Pretty Living Magazine interview

I was very honored to be featured in this week's issue of Pretty Living Magazine's Wedding Wednesday.

I am always in awe of female entrepreneurs, and these girls are taking the Pittsburgh PR market by storm with their young, and fresh approach to the advertising and PR world. They have a blog, on line magazine, print magazine, and a very successful PR business…I guess the sky's the limit for these 20 something girls, and I just love their name!

I take great pride in working with my bridal clients and being a part of their very special day.
I've shared many laughs and tears of joy with my brides over the years and every one of the weddings that I have worked, on has left me with many wonderful memories, and even some repeat business from family members, and for that, I am very thankful.

Here is a link to the article that Alex Duffy from Pretty Living Magazine did with me…with thanks and  appreciation:)

Lilac Makeup Love

Could it finally be that spring has officially arrived here on the east coast?!

It's been a long, cold winter and it's so good to see the sun again!

With the arrival of spring, it is the perfect time to lighten up your makeup and ditch those dark and dreary colors from the fall and winter.

Everywhere I look, I see lilac…and nothing says spring better than the beautiful, fragrant lilac bush. The smell is intoxicating and so is the color, and its everywhere this season. It's on the runway, the nails, face and even the hair.

Lilac nails are a fun way to break into trying a little color. I happen to love this shade from Essie to liven up your hands.

play date

Purple shadows work well on most women. I recommend using it in the crease to brighten up the eyes.

I'm a huge fan of Urban Decay eyeshadows and love Asphyxia. It's great either wet or dry and it's creamy texture stays put all day.

To complement the purple shadow, try a purple liner. It's a nice change from the standard brown liner and really makes the white of the eyes pop! I love Urban Decay's 24/7 pencils for their excellent staying power.

Feeling brave?!

Why not try your hand at purple mascara from YSL- it's a nice daytime alternative to black mascara, and it's just fun!

One of my best finds for spring is MAC's Full of Joy blush. It's so light and fresh and works well with the purple palettes of spring. Apply it just on the apples of the cheeks for the most modern look in makeup.

And finally, you must pick up a sheer violet lip gloss for spring to finish your look!

…and wouldn't it be fun to have purple hair for a day?!

WELCOME SPRING!

                                                    

New year, new beautiful you

Happy 2014!

The new year is the perfect time to revamp your beauty routine, simplify your old makeup routine and start fresh.

It's time to give your makeup, and yourself...a makeover!

Begin by organizing your current makeup collection, take inventory of what you have, what you need and what no longer serves you. Toss any products that are old or broken. Discard any rancid smelling lipsticks, foundation that has separated, and dried up mascara.

Find the products that you know will work best for you and stick with them to save you time and money in the future. This is my favorite way to organize my makeup stash.

Get a makeup lesson from a professional makeup artist who will tell you what colors work best for you. Bring your current makeup that you use along with you and learn the latest tips and techniques to make you look your very best this year. Sometimes it's just the tiniest improvements that make the biggest difference in your appearance & makeup is one of the best, and most inexpensive ways to upgrade your look. Take pictures, ask questions...this is your time to learn the correct way to apply your makeup that is best suited for you.

Now is the time to ditch the heavy foundation and powder that can tend to be very aging, and try the new BB or CC creams for a lighter than air, perfect flawless looking, complexion. Today's new foundations are some of the best formulas I've ever seen. They often combine: a foundation, sunscreen, primer and moisturizer all in one, and a little goes a long way.

Matte lip colors and pencils are all the rage right now. The formulas are moister and longer lasting and not quite as drying as the matte lip colors from the 1980's. Try a fun berry, plum or purple shade to compliment the rich jewel tones of your winter wardrobe.

Today's lip colors are actually good for you, some even good enough to eat, like the BITE brand. Their lipsticks contain Resveratrol, which is equivalent to 5 glasses of wine...my kinda lipstick:)

Maybe it's time to visit your hairdresser and add a few highlights, (or lowlights), to your hair to lift your spirits during the cold winter months.

If you've never had bangs before, give it a try- they are a fun way to update your hairstyle, give you a younger look, and a great way to hide any lines on the forehead!

Even curling your hair a different way, can completely change your look. If you've always curled your hair with a regular curling iron, try a larger barreled iron for a fuller, looser curl. Don't brush it out when your done, just run your fingers through it to create a gentle wave and spray it lightly with a brushable hairspray like Elnett used by every top hairstylist in the world. I like the unscented spray the best.

I also love the new clip-less curling rods- it gives a nice beachy wave to the hair and instantly updates your look. You just simply wrap the hair around the wand, and loosely pick the curls apart with your fingers...it's a beautiful look.

Another life saver for me on my shoots has been the Halo hair pieces.

It's a great investment for women that would like to add a little length or thickness to their hair. It is quick and easy to use, just place the halo on your head and pull your own hair over top of the hair extension. It is practically invisible to detect and worn by so many celebrities and news anchors...and the best thing of all, it can be washed, dried, colored and curled and does not damage your existing hair like hair extensions or clip in extensions.

And my final beauty tip to brighten to begin the new year as healthy as can be is to visit the dentist and take care of that smile and whiten those teeth. Nothing ages a woman more than stained, yellow teeth.

I believe a beautiful smile is one of our best assets and one of the cheapest "facelifts" we can do for ourselves, and the perfect accessory to show off that new lip color!

Here's to a more beautiful you this year!
Cheers!
Patty

Superwomen in Heels Awards

It was quite an honor to be recently named the 2013 Makeup Artist of the Year at Pittsburgh Style Week!

Thank you Wadria Taylor of Style and Steel for creating such a special and memorable event for Pittsburgh.

It's a bird, it's a plane ... no, it's 'Superwomen in Heels' at Style Week Pittsburgh Day 2

Written by Sara Bauknecht on Friday, 09 August 2013 7:00 am.

Style Week Pittsburgh sashayed to Pittsburgh Winery in the Strip District for Day 2 of the inaugural event, which recognized some of the city's leading ladies in fashion design, makeup, photography, modeling and more.

The theme, "superwomen in heels," was carried out from the designer shoes positioned among the wine barrels and hanging on the chandeliers to the stiletto wine bottle holders the 10 honorees (some pictured above) were awarded.

The night kicked off with a performance by Anqwenique Wingfield & Groove Aesthetic, followed by KDKA-TV's Lynne Hayes-Freeland leading the award presentation. The winners are listed below, with more photos of the event.

Day 3 of Style Week Pittsburgh starts at 6 p.m. at CAVO in the Strip District. Tonight's theme will be "Decades," a snapshot of fashions from 1970s to today.

Young fashionista on the rise ..... Makayla Wray

Most stylish host ..... Vanessa Doss

Most stylish artist ..... Vanessa German

Style icon of the year ..... Debbie Norrell

Model of the year ..... Ernesta Pollard

Makeup artist of the year ..... Patty Bell Makeup

Stylist of the year ..... Lakisha Pattin, Focus Fashion

Fashion photographer of the year ..... Mary Beth Kratsas, MBK Photography

Fashion designer of the year ..... Lana Neumeyer

Superwoman of the year ..... Demeatria Boccella

with Mary Beth Kratsas photographer of the year

Greentree Woman is Makeup Artist to the Stars

A huge thank you to the Tribune Review for the recent newspaper interview!

Mention this ad and receive 50.00 off of your makeup session!

By Charlotte Smith 

Published: Wednesday, June 19, 2013, 9:00 p.m.

Updated: Wednesday, June 19, 2013

Patty Bell of Green Tree began her career as a young model and then got her start as a makeup artist thanks to her neighbor, Judy McKenzie, who was a Ralph Lauren Cosmetics representative.

Bell began working in a department store where she was “discovered” and then hired for a commercial by director Glenn Przyborski.

This led to state licensing as an esthetician and training to be a certified airbrush makeup artist.

A member of Pittsburgh's Makeup Artist Association, the New York Hair and Makeup Union, Pittsburgh Professional Women, and Pittsburgh Women in Film and Media, she also devotes time to the American Cancer Society's “Look Good, Feel Better” program.

She has worked on photo shoots for national companies that are based in Pittsburgh, such as American Eagle, Rue 21, Modcloth and Dick's Sporting Goods. She also does makeup for appearances by sports teams such as those recently involved with the Stanley Cup playoffs, CBS Sports, Monday Night Football, ESPN and the Pittsburgh Steelers.

She is most proud of working on a life-changing TV show called “Makeover Pittsburgh.”

She has traveled to Nova Scotia to work on a large ad campaign with Sidney Crosby.

She has met President Barack Obama. She has worked on CNN with Vice President Joe Biden who, when she told him that her mother was a big fan, picked up the telephone and actually called her mother, thanking her for her support.

She was one of the makeup artists for the films “The Dark Knight Rises” and “Perks of Being a Wallflower.”

Other celebrities she has worked with include Joan Rivers, Drew Carey, Ted Nugent, Amy Adams, Samuel L. Jackson, Joe Namath and Mario Lemieux.

“My favorite thing is to teach women how to look their very best,” Bell said.

Although most of her work is on location, she has now opened a studio in Green Tree and offers bridal consultations and private makeup lessons.

She can be reached at 412-298-3936 or online at www.onlocationhairand makeup.net or at www. pattybellmakeup.com.

Charlotte Smith is a contributing writer for Trib Total Media and can be reached at 724-693-9441 or charlotte59@comcast.net.

Favorite Drugstore Beauty Finds

I admit it, I can't go into a drugstore without stopping by the makeup aisle...the lure of all of the fun, new colors for spring always pulls me in. 

I love makeup, and everything about it. I love the way it transforms women, and makes them feel good, even if it's only buying a lip gloss. Makeup doesn't always have to be the high end designer stuff to make you look good.

Many of the top drugstore lines are very comparable to their department store brands and many are owned by the same parent company, employing some of the top cosmetic chemists in the world, making their formulas very similar. So go ahead and shop in your local drugstore, you will find some incredible products at a very affordable price...and who doesn't love a bargain!

As a professional makeup artist, I go through mascara like crazy!

One of my favorites is Maybelline's Lash Discovery mascara in black. I was turned on to this mascara by actress Helen Mirren. This was her mascara of choice on the film, The Clearing.
I was fascinated by the tiny brush. It enables you to get so close to the root of your eyelash, making it a very nice lengthening and separating mascara.

Always on the search for that perfect, "your-lips-but-better" color, I found a drugstore brand I absolutely love and it looks great on everyone, Maybelline's,  Color Whisper lip color in Made-it Mauve. The natural looking lip color glides on like gel and feels so good on your lips.

Many top industry makeup artists that I work with swear by Revlon Colorstay foundation. I personally use the whipped formula for a lighter, airbrushed look and get so many compliments on my skin every time wear it. The formula really does last all day whether it's a wedding, covering a tattoo, or worn under the hot lights in a studio- this will not let you down and there are a vast array of colors to choose from.

There isn't an actress or model who hasn't benefitted from using strip eyelashes or individual lashes to enhance their eyes. False lashes give an instant glamorous look to the eyes and has a natural anti-aging effect. As we age, our eyelashes thin and the eyes begin to droop and sag. Adding a few individual lashes at the outer corners, opens the eyes up and adds an instant lift. My favorite lashes are by Ardell. I like the Babies strip lashes, as they are the most natural looking and virtually undetectable with their invisiband. 

And for a really natural look, try the knot free individual lashes in black. You simply attach them to your own lashes with a little waterproof DUO glue.

A constant staple in my on set makeup bag is Clean and Clear oil blotting sheets. The tiny papers instantly absorb facial oils leaving your skin clean and fresh. These make my job as a makeup artist so much easier...who needs to be constantly powdering all day?! These are great for men too, and very discreet.

One of my most memorable jobs as a makeup artist, was the time I got to assist celebrity makeup artist Joanne Gair, famous for her incredible Sports Illustrated body painting masterpieces. She was here for a day to do some hand painting for a commercial, and one of her favorite products was Maybelline oil-free eye makeup remover. Seeing the ease that these cleaned up any makeup residue, instantly made me a fan as well, and the best thing about this is that it doesn't burn the eyes or leave an oily feel.

I think I would be lost without Q-tips in my life! They are invaluable as a makeup artist. But sometimes I need a little bit more in my cotton swabs, and reach for a pointed version by Victoria Vogue to correct any smudges and do some last minute clean ups that the round version can't reach.

For instant makeup removal, another set bag and celebrity favorite has been Comodynes makeup remover towels. They make clean up a snap;  they are great for sensitive skin, and perfect for travel.

When it comes to blush, I always reach for Milani's Luminoso baked blush. It is a beautiful peachy, pink with golden highlights, and looks perfect on everyone. It's almost identical to the oh-so-popular, NARS Orgasm blush but at a fraction of the cost.

L'uvalla certified organic skincare

I am very lucky to live in a town with such wonderful hospitals and doctors.

UPMC is one of the premiere hospitals in the US and I have been privileged to work on many commercials, videos and billboards for this health care giant over the years.

One of my most memorable UPMC commercials I worked on last year, was with actress, Alla Korot, former soap star and now current co-owner of L'uvalla certified organic skin care. She is as passionate about her products as she is acting, and her skin was absolutely flawless.

After we wrapped the commercial, she was kind enough to send me some of her products in the mail to try and I have to say I was very impressed with everything she sent me.

Using the L'uvalla line is like feeding your skin some of the long lost nutrients its been lacking.
It's such a comforting feeling to know that every ingredient they put into their products is both natural, organic and very good for you. There really is something to be said for the old saying, "if you can't eat it, don't put it on your skin."!

Her Balancing Cream for normal to oily skin was one of my favorite products. It instantly absorbed into my skin, leaving it hydrated and matte...a perfect combination for my oily skin, and completely free of toxic chemicals.

Alla was such a beautiful soul to work with and I really enjoyed the time we spent together on set, and making her even more beautiful for our commercial.

Many celebrities love and endorse her line, and now I can see why!