At the risk of sounding redundant, please keep your face out of the sun regarding your skin type. Gone are the days from the 1900’s when people sat in their back yards using a sun visor over their face slathered with baby oil. The sun has moved up a notch and unfortunately its rays may give you more than a sun tan. We hear the warnings every day; however, occasionally someone will sit in my chair with acute sunburn on their face. I’ve even heard “I have darker skin so the sun won’t hurt me.” Perhaps you won’t burn as easily but you are still a candidate for the big C and acute wrinkles down the road. Always remember your sun block, sun glasses and perhaps that big fabulous hat!

If you have enhanced your lips by making them larger it is best to avoid lip gloss as your new line will probably bleed off. I suggest you daub on light shimmering eye shadow to your bottom lip as it will give the same effect without removing your art work.

Spring is here and its a great time to rock a new makeup look! I am offering a 15% discount for the month of May. Please ring me up and mention May make-up lesson discount. Looking forward to hearing from you!   Lorin (917) 306-0120

If you choose to enhance your lips by making them fuller, make sure that the evidence is untraceable. Once you pencil in the line above your upper lip, you’ll want to go back and flatten out the area. What I’m referring to is lightening the former lip line so that it is no longer visible. You may also need to darken the area slightly between the former and new lip line. Never use gloss over that upper area as it will bleed off easily.

Spring is here and colorful lips are in vogue. I’ve always utilized my products in various creative ways, so I suggest you dip your lip brush into your bright eye shadow pallet (pink, orange, violet), add lip gloss and you’re good to go!

For those of you who wear false eye lashes you most likely know the formalities and steps for placing them into your lashes. As I had two makeup lesson clients in the past few weeks who never read up on the subject and had never had success with putting them on, I wanted to mention the most imperative step: “First apply mascara onto your own lashes so that the false lashes have something to hold onto.” I also suggest not using the glue that comes with the lashes as “DUO” which can be purchased at the drugstore works a lot better. Hope this is helpful!

NIP TUCK AND THE NEEDLE   As a well known makeup artist and beauty author, I’ve received numerous requests to write an article regarding nip, tuck and the needle. Let me begin by stating that I wholeheartedly endorse plastic surgery and injections, provided they are kept in perspective. Without mentioning names, we all know who has gone overboard and walked away looking like a freak or in extreme cases, unrecognizable. If going under the knife or having your fix of injections makes you feel better, I strongly suggest that you GO FOR IT! Before going forward, there are a few rules of thumb that are imperative before choosing a doctor. First of all, beware of those who will try and sell you procedures that you don’t need or will break your wallet.  There are plastic surgeons out there that may prey on your insecurities and before you know it you will leave their office having signed up for the WORKS. I recall once having an appointment with a dermatologist for a rash. After addressing the reason for my visit, she tried to sell me her special offer regarding fillers which she claimed I needed. I was appalled and insulted as I never inquired about her “special package” and if my eyes served me correctly, I was a long way from being ready to go that route. At the time I was in my thirties and had flawless skin. She reminded me of a bad used car salesman. I responded by asking if perhaps she might consider bartering for a makeover just to get her reaction. She turned on me like a pit bull and said she didn’t barter nor did she need a makeover. Ha! She needed new glasses. I then replied by telling her that I did not NEED her offer and she should consider how she approaches her clients or in my case EX client. Make sure that your selection is BOARD CERTIFIED. Many women have gone ahead with surgery before checking out the doctor’s credentials thoroughly and unfortunately were not pleased with the results. There are a lot of quacks out there and it is well documented that many have suffered the consequences. Looking for a refund is out of the question as quite often the doctor is nowhere to be found AND you’ll be asked to sign a legal document stating that they will not be held responsible should anything go wrong which makes plastic surgery an even greater risk factor. ALWAYS request to see before and after portfolios! Of course they will only supply you with their best results but you can get the general idea by going through photographs with a fine tooth comb. You may also request to speak with former patients as references and be diligent in checking out patients in the waiting room who are there for follow up visits. Do your homework and check out on-line testimonials as well! Needless to say that good communication and feeling comfortable with your doctor should be at the top of your list. After all, you are entrusting your face and body into their hands. Be sure that what you see is what you like. Don’t look for the best bargain! You are not shopping for a dress which can easily be returned with a refund. I also suggest that if you aren’t pleased with the results that you go to another surgeon to correct your procedure. If you don’t get your desired results the first time, chances are that you won’t the second time around and there are limitations on how many times they can operate on the same area. Once you’ve made your choice, LISTEN to your doctor’s advice! Good Suggestions: Be realistic! If you are sixty, don’t have expectations of looking twenty five. Too many lifts and your face may end up looking like a saran wrap, lips that extend from ear to ear and the appearance of wearing a mask. Remember that your face will be sitting upon an older neck and your hands will appear to belong to another person. If you choose to enhance your breasts, keep it minimal unless you wish to compete with Jessica Rabbit. Be conservative with lip and facial injections! There is currently an epidemic going around of over blown lips and puffy faces. Keeping a few bees around could save you money and the results will be the same. You may eliminate wrinkles but the trade off is losing your natural bone structure. Avoid too much Botox unless you wish to endorse the product! Your face will adorn its natural expressions while your forehead appears to look like stone. “How obvious?” It is not a good idea to have permanent fillers injected into your face. Many women have made this choice believing they would save money and frequent trips to the doctor’s office.  Injections are expensive and once you get started it is difficult to give them up. I can tell you first hand that I have witnessed repercussions that can be devastating and irreversible. As the face ages and drops, permanent injections can travel and appear hard and lumpy. It is possible to have them surgically removed; however, you’ll be left with hideous scars. Best of luck if you choose nip tuck and the needle and I hope you look fabulous! Written by, Lorin Cole          

COMMUNICATING WITH YOUR MAKEUP ARTIST AND HAIR STYLIST As a New York make-up artist, hair stylist and former model, I can’t express how imperative it is to communicate and express your opinion when having your make-up and hair done for a photo shoot, an event, make-over or your frequent trip for your cut and color. Do not worry about being offensive or that “this is not your expertise so you’ll leave it up to them.” Regardless of whether you are up to date in fashion, you should have an opinion of what works for you and what doesn’t. Make sure the person you’ve hired is listening and doesn’t take it upon themselves to try out that new do that they visualize on you and ignores your instructions. I once trusted a hair colorist who came to my apartment with a pair of scissors which cost me months of misery. As I listen to my clients I assumed I would be granted the same consideration. As a matter of fact, I had recently had a hair cut; however, this lady knew how to sell her product. “I am even better at cutting than color and what I have in mind will be more fashionable, bring out your features and make you look younger.” Ah hah, the look younger won me over and as a fashionista I thought that I might have been missing out on something. Sold! I agreed to put my locks in her so called talented hands and took the gamble. This had been her second visit to do my color and as I was thrilled with the results, believed that the cut would be super as well.  I opted for the bathroom which hosts a mirror but she felt it would be too crammed for her to work so we set up in the living room. Most New York bathrooms don’t provide much space. I made it VERY clear that she was not to cut more than an inch off of the length and that I wanted to keep the front shorter than the back. I trusted her and unfortunately learned an invaluable lesson. I even began to relax as I listened to her reiterate over and over as to how amazing I was going to look. When it was over and my hand instinctively ran through my hair, I was shocked to find it extending no further than the bottom of my neck. Perhaps she was deaf, wanted to sabotage my appearance or had an ego so big that it over shadowed her exorbitant prices but I was missing a good four inches AND the front was actually longer in something that emulated a bob. To say that I was shocked would be an understatement and as a matter of fact she was lucky to have gotten out of my apartment in one piece. HOW COULD YOU DO THIS TO ME I SHRIEKED? Her reply was that I looked so much better and my hair looked so much healthier. Not only did I wind up with a short hair cut but a very conservative one which was not what I consider fashionable and regarding age it might have suited my grandmother. After years in front of the camera it is a fact that I do not look good with shorter hair. Need I say more? This wouldn’t be the first time a hair dresser became scissor happy nor will it be the last. She had been highly recommended as a hair colorist but I had no reference to her hair cuts. I highly suggest you check out your technician’s ability to take instruction regardless to how talented they may be. In my opinion she should be fined for owning a scissors. What did she have to gain? I wish I had an answer to that. She over charged me for the worst hair cut of my life but lost a client who could have directed a lot of business her way, so I haven’t a clue. She must have realized that after the fact as numerous phone messages were left which I never acknowledged. I’ve shared this story to give an example of what can happen in extreme situations.  Until you’ve established a relationship with a technician, don’t let your guard down. Never allow a person you’ve hired to intimidate you and lead you to believe that you aren’t the expert; therefore, need to listen to them. It is you who has to live with it and you who has to work with it. You are also doing them an injustice by not speaking up as if you are not happy with the results they will be losing your business. Remember, most stylists want to please their client and it is a team effort.