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Becoming A Commercial Makeup Artist – Part Three
If you have read Part One and Part Two I will assume you now have your own domain name, your own website, and a great portfolio online. Now you need a "hit list."
Your "Hit List"
Let’s address testing for your book. Your book is now online of course, this is 2017. Your images, as I mentioned earlier, must be very good. Everything about the images you show must be very good. One bad image can ruin your chances at a job. I can hear you now – "I need better photos!" How do you get better images if you can’t get the jobs and shoot with better teams?
This is where you need to be persistent. I suggest you make a "hit list." A "hit list" is the top 10 photographers in your area, the ones you assume will never work with you because they get the major commercial work and have great teams already in place. If you don’t know who the great photographers are you need to start Googling and get your hit list together. Please forget the newbies unless their work is what you would picture in your book. When you visit these successful photographers' sites, gather their email addresses.
Narrow your hit list down to your top 10 photographers and start emailing them. You need to email them all. Let these photographers know that you are willing to test on any project they might have coming up in the future. Show them a small sample of your best work. Now sit back and wait for the phone to ring. LOL! You’ll be waiting a long time because one email probably isn’t going to work. It will probably take about six emails to all 10 photographers to get a single response. Until they issue a restraining order you need to keep emailing, about one email per month. The subject line of this email is very important.
Example Subject line:
Makeup Artist Mary Erickson
The reason I put my name in the subject line is to stamp my name on their memory, I want them to think of me and my name when an opportunity arises. I put the word "Makeup Artist" in the subject to make it searchable if and whenever the photographer happens to search their emails for "Makeup Artist," in case they forget my name.
Example of the email:
Dear John Doe,
I found your work while browsing the Internet and I wanted you to know I admire your work. I’m a local makeup artist (I also do hair). I’m sure you have good teams with which you work. However, I would like to be considered should you have any test project in the near future. I am working on updating my portfolio. I would be happy to meet with you anytime to discuss this in person, or you can call me at 555-555-5555. Attached you will see just a few Images I’ve worked on as a sample of my work.
Respectfully,Mary Erickson
Testing is a great way to meet good photographers and show them (in person) that you’re a good artist, you’re reliable, trustworthy and easy to get along with. Of course, when you do get that chance, should you prove otherwise, you lose that chance with that photographer forever.
Let’s say your book is already awesome. Use the same repeating email strategy. It shows you’re humble, willing to work free at least once to establish the relationship. Keep in mind, the purpose of the "hit list" and the continual emailing is to burn your name into the photographers' memory.
Now what? You emailed your "hit list," so now you need another "hit list." This one is for the best Makeup Artists in your area that do commercial work. You need to know who they are and you need to establish a relationship with them. I know they’re your "competition," but they really are your allies in the business, makeup artists without friends in high places don’t generally get far. In fact, the ones who have a hold of the commercial market in your area can keep you out with just a few negative comments to others.
Repeat what you did with your Photographers "hit list" with the best artists in your area, but change your email. Again, the subject line is very important.
Subject Line examples:
I admire your work!
I’ve heard great things about you
Your work is beautiful!
Example Email Body:
Hello Jane,
My name is Mary Erickson. I live in San Diego, and have been working as a Makeup Artist for a few years. I was searching the Internet and found your portfolio and I admire your work. (Say something nice about an image in their book to show them you really did look at it) If you should ever need an assistant I would love to clean your brushes, carry your bags, whatever you need. I’m sure you get these requests frequently and you take a real gamble working with people you don’t know. I would love to meet you for coffee or take you to lunch, at your convenience of course. My number is 555-555-5555. You can call me or text me anytime.
Respectfully, Mary Erickson
Now let’s get started! Even if you’re an established artist who wants to get into commercial work, these emails are crucial. These relationships are crucial. You must have allies and friends. Most cities have a very small group of artists that do commercial work.
Most makeup artists never break into this commercial area, it takes diplomacy, professionalism, persistence, allies and hard work. If you’ve already burned bridges in this area you need to start rebuilding them. It’s time to swallow your pride, send flowers, or do whatever you need to do. You can’t succeed without the help of the major players in your market.
While you mend those bridges, and work on your hit lists, I’ll wait right here.
Part 4 coming soon! Please sign up for my blog below:
Becoming A Commercial Makeup Artist - Part Two
Let’s recap Becoming A Commercial Makeup Artist - Part One:
Commercial makeup artistry can be lucrative
You need to buy your domain name
You need to have an online portfolio
If you’re still reading this blog, I assume you’re serious about getting into or furthering your career as a commercial makeup artist.
I'm going to presume you already have or just bought your domain name and you’ve put up at least a few photos on that site. Please make sure your phone number is on the home page (or on each page)! People are lazy and don’t like to hunt.
I know a few of you aren’t confident in your photos, so let’s talk about images that will advertise your work.
Portfolio
Every image in your book must be professional in every aspect. Your image is as good as the weakest team player on that shoot, so you need to look at each image as the following people would.
Photographer - The photographer is looking at the image from a photographer's point of view. This includes analyzing lighting, composition etc. The photographer is looking at the whole image and not usually looking at just the makeup, just the hair, or just the styling.
Model - The model is looking at the image to see how he or she looks. "Does my skin look flawless," or "is my pose flattering?" And ultimately "does my expression nail the overall feel we were going for?"
The Hair Stylist – "Does the hair work in this image? Does the hair flatter this model, and did I catch all the fly-always?"
Wardrobe Stylist - Generally stylists are called "wardrobe stylists" on commercial shoots instead of "fashion stylists." The wardrobe stylist is looking at the clothing; "Does it look good in the shot? Does it fit the mood of the image? Is the clothing wrinkle free, and is it sitting on the model correctly? Are the shoes appropriate for the wardrobe, and is the jewelry too much, too little?"
Potential client – is looking at all the above, as well as "does this image convince our demographic to buy what we’re selling? Does this image show our product or services in a good light?"
I know you’re thinking "it’s not fair that the client is judging me by the shoes in the image. After all, I’m just responsible for the makeup!" Unfortunately, you are being judged on the entire image.
The client wants an artist that has worked with good teams. It shows them you have experience and good judgement and that good professionals want to work with you. Any aspect of the image that’s weak will turn them off on the entire image.
A quick analogy: You go out to dinner, the scallops are to die for, best you’ve ever had, but they sit on cold tasteless rice and wilted overcooked vegetables on the side, the bread looks soggy and old… You’re not going back to that restaurant because the sides ruined your dining experience, and you quickly forget the scallops are tasty because the meal was just bad.
You don’t care that there were 2 chefs and the one that prepared the scallops was the good one. Why would he or she even cook alongside such a bad chef and why would he work in an establishment that would present food like that? Must be something wrong with him. Maybe he just got lucky on this one scallop dish, yea, that must be it.
If you are thinking to yourself "I need to start over with my portfolio" you’re also contemplating how much of your time has already been spent on it. "How do I get these great teams to work with me?" That’s another blog entirely, but you can’t move on until you have at least 6 very professional all-around great images.
So now go look at your portfolio. Take any images down that do not meet the criteria above. We can’t move on until that painful task is completed.
Telling you how to bring the clients in won’t help you if your portfolio isn’t great. You can’t skip this step and move on. Charm alone won’t get you work in the commercial industry.
Email a few of your industry friends, those who have made it where you want to be one day. If you don’t know any people like this, reach out to strangers (that have made it in the industry). You have nothing to lose. Being ignored isn’t going to kill you.
It’s like sales; someone will respond if you’re persistent. Ask these people whose work you respect to critique your portfolio, and listen to the feedback closely. If you don’t have the guts to reach out like this, stop reading now. You will probably never make it as a commercial artist.
If you’re still with me, I’ll wait for you right here…
I’ll post Part 3 soon! Please sign up for my blog below.
Becoming A Commercial Makeup Artist - Part One
I just received this question on Facebook and because it’s such a common question I decided to write about the subject and share it. Because of the amount of information I want to give, I will have to release this in a 3-part article. This is Part One. To see Parts 2 and 3, please sign up for my newsletter at CameraReadyCosmetics.com. I will release Part 2 and Part 3 shortly.
“Hi Mary! I'm a longtime fan of CRC and your work! I had a topic idea for emerging MUA's. I recently left my full-time management role with MAC cosmetics to pursue my freelance career full time. I live in XXXXXXXXXX which has a strong bridal market but I'm working to get more commercial work. There are many companies based out of XXXXXXXXXX and I'm struggling to break into commercial work. I've been collaborating with photographers and local models but I'm not sure how to tap into commercial work. I met with a tenured freelance artist in the area and she just viewed me as competition and offered no insight. Any suggestions you have would be greatly appreciated!”
I have been asked this question many times over the past 30 years. I’ve given the keys to commercial success out sparingly in the past, less than 6 times in the past 30 years.
Why did I hold these secrets so tightly? For one I didn’t want to share secrets in my own market and create even more competition for myself. I know that sounds selfish, but it’s self-preservation in a small market. What business owner helps their direct competition?
Another reason for not sharing is that most people wouldn’t follow through with advice I gave them because, quite frankly, most people just won’t put in the real work. So, I assumed it was a waste of my time. The few people with whom I did share these tightly-held secrets did go on to succeed in the business.
I feel like it’s time now to share this same information with the masses, because I think a level playing field is fair. Let the hardest working men/women win.
What Is Commercial Work?
Commercial work is what I consider work for companies like Sony, HP, McDonalds, grocery store chains, hospitals, large corporations, etc. Most employ makeup artists for their TV commercials, print ads, internal videos, and annual reports. I will add catalog work here as well, because most commercial artists also do catalog work.
These are what I call “commercial jobs,” and I call artists that primarily do this type of work, “Commercial Artists.” In most cases a commercial artist is expected to do hair and men's grooming as well as makeup. This weeds out a lot of makeup artists who are not skilled with hair or just afraid to branch into that area.
On many commercial jobs, there is no wardrobe or hair stylist. In this case, you will oversee straightening ties, smoothing out clothing wrinkles, and so forth on set. Full steaming and ironing is generally not required, but without a stylist on set you will be expected to at least straighten ties.
So essentially on smaller sets you are the makeup artist, the hair stylist, the men’s groomer and the wardrobe stylist.
How Much Money Does A “Commercial Artist” Make?
The world of commercial makeup artistry can be lucrative – probably one of, if not the most lucrative jobs in the makeup artist industry. It’s also steady work.
Twenty years ago, the average commercial artist made about $600 a day in Southern California. That was 20 years ago. When I retired a few years ago that average (in Southern California) was $700-1,200 per day.
The good artists in my market worked 3 to 5 days every week. Of course, many artists wanted this exclusive niche in the industry, but very few could wrangle their way into this market and that wasn’t for lack of trying.
Today commercial work is still lucrative. It is mostly untouched by the Instagram market, untouched by the “celebrity” artist market, and really is still a market that plays by its own rules outside of social media.
The pay varies depending on the area and the size of the market. Los Angeles, New York, Chicago and other major markets still command $700 to $1,200 per day on average.
Smaller markets can go down to as low as $500 a day for this type of work. There are a few commercial artists working for less, but in my opinion doing so is a very big mistake that I will touch on later.
How Do I Get This Commercial Work?
Now that’s the million-dollar question! Let’s start with your calling card.
Your Portfolio
You must have a commercial portfolio, and it needs to be online where people can see it. Take all the crazy and fun makeup out of your portfolio; put that in a separate place where the commercial client will not stumble upon it.
The "no makeup look" is what they want to see, polished and clean. This is the most difficult makeup to perfect because it involves restraint, something most artists have not perfected and truth be told, don’t want to perfect. It’s boring.
Here are a few examples from my very old and dated portfolio, but keep in mind that commercial makeup doesn’t change much from year to year.
The lip colors change, hair styles changes, but rarely does the rest of the makeup change. You just need great work presented, and toss the rest out.
Your portfolio is only as strong as the weakest shot in that portfolio, and that’s what your future client is looking for – they look for the weakest shot in your portfolio, because this shows them what you consider "good enough."
DO NOT trust yourself to edit your own portfolio. Go to successful people in the industry and get opinions. Don’t seek out friends and other beginners. Your family and friends are not your target market.
We all become attached to our own work, so don’t make that mistake. If you love a photo you worked on, hang it on your wall. Don’t put it in your portfolio unless you know the decision makers will love it.
A client considering hiring you will look for exactly what they want in makeup. That makeup needs to be in your portfolio. If you bury that makeup with 50 other photos, you will probably lose that client.
Keep your photos to a bare minimum and just the very best representation of your work.
Your Website
You need a website and not a social media portfolio.
Let’s start with the domain name. The best-case scenario would be to own your own name, the same name as on your other promo material. Nothing too cute. Keep your website and business name professional.
As a commercial artist, a website like luciouslooksbybabs.com isn’t going to help you. You need a name that encompasses who you are as a professional commercial artist.
If your name is Wendy Low it would be best to own wendylow.com. If you can’t get that, try makeupbywendylow or some variation that stays out of the real "cute" area.
If you have a very difficult name to spell and pronounce go with something like makeupbywendy or makeupartistwendy or wendylowmakeupart, etc.
Try to use the name by which people know you. Using your first and last name will help you with SEO, and I’ll touch on SEO later.
Go and buy your domain name NOW! It’s around $10-14.00 a year. GoDaddy.com is just one of many domain services from which you can buy.
If your own name is taken but you can’t find anything at that web address (the name is not being used for an active website), email the owner and ask to purchase it for $100.00. You can work up from there.
To find the owner you can do a “who is” search in google and find that information quickly. When purchasing a domain name Skip the ‘.net,’ ‘. co,’ ‘.org,’ and other extensions.
Stay with the ‘.com’ suffix. I’ll explain why later. If you can’t invest $10 to $14.00 a year into your business, you probably should stop reading now. You aren’t ready to enter the world of commercial makeup artistry just yet.
One other bit of advice: once you have your own domain name, please use that as your email address. Market from wendy@makeupbywendylow, and not wendy12345@aol or wlow3456@yahoo. There's no need for you to advertise for AOL, Yahoo, Gmail, or Hotmail!
I’ll wait right here for you.
Stay tuned for Part 2 coming soon! Sign up for my newsletter at CameraReadyCosmetics.com
Filing Taxes: The Do's and Don'ts for Pro Makeup Artists
Written by: Mary Erickson, CRC Founder and Professional MUA
Mary Erickson is NOT a Certified Public Accountant (CPA). Please contact a CPA before making any tax decisions or for detailed questions regarding filing taxes. The information below is not intended as a guide for filing your taxes.
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When it comes to filing taxes as a makeup artist, I hear the following statements from my freelance friends all the time:
“I’ve never been audited. I don't make enough money to be noticed.”
“I’m a small fry. The IRS doesn’t care about me.”
And, most common: “I keep all of my receipts so I’m good.”
All three of those statements are false. If you've never been audited, congratulations. You managed to get lucky. Did you know working as a freelancer or making lower income is one reason you may be audited? The IRS doesn’t exclusively audit the wealthy.
With the COVID-19 pandemic taking a toll on our economy and personal finances, the federal government has extended the tax filing deadline to July 15 without putting you at risk of interest or penalties. The typical tax deadline is April 15, so take a moment to celebrate and breathe a sigh of relief.
If you owe money to the IRS, this extension gives you until the July 15 deadline to make a payment. So even if you file today, you won't say goodbye to that money until whichever scheduled date you choose up to July 15. This extension automatically applies to all taxpayers; there is nothing special you need to do. File as you normally would.
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NOTE: This extension only applies to federal income taxes. State income tax varies by state. While most states have matched the federal government's tax deadline of July 15, others have created their own guidelines. Visit your state or local government website to learn more about alternative state tax filing guidelines that may apply to you.
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How To File Taxes As A Freelance Makeup Artist
Maybe you've never filed taxes as a freelance makeup artist, or maybe you have but never seem to quite understand what you're doing. Follow my list of DO's and DON'TS to protect yourself from an IRS audit and ensure you're getting the maximum return or minimum amount owed.
DON’T lie to the IRS! This is the #1 most important thing you’ll read all day.
Real cases go like this: You’re a freelance makeup artist, but you only dabble in it while living with your friend/roommate. You claim $20,000 in income for the year from various freelance jobs because that’s what appears on your 1099 forms. You claim $15,000 in expenses with gas, office supplies, phone, etc. So you will owe taxes on only $5,000 in income for the year.
Now enter the IRS. Your rent is $600 per month. Your car payment is $200 a month. Your expenses (not including food, utilities, etc.) are $800 a month.
Are you ready for this question from the IRS:
“How did you pay rent and car payments on $5,000 for the year?”
This is not the time to make up falsehoods about loans family gave you or money you found in the garage. That won’t work. The IRS employs intelligent people who have seen and heard everything. When it comes to tax dodging, you are not smarter than the IRS. Maybe you can tell them you made it babysitting? That would mean you failed to report income to the IRS, which would be a crime in the USA. If you like your own bed, and steel bars don’t appeal to you, do not lie to the IRS.
DO keep a mileage log and gas receipts. (The real receipts, not just a bank statement.)
In the event of an audit, this will make your case a much stronger one. Mileage is something they almost always look at in an audit, so don’t fudge this. It’s not worth the few dollars you may save. Document every address you go to, if claiming it as travel. There are numerous free apps for this that can help you.
DON’T say to yourself “I’ll worry about an audit if/when the time comes.”
That time will probably come one day, and you need to be prepared. Self-employed individuals are a target and for good reason. It’s easier to lie about pay and expenses when you’re self-employed.
DO hire a CPA to handle your taxes.
I know this is expensive, but the few hundred dollars you will spend every year can save you thousands of dollars in an audit and a lot of valuable time. The fines for an error, even a small one, will pay the CPA fees for years. You can use Quicken and TurboTax or other tax software, which is cheaper, but research every expense you’re taking. Don't assume anything.
DON'T take cash from anyone and assume there isn’t a paper trail.
An audit of your client who paid in cash for your services can lead to you as the source of his/her expenses. Also, a bank deposit of cash can lead to questions as to where you got the cash. I know it’s none of their business, but sometimes they make it their business.
DO claim dinner out with clients as an expense.
Put the name of the client on the receipt. If you are wining and dining for business, you should get the write-off. If you’re questioned about it, you may be asked for that client’s information.
DON'T write-off makeup you buy for your personal use.
Keep receipts so you can show the IRS that you do buy makeup for yourself, and you don’t write it off.
DO write-off every penny of makeup that you purchase for your kit.
It’s all a tax write-off. Makeup for your kit is a legitimate business expense for an artist.
DON'T try to write-off clothing, jewelry, hair stylists, plastic surgery or Botox.
I know you must look good as a makeup artist, but the IRS won’t buy these expenses. I know, it sucks.
DO write-off your home office, but only if there is NOTHING else that you do in that room.
There are two options for filing home office deductions.
1) Simplified Option
This option allows a standard deduction of $5 per square foot of home used exclusively for business. If using this formula, you may not calculate more than 300 square feet of space, and the maximum deduction is capped at $1,500. To learn more, read the IRS rules here.
2) Regular Method
This option requires you to calculate the actual expenses of your home office. These expenses may include mortgage interest, insurance, utilities, repairs and depreciation. Deductions for a home office are based on the percentage of your home devoted to business use. So, if you use a whole room or part of a room for conducting business, you need to figure out the percentage of your home devoted to your business activities.
Your room can’t double as a guest room and an office. Take the measurements of the room, and calculate its percentage of your home's total square footage. This will be necessary to write-off utilities and rent for that space.
Example: If your 10x10 office is 100 sq. ft. and your home is 1000 sq. ft., you can write-off 10% of your rent and utilities.
DON'T use your personal account for business.
Your business should be a separate bank account. All expenses should go through that account, and all income should be placed into that account.
DO start doing this now if you have not been doing this in the past.
The sooner you start doing the appropriate things the better off you will be when you are audited.
DON'T decide not to file taxes.
This is a huge mistake! If you don’t file, the IRS will calculate what you owe. In my best Liam Neeson voice: “They will find you, and you will pay.”
The first time you get a job that requires your social security number, they will send a notice to your employer demanding a wage garnishment for past due taxes. I have seen this happen with 3 of my past makeup assistants who failed to claim the income I paid them.
They will hunt you down forever, and the amount you owe will grow with fines. Think about 5 or 10 years down the line when you go to buy a house. They pull up your SSN only to find a tax lien for past due taxes. A few thousand in past due taxes can turn into $20,000 with penalties and fines very quickly.
Please make sure to pass along these tips to a makeup artist you know.
Professional Makeup Kits for Every Artist
"We combined high quality products at a discounted price. All kits start at a 10% discount and were created for the working and aspiring artist in mind."
-Mary Erickson, Founder & Owner
SFX Makeup Kit
About the SFX Kit: Get gory! Making the most realistic looking bruises, wounds, scabs and scars is hard enough and we understand the last thing you want to do is worry about what products you need to create these looks! This kit is perfect for the pro artist who is looking to get all the essentials for creating graphic looking special effects in one easy kit.
Why it's special: We’ve included everything you need to go from dear to drear.
What's included: This kit includes latex, silicone, 3 different types of blood and more.
SFX Makeup Kit Details Here.
Professional Makeup Kit
About the Pro Makeup Kit: Ideal for intermediate to advanced makeup artists and cosmetology professionals, the Camera Ready Cosmetics makeup kit will level up your creative efforts. We have included universally flattering palettes and correctors to keep you going through the busy seasons.
Why it's special: You’ll love the mix of pro artist staples from brands like Viseart, Ben Nye, Kett, and Graftobian.
What's included: Skin and lip enhancing palettes, perfect for HD makeup, and an array of essential tools of the trade.
Professional Makeup Kit Details Here.
Student Makeup Kit
About the Student Kit: This kit is perfect for the artist on the rise. We've included an array of palettes ideal for experimenting with all skin tones, and playing with various makeup looks. All products are HD friendly and suitable for all types of media.
Why it's special: Included are all the tools to help you perfect your craft, all in one place.
What's included: This kit includes the RCMA VK Foundation Palette, RCMA Foundation Adjuster Palette, and more.
Student Makeup Kit Details Here.
Vegan / Cruelty-free Makeup Kit
About the Vegan / Cruelty-Free Kit: In an effort to supply the demands for the artist who is conscious of the ethical treatment of animals, we've created a Vegan / Cruelty free kit.
Why it's special: This kit allows you to be creative with makeup while remaining dedicated to the ethical treatment of animals.
What's included: This kit includes the RCMA VK Foundation Palette, the La Femme Eye Shadow Pans, Bdellium Brushes and more.
Vegan Makeup Kit Details Here.
Lingo Every Makeup Artist Should Know
Aspiring makeup artists, be prepared! Learn all the terminology you need to know before you go on set!
By: Mary Erickson | Founder, Camera Ready Cosmetics
I got this question from a young lady just getting her start as an on-set makeup artist. I realized what is valuable to her can be invaluable to many up and coming artists, so I'm sharing it all here. My hope is that young artists are better prepared before entering the competitive world of makeup. Feel free to share these tools to the makeup artists you know.
Last looks – When you hear “last looks,” get in there and do your finishing touches! They’re going to start rolling the camera.
Finals or final touches - See last looks above.
Speed - The cameras are on; you’ll hear “rolling” right after. Never step in to do touch-ups after you hear “speed.”
Rolling - You will be severely reprimanded if you make even the tiniest noise after this call. They are filming. Phone should always be off near the set!
What's your ETA? - "When the hell are you going to be done? Talent has been in your chair over 5 minutes!" Usually when this question is asked it’s because they want you to hurry up. The best thing to ask is “when do you need her, or him?” Just try to get what they need done when they tell you it needs to be done.
Hot Spot - If they are talking to makeup, they usually mean a shiny place on the face or head.
Dailies - Whatever was shot that day (film, video), usually used when doing TV and film. (The producers will review it.)
Talking Head - You will just have an upper body type of shot. Think of a TV news interview inset, chest-up shots.
On location - Anywhere not in the studio. Could be a house, a beach, the desert, the park, etc.
It's a wrap! - The shooting is completely over for this project.
One more for safety - They will do a retake of the last segment or shot just to be safe. It’s really never usually just one.
One last time - NEVER means one last time - Probably like 10 more times.
Key - The one in charge of makeup or hair or both. Key makeup and key hair are normally separate people, but not always. If you have a team of makeup people there should normally be a “key” in charge.
Set kit - The kit you carry with you out of the makeup room to the set or to the location.
Continuity - You need to make the talent look exactly like they did in the last shot in this particular scene, even if it's two weeks later. Better take good notes and a cell phone or digital photo close-up.
Kit fee - Fee you will get for your product usage. This is a TV/Video/Film practice and not commonly found in the print business.
Tear sheet - Ad or magazine page you will put in your portfolio or on your portfolio website.
Eye candy - The model added to the group of guys or background girl added to the shot to get attention, like the girl in a bikini holding up numbers at a boxing match. This term isn’t used much anymore.
Clean makeup - They don't want to see the makeup; very natural.
First hold - Client has a hold on you for a job. You will notify them if you get another offer, and at that time they need to confirm or let you go. This is a common term if you have an agent representing you.
Call time - Time you need to be at work. Better to be 20 minutes early than 1 minute late!
Craft services - The people that provide the munchies. (The most important people on any shoot.)
Mic the Talent - The sound person is going to hook a microphone to the talent.
Check the gate - In video/film this is when the camera man will check the film before moving on, to make sure the last shot was good.
Gels - The photographer and/or the TV camera crew put film over the lights that will screw up your makeup; usually used in-doors. When they use blue they hate you and want to make you look bad.
Blow him out or blow her out - The lighting is so bright the talents features will disappear; you can use more color and contour.
HDTV or High Definition TV - You will forget everything you know about makeup. You now have to make the person up so that they look great to the naked eye - what you see is what you will see on the TV or film. Now you know for sure this original list was made in the 90’s.
Losing light - You are using the natural light available for the shot and time is running out to get the shots required. This is usually said in a panic.
Glamour shoot - One where the model has a great figure and the photographer is going to try to see more of it. Ok, now I have offended all the photographers out there, I will add that the model is usually going for this look and the photographer has grudgingly agreed to do the shoot (insert sarcasm). There is usually very little money in this for the makeup artist.
Artistic nude shots - See glamour shoot (above) with different lighting.
Money shot - In photography this is the shot that will bring in the money; the cover shot, the best shot.
Beauty shot - When shooting a product, this is a shot of just the product, no models or talent. When a photographer is shooting a model and no product and says "beauty shot" it's usually a close-up face shot.
Martini - Last shot of the day.
Abbey Singer - Shot before the martini.
Stepping in - What you say when you are stepping on to the set in front of cameras. NEVER do this while they are rolling or the photographer is shooting.
Crossing - What you hear when someone is stepping through the shoot in front of the cameras.
Flashing - ALWAYS say this on set when you are taking any kind of flash photography, and say it loud enough for people to hear you. Otherwise be prepared for a lot of angry faces and reprimand.
Closed set - Only people who need to be on set are allowed on set.
Lock it up/ locking down - They are moments away from starting, so now is not the time to go to craft services.
Turnaround - Can mean two things: the camera is moving to shoot the other side of a scene or the amount of time you have in between shooting days.... for example, “you have an 8 hour turnaround.”
Hot points - Somebody, somewhere is moving something that can hurt you, and being on a set, they are moving it quickly. ALWAYS move out of the way when you hear this. Don't expect "please" or "excuse me"— just move! It's for your own safety.
Forced call - You mostly will find this with union projects. Depending on your contract, you are guaranteed a specific number of hours in your turnaround. So for instance if you have an 8-hour turnaround and production gives you a forced call (cha-ching) and you only get a 7-hour turnaround then they will pay you extra for the time they cut into your turnaround — a.k.a. forced call.
Video Village - The group of people that sit around the monitors. If you can get a seat there, make sure all the other higher-ups have gotten their seats. Vanities typically stand at video village.
Vanities – Makeup and Hair crew
Shooting on spec - This is not just a makeup term but a general term used mainly in photography. It means is that you are probably being asked to work for free and if the ad sells then they will pay you. These shots almost never sell and you never get paid.
Advertorial - This is an editorial that is actually a product placement ad. It's like the brand placement you see in film and TV, but in print. If someone shows up on your editorial and insists that you use this or that product in the photo it's probably an "advertorial" and you should be making more money (full commercial rates). The magazine can choose to use their sponsor's wardrobe and that's smart, but when they start insisting that the model wear "this exact necklace" or "this purse must be in the shot" regardless of how it flows, you are probably on an advertorial shoot. The biggest difference is where the money comes from. In an editorial the magazine pays for the crew, whereas in an advertorial the magazine may agree to add the sponsor's product if they buy an ad in that magazine or pay them in return for product placement. This turns the editorial into an advertorial.
Hard out - The talent and/or crew needs to be packed up, cleaned up, and ready to go at a specific time, and not a minute later.
Grace - When production asks you to delay your specified meal time so they can finish up a scene or shot before the crew breaks, without incurring meal penalties (i.e. paying you extra).
Test Shoot – A team of people, generally a model, photographer, makeup artist, hair stylist and stylist work on a photo shoot for their portfolios. These shoots pay nothing but with a good team you may get a good portfolio shot or two. These are very risky. A lot of time is wasted here, but it’s often necessary when you’re building your book.
TFP –Trade for print, Time for print. See “Test Shoot” above.
We'll fix it in post - We will fix it in the editing process usually means we’re too lazy, pressed for time or inexperienced to fix the problem now, so we will hope and pray that no one notices in the finished product. If anyone says this to you and an artist, don't believe them. Fix it now if you can, because you will probably be blamed when the problem never gets fixed in post.
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Makeup Artist Chat: Pati Dubroff
Pati Dubroff is one of the most sought out after and well respected talents in Hollywood. Dubroff’s work has graced the covers of Elle, Glamour, Allure and Harper’s Bazaar to name a few. The industry pro chatted with us about her experiences in our latest Makeup Artist Chat.
If you could go back in time to your very first shoot, what advice would you give to your former self?
I think back then I thought that more makeup was better. I've now learned that less is definitely more.
You’ve had the opportunity of working with some of the top names in Hollywood. With a jet-set lifestyle, what keeps you grounded?
Meditation, working out, spending time in nature and family are super important to me.
When your career launched, becoming a makeup artist was somewhat of a novelty. Now that the demand for makeup artistry has exploded, what advice would you give an aspiring artist trying to set themselves apart from the crowd?
I would say to be careful with falling into the YouTube and Instagram traps because I believe that could have a short shelf life. I would advise someone to look to working makeup artists in Hollywood and in fashion instead of Instafame artists.
We know you’re all about beautiful skin. Any tips on how to ensure skin is always Camera Ready?
Encouraging people to cleanse well at night no matter how tired they are. I also like to prep skin with a good sheet mask to give the skin some plump and glow. I feel this is a great way to hydrate instead of using a heavy moisturizer. I also recommend prepping the skin with a light primer to ensure the center of the face is Matte and appears pore-less.
With social media and technology evolving, how has the industry changed since you’ve started out?
A positive aspect of social media is that there is now a broad platform on which to proudly show your work. The downside is that there is a lot of photo manipulation that goes on with social media, so there's the risk that you’re seeing a misrepresentation of someone’s talents.
What drives you – is there something specific that keeps you going?
I love when a woman looks in the mirror, smiles, does a little shimmy dance and feels beautiful. That never gets old.
What was your defining moment as an artist-the moment when you thought to yourself “I’ve made it”?
Marie Claire Magazine just held the Image Makers Awards, and honored me with the title of Icon Makeup Artist. It was hugely flattering.
Everyone who has seen great success has someone they look up to. Who was that one person for you?
Christy Turlington has been a constant inspiration for me professionally and personally. Her use of her good fortune and success in the realms of giving back are aspirational.
With a largely successful career, are there any mantras you live by?
Humility and respecting others is important no matter how successful (or not yet successful) you think you are.
We all know how transformative the power of makeup can be. What is your beauty philosophy?
Healthy skin should never be masked, only slightly enhanced as needed. When the skin looks beautiful and real you can play up or down any feature and not look overdone.
Working long hours with A-List celebrities is not for the faint at heart. How do you mentally prepare for it?
It's not about being mentally prepared it's about being physically prepared. Exercise, sleep, healthy diet and a positive frame of mind prepare you for any situation.
Have you had any freak-out red carpet mistakes?
Yes, one time a false eyelash came loose and thankfully there was a cosmetic store near the carpet that I ran into to get some glue to try to fix it on the sly, in public. It was one of the more stressful events in my professional life.
All images courtesy of Pati Dubroff
Makeup Artist Chat: Kelly Belmonte
Kelly Belmonte aka “Red” gave us a colorful look inside the world of bodypainting with her show, Naked Vegas. Now, the fiery painter chats with us about how she became so infatuated with the craft, how she balances her life as a wife, mom and mogul, and her plans for the future.
We all know you're an amazing makeup artist. How did you come to specialize in body painting?
First of all, thank you very much for the compliment. That's incredibly kind. Honestly, the whole body painting thing is a funny story that I don't think many know. I was kind of bored doing faces and there were two other makeup artists that were my biggest competition at the time that decided to learn how to airbrush. I am competitive to a degree so I told myself if these two can do it.... so can I. Funny because both still use the airbrush but not for body painting. I guess I really enjoyed it and once I learned what I could do, I didn't want to stop. I suppose it didn't grab them like it did me. I just dreamt in color; it excited me, thrilled me and gave me a sense of accomplishment.
What advice would you give to someone who wants to get into this field?
Practice! Now you can go on YouTube and learn anything. I could fix my pilot light that way. You can learn how to paint there too. I also say take classes from any artist you respect. That goes for makeup too. What's really cool about all this fun stuff that we do is there's REALLY no right way. All of it can be accomplished in so many ways - you never know what you're going to learn. What trick, what technique.... product someone may know about.... assist for free, but do not step on toes. Practice. Did I say that already?
What qualities do you look for when you’re building your team of artists?
Team players. Hands down. I want someone I can trust. I want someone who could head this job or follow along to someones direction, and I want someone that if I walk away, I know they could and would finish the job the way I would. I want someone who cares as much as I do. I really can't say team player enough-plus I gotta like you because I have to spend a crap ton of time with you and if you're a jerk I'm not hiring you.
What was the most memorable body painting job you’ve worked on and why?
That's a super hard question because they all almost blend, yet moments stand out. A better question would be, 'What's the craziest body painting story,' that's the one people really ask. Well..... that's usually something I share over cocktails or coffee when I know the ages of my audience—they are all so adult in nature. I will say that that painting on Face Off and painting at The Playboy Mansion were pretty cool.
It doesn’t seem like you’re slowing down anytime soon. What has been the highlight of your career thus far?
My TV show, Naked Vegas!
You’re a mother, a wife, and a business owner, how do you balance it all?
Ha!!! I don't know if I do!!! I try all the time, I fail all the time.... and then I just try again. I think as a mom and a wife, we are all just trying to get by and just do better than our parents did. I think there's never enough of me or time... I also think we need to follow our dreams so our kids see us happy and working doing something we love, excited to go to work everyday.
What was it like to be apart of reality TV? Did it change your career in any way?
It was amazing, fun, stressful and a complete blessing. It's made me a better artist and opened so many doors. I've gotten to meet artists that I looked up to and to poke around the playboy mansion... it's been nothing short of a beautiful ride.
Since the show has aired, have you noticed the demand for body painting increased?
Seems to me yes! And I feel like my show was a direct reason for it. I think it opened doors for other shows too. I think we were able to show people how hard it is and that it really is an art. I'm proud of what I did, wished it could still be filmed, but I'm still painting just like always.
What are some of your go-to products that Camera Ready Cosmetics carries?
There are so many!!! I use European Body Art, Mehron, Graftobian HD foundation palettes (love their foundation palettes, seriously, couldn't believe it), Green Marble Sealer, Morphe brushes, Bdellium brushes, Becca, Embryolisse, Premiere Products, Parian Spirit.... literally I could restock my whole kit ordering here.
I chatted with the owner, Mary Erickson about what products I use and what she had to have, and Camera Ready Cosmetics pretty much has ALL of it. I'm really pleased with the selection and love your customer service!
What are your plans for the distant future?
I have a few paints coming up. I hope one day to go to Hong Kong and learn from these artists that I know that paint there. I want to learn oil painting, I want to bring my show back. Really, that's what I want.
How has the industry of body painting evolved since you started?
So many new products! Better pasties, better products and I think there's more respect in it. People don't look at me like I do porn as much now, so I guess that's good.
Catch up with Kelly Belmonte on all her social channels! Be sure to share this article with someone who would love it!
Makeup Artist Chat: Eugenia Weston
Eugenia Weston - Makeup Artist Chat
SENNA Cosmetics became a household name ever since the company revolutionized the brow world with its patented Form-A-BrowⓇ Kit, but SENNA would have never gotten where it is today without its founder and muse, Eugenia Weston. Having founded SENNA 40 years ago (Happy 40th, SENNA!), Eugenia embodies the company’s philosophy of “Beauty. Illusion. Transformation.” while her amazing makeup artistry inspires SENNA's product line. Meet the ultimate dreamer with us, here, on Makeup Artist Chat.
Describe your first encounter with makeup that made you want to be in the industry.
I actually never thought of “being in the industry.” I just loved doing makeup and always wanted to perfect everyone’s look. My work got noticed and the rest is history.
What was your first step into the beauty industry?
My first opportunity in the beauty biz was when I was hired by an incredible makeup & brow artist, Bobbe Joy, to work in the famous Jon Peters Salon in the San Fernando Valley, CA. I was just 20 years old. She had an eponymous makeup line. I was already very good at applying makeup, but Bobbe taught me the art of eyebrow shaping. She was a master at brows! Five years later I was hired as a makeup artist for 'Cassandre Cusenza. This is when and where I developed SENNA Cosmetics in 1976. The salon’s high fashion artistry attracted celebrities, producers, directors, photographers and top beauty editors. I was in the right place at the right time.
This year SENNA celebrated 40 years. Looking back, which moment or milestone was your favorite?
As you can imagine, during my 40 years of professional makeup artistry, I’ve had several memorable moments and met many icons in the entertainment and art world. I’ll never forget in the mid 70’s, I did an editorial makeup project with photographer Helmut Newton! It was for Viva Magazine and the fashion editor was Anna Wintour. It doesn’t get much better than that.
What is your creative process when developing a new product?
My creative process begins with a beauty need. Having six makeup studios allows me to work one-on-one with many different types of clients to create effective products that are easy to use. For celebrities and models, I’ve had to create new techniques and products that look fabulous in HD TV and film. I love fashion so much that I bring that into the mix as well. I invented the Form-A-BrowⓇ Kit in 1992 to help women create perfect brows that were so difficult to attain. It’s a pro-artist favorite and the first of its kind.
What is your favorite kind of makeup look or style to design?
I love beauty and fashion editorial makeup because it’s a great format for avant garde artistic exploration. It unleashes a different dynamic in the creative process and always inspires a new technique or product that I can create for my clients. And for me!
How would you describe your signature look and what is it about your style that sets you apart from other makeup artists?
I’ve been told that I do very “clean” beauty makeup. It looks perfect through a magnifying glass. I am a meticulous detailer and my makeup has to be flawlessly blended and free of any smudges. I had to learn how to do that because in the 70’s, retouching was done by hand and it was extremely costly. Now I hear artists say “Oh, you can fix that in Photoshop.” That doesn’t cut it in my book.
Who is your beauty muse or inspiration?
French makeup artist, Serge Lutens. He is a visionary. His avant garde work is, and will always remain, the most inspirational for me.
If you were not a makeup artist, what would you do?
I’d be a fashion designer or interior designer. My passion is for color, texture, and achieving balance and beauty. It would always be an art that can evolve and express who I am.
What’s the best piece of advice that was ever given to you in your career?
Eat, drink, and sleep this business. You have to give 200% to be successful.
What can we expect from Senna in the near future?
The SENNA philosophy of “Beauty. Illusion. Transformation.” guides our future. We will keep the focus on customized services in our SENNA Makeup & Brow Studios. Connecting with our clientele and fulfilling their needs with our heritage of high quality, high performance services and products is our top priority. And, of course, keeping SENNA a professional, artisan brand that inspires and innovates in a meaningful way.
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.
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PRO TIPS: Five Tips for Filing Your Taxes As A Professional MUA
Whether it’s your first year filing taxes as a makeup artist or whether you’ve been doing it for decades, every independent contractor can agree that tax season is one of the most confusing and stressful times of the year. With ever-evolving laws and regulations, no two tax filings are the same, and it can be hard to keep up. Not to mention, there’s that ever-present fear of messing something up and being at the mercy of the law.
If you’re filing 2020 taxes as a freelance makeup artist, here are the top five things you need to know before Tax Day. But, as always, consult a CPA to ensure that your taxes are filed correctly and with your best financial interests in mind.
5. Self-Employment Tax
So, why exactly are taxes so much more complicated as a freelance makeup artist than when you worked a 9-to-5 job? That’s because you’re now considered an independent contractor. When you work a full-time job, your employer automatically deducts federal and state taxes ahead of time, which is reflected in the paycheck you receive. As a sole proprietor (a.k.a. someone who is self-employed), you receive full pre-tax payment from clients. This means that you later need to pay federal and state income taxes and contribute to programs such as social security and Medicare.
To report your income and pay those taxes, you’ll need to fill out the forms Schedule C, Schedule SE, and Form 1040 annually. However, it’s important to note that you’ll need to pay your taxes quarterly using Form 1040-ES. Consult the IRS quarterly tax deadlines to keep track of when you’ll need to submit your payments. (Spoiler alert: first quarter taxes are due April 15!)
4. Health Insurance Deductions
It’s important to know that, if you’re not covered by a group insurance plan, you can deduct your health insurance premium from your taxes. Health insurance is an “above the line” deduction, so it can be deducted before you arrive at your adjusted gross income. However, note that if you qualify for health insurance through a full-time job or a spouse’s employer health plan, you may not be eligible for this deduction even if you opt to pay for your health insurance premium yourself.
3. Business Mileage Expenses
Another important deduction to note is your gas and mileage. It’s an often-overlooked deduction among sole proprietors since using your car for work is typically seen as common and insignificant. However, if you use your car for business purposes, such as traveling to a client’s venue, the deduction of 57.5 cents per mile can add up to be a significant amount. To file for this deduction, be sure to keep thorough mileage records throughout the year for every job you work. Investing in business and mileage apps created specifically for this purpose will make the process much easier and less tedious, ensuring greater accuracy.
2. Inappropriate Write-Offs
Just as many deductions go underutilized by sole proprietors, there are also many frivolous deductions falsely taken that could come back to hurt you if you don’t file carefully. While reasonable business expenses like mileage can be written off, you can’t write off anything used for personal use. For instance, you can write off the purchase of a makeup product that is used for your kit, but you cannot write off your latest personal skincare haul. Similarly, you can’t claim a home office as a write-off if that room is used for anything else. If you have a dedicated studio space, that may be eligible for a write-off. However, you can’t opt for a deduction for your workspace if you’re working out of your personal living room, for example. It can be difficult to parse which expenses are appropriate and which aren’t, especially as a sole proprietor. Start by asking yourself whether the expense is solely for business or whether you will personally utilize it or gain from it. If you’re ever in doubt, consult your CPA to ensure your deductions are legitimate and to help you avoid an audit.
1. COVID-Related Stimulus Payments
This point is unique to 2020 taxes, but COVID-related payments and loans can factor into your tax filings this year. If you’ve received a COVID-related loan, check with the lender to see whether the loan will be forgiven. Regardless of whether they’re forgiven or not, make sure to mention any loans of this kind to your accountant to ensure they’re factored into your filings.
You should also ask your accountant about whether you qualify for a stimulus check credit. If you didn’t qualify for government-issued stimulus checks based on your 2019 taxes, but you believe you should’ve qualified due to changes in 2020, you may be eligible for a tax credit.
Final Thoughts
If you have any questions about how to correctly file your taxes as a professional makeup artist, it’s always worth the extra cost to hire a CPA to handle them for you. They keep track of all the relevant tax laws in your state, so they can ensure your taxes are filed correctly and maximize any potential return.
About Camera Ready Cosmetics
Camera Ready Cosmetics was founded in 2003 by Makeup Artist Mary Erickson. She dreamed of having a pro makeup showroom where artists could play with professional products without the typical makeup store attitude.
Today, our team of beauty industry veterans work together to curate the best quality products on the market. We partner with brands who respect the industry and formulate products for true working artists. You won’t find CRC in high-end malls, and we don't wear matching brush belts.
If you want to play with products for a few hours and buy nothing, that's okay ... come in and play! Our store is your playground.
PRO Tips: Hair Care for the Bride
With many so hair styles ranging from romantic, edgy, classic, bohemian, and retro to choose from, it's no wonder selecting the perfect hairstyle for a wedding can be one of the most dizzying decisions for a bride. However, one thing remains true no matter which style you choose; proper hair care can make achieving the bridal hairstyle of your dreams easier for both you and your stylist. That's why we worked with our in-house licensed cosmetologist Jessica Dickison to provide a few tips for brides to ensure their hair is Camera Ready for their big day.
Tips for Hair Care 6-12 Months Before the Wedding
We know the time between engagement and the actual wedding day can vary greatly from one wedding to another, but if a bride has at least six months before the big day, they can get a jump start on caring for their hair for extra lustrous locks.
JESSICA: If possible, try to book your bridal hair appointment at least nine months in advance. This will allow you to schedule your trial with plenty of time to make adjustments to your hair like extra conditioning, coloring, and trimming before the big day. We suggest doing the trial 1-3 months before the wedding so your stylist can let you know what kind of products and treatments you should be using for your exact hair type. It can also be helpful to schedule your dress fitting after your hair and makeup which will allow you the opportunity to see the whole bridal look
Where to go for bridal hair inspiration
On one hand, looking for inspiration has never been easier thanks to social media sites like Pinterest, Instagram, and now even TikTok showcasing beautiful styles, but use a little bit of caution when saving out images to show your stylist.
JESSICA: I know these days everyone runs to Pinterest to plan their big day, but what Pinterest doesn’t tell you is that those models generally have hair extensions, hairpieces, or wigs to achieve the desired look. It's possible that your stylist may be comfortable using extensions on you, too, but double-check with them to see if they think your dream 'do is doable with or without extensions or additional pieces so you may purchase them in advance, if necessary. Color matching them can be a little tricky.
What treatments should a bride enjoy or avoid 6-12 months before the wedding?
JESSICA: While it may be tempting to change your look up entirely to achieve a certain vision for your wedding, avoid services that can be overly taxing on your tresses. These services can include perms, intense highlighting sessions where you're lifting the color more than three to four shades, or chemical straightening. Your stylist will be able to determine what condition your hair is in and what treatments they feel comfortable performing on you during this time, so definitely work with them to select the proper services for your hair.
Tips for Hair Care 2-3 Months Before the Wedding
Products to Consider Adding to Your Routine
As the wedding date draws closer, the focus shifts from searching for the perfect style to achieving healthy hair that will be in optimal condition. There are a few ingredients you can avoid and consider using to help!
JESSICA: Now is the time to treat yourself and your hair to a little extra TLC! The wedding process is in full swing, and a bride can treat themselves with a deep conditioning mask for a few moments of much-needed pampering time. To get your hair as glossy as possible, consider adding a mask to your routine 2-3 months out from the big day. A weekly deep conditioning treatment like Living Proof PhD Night Cap Overnight Perfector is a great option because it is sulfate-free and is formulated to be extra gentle on chemically-treated and colored hair. It also helps the hair to be more manageable which will help your stylist!
PRO Tip: Avoid products with sulfates during the months leading up to the wedding. They can strip the hair of moisture, and this can cause colored hair to fade faster and all hair types to look dull.
Tips for Hair Care 1-2 Months Before the Wedding
At this stage, the hair routine should consist of very few major changes. A light color refresh service like toning or glossing should be okay, as long as you keep the changes subtle. Ideally, your makeup trial should take place after your last hair coloring session so your bridal makeup artist can select products that compliment your hair color, too!
JESSICA: If you do choose to color your hair during this time frame, it's best to communicate these changes with your bridal makeup and hair team (if the stylist is different than the one you're working with for the big day). Even subtle changes to your hair tone can change which makeup products will complement your overall look. This is also the time to get one last trim to get rid of split and dry ends, to avoid heat styling when possible, and to avoid products that can cause build-up.
Since many brides will choose to have their bridal hair trial during the two months out time frame, this is the perfect chance to make those fine-tuning tweaks to ensure everything is perfect for the wedding day. Be sure to ask your stylist for the products they would recommend for your hair type, as they will be able to identify your hair's needs.
Hair Care Advice for the Bride for the Big Day
Just like that, the week leading up to the wedding day is here! Now is the time to avoid heat styling or using products that cause build-up.
JESSICA: Of course, check with your stylist first, but as a general rule of thumb, do not wash your hair on the wedding day! Do that the day before. I actually recommend double-washing and then conditioning to ensure you're removing any extra build-up of oils, product residue, or impurities. Leave the conditioner on a little longer than normal, up to five minutes, and rinse well. Avoid using any post-shower products (a leave-in conditioner is okay) to avoid adding any extra products that will impact how it holds a style on your wedding day. Lightly blow-drying is fine.
Washing the day before the wedding will also allow enough natural oil to form to help lock your bridal style in place. My final piece of advice? Take a deep breath, and enjoy every moment! It's the most exciting day of your life, and no matter what, you'll look beautiful!
A Summary of the Do's and Don'ts for Bridal Hair Care
We covered a lot in this blog, so to make it as easy as possible, we've created a list of the basic things to do and the things to avoid before the big day.
The DO’s for Bridal Hair Care:
-DO Make sure your haircut aligns with your day-of style
-DO book your consultation a minimum of 2 months before your wedding day
-DO treatments/hair masks weekly the 2-3 months leading up to the big day
-DO make sure to get a trim and color touch up 2 weeks prior to the event
-DO use sulfate-free shampoo & conditioner
-If you are frequently in the sun, we DO suggest using a leave in with UV protection
The DON'TS for Bridal Hair Care:
-Don't overly process your hair within one year of your wedding (excessive highlighting, chemical straightening, perms, etc.)
-Don't book your consultation too close to your wedding date. Leave wiggle room to try something new or tweak it to perfection
-Don't overheat your hair. Use a thermal protection spray when blowing out/flat ironing/curling to minimize damage
-Don’t use too much product in your hair during your wedding week to avoid product buildup
-Don't wash your hair the morning of your wedding (unless your stylist advises you otherwise)
-Don't make any drastic changes.
Feeling Inspired?
We hope you're feeling confident about your hair's needs after reading our blog. If you need more help or a personalized recommendation, click here to contact a Beauty Advisor, otherwise, enjoy perusing our beautiful selection of hair care products!
About Camera Ready Cosmetics
Camera Ready Cosmetics was founded in 2003 by Makeup Artist Mary Erickson. She dreamed of having a pro makeup showroom where artists could play with professional products without the typical makeup store attitude.
Today, our team of beauty industry veterans work together to curate the best quality products on the market. We partner with brands who respect the industry and formulate products for true working artists. You won’t find CRC in high-end malls, and we don't wear matching brush belts.
If you want to play with products for a few hours and buy nothing, that's okay ... come in and play! Our store is your playground.
PRO Tips: Makeup for the Bride
Makeup by @stephaniepowersmakeup, Model @gabriellepaoletti, Photography by @nellhovingphoto, Hair Styling by @amandaleighrush, Bridal Boutique & Styling by @marimibridal, custom veil and accessories by @gianascanellibridal
When it comes to wedding makeup, there are plenty of blogs, inspiration photos, and tips for the bride, but what about the makeup artist? While wedding guests often remark on the venue, the dress, and even the food served, they’re also focused on the bridal makeup. That’s why we’re sharing PRO Tips from our Bridal Look Book makeup artist Stephanie Powers.
Sit back, relax, and enjoy her tips for aspiring bridal makeup artists!
Things to Consider for the Bridal Makeup Trial
CRC: For newer makeup artists, what are the important questions that they need to ask brides when brides reach out for bridal makeup trial (e.g. what style do you like, can you send examples of the look you're after, how much makeup do you normally wear, etc)?
STEPHANIE: I feel the questions should be saved for the initial trial. If a bride is inquiring your services for their event they most likely saw your work or was referred to you. Keep your inquiry reply simple in order to secure your services. That initial email back to a client/bride is important. I always have a template ready to go. This business is all about communicating in a timely manner. Send pricing, contract and all details you have regarding hiring you, this way there won’t be so many questions and back and forth before the initial trial. Once the bride returns your email you can then discuss the trial date. I like to ask the potential bride, Do you have a desired look you are going for? Theme etc. on the wedding day? I always like to suggest days for the trial such as; Do you have any special days coming up you would your makeup or hair trial on? Such as, events, bridal shower, date night, dress fitting etc. One of my favorite days to do a trail is when the bride can get hair & makeup trial done on the day of a dress fitting. This way they can see everything together and decide if changes need made for the big day.
Important Questions to Ask the Bride
CRC: What questions do you ask during the trial to ensure you're giving them exactly what they want and providing the best service possible?
STEPHANIE: The very first question I ask a bride when they are in my chair, Do you have any allergies to skincare, makeup, latex etc. that you are aware of? Other questions would include, Have you had your makeup professionally done before? What was the likes and dislikes of your last professional experience? Do you have a desired look? What do you not like about makeup? If applying lashes, always ask if they have worn them before and if they have not, walk them through your process on how you apply them. Also as a professional I evaluate their skin type, ask them about their daily skin routine. If they do not take care of their skin, I always suggest them getting on a good skincare routine 3-6months before their wedding. I suggest seeing an aesthetician if it is in their budget. Good skin equals good makeup, and that’s a good reminder to them.
CRC: How do you handle feedback if they seem to like the makeup the day of and contact you later asking you to change things up completely?
STEPHANIE: One thing I never do is take it offensively. This is what a trial is for, to see if they like the look. If they want another trial they pay for another trail, no discounts. I reassure the bride that these changes that they desire can be attainable on the wedding day. On the day of the trial I always make sure I take photos, not only on my phone and camera but the brides as well. This way we can reference back on what they would like to change.
CRC: How long, in your opinion, is a good length for a trial session? How far out from the wedding would you recommend people book this service?
STEPHANIE: I think this depends on each individual bride. Unfortunately some brides may live outside of state. Ideally 3-4 months before the big day is a good time frame.
CRC: What other tips do you have for makeup artists during this time frame?
STEPHANIE: Because most trials happen during bridal season, my best advice would be to setup trial days in your schedule. Book your bridal trials throughout those days. Not only does it help your pocket, it will help scheduling. Remember you are a business with business hours.
Skin Prep for the Bride
Things to Consider as a Bridal Makeup Artist
Since the busiest bridal season kicks off in the spring and runs through early fall, makeup artists are up against a slew of environmental factors, especially if the wedding or reception are outdoors. Humidity, heat, and even excessive sunlight can take a toll on the makeup. While we cannot control the weather, we can prep the skin and select products that work no matter the conditions.
CRC: How do you change up skin prep for brides compared to other types of clients for different events?
STEPHANIE: I always start by cleaning the face, neck and décolleté. I like to use micellar water with cotton rounds. For my brides, I always have a hydrating mask and or eye patches. By the time of the wedding day, you should have a good understanding of your brides skin and choose the right skin prep for each individual bride. I determine this by texture, large pores, breakouts, hyperpigmentation, etc. Other than starting off with a clean face, skin prep varies due to skin type.
CRC: As we all know, a good skincare regimen is important to have a great base for makeup. As makeup artists, we can always work our magic with skin prep, but since you're in touch with brides before their big day, do you give them any skincare advice so their skin is in the best shape possible for the wedding?
STEPHANIE: One thing I always tell brides to never do is start any new treatments or products one month before the big day. This should be done at least 3-6 months before the wedding. Also, one week before wedding day is an ideal time to receive your final facial. Avoid any kind of peels or extractions. Oxygen therapy, hydra facials, and hydrating serums will help decrease puffiness and help ensure your skin looks beautiful the week of the wedding. The night before the big day focus on hydration.
PRO Tip: Speaking of uncontrollable situations when parts of the wedding or reception are outdoors, there are a few things you can do to help ensure their makeup is picture perfect no matter the lighting. Unless your bride asks for it, consider using products with more of a satin finish versus true shimmer or glitter if the ceremony or reception is outside during daytime hours. Glitter will catch and reflect the light in a scattered way instead of diffusing it. If you're a newer artist and aren't sure how to determine if you've added too much glow during the trial, there is no harm in walking with the bride over to a window or well lit area to show them how luminous the makeup looks to see if they are comfortable with it or would like it to be toned down or dialed up!
You can achieve a luminous glow with a radiant primer under the foundation but avoid the urge to go all out with glowy products. The same is true for eyeshadow and highlighter.
Unlike in a studio for bridal portraits where the lighting is set and forgiving, the natural sunlight will reflect differently throughout the day causing the bride’s makeup to look different in their wedding photos. To help provide a satin finish to the bridal look, we recommend Skindinavia Bridal Makeup Finishing Spray.
Extra Advice for Bridal Makeup Artists
CRC: What do you do to elevate the bridal service and experience?
STEPHANIE: Remember a bride has a lot on their mind. So the most important thing you can do is help make them a timeline for the hair and makeup, discuss this with the planner or bride ahead of time. Time management is especially important on a wedding morning. I like to arrive a half hour early for setup and I also provide the bride with eye gel patches and or a mask best suited for her skin type, always hydrating though. One piece of advice I like to give artists starting out in the industry is to remember that we, as the glam squad start, off the mood of their special day.
Feeling Inspired?
We hope this blog has given you a few extra tips you haven't considered as you continue your career as a bridal makeup artist! For more bridal inspo, check out our Bridal Look Book. If you need more help or a personalized recommendation, click here to contact a Beauty Advisor.
About Camera Ready Cosmetics
Camera Ready Cosmetics was founded in 2003 by Makeup Artist Mary Erickson. She dreamed of having a pro makeup showroom where artists could play with professional products without the typical makeup store attitude.
Today, our team of beauty industry veterans work together to curate the best quality products on the market. We partner with brands who respect the industry and formulate products for true working artists. You won’t find CRC in high-end malls, and we don't wear matching brush belts.
If you want to play with products for a few hours and buy nothing, that's okay ... come in and play! Our store is your playground.
PRO TIPS: Tips for Filing Your Taxes As A Professional MUA
NOTE: This blog was originally published in 2021 and has been updated. We recommend working with a CPA if you have questions.
Whether it’s your first year filing taxes as a makeup artist or whether you’ve been doing it for decades, every independent contractor can agree that tax season is one of the most confusing and stressful times of the year. With ever-evolving laws and regulations, no two tax filings are the same, and it can be hard to keep up. Not to mention, there’s that ever-present fear of messing something up and being at the mercy of the law.
If you’re filing 2022 taxes as a freelance makeup artist, here are the top five things you need to know before Tax Day. But, as always, consult a CPA to ensure that your taxes are filed correctly and with your best financial interests in mind.
5. Self-Employment Tax
So, why exactly are taxes so much more complicated as a freelance makeup artist than when you worked a 9-to-5 job? That’s because you’re now considered an independent contractor. When you work a full-time job, your employer automatically deducts federal and state taxes ahead of time, which is reflected in the paycheck you receive. As a sole proprietor (a.k.a. someone who is self-employed), you receive full pre-tax payment from clients. This means that you later need to pay federal and state income taxes and contribute to programs such as social security and Medicare.
To report your income and pay those taxes, you’ll need to fill out the forms Schedule C, Schedule SE, and Form 1040 annually. However, it’s important to note that you’ll need to pay your taxes quarterly using Form 1040-ES. Consult the IRS quarterly tax deadlines to keep track of when you’ll need to submit your payments. (Spoiler alert: first quarter taxes are due April 15!)
4. Health Insurance Deductions
It’s important to know that, if you’re not covered by a group insurance plan, you can deduct your health insurance premium from your taxes. Health insurance is an “above the line” deduction, so it can be deducted before you arrive at your adjusted gross income. However, note that if you qualify for health insurance through a full-time job or a spouse’s employer health plan, you may not be eligible for this deduction even if you opt to pay for your health insurance premium yourself.
3. Business Mileage Expenses
Another important deduction to note is your gas and mileage. It’s an often-overlooked deduction among sole proprietors since using your car for work is typically seen as common and insignificant. However, if you use your car for business purposes, such as traveling to a client’s venue, the deduction of 57.5 cents per mile can add up to be a significant amount. To file for this deduction, be sure to keep thorough mileage records throughout the year for every job you work. Investing in business and mileage apps created specifically for this purpose will make the process much easier and less tedious, ensuring greater accuracy.
2. Inappropriate Write-Offs
Just as many deductions go underutilized by sole proprietors, there are also many frivolous deductions falsely taken that could come back to hurt you if you don’t file carefully. While reasonable business expenses like mileage can be written off, you can’t write off anything used for personal use. For instance, you can write off the purchase of a makeup product that is used for your kit, but you cannot write off your latest personal skincare haul. Similarly, you can’t claim a home office as a write-off if that room is used for anything else. If you have a dedicated studio space, that may be eligible for a write-off. However, you can’t opt for a deduction for your workspace if you’re working out of your personal living room, for example. It can be difficult to parse which expenses are appropriate and which aren’t, especially as a sole proprietor. Start by asking yourself whether the expense is solely for business or whether you will personally utilize it or gain from it. If you’re ever in doubt, consult your CPA to ensure your deductions are legitimate and to help you avoid an audit.
1. Keep Your Receipts Organized
Managing a pile of receipts and expenses can be tricky, especially if you have to grab a single product for a last minute job (and make sure you're tracking the extra mileage, too). However, with a little discipline, you can build some good habits and a routine to keep this important step in check!
There are tools to like phone apps, receipt scanners, and more, to create digital versions of your receipts for your records. Popular bookkeeping software like QuickBooks offers a mobile receipt uploading option. If you have receipts emailed to you, you can submit them via email, and it will be uploaded to your QuickBooks account for safe keeping. Genius Scan is another popular choice because it allows you to quickly scan a document, give it a filename that will help you find it later, and email it to yourself later in PDF form. Have a separate bank account that you use solely for your artistry? Some credit card providers and even some banks allow you to sign up for notifications (email or text) every time that card is used. If you use that card solely for business purchases, you'll have an easy way to track your spending!
Final Thoughts
If you have any questions about how to correctly file your taxes as a professional makeup artist, it’s always worth the extra cost to hire a CPA to handle them for you. They keep track of all the relevant tax laws in your state, so they can ensure your taxes are filed correctly and maximize any potential return.
About Camera Ready Cosmetics
Camera Ready Cosmetics was founded in 2003 by Makeup Artist Mary Erickson. She dreamed of having a pro makeup showroom where artists could play with professional products without the typical makeup store attitude.
Today, our team of beauty industry veterans work together to curate the best quality products on the market. We partner with brands who respect the industry and formulate products for true working artists. You won’t find CRC in high-end malls, and we don't wear matching brush belts.
If you want to play with products for a few hours and buy nothing, that's okay ... come in and play! Our store is your playground.
Back to the Basics: Male Grooming
For many makeup artists, the first male grooming job may be a bit intimidating, but don't worry! We’ve got you covered! From which products to use to the tools you should keep in your kit, we’ll break down the basic steps to getting a man Camera Ready.
Step 1: Shape the Brows
Brows are truly the frame for the face, and a good brow grooming session can change the entire look. It's important to have a good pair of tweezers, brow scissors, and tools to comb the brows in your kit. To shape them, comb them into place with a spoolie brush or a disposable mascara wand and trim any excessively long hairs using brow scissors. Gently pluck out of place hairs with tweezers. Don’t worry about setting the brows during this step. We will tackle that task later!
Chella Brow Scissors
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Tweezerman Tweezers
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Camera Ready Disposable Wands
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Step 2: Skin & Lip Prep
Even if your client tells you he washed his face already, it's important to cleanse again. Start by gently exfoliating the lips, and cleanse the entire face with Bioderma Sensibio H20 on a cotton pad to whisk away oil and impurities. Apply a thin layer of lip balm and moisturize the skin with a lightweight, oil-free moisturizer like Avène Hydrance Aqua Gel. This moisturizer is the ultimate multitasker because it's safe to use around the eye contour and is suitable for all skin types. For oily skin, Nurturing Force Blot Out Offensive is a pro favorite because it is a moisturizer and an oil-controlling primer all-in-one! If you opt for Nurturing Force, go ahead to the next step.
Once the moisturizer has absorbed into the skin, apply an oil-absorbing primer. We recommend Embryolisse Emulsion Hydra-Mat and Avene Cleanance Mattifying Emulsion. Both provide extra hydration while absorbing excess oil, leaving the skin smooth and matte all day. If he has a bit of redness or a slightly dull complexion, the Makeup Forever Color Correcting Step 1 Primers are great additions to your kit.
Bioderma Sensibio H2O
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Avène Hydrance Aqua Gel
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Embryolisse Hydra-Mat
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Make Up For Ever Step 1
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Step 3: Apply Concealer & Foundation
Your regular beauty routine calls for concealer next, don't rush to apply it the same way to a man. Perform a quick spot check first for any imperfections, and if he needs a little cover-up, apply concealer sparingly. The goal is to spot conceal and reduce the appearance of any blemishes. The lighting will do the rest for you.
While you may not use it for every male grooming job, it's important to have a few color correctors in your kit. Many men tend to have redness around their noses or dark circles. The Graftobian Hi-Def Glamour Creme Corrector Palette offers corrector shades for both light and deep skin tones to counteract any discoloration he may have.
To even out the complexion, apply a light layer of foundation, and blend it into the hairline and down to the neck. RCMA Cream Foundation is a pro favorite because it photographs well and has a skin-like finish when it's applied to a properly prepped face. If you prefer using a liquid foundation, Koh Gen Do Maifanshi Aqua Foundation offers buildable coverage with a natural finish.
To ensure you're not over-applying, we recommend using a sponge for seamless, light coverage. Wet the sponge, squeeze out excess water, and use it to pat on the foundation. Keep in mind, you are aiming for a no-makeup-makeup look, so if you need to add more coverage, add very thin layers until you reach the desired look.
PRO Tip: If it's been a while since he had a haircut, you can use a light layer of foundation along his hairline to create the look of having a fresh cut. Use a buffing brush to blend it well and to ensure you don't have any harsh lines.
Graftobian Corrector Palette
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RCMA VK Foundation Palette
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Koh Gen Do Aqua Foundation
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Step 4: Powder
Next up, it's time to powder! Studio lights and high-definition cameras pick up on the tiniest bit of shine, so set the makeup in place with a powder that provides a natural finish like Make Up For Ever Ultra HD Loose Translucent Powder or Graftobian Dual-Finish Powder Foundation. For touch-ups, RCMA No Color Powder and Mehron Touch Up Matte Finishing Anti-Shine Gel will come in handy to eliminate shine. Focus on the T-zone, as this is the area that tends to produce the most oil.
Make Up For Ever Ultra HD Loose Powder Translucent
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Graftobian 12-Color Dual Finish Powder Palette
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RCMA No Color Power
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Step 5: Set the Brows
Now that you have achieved complexion perfection, it's time to set the brows. Make Up For Ever Aqua Resist Brow Fixer is a great choice for men with brows that only need to be brushed and held in place. For men with thicker brows that require a little more work, opt for a stronger hold with Graftobian StudioBrow Eyebrow Styling Wax , Kryolan Eyebrow Forming Gel, or Brett Brow Arch Control Gel.
Make Up For Ever Aqua Resist Brow Fixer
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Graftobian StudioBrow Eyebrow Styling Wax
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Brett Brow - Arch Control Gel
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Step 7: Finishing Touches
You're almost done! Take a look at your work from all angles to ensure your makeup is well-blended. If the makeup is looking a little too matte, a quick spritz of Avène Thermal Spring Water or Koh Gen Do Herbal Spa Mist will bright the complexion back to life. If you've applied too much foundation and have lost some of the definition of his facial features, lightly contour with a powder that is only slightly deeper than his skin tone.
The final step is to ensure the hair is also well-groomed for an overall put-together look. Tame any flyaways with a lightweight hair spray with flexible hold. If the job calls for a sleeker look, Sachajuan Matt Wax will help you style and hold the hair in place with a matte finish so you don’t have to worry about unwanted shine.
If he has facial hair, comb it into place and fill in any sparse areas with the same products you'd use to fill in brow hair. Apply one last thin coat of lip balm, and that's it! He's Camera Ready!
Avène Cold Cream Nourishing Lip Balm
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Avène Thermal Spring Water
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Oribe Superfine Hair Spray 300mL
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Feeling Inspired?
In a nutshell, the key to getting a man camera ready is covering up any blemishes, evening out the skin tone, eliminating shine, and ensuring his hair and brows look neat. Pretty simple, right? To shop our top picks for male grooming products, click here.
We hope this blog has given you the confidence to tackle your next male grooming job, but if you have any questions, we are here to help! Click here to contact one of our Beauty Advisors for additional tips and tricks!
About Camera Ready Cosmetics
Camera Ready Cosmetics was founded in 2003 by Makeup Artist Mary Erickson. She dreamed of having a pro makeup showroom where artists could play with professional products without the typical makeup store attitude.
Today, our team of beauty industry veterans work together to curate the best quality products on the market. We partner with brands who respect the industry and formulate products for true working artists. You won’t find CRC in high-end malls, and we don't wear matching brush belts.
If you want to play with products for a few hours and buy nothing, that's okay ... come in and play! Our store is your playground.
Our Favorite NuFACE® Treatments for Makeup Artists
Professional makeup artists and aestheticians around the globe have incorporated NuFACE devices into their services. From the instant results from NuFACE FIX® through the Lip Flick Treatment to lifted brows and smoothed fine lines, we love how NuFACE devices can help makeup apply better on top of treated skin AND provide lasting results with regular use!
Did you miss our Instagram Live with NuFACE Sales Manager Katie Gonzalez? Watch it now!
Routines for PROs
For the Bride
On the big day, every bride wants to look their best. The NuFACE FIX provides an instantly smoother canvas by smoothing out fine lines and plumping up the skin with gentle microcurrent in just three minutes. Using the feathering technique (learn more here), you can provide a soothing facial while also creating a more even base for makeup application. Simple start with cleansed skin, apply the NuFACE Fix Line Smoothing Serum, and treat the areas you want to smooth. The device will automatically turn off after three minutes. Tap any remaining serum into the skin, as it will provide extra hydration and will act as a primer for makeup.
For added contouring to the face, use the Trinity PRO or Mini to contour and sculpt the face using the 5-Minute Facial Lift, or give their eyes an extra using the ELE attachment.
For the Mother-of-the-Bride
In addition to using the NuFACE FIX to smooth lines, try the Lip Flick technique to smooth lip lines and plump the lips. This quick 3-minute treatment will also help prevent lip liner and lipstick from bleeding throughout the day. If time allows, treat the Mother-of-the-Bride to the 15-Minute Advanced Facial Lift.
For Quick Makeup Changes or Touch-ups
If you're on set and always on the go, be sure to keep the FIX and the Prep-N-Glow Cleansing Cloths handy for an instant perk-me-up! The cleansing cloths are dual-sided and remove makeup, dirt, oil, and impurities with soft spun lace while the polishing micro-dots provide gentle exfoliation to brighten skin.
These individually wrapped cloths are enriched with hydrating hyaluronic acid as well as antioxidants and minerals to keep skin looking radiant and beautifully refreshed, at home or on the go. They're the perfect way to exfoliate and cleanse skin before your microcurrent treatment.
Once properly cleansed, perform the Instant Line Smoothing Treatment, an easy 3-minute routine, to get skin ready for the next look. The skin will be instantly smoother, and your makeup will apply easier and be less prone to creasing.
Routine by Target Area
ALL
FACE
EYES
LIPS
BODY
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Most Popular Routines
5-Minute Facial Lift®
The Advanced 15-Minute Facial-Lift
FIX® Instant Line Smoothing Treatment
Targeted Eye and Lip Treatment
NuBODY® Treatment
Trinity Wrinkle Reducer Treatment
Lip Flick Treatment
Advanced 15-Minute Facial-Lift
Five-Minute Facial-Lift®
SHOP NuFACE
Information and images courtesy of NuFACE®
Explore NuFACE
Are you ready to learn more about NuFACE? Click here to read more about the brand and the devices. Ready to shop? Click here to explore NuFACE.
NuFACE FIX®
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NuFACE FIX® Serum
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Prep-N-Glow®
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NuFACE Trinity PRO®
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About Camera Ready Cosmetics
Camera Ready Cosmetics was founded in 2003 by Makeup Artist Mary Erickson. She dreamed of having a pro makeup showroom where artists could play with professional products without the typical makeup store attitude.
Today, our team of beauty industry veterans work together to curate the best quality products on the market. We partner with brands who respect the industry and formulate products for true working artists. You won’t find CRC in high-end malls, and we don't wear matching brush belts.
If you want to play with products for a few hours and buy nothing, that's okay ... come in and play! Our store is your playground.
Warm Weather Essentials Pt. 2: Beauty and Kit Essentials
Now that we've discussed how to prep your body and hair for the warmer season, it's time to discuss one of the most popular topics our Beauty Advisors are asked about this time of the year: how to keep your makeup in place when it's hot and humid.
Whether you’re a makeup artist in need of heat and sweat-proof additions to your kit or a beauty lover looking for insider tips, we’ve got you covered! It's time to discuss our must-haves for the season ahead.
Exfoliating, Cleansing, and Moisturizing
Odds are, most of us will experience some sort of skin changes during the warmer months. Normal skin may lean toward oily. Dry skin may not respond the same way to skincare products as it did during the colder months. However, a few small tweaks to how you prep the skin can make this transition easier for you and your clients!
Cleansing and Exfoliating:
Even those with the best complexions can have sensitivity, dry patches, redness, or irritation this time of the year. Adding a gentle exfoliator, brightening cleanser, or soothing mask to your kit will ensure you're prepared to counteract any of these warm-weather woes and give your client the extra TLC their skin needs before moving on to the next step. If they are experiencing dry patches, use a cleansing balm to infuse extra moisture into the skin.
Consider using a non-physical exfoliator on clients with irritated skin. Physical exfoliators rely on textured granules to scrub away impurities. Selecting a cleanser like Koh Gen Do Soft Gommage Gel that relies on fruit enzymes to gently lift away dull dry skin will allow you to exfoliate with light wiping motions instead of applying more pressure to buff and polish the skin. Lightweight and alcohol-free, the Soft Gommage Gel also restores balance with T3 Oil to replenish skin with protective moisture and contains the same herbal spa water found in their other skincare items. The result? Instant brightening and long-term benefits through a nourishing blend of mineral water and six herbal extracts.
Before Moisturizing:
Once the skin is properly cleansed, it's time to get ready for moisturizer. A toner like Indie Lee CoQ-10 Toner will help calm the skin with ingredients including chamomile and cucumber while also providing clarity with papaya, aloe, and sage. This alcohol and fragrance-free toner is formulated for all skin types and comes in a convenient kit-friendly spray bottle or a bigger size for personal use and refills.
If your client is suffering from maskne, consider using the Skindinavia Maskne Control Spray to help keep the skin calm throughout the day. It helps preserve your skin and maintains balance while it endures time spent behind a mask. Ingredients including willow bark, black currant, and raspberry leaves help prevent oil production and have anti-inflammatory properties to keep skin problems associated with mask-wearing at bay.
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Moisturizing & Priming
When it comes to skin prep, do not take shortcuts with these steps. Selecting the right moisturizer and primer will make the biggest difference for both the application and longevity of the makeup.
Moisturizing:
Now that the skin is freshly cleansed, it's time to moisturize! If your client is experiencing redness or irritation, try a moisturizer geared toward calming sensitive and stressed-out skin like FITISH Beauty Dewing It Moisturizer, a botanically-based moisturizer that can aid in reducing redness. If you're like many other pros and love using Embryolisse Lait Creme Concentre to moisturize and prime, try substituting with Lait Creme Sensitive.
Priming:
A popular pick for makeup artists is Embryolisse Emulsion, a multi-purpose primer that hydrates and tones the skin while absorbing excess oil and shine. If you're looking for a primer to help color correct or to brighten the complexion, try the Make Up For Ever Step 1 Primers. The Step 1 Fresh Brightening Primer instantly illuminates dull skin and levels out an uneven skin tone for a brightened complexion with a fresh, healthy glow.
Extra Prep for Oily Skin and All-Day Events:
Thankfully, there are products designed to delay oil and sweat production. For clients that will be under hot studio lights or outdoors in warm or humid weather, use a product like Alcone Stop the Sweat or Mehron Skin Prep Pro before applying makeup to prevent perspiration. They act like an antiperspirant for the face and will not disturb the makeup you add on top of it.
PRO Tip: Start with a freshly cleansed face (for extra dry skin, use a cleansing balm) and lightly moisturize before applying the product to a cotton ball or cotton round. Apply a thin layer, as you would with toner, in the areas prone to sweating like the t-zone or the entire face if they have extremely oily skin. Allow it to dry completely before applying makeup.
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Setting & Touch-Ups
When it comes to powder, the iconic Ben Nye Luxury Powders and RCMA No Color Powder are perfect year-round. For oily skin or all-day-long shoots, consider an oil-controlling powder like Kett Setting Powder, Kryolan Anti-Shine, or the Danessa Myricks Evolution Powders.
If your client has dry skin or mature skin, consider a powder infused with hyaluronic acid including the By Terry Hydra Powders or Koh Gen Do Maifanshi Natural Lighting Powder. The Natural Lighting Powder is finely-milled with a soft pearl finish that smooths the skin and gives a velvety appearance, while the Hydra Powders are available in a range of shades to perfectly set, smooth, and blur any complexion.
Setting Spray:
To lock everything in place and to prevent warm weather from wearing away your work, we recommend using a setting spray. If you need help selecting the right sealer, be sure to read our All About Setting Sprays blog series. For the summer time, we love Skindinavia setting sprays. Innovators in the setting spray game, they’re a must-have to prevent a summer makeup meltdown because they contain a proprietary blend of ingredients that help to provide a cooling sensation to the skin for up to 16 hours. They have three formulas to provide long-lasting looks including oil-control, a bridal formula with a satin finish, and their iconic original formula for a natural matte look.
If you prefer a dewier finish, try Danessa Myricks Dewy Forever Mist. This brand new ultra-hydrating formula locks in makeup while keeping you feeling refreshed with Danessa Myricks' Hyaluronic Hydrating Complex, a unique blend of ingredients that provide hydration to the skin while keeping makeup in place.
Touch-ups:
For touch-ups throughout the day, keep a simple to use product like Mehron Touch-Up Matte Finishing Anti-Shine Gel in your kit for easy and quick fixes. Simply dab a small amount onto shiny areas throughout the day for instant mattifying effects. If you prefer a pressed powder on-the-go, set with the By Terry Hyaluronic Pressed Hydra-Powder for a flawless matte finish that’s never drying or RCMA No Color Powder, an industry favorite in compact form. To help prevent any additional makeup or powder from appearing heavy or powdery, lightly spritz with a refreshing spray like the Koh Gen Do Herbal Spa Mist to restore a skin-like and natural appearance.
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Makeup Trends
Summer brings with it a whole host of fresh and fun makeup trends, from cream blushes and lightweight foundations to glossy lips and pops of warm color. For a lightweight foundation that will stay all day, try the Koh Gen Do Maifanshi Moisture Foundation or the new Make Up For Ever Watertone Liquid Foundation. If you’re looking for a foundation with long wear-time and water resistance, Make-Up Atelier Waterproof Foundation is perfect for all day photo shoots under hot lights or for outdoor weddings. This pro favorite is available in full-sized bottles and convenient 5ml minis to test out shades or for smaller jobs.
Warming up the cheeks is a guaranteed way to turn any base into a glowy summer goddess moment. The Melt Cosmetics Cream Blushlights come in eight shades, each giving the cheeks a natural, glowing flush. Enhance your summer tan (or fake it ‘til you make it) with the Danessa Myricks Beauty Power Cream Bronzer or The Balm Cosmetics Balm Desert Bronzer. For a convenient 2-in-1, the Stila Putty Blush/Bronzer Duo features a perfectly paired blush and bronzer that will add sun-kissed warmth and a radiant finish to any makeup look.
Summer is a great time to play with color, and the right pop of orange, coral, or red can even enhance your summer tan. For a long-wearing vibrant lipstick that won’t dry out your lips, try the True + Luscious Super Moisture Lipstick in Orange Punch. If you prefer a high-shine finish, the Scott Barnes Flossy Glossy Lip Gloss adds the perfect final touch to any look. If your client is interested in creating a monochromatic moment, you can achieve the look with the Danessa Myricks Nude Colorfix Glaze; it can be used on the eyes, cheeks, or lips for a flush of color and glossy finish.
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Feeling Inspired?
We hope you're feeling a little more prepared for the season and photo shoots ahead! If you need help selecting the perfect products or shades, our Beauty Advisors are here to help. Drop them a line at beautyadvisor@crcmakeup.com, or come visit us at our Dallas showroom!
Are you ready to restock your kit with warm weather essentials and the newest arrivals? Click the pics below to start exploring!
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EXPLORE SKINCARE
EXPLORE MAKEUP
About Camera Ready Cosmetics
Camera Ready Cosmetics was founded in 2003 by Makeup Artist Mary Erickson. She dreamed of having a pro makeup showroom where artists could play with professional products without the typical makeup store attitude.
Today, our team of beauty industry veterans work together to curate the best quality products on the market. We partner with brands who respect the industry and formulate products for true working artists. You won’t find CRC in high-end malls, and we don't wear matching brush belts.
If you want to play with products for a few hours and buy nothing, that's okay ... come in and play! Our store is your playground.
Warm Weather Essentials Pt. 1: Body & Hair Care
Winter weather has its charm, but there’s nothing like the feeling of a new summer. Beachgoing, picnics in the park, walking around the city, and — of course — glowy skin and the return of effortless hairstyles! Whatever your plans are for the warmer season, we are here to help you get warm weather-ready.
Body Care
Get ready to break out your tank tops, shorts, dresses, and sandals. Of course, that means getting your legs ready for the sun and spotlight, too. Exfoliating your skin can help provide a luminous glow by removing dull dry skin, increasing circulation, and aiding in lymphatic drainage.
This season, we're proud to introduce the Indie Lee Coconut Citrus Scrub to our skincare lineup! It smells like a tropical vacation and uses naturally derived ingredients like raw cane sugar to gently exfoliate, jojoba and coconut oil to provide lasting hydration, and lemongrass and vanilla for an uplifting aromatic experience.
If you prefer a skincare tool to do the trick, the Esker Beauty Body Plane is the easiest way to slough off the dull, dead skin cells. Simply glide the tool over freshly cleansed skin that has been patted mostly dry, and you'll reveal a healthy layer of skin without disturbing your skin's moisture barrier. You can pair it with a body oil for an extra smooth glide and instant hydration.
PRO TIP: Although it may be tempting, we do not recommend using a body scrub nor an exfoliating tool daily. For best results, use 2-3 times weekly, and always use sun protection, especially on freshly exfoliated skin. If you incorporate both a scrub and a body tool into your routine, do not use both on the same day.
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Body Glow & Self Tanning Products
If you want to get that summer glow without exposing your skin to the sun, a body glow or self-tanning product is the ideal choice. Melanie Mills Gleam Body Radiance and Red Carpet Kolour Body Glow are both makeup industry favorites for giving a beautiful, healthy glow to the skin while evening out tan lines.
Melanie Mills Gleam Body Radiance comes in a variety of shades and incorporates potent anti-aging ingredients (green tea extract, white green tea extract, and vitamin E), hydrating ingredients (aloe vera, jojoba oil, safflower oil, and olive oil), and skin-perfecting ingredients (Kalpariane- a wrinkle filler and brown seaweed extract- a skin tightener), to give your skin that healthy glow. Red Carpet Kolour Body Glow also boasts three shades that are water-resistant for a long-wearing and non-transferable glow that doesn't clog pores, so add a drop to your favorite foundation for a luminous finish.
If you want to stay in the shade and fake a summer tan, we have a large selection of best-selling and award-winning self-tanning products. Our best-selling Loving Tan Deluxe Face Tan and Loving Tan Deluxe Self-Tanning Applicator Mitt will give you a streak-free bronze finish that fades evenly.
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Sun Protection & Post-Sun Care
Nothing is more important than protecting your skin from the harsh sun. Skincare and beauty professionals alike have emphasized time and time again how important sunscreen is not only for preventing skin cancer, but also for preventing signs of aging. If you'd like to opt for a moisturizing sunscreen, the Murad Essential C Day Moisture SPF 30 or Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cream SPF 30 are great options for a non-greasy 2-in-1 product. For a true sunscreen that is great for all skin types, try Kiehl's Super Fluid UV Defense SPF 50. The lightweight formula has a matte finish and is non-comedogenic, making it a great choice for those with sensitive skin.
No matter how much sunscreen you use, you can always benefit from a quick cool-down session after hours in the sun. The Fraîcheur Paris Ice Globes will refresh and cool the skin while simultaneously brightening the complexion and reducing puffiness, redness, and visible pore size. The Fitish Beauty Sheet Mask Set will leave your skin calmer and more supple by utilizing calming botanicals including green tea and tiger grass. We recommend putting both of these in the fridge for an extra refreshing cooling sensation.
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Hair Care
Winter can make your hair limp and lifeless, but spring and summer can send it on the fritz! From the changing temperatures, increased time in the sun, and humidity levels rising, even the healthiest hair can prove problematic when the seasons change. Tame your mane with Oribe Impermeable Anti-Humidity Spray. Perfect for humid days (or nights), this spray shields hair from frizz and protects your curls or blowout. Available in a travel size, it’s perfect for your next vacation.
If you prefer to lean into a little natural frizz, Sachajuan Ocean Mist will give you effortless tousled texture for that “just back from the beach” look. For tresses that look perfectly sunkissed and healthy, Oribe Bright Blonde Sun Lightening Mist also helps you achieve that golden glow by utilizing a natural blend of lemon and chamomile. Spray it throughout your hair to gradually brighten, illuminate, and enhance highlights. The peroxide-free formula even protects from damage and dryness caused by UV rays.
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Final Thoughts
No matter what your plans are for the warmer months, we are here to help you find the skincare, hair care, and beauty solutions to meet your needs. If you have any questions, our Beauty Advisors are here to help, so click here to send them your questions! We're here to help!
About Camera Ready Cosmetics
Camera Ready Cosmetics was founded in 2003 by Makeup Artist Mary Erickson. She dreamed of having a pro makeup showroom where artists could play with professional products without the typical makeup store attitude.
Today, our team of beauty industry veterans work together to curate the best quality products on the market. We partner with brands who respect the industry and formulate products for true working artists. You won’t find CRC in high-end malls, and we don't wear matching brush belts.
If you want to play with products for a few hours and buy nothing, that's okay ... come in and play! Our store is your playground.
Our Top 3 Tips for Restocking Your Kit
If you're considering making a few changes while restocking your kit this year, you're not alone. Most artists have their staple products memorized and rarely deviate from that list, but every so often, a new or innovative product comes around that elevates your artistry. It's like baking chocolate chip cookies and swapping out your regular milk chocolate morsels with milk chocolate chunks. All of the ingredients remained essentially the same, but the small tweak made a delicious difference. Variety is the spice of life, after all.
Hungry to learn more? We thought you'd be! We spoke to our beauty advisors to get their top tips for refreshing your kit for the season ahead.
1. Make Sanitizing a Priority
Let's start with the topic that's on all of our minds, sanitation. Disinfecting and cleaning the products in your kit aren't new practices, but they're more important than ever. The extra steps you take to disinfect your products and tools will help you stay healthy and show your clients you are taking their safety into consideration, too. If you haven't updated your website or marketing materials to talk about the extra precautions you're taking, do that now!
For Your Makeup
BeautySoClean Cosmetics Sanitizer Mist is a must-have! This mist disinfects eye shadows, lipsticks, cream products, and more without drying them up nor changing the texture. An added perk? It's available in spritz bottles ranging from a purse-friendly size to an 8.5oz bottle you can keep on top of your station. If you prefer wipes, they have those, too!
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For Your Makeup Kit, Bags, and Brushes
To make sure your makeup kit and bags are safely disinfected, be sure to grab a bottle of Rejuvenate. It's an eco-friendly, hospital-grade disinfectant that is commonly used at spas, salons, and clinics. Rejuvenate can be used on almost anything; it can be used to disinfect cloth, plastic, and glass but not brushes.
For your brushes, our best seller is Cinema Secrets Brush Cleaner. It's an industry essential because it's fast-drying and leaves your brushes smelling fresh and clean. Just remember, this quick disinfecting option should not replace your regular deep cleaning with a brush soap because relying solely on a quick sanitizing dip or spray can break down the glue in the ferrule of your brush. Click here to view all of our brush cleaner options.
Want to take your disinfecting and cleaning routine to the next level? The Sterilelight ILLUMICIDE Case allows you to disinfect the surface of anything you place inside and even has a setting to dry your brushes if you deep cleanse with a brush soap in between clients. It uses short-wavelength ultraviolet light to kill or inactivate bacteria, viruses, molds, and other pathogenic microorganisms. In addition to disinfecting brushes, you can safely clean items like your mixing palettes, car keys, and phone in it.
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For Your Hands
Now that your kit is nice and sanitized, let's get to those busy hands. Our newest addition Jao Refresher smells fantastic, comes in a variety of sizes to fit your kit, and can double as a body refreshing spray for those long days on the job. It dries quickly and doesn't leave your hands tacky, so you can get back to work without worrying about leaving residue on your clients.
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2. Downsize, Customize, and Organize!
It's time to lighten the load! Let's free up some space in your kit and show you how you can minimize the amount of products you have to pack for each job.
Downsizing
Many artists are opting for compact bags and cases, so if you're ready to drop some extra weight, check out the Zuca Artist Backpack. It has plenty of pockets and slots to hold your tools including a thermal pocket to handle the heat of flat irons and curling wands. It even comes with two small clear vinyl pouches to take the guessing game out of what you're reaching for next.
Want to downsize even further? The Vueset Mini Palettes allow you to create pocket-sized versions of your favorite custom Vueset palettes and can be hung on the strap or handle of your bag or case and free up space inside your kit.
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Customizing
There's just something about grabbing a palette knowing every shade it contains is a product and color you picked for that job.
The Z-Potter is a must-have for creating a custom palette. This flameless cooktop uses induction technology to separate blushes, eye shadow, and bronzers from their packaging. Want to create a lipstick or cream blush palette? The Z-potter has you covered there, too, and can melt down your products with ease. The days of carrying twenty lipsticks and six eyeshadow palettes that you only use two colors from each are over!
For complexion and cream products, the pro favorite Danessa Myricks Flexi Palette lets you customize liquids, creams and gels into interchangeable air-tight containers housed in a durable case.
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Organizing
Nothing is worse than fumbling around in your kit to find a product. LippieBook cases will keep your favorite products in place and boast an impressive amount of slots to fit your kit essentials. For a larger jobs, the LippieBook Pro 3.0 has 32 small slots for pencils, 112 large slots to fit most tube-shaped products like lipsticks and depotted foundations, two large pencil sharpener slots, and two medium pouches for palettes and tools. The Baby Pro measures in at 13 inches x 8.5 inches x 4 inches but still offers 92 slots for lipstick, 27 slots for pencils, and one sharpener slot.
If you're like many other artists and are carrying more disposable applicators than ever, the Cozzette Mini Vessel is a great option to keep them separate from the rest of your supplies.
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3. Say Goodbye to Old or Expired Makeup
We know tossing products can be a painful task. However, you always want your client to look their best, and expired or old makeup may not perform as well as it's supposed to.
Most products have a shelf life guideline on the box or packaging itself, but if you can't find the recommended timeline, we recommend reading the expiration guide below.
Mascara
Shelf Life: 3-6 months
Why Replace? Mascara needs to be replaced more frequently than any other beauty product. Every time you pump a mascara wand back into its tube, the product traps bacteria which can cause harmful eye infections.
When to Replace? If the product becomes dry and clumpy or the bristles have excessive buildup, it's time to re-order. Another tell-tale sign is the scent. If it changes at all, go ahead and toss it.
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Foundation
Shelf Life: 6 to 12 months
Why Replace? Unlike powder formulas, liquid foundations contain oils or other ingredients that break down over time. Pump containers provide more protection than ones with an open top. For open-top foundations, it’s best to put the product on to a palette before applying with a clean brush or sponge.
When to Replace? When a foundation is nearing expiration, you may notice dryness or changes in consistency.
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Powder
Shelf Life: 2-3 years
Because they don’t require large amounts of water to manufacture, powders have a longer shelf life than most other cosmetic products. To prolong the life of your powder, store in cool locations with the lid firmly closed.
When to Replace? If you notice powder becoming more difficult to blend or chalky, a replacement is due.
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Gel Eyeliner
Shelf Life: 3-6 months
Like mascara, gel eyeliner should be at the top of your frequent replacements list. To lengthen the life of your gel liner, take a clean spatula and scoop out the amount you need onto a palette.
When to Replace? It's normal for gel liners to get dry over time. A product like Inglot Duraline or Cozzette Matrix Mixing Liquid can help revive a drying gel liner, but since you're opening and closing it frequently, replace it every three to six months, depending on how often you use it.
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Eye and Lip Pencils
Shelf Life: 1-2 years
Pencils tend to last longer because they are constantly being sharpened, which provides a clean, fresh layer before each application. However, it's important to disinfect and sharpen them after every use since they're being used on the eyes and lips where bacteria levels are higher than other areas of the face.
When to Replace? It’s difficult to tell when an eye or lip pencil has gone bad, but a good rule to follow is to replace pencils that no longer sharpen easily. For example, pencils that frequently break-off after sharpening are best to toss. If you notice they're changing color, it's time to throw them away. Discoloration is often a sign of mold growing within the product.
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Skincare
Shelf Life: Varies, but typically 12 months
The shelf life for skincare can vary based on the ingredients, packaging style, and frequency of use. However, a good rule of thumb is to replace it if it's been more than a year.
When to Replace? After a year, moisturizers and toners have lost most of their beneficial properties. The efficacy of the active ingredients decreases over time, and some deteriorate each time they're exposed to air. Others include ingredients that break down with exposure to light or extreme temperatures, so be sure to read the label and store them properly. Always apply these products with clean hands. Never add water to prolong the life of these products, as it dilutes the formula.
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Brushes
Shelf Life: n/a
Makeup brushes can last for decades if you properly care for them. Purchase an all-natural, deep-cleaning brush cleaner to rid your bristles of pesky bacteria and buildup. We offer a variety of brush soaps and cleaners to clean and prolong the life of your tools.
When to Replace? If your brush sheds with every use or no longer applies product evenly, it may be time for replacements.
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Other Guidelines
As a general rule of thumb, here are a few expert tips to help keep any makeup products you purchase from causing an infection:
1) Write the date of purchase on the outside of each product.
2) Federal law requires all makeup products to feature a PAO (Period After Opening) or BBE (Best Before End Date) symbol. A PAO symbol applies only if the shelf life is 30 months or more. Any less and the product will feature a BBE symbol.
3) Products made from natural ingredients will include an expiration date that applies even if unopened.
3) If you can’t find an expiration date, PAO or BBE label, check for the manufacture date. This will help you to know if the product is nearing expiration, as many unused cosmetics lose their quality over time.
Want to learn more?
Ready to refresh? Go ahead and click the links below to browse the most popular products. Have a question or need a little extra help curating your kit? Our Beauty Advisors are here to help, so drop them a line at beautyadvisor@crcmakeup.com.
EXPLORE BAGS & CASES
EXPLORE SANITIZER
EXPLORE MAKEUP
About Camera Ready Cosmetics
Camera Ready Cosmetics was founded in 2003 by Makeup Artist Mary Erickson. She dreamed of having a pro makeup showroom where artists could play with professional products without the typical makeup store attitude.
Today, our team of beauty industry veterans work together to curate the best quality products on the market. We partner with brands who respect the industry and formulate products for true working artists. You won’t find CRC in high-end malls, and we don't wear matching brush belts.
If you want to play with products for a few hours and buy nothing, that's okay ... come in and play! Our store is your playground.
All About Setting Spray Part 2: The Most Important Tool In Your Kit
I’m sure there are at least 100 answers I can give to this question. As an Artist, foundation, sponges and brushes are important – in fact, everything we carry is important or it wouldn’t be taking up real-estate in our makeup cases. Average consumers are finally realizing what many artists consider one of their most important tools: setting spray. Why spend an hour on doing the perfect makeup just to have it fade away or move around?
Creating Mask-Proof Makeup
If you’ve worn a face mask with makeup on, you know the makeup ends up on your mask, and it’s not pretty. If you’re like me, you remove the mask the minute you get into your car or your home, and this on-and-off motion can be hard on your makeup. A good sealer will help minimize the rub off onto your mask. My favorite sealer is the Ben Nye Final Seal, which is also one of the most popular setting sprays in the professional makeup industry.
Facts About Ben Nye Final Seal
Final Seal has been around over 20 years, and real pros have been using it that long.
It can be used prior to makeup application to retard perspiration.
Final Seal may be applied with Ben Nye ProColor Aqua Airbrush Paints to make paints waterproof.
You can blend Final Seal with F/X Crème Colors for added durability.
Ben Nye just came out with a 4-oz size that comes with a sprayer. This is in addition to the 1-oz bottle already very popular for artists kits, and of course the 8-oz size to keep for refilling.
It is made in Los Angeles, California at the Ben Nye factory.
Ben Nye does not sell direct to the consumer. The company’s focus is manufacturing a great product and not competing with their retailers. In today’s world this is very rare, and retailers respect the company for taking this stance, allowing them to do what they are good at while Ben Nye focuses on making great products.
In addition to producing Final Seal at their LA factory, they also produce their cult favorite Banana Powder, a pro and makeup lover favorite thanks to Kim Kardashian, Wayne Goss, and other celebrities and makeup artists.
Jackie Aina tested (and approved) Ben Nye Final Seal as a great way to make your makeup mask-proof.
MUA Wayne Goss included Ben Nye Banana Powder in his recent Best Powder roundup video.
Behind the Brand
Photo & Behind the Brand courtesy of Ben Nye
Ben Nye is a long-time family business owned by Dana Nye. I’ve met and chatted a lot with Dana Nye over the years. When it comes to the business of makeup and manufacturing products for pro Artists, you won’t find a more passionate person than Dana. I’ve toured the Ben Nye factory, and it felt like I was touring the Willy Wonka chocolate factory from a child's eyes. The entire place is pristine and well maintained; you could eat off the floors there. I had to throw that in because I was beyond impressed with the factory, and I’ve toured a lot of cosmetics factories over the years.
Photo & history courtesy of Ben Nye
FOUNDERBEN NYE SR.
Ben Nye, Sr., renowned Hollywood Makeup Artist, founded his company in 1967 to serve professional artists and actors with high quality makeup products.
As 20th Century Fox Makeup Director, Ben Nye, Sr. was responsible for over 500 feature films and TV Shows spanning four decades. He worked with legendary actors, including Marilyn Monroe, Paul Newman, and Julie Andrews in epic films, such as Gone With The Wind, Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, The Fly, and the Sound of Music. He taught countless makeup artists who would influence artistry with Ben Nye’s iconic style of beauty and realism.
Dana Nye, Photo courtesy of Ben Nye
The Company Today
Today, Dana Nye, Ben Nye’s youngest son, maintains his father’s commitment to serving professionals throughout the world.
For the Ben Nye Company, it’s a business based upon relationships. He and his creative staff listen carefully to working artists who provide inspiration on how to serve the industry better.
Shop Ben Nye Final Seal
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Are you interested in learning more about setting sprays? Stay tuned for another All About Setting Spray blog next week where our Beauty Advisors will discuss the best sealers for special effects makeup, or click here to All About Setting Sprays Part One: The Best Setting Sprays for Everyday Use.
Written by Mary Erickson
Mary Erickson, founder of CRC and retired makeup artist, is a beauty industry veteran with more than 30 years of experience. To learn more about Mary, click here.
About Camera Ready Cosmetics
Camera Ready Cosmetics was founded in 2003 by Makeup Artist Mary Erickson. She dreamed of having a pro makeup showroom where artists could play with professional products without the typical makeup store attitude. Today, our team of beauty industry veterans work together to curate the best quality products on the market.
We partner with brands who respect the industry and formulate products for true working artists. You won’t find CRC in high-end malls, and we don't wear matching brush belts. To learn more about how you can be a contributing writer to our PRO Tips Blog Series or to request a topic for us to cover, click HERE!
PRO TIPS: Back on Set & on Returning to Work
Whether you've been a pro for decades or are new to the industry, we are all learning to navigate the world in a more safe and sanitary way. From new application techniques to changing how we communicate with our clients, there are hidden opportunities to build our skillset and grow our businesses. We spoke to Professional Makeup and Hair Artist Angie Di Battista to share some of the ways she has shifted her techniques to work as safely as possible.
CRC: Tell us about your approach to sanitary practices. How are you making these decisions?
Angie: I took a step back and looked at other industries and professions similar to ours where people are making close contact with their clients and learned about what infection prevention and control measures have been implemented for safety. From there I adapted these measures to create a system that can be applied to any location to keep myself and my clients safe.
CRC: What changes have you made when it comes to applying products that you'd normally use brushes for?
Angie: I am relearning how to airbrush! I learned to airbrush back in the 90’s/early 00’s and didn’t see myself really maintaining that application style and moved away from it. But when I look at how helpful it is to reduce contact with clients, speed up application time, cut down on the use of disposables, and minimize the potential for cross contamination, it was an easy decision to make it a part of my kit again. I have been really loving the Temptu Air and the AirPod Pros. I have started to work airbrush application into my traditional application. Using a combination of the pre-filled AirPod Pros and the refillable ones, it has been a pretty seamless transition so far in combining the two styles of makeup application.
Want to learn more about Temptu? Sign up here for more information on Temptu including future classes.
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CRC: What about palettes?
Angie: Considering we are going to be carrying additional items in our kits (cleaning supplies, PPE, etc.) I am really trying to limit the amount of product and palettes I am packing. The goal is to pack high-quality, multi-purpose palettes. I do not want to carry palettes in my kit where I am only using half, or a third of the shades in the palette. A perfect example is the Viseart 12-Color Pro Artist Palette. This palette contains quality matte shadows in shades I make use of frequently. The packaging is nonporous and easy to clean, and I can also easily depot a few of the shades for jobs where I may not need that variety of shadows. I can also use some of the shadows in this palette for brows or eyeliner so there won’t be any wasted space in my kit.
Shop Viseart Eyeshadow Palettes
Danessa Myricks ColorFix in Valentine and Plum Wine.
CRC: How are you changing how you'd pack your kit for a job? Are you making any changes in the packing process and the tools you're taking?
Angie: I am aiming to pack more specifically for each job with a focus on having fewer products that are multi-purpose (Danessa Myricks ColorFix comes to mind). ColorFix is something I can use for eyes, lips, brows, and face. A single tube of Color Fix can potentially replace 2 or 3 products in my kit so these are the things I’m trying to be smart about. Not to mention the long wear and durability of a product like that. I don’t have to worry about touching up every few minutes so I can stay distanced on set. I’m trying to think about packing products that will work for this new normal: hygienic packaging, easy and fast application, long wear, etc.
CRC: How do you approach the topic of safe and sanitary practices with clients before you meet with them?
Angie: I have just made it a part of my regular booking process. I have created a template about my booking policies and procedures, as well as a services agreement (including a liability waiver), that gets automatically included in my emails when I receive an inquiry about a job from a client, or when returning clients are booking me for a job. Automating it in this way allows me to respond quickly, but also shows my commitment to health and safety. I also let my clients know I am available for a call if they have any questions about anything. I prefer to be very direct and efficient with client communication, and I find this approach lets clients know where I stand so there is no confusion about anything. This has also helped to weed out potential clients that are not prepared for a safe return to work.
CRC: While all of this may seem daunting, tell us how the pro community can turn this into an opportunity to build their skill set and their reputation within the industry.
Angie: This is a great opportunity to start with a clean slate (literally). Artists can use this time to get their hygiene standards and every other element of their business up to par. Whether it is hygiene related, revisiting some technical aspects of makeup application you are struggling with, or just taking time to really focus on your booking policies and procedures or contracts, this time can be a push in the right direction. Maintaining the highest hygiene standards should have always been a priority in our industry, but now that more clients will be paying attention: this is a reminder to use this to your advantage. Marketing yourself and being vocal about your infection prevention and control measures is a great way to demonstrate professionalism and commitment to the safety of your clients. Preparing your booking policies and procedures in advance to reflect these standards is another way to demonstrate organization, professionalism, and concern for your clients. When you choose makeup artistry as your career you are also choosing to run your own business. Although big changes in the industry can seem daunting, they can be motivating and push in you in a more positive direction. Attacking these challenges head on will make you a better artist and more successful business owner.
To learn more about safety and sanitization tips from Angie, click here, and check out her YouTube Video showing tips on how to safely handle makeup when working with clients.
About Angie Di Battista
Angie is a Toronto-based makeup artist and hairstylist. With over 20 years experience working as an artist, Angie has experience working with commercial, beauty, and bridal clients. To expand her online presence, Angie started creating and producing inclusive beauty focused content aimed at other working makeup artists. From application videos, to product reviews, and business advice, her content has brought together a community of artists and makeup enthusiasts who are looking for quality content. Recently Angie has authored “Infection Prevention and Control for Makeup Artists” a scientifically accurate online course designed to keep artists and clients/talent safe in any work environment.
About Camera Ready Cosmetics
Camera Ready Cosmetics was founded in 2003 by Makeup Artist Mary Erickson. She dreamed of having a pro makeup showroom where artists could play with professional products without the typical makeup store attitude. Today, our team of beauty industry veterans work together to curate the best quality products on the market.
We partner with brands who respect the industry and formulate products for true working artists. You won’t find CRC in high-end malls, and we don't wear matching brush belts. To learn more about how you can be a contributing writer to our PRO Tips Blog Series or to request a topic for us to cover, click HERE!
How The Coronavirus Is Affecting Pro Makeup Artists and What You Should Do
Major cities are shutting down. Weddings and large events are cancelled. Businesses and corporations are adopting work-from-home policies. The worldwide outbreak of the Coronavirus has a majority of our population “self-quarantined,” meaning people are voluntarily avoiding crowds and staying home.
But as a self-employed makeup artist, there is no such thing as working from home. And if you are still working, it’s impossible to distance yourself from a client. The job of a pro makeup artist requires you to stand in very close proximity to clients for long periods of time.
Should you be doing this kind of work right now? Unfortunately, these circumstances are out of your control. Clients will inevitably choose to cancel events, weddings and productions. As an independent contractor, how do you offset the reality of cancelled engagements and no income?
How The Coronavirus Outbreak Affects You
Camera Ready Cosmetics founder and professional makeup artist, Mary Erickson, believes there are precautions and formalities all makeup artists should be following during these unprecedented times. “If a bride postpones her wedding because of the Coronavirus, I would allow a date change without penalty,” Mary said. “If I couldn’t accommodate the client’s new wedding date, I would refund her in full.” In these extreme circumstances, every makeup artist will have to make their own decisions about what is “the right thing to do.” In the wedding example, it’s important to remember the couple is also losing a lot of money. In most cases, they will need to order updated invitations, make changes (if possible) with every vendor - the wedding venue, bakery, florist, clergy, etc. “My suggestion is to exercise compassion and be flexible,” Mary said.
What about the commercial client who has shut down a campaign shoot? This is temporary. Don’t panic. In 90 days, most shoots will be back on. “Almost everyone is losing money right now, and we’re all stressed over the uncertainty of where this situation is headed,” Mary said. “In reality these are postponements, not cancellations.” It’s also important to note this will not last forever, but your business reputation will. Remember to be flexible, accommodating and kind to each of your clients. They’ll remember the way you handled yourself professionally during these uncertain times.
What to do with all this time spent at home?
Prepare yourself to be very busy a month from now. Everything that has been canceled or postponed in the last few weeks will be back on. Mary suggests using this time for updating and creating new marketing materials and to spruce up your professional website. You can also use this time to organize your home office and/or continue your makeup artistry education by watching tutorials to master a new technique. But most importantly, use this time to sanitize your makeup kit.
In general, sanitation practices should not be something you’re just starting now; you should always follow the basic rules of sanitization with every client. Keep in mind that with many viruses, people are contagious before they show symptoms. The only safe way to work, now and always, is to assume everyone has a contagious virus.
A Few Top Sanitation Practices
NEVER put lashes on a client if they have been worn by another person. You cannot sanitize eyelashes.
Never double dip.
Always use disposable sponges and mascara wands.
Sanitize everything with 70% Isopropyl Alcohol.
If you have EVER double dipped into a product, throw it away now to play it safe.
Use disposable brushes if you can’t properly sanitize between clients.
Carry hand sanitizer in your kit. Wash your hands with soap and water between clients. This is more effective than using hand sanitizer only.
Never use lipstick from the tube on clients. Scrape a bit with your spatula onto a palette and use a brush or disposable lip brushes.
For more in-depth cleaning tips, give these articles a read:
Basic Rules of Sanitation for Every Makeup Artist
Makeup Artist Sanitation
Parian Spirit
A powerful brush cleaner that doubles as a hand sanitizer. Mix with citrus oil for scent!
Buy Now - $7
Cinema Secrets
A makeup sanitizing spray that kills germs and bacteria on powders and creams.
Buy Now - $9
Rebels & Outlaws
A quick-dry, spray-on brush sanitizer for cleaning brushes between clients.
Buy Now - $15
About Camera Ready Cosmetics
Camera Ready Cosmetics was founded in 2003 by Makeup Artist Mary Erickson. She dreamed of having a pro makeup showroom where artists could play with professional products without the typical makeup store attitude.
Today, our team of beauty industry veterans work together to curate the best quality products on the market. We partner with brands who respect the industry and formulate products for true working artists.
You won’t find CRC in high-end malls, and we don't wear matching brush belts. If you want to play with products for a few hours and buy nothing, that's okay...come in and play! Our store is your playground.
Mary Erickson Founder of Camera Ready Cosmetics & Professional Makeup Artist
Your 3-Step Guide For Washing and Drying Makeup Brushes
As pro artists and wearers of makeup, we’re in daily contact with makeup brushes. The team at Camera Ready is frequently asked to identify the “golden rule” of how often, what method, and with what tools we wash and dry our makeup brushes.
For starters, there doesn’t seem to be one steadfast rule everyone follows. So we’ve narrowed down a simple, 3-step brush cleaning routine that takes minimal time and effort for maximum results – better makeup application, longer lasting brushes, and a more sanitary makeup kit.
The Importance of Proper Brush Care
Every swipe of a brush across the face leaves product (and possibly bacteria) on top of the skin. The longer you wait to clean your brushes, the more buildup of bacteria you allow, which leads to breakouts, irritation, and – in extreme cases – infection.
The vast array of brush soaps and cleansing tools on the market today leaves little excuse not to practice routine brush maintenance. As a general rule of thumb, every two weeks is the very least you should clean a personal brush collection. Once a week is ideal.
For use on clients, we suggest cleaning makeup brushes after each job, or at least once a week.
Crazy Merman Brush Soap"Guava Fig"
Sigma BeautySigMagic Brushampoo
Cinema SecretsPro Brush Cleaner Kit
How To Wash Makeup Brushes In 3 Easy Steps
Protect your investment in makeup brushes with this simple, super-fast cleansing routine that will prolong the lifespan of your bristles:
Step 1: Wet the makeup brush, and apply a sanitizing brush soap. For sensitive skin, choose a natural brush soap with skin-nourishing, organic or vegan ingredients.
Step 2: Swirl your brush in circular motions on a cleansing mat until a foamy lather forms. Add more soap, as needed. Keep swirling until the soap is rinsed out completely and water runs clear.
Step 3: Gently squeeze the brush with your hands to remove excess water, and hang brushes bristle-side down from a drying tower* for 6-8 hours or until fully dry.
*If you don’t have access to a drying tower, use a hair-tie or rubber band to fasten brushes to a rack or bar to dry.
Shop our collection of high-quality, pro-artist-approved brush cleaners, cleansing tools, and makeup brushes – online and in-store. Discounts apply for pro artist members.
Which brush cleaning products and tools do you love? Comment below!
About Camera Ready Cosmetics
Camera Ready Cosmetics was founded in 2003 by Makeup Artist Mary Erickson. She dreamed of having a pro makeup showroom where artists could play with professional products without the typical makeup store attitude.
Today, our team of beauty industry veterans work together to curate the best quality products on the market. We partner with brands who respect the industry and formulate products for true working artists. You won’t find CRC in high-end malls, and we don't wear matching brush belts.
If you want to play with products for a few hours and buy nothing, that's okay ... come in and play! Our store is your playground.
Makeup Artist Chat: The Ultimate List Of Non-Makeup Essentials Inside Every Pro Kit
As professional makeup artists, we know there are countless, often unpublicized, non-makeup products that support our work. Without these holy grail kit staples we couldn’t do our jobs. Well, we probably could…but it would be an added, unnecessary level of challenge. Since no two kits are alike, we asked YOU which non-makeup beauty essentials you relied on for flawless, effortless makeup application. From breath mints and phone chargers to fragrance sprays and can't-live-without tools, discover the non-makeup beauty essentials found inside every pro artist kit.
BECCA Backlight Priming Filter
Image: BECCA Cosmetics
Scott Barnes Body Bling
Image: Scott Barnes
Embryolisse Miracle Cream
Image: Embryolisse
SKIN PREP & SET
Erica Ages, Georgia Makeup Artist “The BECCA Backlight Priming Filter is a staple in my kit because I can use it with a wide range of skin tones. It is great on skin by itself, but you can also use it under, mixed with, or on top of foundation to give a soft skin-like glow.”
Gia McCloud, Dallas Makeup Artist “I have been using Ben Nye Final Seal for years on my clients, especially in the hot and humid summer weather. A few sprays will leave my applications locked in all day. This matte finishing spray also provides an awesome waterproof coat on eyeshadow looks, too!”
Doris Torres-Collins, Florida Makeup Artist “Scott Barnes has been a staple in my pro kit for years, with his original launch years ago. Body Bling is my go-to when I work with models and fashion shows. Scott Barnes has been a friend, a mentor, and an inspiration, so it's great to have products I can use that are professional grade and red carpet ready!”
Ana Sanchez-Burdette, Dallas Makeup Artist “Aside from actually training with Maurice Stein (the creator of Cinema Secrets), I love how smooth Cinema Secrets Primer makes foundation and/or correctors glide on. My applications are seamless and blend well. No “pooling” into the pores. It’s great for HD work.”
Ruth M., Canadian Makeup Artist “I keep Danessa Myricks Beauty Oil in my kit because it makes everyone look like they have a flawless, glowing complexion, regardless of age or skin type. It absorbs and hydrates skin without an oily feel. It also mixes with foundation and moisturizer perfectly, particularly the Vision Cream Cover. The glow is natural, never overdone.”
Samantha Navarro, Maryland Makeup Artist “Embryolisse Lait Crème is an absolute kit essential! Absorbs quickly, but provides a glowing, moisturized finish to the skin. Great for nearly all skin types and textures!”
Kristen Bell & Dax Shepard wearing Skyn Iceland Hydro Cool Eye Gels
Image: Skyn Iceland
Mehron Barrier Spray
Image: Mehron Cosmetics
Patchology Sheet Masks
Image: Patchology
Katelynn Stuckey, Southern California Makeup Artist
“Mehron Barrier Spray never leaves my kit because it not only creates a water proof/sweat proof barrier, but also is such a versatile product. I sometimes will mix with pigment to create a budge proof look. Weather it’s bridal makeup or special effects, it’s a must have!”
Laura Cotterill, United Kingdom Makeup Artist
“Sheet masks are my go-to product for hydration in my makeup kit. I love using masks that contain vitamin C for the ultimate skin drink to boost energy and hydration. Masks help hydrate before makeup application, and teamed with eye sheets, everything just looks flawless!”
Keisha Kerr, Canadian Makeup Artist
“Skyn Iceland’s cooling eye patches [are a must-have], and they double as shadow shields.”
Heather Hawkins, North Carolina Makeup Artist
“Sunscreen is ALWAYS a staple in my kit. It not only gives protection to keep all the bad UVs away, but it also can act as a primer, a moisturizer and give a youthful glow - depending on the sunscreen. I love multi-purpose products! Saves space & weight when carrying a mobile salon!”
Conture Hair Remover
Image: Conture
Paw Palette In Action
Image: Dani Rivera MUA
Temptu Air PRO
Image: Temptu
TOOLS TO INVEST IN
Candice Ennis, Virginia Makeup Artist
“Color theory is a necessary fundamental for any make-up artist. It’s an essential technique when understood, but can be a challenge to master. I always keep a color wheel in my kit for custom undertone foundation mixing and creative body art color designs.”
Gayla Gastler, Chicago Makeup Artist
“[I always have] a small battery-operated facial trimmer to remove facial fuzz.”
Naomi Blakeslee, California Makeup Artist
"I use BeautyBlenders for a few reasons: 1) A damp beauty blender gives me a flawless dewy finish. 2) They make it easier to reach awkward areas that many brushes can’t reach, like around the nose and around the eyes. 3) Many people believe BeautyBlenders are for application only, however, they work just as good for removing makeup!"
Kirsty Smit-Wingfield, Virginia Makeup Artist
“I love the Paw Palettes! They are so unique, keep my kit looking neat and my products clean.”
Amber Preston, Ohio Makeup Artist
“I’m OBSESSED with the Temptu Airbrush Compressor for so many reasons: 1) It’s lightweight & compact, saving room in my kit. 2) It’s cordless! You won’t always have an outlet in the space you’re working. 3) Long battery life! It’s quiet, but mighty spraying capabilities include three different speed settings. It truly is the best compressor I’ve ever tried, and I’ve gone through many in my career.”
Julie Fischer, Philadelphia Makeup Artist
“Vueset has become invaluable in my kit. They help condense my products, and I can easily see what I have with their space-saving, transparent design. Since starting to use Vueset cases, I feel I work more quickly and efficiently on the job. I use them for necessities such as lipsticks, false eyelashes, prep products, disposables and more!”
The Smithfolio Brush Case
Image: Smith Cosmetics
The Makeup Light In Action
Image: Hanna Claire Linder MUA
Tuscany Pro Makeup Chair
Image: Tuscany Pro Chairs
EQUIPMENT ESSENTIALS
Estrella Lopez, Miami Makeup Artist
“[I prefer using a] brushfolio to keep my brushes organized and easily accessible.”
Glynnis Garcia, Nashville Makeup Artist
“The Makeup Light is the only light anyone needs for makeup. I weigh 95 lbs. Do you really seeing me lugging a hair kit, a makeup kit, AND a ring light?! Heck no. I can attach it on a mirror, curtains, the tripod, on a chair, anywhere! TML all the way.”
Dana Hall, New York Makeup Artist
“Many times I would go on location, and there wasn’t a chair high enough. I would have to bend over, squat, or put myself in very awkward positions to work on a client's face. Now, no matter where I go for a makeup job, my Tuscany Pro Makeup Chair comes with me. The attached strap allows me to carry it on my shoulder, and off I go!”
Jessi Pagel, Texas Makeup Artist
“The Zuca Sport Artist Rolling Kit is my absolute favorite for multiple reasons:
1) I can alternate from each job to have exactly what I need when I need it.
2) The organizational options are endless!
3) It travels with ease and is so portable!
For celebrity makeup/hair jobs, I like the Zuca Artist Backpack. It has the ability to serve as a hair kit alone. An additional bonus is that it fits right on top of the rolling Zuca or you can wear it as a backpack.”
Jilladair Carlson, Missouri Makeup Artist
“Everybody is going through something. Getting your makeup done whether for a film, commercial or wedding can be stressful for clients, which can make my job more difficult. When someone sits in my chair, they get a "Soul" package to soothe their soul.
My Soul Kits include: 1) Hershey Kisses (Who doesn't need a kiss?) 2) Lifesaver Mints (We all feel better with fresh breath.) 3) A tea bag 4) An instant latte packet 5) A protein bar 6) An empty paper cup (They can drop all of their woes.) It never fails to put a smile on my client’s face, which helps them relax so we can both enjoy the ride.”
Crazy Merman Brush Soap
Image: Crazy Merman
Sigma Beauty Eye Primers
Image: Sigma Beauty
Inglot Duraline
Image: Inglot Cosmetics
MISCELLANEOUS MUST-HAVES
Pam Jean, Kentucky Makeup Artist
Aromatherapy: “As a makeup artist I began using essential oils to help me when working. They provide a sense of calm and focus that is crucial to provide my clients with an energetic, balanced, yet calm experience. Take your bride from frazzled to dazzled with a travel diffuser, roller baller, neck wrap for the therapeutic benefits to elevate their bridal beauty experience.”
Camera Ready Cosmetics
Brush Cleaner: Crazy Merman's handmade brush soaps begin with a cruelty-free, vegan base of natural ingredients and essential oils. Their fusion of coconut and olive oil removes makeup from natural and synthetic brushes, leaving them luxuriously soft, clean and conditioned. Because of their lack of harsh chemicals, Crazy Merman soaps are also perfect for cleaning beauty sponges and other tools.
Eloise Reed, United Kingdom Makeup Artist
A Diary: “[Helps me] know exactly when and where my next client will be, and I can easily see where I have free time to book new clients.”
Cameron Carson, Virginia Makeup Artist
Duraline by Inglot: “A must-have for mixing into eyeshadows! Duraline helps with smudging liner on clients with hooded lids who have trouble with excessive creasing. Delivers no-crease, all-day wear!”
Glynn Renee Bryant, New York Makeup Artist
Phone Charger: “I’ve been on jobs where no one has a phone charger, so I carry an industrial size USB charging box for up to six phones at a time. I also carry an all-natural bug repellent. Some makeup trailers I’ve worked in have mosquitos. Basically, I try to be a walking CVS.”
Camera Ready Cosmetics
Eyeshadow Primer: The Smashbox Photo Finish 24-hr Shadow Primer keeps shadow in place, not all over your face for 24 hours. It’s a fade-proof, sheer, colorless formula that intensifies color and finish to ensure your eye looks survive workouts, nights out and big days.
Felicia Yvette, Maryland Makeup Artist
Magnifying Glass: “Sam Fine or Lottie Tomlinson (one of them!) taught me to keep a magnifying glass [in my kit] so I can always see those tiny little details, especially for beauty work.”
Tracy Saunders, Seattle Makeup Artist
Nail Polish: “Always carry nail polish. I’m surprised at how many clients’ nails look terrible!”
Janet Richardson, International Makeup Artist
Spatulas: “I must have my Graftobian Spatula! I use it for so many things, especially to scrape foundation to prevent cross contamination.”
Philip B. Jet Set Hairspray
Image: Philip B. Botanicals
Winky Lux Matcha Blotting PaperImage: Sigma Beauty
Bioderma Micellar Water
Image: Bioderma USA
ADDITIONAL KIT FAVORITES
See more of the most mentioned kit essentials every artist uses:
99% Rubbing Alcohol
Baby Wipes
Bandaids
Basic Hair Styling Tools
Battery-powered Fan
Blotting Paper
Bobby Pins
Body Lotion
Brow Blade
Business Cards
Cotton Pads
Cough Drops
Deodorant
Disposable Tools
Double-sided Tape
Dr. PAWPAW Balm
Dry Shampoo
Empty Palettes
Exfoliating Serum
Eye Depuffer
Eye Drops
Extension Cord
Facial Hair Trimmer
Facial Roller
First Aid Kit
Gum or Mints
Hair Clips
Hairspray
Hand Sanitizer
Hand Towels
Handheld Mirror
Heated Eyelash Curler
Individual Lashes
Lash Glue
Lash Scissors
Lint Roller
Lip Applicators
Lip Balm
Makeup Remover Wipes
Makeup Sanitizer
Mascara Disposables
Micellar Water
Nail File
Palette Knives
Palette Paper
Paper Towels
Protein Power Bars
Q-tips
Razor
Rose Water
Safety Pins
Sewing Kit
Sharpeners (small & large)
Sponges
Straws
Sugar Lip Scrub
Tampons
Tissues
Tylenol
Tweezers
BONUS PRO TIP
Francia Cohen, Special Effects Makeup Artist
“Always have a clean kit!! Clean brushes. Clean makeup. Clean tools. Clean hands. Clean everything!”
Which non-makeup beauty favorites do you keep stocked in your kit? Comment below!
About Camera Ready Cosmetics
Camera Ready Cosmetics was founded in 2003 by Makeup Artist Mary Erickson. She dreamed of having a pro makeup showroom where artists could play with professional products without the typical makeup store attitude.
Today, our team of beauty industry veterans work together to curate the best quality products on the market. We partner with brands who respect the industry and formulate products for true working artists.
You won’t find CRC in high-end malls, and we don't wear matching brush belts. If you want to play with products for a few hours and buy nothing, that's okay...come in and play! Our store is your playground.
THE BEST PROFESSIONAL-GRADE MAKEUP TO COVER UP TATTOOS
As makeup artists, we appreciate the beauty, creativity, and artistry behind tattoos, but concealing tattoos? That’s an art all on its own!
Whether you’re covering tattoos for a bride’s big day or transforming a client’s body into a tattoo-less character for film, tv, or modeling – cover up makeup for tattoos takes time, lots of practice, and high-quality makeup.
We surveyed our network of makeup artists to discover the tried-and-true tattoo covering makeup products that get the job done. If you’re in the market for easy, flawless tattoo cover up makeup, these pro-approved products are the best place to start!
Top 9 Brands of Makeup for Covering Up Tattoos:
Ben Nye
Cinema Secrets
Danessa Myricks Beauty
European Body Art
Joe Blasco
Kryolan Professional Make-Up
Mehron
Reel Creations
Skin Illustrator
CONCEALING TATTOOS WITH BEN NYE
Gary Parson, Kim Dawson Agency - Dallas, TX
“[Once I've applied color for tattoo coverage,] I stipple from a Ben Nye Essential HD Matte Foundation Palette to mimic skin tone and texture. I also use a dab of matte powder or cream blush and/or bronzer to replicate the color of the skin in a more realistic way."
TATTOO COVERING WITH CINEMA SECRETS
Pauline Griffiths-Gough, Former MUA - Chester, United Kingdom
“When I was still doing makeup, I only ever used Cinema Secrets Foundation for tattoo coverage. It also doubled as flawless coverage for the face. I had clients come in with bad acne, saying nothing had ever covered their problem areas like that foundation did.”
DANESSA MYRICKS BEAUTY MAKES GREAT MAKEUP FOR TATTOOS
Mary Erickson, Former MUA & Owner of Camera Ready Cosmetics
“The Vision Cream Cover is an all-in-one foundation & concealer that covers everything, including hyperpigmentation, discoloration, and, yes, tattoos. It’s formulated with texture-minimizing properties to create perfect complexion on camera and HD film.”
EUROPEAN BODY ART COVER UP MAKEUP
Chris Milone, Christopher Milone Makeup - New York City
“I use EBA Airbrush for most large tattoo coverage. I barely need to color correct first because it's so opaque. It leaves a matte finish and holds up well on a long day of shooting.”
Mandy Danielle Benton, TV and Film Makeup Artist - Dallas, TX
“To knock out the tattoo, first use the Coral Adjustor mixed with their skin tone from EBA Endura, then go over it with their skin tone color. Because of the highly pigmented, alcohol-based formula, Endura has just the right amount of skin-like sheen and won’t transfer. Plus, I love EBA's skin tone colors! For darker skin, you often just need to use the skin tone match without mixing an adjustor.”
Elizabeth Rist, Elizabeth Rist Makeup Artistry - Dallas, TX
“My go-to for skin-like coverage is EBA’s alcohol-based Endura Airbrush line. It offers great coverage and doesn’t fade or transfer.”
JOE BLASCO MAKEUP FOR COVERING TATTOOS
Mary Erickson, Former MUA & Owner of Camera Ready Cosmetics
“The Blue Neutralizer is easy to use and works like magic to cover dark tattoos. The entire Joe Blasco Tattoo Cover collection features a variety of shades, each named after the pigmentation it corrects. They also double as high-pigment, concentrated concealers that hide rosacea, acne, and other skin conditions.”
KRYOLAN PROFESSIONAL MAKE-UP FOR CONCEALING TATTOOS
Doria Miyata-Murphy, Doria Murphy Makeup - Boston Massachusetts
“My go-to in general is Kryolan Professional Make-Up’s Dermacolor Camouflage Creme. It offers enough coverage to completely camouflage a tattoo without compromising the final desired effect -- the appearance of real, healthy skin!”
TATTOO COVERING WITH MEHRON
Brandy Page, Brandy Page Makeup Artistry - Richmond, VA
“I love the Tattoo Covering Wheel because of the array of colors you can mix and match to get the perfect skin tone for your client. The creamy, waterproof formula covers even the darkest tattoos, birthmarks, and skin discolorations. And because it doesn't budge, it's also amazing for weddings!”
REEL CREATIONS COVER UP MAKEUP FOR TATTOOS
Missy Nyberg, Forbidden Makeup
“Over the years, I’ve relied on the Flesh Tone Palette for tattoo coverage. I love that Reel Creations has the best color match of flesh tones compared to any other product. It’s always in my set bag. I set the makeup with RCMA No Color Powder, then spray twice with Reel Creations Blue Aqua Sealer.”
CONCEALING TATTOOS WITH SKIN ILLUSTRATOR BY PPI
Trevor Thompson, Trevor Thompson Makeup - Louisville, KY
“For quick, durable on-set tattoo coverage, I use the Skin Illustrator Flesh Tone Palette with a splatter brush to lay down a nice base color, and then I go in with several different adjuster tones from the Skin Illustrator Complexion Palette to break up the coverage and blend out the edges. These are my tried-and-true go-to’s because they're highly pigmented, last all day on-set, and look phenomenal on camera!”
Kat DeJesus, Kat D Makeup - Denver, CO
“I love the Skin Illustrator On Set FX Palette. I use it for color correction before applying airbrush on top. I also use it to fleck the skin for a natural finish afterward. Being able to work in sheer layers and not have to worry about it moving all day makes this palette ideal for anything on location or when it needs to be completely waterproof.”
Elizabeth Rist, Elizabeth Rist Makeup Artistry - Dallas, TX
“The On Set Flesh Tone Palette is one of my top products for tattoo coverage. It makes neutralizing easy while offering great cover. It won’t melt with body heat or transfer. Great for everything from bridal to film!”
Shop these tattoo cover up makeup favorites and more online and in-store at Camera Ready Cosmetics. Discounts apply for pro artist members.
Which professional-grade makeup products do you rely on for concealing tattoos? Let us know in the comments below!
About Camera Ready Cosmetics
Camera Ready Cosmetics was founded in 2003 by makeup artist Mary Erickson. She dreamed of having a pro makeup showroom where artists could play with professional-grade products without the typical makeup store attitude.
Today, our team of beauty industry veterans works together to curate the best quality products on the market. We partner with brands who respect the industry and formulate products for true working artists.
You won’t find CRC in high-end malls, and we don't wear matching brush belts. If you want to play with products for a few hours and buy nothing, that's okay ... come in and play! Our store is your playground.
The Best Bridal Makeup Products, As Told By Professional Makeup Artists
Flawless bridal makeup begins with a tried-and-true bridal makeup kit. We surveyed over 100 professional makeup artists to narrow down the best products for your client’s big day. From skin prep and foundation to eye looks and setting sprays, these holy grail makeup staples deliver stunning bridal looks every single time.
Incorporate a few new products into your routine or undergo a complete makeup kit overhaul. Whatever you decide, you’ll be armed with the necessary toolkit for creating long-lasting makeup and even longer-lasting memories.
SKIN PREP
Brittney Nelson, B.N. Creative
"The Smashbox Photo Finish Smooth & Blur Primer fits most of my clients’ skin types, from normal/dry to normal/oily. It's lightweight and colorless, so every skin tone benefits. Makeup will look fresh and last for a solid 14 hours when I use it.”
Sara Thompson, Sara Thompson Makeup
“I love Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Moisturizer because it instantly hydrates and plumps the skin. It's the perfect base for beautiful makeup.”
Ann Demauro-Pineda, New York Makeup Artist
“Embryolisse 24-Hour Miracle Cream is my go to moisturizer for bridal clients. I can count on its performance for every skin type. Once absorbed, it allows foundation to do its job, leaving the radiant glow all brides want.”
TEMPTU AIRBRUSH FOUNDATION
Erin Blair Gobin, Erin Blair Makeup & Hair
“I absolutely love the Temptu Airpod Pro for bridal work. Most brides want the airbrushed finish, and this tool gets the job done perfectly, while being compact and lightweight enough to fit inside a small set bag. Plus - WIRELESS! I pair it with Temptu S/B Foundation for a flawless, dewy finish that holds for 12+ hours in the Texas heat and humidity.”
Ivory Perkins, Ivory Perkins Beauty
“As a Pro Bridal artist I've tried every Pro brand of airbrush foundations, and it’s Temptu Perfect Canvas Foundations that nail it for me every time. It offers my clients a lightweight, skin-like finish that's long-wearing and water-resistant – even in humid temperatures.”
DANESSA MYRICKS VISION CREAM
Anna Skavronsky, Anna Sky Beauty
“Danessa Myricks Vision Cream is a dream to work with! The coverage is flawless and feels weightless. I use it to prime the lids, as a foundation, and as a concealer for all skin types and skin tones. I can mix from the lightest to the darkest with ease.”
La'Gia McCloud, Glam Honey
“I love Danessa Myricks Vision Cream! It's my all-in-one primer, full coverage foundation and concealer. As a woman of color and a makeup artist, I love how the variety of shades assist with matching and correcting uneven complexions. The Vision Creams really make skin look amazing and flawless on women of any age.”
FACE ATELIER ULTRA HD FOUNDATION
Jill Sollars, Jill Sollars Beauty
“Face Atelier Ultra Pro Foundations are a must have in my bridal kit. They look beautiful on any skin, ranging from young to more mature. I love the satin, skin-like finish and color range.”
Sara Thompson, Sara Thompson Makeup
“The Ultra HD Face Atelier Foundation gives a lovely, natural coverage and is incredibly easy to work with. Also, the adjusters are amazing and allow me to carry a universal kit at all times.”
MAKE UP FOR EVER FAVORITES
Nik Woodson, Nik Woodson Beauty
“If you’ve ever visited Louisiana, you know the weather gets very hot and humid. The Make Up For Ever Mattifying Primer controls oil and shine while your bride walks down the aisle in extreme temperatures.”
Ann Demauro-Pineda, New York Makeup Artist
“Make Up For Ever Aqua Seal is the hero of my kit. I mix it with loose pigments or silicone creams to create waterproof eyeliner and kiss-proof lip color. I also mix it with lipstick to create a long-wearing lip stain. At the end of application, I put a few drops in my airbrush gun and spray the entire face and body (wherever I applied makeup). Makeup won’t move all day. It has never failed me.”
La'Gia McCloud, Glam Honey
“Make Up For Ever's Ultra HD Micro-Finishing Pressed Powder was the best investment for my pro kit. I love the velvet texture it leaves, creating a flawless and photo-ready look. It's perfect for oily skin or grooming men, too. This is a makeup artist must-have for all skin tones and leaves absolutely no flash back.”
VISEART EYESHADOW PALETTES
Erin Blair Gobin, Erin Blair Makeup & Hair
“I will never be without the Viseart Matte Neutrals Eyeshadow Palette. I've replaced that palette at least three times already. If it was the only palette in my kit, I could do anyone's makeup, no matter the skin tone. It can also deliver double duty for brows and contour!”
Anna Skavronsky, Anna Sky Beauty
“I love the Viseart Grande Pro 1 because I can literally use it for everything! It covers all the staple shades from light to dark, from cool to warm. I have even used it on the brows and hair.”
Sara Thompson, Sara Thompson Makeup
“I use the Grande Pro 1 Palette on every client. All the shades are extremely wearable, blend remarkably well, and look stunning in photographs.”
SENNA BLUSH & BROW PALETTES
Lisa Johnson, Lisa Johnson Bridal
“Senna's Brow Palette is the perfect book of very natural brow shades. Durable and never dusty looking. The wax pot inside is perfect for strays or Instagram-worthy looks. A pro artist kit staple!”
Erin Blair Gobin, Erin Blair Makeup & Hair
“The Senna Cheeky Palette has beautiful cream-to-powder blushes in an array of shades. I love to blend these onto the cheek and then do a light mist of airbrush makeup on top for a completely natural-looking flushed effect. It's absolutely gorgeous and doesn't budge!”
Jill Sollars, Jill Sollars Beauty
“I’m in love with the Senna Brow Book. I prefer to work with powders on the brow, and all of the shades in this are heavenly - I can match anyone!”
SKINDINAVIA BRIDAL SETTING SPRAY
Jatia Sanchez, Looks By Jatia Amour
“Skindinavia Bridal Finishing Spray has been my go-to secret for years. It sets makeup with a beautiful, natural finish. My bridal clients are always amazed their makeup held up from the early hours of the morning until late at night, even through tears, sweat and kisses. I’ve tried other setting sprays, but nothing compares.”
Nik Woodson, Nik Woodson Beauty
“Skindinavia Bridal Makeup Finish Spray keeps those “oh-so-joyous” tears from ruining my client’s makeup. It’s a MUST-have for my bridal kit!”
Atarah Ruth, Atarah Artistry
“Skindinavia's Bridal Spray has the staying power that I trust to get my brides through the endless kisses and hugs, dancing, warm camera lights, and hot summer weather! I have yet to see a bride whose makeup hasn’t lasted all day and night with this product. In fact, I use it on every client because it's just that AMAZING!”
Shop these bridal makeup favorites and more online and in-store at Camera Ready Cosmetics. Discounts apply for pro artist members.
Which bridal makeup products are you loving? Don’t see a particular product available at CRC? Let us know in the comments below!
About Camera Ready Cosmetics
Camera Ready Cosmetics was founded in 2003 by Makeup Artist Mary Erickson. She dreamed of having a pro makeup showroom where artists could play with professional products without the typical makeup store attitude.
Today, our team of beauty industry veterans work together to curate the best quality products on the market. We partner with brands who respect the industry and formulate products for true working artists.
You won’t find CRC in high-end malls, and we don't wear matching brush belts. If you want to play with products for a few hours and buy nothing, that's okay...come in and play! Our store is your playground.
The Best FX Teeth Products, Used By Pro Makeup Artists
Rot and decay, bleeding gums, a toothless grin. Transform your mouth into a foul, repulsive creation this Halloween with these go-to products loved by SFX artists everywhere.
We surveyed our community of pro makeup artists to discover which FX teeth products they can’t (and won’t) live without. Keep reading to see which five products topped our list, learn how to use them and click the links below to easily add one (or all) to your kit.
Photo: Tiffany Kyees / Makeup: Mike Mekash and Eryn Krueger Mekash / Inspired By: Rick Baker
PPI Necessary Evil Mouth FX
These temporary tooth colors were designed to safely and effectively transform the inside of your mouth. Available in eight colors, Mouth FX contains a sweet vanilla-mint flavor that is made entirely of FDA food grade ingredients that are vegan, gluten-free, peanut-free, sugar-free and cruelty-free. Added bonus: it removes easily by simply brushing your teeth. Don’t use if you plan on eating or drinking immediately after application, as the product will wear off.
CRC customer Christina B. rated the product five stars, saying, “This product is easy to use and fantastic!”
Photo: Ben Nye Makeup / Makeup: Thomas Surprenant
Ben Nye Tooth Color
Create a grotesque, long-lasting smile without staining or damaging your teeth. Apply Ben Nye Tooth Color in Black for instantly chipped teeth, or brush on Nicotine, Decay or Zombie Rot for a repulsive, realistic look. Temporarily brighten your smile with the color White. Apply to dry teeth and allow to dry; lasts for hours! May be reapplied as needed. To remove, simply use a cotton swab soaked in alcohol or brush off with toothpaste. This product is safe to use on denture material.
CRC customer Nina A. rated the product five stars, saying, “From complete blackouts to decay, whatever I need to create on set, this stuff is the best.”
Photo & Makeup: Kristan Osoria
Mehron Tooth FX
Add the finishing touches to your grotesque look with Mehron’s Tooth FX , available in six colors. In just a few minutes, create a smoker's mouth, a gangster's gold tooth, a bloody grin, spinach in your teeth, or a chipped smile.
A little bit goes a long way with this product, and each shade comes with instructions for easy application and removal.
CRC customer Pablo D. rated the product five stars, saying, “Amazing product. If you dry your teeth and then apply the product, it lasts a long time. I even ate after applying, LOL!”
Photo & Makeup: Craig Lindberg
EBA Venom Tooth Palette
Available in two color collections (SFX and Decay), create temporary, waterproof mouth creations that are sure to scare. The special bonding agent used in the Venom Tooth Palettes is similar to the resin used in temporary dental adhesives, providing temporary adhesion of color to the teeth that dries instantly. All Venom tooth colors have been stain tested on regular teeth, as well as different veneers and crown materials. Color removes easily with toothpaste and a toothbrush.
CRC customer Christophe G. rated the product five stars, saying, “Very satisfied! I own several of the EBA palettes and have been a big fan of them.”
Photo & Makeup: Kryolan Professional Makeup
Kryolan Tooth Enamel
Ideal for theatrical and SFX makeup, Kryolan Tooth Enamel is a go-to when creating rotten teeth, a toothless smile, a zombie-esque grin and many other looks. Available in four colors, each bottle comes with a brush for easy application.
Thoroughly dry the tooth before application, and let it dry before closing your mouth. This product is easily removed with toothpaste or alcohol.
CRC customer Sandra A. rated the product five stars, saying, “Just what I needed. Easy to apply and lasts a very long time!”
Shop The Products
All the products mentioned in this article are conveniently linked down below!
PPI Mouth FX
Ben Nye Tooth Color
Mehron Tooth FX
European Body Art Venom Tooth Palette
Kryolan Tooth Enamel
Stock Up On SFX Makeup
A curated selection of the best special effects makeup, all in one place? That’s the beauty of shopping with Camera Ready Cosmetics!
Whether you’re new to SFX makeup or an experienced guru, our customer service team is prepared to help stock your kit with the products you want and need. If we don’t have what you’re looking for, we have a fabulous alternative – just ask us!
Don’t forget to tag us in your SFX makeup creations on Instagram using the hashtag #CRCsfxmakeup. For more articles like this one, visit our blog .
About Camera Ready Cosmetics
Camera Ready Cosmetics was founded in 2003 by pro makeup artist Mary Erickson. An industry veteran for more than 30 years, Mary knows quality and value and understands what an artist needs. Mary is the buyer for Camera Ready Cosmetics and chooses only what she would use on set.
Top 5 Makeup Artist Foundation Sets, Chosen By Pro Artists
Makeup artists ask us all the time which foundations we recommend, especially when it comes to choosing a pre-filled palette. Investing hard-earned cash into a product you’ve never tried is scary, and we totally understand. So instead of taking our word for it, we surveyed our trusted community of Pro Makeup Artists to determine which holy grail foundation sets they always have in their kits.
We received tons of feedback from artists of all experience levels and backgrounds, but there were five foundation sets that consistently came up again and again. Uncover our customers’ favorites and consider adding one (or all) of these top-rated products to your professional makeup kit!
Maqpro 6-Color Fard Creme Palette
With color packed to the punch, the Maqpro Fard Creme Palette affords you the luxury of having twice the color for a fraction of the price. The ultimate space-saver for your makeup kit, the compact palette comes in eight shade range variations with six creamy foundation shades in each. The highly-pigmented, long-lasting formula is easy to blend for a perfect color match.
Camera Ready customer Aysheh S. says, “I have used this product for about six years. It works great on people of all skin tones, especially those who have oily skin (once you set with powder.) It wears well in all environments.”
RCMA VK Palette
This professional, highly-pigmented and blendable cream-based formula has no perfumes, mineral oils or lanolin, making it an ideal choice for photography, film and anywhere else HD quality is needed. With a finish that feels light enough for everyday wear, the RCMA VK Palette is a favorite for those who seek a versatile all-in-one foundation set that lasts all day without feeling heavy on the client’s face.
Once you’ve run out of a color, you can purchase Pro Palette Replaceable Godets to customize your palette for life. Considered a top choice by professionals worldwide, the VK Palette is a staple in many artist kits.
Camera Ready customer Alexandra B. says, “I absolutely love the RCMA VK Palette. I first bought this for my freelance kit, and now I use it on all my clients (and even myself!) It's my go-to foundation for a natural finish look .”
Cinema Secrets 5-IN-1 Pro Palette
Available in six universal shade ranges, these industry-coveted, silicone-based foundation palettes provide expert-level customization to match any skin tone with effortless ease. You can also use the 5-IN-1 PRO Palettes to color correct, contour and highlight. The sheer-to-full coverage leaves a natural matte finish, and the water-resistant, long-wearing formula is suitable for even the most sensitive skin.
Camera Ready customer Melanie B. says, “As a pro, I've been using Cinema Secrets from the time I began building my kit. These give great coverage while still looking like skin!”
Graftobian Hi-Def Super Palette
The High-Def Glamour Crème Super Palettes are artist-friendly and convenient for travel. Available in three different shade range options, each of these 18-shade palettes include a combination of top-selling Graftobian crème foundations that are easily blendable and perfect for all skin types.
Achieve full coverage with a finished look that still appears natural. The gorgeous, creamy foundations are super easy to work with and make the skin look like velvet. It’s a great product for any new makeup artist to add to their collection and continues to be a bestselling option for veteran Pros worldwide.
Camera Ready customer Carmen A. says, “I love this palette because it has so many different shades that work for almost every skin tone. The coverage is amazing and it completely hides any skin imperfections so it's definitely worth the price. I use it on myself and my clients. It lasts all day, and a little goes a long way!”
Ben Nye HD Matte Palette
Bring out the best in any skin tone with Ben Nye's Essential HD Matte Foundation Palette! Twelve shades deliver just the right amount of coverage, packaged neatly in a portable tin casing. At just $60, you’ll get HD quality without the HD price. (Plus, you can purchase refills of each color for just $8!)
Each shade is a versatile blend of high pigmentation and natural-looking color that leaves the skin with a flawless, smooth texture. This palette is ideal for combination to oily skin types.
Camera Ready customer Lats A. says, “I have really oily skin and have tried everything. This makeup palette is a must for MUAs! Your clients will love you.”
Shop The Foundation Palettes
Try one of these artist-selected foundation palettes for yourself! All products mentioned in this article are linked down below.
1) Maqpro Fard Creme Palette
2) RCMA VK Palette
3) Cinema Secrets Ultimate 5-IN-1 PRO Palette
4) Graftobian HiDef Glamour Creme Super Palette
5) Ben Nye Essential HD Matte Palette
Visit our blog for more articles like this one. Interested in contributing content to our website? Email your topic suggestions for consideration.
About Camera Ready Cosmetics
Camera Ready Cosmetics was founded in 2003 by pro makeup artist Mary Erickson. An industry veteran for more than 30 years, Mary knows quality and value and understands what an artist needs. Mary is the buyer for Camera Ready Cosmetics and chooses only what she would use on set.
If you don’t find the product you’re looking for on our site, that’s because we have something better. Just ask us!
The 5 Best Professional Makeup Cases
Any professional artist will tell you: having a sturdy, organized and compact makeup case is just as important as being aware of the latest industry trends.
Quality makeup cases protect the investment you’ve made in cosmetics, as well as provide a more streamlined, efficient experience for both yourself and your clients.
Because no two makeup artists are the same, different needs equal different case requirements for every person. The CRC team narrowed down our top five best-selling professional makeup cases to help make your decision a bit easier.
Keep reading to see which options made our list, and discover why our customers love them so much!
Japonesque Pro Makeup Case
This professionally-designed case was created to organize and transport makeup brushes, tools and accessories. Crafted by hand, the case features double-sided, accordion-tiered trays with adjustable dividers and a large lower compartment for ample storage.
The Japonesque Pro Makeup Case is a must-have for organizing and storing beauty essentials. It also includes a durable nylon shoulder strap for easy transporting.
Camera Ready customer Rose says, “I love this makeup case! It’s very well-made, has lots of space and looks so pretty! The lower compartment is very deep, and you can open the other trays without blocking that lower compartment. I also love the sturdiness, which makes it perfect for traveling.”
Buy Here
Just Case Sunrise 4-Wheel Case (All Black)
Professional artists worldwide (especially CRC customers) love the stylish Just Case Sunrise Case for its durability and convenience. It’s perfect for transporting your most precious and expensive tools and uniquely made to secure and protect your products.
This sturdy case was made with the demands of makeup artists in mind - enough space for every product, a heat-resistant exterior to keep makeup cool, and secure closures for easy transporting or moving around on set.
Just Case offers a variety of colors, patterns and designs, but our customers love the chic appearance of the black case, which has been on our “best-sellers” list for years.
Camera Ready customer Agnes says, “This case is great - simple as that. I haven’t found any negatives so far. It’s easy to pack, easy to transport and has various compartments inside to keep my makeup and tools perfectly organized. Plus, it has wheels (which is a necessity when traveling or navigating around on the job.)”
Buy Here
Zuca Pro Artist
This super-sleek, super-organized case is like having the ideal assistant to make life easier. Composed of premium water-resistant nylon, shock-absorbing PVC wheels, and an extendable telescoping handle, you’ll have the flexibility to roll with the punches from one job to next. The contents of your ZUCA stay intact via orderly, accessible zip compartments on every side.
The flawless Pro Artist Case is designed for those on the go who value organization, style and perfection. Protect and organize the tools of your trade while traveling in style.
Camera Ready customer Farrah says, “This case is SO beautiful! You can tell it’s designed specifically for pro artists because it has every compartment you would ever need. My kit has never been more organized and efficient.”
Buy Here
Kitmate Cool Kit
For the artist who lives on outdoor sets, this is the ultimate makeup bag. Keep your products at the perfect temperature, no matter what elements Mother Nature throws your way - boiling summer heat or freezing snow. You can finally say goodbye to melted or frozen makeup, thanks Kitmate’s insulation technology.
The inside of the Cool Kit is lined with aluminum, making it spill-proof and super easy to clean. The outside features a variety of pockets for extra storage and a comfortable shoulder strap to eliminate any discomfort from carrying tools and products around all day. For the best cooling results, add the Kitmate Star Cooling Packs for just $6.99 each.
Camera Ready customer Lindsay says, “I love that it’s insulated, so my products don’t get too cold or hot. I can work all day, in any sort of environment, without worrying once about how my makeup is holding up. Definitely worth buying!”
Buy Here
Esum Makeup Kit Bag
Need a case for just the essentials without towing along your entire kit? Esum's Pro Makeup Kit Bag is ideal for traveling light! This large, zippered case holds two large and two small clear pouches that conveniently Velcro to the interior of the largest bag, keeping your products safe, intact and organized.
Sectioned-off inside are elastic straps to secure a brush roll or even an airbrush compressor. This bag is waterproof and padded on the inside, so you can easily wipe clean when needed. A variety of makeup products fit perfectly inside, including Viseart 12-Color Palettes, KETT Fixx Creme Palettes and the Extra-Large Z Palette!
Camera Ready customer Ebonie says, “I LOVE my Esum Bag. It’s sturdy, padded and light-weight (even when filled to the brim). The case comes with four removable Velcro pouches (similar to Zuca-style pouches, but smaller.) I also bought an extra Esum case, so now my kit holds five packs (three large, two small.) Now, my kit is EVERYTHING I never knew I needed.”
Buy Here
Shop The Makeup Cases
Ready to upgrade your professional makeup case? All the products mentioned in this article are linked down below. Ready, set, GO shopping!
1) Japonesque Pro Makeup Case
2) Just Case - Sunrise All Black 4-Wheel Case
3) Zuca Pro Artist
4) Kitmate Cool Kit
5) Esum Makeup Kit Bag
Tag us in a picture of your new makeup case on Instagram for a chance to be reposted, and visit our blog for more articles like this one.
Interested in contributing content to our website? Email topic suggestions for consideration!
About Camera Ready Cosmetics
Camera Ready Cosmetics was founded in 2003 by pro makeup artist Mary Erickson. An industry veteran for more than 30 years, Mary knows quality and value and understands what an artist needs. Mary is the buyer for Camera Ready Cosmetics and chooses only what she would use on set.
If you don’t find the product you’re looking for on our site, that’s because we have something better. Just ask us!
How To Create A Starter SFX Makeup Kit Under $300
As any professional makeup artist will tell you, building a fully-stocked kit can get EXPENSIVE!
Special effects makeup artistry is no different. Creating the detailed characters that haunt and inspire your social media feeds may take 10, 15, 20 (sometimes more!) different products to complete.
While the best kits take years of trial and error to pull together, there are staple products you may start with to build a well-equipped SFX makeup kit for under $300. (Yes, it’s possible!)
We asked our network of pro-SFX artists which products have earned a permanent spot in their kits. Keep reading for the pro-approved must-haves that made the cut.
Ben Nye Thick Blood
Price: A 6 oz. container costs you $22, but smaller and larger sizes are available at varying price points.
It may look like strawberry jelly, but this corn-syrup based gel will quickly become your go-to for creating dried abrasions, wounds and road rash effects. The easy-to-apply gel has a nice, firm texture that does not drip or dry.
Camera Ready customer Erin K. says, “This is my one and only holy grail fake blood product.”
While it easily washes off the skin, it’s worth noting this product may not easily remove from all fabrics or surfaces. We suggest a quick spot test before use.
Shop Ben Nye Thick Blood
Ben Nye Nose and Scar Wax
Price: An 8oz. container costs you $18, but smaller and larger sizes are available at varying price points.
This handy jar of translucent wax imitates the appearance of real skin to create all sorts of fleshy distortions - a broken nose, a witch’s chin, even bullet holes. Whatever your creative desires, this product has your back. The formula is moldable with a medium firm hold.
Camera Ready customer Carolyn K. says, “After trying many other brands of scar wax, nothing compares to Ben Nye.”
For maximum durability, set on top of Ben Nye Spirit Gum Adhesive and seal with Ben Nye Liquid Latex (a staple also included on this list).
Shop Ben Nye Nose and Scar Wax
3rd Degree Silicone Modeling Compound
Price: A 2 oz. container costs you $24, or you can get the 4 oz. size for $40.
This extremely versatile product is a triple threat - resurfaces the skin, creates special effects and pours into molds. Use the compound to create realistic wounds, scars and prosthetics, or fill uneven texture to smooth the skin.
Camera Ready customer Rachael S. says, “This is the best to work with! I love how smooth the edges blend into the skin. This is easier for me to mold than liquid latex and tissue paper.”
Pro MUA hack: Purchase both sizes and refill the smaller jar for transporting in your kit.
Shop 3rd Degree Silicone Modeling Compound
Ben Nye Final Seal
Price: A 1 oz. spray bottle costs you $7.20, and larger sizes are available at varying price points.
Lock your SFX makeup creations in place with this magical misting spray. A few spritzes of this matte sealant spray will ensure your final look is smudge-proof and water-resistant through hours of performing, entertaining or braving harsh weather conditions. It even withstands heavy perspiration!
Camera Ready customer Jeanita H. says, “My makeup doesn’t move all day. I fell asleep for two hours, woke up, and my makeup was still in place. Cried in church, makeup didn’t streak. Sweated outside, makeup did not move.”
Shop Ben Nye Final Seal
Ben Nye Liquid Latex
Price: An 8 oz. container costs you $20, but smaller and larger sizes are available at varying price points.
An absolute must for any special effects kit, this multi-purpose liquid latex - also called “slip rubber” - will get the job done every time. Seal modeling wax, create 3D appliances in a slush mold, or apply directly to the skin for aged, blister and wound effects.
Camera Ready customer Carissa C. says, “I recently bought the latex, and I’m in love with it. It’s so good for the price and works great to create some freaky looks!”
Bonus use: This liquid adhesive is excellent for molding prosthetic appliances and sealing Ben Nye Nose and Scar Wax.
Shop Ben Nye Liquid Latex
Kryolan Supracolor
Price: Choose from 14 shade options at just $9.80 each.
The outstanding coverage qualities of these cream-based makeup has made it an SFX must-have for decades. Choose from a variety of skin tone shades, as well as clear, white or gray, to create bright color effects or to effortlessly shade and highlight.
Camera Ready customer Sarah B. Says, “You can’t get better than the Kryolan Supracolor foundation, in terms of finding a perfect color match. It stands up to any conditions (heat, humidity, stage lights) and provides full coverage that lasts all day.”
Some artists also use this product as a normal, everyday foundation to conceal skin conditions, discolorations and textured skin. Its versatility will keep you reaching for it, no matter the occasion.
Shop Kryolan Supracolor
Mehron Pro Color Ring - Bruise
Price: $13.95
The affordable, extremely handy compact includes every shade you need to create fresh or healing bruises. A must-have in any SFX kit, the wheel-shaped container includes green, yellow, light brown, dark brown and black shades that easily smudge and blend to create a realistic bruised look.
Camera Ready customer Dana G. Says, “It’s perfect! I love Mehron’s cream makeup, and it blends very well.”
The long-lasting formula won’t fade or melt away even after hours of wear.
Shop Mehron Pro Color Ring
Reel Creations Fleshtone Palette
Price: $80
This palette is the perfect tool to conceal tattoos, bruises, scars and more. Activate with Reel Developer or 99% Isopropyl Alcohol with just a few drops, and mix with a brush or sponge until you reach the desired effect.
Camera Ready customer Luke C. Says, “I love this palette! It lasted all night long, and it was very easy to use. This is a must-have in your SFX kit!”
It’s worth noting the product takes a while to activate once you’ve applied the alcohol, but once the product works up, the colors turn opaque. Mix darker pigments with more alcohol to lighten them. Make lighter colors more pigmented by continually mixing your brush or sponge in the activated product until the desired pigment is reached.
Shop Reel Creations Fleshtone Palette
Skin Illustrator FX Palette
Price: $80
Designed for just about any injury or illness, this palettes simulates burns, cuts, scrapes, scabs and bruises. Compatible with the Reel Creations Fleshtone Palette mentioned above, mix and blend colors to create varying degrees of gore and injury.
Camera Ready customer Casandra S. says, “I absolutely love it. I use it for everything, whether it’s creating bruises, cuts or painting prosthetics. It’s totally worth it and a must-have for any makeup artist.”
These pigments are rich in color content, which makes this palette go farther and last longer than others on the market.
Shop Skin Illustrator FX Palette
PPI Glazing Gels
Price: Choose from 19 color options at $16.50 each.
Set apart from other bruising effects makeup, these gels are specially made for extreme closeup film work for bruise and injury effects that appear to be a part of the skin, not on top of it. Sunburn, freckles, shadows, discoloration - whatever your SFX creative needs, these gels will make it look like the real thing.
Camera Ready customer Nina A. says, “It looks like it’s in the skin, not on it. I use it on set for quick bruises, sunburn and dark circles. It works great around the eyes for those who are sensitive. I have every color.”
These water-based, transparent colors wear exceptionally well for the demands of high definition film and television, and they deliver realistic subtlety that cannot be achieved with heavier cream-based products.
Shop PPI Glazing Gels
Shop The Products
Ready to create your very own, affordable, fully-stocked SFX kit? We conveniently linked all of the products mentioned in this article down below. Click, buy and be fully prepared to venture into the world of SFX makeup artistry!
1) Ben Nye Thick Blood
2) Ben Nye Nose and Scar Wax
3) 3rd Degree Silicone Modeling Compound
4) Ben Nye Final Seal
5) Ben Nye Liquid Latex
6) Kryolan Supracolor
7) Mehron Pro Color Ring - Bruise
8) Reel Creations Fleshtone Palette
9) Skin Illustrator FX Palette
10) PPI Glazing Gels
Tag us in your SFX makeup creations on Instagram for a chance to be reposted, and visit our blog for more articles like this one!
Interested in contributing content to our website? Email your topic suggestions for consideration!
About Camera Ready Cosmetics
Camera Ready Cosmetics was founded in 2003 by pro makeup artist Mary Erickson. An industry veteran for more than 30 years, Mary knows quality and value and understands what an artist needs. Mary is the buyer for Camera Ready Cosmetics and chooses only what she would use on set.
If you don’t find the product you’re looking for on our site, that’s because we have something better. Just ask us!
5 Pro Concealers That Effortlessly Cover Dark Spots
Let’s pretend you’re on set. You’ve just completed a full-face makeup application on a client, and now she’s ready for lights, camera, action. As she enters the spotlight, you admire the finished look and think to yourself, “nice work, me!”
But then you see them - those dreaded dark spots - beaming through underneath the makeup masterpiece you spent an hour perfecting.
As professional makeup artists, we’ve all been there. Covering dark spots caused by scars, skin damage, beauty marks, pigmentation or lack of sleep is challenging for even the most experienced artists.
Choosing a quality pro concealer can make all the difference. We put the concealers in our store to the test, and narrowed down our top five picks for effortlessly covering dark spots. The products we chose left behind smooth, blemish-free skin and no trace of pesky discolorations.
1) Make Up For Ever Full Cover Concealer
This oil-free, waterproof concealer provides a long-lasting matte finish that blends into the skin for a natural, skin-like appearance. The formula is so full coverage that many artists use this as a go-to tattoo coverup.
We love the Full Cover Concealer for its ability to even out skin tones of any color and camouflage even the most stubborn of blemishes. Another bonus? It’s extremely pigmented, yet light and creamy, making it the perfect multi-purpose product for both the face and body.
Available in a range of 12 shades, it’s easy to create a perfect skin match. Shop the product here, and add one to your makeup kit to see the exceptional quality for yourself.
2) Danessa Myricks Beauty Vision Cream Cover
This one is good, you guys. So good it gives us chills just thinking about it. Every product from Danessa Myricks Beauty is outstanding, and perfect, and smart, and we can’t find a single negative thing to say about this professional cosmetics line.
When we first got our hands on the Vision Cream Cover, we were awestruck. The concealer-foundation hybrid is lightweight while providing the silkiest, smoothest, most flawless coverage you’ve ever seen.
The formula’s texture-minimizing properties conceal hyper-pigmentation, uneven discolorations, and other skin blemishes, leaving behind a gorgeous, perfect complexion. It even includes low-density, hydrating ingredients to create the appearance of glowing, radiant skin.
Did we mention it’s also 100% vegan and cruelty-free? We’ll stop right now before the gushing goes overboard.
There are 24 shades to shop right here, and we can’t wait for you to fall in love as hard as we have.
3) RCMA Ultimate Complexion Palette
This incredible complexion palette is pricier than the other products on our list, but it packs loads of value and will quickly become the handy essential you reach for time and time again.
RCMA designed the palette in partnership with Emmy Award-winning makeup artist and educator, Kevin James Bennett, who is well-known in the industry for creating impeccable complexions across all media formats.
The Ultimate Complexion Palette features all of Bennett’s favorite RCMA foundations, five single pigment colors, and one clear mixing medium to correct any skin discolorations and conceal the face with a smooth, texture-free finish.
This is the perfect solution for makeup artists who can’t afford to fill their kits with full-sized products, but need a wide range of shades.
Shop the palette here.
4) Cinema Secrets 5-IN-1 PRO Palette
The creamy, pigment-rich correctors in this multi-purpose palette do more than just conceal skin conditions and blemishes. Use the 5-in-1 power to the Corrector Pro Palette to correct unwanted undertones, highlight, contour and adjust foundation colors.
Cancel out purples undertones with the peachy coral shades, and neutralize with the olive green shades to create the flawless skin of your dreams.
Available in two palette variations, No. 1 and No. 2 both include light red, medium red, med-deep red, light blue and med-deep blue neutralizers in slightly different color combinations.
Add this palette to your shopping cart for a skin correcting experience unlike any other.
5) Kryolan Concealer Circle
This concealer compact is small, yet mighty. It’s best used for covering small discolorations of the skin, but it does so with minimal product application and lots of coverage power.
Available in seven compacts, each with six shade variations, and one neutralizing compact, the cream-based formulas are highly pigmented and require minimal amounts of product for each use. It’s also important to note that most of these colors aren’t meant to mimic exact skin colors, so being skilled in color mixing is a must.
Shop the different shade options here to find the perfect wheel for your kit.
Shop The Products
All five of the concealers listed above are available at Camera Ready Cosmetics. Stock your kit with these dark-circle-erasing tubes of awesomeness, and transform clients into the flawless beauties that they are.
1) Make Up For Ever Full Cover Concealer
2) Danessa Myricks Beauty Vision Cream Cover
3) RCMA Kevin James Bennett Complexion Palette
4) Cinema Secrets Ultimate Corrector 5-IN-1 PRO Palette
5) Kryolan Concealer Circle
Comment below to let us know which pro concealers you’re loving, and tag us on Instagram for a chance to be reposted. Visit our blog for more articles like this one!
Interested in contributing content to our website? Email topic suggestions to marketing@crcmakeup.com for consideration!
About Camera Ready Cosmetics
Camera Ready Cosmetics was founded in 2003 by pro makeup artist Mary Erickson. An industry veteran for more than 30 years, Mary knows quality and value and understands what an artist needs. Mary is the buyer for Camera Ready Cosmetics and chooses only what she would use on set.
If you don’t find the product you’re looking for on our site, that’s because we have something better. Just ask us!
GO-TO MAKEUP PRODUCTS FOR ENHANCING DIFFERENT EYE SHAPES
The eyes are the window to the soul, so let’s make those beauties stand out! Every client you encounter will have a different eye shape, and it’s important to know the best tips and techniques for enhancing their natural beauty.
“What eye shape do I have?”
This is a question we get a lot, so we’ve outlined each of the most common shapes of eyes below with tips on how to effectively accentuate different eye shapes, as well as which products will help you achieve maximum results for each of the different eye shapes. Educate yourself, get inspired, and stock your kit with these eye makeup essentials for a versatile kit anywhere you go.
The Different Eye Shapes:
Deep set eyes
Wide set eyes
Protruding eyes
Close set eyes
Upturned eyes
Downturned eyes
Hooded eyelids
Monolids
Deep Set Eyes
Having deep set eyes simply means the eyeballs are set further back into the skull, creating a more prominent brow bone. Famous faces with this shape of eye include Taylor Swift, Halle Berry, and Renee Zellweger.
For deep set eyes makeup, opt for lighter, highlighting colors to brighten the lid and to create the illusion of more eye space. The key with deep set eyes and makeup is to de-emphasize shadows caused by the brow bone. The Make Up For Ever Pro Glow Highlighter comes in a Pearly Rose and Iridescent Gold colors and works well to enhance a natural glow.
Wide Set Eyes
This shape of eye refers to eyes that are more than one eye-width apart. Famous faces with this feature include Michelle Pfeiffer, Oprah Winfrey, and Jackie O.
The goal of enhancing wide set eyes is to make them look closer together. The simplest way to achieve this is by using a dark liner around the entire rim of the eye, as well as the inner corners near the tear ducts. Jillian Dempsey’s Khol Eyeliner leaves a silky-smooth finish that lasts all day.
Protruding Eyes
Considered one of the more recognizable shapes of eyes, protruding eyes are very round, wide, and appear further out from the skull. Famous faces with this feature include Nicole Richie, Christina Ricci, and Emma Stone.
People with this shape of eye can typically pull off any makeup style, but most especially a dark smokey eye with false lashes and bold brows. Dose of Colors’ Smokey Soiree Eyeshadow Palette is the perfect option for a subtly seductive look. The versatile palette includes a mixture of matte and ultra-reflective shimmer shadows.
Close Set Eyes
Another recognizable type among the different eye shapes, close set refers to eyes that have more space between the temples and outer eye corners than between the actual eyes. Famous faces with this feature include Jennifer Anniston, Kristen Bell, and Miley Cyrus.
Opposite of wide set eyes, the goal here is to create the appearance of eyes that are farther apart. Light, reflective shadows applied to the inner corner of the eyes are effective but stay away from darker shades that will make the eyes look smaller.
The RMS Beauty Eye Polish creates a sheer, metallic finish that illuminates the eye and moisturizes all at the same time.
Upturned Eyes
This is the perfect shape of eye for a seductive cat eye. Upturned eyes are almond-shaped but curve upward towards the outer corners. Famous faces with this feature include Angelina Jolie, Kendall Jenner, and Beyonce.
Upturned eyes are best accentuated with a balance of shimmer and darker, matte hues. Avoid heavy eyeliners and choose appropriate shadow colors for the skin tone and eye color you’re working with for a more natural look.
Create the perfect look with the Mehron E.Y.E. and CHEEK Powder Palette. The powder-based shadows are designed for the most extreme HDTV close-up, so you can feel confident it will perform well and last all day long.
Downturned Eyes
Almond-shaped with the outer corners curved downward, the downturned shape of eye has a rounded upper lip and flat bottom. Famous faces with this feature include Katie Holmes, Anne Hathaway, and Marilyn Monroe.
When doing makeup for downset eyes, aim to create an artificial upward lift by accentuating the outer corners. Choose soft, warm shadows and liners that accentuate the eye color to create the appearance of bigger eyes.
Rituel De Fille’s Ash and Amber Eye Soot is actually an eyeshadow color product, but we also love it for soft, natural eyeliner. The rich texture is created with pure pigments and oils, so it won’t melt off or fade throughout the day. This eye soot is the perfect product to makeup downset eyes with a sultry lift.
Hooded Eyelids
Among the different eye shapes, hooded lids are known for creating the appearance of small, squinty eyes due to a hidden or less visible crease. Famous faces with hooded eyelids feature include Kate Moss, Lucy Liu, and Blake Lively.
Neutral tones will enhance the eyelid and create the appearance of bigger eyes without looking over the top. Highlighting shadow on the inner corner of the eyes and along the brow bone will also make this hooded lids shape of eyes appear more open.
An unusual favorite is Illamasqua’s Beyond Liquid Highlighter, which offers a lightweight glow and a dewy finish. Just a light dab to the inner corner of the eyes, and you’ll have a beautifully luminous, fresh-faced look.
Monolids
A common trait amongst Asian populations, monolids are the shape of eye defined by the upper lid completely overlapping the lower lid, creating the appearance of no eye crease and a softer brow bone. Famous faces with this feature include Sandra Oh, Jamie Chung, and Vera Wang.
The goal of applying makeup on this shape of eye is to develop a gradient of color without creating an artificial crease. Choose products that blend very easily to create a look that appears as if each layer is fading into the next. We love Stila’s Smudge Stick Waterproof Eye Liner because it’s easy to blend and manipulate upon initial application, but once it sets, your creation won’t budge.
Shop The Best Products for Different Eye Shapes
Now you’re ready to master makeup application for any of the different eye shapes! Arm your kit with the products mentioned above so you’ll be ready for any makeup style anywhere you go.
1) Deep Set Eyes: Make Up For Ever Pro Glow Highlighter
2) Wide Set Eyes: Jillian Dempsey’s Khol Eyeliner
3) Protruding Eyes: Dose of Colors’ Smokey Soiree Eyeshadow Palette
4) Close Set Eyes: RMS Beauty Eye Polish
5) Upturned Eyes: Mehron E.Y.E. and CHEEK Powder Palette
6) Downturned Eyes: Rituel De Fille’s Ash and Amber Eye Soot
7) Hooded Eyelids: Illamasqua’s Beyond Liquid Highlighter
8) Monolids: Stila’s Smudge Stick Waterproof Eye Liner
About Camera Ready Cosmetics
Camera Ready Cosmetics was founded in 2003 by makeup artist Mary Erickson. An industry veteran for more than 30 years, Mary knows quality and value and understands what an artist needs. Mary is the buyer for Camera Ready Cosmetics and chooses only what she would use on set.
If you don’t find the product you’re looking for on our site, that’s because we have something better. Just ask us!
Pro MUA Joe Blasco: An Interview With The Pioneer of Film & Television Makeup Education
Here at Camera Ready Cosmetics, we have promoted, sold and loved Joe Blasco cosmetics for years. When clients walk through our doors looking for highly pigmented, high-performance makeup for film, television or the stage, the Joe Blasco collection is one of our first go-to recommendations.
Known worldwide for his decades-long career as a leading makeup artist in Hollywood, highly sought-after film and television makeup visionary, first ever creator of government-approved makeup education centers, and the inventor of a 45-year-old+ successful cosmetics line, Joe Blasco has made his mark on the world of makeup artistry and education like no one before him.
We had the opportunity to sit down with Mr. Blasco and discuss his start in the industry, his passion for teaching, and his secret to making one of the highest-performing makeup lines for film and television.
Not into reading? Watch the full video interview here.
Camera Ready Cosmetics: What inspired you to pave the way for makeup education?
Joe Blasco: I realized that I wanted to teach, more than anything, when I felt that by teaching I was also learning, and the more I taught others the more I was able to experiment. When I was at ABC Television, they would come to me and say, “How do you do that? Why [do your foundations] look the way they do? How are you highlighting and shading the way you do?” And I realized most of the makeup artists didn’t really have as keen an understanding of highlighting and shading as I was taught by Ben Nye, and Kiva Hoffman, and some of the other artists that I studied under.
So I thought, “OK. I’m going to take all of my understanding of corrective makeup and I’m going to create a class.” So I started with small classes, and gradually, more and more people wanted the instruction.
I got calls - tons and tons of calls. And suddenly I went from just being this journeyman makeup artist at ABC also to having these big classes at night. So I thought, “Wait a minute. This is really interesting. This is going somewhere.”
CRC: What were some of the industry challenges you faced early on?
JB: [After my classes started gaining popularity, ABC] came to me and said, “Conflict of interest! You’re teaching, and we can’t allow you to advertise that you’re a makeup artist [while] working for ABC.” So I said, “OK, well, I’m out.” So I left ABC, and I went completely into being an independent makeup artist and to teaching.
There were very few women in the industry. There just weren’t any, they weren’t makeup artists. The makeup artists were all men. When I opened my doors to students who wanted to be makeup artists, gradually more and more women came to the forefront. I’m proud to have been able to be a catalyst for allowing women into the profession…and gays…and various races. [They] were not, originally back then - 40 years ago - permitted into [the industry]. It was primarily a white man’s job. Not anymore.
CRC: What has been the most rewarding moment as a makeup instructor?
JB: My proudest moment as a makeup instructor had to be when I saw Matthew Mungle receive an Academy Award. He was my first graduate to receive an Academy Award. Since then Bill Corso has also received an Academy Award. I’m proud to have been influential in their success.
But there have been many, you know. Every time I look at the credits roll by and see someone’s name that I know that I taught, it’s a good feeling - a real feeling of satisfaction and accomplishment.
CRC: When did you realize you wanted to create your own makeup line?
JB: I loved being involved in monster makeup and horror makeup in the very early portion of my career. What I did was simply to be as creative as I could possibly be, follow the script that I was given, come up with whatever the writer envisioned and the director wanted.
After working in the industry for quite a few years, I saw that the products we were using - and they were excellent products, Max Factor, Ben Nye, RCMA - I would do a lot of mixing. And I thought, “Wouldn’t it be nice not to do all that mixing?” So that’s when I came up with our base tone related neutralizers.
CRC: How and where did you learn to create makeup?
JB: I learned how to make makeup in two different places - one was at the Max Factor company, and the other was the Ben Nye company. I learned more from Ben Nye than from anyone. However, I was always wanted to change things.
If you use an oil that will break the makeup down after the body temperature starts to rise then your makeup isn’t really going to serve a professional purpose. It’s going to require more work. It’s going to slow production time down. So I thought, “What can I do to make makeup better?”
CRC: What’s the difference between Joe Blasco products and other high-performance brands?
JB: The amount of pigment that we put into the product is a puzzlement to other cosmetics companies. They’ll try this, and they’ll say “how do you get all this pigment into the product.” And that’s the secret.
The secret is to put the pigment in with the waxes and with the oils in a conventional manner, and then process it - very much like you’d process fine chocolate - so that it removes the excess vehicle, the excess oils and waxes, leaving behind a higher percentage of pigment. And how we do that, I can’t discuss.
CRC: What is your favorite product from the Joe Blasco collection?
JB: All of the Ultrabases are amazing. You can put it on with a dry sponge. You can put it on with a wet sea sponge. There are no other professional makeups, that are oil-based makeups, that will go on as successfully as mine with a wet sea sponge. Mine goes on because there’s so much pigment, and we’ve all that vehicle. When you put it on, it goes on very evenly and it covers.
I think most popular are the neutralizers and then the Dermaceals and Ultamattes™.
Oh, here we go we’re just going to name everything, aren’t we? [Laughs]
The Ultamattes™ are extremely, highly-pigmented makeups, and I’ll tell you how I came about this. Ben Nye had a product that I helped him make, and it was the beard stipple product. It was a dark, dark black makeup that we put a lot of pigment into.
I looked at it and thought “wow, there’s a lot of pigment in this,” unlike any of the other products in the line. And I started using it for eyeliner. Years later when I made my own line, I thought back and remembered that and I thought “let me make a line that has a tremendous amount of pigment.” But not just black. I made them in taupe, and brown, and warm brown, and then lighter colors that would be the same as the neutralizers.
The highlighting colors became the Dermaceals, and the darker colors - the browns and the taupes and the blacks - became the Ultamattes™. So that concept split off into two different categories. The Ultamattes™ for eye makeup, and the Dermaceals for corrective makeup and concealing.
So it’s all a matter of working with a product that has more pigment. That’s the secret.
CRC: What is next for Joe Blasco cosmetics?
JB: I just turned 71, and I’m really looking forward to continuing to work and to teach and to inspired other - inspiring young people to go into the profession in a manner that is sophisticated and well represents them as artists and also serves the profession well.
CRC: What advice would you give to anyone interested in getting into the industry or following in your footsteps?
JB: I don’t know that anyone really needs to follow in anyone’s footsteps. I think that what one needs to do is to create their own footstep template and to keep making that template grow and to do makeup artistry as they envision it - to be creative, to create their own style and to learn as much as they can from as many people as possible, but never try to copy any other people.
You can emulate, you can be inspired by, but to copy is not being artistic. Be inspired, and create your own style. Have passion, and by all means, practice, practice, practice, practice. The more you practice, the better you’re going to be, and that’s the secret.
Meet Rudy Blasco
Following our interview, Joe introduced us to his dearest friend - and Joe Blasco cosmetics mascot - Rudy, an adorable pup that accompanies Joe on his many travels.
Watch the full video interview here, and comment below with your favorite Joe Blasco product.
About Camera Ready Cosmetics
Camera Ready Cosmetics was founded in 2003 by Makeup Artist Mary Erickson. Having been in the makeup artist industry for 30+ years, Mary knows quality and value and understands what an artist needs. Mary is the buyer for Camera Ready Cosmetics and chooses only what she would use on set.
If you don’t find the product you’re looking for at Camera Ready Cosmetics, that’s because we have something better. Just ask us!
The Ultimate Male Grooming Guide: Featuring 18.21 Man Made
Dear men: has your grooming routine become mundane? Longing for better quality products that keep your hair perfectly styled all day long?
Meet 18.21 Man Made: a Texas-based business with a passion for making premium goods. Made for men by men, the new collection from 18.21 elevates and simplifies the male grooming experience.
Camera Ready Cosmetics first met the masterminds behind this unique brand at the 2018 Indie Beauty Expo, and we knew right away we had to carry the line. From waxes and pomades to hair wash and spray, 18.21 has created a variety of must-have products for perfectly coiffed hair.
And for an added old-school touch, all 18.21 products have the aroma of Sweet Tobacco which is irresistibly manly.
Man Made Wax
This two-ounce container of texturizing perfection works to eliminate frizz and keep hair in place all day. Perfect for any hair type, this paraben-free wax is great for separating, defining and manipulating hair and leaves a natural, satin sheen that’s not too shiny and not too matte.
The formula is created from a beeswax like mixture of wax and clay that is great for both structured and unstructured hairstyles.
Shop The Wax
Man Made Pomade
Shape, refine or separate hair with this medium-hold, non-greasy pomade. This product is perfect for short and medium length hair and helps to tame texture and create classic or structured hairstyles that hold all day.
The water-soluble formula easily rinses out, does not flake, and is easy to scoop out of the jar and comb through.
Shop The Pomade
Man Made Paste
Get ready to mold your hair and refine texture like never before. This lightweight, creamy mixture offers medium hold and a satin sheen finish that helps to control frizz, moisturize and shape hair before blow drying.
The formula is created from a cream like mixture of wax and grooming cream that is great for shaping, molding and managing wavy or curly hair.
Shop The Paste
Man Made Clay
This mixture of clay, wax and elastic fibers provides medium to strong hold with a natural finish and no shine. Work this through the hair to thicken, separate and define an unstructured hairstyle. The non-greasy clay is perfect for fine or thinning hair types.
The water-soluble formula feels similar in consistency to pottery clay and leaves touchable hold that’s not too stiff or crunchy.
Shop The Clay
Man Made Wash
Inspired by the look and feel of a whiskey bottle, we’ve found an all-in-one hair and body wash (shampoo, conditioner and body wash) that cleans and conditions from head to toe, made just for men. Infused with macadamia glycerides, hydrolyzed quinoa and jojoba esters, this sulfate-free, ph-balanced wash gently works to moisturize and strengthen the hair and skin.
Shop The Wash
Man Made Hair Spray
Control frizz and protect again humidity with this fast-drying finishing mist. Inspired by the look and feel of a beer can from the early 1900s, you’ll feel retro as ever while setting your hairstyle in place. The hairspray work for any hair type, especially those with fine or thinning hair, and offers a flexible hold that lasts all day. No touch ups required.
Shop The Hair Spray
Are you ready to elevate your hair grooming routine? Shop the 18.21 Man Made collection and find the perfect products for you.
About Camera Ready Cosmetics
Camera Ready Cosmetics was founded in 2003 by Makeup Artist Mary Erickson. Having been in the makeup artist industry for 30+ years, Mary knows quality and value and understands what an artist needs. Mary is the buyer for Camera Ready Cosmetics and chooses only what she would use on set.
If you don’t find the product you’re looking for at Camera Ready Cosmetics, that’s because we have something better. Just ask us!
YOUR GUIDE TO PERFECT BRIDESMAID MAKEUP
Choosing the perfect bridesmaid makeup look for a bridal party is tough. Countless factors determine the final look: the wedding theme, the venue, the dress, the time of day … the list goes on.
Follow these classic, go-to tips to make your wedding day seamless and stress-free. (And to ensure you and your bridesmaids make it down the aisle on time and looking fabulous!)
3 Main Focus Areas for Bridesmaid Makeup Looks:
Face
Eyes
Lips
Bridesmaid Makeup FOR THE FACE
Prime, prime, prime! Before you apply any makeup to the face, be sure to use a mattifying primer to reduce shine and ensure the foundation stays put through hour-long photo sessions (and the ceremony, of course!)
There are countless primers to choose from, but one of our favorites is the Bioderma Sebium Control for those with an oily complexion.This quick absorbing, moisturizing lotion smoothes, mattifies and provides instant, deep down results for naturally beautiful skin that stays matte all day and night. For those with a more mature complexion, Mehron Skin Prep Pro prolongs weartime while providing lasting hydration to plump up the skin for a hydrated and fresh appearance.
Once you’re primed and ready to continue the bridesmaid makeup look, choose a lightweight, full-coverage foundation that will translate well on camera. We recommend TEMPTU’s Perfect Canvas Hydra Lock Airbrush Foundation, which comes in 20+ shades, does not transfer, and lasts all day. The semi-matte finish leaves a natural-looking appearance.
If you don’t have the airbrush applicator, we recommend TEMPTU Air, which weighs less than one pound and is easy to pack in your kit.
BRIDESMAID EYE MAKEUP
A classic smokey eye is the most common wedding bridesmaid makeup look because it’s easy to achieve and customizable depending on the colors you want to incorporate. To start this bridesmaid makeup look, you’ll want to apply a light silver or gold eyeshadow across the lid..
Choose an option with a little shimmer to enhance the bridesmaid eye makeup. We love using Viseart Sultry Muse because it offers a wide range of tones perfect for a wide range of complexions and eye colors.
Next, you’ll want to apply a dark or jewel tone matte shade to the crease of your eyelid. Concentrate on the outer corner of the eye and blend upward toward the brow bone. Depending on the color you’re after, La Femme offers a variety of affordable shades perfect for a smokey eye. Finish the bridesmaid eye makeup with a light neutral color across the brow bone, like Kitten by Stila.
If you’re looking for an eye palette that has all the colors you need in one for the best bridesmaid eye makeup looks, the Viseart Grande PRO 1X Palette offers all the shades you need to create looks ranging from soft glam and natural to deep and smokey.
BRIDESMAID MAKEUP FOR THE LIPS
A neutral lip is a perfect way to balance out a smokey bridesmaid eye makeup. Choose a lip creme for added shine without the messy look that gloss can create.
We’re loving lip palettes like Ben Nye’s All for One or Danessa Myricks Beauty Luxe Cream Palettes in Nudist and The Feminist. Each palette boasts a wealth of shades that can be mixed and matched to create the perfect lip shade.
If you’re going for a bolder look, the Besame Red Lipstick is a true classic. Modeled after the iconic red lip made famous in the 1920s, this bright and vibrant lipstick leaves a full-coverage, semi-matte finish with just one coat.
30-MINUTE BRIDESMAID MAKEUP WORKSHOP
This event has passed, but be sure to sign up for our text messages and emails to be notified of future classes, events, and sales!
With bridal parties getting bigger and bigger, the key for any bridal makeup artist is maximizing efficiency to save time. Camera Ready Live has teamed up with pro makeup artist Erin Blair to showcase tips and tricks that will elevate your bridal makeup career.
Learn how to simplify your makeup kit and speed up your process to execute a beautiful bridesmaid makeup look in just 30 minutes or less. After the demo, you'll get a chance to test out the new tricks you've learned during the hands-on segment of this workshop.
Be sure to bring your kit so you can practice with the tools you're most familiar with!
ABOUT PRO MAKEUP ARTIST ERIN BLAIR
Erin Blair Gobin has been one of Dallas-Fort Worth’s leading bridal makeup artists for almost 15 years. She is the owner of Erin Blair Makeup & Hair Design, which handles approximately 150 weddings each year. Erin Blair is a member of the Knot: Best of Weddings Hall of Fame and a five-time nominee of the AACWP Vendi Award for best wedding hair and makeup in Dallas-Fort Worth.
About Camera Ready Cosmetics
Camera Ready Cosmetics was founded in 2003 by makeup artist Mary Erickson. Having been in the makeup artist industry for 30+ years, Mary knows quality and value and understands what an artist needs. Mary is the buyer for Camera Ready Cosmetics and chooses only what she would use on set.
If you don’t find the product you’re looking for at Camera Ready Cosmetics, that’s because we have something better. Just ask us!
MAKEUP EXPIRATION GUIDE: WHEN TO REPLACE YOUR FAVORITE BEAUTY PRODUCTS
When it comes to your favorite makeup products, here’s a truth that many find hard to accept: makeup doesn’t last forever. Mascaras. Liquid eyeliners. Foundations. Moisturizers and toners. These are a few of the many products that do, unfortunately, have a shelf life.
We aren’t writing this because we’re heartless. If we could use our favorite mascara until the bristles fell off, we would. But we’re writing this to protect you from the harmful bacteria that live and grow inside everyday beauty essentials – it’s important to check those makeup expiration dates!
This handy makeup expiration guide will serve well in moments when you wonder, “Is it time to replace?”
So, let’s dive into the “when” and “why” of checking the expiration dates on cosmetics and refreshing your beauty favorites.
How Long Does Makeup Last?
This is the burning question, right? The truth is, it varies by product, and with so many different types of products, figuring out how long your makeup lasts can feel overwhelming. While mascara only lasts for a few months, some products may last you years. We’re here to break it all down and answer those questions, like, “Does eyeshadow expire?” so your products continue serving you flawless looks instead of bacteria and gook.
We’ll help you check the expiration dates on the following makeup products and tools:
Mascara
Foundation
Powder
Liquid or gel eyeliner
Eye and lip pencils
Skincare
Brushes
Makeup Expiration: Mascara
Shelf Life: 3-6 months once opened
While you may check the expiration date on your makeup and see it’s years away, that only applies to unopened mascara. Once opened, mascara needs to be replaced more frequently than any other beauty product. Every time you pump a mascara wand back into its tube, the product traps bacteria, which can cause harmful eye infections.
3 Tell-Tale Signs it’s Time to Replace Your Mascara:
It’s dry and clumpy
Bristles have excessive buildup
Scent change
Shop Mascaras
FOUNDATION Expiration
Shelf Life: 6-12 months
Unlike powder formulas, liquid foundations contain oils or other ingredients that break down over time. Pump containers provide more protection than ones with an open top. For open-top foundations, it’s best to put the product on a palette or mixing tray before applying with a clean brush or sponge.
How to Tell if Your Foundation is Expired
When a foundation is nearing expiration, you may notice dryness or changes in consistency. If the consistency seems normal, but you know you’ve had the foundation for a long time (no judgment), it may be worth checking the expiration date on your cosmetics!
Shop Foundations
Powder Makeup - Does Eyeshadow Expire?
Shelf Life: 3 years
Because they don’t require large amounts of water to manufacture, powders, like setting powders and powder eyeshadows, have a longer shelf life than most other cosmetic products. To prevent the early makeup expiration of your powder products, store in cool, dry locations with the lids firmly closed.
When to Replace Expired Powder Makeup
If you notice powder becoming more difficult to blend or chalky, the makeup is expired, and a replacement is due.
Shop Eyeshadows
Shop Powders
How Long DOes LIQUID OR GEL EYELINER Last?
Shelf Life: 3-6 months
Like mascara, liquid eyeliners should be at the top of your frequent replacements list once the bottle is opened – despite what the makeup expiration date on the bottle says. Because this product is applied to the eyes, you’re at higher risk of contracting an infection if the makeup is nearing expiration.
When to Replace Liquid or Gel Liners
The most common sign of expired liquid liner is a dry formula. Most people think adding a little water will prolong the life, but doing so helps bacteria to grow faster.
A product like Inglot Duraline or Cozzette Matrix Mixing Liquid can help revive a drying gel liner, but since you're opening and closing it frequently, replace it every three to six months, depending on how often you use it.
Shop Liquid Eyeliners
EYE & LIP PENCILS – Does That Makeup Expire, Too?
Shelf Life: 1-2 years
Pencils tend to last longer because they are constantly being sharpened, which provides a clean, fresh layer before each application. However, it's important to disinfect and sharpen them after every use since they're being used on the eyes and lips, where bacteria levels are higher than other areas of the face.
How Do You Know When to Replace Lip and Eye Pencils?
Aside from checking expiration dates on cosmetics, it’s difficult to tell when an eye or lip pencil has gone bad. A good rule to follow is to replace pencils that no longer sharpen easily. For example, pencils that frequently break off after sharpening are best to toss. If you notice they're changing color, the makeup is expired, and it's time to throw them away. Discoloration is often a sign of mold growing within the product - yikes.
Shop Eye Pencils
Shop Lip Pencils
Do SKINCARE Products Expire?
Shelf Life: Varies, but typically 12 months
The shelf life for skincare can vary based on the ingredients, packaging style, and frequency of use. However, a good rule of thumb, aside from checking the skincare expiration date, is to replace it if it's been more than a year.
How to Prolong the Life of Skincare Products
After a year, moisturizers and toners lose most of their beneficial properties. The efficacy of the active ingredients decreases over time, and some deteriorate each time they're exposed to air. Others include ingredients that break down with exposure to light or extreme temperatures, so be sure to read the label, check the products’ expiration dates, and store them properly.
Always apply these products with clean hands. Never add water to prolong the life of these products, as it dilutes the formula.
Shop Moisturizers
Shop Toners
Can Makeup BRUSHES Expire?
Shelf Life: N/A
Thankfully, makeup expiration dates don’t apply to brushes. They can last for decades if you properly care for them. Purchase an all-natural, deep-cleaning brush cleaner to rid your bristles of pesky bacteria and buildup. Crazy Merman offers a variety of vegan brush cleaners that smell amazing and make your brushes like new again.
Will I Ever Have to Replace My Makeup Brushes?
If your brush sheds with every use or no longer applies product evenly, it may be time for replacements.
Shop Brush Cleaners
Shop Brushes
OTHER Makeup Expiration GUIDELINES
Knowing how to properly identify when expired makeup needs to be replaced can help keep any makeup products you purchase from causing an infection. Here are some tried-and-true bonus tips to help you figure out if your makeup is expired and teach you how to check those pesky makeup expiration dates:
1) Write the date of purchase or open date on the outside of each product.
2) Federal law requires all makeup products to feature a PAO (Period After Opening) or BBE (Best Before End Date) symbol. A PAO symbol applies only if the shelf life is 30 months or more. Any less, and the product will feature a BBE symbol to signal makeup expiration date.
3) Products made from natural ingredients will include a makeup expiration date that applies even if unopened.
4) If you can’t find an expiration date on your makeup or skincare product or a PAO or BBE label, check for the manufacture date. This will help you to know if the product is nearing expiration, as many unused cosmetics lose their quality over time.
To answer specific questions about your makeup products, email our beauty experts. Then shop our site to replace expired makeup with fresh products!
About Camera Ready Cosmetics
Camera Ready Cosmetics was founded in 2003 by makeup artist Mary Erickson. Having been in the makeup artist industry for 30+ years, Mary knows quality and value and understands what an artist needs
She dreamed of having a pro makeup showroom where artists could play with professional products without the typical makeup store attitude.
Today, our team of beauty industry veterans works together to curate the best quality products on the market. We partner with brands who respect the industry and formulate products for true working artists. You won’t find CRC in high-end malls, and we don't wear matching brush belts.
If you want to play with products for a few hours and buy nothing, that's okay ... come in and play! Our store is your playground.
How To Build A Pro Makeup Artist Kit (For Under $1000)
If you’ve been following along with our blogs, you’ve learned the best ways to start building your brand and step into the makeup artist industry. Now while all of that is incredibly important, you certainly are not going to get far without the right kit.
Having been a makeup artist in the industry for over 30 years, Camera Ready Cosmetics' founder Mary Erickson knows quality and value. She understands what makeup essentials an artist needs.
3 Key Things to Consider When Creating your Makeup Artist Kit:
Quality
Multifunction
Sanitation
Quality Matters When It Comes to Makeup Essentials for Your Kit
When we say quality, we are talking about professional-grade products made for makeup artists. Now, while YouTube and Instagram will have a ton of suggestions for how to build your starting makeup kit, keep in mind that beauty bloggers and celebrities are often being paid to push certain products, and quality does not always factor into the equation.
High-quality makeup essentials are not going to include the eyeshadow palette you got with 20+ shades for $15 on Amazon. When purchasing a product for your makeup artist kit, you should consider the ingredients, what is the color payoff, and is the product going to lay on the skin well.
Packaging is also important. The product needs to be able to withstand wear and tear, or at least be able to be broken down and redistributed into empty palettes for ease of travel.
Multifunction is a Must for Your Makeup Artist Kit
Not everything in your starting makeup kit is going to be able to have a variety of functions, but the more items you have that can serve different purposes, the better. This will help streamline your kit, save space, and reduce weight.
Examples of this are makeup essentials like brushes that can be used on eyes or lips, shadows that can be used wet or dry, or even lip color that doubles as a blush. It’s really up to you and your imagination as to how you can use items in different ways.
For Your Starting Makeup Kit, Remember: Sanitation Is Crucial
Remember that you’re going to use this kit on many different people and not just yourself. You must keep not only your brushes and tools clean but also your makeup.
It’s important to not just choose disinfecting sprays and easily cleanable packaged products but also disposable items. Never double dip into your tubes of mascara or lip color.
How you build a starting makeup kit can vary based on your primary area of focus within makeup. Whether you’re looking to work in bridal, fashion, or movies, this makeup artist kit will fulfill your essential makeup needs. Now, let’s start shopping.
Essential Makeup Shopping List for Building Your Starting Makeup Kit
Skin are and prep products
Foundation
Powder
Bronzer and blush
Eye makeup
Lip products
Tools and brushes
Setting spray
Makeup cases
Top Skincare & Prep Products for Your Starting Makeup Kit
As a makeup artist, you will be working on many different skin types. The better prepped the skin, the better your makeup application and longevity of wear.
Remember the mantra: Cleanse, Tone, and Moisturize. These steps will help you to better understand the skin you are about to work on and prepare your canvas.
Our product recommendations for this crucial step include:
Alcone Company’s Make-Off Makeup Remover Cloths
Inglot’s Muti-Action Toner Combination to Oily Skin
Embryolisse’s Lait-Crème Concentre
Bioderma’s Atoderm Lip Stick
Mehron’s Skin Prep Pro
Camera Ready Cosmetics’ Oil Free Makeup Remover
Foundation Must-Haves for Your Makeup Artist Kit
As a makeup artist, you must be prepared to accommodate a wide range of skin tones. Cream palettes are the perfect makeup essentials for your starting makeup kit because they offer a diverse selection of colors, and they work well with most skin types. Not to mention they are compact, so they take up less space than 10 liquid foundation bottles.
While Camera Ready has many high-quality foundation options, we have narrowed our favorite makeup artist kit selection down to the RCMA VK Foundation Palettes. What is great about this product is its versatility. Use the product as concealers, blend them down for foundation, or mix with skin prep to create a sheer/tinted moisturizer. The sky’s the limit with this foundation set!
Powder Makeup Essentials for Your Kit
Set it and forget it! If you have not been living under a rock for the last two years, then you have certainly heard of RCMA No-Color Powder. While, again, we carry many comparable high-quality setting powders, RCMA has been a staple in makeup artist kits for many years.
Along with an all-over setting powder, you will want to have some tinted options for contour and highlight. We recommend a space-saving palette with a range of shades. The Mehron Celebre Pro-HD Pressed Palette Highlight & Contour is a multifunctional makeup essential that includes all the brand’s most popular shades.
No Makeup Artist Kit is Complete Without Blush & Bronzer
Let us not forget the importance of color! In keeping with the theme, we have another great palette that offers some of the best color payout on the market. La Femme has so many shade options you could probably find a use for each, but for your starting makeup kit, we suggest the Exclusive Le Femme Blush Palette. The best part of this is that you can easily switch and swap with the brand’s huge selection of refills.
Not every face needs shimmer and shine, which is why we recommend matte blush or bronzers. However, to keep your makeup artist kit versatile, always have some shimmer on standby. For this, we included Ofra’s Beverly Hills Highlighter. Just add over the top of your matte colors to create glow and radiance.
Eye Makeup Essentials Every Kit Needs
When it comes to eyeshadow, a pro knows less is more. You DO NOT need every shade of shadow in your starting makeup kit. There will be times that a job calls for unique color options, but if you are working with professionals, you will be informed in advance. So, keep your kit streamlined and stick with the makeup essentials.
One of our most adaptable palettes, Ben Nye Glam Shadow Palette includes 12 versatile shades. Enhance eyebrows, highlight brow bones, create the perfect smokey eye, or dip into Inglot Duraline to transform it into a cake liner. One-stop shopping!
For a long-lasting smudge-proof liner in classic black, we’ve included the cult favorite Inglot AMC Eyeliner Gel.
Finish off the eyes with Inglot Volume & Waterproof Mascara. Remember to use your disposable wands! Save space by stocking up on the straight wands and just bend as needed. Add extra “oomph” with some falsies. Ardell Lashes’ Demi-Wispies are another makeup artist kit favorite.
Makeup Artist Kit Lips Essentials
Create the perfect pout with the combination of liners and a great lip palette. Graftobian Super Palette Lip Colors offers 16 long-lasting shades. Mix them together to up your color game. Use your RCMA No-Color Powder for binding, and top it off with shine using Graftobian SuperSeal Intense Shine Lip Gloss.
No Makeup Artist Kit is Complete Without Brushes & Tools
Brushes are a hard one to narrow down, and every artist has their favorites. For the purpose of simplicity, we have chosen the Bdellium Tools Maestro Series Complete 12pc Brush Set. This synthetic brush set has a little something for everything and even includes a roll-up pouch.
Keep in mind, just because a brush is meant to be used for one purpose does not mean it cannot be used for many more. Find what works for you. Plus, the fewer brushes in your makeup artist kit, the less you have to clean after the job is done.
With that being said, do not forget some of the most important tools of all, your brush cleaners. If you are new to Camera Ready Cosmetics, then you may have not yet heard of Crazy Merman Brush Soap. With a few easy steps, it can pretty much clean anything out of your brushes (even that stubborn Inglot 77). We recommend unscented because you never know if a client is sensitive to smell.
When it comes to the brushes that are doing double or even triple duty with no time to dry, make sure you have Cinema Secrets’ Brush Cleaner on hand for quick a switch.
Finally, to round out your starting makeup kit, don’t forget a mixing palette and spatula. This is the greatest way to stay sterile and also mix shades for more variety. Esum was nice enough to create a palette set that also includes a double-ended spatula. Thank you, Esum!
Setting Spray: The Final Touch to Your Makeup Artist Kit
Just like this blog, we are going to finish off the look with a great setting spray. Makeup artists differ between their favorites when it comes to setting sprays. For this kit, we are going to include Skindinavia Bridal Makeup Finish Spray. The award-winning formula perfectly balances skin for controlling excess moisture and leveling out temperatures, so your hard work stays fresh and flawless for up to 16 hours.
The Perfect Case for Your Kit
Now, let’s put it all away. Bigger isn’t better. Remember that we kept this starting makeup kit streamlined. No need to dig for what you need with theLarge Zuca Stylist Case. It’s easy to keep everything in order with customizable cushion foam dividers, which act as a buffer to protect your kit. Cleaning is super easy.
Total Makeup Artist Kit Cost $922.81*
Depending on where you are in your makeup artist career, $1,000 can seem like a lot of money, but just remember you are investing in your future. Now, go forward into your career with your head high because with this starting makeup kit, you shopped like a pro!
Becoming A Bridal Makeup Artist - Part Two
Now that you have your domain name and your website, let’s talk about what goes in your online Bridal portfolio.
You need at least six photos in your online portfolio (of six different people), and no more than 15 photos of your very best work.
The photos need to be professional and the bride should look “model-like.” Real models are ideal, because as much as people argue “brides want to see real people,” the fact is that beauty sells.
Very few beauty-oriented companies use “real people” because studies show that you sell more with real models.
How do you get real model brides for your portfolio?
You will need to do “test” shoots. These are shoots where you work free just to get the good shots for your portfolio. Some in the industry call it TFP (Trade For Prints).
What do you need as a makeup artist to pull off a great test shoot?
A beautiful model face
A great photographer to capture the face in the right lighting
A great retoucher (Don’t yell at me about false advertising!) I’ll touch on this in a bit.
A good hairstylist
How do you get this team?
Photographer
I would start by contacting great beauty photographers in your area. Someone who has great beauty shots with beautiful lighting in their portfolio.
You can contact good bridal photographers in your area and let them know that you would like to test with real models for shots that will work for self-promotion.
You may need to convince the photographer that this is also to his or her benefit as well. Start with Google. Be willing to hear “no thank you” a lot. Be persistent.
Model
You can contact local agents and ask them for new models to test. Make sure you see them in person before choosing one, because you need good skin and good features.
Most models do have retouched photos, and you really can’t tell how good their skin is by looking at photos.
You can also scour Model Mayhem. This is a crap shoot for sure, but all you need is a good face. Don’t let height hold you back.
You really want someone 18 to 25 years old, as young skin is best. You may also want to do a shoot with someone in their 30’s to show some diversity. Many brides are now in their 30’s. Having a bride in her 40’s or even 50’s isn’t a bad idea, but again, I would pick a real model.
Show models with different color skin and ethnicities. If a potential client doesn’t see someone in your portfolio with her own skin coloring the chances are slim that they will want to hire you. Ideally your portfolio should reflect the demographic of the area you work in.
I suggest that you NOT use your good-looking friend or relative. Real models are more experienced in front of the camera and they are usually more photogenic.
If you absolutely can’t afford a real model and can’t get one to test at no charge, enlisting a friend is better than using a real bride.
The problem with using a real bride is that they haven’t signed up to be used in this way and asking a client to use their photo in your portfolio is a gamble. You do risk putting a client on the spot. They may say “yes” even if they are uncomfortable being used this way.
Hairstylist
Hairstylists that do bridal hair also need portfolio shots with real models. It isn’t hard to get hairstylists that freelance in the bridal industry to do this free if the model is good.
You can check for freelance hairstylists on message boards, but just make sure you really like their work. If you do hair then do the hair yourself.
Get Proper Releases
You MUST have a model release that the model signs before you start your makeup application. Without a model release you cannot legally use the images.
What if the model doesn’t like the shots and says you can’t use them? After hours of work this could happen. Please make sure these are signed beforehand.
You will also need the photographer to sign an agreement to use the images before the shoot starts. He or she will need to give you rights to use the images for self-promotion.
The photographer owns the copyright to the photos and so getting this agreement in advance is very important. The hardest part about doing a test shoot is getting the images from the photographer, so make sure the photographer is reputable and is committed to making sure the entire team has images.
Typically, the photographer will have these forms. If not then you can find model release forms and release forms for the photography using Google.
Does all this sound like too much work?
It is a lot of work, but if you want to make good money you must put in a lot of work.
What if you have more money than time?
You can forgo all the free testing and hire a good model and photographer. This will cost you but YOU call the shots when you pay the money, and it puts you in complete control.
My favored method is to pay a photographer and use a model from an agency willing to test.
When you pay the photographer, you know you are going to get photos and you know how many you will get. This is all worked out in advance.
You should not pay the full amount until the photographer has delivered the images to you.
Hire a Retoucher
As a makeup artist, you don’t want to put un-retouched photos in your portfolio. This may sound like cheating to you, but now almost all photos are retouched.
You can’t compete with other artists who have “perfect” photos in their book without having some retouching done to yours. Retouching should be done by a professional! Plastic-looking skin isn’t going to go over well with potential clients.
The image you put in your portfolio should be color corrected, free of blemishes, and free of fly away hair. A good retoucher will cost you a little bit of money but in the long run will be well worth the money. Keep in mind that one great shot will sell you better than 15 flawed shots.
What should NOT go in your bridal portfolio
If you do other types of makeup work I suggest you leave this work off your Bridal website.
You can have a tab on your home page that opens to other areas of work but I would make sure Bridal is its own category.
You don’t want clients to surf through your SFX makeup looking for Bridal makeup. The best way to do this is to have a site JUST for potential brides.
Please sign up for our mailing list below to be notified when part 3 of this blog comes out!
Please visit Camera Ready Cosmetics to keep your makeup kit current.
Becoming A Bridal Makeup Artist - Part One
Let’s Talk Money
Weddings can provide a steady and very good income for makeup artists. Brides and bridal parties are very good clients. An artist can survive on this income alone, but the artist MUST be business savvy, so let’s talk business.
This is Part 1 of a four-part series on being successful as a makeup artist in the bridal industry. Bridal forms will be posted as part of this blog. Please subscribe to this blog below to see the continuing saga.
Let’s Keep It Legal
You want to make money, but you don’t want to lose that money in a lawsuit and you don’t want your business to shut down. When you're dealing with brides and bridal parties you are dealing with “civilians,” very emotional “civilians.” You MUST do everything by the book. God forbid someone get an eye infection right before their wedding and they blame you for it. The legal fees and damages could top 6 figures, so just don’t go there.
Imagine if mom of the bride steps on a curling iron that your assistant left cooling on the floor. Now she can’t wear shoes at her own daughter’s wedding. You are going to pay for this.
Imagine if your brush cleaner spilled and ate the top layer off a $2,000 antique table. OK, it was purchased at a garage sale for $50, but now that you’ve damaged it it’s an heirloom worth thousands. That’s going to cost you.
Imagine if the bride had an acne break out on her wedding day. It ruined her photos, her wedding and her life. She blames it on the makeup, just because she can. That's going to cost you.
Legal fees alone can cost you $60,000 so you'd better have liability insurance of at least $1,000,000. Let the insurance company fight for you.
You will need a business license. Why? So you can open a business checking account. You will need at least a business license to obtain liability insurance with many insurance companies.
A business license is pretty cheap in most areas, and again Google is your friend. Just search “business license” in your state and follow the online instructions on your state's website.
You can do business without a license and without liability insurance but consider yourself warned. This could end very badly for you should you ever own anything worth taking (like property).
Google the laws in your state. Look on the cosmetology website for your state. Generally it will spell out clearly what you can do without a license and what you cannot. In most (but not all) states you must have a license to do makeup in exchange for money. In California there is an exemption for the “entertainment industry.” As entertaining as brides are, they really aren’t considered part of the “entertainment industry.”
How will the license police catch you if you’re going to hotels and homes to do bridal makeup? They probably won’t, but if you’re sued you’ll be in trouble and lawsuits are very common everywhere in the USA. My advice is to keep it legal.
Insurance
So you’re doing makeup legally in your state, or you’ve decided to gamble and do weddings anyway. As a business you will need liability insurance. Talk to an insurance agent! Tell them exactly what you do, tell them what licensing you have, and pay the premium for the insurance.
In most cases liability insurance is affordable, but if you’re doing makeup illegally, chances are the insurance company will never pay in a lawsuit (even if you paid the monthly premiums). So again, you need to do this service legally. I know you’re thinking “I own nothing, sue me!” While it’s true that if you own "nothing" very few lawyers will go after you, but if you own anything at all you put those assets at risk in a lawsuit. Proceed with caution.
What about protecting yourself with an LLC?
This isn’t a bad idea and it’s usually under $1,000.00 to set up an LLC. An LLC can help protect your personal assets from lawsuits, but it won’t protect you if you have injured someone while illegally working (without a license where required). So again, get the proper licensing and liability insurance. My advice is to also talk to a lawyer. I’m not a lawyer.
Now you’re working, legally right? Ok, let’s move on…
You Need A Domain Name
You will need a domain name for your website that tells the potential bride that you are serious about your business. Cute names may be ok for lower-end clientele, but higher-end clients generally prefer to hire a makeup artist with a name, a real name.
If your own given name is not too hard to type or remember, that’s really the best domain name for you (in my opinion and with my experience). JaneSmith.com is great if your name is Jane Smith. If your name is Gertrude Stephanopoulos I might consider shortening it to something like GertrudeS.com.
You need the bride to remember your real name and your domain name. The name should be easy to say and type. If you’re targeting middle-income and lower-end brides then something like BridesbyJane.com or something similar is just fine.
Getting a good domain name is hard because most common names are taken. A good name is well worth owning for the name recognition and SEO. Stay away from anything too cute if you want high end clients to take you seriously.
If someone has your domain name and isn’t using it, you can offer to buy it for a few hundred dollars. You have nothing to lose by offering. Do a “WHOIS” search and see if you can contact the owner to buy the domain name from them. It’s worth a shot!
If your name is being used by someone and they have a website and/or won't sell it to you, just change up the name a bit and get something similar. I suggest staying away from .net, .co, and anything but a .com. You don’t want to send potential clients to a .com that you don’t own. Most people type .com as their first try.
Let’s say someone owns JaneSmith.com. Instead of buying JaneSmith.net and having those customers accidentally go to janesmith.com, I suggest you buy JSmith.com or jsmithmakeup.com. The point is that you don’t want to send any client to a competitor or other business.
You Need A Website
You need your own website, not just a social media site. You need a site where you advertise your services and of course show your work. Without a website and a portfolio the chances are slim that you will work much in the bridal industry. I will elaborate on your website in Part 2 of this blog.
To recap: I’ve given you most of the bad news. Once you have proper licensing, insurance, a domain name, and a website, you’re ready to move on. Part 2 is coming soon. Sign up below to get notified when it's posted.
To start (or to replenish) your bridal makeup kit, visit our website at CameraReadyCosmetics.com.
Becoming A Commercial Makeup Artist – Part Four
If you have followed along with Part One, Two, and Three, you now have your "Hit Lists" and have already sent your first of many emails to your Hit Lists.
So what now? It’s time to delve into marketing yourself as a Commercial Makeup Artist.
Search Engine Optimization - Google
Now that you have a website you need to market it. You can have an expert optimize your site to rank higher in Google searches, but let’s be real - it’s unlikely you will pop up on the first page with a term as widely used as "makeup artist." I suggest investing in Google Adwords. This can be costly, but not if you do it right. You can pay a company to do this for you, but it’s really not that hard if you know how to follow directions.
Go to http://adwords.google.com/ and set up an account. You will need a credit card to link to your account.
You will start by making a "campaign." Follow the instructions and make your first ad. These are the important things you want to remember to keep costs low:
Under settings make sure you target just the city you work in. You don’t want people in Hong Kong clicking on your ad and costing you money. If you live close to Los Angeles and this is where you will be working, you will target JUST Los Angeles and a radius around Los Angeles (about 100 miles). Your ad should look something like this:
Makeup/Hair Artist Jane Doe Film/Print/TV/Video Specializing in Natural Makeup
I would highly suggest if you do bridal and special occasion makeup that this is done on a separate ad and not mentioned as part of this ad.
Under settings, make sure you do NOT chose Display Ads, you want to choose just Google and its ad partners.
You will then be asked to enter key words, and this is where you must be careful. All of your key words and phrases need to have "quote marks" on each side to avoid having your ad pop up under unintended searches (where you will pay for clicks you don’t need). Following are examples of good key words and phrases:
"makeup artist San Diego" (using your own city of course)
"print makeup"
"makeup artist for photography"
"makeup artist for video"
"makeup artist for ads"
"best makeup artist in San Diego"
"makeup and hair artist"
"makeup artist agency"
"modeling agency" I use this because if they are looking for a model at an agency they need makeup as well.
"best makeup artist in San Diego"
You will also want to use NEGATIVE key words. You don’t want brides and others to find this ad. You can do another ad for those clients.
bridal
special occasion
brides
salon
MAC
cheap
Make sure you set your daily budget at what you can afford, and make sure you watch it daily. This will cut the ad off at whatever dollar amount you set.
Set your budget for each keyword. Some keywords are better than others. You will know which ones are best for you after you watch your campaigns. You will need to watch them closely.
This is something you will need to play with and work on regularly but it’s the best form of advertising right now for this kind of work. Once you have your client base built and word of mouth has spread, you can then cut back on the Google Adwords advertising.
To recap: Email your Hit List regularly, utilize Google Adwords, and if you can afford it have your website optimized for searching. Of course, it must be optimized for mobile phones and devices.
Networking
Networking events are usually cheap if not free, so it’s worth it to take advantage of these opportunities. You will meet people in the industry that may be good connections for you. Keep in mind that you are there to help the people you meet, not the other way around.
Dress appropriately to make a great first impressions. I believe it’s best to dress as you would for the job for which you are looking. Black clothing, nothing too short, nothing too low cut, nothing that screams you want to be the center of attention. I suggest covering all your tattoos. Commercial clients tend to be more conservative than most, and you want to give the impression that you will fit in on this kind of job.
I suggest you keep your nails short and clean. I would avoid high heels, flashy jewelry, keep your hair and makeup professional and conservative. Again, you don’t want to give the impression that you want to be the star of the show.
You are there to learn about the people you meet, and you need to be remembered for the right reasons. Exchange cards and always follow up with potential allies and clients with an email letting people know how nice it was to meet them.
Business Cards
You will need business cards before you go to networking events. As a Commercial Makeup Artist your card should be simple and clean. Against opinions of many, I would put a very clean makeup photo on the card because it’s more interesting and shows your work. If you don’t have an awesome image with a real model, leave the photo off.
Avoid using catchy names like Makeup Goddess Jane, etc. Just your name is best. Successful artists normally use their real name, or if your name is hard to pronounce, shorten it - but your real name is best. Let’s say your real name is something like "Chiwetel Ejiofor." Personally I would shorten that to something like "Chi." I might use makeupbychi.com as my web address, or better yet chi.com - however that would probably be taken.
Let’s say you have a common first name like Sarah, and a last name like Wasidowska. I might use the business name Sarah Wasi. This is advice aimed at newcomers to the business. If you are already known in your market you would be best to keep the name people know you by, but please drop the cute additions to your name. To commercial clients it may come across as amateurish. Remember, you want people to know who you are, know your name, remember your name. It’s all about branding.
Monthly postcards
Snail mail is a thing of the past and this makes it one of the best ways to get attention! I suggest getting a post card made with a few great shots of your work, your name and your phone number.
You can send this card with a different set of photos every month to your "hit list". Showing your best natural work is the best way to get the attention of people looking for a commercial artist.
Linkedin
LinkedIn is a great way to promote yourself. Make sure you are connected to people you want to work with in the industry; photographers, producers, makeup artists, hair stylists, wardrobe stylists, Marketing Directors of local companies, owners of local businesses etc.
Stay active and write articles occasionally about set etiquette, natural makeup, etc. Your goal is to stay on the radar of the people that can hire you or be influential in the hiring decisions.
Facebook
People that are considering hiring you may search you on Facebook and social media to see how professional you are, so make sure you have a business page or a personal page that’s very professional.
If you say things or have photos that you don’t want potential clients to see, keep them private among just your close friends. Never say anything about a client or industry colleague anywhere on social media. It can be saved and used against you. Mentioning a client is never good, even if you mention how great they are.
Potential clients generally prefer their business relationships to remain private. Having a client list is different; I would of course put my good clients on my client list.
Resume
Makeup artists really don’t need a traditional resume. I suggest that you have your client list on your website and all social media business pages. You do want potential clients to know that you have worked with real clients and have some experience.
You can also list the years in the industry, but be careful here. If you have been doing makeup for 35 years and you mention that, the potential client may consider you too old to keep up. It’s not right, but it is a good possibility. So I would say 10+ years instead, or even 20+, but you don’t want to give more info than necessary if you’re older. Age discrimination is real in the industry. Discrimination in the commercial industry isn’t as bad as it is in the fashion industry, but it does still exist.
If you have worked in the industry for only 6 months I probably wouldn’t mention time in the industry. Until you have had a few years’ experience in the industry it’s best to leave the time off your information pages.
I personally would leave off makeup schools attended, but opinions differ and it probably won’t help or hurt you. I would leave the word "certificate" off unless there is one required in your state.
If you have an Estheticians license or a Cosmetology license I would certainly mention that. This is a plus, and is important in many states. Please check your own state's cosmetology web site to make sure you are performing services in your state legally.
I hope you enjoyed this 4-part series on Becoming a Commercial Makeup Artist. If you have any questions feel free to post them here in the blog comments.
Please sign up for my blog below (at the bottom of the page). You don’t want to miss the next series on "The Bridal Industry For Makeup Artists!"
For professional Makeup Supplies please visit www.CameraReady.com
Becoming A Commercial Makeup Artist – Part Three
If you have read Part One and Part Two I will assume you now have your own domain name, your own website, and a great portfolio online. Now you need a "hit list."
Your "Hit List"
Let’s address testing for your book. Your book is now online of course, this is 2017. Your images, as I mentioned earlier, must be very good. Everything about the images you show must be very good. One bad image can ruin your chances at a job. I can hear you now – "I need better photos!" How do you get better images if you can’t get the jobs and shoot with better teams?
This is where you need to be persistent. I suggest you make a "hit list." A "hit list" is the top 10 photographers in your area, the ones you assume will never work with you because they get the major commercial work and have great teams already in place. If you don’t know who the great photographers are you need to start Googling and get your hit list together. Please forget the newbies unless their work is what you would picture in your book. When you visit these successful photographers' sites, gather their email addresses.
Narrow your hit list down to your top 10 photographers and start emailing them. You need to email them all. Let these photographers know that you are willing to test on any project they might have coming up in the future. Show them a small sample of your best work. Now sit back and wait for the phone to ring. LOL! You’ll be waiting a long time because one email probably isn’t going to work. It will probably take about six emails to all 10 photographers to get a single response. Until they issue a restraining order you need to keep emailing, about one email per month. The subject line of this email is very important.
Example Subject line:
Makeup Artist Mary Erickson
The reason I put my name in the subject line is to stamp my name on their memory, I want them to think of me and my name when an opportunity arises. I put the word "Makeup Artist" in the subject to make it searchable if and whenever the photographer happens to search their emails for "Makeup Artist," in case they forget my name.
Example of the email:
Dear John Doe,
I found your work while browsing the Internet and I wanted you to know I admire your work. I’m a local makeup artist (I also do hair). I’m sure you have good teams with which you work. However, I would like to be considered should you have any test project in the near future. I am working on updating my portfolio. I would be happy to meet with you anytime to discuss this in person, or you can call me at 555-555-5555. Attached you will see just a few Images I’ve worked on as a sample of my work.
Respectfully,Mary Erickson
Testing is a great way to meet good photographers and show them (in person) that you’re a good artist, you’re reliable, trustworthy and easy to get along with. Of course, when you do get that chance, should you prove otherwise, you lose that chance with that photographer forever.
Let’s say your book is already awesome. Use the same repeating email strategy. It shows you’re humble, willing to work free at least once to establish the relationship. Keep in mind, the purpose of the "hit list" and the continual emailing is to burn your name into the photographers' memory.
Now what? You emailed your "hit list," so now you need another "hit list." This one is for the best Makeup Artists in your area that do commercial work. You need to know who they are and you need to establish a relationship with them. I know they’re your "competition," but they really are your allies in the business, makeup artists without friends in high places don’t generally get far. In fact, the ones who have a hold of the commercial market in your area can keep you out with just a few negative comments to others.
Repeat what you did with your Photographers "hit list" with the best artists in your area, but change your email. Again, the subject line is very important.
Subject Line examples:
I admire your work!
I’ve heard great things about you
Your work is beautiful!
Example Email Body:
Hello Jane,
My name is Mary Erickson. I live in San Diego, and have been working as a Makeup Artist for a few years. I was searching the Internet and found your portfolio and I admire your work. (Say something nice about an image in their book to show them you really did look at it) If you should ever need an assistant I would love to clean your brushes, carry your bags, whatever you need. I’m sure you get these requests frequently and you take a real gamble working with people you don’t know. I would love to meet you for coffee or take you to lunch, at your convenience of course. My number is 555-555-5555. You can call me or text me anytime.
Respectfully, Mary Erickson
Now let’s get started! Even if you’re an established artist who wants to get into commercial work, these emails are crucial. These relationships are crucial. You must have allies and friends. Most cities have a very small group of artists that do commercial work.
Most makeup artists never break into this commercial area, it takes diplomacy, professionalism, persistence, allies and hard work. If you’ve already burned bridges in this area you need to start rebuilding them. It’s time to swallow your pride, send flowers, or do whatever you need to do. You can’t succeed without the help of the major players in your market.
While you mend those bridges, and work on your hit lists, I’ll wait right here.
Part 4 coming soon! Please sign up for my blog below:
Becoming A Commercial Makeup Artist - Part Two
Let’s recap Becoming A Commercial Makeup Artist - Part One:
Commercial makeup artistry can be lucrative
You need to buy your domain name
You need to have an online portfolio
If you’re still reading this blog, I assume you’re serious about getting into or furthering your career as a commercial makeup artist.
I'm going to presume you already have or just bought your domain name and you’ve put up at least a few photos on that site. Please make sure your phone number is on the home page (or on each page)! People are lazy and don’t like to hunt.
I know a few of you aren’t confident in your photos, so let’s talk about images that will advertise your work.
Portfolio
Every image in your book must be professional in every aspect. Your image is as good as the weakest team player on that shoot, so you need to look at each image as the following people would.
Photographer - The photographer is looking at the image from a photographer's point of view. This includes analyzing lighting, composition etc. The photographer is looking at the whole image and not usually looking at just the makeup, just the hair, or just the styling.
Model - The model is looking at the image to see how he or she looks. "Does my skin look flawless," or "is my pose flattering?" And ultimately "does my expression nail the overall feel we were going for?"
The Hair Stylist – "Does the hair work in this image? Does the hair flatter this model, and did I catch all the fly-always?"
Wardrobe Stylist - Generally stylists are called "wardrobe stylists" on commercial shoots instead of "fashion stylists." The wardrobe stylist is looking at the clothing; "Does it look good in the shot? Does it fit the mood of the image? Is the clothing wrinkle free, and is it sitting on the model correctly? Are the shoes appropriate for the wardrobe, and is the jewelry too much, too little?"
Potential client – is looking at all the above, as well as "does this image convince our demographic to buy what we’re selling? Does this image show our product or services in a good light?"
I know you’re thinking "it’s not fair that the client is judging me by the shoes in the image. After all, I’m just responsible for the makeup!" Unfortunately, you are being judged on the entire image.
The client wants an artist that has worked with good teams. It shows them you have experience and good judgement and that good professionals want to work with you. Any aspect of the image that’s weak will turn them off on the entire image.
A quick analogy: You go out to dinner, the scallops are to die for, best you’ve ever had, but they sit on cold tasteless rice and wilted overcooked vegetables on the side, the bread looks soggy and old… You’re not going back to that restaurant because the sides ruined your dining experience, and you quickly forget the scallops are tasty because the meal was just bad.
You don’t care that there were 2 chefs and the one that prepared the scallops was the good one. Why would he or she even cook alongside such a bad chef and why would he work in an establishment that would present food like that? Must be something wrong with him. Maybe he just got lucky on this one scallop dish, yea, that must be it.
If you are thinking to yourself "I need to start over with my portfolio" you’re also contemplating how much of your time has already been spent on it. "How do I get these great teams to work with me?" That’s another blog entirely, but you can’t move on until you have at least 6 very professional all-around great images.
So now go look at your portfolio. Take any images down that do not meet the criteria above. We can’t move on until that painful task is completed.
Telling you how to bring the clients in won’t help you if your portfolio isn’t great. You can’t skip this step and move on. Charm alone won’t get you work in the commercial industry.
Email a few of your industry friends, those who have made it where you want to be one day. If you don’t know any people like this, reach out to strangers (that have made it in the industry). You have nothing to lose. Being ignored isn’t going to kill you.
It’s like sales; someone will respond if you’re persistent. Ask these people whose work you respect to critique your portfolio, and listen to the feedback closely. If you don’t have the guts to reach out like this, stop reading now. You will probably never make it as a commercial artist.
If you’re still with me, I’ll wait for you right here…
I’ll post Part 3 soon! Please sign up for my blog below.
Becoming A Commercial Makeup Artist - Part One
I just received this question on Facebook and because it’s such a common question I decided to write about the subject and share it. Because of the amount of information I want to give, I will have to release this in a 3-part article. This is Part One. To see Parts 2 and 3, please sign up for my newsletter at CameraReadyCosmetics.com. I will release Part 2 and Part 3 shortly.
“Hi Mary! I'm a longtime fan of CRC and your work! I had a topic idea for emerging MUA's. I recently left my full-time management role with MAC cosmetics to pursue my freelance career full time. I live in XXXXXXXXXX which has a strong bridal market but I'm working to get more commercial work. There are many companies based out of XXXXXXXXXX and I'm struggling to break into commercial work. I've been collaborating with photographers and local models but I'm not sure how to tap into commercial work. I met with a tenured freelance artist in the area and she just viewed me as competition and offered no insight. Any suggestions you have would be greatly appreciated!”
I have been asked this question many times over the past 30 years. I’ve given the keys to commercial success out sparingly in the past, less than 6 times in the past 30 years.
Why did I hold these secrets so tightly? For one I didn’t want to share secrets in my own market and create even more competition for myself. I know that sounds selfish, but it’s self-preservation in a small market. What business owner helps their direct competition?
Another reason for not sharing is that most people wouldn’t follow through with advice I gave them because, quite frankly, most people just won’t put in the real work. So, I assumed it was a waste of my time. The few people with whom I did share these tightly-held secrets did go on to succeed in the business.
I feel like it’s time now to share this same information with the masses, because I think a level playing field is fair. Let the hardest working men/women win.
What Is Commercial Work?
Commercial work is what I consider work for companies like Sony, HP, McDonalds, grocery store chains, hospitals, large corporations, etc. Most employ makeup artists for their TV commercials, print ads, internal videos, and annual reports. I will add catalog work here as well, because most commercial artists also do catalog work.
These are what I call “commercial jobs,” and I call artists that primarily do this type of work, “Commercial Artists.” In most cases a commercial artist is expected to do hair and men's grooming as well as makeup. This weeds out a lot of makeup artists who are not skilled with hair or just afraid to branch into that area.
On many commercial jobs, there is no wardrobe or hair stylist. In this case, you will oversee straightening ties, smoothing out clothing wrinkles, and so forth on set. Full steaming and ironing is generally not required, but without a stylist on set you will be expected to at least straighten ties.
So essentially on smaller sets you are the makeup artist, the hair stylist, the men’s groomer and the wardrobe stylist.
How Much Money Does A “Commercial Artist” Make?
The world of commercial makeup artistry can be lucrative – probably one of, if not the most lucrative jobs in the makeup artist industry. It’s also steady work.
Twenty years ago, the average commercial artist made about $600 a day in Southern California. That was 20 years ago. When I retired a few years ago that average (in Southern California) was $700-1,200 per day.
The good artists in my market worked 3 to 5 days every week. Of course, many artists wanted this exclusive niche in the industry, but very few could wrangle their way into this market and that wasn’t for lack of trying.
Today commercial work is still lucrative. It is mostly untouched by the Instagram market, untouched by the “celebrity” artist market, and really is still a market that plays by its own rules outside of social media.
The pay varies depending on the area and the size of the market. Los Angeles, New York, Chicago and other major markets still command $700 to $1,200 per day on average.
Smaller markets can go down to as low as $500 a day for this type of work. There are a few commercial artists working for less, but in my opinion doing so is a very big mistake that I will touch on later.
How Do I Get This Commercial Work?
Now that’s the million-dollar question! Let’s start with your calling card.
Your Portfolio
You must have a commercial portfolio, and it needs to be online where people can see it. Take all the crazy and fun makeup out of your portfolio; put that in a separate place where the commercial client will not stumble upon it.
The "no makeup look" is what they want to see, polished and clean. This is the most difficult makeup to perfect because it involves restraint, something most artists have not perfected and truth be told, don’t want to perfect. It’s boring.
Here are a few examples from my very old and dated portfolio, but keep in mind that commercial makeup doesn’t change much from year to year.
The lip colors change, hair styles changes, but rarely does the rest of the makeup change. You just need great work presented, and toss the rest out.
Your portfolio is only as strong as the weakest shot in that portfolio, and that’s what your future client is looking for – they look for the weakest shot in your portfolio, because this shows them what you consider "good enough."
DO NOT trust yourself to edit your own portfolio. Go to successful people in the industry and get opinions. Don’t seek out friends and other beginners. Your family and friends are not your target market.
We all become attached to our own work, so don’t make that mistake. If you love a photo you worked on, hang it on your wall. Don’t put it in your portfolio unless you know the decision makers will love it.
A client considering hiring you will look for exactly what they want in makeup. That makeup needs to be in your portfolio. If you bury that makeup with 50 other photos, you will probably lose that client.
Keep your photos to a bare minimum and just the very best representation of your work.
Your Website
You need a website and not a social media portfolio.
Let’s start with the domain name. The best-case scenario would be to own your own name, the same name as on your other promo material. Nothing too cute. Keep your website and business name professional.
As a commercial artist, a website like luciouslooksbybabs.com isn’t going to help you. You need a name that encompasses who you are as a professional commercial artist.
If your name is Wendy Low it would be best to own wendylow.com. If you can’t get that, try makeupbywendylow or some variation that stays out of the real "cute" area.
If you have a very difficult name to spell and pronounce go with something like makeupbywendy or makeupartistwendy or wendylowmakeupart, etc.
Try to use the name by which people know you. Using your first and last name will help you with SEO, and I’ll touch on SEO later.
Go and buy your domain name NOW! It’s around $10-14.00 a year. GoDaddy.com is just one of many domain services from which you can buy.
If your own name is taken but you can’t find anything at that web address (the name is not being used for an active website), email the owner and ask to purchase it for $100.00. You can work up from there.
To find the owner you can do a “who is” search in google and find that information quickly. When purchasing a domain name Skip the ‘.net,’ ‘. co,’ ‘.org,’ and other extensions.
Stay with the ‘.com’ suffix. I’ll explain why later. If you can’t invest $10 to $14.00 a year into your business, you probably should stop reading now. You aren’t ready to enter the world of commercial makeup artistry just yet.
One other bit of advice: once you have your own domain name, please use that as your email address. Market from wendy@makeupbywendylow, and not wendy12345@aol or wlow3456@yahoo. There's no need for you to advertise for AOL, Yahoo, Gmail, or Hotmail!
I’ll wait right here for you.
Stay tuned for Part 2 coming soon! Sign up for my newsletter at CameraReadyCosmetics.com
Filing Taxes: The Do's and Don'ts for Pro Makeup Artists
Written by: Mary Erickson, CRC Founder and Professional MUA
Mary Erickson is NOT a Certified Public Accountant (CPA). Please contact a CPA before making any tax decisions or for detailed questions regarding filing taxes. The information below is not intended as a guide for filing your taxes.
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When it comes to filing taxes as a makeup artist, I hear the following statements from my freelance friends all the time:
“I’ve never been audited. I don't make enough money to be noticed.”
“I’m a small fry. The IRS doesn’t care about me.”
And, most common: “I keep all of my receipts so I’m good.”
All three of those statements are false. If you've never been audited, congratulations. You managed to get lucky. Did you know working as a freelancer or making lower income is one reason you may be audited? The IRS doesn’t exclusively audit the wealthy.
With the COVID-19 pandemic taking a toll on our economy and personal finances, the federal government has extended the tax filing deadline to July 15 without putting you at risk of interest or penalties. The typical tax deadline is April 15, so take a moment to celebrate and breathe a sigh of relief.
If you owe money to the IRS, this extension gives you until the July 15 deadline to make a payment. So even if you file today, you won't say goodbye to that money until whichever scheduled date you choose up to July 15. This extension automatically applies to all taxpayers; there is nothing special you need to do. File as you normally would.
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NOTE: This extension only applies to federal income taxes. State income tax varies by state. While most states have matched the federal government's tax deadline of July 15, others have created their own guidelines. Visit your state or local government website to learn more about alternative state tax filing guidelines that may apply to you.
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How To File Taxes As A Freelance Makeup Artist
Maybe you've never filed taxes as a freelance makeup artist, or maybe you have but never seem to quite understand what you're doing. Follow my list of DO's and DON'TS to protect yourself from an IRS audit and ensure you're getting the maximum return or minimum amount owed.
DON’T lie to the IRS! This is the #1 most important thing you’ll read all day.
Real cases go like this: You’re a freelance makeup artist, but you only dabble in it while living with your friend/roommate. You claim $20,000 in income for the year from various freelance jobs because that’s what appears on your 1099 forms. You claim $15,000 in expenses with gas, office supplies, phone, etc. So you will owe taxes on only $5,000 in income for the year.
Now enter the IRS. Your rent is $600 per month. Your car payment is $200 a month. Your expenses (not including food, utilities, etc.) are $800 a month.
Are you ready for this question from the IRS:
“How did you pay rent and car payments on $5,000 for the year?”
This is not the time to make up falsehoods about loans family gave you or money you found in the garage. That won’t work. The IRS employs intelligent people who have seen and heard everything. When it comes to tax dodging, you are not smarter than the IRS. Maybe you can tell them you made it babysitting? That would mean you failed to report income to the IRS, which would be a crime in the USA. If you like your own bed, and steel bars don’t appeal to you, do not lie to the IRS.
DO keep a mileage log and gas receipts. (The real receipts, not just a bank statement.)
In the event of an audit, this will make your case a much stronger one. Mileage is something they almost always look at in an audit, so don’t fudge this. It’s not worth the few dollars you may save. Document every address you go to, if claiming it as travel. There are numerous free apps for this that can help you.
DON’T say to yourself “I’ll worry about an audit if/when the time comes.”
That time will probably come one day, and you need to be prepared. Self-employed individuals are a target and for good reason. It’s easier to lie about pay and expenses when you’re self-employed.
DO hire a CPA to handle your taxes.
I know this is expensive, but the few hundred dollars you will spend every year can save you thousands of dollars in an audit and a lot of valuable time. The fines for an error, even a small one, will pay the CPA fees for years. You can use Quicken and TurboTax or other tax software, which is cheaper, but research every expense you’re taking. Don't assume anything.
DON'T take cash from anyone and assume there isn’t a paper trail.
An audit of your client who paid in cash for your services can lead to you as the source of his/her expenses. Also, a bank deposit of cash can lead to questions as to where you got the cash. I know it’s none of their business, but sometimes they make it their business.
DO claim dinner out with clients as an expense.
Put the name of the client on the receipt. If you are wining and dining for business, you should get the write-off. If you’re questioned about it, you may be asked for that client’s information.
DON'T write-off makeup you buy for your personal use.
Keep receipts so you can show the IRS that you do buy makeup for yourself, and you don’t write it off.
DO write-off every penny of makeup that you purchase for your kit.
It’s all a tax write-off. Makeup for your kit is a legitimate business expense for an artist.
DON'T try to write-off clothing, jewelry, hair stylists, plastic surgery or Botox.
I know you must look good as a makeup artist, but the IRS won’t buy these expenses. I know, it sucks.
DO write-off your home office, but only if there is NOTHING else that you do in that room.
There are two options for filing home office deductions.
1) Simplified Option
This option allows a standard deduction of $5 per square foot of home used exclusively for business. If using this formula, you may not calculate more than 300 square feet of space, and the maximum deduction is capped at $1,500. To learn more, read the IRS rules here.
2) Regular Method
This option requires you to calculate the actual expenses of your home office. These expenses may include mortgage interest, insurance, utilities, repairs and depreciation. Deductions for a home office are based on the percentage of your home devoted to business use. So, if you use a whole room or part of a room for conducting business, you need to figure out the percentage of your home devoted to your business activities.
Your room can’t double as a guest room and an office. Take the measurements of the room, and calculate its percentage of your home's total square footage. This will be necessary to write-off utilities and rent for that space.
Example: If your 10x10 office is 100 sq. ft. and your home is 1000 sq. ft., you can write-off 10% of your rent and utilities.
DON'T use your personal account for business.
Your business should be a separate bank account. All expenses should go through that account, and all income should be placed into that account.
DO start doing this now if you have not been doing this in the past.
The sooner you start doing the appropriate things the better off you will be when you are audited.
DON'T decide not to file taxes.
This is a huge mistake! If you don’t file, the IRS will calculate what you owe. In my best Liam Neeson voice: “They will find you, and you will pay.”
The first time you get a job that requires your social security number, they will send a notice to your employer demanding a wage garnishment for past due taxes. I have seen this happen with 3 of my past makeup assistants who failed to claim the income I paid them.
They will hunt you down forever, and the amount you owe will grow with fines. Think about 5 or 10 years down the line when you go to buy a house. They pull up your SSN only to find a tax lien for past due taxes. A few thousand in past due taxes can turn into $20,000 with penalties and fines very quickly.
Please make sure to pass along these tips to a makeup artist you know.
Professional Makeup Kits for Every Artist
"We combined high quality products at a discounted price. All kits start at a 10% discount and were created for the working and aspiring artist in mind."
-Mary Erickson, Founder & Owner
SFX Makeup Kit
About the SFX Kit: Get gory! Making the most realistic looking bruises, wounds, scabs and scars is hard enough and we understand the last thing you want to do is worry about what products you need to create these looks! This kit is perfect for the pro artist who is looking to get all the essentials for creating graphic looking special effects in one easy kit.
Why it's special: We’ve included everything you need to go from dear to drear.
What's included: This kit includes latex, silicone, 3 different types of blood and more.
SFX Makeup Kit Details Here.
Professional Makeup Kit
About the Pro Makeup Kit: Ideal for intermediate to advanced makeup artists and cosmetology professionals, the Camera Ready Cosmetics makeup kit will level up your creative efforts. We have included universally flattering palettes and correctors to keep you going through the busy seasons.
Why it's special: You’ll love the mix of pro artist staples from brands like Viseart, Ben Nye, Kett, and Graftobian.
What's included: Skin and lip enhancing palettes, perfect for HD makeup, and an array of essential tools of the trade.
Professional Makeup Kit Details Here.
Student Makeup Kit
About the Student Kit: This kit is perfect for the artist on the rise. We've included an array of palettes ideal for experimenting with all skin tones, and playing with various makeup looks. All products are HD friendly and suitable for all types of media.
Why it's special: Included are all the tools to help you perfect your craft, all in one place.
What's included: This kit includes the RCMA VK Foundation Palette, RCMA Foundation Adjuster Palette, and more.
Student Makeup Kit Details Here.
Vegan / Cruelty-free Makeup Kit
About the Vegan / Cruelty-Free Kit: In an effort to supply the demands for the artist who is conscious of the ethical treatment of animals, we've created a Vegan / Cruelty free kit.
Why it's special: This kit allows you to be creative with makeup while remaining dedicated to the ethical treatment of animals.
What's included: This kit includes the RCMA VK Foundation Palette, the La Femme Eye Shadow Pans, Bdellium Brushes and more.
Vegan Makeup Kit Details Here.
Lingo Every Makeup Artist Should Know
Aspiring makeup artists, be prepared! Learn all the terminology you need to know before you go on set!
By: Mary Erickson | Founder, Camera Ready Cosmetics
I got this question from a young lady just getting her start as an on-set makeup artist. I realized what is valuable to her can be invaluable to many up and coming artists, so I'm sharing it all here. My hope is that young artists are better prepared before entering the competitive world of makeup. Feel free to share these tools to the makeup artists you know.
Last looks – When you hear “last looks,” get in there and do your finishing touches! They’re going to start rolling the camera.
Finals or final touches - See last looks above.
Speed - The cameras are on; you’ll hear “rolling” right after. Never step in to do touch-ups after you hear “speed.”
Rolling - You will be severely reprimanded if you make even the tiniest noise after this call. They are filming. Phone should always be off near the set!
What's your ETA? - "When the hell are you going to be done? Talent has been in your chair over 5 minutes!" Usually when this question is asked it’s because they want you to hurry up. The best thing to ask is “when do you need her, or him?” Just try to get what they need done when they tell you it needs to be done.
Hot Spot - If they are talking to makeup, they usually mean a shiny place on the face or head.
Dailies - Whatever was shot that day (film, video), usually used when doing TV and film. (The producers will review it.)
Talking Head - You will just have an upper body type of shot. Think of a TV news interview inset, chest-up shots.
On location - Anywhere not in the studio. Could be a house, a beach, the desert, the park, etc.
It's a wrap! - The shooting is completely over for this project.
One more for safety - They will do a retake of the last segment or shot just to be safe. It’s really never usually just one.
One last time - NEVER means one last time - Probably like 10 more times.
Key - The one in charge of makeup or hair or both. Key makeup and key hair are normally separate people, but not always. If you have a team of makeup people there should normally be a “key” in charge.
Set kit - The kit you carry with you out of the makeup room to the set or to the location.
Continuity - You need to make the talent look exactly like they did in the last shot in this particular scene, even if it's two weeks later. Better take good notes and a cell phone or digital photo close-up.
Kit fee - Fee you will get for your product usage. This is a TV/Video/Film practice and not commonly found in the print business.
Tear sheet - Ad or magazine page you will put in your portfolio or on your portfolio website.
Eye candy - The model added to the group of guys or background girl added to the shot to get attention, like the girl in a bikini holding up numbers at a boxing match. This term isn’t used much anymore.
Clean makeup - They don't want to see the makeup; very natural.
First hold - Client has a hold on you for a job. You will notify them if you get another offer, and at that time they need to confirm or let you go. This is a common term if you have an agent representing you.
Call time - Time you need to be at work. Better to be 20 minutes early than 1 minute late!
Craft services - The people that provide the munchies. (The most important people on any shoot.)
Mic the Talent - The sound person is going to hook a microphone to the talent.
Check the gate - In video/film this is when the camera man will check the film before moving on, to make sure the last shot was good.
Gels - The photographer and/or the TV camera crew put film over the lights that will screw up your makeup; usually used in-doors. When they use blue they hate you and want to make you look bad.
Blow him out or blow her out - The lighting is so bright the talents features will disappear; you can use more color and contour.
HDTV or High Definition TV - You will forget everything you know about makeup. You now have to make the person up so that they look great to the naked eye - what you see is what you will see on the TV or film. Now you know for sure this original list was made in the 90’s.
Losing light - You are using the natural light available for the shot and time is running out to get the shots required. This is usually said in a panic.
Glamour shoot - One where the model has a great figure and the photographer is going to try to see more of it. Ok, now I have offended all the photographers out there, I will add that the model is usually going for this look and the photographer has grudgingly agreed to do the shoot (insert sarcasm). There is usually very little money in this for the makeup artist.
Artistic nude shots - See glamour shoot (above) with different lighting.
Money shot - In photography this is the shot that will bring in the money; the cover shot, the best shot.
Beauty shot - When shooting a product, this is a shot of just the product, no models or talent. When a photographer is shooting a model and no product and says "beauty shot" it's usually a close-up face shot.
Martini - Last shot of the day.
Abbey Singer - Shot before the martini.
Stepping in - What you say when you are stepping on to the set in front of cameras. NEVER do this while they are rolling or the photographer is shooting.
Crossing - What you hear when someone is stepping through the shoot in front of the cameras.
Flashing - ALWAYS say this on set when you are taking any kind of flash photography, and say it loud enough for people to hear you. Otherwise be prepared for a lot of angry faces and reprimand.
Closed set - Only people who need to be on set are allowed on set.
Lock it up/ locking down - They are moments away from starting, so now is not the time to go to craft services.
Turnaround - Can mean two things: the camera is moving to shoot the other side of a scene or the amount of time you have in between shooting days.... for example, “you have an 8 hour turnaround.”
Hot points - Somebody, somewhere is moving something that can hurt you, and being on a set, they are moving it quickly. ALWAYS move out of the way when you hear this. Don't expect "please" or "excuse me"— just move! It's for your own safety.
Forced call - You mostly will find this with union projects. Depending on your contract, you are guaranteed a specific number of hours in your turnaround. So for instance if you have an 8-hour turnaround and production gives you a forced call (cha-ching) and you only get a 7-hour turnaround then they will pay you extra for the time they cut into your turnaround — a.k.a. forced call.
Video Village - The group of people that sit around the monitors. If you can get a seat there, make sure all the other higher-ups have gotten their seats. Vanities typically stand at video village.
Vanities – Makeup and Hair crew
Shooting on spec - This is not just a makeup term but a general term used mainly in photography. It means is that you are probably being asked to work for free and if the ad sells then they will pay you. These shots almost never sell and you never get paid.
Advertorial - This is an editorial that is actually a product placement ad. It's like the brand placement you see in film and TV, but in print. If someone shows up on your editorial and insists that you use this or that product in the photo it's probably an "advertorial" and you should be making more money (full commercial rates). The magazine can choose to use their sponsor's wardrobe and that's smart, but when they start insisting that the model wear "this exact necklace" or "this purse must be in the shot" regardless of how it flows, you are probably on an advertorial shoot. The biggest difference is where the money comes from. In an editorial the magazine pays for the crew, whereas in an advertorial the magazine may agree to add the sponsor's product if they buy an ad in that magazine or pay them in return for product placement. This turns the editorial into an advertorial.
Hard out - The talent and/or crew needs to be packed up, cleaned up, and ready to go at a specific time, and not a minute later.
Grace - When production asks you to delay your specified meal time so they can finish up a scene or shot before the crew breaks, without incurring meal penalties (i.e. paying you extra).
Test Shoot – A team of people, generally a model, photographer, makeup artist, hair stylist and stylist work on a photo shoot for their portfolios. These shoots pay nothing but with a good team you may get a good portfolio shot or two. These are very risky. A lot of time is wasted here, but it’s often necessary when you’re building your book.
TFP –Trade for print, Time for print. See “Test Shoot” above.
We'll fix it in post - We will fix it in the editing process usually means we’re too lazy, pressed for time or inexperienced to fix the problem now, so we will hope and pray that no one notices in the finished product. If anyone says this to you and an artist, don't believe them. Fix it now if you can, because you will probably be blamed when the problem never gets fixed in post.
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Makeup Artist Chat: Pati Dubroff
Pati Dubroff is one of the most sought out after and well respected talents in Hollywood. Dubroff’s work has graced the covers of Elle, Glamour, Allure and Harper’s Bazaar to name a few. The industry pro chatted with us about her experiences in our latest Makeup Artist Chat.
If you could go back in time to your very first shoot, what advice would you give to your former self?
I think back then I thought that more makeup was better. I've now learned that less is definitely more.
You’ve had the opportunity of working with some of the top names in Hollywood. With a jet-set lifestyle, what keeps you grounded?
Meditation, working out, spending time in nature and family are super important to me.
When your career launched, becoming a makeup artist was somewhat of a novelty. Now that the demand for makeup artistry has exploded, what advice would you give an aspiring artist trying to set themselves apart from the crowd?
I would say to be careful with falling into the YouTube and Instagram traps because I believe that could have a short shelf life. I would advise someone to look to working makeup artists in Hollywood and in fashion instead of Instafame artists.
We know you’re all about beautiful skin. Any tips on how to ensure skin is always Camera Ready?
Encouraging people to cleanse well at night no matter how tired they are. I also like to prep skin with a good sheet mask to give the skin some plump and glow. I feel this is a great way to hydrate instead of using a heavy moisturizer. I also recommend prepping the skin with a light primer to ensure the center of the face is Matte and appears pore-less.
With social media and technology evolving, how has the industry changed since you’ve started out?
A positive aspect of social media is that there is now a broad platform on which to proudly show your work. The downside is that there is a lot of photo manipulation that goes on with social media, so there's the risk that you’re seeing a misrepresentation of someone’s talents.
What drives you – is there something specific that keeps you going?
I love when a woman looks in the mirror, smiles, does a little shimmy dance and feels beautiful. That never gets old.
What was your defining moment as an artist-the moment when you thought to yourself “I’ve made it”?
Marie Claire Magazine just held the Image Makers Awards, and honored me with the title of Icon Makeup Artist. It was hugely flattering.
Everyone who has seen great success has someone they look up to. Who was that one person for you?
Christy Turlington has been a constant inspiration for me professionally and personally. Her use of her good fortune and success in the realms of giving back are aspirational.
With a largely successful career, are there any mantras you live by?
Humility and respecting others is important no matter how successful (or not yet successful) you think you are.
We all know how transformative the power of makeup can be. What is your beauty philosophy?
Healthy skin should never be masked, only slightly enhanced as needed. When the skin looks beautiful and real you can play up or down any feature and not look overdone.
Working long hours with A-List celebrities is not for the faint at heart. How do you mentally prepare for it?
It's not about being mentally prepared it's about being physically prepared. Exercise, sleep, healthy diet and a positive frame of mind prepare you for any situation.
Have you had any freak-out red carpet mistakes?
Yes, one time a false eyelash came loose and thankfully there was a cosmetic store near the carpet that I ran into to get some glue to try to fix it on the sly, in public. It was one of the more stressful events in my professional life.
All images courtesy of Pati Dubroff
Makeup Artist Chat: Kelly Belmonte
Kelly Belmonte aka “Red” gave us a colorful look inside the world of bodypainting with her show, Naked Vegas. Now, the fiery painter chats with us about how she became so infatuated with the craft, how she balances her life as a wife, mom and mogul, and her plans for the future.
We all know you're an amazing makeup artist. How did you come to specialize in body painting?
First of all, thank you very much for the compliment. That's incredibly kind. Honestly, the whole body painting thing is a funny story that I don't think many know. I was kind of bored doing faces and there were two other makeup artists that were my biggest competition at the time that decided to learn how to airbrush. I am competitive to a degree so I told myself if these two can do it.... so can I. Funny because both still use the airbrush but not for body painting. I guess I really enjoyed it and once I learned what I could do, I didn't want to stop. I suppose it didn't grab them like it did me. I just dreamt in color; it excited me, thrilled me and gave me a sense of accomplishment.
What advice would you give to someone who wants to get into this field?
Practice! Now you can go on YouTube and learn anything. I could fix my pilot light that way. You can learn how to paint there too. I also say take classes from any artist you respect. That goes for makeup too. What's really cool about all this fun stuff that we do is there's REALLY no right way. All of it can be accomplished in so many ways - you never know what you're going to learn. What trick, what technique.... product someone may know about.... assist for free, but do not step on toes. Practice. Did I say that already?
What qualities do you look for when you’re building your team of artists?
Team players. Hands down. I want someone I can trust. I want someone who could head this job or follow along to someones direction, and I want someone that if I walk away, I know they could and would finish the job the way I would. I want someone who cares as much as I do. I really can't say team player enough-plus I gotta like you because I have to spend a crap ton of time with you and if you're a jerk I'm not hiring you.
What was the most memorable body painting job you’ve worked on and why?
That's a super hard question because they all almost blend, yet moments stand out. A better question would be, 'What's the craziest body painting story,' that's the one people really ask. Well..... that's usually something I share over cocktails or coffee when I know the ages of my audience—they are all so adult in nature. I will say that that painting on Face Off and painting at The Playboy Mansion were pretty cool.
It doesn’t seem like you’re slowing down anytime soon. What has been the highlight of your career thus far?
My TV show, Naked Vegas!
You’re a mother, a wife, and a business owner, how do you balance it all?
Ha!!! I don't know if I do!!! I try all the time, I fail all the time.... and then I just try again. I think as a mom and a wife, we are all just trying to get by and just do better than our parents did. I think there's never enough of me or time... I also think we need to follow our dreams so our kids see us happy and working doing something we love, excited to go to work everyday.
What was it like to be apart of reality TV? Did it change your career in any way?
It was amazing, fun, stressful and a complete blessing. It's made me a better artist and opened so many doors. I've gotten to meet artists that I looked up to and to poke around the playboy mansion... it's been nothing short of a beautiful ride.
Since the show has aired, have you noticed the demand for body painting increased?
Seems to me yes! And I feel like my show was a direct reason for it. I think it opened doors for other shows too. I think we were able to show people how hard it is and that it really is an art. I'm proud of what I did, wished it could still be filmed, but I'm still painting just like always.
What are some of your go-to products that Camera Ready Cosmetics carries?
There are so many!!! I use European Body Art, Mehron, Graftobian HD foundation palettes (love their foundation palettes, seriously, couldn't believe it), Green Marble Sealer, Morphe brushes, Bdellium brushes, Becca, Embryolisse, Premiere Products, Parian Spirit.... literally I could restock my whole kit ordering here.
I chatted with the owner, Mary Erickson about what products I use and what she had to have, and Camera Ready Cosmetics pretty much has ALL of it. I'm really pleased with the selection and love your customer service!
What are your plans for the distant future?
I have a few paints coming up. I hope one day to go to Hong Kong and learn from these artists that I know that paint there. I want to learn oil painting, I want to bring my show back. Really, that's what I want.
How has the industry of body painting evolved since you started?
So many new products! Better pasties, better products and I think there's more respect in it. People don't look at me like I do porn as much now, so I guess that's good.
Catch up with Kelly Belmonte on all her social channels! Be sure to share this article with someone who would love it!
Makeup Artist Chat: Eugenia Weston
Eugenia Weston - Makeup Artist Chat
SENNA Cosmetics became a household name ever since the company revolutionized the brow world with its patented Form-A-BrowⓇ Kit, but SENNA would have never gotten where it is today without its founder and muse, Eugenia Weston. Having founded SENNA 40 years ago (Happy 40th, SENNA!), Eugenia embodies the company’s philosophy of “Beauty. Illusion. Transformation.” while her amazing makeup artistry inspires SENNA's product line. Meet the ultimate dreamer with us, here, on Makeup Artist Chat.
Describe your first encounter with makeup that made you want to be in the industry.
I actually never thought of “being in the industry.” I just loved doing makeup and always wanted to perfect everyone’s look. My work got noticed and the rest is history.
What was your first step into the beauty industry?
My first opportunity in the beauty biz was when I was hired by an incredible makeup & brow artist, Bobbe Joy, to work in the famous Jon Peters Salon in the San Fernando Valley, CA. I was just 20 years old. She had an eponymous makeup line. I was already very good at applying makeup, but Bobbe taught me the art of eyebrow shaping. She was a master at brows! Five years later I was hired as a makeup artist for 'Cassandre Cusenza. This is when and where I developed SENNA Cosmetics in 1976. The salon’s high fashion artistry attracted celebrities, producers, directors, photographers and top beauty editors. I was in the right place at the right time.
This year SENNA celebrated 40 years. Looking back, which moment or milestone was your favorite?
As you can imagine, during my 40 years of professional makeup artistry, I’ve had several memorable moments and met many icons in the entertainment and art world. I’ll never forget in the mid 70’s, I did an editorial makeup project with photographer Helmut Newton! It was for Viva Magazine and the fashion editor was Anna Wintour. It doesn’t get much better than that.
What is your creative process when developing a new product?
My creative process begins with a beauty need. Having six makeup studios allows me to work one-on-one with many different types of clients to create effective products that are easy to use. For celebrities and models, I’ve had to create new techniques and products that look fabulous in HD TV and film. I love fashion so much that I bring that into the mix as well. I invented the Form-A-BrowⓇ Kit in 1992 to help women create perfect brows that were so difficult to attain. It’s a pro-artist favorite and the first of its kind.
What is your favorite kind of makeup look or style to design?
I love beauty and fashion editorial makeup because it’s a great format for avant garde artistic exploration. It unleashes a different dynamic in the creative process and always inspires a new technique or product that I can create for my clients. And for me!
How would you describe your signature look and what is it about your style that sets you apart from other makeup artists?
I’ve been told that I do very “clean” beauty makeup. It looks perfect through a magnifying glass. I am a meticulous detailer and my makeup has to be flawlessly blended and free of any smudges. I had to learn how to do that because in the 70’s, retouching was done by hand and it was extremely costly. Now I hear artists say “Oh, you can fix that in Photoshop.” That doesn’t cut it in my book.
Who is your beauty muse or inspiration?
French makeup artist, Serge Lutens. He is a visionary. His avant garde work is, and will always remain, the most inspirational for me.
If you were not a makeup artist, what would you do?
I’d be a fashion designer or interior designer. My passion is for color, texture, and achieving balance and beauty. It would always be an art that can evolve and express who I am.
What’s the best piece of advice that was ever given to you in your career?
Eat, drink, and sleep this business. You have to give 200% to be successful.
What can we expect from Senna in the near future?
The SENNA philosophy of “Beauty. Illusion. Transformation.” guides our future. We will keep the focus on customized services in our SENNA Makeup & Brow Studios. Connecting with our clientele and fulfilling their needs with our heritage of high quality, high performance services and products is our top priority. And, of course, keeping SENNA a professional, artisan brand that inspires and innovates in a meaningful way.
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 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
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.
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.
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Makeup Artist Chat - Margina Dennis
We love catching up with makeup maven Margina Dennis! Dennis is a celebrated makeup guru; touching all realms of the industry, from consulting giant beauty brands like Mehron and Temptu, to beautifying top celebrities such as Tom Brady, Jane Lynch and Tracy Morgan. Her work has been featured in publications such as Teen Vogue, Entertainment Weekly, and L’Officiel Homme. Join us as Margina gives us the inside scoop on how she stays motivated, her take on the makeup industry today, and what she loves (and hates) about being a makeup pro!
With over 15 years of experience in the industry, how do you keep yourself inspired and motivated?
Motivation and inspiration come in many different forms. I like not only looking at art, but also at nature, architecture, and life and seeing the body in things. I also like to find different ways to use my makeup products to create different results. This is an old image, but I actually mixed coffee grounds and baby oil to create the essence of dirt on the model's face.
Photo: B. Packert
What makeup trend (past or present) do you wish would make a comeback? What makeup trend do you hope will disappear?
I feel like we are already starting to see a shift with makeup. For a few years now, we've been into a heavy almost drag look with consumer makeup. Lately, there have been celebrities talking about embracing a more natural look. Fashion has already been doing it. I think we will settle into a middle ground with it, which would be nice.
Photo: D. King
Photo: C. Thai
Makeup Tip: What is your “secret sauce” for dewy skin?
Ah, if I told you my secrets for "secret sauce" I'd have to kill you (JUST KIDDING) !!! :-) But I do have an arsenal of products that I like to have on hand in order to be able to create dewy skin.
What is your makeup style? What do you have the most fun creating, beauty, editorials, advertising or motion?
A lot of the work I get hired to do is very clean, which is some of the hardest work to do, and make look effortless. But like many others, I do enjoy the opportunities, I get to be creative.
Who is your favorite beauty Icon, past and present?
I've been obsessed with Marilyn Monroe since I was a young girl. She was really complex, and I believe that she was so much different than her public persona she created.
What are your top 3 loves and hates about this profession?
I love that you need to continue to grow because of the ever changing technology with motion and print. It is very important to keep up on it so that you understand how your work will look.
I don't like how some people discount what we do because they think it is easy. A good makeup artist just makes it look like it is easy but it really isn't!
That every day is different. Yesterday I was on location shooting a campaign for a major design house; tomorrow, I'm working on getting an executive ready for an important meeting.
Photo: E. Hason
What have you been up to this last year? Got anything exciting planned for Margina Dennis Makeup and grooming?
I've been up to quite a bit, and one of the things I've been doing is providing quality education to upcoming artists and those who are looking to challenge themselves and evolve to the next level. That's how www.beautybeautebeauti.com came about. Not only am I doing live, hands-on workshops, but I'm also looking to provide business and technical based webinars for those who don't have access or don't know where to go for that information; learning what goes into rates, running a makeup business, and negotiating are some of the many things I plan on doing. I have a hands-on workshop August 28th in NYC and in Chicago October 16th & 17th, and hope CRC will let me come and have some fun in Dallas soon!
Photo: J Petska
Makeup Artist Chat: KJ Bennett
This month on 'Makeup Artist Chat' we had the pleasure of speaking with Kevin James Bennett. KJ is a globally recognized makeup artist and educator known for his product focus, business sense and passion for cosmetics. He is also a multiple Emmy Award winner with over three decades of makeup artistry and SFX experience in all media formats (print, runway, stage, video and film).
We asked for KJ's thoughts on industry changes, his favorite gigs, and recent collaboration with RCMA on the KJB Complexion Palette. Enjoy!
How old were you when you decided you wanted to become a makeup artist, and what led you to that decision?
I don't remember if deciding to become a makeup artist was Plan C or Plan D, but it didn't happen until I was in my mid-twenties. I was a Performing Arts major in college. Stage actors apply their own makeup, so learning theatrical makeup was part of my curriculum, but it never thrilled me. Fast forward to my (short) career in display design at Bloomingdale's NYC and things changed. I occasionally worked in the fashion windows where mannequins were "painted" with actual makeup to cross-promote clothing and cosmetic brands. Suddenly art and cosmetics became entwined, and my makeup addiction began!
If you had to choose another career, what would it be?
I was happily heading in the direction of a career in interior and display design, when stage performing felt unattainable. My mood is strongly influenced by my surroundings. So a profession where my creativity is challenged to create environments that evoke emotion feels very organic.
What was the most important piece of advice given to you when you were an aspiring makeup artist?
Never be afraid to fail. Failure teaches you to succeed, but only if you're willing to learn from your mistakes.
What type of work do you enjoy the most (TV, film, editorial, etc.) and why?
I still work on set, but my career focus has shifted over the past 3 to 4 years. A significant amount of my time is dedicated to makeup education (globally) and developing curriculum—both are extremely gratifying. I'm also an admitted cosmetics junkie, so consulting on product/brand development has become a dream job.
The makeup industry has changed a lot over the last decade. What aspects of the new makeup culture do you enjoy, and what do you dislike?
I LOVE the real-time conversations and content sharing social media has brought to our community. However, I dislike that anyone with a makeup brush can get in front of a camera and claim to be a "makeup artist.” Makeup artistry is a profession. I have no complaint with people identifying as makeup enthusiasts or beauty influencers. BUT, If you aren't being paid to apply makeup (to other people, not yourself) as one of your primary sources of income, you are NOT a professional makeup artist.
What are the staple items in your makeup kit (recent additions and classic items)?
I'm obsessed with creating beautiful skin. If you haven nailed the complexion part of a makeup application, the rest of your work looks incomplete. So, superior quality, full coverage foundations and color creams are a MUST in my kit.
What items do you keep in your kit that would be considered unexpected or unusual?
I carry basic SFX items (adhesives, molding materials) and alcohol activated palettes (Skin Illustrator) in my beauty kit. The line between beauty makeup and SFX can be blurred very effectively if you know how to manipulate your products.
Your recent RCMA Kevin James Bennett Complexion Palette has been a huge success. Can you tell us how the collaboration got started and how you chose the foundations/correctors included in the palette?
The first time I freelanced at a TV studio (King World in NYC), I was handed a palette of RCMA foundation. I was intimidated by its intensity. I came from a world of consumer products in retail, photo and runway. We had nothing like this. Once I became comfortable using it and realized the possibilities it offered, I became a career-long fan.
I mentioned my obsession with complexion and my role as an educator in a previous question. I teach color theory, and it's important for my students to understand how foundation colors are created. I was making cream color palettes in my kitchen, using RCMA 'Clear' base and the five single pigments used to create every foundation. I finally persuaded RCMA to do the work for me. That's how the five color 'Adjuster' palette was born.
I'm frequently asked, "which foundation colors do you have in your kit?". Because I'm obsessed with condensing my kit to maximum versatility using the least amount of products, most pre-made palettes didn't meet my requirements. I researched and tested until I came up with a tightly edited collection of single colors that offered the most versatility - and created a palette of my own. Unfortunately, an artist wanting to reproduce my custom palette was faced with a cost of almost $300.00 at retail.
When RCMA offered to create a "KJB" palette, I looked at the 18 wells in the compact and realized we could fit ALL my foundation picks, the new adjusters, AND the Clear mixing medium. To make this even more exciting, they let me create a NEW foundation color. I've always felt that the Shinto Series was a bit too dark at the lightest end, so I created Shinto Zero. It's the pale olive shade I always looked for in that series, and now it's been introduced in my signature palette.
I'm crazy excited about my collaboration with RCMA because one single palette now contains EVERYTHING an artist needs to create outstanding complexions.
You have a very impressive portfolio. What was your favorite gig of all time?
My favorite wasn't a single gig.
I spent nine years heading the departments on two network soap operas. I was challenged to create credible beauty makeup and SFX, in an extremely time-sensitive medium. I also worked through the transition from video tape, to digital video, to HD video. They were amazing learning experiences!
What is the most important advice you could give to a young person trying to start their career as a makeup artist?
Be passionate, driven, humble and never stop learning. If you would like to learn more about KJ Bennett and his outstanding career, visit his website at KJBennett.com, or check out the video below and subscribe to his YouTube channel!
Makeup Artist Chat: DeShawn Hatcher
For this week's 'Makeup Artist Chat' we had the pleasure of speaking with DeShawn Hatcher. DeShawn is a makeup artist from Brooklyn, New York, who has seen her career flourish over the last 12 years thanks to her dedication and enthusiasm for the industry. She has been the key makeup artist for several Mercedes Benz Fashion Week shows, Beauty Director for Cotton's 24 Hour Runway Show, and worked with stunning celebrities such as Annette Bening, Tom Cruise, and Beyonce, just to name a few. We asked for her thoughts on the best advice she ever received, finding inspiration, makeup trends and so much more. Enjoy! When did you have your "Ah Ha" moment, knowing that you wanted to be a makeup artist?
When I looked at Bette Davis and watched all of my favorite old movies, and later saw Kevyn Aucoin's book, “Making Faces.” I knew it was possible to be a makeup artist after seeing that book. It took me about 3 more years to get up the courage to leave my corporate job behind and pursue my dream of being a makeup artist.
What was your first gig as a makeup artist?
A low budget music video. They still owe me money! LOL
What was the best advice you ever got from another makeup artist? Who was the artist?
I have two really. The first one actually came from a photographer, Fadil Berisha. I wrote about this on my blog deshawnlovesmakeup.com. He told me to stop undervaluing my services and ask for what they were truly worth. That was a very powerful lesson.
When I moved over to beauty and starting doing well, some folks were just nasty to me. I just couldn't understand what I had done to them. It really bothered me, because the last thing you want to do when you're a newbie is upset folks. So, the other powerful advice was to stop listening to the haters, and stop letting them block me from moving forward. Their insecure issues had nothing to do with me at all. That was really powerful for me. It freed me to just be me, and allowed me to move forward. That came from the amazing Mary Erickson. After she told me that, I couldn’t care less about them, and kept my eye on being the best makeup artists I could be. INVALUABLE!
Which elements of your job do you like the most? Print, fashion, TV, etc.?
Wow, that's hard! For me they all have things in them I absolutely love. Any day I get to pick up my brush is the best part of my job, and I don't care what I'm doing. Fashion is great for the creative aspect; your brain can explode with creativity. For TV I love how technical everything has to be. I always learn so much about lighting, sound and video when working in TV—it’s always a lesson.
Which do you prefer, creating far out looks or keeping things classic and clean? Why?
I do love funky makeup! I love color and doing creative makeup, BUT what I really love is clean makeup. From makeup that looks fresh all the way to red carpet. People think its so hard to do the out of this world stuff, but for me doing a super clean base on someone who has bad skin is a skill all its own. I have spent years practicing to be able to do clean makeup on everyone—male, female, and on all (and I mean all) ethnicities.
Where do you find your inspiration?
I find inspiration in everything! Nature, fashion, the city and trees (I really do love trees). I look at things and then my mind flips to “Hmm, how could I use that in my work?”
Can today's hot makeup trends apply to all types of makeup jobs?
Not really… Let's take the "on fleek" eyebrows. Where is that going? And how about the overdone contour? Ahhh-Hell NO. Unfortunately, trendy doesn't always translate to the world of a professional makeup artist. Now if you were to say classic, like a beautiful red lip, or a winged eye (not the ‘on fleek’ winged eye) then yes, that can translate to so many areas. Those are timeless.
What three items are in your kit at all times?
Can't live without my Graftobian Warm Palette Foundation, MAC Smolder Pencil and my fave Embroylisse. Ooo, and one more! Cinema Secrets Brush Cleaner.
How do you unwind after a long day on set? Do you have a favorite thing you do or place you go?
I never unwind! (Hahaha I really don't.) Our hours are so wacky that I don't unwind like I did when I was a part of corporate America. I come home, clean my kit, chill with the boyfriend and start working on new the ideas I have in my mind to help my fabulous artists.
You have had an admirable career. What are your personal highlights?
Being the Beauty Director and designer of a runway show that is now in the Guinness Book of World Records, writing "Assisting Rules! The Ultimate Guide to Assisting Makeup Artists and Hairstylists in Beauty Fashion and Print," being Creative Director for the now-defunct Nixie Cosmetic 07 Ad Campaign and getting my first major cover.
The day I got the Zink Magazine cover, I was in a trailer working on location and when I got the text. I ran through the trailer like three times, saying, “yes yes yes hahahaha!” They thought I was nuts, but when I told everyone what happened they were all so happy for me! But, my all time favorite highlight is being a mentor, helping other artists and watching them grow into amazing makeup artists on their own. There's so much more, but those are things that pop into my head. If you would like to learn more about DeShawn and her fabulous career, please visit her website at www.deshawnlovesmakeup.com . Or click on the video below and subscribe to her YouTube channel.
Makeup Artist Chat: B.J. Batterman
One of our favorite celebrity makeup artists, Barbra Jo Batterman, stopped by Camera Ready Cosmetics to show off her male grooming skills, talk makeup and do a little shopping. B.J. is well known as department head of some of television's most watched live events like the Billboard Music Awards, iHeart Music Festival and the Academy of Country Music Awards to name a few. She has also done makeup for some of the most famous people in recent history including Tiger Woods, Heidi Klum, Joan Rivers, LeBron James, President Barak Obama, Paul McCartney, Tina Fey and dozens more!
We asked for her thoughts about the makeup industry, trends that need to disappear, how she preps for a job and so much more. Enjoy!
When did you realize you wanted to be a makeup artist? My mom was a makeup artist and actually owned a makeup store in Philadelphia, so I was always around it. I was probably about 17 when I decided I wanted to make it my career.
The great chicken or the egg debate... Do you do the complexion first, or the eyes? When I’m working on a client, I always do the eyes first to prevent fallout. If I’m doing an application lesson, I like to start with the complexion since it’s the first thing you need to learn.
What product do you find yourself refilling the most frequently? Like most people, I am obsessed with Cinema Secrets brush cleaner. I keep two huge bottles in my kit at all times and I'm always ordering more. I'm obsessed with clean brushes!
What is one trick you use on talent that you think everyone could benefit from? Don’t neglect your brows! Brows frame your eyes and lift. In fact, part of my business is focused specifically on shaping, filling and educating my clients on how to perfect their brows every day!
What part of working as professional makeup artist have you struggled with, and how have you learned to overcome it? Judging myself and worrying that I may not be good enough. Through experience, I have learned my value.
What trend are you ready to see disappear? I don’t know if it’s even a trend, but I’m so sick of heavy lip gloss.
What has changed about the industry since you started? There are so many new avenues to learn and gather information!
Do you think formal training is necessary in any way, shape or form? Yes, there are basic rules for color, contour and highlight that are good to learn in a classroom setting, but there are things you can’t learn from formal training alone. There is definitely something to be said about learning on a set. Just because you are good with your own makeup, doesn’t make you a makeup artist.
What advice would you give a budding artist looking to break into your industry? If makeup’s your passion, give it your heart and soul… Always have an open mind to learn! The industry is always changing, so you will never know everything. I’m still so excited to learn new things and I’ve been doing makeup for over 35 years!
How do you prep for your biggest jobs (fashion week, award shows, etc.)? As far as supplies go, I tend to be a bit over prepared. You would be surprised what some people ask you for! I was even asked if I had a wine bottle opener once, so now I always keep one in my kit. I mean, what’s better than a glass of wine while your having your makeup done?
If you want to learn more about Barbra Jo and her impressive portfolio, visit her websites at www.bjbatterman.com and www.thebattermangroup.squarespace.com. You can also watch her male grooming tutorial here: Male Grooming with BJ Batterman.
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