Makeup Artist Gina Riggi in HD: Makeup in Pictures

As an Emmy nominated makeup artist with over 20 years under her belt, there are very few with more talent and expertise than Gina Riggi. Gina has worked with a multitude of celebrities - including Angelina Jolie, George Clooney, Tom Hanks, Paul Newman and Jay–Z. More importantly (at least to me), she’s worked with some of the most prominent leaders and cultural figures of our time – civil rights activist Rosa Parks, General David Petraeus, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, former South African President Nelson Mandela, astronaut and Senator John Glenn, former Secretary of State Colin Powell and President Obama, to name a few. And for the past 18 years she has been the makeup artist for The Charlie Rose Show.

Gina’s specialty is High-Definition makeup. HD can be scary for makeup artists and viewers alike. When someone is filmed in HD the resolution is so clear that it can make you feel as if you are standing on set. The problem is the resolution is so clear that you can also see every crack, line and shadow in a person’s face. Gina knows the best way to apply makeup so it looks good – from both afar and magnified in HD. And she graciously shared her expertise with me so I can share it with you!

When would an every day woman use HD products and what do you recommend? For work, I use Cargo, Makeup Forever HD and MAC. Even though most people aren't on TV, everyone wants to look great in photos. HD makeup is designed to help skin look smooth and flawless, specifically on camera.

Cargo has their blu_ray line of foundations, powders and an excellent, lightweight primer. The powders adjust the color tones and light so your base makeup looks great regardless of lighting or setting. And their foundations use some of the healthiest ingredients and come in portable packaging that I love.

Makeup Forever has High Definition and Matte Velvet Foundations that both look great on camera. If makeup “slips” on your skin or gets shiny, Matte Velvet gives additional coverage that stays matte. Makeup Forever also has a High Definition Powder – don’t let its white appearance scare you because it blends right in as it absorbs oil and prevents future shine.

MAC Studio Sculpt is a creamier foundation with SPF 15, so it’s great for both indoor and outdoor use.

Do you have any other photo tips for wearing makeup at a wedding or special event?

• A lot of women want a fresh, glowy look. Just be careful in bright daylight with high shine or sparkle because it can start to look to shiny - or even oily - in photos.
• Water-resistant mascara is a must to ensure long wear [and if you plan on getting teary-eyed]. One or two coats are enough, as you don't want that spidery mascara look.
• If it’s your wedding and someone in the wedding party is wearing too much makeup, ask the photographer to help give direction to those involved – she or he will know how to handle the situation so the photos come out just right!
• A little body shimmer is nice – on the décolletage and arms, for example, but don’t go over the top. I like The Body Shop's Honey Bronze.

If you had to name one, what is your personal favorite product? There are so many - I’ve just discovered Benefit’s “Some Kinda Gorgeous” foundation faker – it’s a cream foundation in a small pot and is great for touch-ups. And I always keep Nurturing Force blotting papers in my bag to keep my makeup fresh throughout the day.

What was your favorite popular movie/TV show you worked on (outside of The Charlie Rose Show, of course)? I loved working on Saturday Night Live! I worked a lot with Jim Breuer and he was so much fun (as the Goat Boy and other SNL characters) from 1995-96. I was also the makeup artist for the guest hosts so I got to meet all sorts of interesting people.

Tell us your favorite story when working with a client. I had the privilege of spending an entire day with Rosa Parks. We were at the Mayflower Hotel in NYC (a famous spot on Central Park West that’s unfortunately no longer there), in a room waiting to tape the show Turning Point. When I thanked her for the stand that she took for equal rights, she went on to tell me the whole story. We chatted for most the afternoon, just Rosa Parks and me. It was, to say the least, a day I will never forget.

Rosa Parks with Martin Luther King, Jr.

I'm Beginning to Look A Lot Like Christmas Makeup Tips

In case you’re here to find makeup tips for a Holiday Look, let’s talk about that. It makes sense that most holiday looks always involve some kind of sparkle. So what kind of sparkle should you use? Anybody who knows me knows I’m not much for rules. Just do what you like and what works for you. But here are some ideas and tips: If your dress is especially sparkly, balance your look with a softer eye.

Matte. Try a matte eye shadow. Use a lighter shade for a brighter eye look or a smokier shade for more drama. Try a lash to brow lighter shade for daytime; a dark brown or black smudged shadow around the eye (like an eyeliner). With either, apply eyeliner on the top lash line and lots and lots of mascara.

Soft. Use a lipstick that’s close to your natural lip color. That way you still get some color that doesn’t compete with your dress. Or, if you’d prefer to compete with your dress, go for bright red lips. Your choice!

If you want your makeup, not clothing, to show your festive side, sparkle it up!

Shimmer. Find a lighter, shimmer-y eye shadow shade and apply from lash to brow and a darker shade in the crease. Then use a light silver or gold shade or eye pencil to brighten the inner and outer corners of eyes. And, again, apply liner on the upper lash line and lots and lots of mascara!

Sheer. For lips, use a sheer gloss for a touch of shine. If you want more color with your gloss, line and fill lips in with a lip liner and then apply gloss on top.

If it’s a nighttime cocktail party, the lights are usually softer and you’re probably going to get your picture taken at some point.

Especially now that everyone has cell phone cameras, the likelihood of having your picture taken is about 100%. Consider:

Soft Lighting. Under softer lights, you can wear deeper, darker shades without looking too made up. If you like to wear more makeup, this is the time. You won’t look overdone (unless you really do overdo it…which of course you won’t do).

Photography. Make sure everything is softly blended because the flash of light magnifies where and how you apply your makeup. If it’s blended, your features look emphasized; if it’s not, you can look garish, even if you don’t look that way under regular lights.

So go be festive. Look amazing. But most of all, have fun!