Brooke Shields' ample eyebrows were meticulously groomed for the recent wedding of Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes, and the credit goes to a Pittsburgh native.

	Upper St. Clair native Brett Freedman has launched a line of eyebrow products -- and touched up Brooke Shields' brows for the Tom Cruise-Katie Holmes wedding. Click photo for larger image.

Brett Freedman, who was born in Upper St. Clair and grew up in Monroeville, also has done makeup on such Hollywood A-listers as Mariah Carey, Sharon Stone, Gwyneth Paltrow and Catherine Zeta-Jones.

On Sept. 1, Mr. Freedman launched Vanitymark, a line of five brow products for women of all hair colors. They're available at six salons in the United States and at vanitymark.com and were in the development stage for 1¹/₂ years.

"It was eye-opening," said Mr. Freedman, 38. "There are standards in the beauty industry, and if you try to veer from that, it's very difficult. A whole line is so overwhelming and expensive, and I wanted to fund myself. I thought about what attracted most women -- the eyebrow. Full ones are coming back."

His line includes various shades of brown, blond and red brow pencils, powders and glazes, a brush duo and a stainless steel tweezer. Prices range from $16 to $24. A mascara and an eyelash curler are in the works.

"I like doing brows," said Mr. Freedman. "I'm really good at doing brows. Not everybody is. From using products over the years, I got to really know the formulations I liked and didn't like."

Mr. Freedman, who lives in Hollywood, never had formal cosmetology training. He began to like and learn about makeup as a child by watching his mother apply hers, poring over her Avon catalogs, doing Halloween makeup and making up female friends to resemble one of his favorite stars -- Madonna. He and a cousin even developed a makeup line in his youth.

Launching his first true cosmetics line is "a dream come true" for Mr. Freedman, who graduated from the Art Institute of Pittsburgh with a degree in graphic design in 1988. He sold makeup at Horne's while helping subjects of photo shoots beat their face into place.

In 1992, he moved to Miami for greater opportunities and later to California. He has appeared as a makeup artist on numerous television programs, including "The Oprah Winfrey Show."

"I would love to be as big as MAC or Estee Lauder," he said. "But I want to build a small, solid company right now."

Up-and-coming designer

If at first you don't succeed, take a page from Doo-Ri Chung's book and try again.

Ms. Chung is the 2006 CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund winner, two years after losing to Proenza Schouler. The award recognizes promising up-and-coming designers. She received $200,000 to enhance her label, Doo.Ri, as well as a Montblanc wristwatch and a year's lease on a 2007 Lexus.

Two runners-up -- Thakoon Panichgul of Thakoon and Kate and Laura Mulleavy of Rodarte -- each received $50,000 toward brand development. All three honorees, deemed the best among 10 finalists, will be partnered with a team of mentors to help them further establish their brands.

The awards ceremony is a major event. Among the scores of celebs attending the Nov. 16 affair -- along with Vogue editrix Anna Wintour and CFDA president Diane von Furstenberg -- were Valentino, Oscar de la Renta, Marc Jacobs, Marni's Consuelo Castiglioni, Penelope Cruz, Milla Jovovich, and Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen.

It's been a banner year for Ms. Chung. Earlier this year, she won the Swarovski Perry Ellis award for emerging womenswear designer at the annual Council of Fashion Designers of America awards. And she's a finalist in the Swiss Textile Awards, which will be presented in Zurich.

Pittsburgh style icon

Arnold Zegarelli has seen more than a few bad hair days over his career. But as he celebrates 50 years in the beauty business, he's more likely to wax philosophical about his profession of choice.

Mr. Zegarelli, who worked at Joseph Horne's salon and then ran Premier Salons, Downtown, teaches and coiffes customers at Izzazu International Salon.

Here are some words of wisdom -- he calls them "Arnold's Adages" -- from the 70-year-old stylist.

A great haircut is the foundation for all that follows it, and that becomes even more important as we age.

A hairstyle should be one that is appropriate for you, the occasion and the time.

The two most important things a woman should wear are her hair and a pleasant expression on her face.

When a woman walks into a social event, her hairstyle should not precede her.

A woman's hair should be outstanding without standing out.

A woman's hair, cosmetics, clothing and accessories should all "hook up" for a successful statement, regardless of where she is.

When a woman knows her hair looks good, she can concentrate on the rest of her look. If her hair looks or feels wrong, nothing else seems to work.

The days of formal-looking "up" 'dos for the holiday season are numbered.