Haute Secrets: Jerrod Blandino’s Guide to Orange County

Forget gold! Jerrod Blandino, Co-Founder and Creative Director for Too Faced Cosmetics, road to success were paved with elbow grease and custom color palettes. Jerrod was a Beverly Hills makeup artist discontent with the lack of creativity, color variety, and selection available in the cosmetics market. His frustrations led him to develop his own custom-blend cosmetics that offered his clientele a plethora of chic color choices in one-of-a-kind formulations. A simple creative act transformed his entire world when Madonna unexpectedly phoned in an order for his first glitter eye shadow. As they say, the rest is history.

Too Faced Cosmetics has since become a powerhouse brand available in high-end department stores across the globe but you won’t find Jerrod lounging poolside.  Jerrod continues to be personally responsible for each and every Too Faced product; scouring the globe for the latest ingredients and cosmetic technologies, designing the brand’s award-winning packaging and keeping his loyal celebrity fans (Gwen Stefani, Nicole Richie, Faith Hill) satisfied. Is there anything this man can’t do?

Jerrod, who currently resides in Corona Del Mar, shares with Haute Living the inside scoop on his favorite places to wine, dine and “be divine” in Orange County. 

How Long in the Orange County Area: 17 years.

Current Neighborhood: Shore Cliffs in Corona Del Mar.

Occupation: Co-Founder and Creative Director for Too Faced Cosmetics.

Favorite Restaurant: Zinc in Corona Del Mar.

Best Sushi: Nagisa in Corona Del Mar.

Best Steakhouse: The Bungalow in Corona Del Mar.

Best Ethnic Food: I love La Fogata in Corona Del Mar for healthy Mexican and Mayur Indian for rockin’ Indian!

Best Italian: Sabatino’s on Lido Island.

Best Pizza: Pizza Royale.

Best Lunch: Zinc Café in Laguna Beach. Get the Zinc Salad with a grilled veggie patty and Swiss cheese on top. Yummy!

Best Place For Late Night Dining: The Quiet Woman in Corona Del Mar. You absolutely have to sit in Daniel’s section. 

Best Dessert: Anything from the dessert menu at “A” restaurant in Newport Beach and the S’Mores at the Island Hotel in Fashion Island.

Best Place For A Romantic Date: The Montage.

Best Sunday Brunch: Pelican Hills Resort.

Hautest Club/Lounge: Javier’s in Laguna Beach for people watching. It always amazes me what people will leave their house in. They must not have any mirrors in their house!

Best Place For A Power Business Meeting: Raya at The Ritz Carlton in Laguna Niguel. The restaurant overlooks the ocean.

 If You Have Out Of Town Guests, Which Hotel Would You Recommend: The Montage Laguna Beach for the breathtaking views and the Island Hotel for their great staff.

Best Shopping Venue/Boutique: South Coast Plaza has pretty much all my favorite boutiques. If you go to Chanel, ask for Marie and if you go to Louis Vuitton, ask for Josh. I also like the Gucci boutique and Heather is always great.

Best Place To Buy Jewelry/Watches: Traditional Jewelers at Fashion Island.

Best Spa: The Montage Laguna Beach.

Best Limousine/Driving Service: Epic Transportation.

Favorite Charity Event: The Annual Girls Club Gala.

Best Museum Exhibit: Anything! I love seeing new and emerging artists featured at the museums. It’s so inspiring for me.

Favorite Historic/Legendary Place To See Or Explore: The rock jetty at Big Corona where the opening scene of Gilligan’s Island was filmed.  I also love the Beaches house at Crystal Cove.

Best Aspect of Orange County: The weather is always just right! I live at the ocean where it’s not overly sunny – which is perfect because I hate to be hot – but it’s never too gloomy either. I love Orange County.