If you follow celebrity makeup artist Sam Fine on Twitter, you know that he’s a rare and special kind of makeup artist. Sam offers sage advice on products and cosmetics application for women all shades of beautiful, while interracting with his fans in an unpretentious and fun ongoing conversation. But here’s a bit of helpful advice if you plan on following Sam — try not to ask him the same questions he’s been asked over and over again.
Those would be questions like, “what’s the perfect foundation for me?” (if he can’t see you in person, it’s hard to match you). “What’s your favorite foundation?” (he’s answered this question hundreds of times. Read on for deetz). And “where can I buy it?” (Might I recommend LMGTFY.com?). If you can abide by that instruction, then you never know – you might wind up befriending a world famous MUA. However, if you absolutely MUST ask one of the aforementioned q’s, Sam understands.
“I track my followers so I see when people come on and when you’ve gained a hundred new people… they’re gonna ask the same questions and have the same concerns. I always say when one person asks a question there are at least 20 to 30 more people who are thinking the same thing. And unfortunately with Twitter, they ask it!” Sam told me in a recent Skype interview, live from the Cover Girl HQ.
Repeated questions aside, Sam Fine loves Twitter and Twitter loves Sam Fine. “I travel a lot. And travel can be really lonely. I’m in hotel rooms. I recently went to Australia for a day of work. You literally are just disconnected from people… And there’s this community that’s always waiting for you. I’ve said it before — you’re never alone when there’s Twitter.”
Amen to that! Both Sam and I can say that we’ve made some great friends both online and IRL, through Twitter. When I interviewed Sam, I tried to keep the kinds of reader questions I get most often, top of mind. Our intent? To create the perfect, easy to follow, universally flattering summer makeup looks for bellas all shades of beautiful!
As I explained to Sam, there are two main kinds of Afrobella reader.
Bella #1 is a makeup lover, who is down to try new trends and want to know about the newest looks and products.
Bella #2 is makeup reluctant, overwhelmed by the selection in stores like Sephora, and assumes that she can’t rock bright colors or find a foundation to match her.
Sam immediately knew the kind of bella I was referring to, re: Bella #2. He’s got a Bella #2 in his family!
“I have three sisters. Two of which who do not wear makeup. And I feel their pain. I mean they – they aren’t experimental. They’re not approaching the wall… They don’t realize that the opportunities in makeup have changed. The color options, the formula options, the technology has changed. Even, you know, the dry down in makeup. It’s not the heavy oily makeup that your mom once used. There are a lot of new formulations now that speaks to different skin tones, different skin types, different makeup needs.”
What Sam has discovered is that people often turn to him to get the OK for the things they want to do themselves. “A lot of people expect for you to sign off on things to give them the go ahead to try makeup…when they got to give themselves the go ahead to try makeup. I know the consumer really well, I feel her hesitation and I think they look to us to give them permission. I’m no makeup god. I cannot give you permission, but I definitely will egg you on to go to the wall.”
So what’s your best approach, when you’re faced with The Wall of makeup at a drugstore or department store? Sam recommends thinking of it like a trip to the grocery store. You know how it’s a bad idea to go to the grocery store hungry, and without a list of what you need? Same goes for when you buy makeup. “Make up a list. I want to try a concealer. I hear that this is something that I really should be trying that will highlight my eyes. Every time I go to the grocery store I try something new. I can return it. Make a list, you know, make a list the same way you make a list when you go grocery shopping and stay true to that.”
Sam says the three must-haves for makeup newbies are pressed powder, mascara, and lip gloss. And for those of you who want someone to make the makeup grocery list for you…we’ve done so together, with three timeless summer looks brought to you by Cover Girl.
Custom Cover Girl summer beauty looks by Sam Fine right here for you, bellas!
Look #1. Summer Heat. I asked Sam to create a look that lasts through the hottest, stickiest days. This one goes out to my bellas in the islands, and in the deep south!
a. QC Natural Hue Minerals Pressed Powder to take coverage down one step
b. QC Natural Hue Bronzer because it bakes in beautifully
c. LiquiLineBlast Eye Liner on the lash line
d. QC Lip Color in a vibrant color like Berry Bling
Look #2 — Summer Fierce. This is a look for bella #1, who isn’t afraid of bold makeup, and is gonna be outdoors all summer. It’s the look you want if you wanna look fly and trendy while she’s lounging poolside or having a picnic in the park!
a. Smoky ShadowBlast for a dewy look
b. Beautiful, glowing skin with Queen Collection Natural Hue Compact Foundation and QC Bronzer
c. Queen Collection Lip Color in a trendy, bold shade like Powderpuff Pink, that’s rich and vibrant.
Look #3 is for bellas who are hesitant about makeup, or for those who are seeking a classic, understated look. Eternal Summer – that timeless summer beauty!
a. All about the skin; skin is timeless
b. Use Queen Collection Natural Hue Bronzer to create warmth and luminosity
c. Use foundation, like QC Natural Hue Liquid to create an effortless and blended face
d. On the lashes, use 3-4 coats of LashBlast Fusion to create stunning volume and length
d. Use a neutral shade of color on the lips like Queen Collection Lip Color in Au Natural
Thank you Sam and thank you Cover Girl for providing such easy, breezy, beautiful summer looks! And GREAT NEWS, bellas!! Drugstore.com has created a unique link where you can get a special discount on Queen Collection products (buy one, get one 50% off!) CLICK HERE to get your shop on!. The offer will be good from June 5th-June 30th.
If you aren’t already following Sam Fine, click here to follow him on Twitter, Facebook, and click here to check out his site (from which you can buy his AMAZING DVD!)
This post was sponsored by Cover Girl.
Jennifer James Beauty
This is absolute fabulous!!!
I know Sam’s body of work very well & I make sure I read EVERYTHING he says…
Yet you have managed to capture his genius in such a fresh way! Thank you AFROBELLA – you are my hero!
Jen
SanTara
Great Interview Patrice! I am loving Summer Heat & Summer Fierce!!
Trina J
These are some really great looks! Sam Fine is a makeup genius. My fave is the Eternal Summer. It makes me what to invest in some CG products for my kit.
pets
Wouldn’t it be “fine” get it *grin* if Sam used your new Mac shade in his makeup arsenal?
bella
thank you so much Jen!! I know Sam gets asked the same things over and over again, and he’s so charismatic and sweet and interesting. Glad to bring more of that to light!
bella
it would!! 😉
bella
He’s so right about that look – sometimes less is more, and it’s about creating a flawless canvas!
Danielle
Awesome post, Patrice! Sam Fine is SUCH a great personality. He’s so engaging and so wonderful for his Twitter Q&A sessions not to mention he’s absolutely darling in person 🙂
bella
me too! I think I’m gonna do a Summer Fierce look soon!
bella
he sure is! Can’t wait to see him this weekend at The Makeup Show Chicago!
Mishara
I like Look 1. I will be in Central America this summer and was wondering how I could stay pretty without my face (and everything else) melting off. I would like to try the bronzer he suggested.
Yvette
THIS!! I’ve just started getting into makeup, especially since I have a few major functions to attend this summer. Since I’m more of a basic eyeliner & lipgloss type of girl, I’ve been feeling a little overwhelmed by all the options available (bella 1). But, I’m definitely willing to try new things and step out of my comfort zone (bella 2). This article is definitely right on time. Thank you 😀
Yvette
Flipped the bellas, but you know what I mean lOl.
Embraceurcrazy
I love Sam, he’s been so kind to me on twitter. I save all of his makeup tips to my evernote account so I don’t ask any repetitive questions. Thank you for this great interview. You’re the bestest!
Rashida Williams~ The Glam Doctor
This was an awesome interview and as always I learn something new from Sam. I love how he makes things so simple. This will help me to help my clients better for their summer looks. Thanks
Meagan
loooooooove it!!!
loooooooove sam!!!
wooo hooo…
you forgot this question, patrice? “WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE BRONZER?”
THE ANSWER IS CARGO BRAND BRONZERS ARE HIS FAVORITE. i know that because people ask him all the time. LOL
Shawnette
Thanks for the lovely tips. I am going to try some of them. Has anyone seen how flawless Nene Leakes’ makeup looks for the new PSA she did for Sickle Cell disease. It looks a little too heavy, but it suites her. Check it out on http://www.sicklecelldisease.org.
Sherry Blossom
I LOVE SAM FINE! He’s so personable. Every time I see him on my Twitter TL, FB or in person I smile. He’s definitely someone to admire! I love Look #1. Berry Bling is looking like a MUST HAVE…I own the Cover Girl QC Bronzers & many of the bold lip colors and this one may be added to the stash 🙂
debbie
I am darkskin and I like to find out which full coverage foundation,concealer and powder for my complexion