Norman Sands shares his makeup tips from a recent makeup job with Leighton Meester (star of Gossip Girl)

I know that the age difference between any of the young stars of Gossip Girl and most of my readers is quite different, but I cannot pass the opportunity to share tips from an exceptional makeup artist from NY fashion week.

I think the idea is to use these tips along with your NARS Cosmetic beauty expert to create a look that works for you and that’s age appropriate.

As you’ve noticed this is my third feature on celebrity makeup guru Norman Sands. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, from all the makeup artists that I’ve interviewed Norman has made the biggest impression on me for his passion for his craft and his dedication to educating women on how they can look their best.

Norman created a face-chart for Leighton Meester, who is one of the actresses from thew smash-teen series “Gossip Girl”. Norman was responsible for given Leighton a perfect-fresh-look for her front-row seat at the 3.1 Phillip Lim show during New York City’s recent Fashion Week events.

I kid you not, these types of insider’s makeup tips are very valuable, and even if you’re over 35 … you can still find a way to make this work for you. Since we are talking about NARS Cosmetics then you know that it’s all about glamour and chic and never about gaudy or tacky.

Celebrity makeup artist Norman Sand creates the perfect face for Gossip Girl’s Leighton Meester (all the makeup used is NARS Cosmetics):

“Leighton is not a fan of a lot of makeup or heavy foundation so I focused on creating an ethereal look around luminous skin.” – Norman Sands

1) After bonding over our mutual love of good skincare, I prepped her skin with Mud Mask for about 10 minutes to make her beautiful skin even more flawless.

2) I used Balancing Toning Lotion to remove the mask, soften the skin and prep the skin for moisture.

3) I mixed Aqua Gel Hydrator with Brightening Serum to give the skin instant hydration and radiance.

4) Aqua Gel is a secret weapon used for photo shoots and during Fashion Week as it is 87 per cent water with Aloe and Grape Seed Oil.  It soothes, plumps and hydrates tired and overworked skin.  The Brightening Serum is a lightweight moisturizer with a pearlescent finish that instantly lights up any complexion.

5) I then applied Firming Foundation in Punjab under the eyes and around the nose with clean fingertips.

6) I also applied the Multiple Bronzer in Tuomota to the cheeks and temples to warm up the complexion.

7) I buffed St. Tropez Powder Foundation into the skin with the NARS Botan brush to set the complexion and bring lustre back to avoid a powdery look.

I highlighted her cheeks and the center of her face with the Multiple in Maldives to give a pink-champagne glow.

9) I set the cheek with Luster blush and then added golden-ethereal finish using the Yachiyo brush #27.

10) For her eyes, I used bright shimmering in Cyprus Single Eyeshadow. I used a sheer bronze as a base and I also smudged it under the bottom lashes.

11) I blended Blondie Single Shadow in the bridge of the eye to give a slight contour and I used the shimmering lilac side of Elsa Duo Eyeshadow on the lid to give the lids a pop.

12) I used damp #2 Push Brush mixturing Single Eyeshadow in China Blue and Bali to line the eye.

13) The eye look was finished with Kaliste Eyeliner Pencil (a true teal) in the inner rim to set off Leighton’s honey-coloured eyes.

14) I applied two coats of Bamboo Waterproof mascara (a pure brown). This coated the lashes without making the lashes look clumpy.

15) The lips were moisturized with Sabrina Lip Treatment with SPF 20 to give the lips a sheer melon shimmer pout.  Fantasia Lipliner Pencil is one of my favourites because it creates a barely-there-peach when you don’t want to see the lipliner color.

16) I topped off the lips with the Giza/Boogie Nights Gloss Duo (a sheer nectar and metallic raspberry).

17) Final touches:  I blended Super Orgasm blush on the apples of the cheeks.  I then added Luster blush under the browbone (by adding a bit of the blush color it gives the eye a brightening lift).

18) I also used Brightening Serum on her arms and legs for a moisturizing healthy glow.

I’ll admit that might be a lot of steps for the average woman and since you don’t have to walk the carpets of New York fashion week, I’m sure that if you take this face chart to your nearest NARS Cosmetic counter a beauty expert can help you find the five-minute face version to this.

That said, this kind of insider’s look into celebrity makeup really gives you a better appreciation into what it takes to create the perfect face for the camera!