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Aliesh D. Pierce Makeup Artist / Esthetician • www.alieshpierce.com 
Doing makeup for editorials is fun but, when prepping someone for the red carpet or some major event, I always go back to my inspiration for starting in this business at the age of 14. I have always believed that beauty is our divine birthright and makeup should be an accent to enhance - not to reconfigure.
I was able to work with both the President and Mrs. Obama a few times on the campaign trail. People always ask me "what was it like?" I always say, "it was pure potentiality". Working with them really inspired me to make more bold moves in my own life. The key is to know how to pull it all together. I recommend regular use of an enzyme cleanser to help with exfoliation. It's quick and easy and you don't have to add another step to your routine. I carry sun protection in my car and re-apply throughout the day. My friend and esthetician, Lisa Sickler, helps me maintain a fairly even complexion with monthly facials. So, I rarely wear full foundation. Instead I carry a tinted moisturizer and a few stackable jars with both drugstore and department store cream foundations. I usually dab it on in the car before appointments.
My acronym for the perfect blush is CASH:
Makeup for women of color is made of the typical polymers, oxides, aluminum, irritating parabens, and glycerine which can be comedogenic for some. I recommend using a serum or ampule to treat and protect the skin rather than silicone primers.
Easy, the edgy look of Kim Kardashian can pump up a fairly neutral eye. Just rim the inner and outer lid with a black pencil. Use a small blending brush with a dark shimmery eyeshadow to blend up and out. Then, add a clear gloss to pump up lipstick.
Babor Organics Enzyme Exfoliant
Pigment in all foundation is mineral. The question is whether its paraben free or not. Unfortunately there are no natural brands for women of color. Alison Raffaele has a natural makeup line with 3 or 4 colors great for ethnic skin. I have used it on Michelle Obama, India.Arie and Heather Headley. For skincare, Babor is a 51 year old German company that has over 600 different products, and they just came out with an organic line. Doshacare is a 98% natural line that feels and smells wonderful.
Years ago, when I was working with India.Arie, she insisted I create a purpose statement. It's "I am here, on this planet, to help women create their own definition of beauty". 
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Babor Organics Enzyme Exfoliant |