You don’t have to visit Hollywood— or even Manhattan—if you crave glamour. Carla Fabrizi offers the red-carpet treatment right here in New Jersey at her Mendham cosmetics studio.
Carla Fabrizi Cosmetics attracts clients of all ages for makeup lessons, hairstyling, facials, brow sculpting, Fabrizi’s own line of cosmetics and skin care, as well as a collection of clothing and accessories.
Originally from the East Coast, Fabrizi headed to Hollywood in the ’70s and established herself as a go-to makeup artist for celebrities like Iman, Teri Hatcher, Heather Graham, Dean Kane, Josh Brolin and James Spader. She worked for years on the sets of the hit TV series Twin Peaks, Lois and Clark, Boston Legal, 90210, Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman and The Practice before opening her Mendham store in 2009.
“More women would wear makeup if they knew the proper way to apply it,” says Fabrizi, who lives in Morristown. “My local clients might not be celebrities, but they appreciate uncontrived elegance, and I treat them just like any Hollywood actress.”
Fabrizi’s New Jersey clients have requested makeup magic for special events: dinner in Manhattan with Dr. Oz, a private party with Paula Abdul and an evening at the governor’s ball. Her diverse clientele includes entrepreneurs who star in business videos, teens who host makeover parties, and women who lose their hair, lashes and eyebrows after chemotherapy.
Fabrizi still travels back to Hollywood for special gigs, especially press junkets and annual awards shows like the Academy Awards. “I enjoy keeping my hands in the business, especially making actresses red-carpet ready,” she says.
Recently, Fabrizi doubled the size of her retail space and added a huge inventory of funky and glammy women’s sportswear, dresses, lingerie, jewelry and other accessories. Boutique labels include Love Stitch, Love Token, Lush, Ark and Co., and Chan Luu.
“People visit the shop to learn makeup tips and to pick up a new outfit or some fun lingerie,” she says. “Spring is one of my favorite times of the year because we love to help ladies look their best for proms and weddings. Something fun is always happening here.”