Nikki Fraser has had a love for all things “beautiful” since the very beginning. As a young child, she expertly applied lipstick to herself with one perfectly placed kiss from her mother’s lips.
Nikki holds a bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts from Hampton University where she studied Theatre Arts concentrating on Costume and Makeup Design. After returning to the Washington DC area, she worked with several local theater companies. Missing the rewards of working with everyday women to find their individual “sparkle”, she began working as an artist for MAC Cosmetics where she was able to perfect her craft and develop a loyal clientele.
Nikki launched her company, Beauty and the Bride in 2001. She works nationally with brides of all ethnicities and skin tones. As an artist, Nikki’s individual evaluations prepare her clients to experience the natural beauty that exists in each and every one of them. Most recently, she has expanded her focus to Media and Entertainment.
BELTWAY BEAUTY 101
Q: Nikki, as the days are getting colder and darker I find myself missing the glow I see in the summer time. Is there any way to maintain my summer color without it looking too fake? Caryn T., Charlotte, NC |
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A: Hi Caryn! Yes, although I do look forward to changing my look over to a more matte finish and a deep raisin color pout as much as we all long to ditch our sandals for the latest fall boot around this time of year...there are ways to hold on to the sultry looks of “summer nights” by using a few simple tricks.
The first step in achieving a more “sun kissed” look is to use a very sheer tinted moisturizer that is a shade deeper than your fall color. You may either use this by itself or add a few drops to your current foundation. This will add a soft sheer veil of color without leaving a line of demarcation. Mineral makeups will be your best friend when trying to achieve this “I just came back from South Beach” façade. They glide onto to the skin to add a glow and subtle shimmer. You may use a loose or compact mineral powder to set your tinted moisturizer to achieve a flawless finish without looking heavy or cakey. Bronzer is the key to bringing back the days of summer. You want to add color to your face on the areas where the sun would kiss you first. This would be your cheekbones, forehead, temple area and a bit on your nose. You may then use a soft coral toned blush to add warmth, such as NARS Orgasm. Keep your lids light with pretty gold and amber shadows and be sure to add a bit of shimmer in the inner corners of your eyes. Complete your look with a sexy nude or peachy toned lip gloss and you’ll be whisked back to beach in no time!! **However, don’t be afraid to try the beautiful rich shades of fall…Tune in next week and I’ll be sure to tell you all about how to rock the color of the season…RED!! | |
Q: How often should you replace your mascara, and how do you keep it from drying out? - Tiffany G, Washington D.C. |
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I can’t tell you how many times I’ve met with women who when asked to show me their mascara, I come face to face with nasty, dry tubes of black “goop” with warped wands that they are attempting to wield to produce long, lush, enviable lashes. NOT. They first rule that I want to mention concerning this oh so important beauty tool is…Safety first! Please, please, PLEASE throw your mascara out after 3 months of use. The minute you remove that wand for the first time, bacteria enters into the tiny canister and begins to breed. Picture the inside of your mascara tube: It’s like a dark, damp, cave that germs thrive in. Every time the wand touches your eye it picks up more bacteria that travels back into the depths of that tube. So, please consider that sharing is NOT caring when it comes to this apparatus (keep this one to yourself ladies, if your girlfriend forgets hers…she’s short). As for keeping your mascara moist, you should dodge this problem if you are within the three month shelf life. However, there are several tips that I can offer to help with this. Do NOT pump your mascara wand in and out to collect the formula onto its bristles. Instead, twist the wand inside of its tube to ensure you have enough to coat your lashes 2-3 times. Clean your mascara wand every few days by wiping the excess off with a tissue. It is mascara that is trapped on the wand that is usually what dries first yielding clumpy lashes. Now which mascara is the best to use? I’ve used so many, but of course I have my favorites. And I will share with my VIP readers that I often mix mascaras to obtain optimum drama to frame my pretty peepers. I use a lengthening first, my current favorite is Maybelline’s Lash Stiletto. I then follow with my ALL time favorite mascara, L’Oreal’s Voluminous- in Carbon Black, of course. Yes, you may notice that I’m a fan of the drug store brands when it comes to mascara. This is because I can only keep these products for a limited time, so I’d rather not drop precious dollars on these items. Be sure to layer your mascara while the coats are still wet and wipe off any smudges after they are thoroughly dry to avoid smearing. If you know my style, you know that my motto is “the eyes have it”. Mascara is probably the one beauty tool I can’t live without. Following these rules will get you safely to your goal of gorgeous, sexy and dramatic lashes. |
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Q: Nikki, at the end of the day my face is dripping with oil and my makeup is practically running down my face....what gives? I’ve tried just about everything! Help! - Nicole G. – Westchester, NY |
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My first question would be to ask exactly what kind of foundation you are currently using. Many of us women “blessed” with an extreme amount of oil fare better using a powder foundation vs. the liquids that most women flock to. These powder formulas actually use the oil in our skin to activate and work as a foundation. M.A.C.’s Studio Fix Powder and Makeup Forever Duo Mat Powder Foundation are very strong options that will assist in giving you a beautiful matte finish that will work a full “9-5” shift. Please keep in mind, although these portable compacts may present themselves as very convenient ways to touch up during the day, you will be reapplying more and more foundation every time that sponge touches your face. Take the time to pick up some blotting papers to remove excess oil and shine during the day. You can also find these at the M.A.C. counter, or your local drugstore will offer a comparable version from Johnson & Johnson Clean & Clear for a much lower price (depending on how oily you are, this might be the route to go). If you’re looking for less coverage than what these powder foundations offer, layer an oil free full coverage concealer (such as Makeup Forever’s Full Cover) over and under the eyes as well as your “areas of concern” with a mineral powder of your choice. Using a short blunt Kabuki brush, such as the one Japonesque offers, will dispense your mineral powder smoothly and evenly to set your concealer. This method also will give you a flawless finish that has much staying power. If you choose to use a powder puff, be sure to press your powder into the skin with a blotting motion instead of gliding it across your face. There are many options for you outside of what I have suggested here. If you are partial to a liquid foundation, be sure that you are opting for one that is specifically for oily skin. Keep in mind that these formulas are typically heavier in coverage so use sparingly. Another helpful tip is to blot your liquid foundation with a tissue before setting it with powder to get rid of excess oil. I know, it seems a bit unfair that we have to take a bit more time and preparation to ensure that we “glow” instead of “shine”…but these little steps will ensure that your makeup lasts through work and play!! |
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Q: What can I do to keep my eyeliner from running? I use Stila smudge stick waterproof. If I use it on my top lid, sometimes I end up with a imprint of the line on my lid. When I use it on my lower lid, it ends up bleeding down my face. HELP!!! - Kelle T., Montgomery Village, MD |
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Prepping the eye area is key to ensure your look will last...and last. You can do this several ways. If you are just lining your eyes without shadow, you want to start with a base of some sort. Many lines offer an eye shadow base that will even out and brighten the eye area while providing a barrier between the oil and your carefully drawn lines of definition. Trish McEvoy Eye Base Essentials is a favorite of mine. You may also use a concealer to defeat the big breakdown. Makeup Forever’s waterproof Full Cover Concealer is one that I live for and MAC’s studio finish concealer is the “original gangster” in my makeup kit that has been conquering this problem years before the birth of the eye shadow “base”. Of course, you want to set whatever solution you choose with a powder, whether it be your actual eye shadow or your face powder to guarantee streak proof results. Another trick of the trade is to use an angled brush to place shadow right on top of your eyeliner to “set” it. Your Stila Smudge Stick is an awesome waterproof liner sure to go the extra mile for you after following these steps. Also, there are several drugstore brand liners that are sure to roll with the punches...I love L’oreal’s Infallible Never Fail EyeLiner and Almay’s 16 hour No Smudge Eye Liner. Your look will say “I’m here to stay” after following these steps! |
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Q: Nikki, I love all of the fun and pretty lip gloss colors I’m seeing lately but I feel like many of them just sit on top of my lips in a “goopy” mess. Do you have any tips on what to do? |
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A: Lip gloss is a beauty essential that transforms lips…to luscious! But who will want to pucker up to yours if your super sexy glaze is layered over dry, cracked lips? Follow these steps below to ensure that you’re putting your best …lips forward. |
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Q: I just LOVED Stacie’s look for the premier of Real Housewives of DC…can you help me achieve that look?? |
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A: Preparing for the big night with Stacie was most exciting. She wanted a classic look, but with an edge. So I created a smokey eye and soft lip which brings attention to her gorgeous eyes and keeps her lip touch ups to a minimum.
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©2010 Stacie Turner