Le Métier de Beauté's Erin Lockard - A Makeup Artist Rock Star

One of the joys of my year was meeting Erin Lockard, Le Métier de Beauté makeup artist extraordinaire! Erin is one of the most delightful people on earth - and enormously talented. She is shown at right above with Lisa Lingis, our wonderful Le Métier de Beauté regional representative.

We've been very lucky this year. Erin has traveled east from her usual Southern California hang-outs to help us celebrate special occasions. Just in the last few months, she was here for Nordstrom's Trend Show at Montgomery Mall (and the launch of Come One, Come All); she helped Michael Reinhardt introduce his beautiful new Capitol Kaleidoscope at Neiman Marcus Mazza Gallerie; and most recently, she was making women gorgeous, using Jan's Jewel, of course, at Neiman Marcus Tysons Galleria (I left as she was working with Deborah Ourisman, a delightful gal). I have followed Erin around, like a groupie follows a rock star. At Mazza, Erin spent about an hour working meticulously on my makeup, and I loved the results. She's a perfectionist.

Erin is an artist. She knew it at age three. One day, her parents wouldn't let her watch Cinderella, so she got even. She took her crayons and drew a mural on her parents' bedroom wall! She studied art (trading her crayons for pastels) in school and painted before she became a makeup artist. She has always loved paining animals and eyes - even before she raised a makeup brush. If you watch Erin do someone's makeup, you'll see that she spends more time on the eyes (the windows to the soul) than any other part of the face.

She has promised to send me a photo of one of her animal pictures. She's a strong proponent for animal rights (e.g., whales and tigers), so Erin and I have something dear in common - besides a love for Le Métier de Beauté. We both wish we had been in those small boats challenging whalers.

Erin worked for other lines before she joined Le Métier de Beauté (thanks to Mikey's keen judge of talent). She was the manager for Giorgio Armani Beauty at South Coast Plaza in Costa Mesa, California, and she was a manager for an agency for makeup artists. Over a couple of years, she also worked for several Estée Lauder companies and Fresh. Like other extremely successful makeup artists, Erin did makeup for weddings and magazines. She also went to nursing school, but her makeup artistry pulled her away. Will she go back some day? Maybe. She loves to help people, so she's be a perfect nurse.

You might not know that, more than anything else, Erin loves to brighten our days. She's a terrific people person, and she knows that when someone sits in her chair, she has an opportunity to make that woman's day special. That's the part of her work she loves the most - making us feel good about ourselves. No matter where you find Erin, you'll find big smiles.

Here's Erin above with Carol Schutte, a Best Things in Beauty reader. By the time I started taking photos of Erin and all of her new friends, it was dark outside, so I had to use my flash for these photos. Below, you'll see the finished look Erin perfected on Violet Lucas. Check out the eyes! Although I have smiling photos of Violet too, I wanted to show you her eyes - pretty before, but stunning after Erin's work.

Naturally, Erin and I chatted about Le Métier de Beauté color! Erin wants an eye shadow named for her. That sounds like a reasonable request, right? I asked her what the color would be like. She described a gold tone, somewhere in between Nutmeg and Sugar. I'll buy that. She also wants the company to bring back Bella Bronze, one of her favorite shades. See? Even company reps have wish lists!

If you get the opportunity to make an appointment with Erin Lockard, do it! I'm reminded of a local menswear advertisement on our local TV channel. "You'll love the way you look." More than that, you'll have a wonderful time.

Photos by Best Things in Beauty

Getting to Know Mikey Castillo, Le Métier de Beauté's Director of Makeup

Steve Jobs had died the afternoon before I had the opportunity to interview Mikey Castillo, Le Métier de Beauté's Director of Makeup, at Neiman Marcus at Tysons Galleria. I decided that to honor Jobs, it might be fun to conduct a non-traditional beauty interview. I've interviewed many makeup artists, and I'm sure Mikey has been interviewed countless times. While those interviews are great fun, and the artists are fascinating, the results compressed into a blog feature always have an element of sameness.

Makeup...blah, blah, blah; emphasize best features...blah, blah, blah; make women look pretty, blah, blah, blah. I'll bet you understand! Steve Jobs taught us to be more creative than that, and Mikey was game. Here's what I learned about him - and, of course, a little about upcoming color collections.

I asked Mikey what he did before he became a makeup guru. He told me he thought he was going to be art illustrator - and that was his profession, specializing in fashion illustration. He even had a subscription to Vogue at age 11! Even as a boy, he knew his direction in life. Back in the days when makeup artists weren't well-paid superstars - before Kevin Aucoin changed that world - Mikey arrived one day at a job to do illustrations for a magazine. The makeup artist for the shoot didn't show up, but the work had to be finished. The photographer convinced Mikey that applying makeup to faces was the same thing Mikey was already doing on paper and that he could fill in that day. He was convincing, Mikey agreed to try it, and as a result, Mikey became a makeup artist that fateful day. It was an unanticipated entry into a career he loves.

What are Mikey Castillo's passions? His favorite may be keeping an immaculate, beautifully decorated home. The photos here were taken in his "1920's palace" in Los Angeles, with vaulted ceilings, Art Deco touches in the architecture, and his collections of Fiestaware and iconic fashion and beauty images. He described the style as a fusion of the Court of Versailles and Andy Warhol.

If you think about it for a second, as I did while we looked at photos of his home on his phone, his passions for applying makeup and decorating his living space share an artistic talent and vision for artiface, contrast, and inspiration. I love the red door and blue walls shown above. How many of us would have paired those shades? Can you envision that same talent applied to decorating faces, using contrast to emphasize a woman's best features? Mikey redecorates his home every six months or so (yikes!) to keep life interesting - and satisfy his artistic desire to create beauty.

The walls in Mikey's kitchen show off a collection of images (and some of his Fiestaware) that inspire him. Clearly, Mikey is not afraid of color! I realized as we talked that he's the kind of person I'd enjoy hanging around with. His talents and passion are matched with a fun-loving personality. Too bad he lives so far away!

I promised you I'd find out what's in store for the holiday collection. Mikey has created a new Kaleidoscope Eye Kit. The Kaleidoscope is a tribute to French cinema of the 1960's. The shades - the basics reinvented - will be, simply described, rose champagne, taupe, tan, and black. Yes, black! The most intensive shade of black - perhaps the most intensive in the beauty industry. I can't wait to see how Mikey and the other Le Métier de Beauté will use that shade to provide depth to the eyes.

There will also be four lip glosses introduced this year - the two that were designed by Ken Downing of Neiman Marcus (I'm sure you've read about them elsewhere - if not visit Messy Wands), and two designed by Mikey. Mikey's shades are raspberry and tangerine. I would love to try Mikey's creations. After meeting him, I know I'll want them.

The Le Métier de Beauté collections for spring and resort (summer) are sketched out, in line with the company's plan to introduce one new color collection per quarter next year. It will be an exciting year.

After we talked, Mikey did a makeover for reader Crystal. I stalked them while he worked, taking pictures of his progress. Here's a photo of them when he finished, with Crystal as the center of attention, as she should have been. Crystal looked great before he started, but when he had finished, she was stunning - radiant and smiling. He has that kind of effect on people.

Here's one more photo, Mikey with Lisa Lingis, our lovely Le Métier de Beauté regional representative (and a terrific makeup artist herself). If you ever have an opportunity to visit with Mikey - and I'm sure you will since he travels constantly - make an appointment. You're going to love him.

Photos by Best Things in Beauty

Interview with Nick Chavez of Beverly Hills - Keeping it Gorgeous from Coast to Coast

The Herald de Paris recently published an interview with Nick Chavez. I was given permission to share it with you. Long - but fun - reading! It reminded me that you should chase your dreams in life. Your course isn't set as long as you follow your heart.

World class hair designer Nick Chavez dreamed of one day having an exciting and glamorous life. But he had to step way out his cultural comfort zone in order to become one of the premiere hair stylists and product innovators in Beverly Hills.

Chavez was raised in rural Arizona, a product of a large, loving, and very supportive Mexican-American family. Nick is the second oldest of seven children. His third cousin was the legendary farm worker leader Cesar Chavez.

Focused and hard-working, Nick earned money for his family by working as a ranch hand. Fortuitously, and as fate would have it, he discovered the hair skills that changed his life forever while grooming the family’s horses. With confidence, determination, and a viscerally unique sense of style, Nick began making money by grooming other people’s horses. He then took his natural talents to the next level by creating hip and trendy hairstyles for his siblings and members of his extended family.

After perfecting his talents on his very receptive relatives, Nick decided to go California to seek fame and fortune. Personable, handsome, and ambitious, he immediately began working in a prominent Beverly Hills salon. He advanced from apprentice to full-fledged hairdresser, developing a strong clientele and an even stronger reputation as a hair designer.

While establishing himself in Beverly Hills, he decided to stretch his wings and explore other forms of artistic expression. Nick became an actor and model. By extending his visibility to Europe, he was afforded the opportunity to work with such designers as Dior, Richard Tyler, Jean Paul Gautier, Gianfranco Ferre, Yves St. Laurent, Versace, Yohji Yamamoto, Giorgio Armani, Claude Montana, Thierry Mugler, and Valentino. Off the runway, in print Nick was featured on the pages of American & Paris Vogue, GQ, Elle, Esquire, Details, Interview, Vanity Fair, and L’uomo Vogue. As an actor, his skills and good looks helped him land commercials for Coca-Cola, Mazda, Valvoline, Taco Bell, L’Oreal, and Sebastian Hair Care Products. You would see him on television shows such as “The Young and the Restless,” “Moonlighting,” and “Hollywood Detectives.”

Having conquered the expressive platform of modeling and performance art, he knew that acting and modeling could not match the passion and fulfillment he experienced working with hair. Nick decided to return to Beverly Hills - this time as the proprietor of his own salon.

In his first year, his salon garnered well-known clientele, including supermodel Margaux Hemmingway, Lisa Hartmann, Different Strokes actress Dana Plato, The Bangles lead singer Susanna Hoff, Facts of Life stars Kim Fields and Mindy Cohn, and Belinda Carlisle of the Go Go’s.

Nick was not satisfied with the quality of available hair care products for his varied clientele. Staying true to his industrious character, he took matters into his own hands and developed his own line: Nick Chavez Beverly Hills. His successful line of products is currently sold nationwide at Ulta retail stores and featured on home shopping channels such as QVC. After 16 years of experience, Nick has a following that numbers in the millions. In addition, Nick’s products are widely sold through the Internet and, of course, his own Web site.

Herald de Paris West Coast Editor USA, Al Carlos Hernandez, had an opportunity to connect with Nick, who had just returned from Japan.

AC: How and when did you decide to become a hair designer? What did your family say about this non-traditional vocation? What kind of training have you had?

It happened when I was 11 years old. I was cutting the manes and tails of show horses when I realized that if I could cut horse hair as well as I did, maybe I wouldn’t be too bad at cutting people’s hair. My mom and dad were very, very supportive of my career choice. My greatest clients ended up being my brother and sisters – they were the guinea pigs. As far as training, I’d have to say real-life experience and an apprentice stint at Beverly Hills salon Umberto.

AC: Who inspired you to pursue your vocation? What were some of the opposed views to your choice of vocation?

My inspiration came from my mom and dad who always told me, “You can always be or do what you want in this life and be the best at what you love.” I think when you have passion for the arts you don’t have any opposition.

AC: Who has been your greatest supporter? What are the biggest obstacles you have had to overcome?

My family members have been my biggest supporters. One of the biggest obstacles I had to overcome was knowing that I had to leave my hometown (living on a farm in Yuma, Arizona) to move to Beverly Hills.

AC: What was your first early success? What was the moment you decided, “I have a gift and a talent for this?”

When I was featured in a magazine called Tiger Beat, they named me “the Beverly Hills Stylist to the Stars.” My first year out I was doing Dana Plato from Different Strokes and Mindy Cohn and Kim Fields from Facts of Life. It made me feel great because I knew I was on the right track and, with hard work, I knew I would be a success.

AC: Tell us about your acting and theatrical experiences? Why didn’t you act full time? What was your greatest acting success? Why did you quit?

I was featured on Young and The Restless, Moonlighting, Hollywood Detectives, numerous national commercials and modeling campaigns, in print work, and on the runway for major designers around the world, even billboards in Times Square. I loved the creative aspect of being able to use my hands to make women look beautiful - as opposed to standing in front of the camera or walking down a catwalk. So I went back to what I loved the most.

AC: Do you view yourself as a technician or an artist? How much does personality have to do with being the best at what you do?

Easily I would have to say artist. Personality is everything - you really have to have a rapport with your clients; you have to listen to them and be creative. You have to make them look beautiful and give them a great, positive experience in your chair. They bring the portrait (their face), and I frame it with my hair style.

AC: I’m told that hair designers andcolorists are hair therapists. How much of doing what you do is the result of good work or the result of personality vibes?

It is the combination of both – you can’t have one without the other if you want to be a success.

AC: How hard is it to run a successful Beverly Hills business while trying to manage a group of talented and often times dramatic artists? Why do they want to work for you?

As a salon owner/hair stylist, I am only as good as my employees. We empower each other.

AC: How did you go from West Coast rock star hair designer to an internationally known expert with his own product line?

As a hair stylist, I felt a need to create my own brand instead using different national brands. I thought about how great it would be to create the best hair spray, the best shampoo, etc. that could work on everyone’s hair across the board. I wanted to customize my art with the perfect products. The Nick Chavez Beverly Hills hair care line currently has over 100 products and counting.

AC: Why did you decided to come out with your own product line and what makes your products different and competitive? How has new media changed the way products are marketed?

The media has enabled my company to reach a broader range of customers. I can bring my line right into my customers’ living rooms. I bring Beverly Hills to them. My Web site has also been a great marketing tool. Through my site I’m able to present everything from the products to news to blogs to appearances. From there we have a Facebook page and a Twitter account @NickChavezBH.

AC: What are some of the projects you are involved in right now? Where do you see the industry going over the next 10 years?

The continuation of shopping networks on television, such as QVC, then e-commerce Web sites, then accessibility. Shopping on phones, planes, trains, and cars worldwide is accelerating at a fast pace. It’s immediate gratification for shoppers. We just released the Nick Chavez iPhone application; it’s literally hair care at your fingertips.

AC: How has the recession affected the hair business over the last few years? What do you tell folks who use retail store products in order to save money?

As the recession continues, we have all learned to buckle down and focus on what we are promoting, selling, and bringing to our customers. One of the great things about my products is that they are super-sized and highly concentrated, with great ingredients, technology, and innovative formulas. My Latino and American background are combined by mixing my ancient traditions with modern technology. My products create that healthy everyday glamour.

AC: What do you tell young people who want to get into the business? Could they make a decent living in the industry? What should be their prime motivation for becoming a hair stylist?

Live your dreams and think big! Have passion for what you do. That is a formula for success.

AC: What are some of the differences between the East Coast and the West Coast when it comes to setting industry trends and innovation? Which coast is really at the forefront of innovation and national trends?

Not to sound political, but I feel that both coasts contribute equally. The culture is huge on each coast. New York is one of the fashion capitals of the world; the influence that comes from the fashion industry in New York is tremendous. As for the West Coast, Los Angeles is the entertainment capital of the world. The influence that celebrities have is incredible. To be part of the momentum is a blessing.

AC: What are some of the goals you still have not have achieved? What do you want the world to know about you?

I always want to inspire other hairdressers and anyone in the beauty business.

AC: At this point, what would you like your legacy to be?

I have been really blessed. I love what I do and I hope I inspired others to become who they want to be. It doesn’t matter where you come from.

Nick believes that confidence is “hot.”

Photos courtesy of Nick Chavez Beverly Hills

Interview with Ramy Gafni - Ramy Beauty Therapy

On Friday, I had the privilege to interview Ramy Gafni. I was a little awestruck going into the conversation, given the fact that he's a world-famous makeup artist and creator of Ramy Beauty Therapy.

Ramy has been featured on all the major television networks and by Today, Rachel Ray, and Bravo. He makes it easy to look pretty, which is why I've used his products for years.

During our conversation, Ramy was genuinely nice, fun, and responsive - putting me at ease instantly - and I know he's creative and exceptionally talented. I loved our session, and I love his products!

I had prepared some questions for Ramy, and as he answered them, I typed. Here's a summary of our conversation, filled with nuggets you can use to look gorgeous. Although I'm fast on a keyboard, I didn't get down every single word Ramy said. In a few places, I have paraphrased his responses to my questions. I also placed links to the products he mentioned into his answers - you can pop off and see them online so that "it will all fit together"!

Question: You are well known for your multi-use products. Did you set out to create multitakers, or did you discover their multiple uses when you tested them?

Ramy: When I was starting the brand, I was on a budget; I couldn’t do 20 shades of blush, six shades of eyeliner, etc. So, as an example, I decided to create one blush that works on 95% of all skin tones. That took the guesswork out of makeup. I found colors that work on everybody – you'll either love them, or you won’t. I found that the multitaskers became best-selling products, and the whole multi-use line evolved. What started out of necessity became a staple of my line.

My philosophy is "Minimum makeup, maximum impact." Ive always been a minimalist, liking makeup that's universally flattering, and I'm drawn to products that do more than one thing.

Question: I love your philosophy that people should notice you, not your makeup. How can we make sure we practice that when we get dressed in the morning?

Ramy: It's all about color section! Choose products that blend into your skin. To create the perfect eye, I love a universal liner and shadow (The Perfect Eye Wand - liner on one end, shadow on the other). Anyone using these shades would be hard-pressed to apply her makeup to draw attention to the makeup because the shades are so neutral. Compared to turquoise, blue, green, and plum liners, the liner in The Perfect Wand is made to look like an extension of the lashes. The shadow creates the effect of shadow, not color. This is one of my most popular products. It works on everybody.

There are moms who take care of everyone in the family, but have little time for themselves. They like Alive! Blush. They can sweep it on their eyes and cheeks and look more polished in two seconds.

Question: I read about Sun Smooched! on your Web site. Many women with fair skin have trouble with bronzers. What advice would you give us to look glowing and natural, not like we are wearing bronzer or had a self-tanning tragedy?

Ramy: Color selection is key. Use the light shade on very fair skin. When in doubt, select medium, which is the most natural and universally flattering shade. It's a great product. The color is terrifying when you put it on the back of your hand. Once blended on the face, though, it's the most natural bronzer on the market. If you only want a light wash of color, you can mix it in your palm with moisturizer and put it on your face and neck. What's nice is that it washes off at end of day - no self-tanning effects. All of the shades are warm-toned. If you use the light shade and find it's too light, you can layer it. Two coats of light equals one coat of medium, and that's true for all of the shades. Just layer them to create a darker glow if you wish. Sun Smooched! is very user friendly - it's transparent. If you are fair, you can just use it as a blush if you don't want to apply it over your entire face.

Question: You say that nothing perks you up like concealer. How can women with tiny fine lines keep concealer from pooling in their expression lines during the day?

Ramy: The key is to make sure you use a moisturizing concealer formula. My Skin Stick concealer is moisturizing. Skin Stick is like an eye moisturizer with a tint. Skin Sticks have Vitamins A, C, E, K, and rose extract in them, so they are a treatment concealer that will lighten under-eye circles and diminish fine lines over time.

Question: I’ve never tried Eye Lift Brows, but it looks interesting. How does it work?

Ramy: The key ingredient is GABA cream, a natural muscle relaxant. People feel it firming and lifting. Try it on one eye and not the other. You will see a dramatic lift where you used it. Eye Lift Brows is a treatment product. It helps prevent further sagging when used regularly.

Editor's note: The key ingredients are centella extract (stimulates collagen), GABA (relaxes skin and softens wrinkle lines), ginseng extract (reduces stress), and portulaca extract (a natural muscle relaxant).

Question: For gals on a tight budget who can only buy one, maybe two, of your products, what would you recommend?

Ramy: Maybe a few choices. I think that even though it's a bit pricey, I'd start with Ultimate Therapy Créme ($95), because it's important to start with beautiful skin. Then I would choose Alive! Blush and The Perfect Eye Wand. Foundation wearers love the Elixir Liqui-Powder Foundation. It dries to a powder finish and creates a flawless finish, even on those suffering with acne.

Question: What are some newer products you're excited about?

Ramy: Pure Juice! Pearl Gloss Highlighter and Sleep In Beauty!, an anti-wrinkle, anti-blemish treatment makeup that's great for women who want to look good all night long. There are two lip products that really pop. Going Commando is a gloss with a liner in the cap. I really love the Not That Into Hue shade, a neutral berry shade with just a hint of shimmer that's perfect for daytime. Another great one is Call Me Red, a red that won't overpower. Going Commando is very moisturizing and conditioning.

Question: You are well-known for your generosity in helping women undergoing cancer treatments feel good and look their best. How did you get started with that?

Ramy: I am a cancer survivor myself. I had cancer 12 years ago and went through chemotherapy and radiation therapy. The pressure to look good, despite the treatments, was intense. I wrote a book for people undergoing cancer treatment, and I teach classes at cancer care clinics. I also offer free makeup lessons for people undergoing treatment. It's my way of giving back, and it gives purpose to what I went through. My experience actually opened a window in my life that prompted me to start my own business, so even though it might not seem so at the time, life's experiences can lead to good things!

After thanking Ramy, I went off and made my must-have list from his line - everything he mentioned (I do have the Pure Juice! Highlighter). I'll be ordering again soon. Ramy's products are exceptionally affordable, and I have first-hand experience that they are fabulous. If you want to look good and feel good with minimal fuss and cost, head over to his Web site. You'll be glad you did!

Make sure to sign up for his e-mails; he has lots of specials - you won't want to miss them.

Photos courtesy of Ramy Beauty Therapy