Unless you’ve been living under a rock for the past few years, you’ve most likely seen Hills starlet Lauren Conrad‘s face just about everywhere – on the small screen, gracing magazine covers galore, rocking the red carpet at awards shows, in the tabloids, on gossip blogs, etc., etc.  Having said that, there’s no doubt you’ve noticed that more times than not, Lauren’s face looks flawlessly made up, sporting that perfect California glow paired with cat-eyed liquid liner and glossy, nude lips.  Yes, Lauren’s got beauty that’s all her own, but there is one woman that can take partial credit for Lauren looking so good on those camera-ready occasions, and that’s celebrity make-up artist Amy Nadine!

Nadine has been painting the faces of all sorts of Hollywood beauties for some time now, and although her name may not be in headlines as frequently as her celebrity clients, she’s certainly got a gift that most women would kill for!  Amy’s well-honed skill set for bringing out the beauty in every face she touches is definitely what keeps the calls coming and her client list growing. So the TalkingShopping girls got the inside scoop on just what makes Amy so good at what she does, what products she can’t live without (including her obsession with mark. cosmetics!) and insider tips and tricks for creating those Tinseltown looks we lust!

You’ve made up some of the hottest young faces in Hollywood, from your ever-faithful client of two years, Lauren Conrad, to her co-star Whitney Port to the 90210 Girls AnnaLynne, Shenae and Jessica to Maria Sharapova and model Marisa Miller.  What’s your secret for acquiring such an amazing roster of beautiful clients, and if you had to choose, who was the most fun to work with and why?

I think it’s a combination of my lashes application and spending lots of time on foundation and contouring.  And maybe because I’m a pretty nice person!  I’d never chose just one client!  They’re all super fun to work with.

How did you get connected with with Lauren?

A couple years ago, Lauren wanted to try a new make-up artist and I had worked with her publicist before on other clients, so she tried me out on a photo shoot for Entertainment Weekly and liked me!

Right: Lauren at the 2008 Emmy Awards, for which Amy did her makeup!

Obviously, Lauren’s signature makeup look is one that tons of young women would love to emulate – can you let us in on some of the staple products you use on a regular basis to create that look for her?

Black liquid liner, tons of individual lashes, nude lip gloss, bronzer and apricot blush.

Just about every celebrity face you touch comes out looking fabulous and not overdone… what are some of your personal favorite products?

Thanks!  I love Armani foundations, NARS bronzer in Laguna and Casino, NARS blush in Luster, Dior 5-Shadow Palettes, Cle de Peau Lip Rouge in 121, 101 and 105, Mark Get in Line Waterproof liquid liner in Painted Black, Hourglass Bronzing Duo, Smashbox Cream Eyeliner Pencils and Dolce & Gabbana The Powder Foundation.

Lauren’s look at the MTV Movie Awards recently was a little bit of a departure from her standard nude-hued face.  Who was responsible for that idea, and what products did you use for that look?

That was Lauren’s idea and I loved it!  She really wanted something bold, inspired by the crimson roses in her Moschino dress, so we used Mark Dew Drenched lip color in Juicy, the same color that we used on the models in her fashion show.

What are some general guidelines for creating a great red lip that’s timeless and doesn’t border on trashy?

The best advice I can give for that look is to apply a coat, blot with tissue, powder with translucent powder, re-apply lip color, blot again and go on your way!  This way, it creates more of a flush/stain and you can sip your drink or kiss a cutie and not worry about it transferring.

Lauren’s a spokeswoman for Avon’s mark. Cosmetics, so do you use a lot of mark. products on Lauren on a regular basis?  Which mark. products does she actually wear?  Do you like using mark.?

We both love Mark!!  It’s such a playful and fun brand with an amazing price point.  These are the Mark products that I use regularly on Lauren:

FACE
Foundation: Face Xpert Flawless Touch in Natural
With: Foundation Brush

Concealer: Good Riddance Hookup in Light/Medium
With: Concealer Brush

Powder: Mattenificent Oil-Absorbing Powder in Natural/Buff
With: Powder Brush

Bronzer: Bronze Pro Bronzing Powder
With: Blush + Bronzer Brush

CHEEKS
Blush: Urban Neutral Flip For It Cheek Color
With: Kabuki Brush

EYES
Browbone: Winkstick Hook up Eye Shadow Stick in Demure
Lid: Urban Neutral Flip For It Eye Color (lightly!)
Eyeliner: Get in Line Waterproof Liquid Liner Hook up in Painted Black
Bottom Lash Line: i-Mark Custom Eye Color in Plum Velvet
Mascara: Make It Big Lash Plumping Mascara in Raven

LIPS
Lip Contour: mini Mark it stick for Lips in Peachy Pearl
Lip Gloss: Glow Baby Glow Luxe in Sun Luxe

Has Lauren’s beauty sense really evolved since you started working with her, or has she always been pretty in tune with applying her own make-up and what looks good?

Lauren is very skilled at applying her own make-up and has always been.  She does her own liquid liner seven days a week.  Unlike some of the other girls, she didn’t have a make-up artist or hair stylist on the show, because she wanted it to be a REALITY show!  I think she did an amazing job.  I’ve taught her about contouring and little technical things, but she has always known what looks good on her and what doesn’t… she’s known her face for 23 years, a little longer than I’ve known it!

Right now in beauty, what’s your favorite trend?  What makeup looks are you loving?

I love super pale skin like Anne Hathaway’s and Krysten Ritter’s enhanced with a bright lip and defined eye.  I also love a vibrant purple eye color with a nude lip.

Who is one celebrity, that you haven’t worked with before, that you’d love to create a look for and why?

Katie Cassidy from the upcoming show “Melrose Place.”  She is stunning and I’d love to bring out her eyes.

For so many reasons, some girls get lost when they try to do drugstore beauty.  What are some of the best products (or brands in general) out there right now that won’t break the bank?

I’m obsessed with CoverGirl Simply Ageless foundation.  Obsessed.  I also love their Lash Blast Luxe mascara and their Outlast lip colors and their lip stains.

As far as skincare is concerned, to get that perfect complexion, what are the most important steps to take?  We’d love to know some great skincare products you swear by!

Wash off your make-up every night before you go to bed!  Try not to pop any blemishes or rest your hands/phone on your cheeks and chin.  I’m obsessed with ProActiv for fighting acne, Tazorac for more serious acne, and Amala Beauty for moisture and happy glowing skin.

Finally, since you’re such a wiz when it comes to makeup, what’s a motto to live by for regular girls like us, trying to figure out their signature look?

Don’t be afraid of make-up!  It’s temporary and if you mess up, you just wipe it off and try again.  Tear out pictures from magazines and try to translate it into your own look.  It’s a chance to be creative and artistic, which can be a really fun part of your day if you’re an accountant or in classes all day!  Enjoy that time and have fun!

Source: talkingshopping.com

Enjoying a refreshing retail excursion, Lauren Conrad teamed up with Lauren Bosworth for a visit to Barneys New York in Beverly Hills on Tuesday (July 28).

After checking out the upscale department store’s selections, the MTV reality star gal pals toted a few large shopping bags of purchases out to their nearby car.

As previously reported by Gossip Center, Miss Conrad is currently eyeing the producer role as she tries to get L.A. Candy adapted for the big screen.

Talking about the former MTV reality star’s hopes, a source tells People magazine: “Lauren’s goal is to get into producing – it always was. It was always to make L.A. Candy into a film or TV show. She’s been in talks about it”

Enjoy the pictures of Lauren Conrad leaving Barneys New York in Beverly Hills (July 28).

Source: celebrity-gossip.net

When budding authors put pen to paper, many look to a literary icon for inspiration and guidance.

So which luminary do you think is sparking Lauren Conrad’s imagination as she pens her second novel

Could it be schoolgirl favorite Jane Austen? A modern pulp master like Stephen King? Or perhaps last year’s Nobel Laureate for Literature, Jean-Marie Gustave Le Clézio?

Erm, no. It’s TV host Chelsea Handler.

“I love people who can bring their voice into the story,” Lauren told OK! after visiting the Xhibition Bar at Harrah’s Resort in Atlantic City.

“I just read both of Chelsea Handler’s books and I love them because you can hear her voice in there. I think that’s really great that you bring personality to story.”

Well, you can’t accuse the girl of being pretentious!

And while some have been so unkind as to suggest that LC’s first novel, LA Candy might have been ghost-written, the author herself assures us that her writing process is extremely intense.

The former Hills star told us that far from sitting back and letting someone else do the hard work she throws herself into marathon writing sessions.

“I sit in my bed in my pajamas, and there were days when I’d write for ten hours straight,” she said before heading to resort’s nightclub, The Pool.

“But I have to turn off all distractions around me. I turn off my phone, close my door. You just have to get into that zone.”

Source: okmagazine.com

She’s already a reality TV star, designer and author, but Lauren Conrad may soon be adding “producer” to her resume.

The Hills star, 23, whose debut novel L.A. Candy topped the New York Times Best Seller list, could be taking the book to the big screen.

“Lauren’s goal is to get into producing – it always was,” a source tells PEOPLE. “It was always to make L.A. Candy into a film or TV show. She’s been in talks about it”

And while “no deal [is] in place just yet,” adds the source, “that’s her ultimate goal.”

Conrad confirmed to the New York Daily News that she’s “hoping for a movie deal,” but doesn’t “want to commit to anything until I see all my options.”

Fans shouldn’t expect to see her acting though – she’ll be working behind the camera.

“She would never star in it because she doesn’t want to be an actress,” says the source. “She spent so long on TV …[she] would love to produce.”

Source: people.com

LC The New J.K.?: Lauren Conrad’s bestseller, “L.A. Candy,” could be coming to the big screen. According to the New York Daily News’ Gatecrasher, the reality starlet is in talks to adapt her book, which is loosely based on her life and rise to fame as reality star, into a feature. “We’re hoping for a movie deal,” LC said. “I’m working on [adapting the book for the movies] right now, but I don’t want to commit to anything until I see all my options. We have had a lot of exciting news in that respect, though.” We can only hope and dream that the casting producers have the best sense of humor ever and cast LC’s reality nemesis Kristin Cavallari in the lead role!

Source: accesshollywood.com