Recently we caught up with celebrity make up artist, and shu uemura Artistic Director, Gina Brooke. She was in San Francisco for the day, to do a seminar at Neiman Marcus and meet one-on-one with some lucky clients. Despite her busy schedule, Gina was as serene and charming as possible. While sipping on hot water and lemon, she chatted with us about Madonna, skincare, and her favorite shu uemura products.



The Scoop on Madonna
Gina's job takes her all over the world, working with some of biggest celebrities in the business. She did Madonna's make up for Oscar night, and was about to fly to Milan for just 24 hours, to work with David Beckham.

Naturally, we were dying to hear about Madonna, with whom Gina has worked for almost seven years. Our very first question was, "Has she had work done? Tell us everything!"

Gina was perfectly gracious in her absolute refusal to comment on Madonna's potential plastic surgery regime, but did tell us, "She's even more beautiful in person."

She also said that genetics have something to do with looking young, but Madonna's legendary attention to diet and exercise is real -- she eats well, works out and gets enough sleep. That advice from your mom actually does work, and Madonna is the proof!

Another reason we think Madonna looks so fantastic is the style that she and Gina developed together. In Gina's words, "Less is more." They keep Madonna's makeup very simple, and in photos you can really see what this means.

Check out Madonna's current trademark look: a flawless face, neutral lips, strong eyebrows and defined eyes. They skip the glitter, shine and gloss you see on a lot of other stars. When you look at Madonna, you always think how good she looks, never how much blush she's wearing.

Trends for Spring
We had to ask this beauty insider what she sees coming up for spring.

"Look at what you see on the red carpet," Gina said. "Bold lips, clean makeup. Very neutral and classic."

Who's doing this look well? Celebrities like Kate Winslet, Cate Blanchett, and Penelope Cruz are all high on Gina's list of lovely ladies who look great on the red carpet.

She predicts that the red lip is going to be big, and recommends shu uemura Rouge Unlimited Creme Matte lipstick in #165. It's a red that looks good on everyone, goes on as a creme, but gives you a matte look without drying out your lips. Sounds like a miracle lipstick and we're dying to try it!

Use the Right Tools
"Make up shouldn't look like a mask," Gina said. "It's job is to conceal blemishes, but more importantly to highlight your best features." This advice is simple, but for some reason, many of us find it hard to follow.

"That's because most people are focused on hiding or fixing flaws," Gina says. Her advice is to pick something that is beautiful about you, and make that the center of attention. Got gorgeous eyes? Go for dramatic eyes like Madonna. Are your lips your best feature? Be daring with bold lipstick colors.

Gina's philosophy, which she shares with Mr. Shu Uemera, is that you have to start with beautiful skin, and use the best tools.

"Most women are using the wrong products for their skin type," Gina explained. "They aren't doing the right moisturizing treatment, or they're using makeup that dries out their skin." One size doesn't fit all, so "know your face."

She told us about the easiest way to figure out your skin type: completely cleanse your face, don't put on any moisturizer or make up, and just let it be for a couple of hours. Then take a sheet of blotting paper, and see where -- or if -- you're oily. All over is oily, forehead and nose is normal/t-zone, and no oil equals dry skin. Once you know your type, you can pick the right products.

She also told us that flaky skin around your nose is the first sign of dehydration, and reminded us that drinking lots of water really is important for healthy skin. Really!

Gina's Favorites
We could have spent hours talking with Gina. Our favorite part of the whole interview, even better than talking about Madonna, was when she shared her favorite items from shu uemura. Get your shopping list ready and check them out in the gallery!