Best Eyeliner for the Waterline!

I have always had troubles finding an eyeliner that stayed on my waterline.  It would just melt away and disappear throughout the day.

I think everytime I have stepped into Sephora, I have bought a black pencil eyeliner to try and find the best eyeliner for my waterline.  I think I found something close to it....

Ta da!  Too Faced Perfect Eyes Waterproof and Tearproof Eyeliner!

I love this pencil.  I keep it for myself instead of in my kit (I know, I'm selfish).  The pencil runs at about $20 a pop at Sephora and it's worth every penny.  It's dark, pigmented, and glides on smoothly (like the Urban Decay 24/7) and it comes with a smudger hard foam tip at the back of the pencil!

The Process:  I have oily skin so I usually prime my eyelids and under my eyes with Urban Decay Potion Primer (original).  I try to prime the area closest to my upper and lower lash line...  I would line my waterline, then smudge it a bit with the smudger tip.  THEN, I would dust over the eyeliner with a matte black eyeshadow powder to set it even further.  As an extra step, I dab on a little of the Makeup Forever HD translucent powder under my eye to absorb any oil and brush excess powder away with a fluff brush.

My first impression was, "How the hell do I get this off?!?!".  The first time I tried it, I hopped into the shower and it didn't come off.  I was actually pretty freaked out and was wondering how the hell I was supposed to get it off since that's never been a problem for me.  Anyway, I used a little bit of olive oil on a Q-tip and took most of it off.

It's better than (takes a deep breath):
Revlon Colorstay (pretty good for a drugstore brand!!!  This irritated my eyes though...which is weird because I put everything on my waterline...it might be different for other people though? Updated: August 11/12)
Urban Decay 24/7 (really dark, but doesn't stay on)
Makeup Forever Aqua Eyes (not dark enough)
Stila Smudgestick Waterproof Eyeliner (smudges)
Buxom Insider Liner (not dark enough and it disappears fast)
MAC Smolder
Too Faced Lava Gloss Eyeliner (this is super dark, but omg, this smudges EVERYWHERE! The horror...)
Styli-Style (not bad for a drugstore eyeliner...stays on, but not dark enough)
Bourjois Smokey Eyes (stays on pretty good, but not dark enough)
Motives Eyeliner (pretty dark, and glides smoothly, but doesn't stay on)
Eveline Charles
Bonnebelle
Beautique from Sally Beauty (Updated: August 11/12)
Covergirl Perfect Point Plus

I'm sure I've owned other liners before...but clearly not worth mentioning if I don't remember them.  I've also tried gel liners before on my waterline like the Bobbi Brown gel liner and the MAC Fluidline gel liner and they were okay.  I still prefer the Too Faced Perfect Eyes on my waterline because I don't have to deal with brushing on the gel liner with a liner brush.  If I had to choose a gel liner to use, it would definitely be the Bobbi Brown over the MAC Fluidtrack (because the MAC Fluidtrack flakes off).  I find the Too Faced Perfect Eyes pencil a lot easier to glide on the waterline and it's darker.

The only complaint that I have about it (and this is more of a preference then anything), is that it's not in a retractable pencil form.  I'm lazy...I sometimes don't feel like sharpening my pencil and would rather twist up my eyeliner when it get's too low. 

Try it out!  Let us know if you have something better! :)

How to Prevent Eyeshadows from Creasing

Don't you hate it when it's the end of the day, your eyeshadows crease up?

I think one of the reasons why I've been a sucessful makeup artist is because I have very difficult skin.  My skin is oily so I constantly search for the next best thing to help keep my eyeshadows on.

The best eyeshadow primer that I've used handsdown is the Urban Decay Primer Potion!!!  It's so good that you can go party all night, (and if you fall asleep, face down in your pillow without suffocating), and although, your fake eyelashes might end up on your cheeks or stuck to the eyebrows...and lipstick smeared...you'll wake up with eyeshadows still looking perfect.

It is better than these other eye primers I've used:
Too Faced Shadow Insurance Primer
Smashbox Photofinish Lid Primer
MAC Paintpots or Prep & Prime products
Motives Eye Base
BeneFit Stay Don't Stray

Keep in mind, the primers listed above are specific for eyeshadows...not for your entire face. 

I've used both the purple bottle (original) and beige bottle (eden).  Thank GOD, they come in a squeeze tube now, because it was such a pain to dig stuff out from their former design (shaped like some sort of arabic bottle).  A lot of product got wasted because I couldn't get to the curvy parts of the bottle with the stick straight wand. 

 (booooo.. for odd shaped bottle)

I personally like the Urban Decay Primer Potion in Original because it goes on fairly clear.  It's pretty good on most skin colors!  However, with the Urban Decay Primer Potion in Eden, it would come out like a creamy, matte, MAC NC15 colored, concealer so it didn't work on all skin colors. 

I would definitely recommend picking up a squeeze bottle of the Urban Decay Potion Primer in Original.  It will prevent your eyeshadows from creasing and it will change your life!!

Boudoir Events Coming Up

Our artists are doing some hair and makeup for some up coming boudoir marathons...so we're pimping out some names:

October 22nd - Diane Herron Photography (see above)

November 5th - Boldy Beautiful Boudoir hosted by Vibe Photography and Perpetual Bliss Photography (see above flyer)

November 18th, 19th, and 20th - Amanda Diaz Photography

January 15th - Just For You Photography

You should definitely think about doing a boudoir shoot!  Do it for your partner (e.g. Christmas, Valentines, or Birthday gift) or do it for yourself.  I find as I get older and I look back at my younger days, I think...dayyaaamm...time flies by (as I stare at my brand new silver hair and tiny wrinkles)...It only goes down hill from here....lol.  Don't waste time and boudoir shoot now!

Western Canada Fashion Week - Runway for Temna Fialka

This past week was Edmonton's Western Canada Fashion Week (WCFW).  WCFW showcases all of the local talent - fashion designers, hairstylists, and makeup artists! 

We were able to join Temna Fialka's runway show again, and in addition to other talented makeup artists, we finished her models up for her KROV 2011 Collection at the Transalta Barns.  The Fall 2011 runway makeup looks featured a darker feel - "runway gothic".  Still beautiful but strong.

Natasha Lazorovic, designer for Temna Fialka, had a different twist to her usual collection this season.  Usually she would be showcasing recycled ethical furs (collected from farmers who would have to shoot at foxes, coyotes, ferrets, and put down cows!...etc), feathers, and leathers - but this season she found small flower patterened material to highlight head pieces that she borrowed from the Ukrainian Museum.  These head pieces were 50-100 yrs old!!!

We had a mini photoshoot in the alley just before the runway!

  

Schmoozing with the crowd after the runway! (left - Model Eileen Rokis - MUA Ashly McKessock) (right - Model Julia Sutygina - MUA Lydia Yapp)

Creative Body Art Shoot in a Mosquito Infested Forest

I was itching to do body art for a very long time.  Finally, I kicked myself in the butt and got to collaborate with some awesome photogs and model.  Nicole and her husband, Shawn, from NC Photography as well as the stunning miss Brookelynn (who use to be Miss International...or Miss Universe Canada or something like that....my old brain ain't working but she was stunning nonetheless!) were awesome people to work with!

I worked with the Makeup Forever Flash Palette, which is oil-based so it was awesome to use for blending!  Unfortunately, it was really easy to smudge.  I tried airbrushing on some Temptu shimmer, which is an alcohol based formula for longer waterproof wear, to try and encase the oil based stuff in.  I also powdered over everything with a bit of shimmer powder as well.  A makeup artist from L.A. once told me that a light mist of hairspray works too!

I drew my outline in a white pencil first so if I made any mistakes, I could easily smudge it off.  Then, I used a big synthetic foundation brush to fill in most of the color (i.e. the tree, the sun...).  I used a synthetic concealer brush to draw the flowers and the more detailed stuff like like lines in the tree, the leaves, and details on the flowers (magenta petals, coral medium transition, and yellow pollen). After drawing the details, I shaded in the shadows to make it pop more.  I liked using the synthetic brushes more for the creamy MUFE Flash Palette because it gave me more control.

4 hours later....I had drawn a shiny golden sun on her face, with sun rays beaming down, and a big ol' tree with flowers and leaves blowing in the wind.  The photographer met us and she made a comment how the sun was so shiny (it was a shimmer gold color in the palette) and how the rest of the artwork was matte.  She was worried how it was going to photography.

Too late now!  We drive off to a hiking trail near by and it is just infested with mosquitos!  Here are a couple shots of the photographer adjusting the hair off of the model's face and fixing the hair.

Check out these rockstar photographers!

The model was amazing too - totally unfazed by the millions of mosquitos trying to drink her blood.

Props to her boyfriend (now fiance - congrats you two!) doing some ninja photographing - can you see him?? (hint:  Up top left corner)

These pictures are why you NEED a professional photographer to do your portfolio work or on any special occasion!!  A professional model helps too!  She's so pretty!

 I forgot, I had added some clear gems to each blossom pollen for extra bling!  I also added some dramatic lashes and a couple of Shu Uemera colored individual lashes on the bottom corner of her lashes.  Hot pink lipstick just brings it all together :)

There was actually no wind that day so the model's boyfriend, Ryan actually gathered up the fabric in a little ball, then threw it up in the air!  Then he quickly jumped in the bushes to get out of the way so they didn't take him in the picture...lol.  It took a few times, but it turned out pretty cool :)  Shawn actually trekked across a creek in order to get this far away shot.

Looking at the finished product, everything seems so glamourous!  Little do people know the time, effort, and work everybody goes through to get a few good photos. 

I came out with 15 mosquito bites that day.  Dammit.

Feel free to comment or provide any feedback you might have!

Best Wedding Makeup Eyeshadows

I carry about 100 different eyeshadows (90) and pigments (10+) - both mainly from MAC Cosmetics and Motives Cosmetics.  Despite these many pretty colors...I tend to go back to certain colors all the time for wedding makeup.  These are the 15 MAC shadow pans, but I pried out the slot cover to fit in 22-23 shadows per pan.

Please note, if you have hooded lids or mature skin, do not use the shimmer colors for wedding photography makeup.  Other than that, contrary to what most people think, other eye shapes look amazing with shimmer inner corner, shimmer medium eyeshadows, and matte outer corners because it makes their eyes brighten up in photos!)

The ** beside the eyeshadow colors are colors that are essential colors required in everyone's makeup stash!

In my white/pink palette:
1)  **MAC White Frost (best shimmer for inner corner and brow highlight)
2)  **Motives Vanilla (a matte all over eyeshadow for yellow toned skin)
3)  **MAC Vanilla (a matte all over eyeshadow for pale skin)
4)  **MAC Dazzlelight (for a more subtle shimmer brow highlight)
5)  MAC Naked Lunch (more pinkier/peachy medium color)
6)  MAC Pink Freeze (best light pink shimmer for inner corner and sometimes on the lid)
7)  Motives Pink Gold (a pretty shimmer pink/gold medium color)

In my gold/brown palette:
1)  Motives Vintage Glam (a shimmer light gold color used near the inner corner, and on the bottom lashline for extra pretty eyes)
2)  Motives Gold Rush (people really like this gold shimmer look!)
3)  Motives Cappacino (a warm matte brown for just above the crease for an extra shadowy look)
4)  MAC Woodwinked (nice shimmer brown medium shadow color)
5)  Motives Toast (a neutral shimmer brown)
6)  **Motives Chocolight (a dark matte brown espresso type color for the outer corners)

In my purple palette:
1)  Motives Dollfaced (a very pretty shimmer light purple for middle shadow)
2)  Motives Shimmer Taupe (I thought this was the ugliest color in the world, but Stepanie uses this lots and it looks amazing in everyone's crease!)
3)  MAC Haux (romantic matte purple color)
4)  MAC Nocturnal (shimmer eggplant purple color - awesome on most skin tones!)
5)  MAC Fig 1. (matte eggplant purple color -very similar to Nocturnal)
6)  MAC Shadowy Lady (dark matte purple used on outer corner and sometimes the crease for smoky purple affect)
7)  **Motives Onyx (totally prefer this over my MAC Carbon for more color payoff -deep matte black for the outercorners or smokey eyes)

Booooo...One of my shadows broke (bottom right corner area)...What should I replace it with?

In my Grey/Green/Blue palette:
1)  Motives Stardust (a silver shimmer)
2)  Motives Gun Metal (a dark smokey shimmer grey)

I rarely use any of the green or blue shadows for weddings ^_^

What colors do you like for wedding makeup - eyeshadows?

Tips for Makeup Artists - How to Save Time on Makeup Application Part 2!

Yikes, I haven't blogged for awhile...sorry!  The following are a few more tips on how to save time on your makeup application (continuation on the blog "Tips for Makeup Artists - How to Save Time on Makeup Application").  Some of these tips are probably a bit more useful for makeup artists...

1.  Skip the eyeliner and use dark eyelash glue on the band of the false eyelashes!  Sometimes, I don't bother with applying the gel liner or pencil liner when I know I'll be applying false eyelashes to someone.  The dark eyelash glue that I use (Duo Dark Tone) doubles up as a dark black eyeliner when applied.   As a time saving bonus - I don't have to put mascara on the top of the person's lashes since the false lashes are usually overpowering anyway (also lessens the risk of eyeliner/mascara smudging/running throughout the day). 

2.  Tear-off Paper Palette!  I learned this idea from Nicole Ziegler from Nicole Ziegler Make-up Design.  Instead of using my MAC metal palette and using a disposable anti-bacterial wipe to wipe and clean up the metal palette, I use these tear sheets that paint artists use for their acrylic paints.  These tear sheets are kind of like wax paper so it doesn't absorb any product.  After I finish with a client, I can tear one sheet off and chuck it into the garbage and immediately begins on squeezing out products for the next client!

3.  Powder brush!  A powder brush is a must have in everyone's makeup kit.  If I am in a hurry, I use the powder brush as a multi-purpose brush.  After finishing a persons eyemakeup, I use it to sweep away any shadows that fell onto the cheek.  After applying foundation and concealer, I use it to roll on some powder and brush off excess powder.  I also use it really quickly to apply powder blush on the cheeks and bronzer powder on the temples, hollows of the cheeks, and jawline.  It is faster than reaching for a disposable sponge, blush brush, and bronzer brush. 

4.  Carry disposables!  If you're a makeup artist, you probably already carry disposable mascara wands for your clients.  It is equally important to carry disposable lip brushes, disposable eyeliner brushes...etc!  I have had to use disposables when I had no time in between to clean my brushes for the next appointment (e.g. doing a 5 person wedding in the morning, and rushing to another 5 person wedding after that!).  Sometimes I wish I carried a little midget with me so he could clean my brushes in the car while we drive to the next appointment.  Disposables will save you time (especially when you have no time) and they're clean and sanitary to use on your client.  This has saved my butt a few times now.

5.  All-in-one primer, foundation, concealer, and powder!  This is one of my secret weapons introduced to me by one of my teachers a couple of years ago...The Motives Liquid Mineral Foundations.  It's a primer, foundation, concealer, and powder in one.  I go through tubes of the Linen (for caucasions like MAC NC15), Cream Beige (for Asians around MAC NC20), and Almond foundation colors (for tanned people or Indian skin around NC40).  It has a primer in the foundation already and dries so that you don't need to set it with powder.  It is creamy and thick enough to keep building and cover under eye circles and blemishes.  Although it is a product that is marketed like Avon, Mary Kay, and Amway...the foundation is actually really good and saves me time digging for my primers, concealers, and powders! If you're based in Edmonton, you can pick some up from SunDaze Tanning (which may run you about $25-$30 for a tube but is well worth it!).

Hope some of these tips and products were somewhat useful in helping save time on makeup applications!

Taylor Swift's Concert Covergirl Event! (Natureluxe Gloss Balm Review)

Taylor Swift came to Edmonton on August 18th and 19th - she sold out 2 concerts!  People were coming from Grande Prairie and Calgary. We were lucky enough to be able to do the Covergirl event for both her concerts!

The event was to do makeovers for Taylor Swift fans at her concert.  The event coordinators from Triple Point Interactions gave us (the makeup artists) a goal of doing 50 fans from 5:30pm to 8:30pm...

A picture of the setup...Calm before the storm...

Every fan got to take home a coupon from Covergirl and a free Natureluxe lipgloss!!!

 They provided us with disposables, spatulas, alcohol spray bottles, sanitizers, and the makeup to put on the fans.  In the first night, I did approximately 56 girls (3.2 min per girl).  In the second night, I upped it to 70 girls (2.3 min per girl).  Since this was a promotional gig, it's very important to do as many girls and spread the word while maintaining customer happiness.  

 

I did a lot of eyeshadows on little girls (they really liked the blue and purple eye shadows), eyeliner, and gloss.  Since we were giving away the glosses, I would apply the brand new lip gloss to their lips and then hand it to the client to keep for free!  That saved a lot of time from scraping the product out and applying it. 

At the end of the night, they let us keep the makeup...I gave most of mine away to the brand ambassadors (the photographers) and kept 3 lipglosses and 1 lipstick.  I was very impressed with the Natureluxe lip balm!   The other makeup artists were also pretty shocked at how nice it was.  

Natureluxe Lip Balm Review:  The pictures have the number and name of the lip balm/gloss and the numbers represent the number of swipes (to show buildability - is that a word? Hmm...well...you know what I mean!).  The Natureluxe lip gloss/balm has mango and shea butters in it plus SPF 15!  My lips were really soft and moisturized and I loved the slight tint to the glosses...it came out sheer but it was buildable if I wanted more color.

Natureluxe Sandstone review:  I really liked the neutral color of this lip balm/gloss.  It is in the peachier range of colors and a very easy color to wear.

Natureluxe Hibiscus Review:  This one was my favorite.  It is awesome with my skintone (asian) and it has a slight berry color to it.  Although the color looks bold, it goes on very sheer and is super wearable.  You can definitely skip the lipstick with this gloss.

Natureluxe Peony Review:  This color is a like a fushia red.  This is the color that Taylor Swift wears (as per Triple Point).  Although this is just a gloss, the color payoff is amazing.  No lipstick required.  Great for an evening out.


After our makeup event was done and everyone went to go watch Taylor Swift, we closed up and I was able to sneak behind a curtain to take a picture of the concert on the last night...Here is the worst picture of Taylor Swift ever...

LOL...Stupid iPhone sucks at taking pictures.  Some of the other makeup artists stayed to watch the concert, but I left right after since I had a wedding to do at 5:30am the next day.  The lipgloss is probably not something that I would be able to carry in my kit but it's awesome for the everyday person to carry in their purse or school bag.  At only $6.50 (before the coupon) it's a pretty good deal.

Makeup Brush Tool Belt

A makeup brush tool belt is an absolute must for every professional makeup artist!  It helps makeup artists keep organized, it doesn't take up valuable table space (in which we put our products on), and saves time from digging through our kits for makeup tools.

Please note, I've owned brush roll-up bags and other tool belts...this is by far the best that I've used in terms of functionality and the amount I can carry.  With all my tools - It's like carrying a small baby in your pouch (like a 1 pound baby...)!

Here is a picture of mine:

I keep enough brushes for 5 people.  I also average about 9 brushes per person (e.g. foundation brush, concealer brush, eye shadow brush, blending brush, eyeliner brush, lip brush, blush brush, powder brush, and a small point brush).  So my little makeup apron carries a minimum of 45 brushes.  After I'm done with a set of brushes, I throw them into a Ziploc bag - the dirty brush does not go back into the belt!  The belt only carries clean/sanitized stuff!!!

I also keep the following in there as well:

Bottom right compartment:
- Waterproof mascara (I don't bother with buying or applying regular mascara) 
- Disposable mascara wands
- Q-tips (so handy in the tool belt to immediately wipe away a smudge before it dries)
- Lip pencils (about 5 neutral shades) and black pencil liners

Bottom left compartment:
- 2 Eyelash curlers (one regular one and one half sized one to get stubborn outer corner lashes)
- Tweezers
- Bobby pins (to pin back hair from the face)

Other compartments:
- 2 colors of eyelash glue (clear and dark tone)
- Scissors
- Orange stick (to help unstick top and bottom lashes if they get glued together)
- Brow groomer
- Spatula (you can use the back of the tweezers to scoop stuff out instead of buying a spatula - Stephanie Miniaci)
- Pencil sharpener
- 99% isopropyl alcohol spray bottle
- Business cards (I try to leave a few after every job...just throw them on a table and run!)




The tool belt carries soooo much but the only complaint about my MAC makeup brush tool belt is that it doesn't have a flap over it to keep the brushes from falling out during transport or from dust getting on it.  Glamcor and Modern Basics carries some makeup brush tool belts with a flap but they might not be able to fit as much as the MAC tool belt. 

If you're a makeup artist - go get one now!  It's a life changer!

Fairydrops Scandal Queen Mascara Review

I was super excited when I heard about the Fairydrops mascara at Sephora (CDN$28).  The girl said that it was very popular and sells like hot cakes!  She also said it's similar to Fiberwig Mascara (another popular Japanese mascara).  It came in a shiny cute package!

 

It has "5 Kinds of Treatment Essences" (squalene, jojoba seed oil, pathenol, hydrolyzed collagen, sodium hyaluronate - most ingredients used in cell rebuilding and maintenance) and an "Eyelash Curler Function".  It also claims that it is water-resistant, won't smudge, and is easily removed with warm water.

Pretty standard size at 7.2ml (0.28 fl. oz).

The mascara wand was slightly curved with three fatter ball shape fibres to help catch all the lashes.  This is a very similar brush shape to the Rimmel London Sexy Curves mascara wand (in which I loved the mascara wand because it separated clumps and grabbed a hold of ALL my lashes!!!...but HATED the mascara formula!).

The Fairydrops Tokyo mascara was very similar to the Fiberwig mascara formula in that it had little fiber strands mixed into the mascara formula (can you see the little fibers??).  The fibers help lengthen and adds volume to the lashes.  However, if you're not careful to comb through the lashes, one little awkwardly placed fibre can make the lashes look weird.

My lashes are stick straight, and they grow downwards.  They're also very thin and slightly sparse...making them look non-existent.

Curling them is an essential routine every morning!

 This is with one coat of the Fairydrops Scandal Queen mascara!

 

After a few seconds of examining the results - I really felt like I needed more!  Therefore, I put on another coat.  It kind of started getting somewhat clumpy and I could start seeing the fibers stick out.

After maybe 10 minutes or so...I noticed that it started getting droopy...It didn't keep the curl as nice as a regular waterproof mascara would (e.g. Covergirl Lashblast Waterproof Mascara or Maybelline Falsies Waterproof Mascara - still my fave).  It also flaked a teensy bit onto my cheek throughout the day.  Smudging was really minimal though.

Soooo disappointing for a $28 mascara that promised me the world...I decided to see how water resistant the mascara was.  I put a few drops on my fingers and lightly rubbed the mascara on my lashes.

Umm...it definitely does not come off like the Kissme Mascara like some people have told me.  It came off pretty smudgidly...if you know what I mean...with little clumps of the mascara.  I'm not sure how well this would fair on a rainy day.  Seriously, can someone tell me the point of a water-resistant mascara?  It's either waterproof or not waterproof.

Overall, I would not recommend this mascara to someone who has stick straight lashes like I do.  If you have naturally wonderful, curled lashes, this would be an appropriate mascara.  Also, if you are looking for a non-waterproof mascara...this also, would be an appropriate mascara.  Personally, I'm probably going to return it.  Even if I were to buy a separate one for my kit, I can't use this kind of formulation on brides anyways.

Hope this helped!