyalty and attractiveness during a first date.  People wearing nude or plum shades were seen as the most reliable and attractive.

Work Brainstorm: Nude

Nude lip colors will win them over!  Wear nude to come across as a collaborative, caring, and open.

Fiance's Family Reunion: Pink

Pink is associated with looking sociable and fun loving.  This is the perfect color when meeting people in a social setting.

Major Presentation: Red

Wear red to steal the show.  Red shows you are a leader and expert in your field.  It also signifies that you are someone who takes risks, and is creative. 


We pulled out a few of our favorite Ellis Faas lip colors!  Looking for that perfect hue?  Come in to check out the selection!

 

Interested in reading the full article in Marie Claire?  Turn to page 182 in this months issue!

 

 

Vogue Paris: Ellis Faas’ Beauty Exhibition

Cult make-up artist Ellis Faas has a secret passion: photography. As a teenager, she accumulated self-portraits, which sharpened her passion for make-up and the art of transformation. This spring, her vintage photos are being sold at the Makeup Show exhibition in Los Angeles. We meet Ellis, in an exclusive interview for Vogue.fr.

                           Lipdrip by Ellis FaasWhat is your relationship with make-up and photography?I always wanted to be a photographer, but when I started, my love for c…

                           Lipdrip by Ellis Faas

What is your relationship with make-up and photography?

I always wanted to be a photographer, but when I started, my love for color took over. I was 18 when I decided to be a make-up artist and at 19 years old I left to study with Christian Chauveau in Paris. Today, my two passions are intertwining even if now I only take the odd inspiration shot. In this photo, I concocted a glycerin-based texture in my kitchen to enhance gloss finish. We could never sell this texture, I used it at theSonia Rykiel show in Paris and we couldn't allow the models to eat or even smile while they were wearing it. Not ideal!

                 The retro black and white by Ellis FaasWhat is the story behind this self-portrait?This image and the following one will be part of a college made for my Makeup Show exhibi…

                 The retro black and white by Ellis Faas

What is the story behind this self-portrait?

This image and the following one will be part of a college made for my Makeup Show exhibition in Los Angles, entitled "Selfies from the Seventies". At the time, self-portraits took a lot more effort than they do today, we had to press the timer, run into place, pose and then wait days for the result. These selfies ignited my passion for make-up. But, sorry, they are not for sale...

                         Chinese Opera by Ellis FaasDo you continue to practice the art of the selfie?I still sometimes take self-portraits, but only for press or to illustrate ar…

                         Chinese Opera by Ellis Faas

Do you continue to practice the art of the selfie?

I still sometimes take self-portraits, but only for press or to illustrate articles, I'm bored of my face. Selfies are all over the place and I find it very narcissistic. If I take one, then it is with the people I love and for my own memories, not to be shared with the world.

               Eclipse (Makeup 5 years)  by Ellis FaasDo you still illustrate your own products yourself?Yes, it interests me. I took this picture at the launch of my Hot Lips lipstick line…

               Eclipse (Makeup 5 years)  by Ellis Faas

Do you still illustrate your own products yourself?

Yes, it interests me. I took this picture at the launch of my Hot Lips lipstick line in 2013 (which has since become an international hit NDLR) Here, I have usedBright Fuchsia L403, the image is a visual to illustrate my brand, obviously not to be replicated at home, but just as an inspiration that I hope reflects a notion of boldness and creativity.

                   La rose dans la bouche by Ellis FaasWhat is your favorite product for photo-ready radiance?Recently, I launched Glow Up, a line of three powders. The particles are so fin…

                   La rose dans la bouche by Ellis Faas

What is your favorite product for photo-ready radiance?

Recently, I launched Glow Up, a line of three powders. The particles are so fine, they look more like porcelain than glitter. They help create a natural halo for photos, apply to the parts of the face where the light hits: the cheekbones, the curvature of the nose, Cupid's bow and collarbones, to emphasize the bone structure for a radiant and natural glow. In this image, I wanted to translate the idea of the mask in a beauty shot. The pink lips are just for fun!

 Do you have a particular beauty routine?My beauty routine is simple. I have a love-hate relationship with sport, I only do it because I have to and it's important, yoga suits me best and I am conscious to eat healthy food and drink gallons of water…

 

Do you have a particular beauty routine?

My beauty routine is simple. I have a love-hate relationship with sport, I only do it because I have to and it's important, yoga suits me best and I am conscious to eat healthy food and drink gallons of water. But I must admit that I only recently stopped smoking and I also love vodka! So, as a moisturizer, I use coconut oil, I wash with bi-carbonate of soda and I use Eve Lom products on my face.

 I only use my own make-up products. Seriously, they are honestly quick and easy to use! This face chart is my personal look, a new selfie designed just for Vogue.fr.Ellis Faas Icon Gallery, Makeup Show, March 28 and 29, California Market Cente…

 

I only use my own make-up products. Seriously, they are honestly quick and easy to use! This face chart is my personal look, a new selfie designed just for Vogue.fr.

Ellis Faas Icon Gallery, Makeup Show, March 28 and 29, California Market Center, 110 E 9th St, Los Angeles. Ellis Faas will give a talk on her style, Saturday March 28 from 1:30pm to 2:30pm www.themakeupshow.com

Article by By Carole Sabas translated by Lowri Evans the 20 March 2015, Vogue Paris