From Dallas To Day Jobs To Doing It My Way To Dreams Coming True

*This post was originally written by Dawn McCoy and published on the Beauty Collection blog on Sunday, March 1st, 2015.

Hey there, Beauty Collection beauties!

I am BEYOND honored to be the inaugural Beauty Collection Celebrity Beauty Curator this March! What is a Celebrity Beauty Curator, exactly? Well, each month, Beauty Collection will choose a Celebrity Beauty Curator who will then choose their favorite beauty products at Beauty Collection to be featured online and in stores. What does this mean to you? You get to find out what us beauty influencers are really loving at the moment. And what does the honor of being selected as the first #CelebBeautyCurator mean to me? So, SO much. And for you to understand just how much, I need you to go with me on a little time traveling expedition.

I loved makeup from an early age. A very early age.

At age 3

Picture it: Dallas, 1981. I asked Santa for a vanity. Yes, that’s right. A lighted vanity, so I could apply my makeup like my mommy did. And guess what? Santa delivered.

Santa delivered a box of vanity. Kidding.

Picture it: Dallas, 1989. My mom took me to the Clinique counter and I learned their classic, 3-step skincare regimen. My skincare regimen was born. While, I don’t use Clinique exclusively anymore, this simple forward thinking on my mom’s part set me up with a lifelong skincare regimen, where I wash my face every night and always apply moisturizer before my head hits the pillow. Thanks, Mom.

Oh, my hair hurts just looking a this. And, why yes, that is a Coca-Cola shirt!

Picture it: Dallas, 1991. I was 13 years old, I was insecure, and I wished I was anyone but myself. Someone prettier. Someone thinner. Someone cooler. Someone quieter. Someone with straight hair. All of this led me to becoming obsessed with Allure Magazine and the transformative work of the amazing makeup artist, Kevyn Aucoin on its pages. Makeup can transform you? Sign me up. When I should have been riding my bike or studying, I was perfecting the perfect cat eye liner, by studying Kevyn’s work on the pages of Allure. Later, I would realize that the things that made me different would be the very things that made me who I am today.

About to turn 13. I might have looked confident in my black velvet and lace Jessica McClintock dress, but I was anything but.

Picture it: Dallas, 2001. I had been obsessed with makeup since those fateful days back in 1991, and had become a regular in the makeup department of Neiman Marcus Northpark, getting my makeup done for high school events and learning about the hundreds of lines. In 1995, I was introduced to Trish McEvoy cosmetics. For the next 6 years, they were my favorite. And then in the fall of 2001, at a beauty event, Trish herself asked me (ME!!) to be her youngest makeup artist to date. My life – and love of makeup – would never be the same.

Picture it: Nashville, 2006: I found myself in Nashville, pursuing a singing and songwriting career, singing at The Grand Ole Opry, making a record, and making lifelong friends. I also found myself in need of a day job, like stat. In 2002, I had begun working for Barbra Streisand in Malibu. You may have heard of her. There in Nashville, I had foolishly expected it to be easier to get a job than in L.A. I was wrong. I found my happy home of a dayjob at Woo Skincare and Cosmetics, a place that reminded me of my beloved Beauty Collection, where I would shop for Barbra back in Malibu. I spent two years learning about some of my now-favorite products, such as Darphin,CaudalieNatura BisséFusion BeautyCreedVoluspa, and more, while I was a counter manager/makeup artist for Bobbi Brown and Giorgio Armani. I had no idea how important this little day job – and all that I learned there – would be in my life in the coming years. The most important lesson I learned? I loved helping others not only look, but feel their best. Makeup can do a lot, but heart matters more.

Picture it: Los Angeles, 2009. My job from 2002-2005 was shopping and running errands for Barbra. When I left Nashville and returned to Los Angeles, with my renewed love of beauty in tow, I brought that back to Barbra, when I went back to work for her, from 2009-2011. She would simply ask me to find her the perfect pinky-nude lipstick, and there I was at Beauty Collection, creating complex custom color face charts with her, placing glossy scotch tape on top to preserve the colors for her eye. To say I went above and beyond the call of duty would be an understatement. But I’m so thankful for the license I had to be creative and get that experience under my belt.

Picture it: My house in LA, March 2011. I hosted a Cupcakes and Cocktails launch party of my new blog, BeautyFrosting. Though I had never read a blog myself, I just knew I had something to share out there with the world. Thus, BeautyFrosting was born from my love of beauty, baking, lifestyle and all things pastel. What started out as a blog about makeup, cupcakes and life moments has remained that. It’s just gotten a little bigger. I love sharing it with you, and I’m still utterly humbled that you guys want to read it and hear about all of my goings-on on social media!

Being primped and not taking this precious moment for granted for a second.

Picture it: February 18, 2015. I sat in the hairstylist’s chair at Beauty Collection in West Hollywood, getting my hair coiffed into a Brigitte Bardot-style for the Celebrity Beauty Curator launch party I would be hosting that night, with all of my blogger, entertainer and tastemaker friends in attendance. I had been running around all day, between voiceover sessions for Marshall’s, getting my dress for the evening and picking up jewels to wear for the U4G Awards red carpet, that I would be hosting the following night. In the midst of the hustle-and-bustle, with a salad in my lap and the Beauty Collection skilled hairstylist’s hands in my hair, I took a moment. I realized that so many of my dreams had come true. I was a host, a voiceover actor, and a beauty and lifestyle tastemaker that gets to share my passion with – and inspire – others. As I looked in the mirror, I saw that same young 13-year-old girl in Dallas, who just wanted to be someone different and used her babysitting money to buy her first Allure magazine subscription to find the magic of makeup to help her do just that. I sat in silence and gratitude, as I just took it all in and appreciated the sheer beauty of that moment. I’m so glad I did, and decided that I will always take that moment in each “pinch-me” moment that comes my way.

Plumb giddy at the #CelebBeautyCurator Cupcakes & Cocktails Launch Party at Beauty Collection West Hollywood

Picture this: Beauty Collection, TODAY, March 1st, 2015: Needless to say, my story has led me right here to this moment. And now, I get to use all of those years of experience – and memories – with you. I am so incredibly proud to be Beauty Collection’s first Celebrity Beauty Curator, and am thrilled for the month we have ahead together! I’ll be back next week with my all-time favorite classic beauty picks, available at Beauty Collection…and you’re not gonna wanna miss ‘em! And be sure to head over to the WeHo location to see my product picks in the front window display all this March. The 14-year-old me is plumb giddy, y’all. Plumb giddy.

Xoxo,
Dawn

 

Meet Beauty Collection’s Inaugural Celebrity Beauty Curator…ME!

As we kick off a new month today with March, I kick off a new – and very exciting – chapter in my life. I am proud to announce that I have been asked to be Beauty Collection’s first-ever Celebrity Beauty Curator.

 

At the #CelebBeautyCurator Launch Party at Beauty Collection WeHo on February 18th

Yippee!!

Jumping for joy! So thankful for the opportunity to be Beauty Collection's Inaugural Celebrity Beauty Curator this month!

For the entire month of March, you’ll see my face in the window display of their West Hollywood store on Santa Monica Boulevard, along with my Classic and Trending product picks for the month.

Picking my favorite Beauty Collection product picks was no easy feat!

And, all month long, I’ll be Beauty Collection’s guest blogger each week, detailing my product picks, and giving y’all a little bit more intel on me and how I got to this place I’m in and the world of BeautyFrosting I’ve created.

So happy to live in the world that BeautyFrosting has created for me

I’m so thankful that scores of friends in the entertainment, beauty and blogger world came out to help me celebrate the launch at Beauty Collection WeHo, on Wednesday, February 18th.

With Shawn - who is the CEO of Beauty Collection - and so much fun!

With the girls of Gorgeous Cosmetics

Friends galore: Lindsey Vaerst, Leslie Durso, Lynn Chen, Dana Wald, Amy Davidson, Yvette Masterson, Chrissy Kling and Ashley Jones

With Kristen Conahan and Stacie Standifer

With Jenn Chan & Dana Wald

And we toasted with cupcakes and cocktails, naturally.

Cupcakes, of course, of course!

A good cocktail is just what a girl needs after a long, busy day!

Thanks to everyone who came out to toast the launch! And thank you, Beauty Collection, for choosing me to kick off this exciting series! Stay tuned as I share my story, product picks (& tips & suggestions) and more!

xoxo,

Dawn

BF Asks: What are some of your favorite classic beauty products?

Be Our Guest: Getting #InstaGlam with Cover Girl at the VMAs 2014

I always wanted to be a Cover Girl. So when Cover Girl invited me to be their guest to get #InstaGlam for the VMAs and a day of primping, I felt like a long-held dream had come true.

But who knew that award show prepping and primping for a Cover Girl started so early? Even though the awards were to start at 6pm, my day started with an 8:30 am pickup from my delightful driver, Sam, who pumped the old school R&B while eating a homemade cupcake I had brought him from home.

Ready for a day of primping and VMAs fun with Cover Girl!

 

Next, I arrived at the W Hotel Westwood for a full day of primping with Cover Girl. I grabbed a cup of coffee and nibbled on a bit of breakfast as I showed my Adriana Papell gown to my celeb hairstylist for the day, Derek Peter (a coif god whose clients have included Chrissy Teigen, Katie Lowes and Kristen Bell) and told him of “my vision.” What was my vision exactly? Well, while most people opt for short and hip for the VMAs, I wanted to go old school glam to match my powder blue, floor-length Adrianna Papell gown. Think 60s-era Elizabeth Taylor meets 90s-era Catherine Zeta Jones. Derek knew JUST what to do. So he was off and running, giving me a slightly messier Veronica Lake wave. While my hair was pinned to set the waves, I grabbed a mimosa and headed over to sit in celeb makeup artist, Sage Maitri’s chair (an uber-talented makeup artist whose clients include Judy Greer, Hillary Kerr and Busy Phillips). After seeing my dress and Derek’s hair, Sage had a vision as well – sexy retro glam with a pop of blue-violet on the eye and a deeper mauvey-berry lip.

Being primped as a Cover Girl in my Adrianna Papell by makeup artist, Sage Maitri, as my Derek Peter waves set

 

Here are just a few of the delicious Cover Girl products she used on me to make me oh-so-glamorous. Not only were the colors rich, highly-pigmented and true but boy-oh-boy, did they last! They lasted from 12 pm til 11 pm that night. I kid you not.
Next up was a quick photo session before my fellow editors and beauty experts and I hopped on the most retrolicious, luxe party bus you’ve ever seen!

Feeling glamorous and confident while bringing old school glam to the VMAs, thanks to Cover Girl * dress: Adrianna Papell/ styling by Cirquelde/jewelry by AV Max NYC

 

With my friends/dates, Ning Chao and Teen Vogue editor Elaine Welteroth at the VMAs at The Forum

Then it was showtime! And what a show it was!! Who were some of my faves? Well, naturally, Cover Girl Katy Perry, Taylor Swift, Maroon 5 and Beyonce.

Cover Girl seriously thought of everything. We watched the show from the best seats in the house while noshing on popcorn and sipping some vino.

Thanks for the best seats in the house, Cover Girl!

And when I say Cover Girl thought of everything, I mean they thought of everything. Even late night! Yep. We arrived back at the hotel around 10:30 to platters of tortilla chips and frnech fries. No funnier sight I’ve ever seen than a bunch of gown-clad beauty editors chowing down a plate of french fries like they’d never seen food before!

Cover Girl seriously thought of EVERYTHING.

Thank you, Cover Girl, for a day I will never forget!
And wanna know a secret? I still dream of being a Cover Girl. Shhh…don’t tell.

 

xoxo,
BF

BF Asks: Which would have been your favorite part of this Day as a Cover Girl at the VMAs? The limo, the hair, the makeup, the party bus, the show or, um, the french fries?

I’m so excited about…Cosmoprof North America this weekend!

If you had told the 13-year-old me that at age 36, I would be a beauty expert who would be flown to Vegas, stay at the Mandalay Bay and get to see thousands of new beauty products at Cosmoprof North America and share them every day with the world – via video I would have been pretty sure that you were talking about heaven.

I am thrilled - and honored - to serve on the Beaut-E Zone panel at Cosmoprof North America at Mandalay Bay in Vegas this weekend! Bring on the beauty!

As a little girl-turned-teen who used to spend my spare time wandering the makeup counters of Neiman Marcus in Dallas – and begging makeup artists to put makeup on me – beauty was an early passion of mine.

When it was time to get a job in college, I stayed true to that wide-eyed, beauty loving kid and, at 18, worked as the youngest makeup artist for Trish McEvoy at that very same Neiman Marcus.

See, I loved beauty. I LOVE beauty. And, most especially, I love sharing my favorite beauty products, tips and secrets with other people. I love getting to try beauty and lifestyle products every day and weed through them so I can share my favorite picks with you.
So I am beyond honored, thrilled and delighted to serve as a panelist & liasion on the Beaut-E Zone panel at Cosmoprof North America in Las Vegas this weekend. I will report to you daily on the best of the beauty products and services I see.

And lucky me! I will be joined on the panel by some of my favorite fellow beauty experts – who just so happen to be my friends – including Susan Yara (former editor of New Beauty and now of Mixed Makeup) and Jennifer Chan (The Fabulous File), Cassandra Bankson and Tati Westbrook.

The show is not open to the public so we will be the eyes and ears to thousands as to what’s trending next in beauty. Will it be organic skincare, beauty gadgets, makeup hues, hair or nails? With over 900 beauty brands, who knows?! But, boy-oh-boy, am I ready to find out!

So stay tuned as I report back live daily (Saturday 7/12 – Tuesday 7/15) from Cosmoprof North America at Mandalay Bay on the newest launches from beauty brands you may have never heard of – to brands you know and love, such as Moroccan Oil, Creative Nail & Design, OPI, Joico, Essie, DryBar, FHI and more!

The 13-year-old me is so excited she can barely stand it!

xoxo,
BF

BF Asks: Got any brands I should be on the lookout for? What new products would you like to see?

Discussing my “Game-Changing Miracle Products” on New Beauty Magazine’s TeaTime Chat today!

Hi beauties!

There are a bevy of beauty tips in this 30-minute long hangout! Check it out and get the scoop on 8 (!!) of my favorite beauty products. From glowing skin to defined eyes to a perfectly polished pout, I had a lot to say. And the other beauty experts had some INVALUABLE tips that I’m still reeling from. Like what, you ask? The best way to get Beach Waves!

Check it out here and let me know your thoughts below!

xoxo,
Dawn