Jacqui Phillips is back: The beauty expert returns

She’s back and more brilliant than ever. Jacqui Phillips -- former model and, now, makeup artist to the stars -- brings her inside scoops and fool-proof tips on cosmetics, beauty and fashion back to CLIFFVIEW PILOT. This week, she and partner Pasquale Destro attended the Season 2 premiere party of the hit show “Jerseylicious.” It was a hot night, and Jacqui -- as always -- was right in the middle of the action.

It was the same just nights earlier at the 2nd annual Women in Entertainment Empowerment Network awards gala at the Asia Society and Museum.

Jacqui Phillips

“I must say, it was filled with a bevy of beauties,” Phillips told CLIFFVIEW PILOT of the “Jerseylicious” to-do . “Fabulous makeup and hair was in full effect and one star that definitely shined was the beautiful Alexa Prisco. She really looked amazing!”

Jacqui couldn’t help but notice that many of the women were wearing eyelash extensions (Pssst… She wears em, too). They ranged from two-week extensions to one-day individual lashes to two-month extensions.

“I chose to wear a strip by Ardell because I was in a huge hurry to make it there,” she said.

“Another thing I noticed after interviewing a few of the attendees were their beautiful tans. I was pleasantly surprised to know that most of these perfect tans -- including our favorite Glam Fairy -- were healthy and safe airbrush tans.

“I am an advocate for keeping your skin cancer-free, so I was filled with joy to know that people are really taking the safe route.

“I spoke to Reve for a minute and she and her wonderful ladies from the boutique showed me some of the beautiful clothes and jewelry that she and her team used to dress some of the stars of Jerseylicious for the party.”

Reve New York, located in Englewood, has quite the celebrity following including the “always stylish and fashion-forward” Rhianna.

What really caught Jacqui’s attention was a cake topped with stylish dolls to match the hit show’s cast -- produced by none other than “the Cake Boss” himself.

Celebrities filled the WEEN event, said Jacqui who, amid the hustle and bustiers, spotted Estelle, Gayle King, Nia Long, Egypt, Letoya Luckett, Lyfe Jennings, Kandi Burrus, and others.

The women involved do God’s work, really, serving as role models for youngsters who could just as easily go off in the wrong direction.

And as much as Jacqui tries to downplay it, her heart is in the same place. She just wants to be sure that she’s fulfilling her role as she flits like a bee, from honey pot to honey pot.

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I had a chance to talk to Kristi Henderson, one of the founders of WEEN,” Jacqui said. “Her hairstyle was absolutely fashion-forward and she looked fabulous. Her makeup was soft and seamless, which was perfect for her overall stylish look.

“She said that she always likes to try new things and trusts that her hairstylist and makeup artist will make her look beautiful,” our favorite butterfly said. “I loved the warm glow on her skin and her chisseled cheekbones. It really complimented her hairstyle and clothes.”

The thing about Jacqui, though, is that she wants more than just the surface story. Unless there’s genuine meaning at the core, she’s not terribly interested.

“The journey of WEEN is inspirational,” she said. “This was literally started in a living room, like most brilliant ideas, and, over time, hard work, blood, sweat, tears and due diligence made the difference.”

As a result, she said, the organization was able to host “a star-studded event that attracted all the hottest names in show business.”

(Leave it to Jacqui to corner Kandi Burrus from the Atlanta Housewives, who has an album coming out in November. Her “secret weapon,” Jacqui discovered, are two-month eyelash extensions -- which fits ur favorite makeup artist‘s forte.)

Add some concealer and gloss each day, and “this is what 5-minute makeup an be about,“ Jacqui said.

Then she turned serious:

“As you can see the WEEN Awards is the beginning of a national and international movement to enrich the lives of others to create permanent change in peoples lives,” Phillips said. “Great ideas can become real with hard work and dedication and the fortitude and mantra to never give up until change occurs.”

This is why young Ms. Phillips has been so successful. To say we’re thrilled to have her back in the fold is understatement.

Welcome back, lady.

Fashion, celebrity, and social causes meet through the cases that Jacquie pursues. Meanwhile, “Jerseylicious” airs at 8 Sunday nights on the Style Network.

Jacqui pop in on you now and then at CLIFFVIEW PILOT when she’s got some juicy insider info or practical tips to share. In her case, that seems to be quite frequently.