Christy Coleman’s camera ready tips by Ecostiletto

Camera-Ready Tips from Christy Coleman + Makeup from Josie Maran, Tarte, Afterglow and Smashbox

Are you ready for your close-up? There’s day-to-day makeup, and then there’s camera ready, says all-natural makeup artist Christy Coleman, who has worked with Emmy Rossum and Marissa Miller, among others, and remind us that just because you’re laying it on thick for the lens doesn’t mean you have to leave your eco-mindedness in the dust. Whether on record for the big screen, small screen, online or print, we’ve got eco-essentials to digital (or film, if you’re old school) makeup perfection. Check out Christy’s tips, and our accompanying picks.

“When applying your eye shadow, use a concealer as a primer first—this will set it so that it lasts,” Christy says. Free of parabens, talc, mineral oil, fragrance or gluten, Alison Raffaele Cosmetics is known world-wide for its True Concealer, a favorite of Nicole Kidman, Jennifer Lopez and Alicia Keys, that has just been reformulated with pomegranate and goji berry antioxidants in recycled and bio-degradeable packaging.

“When working on clients who are going on camera, I make sure to apply their makeup heavier than usual,” Christy reveals. On location, tote the pocket-friendly The Eraser from Tarte, which is a brush-tipped “pen” containing a hydrating formula that prevents creasing or caking and stays put, all the while eschewing animal testing, parabens, petrochems, phthalates, sulfates, oil, fragrance, dye and talc.

A little goes a long way with a pump of AfterGlow Cosmetics’ Organic Aloe Concealer, which is designed to provide opaque coverage to any discoloration. The lightweight formula seriously covers, and includes soothing and healing organic aloe vera, making it perfect to address under eye circles that just won’t go away. Follow with a light dusting of Organic Setting Powder, which absorbs oil, minimizes pores and creates an ultra-smooth finish, and you’re good to go. All AfterGlow Cosmetics products are vegan and cruelty free, and formulated without parabens, petrochems, perfume, gluten, soy, talc, dyes or bismuth oxychloride. Phew!

“Intensify the color,” Christy recommends. “But be careful with shimmery powders—they don’t always translate well on camera so use them only on key areas that you want to highlight, like the décolleté or tops of arms.” Two great color kits to play with are launching just in time for Earth Day and feature everything you need to get your face on, and nothing you don’t—like chemicals.

First, despite the fact that it’s known more for making cosmetics that are in tune with runway trends than eco-ideals, the truth is that while they’re not completely green, all Smashbox makeup eschews parabens and fragrance. Their limited-edition Mother Earth Palette includes four eye shadows and a blush made from certified organic ingredients, housed in a recyclable compact and carton made from sustainable materials and printed with eco-friendly ink. With each purchase, a tree will be planted by Trees for the Future, a non-profit organization dedicated to reforesting the world.

And you can’t get more green than Josie Maran, who gave up 10 years as the face of Maybelline to launch her own completely organic, eco-friendly makeup line—down to the recyclable plastic compact. There is nothing in Josie Maran Cosmetics that you wouldn’t want—like parabens, fragrances, petrochemicals, talc or animal testing—and everything you do: This is a full range of gorgeous, wearable, beautiful makeup that consistently performs better than anything else we’ve found. Check out Josie and EcoStiletto’s Rachel Lincoln Sarnoff chopping onions to test out her mascara. And, oh yes, in the interest of full disclosure: Josie’s on our Advisory Board, but she’s such an eco-goddess we’d put her picture up even if she wasn’t.

This year, Josie’s packed up four full-size essentials of her favorite best-sellers into a well-priced Earth Day Kit ($48 for product that would cost $98 on its own), boxed in recycled materials, natch. There’s the plumping lip gloss in Daring, which tastes like Dulce de Leche—no lead allowed. And the Cream Blush in Sunrise, which also doubles as eye shadow for those of us blessed with tawny skin and a light hand. Plus classic Black Mascara and Eyeliner—good to create a basic line, upturned ‘60’s cat eye, or smudged smokey, with a little practice.

www.tartecosmetics.com
www.afterglowcosmetics.com
www.sephora.com
www.vertlosangeles.com
www.alisonraffaele.com
www.christycoleman.com
www.josiemarancosmetics.com