photo by eliston lutz
Lisa credits her Mother for her love of make up and fashion. Since an early age her Mom would supply her with loads of fantastic make-up and fashion magazines. "I was the only kid I knew who would get Chanel eyeshadow in her Easter basket!"
Lisa got her start working at cosmetic counters during college. A chance meeting at the counter with Oprah Winfrey's executive producer led to regular work on the show. Shortly after, Lisa met her first agent at the cosmetic counter too. She then devoted herself full-time to photo-shoot work, splitting her time between Chicago and Miami.
Of her career she has said, "I really love being a make-up artist. I love the creation aspect. But I also love the unveiling of someones beauty, bringing it forth. It can really be so transformative. It can change someone's life."
Lisa's work has appeared in Vogue, Cosmopolitan, V, Lucky, Grazia and GQ. She was awarded the Top make-Up Artist Award from the Fashion Group International recognizing Lisa as an emerging visionary in the fashion industry. She has also been featured in Allure magazine as the wedding make-up artist to see in Chicago.
Lisa’s picks for Beauty on the Cheap
L’Oreal Voluminous Mascara in Waterproof in Black
“I use this a lot for photo shoots. The trick is to wipe the excess mascara off the wand entirely before using it. Paper towel works great! This will give you gorgeous, fringy lashes!
“This foundation is amazing! It has the feel and finish of a much more expensive foundation and the color range is fantastic!"
“This lip balm is super hydrating! Even in the dead of winter it keeps my lips soft. It’s under two dollars and can be found in the check out line.”
“Very effective and gentle.”
Lisa’s Insider Picks
This is the best face primer I have ever tried! It gives a gorgeous finish to the skin and your foundation will go on much more smoothly.
Gorgeous, Gorgeous, Gorgeous! This makes the skin look so alive and healthy!
Nars Multiple Stick
I own every single color--I love them that much! I can do a whole face with these. I can't imagine not having these in my makeup kit.
My favorite black kohl eyeliner because it is infused with a shimmery navy undertone that really brightens the eye. Plus, it's super sexy.
This is a gorgeous, super-wearable gold that looks great on just about everyone!
What are a few of the current trends we are seeing in makeup this season?
We are seeing beautiful, finished skin. The skin is very natural with a beautiful highlight on the top of the cheekbone and a highlight on the cupids bow.
Gorgeous chocolately and beige eye shadow, smudged over the lid as well as the lower lash line. It's highlighted with gold in the inner corner of the eye as well as the center of the eyelid. And pulling the eyeliner out a bit to elongate the eyes and make them look much larger. Very sexy and fresh and was seen at Missoni!
At many of the shows the emphasis was on a natural, classic, fresh face but, with a stronger brow---seen at Chanel and Balmain. However, I really loved the look of a very light eyebrow at Marc for Marc Jacobs. Dick Page bleached the brows and glossed the eyelids. The look was almost of a film star from the 20's or 30's--but a fresher, younger interpretation. The eyeliner was a thin black line on the upper lash line only and finished with black mascara. The skin is glowy and radiant. The lip was stained a natural pinky mauve.
Color! As in turquoise eye shadow at Gucci. I loved this look! The girls had lashes, lots of mascara and black eyeliner to elongate the eyes. Beautiful, luminous skin and glossy nude lips! Gorgeous!
About Lisa
shops at:
When possible I love to do my shopping while I'm traveling, I always find the most interesting things. And I love to shop where the locals go. In Chicago, my friend introduced me to Cynthia's Consignments. It is a really fun place to shop and I have found some amazing things here.
styling tip:
I am not talented in this department! But, there are two tips that I have received that I try to follow: Always be comfortable (it can be a bit of a disaster if you are fussing with your clothes all day!). And, I love this quote by Valentino, "Only wear clothes that make you feel alive". I absolutely love the thinking behind it
beauty obsession:
If I have any obsession at all, it is good health and a clear, flexible mind. This, in my opinion, creates real beauty. A beautiful inside creates a beautiful outside.
weekend staple:
My adidas sweat pants. I always look like I'm ready to go to a yoga class.
What do you wear?
Eye cream:
Re'vive makes an eye mask that truly makes a difference in how your eye area looks.
Mascara:
I adore Giorgio Armani, the original formula in black.
Concealer:
Nars. It is super creamy and easy to apply.
Moisturizer:
La Mer is always in my cabinet. But, I also love Cle de Peau Emulsion Eclat. It exfoliates and brightens the skin.
Body Lotion:
Natures Gate Oatmeal Moisturizing Lotion (You can find it at Whole Foods) I mix it with Aveda Beautifying Oil...an amazing combo for dry skin!
Which lip gloss are you addicted to this month?
Interview Questions
I feel prettiest when…
I am in love or I have had a lot of sleep!
The best beauty tip I ever-received…
was to use Viviscal to strengthen your hair. It's an amazing hair vitamin from Finland.
My favorite beauty product from my past is…
Chanel Aqualumieres Water Palette. The most gorgeous cream eye shadows.
I could never live without…
everyone I love.
I will splurge on…
my haircut.
If I wasn’t a celebrity makeup artist, I would be…
involved in energy medicine or a designer of some sort. I am fascinated by the mind-body connection and I love to create.
Favorite fashion trend of all time…
I love the elegance of the forties (like Katherine Hepburn). And I adore the sexiness of the sixties (like Catherine Denueve).
Favorite Chicago restaurant…
is Le Colonial.
My favorite spa treatment is…best at…
This is easy! A massage, at The Peninsula Spa. Anthony is the best!
Lisa's Tips for:
Dark under eye circles
Always clean up the eyeshadow which may have fallen under your eyes before applying your concealer. Just dip a q-tip into an oil-free liquid eye makeup remover and sweep the q-tip carefully under your eye and all along your lower lash line. Apply a bit more face primer or a dab of eye cream, then apply your concealer.
When applying concealer apply only to dark circles, generally just in the inner corner of the eye, not the entire under eye area. This will help avoid the heavy, aging look often associated with too much concealer.
To lighten and brighten the entire under eye area, try sweeping on a brightener first, such as YSL Touche Eclat. This can be applied over the entire under eye area. Then apply a small amount of concealer only where needed.
Eye makeup and mascara that smears only hours after applying it
Your eye cream and/or eye makeup remover is often the culprit, even if you used both the night before! The left over oils in both can literally eat through your makeup.
Try this: If you prefer a creamy or slightly oily eye makeup remover, which I do, go over it with an oil-free version afterward. Pay special attention to your lash line, removing any excess eye makeup remover and makeup. When applying your eye cream be careful not to get it too close to the lashes and certainly never apply it directly on your lashes.
If smearing is still a problem, try using waterproof mascara and gel-based or powder eyeliners, these tend to stay in place much longer than pencil eyeliners and regular mascara.
