How To Nail "No-Makeup" Makeup — According To Alicia Keys' Artist

PHOTO: STEVE GRANITZ/WIREIMAGE.

There are makeup artists known for unapologetically bright lips, over-the-top contouring, and bold geometric liners. And then there's Dotti, who is better known for creating makeup looks in which the makeup itself is impossible to detect. An industry vet, Dotti has worked with Emma Watson, Cate Blanchett, and Alicia Keys — not that you'd ever know it.

So how exactly does the queen of no-makeup makeup accomplish that natural afterglow effect? First, by extending her job title beyond just "makeup" artist. The majority of Dotti's work is actually in skin prep. She starts by tapping on serums (Eminence Citrus & Kale Potent C+E Serum), massaging in face oils (MV Organic Skincare), and spritzing on face mists (Avène and La Roche Posay), all in an effort to increase circulation and give skin a natural radiance.

Then, she chooses products that work with the skin, not against it. "I look for products I can break down with my serums and oils, so they become a part of the skin instead of sitting above it," she tells Refinery29. After sweeping on her final touches of makeup, the pro relies on a jade roller and mists of thermal water to melt it all together — all while simultaneously stimulating the skin to maximize that flush.

See precisely which cosmetics make up her tightly-edited makeup bag — and the complexions of seemingly bare-faced celebrities — ahead. Then get ready to mist, tap, and roll your way to your most natural makeup look yet.

Hair Fix: Topical Biotin Benefits for Hair: Does it Really Work?

By now it’s common knowledge that popping biotin daily won’t guarantee long, lush hair. The truth is that biotin doesn’t make hair grow faster or longer. It can only promote longer hair by strengthening the hair follicle. Stronger hair allows each strand to reach the end of its growth cycle. Your genetics then decide just how far that cycle will take you — to mermaid-like lengths or average, below-the-shoulder ends.

Another sad fact: Unless you’re deficient in biotin (or B vitamins), the supplement won’t make much of a difference. “Most people get enough biotin from foods as well as the biotin our bodies produce,” says dermatologist and scalp expert Dr. Rebecca Kazin. So popping a pill (just like any vitamin supplement you don’t need) won’t do much…or anything at all.

But now there’s a new breed of biotin products, coming in the form of serums, shampoos and even hairspray. Topical biotin offers the same (not-so-reliable) results as ingested biotin, but it guarantees the added benefit of instant fullness. “Applying a hair product that is made with biotin will help strengthen the surface of the strands,” says Schwarzkopf Essence ULTÎME celebrity hairstylist Richard Collins. The formulas coat each strand and thereby increase the diameter of each existing hair. 

[ Everything You Need to Know About Taking Biotin for Hair Growth ]

Schwarzkopf Essence ULTÎME is one of the first to offer a full range of biotin-infused topicals. Biotin+ Volume & Vitality Shampoo ($6.97 at Walmart) promotes less breakage because of the blend of biotin and keratin. The result is overall thicker hair in as little as seven days. Our tester was impressed. (Matrix Biolage FullDensity Thickening Shampoo works similarly to remove follicle clogging impurities and promotes more durable strands.) The other winner in the collection is the Biotin+ Volume & Vitality Daily Serum Spray ($6.97 at Walmart). The lightweight spray doesn’t weigh down even the finest of hair and adds fullness by adding smooth movement to hair’s natural texture. Just don’t brush after spraying on damp, just-washed hair for better volume.

For a boosted blowout, try Briogeo Blossom & Bloom Ginseng + Biotin Volumizer ($18 at Sephora) — a blowdry spray. Hair instantly has more height at the root and over time, it can even promote hair growth. While biotin adds strength, the formula’s ginseng root and ginger root are the ones that really promote growth. Ginseng stimulates blood flow to the scalp and follicles, while ginger, a natural oil, helps energize the follicle.

Bosley Healthy Hair Follicle Energizer ($18.99 at Bosley) also helps thinning hair. The leave-in serum contains biotinyl-GHK that protects hair follicles, while scalp activators help to increase the energy levels of the follicles and promote healthy growth. Just dab a few drops where thinning occurs most.

While instant results are common, how much difference you’ll see over time is debatable. “Topical biotin has been reported to improve the appearance of skin and hair, but it is difficult to know how much is able to penetrate the skin, scalp and hair cuticle barrier,” says Kazin. All of the formulas are formulated for thin, fine hair (read: lightweight and won’t weigh down hair), so they automatically promote fuller-looking hair with or without biotin’s help. 

But what about the fact that I've been Trying a new brand called Mane Choice, whose products are also infused with Biotin, and my ponytail looks and feels thicker after a month of testing their Orchid Gel 7 laid Back edge control? Is that the result of castor oil & magic D vitamins or merely a coincidence? While we wait for more studies and concrete evidence on topical biotin benefits, we’ll be dosing our hair with the seemingly miracle formulas just in case OKKUUURRRRR!

- XOXO Jhenelle Hill

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K Swiss X CoCo & Breezy

Behind the scenes at our shoot with CoCo & Breezy this past Tuesday for K Swiss Entrepreneurs Campaign. Makeup by Jhenelle Hill ( Jhenelle Neon) of Neonfix. A Vayard Media Production. Scroll down for more photos & video footage of the exclusive shoot!!!

HOW TO PULL OFF GLOSSY EYELIDS & DEWY SKIN THIS SPRING!

Beauty tutorials are big on YouTube — a search for “makeup tutorial” and “hair tutorial” yields more than 5 million videos. In this weekly series, we put a mix of popular and under-the-radar tutorials to the test and show you what’s best.

The no-makeup makeup look has been dominating runways and fashion editorials for the past couple seasons now (and the dominant lazy part of me doesn't mind one bit), but there are situations that call for a little somethingto spruce up your look. While bold, dark lips are the hands-down easiest way to liven up a bare face, there's another easy trick to try that's perfect for spring: glossy eyelids. The key is creating a soft, dewy and seasonally appropriate shine that meshes with a fresh complexion — and doesn't make you look like you just stepped out of a wacky fashion editorial or music video. 

Backed by an electro-lounge-y soundtrack that evokes a W Hotel lobby or swanky spa reception area, this wordless and fairly straightforward video by easyNeon begins with a crucial step-by-step tutorial on how to fake a flawless makeup-free face. Then, after minimally defining the eyes (Eyeko mascara and a few individual lashes) and a layer of gothy, near-black lipgloss — the model has really steady hands, no liner! — the eye gloss happens. The model opts for a simple smooth balm — Lucas Papaw ointment in this case, but Vaseline would work, too — and dabs it on her eyelids with a finger.

The main lesson learned here? To pull off a spring-ready glossy eyelid, you first need to create a perfect, immaculate, no-makeup-looking foundation, which, ironically, requires quite a lil effort and a fair amount of beauty products. Check out the full list below, per easyNeon:

-Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk foundation
-Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector in Moonstone
-Makeup Atelier Concealer
-Clarins Instant Concealer
-Chantecaille Talc free loose powder
-Kevin Aucoin Sculpting Powder
-Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector pressed in Moonstone
-Eyeko mascara
-Ardell individual false lashes (long and medium)
-Lucas Papaw ointment (for the glossy effect)
-Anastasia Beverly Hills liquid lipstick in Potion

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ANDRÉ LEON TALLEY AND WILL.I.AM ARE MAKING WEARABLE TECH TOGETHER: We didn't see this coming.

We aren't surprised that André Leon Talley was quick to find a new project after leaving his role at Zappos Couture. However, we are a little surprised that it's with human url/musician/aspiring tech mogul Will.i.am. The formerVogue editor at large has been named fashion and style director at Will.i.am and i.amPULS, Will.i.am's new wearables line, WWD reports. A rep for Will.i.am did not immediately respond to our request for confirmation.

The two were recently spotted together helping out with Vogue's well-documented move from 4 Times Square to 1 World Trade Center. Little did we know it was only the beginning of a beautiful collaborative relationship.

Lauren Conrad's New Hair . . . or lack there of

By the time you finish reading this, Lauren Conrad will probably have chopped off another inch of her hair. 

Since marrying William Tell in September, the style star has been on a one-woman mission to change up her 'do. Gone are the long, golden locks everyone lusted after during the era of The Hills. Conrad went for the chop in late October, followed by another cut a week later. And — ta-da! — she revealed yet another trim yesterday. At this rate, she'll be bald by Christmas. 

As it stands, LC has a lovely, shaggy bob that, in her words, "clears the shoulders." Feel free to print out her Instagram snap for your next salon visit, but be warned: You may not want to get too attached. Who knows what next week will bring? 

PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT: Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara

What it is:
An intensely black, volumizing mascara with an hourglass-shaped brush that separates, coats, and curls each lash to voluptuous perfection. 

What it does:
Inspired by the curves of a woman’s body, the hourglass-shaped brush was designed with extra stiff bristles to maximize the performance of this carbon black, collagen-fueled formula. One coat and lashes are full and defined. Two coats and lashes are even more luscious, curled, and dramatic. Three coats help you achieve the most intense, black, multidimensional lashes possible. 

What it is formulated WITHOUT:
- Parabens 

What else you need to know:
Better Than Sex mascara contains a film-forming polymer for smudge-proof, all day wear and unique peptides for the deepest, intense black possible. YUMMY!

XOXO

NEON