How to Apply Smudgeproof Mascara - No Matter How Short or Long Your Lashes!

I was born with really sparse lashes. I used to despise this, but as you grow older you learn to appreciate that some things on your body you like, some you don't -- so you just appreciate the good things. I've never had to shave my legs or mustache (GOOD) so that meant the counterpoint was I had no lashes! `Yin and Yang' as we say in Asian culture.

But it doesn't mean I can't rock mascara, and make my lashes look a lot thicker. It really works, when done well. A lot of us suffer from thin or not-a-full-rack of lashes. But mascara can do a lot for you. Use a smudgeproof and/or thickening mascara, and one pro tip I'll give you, is to use a high quality waterproof eyeliner to individually coat each lash, if yours are as sparse as mine. Then brush them out after the application with a disposable mascara wand. You can buy these at any beauty supply store, like a Sally's.

Here's my how-to video I did for StyleUnited by P&G Beauty on how to effectively apply smudgeproof mascara, if you need help on technique. Or just a refresher course. Enjoy! Happy Mascara Wanding!

xo

--N.C.

Disclaimer: I have no affiliation with the companies I write and vlog about. My picks and decisions are always editorially and artistically-based and independent.

Being Made Fun of By Your Friends Can Actually Be a Good Thing

I used to HATE being laughed at. And I'm saying that I couldn't discriminate between someone ridiculing me, and friends just poking fun at me out of pure love and and "celebrating" my quirks and mannerisms -- and my goodness do I have a lot of them. I walk into poles, crash into people in NYC all the time (irritating my boyfriend all time to no end) I'm the hugest clutz muffin, and well, I guess I in general seem to have no regard for physical objects around me. Not sure how it all happened.

Whatever the case, for most of my life I had a huge defense line around me. NO one could make fun of me. I got horribly offended and couldn't take a joke. I also tend to mispronounce things, get well-known phrases wrong and say them, well crookedly or in reverse. I really am born to be made fun of, but now I get it. Among friends, it's okay to poke healthy fun at each other, as long as it's well-meaning. I have no idea why it took me so long to realize this, as I'm 38 years old! I guess I was a very serious kid! Ask my mom :-)

And maybe my great friends, and what I've been through in life have helped me to understand that life's better with a belly fully of laughs (and maybe an accidental snort)!

And once I started laughing at myself, smiling more, interestingly enough, all my friends said I had a glow about me. My skin improved - acne vanished. NO KIDDING. So beauty wise, it's good to stay on the light side of things. So take some jokes. Make some jokes! I highly recommend it. It's a true beauty serum that's free and fun.

I swear, the inner shits & giggles can add years to your life. You'll be looking ten years younger without even trying. xoxo

--N.C.

Disclaimer: I have no affiliation with the companies I write and vlog about. My picks and decisions are always editorially and artistically-based and independent.

Why I've Committed Myself to Makeup: The Way It Was

Chloe Sevigny in Dazed & Confused, March 2013 - Makeup by Nuy Cho

I started doing makeup when I was in junior high on all my friends, hosting slumber party makeover shoots (usually five girls at a time in an average evening) to my mother's chagrin at my parents' house. Makeup would always run like my life-blood through my career, through multiple countries, as I trained my hands through classical piano, jewelry, drawing, pottery, painting, and later entered the fashion world in NYC.

I was conducting my own photo shoots and testing colors, lines, and textures on the face and body wherever I was -- in moving vehicles, in public restrooms, in airless basements -- wherever someone asked me to do makeup, I did it, no matter what the circumstance. I always had new colors/products (which I went majorly broke for) in my bag, and I didn't care if I got in trouble at my jobs. And trust me, I did. At Issey Miyake, I personally got in trouble for looking too "disco" while working at the showroom. And I got busted for looking like I was slacking off at another b/c I was trying to practice  a look w/ new shades, and was not looking present with my other tasks (even though nothing else was going on). I prioritized makeup for my "client." even when it wasn't my primary job, because ultimately makeup has always been No.1. I collected makeup - did it on everybody I could. Paid or unpaid, I just wanted to paint the face. I loved the way the color absorbed and reacted with skin.

My work can be seen on Chloe Sevigny, Leelee Sobieski, Laura Kampman, Missy Rayder, Zuzanna Bijoch, to name a few and publications like Vogue China, Dazed & Confused, Pop, 032c as well as others.

-- N.C.

Playing with Eyeliner: Thursday Night w/ Richard Avedon

Richard Avedon w/ Sophia Loren in Rome 1966

As I prepared tonight for my editorial photo shoot this weekend-- packing my kit in ziplocks and satchels, washing my brushes and organizing my bag, I, per my routine, looked at images for inspiration (as well as any reference photos of the model(s) and makeup if needed). Today's single picture story is an inspiration that caught my eye by photographer Richard Avedon with Sophia Loren taken in Rome in 1966. 

I was practicing fine lines with a new eyeliner by Victoria's Secret VS Makeup Graphic Liner Pen -- which gets a NuyBeauty LIKE!;-) -- on my belly. No kidding. It was a nice bare surface to work on, while seamlessly watching an art documentary (Dirty Hands on artist David Choe)! And I thought of precision, clean lines, crispness... cat-eyes. Hence, Richard Avedon. So above is my makeup musing of the day. 

What do you think?

-- N.C.

Mother's Day Beauty Gifts for the Best Venter!

You're basically two clicks and a good #vent away from a bag of swag - ha!

Happy happy Mama's Day! My goodness do we work our as*es off all year to provide for our kids - in every which way. Well, I hope you have a fantastic day tomorrow, whether it's a day for yourself chilling out, or with your family and/or children. However you spend it, just know that being a mom is the hardest job in the world and this is the one day you should really really celebrate what a tough cookie you are. And how beautiful a being you are. Smile, relax and enjoy the day that is all about how YOU take care of those around you.

And because I love to give, I want to give a surprise bag of fun and mom-lovin' beauty goodies to a special mommy who comments on anything fun, funny, irritating, basically a FAIL-- whatever you want, that's happened to you as a mom (& if you're a pet-mom, foster mom, it all counts of course!), beauty- or fashion-wise while parenting underneath this blog [in the comments section]. And do me a tiny favor too ;-): follow me on Twitter @nuybeauty. Super easy rules for this contest, right?

The winner will be: the best commentator! You're basically two clicks and a good #vent away from a bag of swag - ha! I love you all! And feel to #VENT on Twitter if you so please! Just hashtag #VENT2NUY when you do so. :-)

Secret, sexy, beauty treats straight from Victoria's Secret Beauty to you!

Plus update, thanks to Victoria's Secret, there will be a bunch of awesome treats from their beauty collection in there, to spice things up - how cool is that?! 


Happy Mother's Day!

xo

Congrats to mthomas5@mac.com for her hilarious comment and for winning the contest! Enjoy!


--N.C.

Get Marion Cotillard's Elegant Curls by Robert Vetica from the 2013 Met Gala!

Marion Cotillard at the Met Gala, May 6, 2013, courtesy Getty Images Entertainment

There are few actors I am in enamored of - swept away by. I find too many of actor's faces and personas to be boring or un-alluring. However, Marion Cotillard is an exception. She is enigmatic, and when she moves on the camera, or you see her in print, there is a certain energy about it that is beyond your typical beauty. It's a bit electric, kind of incendiary -- the quality of a true starlet.

The red carpet at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in NYC is always a terrific scene for fashion. It's not like the Oscars where those invited come in billowing princess gowns and want many times to mimic old Hollywood and you see way too many Belles & Snow White look alikes (sorry!). The Met Gala is 100 percent about pure fashion, which is why I love it because it is a true celebration of dressing and costume at its essence. This year's theme: “PUNK: Chaos to Couture,” depicted the significant influence of the punk scene in the 70s as a music-inspired street happening and how it effected designers with legacies like Vivienne Westwood, and how it continues to infiltrate the runways today. 

Academy Award-winning actress Marion Cotillard, always eloquent in her style statement, arrived in a nude/rose strapless Dior couture gown with her hair styled in a retro-chic deconstructed look. It was simple, drop-dead gorgeous and flawless.

And, what I loved about her seemingly traditional and beautiful look? Her amazing hair. The side-swept curls -- with just the right touch of asymmetry. Robert Vetica, her stylist put a bit of controlled chaos -- we could maybe even say a bit punkish! -- in her rolled sideswept locks to offset her traditional dress, which was perfectly classic and couture. Now, that's thoughtful fashion. And it is truly CHAOS to COUTURE from head to toe. ;-).

STRAIGHT FROM THE RED CARPET - A CELEB HAIR HOW-TO:

Here's how Robert Vetica, owner of the luxurious Robert Vetica Salon at the famed SLS Hotel in Beverly Hills, created her look, exclusively with René Furterer products, so you can recreate it for yourself! "I wanted an asymmetrical feeling with two distinct textures—sleek on one side and textured with volume on the other, giving a feeling of deconstructed glamour," commented Vetica.

1) Starting with towel-dried hair, I applied René Furterer VOLUMEA volumizing foam - no rinse. This added volume and texture and also helped to protect hair from the heat of my blow-dryer and curling iron.

2) Next, after giving Marion's hair a blow-out, I made a low side part, and then pulled the left side of the hair tight, straight back and pinned it into place.

3) Using a small, 1/2 inch curling iron [try BaByLiss Pro 1-1/2" curling iron - a high quality tool you'll love -Nuy], I curled the outer perimeter of the right side of the hair into soft waves.

4) Next, I pin-curled the very top of her head to create the wave that fell off to the front and right side to frame Marion's face.

5) Once the curling process was done, I generously applied René Furterer VEGETAL FINISHING SPRAY to ensure hold and create shine. 

6) I finished the look by brushing the curls out and pinning the hair under to form the asymmetrical shape that you see - sleek on one side and textured with volume and retro waves on the other. For extra sheen, I gave Marion's hair a final misting of René Furterer GLOSSING SPRAY.

If you have any questions on this how-to, feel free to contact me at nuy@nuybeauty.com and I'll be happy to help! xo

Many thanks to Karen and Oliver Associates

--N.C.

Pattern Body Wash Giveaway: Award Winning, Natural Skincare Just For You!

Pattern Nutmeg Moisturizing Body Wash, a $20 value, all for you

One of my new favorite unisex bodywashes, is made by Pattern. They are all natural award-winning, loved by beauty editors (Cosmopolitan, NY Times, New Beauty, Men's Health), with no parabens, no artificial fragrances, colors or dyes -- and are not tested on animals. The washes are made with essential oils and plant extracts are for hair, face & body, which makes it great for kids & the whole family -- particularly if you have sensitive skin, are active, and want something simple and multi-use.

Simply follow me on Instagram and/or Twitter @nuybeauty, as well as Pattern Body Wash and you will be instantly entered to win the ph-balanced Nutmeg Moisturizing Wash, winner of the Shecky's Best Body Wash 2011 -- and has a lovely scent of nutmeg, amber, cardamom and lavender. Delish!

Simply Follow @nuybeauty on Twitter/Instagram & @PatternBodyWash, and be entered to win a bottle of this awesome Nutmeg Moisturizing Body Wash I always have in my bathroom.

Congrats to Ive Yeung for winning this contest! YAY! Woot IVE! xo

--N.C.