Hollywood's Top Beauty Experts Spill Their Tips, Tricks and Industry Secrets at THR’s Luncheon

The Hollywood Reporter raised a glass Wednesday to the town’s top hairstylists and makeup artists at the Chateau Marmont’s penthouse. Among those in attendance were THR cover subject (and Drew Barrymore’s colorist) Tracey Cunningham, MAC’s director of makeup artistry and senior makeup artist Gregory Arlt, New Girl star Hannah Simone, Lauren Conrad, Erika Christensen, Alice Evans, Aimee Garcia, Kate Walsh and Nashville's Chloe Wang.

our editor recommends

Behind the Scenes of THR's Beauty Issue Cover Shoot

Hollywood's Top 25 Beauty Moments of 2012

Kristen Stewart, Katy Perry and Rihanna: THR's Top 25 Beauty Moments of 2012

THR's Beauty Issue: Kristen Stewart, Drew Barrymore With the People Who Make Them Look Glamorous

The luncheon commemorated THR's first-ever beauty issue, on stands Wednesday, which names the top 25 beauty moments of the past year. Among the highlights: Kristen Stewart's disheveled updo at the Snow White and the Huntsman premiere, Anne Hathaway's pixie cut and the natural makeup looks of the stars of Downton Abbey.

PHOTOS: Inside THR's Hollywood Beauty Luncheon 

Among the other beauty biz experts on hand for the event was famed hairdresser Danilo, who notably works with style icon Gwen Stefani. "I had to push a shoot back to be here," Danilo told THR. "But it was totally worth it. It's about time the beauty professionals who work in Hollywood get name recognition for their work."

Another key player on Team Stefani is Arlt, who gushed about the current red lip trend (of which Stefani undoubtedly had a hand).

"I'm obsessed with red lipsticks," he proclaimed. "I love MAC reds because they make so many different colors. Russian red is my favorite, I've been using it on so many people, and I also love MAC red. I've been really into this blue-red thing right now -- so try it out, ladies."

PHOTOS: Kristen Stewart, Drew Barrymore With the People Who Make Them Look Glamorous

THR cover girl Cunningham was particularly appreciative of her high-profile client Barrymore, with whom she has worked for many years.

"Drew is the most natural girl, it's so easy to be around her," Cunningham said. "And she loves changing up her hair color."

PHOTOS: Hollywood's Top 25 Beauty Moments of 2012

Her advice for ladies without their own personal hairstylist?

"I think that you should always get a blowout," she said. "People focus so much on, 'I want to get my color right,' and sometimes you see them out and they look terrible. It doesn't take much effort, if you don't have the skills to blow dry, get one of those big tool curling irons or hot rollers."

THR COVER: Kristen Stewart, Katy Perry and Rihanna: THR's Top 25 Beauty Moments of 2012
 
Pairing fuschia lipstick (Funny Face by NARS) with a bright, floral Camilla Marc dress, Conrad said her rule of thumb when it comes to makeup is “have fun with it.”
 
“Day to day, I think less is more,” she confessed. “But if you’re going out to an event or an evening, it’s fun to take a little chance.”
 
The former MTV star, who recently released a beauty book on the heels of a highly successful style book, said that in addition to regular visits with her aesthetician (“at least once a month”), her personal skin rituals are cleansing her face before bed and keeping hydrated. “I don’t think there’s one tip you can assign, because everybody is so different,” she added.
 
The less-is-more sentiment was echoed by New Girl star Simon and Private Practice’s Walsh, who both confessed to wearing little product – if any at all – on their days off. But that’s not to say they don’t have their essentials.
 
“I would not give up my eyelash curler,” said Simone. “My lashes are so long that if I don’t curl them, I’m blind.” As for Walsh, her beauty essential is emu oil (or jojoba oil for vegans) and Christian Dior’s Crème de Rose lip balm. “I find it’s really hydrating,” she said of both.

Seated on the patio on a beautiful November day, guests sipped white wine and munched on salads, chicken and lemon tart. They chatted about the gorgeous weather and even more stunning view from high above the Sunset Strip, particularly the visiting New Yorkers from the event's three beauty sponsors: St. Tropez skin finishers, MAC cosmetics and Ojon hair products.

Michelle Feeney, CEO of St. Tropez, was in from London. "I haven't been to L.A. in a while," she said, "and I used to be here all the time. I'm glad I'm staying the weekend and going to New York and London after it."