THE BUSINESS OF BEAUTY MONA KATTAN

Huda Beauty is a coveted beauty brand that includes an array of must haves from makeup, skincare, fragrances and tools. Co-Founded by Iraqi American sisters Huda Kattan, Alya Kattan and Mona Kattan, they created an ever growing billion dollar beauty empire that is one of the fastest growing brands. With an assortment of over 213 products that are sold at Sephora, Harrods in London and on its own site, we caught up with Mona Kattan, Co-Founder and President of Huda Beauty and their fragrance brand KAYALI, from her home in Dubai, the brand's headquarters to talk about her role in the company, new launches, how she is navigating COVID-19 and how KAYALI's fragrances transport you to your favorite destinations.

ATHLEISURE MAG: Tell us about the brand Huda Beauty. How did it come about and how did you and your two sisters come together to be a part of the company?

MONA KATTAN: Huda Beauty began in 2013. Huda was beauty blogging and working as a makeup artist and I had launched a network of salons in Dubai. She started playing around with creating her own false eyelashes and they were unlike anything on the market. My sister, Alya and I encouraged her to start selling them and everything started to take off from there. To this day we continue to focus on innovation and unique products for our Huda Beauty community!

AM: What is your role at the company and how would you describe your day to day activity?

MK: As Global President I lay the groundwork for our future. We have grown very fast so have had to think long and hard about how to regionalize, where to open new offices, communications and marketing and hiring. As of recent, Covid has also changed many aspects of consumer behavior and it’s my role to help navigate and adapt as needed. We are fortunate that we are small enough that we can pivot easier than most.

I am also the founder and face of our fragrance brand, KAYALI. I’ve learned how hard being the face of a line is - you wear so many hats. From setting the vision, discussing formulas, shooting campaigns, working on expansion and development! It’s exciting and a lot of work. I absolutely love fragrance though so this is a role I’ve passionately embraced over the last few years.

AM: What are the roles of your sisters at the company?

MK: Huda is of course Founder, CEO and Face of the Huda Beauty brand! She primarily focuses on product development and content while keeping the company running from a financial perspective. Alya is officially our Chief Instagram Officer but oversees all social channels including YouTube, Facebook and Tik Tok! If you are a fan of Huda Beauty, you know this is a huge job because we are very active on social and it’s core to our business. This is just the tip of the iceberg for them though, because as a small company no job is ever too small for one of us to tackle!

AM: Huda Beauty is available at Sephora. What was it like when you first heard that it would be carried in this store?

MK: We were beyond ecstatic! We walked into our meeting with Sephora with one set of false eyelashes - that’s it. They took a leap of faith with us and we were determined not to fail - which was enough to drive us harder than we had ever worked before.

AM: We like that Huda Beauty is inclusive in its assortment as it pertains to its range of foundations and concealers. How important is that to you as a brand and what is the developing process like when it comes to making sure that you are shade accessible?

MK: Inclusion is core to our brand. Having grown up in the southern part of the US, I looked different than those around me but this difference taught me the importance of having role models you can relate to. We want everyone to be able to relate to us and to feel welcomed within our brand family, so having few shades just wasn’t an option. Having a wide variety of shades means it takes us longer to finalize each product, but we wouldn’t have it any other way.

AM: As we are all at home during COVID-19, how important is it to still incorporate your beauty routine whether it’s using skincare, applying makeup or utilizing fragrances in order to keep sanity in a time where so many things are unknown?

MK: Continuing with some sort of beauty routine gives me a sense of sanity and brings normalcy to my day! It also makes me feel put together even if I’m not leaving my house. Skincare is important all the time, but during this time it has also been a nice distraction and indulgence. Fragrance is one thing I simply can’t live without no matter what; it has such a way with impacting my mood and during quarantine it’s been really impactful!

AM: How are you passing your days personally as well as running a business that is still working on new assortments and staying in touch with your customers and fans?

MK: Right before COVID, I launched my YouTube page so I have spent a lot of time creating new content from the comfort of my home! YouTube has also been a great way to connect with people all over the world during a difficult time. I also enjoy reading - I love a good motivational or self help book - also perfect for staying positive now!

AM: Fragrances are the perfect way to showcase a feeling as well as to transport you. Can you walk us through these fragrances and how you can feel like you’re doing a bit of wanderlust to your favorite destination – even though we’re all in our own bubbles at the moment?

MK: I love how fragrance can take you back to a specific memory and uplift your mood. This summer, as travel is looking different than it did in summer's past it has been fun to play around with fragrance and memory! For example, want to travel to Bora Bora after your bath? Spritz some KAYALI Vanilla or Soleil Blanc from Tom Ford which have hints of vanilla, coconut, orchid and jasmine notes that can take you there! Or want to relive or imagine you’re waking up in Provence - layer a fragrance with lavender, rose de mai, basil, rosemary or sage such as the KAYALI Elixir | 11 or Rose 31 - Le Labo! It may seem a bit silly, but I truly enjoy experimenting with scent.

AM: What are your favorite fragrances?

MK: My all time favorite fragrance is KAYALI Deja Vu | White Flower 57! Creating this juice has been a labor of love and passion. It took me 56 different attempts in the lab to get it right and the comfort and happiness I find when I spritz myself with the perfume is hard to beat!

I also love Baccarat Rouge 540 by Maison Francis Kurkdjan! He is a genius when it comes to perfume and I absolutely love him. Baccarat Rouge 540 is one of the most beautiful perfumes; it’s filled with notes of Jasmine blossoms and musks; it’s amazing!

AM: What are your go to 3 must have products from Huda Beauty?

MK: WISHFUL Yo Glow Enzyme Scrub - This has been life changing for me. The pineapple and papaya enzymes mixed with the AHAs and BHAs gives me super bright and glowing, even-toned skin!

HUDA BEAUTY Legit Lashes Double-Ended Mascara - I am lucky to have nice lashes, but this mascara really amplifies them. I love that the wand is double sided.

HUDA BEAUTY Silk Balm Hydrating Lip Balm - This is our newest liquid lip balm that feels like a balm but looks like a gloss! It’s packed full of hyaluronic spheres for an ultra-hydrating treatment that works into your lips throughout the day. It comes in 1 universal shade that is absolutely stunning on everyone.

AM: We know that you’re in Dubai, when things are open again – can you tell us where we can find you dining, shopping and working out?

MK: My favorite restaurant is definitely Il Borro at the Jumeirah Al Naseem hotel! They have incredible food and the service is always amazing. I workout at home actually, so, nothing will really change there. If I go shopping, it’s normally to Dubai Mall. They have absolutely everything I need!

IG @MonaKattan

@HudaBeauty

PHOTOS COURTESY | Mona Kattan

Read the July Issue #55 of Athleisure Mag and see The Business of Beauty Mona Kattan in mag.

NY WOMEN IN FILM & TELEVISION HOST 19TH ANNUAL DESIGNING WOMEN AWARDS

Earlier this week we headed to Stage 48 for New York Women in Film & Television (NYWIFT) for their 19th Annual Designing Women Awards which was co-produced by Variety Magazine with sponsorship by Netflix. This event honored  advocates for equality in the moving image industry and supports women in every stage of their careers and was attended by actors, producers, directors, writers, fashion industry leaders and designers. The night was aimed towards celebrating distinguished makeup artists, hair stylists and costume designers that work tirelessly to create the characters on screen in film, television and digital media.

PHOTO COURTESY | John Dallas Phelps

Actors Christine Ebersole and Maggie Gyllenhaal presented hair stylist Anita Lausevic with a Designing Women Award, along with a special video tribute from Mark Feuerstein.

Costume Designer Dana Covarrubias received her award from actor Jamie Lee, with Lena Waithe sending her well-wishes via video.

Actor Nia Long celebrated makeup artist Martha Melendez, along with Elizabeth McGovern chiming in via video.

Debra Monk presented Variety’s Ensemble Award to the acclaimed Amazon series Mozart in the Jungle for its makeup, hair and costume design teams.

PHOTO COURTESY | John Dallas Phelps

IN OUR BAG | GIFTING SEASON BEGINS

We've officially entered the holiday season when you're bag is filled with gifts for your co-workers, friends, ladies who brunch and more. We have a great list of items that are small but powerful that you can have at the ready and shows that you know what your friends and family will enjoy.

| CHARGEHUB X3 USB Charger | TRESTIQUE Shimmering Nudes Holiday Set | FEED PROJECTS Metallic Beaded Kenya Bag | TOZAI Snow Maiden Sake | LVX Caviar and Truffle Nail Polish Holiday Set | MARC JACOBS Decadence Gift Set |

Read more from the Nov Issue and see IN OUR BAG | Gifting Season Begins in mag.

GET THE FACTS | LOW BEAUTY

The world of makeup artistry is ever changing from following trends, making new ones and seeing what exists within the cosmetic and skincare industries. We had a chance to chat with Karim Orange on celebs that she has worked on, her about new line that she has collaborated with via Vapour Organic Beauty, being a Low Beauty Makeup Artist and what that means in a world where we are navigating green, non-animal tested products, sustainable as well as other products.

ATHLEISURE MAG: Tell us about your background and how you became a Makeup Artist.

KARIM ORANGE:I have been a professional make up artist for over 25 years. When I was younger I always loved the beautiful girls in the magazines with makeup on. They always looked so happy. I started as an assistant to another celebrity makeup artist. We worked on over 100 videos a year in the early 90s. My big break was touring with Mary J Blige. After that I beat out 23 other make up artists for my spot at The View. This is where I received my two Emmy nominations.

AM: Who are celebrities or projects that you have worked on that we would know?

KO:  I worked on The View and with artists like Jay Z, Nas, Sean Puffy Combs,  Lauren Hill, Rosario Dawson, Goldie Hawn, Mary J. Blige, Tom Hanks, Matt Damon, The Dixie chicks, Deepak Chopra, I've even done Donald Trump's makeup. 

AM: How did Inner Orange come about (from it's name, your partnership with Vapour etc)? 

KO: Vapor Organic Beauty and I have been working together in different capacities for over five years. I have always respected them as a brand because they have always been inclusive of all shades. The name Inner Orange is of course a play on my last name. I find that orange, the color, usually makes people feel excited. The sun has hues of orange, changing leaves have beautiful tones of orange. Some amazing foods are orange. Orange makes you glow. Inner Orange is about glowing strong in whatever-you do, and the colors in the collection reflect a 'glow strong' attitude.

AM: What products are currently in Inner Orange and what are your plans for this portion of the line in terms of extending the product range? 

KO: Inner Orange currently consists of two collections. The first collection is called Spark and it's for light to medium skin-tones. It consists of peachy and soft gold neutral tones. The Crave collection consists of warm burnt orange shades and rich chocolate browns. It is more for medium to darker shades. Inner Orange will continue to develop with Vapor Organic Beauty. You will see the addition of seasonal colors and products to support the crave and spark collection, giving you more possibilities. 

You will also see additional products under the Inner Orange umbrella. The next product is a synergistic essential oil blend called Inner Orange, which will be available in January on the Inner Orange website. 
 

AM: When we talked with you at the event, you explained that you're a Low Beauty makeup artist - can you explain more about what this and misconceptions that people may have on this title/category?

KO: Over the years I have seen the words clean, green, organic, sustainable, natural all used to describe more conscious personal care products. These are the words that I have used to describe personal care products. Recently, I have thought about what it is that I do. What it is that I would like to teach women. It became a concept that I have personally coined to describe my practice which I call 'Low' Beauty. It's very easy for the average person to understand. Everyone likes things in life that are low! Low mortgage rates, low-risk activities, low pesticides in food.

Low beauty is three basic steps and rules, that I try to follow.

*As a makeup artist, I try to use the minimum amount of products to get maximum results. When I teach a woman how to do their make up I try and make it as simple as possible. If she is currently using 10 products I try to get it down to five or six. 

*I also try to introduce products with low undesirable ingredients. 

*Lastly I try to pick products with low carbon footprints. Sometimes the low carbon footprint part can have shades of grey. 

AM: How did your journey to being a Low Beauty artist come about? 

KO: My journey as a low beauty make up artist came about by trial and error. Using minimal products came about on a tour with Mary J Blige. At the time, Mary had her own makeup kit that I was using. Somehow her make up kit got left behind at the last venue. That night I had to do Mary's make up with a few products. It taught me how to be a minimalist. Also working on The View (live television), where you have no extra time for extra products, confirmed my minimalistic approach. 

The need to use products with low undesirable ingredients came about through my personal nightmare. A lipstick that I had been using every day for years sent me to the emergency room because of a sudden allergic reaction. I didn't wear lipstick for almost 10 years after this. I also started making the connection between women and autoimmune disease and what we put in our bodies. There are so many women that have reactions to something they have been using every day. The body one day says that's enough, and makes the immune system go haywire. I was lucky that my reaction happened on the outside of my body immediately. I was able to stop using the product, a lot of women are not so lucky when symptoms happen internally. 

The low carbon footprint aspect can be a bit overwhelming. While I understand that sometimes companies can't do everything right, they should still make an effort not to intentionally incorporate practices that are wrong and harm the earth or animals. They should support sustainable practices and know every element of their manufacturing. 

AM: There is a growing conversation among many about the need to transition a number of beauty products from those that are chemically based to those that have less as well as those that have not been tested on animals.

What products swaps do you suggest for mascara, eyeliner, lipstick, foundation, eyeshadow, cleansers, toners, moisturizer etc. Are there any products that you suggest that people continue to use that may not be Low Beauty oriented but are safe to use?

KO: You're trying to get me in trouble with this question (lol). I believe in education not scare tactics because I'm a magician, not a preacher. I encourage women to switch three products first - their lipstick because they eat it. Their body lotion because your skin is the biggest elimination organ in the body, and your nail polish because the nail beds are so porous and traditional nail products are so toxic.

Let's also remember that I am a makeup artist and I love makeup. I still follow the trends and products in traditional makeup. I have to relate to any woman that comes to me for a consultation. I have to understand what she is using and why.

So, if you come to me as a virgin when it comes to owning cleaner versions of beauty products, I'm going to be very gentle with my recommendations. My first step is to educate you and get you out of any lipstick that has toxic ingredients. With that being said if you're addicted to your Dior Show mascara (which I know is fabulous) I'm going to say enjoy it and tackle other things (first things first). 

Here are some of my favorite products (yes they all fall under Low Beauty lol)

Mascara: Mineral Fusion and Gabriel Cosmetics 

Eyeliner: Zuzu Luxe (they have a ton of fabulous colors and shades, for both eyeliners and lip liners). 

Lipstick: Any color you love that's nontoxic. 

Foundation: I love Vapour and Mineral Fusion in liquid formulas. (they offer so many varieties and formulations). I also like Au Naturale sticks and ZuZu Luxe for powder. 

Eyeshadow: Most mineral shadows are ok. Just make sure they are not made in a country that tests on animals. Also, try and find some that contain no FD & C Dyes. 

Cleansers, Moisturizers, Toners: Try brands like Indie Lee, Kimberly Sayer, Dr. Hascka and Even Healy. All of these brands are amazing.

Read more from the Nov issue and see Get The Facts | Low Beauty in mag.

BLUSH DREAMING WITH MICHAEL COSTELLO

When it comes to jaw dropping dresses that are worn by your favorite celebs - Jennifer Lopez, Beyoncé, Toni Braxton, Celine Dion and Paris Hilton - Michael Costello is the designer who creates stunning creations that give them an ethereal and sexy look. Michael is no stranger to Fashion Week; however, during this season's NYFW SS18, he had his first presentation which shared his line filled with diversity from skin tones, size and age. We took some time to talk with him as well as Michaela Polaco, Lead Makeup Artist for INGLOT to find out more about this show.

ATHLEISURE MAG: We've been a fan of the brand for quite some time, what drew you to being a designer and ultimately creating draw dropping dresses?

MICHAEL COSTELLO: My love for fashion, fabrics, silhouettes, but ultimately I always wanted to be a designer to create gowns that empower women, and highlight their beauty.

AM: Who have been some of your favorite celebs to dress and who would you like to dress?

MC: I've dressed Beyoncé, J Lo, Lady Gaga and Katy Perry, among other beautiful celebs, and I would definitely love to dress Angelina Jolie and Halle Berry.

AM: We love how social you are as your IG posts include phenomenal style as well as insight into your personality - how essential is this to your brand?

MC: I love sharing my creations, and my personality through social media. I wear multiple hats; I'm a dad, designer, a business owner and I think it’s important to share this with the world.

AM: What inspired you to create SS18?

MC: S/S18 was inspired by the whimsy and romance of classic fairy tales. The collection entices you with a dreamy escape from the monotony of the day-to-day, while accentuating our signature alluring, modern silhouette.

AM: How important is diversity in fashion and why did you decide to focus on this in your show?

MC: Diversity is very important in fashion. It’s not about creating a movement or an acceptance, its more about realization that all women come in all forms, shapes, and sizes and we at
Michael Costello celebrate everyone equally.

AM: What is the inspiration behind the makeup look for the SS18 show?

MICHAELA POLACO: We’re converting the idea that glamour is something reserved for the elite. The inspiration comes from our desire to accentuate women’s natural features. We
achieved this by creating very supple, fresh and radiant skin, an effortless, wearable yet sexy eye and a lip that looks stained from a glass of wine. The palette is ethereal yet evokes the
thought, ‘I could pull that off.’

AM: Michael Costello's show is focusing on diversity and breaking barriers, how is this aligned with the ethos of Inglot?

MP: INGLOT is one of the most diverse brands on the market. From our array of eyeshadows spanning the rainbow; to our complexion products made up of a variety of textures, finishes and shades that range from the lightest of the light to the deepest of the deep, with every skin type in between. I think that Michael’s vision is completely aligned and compatible with that of
the INGLOT; making for a dynamic duo!

AM: What is the beauty look of the show?

MP: The Look:
· Skin: To create a dreamy effect on the skin, I mixed INGLOT AMC Liquid Illuminator with INGLOT HD Corrective Primer as a base, so the skin radiates through the makeup look and lasts
throughout the night.
· Cheek: After the base was applied on the apple of the cheek, I applied INGLOT Sparkling Dust FEB #02 & #03 (frosted loose powder in light nude and bronze) to give skin a shimmery
look accentuating each woman’s glow.
· Eyes: I wanted to maintain the ethereal feel on the eyes, so I mixed INGLOT AMC Pure Pigment in #115, a holographic rose gold shade, with INGLOT Duraline – It’s a magic serum that
turns powder products into cream or liquid. This created a long lasting, highshine metallic element that mimics a glossy lid, without the mess.
· Lips: To finish the look, I applied INGLOT HoldOn Lip Primer, lined the lips with INGLOT Soft Precision Lipliner #56 and finished with INGLOT Sleeks Cream Lip Paint #91, a creamy, rosy
long-wear paint with a glossy yet flat texture.

AM: What are 4 must haves that people should have in their cosmetic bag from Inglot that allows them to get the look from the show, but can work well into their everyday routine?

MP: INGLOT AMC Liquid Illuminator: Because a healthy glow is always necessary and you never know when your look will need a pick me up. This product was a major player in the Michael
Costello looks.

INGLOT Refreshing Face Mist: Also a pick me up for the skin, whether you're experiencing overheated skin and need a cool down or have dry skin that needs a drink of water. This was a key product used to keep skin looking supple and youthful at the Michael
Costello show.

INGLOT Lash Enhancer Mascara: To create a full looking lash that's voluminous yet defined.

INGLOT High Gloss Lip Oil: Infused with many nourishing oils to keep your lips soft and healthy, it adds a high shine that can be worn alone or on top of your favorite lip product to give an
added kick. At the show, we also used it on top of models’ high planes of cheekbones for major skin.

AM: What was your path to becoming a makeup artist?

MP: Starting from the age of 16, I actually spent many years trying NOT to be a makeup artist, but one way or another I always found myself back in the industry. I worked at countless makeup counters, and spent many mornings up at the crack of dawn - Sometimes to do
makeup for “Z list” celebrities, other times to work on brides that were featured in VOGUE. I started at INGLOT as a regular artist and three year later I’ve just finished keying Michael Costello's NYFW presentation. What I've learned is, never say no to an opportunity and
always arrive ready with your game face on, because you never know who you'll meet or what jobs can lead to others. It’s a competitive industry that's always changing, so you have to
prepared for everything and always be willing to step outside of your comfort zone. I love being a makeup artist and I’m so grateful I’ve ended up where I am supposed to be.

Read more from the Sep Issue and read Blush Dreaming with Michael Costello in mag.

FENTY BEAUTY BY RIHANNA SEPHORA PARIS LAUNCH

Fenty Beauty by Rihanna has had rolling launches that began in NYC during NYFW and continued with its launch in Paris at Sephora among media, influencers and enthusiasts of the brand. With a focus on beauty for all, the line is truly one that covers a number of shades of foundation and concealers from those that you would expect as well as hues that have previously felt that they have not been focused on. Rihanna will continue with her launches at global Sephora locations with its next stop in Spain. The cosmetic line is one that has a number of gems that will find its way onto your vanity.

| PHOTOGRAPHY |  Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images for Fenty Beauty 

AALIYAH X MAC

We wlll always be fans of Aaliyah who was an icon in R&B and hiphop in the 90/00's. Whether you loved her music, dancing, lyrics, music videos and more - she had a charisma, grace and of course she was beautiful. MAC Cosmetics announced that next summer, we'll be able to get our hands on their capsule collection of this entertainer! There are very few details but we're already thinking about next summer!

We're hoping for glossy nude lip hues, wine color lip stains and great smokey shades for the eyes! We'll keep you in the loop on this one in a million collection that we're already imagining in our collection.

POWDER PLAY

As we continue into Spring with the thoughts on the Summer, we want to look our best to take advantage of fabulous weather, time with friends and just being able to look the way we wish. We took a moment to chat with Zyrtec Celebrity Makeup Artist Jamie Greenberg, who has a who's who list of celebrity clients, great tips to maintain great face even during allergy season as well as a really cool person to talk to in general in terms of her journey of being a Celebrity Makeup Artist.

ATHLEISURE MAG: Tell us about your background and that moment you realized that you wanted to be a makeup artist?

JAMIE GREENBERG: I've always been into art and makeup. Before moving to Los Angeles, I worked at an ULTA -  really just to kill time and I loved being surrounded by makeup, so why not? The discount was a girl's best friend. The first time I gave a makeover I knew this was something I wanted to do for the rest of my life!

AM: What is an average day like for you versus during awards season or a press junket for your clients?

JG: A normal day usually starts with me feeding and getting my kids ready for the day, dropping my 6-year-old off at school and then heading to my work out. Next, I either have a client to makeup or I shoot video content for my YouTube channel. During award season and press junkets, I only have time to work! It's a full day.

AM: Who are your celeb clients and who would you like to have as a client?

JG: My celebrity clients include Kaley Cuoco, Rashida Jones, Lauren Graham, Kristen Stewart, Lauren Cohan, Katie Lowes, just to name a few. I'd love to work with Oprah, The Broad City Girls, Lena Dunham. 

AM: Why have you partnered with Zyrtec and how do allergies affect your face when we hit that season?

JG: This is my fourth year working with Zyrtec to help women across the country deal with their Allergy Face beauty challenges. You know what I’m talking about! The red nose, puffiness and watery eyes that come around during allergy season. As an allergy sufferer myself, I love the opportunity this program gives me to develop new ways to help women look better when the pollen count is high each year. Anyone can use these tips so they feel motivated to tackle their day in the spring time.
 

AM: How can those who suffer from allergies combat the effects with makeup and/or beauty hacks?

JG: You can find all of my Allergy Face tips and tricks on the beGlammed app and website - beGlammed.com/Zyrtec-allergy-face. Courtesy of the makers of Zyrtec, you will also be able to book any of my Allergy Face looks through the beGlammed website and app to receive Allergy Face makeovers from the comfort of your own home (through June 7th!).  

AM: What are the beauty trends that we should be infusing into our skincare or beauty routines?

JG: I'm really into oils right now, both before you put on makeup and after. Either working out or wearing a face mask while watching Netflix!

AM:  What are 3 must-have beauty products and 3 must have skincare products that we should have in our cosmetic bags? 

JG: For makeup, I can't live without my Sisley mascara, Mally shadow sticks, or Troy Surratt eyeliner. For skin care it would be Vintner's Daughter oil,  Is Clinical active serum, and Lano lips. 

AM: What is your personal style - what do you wear when you're working with your clients and what do you wear when you're out and about at brunch?

JG: When I'm with my clients I usually wear a dope pair of kicks, Rag and Bone Jeans, Maje shirt or my favorite Equipment Cashmere when it's cold!  When I'm out and about I rock all GoldSheep - usually to work out or to run errands. That line is addictive!

Read more from the April Issue and see Powder Play in mag

BEAUTY ESSENTIALS WITH CELEBRITY MUA, RAE MORRIS

We took a moment with Celebrity Makeup Artist, Rae Morris who is renowned as one of the most influential Makeup Artists in the world. She is not only a number one best-selling author, but also a four times Australian Makeup Artist of the Year, the longest serving Makeup Director for L’Oreal Paris (2003-2013) and has been inducted into multiple Halls of Fame.

With the success of her new book, Makeup Masterclass, which took 2 years to shoot in Australia as well as NYC, we talked about her new release, her must have tools that she designed and what makeup is an essential that we should know about.

ATHLEISURE MAG: How did you know that you wanted to be a makeup artist and who were your inspirations?

RAE MORRIS: In the 80’s, I was a model for about 5 minutes, and that was a time when faces were transformed to look “unrecognizable.” That’s when my love for makeup began. I was also blessed to be around the birth of Culture Club, Marilyn, and Ziggy Stardust, where men wore as much sometimes more makeup than women!

AM: Makeup Masterclass is such a powerful and comprehensive book that showcases tools, maintaining skin, methods and the end result of creating a large number of looks that are popular whether they are rocked on the streets, or in a number of shows/movies that we watch.  How did you go about putting this project together?

RM: The experience from the previous five books really helped, but the aim was to create a book that not only combined but also eclipsed all my previous books into one big bible. Probably the hardest bit was putting into words some of the creative processes and techniques that I’ve developed and use everyday. Normally, I would just demonstrate them, but for the book I had to illustrate with words and diagrams. I’m really proud of how my “Eye Phi” turned out. The project itself ran over 2 years. We shot first in Sydney and then in New York. Then the real work started. In the end, it was almost over-engineered. It had the best paper, rose gold embossed hard cover, dust cover… Our lead designer even flew to the printer and slept there for five days to make sure they got the color grading right!

AM: It's been 7 years since you wrote your first book, what do you feel has changed in the industry since then?

RM: I can't even believe how much has changed in the industry in the last 7 years since Makeup Guide was released. If I could turn back the clock and be told in that seven year’s time, 13 year-olds will have their own “channel” in the form of youtube, etc and women who never even knew what a contour cream was, would not only know ten types, but they would also know the makeup artist’s secret of applying it. There is so much “free information” available.

AM:  You have your own line of tools, and in the book you go through the kinds of brushes. that one should have - what are 3 tools from your collection that you suggest that every makeup kit should have?

RM: No.3 Ultimate Cheekbone - I believe the most powerful anti-aging thing a woman can do is contour, but it can be confusing. This brush takes all the guesswork out of it for you. It carves the perfect cheekbone in less than 3 strokes.
 
Radiance Brush (26) - I honestly believe no foundation brush comes close to this one. It’s the softest (but still firm) and it works with all foundation types (from liquid to cream to powder) by applying foundation in seconds. It is a favorite of Kelly Roland, Paula Abdul, and Sarah Jessica Parker just ordered one. Also, the Radiance was seen all over the back stage atthe McQueen show in Paris.

No 7. Deluxe Point Shader - This brush will change the way you do your eye makeup. It’s super soft, perfect for creating the perfect socket, but just by adding pressure to the brush you can create the best Smokey eye in seconds.

NO.14 Perfect eyeliner - Eyeliner brushes are essential, you can use them for the obvious “Eyeliner” tasks or just to intensify your chosen eye shadow around the lash line. I have three sizes in my brush range, as one size does not fit all! You may want a precise fine line or a bold "Audrey Hepburn” line, so I recommend using the the right size brush to achieve the line size that you want.
 
AM: Even skin tone is something that is essential to any makeup look. You share a great tip on how to ensure that you are matching your skin correctly; can you share this with our readers?

RM: It’s a myth to match your foundation to your jawline; your neck is usually much paler than your face due to it being blocked from the sun. You always want your face and body to be the same color, so always match it on the décolletage area and if you fake tan you need to darken your base.

AM: What makeup/skincare brands do you personally advise that we should have?

RM: For makeup I love Nars, M.A.C. and I’m so in love with the I.T concealers and foundations, and Ellis Faas creamy eyes are my favorite. For skin care I love Ultra Cuticles MD, or anything that’s active, I love the little tingle I get when I use the vitamin “A’ and “C’s” and I love having omilux light and gentle peels, I would rather spend the money and go to a dermatologist or a cosmetic physician and see results, than spend so much money on hype.

AM: Of the looks that you create in Make-up Masterclass, which ones are your favorites and which ones do you personally wear yourself?

RM: I do love the cover of Shanina Shaik. I love the femininity and the prettiness of the makeup. For me, I don’t actually wear makeup (rarely) to work. I don’t want to show off to my clients what I’m capable of, but if I had to pick a look it would be the second look I did on Shanina. It’s all about the eyeliner, with everything else paired back.

AM: What is a day in the life for you as a Celebrity Makeup Artist?

RM: Four makeup bags, two assistants, and everyday is different. It’s a balancing act between the photographer, the client, and the model; what they want me to do and what I want to do. So it’s constant consulting and decision-making. It’s more stressful than you might think, especially with all the egos involved (including mine). The makeup is the easy bit.

AM: Are you able to tell us celebrity clients that you have worked with and/or those that you would like to work with?
 
RM: Some I can tell. Others I keep quiet for confidentiality reasons, so I don’t get hammered with questions about them when the cameras are off. My “keeping them private policy” is why these clients keep booking me.

So here are a few of my faves: Pink, Jessica Biel, Ellie Goulding, Kelly Roland, Paula Abdul, Shanina Shaik, Miranda Kerr, Cyndi lauper, just to name a few…

AM:  Paula Abdul wrote the forward for your book and we know that you did her makeup on So You Think You Can Dance, Australian edition - how did you get her to be involved with your book?
 
RM: Some celebrities you work with become close friends. I consider Paula a friend, rather then a client now.

Yes, it was on that show that we met and we just started a great friendship. She always had this way of complimenting me and my work. She would say the best quotes about me, to me, so she just was perfect for the job.

AM: How do you stay balanced with so many projects that you work on and what fitness methods do you do?

RM: I’m actually completely out of balance (balance has never been a word anyone has used to describe me) and I have never exercised. I'm always too exhaust-
ed. I was brought up in a gymnasium, my mother was an instructor so it traumatized me for life. It’s always all or nothing, so I’m either working on the most creatively challenging jobs with 5 assistants, or I’m sitting at home watching “Peppa Pig” and playing Play Dough with my two year-old. Or I’m sleeping, so I suppose that’s balance?...