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I am asked by my clients to disguise their flaws daily and it has inspired me to add a new category to my blog called “Flaw Mentors”. Women constantly pick apart their photographs and obsess about a flaw even though most people have slight facial abnormalities. A photograph is not a true representation of how one looks. It is a frozen two dimensional image of a face that is three dimensional and fluid. Some people are very photogenic and others are not. I am not that photogenic as my right eye is lower than my right, and when I face the camera straight on this is obvious. This used to bother me until I noticed that many celebrities - Shannon Daugherty for one - have the same flaw and they still look great. From that point on whenever I disliked something about my face, hair or body shape I would search for a celebrity who had the same issue and they would become my Flaw Mentor. I encourage all of you to try this out. It is surprising how many gorgeous women have “flaws”. Heidi Klum admittedly has a lazy eye, and I think that she is doing okay with her face.
Angie sent me an email about her perceived flaws.
Hi Lo,
I would like to wear a natural-looking, sheer nail polish on my fingers and toes for my wedding. However, I have a hard time finding a color that doesn't look too white, pink, or yellowish when applied.
Do you have any suggestions for a good basic shade? I have pretty fair skin with pink undertones, and medium-dark brown hair.
~ Emily
Great question and no one has asked it before. I recommend Essie and Opi polishes as they have a gazillion colors in sheer white/pink and are in most salons. I like Ballet Slippers and Delicacy for fair to medium skin. They are sheer but still give a hint of color and make your nails look “special”. You can play around with doing one or two layers for the perfect opacity. Some people even layer with different colors, but I try to keep it as simple as possible. My basic rule for lip color, nail color, cheek color is that regardless of the color family it should make your skin look better. Avoid colors which look flat or lifeless on you and or have heavy shimmer or frost. If you aren't sure bring a friend with good taste and ask her/him.
Keep in mind that you can do a bolder color on your toes. Many of my brides do a neutral color on their hands go with a red or even blue (closed toe shoes) on their toes. Only do two different colors if one of them is a sheer nude polish. We don't want coral and the hands and fuchsia on the toes!
I hope this helps you. 
My mother reads my blog faithfully and often comments on posts. I love that instead of phoning me, she knows the fastest way to reach me is through my website! After my previous blog on recession proof makeup my mom sent me an email stating: “Yes, this is an overdue column! Your cheap (economical) mother just bought her favorite blond/beige brow pencil by Physician's Formula! I'm trying out Almay's Bright Eyes eye base and concealer for light skin tones…will let you know what I think of it. ”
Okay mom, I am getting on it and I apologize for the delay!
I want to invite all of you (not just my mom!) to contact me with any products that you have found and loved as well as blog ideas. Your reviews are very important in scrutinizing a product.
As a makeup artist, I am always asked about skincare recommendations. I see the eagerness in my clients' eyes as they wait to hear that I have the secret to fixing wrinkles, big pores, dry skin, rosacea and dark circles. I wish I had an easy cure, just like we all wish there was an easy way to get skinny and rich, but there ain't! My standard answer is wear sunblock, eat well and exercise. I have gone to 10 different dermatologists over the years for acne and dermatitis, and they all told me to use a gentle cleanser (like Cetaphil) and a moisturizer. Not one of them ever told me to spend a lot of money on department store brands. The only doctors I have ever seen recommending pricey products were actually selling them (hmm???).
I have combed through what many derms and experts recommend and they all seem to look for products with the following ingredients:
Exfoliants: salicylic acid, AHA (Alpha-Hydroxy Acid) such as glycolic and lactic acid
Moisturizers: antioxidants and vitamins C (Ascorbic Acid), E (Tocopherol), A(Retin), and niacin
Acne prone skin : salicylic acid
Before buying skincare products, it is crucial for you to analyze your skin. Most of my younger clients (under 30) would be just fine with a light moisturizer such as Olay Complete with SPF 15. This is what I use during the day in the summer. I am a little older than 25 and my skin has gotten much drier so I use a more hydrating night creme and eye cream, which I apply religiously day and night. The under eye area doesn't have oil glands so it needs more hydration. This is the item to splurge on if you are experiencing dryness. When I deal with dry skin I use M.A.C.'s Moisturelush line, Arbonne's RE9 skincare line or Bobbi Brown's Extra line. Don't use unless you have dry skin. All of the moisture in the world does not prevent wrinkles. Moisturizers plump up the skin creating younger looking skin, which is a great canvas for makeup.
I love simplicity, so I always look for multi-tasking items. I would recommend the following as good everyday moisturizers:
Check out Part 1 (eating) and Part 2 (exercise) of Emilie’s Wedding Prep Plan.
Beauty is nature's gift, easy to recognize in so many facets and often times painstakingly difficult to maintain. Ah, the blessing/curse of being a woman.
I was never too concerned about fashion when I was younger (as evidenced by the many repeat outfits I have on in childhood photos. RIP beloved purple overalls), but I was very curious about make-up. My mom worked at Macy's (then Jordan Marsh) each Sunday, and I was fascinated by the extra Clinique “free gifts” she would bring home. Moreover, when my grandma from Arizona visited, she would treat my sister and I to “facials” before falling asleep each night. I was wearing Oil of Olay every day by middle school (completely unnecessary, of course) and one of the first of my group of girlfriends to be allowed to wear make-up. I loved getting dolled-up then just as much as I do today.
Now, as I'm *this close* to being a bride, I've paid extra special attention to my beauty routine, allowing for a little pampering and a lot of preparation for our island nuptials.
Twice a day, I wash my face with Cetaphil cleanser (they also have a body wash for the shower), followed by the 3-step Proactiv system ($39.95). I know some people say that Proactiv doesn't work as a long-term solution, but I have had a clear complexion for nearly four years now.
I have always had a fascination with scents, and finding a signature scent. When I received my package in the mail from Meredith at Sweet Anthem Handmade Perfumes, I was overjoyed! One of the things that makes Sweet Anthem so special is that Meredith crafts each scent as a tribute to women, fictional, famous or close friends. This makes each one so special and unique!
Every girl needs her own favorite beauty finds. I love swapping products with my sister and girlfriends, as well as reading reviews of new items online. In honor of the wonderful discoveries I've made in this arena, it's time for a beauty-inspired installment of fab finds! Please join me in little virtual swap here on the blog. Below are some of the fabulous things that rock my beautiful world; make sure to share your favorites in the comment section!
fab find: kiss me mascara by blinc
It was a mixture of fear and curiosity that overcame me when I first read about this mascara. On the company's website, a funny animation demonstrates how the mascara does not “paint” lashes, but “tubes” them by creating water-resistant tubes around each one. The result is perfectly primped and natural-looking lashes with zero clumping. To remove, you simply use warm water and “gentle pressure” to slide the tubes off.
Truth be told, I was freaked out at the prospect of pulling little tubes off of my eyelashes. BUT, when Santa left me this mascara in my stocking last Christmas, I had to give it a whirl. I LOVE this mascara and don't think I could use anything else now. It really makes you look like you just have incredibly long and lovely natural lashes. And the formerly-dreaded tube removal?? Though nervous at first, I've become a total pro. The “tubes” are black and just look like individual false lashes. I haven't ripped out any real lashes… yet. 
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