Make-up made out of crushed minerals. It's supposed to be better for your skin. Any experience, advice or comments? It's an area we'd like to start looking into...
Hello Jaimee! Thank you so much for your brilliant suggestions. I hope you don't mind that I'm posting my reply to you on the discussion area, but I can't return your email for some reason. I'm also copying it to my favourite make-up artists who have been involved in i-shadow.net.
I'm afraid that the reason there will be no more issues is financial. Websites can become very expensive and sadly I was let down by my sponsor. However, we can keep this area going, and you've certainly given it a kickstart... I'm away from early tomorrow so I don't have time to fully consider all your ideas, but I certainly agree with some of your sentiments. Please give me a jog towards the end of April if you haven't heard from me first. Warm wishes, Sharon xx"
Please could other participants post their topic suggestions here too? Many thanks.
Hi,
I have very bad dry skin which is flaky and sometimes itchy. I am a black African with a light chocolate skin colour. Please advise me on what to do.
Thanks,
TemyHi Temy,I'm imagining you've tried moisturising and it's not enough? Or maybe it irritates? If you've tried exfoliating and moisturising and it's not working, you could have excema. Excema looks like dry, patchy, flaky skin that can be red, itchy and angry but it is actually an inflammation of the skin. Stress and certain foods aggravate excema. I have suffered with excema on and off my whole life and here is how I've found to control it. Steer clear of anything that is cured or aged such as cheese, wine and dried fruit. Instead, eat lots of foods with the omega 3 and 6's like nuts and fish and yoghurt is good too. Take Evening Primrose Oil capsules (I take 3 or 4 a day). EPO is a natural anti inflammatory so it really clears up excema. Get it at a health food store. You could also visit your G.P. They will probably prescribe a Hydroquortisone cream if you do have excema. These do work but they thin your skin if you use them for longer than a week. Still, might be a good idea to get it checked out properly. Make sure you follow a simple skincare routine designed for sensitive skin too.Best regards,Angela
Hi,
Please help! At 34 years old I still suffer from acne which is being treated by my G.P. I have a lot of scars which I cannot hide. I have tried several different foundations and concealer but they always seem to look worse. How can I disguise them without it looking like I have applied my make-up with a trowel?
I hope you can help.
PaulaHello Paula,I understand how you feel. I have acne currently being treated with topical antibiotics and I'm almost 29. I think it is due to a change in the contraceptive pill. Acne is caused by hormonal imbalance and so it can happen at any age (and to any skin type). It is just so frustrating as it's seen as a temporary teen problem you should just put up with. But it really affects your self esteem so it is definitely worth trying to heal your skin and learning how to conceal scars. Apply a light liquid foundation over your whole face first to even out tone and hide little imperfections, then concealer on top. Concealer should match your skin tone exactly. Visit a M.A.C store to find your perfect shade and check it on your face in daylight. Use a small brush to apply concealer (it is much more accurate than fingers) then pat lightly. It's important you only conceal the scar and not go over onto your clear skin. If you do, your base will end up looking too heavy. Concealer works well on reddish or dark scars but don't try and fill in pitted scars with make-up; it will just look too unnatural. Set your base with a little translucent powder. Use a brush or puff and gently pat rather than sweep powder over scars so concealer won't be wiped away. Stick to a good skincare routine and investigate treatments like glycolic peels to smooth skin and help soften scars. Best regards,Angela
Dear Angela,
My wedding is in May and I'm wearing a white Temperley dress with gold embroidery. I have straight, shoulder length brown hair which will be loosely pinned up rather like the models in her S/S '05 runway show. Can you give me any make-up pointers? I have pale celtic freckly skin with large green eyes and full lips. Thanks everso.
Yours,
LisaHello Lisa,Congratulations. I love the sound of your dress and show inspired hair style; they will go beautifully with your colouring and pretty features. Start with a primer and sheer foundation so skin is refined but freckles aren't masked. Try RMK's Creamy Make-up Base in Matte 00 with Becca's Luminous Skin Colour foundation. Wearing the primer will keep your make-up fresh without drying your skin. This one doesn't add weight as it is colourless and you won't need to powder all day long. Pat a little concealer under eyes and use a brush to apply to any blemishes. Make highlighter the finishing touch to your skin. Ruby & Millie's i-paint in White is perfect. Warm up with fingers and pat onto cheekbones and temples. Add to the inner corners of your eyes too. I think you should go for antique golds and metallic taupes (not really warm yellow gold) on eyes. Cream or powder eyeshadows will work but powder lasts longer. Blend over the outer three quarters of your top lid to just above the crease and along the bottom lash line. You can't go wrong with Becca's beautiful Shimmer Eyeshadow in Tussah . Smudge a little brown or charcoal pencil into the outer corners if you want more defintion. Curl lashes and apply a coat or two of your favourite mascara. Wear soft, rosy blush blended on the apples of your cheeks. Try M.A.C's Blushcreme in Lilicent. Keep lips understated so focus is on the eyes, plus they'll be easier to touch up. Stila's Twinset in Demi Rose is great and you can choose the finish.Make sure you have a practise before the day.Good luck!Angela
Hi,
I'm Claire and I'm 16. I started doing a make-up course at college at the end of last year and have really enjoyed it. I want to go into the music/TV side of the industry. I was wondering if you could tell me what professional make-up I would need in my kit?
Thank you for your time.
Claire xHello Claire,It's a good idea to build up your kit slowly (as it can be expensive) and it will give you time to experiment and find out what works for you. It's not necessary to use traditional, often heavy make-up these days with high definition TV. Most make-up artists' kits have a mixture of mainstream department store brands as well as professional and make-up artist specific lines like Kryolan and R.C.M.A. The list of what your kit should include is practically endless. The pro's will have, for example, not just one type of mascara but different colours, waterproof formulas, lash primers, fibrous versions etc.etc. Below is a basic outline to get you started.Brands such as M.A.C and Becca are a good place to start, especially for foundations, concealers and powders. You don't need every single shade of foundation at the moment, as long as you have very light, very dark and four or five colours in between in both cool and warm undertones you can mix them together. Use tricks like mixing with a light moistuiser or shimmery primer to thin them out and get different effects. A good, matte translucent powder is imperative. Try M.A.C's Invisible Powder. M.A.C, Shu Uemura and RMK have a huge range of eyeshadow, blush and lip colours (in every finish). Go for primary and bright shades which are impossible to mix up yourself and you must have a good selection of neutrals. You will use brown, grey and taupe eye make-up for almost every job. Buy lipsticks at first and a clear gloss so you can make sheer colours and lipgloss. If you plan on doing any special effects make-up talk to the staff at a store like Charles Fox or Screenface who can advise you. The more hands-on work experience and assisting you do you'll get to know exactly what you need. Tools and brushes are just as important as your make-up products so start collecting them too. M.A.C has an extensive range of brushes and accessories. Issada brushes are great - they are designed by a film and TV make-up artist. Go to www.issada.com.au It's worth spending money on good brushes, they'll last for many years, make applying make-up easier and your clients will appreciate how soft they feel. Last but not least, you should have a basic skincare kit including an effective eye make-up remover such as Nivea's and a lip balm. Best regards,
Angela
Hi,
I am 17 and go to college. Recently I have been trying out foundations, but a few people have said that I look plastic and look like Barbie. I have quite tanned skin and have been using a liquid to powder foundation. How can I get rid of this fake look and make it a bit more natural?
Thank you and I hope you can help me.
ToriHello Tori,Your base make-up is the most important step to get right. It should be invisible!The first thing is to make sure your foundation matches your skin tone exactly. However, it sounds like your liquid to powder formula is just too heavy - giving you too much coverage that you just don't need. Plus you might be applying too much, adding to the mask-like effect. Try sheer liquid foundations or tinted moisturiser and invest in a concealer too for blemishes. M.A.C would be a good place to start because they have a huge range of shades and textures. M.A.C's Face and Body Foundation or Select Tint Foundation would be perfect. Have one of the artists help you determine the right shade and check it in the daylight. They can even give you sample pots if you can't decide to take home and experiment with. Apply your new foundation with your fingers or a damp sponge (if you want to thin it down further) and use a fine brush for concealer so you can target blemishes directly. I promise if you use this technique there will be no plastic Barbie dolls in sight! One last tip, remember to switch to a darker foundation in the summer if your tan gets deeper.Good luck,Angela
Hi,
I'm just starting out as a model and would love to create flawless looks myself. How can I make my thin lips look fuller and my face a little slimmer?
Thanks,
Elaine
Hello Elaine,
Get the basics right first. Start looking after your skin with a good cleansing, toning and moisturising routine that suits your skin type. Invest in a sheer liquid foundation like M.A.C's Face and Body or Becca's Luminous Skin Colour. These have a huge range of shades so you can find an exact match and you'll look flawless but still natural. The same goes for concealer. Keep your make-up simple for castings. Mascara, a little bronzer or cheek stain and a tinted lip balm is enough. A lot of shading and overdrawing your lips isn't necessary (clients can see how you can look from your portfolio). Just make sure you're not accentuating your perceived flaws. Place matte blush or bronzer on the apples of your cheeks and blend out in a rounded tick shape along the underside of your cheekbones. Skip highlighter. Steer clear of dark matte lip colour. Pale shades and glossy and shimmery finishes make lips appear larger. Don't worry about having a wide face - you're lucky! Just think of the biggest models of the moment. Gemma Ward, Lily Cole and Heather Marks to name just a few have lovely open faces with broad cheekbones. Good luck with your new career!Angela
Hi,I am currently a part time make-up artist and have worked on several fashion shows, but I'm looking to go into television and film. Could you give me an idea of what kind of pay I would get? Reeta
Hello Reeta,
For union TV and film productions (including commercials) the rate is £350 a day. For music videos it depends upon the budget. Start out by contacting colleges like The National Film School and see if you can work with the final year students on their short films. There won't be any money in it but you'll gain experience and build relationships with people who will go onto bigger and better jobs. Plus, you could try assisting make-up artists who work in that field so you get first hand insight and meet the right people.
Good luck,
Angela
Hi,My name is Emma Cross and I have been working as a make-up artist for the past 4 years. I am currently working with a company named Olan Mills making over the general public plus lots of wedding work. I have worked with a few different photographers and a local media company as well as helping out with productions at the local theatre. I am now at a point where I want to move on and was wondering if you have any useful information such as competitions I could enter. I would like to work in music videos and fashion. Hope you can help me.EmmaHello Emma,Congratulations on coming so far in just 4 years. It sounds like you have had a range of experience and now would be a good time to start thinking about where you want to be going and concentrating on music and fashion.There aren't loads of competitions in the UK and most are for special effects and body painting. Although MakeUp Artist Magazine run a beauty competition which I think would be most suited to you. The winner is featured in the magazine. Get all the details and look at past entries at www.makeupmag.skyblueproductions.net . If you can get to the International Make-up Artist Trade Show in L.A. they run a fantasy make-up competition with a different theme each year. (It could work in with a music video idea?) Remember to test with up and coming photographers as much as possible to build up your book too.Keep going and good luck!Angela
Hi,
I am professional make-up artist relocating to Rome, Italy. Can you please help me in finding any information regarding the make-up industry there (such as make-up agencies, professional make-up outlets etc.)?
I thank you for your kind assistance whilst looking forward to your reply.
Sincerely,
Nicola PowellHello Nicola,How exciting moving to another city! Remember most make-up brands have websites and you can order almost anything you need on the internet. So it shouldn't be too difficult. There are three M.A.C stores in Rome, the one at Via del Babuino,124 00817 is a pro store. There are also two Sephora stores at CC Grandi Stazioni 10 interrato P.zza dei Cinquecento id.23 and CC La Romanina Via E. Ferri 00173.Have a look at www.fotografitaliani.com It has lots of information on photographers, make-up artists, stylists and everything industry related in Italy. Choose Lazio as the region then it will go to Rome specifically.Good luck with the move!Angela
Please help,
I am 52 with brown/grey hair and brown eyes. My skin is quite dry and I have fine lines and wrinkles as well as broken veins. I shall be wearing a lilac blouse under a powder blue suit.
What colour eyeshadow and lipstick should I wear and can I hide my broken veins and wrinkles?
Many thanks,
SophieHello Sophie,Start a good skin care routine, that works - now! Dermalogica is a favourite. The range is designed so you can mix and match products to target specific problems. It really makes a difference to your skin and you don't need loads of products (there's no seperate day and night cream for example, moisturiser is moisturiser). Exfoliate regularly before the wedding (gently over broken veins) and you might need to step up to a more nourishing moisturiser.Don't try and hide lines with make-up - too much will actually highlight them! Apply a primer like Marks and Spencer's Autograph Illusions Revitalising Moisture Base before foundation to smooth skin and give you a glow. Plus it can be patted on over make-up to refresh and even out make-up in lines. Buy a good concealer that matches your skin tone exactly. Try M.A.C's Studio Stick Concealers. Brush precisely onto veins and set with powder, just remember to go lightly under eyes. Don't match eyes and lips to your outfit exactly but do stay with the same theme. Go for neutral, taupe shadow with a touch of silvery grey shimmer on eyes. Try a subtle, coloured mascara like aubergine instead of black. All Marks and Spencer's Autograph Mascaras come in Navy, Grey, Plum and Brown (any of these would look great). Wear nude pinks or berry shades on lips. M.A.C's Lipstick in Plum Dandy has a beautiful warm shimmer but a creamy semi matte finish. Make sure you have a practice before the big day.Good luck!Angela
Hi, I'm hoping you can help me end my long search. I am trying to find an all in one foundation powder. For years I used Kanebo's Total Bio Finish Powder. It was great with fantastic coverage, but they changed the ingredients and it no longer suits my sensitive skin. Seems to also irritate my eyes(think it could be the SPF that irritates). Can you please recommend a similar product with good coverage, that doesn't dry skin and can be used near eyes? Thanks a lot,CarrieHello Carrie,My favourite powder foundation is M.A.C's Studio Fix. It is matte but with a velvety, non-drying texture. It comes in a huge range of shades and doesn't include SPF so it would be a good place to start. It is best applied dry with a brush or sponge. Almost all of the powder foundations available have sun protection. Keep ingredients lists so you can eventually work out what you're allergic too. Consider alternatives like wearing a mattifying primer such as RMK's Creamy make-up Base in Matte 00 and foundation followed by powder. Or try Vincent Longo's Water Canvas Creme-To-Powder Foundation (SPF 6) and Shu Uemura's Water Perfect Water-In-Cake Foundation (SPF 16). Solid creams, but water based formulas so they hydrate skin and provide medium coverage. M.A.C's Studio Tech Foundation is water based too, has fuller coverage and no SPF. These formulations mean you won't need as much powder if any, because you're not adding any oil to your skin. Good luck!Angela
Hi,I have blonde hair, blue eyes and pale skin. I was wondering if you would be able to tell me which colour eyeshadows and lip gloss go best with this for a daytime and an evening look. Also my skin is very pale so I want to give it a healthy glow. I bought some face illuminator but I'm not sure whether I'm supposed to put it all over my face or just highlight my cheeks with it. Can you help?Kelly GrayHello Kelly,Stick to lighter tones with your colouring, anything dark will be too harsh. For daytime eyes, go for soft greys, browns, lilac, taupe and silver. For evening, up the intensity by adding deeper shades; charcoal, browns shot with silver, plum and midnight blue. Stick to sheer, nude pinks for lips and peachy pink tones for cheeks - mimic the colour of your natural flush on the apples of your cheeks. Wear your face luminiser on your cheekbones, temples, brow bones and the inner corners of your eyes. Pat on with fingers after applying your base and blush. Fluid formulas can be mixed with your moisturiser or liquid foundation, just make sure it has a very fine shimmer and there's no real colour to it as you're fair. Shu Uemura's Luminiser in Pearl or M.A.C's Strobe cream would be perfect. You can still have a healthy glow with pale skin! Best regards,Angela
Dear I-shadow,Most people are extremely reluctant to try the 'smoky eyes' look. I think most women have had a bad experience when trying to create it. Can you offer any advice on how to overcome this?
My kindest regards,
Sam Shail
Hello Sam,
You're right! Smoky eyes are classic and shouldn't be so daunting. I think most women are trying to do it with tiny sponge applicators rather than brushes (which make blending difficult) and they apply very dark shadow directly to bare skin (again, making it difficult to blend - crucial for smoldering eyes).
For simple to achieve but effective smoky eyes, start with a wash of pale eyeshadow over your whole lid and brow bone. Smudge eye pencil around your lash line and blend out (however is flattering for your eye shape) and it will give you a guide for shadow. Try alternatives to black like aubergine, navy and earthy metallics. M.A.C's Powerpoint Eye Pencils are super soft and blend easily. Follow with a soft grey/brown eyeshadow up to the crease and underneath building up to your darkest shade. Keep the darkest eyeshadow closer to lashes and outer corners. Take the brush you applied the light colour with and sweep over lids so shadow is seamless. Invest in a versatile palette like RMK's Ingenious Natural Eyes Quartets and you'll have all the shades you need for smoky eyes. Finish with extra kohl if you need it and a coat or two of mascara. Line the lower inner lid too for extra impact.
It is definitely worth buying a few brushes. A larger, soft brush (for applying a wash of colour and blending), a medium sized round brush and a flat square brush.
Have a practice before bed at night not be fore a big occasion so you can take your time.
Good luck!
Best regards,
Angela
Hi,
I hope you can help! I am starting out as a makeup artist and need a good make-up box/bag. Ideally, I would like one that's fairly lightweight, with wheels and that is compartmentalized so I can find things quickly when I need them. I would really appreciate some advice about where to go and what to get.
Thanks,
Naomi
Hello,
Thank you for the great question.
Lightweight is definitely key! Make sure you don't get anything too big either because if you fill it, it might be too heavy - remember wheels make it easier but don't work on stairs so you will still need to be able to lift it. Consider dividing your kit into two bags. I have a backpack with bases, powders, skincare/tool bag and brush roll in it and a Samsonite hand luggage/travel bag on wheels for everything else. It is as much as I can carry once you add your handbag with diary, phone... The problem with the bags on wheels is they don't usually have compartments. Although Marks and Spencer and M.A.C have some great clear bags now so everything can still be well organized. If you really want specificly designed compartments you might have to go for make-up kits which don't necessarily have wheels. Shu Uemura make beautiful kits in good sizes. www.cantonionline.it do great soft kits called Technic bags with drawers and compartments. Make-up Forever's kits are well made and look professional (not too chunky). Have a look at Japonesque's range of small location cases, they have great accessories too www.japonesque.com It's worth spending money, it has to last a long time and travel a lot.
Good luck,Angela
Hi,Could you give me some advice please? My dream job is to become a make-up artist. I've already got a diploma in this but it was only a year course included in my beauty therapy course 4 years ago. I'm 21 and have not been working in the beauty business for 2 years now. I was saving up to maybe do a 3 month course at Greasepaint or Brushstokes in London next year, but is there anything that I could do in the meantime to help myself? I also live in the northeast. Would I have to move to London? I am really stuck on what to do!
Thank you very much.
karen fyvie
Hello Karen,
That's great you are a qualified Beauty Therapist. That knowledge and experience must really add to your make-up skills. Beginning with a good canvas - of course, is one of the most important steps to beautiful make-up!
Make sure you read the past Q&A topic 'How To Become A Make-up Artist' for more ideas and general information on starting out in make-up.
Doing another course will help you get your confidence back after being out of the industry for a couple of years. Just make sure you choose one which covers the areas of make-up you really want to pursue and offers work experience so you can get a feel of what it's like working in London. In the meantime, experiment with make-up on yourself and friends, read as many fashion and beauty magazines as you can as well as industry publications like Warpaint and get to know the photographers and make-up artists work you like. Begin putting together a diary of pictures and things that inspire you. Start testing if you know any photographers near you. It would be good to show a possible college some of your work and the more experience you have of working on shoots the better. whether or not you should move to London ultimately depends on there being enough work for you in the northeast. If it's fashion magazines you want to work for then you probably should move to London. But if you want to do weddings or television for example, then you might be able to stay at home.Good luck!Angela
Hello,
By coincidence I found your site. (I'm fascinated by Kay Montano's make-up with Patricia Kaas.)
I'm 52 years old and still looking for the right makeup for my eyes; a few hours and it's gone! For the moment I'm using Helena Rubenstein products (powder and eye pencil). I am intolerant to Shu Uemura products.
Could you also give me some tips on which parts of your face to accentuate? My face is oval and small.
Thanks in advance,
Kristin.
Hello Kristin,
Eye make-up isn't as easy to touch up during the day as lips are, so it's definitely worth finding products which last the distance.
Make sure your daytime moisturiser and eye cream aren't too heavy (oil is a make-up remover) and dust a little translucent face powder over your eyelids before applying shadow. This will help keep it from sliding and make blending easier. Powder eyeshadows generally have more staying power than creams, although there are a few exceptions. I used Guerlain's Divinora Soft Colour Cream-to-Powder Eyeshadow in Rayon Vert on a fashion shoot recently (a very hot day) and it didn't move at all! Linda Cantello's Cream Eyeshadows are great too and have more metallic options. M.A.C's Powerpoint Eye Pencils are waterproof and seriously long lasting. Applying a matching shade of powder eyeshadow over pencil will help it last a lot longer. Use a lash primer to give mascara something to bond to, or wear waterproof mascara(just make sure you buy a good eye make-up remover). You're lucky to have a small oval face shape! Emphasize your best feature; eyes or lips and highlight your cheekbones because that's flattering for every face shape. Go for a liquid or creamy highlighter with a fine shimmer like RMK's Colour Control. It sinks into the skin, looks natural and isn't sticky. Keep your blush shade light and neutral so it doesn't clutter your small face.
Hope these tips are helpful! Good luck!
Angela.
Hello,
I did a make-up course 6 months ago, I have been testing and doing fashion shows for the past 6 months. I think the best way to learn and gain more experience would be to get an assisting position. Could you give me some advice on the best way to get a position with someone like Val Garland, Pat McGrath or Kay Montano? I'd appreciate the advice.
Thanks,
Faith Cobburn
Hello Faith,
Please read Issue 3's Q&A 'How To Become A Make-up Artist'.
That's great you've been testing and getting experience at the shows. Keep going!
Really get to know the make-up artist you want to work with. Contact their agent and let them know you are available to assist. Perhaps send them a short biog and your composite card, an example of your recent work or just a beautiful letter. These make-up artists are very busy people and get lots of people wanting to assist them. Do try and stand out, but be concise and to the point.
See if you can get occasional assisting work with other make-up artists to get as much experience as you can before you work with one of the really big names.
Good luck!
Best regards,
Angela
Hi I-shadow,
I'm hoping you can help me with a few make-up questions I'm unsure about.
I have two events coming up. For one I'll be wearing a black dress with a cute blue/grey knitted shawl. The second event is a ball and I will be wearing a red dress.
What colours go best with red? I am fair with blue eyes and blonde hair. What colour eye shadow should I wear to make my eyes stand out? How can I get that nice glow and natural looking pink cheeks? Which lip gloss gives the most shine?
Thanks so much! :)
Nikki.
Hello Nikki,
How exciting to have two special occasions coming up! We don't often get the chance to really dress up do we?! Well done for taking the opportunity to try something different with your make-up!
I like your suggestions of glowing skin, pink cheeks and glossy lips. Perhaps you could start with this and build on it for your different looks. Browns and greys always make blue eyes stand out. Try layering a few different shades, blending well. Add kohl to the inner rim of your bottom lid for extra impact. Curl your lashes and apply two coats of mascara.
I think you should go for the healthy pink cheeks and glossy lips with the black dress as black can be a bit draining, so the colour would be good. Mix a light reflective lotion with your foundation and blend a touch more onto cheekbones to highlight. You could even wear it on the inner corners of your eyes for a fresh, wide-eyed effect. Conceal only where you need to and make sure it matches your skin tone exactly. Powder down the centre of your face. Use a cheek stain or cream blush; they don't sit on top of the skin like powders do and look like the colour is coming from within. Benefit's Benetint is the perfect pinky shade. Blend quickly onto the apples of your cheeks. It can also be worn on lips. Apply to clean, dry lips and wear clear gloss on top. M.A.C's Lipglass has the highest shine.
For the red dress, adding matte red lips would look stunning. A velvety matte finish is sophisticated and has good staying power. If you're not brave enough, try mixing a little lipstick with some clear gloss to tone it down. Go slightly lighter with your eyes and cheeks and make your lips the focus of your face.
Alternatively, draw a movie star style line along your top lash line flicking it up and out. It is easier to do this with pencil (smudging it with a flat angle brush) rather than liquid eye liner. Dot the pencil along the lash line as close to the lashes as possible.
Don't forget your body and nails. Exfoliate and moisturise and you'll be glowing all over.
Good luck and have fun!
Best regards,
Angela
