Scott Barnes - 1 Sept

SCOTT AND I FIRST MET FIVE YEARS AGO, over dinner in Los Angeles with some mutual friends. If you know me, you know that Im a total beauty fanatic. Its pretty much an obsession. I love everything about it: the lashes, the shimmer, the glamour as a whole. I love sitting in an artists chair and just letting them do their thing; I could literally enjoy that experience every single day. I used to dream of becoming a makeup artiststill do, actually! After a photo shoot, I know so many people in my business wholl just wipe off their makeup and go home. What a waste! Ill keep my makeup on as long as I can, until it doesnt look good anymore.

So of course I knew who Scott was. I had admired him from afar for his work with Jennifer Lopez and other gorgeous women. Still, I had no idea just how far his talent extended until I had the chance to sit in his chair myself. At that dinner, we decided to stage a photo shoot, just for fun. We didnt have a purpose in mind; we just knew we wanted to play around. I was honored.

Well, let me tell you: The day was so much fun. Though Scott is one of the hardest working professionals Ive ever met, hes also one of the easiest to be around; theres this sweetness and light about him. And his enthusiasm is infectious. When youre there sitting in his chair, its like youre the only person in the world. Its very exciting. Theres this sense of great possibility when he tells you he wants to pull something out of you, something you never saw yourself. He sat me down and said straight out: I want to give you some attitude! He did this smoky eye that was just phenomenal, and in fact, that image ended up in Scotts first book, About Face. To this day, it remains one of my absolute favorites. And weve been working together ever since.

Even though I trust Scott implicitly, Im still often surprised by what he can do and how dramatically he can transform a face. He contours like no one Ive ever worked with; its like fine art. Hes taught me how to use bronzer and why highlighting and contouring matters: how it can change a face. But hes not about making you into someone youre not. Even after his most over-the-top transformations, its still you that emerges at the end. Maybe its some little piece of you that you never knew existed, but its you. Whats more, he brings out the drama that I love, but in a soft way, by focusing in on one or two specific featuresfor me, its usually the eyes or the cheekbones. So although its different, its also natural.

When applied correctly, makeup can be an empowering tool. When I take the time to look my bestthose are the days I feel strongest and most confident. I feel like I can go out and do anything. I can go into a business meeting or have a working lunch and if I know I look great, I also know that my self-assurednessmy faith in myself and my abilitieswill come across in other ways. If you feel great, you automatically convey this message to the world: I have it together, I know what I want, and I know how to get it. And taking care of yourself is the first step in helping foster that attitude. Think about it. Think about when youre really sick and at home in your sweatpants and lying around in bed. If you never get up, you continue to feel that wayjust blah. But if you get up, get in the shower, and put on some real clothes and a little makeup, you start to feel like yourself again. Its that simple. Bottom line: If you feel good about how you look, youll exude confidence and preparedness without even trying.

Of course, Im not saying you need to get glammed up and lashed out every day. Thats not necessary. I dont do that. But I am saying that its important to remember that looking good takes time and effort. It is not easy. Its not supposed to be. Even if youre born with some advantages, you still have to work hard at reaching your full potential. And theres nothing wrong with that. Getting dressed in a cute outfit, doing your hair and makeup, working out, caring for your skin, eating rightall of it takes time and effort, but its well worth it for all the rewards you will reap. Even if the biggest reward is that you feel proud of yourself. That alone is no small thing.

I think theres a time in everyones life when they dont feel pretty or they dont love everything about themselves. Ive certainly felt that waybelieve me! Thats okay. Its normal. Thats when you need to remember to take care of yourself from every which angle. For me, that means getting to the gym, eating good food, and spending time with my family and friends. Surrounding yourself with positivity is the first step in keeping the negativity out. I know its a clich, and people say it all the time, but beauty really does come from the inside out. You honestly cant be prettytruly prettyif youre feeling down. Take care of yourself in every way you possibly know how. You deserve that muchwe all do.

I hope that the wisdom and beauty within this book can help you find so much wisdom and beauty within yourself. I am honored to call Scott a friend and a teacher. Now hes yours, too.

Love,

Kim

The future enters into us, in order to transform itself in us, long before it happens.

Rainer Maria Rilke