Double Duty Beauty with Danielle Vincent of Kimiko Beauty
Summer Make Up Made Easy
  Posted Friday, June 1, 2012 by Anita Rivas,
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Danielle Vincent began a career in the beauty industry as a makeup artist and VP for a renowned cosmetics company before following her passion and launching Kimiko Beauty. She’s more than just a pretty face; Danielle is a visionary who redefined the phrase Double-Duty Beauty by creating a makeup collection that instantly enhances the skin, while reversing the signs of premature aging skin.
Each wash of color delivers quality ingredients that smooth, firm, and rejuvenate the skin from the inside out, so that you’re at your most radiant self with makeup that moonlights as age appropriate skincare – saying goodbye to the adage that makeup is bad for your skin is easy with Kimiko Beauty.
Kimiko Beauty has a strong celebrity following that includes Katherine Heigl, America Ferrera, Katie Holmes, Milla Jovovich, Michelle Williams, and Rachael Bilson, what do they all have in common besides being gorgeous – they all have amazing skin.
Danielle recently took the time to answer a few questions with HeavenSalon. Find out how to keep your lipgloss on during the day, summer makeup tips, if there is such a thing as age appropriate makeup, and as usual we couldn’t resist and asked about Red Lipstick.
HS: What separates Kimiko Beauty from other Luxury Brands?
DV: Kimiko is skincare disguised as makeup. The textures and shades of the makeup are professional artist developed, yet the colors throughout the line are not outrageous – they are classic, wearable shades that have exceptional long-wear. We pride ourselves in creating products that are entirely unique, each piece tells its own skincare story and has a multi-level purpose, from the immediate enhancement, long-term treatment to the smart packaging.
HS: Double Duty Beauty?
DV: That’s our motto; Kimiko is makeup that goes beyond today. It’s instant gratification with long-term skincare results. When we launched, it was our new philosophy that just made sense and that no one else was doing to the degree that we were. I think the challenge is achieving luxury quality makeup when you are also formulating with cosmeceutical ingredients at really effective levels. I truly believe that this is exactly what we do best.
HS:Â Other skincare products you consider essentials?
DV: I am definitely not married to any one brand when it comes to skincare; in fact I test and use products from various brands. Junsei Serum is my antiaging treatment staple, but I’m always trying new products. Some of the products I’ve purchased more than once include: Caudalie Organic Grape Water for finishing makeup, Fresh Soy Face Cleanser, Shu Uemura Cleansing Oil – for heavier makeup days,  and Jack Black Lip Balm SPF 25 (because it’s one of the few lip products with true broad-spectrum protection) – I only really like the Grapefruit variety, but they have many flavors. I also use very fine cleansing cloths for gentle exfoliation about three times a week. I’m also a fan of broad-brimmed hats, because they add protection by casting a wide shadow.Â
HS: Sometimes women only have 5minutes in the morning for makeup – your version of the 5 minute face?
DV: I’m a fan of the less-is-more philosophy especially when timing is everything. I recommend an all-in-one moisturizer like our Hydrating Tint SPF 20. You knock off four steps in one shot; it instantly evens out skin tone and gives immediate broad spectrum sun protection (versus chemical SPF, where you need to wait at least 20 minutes before sun exposure). After that, I fill in my brows to frame and define my eyes  (Super Fine Brow Pencil in Coffee), then I apply mascara, and since this only takes 3-4 minutes, I pop on a bit of blush for a healthy glow. My go-to product is Kimiko’s Lifting Puff Blush in Sweet Lychee; it’s a perfect, soft everyday blush that is impossible to get wrong.
HS: Summer makeup tips?
DV: When those direct rays are shining, it can make a full-face of makeup look extremely over-done, so when the humidity kicks in and you’re in the sun’s bright “spotlight”, less is definitely more when it comes to makeup. Again, I look for products that will do more in a single step, like Kimiko’s Hydrating Tint SPF 20, because less means more natural looking skin. Make sure you’re protecting your face, neck, décolleté and hands with a broad-spectrum SPF
HS: Shimmery makeup?
DV: When it comes to shimmery makeup in the summer, I would avoid too much of it, as it tends to look too shiny and will look oily in photos. A low-oil brow pencil like our Super Fine Brow Pencil will stay put and weather the heat and humidity.Â
HS: Eye Makeup?
DV: For an easy eye-look that won’t run or smudge, I like to apply a brighter, fresh color all over the lid to the crease, shade a little deeper color into the outer crease and then take a fine brush like our Essential Shadow Brush and trace the lash line with a darker powder to define the eyes. Powder is less likely to move than cream-based products. Kimiko’s Lifting Eye Shadow Bento boxes are designed with exactly those tones to make this 1-2-3 eye really quick and easy. Last but not least, keep lips hydrated and as often as you can apply a broad spectrum SPF throughout the day.
HS:Â New products launching soon?
DV: We’re always working on new shades and we’re working on some innovative new lip products, and exciting eye products. I can’t reveal too much – stay tuned!
HS: Women and Red Lipstick?
DV: It’s a classic look, when done properly it’s beautiful. If you go bold with red, please be light-handed with the eyes. I find a red lip looks best paired with clean, flawless skin, and just a slight touch of blush, to bring back the dimension. Add perfectly defined brows, a minimal and well blended black or dark brown liner (barely visible) and neatly-applied mascara. A fresh take on a red lip is our Sheer Tint and Lip Plumper in Pomegranate; because it’s a tint, the color depth is buildable plus it will not budge once applied. It’s always a little awkward to have to tell someone their red lipstick is all over their teeth!
HS: The best way to keep lip-gloss on during the day?
DV: Ah, the eternal quest for long-wearing, non-drying lip color. I highly recommend our Sheer Tint and Lip Plumpers. They really do last all day. My favorite color is Sweet Plum – it looks bold in the tube, but a light application leaves a beautiful wash of color for day, and for evening I go bolder, by applying two or more coats, letting it dry, and then topping it with the glossy plumper. It really does give you stay-put, va-va-voom sexy lips.Â
HS: The worst mistake women make with their makeup application?
DV: I think it can be overwhelming as a consumer to find the right products for your needs because there is a lot out there, but the best advice I can give, is to choose suitable colors for your tones (consider your skin tone, eye color, hair color), try not to over apply and of course, blend, blend and blend.  Look closely in the mirror after you’ve finished your makeup: is there a line showing where your foundation, blush or eye shadow ends? If so, go back with a clean brush or a damp sponge and blend until it looks seamless.Â
HS: Is there such a thing as Age Appropriate Makeup?
DV: I don’t think that stifling creativity is the idea; I wouldn’t say you absolutely cannot do something at a certain age. However, there are definite colors and textures that work best on more mature skin. As we age, we realize our skin obviously will never look exactly like it did in our twenties (oh, don’t we wish we appreciated it more?), so now is the time to play up your best features. I always find the eyes need more attention, as we tend to lose density of the hair in our eyebrows and eye lashes and of course, the volume in our lips.Â
HS: Playing-up our features?
DV: To play up your features, I suggest taking the time to line and then contour your eyes
with shadow, fill in those sparse brows and add a little lip liner before applying lip products (like our Precision Plumping Lip Liner, which diminishes vertical lines and defines the lip contour). Those are a few little steps that will really make a noticeable difference.
HS: You mentioned in a previous interview that the skin loses water overnight; I always thought the skin repaired itself in the evenings while we slept?
DV: During the night we experience transepidermal water loss. It is true that the time the skin repairs itself is while we are sleeping and it is also an essential time to deliver treatment ingredients that will aid in this regeneration process. To ensure the best possible skin by morning, I suggest either a hydrating treatment serum, or applying your serum and then if required (every skin type is different), waiting 20 minutes or so and apply additional moisture where needed. The worst thing you can do is not apply any type of moisture to the skin – even in humid summer months, do apply a lightweight moisturizer with treatment to help retain the hydration and youthfulness of your skin.
HS: Thank you Danielle, we learned a lot and I can’t wait to try the Sheer Tints.
Wonderland Beauty Parlor
418 West 13th St
New York, NY 10014
(212) 524-2800
To purchase by phone: 1-212 223-4694 or @KimikoBeauty.com
