Un-Tangled…

Concealer is one of your beauty tools that you are truly supposed to NOT see.

If you are hoping to cover redness in your skin, like acne or rosacea, then it is best to use a green concealer. This is something that you can apply in a powdered form, or you can also apply it in the cream form. Regardless of whether you are using a powder or cream green concealer, apply it to your skin with a concealer brush, and blend well. This does not need to be applied too heavily, but it will work to neutralize all redness in your skin tone.

If you are struggling with very purple under eye circles, which is often more prevalent in darker skin tones, then you need to use a yellow-based concealer. Apply your concealer with a concealer brush, and add several dots of concealer to your under eye circles with the brush. Use a sponge to blend this concealer application well, and make sure to apply concealer to the area between the inner corner of your eye and the bridge of your nose because that can often become very dark. You will be surprised at how well a yellow concealer can neutralize purple underneath the eye area and brighten it up right away!

When you are choosing a general concealer, it is best to choose a shade that is one half shade lighter than your complexion and your foundation. Always apply concealers with a brush. If you have very severe issues in your skin, then you may want to look for a thicker concealer or color corrector, which is often used for photography makeup. A color corrector would be ideal if you have scars and need corrective makeup.

It is always best to apply the concealer with a makeup brush and a sponge to prevent bacteria or oil from spreading on your skin. If you do want to apply with your finger, make sure that it is very clean, and use your middle or ring finger instead of your index finger because they will not be as harsh or strong on the surface of your skin. When you are blending in the concealer into your complexion, make sure to always pat and not rub because it prevents the skin from stretching and causing sagging in the complexion.

Overall, concealer is a wonderful tool to use in your makeup application so that your skin will literally look flawless!

Yesterday, I was honored to be a part of the LA Shoot This! photo shoot at Balboa.   On this shoot I did make up only, on the beautiful Kristen and Tiffanie.

Here are just a few of the shots.  I will post some more soon!

Kristen

Tiffanie

Kristen

Tiffanie

Most of us would like to think we are both warm and cool. But when it comes to hair colour or your make up, it’s important to know which one you really are.

Here are the basics…

You are warm if your skin has a golden, olive or apricot cast, you tan well and don’t burn easily.  You tend to have eyes that are darker (amber, dark brown, and hazel).  In natural light the veins in your inner wrist will appear green.   You look healthy and alive while wearing earthy colours, such as, oranges, bronzes, peaches, earthy greens, mocha browns and ivory.

You are cool if your skin has is fairer with a pink-y undertone.  You tend to burn before you tan.  Your eyes are generally blue, green or deep brown.  In natural light the veins in your inner wrist will appear blue.  You look best in jewel tones such as vibrant emerald green, royal and icy blues, rosy pinks, silvers, plums and pure white.

Read more…

Sunday was a much busier day for me class wise at IMATS.

I started out with a great base class that takes you from skin care to celebrity level make up with James Vincent.  Then it was to another bridal demonstration; this one put on by Make Up Forever and focused on their water resistant line.  Then the highlight was a class by the amazing Kevin-James Bennett, he did an impromptu class that was mostly questions and answers while he worked on an avant garde look on his model.  He was funny, very informative, and able to be completely honest about favourite products and tips now that he is not affiliated with any particular line.  It was the best part of the entire weekend for me!

Anyway, I did much more walking around the exhibit hall, watching and looking so here are some great photos that I got.  (well the subjects are great, my skills maybe not so much!)

So,  finally back home from IMATS!!  It was fun, awesome, amazing.  Everything that I could have wanted (except maybe I wish I had more money to spend).

On Saturday I was able to take an amazing class by the amazing brow guru Eugenia Weston, I’m so thrilled to have learned some great new tips and look forward to giving my clients an amazing brow experience.

I also took a class with Youngblood Cosmetics by James Vincent for the latest in Bridal Beauty.  It was also the first time I got to see their cosmetics in action.  After not being a fan of mineral cosmetics, I am intrigued.  Unfortunately their booth was packed solid the rest of the show, so I figured I will just check them out at a later date (I really don’t like having hundreds of people up in my personal space).  However, I’m excited to check them out in the future and will be using some of the tips I learned right away.

That was it for Saturday classes for me.  I had done some damage shopping, so me and my amazing hubs checked out for the day, went to the dinner at the Outback and had a wonderful evening.

Haul from day one included, Bobbi Brown Foundation, Senna Perfect Brow Kit, Pencils from NYX, Brush apron and Brushes, Pallet, Brush Cleaner, and Makeup Antiseptic Spray and 20 pairs of lashes!

One week from today I will be at the International Make-Up Artist Trade Show in Los Angeles.  I’m so excited to take some new classes, learn some fabulous new things, and most importantly do some make up shopping and trying out all my new techniques and products on everyone!

Yes, girls (and boys), you know you’ve got them.

Dirty, bacteria harboring, filthy make up brushes.

It’s one chore I despise enough to wear the same colours for a week at a time just to avoid it.

However, cleaning your brushes is important and should be done at least weekly for the home user and most definitely before your brushes come in to contact with another persons face.

Since brush cleanser is as costly as gold it seems, I’ve found this recipe to work just as wonderfully as any high priced name branded brush cleansers, and all items are easy to come by.