Brett Freedman

Sometimes it's the student who teaches the teacher, and in the world of beauty analogies — and in this particular case — it's the celebrity client teaching the makeup artist. Here, our guest writer, Vanitymark Cosmetics founder, and celebrity makeup artist, Brett Freedman, shares with us his role-reversing experiences.

In my career as a makeup artist I've been turned on to some really great beauty tricks. Some are self-learned from trial and error, some are from other makeup artists, and more than a few have come from the subject themselves. There's a difference between doing makeup on a gal that's not in the entertainment industry (or as I term them, "civilian") and someone who gets made up as part of their job. Civilians are excited to try new colors, textures, and see their faces through the eyes of a pro; whereas actresses, singers, and models have seen their faces made up many different ways, making them hyperkeen on how products feel, wear, and photograph. Who better to give insight into glam than the canvas themselves?

To see Brett's favorite celebrity-given tips, just keep reading.

Celebrity makeup artist Brett Freedman has worked with stars such as Camilla Belle, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Emily Blunt, and Selena Gomez, and now he's here to share his best beauty advice with us. So get ready for some insider tips, makeup how-tos, and Brett's infectious personality. We're thrilled to present to you his introductory post! Take it away, Brett.

How fun it will be to write for BellaSugar for the next eight weeks! To ensure you're just as excited as I am, I'm going to give you a rundown on who I am and what I'm about. I'm a LA-based makeup artist, creator of Vanitymark Cosmetics (a boutiquey line of brow products), and all-around awesome guy — at least that's what my assistant says. And if you like my tips and product suggestions, maybe you'll think so, too. Learn more about the man behind the makeup when you read more.

If your foundation wears off by the time you hit the break room for lunch, fret no more. Hollywood makeup artist Brett Freedman, who has worked with stars like Vanessa Hudgens and Camilla Belle (check out Camilla's beautiful Winter glow makeup look here), is also a wealth of knowledge when it comes to everyday styles, especially foundation. Recently, Brett did V star Laura Vandervoort's makeup for a Hollywood event, so for his tips on how he created a long-wearing base for the actress, just keep reading.

Camilla Belle has the classic-meets-modern approach to makeup down pat. Her subdued lipstick choices are often complemented by deep, sultry eye makeup. At the recent 2010 Hollywood Style Awards, Camilla, who recently returned from a tropical vacation, impressively combined a sun-kissed palette with icy silvers and purples. Makeup artist Brett Freedman created Camilla's warm-meets-cool palette, so to find out how to get the look yourself, just keep reading.

Some years matte is in, and sometimes it's shimmer. This year, just which finish is it, anyway? Makeup artist Brett Freedman says it's a little bit of both. "We're going into a matte/sort of satiny vibe," he says. And here's how to do it up right:

• Instant Iuminesce: "It's shimmer in certain spots," says Brett. To give your makeup look a little more punch, he recommends Benefit's Girl Meets Pearl ($30). The champagne-toned luminizer, which gives a healthy, subtle pink glow to most skin tones, can be used on the top of the cheeks, brow bone, eyes, and lips.
• The eyes have it: "I've been doing a lot of really velvet lids [lately], like taking a pressed powder or just a really light matte [shade] and just doing the lids super matte," he says. Adding a little shimmer on the brow bone or around the tear ducts keeps it from looking too flat. Brett's tip: Drugstore brand Prestige makes some great colors, like teal and slate gray.

Applying eyeliner can be tricky for even the most adept of us, and that's why I turned to celebrity makeup artist Brett Freedman for guidance. Brett's had lots of advice to share with us in recent weeks, from the perfect shades to wear right now to how to pick a daytime blush. Today, it's all about the eyes — liner, that is. Discover six tips to eyeliner Nirvana when you read more.

We may be a few weeks into a new season, but the temperatures haven't quite settled into Arctic conditions just yet. This calls for some transitional makeup. That's why I asked celebrity makeup artist Brett Freedman his tips for making the switch from sweltering hot times to cool, crisp times all the more seamless.

"I'm seeing a lot of plum and cranberry shades," he says, with the focus on darker brows and lashes, minimal shadows, deep lips, and paler skin. "Usually it's all about how to extend your tan," Brett explains, but more people are embracing looks worn on True Blood, and by pop star Katy Perry. To find out the rest of his change-of-season advice, just keep reading.