Sam, who’s created looks for celebrities and models such as Iman, Veronica Webb, Tyra Banks, Vanessa Williams and Naomi Campbell, shared his favorite drugstore finds plus tons of genius tips on how to use them. Take these pointers with you next time you hit the makeup aisle.
Sam’s go-to mascara:
“I prefer waterproof because it builds faster,” the artist says. His favorites? L’Oreal Voluminous and CoverGirl LashBlast Fusion. “I’m not a fan of the pink and green,” he admits, passing a certain best-selling tube. “I like a really dense brush. It’s not just the formula - it’s really about how the brush grabs the lashes and builds them.”
On foundation:
Sam likes stick foundation - it covers better than liquid, he says. Becca, Black Opal and Iman all make sticks he loves. For a sheerer finish, Iman’s Luxury Pressed Powder is great for “women of color who are looking to add a bit of coverage without wearing foundation.” When testing a sealed drugstore foundation isn’t an option, Sam recommends using the shade names as clues. A “honey” color is going to be lighter and warmer than a “hazelnut.” Women with the darkest skin tones should check out CoverGirl’s Queen Collection: it features some of the deepest shades available in drugstores.
His long-wear lips color pick:
“I think Outlast is one of the better long-lasting lipsticks,” Sam says. “I remember doing this commercial with Brandy, when [Outlast] first came out, and she was biting this apple, and of course you have to do it a hundred times. And literally, her lipstick never came off.” And if you make a mistake? “You’ve got like 2 seconds to work that!”
His cream-to-powder tip:
“Just because something says it’s cream to powder, it doesn’t mean don’t use powder. It means use powder lightly. You still have to use powder to keep it in place because your body heat will warm up and warm the product.”
Bronzer, the universal product:
Sam uses bronzer on all skin tones, either in tandem with blush or in place of it. “Bronzer is an easier thing to wear [than blush], even if you have fair skin. Even if you’re Julianne Moore, Nicole Kidman - bronzer still adds a little bit of color to the skin, a little bit of warmth,” he says. Blush and bronzer combos make it easy to get your glow on: “I think it makes it more mistake-proof, especially for fairer skin...The bronzer kind of takes the edge off [the blush].” Lorac, Neutrogena and Iman all make Sam-approved blush-bronzer duos.
Makeup for women of color can work for all skin tones:
Look to lines like Black Opal and Milani for prestige lip color and eye shadow at drugstore prices: “These are the ones that really pay off” in the pigment department, Sam says. “I think of, like, Nars - that kind of color payoff.”
The secret to Sam’s signature brow looks:
Maybelline brow pencils. “They sharpen beautifully. I can draw fine hairs in by sharpening these down to a really fine point.” Powder layered on top helps set the color.
What are your favorite drugstore finds?
Courtesy of Beauty Buzz
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