What black & white & red allover? My dream dress for the upcoming San Francisco Symphony’s Black & White Ball, that is! Of course, finished off with some fierce red lipstick (read more about the ball below!).

So how else does Benefit get ready for such a glam event than a visit to a boutique for some makeup tips & tricks! We took Kathryn Ingli & Catherine Wong, co-chairs of the Black & White Ball, to show how you can get TWO ultra-glam looks for any formal event.

First, start ANY look with hello flawless oxygen wow liquid foundation in your perfect shade.

For Catherine, Jared mixed a bit of “that gal” with the liquid foundation to brighten up her skin tone. Then, moved on to the good ole’ “jelly doughnut” technique for the cheek: A circle of sun beam golden highlighter with chachatint, mango cheek & lip stain, in the center & blend.

sun beam + chachatint

Next, he contoured her cheek bones with hoola bronzer (had to play up those beauties)! Starting at the hairline and then working the bronzer below the apple of the cheek.

do the hoola!

To catch the light, always add a highlighter like watt’s up! to cheekbones.

haay, watt's up

To frame the face, Jared defined her brows with the B&W beauty brow using brow zings dark and blended in little high brow pencil under brows to perk up those arches.

high brow

To get a sultry smoky eye, start with creaseless cream shadow/liner in strut, keep it heavier at the base of the lash line and blend up to just below the brow bone. Draw a thick line with BADgal waterproof liner along the lash line and then smudge up with the hard angle brush. After that, apply they’re real! (of course). Hey, if she’s going to be wearing stilettos to her event – her lashes might as well too!

start the smoke.

finish the eye.

all done up.

Finish the look with a smooth application of full-finish lipstick in rumor, a rose quartz shade.

Okay, now this next look is all about flawless complexion, bright eyes, and irresistible dark lips…

For Kathryn, Glynis mixed a small amount of the POREfessional with her liquid foundation to create a mousse-like consistency.

creating the best foundation

Then, she popped her cheeks with bella bamba and high beam highlighter. Benetint provides a natural allday (and all night) glow & when layered with a box o’ powder on top, it gives an added pop of color & makes the blush brighter

benetint

bella bamba

On her eyes, Glynis used the cream shadow brush to apply creaseless cream shadow/liner in the award-winning shade of birthday suit, a brushed chrome shade, and then apply the shade busy signal, a venetian brown, in the creases to create a bright, golden eye.

the eyes have it.

Next, line the outer eyes with BADgal waterproof liner.

line with BADgal waterproof liner

The main attraction in this look…is the lips! Full attention was on Kathryn’s lips with silky-finish lipstick in frenched and then add a light touch up benetint lip balm for glossy coverage. Glynis used the talent brush to apply with concise precision.

lip service

finished and ready to rock.

I wish we could get this glam EVERY DAY!

party with some cupcakes & bubbly from chandon

catherine & kathryn: totally glam

the crew!

This year, Benefit is proud to support the Black & White Ball on June 2! Transforming the entire War Memorial Performing Arts Center area into one of the country’s most elegant venues, the Black & White Ball features 10 bands on five stages with live music spanning every decade since the Black & White Ball’s 1956 inception, dancing, food, drinks and a rollicking midnight surprise for one ticket and only in San Francisco.

All proceeds from the Black & White Ball will support the Symphony’s vital and multifaceted music education programs, which provide inspirational connections to music and music making to over 75,000 Bay Area children each year.

Get tickets to the Black & White Ball here.

If you’re looking to get some help from the pros for any special event, be sure to book an appointment at your local boutique or counter! Special thanks to the Chestnut & Fillmore Boutiques!

Psst…check out their new black & white fab windows!