Category: news

Interview with Le Métier de Beauté’s Dre Kearney

Need some summer inspiration? Or just want to learn more about beauty’s most coveted rising star? Well, I did. So I was thrilled to have a chance to talk to Dre Kearney,  Le Métier de Beauté’s regional manager down here in Texas, along with Oklahoma, Pheonix and Denver, and makeup artist galore.  

I love this decadent lux line, not only because of the high quality products, but their epic partnerships.  To start, the company was born out of a partnership with chemists to achieve amazing skin care benefits and standout formulations.  Later, the brand partnered with Marchesa to create a collection featuring the palettes of designers Georgina Chapman & Keren Craig.  The line doesn’t have so many products that it becomes overwhelming and it is easy to create a professional look without serious makeup training.

How does the “Koral” trend translate to those who prefer and more neutral shade?

Korals are great even for the client who is a little ‘color shy.’  A pop of Koral on the lip gives you a fun, fresh summer look.  Layering a sheer gloss over a lipstick is perfect way to wear korals and not feel like your lips are walking in the room before you do.  Try Ken’s Kissable Koral with Lip Crème Lip Gloss in Peche of Sweet Crème – it’s the perfect way to wear color this summer.

Does the Ken Downing collaboration signal a return to matching nails and lip?

Definitely! Matching lip and nail will be a huge trend especially going into Fall. It’s a return to polished, lady-like sensibilities with modern and rich colors. Two must have products! Ken’s fall collection is so beautiful.

Many of the jewel tones in Penelope suggest the Mediterranean. How can we use that in a “beach look”?

Penelope is a beautiful eye shadow palette because the shades are so versatile. The sheer shimmery gold, and metallic beige are perfect for a neutral beach look. Lightly sweep the lilac shade on top to give an unexpected yet sheer pop of color.

Instead of a deep, dark eye line, what do you suggest for a lighter, summer look?

Using colors other than black and dark brown will give your look a touch of something special, as well as accentuate your eye color. My favorite look this summer is a soft, colored shadow swept across the lash line. The Le Metier Flat Line Brush is perfect for this type of application. Apply the shadow as thin or as thick as you like.

What lip products do you like to keep our puckers from drying out in the summer heat?

For serious dehydration or sun-damage lips, I love Aquaphor Healing Ointment for the amazing hydration it gives.  Another favorite go-to I will not leave home without is the Le Metier de Beaute lip glosses. Both Sheer Brilliance and Lip Crème Lip Gloss have an emollient, creamy texture and believe it or not are great for chapped lips! It’s loaded with Vitamin E and lanolin, which protects the lips from climate and environmental elements.

What are the tricks to a simple face, using only concealer and letting our summer tan shine through?

Spot treating the skin with concealer is the fastest way look flawless without having to use a foundation all over. First, cover under eye darkness. Next focus around the nose and middle of the face where most people tend to be red. Lastly, take a step back from the mirror and look for any blemishes or spots you may want to cover. This will make the overall appearance of your skin look more even without a lot of effort.

Are the any application hints for foundation/Peau Vierge in the summer heat? Which formulation is better in warmer climates? Is the SPF sweat proof?

I love Peau Vierge Anti-Aging Complexe all year round, and because it can also applied as a primer which is particularly amazing for the summer heat. You can wear this product alone as tinted moisturizer or blend it with a fuller coverage foundation for more coverage. During the warm summer months I find most women prefer the light weight feel of Peau Vierge Anti-Aging Complexe alone. Apply Peau Vierge Anti-Aging Complexe with the Le Metier de Beaute Angled Foundation Brush to get smooth and even coverage that will last all day.

How would you use Finishing Powders versus Eye Brightening & Setting Powder?

Pressed powder is applied to the entire face to set and finish your foundation. The Le Metier de Beaute’s Visage de Soie Finishing Powders are ultra oil-absorbing which makes it ideal to carry with you for touch-ups throughout the day.  Our Eye Brightening & Setting Powder is used to highlight and brighten specific areas of the face. You can apply it to set your concealer, use all over before shadow, under the brow to add highlights, swipe under the eye to brighten, around the nasal passage to reduce redness and even around the mouth to prevent lip color from feathering!

What are your summer beach vacation essentials?

My beach vacation “must haves” are sunscreen with a high SPF, a hat to shade my face from sun, Peau Vierge Anti-Aging Complexe and of course a Sheer Brilliance Lip Gloss to keep my lips hydrating and looking brilliant!

And some other tips and tricks that I had to share for those who already adore the line:

  • Spicy and innocence can make a great neutral, layered.
  • Classic flawless foundation is formulated with hyloronic acid to achieve a superior amount of hydration, making it better for dryer skin.
  • Try the Kabuki brush for buffing out foundation.
  • Refresh can hold in lipstick around mouth and prevent feathering.

Summer Staples by bellebellebeauty featuring sapphire drop earringsJoie silk dress$338 – nordstrom.c

Joie silk dress
$338 – nordstrom.com

Prada flat thong sandals
$267 – neimanmarcus.com

Pour La Victoire platform pumps
$245 – piperlime.gap.com

Cathy Waterman sapphire drop earrings
$29,950 – barneys.com

Chan Luu beading bracelet
$345 – net-a-porter.com

MICHAEL Michael Kors rose gold watch
$250 – bloomingdales.com

Ray-Ban clear sunglasses
$159 – mytheresa.com

NARS Lip Gloss Belize One Size
$24 – nordstrom.com

Beauty Blender

I never really embraced using a sponge for makeup applications.  Mostly because I didn’t want those little wedge buggers taking up space on my vanity.  Plus those sharp edges don’t give a very pretty application. But then I heard about the non-disposable. beautyblender, and was smitten with its cute little pink, ergonomic shape.

Over the past years, I have mastered all sorts of foundation application techniques (fingers, brush, kabuki, etc.) so I was prepared to be underwhelmed with the finish from the beauty blender.  Cue pleasant surprise: the finish was unbelievalble smooth, natural and streak-free.

The beauty blender was invented by MUAs Rea Ann Silva and Veronica Lorenz, with the goal of achieving  a perfect blend. The shape lends itself to reaching all the nooks and crannies on your face, without creases or clumps.

I feel like the blender gives the most even coverage of all avaialble application methods.  I love the ease of cleaning – I am definitely more likely to clean this guy after every use than I am a brush.  And for those with allergies, no fear: the beauty blender is non-latex and hypoallergenic.

Jouer The Weekender Collection

This is almost too good to be true.  And in perfect time for packing for those summer getaways.  This palette has the absolute best in neutral shades that can be layered for varying looks.  I really can’t imagine too many skin tones this wouldn’t work for.  If you have dark skin, the mattifying powder could be too light, but I found it to be very translucent.  All of the products, I think, would look fabulous from pale to very dark. The palette contains:

  • Powder Eyeshadow Trio – satin matte charcoal, satin matte taupe, and matte vanilla cream
  • Face Duo – Translucent Mattifying Powder and Mattifying Powder Bronzer in matte honey
  • Tint & Highlighter Duo – Champagne Highlighter in shimmering pink and Cinnamon Tint in creamy deep rose
  • Ginger Lip Gloss – shimmering copper (very sheer and light)

The individual pieces slide apart so if you only want to carry bring a few or throw one into a clutch, easy! I use my fingers for most of these items, but theoretically you would need a powder, bronzer , eyeshadow and liner brushes.  It can be difficult to get only the bronzer or powder on the brush so I ended up mixing them and really liked the effect.  It was much easier for me to use my fingers on the eye palette then blend with a brush once it was applied.  Order from Birchbox. Right now they have free shipping on this item! ($58)

Foundation Brushes

Since I largely use tinted moisturizer, I really should call these “moisturizer brushes” but either way, they are my favorite tool for blending any color on my face.  Over the years, I have tried great (and not so great) brushes and most are still in my collection – a testimony to how long these tools will last.

Armani Beauty Designer Foundation Brush

The fibers are shorter than other foundation brushes, which gives great control but can hinder blending.  I especially like the sharper end to get into the areas around my nose, under eyes and chin. The brush contains a blend of fibers which is typical for foundation brushes. The effect of this brush is a heavier coverage with ability to add precision. Overall this is a great brush that will last a long time. ($51)

Bobbi Brown Foundation Brush

The longer brush by Bobbi Brown won’t provide precise lines, but blends tinted moisturizer flawlessly.  The color almost buffs into the skin achieving Bobbi Brown’s signature “your own skin” look.  It also gives foundation a more moderate coverage.  I am sure the lighter bristles on the end have another purpose, but it provides encouragement for frequently cleaning because pigment is readily visible. ($35)

As a fan of foundation brushes, I think these two offer the best of what is out there.  If you are one who favors a heavier coverage, Armani is the way to go.  For those who like a tinted look, try Bobbi Brown.

Beauty on the Internet – Customer service

Outstanding beauty brands have embraced social media as a way to interact with customers. I would like to recognize four brands that have impressed me with their response, knowledge and engagement. Renee Rouleau (@ReneeRouleau) suggested products that would be kind to my gentle skin. I was thrilled with my purchase of Synergy Eye Cream which hydrates without being irritating. Le Métier de Beauté (@MetierBeaute) arranged for me to have my makeup done by an artist visiting my local Neiman Marcus. BG Beauty Tutorials (@Bergdorfs) has introduced me to wonderful brands and the store has brought on an official BG Beauty girl (@ThisThatBeauty), an expert I already admire. Keep your eye on Bergdofs beauty social media. Lastly, I found out about BirchBox (@birchbox) through twitter. Their shipments are a highlight when the pink boxes arrive in my mailbox each month. I continue to be impressed with the samples and full size product I receive. That said, not everyone does it well, so it’s worth pointing out the rockstars in the social media beauty world.