Madonna's Makeup Artist Explains How to Achieve Her Iconic Red Lip Look

Madonna appeared on Ellen yesterday I was amazed not only by her perfect skin, (which she credits dermatologist, Dr. Brandt for), but also by classic red lip that she wore again last night to the premiere of her MDNA Tour documentary in NYC.  I got the scoop on her lip look from her makeup artist, Sammy H. Mourabit, who took inspiration from Marlene Deitrich’s iconic 1930’s look from the movie “Morocco.”

First, Sammy contoured Madonna's lips into a heart shape reminiscent of the 30’s style with Votre Vu's Drawmatic Lip Liner in Naked (coming out in September).

Then, he used two shades of lipstick, specifically Votre Vu's French Kiss Moisture Riche Lipstick in Margaux and Annette (coming out in September) to create a luminous and voluptuous effect.

He applied the darker tone, Margaux, to the outer lines of the lip and the lighter tone, Annette, to the inner lip.  This creates an illusion of a full, dimensional lip look.  You can do this with any color.  Not just red.

Alicia Keys's Makeup Artist Masters Casual Chic at Sundance, Get Her Look

I'm still questioning why I didn't pull a surprise appearance at Sundance this year like Alicia Keys.  Not that I belonged there for any other reason than to party and snowmobile like a maniac (see post from last year), but I'm a promise to myself not to miss it again!  Alicia Keys however, surprised everyone by appearing at the premiere of The Inevitable Defeat of Mister and Pete, the film she produced.  I got the scoop from her makeup artist,  Nick Barose on how he kept her looking fresh for her big moment. To give Alicia a very natural, glowing flush, Barose first applied Votre Vu Love Me Deux in St. Tropez.  I personally love this 2-in-1 because it's a lightweight tinted moisturizer with a matching concealer in the cap.  Then, he lightly dusted the peachy pink blush from the Beaute en Bronze blush/bronzer duo across her cheeks to add a bit of shimmer.

For her eyes, he lined her waterline as well as below her inner rim and smudged it out a bit to give definition to her eyes while still keeping it soft and simple topping off her lashes with two coats of mascara.

To keep her look consistent, he applied Vu-On Rouge in Bouquet Rose, which is a light neutral pink that can be used on your lips or cheeks.  I love how she looks appropriately done up for such a casual event.

The Casual Chic Setting at the Independent Spirit Awards Blew My Mind, The Backstage Scoop & Video

If you've been following me on Twitter this weekend, you probably saw me freak out at a Michelle Williams and Busy Phillips sighting yesterday backstage at the Independent Spirit Awards.  Yes, I'm in LA!  While here for some business meetings I made sure to schedule some time to take advantage of one of the biggest awards season weekends of the year. Yesterday, I covered backstage at the Independent Spirit Awards in Santa Monica and have never experienced such a scene! The event was held right on the beach with the purple carpet facing the ocean. The awards were held in one big tent and all around that tent were smaller tents of gifting lounges and open bars.  The actors and actresses were in a very laid back fashion walking around in between presenters and everyone was hanging out as if it was one big festival on the beach.  Here were some highlights:

I chatted with Carson Kressley (the guy from Queer Eye) on his idea of beach chic (since that was the dress code for the event and Oscar predictions.  Check out the video here.

In a gifting lounge, celebs like Jeffery Dean Morgan, Penelope Anne Miller and Gabrielle Beauvais were flocking to the Votre Vu table (of course I was hanging out by the beauty stuff) and couldn't wait to get their hands on SnapDragon.  Jeffery Dean Morgan also visited Wella and was joking around about his hair and what he needed while posing with a bottle of styling product.

I ventured into the Piaget gifting suite (yes, the celebs are also gifted with diamonds) with my friend Nola from Glam.com and ran into Rosario Dawson who was practically being hit on every two seconds.  We sat with her on the couch drinking mimosas and kept laughing as people approached her.  First a fashion stylist wanting to give her a bag she made, then a man who practically proposed and it went on.  She was so accepting to all of them.  Nola and I sat there discussing how hard it must be to really have to put up with that.

Throughout the day, A-listers like Jonah Hill, Seth Rogen, Penelope Ann Miller and Kate Beckinsale all walked by countless amount of times, but it was Michelle Williams and Busy Phillips who had me at awe.  I'm rarely caught off guard by a celebs presence, but seeing them together as two best friends in such a casual setting was very cool.  Check out the video below!

2012 Beauty Trend: Nutricosmetics Make A Come Back, Plus My Favorite One

Looking a bit ahead into next year, one of the biggest beauty trends will be a strong demand for nutri-cosmetics.  Yes, they're back in a bigger way.  Think antioxidant infused foods and drinks like Borba Gummi Bear Boosters and Glowelle taken to the next level.  I've always been a fan of Votre Vu's SnapDragon drink, which also just launched a body cream with the same ingredients. Even though the predicted trend for 2012 is a demand for nutri-cosmetics, you know as much as I do that women will never replace their daily anti-aging serums, moisturizers and scrubs for them and they shouldn't.  Instead, they'll become an additive to our beauty regimens as good-for-your skin drinks can't hurt.  I'm anxious to see how these supplements will be taken to the next level.

Out of what's on shelves now, one of my faves is Votre Vu's SnapDragon  and is blended with mango, pomegranate and acai berry juices, teas and seven vitamins including collagen, aloe vera and ginko biolba.  It tastes delicious and like green juice, it gives me that focused type of energy.

Their new body cream, SnapDragon Creme Pour Le Corps, is loaded with the exact same ingredients as the drink (clever!).  I have to admit though, it caught my attention at first because it's bright orange! Once I got over the color, I admired the light-weight texture that seeped into my skin and absorbed in seconds.  It's a just heavy enough for this time of year.

Fall Must-Have: Votre Vu Bebe Duette

Most of the time when I come across two-in-one beauty products I find that I like them for one reason, but wouldn't really use them for the other. Recently I was sent Votre Vu Bebe Duette Luxe Lips and Tarte D' Amande, which is the simpliest of all two-in-one's, yet genius!  I don't know any woman who wouldn't use it. It's a tube of rich almond scented hand cream with a cap that contains a super nourishing lip balm made of coconut oil, shea butter and beeswax. Bonus – the top of the cap has a tiny mirror inside!

I'm obsessed with moisturizing and know this will be in my handbag all Fall and Winter.  You can get it on votrevu.com as a package of two for $39.50.

A Workout for Your Face

In the olden days celebrities used to dip their faces into ice baths daily to tighten them.  The coldness constricts the facial muscles, which minimizes fine lines and wrinkles.  Lucky for us and modern technology, we can skip the daily dunk! Recently, I discovered a new anti-aging product that actually gets delivered to you on dry ice.  Votre Vu Les Sorbet, $165, contains marine collagen and elastin, which are most effective when kept cold. By first breaking down the collagen and elastin in your skin, it helps to reproduce new and speed up the plumping process.

Much like dipping your face in an ice bath, this product makes the facial muscles to do mini sit ups.  It must be kept in the freezer, but is definitely a more civil way of working out your face to rid fine lines and wrinkles.