BellaSugar

Exclusive! Get Madonna's Sticky and Sweet Tour Makeup Look

BellaSugar — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 13:00:57 -0700

Love her or hate her - and if you're like me, it's "love her" all the way - Madonna remains at the top of her game. And after dozens of distinctive looks throughout the years, she continues to set trends on her Sticky and Sweet tour. The North American leg kicks off this weekend, so as a little preview of what's to come, I've scored the makeup details from her longtime makeup artist, Shu Uemura Artistic Director Gina Brooke.

Before each show starts, Madonna spends about 45 minutes in hair and makeup. Of course, she gets touched up in between the show's four segments. "We actually have less than one and a half minutes to not only dress Madonna into the next costume, but touch up her makeup and hair simultaneously," Brooke says. "It's such an adrenaline rush!"

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For a thorough explanation of how to re-create M's look at home, read more.

Face: As Brooke has said before, preparing the skin is key. She starts with Depsea Moisture Replenishing Eye Mask to hydrate skin and reduce any puffiness. Next, she moisturizes skin with Phyto Black Lift Firming Anti-Wrinkle Cream before applying Face Architect Remodeling Cream foundation. Here’s one of her tricks: Apply the foundation from the arch of your brow down to the middle of the eye, going directly to the middle of the cheekbone. The foundation reflects light, which will brighten the entire eye area.

Eye shadow: “This look has a heavy focus on the eyes,” Brooke says. Begin by applying eye shadow in M Beige 800 above the eyelids. Then, apply eye shadow in ME Black 990 to the outer corners of the eye and the crease; be sure to blend. Next, use a concealer (such as Cover Crayon in 9YR LIGHT) in the inner corner and water line of the eyes to make them appear larger.

Eyeliner: Brooke uses liquid eyeliner at the top and bottom of Madonna’s eyes as well as on the lid. She draws small lines (“Almost like scratches,” she says) to create an optical illusion when blended into the black eye shadow. “Applying liquid liner takes a steady hand, and just like anything else, practice makes perfect,” she explains. “For first-time liquid liner users, I suggest applying the liner beginning at the inner corners of the eye (as close to the lash line as possible) extending the line out to the outer corners of the eye, turning the liner up.”

Eyelashes: Brooke curls lashes with - what else? -Shu Uemura’s famous eyelash curler before applying mascara. After that, she uses two pairs of false eyelashes s217. Cut one set of lashes in the middle section, then glue the base of those trimmed lashes on top of the other set. Affix the lashes as close to your own lash line as possible, and cover the base with liquid liner.

Lips: After spending so much time on the eye makeup, you can breathe easy with this. On-stage, Madonna wears Rouge Unlimited BG 949 lipstick, with Gloss Unlimited in BG 930N.

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Bella Interview: Gina Brooke

BellaSugar — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 07:00:27 -0700

I think pretty much everyone can agree that Madonna looks amazing in the May issue of Elle. Her gorgeous makeup look is the work of Gina Brooke, the artistic director of Shu Uemura. As Madonna's personal makeup artist, she's also responsible for those legendary mink-and-diamond lashes from a couple of years ago. Last week, I was lucky enough to chat with her right before she headed off to do Madonna's makeup. Read on.

How do you work with Madonna to come up with makeup looks?
It's definitely a collaboration. She has an idea; I have ideas. Then we combined the two along with hair and styling. It's a collaboration between the hair stylist and makeup artist - and Madonna, of course. She always has an idea of which direction she wants to go in. Usually on certain jobs you walk in and go, "OK, this is my idea." She's like, "No, this is my idea, and then you guys give me what you've got."

What was the idea for the Elle shoot?
For years I've been obsessed with a photographer named Sam Haskins. Every time we have a photo shoot or something big coming up, I always break out my Sam Haskins and I'm like, "Here, what about this?" She's always turned me down. And then finally we actually did a Sam Haskins-inspired shoot for the cover of Elle.

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To find out which lipstick color and foundation Gina used for the cover, read more.

I wanted to ask you about that makeup. What is Madonna wearing in that shoot?
I used the new Rouge Unlimited Crystal Shine in PK301S from the Shu Uemura collection. I wanted it to be about matte skin, so I used our new Face Architect Smoothing Fluid Foundation, which is water-based. It gives a really flat, beautiful finish.

We at Sugar HQ cannot get over how amazing Madonna looks on the cover of Elle and in her new video.
When you see the next video, I think it's going to be one of the best videos I've ever done with her in terms of hair and makeup and styling. Between her stylist Arianne Phillips, me, and the hair stylist, I think it's going to be one of the best videos. It's something I've always wanted to do with her, and I'm finally able to do it - it's going to be really amazing.

The Look For Less: Fun Feathered Lashes

BellaSugar — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 13:00:59 -0700

False eyelashes are a lot of fun, especially when you have the opportunity to play around with unusual and wild styles. Sometimes, wacky lashes are bold and brash, but other times, they're artistic and fantastic. Shu Uemura's Fleur-Ever lashes fit firmly into the latter category. Designed by Gina Brooke, Madonna's personal makeup artist, the $79 lashes provide beautiful plumage for a dramatic look. Then again, not everyone has an extra $79 to spend on something so fanciful. But if you want to try the look for less than $10, check out what I found

Get Madonna's Wavy Hairstyle, Straight From Her Stylist

BellaSugar — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 08:00:31 -0800

Madonna is in the last weeks of her sold-out Sticky and Sweet tour, and after seeing her dance around the stage, all I have to say is, 50 seems like a lot of fun - and it looks pretty good, too. M's makeup artist, Gina Brooke, showed us how to get the tour makeup look earlier this fall, and now hair stylist Andy LeCompte shares the scoop on Madonna's sexy, wavy hair.

Work with your natural texture. "Every time we set a look for tour, I always try to do something that is wavy," LeCompte explains. "Madonna has naturally wavy hair, so I consider sweat, moisture, and humidity - all of the elements in a live show."

For maximum bounce, keep your products simple. "In the show, I avoid using sticky products and sprays that weight the hair down. The only product I use is Sunsilk Waves of Envy Sea Mist ($3.99). It's a salt water and silicone-based product that I mist in Madonna's hair to give it a bit more texture."

Use the right tool. Skip the curling iron and use a tool specifically designed to make waves. LeCompte swears by the Revlon 3-Barrel Jumbo Waver ($18.83), which creates S-shaped waves. "I also used it on Britney for the 'Human Nature' video to give her Madonna-like waves," he adds.

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The Look For Less: Madonna's "Diamond" False Lashes

BellaSugar — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 11:00:40 -0700

Remember Madonna's famous mink-and-diamond lashes from a few years ago? Her makeup artist, Gina Brooke, made them by hand; they proved to be so popular that she developed a Madonna-inspired set ($25) for Shu Uemura. For Halloween or just a glam night on the town, they're super-slick.

But what if you don't have $25 to spend on fantasy lashes? I've found a pair that gives you the look for the fraction of the price. To check them out, read more.

Halloween makeup company Fright Night Cosmetics makes these "Chaos" lashes ($4.95) for cheap, costumey fun. These lashes aren't available online, but they're stocked at stores such as Long's Drugs, Wal-Mart, and Walgreens during this time of year. You'll have to buy adhesive separately, as you do with the Shu Uemura lashes - but for such a low price, why not give it a whirl? (You can even get inspiration from PartySugar's Madonna costume if need be.)

Shu Uemura 2007 Holiday Muse Collection

BellaSugar — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 13:00:12 -0700

Just out from Shu Uemura is the 2007 Holiday Muse collection. This rich and sinfully decadent line is filled with warm browns and beiges, deep reds and-of course-tons of gold and metallics. The collection was developed by celebrity makeup artist and Artistic Director for Shu Uemura USA, Gina Brooke.

Gina's inspiration came from the flattering and very seductive amber hue of a candlelit room. Imagining a woman who epitomizes luxury as her muse, she tried to capture that air of radiant sophistication.

The collection includes three new shades of Rouge Unlimited lipstick in Gold Beige, Pink Beige and Chocolate Brown ($23 each), silver glitter mascara ($30), two limited-edition nail polishes in Gold Beige and Chocolate Brown ($16 each) and two amazing eye shadow palettes in Dignified Grace (four warm golden shades, $65) and Enchanting Charisma (four soft neutral shades, $65).

So far my favorite product is the Dignified Grace shadow palette, but I haven't tried everything quite yet. Does this muse seem to be drawing you in?

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