Not hitting your mark because you’re anxious or ailing? That describes most of my movie stars.
My actors rely on my makeup expertise before they’re in front of the camera but sometimes they need more than my application of glitz and glam. Aromatherapy is one of my secret weapons. The essence of aromatherapy oil travels straight to the central nervous system, which means it, works in a New York minute. If my performer is not feeling like a boss I slay a customized therapeutic treatment to soothe their symptoms faster than Dr. Google.
There are seven ways I use aromatherapy oils: a steam diffuser, a spray-misting bottle, topically, inhaled, infused into a facial towel, skincare products and ingested with water or veggie capsules.
One of my favorite tools found inside my makeup trailer is my heated towel caddy wafting with aromatherapy scents. I create an essential oil concoction and pour them over wet facial towels. They bake in the caddy (I've used a microwave) until I use them at wrap time to remove my actor’s makeup and treat their skin. Be aware of sensitivities, allergies, contraindications or proclivities.
My must-have essential oil is lavender. I can feel your eyes rolling because it’s overly preached but seriously it’s so intoxicating. Lavender is a sedative, anti-inflammatory, immune boosting, anti-viral, anti-anxiety skin-calming powerhouse. For a quick easy skin application I keep Epicuren Skin Rejuvenating Therapy in my makeup kit. It’s a rich emulsion enhanced with the finest quality lavender essential oil. I dab it right under the nose or the entire face, why be deprived?
Black pepper is another oil I keep on standby. You might think it’s only used for cooking but it’s a mega treatment for congestion, warming the skin, anxiety or motivation. I had a celebrity who was trying to quit smoking and he was suffering from withdrawal. A whiff of black pepper oil from a tissue instantly suppressed his urge. He hopped to the set like an energizer bunny.
Josh Hartnett wanted better mental focus and concentration when we filmed Mozart and the Whale.Topically applied peppermint oil was the answer. Always dilute essential oils with carrier oil before directly applying onto the skin, like coconut oil. The carrier oil will protect the skin from irritations or side effects. Hartnett rubbed his prepped peppermint wrists and deeply inhaled while he was memorizing his lines and before the director announced “action.” In my upcoming book MIRROR MIRROR: Confessions of a Celebrity Makeup Artist I share lots of funny insider stories including how I healed James Spader and when a diffused blend of peppermint and lemongrass was a bug repellent while filming with Peter Dinklage.
Other ways I use peppermint is for a mid-day pick me up, indigestion, kissing scenes and as an analgesic.
One of my top do it yourself tricks is plumping your lips without injections. Mix a drop of cinnamon oil with your lip gloss and you'll have an instant pout.
At call time (movie lingo for time we report to work) I mist my makeup station and makeup brushes with sunshine and cheeriness. My spray bottle of diluted grapefruit and wild orange oils is great for uplifting moods.
Tea Tree oil is by far my most popular aromatherapy because of its phenomenal healing power. It boasts of anti-cancer, anti-viral, and anti-inflammatory benefits. Mixed with benzoyl peroxide it treats acne and because of its anti-viral qualities it soothes cold sores. You’ll find Epicuren’s Anti-Aging Tea Tree Lip Balm SPF15 inside all of my actor’s makeup kits along with a tube in my purse, in my car and on my nightstand. I need healing too!