Patrick Foley’s Secret for Glass Skin
We spoke with celebrity makeup artist Patrick Foley for his tips on how to create glowy, glass skin using his favorite Retrouvé serum. We’ve known Patrick for years — he’s the brightest star around whom everyone else seems to orbit. Every bit as gorgeous as the innumerable A-list celebs who continuously fill his chair, Patrick’s lovely, supportive, kind, caring and compassionate nature have also made him the confidant and close friend of many of his top clients.
Patrick recently launched his second lipstick for Sisley Paris, Phyto-Rouge Shine Sheer Bel Air, a beautiful mauve-rose hue, on the heels of his first hit for the brand, Phyto-Rouge Shine Sheer Beverly Hills, a “perfect beige lipstick,” according to Patrick. Both shades were inspired by his dear friend, the iconic Jaclyn Smith.
What is your favorite part about the work that you do?
What I love most about my job is that you’re constantly collaborating with people and helping them figure out how they are going to achieve the look they want.
What do you think is the key to how you grew your following?
I’m open to new ideas and trends. With that said, I always hold true to what is beautiful, and it’s not lost on me when people are seeking beauty advice. I don’t find it complicated to be honest and kind.
How did your collaboration with Sisley Paris come about?
I originally approached Sisley about re-doing or recreating a Farrah Fawcett lipstick color that I had created for the brand Nude Envy. They came back to me and said they normally don’t do that kind of collaboration but what about a Patrick Foley lipstick? And if so, what would the tone be? My go-to lipstick tone has always been a “nude-beige” that has more pink and peachy tones. I find it works on every skin tone and way before celebs like Jennifer Lopez and Angelina Jolie made it a staple, Jaclyn Smith wore the nude color as the original Breck Girl in the early 1970s.
You have worked with innumerable famous celebrities. Do you have any special memories or anecdotes that you could share?
Growing up, my favorite television show was Charlie’s Angels, and both Farrah and Jaclyn, whom I was particularly drawn to, had both become very close friends of mine. When I was trying to figure out what my next career move was, Farrah helped me create the job as a personal shopper for beauty at Barney’s New York.
Can you share a time where you were working with a client whose look would be broadcast for millions to see and any special ah-ha moments that accompanied the event?
Yes. What comes to mind is that I had the honor of doing Dr. Jill Biden’s make-up for the Grammy Awards. I felt very confident, knowing I could get her complexion looking beautiful, using a combo of Retrouvé products and then mixing the Retrouvé Nutrient Face Serum with foundation to build coverage. I felt it was needed without compromising the “glow” that works with High-Def Television.
Patrick Foley’s Pro Tip
Mix equal parts foundation (Patrick’s choice: Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation) and Retrouvé’s Nutrient Face Serum for a luminous, full-coverage glowy finish. Apply foundation in downward strokes, building as you go. This creates a look that’s imparted with glow.
Patrick suggests applying an extra pump of Retrouvé Nutrient Face Serum on top of foundation to create a sheer finish. “The results are fantastic and make the complexion look like glass,” he explains.
Where would you like to see yourself in ten years?
I really like the path I am on currently, and I would love to continue to collaborate with brands I love and respect with products I feel are missing in the marketplace.
What are your skincare and wellness routines to keep yourself looking so fabulous?
I do believe in starting the day with a workout. I feel as we get older, being consistent with your workouts is the greatest gift to yourself. I believe in using clean, high-performance products, both in the morning and night. I love extra steps, and I believe strongly in adding little, quick preps that anyone can do during the day, such as Retrouvé’s Skin Brilliance Priming Pads. These pads take out any congestion in the skin and tighten the pores. Everyone should have them in their daily regime.
What do you think is missing in the beauty industry?
Compact makeup that provides a nice touch-up with a great finish.
As an industry leader, what trends are you currently seeing now in the skincare or cosmetics arena that you welcome or are glad to introduce to your clients?
High performance skin care that gives a glow and radiance to the skin and continues to benefit the texture of one’s skin. Regarding makeup trends, a foundation that is buildable and smooth.
What inspires you about your work?
I think whenever you’re working with a human canvas, it’s always inspiring to bring out the bone structure and tones that look beautiful in all forms of light.
We know that you are involved in a lot of charity work and have a great passion for giving back and helping others. Would you share with us how you got started on this beautiful path of service to others?
As I grow older, I feel the need and compassion to give back, and when you get behind a charity, there has to be a desire and a knowledge to know where the money and effort is going. I found this collaboration with the Farrah Fawcett Foundation when Farrah had her cancer, and very little was known about anal cancer, especially in women. She fought that battle stronger than anyone I’ve ever seen. She was adamant that she was going to help people with her journey when she got better.
Unfortunately, that was not the case, but she had the will and knowledge to set up the foundation. Alana Stewart, who heads this foundation, is one of my closest friends. We have been able to think outside the corporate box and, working in the field of beauty, it does make perfect sense to align with an American iconic beauty like Farrah. She was the definition of all things healthy and beautiful before her diagnosis.