Beauty maven and stylist Angela Alexander shares secrets from the set of this month’s cover shoot featuring Jessica Sabin, who is helping the Historic Arkansas Museum celebrate 75 years — its diamond anniversary — at this year’s Candlelight Gala.
In addition to revealing how she made our cover girl look radiant, we asked Alexander to divulge a few insider beauty tips and what makeup trend we all need to try this season.
Soirée: You’ve worked with us for several years, but how did your career begin in the world of beauty?
Angela Alexander: I started out assisting different photographers around town, which led to photo styling, and then ultimately to what I love most, hair and makeup. I owe so much to that handful of people, each of whom had a huge influence on me and helped guide me to this job that I love.
S: Tell us a set secret from Jessica’s shoot. Is there something you always bring to a photo shoot, or is there a trick you often use when working on someone who is going to be featured in our magazine to make them look extra special?
AH: I think the secret was most definitely Jessica! She shines from the inside out, and immediately lit up the room when she entered. But yes, I do love to add a bit of highlighting powder under the eyes and on the apple of the cheeks to give a special glow.
S: Share a few of the hair and products/colors you used on her for this shoot.
AH: I used one of my favorite powders on Jessica, the MAC Mineralize Skinfinish in Light Plus. I love this product because it leaves the skin with a very light sheen, but isn’t shimmery at all. I also used a sea salt spray that I make myself because a) most of the sprays out there contain so much alcohol that they dry out the hair, and b) it’s so much cheaper! It’s a very easy recipe of aloe vera gel, Epsom salt, a couple of drops of coconut oil and water.
S: What three makeup products can you currently not live without and why?
AH: Personally, I’m a pretty simple girl when it comes to my makeup routine. Currently, I love my Beauty Counter Dew Skin tinted moisturizer. It has an SPF of 30 and gives a beautiful dewy glow. I don’t go anywhere without my Burt’s Bees Red Dahlia tinted lip balm (I have at least 5 floating around in different bags). And being blonde(ish), I must have mascara to show that yes, I do have lashes! I’m not super picky about the brand. Maybelline works just fine.
S: What is a makeup trend everyone should try?
AH: A makeup trend anyone can do is strobing. It’s like contouring without all the drama! Take a highlighting powder and add a bit wherever light would naturally hit the face: on your cheekbones, brow bones, down the bridge of your nose, and just atop the Cupid’s bow of your lips.