EDUCATION AT CAMERA READY

Elevate your artistry with our wealth of blogs covering topics ranging from Makeup Artist Career Tips, Beauty Tutorials, Special Effects Tutorials, PRO Tips, and more! 
page=3/--
5 Pro Concealers That Effortlessly Cover Dark Spots

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!
Makeup Artist Career Tips, PRO Tips
Read More
The 10 Best SFX Makeup Artists Of All Time

The 10 Best SFX Makeup Artists Of All Time

We are fascinated by the creative talent of professional makeup artists for film and television, especially those who specialize in special effects makeup. The ability to transform human faces into out-of-this-world creatures or bloody, gore-covered victims takes a level of artistry and focus that can take years to perfect. With so many greats who paved the way before us, we felt inspired to round up our 10 favorite SFX makeup artists of all time. Keep reading to learn more about the people who created our favorite characters on the big and small screens. Ben Nye Professional makeup artist Ben Nye, Sr. got his start in the music department of Fox Studios in Los Angeles. After three years of working in what he deemed a boring position, Nye sought an apprenticeship in the Fox Studios makeup department under head makeup artist Monte Westmore. Ben Nye Makeup Best Sellers Ben NyeBanana PowderStarting $13.50 Ben NyeFinal SealStarting at $9 Ben NyeCreme Color$8 Under the direction of Westmore, Nye gained experience working on set of various A-List films like In Old Chicago and Jesse James, but it was his experience on set of Gone With The Wind that inspired Nye to branch out and create products of his own, specifically for women of color. So he began to experiment, mixing and blending the products he already used to get inspired. Shortly after, Nye ventured solo as a freelance makeup artist for Paramount Pictures and Warner Brothers before going back to Fox Studios as the head makeup artist. Over the next decade, Nye made a name for himself in the industry. His use of prosthetics in feature films garnered him worldwide acclaim, and each major feature film inspired him to experiment and create professional-grade products to revolutionize film and television makeup. After retiring in the 1960s, Nye opened his own professional makeup company named Ben Nye Cosmetics, which is still wildly popular today. Popular products include Ben Nye’s Banana Powder (thanks to celebrity endorsements from the likes of Kim Kardashian), Neutral Set Powder, Liquid Latex, Nose & Scar Wax, Bruise Wheel, Stage Blood and so many more. Click here to shop the Ben Nye collection at Camera Ready Cosmetics. Stan Winston Makeup legend Stan Winston had a childhood fascination with puppetry and mask-making, which evolved into a passion for special effects makeup artistry later in life. After moving from Richmond, VA to Hollywood in 1969, Winston worked underneath head makeup artist, Robert J. Schiffer, for Disney Studios where he perfected his talent and worked his way up the makeup industry ladder. Winston led teams for more than 40 years to create some of the most iconic, modern-day characters and creatures in such films as Alien vs Predator, The Terminator, Jurassic Park, Iron Man, and Avatar. Shop Stan Winston Digital Courses Stan WinstonTattoo Makeup$64.99 Stan WinstonMaking Fake Teeth$59.99 Stan WinstonMake A Latex Mask$59.99 Winston has received 10 Academy Award nominations - winning four - and is one of only three SFX makeup artists to have a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. He’s also won two Emmy Awards out of six nominations, as well as three BAFTA awards out of five nominations. To learn more about Stan Winston, visit the Stan Winston School of Character Arts website. Eryn Krueger Mekash Makeup artist Eryn Krueger Mekash got her start in special effects makeup while working in shops throughout Los Angeles. After years of perfecting her skills, she dove into a career in makeup artistry that has spanned nearly three decades. Her vast experience in the film and television industry has allowed Mekash to master the art of beauty, special effects makeup and design - a triple threat, if you ask us. Her work has been Emmy-nominated 35 times, and she’s won six awards - the most wins for a female makeup artist ever. She currently serves as head of the makeup department for FX's American Horror Story. Shop These SFX Favorites Skin IllustratorFX Palette$80 GraftobianSpatula + Sculpting Tool$7.20 Pros-AideThe "Original" Adhesive$13 Mekash’s use of prosthetics has earned her notoriety amongst industry veterans, who seek her out for creative insights on various projects. Some of her most notable work has been featured in Star Trek: Into The Darkness; Glee; Eat, Pray, Love; Alpha Dog; Everybody Loves Raymond; and Alien Nation. Visit ErynKruegerMekash.com to learn more about her career and to see a full list of work credits. Joe Blasco Credited for the invention of popular horror movie makeup effects like the bladder technique, bulging blisters, and rashes on the skin, pro makeup artist Joe Blasco is a legend in his own right. After serving as the personal makeup artist to icons like Orson Welles, Olivia Newton-John, Bette Midler and Carol Burnett, Blasco sought out to revolutionize film and television makeup like never before. Blasco’s industry experience has spanned more than 50 years, and his credits include The Newlywed Game, General Hospital, Good Morning America, The Carol Burnett Show, Leonardo da Vinci, Ilsa She Wolf of the SS, The Werewolf of Woodstock and Shivers, to name a few. Joe Blasco Best Sellers Joe BlascoUltrabase Foundation$26 Joe BlascoSublime Liquid Blush$32 Joe BlascoUltra Fine Setting Powder$24 Aside from his artistry, Blasco’s passion for education led him to open his Make-Up Training Centers in Hollywood and Orlando, FL, as well as create his own high-performance cosmetics line, Joe Blasco Hollywood, that has gained worldwide popularity. Popular products from his line include the Ultrabase Foundations, Dermaceals, Ultamattes, and Neutralizers. Click here to shop the Joe Blasco collection at Camera Ready Cosmetics. Matthew Mungle   A former student of Joe Blasco’s Make-up Center, Matthew Mungle has worked his way up to become one of Hollywood’s premier special effects artists. Regarded as a master of makeup illusions, Mungle’s fascination with horror makeup started at a young age after seeing iconic films like Frankenstein, Dracula, and The Mummy. Shop These SFX Favorites Ben NyeFresh ScabStarting at $8 Ben NyeLiquid LatexStarting at $6 Rubber WearEvil Forehead Foam Latex$28.95 Mungle grew up experimenting with face casts and prosthetics on family members and friends until he was old enough to pursue artistry as a career. After graduating school, he worked on set of several low-budget films where he learned to be resourceful and think quickly. Mungle’s experience led him to oversee teams on set of Edward Scissorhands, Bram Stoker’s Dracula (which he won his first Oscar for), Congo, Primal Fear and Ghosts of Mississippi (which earned him an Oscar nomination), and more. Mungle has gone on to create a wide range of film characters using prosthetics for film, television, and Broadway. His full biography can be found here. Dick Smith   Academy Award-winning makeup artist Dick Smith is most famous for creating SFX application methods that became the standard for Hollywood film and television, like fake blood, layered prosthetics and foam latex for an aging face. Some of his most notable credits include The Godfather, The Exorcist, and Taxi Driver. The makeup revolutionist found his love for performance makeup while browsing the library at Yale University, his alma mater, an stumbling upon performance makeup books. A list of awards, decades-long career and two published books later, Smith is revered as one of Hollywood’s great artists of our time. Click here for a full list of Smith’s film credits. Kevin Yagher   The creator of Freddy Krueger’s makeup and the infamous Chucky doll, artist Kevin Yagher has a long-standing special effects career that dates back to the early 1980s. His expertise with prosthetics has led to some of pop culture’s most eerily memorable characters, and his contributions on A Nightmare on Elm Street, Bones, A Series of Unfortunate Events and Mission: Impossible have earned him industry acclaim. Another notable achievement was Yagher’s work on set of The Master of Disguise, featuring Dana Carvey, where he created 15-20 different disguises to transform the actor’s character throughout the film. Yagher now leads teams at Kevin Yagher Productions Inc. to “create effects that far surpass peoples’ exceptions and to provide producers and directors with the highest quality effects imaginable.” View a full list of Kevin Yagher’s credits here. Ve Neill   When we asked our Pro Artist network which female SFX artists they most admired, Ve Neill topped the list. As one of the most award-winning, living makeup artists (she’s won three Oscars, two Emmys, one BAFTA, four Saturn Awards, and a lifetime achievement award from the MUA Guild) Neill is loved and respected amongst industry veterans and newbies alike. Neill has worked with a long list of A-List stars including Johnny Depp and Jennifer Lawrence, and her film and television credits are just as recognizable: The Hunger Games, The Amazing Spider-Man, Sweeney Todd, Pirates of the Caribbean, How The Grinch Stole Christmas, Batman & Robin, Edward Scissorhands, Star Trek, and the list goes on. The guru spends her free time advocating for the makeup artistry profession, helping to build awareness in the general public about the craft of creating movie creatures. Learn more about Ve Neill and her work credits here. Bud Westmore Credited on more than 450 movies and television shows, makeup artist Bud Westmore comes from the prominent Hollywood makeup artist family with the same name. Some of his most well-known works include Man of a Thousand Faces, The Andromeda Strain, and Creature from the Black Lagoon. Following the death of his famous makeup artist father, George Westmore, Bud became head of the makeup department at Universal Studios in Hollywood where he scored credits for major horror, sci-fi and fantasy films of the late 1940s. His career spanned over the next two decades until the 1970s when he completed his last project on set of MGM’s Soylent Green. His legacy marks an iconic era of the giant bud-headed creatures made famous in the 40s and 50s. For a full list of film credits, click here. Rick Baker Special effects artist Rick Baker, well-known for his work on Men In Black, An American Werewolf in London, The Nutty Professor and The Wolfman, has won seven Oscars over the span of his 40+ year career. Baker has been outspoken about the shifting nature of film and television makeup. Announcing his retirement in 2015, the acclaimed artist said, “The business is crazy right now. I like to do things right, and they wanted cheap and fast.” His statement was in reference to computer effects, which are taking the place of makeup artist jobs and eliminating the artistic nature of the craft. While on set of Maleficent, featuring A-List star Angelina Jolie, Baker says the use of CG effects in the film reduced his work so much that he “could’ve done it in a garage basically.” Learn more about Rick Baker’s career and film credits here. For related articles, visit our blog here. Be sure to stock up on SFX makeup products here, and tag us on Instagram in your special effects makeup creations for a chance to be reposted! 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.
Read More
The 10 Best Professional Makeup Artist Palettes For 2018

The 10 Best Professional Makeup Artist Palettes For 2018

We LOVE makeup palettes. For professional artists and beauty enthusiasts alike - palettes are convenient, easy to tote around, and provide flexibility when creating different makeup looks. But with hundreds, if not thousands, of options on the market, which makeup palettes are worth the splurge? We read through hundreds of customer reviews and crunched the numbers to determine which makeup artist palettes our customers deemed holy grail status for their kits and makeup bags. What did we find? Keep reading for the 10 best professional makeup artist palettes, all of which you can purchase by clicking the links below. Happy palette shopping! RCMA: 5-Part Series Cream Blush Palette Available in two color variations - a pink-coral collection and a mauve-brown collection - the RCMA 5-Part Series Cream Blush Palette is a professional makeup artist go-to. The palette not only saves room in your kit but also includes five gorgeous, high-definition shades that work well with any skin tone. Use the colors individually or blend for a custom look. The versatile palette can even double as lip color. Camera Ready customer Lindsey says, “These are the longest-lasting blushes I’ve ever used, plus a little goes a long way. Love, love love! Blending is super easy and flawless.” NYX: Highlight & Contour Pro Palette For budget-conscious shoppers, the NYX Highlight and Contour Pro Palette comes at a great price point (less than $25!) without sacrificing high-performance. It’s also refillable! You’ll get eight highlighting and contouring shades to work within one, compact case. Flawlessly emphasizing your favorite features for any skin tone has never been easier, or more affordable. Camera Ready customer Felipe says, “Extremely easy to use. Great variety and impressive blending.” Make Up For Ever: 12 Flash Color Neutral Palette The Make Up For Ever 12 Flash Color Neutral Palette offers limitless possibilities for the eyes, lips, face and body. It’s quickly become a staple in professional makeup artist kits worldwide, and it’s no wonder why. Convenient and travel-friendly, this 12-in-one palette includes multi-use cream colors that work just as easily for everyday wear as they do for more dramatic makeup looks. The Neutral Palette includes shades: Grey, Neutral Brown, Purple Grey, Rosewood, Dark Antique Pink, Ivory, Livid, Kaki, Pink Brown, Fresh Pink, Sienna and Rusty Brown Camera Ready customer Maria says, “Super versatile, really easy to work with. Creates very beautiful natural makeup looks on any skin tone.” Violet Voss: Ride or Die Eye Shadow Palette Just as the name suggests, the Violet Voss Ride or Die Eye Shadow Palette is truly a ride-or-die product for makeup artists at every career level. Just like a trusted best friend, you’ll never want this palette to leave your side (or makeup kit, that is). Formulated with the highest quality ingredients, each of the 42 shades blend together smoothly to create a flawless, sexy look for any occasion. The palette is complete with full-sized mattes, metals and satins. Camera Ready customer Amy says, “This palette has it all! I do stage makeup, and this palette is my go-to. It also has soft colors for bridal makeup! Colors are true and rich and build very well.”  Kryolan: 6-Color Creme Palette The Kryolan Dermacolor Camouflage 6-Color Creme Palette comes in five color combinations for a highly pigmented, full-coverage look. The creme-based, long-lasting formulas are designed to correct and conceal skin disfigurements, discolorations and tattoos on the face or neck. Finish your look with a translucent setting spray and Kryolan’s Fixing Spray for a waterproof finish. If set properly, this makeup will stand up to extreme conditions like swimming, heat and physical strain. Camera Ready customer Jessica says, “I am fully enjoying this product for my makeup kit. It is taking my makeup applications to the next level.” Viseart: Eye Shadow Palette in Neutral Matte This top-selling palette includes all of Viseart’s most popular neutral shades in one. The 12-Color Eyeshadow Palette in 01 Matte does everything from brows and eyes to contouring and hair color touchups. Makeup artists love the quality and color density, as well as the easily blendable color shades to create subtle natural looks or even sexy smokey eyes. The palette is not tested on animals and contains no parabens, silicone or mineral oils. Camera Ready customer Bridget says, “I can’t get over how easy these blend and how almost silky they feel. 100% the best eyeshadows I’ve ever owned/bought. Completely in love.” La Femme: Blush Palette Exclusive to Camera Ready Cosmetics, the La Femme Blush Palette is a rose-colored dream. The 12 stunning, richly-pigmented shades is the perfect combination of cool and warm tones, suitable for any skin tone. The palette even doubles as eyeshadows. A makeup artist staple, this palette creates flawless, matte looks that will make heads turn. Camera Ready customer Keshona says, “Absolutely love this palette, the pigment is insane!! It works for all skin tones!! A must-have for a professional artist or a girl who loves blush!!!” Senna: Brow Book Palette No makeup artist kit is complete without the Senna Brow Book Palette. This super skinny, refillable, magnetic palette is the ultimate tool for mastering the perfect brows. The palette includes nine highly-pigmented, natural-looking brow powders for a natural, long-wearing finish. The shades match every brow color and skin tone, as well as two Browlite colors for a softened, yet-defined brow line and a Brow Pomade for texture and fullness. Camera Ready customer Patricia says, “Game changer! This palette is able to pull together any eye look. There’s a shade there for everyone.” Ben Nye: Natural Lip Colour Palette The Natural Lip Colour Palette makes it easier than ever to find the right lipstick shade for not only yourself but clients, too. Plus, it’s refillable! Buy the palette at full-price just once, and stock up on affordable refills as needed. The palette includes six ultra-creamy shades perfect for everyday wear, or you can blend colors to create a custom look. For those on-the-go moments, a compact lip brush is included with purchase to make application easier during crunch time. Camera Ready customer Sarah says, “This lip palette does not disappoint. Beautiful colors and a smooth, long-wearing finish. Highly recommend!” OFRA: On The Glow Palette The On The Glow Palette includes all of OFRA’s best-selling highlighter and bronzing shades in one, making it the ultimate tool for a natural, sun-kissed look. Each of the palette’s shades can also be used as eyeshadows to create a radiant smokey eye. OFRA’s use of high-grade pearls and liquid-to-baked technology provides unparalleled pigment payoff and illuminating sheen you just won’t find anywhere else. Highlighting colors include: Beverly Hills, Rodeo Drive and Blissful Bronzing colors include: California Dream, 3D Egyptian Clay and Americano Camera Ready customer Abeer says, “[This] OFRA palette is amazing and fantastic!” Shop The Palettes It’s time to stock your kit with one (or all) of the professional makeup artist palettes listed above. To make it even easier, we’ve linked them down below: 1) RCMA: 5-Part Series Cream Blush Palette 2) NYX: Highlight & Contour Pro Palette 3) Make Up For Ever: 12 Flash Color Palette 4) Violet Voss: Ride or Die Eye Shadow Palette 5) Kryolan: Dermacolor Camouflage 6-Color Creme Palette 6) Viseart: Eye Shadow Palette in Neutral Matte 7) La Femme: Blush Palette 8) Senna: Brow Book Palette 9) Ben Nye: Natural Lip Colour Palette 10) Ofra: On The Glow Palette Tag us on Instagram and Facebook in your creative looks using the palettes above, and use the hashtag #crcmakeup for a chance to get reposted! Comment below with questions or feedback regarding one of the makeup palettes mentioned in this article. 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, PRO Tips
Read More
Pro MUA Joe Blasco: An Interview With The Pioneer of Film & Television Makeup Education

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!
Makeup Artist Career Tips, PRO Tips, Trending
Read More
Filing Taxes: The Do's and Don'ts for Pro Makeup Artists

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. ___________________________________________________ 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. ___________________________________________________ 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. ___________________________________________________ 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. 
Makeup Artist Career Tips
Read More
Makeup for Zombie: BECOME A ZOMBIE IN 5 EASY STEPS

Makeup for Zombie: BECOME A ZOMBIE IN 5 EASY STEPS

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

5 Tips For Being A Great Assistant

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