The Makeup Show 2011 - Los Angeles

The Pros are excited to attend this year's The Makeup Show on February 26th and 27th at the California Market Center in Los Angeles.  This event is a highlight that we look forward to each year because it is a gathering of some of the top Pros in our industry.  The mentors we turn to for advice, collaboration and continuing education will all be in attendance.

We have been attending this event for the past 4 years now both in New York and Los Angeles and this year we are excited to catch up with fellow artists that are representing some of the biggest brands in professional artistry and to discover new techniques that can take our makeup skills to the next level.

The Pros will also be attending the Blogger Preview Party and a reception honoring Maurice Stein, who is a legend in our industry having worked with many top celebrities, Grammy award winners and three US Presidents!  He is also the owner of Cinema Secrets, which is a cosmetics, hair and special effects supply store located in Los Angeles that provides product to every major studio, professional makeup artist, hair artist, celebrity, as well as the general public.  If Cinema Secrets doesn't carry it, it doesn't exist!

The Makeup Show Los Angeles is also the place to learn to become a makeup artist directly from the best in the business or if you already are a Pro, fine tune or learn a new skill that will boost your marketability.  This year top artists from Make Up For Ever will inspire you with their incredible workshops, as well as attend Makeup 101 with Orlando Santiago or Airbrush 101 with Myles O'Reilly.

Interested in the editorial industry?  Then attend Understanding Photo with Jon Hennessy or for bridal artists, you won't want to miss The Modern Bride seminar with Jo Levy for Becca Cosmetics. Legendary artist, Eugenia Weston will be demonstrating the art of perfecting eyebrows in her Master Workshop-The Art of Brows and Kathy Aragon will be conducting a workshop on achieving Essential Eye looks.

Need to be schooled on hair?  Guru Daven Mayeda will be teaching Basic Hair Styling for Makeup Artists this year and will show you how to maximize your career by understanding hair products, principals and fundamental techniques.  Danessa Myricks will show you how to achieve a perfect canvas in her hands-on workshop Perfect Skin and Joanna Schlip will be conducting a Master Workshop on how to achieve Everyday Hollywood Beauty.

Are you a makeup artist interested in getting into the local Union 706?  Then don't miss Susan Cabral Ebert's seminar called State of the Union.  Susan will tell you exactly what you need to do to become a makeup artist on Union film and television shows. Michael DeVellis for The Powder Group will help you learn how to capture long term success in his Marketing Your Career Now seminar and you must attend Women In The Industry with legends Eugenia Weston, Eve Pearl, Crystal Wright, Joanna Schlip and Danessa Myricks as they walk you through what it takes to to become a brand creator, bridal and beauty artist or Department Head on major television and motion pictures.

Esteemed artist Pati Dubroff, whose worked has graced the magazines of Vogue, Vanity Fair, W, InStyle and Harper's Bazaar and who is called on by A-List Celebrities such as Gwyneth Paltrow, Julianne Moore, Drew Barrymore and Gisele Bundchen, will be on hand to demonstrate and share many secrets on how to become a successful celebrity artist in her workshop Making Up.

For a list of all education opportunities - click here!

As if this wasn't enough, all the major industry brands will be on hand for discount shopping and demonstration directly at their booths. Exhibitors include: Alcone, BeautySoClean, Cinema Secrets, Crown Brush, Dermalogica, Dinair Airbrush, Embryolisse USA, Eve Pearl, Face Atelier, Frends Beauty Supply, Graftobian, Hakuhodo USA, Inglot Cosmetics, Kett Cosmetics, Kevyn Aucoin, Make Up Designory, Make Up For Ever, Mehron, Naked Cosmetics, Naimies Beauty Center, Nigels Beauty Emporium, Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics, Senna Cosmetics, Smashbox, Stila Cosmetics, Temptu PRO, Yaby Cosmetics, Youngblood Mineral Cosmetics and Yves Saint Laurent, just to name a few.

For a complete list of exhibitors - click here!

The Pros are looking forward to interviewing renowned makeup artist, Victoria Stiles and Liz Yu owner and creator of Yaby Cosmetics!  We also can't wait to catch up with our YouTube friends Koren Zander from EnKoreMakeup and Eleesa from PurseBuzz because these two always have their fingers on the pulse of what is bigger, better and happening in the makeup industry!

On the Main Floor, we can't miss Academy Award Winning Makeup Artist, Ve Neill as she talks about the new SyFy show, Face Off! Ve is a judge on the show and she will takes us on a behind-the-scenes look in her seminar Face Off: Inside the SyFy Reality Show on Sunday.

We will definitely be stocking up on our disposable supplies because the discounts offered from industry stores like Alcone, Cinema Secrets, Frends, Naimes and Nigel's can't be beat!  So if you need sponges, puffs, mascara wands, brush cleaner or even if you need empty palettes, we highly recommend purchasing them at this event!

There is still time to get advanced tickets to this event - click here and if you see any of the IMPO Pros at The Makeup Show, make sure to say hello!  We would love to meet you!  See you there!

Backstage Pass with Cathi Singh!

Recently I had the honor of heading up a team of artists for a fashion show celebrating The Year of the Rabbit and the gorgeous alluring makeup of Geishas.

photo credit: Michael Chandler

http://www.flickr.com/photos/michaelchandler/4156855375/

I had never done a full Geisha makeup before, and so I began researching feverishly. I watched videos of actual Geishas preparing their makeup and was in awe of their application, which is done with such a strategic, graceful and flawless motion, that I realized that the preparation of their appearance is just as important as their overall presence.

I wanted to pay homage to that graceful art, but also bring a modern element to the design. After seeing the wardrobe, I realized that bold and vibrant colors would be necessary to balance out the varied traditional and modern costumes. I also wanted to challenge myself to accomplish a modern Geisha makeup as a grand finale of sorts.


I used many different product lines on this show, but for this post I want to focus on two brands that were the shining stars...TemptuPRO and NYX Cosmetics.

I came into possession of a new TemptuPRO airbrush machine and shipment of extremely bold primary colored eyeshadows and lip colors from NYX Cosmetics and thought, "it’s as if these brands knew exactly what I needed!"

I’ve not mentioned this before, but this Pro has never airbrushed a makeup application. I am fully trained and experienced with spray tanning, but that is a slightly different element. This show was shaping up to be an exciting challenge for me in many areas, so I jumped in with both feet!

In prepping, I purchased a Hi Def color in White silicone (s/b) makeup from TemptuPRO for the Geisha skin, as well as the s/b All Blush color in Peony for a hint of pink on the cheeks.

Wanting to keep the makeup sharp, bold, modern and have striking angles, I also used a variety of textured feather false lashes, on the top and bottom lids, as well as bright pigments up to the brow for a dramatic effect.

With very limited time to completely block out the brows, I instead chose to leave them somewhat visible, but very clean. I applied several heavy layers of NYX Brow Definer Wax pencil on each brow and then smoothed with my finger. I airbrushed color over it, let it dry, powdered, and then applied more foundation. The wax did its job and those brows laid flat all night!

The eyeshadow colors are what took my interpretation of Geisha makeup into modern day, I used; NYX Lake Algae, Matte Turquoise, and Red Head, as well as the NYX Caribbean Collection Palette in I Dream of St. Lucia, which provided phenomenal pigment delivery.  So much so that my team used them all over the skin, over cream blushes, on top of lip gloss and under glitter pigments.

The end result of these powders was incredible and I also greatly appreciated the fact that they didn’t crumble and cause color fallout anywhere and they stayed put without creasing!

While we were blocking out the model’s natural lip tone and focusing on drawing a small triangle or heart on the lips for a delicate yet playful look, I reached for NYX Lipstick shades in #101 Hot Pink and #125 Berry. They gave the face more bright, bold color and left a nice sheen on the lips.

Upon arriving at the show location and walking backstage, I went immediately to check on my Geisha’s skin. It had been about two hours since I finished her makeup and wanted to make sure she was still pristine.


In the complications of wardrobe, she had accidentally smudged a small area on her nose, what looked like a button had grazed the skin. Realizing this was silicone makeup which can be difficult to correct, and I only had a few precious moments to fix the very obvious “boo boo,” I ravaged through my kit to find a quick solution. I found a $2 white pencil I have had in my kit forever and maybe used once.

I was actually joking with fellow MUA Pro Melissa Street not two days before then, that I was going to get rid of it (and others) because it was taking up space! But in that moment I was extremely grateful I was such a makeup hoarder!

I have to give credit to TemptuPRO because the silicone foundation application was quite easy, although time consuming, and it wore beautifully all night, without ever needing a touch up of powder (aside from the pencil dilemma). For body makeup, TemptuPRO is the one! I was highly impressed with the overall result and longevity of their product.


Other Product used on the show: Purely Cosmetics Silk Powder, Smashbox Cream Liner in Caviar, Yaby Color Palette, OCC Lip Tars, OCC loose color pigment in Clove and Elephantine, Ben Nye Sparklers in Gold, NYX loose pigment in Mink, and MAC loose pigment in Blackened Red and Pinked Mauve.

A special thanks to my team; Shelley Morgan, Josef Balandran, Heidi Mehl, Kat Hawley and Amy Rose-Matlock, who worked their buns off and it paid off because the show was a great success and the makeup was a hit!


I challenged myself in several artistic ways, and came out on the other side more knowledgeable, a bit braver, and even more in love with what I get to call a job!


Here are a few more behind-the-scenes photos:

Get the look - Valentine's Day!

You always want to look incredible on a day like Valentine’s Day because it symbolizes love, affection and intimacy!  You want to feel beautiful, look sexy and exude passion.  How come everyday isn’t Valentine’s Day?

If you have a hot date on V-Day or maybe you are going out for a girl’s night, you can’t go wrong with smoldering eyes and glossy lips.

The Pro’s want to help you get the look and it’s easy when you use products from Eve Pearl's cosmetic line! Check out our link to Eve's great Valentine's Day makeup offer under our Pro Tips and Tricks section below!

Step 1 – After you cleanse your face, properly prep your skin with Eve Pearl’s Priming Moisturizer with Astaxanthin.  This product is incredible for anti-aging and contains natural sunscreen so you won’t be worried about flash photography!  It also is an essential step that will help your makeup apply smoother and last longer - don't skip it!

Step 2 – decide if you plan to apply your eye makeup first and then your foundation or apply your foundation and then the rest of your makeup.  We recommend applying the eyes first because you can clean up any fall out from the shadow and not ruin your foundation or concealer.

Eve Pearl’s Diamond Eyes palette is perfect for achieving a smoky eye look.  It contains 6 of the most dramatic, pigmented and gorgeous shades in the gold and silver family, which when blended together will make your eyes sexy and seductive!

 

Start with a combination of the deepest shades and apply all over the lid up to the crease.  Using a clean blending brush, blend only in the crease area – as if you are fading the color into that crease and diminishing any lines of demarcation - do not blend the lid – you still want the deepest, darkest hues to be along your lash line area and on the lid.  Take these same shades and run them along the lower lash line and blend, creating that fading effect.

Take a small amount of either the light gold shade or silver shade and pat that color right in the center of the eye lid – which is the most moveable part of your eye – this will act as a highlight.  Don’t forget to take that it shade and apply to the inner corner of the eye too.  The Pro’s like to keep the brow bone completely bare, but you could use the highlight color along the brow bone too. 

Line the upper and lower water line with Eve Pearl’s Kohl Eye Pencil in Blackout and apply at least 2 coats of the Glamour Lash Mascara in Jet Black.

If you are feeling extremely playful, a set of Absolute Eyelashes 104 will really make your eyes pop!  Now, clean up any fallout with a wipe and reapply a tiny amount of the Priming Moisturizer under the eye area – dabbing with your ring finger and begin foundation.

Step 3 - remember foundation comes before concealer.  Many times a great foundation with a medium coverage will cover skin imperfections eliminating the need to use concealer and minimizing the amount of product used on the face. 

Eve’s product line also contains two options for foundation – pressed powder foundation or cream foundation or if you want to apply your makeup like the Pro’s do, then you will want to have both types in your arsenal.

Begin with the HD Dual Foundation in your shade – most people will fall into the Medium category, but Eve’s line makes it easy to find the shade that exactly matches your tone because you will receive two shades in one compact for mixing and matching.

The Pro’s like to use Eve’s method of applying foundation and below is a how-to YouTube video of Eve demonstrating proper foundation application.  Once you have applied and blended your cream foundation using a sponge, brush or fingers, it is time for concealer.

Step 4 – Salmon Concealer & Treatment is the only concealer that the Pro’s use because it will completely erase all signs of dark circles and it applies silky smooth to the under eye area without caking. Eve makes it easy to find the shade that matches your skin tone!

We like to apply this concealer with our fingers and then blend into the skin using a small, tapered, fluffy blending brush (like a crease brush normally used for eye shadow application). You can also spot conceal any blemishes or discolorations at this time.  

The Pro’s use a very small, pointed eyeliner or lipstick brush to conceal small pimples – this is to ensure precise coverage of the blemish and the area around it.

Step 5 – set foundation using the HD Dual Pressed Powder in the matching shade to your HD Dual Foundation cream.  This step will eliminate shine and prep the makeup to receive powder products.  

BONUS – this powder is also a foundation and can be used wet or dry.  If you prefer the light feeling of a pressed powder foundation, this product delivers buildable coverage that adjusts from a sheer to medium to full when applied with a damp brush.  When used dry, this product will create natural highlights and contours of the face for a flawless finish.

Step 6 – it’s time for cheeks!  Using Eve’s Bronzing Highlighter Trio, which are three colors that are ideal for every skin tone and a “fan” brush; sweep the color over the apples of the cheeks.

You can also use the colors individually to create more sculpted cheekbones or as a highlight around the orbital bone area.  The Pro’s use a fan brush to apply this product because the shape of this brush will ensure we do not apply too much color.

If you want a more pop of color on the cheeks, try Eve’s blush trio in Sassy Cheeks, which contains 2 great matte shades that are the perfect pinky and peachy tone and an illuminating bronzer.  Tip: remember if you are rocking that smoky eye using the steps above, then you will want to keep your cheek more neutral or you will look overly made up!

Step 7 – you have got to reach for Eve Pearl’s Pearlicious Lip Gloss Set!  Every girl needs some Foreplay, Climax, Striptease and Ménage in her life and Eve’s set delivers!  Whichever shade you choose to wear, you will have the perfect kissable color on your lips!

If you want to create more definition to your lip line, try using the Kohl Lip Pencil & Brush Combo in Cosmo, which is the perfect natural lip shade that applies creamy.  Fill in the entire lip area and viola!  You have a gorgeous, nude lipstick shade!

Step 8 – step back and look over your entire face.  Now is the time to adjust, add color or blend more.  You may also want to use Eve’s Smudgeproof Liquid Eyeliner in Black Pearl if you are seeing the band from your false eyelashes.  Decide to fill in brows if they are sparse and brush them into place.  The Pro’s use the matte powder eye shadow from the Au Natural palette and a stiff angle brush to lightly feather color into the brows.

By now you should be feeling and looking like a million bucks! Don’t forget to toss your lip color and pressed powder into your handbag for touch ups!

Happy Valentine’s Day Everyone!

Pro Tips and Tricks:

Eve has great makeup specials for Valentine’s Day – check out her YouTube promo below and get shopping! Click here to go directly to the Eve Pearl website!