VANITYMARK's Video QuickTips

Tuesday Quick Tip #70 - June 21, 2011

2011-06-21T09:14:00.000-07:00

Starlet Jenny Mollen sports summer's hottest makeup look - bronzed goddess. Brett shares his favorite tips to getting a sun-kissed glow this season!

The most important step to getting a bronzed makeup look is prepping the skin! Start by applying your favorite moisturizer or foundation and set it with a loose or pressed powder in your skin color. Brett loves MAC's Mineralize for it's sheer coverage. The powder stops the skin from grabbing the too-dark bronzing color.

Next, use a fluffy brush to apply your bronzer (Brett uses Elizabeth Arden Bronze Glow Pure Finish Mineral Bronzing Powder), starting at the jaw line, working your way up. Watch as your whole face warms up and immediately looks more alive!

Bonus tip: make sure you get the neck! Use Vanitymark's SUMMERSKIN on your chest, shoulders, and neck right up to the jaw line for an all over matching, bronzed color.

Getting a gorgeous bronzed glow has never been so simple!

Video Quick Tip #69 - June 7, 2011

2011-06-07T07:08:00.001-07:00

Want to know how to stay pretty all summer? Brett tells us his three favorite makeup products to keep you looking gorgeous in the heat!

Josie Maran Argan Oil - It's 100% pure argan oil, with no parabens or fillers and moisturizes like a dry oil. It goes on really sheer and finely diffuses into the skin! Brett uses this around the eyes and mouth to bring hydration back into the skin. Mix it with a drop of foundation or your regular moisturizer to reinvigorate the skin, or use it at night for a moisture boost.

Benefit They're Real! Mascara - This mascara amazes in just one coat! It spreads beautifully, gives lashes great texture, and dries in no time. For a more dramatic, lash-popping look, apply 2-3 coats. Lashes will look thicker and longer, forcing people to ask the question, are those real??

Elizabeth Arden Sheer Lipstick - Bright lips like we've seen on Drew Barrymore and Camilla Belle are hot, hot, hot right now. But gals afraid to go bold with color will love these sheer lipsticks! They're not as waxy or pigmented like regular lipstick formulas but still give a pop of buildable color in a very modern way.

Run, don't walk, to your local beauty store to add these summer must-haves to your makeup roundup!

Video Quick Tip #68 - April 26, 2011

2011-04-26T10:32:00.000-07:00

If you're looking for maximum eye impact, you don't necessarily have to have to go dark and smoky. In this week's tip, Brett shows us how to draw interest up to the eyes with a light, doe-eyed makeup look.

Make sure your brows are neat and groomed. All the focus will be drawn up so tweeze any stray hairs, and define your arches with a brow pencil like Vanitymark's Ultra-Brow Pencil (one shade lighter than hair is your best bet!).

Begin by applying a matte neutral shadow like MAC Brule all over the lid. Add a deeper neutral shade in the crease to recess the area, and lightly dust along the lower lash line as well - fair gals should try MAC Wedge, and those with deeper skintones look great in MAC Cork. Highlight the brow bone and tearduct with MAC Nylon to open up the eye.

Choose a light, shimmery eyeliner pencil instead of your standard black to line the eyes. Brett likes MAC Heirloom, a silvery lavender. Apply right at the lashline across the whole upper lash and on the lower lash line, too. This brightens up the eye by using shimmery, light-reflecting shades and the off-color adds instant interest.

Curl your lashes! This is key to looking wide-eyed and bushy-tailed.

Apply lots of mascara - Brett's go-to mascara is L'Oreal Voluminous in Carbon. Add multiple layers for maximum impact. If you really want to turn up the drama, add in a few Ardell short balck individual lashes, coat again with mascara and add one last pump of the lash curler.

Now check out those Betty Boop eyes - enjoy pretty!

Video Quick Tip #67 - April 12, 2011

2011-04-12T09:51:00.000-07:00

The temperatures have finally gone above 40 degrees (at least in NYC)! Now it's time to celebrate and switch around your makeup bag to include more summer-friendly shades and formulations.

In the video below, Brett discusses a few of his favorite products that you should add to the mix as the weather heats up.

According to Brett, the key traits of summer beauty products are: breathable coverage, SPF, long-wearing formulas, and warm, peachy shades. And what are the must-have products he loves?

Jemma Kidd School Light As Air liquid foundation, SPF 18 - This foundation feels like a tinted moisturizer but with a touch more coverage. It's a breathable formula, but really stays put - perfect for those hot summer days!

Clinique City Block Sheer Oil-Free Daily Face Protector, SPF 25 - Perfect for layering under makeup, this sheer physical sunblock reflects the rays off the skin, and is oil-free. Great for active gals that like to be outdoors a lot!

Benefit Cha Cha Tint - This new mango/apricot version of Benetint (launching in June) is great for ladies who aren't a fan of pinky lip and cheek stains. The new shade goes great with bronzey summer skin and has the long wear that Benetint is known for!

Bonnie Bell Gel Bronze - This cheapie drugstore bronzer can be worn alone on good skin days, or for a warm glow everyday, add a bit to your foundation and apply together! Brett recommends the golden shade - it's the most universally flattering.

Now go start your 'spring cleaning' and prep that makeup bag for warm weather!

Video Quick Tip #66 - March 8, 2011

2011-03-08T11:37:00.000-08:00

Love that retro makeup look Katy Perry pulls off so well? Then you're in luck!

Brett recently did a pin-up photoshoot with glamorous model Icey, and together they demo how to get those classic "come hither" eyes.

THE BASE

Pin up gals have flawless skin and perfectly sculpted brows, so I used Lorac Natural Performance lightly all over the face and down the neck to give a veil of coverage, and filled in and extended the tail of Icey's brows with Vanitymark's Ultra-Brow Pencil in Blondie.

LIDS

For the lids, you want a neutral flat bone shade as the base - MAC Brule is perfect, but your pressed powder compact works in a pinch, too! Apply MAC Wedge in the crease and up into the inner brow and highlight underneath the arch with MAC Nylon shimmer. Using a flat brush, also add a little MAC Nylon to the lid up to the crease and into the inner tearduct.

LASHES

Apply false lashes like Ardell #110 from the mid-lash to the outer corner (cut down the false lashes if they're too long), and use a lash curler to line up the false lashes with the real set.

LINER

Use a great liquid liner pen like Shishiedo's version in Black and make a clean, straight line close to the upper lash line to cover the "seam" of the fake lash. Then make a thin line all the way across the lash line out to the edge of the eye and extend, going out and up towards the temple for lift. Go over the line and build it to the thickness you desire. For the lower lash line, use a charcoal pencil like Benefit Stainless, lightly brushing the line out as well. For added crispness, take a white liner like Lancome Blanco and apply in-between the upper and lower liner extensions.

To cap off this retro look, wear your favorite classic blue-red lipstick. Now that you have the pin-up makeup, get ready to bat those eyes and pose!

Video Quick Tip #65 - February 15, 2011

2011-02-15T12:24:00.000-08:00

Looking to create “it girl” eyes? Then look no further!

Brett worked with starlet Jessica Lucas for the Big Momma’s House: Like Father Like Son premiere, and to complement her bold army green dress, he gave her smoky eyes with a khaki spin.

Your kit should include –

MAC eye shadow: Blackberry, Print and Nylon
Jemma Kidd School liner in Kingfisher
MAC Smolder eyeliner
eye shadow brushes: a medium size and a smaller, tighter brush
Vanitymark Ultra-Brow pencil in Milk Choco

Lightly fill in the brows behind the brow hairs. Use a brow pencil that’s one shade lighter than hairs for the most natural look. For Jessica’s coloring, Vanitymark’s Ultra-Brow pencil in Milk Choco (a medium chocolate brown) works perfectly.

Take MAC Blackberry, a neutral plum shade and apply deep into the crease of the lid, lightly up into the brow area and underneath the eye. Carry the color to the outside corner of the eye and let the colors meet there.

Using a small brush, apply MAC Print, a matte charcoal shadow as an eyeliner, keeping it tight to the lower lashline and carrying the line out and up.

Highlight the brow bone under the arch and the inner tear duct with MAC Nylon, a champagne shimmer.

Now for the edgy part. Use Jemma Kidd School eyeliner in Kingfisher as a cream shadow and brush onto the lid, making the color stronger near the lashline. Brett loves this color – it’s the perfect khaki green and even has a hint of metallic sheen.

For the finishing touch, apply a hint of MAC Smolder eyeliner to the upper and lower lash line, Ardell individual lash falsies and L’Oreal Voluminous mascara.

Enjoy pretty!

Video Quick Tip #64 - January 25, 2011

2011-01-25T10:20:00.000-08:00

Along with overeating this holiday season, did you also find yourself overplucking your arches?

We all can get a little "tweeze-happy" from time to time, but luckily Brett Freedman is demo-ing his flawless technique for filling in brows while they grow back.

Brett met his cousin Mary Ann at Kalologie Skincare on Robertson Blvd., one of his favorite beauty spots, to give her a mini brow makeover. Dynamic brows are really in right now, so he showed Mary Ann how to play up her fab arches while she waits for the hairs to grow back in after a minor bout of over-tweezing.

First things first, whether thick or thin, make sure your brow area is clean! Lightly tweeze stray hairs in-between brows, along temples and under the arch of the brow (leave the thickest part of brows alone).

Take a brow pencil the same shade or one shade darker than brows and fill-in behind the brow hairs completely with a light hand. Brett used his own Vanitymark Ultra-Brow Pencil in Dark Choco on Mary Ann. Extend the tail of the brow a bit if you'd like. Then add the color onto the skin below the part of the brow you're working to thicken. The darkened brow hairs should blend with the color you added to the skin.

For the perfect finishing touch, add hairspray to a brow groomer (or a clean mascara wand) and brush through hairs, brushing them up and out. The brow pencil should look undetectable!

Now you're on your way to the perfect thick and bold brow. Enjoy pretty!

Video Quick TIp #63 - December 14, 2010

2010-12-14T12:29:00.000-08:00

In today's fashion-forward Quick Tip, Brett sits down with starlet Jenny Mollen (she was a regular on Angel and Crash and has a bunch of movies coming out next year - keep your eye on her!) to show off a great way to draw attention to your peepers...the retro Twiggy androgynous eye!

EYELIDS

For this eye-popping look, start with the Revlon Cream Shadow quad in Khaki Suede and cover the entire lid and into tear duct with the middle neutral tan shades. Highlight the brow bone area with a shimmery champagne powder shadow like MAC Nylon.

Dust on a medium brown shade like MAC Quarry in a rainbow shape that hugs the lid. Next, apply Quarry below the lower lash line in a straight line keeping close to the lashes.

Then take MAC Print, a matte charcoal gray shade, and using a tiny brush, apply a thin rainbow-shaped line right on top of the Quarry shadow on the lid. Underneath the lower lash line, draw a thin, straight line across on top of the Quarry line. Lightly extend the rainbow line out to meet the line underneath the lower lash line.

BROWS

Add more definition to the brows with a brow pencil - Brett used his own Vanitymark Ultra-Brow Pencil in Blondie for Jenny. Thicken the area above the arches a tiny bit to add interest.

LASHES

Apply half-length false lash strips (or cut full-length ones in half) to the outer edge of the upper lash line for added volume and length. Brett likes the ones from Kre-At Beauty.

For the true swingin' 60s look, apply individual short lashes to the lower lash line, picket fencing them in with your natural lashes. Kre-At Beauty makes these as well.

LINER

On the upper lash line, use a fine-point liquid liner like Shiseido The Makeup Fine Eyeliner in Black and follow the lash line really close. Extend the line a tiny bit.

Once the liquid liner sets, it's time for the finishing touch - break out a white liner pencil like Lancome Blanc, and accentuate the geometric straight line you created with Quarry and Print below the lower lash line. Line the inside of the lower lash line in white and carry the line into the teardruct and straight out beyond the outside corner of the eye.

It's the little steps here that make all the difference in a unique look like this!

Video Quick Tip #62

2010-11-30T13:08:00.000-08:00

The retro red lip is definitely "in" but sometimes it's nice to reach back to the sultry and fashionable nude lip.

Brett met up with Patricia Heaton of The Middle (and Everybody Loves Raymond!) for a photo shoot and he gave her a quick n' easy glossy nude pout.

First prep lips by padding on foundation and powder.

Take a nude/beige lip liner like Brett's fave, the Benefit Lana pencil and lightly line all along the natural lip line and slightly out and above.

With the same liner, begin darkening and filling in the lips just on the corners of the mouth. Extend the color 3/4 of the way in on the lips, just leaving the center of your pout bare.

Add oomph to lips with a champagne-hued gloss like Jemma Kidd School in Bare. Put extra gloss in the center of lips to draw light there and make lips look plumped and juicy!

How simple (and pretty!) is that?

Video Quick Tip #61 - November 9, 2010

2010-11-09T08:45:00.000-08:00

Did you think Sue Heck was an awkward teen in real life, too? Not so!

Starlet Eden Sher from ABC's "The Middle" and Brett got together for a recent photo shoot, and created this vid on applying lash falsies.

For an easy lash boost, you need 3 items:

Dura Lash by Ardell - look for the short, black individuals
Duo Lash Adhesive in Dark Tone
Tweezers

The idea is to add 5-6 lashes to the ends of the lashline - this will amp up your eyes to that perfect almond shape we all crave!

First apply mascara and curl lashes as usual. Dot on a little of the Duo Lash Adhesive near the outer corner of the lashline and work your way out. Apply 3-4 lashes with tweezers along the outer half of the lashline and lightly press onto the glue, stopping where your natural lashes end. Go too far out and they'll look droopy...go too far in and they'll look unrealistic, as your lashes get shorter towards the inside corner.

Look up and down in a mirror to see where any gaps are. Add 2-3 more lashes to beef up and thicken the outer lashline. Let the lashes dry for a minute and then add another coat of mascara and curl lashes to "marry" the real and fake lashes together. Brett loves using L'Oreal Voluminous mascara in Carbon. Be sure to really get each lash!

Now flutter those lashes and enjoy pretty!

Video Quick Tip #60 - October 26, 2010

2010-10-26T13:38:00.000-07:00

Is there anyone out there that doesn't want to look hot n' sexy this Halloween?? We didn't think so!

In this week's Quick Tip, Brett takes blond-haired, fair-skinned Aynsley Bubbico from Greek

and turns her into exotic Hollywood siren Kim Kardashian.

The key steps to the Kim K. look are smokey eyes, a bold brow and nude lips. Here's the breakdown:

Bronze up! Bronze your body and decollete with a body bronzing spray like Vanitymark Summerskin. For your face, use a tan foundation like Lorac Natural Performance in #7.
Highlight the eyes and lift the cheekbones! Lighten the whole eye area with a concealer like Cle de Peau Concealer in Beige. Use a brush and place under the eye and out towards the temple, and above the brow area to pop out the cheekbone.
Add contours to the cheeks with a darker foundation - try MAC NC45 Full Coverage and brush on a straight line from the temple under the cheekbone towards the apple and blend down. Exaggerate it - it'll be nighttime!
Add contours to the eyes - apply MAC Cork into the crease of the eye and towards the inner eyebrow. Take a thin, tight brush and apply MAC Print directly into the crease of the lid and extend out to mimic an almond eye shape. Also apply close to the upper and lower lashline. Build out the Paint shade to give a nice, dark contour to the lid.
Fake a strong brow with a dark brown brow pencil like Vanitymark's Dark Choco and move your arch up and back by drawing on top of the natural brow line and extending out to copy Miz Kardashian's arches. Square off the inside edge of the brow for a strong and clean look.
Warm up with pink! Kim loves pink - use any sherbert pink shade of blush and go over the Cork shadow and along the cheek contours. Add interest to the eye area by placing a card or straight-edge next to the eye and patting on the pink blush from the outer corner of the eye to the temple.
Line the eyes with a soft and dark black pencil like MAC Smolder. Sculpt out the eye shape by rimming the inside and outside of the lashline. Stick super close to the lashline and trace the line from the inner corner all the way out. Keep the line on the upper and lower lashes really tight and crisp.
Add a shimmery shadow like MAC Idol Eyes to the lower lid with a wet brush across from the tear duct to the outer edge. Dries to a great finish!
Add lash falsies - it's Halloween so go big or go home! Buy spikey picket fence-style lashes to really stand out. After applying, add lots of mascara, like L'Oreal Voluminous in Carbon.
Highlight cheeks with an irridescent shade like Benefit Girl Meets Pearl. Just dab on the apples of the cheeks for a beautiful glow.
Kim loves a nude lip like MAC Brew. Use the shade all over the lip and then top with gloss.

Finish with a dark haired wig and a curve-hugging dress - now you're good to go! Happy Halloween!

Video Quick Tip #59 - October 5, 2010

2010-10-05T14:05:00.000-07:00

Ever heard of Conor Leslie? You may not have yet, but she's definitely one to watch out for on the Hollywood scene!

This week Brett met with Conor for a photoshoot, and he taught her how to do a modern smokey eye using neutral shades. This is a great tip for those in the teen age bracket, or for those who don't like dark shades on their eyes.

For this diffused, natural smokey eye, you need a tight eyeshadow brush, MAC Teddy eye pencil and 3 MAC eyeshadows:

Cork - a muted golden brown
Honeylust - a bronze-dipped peach
Nylon - a pale gold with icy shimmer

- Take Cork, the darkest shade and create a "fishtail" shape around the eye. Create a sideways V from the crease of the lid above the iris of the eye to the outer corner of the eye and back along the top lashline to above the iris. Nodge out the color at the outer corner of the eye (creating the fishtail shape) and line the lower lash line as well.

- Wet your brush or add a drop of water to your Honeylust shadow and apply straight across the lid from the tearduct to the end, filling in the entire lower half of the lid to the crease. Once this shimmery shadow dries, it will look like a cream shadow, but with more staying power!

- Add Nylon to the inner tearduct and right under the brow bone - bring it to meet the Cork shade at the crease. Also apply overtop of the Cork on the lower lashline and a little bit over the Honeylust on the upper lashline.

- And for the finishing touch - take the MAC Teddy eye pencil and line the inside of the eyelid on the top and bottom lashline.

And that's it - a modern, dressed up eye without a ton of color!

Video Quick TIp #58 - September 21, 2010

2010-09-21T13:21:00.000-07:00

This week's Quick Tip gives you access to an exclusive video Brett made for Temptalia.com, one of his favorite beauty blogs!

Brett recently did a photoshoot with the lovely Katherine McPhee and he documented it all complete with some red lipstick tricks and tips for Temptalia readers.

Click below for the inside scoop, direct from Temptalia.com!

For the December cover of Genlux, Brett wanted to give Katherine a 70s menswear vibe. He used another Katherine (Hepburn) as inspiration for her hair, and old Avon catalogues as a muse for her winged out eyes. For the lips, he went classic red. Here's his favorite technique for a long-lasting matte lip:

Apply foundation over lips and around the mouth (helps with crispness).
Add dusting powder like Shu Uemura or DermaMinerals On-the-Go Finishing Powder to set makeup and act as a base for lipstick.
Use a great red lipliner first, like the Paprika shade from Mineral Essence. Go over the entire lip to 'stain' the lips and help the lipstick hold. Plus, it will really control the shape of lips for a better final outcome.
Add more dusting powder on top of liner and dab to set.
Now that your shape is set, take a matte lipstick like Lancome Red Haute and fill in the penciled area. A lip brush really helps refine.
Optional extra step: Want to take this red lip from matte to modern? Add a bright red gloss on top! Glossy red lips were all over the runways last week, including Prada and Ungaro.

And there you have it - the key to red lips, a look that never goes out of style!

Video Quick Tip #57 - August 31, 2010

2010-08-31T08:24:00.000-07:00

This Sunday Brett spent the day playing pretty with Rules of Engagement star Bianca Kajlich

in preparation for the 2010 Emmys.

Want to see exactly how she got the glam smoky eyes and dewy cheeks that she wore to the ceremony? This week's Quick Tip takes you behind the scenes and into Bianca's home as she preps for her big night with Brett.

Bianca planned to wear her hair slicked back into a sleek ponytail for the Emmys this year, so the focus would be on her face. To accentuate her Grecian light mauve dress, Brett gave her dramatic smoky eyes with tones of pewter, brown and plum and highlighted her cheeks and lips with light-reflecting dewy shades.

CHEEKS

Try Maybelline Dream Mousse Blush in Soft Plum - just dab on the apples of cheeks. For additional glow, Brett added Benefit Girl Meets Pearl highlighter on top of cheeks...it's like the icing on the cake!

EYES

- Use a soft brown/plum shade like MAC Quarry and 'recess' the eyelid by brushing up from the lashline into the crease and almost into the brow. Brush underneath the lid as well, keeping close to the lower lashline.

- Highlight the arch of the eyebrow by using a pale shimmery shade like MAC Nylon right under the brow bone.

- Add a drop of water to a dark burgundy plum eye shadow like MAC Blackberry and take a small brush (as the colors get darker, your brush should get smaller!), swirl into the damp shadow and brush tightly along the lashline and make a sideways 'V' shape - taking the line softly around into the crease of the lid. As the shadow dries, lightly feather the line so it's not too severe.

- Once the eyes are dry, add a drop of water to a silvery pewter shade like MAC Idol Eyes and brush on top of the lower lid to add sheen and dimension.

- Use a dark mascara on lashes like L'Oreal Voluminous in Carbon. Brett loves this mascara!

BROWS

Even if you have killer brows like Bianca, you want the darkest feature on your face to be your lashes. For the red carpet, Brett applied MAC Goldmine (an intense gold shimmer shadow) wet to the brows with a fantail brush to lighten and brighten her brows. Set the look with clear brow gel like Vanitymark Ultra-Brow Gel in Acrylica!

LIPS

With so much color and drama on Bianca's eyes, Brett wanted to keep her lips low key and glossy. He used Bella Donna Pink Diamond lip gloss for a hint of color and shine that wouldn't overpower her look.

BODY

Don't forget the rest of your exposed skin! Brett used his own Vanitymark Shimmerskin, a champagne-hued shimmery body makeup on Bianca's arms and décolleté to make sure her skin didn't look low-watt next to her gorgeous makeup!

Now, even without a makeup artist by your side, you can get 'red carpet ready' the same way the stars do!

Video Quick Tip #56 - August 10, 2010

2010-08-10T12:12:00.000-07:00

Do you ever get stuck in a beauty rut? No one is immune to them, and even one of Brett's favorite beauty bloggers - Cindy from Hello Dollface - could use some inspiration every now and then.

Brett helps Cindy add a little kick to her go-to smoky eye look...click below for the inside scoop!

The smoky eye is one of Brett's favorite makeup looks as well, but sometimes it needs a little spice! Brett gave Cindy these quick little tips to add extra oomph:

WET SHIMMER: Take a shimmery, pewter shadow like MAC Idol Eyes, add a drop of water on top and swirl in a tight eyeshadow brush. Apply the wet shadow on top of any neutral shade you've already applied for your smoky eye (taupes, charcoals, golds, plums, etc.), and keep it close to the lashline. It will add light reflection and depth to your eyes and dries down to a cream shadow finish. It's like icing on the cake!

EXTEND YOUR LINER: Extended eyeliner is an instant attention-grabber! Sweep your eyeliner beyond the end of your eye and UP towards your temple (not straight across...and definitely not down!). Be sure to "marry" the upper eyeliner line with the lower eyeliner line in the corner of the eye so it becomes one unit, not 2 separate lines. Brett loves MAC Smolder eyeliner.

So what did Cindy have to say about her new look? "It's like a modern, blue-eyed Kim Kardashian!"

Video Quick Tip #55 - July 13, 2010

2010-07-13T08:45:00.000-07:00

Summertime is here and it's the perfect time to talk BRONZERS!

Bronzers seem to be a mystery to you gals, as Brett receives a lot of questions on this topic! Shimmer or no shimmer? What shades are best? How and where do you apply it?

Brett dishes all his tips on the subject, and demos a beachy bronzed look on his lovely assistant Kate.

Shimmer? Brett says keep it to a minimum. Too much shimmer and it will look glittery and won't photograph well.

Shade? Look for bronzers with a hint of pink. Dark terra cotta bronzers give a lot of quick impact, but won't look natural - no one tans that shade! Brett likes Benefit One Hot Minute.

What if I'm really fair? For the most natural hint o' color, try a regular face powder one or two shades darker than you normally wear. This works really well because it's already made in fleshy tones and won't add too much pigment to fair skin tones.

How to apply? Apply your makeup as usual and be sure to set with face powder (if skin is too moist, bronzer will grab to skin and look dark and blotchy). Use a big fluffy face brush and apply bronzer anywhere you'd apply face powder, starting with the neck. Don't use to just blush cheeks - it looks too muddy. Start soft and build the bronzer to your ideal shade.

What about the rest of my body? Don't forget about all your other exposed skin during the summer! Try NARS Body Glow body oil or Vanitymark's Summerskin body bronzing makeup.

Happy bronzing and happy summer!

Video QuickTip #54 - June 15, 2010

2010-06-15T11:16:00.000-07:00

Brett recently hosted a brow event at The Cosmetic Market in Nashville, TN and he documented 14 year-old Meredith’s very first brow clean-up!

If you’re curious about the basics of brow tweezing, or have a teen sister, daughter, etc., this is a must-see!

First things first, tidy up your brow area. Use tweezers to take away any of the ‘cobwebs’– those feathering hairs that grow downward in the areas above and outside of your brows. Your brow line will instantly look cleaner!

Get in the middle. Tweezing the middle of your two brows is easy because there is no shaping involved! Anything that’s in between your two brows needs to go.

Where should the brows start? No need to use a pencil to ‘line up’ the brow line – nature knows what it’s doing. Your brows should start right where the majority of your brow hairs begin growing; don’t take away too many rows or it will look unnatural.

Trim the brows. Do this very carefully to avoid a mishap! Use a brow spoolie or a clean mascara wand to brush all the brow hairs up. Use cuticle scissors to trim the tips off, and then brush back down.

To arch or not to arch? A drastic brow arch is too much for teens or those who never tweeze their brows. Lightly tweeze out a row or two underneath the brow if hairs look too out of place. Remember to start slow – just a neatened brow line will look fab!

The finishing touch. Teens don’t need to fill in their brows, but if you have any sparse areas, feel free to touch up with a brow pencil one shade lighter than hairs – Brett’s Vanitymark line has seven shades to choose from, so you’re sure to find a great match. Clear brow gel is helpful for unruly brows – it’s like hair spray for your arches!

Video QuickTip #53 - June 1, 2010

2010-06-01T08:43:00.000-07:00

In this month’s InStyle magazine, Brett dishes about one of his favorite concealers – Clé de Peau Beauté. It moves with the skin, comes in flattering shades that really cover, and has a beautiful finish.

But, at $75 a tube and only available at select retailers, Brett wanted to share some other great options with you.

Brett prefers full bodied concealers in stick or pot form. They give more color payout than tube concealers, so they really hide those imperfections you’re looking to dodge. You can always thin out the color if needed – heavier is better in this instance!

Before you douse your face with concealer, a word of advice: Use foundation or tinted moisturizer first for a 'veil of coverage.' You probably don’t need nearly as much concealer as you thought. Use sparingly – only on the deepest, darkest inner corners of the eyes and on blemishes. For blemish coverage, be sure to use a tight, pinpoint brush for precision.

MID-RANGE CONCEALER – Brett loves MAC Studio Finish SPF 35 Concealer. With 14 colors to choose from (and the help of knowledgeable MAC employees), it’s easy to nail the perfect shade AND tone for your skin for just $16.50.

DRUGSTORE BUY – Brett loves the traditional Maybelline Cover Stick Corrector Concealer. It only comes in 5 shades, so you may want to buy 2 to mix and match. The consistency is great, and for under $10, this is a sure bet!

Video QuickTip #52 - April 27, 2010

2010-04-27T08:44:00.000-07:00

Finally….spring is here!

With the onset of warm, sunny weather, it’s time to start thinking more about sun protection.

Brett shares his favorite sunblock and tips for using it.

Brett loves Clinique City Block – which comes in sheer (great for under makeup) or bronze shimmer (great for laying out on the beach!) and SPF 25 or 40.

Why is it so great?

City Block is a sunBLOCK, not a sunSCREEN, meaning it physically blocks the sun’s rays with Zinc Oxide instead of filtering them through. Brett compares it to the sunlight blocking power of a blackout curtain on a window versus a light shade. Zinc Oxide is an important ingredient that any fair gals (especially those that freckle) should look for in a sunblock.

Clinique City Block is also oil-free, so it’s perfect for those with oily or acne-prone skin. The sheer and weightless formula is easy to layer under makeup or wear alone, so there’s no excuse to not wear it everyday!

Even when sunbathing poolside or at the beach, Brett recommends keeping sunblock in your arsenal. You may use sunSCREEN (SPF 15 or higher) on most of your body, but dab sunBLOCK on all the “hot spots” – top of the nose, top of ears, collar bone, and breast bone – the skin is thin in those areas and tends to grab the sun more quickly than the rest of the body.

So if you’re looking for a great, all-around sunblock, check out City Block at your local Clinique counter!

Video QuickTip #51 - March 23, 2010

2010-03-23T11:37:00.000-07:00

Put your best cheek forward!

While on tour in New Orleans, Brett and Reba set aside a minute to play pretty and show us their simple blush trick to get cheeks that really POP with definition and color.

It’s all about the CONTOUR, the BLUSH and the HIGHLIGHT.

You need the following tools:

tight contouring blush brush - Brett likes the MAC 116 brush.
fleshy face powder compact one shade darker than your natural color - Brett uses benefit get even pressed powder #3 on Reba!
pretty pink matte blush shade of your choice - Brett says to stick with fruity, juicy shades…nothing brown or ruddy!
champagne hued highlighter powder - Brett likes LORAC Perfectly Lit Powder in Luminous.

Brett's no-fail guide to getting chiseled, perfectly flushed cheeks:

CONTOUR - Start with the fleshy face powder and brush into the area where the cheekbone meets the hairline. Dot and smooth along inward underneath the cheek bone to the apple of the cheek.

BLUSH - Brush your blush shade of choice all along the cheekbone area.

HIGHLIGHT - For the finishing touch, add highlighting powder along the top of the cheekbone and on the apple of the cheek – it’ll really catch the light when you smile!

Smile pretty and let those cheeky apples of yours take focus!

Video QuickTip #50 - March 9, 2010

2010-03-09T09:20:00.000-08:00

What was your favorite Oscar beauty look this year?

Brett loved Amanda Seyfried’s modern shimmery taupe and fleshy pink makeup. Watch as Brett and Aynsley copy the look – it’s easier than you think!

The key to Amanda’s modern neutral look lies in the shimmering taupe and pewter winged eyeshadow!

EYES:

Use a muted beige shade (like MAC Wedge) and brush over the whole lid area, under the lower lash line and wing out slightly.
Take a deeper plum brown shade (MAC Blackberry is great) and brush onto the outer corner of the upper lash line and up into the crease of the lid (like a sideways ‘V’).
Use a dark charcoal gray liner (like Benefit’s Stainless Eye Pencil) to line the whole lower lashline and the outer corner of the upper lash line, winging out to mirror the shadow shape.
Highlight the brow bone with a champagne hue, and for the final shimmering touch, use a small wet eyeshadow brush and apply a iridescent silvery violet shade (like MAC Idol Eyes) to the upper lash line, a bit of the lid and into the tearduct area. It will dry to a nice, luminous finish and really catch the light!
A black-black mascara (like L’Oreal Voluminous) adds impact to the lashes.

BROWS:

With so much interest in the eyes, you want to make sure your brows are clean and structured. Use a brow pencil one shade lighter than your actual hairs (try one of the 7 shades from Brett’s Vanitymark line) and lightly fill in the brows, concentrating on the tail.

CHEEKS:

Benefit Sugarbalm Blush adds a rosy pink flush to cheeks with a hint of shimmer.

LIPS:

Bobbi Brown Blush Pink lipgloss is like your own lip color, just a little more vivid.

Now look in the mirror – don’t you look just like Amanda? Enjoy pretty!

Video QuickTip #49 - February 23, 2010

2010-02-23T12:38:00.000-08:00

Ah, the smoky eye - so haute, yet so elusive! With one foul eye shadow stroke, we can end up with more of a black eye than a sex kitten look.

Actress and comedienne Melissa Peterman (currently hosting The Singing Bee on CMT) stopped by to learn how to sex up her eyes in 4 simple steps from Brett.

Your smoky eye kit should include -

3 shades of coordinating colors - 1 medium and 1 dark satin finish shadow and 1 shimmery light shadow. You can use navy, plum, burgundy, copper, neutrals...a smoky eye isn't limited to charcoals!
eye shadow brushes - a medium size and a smaller, tighter brush
dark eye shadow pencil

And now, Brett's 4-step smoky eye trick. Cue drum roll!

1. Start with the medium shadow and medium brush. Rim the eye around the lash line and up into the lid, almost to the brow. brush up and out and feather to blend. This should be a big broad application of color - use this shade to 'recess' and sink the lid in.

2. Next pick up the darker shadow and the smaller brush. Remember - as the shade gets darker, the size of your brush should get smaller! Apply the color really close to the lash line and lightly up into the crease, but not as far as the medium shade. You want the two shades to blend seamlessly.

3. The lightest shade should be pale and shimmery to contrast. Brush along the tail of your brow and feather down into the darker shades on the lid. This will really make your brow bone pop.

4. For the final touch, take a dark liner pencil and lightly line the eyes, staying really close to the lash line and slightly winging out at the corner of the eye.

And that's it - an exotic, impactful smoky eye in 4 easy steps!

Video QuickTip #48 - February 9, 2010

2010-02-09T10:30:00.000-08:00

Having soft, kissable lips on Valentine's Day is muy importante.

Brett brought along special guest Frieda Laye from the LA show Chico's Angels to show us a few tips about pretty lips.

Frieda Laye knows a thing or two about kissing boys. Attain a super soft kisser with these tips:

Hydration - We're like plants...drinking enough water is key to having plump lips and dewy skin! Be sure to drink at least 3 BIG glasses of water per day and remember, even iced teas and juices are helpful.

Exfoliation - After brushing your teeth every night, run your toothbrush over your lips to increase cell turnover, especially in winter and dry climates when lips get extra dry and chapped.

Know your lip balms - There are 3 main kinds of lip balms: the goopy forms that come in a pot, the hard wax 'chapstick' form and satin finish balms (with a texture in the middle of the other two). For a lasting shiny soft pucker, try layering: waxy chapstick on bottom for staying power with a satin finish or Vaseline-type on top for extra shine and hydration.

Get ready to smooch!

A special bonus for Quick Tip devotees: get FREE SHIPPING on Dr. KISS, Brett's pink-tinted satin finish lip balm or any other goodies on Vanitymark.com now through February 14th. Just use promo code 'KISS."

Enjoy pretty!

Video QuickTip #47 – January 27, 2010

2010-01-27T11:50:00.000-08:00

No pretty girl should have dirty makeup brushes!

Cleaning your brushes is so important to keep bacteria and germs at bay. Learn the fastest and most thorough method to keep your brushes clean and in shape from a guy who knows - Brett Freedman!

Okay gals - for a proper brush cleansing (which you should do about once a week), you need the following tools:

towel
sink and counter space
Dr. Bronner's Magic Pure Castile Liquid Soap - available at health food stores and some Target locations

Clean your sink so you have a fresh and clean surface to work with.

Squeeze the Dr. Bronner in a zig zag motion across the sink. Take your brushes one by one to a section of soap (each brush gets its own section) and swirl around, pumping up and down.

As you finish sudsing each brush, lay it out on the counter to soak in and absorb the soap for a few minutes.

Then take each brush, rinse it under warm water, and swirl and pump it up and down until all the pigment and bubbles disappear. This will clean your sink, too!

While the brushes are still wet, mold them back into their original shape and lay out to dry on a towel with the bristles hanging over the edge of the sink. This allows for dripping and more airflow for a faster dry!

And there you have it - the insider's method for optimal brush cleaning!

Video QuickTip #46 - January 12, 2010

2010-01-12T14:09:00.000-08:00

Jersey Shore has become a guilty pleasure for a lot of us, Brett included!

Learn how to mimic the look with Brett for your next trip to Karma... click below for the inside scoop!

Switching from stud earrings to hoops is NOT enough to be Jersey fab. You have to go all the way if you want to be a true 'guidette!'

Brett gave 'Greek' actress Aynsley Bubbico a complete Jersey Shore makeover with the following:

press-on nails
liquid bronzer in the darkest shade to fake that inner tanning bed glow
Jemma Kidd School silvery pink gloss - not complete without dark brown lip liner!
hair extensions and a teased, hairsprayed poof!

With a look like this, you'll be sure to find your own 'Situation' at the Shore!

Video QuickTip #45 - December 22, 2009

2009-12-22T08:56:00.000-08:00

Add a little ‘Flashdance’ to your New Year's makeup!

Brett gets together with Katerina Graham of The Vampire Diaries to show you a fun new trick
to add an 80’s edge to your party makeup.

Click below for the inside scoop!

COLOR is back in makeup. Incorporate this little trick to make your eyes stand out from across the room when the ball drops. It’s so quick and simple, Katerina says it’s great for anytime, not just New Year's parties!

Take your blush brush and pick up a lot of color from your favorite shade of blush or bronzer. Brett loves peaches and pinks best, but taupes and bronze shades work well, too.

Pick up a post card, business card, or anything with a straight hard edge, and hold it up to the face diagonally from the nose to the corner of the eye to the temple. With your blush brush, start at the base of the lash line at the corner of the eye and brush up on the card and onto the skin, blending the color into your eye makeup.

And there it is – instant edge and 80’s glam! And as a bonus, it’s super easy!

PS – Katerina loves Dr. KISS! Check out the clip for her very own Quick Tip using the tinted lip balm and buy it online at vanitymark.com!

Enjoy pretty and Happy New Year!

Video QuickTip #44 - December 8, 2009

2009-12-08T09:34:00.000-08:00

The holidays are here – time to break out your LBD, get decked out and celebrate!

Wondering how you can switch up your makeup routine to look a little more bright and festive without spending extra money? Brett shows us a simple and pretty eye makeup trick perfect for the season.

There’s no better feeling than discovering a new makeup trick with products you already own!

Grab your favorite pewter or colorful shimmer shadow (the shimmer is key! Think blues, greens, and violets...) and a tight little eyeshadow brush.

Dampen the brush and swirl the wet brush through the shimmer shadow (Brett used Scott Barnes Blue Angel). Make the mixture very watery and literally paint the eyelid, the tearduct and underneath. You want a good saturation of color on the lid. Wait 1 minute for it to dry and blend into the crease.

The finished lid has a bright wash of color and looks like a cream shadow. Bonus: this eye shadow method lasts way longer than a cream shadow….it’ll stay put no matter how long those parties last!

Happy Holidays to you and yours from Brett & Co.!

Video QuickTip #43 – November 24, 2009

2009-11-24T12:07:00.000-08:00

For all you gals looking for a quick fix for fine lines who are tired of the hype of topical lotions and potions – Brett's found a great new product that you're sure to love!

Brett is a big fan of the beauty boutique Makeup Mandy on Melrose in W. Hollywood. He pops in for a visit with Mandy herself and gets a tutorial of the hottest new INSTANT anti-wrinkle serum (that actually works!).

Now you can look bright-eyed and bushy-tailed no matter how many hours you slave away in the kitchen this Thanksgiving!

Dubbed ‘botox in a swab,’ Hollywood Secrets uses the peptide Argireline to relax the muscles under skin and smooth fine lines instantly.

Post-cleanser and pre-moisturizer, snap the top and apply with the q-tip applicator as if you’re actually erasing any fine lines on your face. Wait 2 minutes and watch wrinkles tighten and fade away! The effect lasts 12 hours, so it’s perfect for special occasions. Plus, with prolonged daily use, there’s a 27% permanent reduction of lines - the most you can get without injections!

Brett, usually a skeptic, gives it his stamp of approval! Ready to try it out? You can order it online at MakeupMandyShop.com.

Happy Turkey Day from Brett & friends….Enjoy pretty!

Video QuickTip #42 - October 27, 2009

2009-10-27T13:39:00.000-07:00

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

2009-09-29T07:13:00.000-07:00

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

2009-09-08T08:45:00.000-07:00

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

2009-09-01T09:18:00.000-07:00

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

2009-08-25T10:44:00.000-07:00

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

2009-08-11T10:21:00.000-07:00

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

2009-08-04T08:17:00.000-07:00

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.

Tuesday QuickTip #35 – July 28, 2009

2009-07-28T08:09:00.000-07:00

"Crazy Bright" Blue Liquid Liner Makes Eyes Pop!

Ever wanted to try a bright color on your eyes, but too scared to go for it? Now’s your chance - Brett shows you how to add a pop of color to eyes with a vivid blue liquid liner!

Click below for the inside scoop!

Don’t shy away from bold colors, like the electric blue Brett has chosen. Bright colors can easily add oomph and interest to your eyes!

Brett’s tip – keep vivid liner close to the lash line and pair with lots of lash!!

Brett also recommends:

- Apply dots instead of worrying about getting a perfectly straight, solid line. Just apply little dots along the lash line, bringing them together to create a nice line.

- Big lashes will let the color just peek out. Curl and apply a lot of mascara to get full, lush lashes.

- If you do get a little liquid liner on your lashes, just pinch it off while it’s wet – it’s easier to fix then when dry. If it does dry, just cover with more mascara.

- Keep lips subtle for a balanced look – let your eyes get the color!

Tuesday QuickTip #34 - July 21, 2009

2009-07-21T11:45:00.000-07:00

Get tan like a Soap Star without the drama! Brett visits Tracey Bregman, better known as Lauren from The Young & the Restless, for a lesson in the art of sunless tanning!

Click below for the inside scoop!

Tracey truly is a self-tanning aficionado. Born with very pale skin and knowing the dangers of the sun, she’s become a pro over the years with sunless tanning techniques and products. Here are her top tips:

Spray tans are great for events, but upkeep can get expensive. Without products at home, you have to go back to the salon every time the tan fades!
Great sunless tanning products don’t have to be pricey. What’s her fave? L’Oreal Sublime Glow in Medium…only $10 at drugstores!
Apply self-tanner in your shower stall so there’s no mess left behind.
Spray the self-tanner on in a circular motion – you’ll avoid lines and streaks every time!
Stand on a washcloth so that your soles don’t get extra color. As a bonus, after you’re done applying, wipe off hands and rough spots with the same washcloth.

With these tips, you’ll be on your way to becoming a glowing goddess, just like Tracey!

Tuesday QuickTip #33 - July 14, 2009

2009-07-14T09:09:00.000-07:00

Want an easy way to amp up your eye makeup without buying new products?

Brett shows how to get a modern Barbarella look by extending your eyeliner beyond the lash line.

Click below for the inside scoop!

It might seem straight from the 70’s disco era, but if done right, extending you eyeliner the tiniest bit can make a great impact on your look and adds instant sex appeal.

Brett recommends using an eyeliner pencil with a smudging edge on one side (such as Benefit Bad Girl) and lining eyes as usual, sticking close to the lash line. Instead of stopping at the end of the eye where lashes are the thickest, continue the line, bringing it out and up towards the temple.

Très simple! Just remember, keep the line going out and up, not straight out or down.

Tuesday QuickTip #32 - July 7, 2009

2009-07-07T08:22:00.000-07:00

Who DOESN’T want to get rid of their dark under-eye circles?

One of the most popular questions Brett gets asked is how to banish dark under-eye circles. So what are these nuisances and how do we properly disguise them??

The area around the eyes has the highest concentration of blood vessels AND the thinnest skin on the whole body… not the best combo. When you see dark circles, you’re seeing the blood vessels under the skin, normally more visible when we are irritated or fatigued. Unfortunately, having prominent dark circles is hereditary, so thank mom and dad!

Relaxing and getting enough rest is key to downplaying dark circles, but makeup can work wonders if done right. Brett recommends the following steps for a flawless face that doesn’t look concealer-heavy:

Lightly apply foundation all over the face - go into the eyelids and around the eyes. This takes away the pinkish blood vessels on the lids and puts a nice veil over under-eye circles.
Next, mix a thick, waxy stick concealer with a little foundation on your hand. Lighter gel concealers made with silicon also work but don’t cover quite as well.
With a brush, dab on concealer/foundation mix only where you really need it – on the inner eye area. No ‘racoon sweep’ needed! When you pull concealer all the way out to your laugh lines, you risk the concealer settling into creases and looking harsh.

Voila! With this veil of foundation and light touch of concealer, your eyes will look well-rested, bright and open without being weighed down by makeup.

Tuesday QuickTip #31 - June 30, 2009

2009-06-30T07:51:00.000-07:00

Style yourself younger with Brett’s special guest "Cher!"

Brett’s friend and fab actress/comedienne Nadya Ginsburg joins him doing her best Cher impression in this funny and informative Quick Tip on looking youthful.

Click below for the inside scoop (and the LOLs)!

Brett and "Cher" recommend:

1. FOUNDATION – Don’t go too alabaster. No matter what your natural skin tone is, mix in a bit of bronzer to your foundation for a nice lift of color.

2. LIPS – No browns or mauves allowed! Pick something juicy for your lips – like a watermelon or cherry gloss. Glosses aren’t heavy and really make your lips pop.

3. HAIR – As you get older, soften and lighten up your hair. If you’re chestnut brown, add some subtle dark and golden blond highlights. In Cher’s case, she wears a wig in the lightest shade of jet black!

4. HAIRDOS – You want touchable hair that you can run your fingers through, so stay away from helmet head styles!

5. PLASTIC SURGERY – Many women consider going under the knife as they get older, but remember to go easy! Your goal should be to look good for your age, not to look like you did in college.

With these tips, becoming an ageless beauty (just like Cher!) will be easy!

Tuesday QuickTip #30 - June 23, 2009

2009-06-23T09:49:00.000-07:00

Calling all Boy Meets World fans! Topanga, aka Danielle Fishel (now hosting The Dish on The Style Network) meets with Brett to get the real dish on brow grooming.

Danielle has big, thick eyebrows that she loves, but she occasionally has the habit of overplucking. Brett gives her some expert tips to create the perfect shape that looks natural and is easy to maintain.

Click below for the inside scoop!

Q – What brow shape should you aim for when tweezing?

A - Eyebrows should have a nice swoop that gradually gets thinner towards the tail… don’t tweeze brows into a “sperm” shape!

- If you've overplucked, lightly fill in with a brow pencil to get the proper swoop shape until brows grow in. Use a brow pencil in a lighter shade than your natural brow so the pencil color doesn't compete with your real brows. Brett used Vanitymark's Ultra-Brow Pencil in Blondie on Danielle.

Q - Should you tweeze above the brow?

A - Brett says yes! If you have “cobwebbing” above your brows, tweeze those strays for a cleaner, tidier look.

Q – How bold should eyebrows be?

A – You want your arches to make an impact, but if the brow dips too low into the corner of the eye/top of the nose area, you can look stern. Simply take off the bottom 1-2 rows of hair in that corner to lift the brow…instant brow Botox!

Q- Where’s the best place to tweeze?

A – Believe it or not, airplane bathrooms! Quarters are tight in these bathrooms, which means your proximity to the mirror is perfect for up-close tweezing. Plus, the bad lighting shows every detail. Just don’t tweeze during turbulence!

Tuesday QuickTip #29 – June 16, 2009

2009-06-16T07:34:00.000-07:00

Looking for a way to add oomph to your eyes without heavy, dark liner this summer? Try silver liner!

Brett is joined by model Allee Sutton in Nashville to show you how to make your eyes pop with silver eyeliner and wow the crowd.

Click below for the inside scoop!

To keep your eye makeup summer-appropriate use silver liner to amp up your look instead of darker shades.

Stay close to the lash line when lining your eyes and line right into the tear duct area. Once you apply mascara, you’ll see the perfect hint of silver shining through!

Looks clean, modern and fresh - perfect for summer nights!

Want a way to make your lips summer-worthy, too? Brett’s fave this summer is peach-gold lip-gloss! Layer over your regular lipstick for glossy, summer-ized look.

Tuesday QuickTip #28 - June 9th, 2009

2009-06-09T12:33:00.000-07:00

Summer is here - out with the turtlenecks, and in with the strapless shirts. What's a girl to do about back-ne?

In this week's Quick Tip, Brett suggests... dish detergent?!?

It may not be the most glamorous of subjects, but we all want to know how to conquer it, and Brett shares his favorite tool, cleanser and secret weapon (think sparkly clean dishes) to banish back-ne.

Click below for the inside scoop!

THE TOOL: Try a synthetic hair back brush. They tend to be cheaper and easier to find than their natural hair counterparts. Buy 2 or 3 because they don't last long, but they make up for it in softness! Wait until the end of your shower to wash your back. Let the brush absorb water and get nice n' soft while you suds up the rest of your body.

THE CLEANSER: Use a cleanser that isn't thick, creamy or in bar form on your back. These types are harder to rinse off than liquid cleansers and can clog pores. Neutrogena's liquid cleanser is a good bet.

THE SECRET WEAPON: And here's the kicker. The secret line of defense against back-ne is DISHWASHING DETERGENT!

Say what??

If you want to really kick back-ne to the curb, or if you have a big event coming up, dishwashing detergent will really do the trick. After cleansing with your liquid cleanser, put dishwashing detergent on the back brush and scrub every other day for about a week. It dries out your skin, and when your skin is dried out, there's less oil. And less oil means less back-ne.

And there you have it!

Tuesday QuickTip #27 - June 2nd, 2009

2009-06-02T13:39:00.001-07:00

Do you love benetint? Well, have you tried posietint??

In today's Quick Tip, Erin Simpson from benefit visits with Brett to talk about posietint - the perfect poppy-pink summer cheek stain!

Click below for the inside scoop!

Looks can be deceiving! Both Brett and Erin agree -- posietint looks super bright (even a little like Pepto Bismol!) in the bottle, but the color is subtle, sheer and flattering on all skin tones once you put it on.

Brett recommends dotting it on each cheek in a circular pattern and then blotting up and back with your finger for the perfect light flush of pink. Everyone he tries it on falls in love and he's betting you will, too!

In other news, Erin dishes out the latest scoop from benefit. So what's next for the fun and flirty cosmetics line? A new line of lipglosses! benefit will be adding some new gorgeous colors to the fan favorites and introducing a new custom applicator that gives the perfect amount of color every time!

Tuesday QuickTip #26 - May 26th, 2009

2009-05-26T12:18:00.000-07:00

Get some sleep!!

In this busy world, it can be hard to tune out and get some zzzs at night. Since beauty rest is important, Brett shares his top tips for getting a good night's sleep.

Click below for the inside scoop!

EARS - Try earplugs! The complete silence is relaxing, but don't try this if you need to wake up to an alarm in the morning! Try to buy earplugs in a bright color so if you happen to lose one in the middle of the night, it will be easy to find.

EYES - Try an eye mask! It's important to block out light, and the slight pressure it puts on lids will calm the eyes. The habit of putting an eye mask on every night before bed really helps to put the body in sleep mode. Look for eye masks at Bath & Body Works; they sell really soft and inexpensive versions.

MIND - Forgetting the worries of the day and turning off your brain for bed is the hardest part. If you wake up in the middle of the night, try not to get anxious. Instead of worrying about sleep lost, try distracting your mind. Think of a favorite movie and try to recall each scene, beginning with the opening credits. Bet you won't get very far! Brett's fave for this trick is Grease 2!

Now go on and get your beauty rest!

Tuesday QuickTip #25 - May 19th, 2009

2009-05-19T09:00:00.000-07:00

Inspired by the LA summer weather, Brett gives us his first fragrance Quick Tip!

The summer is here, and everything should be light and breezy. But what do we do if our favorite fragrance is warm or heavy??

Just click below for the inside scoop!

For Brett, who loves vanilla, finding a summer scent can be quite the dilemma.

His solution: Mix your fave warm scent with a light, citrus-y fragrance to amp it up and give it a fab summer vibe! Just dab a little bit of your go-to winter scent on as a base and spritz a light, summery scent on top.

Here are some fresh and sunny fragrances he recommends to layer with your best winter scents:

* Calyx Sheer Exhilaration - Just relaunched! This one has a lemon-y fresh scent with a hint of flowers that screams summer.
* Demeter - An inexpensive line with fun scents such as Pomegranate and Pineapple that are easy to mix and match.
* Fresh - The Sugar scent is unique blend of orange and white lily - sweet and light and a perfect complement to your fave warm scent.

Now you'll never smell like November in June again!!

Tuesday QuickTip #24 - May 12th, 2009

2009-05-12T09:00:00.000-07:00

Special guest celebrity makeup artist Steven Sollitto is back with Brett for a new Quick Tip - and this time, they're talking about a summertime necessity : MATTIFIERS!

Just click on the clip below for the inside scoop!

Both Steve and Brett agree - mattifiers are easy-to-use products that really work. A necessity for every makeup maven's tool kit, mattifiers take away shine and are perfect for summertime!

Be sure to use a mattifier before your next "red carpet" event - extra shine tends to show up in photographs. Steve likes Peter Thomas Roth Max Anti Shine Mattifying Gel.

How do you wear a mattifier?

- Put a tiny amount of mattifer in the palm of your hand and spread evenly over your whole face as a foundation prep, and then touch up the T-zone area after you apply make-up.

- OR Use mattifier as an alternative to foundation for an au naturel, polished look.

Tuesday QuickTip #23 - May 5th, 2009

2009-05-05T15:30:00.001-07:00

Traveling never felt so good!

Brett shares his favorite TSA-friendly drugstore pick for locking in serious moisture -
Neutrogena Norwegian Formula Hand Cream.

Just click below for the inside scoop!

Beauty products come in all price points and sizes, but Brett's hands-down favorite hand cream can be found at the drugsotre AND can make it through security with you.

Neutrogena Norwegian Formula Hand Cream, in a handy 2.0 oz tube, has a high concentration of glycerin to lock in moisture and give you a satin-y, not greasy, feel.

Brett especially loves the fragrance-free option, and even recommends using this intense hand cream on feet and elbows!

Tuesday QuickTip #22 - Apr 28th, 2009

2009-04-28T04:49:00.000-07:00

Want your brows to look their best and most tailored between brow shaping? Brett visit's LA's hottest MedSpa, Kalologie, to chat with one of their lead estheticians on highlighting your arches for optimum crispness and "pop."

Just click below for the inside scoop and a close up demonstration!

* Take a champagne highlighter with a tight brush and brush right up under the brow into your arch. This makes your eyebrows look a little more tailored and cleaner while highlighting the eye.

* Make sure to choose a champagne shade. Too white or too silvery will give an unnatural look. Stick with warm shades. If you're uncertain, line the shades up next to each other and you'll be able to spot the difference.

Tuesday QuickTip #21 - Apr 21th, 2009

2009-04-21T11:22:00.000-07:00

Returning favorite Frieda Lay lends her beautiful face (and lids) to this very insightful Quick-Tip. Want to know how to keep your powder eyeshadow stay-put through the steamy summer months? Brett suggests a product you might already have in your makeup bag: mattifying lotion!

Just click below for the inside scoop and Brett's suggestions.

Tuesday QuickTip #20 - Apr 14th, 2009

2009-04-14T08:07:00.001-07:00

Tuesday QuickTip #19 - Apr 7th, 2009

2009-04-07T06:26:00.001-07:00

Tuesday QuickTip #18 - Mar 31st, 2009

2009-03-31T04:03:00.000-07:00

Tuesday QuickTip #17 - Mar 24th, 2009

2009-03-24T01:00:00.000-07:00

Tuesday QuickTip #16 - Mar 17th, 2009

2009-03-17T12:09:00.000-07:00

Tuesday QuickTip #15 - Mar 10th, 2009

2009-03-10T09:42:00.000-07:00

Tuesday QuickTip #14 - Mar 3rd, 2009

2009-03-03T06:51:00.001-08:00

Tuesday QuickTip #13 - Feb 24th, 2009

2009-02-24T01:00:00.000-08:00

Tuesday QuickTip #12 - Feb 17th, 2009

2009-02-17T11:23:00.001-08:00

Tuesday QuickTip #11 - Feb 10th, 2009

2009-02-10T03:00:00.000-08:00

Tuesday QuickTip #10 - Feb 3rd, 2009

2009-02-03T07:09:00.001-08:00

Tuesday QuickTip #9 - Jan 27th, 2009

2009-01-27T00:01:00.000-08:00

Tuesday QuickTip #8 - Jan 20th, 2009

2009-01-20T07:37:00.000-08:00

Tuesday QuickTip #7 - Jan 13th, 2009

2009-01-13T06:48:00.000-08:00

Tuesday QuickTip #6 - Jan 6th, 2009

2009-01-06T07:40:00.000-08:00

Tuesday QuickTip #5 - Dec 30th, 2008

2008-12-30T07:03:00.000-08:00

Tuesday QuickTip #3 - Dec 16th, 2008

2008-12-16T06:53:00.001-08:00

Tuesday QuickTip #2 - Dec 9th, 2008

2008-12-09T07:35:00.000-08:00