Born to an African-American father and an Italian mother, actress Danielle Nicolet traveled a fortuitous path to Hollywood.
From her first audition (she got the part) to her recent role on UPN’s “All of Us” (Entertainment Weekly called her “the breakout star of the network”), Nicolet’s career appears carefree. But as we all know, looking gorgeous is never quite as easy as it seems.
Nicolet shared with us her beauty tricks—from red carpet secrets to her favorite products and her ultimate list of spotlight snafus.
Asked if she’s got any big beauty no-nos, Nicolet replied with an emphatic, “Yes!” She added “I’ve learned them all by unfortunate experience.” Extreme teeth whitening tops her list of her most offensive grooming goofs, followed by too much lip liner.
She says she’s learned to avoid all of the “terrible toos” too much of anything is a mistake. “Beauty has to look effortless. When you look like you’re trying too hard, it puts people off.”
Looking picture perfect at the drop of an Emmy requires serious commitment (a beauty truism we’ve been advocating forever). “I’m very regimented. I never go to bed with makeup on. I literally can’t sleep if I haven’t washed my face.”
Nicolet keeps a bounce in her hair with regular in-salon deep conditioning treatments at her favorite spot and generous portions of Miss Jessie’s Curly Pudding. Miss Jessie’s is a collection of hair care products devoted to women with curly, kinky and wavy hair.
Curly Pudding ($38) is a soft hold styling and smoothing crème that promises to transform “shrunken kinks” to shiny, soft stretches of smooth curls; it is available online at www.missjessies.com.
Nicolet also shared with us the most important beauty tips she takes to the red carpet. Start by shaping and grooming those brows. “Eyebrows are so overlooked,” she says. “People don’t realize how much they define your face.” Nicolet banishes last minute blemishes by applying ice.
Anyone who wakes up with a big pimple on their big day can do the same; applying ice to a blemish every two minutes for up to 30-minutes can work miracles. “But never use benzoyl peroxide!” she cautions. “People of color, often don’t realize that benzoyl peroxide can encourage hyper-pigmentation.
I learned from a favorite makeup artist to apply just a dab of green concealer to cover up the redness of a pimple; then I apply powder.” Red carpet “redness” just won’t do for a woman whose star is on the steady rise.
Carolyn Brundage is the founder of ChicagoBeauty.com, a guide to all that is hip and happening in local beauty.
Danielle Nicolet’s Top 3 Tools of the Trade
BiON Skin Care: $13 to $40; visit www.bion-research.com to find out where to purchase this product.
Barex Italiana Glossing Pomade: $22 at www.beautyhabit.com
Plump Your Pucker Lip Gloss in “Spike My Punch”: $14 at www.makeup.com
About the Author
Carolyn Brundage is the founder of PrettyCity.com, a guide to all that is hip and happening in local beauty.
Need beauty advice? Email Carolyn at cbrundage@prettycity.com
