Bobbi Brown's BB PRO Makeup Artist Rogelio Reyna Shares 'Secret to the Beauty Universe,' Talks Hispanic Beauty Workshop at Macy's Herald Square
Bright red lipstick with well-dressed eyes and fully-prepped hair is often the uniform of Latinas, who not only take pride in their appearances, but see their makeup brushes as an instrument of power, able to grant them instant gratification, empowerment and confidence via the application and blending of color.
Bobbi Brown Cosmetics, the company that fosters the idea "Be pretty. Be confident. Be who you are," will be hosting a Hispanic Beauty Workshop for the holiday season with Patricia Reynoso, Beauty Editor of Glam Belleza, and phenomenal BB PRO Makeup Artist Rogelio Reyna at Macy's Herald Square (34th Street and 6th Avenue) on Dec. 17. Boldly celebrating Hispanic beauty, the event will address beauty questions and concerns as they relate to Hispanic/Latina customers.
Visitors to Macy will have an opportunity to book a holiday makeup lesson with Bobbi Brown's courteous and competent beauty team.
Rogelio Reyna, one of Bobbi Brown's right hands, spoke with Latin Post about his personal journey, which includes his childhood role as "the Brown crayon" in a kindergarten play (either a jab at his Mexican heritage or foretelling his future as a Pro Artist for Bobbi Brown – probably the latter) to being discovered by Bobbi Brown herself while helping out a friend at one of her shows. During our conversation, Reyna also communicated the importance of confidence, proper skincare and a bright smile.
From his own mother, Reyna learned that Latinas are drawn to bold colors and steer clear of the nudes for which Bobbi Brown Company is associated with. But, those nudes and soft tones offer an effortless, clean look that can later be uplifted by playful color and charisma. For 16 years, he's seen first-hand transformative results as he spread makeup knowledge throughout Denver, Chicago, Puerto Rico, Mexico, Argentina and Chile while teaching master classes and training artists.
"From a cultural standpoint, what Latinas like is different [from the mainstream]. So, it helps to understand Latina beauty... Hispanic beauty," said Reyna. "There's a misconception about Bobbi's love of 'a natural look.' That doesn't mean no makeup, that means makeup that is right for the client. So, for one client that can mean nude eye shadow and cool blush. For another, bright eye shadow or a bright lip. Whatever makes her confident."
The Hispanic Beauty Workshop is an educational summit for Latina clients and the artists who serve them. There, Reyna intends to share the truth about the Latina who wears makeup, which is that she isn't afraid of a 20-step makeup application or 10 eye shadows over her eyes. A Latina believes in "styling sexy," which can be achieved with the Bobbi Brown experience.
"Corrector and concealer" were some of the important things Reyna learned when he came to Bobbi Brown. He found that concealer was the "secret to the beauty universe." Fortunately, Bobbi Brown offers concealer in a number of easy, blend-able colors. What's even more pertinent than corrector and concealer is skincare.
"If you start with the correct skincare, it can really make your skin look perfect and it will give you a healthy glow. Then, you start in with correctional concealer, which should be one or two shades lighter, so that it adds brightness," Reyna shared. "Also... tip, the brightness beneath the brow bone, that's the light part of our face. The brightness under your eye should mimic that, that's how you know you have the right concealer."
The makeup pro had numerous other tips to offer Latinas, helping them to create a bright and lively face, even breaking it down product-by-product.
Blush: "Brighter blush on the apple of your cheek could give you a lift to your whole face." Recommendation, try the 'Pale Pink,' it's almost an alarming "Barbie pink" in the container, but it promises to uplift the face when applied.
Lipstick: "We do lipstick and then apply lip liner. When you apply lip liner first, you're left with that line. Afterward, they'll fade together, evenly."
Mascara: "Black mascara, the blackest black. Purple and blue just colors your lashes, but black lashes instantly lift the eyes."
Eyeliner: "Eyeliner just underneath drags the eye down. What we always do at Bobbi Brown is we do a line top only or top and bottom. And the lines have to connect, corner-to-corner. The 1996 look is having the line at the top and only halfway on the bottom. Eye liner has to mimic the natural lash line."
Eye Shadow: "Use a smoky eye that goes with your lifestyle. Smoky eye doesn't have to be black, it can be nude. Bobbi Brown produced a smoky nude palette with nudes, browns, greys and softer peach."
Brows: "Use a power eye shadow that looks like the tone of your hair. It looks softer and it doesn't have that 'tattooed on' look. It will bring softness to your eye. Browns are usually forgotten. But, if someone gave you a Picasso or a Monet, you wouldn't just put that on the wall without a frame, right? Same with your brows. Your brows are the frame for your eyes."
In terms of what Latina's don't need: contouring. Already blessed with cheekbones that reach the high heavens, many don't need it. According to Reyna, "contouring was made to create cheekbones for women who don't have cheekbones, as in the physical traits on their face. But, certain celebrities have glorified it. The difference, they have a makeup artist and two hours, and you have three minutes. You probably don't need it." Instead, use bronzer – it adds illumination.
Hispanic Beauty Workshop goers can expect makeup lesson "tip cards" in English and Spanish, and a recipe book to store the tip cards. Latinas should feel free to arrive in droves and leave with a fabulously made-up face, because a fierce makeup beats word of mouth.
"Come planning to have fun. Our makeup is all about having fun. Our clients like things easy and quick. And all of our makeup clients are highly trained and consistent," said Reyna. "If you go to a Bobbi Brown in Miami and you're traveling to New York, and your makeup didn't make it, you can walk into a store in NYC, and you'd be treated the same way."
The Long-Wear Cream Shadow Stick Trio, Mini Lip & Eye Palette and the Shimmer Brick are three "stoplight makeup tools" that will likely get Latinas in the celebrating spirit this holiday season. Stop by Macy's Herald Square, 34th Street and 6th Avenue at Bobbi Brown Counter on third floor on Dec. 17, from 5-7 p.m. to learn more makeup tips.