Tuesday Quick Tip #42 - October 27, 2009

What’s the key to perfect, glowing skin? According to Brett, it’s exfoliating!

Increasing cell turnover is the secret to a fresh and glowing face. Here are 3 methods of exfoliation (at different levels of intensity) to buff your face into a clean sheen!

1. GO BUFF: Brett loves his Buf-Puf! You can do this safely everyday with your favorite cleanser. Simply lather up a second time and use the sponge to lightly scrub skin in a circular motion (like buffing a car). Don’t press too hard!

2. TRY ACID: Good for oily skin, look for topical creams, gels and lotions with 8% alpha hydroxy acid and only use 1-2 times per week at night. Dries the skin out and can leave an odd texture as it begins to work, so use sparingly!

3. GET A FACIAL: Head to the doc or a facialist for stronger treatments. Deeper acid peel treatments are like crash dieting – you get all the exfoliation at once, so there’s a long period of redness and peeling and then, voila – flawless skin! Microdermabrasion is another good option for women that don’t want to use acids (deeper skintones and sensitive skin).

Video QuickTip #41 - September 29, 2009

Foundation is tricky - we want a smooth and even skintone, but we don't want to look like we're wearing a mask!

Brett gives us the secret behind the flawless faces on the red carpet with this foundation trick.



You need three things:

1. A good, graduated brush - Brett likes the MAC 107 graduated brush.
2. Misting water - try Paul Mitchell brand or Evian Misting Water from the drugstore.
3. LORAC Natural Performance Paraben-Free, Oil-Free Foundation - Brett loves the light and sheer vibe of this foundation. And as a bonus - it has a cool dispenser pump!

Pump a little foundation onto your hand. Lightly mist the top of the brush with the misting water and swirl into the foundation which thins it to the perfect consistency. Gently sweep the foundation all over the face with the brush - forehead, eyelids, under eyes, cheeks, chin, and down onto the neck to make sure everything is even.

This combo is the KEY to a polished finish!

Video QuickTip #40 – September 8, 2009

We all face tough times, but our face shouldn't show it. Special guest 'Jessica Simpson' joins Brett to talk about their best tips for "breakup makeup" in this funny and informative Quick Tip.

Even when you're in an emotional state of distress, remember to hold your head high. Don't let everything go! Just because you don't feel great doesn't mean you can't look great. Continue your regular beauty routine - put on makeup everyday, get your brows done, mani-pedis, facials, etc.

Look for makeup that's going to stay put through the tears - waterproof mascara is your friend! Also, try cheek and lip stains. Once dotted on and rubbed in, they literally stain the skin and won't budge no matter how many sobs and tissues you go through.

If 'Jessica Simpson' can do it, so can you!

Tuesday QuickTip #39 – September 1, 2009

Kim Kardashian, Eva Longoria and Rihanna-- all have rocked the little spider-like sprigs known as individual lashes on the red carpet. But how do they work? How do you apply them with ease? How do they not look silly?

There probably isn't another beauty product on the planet that has caused so many questions. Brett to the rescue!

• Always buy the shortest length available. Brett loves Andrea Perma-Lash in short black.
• Use tiny cuticle scissors to trim down the first row of lashes in the pack--these will be used on the inner corner of your eyes where the lashes are naturally shorter.
• Pick up individual lashes close to the base with precise tweezers, lightly dot on lash glue, and blow on them before applying to lashes.
• Apply the longer lashes to the outer edges of your lashline first and 'picket fence' them right in with your natural lashes heading inward and using the shorter falsies on the inner corners.
• Brett recommends using Duo waterproof glue - the dark tone is perfect for evening. Try the clear or brown tones for day.

And there you have it. Red carpet lashes made easy!

Tuesday QuickTIp #38 - August 25, 2009

She's got everything - fab clothes, great jobs, a hot guy, and the most enviable eye makeup on the planet.

Now you can be one step closer to Barbie status - Brett tells us how to get those glam eyes...for real!



To get a vivid, crisp lash line like Barbie, arm yourself with a silver shadow compact and liquid eyeliner.

First, give a silver dusting to the whole lid from lash line to brow line and into the tear duct. Add a sweep of a purple-gray hue to the crease of the eyelid to add depth.

To apply liquid liner like a pro, use one with a felt tip applicator - they're easier to control. Brett loves Sephora's version. Lightly dot on the liner and stay as close as possible to the lash line. Then, press the felt tip firmly into skin (press too lightly and it might bump along) and 'connect the dots' to smooth the line, fanning it up and out toward the temples on the ends.

Remember, liquid liner takes about a full minute to dry. When the liner stops glistening, it's dry.

Voila! You're a Barbie girl!

Tuesday QuickTip #37 – August 11, 2009

Have you seen those deep wine and plum lip colors on the shelves (think Megan Fox), but aren’t sure how to pull them off?

As fall approaches, these shades become more popular. Brett shares his advice for rocking a punky dark lip color with style and confidence.

Click below for the inside scoop!



1. To ease into deep shades, try a sheer gloss version. The shade in the tube will have a huge color impact, but it goes on sheer and lets your natural lip shine through. Kind of like the stain from a lollipop!

2. If you want more of a goth, matte look, try a lipstick form. Beware though, the deep, solid pigment in lipsticks can be a bit aging. Brett typically prefers a gloss format.

3. Go sparse on eye makeup – save the smoky eyes for another time. Only one feature on your face should pop, and with a dark pucker, you want all the attention on your lips. You still want lots o’ lash though… maybe try the silver liner trick (Quick Tip #29!).

Tuesday QuickTip #36 - August 4, 2009

Are small dark patches and discolorations on your face ruining your look?

Lots of women suffer with bouts of hyperpigmentation or melasma. Brett Freedman shares his advice for safely lightening skin and keeping dark spots from coming back.

Click below for the inside scoop!


Tackling melasma and hyperpigmentation is a 3 step process – lighten the existing patches, prevent them from coming back, and disguise what’s still there.

1. Use a lightening cream or gel. Over the counter, you can buy 2% bleaching creams, but to truly see results, Brett recommends asking your derm for a prescription for a 4% facial bleach.

2. Stay out of the sun! Even when you aren’t basking by the pool, your skin is still exposed, and sun exposure makes melasma look more pronounced. Look for a broad-spectrum sunscreen with physical blockers and wear it daily. Brett’s fave? Clinique City Block. It’s oil-free with SPF 40 and contains both titanium oxide and zinc oxide. It looks great under makeup and in photos; Brett uses it on all his girls!

3. Use makeup where needed to disguise patches. The object is to lightly veil dark spots, not to make them disappear under layers of foundation. Apply foundation as usual and then build more coverage in problem areas with a tiny brush dipped in liquid foundation. Brett loves LORAC Breakthrough Performance or Revlon ColorStay for this – both are sheer yet long-lasting.