Every makeup artist knows: a flawless finish starts with the right tools. Today we chatted with celebrity artist, Valerie Noble. With more than 30 years of experience in the beauty business, she has done many magazine editorials for Elle, Entertainment Weekly, Essence, In Style, Hollywood Reporter, More Magazine, Life and Style, Us Weekly, Vanity Fair, and many more. Talent/Celebrities she’s worked with include: Octavia Spencer, Chrissy Metz, Regina King, Lou Diamond Phillips, Bellamy Young, Mayim Bialik, Wendi McLendon-Covey, Katy Mixon, Dawn-Lyen Gardner, Sterling K. Brown, Justina Muchado, Sherri Shepherd, Tia and Tamera Mowry, Viola Davis, Laura and Vanessa Marano, among many more.
We talked to her about her favorite brushes from Luxie, and favorite makeup products.
Why Luxie? What differences have you noticed between this brush set and others you’ve used in the past?
“When I first started doing makeup 20 years ago, most of my brushes were made of natural hair. In recent years, vegan, cruelty-free synthetic blend brushes have become my preferred choice. Luxie brushes are soft, hold their shape, blend makeup well, and are easy to clean. And I love the assortment of brushes for the face, eyes, and lips.”
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Favorite brushes from the set?
“My top five makeup brush picks in this Luxie set start with the 530 Flat Top Kabuki Brush, I’m a big fan of using a brush to apply foundation, so you use less product and get flawlessly blended results.” Next, I recommend the 502 Large Powder Brush to set foundation or blend bronzer over face and neck; the 520 Tapered Face Brush for dusting cheeks with blush or highlighter; the 213 Eye Shading Brush to apply and blend the perfect eyeshadow look; and the 223 Short Shader Brush to conceal under-eye dark circles or prime the lids for color.”
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What makeup trend do you think is going to take off during this summer?
“The summer trend I think will take off is a more natural look with glowy skin, a clean neutral eye with lots of mascara and a memorable lip. What does that mean? Well, moisturized skin, with light foundation, concealer (if necessary to blend uneven tones) and a glowy cheek highlight shade on the top of the cheekbone and brushed over the eyelids or a glowy bronzer brushed all over the face and neck. I also think that pigmented matte or sheer shimmery lips will also compliment the look.”
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What are your holy grail products in your kit?
“My kit has lots of favorites and go-tos. When I started as a makeup artist, I used lots of drug store brands, which I am still a fan of today. Some of my favorites are L’Oréal’s Infallible Never Fail Mechanical Eyeliner, Maybelline’s Volum’ Express The Colossal Mascara and City Bronzer and Covergirl’s TruBlend Matte Made Liquid Foundations.
Some of my Pro favorites are Nars Velvet Matte Lip Pencils, and their classic Orgasm blush that also works as a gorgeous eyeshadow. My Makeup Forever Ultra HD Foundation Palette is perfect for having multiple shades of buildable, long-lasting foundation that can also be used to conceal, highlight, and contour. And no kit is complete without an amazing HD finishing powder. My favorite is Makeup Forever’s Ultra HD Loose Finishing Powder. Controls shine and is virtually invisible under lights which are perfect for not only daytime wear but for Red Carpets or Photoshoots.”
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Must have for skin prep?
“Skin Prep must-haves is a great oil-free moisturizer. I like Clinique’s Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion. Works on any skin type and is perfect for sensitive skin. Then I love to use Murad’s Hydrating Toner as a primer before I apply foundation. You can spray it on a foundation brush and smooth it on…. Gives the skin extra hydration without being oily. Skin Prep also includes removing makeup at the end of the day (I like to use a makeup remover wipe like Neutragena cleansing towelettes) a good cleanser (Olay Regenerist Regenerating Cream Cleanser) and moisturizer (Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Face Cream).”
Valerie Noble “Always Beautiful Hair and Make-up.”
Talent/Celebrities I’ve worked with include: Octavia Spencer, Chrissy Metz, Regina King, Lou Diamond Phillips, Cody Christian, Bellamy Young, Mayim Bialik, Wendi McLendon-Covey, Katy Mixon, Dawn-Lyen Gardner, Sterling K. Brown, Justina Muchado, Sherri Shepherd, Tia and Tamera Mowry, Viola Davis, Laura and Vanessa Marano. TV and Movies include: Truth Be Told for Apple+, Selfmade: The Madam CJ Walker Story, The Witches and Thunderforce.
