What I've Learned

VIEW FROM THE HOT TUB

JAN: I've had a terrific week, working with an old friend and a terrific cast of actors to put together a video trailer for my new novel, Teaser. It was an all consuming, exhausting project that left me elated. Now, in the afterglow, I sit in the hot tub at my brother's house in Annapolis and reflect on what I've learned this week.

I could bore you with the many lessons gleaned from from the fascinating new skills I've attempted: scene scouting, casting, propmastering, and assistant directing. I could go on and on with practical tips and philosophical insights.

Instead, I'm going to limit myself to the really, really, important stuff.

This from Vera, the professional make-up artist.

1. Use an eyelash crimper instead of a curler because no one's eyes are really the shape of an eyelash curler.

2. Buy the roll of cotton in the First Aid aisle to remove makeup. Pull off cotton balls from the roll. It's purer cotton and it's cheaper than premade cotton balls.

3. Avoid using tissue or toilet paper to remove makeup because its made of wood pulp. Eeeww. Harsh.

4. The deal with using pure mineral powder for powder is this: the cheap versions are cut with talc and talc is what clogs pores and creates irritation.

5. Unscented Lubriderm makes the best eye makeup remover