Fashion Features
Red Carpet Look: Luscious Lashes make the face
By April MacIntyre Feb 28, 2012, 22:34 GMT
Mills on the set of her last video for Gleam by Melanie Mills Lip Radiance launch (www.gleambymelaniemills.com)
Makeup junkies and glamour queens know that to pull off real Hollywood looks, lips have to be carved and filled in, brows arched and shaded to perfection, foundation seamless, blusher applied expertly, glowing cheekbones and eye makeup built up in a smoky sultry layer that makes the irises pop and the shape of the eye stand out.
But the cherry on the sundae, the thing that many makeup artists attempt to do last is what Emmy award-winning (Dancing with the Stars, 2008) artist Melanie Mills tackles first: Getting those peepers carved out perfectly and applying some lashes - either full strips, individuals or both - and securing with a fan brush application of a rich creamy mascara.
The effect turns an actress or model's pretty makeup into gorgeous babeland territory.
Mills is currently working with a group of some of the hottest young actresses around today, like the talented Ariana Grande and others on hit series iCarly and Victorious for Nickelodeon.
Her work shined a few years back for NBC's Celebrity Circus, where she took stars like Rachel Hunter and Stacey Dash from celebrity mom status to Cirque de Soleil uber-fabulous with creative cutting edge makeup for the face and body that no one had seen before in broadcast television.
Melanie is also experienced in doing makeup for the Oscars and other award shows for a demanding A-list clientele that know to expect the best from her for on-camera glamour and polish. Melanie has since created her own makeup line and launched a couture color collection of seven botanically based lip glosses dubbed "Lip Radiance" - from nude neutrals to powerful deep reds and plums - that moisturize and go the distance.
But her favorite feature, she tells Monsters and Critics, are the eyes, especially lashes. "I love adding a strip of lashes or clusters and seeing how my actress - especially if she's not used to them - react and love that eye opening look," says Mills by phone today from the Nickelodeon set.
"The Oscars are about perfect dresses, makeup, hair and dramatic lashes. You cannot do the hair; perfect the face without a finish of long, luscious lashes to stop heads everywhere you go. Lashes can change the shape of a profile in the most flattering way possible. Look at the effect on Sandra Bullock, Angelina Jolie, Jennifer Aniston, Rooney Mara and Jessica Chastain; their looks are all enhanced by the right lashes," says Mills.
Melanie hand applies single lashes often times along with full strips to create drama and allure, without compromising a natural lash. Proper extensions can lengthen lashes dramatically and double the thickness.
Says Mills “My favorite false lashes are Demi Wispies by Ardell, #117's by Ardell. I love to double them up and I also love individual flares in small medium and long too."
As for mascara, there's a great formula for every budget. "I'm never without Dolce and Gabbana black mascara, and I love cracking open a new DiorShow black mascara too, both are so luxurious; there's nothing like them.
I also love L'Oreal Voluminous in Carbon Black too, it works beautifully."
Secret weapons to get the lash strips in place? Mills says, "My tools are tweezers and a clean orange wood stick, but when I'm applying my own falsies, I use the back of a Duo dark glue tube!"
Why do lashes matter in a proper makeup?
"Lashes frame the eye and add drama and make the eye plush and dramatic, says Mills.”They can change your face and reshape the eye dramatically, and are a must! Don't be afraid to try on a pair, everyone has to learn once, then you get the hang of it and will be a pro in no time!"
