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Discover What's New: Items You Didn't Know You Needed

Discover What's New: Items You Didn't Know You Needed

Keeping in season with the hottest lip kit trends, most notably that of Kylie Jenner and Pat McGrath, Kevyn Aucoin delights our senses and beckons us to clear our shelves for his both generous and gorgeous lip kit. Just in time for the holidays, Kevyn Aucoin's The Expert Lip Kit, serves up a fresh and beautiful mix with a gorgeous shiny gloss, paired with ultra-luxurious lipstick, not to mention a coordinating lip pencil with unimaginable formula. The set comes in two variations - Femme Fatale and the Minimalist.  The Femme Fatale's stunning and sexy collection touts of a rich, impacting red gloss, that looks exceptional on all skin tones, accompanied by a classic red lipstick that's absolutely spot-on for all wintry affair, from lavish holiday occasions to your New Year's Eve events. The Minimalist collection offers up a pink-toned nude that's just as sweet as it is glamorous with a coordinating lipstick and pencil, yet again another exciting collection to add to your beauty repertoire. We suggest picking up two, as you'll not only want to gift one to a friend, but keep one for yourself as a reward for all your hard work this year! Long gone are the days of lugging around heavy equipment to achieve that sought after flawless complexion. All thanks and praise go to Temptu for creating the amazing Air and Airpod Pro. We're obsessed with this surprisingly easy to use beauty power tool. Temptu's battery powered, light-weight machine, coats the skin with an utterly-soft and feather light touch. The Airpod Pro's un-matched formula earns bragging rights in and of itself, as once you try this beauty essential you will NOT want to go back. Did we unearth a pot of gold? Not quite, but it's very close. Say "Hello" to Senna's absolutely breath-taking line of "Brilliant" Highlighters and Blushes! These absolutely stunning items most certainly live to their grandiose names as they are both "Brilliant" and "Divine." The blush is remarkably smooth and glides onto the skin like a dream. Now let's talk about this highlighter: it gives you a glow like no one else, it's other-wordly! This highlighter is absolutely jaw-dropping in the package, but wait until you get it on your skin as the mesmerizing and ethereal glow it gives will surely enrapture you. In case you couldn't get enough of Ben Nye's impressive line of setting and highlighting powders, the brand has just added more to love to the list.  While the new Ben Nye Luxury Powder in Topaz is perfect for olive and deeper skin tones, the New Colorless powder will work perfectly for anyone, both giving a fresh, matte look throughout the day. The two powders are a classic in the making, and absolute necessities for a flawless complexion!
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BEHIND THE TREND: THE HISTORY OF COLORED EYELINER

BEHIND THE TREND: THE HISTORY OF COLORED EYELINER

Eyeliner has been around for what seems like ages. Style icons like Cleopatra, Louise Brooks, and Brigitte Bardot punctuate the pages of time with their notorious eyeliner looks. From kohl liner to gel to liquid colored eyeliner, this endlessly versatile look has found a home in the hearts of makeup lovers around the world.  Adding a splash of color to the eyeliner look, on the other hand, is less than 100 years old! Started in the 1930s to create a softer look, this colored eyeliner trend exploded a few decades later somewhere between the eras of hippies and hair bands. Take a look back with us as we explore the roots of this dominating eye makeup trend.     Colored Eyeliner Trends Through the Decades:  Subtle shading – 1920s - 1940s Bold colors – 1940s - 1960s Basic white lines – mid-1960s Pastels – 1960s and 1970s Heavy colors – 1980s Grunge eyeliner – 1990s Color in layers – 2000s All the colors – 2010s and 2020s Subtle Shading with Colored Eyeliner  Maybelline and Max Factor were the first cosmetic companies to advertise brown- and white-colored eyeliners during the Roaring ‘20s, but the trend didn't come into the mainstream until the comic queen Lucille Ball donned brown on her lids to promote Max Factor in the 1930s and 1940s. Though she was there to advertise the company’s lipsticks and foundations, everyone couldn't help but notice the softness of her eyeliner look, which was attributed to her use of brown cake eyeliners. Real Colors for Bold Eyeliner Looks  Colors such as blue, purple, green, and grey emerged on the scene in the 1940s and 1950s but were only for artistic looks for Haute Couture. The colors weren’t commercially advertised in the media, and the trend stopped there.  Instead, women began to embrace the glamour of the pin-up, which is known for its heavy black eyeliner look. When celebrities like Liberace began to wear colored eyeliner in public in the late ‘50s and early ‘60s, Maybelline and Max Factor started to promote the colors in the media. Within the next few years, other brands like MAC, Yardley, and Revlon joined them, and more shades of blue, purple, green, and grey were designed. Even with all of these colors around, the majority of women still prefer the stark black eyeliner look to go with their sleek style.Eyeliner: Back to Basics Actresses like Sophia Loren, Jane Fonda, and Brigitte Bardot in the mid-1960s used this surge in the beauty industry to create and embrace their iconic mod styles. Suddenly, using eyeliner in unusual, geometric ways had become a hit and the pin-up transformed into something more luxurious. Colored eyeliner came back into view during this time. However, the only colored eyeliner that was typically used was white to create larger, more dramatic eyes. Pastel Eyeliner Dreams  As the 1960s came to a close, the mod look died down and the Bohemian style evolved into a decade-long era of little to no makeup that lasted through most of the 1970s. When makeup was worn, this piece of time highlighted the use of pastel eyeshadows and matching colored eyeliners with the goal of looking effortless and almost ethereal. It wasn’t until shows like “Dallas” and “Dynasty” took over the airwaves in the late 1970s that women once again craved a more outrageous eyeliner look in an attempt to imitate Joan Collins or Victoria Principal.       Eyeliner Looks Shift to Heavy Colors  The style shifted once again as models and musicians of the 1980s took to using makeup. The eyeliner looks created by Debbie Harry (Blondie), Boy George, David Bowie, and hair bands like KISS took “creative” to a whole new level. Eyeliner was not only used to line eyes but also used as a form of artistic expression, and the public loved it!  With the public wanting more choices, cosmetics companies designed more colors and combinations, such as Maybelline’s “Dual Color Eye Pencils.” (These pencils don’t exist anymore, but for a great look-alike, try ESUM’s Dual Eye Pencils, the formula is rich and easy to blend.)   Chic Grunge Eyeliner Looks  When punk bands like Nirvana and models like Cindy Crawford and Claudia Schiffer came into the spotlight, colored eyeliner all but disappeared as makeup trends grew dark, grungy, and neutral. Lines were sharp and black, nails were blue, and beverages were lattes and espressos. We may or may not be describing an early episode of “Friends” or “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” here—either way, using colored eyeliner was considered childish, which was practically a social death sentence, since anyone over the age of 13 attempted to emulate the older crowd. Colored eyeliner vanished from the scene.   Layers of Eyeliner and Color   It wasn’t until the early 2000s that colored eyeliner made a comeback in any aspect. One of the earliest sightings was Kate Bosworth in the movie “Blue Crush,” where she rocked a green eyeliner look. Celebrities everywhere began to use colored eyeliner to line their eyes.  Initially paired with metallic eye shadows and bright lips, the use of colored eyeliner looked clunky and redundant. Towards the end of the decade, the use of color stayed, but the amount died down. Colored eyeliner was primarily used to line the corners of eyes as a form of contrast from the dark-hued shadows and smokey eyes.      Early 2000s Makeup Trends: Metallic eye shadows Bright lips Colored eyeliners Smokey eyes   Color Crushes – Eyeliners in Every Color In today’s world, colored eyeliner is bigger than it’s ever been. Every cosmetics company that carries eye makeup carries some type of colored eyeliner, whether as a liquid colored eyeliner, pencil, cake palette, or gel. Now that the style has become bold and minimalist, it's seen everywhere! In a world where models like Cara Delevingne become actresses and actresses have become so relatable to the public, it feels like this trend has hit the big leagues. And we’re okay with that! Whether you want to embrace the colorful eyeliner looks of today or the subtle brown shading of the 1930s, we know you’ll rock your choice. Camera Ready Cosmetics has a wide selection of professional-grade eyeliner in varying shades, hues, and consistencies to meet all your makeup needs. In no time, you’ll be blending beautiful colored eyeliner looks like a pro with products you can trust. 
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Makeup Artist Chat: Ariel Diaz @theevanitydiary

Makeup Artist Chat: Ariel Diaz @theevanitydiary

Social Media has made it possible for makeup artists and influencers alike to build massive audiences and brand themselves to anyone with a smartphone. Ariel Diaz is proof of this; his bold makeup and his ability to consistently bring life to celeb-inspired looks has garnered Diaz a following of over 500 thousand followers through the popular photo-sharing app, Instagram. Get to know the social media star dubbed the "Cosmetic Illusionist" himself in our Makeup Artist Chat.  How did you get the name "Cosmetic Illusionist"? Is there a story to tell? Not really much of a story there. I chose the name because of some comments I was getting, saying I was creating “Illusions” and it kind of stuck with me, something a little different in the sea of MUA's! Cosmetics have been typically viewed as a “woman thing.” Now, however, there is a growing trend among men also using products to enhance their appearance. What is your take on this? Historically, men have worn makeup since the Egyptian times, and I love that it's making a much more modern comeback! With the disillusion of social constructs and the barriers of the gender being blurred lately, more people get to express themselves and I believe that’s a beautiful thing amongst everyone! You're looking at a makeup ad in a magazine, what gets your attention? Honestly, when I’m going through magazines, I love to see women in makeup that look like they have nothing on. I believe creating a look where you can’t tell the person is wearing makeup is truly a testament to how talented the makeup artist is! That being said, I love avant-garde makeup as well. I have bought every Vogue September issue since as long as I can remember. Who are some of the people that have inspired you throughout your career? I’m an all around artist, so all facets of art inspire me. My favorite makeup artists are Pat McGrath, Mathu Andersen, Mario Dedivanovic, Kevyn Aucoin, Sam Chapman and Alex Box. How many looks do you create every week on average? How long does it take you? I can do up to 15 looks a week if I’m inspired, but I usually average around 5-7. For an average beauty look, it usually takes me around an hour; for something extremely intricate it can take up to 6 hours, maybe more. What is your favorite part about inspiring others? Just exchanging ideas and constructive criticism is so great. I’ve been doing this for 4 years now, and there are bloggers who started their careers following my work. When I meet them and hear their stories, it’s just an unmatched experience! Which look do you feel would be the most challenging to recreate? My most challenging looks are the ones where I do complete characters; clothing and makeup. It’s a little tougher, because unlike something originally created by you, it's open to interpretation.   Every big influencer has a name for their followers. What do you call yours? #VanityMafia! What is your dream makeup job? Doing Angelina Jolie, Beyoncé or Lady Gaga’s makeup would probably make my life complete! Three makeup items you can't leave home without? I don’t really wear makeup out on a daily basis, but if I am wearing it to an event, either a red tinted lip balm or some liquid lipstick is a must, as well as some pressed powder and a lip liner.     Ariel Diaz continues to inspire lovers of makeup to push boundaries, try out daring looks, and pave a path of their own regardless of standards set by society. Make sure to check out Ariel Diaz on Instagram @theevanitydiary. All images courtesy of Ariel Diaz.  
Makeup Artist Career Tips, PRO Tips
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How To Create A Comic Book Look This Halloween

How To Create A Comic Book Look This Halloween

 Text and Makeup by Jamie Fawn How To Create A Comic Book Look This Halloween   STEP 1: Prep, Prime and Apply Foundation    Proper prepping and priming of the face is essential no matter what makeup application you do. Here, I used Bioderma Hydrabio H2O to cleanse dirt, oil residue and any makeup from the face. Soak a cotton round and wipe the face clean. BIODERMA   Next, I applied a thin layer of Embryolisse Lait-Crème Concentre applied with the Graftobian Pro Royal Silk Line C200 EMBRYOLISSE   After the Crème has absorbed into the skin I applied a primer.  I used Senna Moisture Drop Gel Primer and applied to the T-zone area and eyelids also using the Graftobian Pro Royal Silk Line C200. SENNA MOISTURIZER After prepping and priming the skin, I applied a foundation two shades lighter than the model's natural skin coloring, to give her more of a comic character look.  I used the medium shades in the RCMA 5 Part Foundation Palette KA Series. Scoop a small amount of the preferred foundation colors from the palette using a Graftobian Spatula and mix it on the Graftobian Stainless Steel Mixing Palette. Then buff foundation on to the face, over the brows, ears, neck, décolleté and feather out onto shoulders using the Morphe- Gun Metal Brush G6 Flat Buffer. RCMA 5 PART SERIES GRAFTOBIAN SPATULA MIXING PALETTE MORPHE METAL BRUSHES    STEP 2: BROWS  To really get a vibrant pink brow, I used the Morphie M158 Liner/Spoolie, filling the spoolie end of the brush with Inglot AMC Eyeliner Gel #72 Pink, and brushed the gel through her brows covering all the hairs completely.  MORPHE M158 EYELINER   Then before the gel is able to dry quickly, set it with Morphe 12P Picasso Palette using the Hot Pink shade with the Graftobian Pro Royal Silk Line Eye Detailer Brush C470. PICASSO PALETTE EYELINER BRUSH Next, I outlined the brows and detailed the frown lines between the brows with Inglot AMC Eyeliner Gel #77 Black using the Morphe M158 Liner/Spoolie, filling the angled liner end of the brush. Then I sprayed the brows with Ben Nye Final Seal to set everything for long wear and keep it from smearing.           FINAL SEAL       STEP 3: Comic Lips   For the lips I began by lining with the Graftobian Eyeliner Pro Pencil in Black Velvet.   EYELINER PENCILS   Next I filled the lips in with Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics Lip Tar in Anime using the Graftobian Pro Royal Silk Line Lip Brush C600. LIPTAR  I then added shadows to the inner lip and lines to define creases in the lips. I did this using Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics Lip Tar in Traffic as well as the Graftobian Pro Royal Silk Line Lip Brush C600. I took the shine off and set the lips so nothing would smear or move by taking a tissue and separating the 2 layers. Lay the single layer of tissue over the lips and dust Kett Sett Powder over the lips through the tissue. I brushed the powder using the Morphe M530 Contour Blender.  Add a final seal to secure the lips with Ben Nye Final Seal Matte.  KETT SETT POWDER MORPHE M530 BRUSH     STEP 4: Add Highlight to the Lips and a Pop of Color to the Eyes After the Ben Nye Final Seal has dried (approximately 2 minutes), add the highlight to upper and lower lip using Inglot AMC Eyeliner Gel #76 White with the Graftobian Pro Royal Silk Detail Liner Brush C480. EYELINER GEL WHITE  For the Lower Eyes I applied Inglot AMC Eyeliner Gel #102  Light Blue using the Graftobian Pro Royal Silk Detail Liner Brush C480. The design I went for was a downward spike angled outward, almost like a lightning bolt. EYELINER GEL BLUE Then before the gel can dry I set it using Morphe 12P Picasso Palette Light Blue Color applied with the Graftobian Pro Royal Silk Line Eye Detailer Brush C470.  This also gives it a more vibrant coloring using this process.  PICASSO PALETTE Next I outlined my design with Inglot AMC Eyeliner Gel #77 Black using Graftobian Pro Royal Silk Eyebrow Brush C490. EYELINER GEL BLACK  For the upper eyelid I applied Inglot AMC Eyeliner Gel #84 Bright Yellow using the Graftobian Pro Royal Silk Detail Liner Brush C480.  The design I went for, was a winged upward spike to compliment the lower eye design. EYELINER GEL YELLOW Then before the gel can dry, I set it using Morphe 12P Picasso Palette Bright Yellow Color applied with the Graftobian Pro Royal Silk Line Eye Detailer Brush C470.  Again this will set the color and give it a more vibrant look using this process.  PICASSO PALETTE Next I outlined my design with Inglot AMC Eyeliner Gel #77 Black using Graftobian Pro Royal Silk Eyebrow Brush C490. EYELINER GEL BLACK  Finally I had the model close her eyes and lightly sprayed the face with Ben Nye Final Seal to set everything making it long lasting and smear proof. FINAL SEAL      STEP 5: Add Line Detailing, Contouring and Shape the Hair   Using the Graftobian Eyeliner Pro Pencil in Black Velvet I drew a line down the nose and defined the nostrils. EYELINER PENCIL  Next I contoured the hollows of the cheek and sides of forehead and jaw line using Morphe 9C 9-Color Highlight/Contour Palette applied with the Morphe M530 Contour Blender Brush.       CONTOURING PALETTE BRUSH M530   For the final touch, I teased the hair to create a crazier comic book look, sprayed with a little freezing hair spray. Try this look at home!
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Makeup for Zombie: BECOME A ZOMBIE IN 5 EASY STEPS

Makeup for Zombie: BECOME A ZOMBIE IN 5 EASY STEPS

Makeup & text by Jamie Fawn Whether you’re creating a makeup zombie face for a Halloween costume, SFX character look, or just for fun, this helpful guide is sure to come in handy as you work on all the details. From bruise makeup and knife wounds to fake blood and more, your realistic zombie makeup look is sure to spook! Read on to learn the five steps for how to do your own makeup for zombie look like a pro.   5 Steps for Creating a Zombie Face with Makeup: Step 1: Clean, prep, and prime Step 2: Apply base color, bruises, and sunken eyes Step 3: Add wounds and blood Step 4: Contour and add details Step 5: Create dry, cracked lips   STEP 1 Makeup For Zombie Step 1: Clean, Prep, and Prime the Face A fresh, clean, primed face is essential to creating a long-lasting zombie face makeup look. For cleansing, we like to use Bioderma Sensibio H2O, especially on set. Since it's rinse free, there's no need for water. This will clean and remove any makeup from the face and eyes. Simply soak a cotton round and wipe away makeup.   Next, apply a thin layer of Embryolisse Emulsion Hydra-Mat moisturizer and give it a few minutes to soak in completely. Then, using the Bdellium Tools’ Maestro 947 Small Foundation Brush, apply Mehron Skin Prep Pro to the face. Skin Prep Pro will help your zombie face last longer as it protects your work from heat and moisture, like sweat and humidity. Wait 5 minutes for this to dry before you apply your makeup for zombie.   Makeup for Zombie Step 2: Apply Base Color and Add Bruise Makeup and Sunken Eyes Effect   Some bruise makeup and sunken eyes on a pale base are just what you need to create that gruesome zombie face. For foundation, use RCMA KJB Complexion Palette and mix a small amount of white with the lighter colors to make your zombie face look very pale. Apply it with the Bdellium Tools 948 Foundation Brush. Add bruise makeup to the neck, collarbone, and eye areas to simulate the effects of having been attacked. To complete the look, add bruise makeup to the parts of the skin that are peeking out of the T-shirt. To create this bruise effect, use the Mehron Pro Color Ring - Bruise, focusing on the colors: Maize Yellow, Spanish Olive, Burnt Maroon, and Bloody Rose. You’ll also want to include the brightest purple from the Ben Nye FX Color Wheel.     Apply the bruise makeup with a Graftobian Stipple Sponge for a more natural look, and blend out the edges with the Sigma E28 Detail Buffer Brush. When making makeup bruises, you'll want to determine the stage of injury your character is in and match the age of the bruise to it. In this makeup for zombie look, you will see the stages of bruise makeup coloring, beginning with a bright red fresh bruise to an older bruise with a more faded yellow. To create the sunken eyes, use the Ben Nye Professional FX Wheel in Death Pro Effects, specifically using the grey, brown, muted yellow, and green colors. Add the brown into the crease of the eye for a sunken look. Then, add greys for an aged, dehydrated look. Add greys, greens, and yellows underneath the eyes in a random pattern. Apply with the MYKITCO Shade and Shadow Brush. Makeup for Zombie Step 3: Add Knife Wounds and Blood Fake knife wounds and fake blood really up the terror ante and drive the SFX zombie makeup look home. To create knife wounds for your zombie face look, use 3rd Degree Silicone Modeling Compound in Light flesh tone.   It is extremely important not to cross-contaminate any modeling compound from jar A with jar B. This will cause the product to set and be unusable. Mix products on a separate surface. Try using the Graftobian metal palette and metal spatula. Mix the two components with a 1:1 ratio creating enough product to make a small slash wound. You will have about 10 minutes to play with the product. After mixing, transfer the product directly onto the skin and create the desired shape of your fake cut for your zombie face. Use a cotton swab dipped into TEMPTU Pro Alcohol 99 to smooth out the edges so that it is seamless.     Once the product has set, use Skin Illustrator’s Zombie Palette and PPI’s Skin Illustrator Slow Activator. In the deepest parts of the fake wound, you will apply the Black from the Zombie Palette to add depth. Because this makeup for zombie look is slightly aged, we added the color Aged Blood along the rest of the inside of the wound and then around the edges with the Ben Nye FDB-6 Petite Filbert Brush.     Next, add Mehron Coagulated Blood Gel with a brush to the fake slash, allowing it to drip down for an oozing effect. We also used the Coagulated Blood Gel to smear on our zombie's shirt. To give the larger or deeper wounds a more agitated look, add Ben Nye Thick Blood into the deepest areas of the neck, chest, and cheek wounds using a metal spatula to scoop out and place in wounds.   Makeup for Zombie Step 4: Add Details Around Knife Wounds and Add Contouring Add contouring to the zombie face to give a more sunken appearance. To achieve this, use the grey and taupe-toned eye shadows from the Ben Nye Glam Palette at the hollow of the cheeks, the temples, the bridge of the nose, sockets of the eyes, and jaw line. Use the Bdellium Tools’ 556GT Slanted Precision Kabuki brush and 940GT Face Blending brush to contour the large and small areas of the face.     Add some purple under the eye from the Ben Nye Professional FX Wheel to create more makeup bruises. Next, add details around the fake wounds to give the effects of infection, puss, or bruising using the same color wheels to make the bruising. Apply the details using the Mehron Color Wheel with the Ben Nye Petite Filbert brush.       Makeup for Zombie Step 5: Add Drying Cracked Effects to the Lips To finish the zombie face, add Ben Nye’s Grime FX Powder in Ash to the lips for a dehydrated cracked look, using the Cozzette Infinite Power Blending Brush. Complete your makeup for zombie look by applying a fake scab to the lips with a small piece of the Ben Nye Thick Blood paste using a metal spatula.   With these simple steps, you can apply your makeup for zombie look like a pro. When you’ve finished your SFX makeup work, don’t forget to tag us on Instagram to show off your frightening character creation!   The Products We Used to Create This Makeup for Zombie Look:   Bioderma Sensibio H2O Embryolisse Emulsion Hydra-Mat Bdellium Tools’ Maestro 947 Small Foundation Brush Mehron Skin Prep Pro RCMA KJB Complexion Palette Bdellium Tools 948 Foundation Brush Mehron Pro Color Ring - Bruise
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The PRO Guide to Perfecting Any Pout

The PRO Guide to Perfecting Any Pout

The Perfect Velvet Matte Lip For a long-lasting, velvety-smooth look, we suggest a matte lip, this look is perfect for parties where you'll be talking and socializing. Ensure the lips have their fair share of moisture. We love prepping the lips with Smith's Rosebud Salve for baby smooth lips. Line the lips with your lip liner of choice as close to the lip line as possible, then apply your favorite matte lipstick; we suggest using Stila's Stay All Day Liquid Lipstick which keeps the lips feeling hydrated and is perfect for this look. To make the lips pop even more, conceal around the lips with a cream concealer. Pro Tip: Make your application last that much longer by following this simple hack: Place a napkin over the lips and pack a translucent powder over it with a BeautyBlender, cotton sponge, or powder puff. The result: bold, matte lips that just won't quit. The Glitter Lip Glitter lips have taken the beauty world by storm and now you can achieve this red carpet-ready look just like the pro's. First, hydrating the lips and locking in moisture is essential for this trend. You can do this by applying lip balm before the application. Next, apply foundation that is about two shades lighter than your complexion to mute out your natural lip color. Outline and fill in the lips with a lip liner that matches the color of the glitter you will be using. Finish off by taking a brush and apply glitter to the lips using Lit Glitter Adhesive. Pro Tip: Keep clear adhesive handy for any fallout that may occur with this adventurous look. We recommend the Lit Cosmetics Mini Me Lip Kit when trying this look, it's literally made for it. The Pouty Lip Give your lips a full-on voluminous makeover with this next lip trend. Amp up the lips before applying any color, with a lip plumper like DuWop Lip Venom. Lip plumpers increase the blood flow to the lips creating a natural fullness. Next, overdraw the lips just outside of the natural lip line. Line the lips with a lip color similar to your own and fill in. Once the lips are completely filled in, take a lip pencil that is two shades lighter than your natural lip color and fill the center of the lips. You will start to notice how this gives the lips added dimension. Clean up the lip line with concealer around the perimeter of the lips. Run highlighter over the cupids bow like Ofra's "Dupe That" highlighter. Take a clear lip gloss on the center of the lips as the last step. Pro Tip: Adding shimmer to the center of the lips creates fullness like never before. Take that same highlighter you used on the cupid's bow, over the center of the lips for added oomph! The Ombre Lip For maximum staying power, start out by prepping the lips with a lip primer. Just like when you apply a base prior to wearing foundation, the right primer minimizes dryness and imperfections giving you a more flawless look. After prepping the lips, grab your deeper-hued lip pencils and line the perimeter of the lip with your color of choice, starting from the outer perimeter of the lips working your way in; ensuring the color is as symmetric as possible.  Check the corners of the mouth and fill in any missing gaps where color might have been missed. Next, pop a lighter shade onto the center of the lips.  After the lighter color is applied, feather out any harsh lines between the two colors. Pro Tip: Try your hand at playing around with different finishes like metallics, and non-traditional colors for an artisanal approach. The Glossy Lip Glossy lips add a touch of sophistication to any look. Start out by prepping the lips with lip balm. We love using Duwop's Reverse Lip Liner. Unlike a colored lip liner, this liner is invisible and acts as a barrier so your lipstick does less budging and smudging. Next, define the lips by using a colored lip liner by following the natural lip line. To further extend the longevity of the gloss, fill in the lips with the same lip pencil. Lastly, apply a colored lipgloss. We suggest using a thicker gloss that will ensure it adheres to the lips for a glossy pout that lasts for hours. Pro Tip: To make the lips look even more alluring, take your favorite highlighter and swipe it over the cupid's bow. The result: lips that shine with seduction.
Beauty Tutorial, Makeup, PRO Tips
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Step by Step Guide - Creating the Perfect Mermaid Look

Step by Step Guide - Creating the Perfect Mermaid Look

CREATING THE PERFECT MERMAID LOOKMakeup & text by Jamie Fawn In this tutorial we will show you how to easily create a mermaid look in a few easy steps. STEP 1: PREP FACE AND APPLY FOUNDATION This is step is truly important in getting that high quality look.  1. Apply the moisturizer to the face and let it soak in 2. Apply a thin layer of primer 3. Custom mix foundation to match skin  STEP 2: CONTOUR HOLLOW OF CHEEKS, JAWLINE, NECK AND FOREHEAD Add depth to the face by correctly applying the following contouring techniques. 1. Before you choose your color do a swatch checking if the highlight color will stand out enough from the base color. Do this until you are happy with the result. 2. Contour the sides of the nose with your base color starting with the inner brow area down the sides of the nose to slim and sculpt the width of the bridge. 3. Next contour the jawline; start just under the ear lobe, then follow the jawline half way to the chin. This will create a slimming shadow. 4. Next contour the upper 1/3 of the forehead area at the hair line fading it out at the lower edges. 5.  Using an angled blusher brush, blend contour into the hollow of your cheekbones.    STEP 3: ADDING SCALES 1. To add scales first pull fishnet pantyhose over face, this will act as your stencil for the scales. Use the same highlighter color used to highlight the rest of the face but this time mix with Inglot Duraline to create a paste. 2. Stipple the highlighter onto face over the pantyhose. STEP 4: ADDING HIGHLIGHTS & SHADOWS Next, highlight & add eye shadow. 1. Highlight the bridge of the nose, upper cheekbones and cupids bow using a small fan brush.2. Add eye-shadow to the crease of the eye and smoke out the lower lash line using the same base color.   STEP 5: DEFINE BROWS AND ADD LASHES   Define brows, add lashes, highlight eyelids and inner tear duct area 1. Line the bottom curve of the brow softly filling in the brow with light strokes. 2.  Adding lashes:   A. Measure the lashes to your eye.   B. Cut the lashes just a little longer than the lash line.   C. Line your lash with  Duo lash glue.     D. Let the glue dry for about 4 seconds before you attach them.   E. Attach them using tweezers grabbing the lashes in the middle. 3. To brighten the eyes highlight the eyelids and tear duct area using the same color used to highlight the cheeks.    STEP 6 FILL IN LIPS AND ADD EYELINER   Add finishing touches to the lips and the eyes. 1. Apply Face Atelier lip glaze in Primrose on the lips. 2. For the final step line both upper and lower waterline and tightline top lashline with Inglot AMC Eyeliner Gel #87.    
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Makeup Artist Chat: James Vincent

Makeup Artist Chat: James Vincent

What is your favorite part about being an educator and makeup artist? Makeup has afforded me so many opportunities in my life. It has allowed this weird kid from a small town to travel and love all over the world, working with people I grew up admiring. This industry allows possibility for anyone willing to work. I love that. I also love the collaboration that happens. Working with other artists, educating and building communities. Watching someone find their passion or put a plan for success in place; helping them find the perfect mentor. This is my favorite thing to do. How important is it to attend school for a makeup artistry? I think education is crucial in order to be successful in this industry, but attending school does not guarantee your success. You need to be honest about your personal ambitions, and choosing a route that reflects that. When I started my career there were no schools, so we were self taught. Self taught meant doing the research, finding mentors, assisting and apprenticing under established artists, until they decided you were ready to go out on your own. Self taught meant finding information…credible information…finding opportunities, putting in long hours of hard work to become a working artist. Not every individual has the personality to do this journey without a structured education. I am a huge advocate for education, and find there are many schools I love and would personally recommend, however, an artist that attends school or is self taught can achieve the same goals. You still need to do your research and do the work. A license does not guarantee success. How has the industry changed since you started? The industry has changed so much. When I started there were a hundred artists and only a handful of agencies. Now there are thousands of artists with credentials that attend "The Makeup Show". There are more artists, and there is more access to information than ever. You can find anything, learn anything online, or attend one of the thousands of classes that happen all over the world. I also think there is more work. When I started there were three television networks, a handful of publications, and the opportunities for work in all areas of the industry are so vast now. I think it is an exciting time for our industry.      How do you continue to grow within the industry? Me personally? I continue to surround myself with artists I admire who have the skill set and integrity that I look for. I educate myself constantly. I am always seeing inspiration as well as focusing on the idea of community and wellness in my life and art.Who is your favorite beauty Icon, past, and present? Present icon. Joan Jett. She is a mentor, a friend, someone I would call family… I am also a huge fan. She is such an inspiration in all she has done within the music industry not only in her own career, but for the career of others. After being turned down by 25 record labels, Joan Jett started the first record label in Rock called "Blackheart Records". In their first year they released multiple number one hits including "I Love Rock N Roll", "Bad Reputation" and other well-known classics. She believed in herself. She also produced other brilliant bands including "The Germs", "Bikini Kill" and "L7". She fights for what she believes in, and knows who she is. Now even her eyeliner look is signature, completely recognizable and referenced often in fashion and music. She is an icon and an amazing person. My favorite past icon. I would say would be the "Bond Girls". They are strong and sexy with a bit of fantasy. I always find that inspiring.  An Icon we lost. Amy Winehouse. She was my client, friend and such a fragile, sensitive human, with an amazing talent. Her look also inspired so many, and her sound will continue to inspire for generations.     What is your favorite part of The Makeup Show, and what are you adding this year that is different? Education. Education. Education. It is what separates us from other industry events. Education has been part of our foundation and vision from the beginning. But not just any information, its about giving the right information that will actually help the artists succeed. Some of the things we focus on is helping artists find their own style, building a better career by giving them business knowledge, and putting together a better makeup kit. This year we will introduce a new panel called "Here’s Where I Am", which helps artist find their own definition of success, and their own path. For many artists they do not even know what options are available to further their career. Top 3 products you always carry in your kit? Embryolisse Lait Crème, MAKE UP FOR EVER Flash Color Case, NARS The Multiple Top 3 things that make you smile, often? Iced Coffee, Great Eyeliner, A beer and a shot of Jameson, The Golden Girls…That is four but I do not know if you will print the whiskey thing. What is your favorite quote? “I will not retire while I've still got my legs and my makeup box.” ― Bette Davis When I use my strength in the service of my vision it makes no difference whether or not I am afraid.  ― Audre Lorde
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Makeup Artist Chat: Mary Erickson

Makeup Artist Chat: Mary Erickson

  What are some of the biggest changes in the Makeup Artist 's Industry over the years that stand out to you? Social Media, You Tube and Photoshop have changed the game entirely. Makeup artistry used to be a very small field of people, we knew each other or knew of each other, the playing field was small and the pay was incredible, the average day rate in the 90's in San Diego was $600.00 to $1000.00 a day for the average working artist. Only the most talented made it onto a paid gig. Fixing shoddy makeup in post was next to impossible, it could be done but it took a lot of time and money, so the makeup artist had to be a perfectionist to make it. We actually could not see our work until the photographer showed us a proof sheet through a loop (for anyone under 40, that's like a magnifying glass.) You really couldn't see makeup close up in a loop, so you held your breath and waited for the print, praying that you didn't screw anything up. As an artist if you did screw something up, nobody could "fix" it for you in post, so one mistake could be a career ending error; this resulted in a small field of very well paid and talented artists. Learning artistry was hard back then, there were only a few schools, out of the price range of the average person; and without the active internet, learning to do makeup properly was a real challenge. Most paid working artists that were on the scene prior to 1999 you can bet were very good. You are widely known as a mentor to numerous successful artists around the world. What is it that drew you to helping others navigate their careers? I love seeing people succeed, it brings me so much satisfaction to be a part of that process. What drove me was the mom in me, I see my own grown kids when I see people reaching out for help. What goes through my mind is, "What would I want someone to say and do for this person if this were my child?" I could never turn anyone away, I answered every email and every call. Tell us how Camera Ready Cosmetics came to fruition and what sparked the idea. Living and working in the 90's in San Diego California we had our challenges as artists. We had to drive to Los Angeles (about 2 hours away) just to buy professional products. When we needed something fast for a job and called a few of the LA stores, we were not always treated well. The hassle of getting makeup from a pro store that had little competition could not only be challenging but painful. The few stores that were around had poor websites and not the best of customer service. After one particularly unpleasant experience with a pro store I decided they needed a little competition. I saw a need and I decided to fill it. I never set out to have a big supply store or popular website; my goal at the time was to carry a few popular pro products for artists outside of Los Angeles and New York City. You're very good at recognizing the needs of others in the industry. Is there a current need that catches your attention today? Yes, there are a few. One is the absence of meaningful comprehensive education. There are schools and workshops, some are good some are not but none that I know of that I can look at and say, "That artist graduated from ABC school, I know they're good." The fact is, you can graduate from any makeup school and not be fit to work as an artist. Anyone with money can get in, I have never heard of anyone not graduating because they weren't good enough. They teach you what they can, they collect the money and everyone hopes for the best. Most artists that graduate never work in the industry because they just don't have the talent and/or they have no idea how to break into the very competitive field of makeup artistry. This makes a "certificate" useless in the real paying industry. If you have graduated from a makeup school and have never worked on a real set as part of your training, if you have no idea how to pay your taxes as a sole proprietor, if you have no idea how to get work, or if you don't have a portfolio that can at least get you in the door, your chances are slim in any market. In defense of the great artists out there that are running schools, I don't believe they have set out to just take your money, I know most of the larger school’s founders personally and they have good intentions, they hire the best teachers they can, they are passionate about the industry and they do the best they can -they do graduate some artists who have gone on to be successful. I do however see a great need for more comprehensive training; I would like to see a graduation certificate that has real meaning. I want to know for sure that anyone graduating from that particular school has had all the experience they need and all the real training they need to be successful, and most of all, I want to see a school with the guts to turn someone with money away because that someone doesn't have enough talent to ever be successful. Harvard does that, Yale does that.... I would love to see this school in the next few years. It's time. You have had a very successful career as a Makeup Artist, share with us one of your favorite moments on the job. My favorite all time moment had to be shooting on the desert flat bed in Vegas at AFA (Allied Fashion Artists) when Mary RC drove onto our shoot, and photo bombed us with a big red beach ball. A naked male model went to chase it down, I was yelling "NO, don't run, you'll get sweaty!" we laughed until we cried watching him run through the desert after that ball. Mary RC knows how to throw an event! My favorite photos came from that event because they remind me of the fun we had and the contagious energy of collaborating with other artists. Makeup Artists are always seeking your advice. What pointers do you find yourself sharing the most? I'm full of opinions, even if people don't want them; If I had to narrow it down I would say: 1) Never take out a loan for school, work first, then spend, spend it on your portfolio if you can't afford school and a portfolio, the portfolio will be more likely to get you work 2) Have an awesome portfolio before you put yourself out there as an artist. Your portfolio should consist of real models, pro styling, pro hair, pro photographer, etc. Your team is only as strong as the weakest link, don't work with weak links. 3) Make other artists in the industry your friends and allies, never bad mouth another artist. Be respectful and humble always. 4) Be 20 minutes early to every job, NEVER EVER EVER be late. Look like you appreciate the job because others would probably knock you over to get it. 5) Unless you are required to have it on set, leave your cell phone in the car. It's a sign of respect and you need to give the job your full attention. I'm guilty of doing a few of these things in the past, but as I matured in business I came to understand that these few things are very important to success. Camera Ready is seeing amazing success these days. Give us a glimpse of what it was like in the beginning. I started in my living room in a tiny house selling just RCMA foundation I put makeup in cookie jars, hutches, benches, drawers, you name it, products hidden all over the little living room and kitchen. I did EVERYTHING myself including handwriting out each packing label and taking packages to the post office daily. I never took out a loan of any kind, I put every penny I made back into buying more products, Eventually I moved to a larger house and took over the living room and garage. I finally moved to a 3000 sf workshop in the back of a family property. I moved to my first actual retail location in La Mesa in November 2011, We outgrew that place and moved to another retail location in La Mesa in 2013, again, we quickly outgrew this location and moved at the end of 2015 to our current 12,000+ sf facility in Dallas TX, 10 employees and their families moved with us.   What do you see in CRC's future? We currently have about 33 employees and support staff, our own photo studios, an actual employee lounge, health insurance for everyone that wants it and what I believe is the very best team in the industry. I still invest almost every penny back into the business because I believe that to be the best in the industry we have to hire the best people money can buy and this is where my focus is now. My focus now is on assembling the best team—a team that will propel us forward because now I know , it is about the strength of the team. There is a real positive synergy now that you can feel when you walk through our building. I'm like the owner of a great football team, we seek to recruit the best players that will take us to "The Superbowl." It's my job now to focus on making sure we have the right players and making sure those players are taken care of. We are going to expand into other areas of the industry but in a competitive business the element of surprise is important. What I can tell you is that Camera Ready will be around a very long time and will continue to grow and expand its operations.  If you would like to learn more about Mary Erickson visit her original website www.themakeupartist.com or head straight to her Q&A page for advice and direction on your makeup career. 
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5 Tips For Being A Great Assistant

5 Tips For Being A Great Assistant

When starting a career in makeup, one of the first opportunities to take advantage of is an assisting position. Whether you live in a small area or a large metroplex, reaching out to a respected artist and inquiring about assisting is a great way to get noticed in the makeup community. Here are five best practices to keep in mind when assisting a makeup artist. 1. Become your key’s best hand. An assistant ’s job is to do whatever it takes to make the key makeup artist look good. Help with whatever he or she needs, watch to see if your key has everything in line. Forecast what the artist could need before he or she even asks. 2. Never show up late to a job. As a rule of thumb show up 20 minutes early to every job. This way, if there is trouble on the way, you will still be on time. This is the least you can do to show that you are invested in the job and is a sign of respect towards your hiring makeup artist and to the production team you’ll be working with. 3. Don’t overstep your boundaries. Never hand out your card, or make buddies with the art director or production staff. Doing so will undoubtedly ensure that you will not work with the artist who hired you again. It’s understandable to look for future work, however, it would serve you well to make sure to network on your own time. it’s best not to try and take an opportunity from someone who was nice enough to get work for you. 4. Ensure you are being productive There is always something that needs to be done. If you’re not directed to do anything, it is your job to busy yourself and find something to do. If you are sitting relaxing while the key makeup artist is working there is a problem. Unless the key artist asked you to take a break you should be working as hard as he or she is, if not harder. 5. Invest in a kit Have all the supplies you need to work on your own. If you are lacking supplies you will always be an assist; no one will want to refer you for a job if you do not have the supplies. A photographer would never show up without her camera. Ensure you’re taken seriously if you have not invested in your career at least this much.   For more advice on business practices and finding work, portfolio development, products, and techniques, check out themakeupartist.com. Join Facebook Group Makeup Artist Chat: Hosted by Pro Makeup Artists. Learn, grow, share and network.  
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