Beauty Obsession: Blush

Lifetime has a show called Blush: The Search for the Next Great Makeup Artist. Um, it's sort of amazing. (It's like America's Next Top Model for makeup artists.) I caught it a few weeks ago -- and immediately text messaged Mai. Now, we are hooked. The show is a mix of drama and makeup challenges. Watch it. Tuesdays, 10pm.

Miley Cyrus: American Music Awards

Miley Cyrus looked radiant at the 38th American Music Awards last night. (And I'm not just saying that because Mai did her makeup.)

To get her red carpet look, Mai used all mark cosmetics. She started with mark I-Glimmer Illuminating Eye Color in Bronzed and Smoked. She lined eyes with mark On the Edge Hook Up Liquid Eyeliner in Cleo, starting from the middle of the eye and gently winged it upwards and outwards. Her lashes were coated with four coats of mark Make It Big Lash Plumping Mascara in Raven. For foundation, Mai applied mark Face Xpert Flawless Touch Makeup in Natural with the mark Foundation Brush only where needed. She followed with Matte-nificent Oil-Absorbing Powder in Buff/Natural. For blush, Mai applied mark Good Glowing Blush Custom Color Palette in Mosaic and Golden Glo to the apples of Miley's cheeks. She finished her look with mark Glow Baby Glow Hook Up Lip Gloss in Secret.

Miley Cyrus: Bolt Premiere

Mai did Miley's makeup for the Bolt movie premiere.

Paul & Joe Disney Collection Debuts in America

Get ready, America! Paul & Joe’s Disney collection (formerly exclusively to Japan & Europe) will be arriving in the US at THE BEAUTY CLOSET this November! This very limited edition collection includes a Face Color in orange (Bambi) and pink (Flower the Skunk), a luxe milky Lip Treatment with a sheer pink tint (Marie from Aristocats) and an orange-flower scented Protective Hand Cream (Lady of Lady & the Tramp). I love how they incorporated Paul & Joe's signature look with Disney's characters. As Thumper would say, "It's purrrty." And now, I'm strangely inspired to go home and unlock the Disney vault. Preorder yours at 818-508-1818 or stock up at www.thebeautycloset.com

Lydia Hearst

Model Lydia Hearst for a party invite. Makeup by Mai.

Music Video: Alanis Morissette Not As We

Beauty Obsession: Fresh Sugar Lip Treatment

Our first instinct upon seeing this Fresh Sugar Lip Treatment was the mistake of thinking it was a lip scrub. (Some sort of confusion in our brain with seeing the words “Sugar” and “Treatment”. Sounds kind of scrubby, right?) So, it was cast aside until one day when we actually opened the tube and had the pleasure of introducing our lips to a little bit of lip balm heaven. We were like, “Lips, meet Fresh’s Sugar Lip Treatment.” Our lips were like, “What the hell have you been holding out on us for?” Not only does it have SPF 15 but it tastes like a sugar cookie (minus the calories) and feels so good on lips. Let’s just say this delectable lip balm is currently holding a number one spot in the makeup bag. Available at www.fresh.com and www.sephora.com

On the Newstand: Details

Mai made up Shannen Doherty for the current issue of Details.

Sandra Oh: Emmy Awards

Mai did Sandra Oh's makeup at the 60th Annual Emmy Awards last night. Mai wanted her makeup to be bold but delicate to complement her tiered Oscar de la Renta gown. She created her look with a bevy of items from mark cosmetics. On her eyes, she used mark I-Glimmer Illuminating Eye Color in Smoked and I-Mark Custom Pick Eye Shadow in Corset and lined her eyes with On the Edge Hook Up Liquid Eyeliner in Cleo. Lashes were coated with Make It Big Lash Plumping Mascara in Raven. For blush, she used Good Glowing Mosaic Blush Custom Color Palette. For lips, she used Dew Drenched Moisturlicious Lip Color in Rain.

Lash Envy: Givenchy Phenomen'Eyes Mascara

We are always on the search for great mascara. It's a love/hate relationship, really. So as soon as I saw Givenchy’s Phenomen’Eyes in In Style, I knew I had to try it...and was hoping it would be all kinds of love. It became an obsession. I couldn’t stop fantasizing about that rounded applicator. It was one of those moments where you go, “Why didn’t I think of that?” Finally, Mai and I made a trip to Sephora and picked up one tube each. I have to admit, the rounded wand is amazing and genius and makes mascara so easy to apply. Because of its shape, you can get lashes at the base, tips and it even reaches those baby lashes at the inner and outer corners that are impossible to get with a conventional mascara wand. The best part is someone asked if I had fake lashes on the other day. Uh-huh. The verdict is in. Givenchy Phenomen'Eyes gives good lash. Our only complaint? The actual mascara is a little sticky for our taste, but with lashes this great we can deal with a little stick. Available at www.sephora.com

Paul Starr Memorial

Sadly, makeup artist Paul Starr has passed away. He was 51.


A memorial will be held Saturday, August 23rd at Smashbox Studios at 8549 Higuera St., Culver City from 3pm-6pm.

Beauty Obsession: Herban Essentials Towelettes

You’ve probably seen these towelettes featured in Lucky or Allure. You’re thinking blah, blah, blah, how many hand sanitizers and antibacterial products could you possibly need, right? But here’s the thing, these are not your ordinary antibacterial wipes. These are extraordinary. They are magical. You do not share these with your friends. (I mean, you should share them…but you won’t want to.) Not only do they smell ah-mazing, you can use them for more than just disinfecting. We love the Lemon for hand sanitizer and when put in the fridge, it makes a refreshing treat for your face after the gym or on a hot summer day. Mai swears by the Peppermint for soothing a stomach ache or sore legs. And our friend Lisa is taking Lavender on her trip to Italy to repel mosquitoes and remove makeup. Talk about multi-tasking. 20 individually packaged towelettes come in a bag so they are perfect for throwing in your purse.

Available at www.herbanessentials.com & www.thebeautycloset.com

Anna Faris: House Bunny Premiere

Mai was recently in New York and did Anna Faris for the House Bunny premiere and TRL.

Beauty Obsession: Paul & Joe Inspiree

We tend to get really excited over Paul & Joe's limited collection launches -- particularly over their creamy lipsticks. The fall collection, Inspiree, is ultra-romantic with its scheme of soft shades and eclectic packaging. The trio of lipsticks come in a milk chocolate brown, nude beige and feminine pinky nude. If only the warm weather would cool down, we’d be all set for fall.


Available online at www.thebeautycloset.com

Miley Cyrus - Teen Choice Awards

Mai recently did Miley Cyrus' makeup when she hosted the Teen Choice Awards.

On the Newstand: Cosmo Girl

Mai recently did Vanessa Hudgens for the August cover of Cosmo Girl!

Music Video: Miley Cyrus 7 Things

Mai did makeup for Miley Cyrus on her 7 Things video that premiered Tuesday.

On the Newstand: InStyle Weddings

Mai recently did Roselyn Sanchez's makeup for InStyle Weddings. In the article, Roselyn mentions that she loves Leaf and Rusher TX Eye Cream. (She gets it from The Beauty Closet!)

On the Newstand: In Style

Mai recently did the makeup for Amanda Peet and Ginnifer Goodwin in "Summer Goes Sexy" in the current issue of In Style.

Beauty Obsession: Eucerin Calming Creme

I have been on a quest for a hydrating body lotion that won't irritate my super sensitive skin for years. The skin on my legs is so dry and itchy, I tend to scratch until they bleed. I've tried everything fragrance-free and even prescription cortisone creams. Still nothing really impressed me. I really thought that maybe my dream cream didn't exist and I'd have to settle on Vaseline Petroleum Jelly for the rest of my greasy-legged life. That was, until I tried Eucerin Calming Cream. My skin texture and appearance has never felt and looked better. This rich creme soothed my itchy and irritated skin and now it’s so soft and smooth – even my boyfriend can’t believe it. I can even slather this on immediately after shaving my legs without instant razor burn. It's everything I’ve ever wanted in a body cream and more. Available at www.drugstore.com - Shannon

On the Newstand: People

Recently, I did Miley Cyrus' makeup for People magazine. It is in the 100 Most Beautiful issue.- Mai

Get Carried Away: Sex and the City's Sarah Jessica Parker

Cosmopolitans. Jimmy Choos. Witty puns. Yes, Carrie-fever is among us. With Sex and the City: The Movie premiering this month, we know you’ll be wondering what Carrie’s wearing…and we’re not talking about her shoes. We spoke with Sarah Jessica Parker’s makeup artist, Judy Chin, about—what else—Carrie’s makeup. To get her look, pair bare skin and high shine lips with dramatic eyes and rosy cheeks.

Her bare-looking skin was created with Tarte Smooth Operator and The Balm Tinted Moisturizer. For concealers, Judy used Laura Mercier Secret Camouflage, The Body Shop Lightening Touch Concealer and Lancôme Maquicomplet Concealer. She set makeup with a light dusting of La Mer Loose Powder. Rosy cheeks a la Carrie Bradshaw came courtesy of Nars Multiples in Cannes, Copacabana, Palm Beach and Shiseido The Makeup Accentuating Color Stick in Rosy Flush. Her daytime eye was neutral (MAC Paint Pot in Bare Study) while for evening, Judy bumped it up with smudged charcoals (Paula Dorf Twilight) and deep, slate blues (Paula Dorf Hussy) and greens (MAC Paint Pot in Moss Scape). Depending on the scene, Judy lined Carrie’s eyes with MAC Fluidline, Powerpoint Eye Pencil in Engraved or Laura Mercier Kohl Eye Pencils. Her lashes were coated with Nars Mascara in Black Orchid. Paula Dorf Brow Groomer and Shu Uemura Brow Pencil in Seal Brown kept brows looking groomed. Lips were soft with Laura Mercier Lip Balm, sometimes berry stained, with a shiny gloss.

Beauty Obsession: Makeup For Ever Aqua Eyes

I was in the market for a new brown eye liner. So on a recent trip to Sephora, Mai recommended I try Makeup For Ever Aqua Eyes. I have to say, I am in love with this waterproof eye liner. No running, flaking or fading and you can even wear it as an eye shadow. It goes on so smooth and lasts all day. And it comes in the prettiest array of colors. What more could you want from an eyeliner? I am wearing 2L Pearly Brown which perfectly complements my green eyes. Available at Sephora.com

Beauty Obsession: mark Pro Gloss Hook Up Plumping Lip Shine

When it comes to lip gloss we tend to be non-commital and difficult to please. But when we find that one, we hold on to it, stash it in our makeup bag, and wear it regularly. That is, until another gloss woos us with promises of luscious lips and succulent shades. In an industry, where the next “it” product is being created as we type, we don’t give our love away so easily.

That was until we met Mark Pro Gloss Hook Up Plumping Lip Shine. The gloss goes on so smooth and imparts just a hint of color giving lips a perfect shine without the stickiness. As Mai put it, “Your lips look like they are coated with honey.” Unlike many plumping glosses, this one doesn’t dry out our lips. And the price is right. For only $5, we'll be hooking up all summer with mark lip shine.

Shannon’s wearing Splashy and Swank. Mai’s wearing Smashing and Sublime. Available at www.meetmark.com

On the Newstand: Lucky

Mai recently did Amanda Peet's makeup for the June issue of Lucky magazine.

Celebrate Mother's Day with Paul and Joe Beaute

Paul & Joe Beaute has quite the cult following. If not for its limited collection lipsticks, than surely for its UV Primer and seasonal makeup bags. We happen to be suckers for Paul & Joe's sheer lipsticks.

In honor of Mother's day, The Beauty Closet (yes, shameless plug) is hosting an event with Paul & Joe Beaute. Bring your mother, your daughter, your sister or your friends and experience Paul & Joe's feminine and whimsical collection.

When: Saturday, May 10th, 12-4pm
Where: The Beauty Closet 12216 Ventura Blvd., Studio City, CA 91604, (818) 508-1818

On the Newstand: Maxim

Mai recently did Elisha Cuthbert's makeup for the May issue of Maxim.

Welcome to Our Blog

Some might call us beauty junkies but we’ll be the first to say that’s an understatement. We scour the beauty pages of every magazine, share a love of lip gloss, and are never the last to know about a new brand or product. In fact, we’ve actually founded our careers on the topic of beauty. And believe it or not, we’ve been friends long before we worked in the beauty industry, before either of us had a clue. But we make a great team: A celebrity makeup artist and a beauty writer turned beauty boutique entrepreneur. With all the time we spend talking to each other about our newest finds or our quest for the perfect mascara, we figured we might as well share our revelations with other beauty obsessed. That is what we plan to do, and we kind of consider ourselves experts on the topic. We’ll share our newest obsessions, highlight some of Mai’s latest work, noteworthy events, and whatever else tickles our beauty fancy. Welcome and we hope you enjoy!

You can learn more about us: www.thewallgroup.com and www.thebeautycloset.com

Kristen Bell: Forgetting Sarah Marshall Premiere

I recently did Kristen Bell's makeup for the Forgetting Sarah Marshall premiere. To create this look, I used Armani Luminous Silk Foundation in #4, Cle de Peau concealer in Beige and YSL Touche Eclat in 2. On her eyes, I used the light blue color from Kevyn Aucoin Eyeshadow Palette #6, Make Up For Ever Khol eye pencil in 5K, Ardell Individual Lashes in Medium and Short, and Clinique Naturally Glossy Mascara in Jet Black. On her cheeks, I used Shu Uemura powder blush in Amber 83. Her lips have Dior Addict Gloss in 257. - Mai