Illustrations by Millie Worthington
Natalie Gordon founded Avenue 42 in 2008 as a University of Richmond undergraduate. “The whole point was to give people the opportunity to have professional styling like you would get on a red carpet in New York or Los Angeles,†the makeup artist says of the company she co-owns with hair stylist Rachel Shrader. After almost four years as on-location wedding and special-event stylists, the pair recently opened a brick-and-mortar studio at 16 E. Main St. downtown.
Gordon, who has had work featured in Southern Weddings magazine and co-authored The Wedding Planner’s Survival Guide , let us in on a few insider beauty tips.
Winter’s Rosy Cheeks
Brush blush into your bronzer to achieve that summertime glow in the dead of winter.
• If you use a liquid foundation first, be sure to set it with a powder so the bronzer blends evenly. (Diorskin
“Nude Glow†Sun Powder Bronzer, $52, at Nordstrom)
• With a kabuki brush, press a small amount of powder bronzer from your temple to the apple of your cheek. Pressing the brush into your skin instead of dusting it on will ensure a more even application. (Sonia Kashuk kabuki brushes, $13 to $18, at Target)
• Grab a large powder brush and your favorite coral or hot pink summertime blush. (Smashbox Soft Lights in Prism, $29, at Ulta)
• Starting at the apple of the cheek, make tiny circular movements with the brush back toward your temple
and hairline. As you blend the blush onto your cheek, you are also re-blending your bronzer.Â
Easy on the Eyes
Make your eyes look younger by focusing on lashes instead of lids.
• Start with a primer, coating the top and bottom lashes before applying mascara. (Mary Kay Lash Primer, $15, at Marykay.com)
• Apply a volumizing mascara. (L’Oreal Voluminous in Carbon Black, $6, at Target)
• Step up the intensity by applying another layer of primer, followed by waterproof mascara. (Mary Kay Waterproof Mascara, $10, at Marykay.com)Â
