It’s the point in the year when my skin just couldn’t get any paler and I regularly enlist the blush, highlighter and bronzer in my makeup bag to bring me back to life. Still, all the tropical tones in Sephora won’t help if you’re working with dry, flaky skin. Here’s where I pass on a natural beauty tip that I adore from celebrity makeup artist Rachel Goodwin! If you’re not familiar with Rachel, her many gorgeous clients include Penelope Cruz, Sarah Michelle Gellar and Natalie Portman (and a stunning January Jones at the recent Golden Globes). Rachel recommends applying 100% aloe vera gel to skin before any other makeup to get a smooth, hydrated base. “Aloe is the top ingredient in so many skin care products- why not just go to the source and use it pure?” she says. (more…)