If you followed my Instagram or Facebook page last weekend, you may have noticed my love of makeup increased exponentially in the two days I spent visiting Dallas for The Makeup Show.  Although I was invited to attend as a part of the press, I found myself oohing and ahhing right alongside the beauty professionals and makeup artists that attended.  I also found myself spending my hard-earned money on products right along with them, but if Orlando asks, I got it all for free. 😉

One of the perks to attending as press was the opportunity to interview the fabulous celebrity makeup artists who attended, including Makeup Show Director of Education and Artistry James Vincent! His bio reads like a who’s who of fashion, film, and art with celebrities from Lady Gaga to Reese Witherspoon, and even throw Barack Obama in there!  I didn’t ask what type of foundation the Commander in Chief wears, but I did get to hear James’ thoughts on everything from why makeup matters to what products every woman should add to their beauty routine immediately.  Read on:

James Vincent makeup artist

Haute in Texas: Who is your favorite celebrity you’ve worked with?

James Vincent: I think I would say  the amazing Queen of Rock Joan Jett.  I have always been a fan and I love Rock. One of my favorite times working with her is a tie between the Oprah, Women Who Rock episode (where I sat on the couch between Joan Jett, Stevie Nicks and Pat Benatar) or her performance with Nirvana for their first reunion concert for their Rock N Roll Hall of Fame induction.

HIT: Who is the worst celebrity you’ve ever worked with?

JV: I plead the fifth. I will say in my twenty years in the business I have only had two terrible clients and they were both reality tv … I wouldn’t say stars… Maybe Reality TV people.

HIT: What gets you up in the morning?

JV: Iced Coffee and my cat Thackery Binx,  I play some music and get ready for the day. I post a different soundtrack everyday on my Instagram: @jvincentmakeup if you want my suggestions. I love what I do so it is always a motivator to get up and do makeup.

HIT: What, if anything, is your personal beauty routine?

JV: I am super simple. I use Dr. Bronners All In One Magic Soap for everything. As I get older I use Mario Badescu Rose Oil for its healing properties and I mix it into Embryolisse Lait Creme. I use Lait Creme as a moisturizer and to shave. My beard oil right now is Starkweather Beard Oil and I am not a big fragrance person but I look masculine tobacco or whiskey scents like Whiskey and Tobacco from Demeter or Tom Ford. SPF is always part of my routine and everyone should be wearing it.

HIT: What’s your best advice for busy moms who don’t have time for an elaborate makeup process?

JV: Keep it simple. Make up has no rules and should feel like fun, not an additional stress in a life that is always on the go. Filling in a brow with a soft pencil like Kevyn Aucoin The Brow Pencil or Make Up For Ever Aqua Brow is an easy way to add polish to a simple look. They are also durable and stand up to the most intense conditions. Mascara is always a must in my simple makeups. Try Brown Mascara if Black is too dramatic. Finish with a multipurpose product to swipe across the eye, lip and cheek. Some of my must haves are NARS The Multiple in South Beach and Stila Convertible color.

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HIT: Do you have any specific beauty advice for expecting moms (I’m almost 19 weeks pregnant right now) regarding the changes they will experience in their skin, hair, etc. during pregnancy?

JV: I think skin care is crucial. You have to realize there is so much hormonal flux happening and so many big changes. Moisturizers and Balms go a long way in taking care. Try Charlotte Tilbury Magic Cream or Embryolisse Lait Creme for gentle moisture that does the job. Amica Argon Oil deep conditions hair and helps you get used to the transitioning texture. I also love Dermalogica and NARS Skincare for a mommy-to-be that might be more sensitive to fragrance.

HIT: What’s one thing every woman should add to their routine right now?

JV: SPF and Drinking water. I am also a fan of topical vitamin A, C and E for anti-oxidant protection. Twin Medix makes some Vitamin products that are perfect for all skin.

HIT: Why does makeup matter? What do you say to people who think it’s purely superficial?

JV: I would disagree. I got into the makeup industry because I was minoring in Women’s Studies and looking specifically at the dangers of The Beauty Myth in makeup for women of color and all women. I think makeup can be an easy way to do something for yourself. To have one moment or one item that is just for you. My makeup does not focus on hiding or covering or keeping people feeling like there is one option. Makeup should express who you are and bring out what makes you feel the most beautiful. Makeup has a long history of being used to express emotion and show power or strength. It should not be mandatory but I think women should not be discouraged by makeup.

HIT: Who is your idol?

JV: I have so many. I think authors and poets like Maya Angelou and Audre Lorde have always been important to me as they overcame so many obstacles in their own life and wrote words that helped others. I think examples of American Success stories like Dolly Parton always inspire because she has used her talent to create an empire from the most humble of beginnings. I think Joan Jett is huge. She created a voice and a place for misfits in music. When I get stressed or uncertain I think WWJJD…What Would Joan Jett Do? In the makeup industry Maurice Stein. He has been in the industry for over 50 years and created a number of the products and techniques we all use today. He was the artist for 6 sitting Presidents and worked on projects like Planet of the Apes and The Golden Girls. He was also the President of our Makeup Union who finally let women in.

HIT: How did you like Texas?

JV: I love Texas, I have spent a lot of time there. I think all of the cities have such different personalities. I think the people are very gracious and the women are very beautiful. Coming from Rhode Island, which is the smallest state, it is disconcerting to see cities bigger than my whole state. I love that women are not afraid of makeup. I remember when I was doing makeup for Sex and the City I went down to Houston for a personal appearance at one of my favorite makeup stores in the world, Facade. I was doing these really New York no makeup faces and the women were like…oh no honey, I keep it natural, three eye shadows, eyebrows, blush, bronzer, the works…I loved that.

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HIT: An Haute in Texas tradition we always ask: pancakes or waffles?

JV: Waffles if there is chicken involved. Pancakes every other time. I love breakfast. I would eat it three meals a day. Sometimes my favorite dinner is pancakes.

 

Isn’t he fantastic? Stay tuned for more tips I picked up at The Makeup Show!

XO,

A

P.S. I received complimentary admission and advertising from The Makeup Show in exchange for coverage.  Don’t worry though, all opinions are my own!