Sunday Feature: You Go Girl! Featuring MUA Carley Simandl

Every Sunday I feature a blogger, artist, photographer, makeup artist, actress, socialite or all around awesome person on my blog in a feature I like to call "You Go Girl!" or in some cases "You Go Boy!".

This week Ill be featuring Makeup Artist extraordinaire Carley Simandl. I met Carley when I attended The School of Makeup Art. She was a teacher at the school and made it a point to chat with every student there. Her words motivated me and pushed me to succeed and for that I will be ever thankful.

I asked Carley to give me her thoughts on beauty and here's what she had to say.
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So who are you and why are you so fabulous?

Carley Simandl.

For the record, I think everyone is fabulous, they just need to realize it!

I apply my talent in my everyday life because I am one of the lucky few who genuinely enjoy what they do. My ability with people is not just social, I create art on a living breathing canvas. Not to mention the spectrum of different personalities I encounter, I would like to mention the array of cultures I see and get to learn from. Much like finger prints, every feature on every person is very unique so I customize the look according to my client.

What one beauty product would you recommend to my readers and why?

Good question. I am going to have to say that it will vary from individual to individual, it is all about understanding your own skin. For the people with dry skin, it is not any beauty product, it is actually water that you must drink. Otherwise, I believe investing in a good routine of cleanse, tone and moisturize is most important. Without a healthy base, no amount of make-up will ever adhere to the skins surface.

Have you ever lost or broken a beauty item you wish you still had today?
I just remember at one point having one of those personal vanities that you plugged in. It had a double sided mirror, one side magnetized with warm and cool lighting effects. I don't know what happened to that thing but maybe it inspired me along the way...

Youre in a huge rush, what one beauty product do you grab?

3 answers:

First, an eyelash curler. It is that one accessory that can take you from sleep to wake. Unless you have naturally erect lashes, it is an essential tool to refresh and revive any morning face.

Second, bronzer. It can quickly even-out a face and add a sun kissed glow.

Third, lip gloss. The lips are a sex symbol feature, why not add an appeal? Tinted or clear, it can make any women feel sexy.

Tattooed makeup, yay or nay?
NAY! As the skin on the face drops, so do the tattoos. Your tattoo starts to look like melted make-up on a beach. It is inevitably one of those cases of getting it removed and redone scenarios...

What are your thoughts on fake eyelashes?
Love them. I believe they are necessary for certain looks/occasions. Do you know in the 60's everyone wore them on a regular basis? High school girls, working women, stay @ home mom's, grandma's, etc... I believe in lashes and extra mascara if need be.

Who would you say are some favorite celeb or high profile clients?
I have been lucky to work with with high profile people. Sometimes the more behind the scenes masterminds are more impressive than the actual talent themselves. There will always be Diva's and Divine's. My favorite are people who are real and I connect with.

Are there any makeup or beauty faux pas you really really cant stand?
Over tweezing of the brows... It is uncomplimentary to any face shape. Words of wisdom, only trust a your eyebrows in the hands of a very few. Trimming is also necessary for some. Call me...

Are you guilty of any yourself?
Yes, but if I told you, I'd have to kill you.

Do you have a favorite beauty guru/mentor?
I think mentors are highly important. If you want to get to the top, then you should know the names of the people, at the top so you know who to network with. six degrees of separation...

Was there a product you bought due to blog/youtube/word of mouth hype that you just weren't please with once you tried?
Yes. It is always a try and buy, until you get to the point where companies send you product to trial. Be weary, ask good questions until then. You will more likely discover 9 times out of ten, you know more than the sales person. If it is the one time out of ten, then at least you walked away with gained knowledge.

Favorite career moment?

Fashion week 2008/9, MMVA's 2009, Teaching, NYC, India, etc... I think I will have many more to come!

Any last words or advice?

Beauty is from the inside out and I say Eat for Beauty. You can choose a diet complete in minerals and vitamins that vitalize the skin. Vitamin A, C & E, Omega oils, Selenium (in Brazil nuts) and the most IMPORTANT aspect is WATER. WATER. WATER. WATER, You get the picture.

From the outside-in, consider an all natural & effective body moisturizer; coconut oil (a saturated fat, therefore at room temperature it is a solid, like butter) It is best cold-pressed and extra virgin. Try to get it in an opaque container, it is unstable to light.

One of the best face treatments is to do a night oil on a damp face. You can use organic rose hip oil, which is the natural oil for anti aging. The key is a damp face, the water carries the oil into the cellular level, so it is a necessary component.

I believe that smiling reverses aging, that's possibly the most important point.

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I want to thank Carley for chatting with me and for everything shes done for me, whether it was motivating talks or taking me to gigs, she went out of her way for her students and friends and I really admire that.