Reggie Wells Shares His Beauty SecretsI Get My Close Up!

Blagica Stefanovski, NBC5 Street Team (Video)

I had a phenom opportunity to represent the NBC5 Street and help NBC5’s Kim Vatis out with an upcoming segment. Oprah’s make-up wizard, Reggie Wells, is on a mission to help women with make-up application tips. Reggie hosted a “Day of Beauty” on April 18 at the Palmer House Hilton. The two and a half hour class was $300 and aimed to spread some of Reggie’s make-up lessons to the masses. I headed to Bloomingdale’s a week before the class and got some pointers. The video is below.

I showed up with little, if nothing, on my face. Kim was interviewing Reggie and I hung out with the ladies of the Smashbox counter for a bit. Reggie’s been using Smashbox cosmetics for years. I didn’t realize that Max Factor’s great grandsons formed the make-up line. Smashbox Studios is a bonafide photography studio and the make-up line was a product of needing better products for the camera. Who knew? I just learned a new piece of trivia. Also, Smashbox prides itself in being created by actual artists. Thanks to Amber for giving me some cool free samples and prepping my face before Reggie went to work!

The whole set-up was funny. I was sitting in a director’s chair at the entrance of Bloomingdales. Folks gathered around thinking I was a celebrity. So many lights and what-not. Reggie was really nice, but I’ll admit, it took me a while to get used to his style. This is how it would go: Reggie would do one half of my face, then I do the other. Cool.

Reggie worked on my eyes first. I liked his basic combo of one shadow on the lid, coupled with a contrast to my bone. What surprised me, and what I don’t agree with, was being told I have small eyes. For my entire life, I’ve been known by my large eyes (my nickname with my sister is still Bug Eyes) and Reggie suggested my eyes were small. I didn’t get it. I agreed with Reggie in that I had deep inset eyes, cool. But small? Nope – I still think I have some good size sockets☺! A hint of eyeliner was added to my upper lid and then came mascara. This was HILARIOUS. The cameraman wanted to get me placing mascara on my eyes and by the time I was done, I looked like a raccoon, LOL. Reggie was laughing and reminded me that we needed good camera angles. Ok, no problem. Keep in mind; this was my first time doing a ‘shoot’ like this.

Next came the cheeks. This was a fun lesson for me. I was used to the whole ‘smile and place the blush on the apple of your cheek’ routine. Reggie had me start right under my eyes and blend in and down. I liked the effect quite a bit and will continue to use this method.

Lastly, the lips. I did like the notion of using your lipstick as the lip liner versus pencil. Reggie lined my lips, but actually went half an inch over my normal lips to give me more oomph. Hmm. I went with this idea. I also couldn’t help but to giggle when the NBC5 camera guy had me stare at myself in the mirror to get the cool ‘peer in’ shot. When my lips were done, I must admit, they were pretty voluptuous, but I didn’t feel like ‘me’. If I didn’t need to drink, eat or wipe my mouth with a napkin, cool. Otherwise, I think I would have had a difficult time keeping up my new lips for a whole night out. Either way, I liked the new look of my pseudo Angelina Jolie lips☺.

Reggie Wells has over 20 years experience in the world of making women look good – heck Oprah looks terrific every morning. As for me, I’m a pretty natural gal and I’ll keep all the tips Reggie provided me aside from the larger lips. I also know the foundation Amber applied was for the camera, but woo, I was happy to wash it off when I got home!

Reggie mentioned something to me when I sat in the chair – this is what actresses and models go thru everyday, but even more than what I experienced. I heard him loud and clear – I’ll stick to my normal routine of as little make-up as needed, glam-ing it up at night when I need to.

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