Dancing with the Stars Emmy Winner Melanie Mills launches Glitter & Glam!

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My Dear Friends,

It was a night of Hollywood “Glitter & Glam” with a dash of fantasy. Emmy Award-winning makeup artist Melanie Mills launched her celebrity how to makeup guide at an exclusive secret night time venue. Shhhh!  😉 Celebrities and other guests rubbed shoulders; sipped Tito’s Vodka and noshed as professional ball room dancers  swirled and twirled creating an elegant ambience of graceful floating allure.  Contributing to the magic of the night guests could stop at Gleam Makeup stations and be transformed to a better and more radiant version of themselves.  The beat of the night continued to pounce as DJ Cat began spinning her tunes.  In addition to all the fun and laughter was a good cause. Proceeds from the sale of the new book Glitter & Glam went to BASE Camp – a children’s cancer foundation. Your little Cyndi Sleuth was there…………….Psssssst! Come with me!

If you are looking for a natural ho hum everyday makeup look that blends in with the crowd and will help you NOT get noticed, you can STOP reading right here.  However, if there is a part of you that deep down dreams of looking like a glamour girl but you are a little bit afraid to get out of your comfort zone – keep reading. Perhaps you are one of our many My Cyndi’s Secrets™ members  who is already glamorous and you are familiar with gracing the red carpet as an actress/model but you want to “up your game” – today’s column is for you too! Heck, we all can pretend we prefer the “no makeup look” and certainly there is nothing wrong with that at the local PTA meeting, the gym and in everyday life. I too love to run makeup free or do a “natural look” on most days. However, what’s wrong with playing with color and creating glamorous and beautiful unique looks that enhance your features to help you get noticed, look great and feel fabulous about yourself? Why not create a look that brings out a part of your personality that says, “WOW”!

My Cyndi’s Secrets “Man Speak” Side Note: Many men tell their ladies that they prefer a woman with “NO” makeup and yet they ogle the faces of women painted in color that’s either natural neutrals or bright hues. What they really mean to say is that they prefer a woman with “Properly Blended” makeup. Application is the key. 

I invite you to meet Melanie Mills. Melanie is a My Cyndi’s Secrets – Shhhh!™ treasure.  I was thrilled to attend the book launch party of her new makeup guide, “Glitter & Glam”. Melanie Mills is one of the most sought after makeup artists in Hollywood. She has lent her expertise to a plethora of projects, including Dancing with the Stars, iCarly, Victorious, The Taste, The Office, and Six Feet Under. She also has a bevy of loyal celebrity fans, including Kim Kardashian, Jennifer Grey, Brandy Norwood, Nicole Scherzinger, Jane Seymour and Kendra Wilkinson, among others.Here is a shot of Melanie and me at her book launch party.

There was an impressive crowd that turned out for the party to support Melanie and her new book including Liz Gillies (Victorious), Daniela Monet (icarly), RJ Mitte (Breaking Bad), Leon Thomas (Victorious), Lauren Bowles (True Blood), Patrick Fischler (Mad Men), Maree Cheatham (Sam & Cat), Aubrey Loots (Celebrity Hair Stylist), David Alley (EMMY Award-Winner and famed photographer), Shawn Finch (Celebrity Emmy-nominated Hair Stylist), and Cynthia Romo (Celebrity 3 Time EMMY Award Winning Hair Stylist)

Cick the link for my video interview with Melanie Mills! Shhhh!

Glitter & Glam features celebrities transformed into iconic characters, accompanied by the step by step approach to perfecting each look. A taste of celebrities featured include Ariana Grande as Dorothy from The Wizard  of Oz, Liz Gillies as Snow White; Audrina Patridge as Raquel Welch in One Million Years  B.C.; and Brandy Norwood as Queen Neferiti – among others. In addition to showcasing techniques for creating fun, trendsetting looks, the book also showcases how-to tutorials for creating everyday-and-night glamour. Melanie showcases makeup for every skin tone and gives all the tips and techniques to master color combinations, face contouring, body sculpting, and more. These looks are stunning, sometimes wild, and always guaranteed to make a statement.

Following are some of the beautiful photos from the book that were taken by photographer David Alley. Some of you may be anxious to go over the top and totally re-recreate these entire looks while others may benefit from even just a few of the many tips Melanie gives. The cool thing is that each look has a simple to follow “tool kit” that shows you in great detail how to create the image. How much or how little makeup or color you use is completely up to you. You can use this as a guideline to bring out the Glitter & Glam in YOU! The point is, Melanie gives you her coveted techniques! Shhhh!

I know! I know! Many of you are going to be afraid to play with all this makeup. So – I’ve got a great idea. Halloween is around the corner. Choose a look. There are over 100 show stopping images in Glitter & Glam.  Halloween is the perfect time of the year to test out glamorous makeup. Now I am not suggesting that you daily do a harlot face. However, as you apply your makeup become aware of the layering of color and your metamorphosis.  By applying Melanie’s excellent tips you can achieve the level of color and glamour that works for YOU. I merely suggest Halloween because these techniques may take a little practice and goofs are forgivable on that day. On the plus side – you more than likely will get the WOW factor! Hmmmm! I bet you incorporate tons of the Melanie’s Makeup magic tips into your “real” life.

Here is a shot of Natalie Coughlin. She is the first American female athlete in modern Olympic history to win six medals in an Olympics and the first woman ever to win the 100 meter backstroke gold in two consecutive Olympics. In this photo from the book Glitter & Glam she poses as Esther Williams, the famous swimmer/movie star of the forties and fifties. Melanie describes this as a classic pinup look. She says that it’s timeless and can be worn for any formal event. Now – to drive my point home, I am sure that this is not a look that Natalie sports at the pool doing laps in her daily life. You may not use this look in your job as a teacher or at the hospital but why not on a date or at the night club or special event? Get it? It’s about having FUN and finding JOY in makeup!

Here is a shot of the lovely Audrina reminiscent of Raquel Welch in the movie One Million Years B.C.

Jennifer Grey is smoking hot in this tango inspired look. She stood out as a contestant on Dancing with the Stars and of course we all loved her in the movie Dirty Dancing. In Glitter & Glam Melanie explains how us girls can achieve this fiery look. Sizzzzzzzzzlling! 😉

This photo was inspired from a Rene Gruau lithograph called “Lido Bonjour la nuit”. Melanie always thought it embodied the style and spirit of the fabulous Josephine Baker. Multitalented Brandy (singer, actor, and dancer) was a perfect choice for this modern day version of the print. Melanie says that, “This is a timeless look that is perfect for going to see a show or making a statement while ringing in the New Year!!

Who of us doesn’t like the classic film, “The Wizard of Oz?” I love this Dorothy inspired look. The beautiful Ariana Grande poses prettily in this sexy version of the classic blue gingham dress. Melanie tells us that, “This alluringly bright but oh-so-innocent look can be worn at any time of the day.” I’m ready to try it now. All these looks are sooooo FUN!

This next look was inspired by classic beauty Elizabeth Taylor. Her spirit is evoked in this photo by the lovely Liz Gillies from Nickelodeon’s TV show Victorious.

It was a privilege to meet and chat with EMMY Award –winner and famed photographer David Alley. The photography in Glitter & Glam is truly stunning thanks to this multi-talented man.  Click the video link below for my conversation with this amazing man. Find out what he did “before” he became a photographer. Shhhh! 🙂

All hair in Glitter & Glam unless otherwise noted was done by celebrity hair stylist Aubrey Loots of Studio DNA. Be sure to check out Aubrey’s work as Head Hair Stylist for the hit show “The Taste” season 2 on ABC Television in early 2014 starring Anthony Bourdain and Nigella Lawson. You heard it here. Shhhh!

It’s always so much fun to see the talented Cynthia Romo. She is a celebrity hair stylist and three time EMMY Winner for her work on Dancing With The Stars. Cynthia also does the hair of Vanna White and Pat Sajak for the TV game show Wheel of Fortune and a zillion celebrities. Everybody loves Cynthia! She is beautiful both inside and out! Here she poses on the carpet.

Click the link for my interview with Cynthia Romo. Not only is she a rock star stylist but she is a rockin vocalist. She has a  bestselling CD called The Journey. You can check it out at www.CynthiaRomoMusic.com

Maree Cheatham (Sam & Cat) was a delight to interview on the carpet. I love her attitude. Click the video link:

In this photo I chat with Michelle Lee who runs the Hair and makeup Artist Network and does freelance makeup work for several stars.

Here my photographer/videographer Jonathan Navar pauses for his pose on the red carpet.

The book launch party was wonderful and Glitter & Glam by Melanie Mills is an amzaing book. The back cover of the book says that Melanie provides, “Dazzling makeup tips for date night, club night and beyond.” I couldn’t agree more. I encourage you to step out of your norm and experience the JOY of your personal dose of “Glitter & Glam”!

To learn more about Melanie Mills, her book and her makeup line Gleam visit www.gleambymelaniemills.com

And until next time……….Strut your stuff on the red carpet of life! Shhhh!

Life is too short so I say – InJOY!

Cyndi Targosz

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