The end of summer marks the perfect time to explore daring beauty trends and one look that’s heating up the runways is old Hollywood glamour chic with a touch of modern LA rocker-much like the style perfected by famed tattoo vixen, reality TV star, and fellow Latina Kat Von D. From her smoky bedroom eyes to velvet red lips, it’s no wonder that the 26-year-old is adored by women across the country. Even Sephora teamed up with Von D to launch her own makeup line, which features rock ‘n’ roll eyeshadows, luscious red lipsticks, and creamy concealers that mirrors her naturally translucent skin. While Von D can create a flawless face in just 15 minutes, how we master the good girl-gone bad trend? We went to a top source and fellow friend of the famous tattoo artist for all the exclusive secrets to this sexy, trendy look.
“I think her look is popular now for a few reasons. It appeals to the young rebel, the woman who is comfortable in her own skin,” says New York City-based makeup artist Maria Maio. “Kat exudes confidence and people want to emulate that. Her look is ever changing, interesting, and appealing to anyone with an artistic mind. It varies from rocker to pinup, thus attracting so many types of women.” Maio, who has worked on countless celebrities, including Mariah Carey and Helena Christiansen, first met Von D three years ago before the launching of the hit television series “LA Ink.” Since getting some ink of her own from the tattooed temptress, she has mastered the tricks that few makeup artists dare to achieve. We’ve had the opportunity to speak with Maio on how to achieve Von D’s signature look. Rock on!
Achieving Kat Von D's Look: Lips
Kat Von D’s signature look is definitely her pinup-inspired crimson red lips. To get a gorgeous red pout, you must first line up lips with a lip liner. I recommend MAC in Portside or Red Enriched. Follow the natural line of your lips using the liner with a lip liner. This will prevent lipstick from “bleeding” or separating from the mouth. Once you line lips, apply a matte lipstick that’s meant to last all day. I love Hell Bent from Kat Von D’s makeup line.
Achieving Kat Von D's Look: Skin
Achieving Kat’s flawless skin requires some prepping, but who wouldn’t want silky smooth skin when hitting the night out on the town? Make sure that your face is clean and well moisturized before creating the Kat Von D look. Once you’re set, it’s time to begin applying a primer, which will help combat oil, while leaving your face looking and feeling fresh. My pick is Armani’s Light Master, which eliminates any uneven pigmentation on the skin, while creating a beautiful canvas. Using your fingers, apply primer over the entire face. Dab on cheeks, forehead, and then swipe down the nose. After that, gently dot some on your chin and blend into the jaw line.
Achieving Kat Von D's Look: Face
Once you’re done elect a foundation that feels soft to the touch. I love Armani foundations as their products are lightweight and leaves skin glowing! Using your fingers, add some foundation onto your fingertips. The warmth of your fingers melts the foundation into your skin, creating a seamless finish, whereas sponges tend to soak up a lot of product. Just as with the primer, dot face with foundation. Blend in a circular motion with fingers, starting at the hairline. Avoid using too much foundation as you want your face to look natural, not overly made up! Then, lightly dust face with powder, such as the ones found in the Armani cosmetics line. Powder will help keep makeup in place and eliminate unwanted shine.
Achieving Kat Von D's Look: Cheeks
Once you’re done applying foundation, it’s time for highlighting, which is crucial to accentuating your best features with a dash of color. MAC makes a beautiful product called Mineralized Skin Finish, which add sheen and dimension like no other. Apply MAC’s Dollymix to the apples of your cheeks and fan upward on the jaw line. Make sure you are using a blush brush whereas a powder brush won’t allow you to define your cheek bones. You’ll wind up with too much color on the face and in the wrong place, which is a major no-no. The result should be ethereal and luminous, not frosty and glittery.
Achieving Kat Von D's Look: Lashes
Kat is all about big, dolled-up lashes, which looks sexy on everyone. First, you must buy a pair of falsies, such as MAC No. 7, which are breathtaking, yet natural looking. Remove the lashes and measure them against your own lash line. If they are too big, clip the inner corner counting the lashes inward. Do the same for the opposite pair and clip the exact amount. Apply the lash glue to the lashes. From inner corner place them as close to your natural lash line as possible. Make sure they are properly adhered to the skin by tapping the lash band lightly across the lid. When the glue has completely dried, add a light coat of black mascara. My favorite brand is Chanel Exceptional Mascara because you’ll achieve bedroom eyes without the unnecessary clumps that other mascaras may create.
Achieving Kat Von D's Look: Eyes
It’s very rare to see Kat without some eyeliner, which is a must for any rock star. Black eyeliner should be heavily applied on the lid with a wing at the tip, as well as the bottom lash line and to the inner corner. Kat’s cosmetics line offers an amazing liquid liner, which also has some glitter for a hint of sparkle. However, whether you prefer liquid or pencil, always use a product that you’re most comfortable with, a tip that all makeup aficionados follow to heart. Finish the eyes by using a shimmery shadow at the inner corner of eyelids with a small precision brush. You can wet the brush slightly for a glossy liquid effect. For eyeshadow, I love Chanel’s Smoky Eye Quad as it is a mix of silver, white, and gray, a must-have for bedroom eyes. Kat Von D’s eyeshadow palette in Beethoven is also great for creating smoldering sexy eyes. Whichever brand you prefer, the trick is to blending eyeshadow well on lids.
To learn more about Maria Maio, click here. Info on Kat Von D can also be found here.
