Bonjour, Lancôme blog readers! It’s Erin from the PR team and I’m guest blogging today. I’m responsible for makeup artist relations so it’s my job to know the most talented and in-demand makeup artists in the industry. The last time I was in L.A., I was lucky enough to spend some time with celebrity makeup artist Lisa Zimmitti. She’s the go-to artist for celebs like Kim and Kourtney Kardashian, Catt Sadler, Debbie Matenopoulos and Carnie Wilson--to name a few. In addition to being the makeup department head for E! Entertainment Networks she’s also working on a new water-resistant body makeup line. Read on to find out what this makeup maven has to say about her favorite products, beauty tips and much more…
How did you get started in the beauty industry?
Beauty has always been my passion. I worked at hair salons until I was 20 and then I started working behind the makeup counter for brands like Prescriptives and M.A.C. A friend of mine was the makeup artist for Good Day LA and asked me to do hair for the show. I was hesitant at first since my dream was to be a makeup artist but I knew I had to get my foot in the door. Once you get your foot in the door, it takes a lot of hard work and passion to make your dreams a reality.
Is there one achievement you are particularly proud of?
I love doing red carpet looks for all the award shows--SAG Awards, Golden Globes, Oscars. It's like a fairytale every time.
Is there a big difference between doing makeup for film/TV vs. editorial?
The lighting is very different. For film/TV it's much brighter so it can easily wash out your skin color, where as with editorial the light is softer and diffused. The skin coloring is much truer on an editorial shoot and of course you can use Photoshop afterwards. Also, with editorial you can be much more artistic and expressive with your work as film/TV is more beauty makeup.
If you weren’t a makeup artist, what would you be?
A nutritionist--I love being healthy and eating well. I love salads! My favorite is chicken, walnuts, pears, avocado and gorgonzola cheese with a light balsamic dressing. I also love to workout! We have a gym in our house with a treadmill and spin bike but my favorite workout is a hike up Laurel Canyon in Studio City. It's a real calorie burner!
What are the three Lancôme products you can’t live without?
I love the new Genifique serum. It works great under makeup because it’s lightweight and absorbs quickly into the skin. Oh, and it makes your skin so soft! Definicils mascara in Deep Black is a must-have in my kit. You can create the longest lashes with this formula and the deep black color just screams chic! High Résolution Eye Refill-3X is the best eye cream. It’s the only thing that makes my eyes less puffy. Oh, can I add a fourth product? I’m obsessed with Lancôme self-tanners. People always comment on how great my tan looks, they can’t believe it came from a bottle.
Can you share your favorite beauty tip with our readers? Tinted moisturizers are my secret weapon! They’re lightweight and give you just a hint of color on your face. I wear Bienfait Multi-Vital Teinté on my days off, especially if I am at the beach since it has an SPF 30. You get light coverage, a little color and sun protection all in one!
You are one busy girl! What do you do to relax?
I’m working on four shows right now so I don’t have a lot of time to relax. When I do have a day off, I love to sit on the beach and listen to the waves or simply be silent and only have thoughts of peace around me.
Since Lisa is a health enthusiast, let us know your favorite way to stay fit and you’ll be entered to win Lisa’s favorite Lancôme products mentioned above. We'll pick one post at random. Please post by Monday night. Good luck and have a great weekend.
PHOTO OF CATT SADLER BY DAVID HEISLER, MAKEUP BY LISA
