Even if you are not familiar with his name, you have admired his work on major fashion covers and on Hollywood’s most celebrated beauties including Vanessa L. Williams, Iman, Queen Latifah, and Halle Berry. But Sam Fine’s artistic expertise has extended beyond applying makeup. He works as a consultant to cosmetics lines that include Iman’s and Cover Girl’s Queen Collection and is also the author of Fine Beauty: Beauty Basics and Beyond for African American Women, which makes makeup application attainable for the everyday woman. His latest production to that end is the DVD Fine: The Basics of Beauty ($24.99). Fine shares his own personal style by giving some insight on where and how he likes to conduct business.
Favorite international city for business:
Rome. When I travel to Rome I always plan to stay a few more days to shop in Florence, eat at my favorite restaurant, or take in the sites, like the Colosseum.
Where do you like to stay?
Portrait Suites on Via Bocca di Leone 23, www.portraitsuites.com
Favorite city for vacation:
Miami. Being from Chicago, I know cold weather intimately, so when I vacation, I want to travel somewhere warm, where the people are hot and the food is eclectic… and it’s just a couple of hours away!
Favorite restaurant to conduct business:
Fred’s at Barneys New York or drinks at the King Cole Bar, The St. Regis Hotel (http://kingcolebar.com)
Favorite thank-you gift:
Flowers, diptyque candles (www.diptyqueparis.com)
Favorite fragrance: Creed Bois Du Portugal
Sunglasses/Optical frames: Tom Ford
Favorite carry-all for your makeup supplies:
Louis Vuitton Hardsided luggage.
Brand of luggage you prefer: Tumi
What’s your favorite overnight bag? Prada
Most fashionably comfortable pair of shoes:
Converse by John Varvatos
(www.converse.com/#/products/collections/JohnVarvatos)
What do you enjoy drinking?
A Grey Goose martini with olives
What makeup products do you
recommend for busy, professional women?
Black Opal stick foundation
Iman Cosmetic’s Luxury Pressed Powder
CG Queen Collection Natural Hue Mineral Bronzer
L’Oreal Voluminous mascara
Dolce & Gabbana Classic Cream Lipstick
Dior Addict Ultra Gloss and my new DVD.