The women's candy store equivalent tends to be the cosmetic aisles. I am frequently asked what do I covet from the lines aplenty.

Currently my favourite cheap and cheerful beauty products in no specific order are:

1. Concealer: Milani HD Concealer  I tried this one only recently and was uber surprised at the coverage. I also noticed there was no caking or fading throughout the day.
2. Eyeliner: L'Oreal Voluminous Mistake-Proof Marker Eyeliner  I just bought 5 of these to have a stock for my kit. Just like it says 'marker'; reminds me of a Sharpie but safe for applying around the eyes! The marker tip makes the application easy. On a classic Hepburn-esque eye or to finish off a dramatic eye, this is a must-have beauty bargain.
3. Waterproof Eye Liner: Gosh Cosmetics Velvet Touch  I bought these when an airline lost my kit on the way to a job (yup, lost. Grrrr). Sometimes things happen for a reason! Gosh Hypnotic Grey is my new black. Love Grey liner and it suits everyone.
4. Lip Plumper: Sexy Motherpucker by Soap and Glory - Is it just me or do you hear Prince's Sexy MF song when you say the name of this lip product?  Yes it plumps and burns a little, but ladies, beauty can be a little painful. It is worth it.
   
5. Fake Lashes: Ardell Lashes There are so many lashes to choose from. You can never go wrong with Ardell. If you have light lashes wear brown falsies for a more seamless application; you can always layer with black mascara.                                                                
6. Hair Texturizer/Spray Wax: Sally Hershberger Genius Spray Wax Just as the name suggests and the brains behind the beauty, it's genius. Like any wax product, use sparingly. What I love about this one over the higher-end salon brands; it isn't as greasy. Apply with quick sprays mainly to mid-lengths and ends of hair.
7. Shampoo and Conditioner: Infusium 23 shampoo and conditioners are great! I was a spokeperson for Infusium when they relaunched and personally tried them out. The Frizz Controller Collection linked here is a great maintenance for frizz caused from humid weather or curly hair; but do click through the site as you can find the collection geared to your hair type.
8. Blow Dryer/Brush: Hot Tools Air Styling Brush, an invention I am addicted to for work and personal use. This is the BEST hair tool. I use this if I want to blow-dry volume at the roots or if I am creating big, bouncing beautiful beach hair, I will use this from roots to ends. Best used on slightly damp hair. Hair shrinks as it dries so if hair is soaking wet, it could wrap around this round brush tool and get stuck easily. Always round brush on hair that has minimal water in it.

Recently I was interviewed by two on-line publications; I was thrilled to be featured!

Andrea Claire at age 5. Yes, my 'calling' started early.

 Since I receive many emails asking how did I get into this glorious career I thought I would post the interview links for you.

Click for the Model Resource feature on Andrea Claire.

Click for The Drama Diaries feature on Andrea Claire.

Click for the salon magazine feature on Andrea Claire. (This one is a few years old but coming full circle as we were moving to Singapore at that time and .... well.... here we go again! (insert laugh here) )

Please feel free to post a question or comment below. I do try to respond to all of them as best I can and in good time!

A clip from an article from my Stylin' Gypsies days. (makeover show)

Leading a team for a  MAC Fashion Cares segment

Another year leading a team for MAC Fashion Cares

Over the years (20 to be exact - OUCH!)  I have had many hair and make up kits come and go. My long time favourite has been my vintage circa 1993, MAC aluminum kit which I need to replace the rivets... for the second time.

Well - it's no (beauty) secret that us make up junkies/artists tote around every colour under the sun; just see for yourself as I take you through both my hair and make up kits as I organize them into my new Zuca Pro! There is more to my kit than you see, pins, capes, elastics etc but this is about 87.6% of it,  afterall, if you've seen one pair of scissors, you've seen them all!

Here are 2 versions. I know, a little anal but... you have a choice of seeing a complete tour of Andrea Claire's hair & make up kit or since a lot of us artists have an attention span of a 8 month old spider monkey - you can 'Just Cut to the Case!'  

 Now - I know I look tired! We can't always look good. I call it 'tired, organizing to move chic'! But I am wearing make up - albeit very little!

Foundation: Rae Cosmetics Climate Control Mineral Tint - SPF 20 (I'm testing this one out - day 2 and so far I like it.)

Blush: Jemma Kidd Blushwear Cheek in Paw Paw. I really do love this blush! Blends well and just enough colour.

Eyeliner: Cargo High Pigment Pencils in brown. I applied this only to the top inner rim for a smidge of definition.

I did curl my lashes, but then that's all! I know: Where is my concealer?!? Mascara?  Well... again, we can't ALWAYS look good!

Zoie Jean had a little sidebar to add. You can sit on it, you can pull it and as every toddler knows how... you can push it! :)

PS: Zoie would like you to know that we paid for our Zuca Arist Pro. Although we aren't against gifts - this was not. :)

 Recently I had the pleasure of  flying from Austin,Texas to Toronto, Ontario to do hair and makeup for Lady Antebellum. The only challenge I had was I arrived in Toronto and my luggage didn't! Thankfully I had 24 hours before I had to be on set with Lady A. (A gazillion phone calls (zero name dropping) to the airline got me my luggage at 6:30 pm the night before I needed to be at the band's hotel at 5:00 am!)

I don't even know where to begin! The days were long but the company always remained fabulous! (I think I overuse the exclamation mark but, I believe in this post, it's worth it!)

While I can say country music does not monopolize my music collection I do own some Dixie Chicks, I do turn up the radio when Shania is on and I am now a proud owner of a Lady Antebellum cd! I guess you can say I am a fan of the cross-over country music.

While listening to Lady A answer many interviewers' questions a few answers stuck in my mind, one being: Like music for the music, not the genre. Well said and so true. Charles, Hillary and Dave were troopers going from station to station, performing, q & a's etc - and in-between while we were driving around they were still sweet as pie ... err... honey, of the American kind, just see for yourself:

This photo borrowed from MuchMusic, At Home with Trevor Boris. This was my last day with Lady A. I loved Hillary's dress!

 It was a great two days, I was thrilled to be a part of the energy. A HUGE congratulations to Lady Antebellum and their success.

In this photo Lady Antebellum with my assistant Earl. Good for him jumping in for a photo. Truth be told, I always want to snap a pic with the people I work with but I always think their time with me should be solitude and relaxation, not another photo-op. I may change my mind on this... :)

Curious as to the beauty products being splashed around?

Sure - I'll share!

Over the 2 days I used various products on Hillary, here are a chosen few to list:

Dermalogica Multivitamin Power Firm to die for eye cream that I use on everyone

FACEatelier #3 foundation

MAC Mineralize Blush in Warm Soul

Kevyn Aucoin Prime Creme Eye Shadow in Pristine

NARS Eye Shadow in China Blue

Cargo Eye Lighter (my new tearduct love!)

L'Oreal Voluminous mascara

Stila Lip Glaze in Blackberry and Marmalade

Hair, again various products, namely Bed Head Hard Head hairspray, trust me a little goes a LONG way!

The guys appreciated my Clean And Clear Blotting Sheets, oil absorbing film that has ZERO makeup, they're a conversation starter too. 'What's that??' is often heard as you press them on someone's face. I tend to forget not everyone knows all about makeup.

 What did I learn in my 2 days with Lady Antebellum? I do like country music (check out track 8 Stars Tonight on the Need You Now cd - awesome song) AND I will never check my makeup kit on the way to a booking! (will be purchasing a Zuca Pro carryon for future travels!)  

** A BIG thanks to Borman, EMI, The Green Room and of course to Lady Antebellum for a great day!

 **Look for Hillary in an upcoming InStyle magazine shoot! Curious if they let her keep her gold metallic Minx nails I put on for her**

A huge congrats to Zhang Jingna on her wicked photography skills.

www.zemotion.net 

Jingna and I will be attending the Lucie Awards in NYC.

This shot placed 3rd for Fine Art : Nudes pro! http://www.photoawards.com/en/Pages/Gallery/winner.php 

Hair & make up: Andrea Claire aka yours truly

Model: Margaret White

In no specific order, the latest and greatest beauty products added to my kit:

1. JK Jemma Kidd Mannequin Skin complexion enhancer available at Target, which is where I am spending my time these days! This beauty veil is stunning on it's own or mixed with your foundation for a dewy glow. Since it reflects light, there is a gentle diffusing feel to it camouflaging fine lines, imperfections and pigmentation.
2. Weather Works by John Frieda - Shampoo, conditioner and style sealant creme, the trio's claim: 'seals out style-ruining weather effects'. Tried, tested and TRUE! In Austin Texas anyway where I have relo'ed to.  Whether I straighten, air dry or curl, my hair lasts all day y'all!
3. MAC lustre lipstick in Most Popular - I would classify this as a rich purple-pink that would suit all. I love it with clean skin, subtle cheek colour, little mascara and MAC Shroom in the tear-ducts - pretty-oh so-pretty! 
4. Skin Food's Avocado Lip Balm - enough moisture without leaving your lips slippery so layering lippy on top is fine since you don't get the 'lip bleed' like other lip balms can cause.
5. Joe Fresh matte lipstick in Ruby - for that true Coco red - to die for for fall! Cheap and cheerful- the score with this is the red is a GREAT shade, there is no 'flavour' like some cheap lipsticks have AND the packaging seems to 'click' so the lid does not randomly come off in your bag. Available in Loblaws grocery stores around Canada.
6. REVLON magnifying mirror - No one really likes to see their imperfections magnified x10 BUT this handy tool helps with those fine hairs in the 'unibrow' area- another plus - if you are a spaz for applying dark lipstick applying while looking into this mirror will give you a perfect pout. Obviously this tool I use personally and not on jobs - when I am working on beauty specific jobs I have my specs :)
7. Joe Fresh Faded Violet eyeshadow - purples are in for fall beauty. This violet is a soft sheer colour, for more of a punch layer this on top of charcoal or black liner - I prefer MAC's Powerpoint liners to layer on as they are smudge-proof and therefore your shadows will stay put.
8.  Sephora Express compact eyelash curler - a little tricky at first to figure out so as not to pinch your lid but, once mastered you get a great consistent curl to your lashes. Don't forget to curl in 3 steps - roots, middle and ends. Most women curl the roots only which give a sharpness to the lashes; creating a curve gives you sexy doe-eyes.
9. Batiste Dry Shampoo - I have used this for years but have noticed it is now available more globally. This is fantastic for humid weather, oily scalps or just stretching in-between washes. On fine hair, a little spritz at your roots will give you volume and the beauty about this trick - it will help your 'do last all day since it will absorb oils and heavy pollutants throughout the day.
10.  Yaby - ooooh! Where do I start? The Yaby make up line has so many gorgeous products! My fave this month - the Pearl Paint Palette! Say that 10x fast! No need to be a make up artist to have fun with this palette - any age, any time - the colours are stunning and the blendabilty is to die for!

Honourable mention: Dermalogica Multivitamin Power Firm - yes, I speak about this miracle product to everyone I know! I seriously get asked by strangers what I use in my eye area. When I have my teenagers with me people gasp out-loud and ask what I use. This is my fountain of youth!  As long as people guess I am 25 I will keep using this eye cream!

xo

Andrea Claire