Makeup Tips from NY Artist Daniel Meredith

If you’ve been to New York lately, you may have seen some of Daniel Meredith’s work on the stages of hit musicals and the runways of haute couture shows.  He’s helped musicians, celebrities, and models look their best, and recently, he made time to answer some of our most burning beauty questions.  

LA:  If I’m buying only one new makeup item this season, what should it be?  

DM:  We have finally bid adieu to bold, stripey cheeks. This Fall, spruce up your look with a sheer coral blush.  Find a shade that is near your skin tone, and use it lightly on the apples of your cheeks.

LA:  So many of this season’s fashions have a hard edge. How can makeup complement these graphic looks?

DM:  We’re seeing architecture everywhere in makeup. Bring this look to your eye with a bold smoky eye pulled straight out to a point. Think Amy Winehouse—but without the turn up. Remember to focus on one feature of your face. If you do a bold architectural eye, then mute down your lips.

LA:  Bold, lacquered lips have made a real comeback this fall. Who should definitely go for this one, and who should stay away?

DM:  We’re seeing everything from deep brown, deep purples, even jet black, and they can work– in moderation.   A point to remember: think of your look as your X FACTOR. Pick one feature and focus on that.  Everyone can wear bold lips—but the rest of the look should take a back seat.

Not every woman will want to walk the sidewalk with jet black lips, but buying one of the new, modern “black” lipglosses (which are actually very sheer) is like a pair of silky black stockings. It just takes the color you have and kicks it up a notch.

LA:  What’s a beauty mistake you see a lot of women making?

DM:  Never changing their makeup. Our society is fashion obsessed—and makeup is an integral part. Just as hemlines come and go, there are definitely differences in makeup from season to season. Obviously there are some classic looks that never tire, but shapes and styles change.

LA:  Lately, the red carpet has been all about creamy complexions.  Do you think the tanned look is gone for good? Should we all toss our bronzer?

DM:  I am finding that I am tossing my bronzers out in favor of more subtle sculpting powders. The most modern way to wear foundation is to use it to even your skin tone, perfect it, and make you look fresh. Subtle powders are used to sculpt and shape the face so the end effect is fresh, flawless, and perfectly finished. Not overdone.

LA:  Carla Bruni is famous for saying she never wears make-up and doesn’t think women should after 30. Do you agree? If not, how should women adjust their routine as they age?

DM:  I agree to some extent with Carla. Women after 30 need to wear makeup differently than they did in their 20s. As a woman ages, her skin loses a bit of its glow, so a good creamy foundation is imperative.  Creamy foundations, mineral foundations, a good moisturizer… these are all important.

LA:  What are you going to be for Halloween this year? How will you be making up?

DM:  I tend to go towards the gore. Last year I was a zombie, and I am thinking of doing that again or maybe a vampire. I love special effects makeup and total transformation. I am trying to figure out how I can put a saw blade through my head for this Halloween!

LA:  You just worked the Spring shows.  Give us a sneak peek of what to look forward to!

DM:  Spring is such a beautiful season. This year’s Ready to Wear SS10 shows were a great palate cleanser. Fall can be so heavy and saturated with color, it’s nice to strip away and reveal the beauty of the skin underneath.

At Peter Som, the look was absolute beauty. Tom Pichaud designed a look that was as effortless as it was beautiful!  The eyes and cheeks were done with a pink blush that was more of a coral than a blue pink, and the lips were a beautiful shade of pink. 

At Rodarte this season, the look was total ANTI-SPRING. Everything was rich, distressed and totally FALL!  Skin was luminous but paired with dramatic lips, which were lined with black lip pencil and filled in with a bright beet red pencil to create a look that appeared tatooed on.  Think LA Gang Girls of the 90s. 

At Skrapper, the look was very downtown.  The girls wore a BOLD black smoky eye. Absolute classic beauty. Lips were erased.

 As far as fashion, we are going to see a lot of bandage dresses and flirty skirts. We will hopefully see a much overdue end to the platform sandal and gladiator sandal!

A big thank you to Daniel for sharing his insight with us!  He has generously offered his contact info to FH readers.  So NY ladies, feel free to contact him at dmeredith2@nyc.rr.com for your beauty needs.  

Lucie Amberg is the Director of ZinaBeverlyHills.com.