Celeb Makeup Artist Racine Mower Talks Empowering Women Through Makeup
Racine Mower is a makeup genius with a creative edge. Her make up know-how goes far beyond trendy contouring and the best red lipstick (although thankfully, she included those tips in our interview!) She looks upon makeup as an artform that empowers women by making them feel even more beautiful, using makeup to let out inner creativity and emotion. In our interview, she unleashes the power of makeup and spills on the best products to let your inner beauty shine.
What are your absolute favorite makeup brands?
My absolute favorite are NARS cosmetics, Anastasia Beverly Hills, Kat Von D’s line, Too Faced, and OCC Cosmetics, a 100% vegan line!
What are your five summer essentials?
My summer must haves are:
1. Sun Protection. During the summer I’m always sure to use sun protection! Weather the SPF is in my moisturizer or finishing powder, I make sure to apply SPF 25 or higher.
2.Bronzer. I always carry a bronzer in a compact for touch ups to maintain a summer glow.
3. Lip balm. I love using a super glossy lip balm. My current favorite is the rose lip balm by Rodial. It makes lips look juicy with a super glossy finish.
4. Mascara. I’m all about lashes! I could walk out the door with just mascara on if I had to. Right now, I love Better Than Sex Mascara by Too Faced and They’re Real by Benefit Cosmetics.
5. Finishing Sprays. During the summer it gets hot in Los Angeles. I think it’s important to use a setting spray after I’m finished applying my makeup on both myself and my clients. I love Caudalie’s Beauty Elixer and Urban Decay’s Oil Control Setting Spray.
What’s a cool, unexpected and out-there makeup look to wear on a night out?
I’m all about bold lips! I love using bright colors like orange or hot pink or super rich dark colors like a red plum or wine. I also love using matte lippies! I think mattes automatically make your lips look bigger. Just be sure to apply a chapstick or lip balm underneath them.
Is ombre still cool?
I think ombre is still cool if used correctly! Rather than ombre hair, I mostly do a little ombre to make lips look pouty. When you apply a lighter color right in the center of your lips it tends to make lips look fuller.
Your favorite red lipstick ever?
Stila Liquid Lipstick in Fiery! It’s a gorgeous, classic blue red and it’s stay all day formula lasts longer than anything else I’ve ever tried.
What do you keep in mind when doing makeup?
When I do makeup I like to make sure I’m enhancing everyone’s natural beauty. Everyone has their own unique features that make them beautiful. Certain eyeshadows and eyeliners bring out either green, blue or brown eyes. Pink and peach colors compliment different skin tones and tend to compliment yellow or pink skin tones better on cheeks and lips. I love to make my clients feel glamorous and that’s why I think every makeup application I’ve ever done is unique. I go into my freelance work with that in mind. Makeup is so empowering for women because it makes them feel special and even more beautiful than they already are.
How do you let your creativity out through makeup?
I believe that makeup has no boundaries. I’m so inspired by the makeup on high fashion runway shows. They have the boldest, most creative looks I’ve ever seen. High Runway Fashion Shows (like New York Fashion Week) showcase amazing designers like Marc Jacobs, Versace, and Chanel that have models wearing amazing makeup looks. You’ll see things like bright citron green or violet eyeshadows, the naked or no-show eyebrow look, or daring bold graphic shaped eyes using liquid liners. I like to stay current with beauty trends and use that as inspiration for all my makeup work. Reminding myself that there really are no boundaries with makeup is how I let my creativity shine!
