Jumping into selling mark. cosmetics was a natural move for Stephanie Gruelle – a beauty sales expert. With the instinctual knowledge of what makes a woman feel beautiful (when she dresses for herself, and no one else), Stephanie launched “Steph’s Beauty Buzz.” This was after she realized how many people were turning to her for tips on other areas besides mark. cosmetics, from ebay stores for shoes and the season’s more flattering waistlines. With her online business revolved around “Trends, Deals, Sales, and Steals” on myspace, Stephanie shares Beauty Chat’s philosophy of looking good and feeling good.

She also maintains an online forum, performs individual wardrobe and cosmetic consultations, and provides personal shopping services for clients throughout the Bay Area. I wonder how Ms. Beauty Buzz even had the time to be interviewed by me. Did I mention that she’s also in school to become a preschool teacher? Talk about multi-tasking.

Q: Considering you’re pretty much a beauty magazine junkie (with all due respect, of course), and are on top of what an image-conscious gal needs, what are the cosmetic must-haves for fall season?

A: The overarching trend this fall seems to be a return to all things feminine, and both the earthy naturals and the bold dramatic looks have this in common. Fall product must haves include deeper lipsticks, in both autumn berries and glamorous reds. Matte lipsticks are usually a better choice for deeper colors like these, as the color has enough drama without all the added shine.

Black liquid liner pairs well for added drama in this look, and we’re seeing this 40s style glamour all over the fashion mags. With the return of fall’s smoky eyes, don’t forget to stock up on a true nude lipstick as well. I tend to pair MAC’S Viva Glam II with mark’s Hookup Pro Gloss in Swell. I should also note that the smoky eye has revolved this fall to include lots of jewel colors. Deep greens, blues, and plums are joining the traditional browns and blacks as shadow staples this season. I LOVE mark’s femme 4 eye shadow quad for this look. It has four matte shadows in black, plum, emerald, and sapphire.  Try using your jewel shadows as liners for a subtle pop of jewel tone color. And of course, the bigger the lashes the better.

Q: Bigger is not always better when it comes to purses though, and I can say that with complete honesty – it usually takes me FOREVER to find my keys in the morning because they are at the very bottom of huge H&M bag. That said, what are important day-to-day essentials that should always stay in my purse as I schlep in and out of the office?

A: I have had the same problem with my big bags over the years, but I’ve really begun to downsize. One of the most lifesaving products for me has been blotting papers. The biggest reason we feel as though our makeup is half gone by the middle of the day is the oils in our skin. Rather than continue to reapply over and over, blotting papers soak up the oil without removing the makeup. I personally use Sonia Kashuk papers, and I love their convenient little pouch. I’ve also been surprised at how many basic products come in travel sizes. I have a very mini-hairspray to contain flyaways and a mini-size of Frederic Fekkai’s shine spray to add soft non-greasy shine to my do as the day goes on, especially when winter winds can cause dry and brittle texture. I also recommend investing in an atomizer to store small samples of your perfume, so you can reenvigorate your scent as it starts to fade. And of course, I always carry my lipstick and gloss, to reapply throughout the day. Drop in a wide tooth comb, wallet, phone, and keys and you are ready for any big day.

Q: What about when I get all dolled up to go out for the evening? I find it hard for me to switch purses these days, because I end up leaving things behind when I go back to my work purses…which makes me so frustrated!!!

A: This is why I LOVE mark’s products – they are all about convenience. And this is SO important to me, because I recently went back to college to get an education degree, and I often go from school to work to a night on the town, with little or no time to head home between trips. I rely on two major product lines from mark to help me accomplish this while still looking fabulous. The first line is called snap to it. These are compacts, available in three sizes, with magnetic strips. Mark sells blushes and shadows in metallic shells that snap into the compacts. I’ll apply a simple neutral palette to my eyes in the morning and a light natural blush. Then I’ll snap a deeper blush and two more dramatic shadows, in a complementary color, into a snap to it compact, so I can apply them after class. I should note that the large size compact would let you carry your original blush and two shadows as well, in case you needed to reapply. And the magnets make changing the colors in the compacts each day super fast and simple to do.

Q: What if I’m limited to a micro-clutch? Will I be leaving something behind?
       
A: This is where the second product line from mark comes in. You may have seen the ads in many magazines featuring Lauren Conrad for “hookups.” Picture a dual-ended lip gloss, but then imagine you can take the glosses apart and reassemble them in any combination. Mark has taken that one step further, and as offered far more than glosses in this line. The have everything from gloss, to lipstick, to mascara, to liquid liner. They have highlighters and shadow sticks and even gel blush (and many more options than even I have listed here). But every one of these products can be connected to any one of the other products with their connector. When carrying this seasons uber-fab micro clutch, I carry three hookups: one with lipstick and lip gloss, one with mascara and eyeliner, and one with a gel blush and a shadow stick. I could apply an entire new look to any naked face, and it all comes out of a bag the size of most women’s wallet. And don’t forget those handy blotting papers, it can get hot with all that dancing.

Q: Realistically speaking, how many bags do you think a woman should actually own and use, without just being stored in the closet?

A: I have to admit, when it comes to bags and shoes, I’m a bit of a lush. A good bag can change the look of any outfit. I have this great brown jersey dress for instance, and I must have gotten at least 15 looks out of it this season just from changing the bag and shoe combinations alone! That’s not even starting on the accessories. Bags can be a great way to stretch your wardrobe without stretching your budget. The key is choosing bags that are not only fashionable, but practical too. Now a lot of readers may say that micro clutches are anything but practical, but I would have to disagree. The key is to ask yourself: “Where will I be carrying this bag?” If you’re going out for a night on the town, a micro clutch may be easier to lug around than a big hobo.

Going for a major study session or a long day of errands? Then a boho may be better, because a  bigger bag with a good shoulder strap will be key. Long day at the office? Structured handbags exude confidence, sophistication, and a polished look, all while holding your daily essentials. And with all the products we’ve talked about, you can use a variety of bags this season, and all of them will be practical enough to hold ALL of your essentials.

Thanks Steph!

~ Elana

Image Credits: myspace