North Bay Woman

F A L L 2 0 1 6 | NORTH BAY WOMAN 37 inspiration to start her own cosmetics line. The first product was lip gloss that lasted. "We were laying by the pool, reading our magazines, sipping pina coladas and watching our kids swim when one of my friends looked around and said, 'Oh my God, we're pretty girls! No one knows we're mommies!" At that moment, Flach recalls, "I got up, called my lawyer and trademarked the name PrettyGirl Makeup. I knew that's what I wanted to call my company." Once back home in Mill Valley, she and a chemist worked for almost a year on a formulation for a lip gloss that was consistent in form and color and would work with all skin types. "I wanted it very sticky but not sticky enough that I would get sued every day," she quips. A year later she officially launched PrettyGirl Makeup. Today, her collection has grown to include eyeliner, eye shadow, mascara and bronzer. She recently hired Rebecca Kuchar of Novato, the sister of Olympic bronze medal winner Matt Kuchar, to handle the company's sales and marketing efforts. Flach plans to introduce two new colors by the end of this year. The products are all natural, cruelty- free, non-toxic, kosher, and one of the few cosmetics made and packaged in the United States. All of the products are tested on her girlfriends. "I have a United Nations of friends of all different sizes, shapes and colors and the products looked fabulous and different on each skin tone." Flach, who has served as a fashion correspondent for Soap Opera Digest for the past 10 years and transforms national and international celebrities, athletes, politicians, CEOs, brides and others into camera ready looks, adds a hint of glamour to the more mundane. This makes her feel good. "I like the illusion that I have a glamorous life and sometimes you need that," she says. "It's why I gave my products names like 'Soul Mate', 'Rich Husband' or 'Society Page.' It gives you an illusion to take you away from the less glamorous moments of life." And, her products make great gifts. "If you have a friend who has always wanted a private jet, hand her my lip gloss and tell her 'here's your 'Private Jet,'" she says. "It will make her smile and make her look pretty." And it will be different on her than any one else. Flach reveals that actress Sharon Case of "The Young and Restless" wears "Rich Husband" and "Soul Mates." "She looks phenomenal in them," Flach says. "But, unless another woman has her coloring, the same product will look different. It will still look fabulous, but it will be different." That's Flach's point. "Instead of worrying about what's trendy, it's important for women to look their best with their own size, shape and coloring," she says. "It doesn't matter what any of us in the industry tell you what style is in right now. Blue lips on a flawless 17-year- old may look great, but they won't work on everyone. "Focus on what is appropriate for you and when you feel good about yourself, it will show up on your face. A pretty girl is a happy woman." As a makeup consultant who offers one-hour private lessons, she's on a mission to encourage everyone to look their personal best from teenagers just starting to experiment with makeup to older women who want to update their look. That includes married women. "When we're dating, we always make sure we do our hair and makeup," she says. "Why does it have to stop? I still make an effort for my husband. I always want him to be my boyfriend." Besides, she says, "I don't believe in special occasions. Every day is a special occasion. Make some effort, wear your best clothes and apply some lipstick." That's a secret every pretty girl, inside and out, knows to be true. PrettyGirl Makeup (prettygirlmakeup. com) is available online and in San Rafael at In Her Shoes, in Mill Valley at Flying Beautician, Salon Maddison, and Honey Girl, and in Sonoma at La Brocante. Christina Flach's makeup tips n "The biggest scam in the makeup world is what's "in style this season." It's more important to choose colors and makeup that look good on you. n "Contouring is the 'secret of all secrets' of the stars. Use a bronzer with a brush under the cheekbone and under your chin line to give definition. Follow up with blush on your cheeks. n "It truly matters what you put into your body. One lemon squeezed into a warm cup first thing in the morning, followed by a green juice blend of kale, spinach, green apple, green tea and two fresh-squeezed grapefruits will make your skin glow, re-alkaline your body and help keep your weight under control. Sugar is your mortal enemy. n "You must keep your skin, hands included, out of the sun and protected with sunscreen, hat and sunglasses. Moisturize with Vitamin C; it's key. Ascorbic acid produces collagen which aids in the growth of cells and blood vessels and gives skin its firmness and strength. It also helps skin repair itself and is an antioxidant that can reverse DNA damage. >> Con't on pg. 39 – Photos by Stuart Lirette

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