DeLush Interview: Makeup Artist Carmindy Acosta
Perhaps you've seen her work her magic on TLC's "What Not to Wear". Or maybe you've seen the results of her work in magazines like Cosmopolitan, Elle, Vogue, GQ, Essence, Details, Marie Claire and InStyle or on celebrities such as Cindy Crawford, Isabella Rossellini, Heidi Klum and more. Makeup artist Carmindy Acosta is an incredible talent, and here she shares some of her fabulous tips with DeLush readers:
DeLush: How did you get your start as a makeup artist? What led you to that career choice?
Carmindy: My mother was a watercolorist; when I was a child and I would watch her paint for hours. She bought me a subscription to Elle magazine in the 8th grade and I was hooked. I wanted to live in that world of beauty. So for christmas one year I told me dad I wanted a Hollywood style makeup mirror and a directors chair and I began practicing on friends and family using techniques I learned from watching my mother.
DeLush: Before a woman even begins to put on her makeup, what do you like to recommend she uses as a moisturizer and/or makeup base?
Carmindy: A moisturizer with a built in sunscreen. You're makeup will go on smooth and even and you will be protected all day from the sun.
DeLush: There a couple of burning questions I hear about two things you recommend on the show a lot - spray foundation and bright coral/pink blush. Can I ask - what foundation are you using there and what brands/shades of blush are your favorites?
Carmindy: I like Era Spray foundation from Classified Cosmetics but I spray a sponge that has been dabbed in a bit of moisturizer first then apply. If you spray it directly onto the face the coverage will be uneven and a bit dry. My favorite universal shade of blush is Mac Flower Power.
DeLush: You have a fabulous ability to make women's eyes look gorgeous and sparkling. What general rules can women follow at home to select the right shades and application techniques to make their eyes really beautiful?
Carmindy: First off-less is more! Use the right products in the right places to enhance your own eye shape and color and never try to recreate a shape that you don't have. Shades are not as important as where you put things. I like highlighting instead of contouring so choose a shimmery light vanilla, white, pale gold or champagne shade and apply it under the brow and on the inside corner of the eye. This will capture the light and create that sparkle. Next smudge a liner directly into the roots of the lashes not above them and smooth over with a Q-tip so you get a nice soft smudge. Black mascara is key to bringing out the eyes.
DeLush: What are one or two things that you constantly see women doing WRONG with their makeup?
Carmindy: Using colors and techniques from their high school days.
DeLush: Now that it's getting warmer and we're getting ready for summer, what products do you recommend for women who deal with excessive oil during that time of year?
Carmindy: Mattifying gels applied in the areas that get too oily and take blotting papers with you for day time touch ups. Don't keep powdering or you will look cakey.
DeLush: Conversely to that, many women deal with drying, more sensitive skin as they get older. What products do you suggest to alleviate that and maintain a fresh dewy makeup look?
Carmindy: I love lotions that contain glycolic acid to slough off any dead skin and flakey patches and load up on thicker creams and eye balms for night time. Use sugar in your shower about 2-3 times a week to scrub your face and get a sweet complexion.
DeLush: Finally, a little fun - if someone took away all of the products you use personally on your own skin (who would be that mean?) and said you could only choose 3 cosmetic products and 1 skincare product to ever use again, what would you choose to keep?
Carmindy: A day cream with an spf, black mascara, berry pink lip gloss, and a berry pink cream blush.
Thank you SO much for taking time to talk with us, Carmindy!
*Stay tuned for periodic makeup tips for DeLush readers from Carmindy in the future!
Posted on May 22, 2006 8:29 AM in categories: DeLush Interviews
So..."They" tell us that the braid is coming back as an acceptable and fashionable look - on the side, as part of an updo, loosely done in the back... Is this something regular women can pull of or should we leave the braids to the little girls? And if you think it IS okay, at what age does it get...icky? So tell us: Do you really think braids can be incorporated into wearable looks for everyday women? Is the word on The Braid Love It or Lose It?
As we wrap our Drugstore Favorites Week here on DeLush and have confirmed that you DON'T have to spend a ton of money on quality beauty products, now's your chance to tell us what drugstore items you can't live without! And if there's another beauty product from the drugstore that you want us to test here at DeLush, let us know about that as well.
Introducing Lotus Skincare 
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Take mom away from the everyday with a treasury of pampering escapes to paradise. The pleasure is all hers. This gift assortment contains a variety of products to help Mom relax this Mother's Day: Soothing Sea Salts™ For the bath net, Paradise Found™ Balinese body cream, Paradise Found™ Balinese body glow, Reinventing the Heel™ Mega-moisture for dry, cracked feet, Make a Difference™ Rejuvenating hand treatment, and Moisturizing Socks all packaged in a Lisa Jenks for Origins™ Keepsake Gift Box. This gift set is priced at $68 and is available at Origins stores or