Photo: Margi Tobey of Mehron

In the midst of NYFW madness I was able to meet and interview James Vincent for Mehron, half-completed face-chart in his hand, as he prepped for the ELLE x Kohl’s SS15 Runway Collection show.

We discussed the look for the show — a natural but sophisticated glamour — as well as which Mehron pro products he used to achieve it. Vincent also candidly offered his suggestions for recreating the look not to mimic the runway but rather in a way that is more wearable and accessible for the “everyday girl.”

To sum up the look, Vincent said, “It’s about a strong brow and a glossy lip. It’s more about style than fashion.” When probed, he explained the look spoke more to individual style than to a specific, one-size-and-look-fits-all fashion concept. Which underscores his thoughts on reinterpreting the makeup your own way to fit your own daily lifestyle.

Photo: Margi Tobey of Mehron

FACE

Vincent used Mehron Celebre Pro HD Makeup foundation and Celebre Pro HD Loose Mineral Finishing Powder, plus powder to contour. CHEEK Cream in Geranium was also applied. Skin looked like skin, in the best possible way.

Vincent advised to “cut the foundation with moisturizer” for a more dewy finish. He also used the same makeup product (the Celebre Pro HD Makeup) as his concealer for a flawless finish, as like products blend to perfection. (Not always the case when, for example, using a powder foundation and a liquid concealer.)

For home application, Vincent suggested skipping the contour for everyday wear and instead playing with lighter shades to bring forward features as well as using both matte and dewy finishes to create depth via contrast. (Like highlighting and contouring, dewy finishes will appear to come forward and matte finishes will appear to recede.)

BROW

Vincent used a pencil to draw in individual hairs followed by a matte shadow to set the pencil and add dimension. The effect was a strong but not overdone brow.

EYE

Vincent used E.Y.E. powder in Natural Wheat to contour the eye and E.Y.E. Liner Pencil in Black. Just as he layered brows, Vincent topped the pencil with black liquid liner along the top lashline “for added dimension.” His liner extended beyond the outer corner slightly upward toward the tail of the brow for a subtle but chic cateye.

LIP

Vincent painted lips in L.I.P. Color Cream in Valentine, then added Glosstone PRO in Red Kiss as a shiny topcoat.

Vincent recommended adding gloss to the center of the lips only (the “hot point”) when recreating the look for just an illusion of fullness. He also suggested pressing lip products onto the mouth with fingertips, tossing aside the lip brush, for a pretty popsicle stain.

TOTAL BEAUTY

The look for ELLE x Kohl’s was a beautiful demonstration of a classic but still effortless look. Vincent loves the notion of the flush on the cheek matching the lip stain. He sees monochromatic makeup as modern and fresh. And this interpretation of monochromatic makeup (along with its “everyday” customized options) is a really nice departure from the ubiquitous “no makeup makeup” look on runway after runway.

A red lip for the everyday girl is my kind of everyday.

XOLC

Note: This post is not sponsored. All thoughts are unbiased and my own. 

Lauren Cosenza is the creator and editor-in-chief of DIVAlicious, a trusted beauty/fashion expert, an on-camera personality and spokesperson, a leading NYC-based professional makeup artist, a published contributor and writer, a brand consultant, a product junkie and an insatiable style seeker.

Serving up style with a side of attitude, DIVAlicious gives women (and men) the confidence and permission to be fabulous. The site is filled with must-have products, pro tips and tricks, how-to DIY tutorials, makeovers, style inspiration and insider access.