The Backstory

Growing up in the Austrian Alps was incredible – I was exposed to so much nature and beauty and simplicity growing up that has deeply influenced me. I joke that my parents were wellness gurus before that was a thing, they always focused on organic and clean ingredients for food and household products and were really ahead of their time.

My earliest memory of makeup was watching my mom get ready. She would usually just put on a tiny bit of concealer and a soft red lip and I remember thinking how beautiful she was, and my desire to do makeup was really born from that.

I was quite an early embracer of YouTube. My husband, Jin-Woo, really encouraged me to start my YouTube channel and I am so happy he did. I learned so much about teaching and I love sharing all my hard-earned wisdom. It was also amazing to connect with so many people in real-time that way.

I always felt driven to start my own brand. It is something I have always dreamed about, but the timing never felt right until recently. But it has been a dream of mine that was burning a hole in my brain for over a decade, so once the opportunity presented itself I jumped in with both feet.

Being a MUA and brand founder has taught me that everything and everyone is beautiful in its own way, and being a good makeup artist means knowing how to see that beauty and enhance it. I am grateful to see the world through that lens. Perseverance also really pays off –  it takes time and continued effort to grow something like that.

On reflection, my first big break was when Rebecca Romijn and Molly Sims became some of my first big clients back in the 90s, and they both really took me under their wing. I owe so much of what my career turned into to them, they are both amazing friends as well as dream clients.

I have so many career moments that I’m proud of, but doing Gemma Chan for the Met Gala in 2019 was really a highlight. The Met is so fun and prestigious and that one really sticks out to me when I look back at my career.

I am really well known in Hollywood for the way I do skin. I pride myself on being able to create flawless but natural-looking skin on my clients. That is part of why I started my line with a complexion product, because it is really where I feel like my makeup shines.

The Advice

My Five Golden Tips & Tricks for Applying Makeup

1. Less is more.
2. Proper skincare prep and facial massage goes such a long way. I never skip this step with clients, and it feels amazing too.
3. Blend blend blend! Don’t be afraid to take your time blending things into the skin. It takes a while sometimes, but it is the difference between a great makeup application and a bad one.
4. Step back and look at yourself or your client from a few feet away. When we are so close up we can loose sight of the look as a whole, so stepping back helps you see your work from all perspectives.
5. Don’t forget the body! Make sure your chest and neck match your face in colour, depth and sheen, and as a makeup artist, I consider any exposed skin as part of my job, so I always make sure any skin you see is well hydrated, evenly toned and as flawless as the face.

The Kit

Skincare routine: I switch up my skincare quite a bit, but my staples necessities are Undercover Face Creme followed by my Dew Better Face Oil and of course a sunscreen, I’ve been really into the Allies of Skin Sunscreen Gel lately.

Foundation: I like the Haus Labs foundation, it’s buildable and pairs well with Blunder Cover, and it also has arnica in it (same as Blunder Cover!)

Concealer: Blunder Cover — my dream complexion product in every way.

Lipstick: My Kissen Lush Lipstick, it’s just beyond comfortable.

Mascara: My Architect Eyes Buildable Mascara. I worked for years perfecting this clean but buildable formula and it is one of the products I am most proud of.

Eye palettes: I love makeup palettes and Jo Bakers brand and her palettes are so well thought out and compact.

Tools: I love my tweezerman lash comb and eyelash curler. Best in the game.

Secret Weapon: My Body Language Body Oil — I never let someone walk the red carpet without it.

Favourite product: Blunder Cover. It is the first product our line started with and it really is the culmination of my 20+ years of experience put into one perfect product.

Can’t leave home without: My Botanical Balm Hyaluronic Lip Tint. I literally have one in every single bag I own.

Biggest Indulgence: The Cle de Peau Firming Serum is definitely pricey but so worth it in my opinion.

Best Budget Buy: NYX Jumbo Eye Pencil, specifically the shade Rust is so good.

Best Beauty Advice: Less is more.

Signature Scent: Portrait of a Lady by Frederic Malle.

Red-carpet transformer: The One/Size Ultimate Blurring Setting Powder. I was shocked the first time I used it.

Wellness Enhancers: Cold plunge and daily movement — I can’t live without them

The Experts

Hairdresser: Andy LeCompte — I love his salon and he gives me the cut of my dreams and is a magician with the scissors.

Hair colourist: Vanessa Garoute from Mèche salon is who I’ve been seeing for my color for a while and she does an amazing time every time I see her.

Blowdry go-to/hair treatment: DryBar in a pinch works wonders for a blow out.

Facialist: Shani Darden! I trust her with my skin above anyone else. She is the best of the best.

Dermatologist/skin doctor: Dr Lancer has been in the game for decades, if you can manage to get an appointment do it!

Workout spot/exercise class: I like to go to the gym, I go to Zoo Culture, and I have a personal trainer named Christian Micheal who whips me into shape regularly

Manicurist/pedicurist: Organic Beauty Nails in Encino has been my spot lately

Masseuse/favourite treatment to unwind: I usually have someone come to my house for massage. It is so nice to finish your massage and fall right into bed afterwards.

Eyelash/brows: Kristie Streicher is the brow goddess here in LA, I wouldn’t trust anyone else to touch my brows honestly.

Favourite spa destination: Pellequr is next level

Beauty treatment(s) that makes the most difference: Honestly, sleeping a full 8 hours makes a bigger difference than anything else.

Wellness/holistic treatments or practitioners: I’ve grown to really love cupping! The bruises scared me at first but after the first couple times I realized how beneficial it really is.

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