Your Season to Shine

How to look like a celebrity for every occasion this summer

BY KAYLEE WILSON

After creating hair and makeup for celebrities on movie sets, in editorial closets and behind-the-scenes at runway shows for 15 years, I made the big jump from Los Angeles to Nashville. I now have the pleasure of caring for the radiant women here as a hair and makeup artist, hair colorist and extension specialist at Spoke & Weal, as well as continuing my freelance work on sets and shoots. At the moment, I’m also in the final stages of launching my website (@honeyguidebeauty), where I plan to share all of the latest beauty and wellness secrets, tips and products that I trust daily.

As my career and home base have shifted, I’ve slowly discovered a different approach to beauty. I both practice and teach healthy beauty habits to demonstrate moving towards the ‘best self’.

I believe my primary job is to help others to embrace self-care. There is a natural sort of sexiness that develops with the confidence that comes from knowing how and when to highlight your best features. Through my work, I encourage clients to always be exploring new ways to update their look and routine with simple techniques. In this column, I’m sharing discoveries on styles, solutions and saving-grace products to tackle beauty challenges this season. From day parties to big nights and dream vacations, there are little secrets for always being on top of your beauty game.

Galas, Charity Balls & Red Carpets

If you attend several annual events that attract a certain social set in any city, somehow you become a ‘regular’ in terms of media coverage and impressions made on fellow attendees. One issue that seems to be relevant locally is women who make significant investments in their attire for big events, but without considering changing their hair, makeup and accessories to truly create an image with impact. We all love to swoon over Hollywood’s best dressed on award show carpets, but most people don’t consider just how easily anyone can look truly pulled-together and on-trend with a little effort. Instead of your typical ‘look’ when it comes to hair and makeup, be openminded about shaking things up a bit. Check out the latest styles and book a consultation in advance with a makeup artist and/or hair stylist. Bring your dress and jewelry so that necklines and skin can be considered and let the experts weigh in on taking your grand entrance to a higher level in terms of style. Sometimes, the best method (pre-consultation) is to start with a muse. Bring a vision board of looks that you like and collaborate with a professional to achieve your own version. Below are two versions of grand affair looks based on celebrity favorites that can serve as foundations for direction.

The Runway Vamp: The look that says high-fashion and strong style in a big way

When you want to reflect fashion-model perfection, consider pigment-rich eyeshadow formulas (Les 4 Ombres Chanel is a great one) and a Bordeaux-style lip. I like Jam Generation G from Glossier. To get the look right, push on the details and do something unexpected with your hair. A low-set chignon with a strong part or precise knotted updo work well and let your face own the impact.

Dreamy, Angelic & Almost Innocent: Pastels paired with glowing skin, muted tones subtle shimmer

To get the look, think hero products for face and décolletage like Laura Mercier Radiance Primer; Charlotte Tilbury Filmstar Bronze and Glow (for inner eye and brow bone); Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk lipstick; Refresh with Becca Glow Gloss in Rose Quartz; Tom Ford Concealing Pen. For Hair, start with a smooth blow-out and add big curls or oversized waves. Opting for a slick high ponytail with bounce also compliments this style. Keep it soft and healthy-looking in both color and finish.

Resort Refresh: Looking fantastic on that tropical vacation

Sunny beaches and moonlit dinners naturally enhance your radiance. Spring cleaning your beauty cabinet now and editing your routines and products will save time with prep once you’re ready to jet-set. You research destinations for weeks or months, so why not do a bit of pre-planning for your appearance when it comes to vacation style? Here are a few tips on getting ahead for effortless beauty for your escape and beyond.

One week out: Refresh your hair color. Enhance your natural shade with a few (strategically placed) highlights and a glossing treatment. Eliminate frizz and bad hair days in advance with product. K18, a disulfide bond rebuilding system restores hair strength and elasticity, reverting it to its healthiest and most natural state. Use this for less frizz as well as more shine and vibrancy. Skip deep cleansing, clarifying or detoxing shampoo and dial down your heat styling to reduce dryness. I use The towel Turban by Aquis for naturally removing moisture. 2 days out: Local bronzing specialist Jordyn McCray knows about all things spray-tan. She suggests that clients shower, shave and exfoliate prior to tanning for the best results. Beware of exfoliators that are too harsh and avoid oils. Don’t put use any creams, lotions or deodorant prior to your appointment and plan to wait at least 6 hours to shower (or overnight if possible). To make it last, use only soaps without sulfates and a moisturizer with no fragrances or harsh chemicals like Cetaphil.

On the Trip: Packing to be a beach goddess means selecting products to multi-task like Lady Suite Rejuvenation Botanical oil – a skin moisturizer that will prolongs your tan and prevents break outs. You can even smooth a little in your hair by the pool. Keep wrinkles and damage at bay with Elta Sport Sunscreen & Spray and enhance natural beach waves with Leonor Greyl Curl Enhancer Styling Spray. All of these are sure bets for stashing in that stylish beach tote. Now all you need is a great outfit and you’re set for your chic summer retreat.

Outdoor Weddings & Parties

These days, every event feels like a photo shoot with shared phone photos requiring you to be HD ready. During the warmer months, this is not the time for hiding behind makeup. Skin is everything no matter what your style for outdoor and daytime gatherings. “Make a consultation with your skin guru at least a month before a big event Three weeks is about the most downtime you should ever expect from a skin treatment, so allowing time to plan with your specialist will result in the most options,” says Nurse Zan at Karee Hays Skincare. For times when you don’t plan ahead, the most effective day-of skin prep service is to book the Express Glow facial (available at Karee Hays).

If you are in a real pinch or have frequent appearances, a few things to keep in your skin arsenal at home are Have in your Arsenal Lancome’s Advanced Genifique Hydrogel Melting Single Sheet Treatment Mask from Dillard’s and COSRX Acne Pimple Master Patch, which erases blemishes overnight. Once you have your skin sorted, keep your hair and makeup versatile and buildable. Soft lines, subdued shades and fresh face are always youthful and fresh. Go easy on any contouring and choose a lighter, sheer lip shade. A few products that I suggest for never sweating it when preparing for an outdoor event are Photo Finish Foundation Primer from Smashbox, Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Flawless Filter and Lip Lustre, Makeup Forever Pro Sculpting Face Palette and Makeup Forever Translucent Powder. For times when being in the sun is involved. Colorescience Sunforgettable Brush on sunscreen serves as a powder and protector. Just be sure to get the shade match right on any product used so that there is little contrast with your skin tone.