Celeb make up artist Mally Roncal has worked with everyone from divas like Beyonce, Jennifer Lopez, Mariah Carey and Mary J. Blige to “it” girls like Zooey Deschanel, Maggie Gyllenhaal and Gretchen Mol.
It’s safe to say that she knows how to tailor her work to the diverse styles of her white-hot clientele list. Mally also keeps busy beautifying faces for magazine covers and of course, has her own line of products, Mally Beauty, available through QVC or mallybeauty.com.
We at BN jumped at the opportunity to get insider tips from such a prolific artist and thankfully, Roncal, a mother of twins, wasn’t afraid to open up about what non-celeb glamazons can do to achieve just-as-gorgeous looks.
BN: You work with lots of celebrity clients. What is your numero uno tip or secret for us regular gals?
MR: Focus on your eyelashes! Curling them is imperative and mascara is always necessary. A good set of false lashes makes you look extra flirty. I enjoy false lashes on a daily basis. Nothing makes you look more awake than beautifully done lashes.
BN: What’s your favorite product that you’ve created for your line?
MR: CityChick Smokey Eye Kit. It makes smoky eyes easy for everyone. It’s a great day to night look, since everyone looks good in a smoky eye!!
BN: What’s your favorite cosmetic or beauty product that you didn’t create?
MR: YSL Waterproof Mascara [is my favorite.]
BN: What should every woman have in her make up bag?
MR: A beautiful blush that makes you look healthy, a shiny lip gloss and a dark eyeliner that you can use to define your upper lash line for day and then smoke it out for night.
BN: Can you give us some insight on products you are going to be launching in the coming months? Any exciting new products on the way for Fall?
MR: Of course my new products are always a secret, but I can tell you that I am continuing to work on products that make us look fabulous in seconds and wear all day long. All of my products are inspired by the wonderful celebrity clients that I work with.
BN: You’re a working mom with twins, so you know how hard it is to always look your best. What are some tips you’d recommend for women who have minimal time to put on make up, but still want to look fabulous?
MR: No matter what, always try to look healthy. I find that sunscreen, which you should be wearing every day, actually helps to give skin a beautiful glow. When you’re tight on time, use multi-tasking products like Lip and Cheek Rouge from Mally Beauty. This [product] is great because you can use it all over. If you’re in a real pinch, grab a pair of sunglasses. They can be your best friend. Throw them on with a great lip and you’re good to go!
BN: You are of Filipino descent. What are some key tips for women with darker skin tones?
MR: Always make sure to match your foundation to your jaw line and throat, as the skin on our face is lighter than the rest of the body. Yellow-based foundation and blush are a must; blush instantly makes sallow skin look more alive.
BN: What’s the key beauty mistake you see women make? What’s your recommended solution for it, as well?
MR: Wearing no makeup at all!! Women can get frustrated or feel overdone sometimes when they do wear makeup. The best solution is for women to find some key products that they love and learn how to use them to achieve the look that they want.
BN: What’s your prediction for beauty trends in summer and fall 2008?
MR: There is going to be a shift in both ends of the spectrum. Women can go for sexy smoky eye or a pretty, natural face. The great thing is that women can do both to satisfy all facets of their personality.
