Gina Brooke, the artistic director of Shu Uemura and makeup pro for such celebrities as Madonna, breaks down the trends for women when she visits stores on behalf of the cosmetics company. She'll be in Denver on Saturday to open the new Shu Uemura department at Neiman Marcus. In a phone interview, Brooke said she doesn't believe in makeup rules or trends.

Gina Brooke on Madonna: "I studied her face for a long time. They were using way too much makeup on her, which makes her look harder. I go lighter on her lips unless it's a special occasion. Instead of contouring the face, I highlight the bone structure (with Glow On Blush and Base Control), brushing highlighter on the bridge of the nose, the cheek plane, above the lip, around the eyes. When the light hits her face, it reflects and gives an illuminating quality. We'll use foundation when she's shooting a music video, but she doesn't need it on the red carpet or appearances." Brooke also cautions that red or dark lip color can harden the face and make you look older. "Take Madonna," Brooke says. "She looks younger than her age, 49. I always go lighter on her lips unless it's a very special occasion."

When a woman wears strong lip color, she should go neutral with the rest of her makeup or risk looking clownish, Brooke says.

Source: The Denver Post