In this rough economy where budgets are tight, the one thing I personally do not want to leave behind is my beauty routine! My signature style is clean and simple makeup, for myself as well as my bridal clientele. L’Oreal has made it possible for me to keep my beauty routine while sticking to a budget.  L’Oreal HIP High Intensity Pigments Jelly Balms and HIP High Intensity Pigments Metallic Shadow Duos have made my year!

First, the Metallic Shadow Duos are not only budget friendly they are packed with pigment power for an ultimate color pay-off. Typically I find a lot of drugstore makeup brands have very little pigment therefore you have to pack on the product for the color to show up. The L’Oreal HIP line has combined a winning combination of value and product. These duo packs have even taken the guesswork out of color theory by pairing up colors that are complimentary in each shadow compact. They come in five shade pairings: Gilded, Magnetic, Gunmetal, Platinum, and Sculpted and retail for just $7.00 for each set!

The HIP High Intensity Pigments Jelly Balms are equally as nice with a beautiful sheer color pay-off and a soft, dewy finish. My brides love these because this product leaves their lips conditioned and moist, they are simple to apply alone or over a lipstick shade and, most importantly, they are kissable too! The Balms are available in six sheer shades: Luscious, Savory, Succulent, Plush, Ripe, and Delectable and retail for just $9.00 each. L’Oreal, thank you for making a budget-friendly product with unbeatable quality – any makeup artist’s dream! To check out these and other L’Oreal products, visit www.lorealparis.com.

Popularity: 1%

Bobbi Brown has released an exclusive limited edition palette for Autumn that’s sure to dazzle. The palette, which features sophisticated metallic shades, will add shimmer to your every day look. It’s subtle enough for the office but simple enough to glamorize for the evening.

• Metallic Iced Mauve eye shadow: This shade is creamy and subtle and can easily coordinate with anything in your closet.
• Cocoa Mauve Ink Long Wear gel eyeliner: Rich and precise, this liner gives the eyes a very distinctive pop. Best of all, it’s easy to apply and proven to last.
• Berry Mauve lip color – for a radiant lip shine that feels light but lasts long. Add a darker liner like Heather Beige for a sexier evening color. Simply apply with Bobbi Brown’s mini brush set and you’re ready to shine!
• For classic, rosy cheeks, the collection features Sand Pink blush.

Carry your new look in a sleek, mauve-lined case with a convenient side pocket.

The limited edition palette and other Bobbi Brown Cosmetics are available in stores or online at www.bobbibrowncosmetics.com.

Popularity: 2%

At the end of my stay in New York City for the Spring/Summer 2009 Fashion Week, I received a phone call to hop on a plane the next day for a photo shoot! The photo shoot was for jazz singer Melody Gardot, and her new album is set to release early 2009. Melody’s story is amazing and I was honored to have the opportunity to work as her personal makeup artist in the city that inspires her most – Paris, France!!

At 19 years old, Melody Gardot was struck by a vehicle while riding her bicycle in her hometown of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The near-fatal accident left her with a shattered pelvis and extreme sensitivity to light. Doctors urged her to turn to music for therapy. Fast-forward to today and Melody Gardot, walking with a cane and sporting Burberry shades, is now signed with Universal, touring the world, and recording her second album.

When I received the phone call to work with Melody in Paris, I immediately turned to Bobbi Brown and her team to assist me with product selection for Melody. Gardot’s personal makeup style is dramatic liquid liner and smoky eyes. I felt keeping her personal style was key for her album cover and promotional materials.

Below is how I achieved her album look, focused on the eyes, step-by-step using Bobbi Brown Cosmetics that were rushed directly to my hotel in Paris:

1. Shimmering Nudes Palette:
   This limited edition palette includes a combination of Metallic and soft, pearlized Shimmer Wash Eye Shadows along with Espresso Eye Shadow for added smoke and drama.
   To achieve Melody’s smoky eyes, I started off with Nude Spice Metal Eye Shadow on the lid. After gently sweeping a highlight under the brow, I used a blend of Naked Eye Shadow and Nude Glow Metallic Eye Shadow. For contour, smoke, and drama around the eyes, I started in the outer corner of the eyes and blended through the contour of the eye with Espresso Eye Shadow.
2. Long-Wear Gel Eye Liner in Black Ink:
   Keeping Melody’s personal style was important to me so, following suit with her signature old Hollywood flare, I used Bobbi’s Long-Wear Gel Eye Liner in Black Ink to perfectly sketch a wing-tip that dramatically swooped along the top lash line.
   Stiles Makeup Tip: When the look calls for smoky, I don’t like to have harsh lines. Even though the top eye liner called for drama, I still wanted to soften it just a bit. Blending Bobbi Brown’s Espresso Eye Shadow on top of the Long-Wear Gel Eye Liner did the trick! I now had a dramatic eye look that read well for photography!
3. Metallic Eye Shadow in Rockstar:
   My favorite touch to any makeup look is a soft highlight in the inner corner of the eyes. Using Metallic Eye Shadow in Rockstar (a fitting name!) with an eye shadow brush, I started from the inner corners and dragged the shadow just below the bottom lash line stopping below the tear duct.
4. Lash Glamour Lengthening Mascara in Smoke:
   For the long shoot days out in the environment, waterproof mascara was necessary for completing this look. The Lash Glamour Lengthening Mascara in Smoke was the perfect mascara that gave Melody length and curl to her lashes completing her glamorous look.
   The products Bobbi Brown Cosmetics provided were perfect for the look Melody and I wanted to achieve for her album shoot. The look lasted more than 12 hours as we went from location to location within Paris for her photo shoot. The Long-Wear Gel Eye Liner and Lash Glamour Lengthening Mascara proved not only to be waterproof but smudge-proof as well!

Melody’s album with the shots from Paris is due to launch early next year. Check back for the final pictures from the shoot.

Until then, check out my behind-the-scenes shots from Melody Gardot’s album shoot in Paris, including makeup by me and products courtesy of Bobbi Brown Cosmetics!

Photos: Victoria Stiles & bobbibrowncosmetics.com

Popularity: 4%

As a makeup artist, I find it very difficult to find the right color red lipstick for Asian skin tones. Some end up too pink others end up too orange but Thi Cosmetics got it just right!Introducing Thi Cosmetic’s Quinn Lipstick, a subtle wine color that applies seamlessly and has a demi-gloss finish that really is beautiful on yellow undertones! Perfectly pigmented color which makes the application of this product completely fool-proof! The packaging of this product is also fabulous because it is set in a mini-compact complete with a mirror for a quick fix!

Quinn Lipstick from Thi Cosmetics $19.00
www.thicosmetics.com

Popularity: 4%