Q: What made you two decide to launch this up and coming brand?
We decided to launch Illusions Cosmetics to meet the needs of women of color and to give them more options when selecting makeup shades and products.

Q: What type of products are included in your line?
The products that are included in our line are lipsticks, lip glosses in several shades and formulas, crème foundations, loose and pressed powders, blush and a large selection of eye shadows.

Q: Both of you are seasoned celebrity makeup artist. What is one of the biggest mistakes you think women of color make when applying and/or purchasing makeup?
Some of the biggest mistakes women of color make when applying and/or purchasing makeup are:
Denise: Buying incorrect shades of foundation and buying products they do not use.
Janice: Following trends but not knowing what colors compliment their skin tone.

Q: In your opinion, what makes Illusions Cosmetics stand out from other brands?
The fact that we are willing to educate our clients on products and colors first and sell second is what make us stand out from other brands.

Q: As you both know, one of the popular trends in makeup right now is mineral makeup. How do you feel about this trend and does Illusions Cosmetics have or plan on introducing mineral products into the brand in the future?
Denise: Mineral makeup has actually been around for quite some time. Most women buy it because it is a trend and they have seen it on TV.

Janice: As a makeup artist, we’ve found that mineral makeup can be very ashy on some women of color with medium to dark skin tones. Some clients have shared with us that it doesn’t give them enough coverage. We have talked about it and researched and tested, and at this time, there are no plans for Illusions to come out with a mineral makeup line.

Q: You two recently launched a new collection of lip glosses named after some of our favorite films. What inspired you two to pay homage to these cinematic classics?
Most of our careers as makeup artists have been spent working on feature films. We thought it would be a great idea to name our new line of glosses after some of our favorite movies. We wanted to make it fun. So far, everyone’s loving it.

Q: If you had to, what would be the one product from Illusions Cosmetics you would want someone to purchase to introduce them to your brand?
One product we would use to introduce the brand to someone… without a doubt, is our LIP GLOSS!!! Our clients love our lip glosses and it’s been our most popular item to sell. Most women wear color on their lips, even if they don’t wear anything else. Lip gloss has been a hot cosmetic item for a long time now. Actually, that’s what we started our line with years ago.

Q: What’s is your number one makeup tip you give out the most?
Denise: Always use a moisturizer before applying foundation and powder.
Janice: Always use a lip conditioner or lip balm before applying your lip color (lipstick or gloss). This will prevent dry, chapped and cracked lips under your lip color.

Q: Since this is Clutch, we would love to know what beauty products are in your clutch bag?
Denise: Rosebud Lip Salve, Carmen Lustre lip gloss and Cappuccino pressed Powder from Illusions.
Janice: Dream Girls Lustre lip gloss, Copper Lip Gloss, and Cappuccino pressed powder all from Illusions.

Q: Lastly, what’s next for you two and Illusion Cosmetics?
A beauty DVD is in the works, distribution in several retail outlets and an Illusions Cosmetics Boutique!

For more information about Illusions Cosmetics please visit illusionsbeauty.com or call 310.748.3489
If you are in the Maryland area you can purchase Illusions Cosmetics products at Haute Chocolate Style Studio, 925 Fairlawn Ave. Suite 109, Laurel, MD 20707. (T) 301.725.0303

Candidate One: Re-Nutriv Ultimate Youth Crème ($250, esteelauder.com)
Party: Estee Lauder
Issues that it stands on: Runs the campaign on the believe that skin deserves to look as good as it did in it’s youth.
Global Minded: Combines cutting edge science with rare, precious ingredients from all over the world.
Three Core Benefits: Helps prolong youthful vitality, Helps preserve youthful smoothness and helps promote youthful tone. Looks toward the future with its exclusively engineered Youth Molecule that helps skin appear ageless.

Candidate Two: Lisa Hoffman Night and Day Skincare ($120 for 7 day pack, hsn.com)
Party: Lisa Hoffman
Issues that it stands on: (1) Reconceptualizing the idea of skincare by creating a collection with a week’s worth of ten cleansing, toning and moisturizing formulas. (2) Five for day and five for night, each in a disposable, resealable and ampule. (3) Believes people should be free of clutter and have a simplified daily routine. It’s a not just a skincare it’s a lifestyle choice.
Four Primary Attributes: The four P’s- Performance, Purity, Potency and Portability. The products in the collection work together to help rejuvenate and refresh the skin protect if from environmental damage and reduce the effects of aging.

Candidate Three: Hydra-Pure Radiance Renewal Serum ($95, mdskincare.com)
Party: MD Skincare
Issues that it stands on: (1) Believes heavy metals and impurities should be removed from skin. (2) Feels like it’s a skincare products duty to address and prevent skin discoloration due to both photo-aging and genetic aging caused by excessive melanin which dulls the skin. (3) Will use its Hydra-Pure Chelating Complex to remove impurities in tap water to help detoxify skin!

Candidate Four: Kinerase Brightening Anti-Aging System ($140, kinerase.com)
Party: Kinerase
Issues that it stands on: (1) Two-step system that includes Brightening Facial Serum and a
Concentrated Spot Treatment. (2) Both steps include the Brightening Complex that scientifically blends
seven active ingredients that work synergistically to brighten the skin for more radiant and perfectly even complexion. (3) Will leave all voters skin looking instantly energized, radiant, more youthful and beautiful.

Candidate Five: Lancôme Absolue Premium Replenishing Lotion ($110, lancome.com)
Party: Lancôme
Issues that it stands on: (1) Three Words: repair. intense moisture and clarity (2) Patented Lancôme innovation: Pro-Sylane helps restore essential moisture deep in skin’s surface, plumps skin, adds firmness and radiance.
Healthcare Issues: (1) Comes with SPF 15, great for all skin types, oil-free, non-comedogenic, non-acnegenic and dermatologist -tested. (2) Promises that within four weeks voters will see fine lines and wrinkles visibly reduced. Feel renewed firmness and elasticity. See revived clarity and even skin one.

Celebrity makeup artist Mally Roncal is one of the most sought-after and beloved style-makers in the beauty industry today. Her work can be seen in the editorial of iconic publications such as Allure, InStyle, Harper’s Bazaar, W, Marie Claire, Elle and Lucky, as well as on fashion runways, album covers and, of course, the red carpet. Mally’s natural gift is her ability to make her clients not only look beautiful, but feel beautiful. This has made her a favorite among a varied group of celebrities such as Beyoncé, Zooey Deschanel, Jennifer Lopez, Mary J. Blige, Amanda Bynes, Teri Hatcher, Celine Dion, Lee Ann Womack and Ashlee Simpson.

Q: What advice would you give to someone who wants to update her look but is stuck in a rut?
First of all, go for the glow look. The dark matte shadows and blushes look old. Add some fresh lightness to your look, with light in key areas such as eyes, cheekbones – move from lipstick to lip-gloss.

Q: What are some new makeup trends for 2008?
Soft shimmery eyes with a sun kissed cheek and a soft nude lip.

Q: In your opinion, what makeup look ages someone?
See above. Heavy foundation, heavy and dark matte lipsticks, eye shadows–dry skin!

Q: As a woman of color, what is one common beauty/makeup mistake we need to watch out for?
Make sure that the foundation matches your skin-tone!

Q: Tell us about your makeup collection Mally Beauty.
It was created for all women to get the makeup artists looks, easily and effortlessly. Each product I make is a system or part of a system that will create a beautiful, healthy look.

Q: Why did you decide to start it?
I wanted to be able to spread my message and share my makeup artist secrets with women everywhere.

Q: Do you have a favorite product in your collection?
The smokey eye kit, it’s a great way to look sexy and it’s easy!

Q: Who are some other makeup artist or brands that inspire you?
Nars, Kevin Aucoin and Bobbi Brown.

Q: Who are some of your favorite celebs to work with?
Beyonce, J.LO and Mariah,

Q: What beauty essentials are in your clutch?
Lip-gloss, False Lashes and Shimmer, Shape and Glow and the Mally Beauty Light Wand.

Q: What’s up next for Mally and Mally Beauty?
Continue working with all of my favorite clients and continuing to grow Mally Beauty and spread our message of love all around the world.

To learn more about Mally and Mally Beauty please log-on to www.mallybeauty.com
1.Life, Love & A Really Great Lip Gloss Singles, $15, Mally Beauty 2. City Chick Smokey Eye Kit, $39.50, Mally Beauty 3. Believable Bronzer, $15, Mally Beauty 4. Color Collections Lipstick Singles, $15, Mally Beauty