Cute Makeup Tips

My home during TIFF - the makeup/storage room!

My first Toronto Film Fest and I made it out alive! Despite the early mornings and the craziness that TIFF brings, it was one of the best experiences of my makeup career! I'm so fortunate and so happy that I got the chance to be apart of it with much thanks to Annesley from CARGO Cosmetics!

There were many celebrities that came through the eTalk Celebrity Interview Lounge but the ones that I was most star struck with were Harvey Keitel, Paul Giamotti, Minnie Driver, Josh Brolin, and Jason Jones. Harvey Keitel is a movie icon and I absolutely loved him in Reservoir Dogs! He was our first interview yesterday and came in with a big smile and said "Hello! How is everyone this morning?". He's amazing and I totally would have run up to him and hugged him if it weren't for trying to be professional! Annesley had the lovely pleasure of powdering his nose!

 eTalk Celebrity Interview Lounge. Swag everywhere! I was gifted with some sweet swag too!

Paul Giamotti was a big teddy bear and so sweet. I also wanted to run and hug him! Minnie Driver is so stunning and even more so in person. She's just so statuesque and elegant. Josh Brolin physically isn't my type but he's definitely got sex appeal. I was also expecting him to be taller in person since he usually plays these bad-ass characters in his films. Gotta love those camera tricks! 

If you're not familiar with Jason Jones he is on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart and is married to Samantha Bee. They are a hilarious duo. He sat in our CARGO makeup chair cracking jokes with us and talking about Bloody Caesars while Annesley powdered him up. He was awesome and I took a quick snap of him on my camera phone - shhh! Unfortunately we were not allowed to snap photos of the celebrities - understandable of course.

I missed Jennifer Connelly and Ryan Gosling and I heard they created quite a frenzy in the eTalk Lounge! Other stars I would have loved to meet: Natalie Portman, Carrie Mulligan, James Franco, Frida Pinto, Jason Reitman, Martin Sheen, Robert DeNiro, Blake Lively and Marion Cotillard (who I heard from Lainey Gossip is out of this world drop-dead-gorgeous). But getting to meet celebrities was just the icing on the cake. What really made the week worth it was working with the amazing eTalk crew, the eTalk hosts, Annesley and the David's Tea girls (which I'm totally hooked on now). What's ironic is that I didn't get to see any movies! So many on my list to see including Black Swan and I'm Still Here. 

 eTalk cast filming the last TIFF10 segment. I worked mostly on Lainey, Ben and Susie but in this photo I did Lainey's makeup (such a beauty).

My first TIFF down and hopefully many more to come! Did you see any movies or meet any celebrities? If you missed my first TIFF post click here.

Yesterday and today I had the pleasure of working on one of my favourite models, Malina from Chantale Nadeau Model Placement and Sutherland. She will be making an appearance on Canada AM and eTalk! It was an early morning and we only had 45 minutes to work with. Both appearances required a natural look. You don't have to be a pro to achieve the same results!

As requested by fellow beauty blogger, Monica from The Beauty Parler, here is the hair and makeup breakdown!

Makeup:

Make Up For Ever HD Primer

Face Atelier Ultra Pro Foundation #5 (all over and under eyes) - Love using this foundation. Skin always looks flawless without looking or feeling heavy. Malina looked fresh and radiant!

YSL Touche Eclat #1 under eyes (brightening)

Make Up For Ever HD Powder

Smashbox Halo Bronzing Powder

Cheeks: When you want to look fresh and radiant, bronzer and blush always does the trick!

Smashbox Halo Bronzing Powder (all over and contour)

Benefit Coralista

Eyes: When I want a quick but subtle smokey eye, I like working with cream shadows that blend well and are smudge-proof. You can quickly blend with your finger across your lid or use a brush. Brushing an eye shadow in a similar shade over top will help set it and intensify the colour. Use a light hand then layer more until you have reached your desired intensity. Add a highlighter, curl lashes and mascara and your eyes are smokey and perfectly polished!

CoverFX EyePrep FX

Stila Smudge Pot in Bronze (smudged against lash line, outer crease, and bottom lash line)

Sephora Waterproof Smokey Cream Liner (liner and smudged into outer crease for definition)

NARS Duo Eyeshadow in Rajasthan (metallic gold in center of lid)

NARS Single Shadow in Coconut Grove (blended into crease, outer lash line, and along lash line)

Anastasia Brow Duality (Lace Shimmer inner corner top and bottom)

CoverGirl LashBlast Waterproof Mascara Black

Lips: 

Benefit Lady's Choice Lipstick

Balmshell Lipgloss in Yummy Mummy over top

Hair:

Step 1: L'Oreal Studio Line Indestructible Volume Spray (all over at the roots)

Step 2: Chi Flat Iron - I achieved bouncy curls by twisting the flat iron all the way down the hair. For volume at the roots, I lifted the hair while twisting flat iron.

Step 3: Teasing - I took a square section at the crown of her head, sprayed L'Oreal Studio Line Indestructible Volume Creation Spray at the root (stronger hold), and teased with a teeth comb. I took sections from the side of her head as well and teased to create over all volume and shape. If you don't need volume, skip this step.

Step 4: I spread out her teased sections with my hands then smoothed with a smoothing brush. 

Step 5: I gathered her hair with my fingers and brought it to the side and positioned at the nape of the neck. II smoothed the hair with a teeth comb then used an elastic to create a side pony tail. 

Step 6: Because her hair was curled, it took seconds to twist the hair into a bun. I used bobby pins to secure the hair. 

Step 7: Sprayed all over with L'Oreal Elnett Volume Spray for extra hold. The overall look was soft texture rather than slicked against the head.

Featured Product: NARS Single Eye Shadow Coconut Grove ($23 USD)

I love me some NARS anything but especially their rich and pigmented shadows. Don't be fooled by this basic neutral. Coconut Grove from the Fall collection is a lovely deep chocolate shadow that creates gorgeous depth and definition. It was the perfect alternative to black for creating intensity in the crease and along the lash line. This has become a staple in my kit as I often reach for my browns and bronzes for a simple everyday look. But watch out - this deep brown creates the most gorgeous smokey eye that is just lovely for the autumn season!

Easy right?! What is your quick but polished look? Have you tried any of these products?

Product was sent for editorial consideration. 

In case you aren't following me on Twitter or Facebook, I've been working with CARGO Cosmetics in the eTalk Lounge doing makeup for the hosts of eTalk and doing the occasional powder touch-up on the celebrities. I'm off for a couple of a days and decided a much needed blog post was in order! Again, my apologies for the lack of blogging! 

The above room is where the lovely Annesley from CARGO and I beautify the hosts. It's cramped but I've worked in worst conditions! The lucky celebrities are gifted with some of my fave products from CARGO: Cannes Blush, Toronto and Los Angeles Palettes, The Essential Smokey Eye Palette, and Lash Activator Primer and Mascara. 

Celebrities that have come through the eTalk Lounge so far: Kat Dennings, Rachelle Lefevre (who loves CARGO), Paul Giamotti, Rosamund Pike, Shannon Woodward, Kathleen Robertson, Jack Rathbone, Bruce Greenwood, Scott Speedman, Minnie Driver, Zach Braff, Josh Brolin, Josh Lucas, Dominic Cooper, Molly Parker, Allie MacDonald and Terence Howard. I know there are more but names are slipping my mind! While on lunch I walked by Chris Cooper! 

I did a powder and lip touch up on Kathleen Robertson who played Clare Arnold on my child-hood must-watch Beverly Hills 90210. She was so sweet and utterly gorgeous! Terence Howard on the other-hand was a different story. I had to do a quick powder touch-up on him yesterday. He's kind of intense but lightened up after the interview was over!

I'm back on Thursday and excited to see who will pass through. I'll try and snag more photos! I've had a blast so far getting to work on Ben, Lainey Lui, and Susie Wall! Check out Monday's eTalk TIFF coverage here: http://watch.ctv.ca/etalk/highlights/etalk-highlights/.

Have you seen any great TIFF movies? Spotted any celebrities?