Emma Stone

I'm obsessed with Emma Stone's look from the 2011 Golden Globes. The color and cut of her Calvin Klein dress are spot-on for me. I love her hair and makeup with the look! Stunning and modern.

I can't wait to wear tons of peachy corals this spring!

Amy's wedding

Amy and Brady

10:10:10

Amy looked beautiful! And the details of her wedding were spectacular! As was expected--since she is a true "Renaissance" woman.

Better late then never!

Ashley Miller Wedding

Lisa and Rodney

Lisa and Rodney Ashton: August 22, 2009

My dear friend Lisa Taylor, now Mrs. Lisa Taylor Ashton, was married to her sweetheart Rodney in August. I had the opportunity to be her and her wedding party's makeup artist. She was a stunning bride. Her reception was in San Clemente and overlooked the foggy coastline.

Her beautiful wedding will be featured in the magazine, Real Simple Weddings, which hits stands in January 2010.

Lisa, who is also my own personal yoga instructor--is doing a Yoga Retreat in Mexico this March! So, if you, or anyone you know needs a week of fun in the sun, relaxation and yoga, visit www.amarablissyoga.com for more information.

The Ten Beauty Commandments

One of my reliable sources for beauty advice is Paula Begoun. She is often referred to as the "cosmetics cop." Although I don't always agree with everything she says, I find her viewpoint refreshing, and above all else--honest!

I recently stumbled across her 10 Beauty Commandments and found that I agree with most of them. Here they are, let me know what you think!

THOU SHALT NOT believe expensive cosmetics are better than inexpensive cosmetics.

THOU SHALT NOT believe there is any such thing as a natural cosmetic (or that natural means better).

THOU SHALT NOT believe in miracle ingredients that can cure skin-care woes.

THOU SHALT NOT covet thy neighbor’s perfect skin (or believe her perfect skin came from a particular product or cosmetics line; skin is more complicated than that).

THOU SHALT NOT believe everything a cosmetics salesperson tells you.

THOU SHALT NOT believe in the existence of wrinkle-eliminating, firming, toning, lifting, or filling-in creams, lotions, or masks that can permanently erase wrinkles. Aging skin can become firmer and more resistant to future signs of aging with the right products, but even those aren’t going to get rid of wrinkles or replace what cosmetic surgery or cosmetic corrective procedures can do.

THOU SHALT NOT be seduced by every new promotion, new product, or new product line that the cosmetics industry creates.

THOU SHALT NOT get a tan; sun is your enemy, not your friend; it is the primary reason that skin wrinkles and develops skin cancer (and it isn’t just about getting a sunburn—turning the skin brown is equally as damaging when done on a regular basis).

THOU SHALT NOT buy a cellulite cream, nor shalt thou assume it’s possible to dissolve fat from the outside in, because you absolutely cannot. If these products worked, who would have cellulite?

THOU SHALT NOT see pictures of pubescent, anorexic models (who spend two hours getting their hair and makeup done and another two hours posing while the photographer and a corps of assistants determine the most flattering lighting, after which the resulting picture goes through a battery of digitally enhanced touch-ups and adjustments) and believe you will get the same (or even similar) results from using the products being advertised. That is, unless you happen to be pubescent, anorexic, and a model and can somehow stay in the right lighting all the time.

Amen, Sister!

And just to add a few of my own personal mantras:

1. The best anti-aging cream on the market is a daily sunscreen.

2. Cosmetics should be fun. It is a new lipstick color, not a freaking tattoo! Try something different, play around, if it doesn't work out, take it off!

3. I'm sorry, but there is no such thing as being a "winter" so I can only wear cool tones, or being a "Fall" so I can only wear warm tones, and blah blah blah! Most people, no matter what their skin looks like--can wear a variety of tones that will look good on them.

Erin's wedding

I had the opportunity to do my cousin, Erin's makeup for her wedding.  She was a beautiful, stunning bride! Congrats Erin and Tanner.

Scarlet Passion

I guess I could be partial to red-for obvious reasons! 

But, I adore Laura Mercier's new fall collection, Scarlet Passion. What could be more gorgeously classic then a velvety red lip, soft whispered cheeks, and a perfectly lined eye?  

To achieve the liner look, I suggest using Black Ebony Eye Liner with the Fine Point Liner brush. Drag the liner across the eye, and then instead of the traditional "wing" extend the liner into a straight line just outside the lashline.  This can be a great way to add a clean and modern touch to this classic look.