Category: 3 Custom Color Specialists

Seven lip gloss reviews from 7 beauty bloggers

Cold Cream 'n' Roses
Feeling royal? Jen Mathews from My Beauty Bunny shares her fave cruelty free lip glosses fit for a queen, http://www.mybeautybunny.com/2012/gold-lip-glosses/.

Julie (that’s me!) from The Style Page thought that lip gloss was kid stuff until she tried Three Custom Color Specialists.  Read her review of lip glosses from the Robert Jones Signature Collection from 3CC, http://thestylepage.blogspot.com/2009/08/review-of-3cc-robert-jones-signature.html

Expensive, but worth it: Brittany from Clumps of Mascara discovers cult favorite Fresh Sugar Lip Treatment, http://clumpsofmascara.com/2011/10/fresh-sugar-lip-treatment.html

Brooke from BlushingNoir reviews three Lipglasses from MAC’s limited edition Tour de Fabulous collection, http://blushingnoir.blogspot.com/2011/12/mac-rich-witty-rich-bounty-and-knockout.html

Brie for Madame B Fatale discovers a multi-tasking product with “completely environmentally friendly packaging, 100% natural active fair trade ingredients and fragrances, and no animal testing,” http://www.madamebfatale.com/2010/04/13/review-trilogy-everything-balm

Jessika from polish insomniac will be a repeat customer for the luxe French brand By Terry after trying its Gloss Delectation, http://www.polishinsomniac.net/2011/06/makeup-monday-by-terry-gloss.html

Melody from Cosmetically Challenged calls Afrobella’s All My Purple Life Lipglass from MAC’s Bloggers collection “amazing,” http://www.cosmetically-challenged.com/2011/06/23/afrobellas-all-my-purple-life-lipglass/. She looks gorgeous wearing it!

Today’s makeup design #Beauty

Cold Cream 'n' Roses
Today, I’m wearing a long-sleeve tissue-weight tee in cream (a wardrobe staple) from American Apparel and a boyfriend cardigan in dark olive over the tee. I’m also wearing jeans with studs along the side seams and a chunky wood and metal necklace from Brighton (how MOR 🙂

Although it’s considered passé to match makeup shades to my outfit, that’s what I did. I used

– ULTA eye shadow in pale Camel for the base

– Laura Mercier eye shadow in Khaki (discontinued) for contouring. I’ve noticed that the eye designs in Robert Jones‘s book Makeup Makeovers invariably use taupe for contouring.

– Shu Uemura eye shadow in M Olive 499 (discontinued), a golden olive, on the outer corner.

Again, I used Christian Siriano Silky Eyeshadow in Gilded Fierce for eyeliner and LashControl mascaras.

For my face and lips, I used Daniel Chinchilla Flawless Finish Liquid Foundation, Revlon ColorStay™ Mineral Blush in Honey, Pür Minerals lip liner in Natural Calcite to fill in the lips, and Life’s A Beach lip gloss from the Robert Jones Signature Collection for Three Custom Color Specialists.

The fine print: Representatives for Pür Minerals and LashControl provided me products for review. I paid for all other products out of pocket.

An interview with makeup artist Robert Jones

Cold Cream 'n' Roses
Lately, I’ve been taking advice from Robert Jones’s book Makeup Makeovers, after purchasing lip glosses from the Robert Jones Signature Collection from 3 Custom Color Specialists.

Makeup Makeovers

In Makeup Makeovers, you won’t find jaw-dropping makeovers of celebrities and famous models that show off the talent, or in the case of the late Kevyn Aucoin, genius, of the makeup artist. What you’ll find is great advice about selecting shades and applying makeup. You’ll find out why Jones recommends that women with dark skin tones swatch foundation shades on their cheek, as opposed to their jawline. You’ll see his carefully edited collection of 13 eye shadows, from which you can select shades suitable for any skin tone.

Robert Jones

I do my homework before I interview makeup artists and entrepreneurs. After reading Makeup Makeovers, I worked with Tess of 3CC to arrange an interview with Robert Jones, and here are his replies to questions I posed to him.

1. Let’s review your biography. You’re from Texas. You demonstrated talent for art, and then moved on to theater. It was a logical move to get involved in makeup. Growing up in a family of women also fostered your interest in makeup. I find it interesting that two other makeup artists [Sam Fine and Matin Maulawizada] whom I’ve interviewed also said that growing up in a family of women fostered their interest in makeup. What more would you like to share with our readers about your background and career as a makeup artist?

I have worked with so many beautiful women in my career (celebrities, model, the girl next door) and am always inspired by how makeup can boost their confidence and bring out their true beauty. Let’s face it, it is a lot of fun!!!!!
2. How did you enter into partnership with Three Custom Color Specialists (3CC) to create the Robert Jones Signature Collection of blushers and lip glosses? Trae said that either people approach them with an idea, or that 3CC might approach someone with an idea that they’d like to work on.

I felt there was a lack in what I was wanting in glosses and blushes, having heard of 3CC and what they can do, I went to them for help in realizing my vision. Trae liked what we created and asked if they could launch a small collection.
3. Your book Makeup Makeovers presents a well-edited collection of 13 eye shadows that serves the gamut of skin tones. You already have a line of makeup brushes sold through robert jones beauty. Would you launch this eye shadow collection, perhaps in partnership with 3CC?

Yes would love to!

4. Makeup Makeovers states that you split your time between Dallas (The Big D) and New York City (The Big Apple). Are you still commuting between the two cities?

Yes I am still commuting, trying to travel less and less, but it is just part of my job!
5. Texas, and The Big D in particular, had been known for beauty queens and big hair. Are Texan ideals of fashion and beauty becoming more like those in New York?

No Dallas is definitely [its] own world! If I were to compare it style wise I would compare it to LA more than NY! But Dallas (Texas) definitely has some of the most beautiful women because they definitely love glamour!
[I asked this question as many Texan retailers have been absorbed into larger companies or have gone out of business altogether. Dillard’s acquired Joske’s over 20 years ago. Macy’s ultimately absorbed Foley’s. Frost Bros. has gone out of business, as has Sakowitz.]

6. What differences in fashion and beauty ideals might still remain between Texas and New York?

The biggest difference is in Texas women glam up to go to the grocery store and in NY they are not as concerned about it daily. But I can tell you from living in NY city it is hard to get from one place to the next looking good, where in Texas you just get in a car and go!
7. In Makeup Makeovers, the oval face is the aesthetic ideal. Creating the semblance of an oval face is the objective in the makeovers in the book. Some might object to singling out one face shape as the aesthetic ideal. To them, all face shapes are fine. How do you respond to these objections?

I am not trying to say every face shape is not beautiful! My favorite face shape is square! BUT the human eye is drawn to certain proportions (oval) so every face shape can look its most beautiful by softening certain areas.

8. While highlighting and contouring are great for the photographs in your books, is the sculpted look viable for daytime?

Definitely it looks completely natural and works for daytime when done correctly.
9. Your process for contouring is involved. It involves a true shade foundation, a foundation one shade lighter, and a foundation one shade deeper. For a woman heading out the door to work in the morning, this is too much effort. Later in the book, you state that bronzer can be used for contouring. What should a woman look for in a bronzer so that it doesn’t look muddy or orangey?

It should be matte, absolutely no shimmer! If you are ivory look for one more flesh toned, beige should be more brown tanned toned.
10. What are your upcoming projects?

Possibly a new book and some exciting new collaborations.

11. Are there any parting thoughts about makeup and beauty that you would like to share with our readers?

Just remember all women are beautiful, the right makeup shades and techniques just bring out that beauty!!!! Love who you are today and every day!!!!

Review of 3CC Robert Jones Signature Collection

Cold Cream 'n' Roses

Three Custom Color Specialists has launched yet another of its special collections. The Robert Jones Signature Collection consists of three shades of lip gloss and three shades of Crème to Powder blush. Robert Jones is a makeup artist who specializes in classic makeup looks and appropriate makeup for older women. He is the author of two books on makeup application Makeup Makeovers (the subject of a future article) and Looking Younger.


Robert Jones Signature Collection from 3CC
Lip glosses in Just Bitten, Life’s A Beach, and Bare, But …
Crème to Powder blush in Pinch My Cheeks, Morning After, and Kiss My Apricot

I eschewed lip gloss, but 3CC’s lip gloss in the caramelicious Trae’s Favorite was smooth, neither slick nor sticky. From the Robert Jones Signature Collection, I purchased lip gloss in Just Bitten, described as shiny, shimmering mahogany, and Life’s A Beach, a sandy beige. Just Bitten looked a lot like Trae’s Favorite, but with shimmer. It also has more berry, and less brown. As women get older, they need more color: as Trish McEvoy said, go lighter and brighter.

Through sampling of Bésame Voluptuous Lipstick and Pür Minerals’ Nude Lips look, I was reminded of the benefits of filling in your lips with pencil to leave behind a stain after the lip gloss or lipstick has worn off. The good news is that lip pencils are products that you can save on: pencils from Wet’n’Wild or Jordana work perfectly well. I love pairing Just Bitten with Wet’n’Wild Crème Lip Liner Pencil in Brandy Wine and Life’s a Beach with a nude pencil (maybe go a shade lighter than your natural lip color).

I have built a collection of sheer lipsticks and lip glosses from Three Custom Color Specialists, and the lip glosses from the Robert Jones Signature Collection are yet another beautiful addition to my collection.

You may purchase Three Custom Color Specialists products through its website: however, the website loads so slowly, I get timed out. A few 3CC products are available on QVC.com: 3CC debuted its Creme Concealer Foundation on QVC on August 18. A wider variety of 3CC products is found at dermstore.com.

Get Trae’s "Bronzed Goddess" look

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For spring 2009, Trae Bodge Napierala of Three Custom Color Specialists has created the “Bronzed Goddess” look. The Mood Lighting Shimmer Cremes that Three Custom Color Specialists developed in consultation with makeup artist Dina Gregg are key to the look.

The Mood Lighting Shimmer Creme in On Fire is used as a bronzer to be applied to the parts of the face where the sun hits, for example, the cheeks and the ridge of the nose. It may also be used in the crease of the eye.


Mood Lighting Shimmer Creme in On Fire

The Mood Lighting Shimmer Creme in Afterglow is used as a highlighter on the brow bone, the top of the cheek bone, and inner corner of the eye.

Trae has also created lipstick and lipgloss in Whisper, a shimmering nude for her Bronzed Goddess look.

The best part is that you can enter to win one of three Mood Lighting Shimmer Cremes in On Fire from Three Custom Color Specialists!

IMPORTANT By entering this contest, you consent to adding your email address to Three Custom Color Specialists’ mailing list. While you may opt out later, you’ll want to get notices about special offers and new product launches – I’m very fond of Three Custom Color Specialists’ sheer lipsticks and while I usually don’t care for wand lipgloss, I’m a convert to their version, which is not sticky.

http://contestmachine.com/embed/survey_js/HPN15SRWIA

In her own words: Trae Bodge Napierala of Three Custom Color Specialists (Part I)

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Three Custom Color Specialists became known for custom-blending cosmetics and replicating any shade that the customer presented to them – a boon for anyone whose favorite lipstick had been discontinued. It also has a Ready to Wear line, and has collaborated with numerous clients on special projects.

I had the pleasure to interview Trae Bodge Napierala, Creative Director and Co-Founder Three Custom Color Specialists. In this part, I interview her on the founding of Three Custom Color Specialists.


Trae Bodge Napierala

Your biographical sketch online states that you worked in the cosmetics industry for 20 years before founding Three Custom Color Specialists. Tell us more about what you did. Can you tell us whom you worked for? How did your past work prepare you for your current position as Creative Director?

Before Three Custom Color Specialists, I worked for Kiehl’s for 8 years. There, I learned about the ins and outs of running a small, but wildly popular brand, with a a strong emphasis on great customer service, training and efficient operations and communication – a great education overall!

How did you meet your partners Scott Catto and Chad Hayduk?

We met at nightclubs in the late 80’s. We were all freshmen in college at the time. Scott and Chad are a couple, and Chad is a makeup artist as well, so we would help secure jobs for each other over the years. Chad also worked with me at Kiehl’s and before that, we both worked for Visage Beaute, the premiere custom blending line.

What inspired the three of you to start Three Custom Color Specialists?

Scott was an art dealer for many years. He was always encouraging Chad and I to do something with all the ideas we had. Near the end of our time at Kiehl’s, Chad and I realized that we had hit our ceilings there so the 3 of us started brainstorming about how we could create a business based on what we learned about custom blending at Visage Beaute, which at that point was no longer in business. We also wanted to create a Ready to Wear line of makeup that was appropriate for all skin types and tones. Scott was experienced with operations and logistics (and dealing well with artists) so the equation made sense.

What were the challenges the three of you faced in starting up Three Custom Color Specialists?

Our main challenge was getting manufacturing and packaging firms to take us seriously, being that we were so young, but we were lucky enough to find great companies to work with, many of which we are still doing business with today.

In Part II, Trae talks about current and future activities for Three Custom Color Specialists.

In her own words: Trae Bodge Napierala of Three Custom Color Specialists, Part II

Cold Cream 'n' Roses

In this article, I continue my interview with Trae Bodge Napierala, Creative Director of Three Custom Color Specialists:

What do you do as Creative Director?

I develop many of the products and concepts, work directly with our in-house publicist on strategy and I do all the copywriting for the brand.

What are Scott’s and Chad’s strengths and how do your strengths complement theirs?

Scott’s strengths are design, marketing, operations and logistics. Chad’s strengths are product development, sales and training. The PR and marketing often converge, so Scott and I strategize together in that area and Chad and I often work together on the product development front. All major decisions are subject to a majority vote, but ancillary projects are often run independently of each other. We keep each other in the loop so there is no overlap.

Your web site lists a number of special projects. How do you enter into the partnerships for these special projects? What role does the partner play in creating products for these special projects?

Every project is different, but often potential partners (makeup artists, tv shows, magazines) present us with an idea, or we may approach someone to work with us on something we are interested in pursuing that we feel they are well suited for. For instance, we developed the Mood Lighting Shimmer Cremes with makeup artist Dina Gregg because she asked if we made highlighters. She had ideas of what she was looking for and we had wanted to make them at some point, so the timing was right for us both.


Mood Shimmering Light Creme in On Fire

Partnerships generally evolve organically through relationships we’ve fostered over time or through referrals. Our relationship with the L Word and Showtime was through a referral from another indie brand who knew about our custom blending abilities.


The L Word lipstick collection

Tell us about your partnership with Juara skin care and Red Market Salon. How did Three Custom Color Specialists, Juara, and Red Market Salon come together? Why did Three Custom Color Specialists, Juara, and Red Market Salon choose each other for this partnership? How do you complement one another?

We were all introduced by a colleague, Nadia Yousef, who is a consultant in the beauty industry and also happens to be a really effective connector. Nadia, the owners of Juara Skincare and I were all out for drinks one night and the idea for an event came up. Nadia knew the owners of Red Market and thought it would be a great idea for us all to meet and throw ideas around. The 3 brands are very different, but all mesh on customer service, quality and forward thinking. We thought it would be interesting to create an fun environment where women could come and learn about skin, hair and makeup, while chatting, having cocktails and listening to good music. We also thought it would be a unique way to share clients and to expose our clients to something new and interesting.

What’s next for Three Custom Color Specialists? What new introductions might we expect in 2009? Are you planning to increase the number of retail outlets?

We are always looking for great retailers so that is ongoing. In addition to the traditional high-end boutiques and spas we are exploring tv retailing, catalogs and other online sales ventures. We have many launches planned this year, I developed Whisper Lipstick and Lip Gloss for Spring, and Chad created a Seychelles collection that was inspired by his recent trip there. We plan to introduce a gel eye liner later this year, among other things.

What do you do outside your work as Creative Director for Three Custom Color Specialists?

On the work side, I also consult with other makeup brands helping them with product development, PR strategies, education, etc. On the personal side, I live with my husband and 2 1/2 year old daughter in Montclair NJ. I love to do work on the house, read, travel, cook, listen to music, enjoy the outdoors and spend time with friends. I have designed jewelry in the past and I would love to get back into that and find more time for volunteer work.