Looking for beautiful skin? Of course. We all are. The question is how to get it.
Patricia McGill, 30, chief beauty director for Laura Mercier cosmetics, gives us the beauty tips and makeup advice that can make us all look better. McGill has been in the cosmetics industry for nearly a decade and has spent the past six years with the Laura Mercier brand.
Here are her beauty tips and other rules for beautiful skin. You might just find an answer to your particular beauty problem.
What are some of the biggest beauty trends this year?
We're seeing skin perfecting products that help correct skin tone and balance oily skin. Also, bright pops of color (for eyes) in rich, saturated shades.
Which should I put on first, sunblock cream or moisturizer?
I like to use a moisturizer with a built-in SPF sunscreen if possible. This takes out one step of your morning beauty regimen. But if you're using two products, always moisturize first.
Should I wear sunscreen every day? What age should I start?
I say every day and start at birth.
At what age should I start using anti-aging products?
If I could tell younger girls one thing, it would be to apply cream around your eyes and don't leave home without your SPF.
Is drinking water important in my daily beauty regime?
Absolutely. Outside of something you put on, water is the most important thing you can do to keep your skin glowing and healthy. I've read that Laura Mercier is the personal makeup artist to many celebrities. She has worked with Sarah Jessica Parker, Julia Roberts, Scarlet Johannson, Mariah Carey and Madonna. Laura was the artist responsible for creating Madonna's look in the film "Evita." What can I do to treat fine lines around my mouth? Moisturizing and conditioning is the key. Many times, I apply moisturizer on my face, forgetting the spot between my mouth and my nose. My two must-have products for nourishing would be lip silk at night and lip balm during the day. How important is cleansing? The better care you give your skin, the less makeup you need. Here's a nighttime tip: wash your face before you go to bed. Is it OK to use the brushes that come with products, such as blush and eye-shadow kits, or should I buy separate brushes? Yes, it's fine. We use the same high quality materials in our kit brushes as we do in our full-size brushes. Should I apply concealer over or under foundation? Foundation always comes first. Concealer can be used after to help hide areas needing more coverage such as blemishes or dark circles.
What is Laura Mercier's philosophy? Laura believes in starting with a flawless face: primer, foundation, concealer and setting powder. So we place our focus on these items but also offer a complete range of lip, cheek and eye products in a range of shades and finishes. We also offer a selection of high performance beauty tools and accessories such as brushes and sponges. Skin care products include a variety of cleansers, masks, serums and moisturizers to address and treat a range of concerns. A couple of years ago, we heard about HD (high definition) makeup. Where's it going? Only the term "high definition" is new, but the concept of high performance makeup -- which is what "HD makeup" is -- is NOT new. It's the marketing spin that is new as everyone has jumped onto the "HD" bandwagon. Laura Mercier has been creating high performance makeup since the launch of the brand in 1996. At the time when she started her makeup career, photo touch-ups were not as simple as they are today so she had to create the best, highest performance products to make the skin look flawless while also outlasting the elements of a photo shoot (hot lights, long hours and all different types of skin tones). What do you think is the future of cosmetics? I believe it will be more skinceutical claims and more organic products with a focus on "green" initiatives.
