My "Go To" Favs

Thought I'd give you a rundown on my favorite cosmetics. Hope it helps and that you find them useful.
For eyes;
Nars shadows and glitter eyeliner sticks
MAC shadow in Handwritten. Works great on everybody
Stila liquid eyeliner(super simple to use)
Napoleon Perdis Mascara
Sonia Kashuk eyebrow kit

For skin;
Koh Gen Doh Foundation for Matte skin
Armani for Dewy complexion
I'Nuovi Facescape Highlighter
Tarte Bronzer
Nars Blush-Orgasm of course

For Lips;
Red-Ruby Woo MAC
Gloss-Mally (any colors)

Concealer;
Mally cancellation conditioning concealer

Does that make it simple?

A Surprising Surprise

I went to an event a couple of months ago with my bf Camille and in my gift bag I got some products that I didn't think much of at first all because of their packaging. I know, don't judge a book by it's cover. Anyway, I had run out of all the other products from other gift bags(welcome to Hollywood,)so I tried it and I gotta tell ya, the stuff really works. I mean like better than anything I have ever used! My skin is so clear, so smooth and so bright. Like a fine porcelain doll. Well, maybe not that much but so noticeable even to me. They are by a company called Lovely Skin,which was developed by a dermatologist. You can find the products on their website http://www.lovelyskin.com

. Anyway, I think what makes these products so fantastic are their combination amino acid,antioxidant and vitamin c ingredients. They naturally rejuvenate skin turnover while brightening and protecting. This all works while maintaining the skins natural moisture. I wish I had discovered them earlier! and like all products I recommend, they are simple to use. Maybe that's why they chose the packaging that they did. Simple packaging,simple products. Simple beauty!

Love NARS!

NARS has come out with this new lip pencil gloss. For me it's the best of both worlds. The pencil helps to define lips and keeps color on longer. The gloss as sheen and moisture. This product is definitely my new bff.

The most beautiful wedding

A month or so ago I had the great pleasure of doing makeup for a bride Alyson Bowyer, her mother and her sister. Aly and her groom Wes got married in the most beautiful location up in Montecito, Ca. The San Ysidro Ranch. The day couldn't have been more perfect! The weather was gorgeous, the lavender was in full bloom and the bride was glowing with anticipation. I used my new Mally Beauty City Chic Smokey Eye kits which are so smooth, blendable and easy to use. I gave her sister and mom a more smoldering look. And for Aly, the bride, because she has hazel eyes, I gave her a softer, romantic look using Mally's Tribeca Taupe. All the ladies got sunkissed using Tarte bronzer and I completed their looks using soft glosses by Mally is peaches and pinks.
Aly's family was so warm and inviting and I had such a beautiful time with them. I felt truly honored to be a part of their momentous occasion.

Glide foundation, glide

Always on the quest for anti-aging skincare(thanks Mom for handing down thin skin), I truly found a gem in Epicuren's Ultima Peptide Maximum Peptide Complex. It has the maximum amount of elasticity complex and targets on the molecular level, repair and replenishment of failing collagen. It can be used alone because it is ultra hydrating. And like sometimes with anti-aging products, it's not heavy and won't clog pores. You get all the healthy effects without making you feel greasy or look like a hormonal teenager.

Fourth of July Makeup!

There are only a few occasions throughout the year that I find glitter and sparkle
appropriate. New Years Eve, a very special event-in Vegas-and Fourth of July. So
seeing how the Fourth is coming up I thought Iʼd share with you my 2 favorite sparkly
eye products. I love them cause theyʼre not so overpowering and “glittery” and theyʼre
super easy to use.
Both happen to be by NARS. The first is The Soft Touch Shadow Pencil. It has a super
smooth, creamy texture which is portable and long-wearing. It creates easy and
seamless blending which is great alone or layered with powder eyeshadow to increase
color intensity. I love the colors Palladium(turquoise with silver sparkle) and Aigle Noir
(black with gold sparkle). The second product is also a glitter pencil. Appropriately
named Glitter Pencil. It also has subtle glitter flecks and not only works great on eyes
but the translucent colors work great on the cheeks and body. For the Fourth I
recommend Le Sept and Bains Douches but 54 and Danceteria work beautifully on
the cheeks and skin.
Remember always play safe and have a happy Fourth of July!!

Lea Journo

So I am always on the quest for new hair products. For my job and myself. I think I have found a diamond in Lea Journo. For one thing the packaging is truly unique in its Eco Pouch. Secondly, it smells amazing because it uses french plum oil and almond peptides. Almost good enough to eat! But the proof is in the finished product. Truly smooth, soft, velvety hair that is so easily styled. I also love her Lumiere Illuminating Moisturizer. A moisturizing spray for hair and body. It has natural mineral glamour dust to give both hair and body an all over glow. Full of conditioners and anti-oxidants to protect hair and provide luster. Love!!

My new favorite foundation

So when Shu Uemura left the country I cried. I loved their foundation but alas crying did me no good and they were gone. For good. I've jumped around a bit since then but I haven't really landed on anything I truly loved. Until now. Koh Gen Do. A japanese foundation that is so pigmented you only need a little. So moisturizing you don't even need moisturizer and the best part, it's paraben free and good for your skin. I am not kidding, this stuff will make everyone look like a super model. Where it during the day for a natural finish or layer it more for night. You will surely be impressed.

Bold, Bright Lips!

I think the best way to get the bold, bright lips that are so hot this season is to use M.A.C's Lip Mix.

The consistency of this product is so unique. It creates a highly concentrated, pigment that really makes a statement. There is also so much versatility in this product as well. You can mix it with other products to create new colors for the lips cheek or even eyes. It's creamy without being the slightest bit greasy. It stays on for hours without drying the lips as it provides hydration. In the shots here I used the one in orange although they don't list it on their website. I also used the one in black. Just awesome!

Dry Skin Be Gone!!

So last week I was up in Colorado working. Ok and playing too!! How can you not when you get a 10 inch fresh snowfall!! Anyway, of course with the sun and dry weather my skin got really dehydrated so I went full force into my hydrating formula.
There are a few things I use for that. One of course is tons of water. That's a given. But what do you do when the skin is already dry and peeling? Exfoliate and rehydrate. I am loving two products for that. The first is by Kate Somerville. It is called ExfoliKate. An intense exfoliating treatment. And I mean intense. Leave it on for 30 seconds. It sloughs off dead skin and improves circulation. You are left with soft skin that has a beautiful, healthy glow.
The other new favorite of mine is Tarte's pure Maracuja Oil. Place a few drops on your skin at night. It hydrates but won't leave you with that greasy feeling. It soaks right in and won't clog your pores. Pure magic!!
Goodbye winter, hello Spring!!

Stay Makeup,Stay!!

The best trick for getting makeup to stay on your face is primers!! People don't give them enough credit but I'm telling you right now they work!! There are primers for your eyes and face. I like M.A.C's face primer and for the eye I like Mally eye primer. Another trick for your eyes is taking your foundation and go over your whole eyelid with it. Then apply loose or pressed powder over it. It really holds the makeup in place and evens out the skintone on your eye.

soft smokey eye

One trick to softening a smokey eye is by using a warm brown color in the crease of the eye.
After applying the black shadow to the eyelid keep the eye open. Just above the eyeball, sweep a warm brown
shadow using a pointed crease brush. Then apply a bone or cream color to brow bone and blend.
Beautiful,soft, smokey eyes.
To achieve this look try Mally City Chic Smokey Eye Kit. It makes it so easy!

These are a few of our favorite things.

Recently, HollywoodLife.com did an interview with me and what products I use on Camille Grammer on a regular basis. I'd like to share it with you!
Enjoy!!

Makeup Artist Dedra Whitt Shares Camille’s Beauty Secrets!

Dedra Whitt is Camille Grammer’s best friend and makeup artist, so she knows the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star so well! Dedra tells us all about working with Camille, and how they get her looking so beautiful for the Bravo cameras!

Eye Shadow: “I like shimmery shadows because they are light and pretty. They can really pop the eye if you use them appropriately– not all over, just in certain areas.” Dedra loves to use I Nuovi’s Metallogy: “They are almost three-dimensional.” Dedra also loves the lipsticks from this line: “They have flecks of gold so they kind of change color.”

Skincare Products: Camille’s favorite line is the exclusive Epicuren, which is “an amazing, amazing skincare line that really rejuvenates the skin.” (This line is available at spas and authorized retailers.)

Tanning Products: Though Camille’s glow is mostly natural from tanning outside, Dedra uses Sally Hansen tanning spray to enhance her color: “It actually works! We use it on her body.” (Sounds like Camille knows a beauty bargain when she finds one!) For Camille’s face, Dedra skips the tanning products and instead uses foundation in a slightly darker shade. Such a great tip!

Blending: “We always use the Beauty Blender to blend her foundation flawlessly!”

Dedra says that she always does Camille’s makeup for the show. “We joke about it. If your best friend is a makeup artist and you don’t know how to do your own makeup, then you ask her to do your makeup every day!” Dedra even traveled to NYC with the housewives for a press tour. Sounds like Dedra and Camille have a truly beautiful friendship!

My new favorite mascara

I have been using the same mascara for years now and I never thought I would ever find something I like as much. Voluminous by L'Oreal. Inexpensive but really good. Well now folks I have to say I have found my new friend. Without even looking!
Mascara by Mally. It works so well. I have been using it nonstop since I got it last week in a gift bag(thank you Oscars!)
Thick, full lashes with no flaking or clumping.
This is the real deal folks!!

Matching Foundation

So I realized that my blog was a little long yesterday so I thought I would break it down into 3 parts. Today we will focus on matching foundation which is really tough.
It is important to match to the part of your face which has the most color-the cheeks. By doing it here you will get the most natural looking application. If you have access to testers try a few and actually apply them to your cheek as shown here. See which one blends in the best or which one disappears the most. If you are at a drugstore actually hold bottles up to your cheek area. Never color match your jawline because that will only give you a ghostlike appearance.

In answer to Julie

So Julie emailed me 3 great questions that I thought many others could benefit from so I'm posting my answers here.

Hi Dedra,

I was just reading an interview you had at IW. I had a question about picking concealer for my skin tone., I’m not sure what tone I am. , so when I’m in the store trying to buy concealer or foundation, I’m usually wrong. I’m pretty sure its light to medium. , also, I have Hazel eyes, what color shadow would you recommend? And finally, how do you get rid of age spots w/out the laser treatment. , what is the best product?

Thanks
Julie In Mass.

First Matching Foundation:
It is important to match to the part of your face which has the most color-the cheeks. By doing it here you will get the most natural looking application. If you have access to testers try a few and actually apply them to your cheek and see which one blends in the best. If you are at a drugstore actually hold bottles up to your cheek area. Never color match your jawline because that will only give you a ghostlike appearance. Concealer should then be a shade or two lighter than your foundation and make sure the color has a warm hue to it to counterbalance the blue undereye.

Hazel Eyes:
Hazel eyes have several colors in them. Depending what color you want to pull out, the same rule applies to everyone. If you want to pull out the green, use opposing warm browns and golds. If you want to pull out the brown, use charcoals and blues.

Age Spots:
Age spots unfortunately cannot be removed except by laser. So sorry to have to tell you that. However, there are a few products that can minimize the appearance of. Try Philosophy's "Help Me" which is a retinol cream which speeds up cell turnover to improve hyper-pigmentation and texture. Also by Philosophy is "Vitamin C Powder" which is 99% pure vitamin c. You mix it with your moisturizer for brightening skin and providing protection from free radicals which will cause those spots to become darker. We all could use that!!
Hope that helps Julie, and everyone!!

I Nuovi

My new favorite makeup line is I Nuovi!! Love all of their metallogy shadows. So shimmery and gorgeous. I also love their lipsticks. Again, they take on multidimensional color when you put them on. They are not flat. For spring they have all of the hot, bold, bright colors that everyone wants. So much fun. So what ever your makeup palette is, they have something for everyone!
These pictures of me doing makeup at an UGG fashion show using I Nuovi shadows and lipstick.
Check them out http://www.inuovi.com

Getting Camille ready

So I get asked so much what goes into getting Camille Grammer of RHOBH ready for an event. Often times we don't have the luxury of time to get ready so we often tag team with her wonderful hairstylist Mitch Stone. It's not easy doing someones makeup while their hair is being pulled and curled. But after 16 years I know how to move with the flow if you know what I mean?!
I always start with moisturized skin. That's the most important element to beautiful foundation coverage. After her foundation I spot conceal. I then apply foundation to her eye area as well because it sets a nice base for eye makeup. Then we talk about color choices and how dramatic we want to go. Since Camille likes natural we always stay pretty clean. Neutrals and earth tones. If we want to go dramatic I will just apply more lashes and eyeliner.
So first I add a nice light base color all over the eye. Then I have her leave her eyes open and I apply a medium taupe in the crease to give her eye definition. Then, depending on the look, I apply a color just in the outer corner and blend in towards the center of her eyelid. That just pops the eye a bit. I line the eye with a cream liner and go over that with a dark shadow to soften it. Then mascara and lashes.
For her cheeks I always add a bright color in the apple by having her smile. It really brightens one's appearance. Then we do bronzer all over to tie it all together.
One thing I always do with my clients is to apply foundation all the way down the neck onto the decollete area to keep the skin looking flawless. Lip liner and gloss and we are done! Very easy!>

Tip:
Remember apply concealer after foundation for a more natural appearance and to keep the mess to a minimum, try doing eyes first then foundation. What ever shadow has fallen can be wiped clean before doing the skin.

A lipstick is the one makeup product that can always be found in a woman's handbag. It is irreplaceable and it has the amazing effect of adding color and life to your aspect and giving a healthy-looking face. The only thing to consider is the color as this one should flatter your skin complexion. Take a look to the hottest spring/summer 2011 lip makeup trends and choose one that suits you the most.


The famous lipstick is a must-have item for every woman. It sometimes acts magically changing completely the overall look. When finding the right lip color you have to pay a lot of attention as an unflattering shade can turn everything into a disaster. Your skin complexion and the size of your lips are two main elements for you to take into consideration when purchasing a lipstick. Then, of course, there are the main makeup trends that seem to change every season.

As for the hottest spring/summer 2011 lip makeup trends, colors vary a lot from nude and soft peachy to extremely bold and vibrant shades of red, orange and pink. All lipsticks come in a myriad of different shades suitable for every skin complexion and taste. Everything stands in what color you choose. Even though for winter we usually want to add a lip balm or a glittery lip gloss, the new trends propose daring lip makeup worn with confidence.




“Nude” seems to be the key element when it comes to spring/summer 2011 makeup trends. This is one delicate choice that is applied not only for the skin and eyes, but for your lips too. Whether you choose a soft pink or beige, nude means totally natural lips. You can wear a complete nude makeup or, on the contrary, go for a more intense and dramatic eye makeup and nude lips. When applying a nude lip makeup using a peachy or beige color, remember that your lips should be moisturized in order to look healthy. For this you need to exfoliate them and apply some lip balm.

Lighter colors work amazing on thinner lips as they make them look plumper, while darker colors flatter thicker lips, but only if the shade you choose matches your skin complexion. If you choose a natural makeup using light, soft colors you will look younger as this type of shades bring out the warmer tones of the skin. Moreover, they are an amazing choice when wanting to add freshness and health to your overall appearance.




Fuchsia, orange and pink are some of the hottest colors when it comes to lip makeup trends for spring/summer 2011. This is that type of makeup trend that should be worn with extreme self-confidence by women and girls who feel beautiful and powerful. These bold colors are the perfect manifest of sophistication and elegance. Choose vibrant colors for your lips and wear them on a flawless skin makeup.

Wear a fuchsia or orange lipstick with a light eye makeup using just a soft eyeshadow and mascara for a matte, fresh look. If you want to create the illusion of plumper lips, apply some gloss in the center of the lower lip. For a strong touch, use a matte color for the eyes too, such as blue or white.

If you want to create the illusion of fuller lips you can also make a contour using a pencil and following the natural line of your lips. Keep the contour harmonious and don't exaggerate. If what you desire is to accentuate the look, apply a lipstick coat using a brush, then a gentle touch of powder, and another coat of lipstick.




Red lips already became a timeless style and they seem to come back for spring/summer 2011 among the hottest trends. You can wear a red lipstick both for the evening, but also for a daytime look. However, when wanting to wear bold, red lipstick you shouldn't overuse the other makeup products as your lips need to stand out. Foundation, mascara and some blush are enough. Still, if you want something more dramatic, a black eyeliner is the key.

Avoid red lipstick if you have acne prone skin as you'll only emphasize the problem. Always choose the right red lipstick shade based on your skin complexion. You can also try a different approach such as spotted at Viktor & Rolf with a thick winged line of white across the lids, no mascara, soft pink blush and red lipstick. Every woman looks stunning and sexy with red lipstick as long as she knows what shade is the most flattering for her.