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Beauty today is more complicated than it has ever been.
Between the barrage of makeup tutorials on the internet and the increasingly overwhelming aisles of Sephora, it's easy to feel lost.
Whatever happened to a swipe of lipstick, a bit of mascara, and out the door? What does contouring even mean, and how do we do it?
Makeup artist Leslie Munsell wants to bring us back to basics, and make makeup easy for every woman.
Munsell has been working as a makeup artist for over 25 years, and her clientele has included Mariah Carey, Venus and Serena Williams, Brooklyn Decker, Miranda Kerr, Shakira, and Gabrielle Union.
Her work has been featured in W Magazine, Allure, Harper’s BAZAAR, InStyle and Oprah and she has frequently appeared on NBC and CBS as a beauty expert.
Munsell's latest project has been her makeup line Beauty for Real, which aims to simplify beauty for women.
We spoke with Munsell about the line, and how women can get the most out of their beauty routines.
What motivated you to create your own brand?
"One thing most women have in common is feeling overwhelmed by the enormous amount of makeup available on the market and how difficult it is to choose what's right for them.
"I knew they would react positively to a collection that would eliminate the confusion and offer the very best essential items to help them look their best every day."
What is the one beauty product you would take to a desert island?
"A never-ending supply of drinking water."
"Spending lots of money on product they'll never use. It's great to try and incorporate new things but don't get sold on something that's not best for you or that you'll never use."
What's a favorite product of yours to use on clients?
"I love all of the Beauty For Real products, but our Blush + Glo is my favorite product to apply on women and then show them how incredible it makes their skin look.
"It's a two-in-one product that's super versatile; it can be used with foundation or on naked skin, is a lightweight cream to powder formula that provides color and luminosity and can be applied with a brush, sponge or with fingers for an on-the-go application."
What beauty advice would you give to a woman who wants to be better at makeup but has no idea where to begin?
"We all want to look beautiful, fresh and modern. Your makeup should help you look like the best version of yourself. Choose makeup that plays up your best features and let your inner beauty shine through."
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