Happy Friday, gorgeous! Remember a few months back when I was a judge for Calling All Makeup Artists, the glamorous beauty showdown between six makeup artists? The competition included a day-long photography makeup workshop, and the winner scored the career-changing prize of being featured in the Spring 2012 lookbook for Your Name Professional Brands, seen by over 12,000 industry professionals.

Well – the lookbook has dropped, magazine style, springing to life with electric colors and editorial features. Scroll down to see the winner’s image, some daring makeup ideas, and Your Name’s Top 5 Trend picks for spring:

The Winner! Congratulations to CAMA winner Monica Verduzco of MOKA Cosmetics, whose final photogaph from the competition is featured here:

I don’t know about you but I’m ready for a colorful spring.

Are you a makeup artist? The next Calling All Makeup Artists compeition is set for NYC April 30. Join the CAMA Facebook page for updates!

It’s truly amazing what a talented makeup artist can do. He or she reaches into their bottomless makeup trunk, a beautiful mess of shadows, liners, primers, concealers, mascaras and lipsticks hitting every Pantone shade in existence, and in under an hour can turn you into a living, breathing masterpiece – that looks exactly like you, only hotter. Or softer. Or from another era.

Remember that recent report we covered on the importance of makeup in the workplace? It’s no secret that cosmetics play a role in our every day lives, the only secrets are how to achieve the precise look we so desire.

A few months ago I was invited to be on the panel of judges for Calling All Makeup Artists, a makeup showdown between six artists presented by YOUR NAME Professional Brands, 35-year-old industry leader in private label cosmetics for the salon and spa industry. As someone who has worked with many a makeup artist – from my days in editorial interning at VOGUE and Glamour, to the many beauty whizzes who have transformed me for events, on-camera appearances and weddings – I couldn’t wait to be on board to support.

Here’s how it worked: YOUR NAME sponsored six up-and-coming artists in a career-changing opportunity on October 3rd. They partook in a day-long photography makeup workshop led by renowned makeup artist David Maderich, during which each contestant was charged with creating an interpretation of YOUR NAME’s Spring 2012 collection. Each rendition was captured by acclaimed photographer Roberto Ligresti and handed over to a panel of beauty industry veterans – including yours truly! – to evaluate and select one lucky winner. The winner, yet to be announced, will be featured in the Spring 2012 YOUR NAME catalog which will be seen by over 12,000 beauty industry professionals.

THE JUDGES: Julie Keller, Editor-In-Chief, American Spa, Maggie Mulhern, Beauty and Fashion Director, Modern Salon, and me - Michelle Joni Lapidos, Director of Social Media & Editor of Spa Week Daily, SPA WEEK.

THE CONTESTANTS:

Devra Bader - Devra Bader Beauty Spa
Larry Chowning – About Face Designs
Jennifer Meletis – Lois Christy Salon
Monica Flor – Moka Cosmetics
Caty Flor – Moka Cosmetics
Zekira Kobas – Adam Broderick Salon

THE 6 FINAL IMAGES: After the glamorous showdown, I received the best final photo of each artist’s shoot, below. They haven’t yet revealed which photo is from which artist, and the winner is yet to be selected… so weigh in below! Which look do you love most? Scroll down to see all the looks, and at the bottom you’ll see who got my vote, and the super-fly reason why.

EDITORIAL WINNER – Jennifer Meletis of Lois Christie Salon:

BRAND WINNER – Monica Verduzco of MOKA Cosmetics:

My favorite? #6. The delicate rosiness in the cheeks, the sweet, glossy coral lip, and of course – the eye shadow. That look was obtained by taking a pair of carefully placed lacy panties and airbrushing eye shadow over them!

Check back soon to see who the winner is when it’s announced. (UPDATE: Winners have been announced – it was a tie! Check their Facebook page to see the vote count, and I also updated the tied winners above.)

Have a gorgeous (Halloween makeup-filled) weekend!

Is there anything more intimate than the relationship between a woman and her makeup? We wear it on a daily basis to help hide our flaws and enhance our natural beauty. Most of us wouldn’t dare leave the house without putting on some form of makeup (unless it’s Monday… remember Makeup Free Mondays?) Makeup is a powerful thing and now there’s a new benefit. A recent study published in the New York Times last week shows that women who wear makeup appear more competent. (more…)

By Melissa Williams

While the debate is still on as to whether humans should drink cow’s milk or not, one thing is unquestionably right…

Milk, applied topically, is great for your skin!

Of course you’ve heard of Cleopatra’s regular soaks in tubs full of honey and milk, helping her maintain her porcelaine soft skin, but did you know that milk also has other soothing properties?

Milk’s essential proteins, amino acids, and vitamin A work wonders on sensitive skin and its natural beta-hydroxyl acids act as skin conditioners to exfoliate, soothe, and soften. They also act as a natural skin brightener. Lactic acid cleans and softens, and stimulates cell renewal.

And in the summer months, milk has an even greater role. It helps alleviate and soothe skin that has seen just a few too many sunrays. Yes, if you’ve forgotten the sunscreen (tisk tisk) or just stayed outside too long, the jug in the fridge might help.

To make an ice-cold milk compress, poor a small amount of chilled whole milk into a bowl. Dip a washcloth into the mixture and apply to the skin. Allow the skin to soak in the milk, approximately 10-15 minutes.

Click to find a fabulous milk bath recipe, spas that offer milk based spa treatments and top skin care lines that offer milk based products

Originally featured on Healing Lifestyles.

It’s about time Rachel Zoe gets into the beauty biz… rumors circulated a few weeks ago that she was, and now it’s been confirmed. BANANAS! Rach is going to be launching a lipstick line “revolutionizing” the beauty industry under the name Exude.

Out of all the beauty items, I definitely agree lipstick makes the most sense for her to start with (assuming this will not be her last venture into cosmetics). She uses lip color very strategically on herself, amping up outfits with a pop of red quite frequently, and she nails it every time.

According to the press release, editors will be previewing the new line with Zoe herself, the brand ambassador, next week. “Set to look like the backstage of a runway show, editors will be introduced to the newest lipstick phenomenon in one of the most incredible settings of all time,” says the press release. “Exude will not only win over the market with its incredible palate of lip colors, but it will forever revolutionize the way a woman applies her lipstick.”

Sounds pretty dramatic. I didn’t get an invite to this super life-changing lipstick fest (womp), but I am pretty stoked to see the colors. My guess is that it will be the brightest collection known to man (electric coral, please!), and that she might even have some Violent Lips-esque craziness going on. Your guesses, beauties??

Image via SassyBella