Seasonal Trends and Treats

Makeup Artist, Anthea King gives me her expert opinion on what's hot right now and what products she can't live without.

It's hard to believe it, but Winter is here. The snowy season has many things to offer (I keep telling myself). The cold weather welcomes festive changes such as the opportunity to wear boots in various styles, the infectiousness of the holiday spirit, rocking rosy flushed cheeks that make you look romantically windswept, like you've just stepped into a chalet, ready to sip on hot cocoa by the fire, being able to slip on edgy styles from dark nail polish to trendy blunt bangs, sweater dresses and eternally elegant red lipstick.

I recently caught up with New York based celebrity makeup artist (clients include Alicia Keys, Mariah Carey and Carrie Underwood) and Mark Cosmetic Expert, Anthea King, who gave me the skinny on her favorite products and trends for the season and the scoop on the starlets that are going Lady GaGa over them.

The Beauty Buff (TBB): What are your must have products right now?

Anthea King (AK):

Caudalie Beauty Elixir (a toner/serum mist of essential oils and plant ingredients, $15.00, Drugstore.com)

By Terry Lip Balm (a glossy rose-scented lip balm, $60.00, Barneys)

Leonor Greyl Magnolia Oil (a moisturizing lotion that leaves skin feeling satiny, $42.00 beautyhabit.com )

Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation (touted as the Holy Grail of foundation by countless beauty experts, $58.00, Bloomingdales)

Cover Girl Trublend Bronzer (an inexpensive mineral based powder that gives a sun kissed look, 7.29, Drugstore.com)

Shu Uemura Lash Curler (the Rolls Royce of eyelash curlers, $17.00, Sephora)

Benefit Dallas (a pressed powder that induces a rosy peachy glow, $28.00, Sephora)

Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Powder (for a matte shine free face, $34.00, Sephora)

Dior Eyeshadows (set aside some saved up change for these quality shadows, $56.00, Sephora)

Rene Furterer Karite Oil (a nutritious and intense restoration for dry hair, $36.00, Skinstore.com)

Terax Crema (a moisturizing conditioner for your locks, $22.00, Sephora)

TBB: What are the latest products you've been using and loving and what beauty trends for the Fall/Winter can we expect to see.

AK: I am into the matte lip and also lip stains that give a "bitten" look, also jewel toned eyes and lips in Bordeaux, rich aubergine for lips and deep violets and emeralds for the eyes.

TBB: What trends have you been seeing and doing on your celebrity clients

AK: Mariah Carey loves lots of lashes. I apply them individually all along the eye and add several layers of them for a very lashy look and skip the mascara. Cynthia Nixon looks great with a bright lip. I am currently skipping the gloss and using products that give a more velvety feel.

TBB: How are the latest makeup trends indicative of the latest Fall/Winter fashion?

AK: Fashion is turning back to what it was in the 90's, with the feel being more androgynous with a rock and roll edge. There's a lot of black and white and it's a lot about the cut rather than ruffles and embellishments--think Alaia, Balenciaga, Balmain, Alexander Wang, Lanvin. Clothes that look great with a pop of color on the eyes or lips. It keeps [the makeup keeps the overall look] feminine without overpowering the clothes.

TBB: What are your favorite new products you can't live without right now?

AK: I truly love Mark's lip glosses, especially the Pro Gloss Hook Up Plumping Lip Shine. It has the most vibrant shades available and the pigments are extremely rich. The plumping shine also contains a special 3D complex which hydrates and moisturizes the lips. ($5.50, Avon) I also have a Milani Nail Polish ($4.49, drugstores) in the most shocking fluorescent pink imaginable that I wore on my toes all summer [and am loving the latest shades they have out for this season].


Laura Mercier has a lip palette with six colors in each and they are the most wearable pretty shades. ($48.00, lauramercier.com)


Also, Stila recently came out with one of their Smudge Pots and the black one has the finest gold shimmer in it! ($20.00, stilacosmetics.com)

Thanks for letting us know what to put on our wish list this holiday season Anthea!

Any product in particular catch your eye? Tell us what products you're vying for this Winter and what your favorite hair and makeup trends are right now!