pati dubroff

Cake on the face may be a party-time shenanigan, but when it comes to makeup, cake on the face isn't quite as amusing. Celebrity makeup artist Pati Dubroff (who has worked with actresses like Julianne Moore, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Naomi Watts), says that the key to preventing cakey makeup from happening underneath the eyes is to think sheer layers. "It's like layering a cake," Dubroff explains. "You wouldn't just slap the frosting on."

To keep under-eyes bright and smooth, Dubroff recommends using a concealing pen, sweeping it on in a light, delicate layer. Follow by gently tapping it in with your fingers, and then repeat the sheer layering process until you reach your desired coverage amount. Finish by setting your work with an finely milled loose powder applied with the tiniest of makeup brushes. As for the cake, save that for birthdays and weddings.

Ginnifer Goodwin is the master at mixing the demure with the bold, and that's exactly what she did at last night's Young Hollywood Awards. "Ginny wore a very sweet white lace dress with some naughty shoes," said makeup artist Pati Dubroff. And as for the makeup look, the duo wanted to reflect a similar vibe. While the cheeks and eyes remained clean and streamlined, "For the lips we used a pop of brightest possible pink, bordering on neon," Dubroff explained. But before your mind conjures up images of days when Debbie Gibson was on the radio waves 24-7, give hot pink a chance. Learn how to get it right for modern times when you read more.

Let's face it: from bad brows to too much shimmer, makeup mishaps happen. And while going overboard with the tweezers and glitter might not be a frequent issue, there are a few quick things that you can do on a daily basis to ensure consistently prettier-looking makeup.

1. Simplicity rules: One of the most common makeup mistakes women make is putting way too much on, explains Clarins's celebrity makeup artist Pati Dubroff. But in actuality, "the less you do, the more effective," she says. Besides, think of all the time you'll save.
2. Get more from your makeup: Along the same line, Dubroff recommends scaling down the amount of products used. So instead of layering several items on, think about the ways your products might be able to multitask. A simple eye pencil, when blended and diffused, can be maneuvered to contour and smoke out the eyes, for instance.

From Jason Wu to Marni, the Spring 2012 shows were profuse with bold, vibrant shades. As a result, "It's hard not not to see bright makeup" available on the market right now, says Clarins celebrity beauty artist Pati Dubroff. And while straight-from-the-catwalk cosmetics might be best left on the runway, there are a few ways you can make vivid tones quite wearable.

1. Harmonize with your clothing: Wearing a notice-me hue "doesn't have to be full-on brass band," explains Dubroff. Instead, choose an element of your outfit to enhance your overall ensemble. For something like this Forever 21 belted tunic (pictured right), Dubroff recommends pairing it with an electric blue liner to add a punch of color.
2. Let it gel with your jewelry: At Marni, some models (like the one pictured above) donned Creamsicle-orange eye makeup that perfectly matched with their statement earrings. Dubroff also employs this trick for celebrities on the red carpet. "Otherwise, it might be too overt," she says.
3. Take baby steps: To add color into the mix without taking it too far, Dubroff advises making baby steps. To do this, think sheer washes of bright color, in lieu of something more opaque.

The benefits of slathering oil on the face are numerous. Not only do they help protect the skin, but they keep it hydrated and looking fresh and plumped up, too. While you won't want to drown yourself in oil before makeup application (doing so can cause your powders and creams to slip and slide), for those tricky rough patches that pop up occasionally, oils can save the day.

"Just saturate a cotton tip, buff the rough spot out, and blot," explains Clarins celebrity beauty artist Pati Dubroff. She recommends applying the brand's Body Treatment Oil in Relax ($54), which contains essential oils of marjoram, broom, and geranium, to calm the skin and smooth out dryness. While we all hit rough patches every now and then in life, at least this one falls into the easy-to-overcome genre.

Makeup artists will often advise buying more than one concealer or foundation to get a perfectly customized blend that's practically goof-proof. Although it's not something most of us think about for primers, the same principal can ring true for these face-perfectors, too. Clarins' Pati Dubroff, who has worked with celebrities like Freida Pinto, Charlize Theron, and Eva Mendes, says that sometimes, two primers are actually better than one, and here's why:

1. You call the shots: Have an oily T-zone, but lackluster cheeks? Then consider using two different primers targeted for these two very different conditions. "Sometimes you have to strategize with primer," advises Dubroff, who suggests using the brand's Instant Smooth Perfecting Touch ($33) to minimize imperfections and quell shininess pre-foundation, along with the radiance-boosting Beauty Flash Balm ($45) pressed on the outer edges of the face for glow and lift.
2. They're great after the fact: Just because you've primed your face and applied your makeup, doesn't mean you can't pull out the primers again later. The Instant Smooth Perfecting Touch is "great for filling in as a powder over your makeup," Dubroff says, and the Beauty Flash Balm delivers an instant pick-me-up when and where needed. And this has been your primer on doubling up the primers.

Julianne Moore has always been quite the fashion maven, and the printed Lanvin dress, which she wore to the recent Gotham Independent Film Awards, was the inspiration behind her latest makeup look. To complement the rich, warm shades in the frock, Clarins celebrity beauty artist Pati Dubroff used a mixture of copper, chestnut, and deep gold hues for Julianne's makeup palette. See how Pati brought it all together when you read more.

The majority of you were loving Sheryl Crow's makeup look at the AMAs, and it's easy to see why. Clarins beauty artist Pati Dubroff went for a chic, rock and roll vibe on Sheryl by using a palette of amber hues and warm, soft bronze. To find out how to rock out by replicating Sheryl's darkly rimmed, shimmery eye makeup look yourself, just keep reading.