It’s always a real learning experience for me when model Angela Highsmith sits in my makeup chair. Early on we discovered our shared passion for all things natural, and my respect for her body of knowledge grows every time we spend a day on set together.
At some point she told me that she brews up a tea for her daughter (this youthful beauty is a mom to a 10 year old) from an herb called Skullcap to ‘help chill her out before school’, and then went on to tell me about her herb garden and all the concoctions she makes to treat cuts and bruises from what she has growing in her own back yard. I recently introduced skullcap tea into my repertoire of ways to chill myself out and get ready for bed… and it actually does the trick!
Her knowledge of making her own medicines doesn’t stop there: she treats a variety of sensitive skin issues with oils, salves, and cold creams made with her own two hands, and a wealth of information she received during the many classes she’s taken at the New York Open Center, and in one-on-one sessions with herbologists.
When I asked her how she became interested in herbs, and the world of natural beauty products, she told me that she’d been interested in natural healing ever since she was a little girl, and that she used to make believe she was a Native American living off the land, with only what she found in her yard to eat, and to survive. As she’s gotten older, she explained, the natural products she uses become more and more natural: from using store-bought products with naturally derived ingredients, to focusing on searching out organic and edible products for skin and hair, to now making a good number of what she and her family uses, all by herself. Very crafty and smart of you, Angela! Can I come over one day and see your garden?
On the day of this photo shoot I created a naturally glowing look with the following products – and even the most discerning green beauty aficionado would approve:
1. Amala cocoa bean face oil massaged into Angela’s sensitive skin
2. Vapour Organic Beauty liquid foundation used sparingly, starting from the center of the face, and blending outward
3. Mineral Fusion concealer under her eyes very sparingly
4. RMS cream eyeshadow in ‘Seduce’ on just her lids, applied with my fingers
5. Onto curled lashes I applied a few coats of Honey Bee Gardens mascara in black
6. Dr Hauschka bronzing powder swirled along her temples and across her cheekbones
7. Burt’s Bees lip shimmer in Watermelon topped with a light coat of Burt’s Bees lipgloss in Spring Splendor
We both loved this fresh, gorgeous look (with just a pop of lip color) so much, that I thought to take a photo of her at the end of the day after she’d changed back into her street clothes. Can you believe this shot was captured at the end of an 8-hour day on set? Just beautiful, Angela, just beautiful!
