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%

WHO: Felicity Huffman, Molly Sims, Rashida Jones, and Kerry Washington

WHAT: Received White Room Signature Facials at

Emmy’s 60th Anniversary Event

WHERE: Kate Somerville Health Experts

Popularity: 2%

When I met Kabuki outside of the tents, relaxed, among his brethren of artists, he seemed relaxed and calm - but once inside the backstage area, his concentration emitted an energy that felt palpable. His face is focused, and in the intensity of his eyes you can see the passion for his craft while each stroke of brush carefully caressed the curves of his canvas.

I was lucky enough to have some alone time with him, and he immediately started with praise to Kai Khune, his collection, and his ability to convey the message of his collection to Kabuki. The inspiration for the collection was, “An Upper East Side woman who may just have a secret or two;” and to give further detail into this description, Kabuki used an apt example: Janet Leigh in the beginning of Psycho, a “goody two shoes who has just stolen all this money but is keeping it a secret.” Instantly, he knew he was going to shy away from bright colors, and keep it a delicate neutral palette with more emphasis on “sculpting the face.”

Kabuki then delved into discussing the specifics of his work. He spoke about darkening the eyebrows to give the models a sense of unity, but not to give a retro feel, but a modern look with no defined shape. He darkens just a slightly deeper shade, giving it a natural feel with just a hint of masculinity. He used MAC paint products to contour the inner part of the eye. He linked his style to Siouxsie Sioux, but quickly corrected himself in saying that the similarity is in the technique alone; he opted with a more lady like finish to remain consistent with the “young and fresh” look of the collection. Soft colors keep the look elegant rather than rock and roll.

MAC products used included: Bare Lash, Coquette ES, Face and Body Mixing Medium, Porcelain Set Powder, Magrites Paint, Tan Ray Paint, Hue Lipstick, and #33 Lash.

Kabuki’s great work can be viewed on his website. www.kabukimagic.com

Photos: Donnie Javed

Popularity: 2%

Lights, camera, makeup brush! Kabuki is a mentor to many makeup artists and is an inspiration in both artistry and creativity to the community. Hailing from merry ol’ England, Key Artist for the Tony Cohen show at The Salon in Bryant Park on September, 8, 2008, inspiration came from Odilon Redon, the late 19th century Symbolist artist. When asked, what about this artist inspired you? Kabuki replied, “Picture a mysterious woman that exists somewhere between the romantic and decadent.”

A former model and textile designer, Kabuki’s faces have appeared on the runway, in print, and television. His work can be seen in Vogue, Bazaar, and Numero, to name a few. Patricia Field, stylist and designer for HBO’s Sex In The City, called upon his expertise to design the makeup looks for style divas Sarah Jessica Parker, Cynthia Nixon, and Kristin Davis. With his vast list of credentials, it is no wonder Tony Cohen went straight to the master of makeup, Kabuki, to design the looks for Spring 2009.

The look created by Kabuki for Tony Cohen was exactly how his quote described, “romantic and decadent.” With soft skin, a warm cheek highlight, and deep color strategically placed on the inner corner of the eyes, this gentle yet rich-indulgent look entranced the viewers for yet another hit for innovative makeup artist, Kabuki.

When asked how to achieve this striking look, Kabuki responded, “We’re sculpting the face with two tones of MAC Select Cover-up and with blush, neutralizing the lips and brows. Then, I added a generous amount of Carbon Eye Shadow for the inner eye. Lastly, I balanced the look with a highlight of Vanilla Pigment on the cheek.”

The stunning contoured faces and eyes perfectly complimented the elegant simplicity of Tony Cohen’s designs. The hair styling was equally stunning with sleek roots and textured ends. Cohen’s designs incorporated neutral tones with sheer fabrics that flowed down the runway. This marvelous combination is aesthetically pleasing to the senses while transcending current trend.

Kabuki, the chameleon of makeup design, continues to surprise us with his creations and keeps us guessing- what imaginative look will he craft next? With inspired looks and inventive design, the maestro of makeup is always creating new faces for all aspects in fashion and beauty.

For more on Kabuki’s work, visit www.kabukimagic.com.

Photos: Victoria Stiles

Popularity: 4%