A few weeks ago I had the pleasure and honor to work with Dior National Makeup Artist, Jeffrey Sanchez. Whenever I have the opportunity to meet a national artist from a beauty line I take advantage of it when I can. A person can learn so much from them even if it’s one tip it’s usually a priceless one. So my advice to you – if you want to learn more about how to apply your makeup and if you walk away just learning one thing, it is well worth it.
I’m always curious what a national artist such as Jeffrey, carries in their makeup bag – the bag of magical must-haves as I call it. Jeffrey travels nearly every week of the year – quite a schedule! So what he uses has to work not only for him as an artist, but product that he knows will work for his clients too.
Alongside his Dior brushes that are a staple in his makeup bag, he has a few other Dior products that happen to be some of my favorites as well! I overheard Jeffrey telling someone why the Dior eyeliner brush is better and different than most – the edges are tapered to be able to move the brush from side to side as well as straight on to be able to get product wherever it is needed. Most eyeliner brushes are flat or straight without tapered edges so you have to put the product straight onto the lash line rather than being able to move your wrist around and follow the natural curve of the eye.
Some other products that are favorites are Skinflash Primer – I agree with this one as well, it’s my all-time favorite primer and I’ve written about it here on Fab Over 40 before. It leaves your skin radiant and soft and on the days you don’t want to wear any foundation, it evens out the skin to give it a flawless look on its own. Jeffrey said he likes to mix it with a little bit of Skinflash or Nude Concealer where needed.
Brow Styler is also another product he uses on everyone. Nearly all of us can use help in the brow area, whether it’s just filling in a little sparse area or helping them to look more full overall, and the Brow Styler works for all brow shades. I’ve also written about this in the past, here. My own little side story on this product – I recently spent the weekend with my sisters and we were doing makeup applications one morning and I used this on one of my sisters who over time has over plucked her brows and now they don’t grow in (a common mishap). The rest of my family kept on commenting on how having her brows filled in changed the whole look of her face and how much better and natural her brows looked. So ladies – brows do make a huge difference!
A third must-have product he always carries in his makeup bag is Dior Addict Lip Polish. It’s a gloss with a soft-as-silk formula and the sponge tip rolls along the lips so it glides on easily. One of the things I love about Dior glosses is that they are never, ever sticky or tacky. Jeffrey especially likes this on women over 40 as it glides over the lips, even if you have lip lines there are microspheres that plump up and pull out the fine lines and cracks.
One item we didn’t discuss, but I noticed he used on nearly every one is the Crayon Waterproof Eyeliner in Trinidad Black. This liner is very smooth and creamy and stays put!
A few of Jeffrey’s favorite skin care products are the Capture Totale Radiance Enhancer, which he absolutely loves! It gives a glow to the skin, which is so important. The skin looks healthy and it neutralizes irregularities in the skin. It helps prevent oxidation of skin cells which in turn helps your skin cells to live longer – which gives your skin that healthy glow. It also helps to take the redness out of the skin.
Capture Totale Night Creme – he also swears by Capture Totale Creme during the day, but especially loves the night cream. It contains 3 x the potency of Vitamin C and night cream is specific to working with our body’s natural repairative state. I use this and love it. It’s very hydrating and the texture is amazing. I can definitely tell on my skin when I’ve skipped using this.
I asked Jeffrey for a few tips for women over 40 and here’s what he had to offer:
If someone tells a woman over 40 she can’t wear shimmer on her eyes it is FALSE! In fact he’s adamant about using it. Dior’s shimmer in their eyeshadows isn’t harsh and it’s made to look like more of a glow. It gives the eye area a healthier, smoother look. When I asked him about glittery shadows he said you can even get away with it as well, just respect the amount you are applying. That statement really stuck with me on many levels of beauty products – respect the amount you are applying. I may steal that saying as my new mantra!
Jeffrey suggested that women should not be afraid of lining under the eyes – it can make the eye look bigger, too. Just make it a soft line rather than a harsh line.
Jeffrey also loves to use color on the lips especially for summer. These are some of his favorite shades from the Dior Addict Lipstick line – from top – 635 Miami, 682 Gibraltar and 750 Rock & Roll.
He also said that there is no way that one rule applies to every single person. Do what is right for you and don’t be afraid to experiment with something you haven’t tried before – you may be surprised!
Thanks Jeffrey! I know I learned some wonderful things from you and I think the Fab Over Forty readers have as well!
For more years than I care to admit, shimmer eyeshadow has been a no no for me. Recently, I decided to try it again and have been in love with the look. As always blending is the key. Thanks for the tips 🙂
Yea! I’ve never given up shimmery eye shadow. I love it. thanks for posting these good tips.
I finally learned that blending is key, but even more importantly, using the right brushes!
I’m a little confused about something: how do the Skinflash Primer and Capture Total Radiance Enhancer differ? They both seem to aim for radiance and evened out skin tone…
Hi Elizabeth, The main difference between the two is that Skinflash Primer does not have the skincare benefits that the Capture Totale Radiance Enhancer does. Skinflash Primer is just a primer alone and there would be no need to use both – it’s just a matter if you want the skincare benefits or not. Hope that helps!
Great tips! I’ve struggled finding success with Dior products but this has given me some new products to consider trying that I may not have looked at. Thanks!
As an avid Dior fan (& over 40) I read this post not once but twice! I’m picking up the Trinidad liner. Loved what he said about shimmery shadows – I’ll wear them till the end 😉 xoLiz
Liz, I’m sure you won’t be disappointed in the Trinidad liner. Perilously Pale I hope you find success with trying some of these!
Dear Kari,
Can you list a few of your favorite night time moisturizers?
I understand that you have an oily t-zone area(??), do you moisturize that area too?
Thanks!
I use a prescription retinol at night and then I use Dior Capture Totale Serum. When I’m not testing skin care products, I used to use on a regular basis Lancome’s Absolu Precious Cells Night Cream, but for summer it is just too heavy. I was given a week’s worth sample of Dior Capture Totale Night Cream and really love it. The texture is a bit thicker, but it goes on amazingly nice – absorbs quickly and my skin feels flawless after applying it. And I do moisturize my oily t-zone. Another one I really like is Orlane Nuit – it’s crazy expensive, but I like how that one feels and makes my skin feel too. I know some people will use a different moisturizer in that area, I don’t. I will use a toner in that area and not necessarily in other areas, but even though skin is oily it still needs moisture.
I was just at macys and he was there along with other makeup professionals on his team, I never have any one ever give me a “make over” but decided to try it, one of the girls was VERY helpful and answered all my questions and showed me exactly what to do. And I thought she did a terrific job on my eyes. I was glad I stopped.
Very, very nice