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Sam Fine Beauty Tour Tip Off

Grade-A Class

Do not pass on Sam Fine's Beauty Tour Makeup 101 class. To our delight, Saturday's two-hour kickoff in New York was pretty plentiful with tips, tricks and laughs. Fine, well-groomed, at ease and amicable, delivered an intimate demonstration engaging awestruck attendees with his down-to-earth attitude, candid humor, openness and passion for beauty education. He passed around makeup from his own tool kit to attendees eager for specific product recommendations, revealed makeup transformation techniques specifically on how to work his mojo for coverage, answered rapid-fire questions throughout and even allowed onlookers to gather closely around him and model and muse Marie for a lash application. You must experience learning Fine's fundamentals of makeup firsthand, however, here are a few snippets from our copious note taking.

Achieving a Fine Face

Begin with the basics, a clean, moisturized face. Because eyes are susceptible to puffiness, circles and discoloration, a little light under eyes is good for all. According to Fine, "if you want a flawless finish, concealer must have a place in your life." Concealer should be lighter but still in relation to skin color. Cover areas not only under eyes but along bridge of nose and across the cheek bone. Create warmth and dimension with a natural foundation color. Fine doesn't fear coverage because it brings shape and focus to the face, Fine urges to "bring on the color, move with it." Contour with a darker color near the hairline to also give dimension. Groom brows with clear mascara to keep them in place. Choose a shadow with gold specks as a highlighter. Fine favors brown tones for eye contouring in the crease - apply color to and blend where the socket and eye bone meet. Work a little mascara from the lash base first. Smaller wand mascara causes fewer mistakes when applying to bottom lashes. Lots of blush blended properly. Always line lips to keep color from bleeding and in place. Go with gloss.

A Few Fine Finds

• Kiehl's Imperiale Repairateur Moisturizing Masque left on for 2 minutes is a great primer. (Note: Fine pointed out this is great for the 'White Chocolate,' our non-black Cocoa Chics, who may be prone to dry skin.)
• Black Opal True Color Crème Stick Foundation in Hazelnut is a flexible shade for all skin colors ranging from Oprah to Vanessa Williams to Tyra.
• Dermablend Cover Crème in Warm Beige Chroma 2 ¼ as a concealer is a Fine fave. Use waterproof, long-wear Dermablend Leg and Body Cover Crème with its toothpaste-like texture to give neck discolorations an even tone look.
• Makeup Forever sheer texture Eye Shadows in primary colors is kept in tow in many makeup artists tool bags.
• Color galore with CARGO Bronzers, lip glosses and blushes.
• shu uemura Boutique Palette "Glow" for an ultra luminous look.
• Shiseido Eyeliner Pencil in 9 White for dramatic definition along the bottom rim to open eyes.

Sam Antics

It's not just what he does, but what he says. Fine is a riot - he's got mean makeup game and jokes.

• The master must paint with music on. "I've got to hear my jam while I work."
• He had humble beginnings just like you. "I got my start behind the makeup counter."
• He doesn't like too much water for chocolate - a yawn on liquid, "stick and cream formulas for maximum coverage."
• "No drag!" He skillfully applies light, quick strokes with a sponge to cover face.
• No light, no action. Sorry, but light please. "I always travel with a halogen true light."
• "Cheap trick, I use cheap tissue." Press gingerly yet firmly all over face to absorb oil after applying foundation. "Basically like how you blot cheese oil from pizza."
• "Girl's best friend should be brushes. They help translate what's in your head."
• Earmark: "Apply contour and blush across cheekbone from ear so there's no deposit."
• Mucho color! "Keep in mind women of color are a color so makeup mixes with your skin shade. It never looks the color it does in the package. Don't be afraid to apply color."
• Aw, make him blush. "I like lots of it."
• Location, location, location. "Makeup is all about placement, not so much color."
• Beauty is how you define it; "use liner, mascara and lashes to define."
• On the pill - "I take a sample of all my lip colors with me in a basic drugstore pill case."

Fine's picks for Cocoa Chics, pink and brown color cosmetics he thinks you should have in your beauty bag: Espresso Lip Pencil by Iman and any of the Dior Addict Plastic Gloss pink shades - Capricious Pink 2, Madly Pink, Edgy Rosewood and Fantastic Fuscia.

Thanks, Sam! Fine advice is always appreciated.

~Bernie

Check out Sam Fine's website in the Makeup Artists category of CHiC Links and his
much-acclaimed Fine Beauty: Beauty Basics and Beyond for African American Women in the Books category of CHiC Links.

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