Golden Brush Award

Makeup Artist Robert Cook and Caroline Swann

Robert Cook, my favorite make up artist was awarded the most prestigious award that can be bestowed by Lancôme cosmetics and skin care. The award was presented to him in the Mecca of Lancôme in Paris, France.  He was chosen out of over one hundred other international make up artist from all over the world. The choice was based on make up technique, application, how to teach, how to best represent Lancôme as an ambassador and how best to make models happy and have a rapport with them. He was chosen for the Golden Brush Award and that is really a big deal in the world of Lancôme and their qualifications for the most honored award.

My granddaughter, Cassie and I were filled with glee, to be going to another make up clinic with Robert Cook!   We have so much fun with the new looks and know master make up artist, Robert Cook, always has the latest Paris trends that create such beauty.  Being awarded the GOLD BRUSH, by the International Lancôme Company, is something to celebrate!  Cassie and I were eager to congratulate Robert.

A better person could not have been chosen!  Robert is a master with a pallet of color and every size of brush one can imagine.  Miracles happen when Robert picks up a brush and applies make up.  He simply has the talent of an artist, the amount of make up he places on the brush and the brush stroke he uses to apply the colors.  Very special colors are chosen by him to compliment each client’s complexion, to enhance the shape of one’s eyes, mouth and cheek bones.

He teaches the client how to change the shape of one’s mouth, never make points to the upper lips. Always round the outline when applying lip liner and lip color. He chooses the correct color of make up base according to one skin tones, so many women use the wrong color and it doers not enhance but actually dulls one’s complexion. The same goes for eyeliner and eye shadow, the wrong colors can be a mistake that takes away from one’s beauty.  He teaches complexion is like a canvas, to clarify and create healthy skin. Skin has to be taken care of with the correct cleanser, toner, special skin care creams and serums (also proper nutrition).  Beautiful shin comes not only from cosmetics but a healthy body.

A new miracle product is introduced this year, one that lifts the facial skin like “PANTY HOSE”.  Robert has such a great personality and is one to evoke laughter.  When he told us about the product, Reviva, being so great it lifts the facial muscles like a pair of panty hose and he was asking Lancôme to make it for the whole body.  Peals of laughter rang from the clinic area for a long time!  Oleo, another new product is super for erasing lines, wrinkles, pore refinement and moisture for younger looking complexion.

Each client has her own file on what is best for her skin care, and customized colors to enhance her beauty. The artistic application is taught so she can apply the make up at home and step out looking perfectly beautiful. He chose a Kardashian look for my make up and behold, I did look like the Kardashians!  I had wondered just how they created their special look.

Here is the magic recipe:  HE STARTED WITH A CLEAN CANVAS–MY FACE, THEN ADDED THE PERFECT COLOR BASE FOR FACE, EYE SHADOW BASE TO KEEP THE SHADOW FROM FADING, AND AN UNDER EYE WATERPROOF CONCEALER. THE MAGIC STARTED WITH THE EYES. HE CHOOSE A BLACK EYELINER TOP AND BOTTOM OF THE EYE LID. THEN HE CHOSE A MELLOW DARK SHADE OF EYE SHADOW TO APPLY TO THE EYE LID TO MAKE THE EYES INTO AN ALMOND SHAPE. It starts with just a simply touch of the dark shadow. Do not fill the brush with the eye shadow, too much will ruin the subtle effect. Then trace the tip of the small brush under the brow bone with a circle under only the brow bone, extend the shadow out toward the upper edge of the eye with a small sweep upward. Next comes the perfect color of eye shadow for the lid. He chose a nude pink for my shadow on the lid, very subtle. Then he went back over the top lid where the eyeliner was black and lightly dotted navy blue liquid on top of the black liner, it was a WOW! NEXT HE LINED THE INSIDE OF MY UPPER LIDS WITH A TEENY BRUSH OF THE WATERPROOF BLACK LINER, AS WELL AS, THE INSIDE OF THE LOWER LIDS.  Not too much on the brush, just a touch of the liner on the teeny brush.

A bronzer is swept from the temples to under the jaw line to blend the make up base on without a marked line of base, to look completely natural. Correct shade of blush is applied to the cheekbones, and a lighter shade goes on top of the cheekbone to add dimension. The lips are lined and a soft pink was chosen for me with a deeper pink gloss over the lips. Robert then added a touch of powder here and there, with a bit of white shadow under my upper brow bone.  He had shaped my eyebrows using a taupe shade of pencil. The whole effect was, indeed, Kardashian! I loved the look. I could go on the show as a Kardashian extended family member! Robert then used Lancôme STAR mascara to give the eyes that special wispy look, and I said, “just spell my name Karoline”.

Honestly, he is a master make up artist to the so many stars and celebrities.  I wish he lived in this area but he hops form one plane to another to use the magic of his colors and brushes, to make beauty appear as if by magic many places. Robert Cook is, indeed, the artist with the, GOLDEN BRUSH! As a special note from Paris fashion, Robert says the new red is Pink!  So choose pink, pink, pink.