Beauty Secrets: Makeup Artist Raychel Wade

Raychel at home with the very handsome Tucker the Wonder Dog (this photo courtesy of RW)

Raychel Wade and I actually met last year through our shared guilty pleasure: live-tweeting The Bachelor/Bachelorette (stop laughing!). Well, I soon learned that, not only is Raychel wickedly funny, but she's a very talented makeup artist as well. In addition to working on celebrities, brides, photo shoots, and more, she runs Cheek to Chic, her New York City-based service, which helps everyday women with step-by-step lessons, makeup bag overhaul, and lots more. But the most exciting news? Raychel was recently named Global Color Ambassador for La Prairie! For her great tips, be sure to check out Raychel's fun and super helpful YouTube makeup tutorial videos. In the meantime, I got her to dish on her must-have products, her mystery perfume, and the need-to-know secret to amazing lashes. Now, do I totally deserve a rose for that or what?

Favorite lipcolor? "Shiseido Shimmering Rouge lipsticks. They’re like a lipstick and gloss in one and they have a fantastic texture. All the colors are great, but I love Ingenue and Opal."

Blush? "Nars Gaiety is the perfect pink and the texture is great. It glides on without skipping, which is a pet peeve of mine." [Ed note: I'm obsessed with this one too and wear it all the time!]

A few favorite lip treats: Bliss Fabulips Softening Lip Balm, Kevyn Aucoin The Lip Gloss in Lilium, Avon Glow Lip Gloss in Sunset, MAC Tinted Lipglass in Oyster Girl, Tarte Maracuja Divine Shine Lip Gloss in Charmed

Eyeshadow? "Tarte cream shadow. The colors are fantastic and it's the perfect product to take your makeup from day to night. And it stays put!"

Foundation? "Elizabeth Arden tinted moisturizer or Armani foundation. Both of these products look natural on the skin and give a glow with great, buildable coverage."

Lip colors, foundations, and shadows galore--a peek inside her very full kit

Shampoo and conditioner? "Kerastase all the way. I have very thick, moisture-challenged hair and this is the only line that makes a difference. It's pricey, but worth it."

Styling products? "A little Elnett here and there and Moroccan Oil. Elnett has been an industry favorite forever. It creates a great texture, and you can practically spray an entire bottle on your hair and it never gets crunchy. And Moroccan Oil is the most amazing product! A tiny little drop at the end of styling and my hair has fantastic shine."

Skin-care favorites? "La Prairie Cellular Three Minute Peel gives your skin a boost of glow before a big event, Josie Maran Argan Oil and face wash are pure moisture which is great for my dry skin, and Zelens eye cream is so soothing."

Fragrance? "Le Labo Rose 31 is my secret scent, but I'll share. Ya gotta smell it to believe it."

Body product? “South of France Soap in Shea Butter—it’s a natural bar of soap that leaves no residue--and First Aid Beauty Fab Ultra Repair, which is paraben free--a plus in my book.”

Raychel's personal makeup bag, spilled out

Tools? “I love Sonia Kashuk makeup brushes. They're affordable, but rival those more expensive brands. And MAC’s #239 and #217 are two eyeshadow brushes that I couldn't live without. I use one for depositing color and one for blending.”

How would you describe your overall beauty look? “I keep it pretty simple. As long as my skin looks even, my brows are in place, and my lashes coated, the rest is icing on the cake.”

A few essential makeup brushes; Nars The Multiple and Ardell Duralash individual lashes; bright cream blushes; the professional kit (a.k.a. overstuffed suitcase) that accompanies Raychel on jobs

Describe your beauty look for a typical evening out. “For night, I generally add a cream shadow all over the lid and a bit more eyeliner, then smoke the corner with a deep brown. Lips are usually a simple, light gloss.”

Best time-saving beauty tip? “Layering textures—cream and powder, for instance—takes a few extra minutes in the morning but saves time in the long run as it lasts longer throughout the day.”

Raychel's gold-tiled bathroom floor. I'm obsessed.

What's the biggest mistake women make with their makeup? “Too much! Women who wear a lot of makeup just end up looking like they’re wearing a lot of makeup. Let your skin show through!”

Any secrets you can give us for getting killer lashes? “Patience. It takes at least three coasts of mascara—with a little wait-time in between—to get them nice and thick.”

What about for natural-looking bronzer? “It’s all about placement. Hit the high points of your face where the sun naturally kisses you to create warmth and dimension.”

Take a guess: How many beauty products do you have at home? “If you count my kit and what I use for my YouTube channel…countless! But in my own personal bag, maybe 30?”