One of my best friends and my personal stylist Chrissy Lloyd has dressed me for years, for everything from What Not To Wear to red carpet events. She has the most fantastic and artistic sense of style that always inspires me. Creatively nobody holds a candle to her. We have cross- inspired each other through sharing tips on makeup, dressing, designing and most importantly, art.

When I was creating my line Sally Hansen Natural Beauty Inspired By Carmindy I went to look at Vermeer paintings at the Met in New York. My goal was to create the exact blush color that was represented in his work. The shade he painted on cheeks was so perfect and made all his subjects look romantic and radiant. That is how my Natural Powder Blush in Cherub and my Sheerest Cream Blush in Beaming came to be.

Well, Chrissy has created a blog called Chrissystyles.com where she also uses paintings as inspiration for style. As an artist as well, she chooses a work of art she loves and then puts together a collection of clothes, shoes, sunglasses, hats, jewelry and bags that represent the feeling of the piece. The collections are amazing and help women visualize how they can put together outfits in incredible ways and they can click on them to find out where to purchase what they love. Just as paintings can conjure up moods and feelings now you can dress up these moments and celebrate how you are feeling through your wardrobe. I love looking at her collections and coming up with makeup looks to coincide, and this is actually a good exercise for all women to look at their own outfits and come up with fun makeup looks. All of us have the power to be creative we just need a little inspiration.

For this Peter Doig collection on one of Chrissy’s recent posts I would use a plum liquid eyeliner to line the upper lash line and sweep on black mascara on top and bottom lashes. Then I’d brush powder bronzer on the temples, along the sides of the face and under the cheekbones and follow with a pop of peach blush on the apples of the cheeks. A peachy nude lipgloss would finish the look in a modern way. So go to www.Chrissystyles.com and get inspired!

1. Sally Hansen Natural Beauty Inspired By Carmindy Natural Powder Blush in Cherub. A gorgeous Vermeer inspired blush color that works on everyone. Available at www.cvs.com.
2. Sally Hansen Natural Beauty Inspired By Carmindy Sheerest Cream Blush in Beaming. A slightly lighter version of Cherub and in a cream form. Available in www.cvs.com.
3. MAC Liguid Liner Electrolady. A bold and waterproof liquid liner for sexy stayproof eyes. Available at www.maccosmetics.com.
4. Makeup Forever Smoky Eyes Mascara in Black. This mascara is my new obsession for a sexy night out but have your lash comb handy to avoid clumping. Available at www.makeupforever.com.
5. Tweezerman Folding Llashcomb. The perfect comb with little metal teeth that break up all clumps and smudges. Available at www.tweezerman.com.
6. Sally Hansen Natural Beauty Inspired By Carmindy Sun Glow Powder Bronzer in Spring or Summer. Use this gorgeous light bronzer to create a sun kissed glow. For light to medium skin go for Spring and for olive to dark skin go for Summer. Available at www.cvs.com.
7. Benefit Georgia Blush. The perfect peachy color for sweet looking cheeks. Available at www.sephora.com.
8. Nars Lipgloss in Giza. This is the perfect shade of peachy nude that works well on all women. Available at www.sephora.com.
9. OPI Nail Polish in Pamplona Purple. I love this flashy shade on toes. Available at www.opi.com.
10. M2M Demorejon Nail Polish in Sour Puss. A great orange polish to make fingers and toes come to life. Available at www.m2mdemorejon.com.

Have a question you want Carmindy to answer? Email her at newsletter@carmindy.com

Irene Bremis writes:
If I’m wearing a red dress what makeup do I wear?

Carmindy:
Don’t be too matchy matchy like wearing red lips and nails just because you are wearing a red dress. It looks tacky. The key to looking sophisticated is to not spread the same shade throughout your entire look. When wearing a red dress, try using a black liquid eyeliner and pairing it with a coral or peach lip and cheek. Paint on nude sparkling nail polish for a much more polished and pulled together look.

Nancy Zimboli writes:
I was inspired by the coral red poppies in my garden and want to know if I can wear the shade of lipstick on my fair skin. I am obsessed with this shade.

Carmindy:
Of course you can wear this color. The key is to choose a sheer lipstick in this color and look for bluer undertones that will play into your coloring and then apply it lightly. Pair it with a soft pinky peach blush and a neutral eye.

Sandy Ferlanz writes:
I have a teal top and never know what color eye makeup to wear with it. I have olive skin.

Carmindy:
Try applying a forest green pencil eyeliner on the top lash line and then sweep a sparkling bronzy brown eye shadow across the lid and under the lower lash line. Apply a champagne shimmer highlight under the brow and on the inner corners of the eyes and then finish with black mascara.