Real Housewife-Loved Makeup Artist Priscilla DiStasio's Holy-Grail Beauty Products
What does it take to keep Kyle Richards, Teresa Giudice, Kelly Dodd, Brandi Redmond, and so many more 'Wives glamorous and glowing?
When your actual, real-life job is to make the already gorgeous Real Housewives look even more gorgeous, well, you're someone we at The Lookbook want to talk to. So we checked in with celebrity makeup artist Priscilla DiStasio — a.k.a. Ms. Priscilla — to tell us everything ... from what it’s really like to work behind the scenes with the ladies to the beauty products and pro tricks she uses to keep Kyle Richards, Teresa Giudice, Kelly Dodd, Brandi Redmond, and so many more 'Wives glamorous and glowing.
“My favorite part about working with these women is that, at this point, with so many years invested with them, I feel as if I have gained a ton of sisters,” DiStasio says. (Watch the video above to see her in action!) “I definitely have an amazing bond with each one of the ladies and I love that they all have total trust in me when it comes to their faces.”
And we're talking trust-fall levels of trust: “Kyle Richards — adore her! — always says, ‘I never feel like I have to look in the mirror when you're done, I can just get up and go!’ That makes me feel beyond proud! The confidence becomes a two-way street so we never let each other down," says DiStasio.
While you might not be lucky enough to have DiStasio as your own full-time, in-house makeup artist, a few of her pointers can at least make it feel like you do. And really, it all begins with the right products. “As a makeup artist, it’s very important to be on top of your game with all of the newest goods in your kit, which let me set new makeup trends and create new looks,” she says before sharing the products and on-set tips that keep her "Bravo babes" looking gorgeous no matter what drama’s kicking off.
Era Face Spray-On Foundation
Why Ms. Priscilla loves it: “This product is the originator of what we now call ‘airbrush’ foundation. Its 10 water-resistant and transfer-resistant shades last all day and provide amazing oil-free coverage that’s buildable to your liking. It’s one of my faves and works magic — literally from your head to your toes!”
Pro tip: “From my personal experience, you get the best application using a damp Beautyblender sponge. Spray just one or two mists of airbrush foundation directly onto the blender, then lightly tap the product onto your face before buffing.”
Benefit Cosmetics The Porefessional Face Primer
Why Ms. Priscilla loves it: “Porefessional primer helps minimize the appearance of pores, making the skin look silky and smooth! It’s like ‘foundation’ for your ‘foundation’!”
Pro tip: “I love to use just a fingertip of this product in areas such as the cheeks, nose, and forehead since it also has a mattifying finish that controls any shine.”
Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara
Why Ms. Priscilla loves it: “I’ve been really loving Better than Sex Mascara. I mean, if it’s better than sex, it’s pretty darn good! I especially love the darkness of the pigment, plus the formula gives great volume and curl to every lash! It also happens to be ‘the No.1-selling prestige mascara in America.’ Enough said!”
Pro tip: “To get full lashes on my Real Housewives ladies I always start by wiggling the mascara brush at the base of the lashes to really up the thickness there. If they’re wearing lash extensions, I then sweep out ‘till I just touch the tips to freshen them up a bit."
Rincon PriscillaXRincon Lip Collection
Why Ms. Priscilla loves it: “I was lucky enough to be able to launch my first ‘Velvety Liquid Lipstick’ with a brand that I had fallen in love with before a collaboration was even a thought! PriscillaXRincon had its debut this past April and the response has been amazing! I couldn't be happier with the colors, texture, longevity and amazing packaging — and my Housewives seem be to loving it too! The collection’s three hues were created to go with each part of your day — whether you’re a Housewife or not! Pure is a soft nude, Bella is gorgeous pop of pink, and Housewife is an empowering red. Best of all, they have the kind of matte long-wear formula that doesn’t ‘chalk out.’”
Pro tip: “I love using any type of cream lip liner with my velvety lipsticks because liners’ formula is pretty much like a lipstick in a pencil form. I just color most of my lip with the liner first and then add my color onto the center and blend away! Kylie Cosmetics’ $12 liners work great or — as a money-saver — Klean Color has amazing cream liners for just $1. My favorites shades are Mauve, Natural & Red Hot. As a final step, Becca Cosmetics’ Liquid Crystal Glow Gloss adds just the right shine.
Too Faced Born This Way Concealer
Why Ms. Priscilla loves it: “Born This Way concealer is so hydrating and gives great coverage that disguises under-eye shadows instantly!”
Pro tip: “A small amount of this concealer is all you need! Place a few dots with the wand beneath your eyes and then blend by softly tapping your way across the under-eye using a damp Beautyblender. Born This Way is also great for contouring your nose area.”
Tarte Cheek Stain in ‘Tipsy’
Why Ms. Priscilla loves it: “I’m currently going crazy over Tarte Cheek Stain in ‘Tipsy’. It’s the perfect pink, adding just enough life to your cheeks and delivering a soft glow.”
Pro tip: “Apply in a circular motion right onto the apples of your cheeks and the tip of your nose to look like you’ve got that perfect sun-kissed look!”
Urban Decay Beached Bronzer
Why Ms. Priscilla loves it: “Urban Decay’s Beached bronzer tans and contours without the sun or surgery!”
Pro tip: “I love to contour my Real Housewives with this bronzer by applying it on the outline of the face, cheekbones, sides of nose, and forehead”
Becca Cosmetics Shimmering Skin Perfector in ‘Champagne Pop’
Why Ms. Priscilla loves it: “Everyone loves to glow — that said, I live by Becca Cosmetics’ Shimmering Skin Perfector. It’s gives the perfect touch of natural glow to your complexion, with or without makeup. Plus, it comes in so many colors ... but my fav is "Champagne Pop!”
Pro tip: “I love using my Morphe Badger Delux Fan Brush to glide these gorgeous highlighters over cheekbones, the Cupid’s bow above my lip, and — the best place! — right on the tip of the nose. It just looks so hot! Then I like to add whatever is left on my brush to my chin and forehead. If you’re wearing a top that shows your collarbone, swipe a little onto your clavicle! Or dust a little on your shoulders and shins.”
