Summer Dream = BB Cream

When summer really hits the last thing anyone feels like doing is putting on gobs of makeup! The current weather in your area may be unbearably hot and sticky, but you still want to look and feel amazing as you walk out the door to your job, a date or for a quick shopping trip.

The Pros had heard of the current trend called the BB Cream and at first we thought it was such a gimmick that we overlooked several samples sent to us to try. We thought the product would be just another tinted moisturizer with a few extra ingredients inside, so we tossed the samples in a bin and made a note that we would get to test out the product eventually.

Well…on a recent and very long layover at London’s Heathrow Airport, Pro MUA Melissa Street wandered into the Boots No7 store to pass a little time. While perusing the aisles she came across the No7 Beautiful Skin BB Cream and remembered about the samples sitting in the “bin” back home. She noticed that several women waiting in line to check out had this cream in their baskets and since she had 5 hours to “kill” she figured it was time to get educated and started to play around with the testers.

Mel immediately discovered the difference between a BB Cream and a Tinted Moisturizer…it was not only the ingredients, it was the amount of coverage the cream provided. One thing that Mel personally disliked about using a tinted moisturizer was that the coverage was too light and she always felt the need to use a concealer on her over 40 skin.

Now, the main thing about a BB Cream is that it is a unique 3-1 formula – moisturizer, primer, SPF – all rolled into one while at the same time enhancing the skin with a tint of foundation. It is a multitasking product that eliminates the need to pile on massive skin prep as well as foundation.

Not all BB Creams are alike though…some provide a light or heavier SPF ranging from 15 to 45. Others have 5-1 ingredients by adding pearl pigments for a natural glow or minerals, antioxidants, vitamins, etc., to boost skin elasticity. Some have a matte effect on the skin and some massively hydrate. The bottom line is…the market is becoming saturated with BB Creams so how do you find the one that is right for you?

The Pros have now tested about 15 different BB Creams and have narrowed it down to 4 of our favorite. All provide different results and all of the following recommendations can be used on all skin types.

Boots No7 Beautiful Skin BB Cream – this was the very first cream the Pros tried and we fell head over heals for the coverage! This product has a heavier coverage than a typical BB Cream. Contains an SPF of 15, it comes it two colors – Fair or Medium. Not a ton of range when it comes to skin tone, but the Medium color will work up to light Olive toned skin. Comes in 3 formulas: Normal/Dry, Normal/Oily or Dry/Very Dry. This product disguises imperfections and in some cases eliminates the need for a concealer. Blends beautifully on the skin by applying with a brush, sponge or fingers. Some formulas set more matte so wait about 5 minutes to let it settle into the skin before lightly powdering – you may find you do not need to powder at all!

Smashbox Camera Ready BB Cream SPF 35 – this product provides amazing medium coverage and can be applied under typical foundation or worn alone. It does eliminate large pores and controls oil. Contains an “optical pearl pigment” that helps give skin a glow eliminating looking too flat or too matte. The color range has 5 colors to choose from in Fair to Dark. We prefer to apply and blend this product with a stipple brush or Beauty Blender Sponge. This formulation is best for normal to dry skin or slightly oily textures (in the T-Zone) and great for more mature skin.

Embryolisse Complexion Illuminating Veil – BB Cream – SPF 20 – this cream is great for oily skin because it contains mineral powders that will help to mattify the skin and control oil throughout the day. Contains a potent moisturizer, hyaluronic acid and color-changing pigments, which mean one color for all! This product is universal and will change to match your skintone. The Pros have found that this product settles into the skin very matte so there is little need to powder. Provides a lighter coverage but still blurs pores and fine lines while concealing minor imperfections. We prefer to apply this product with our fingers or a stipple brush.

Senna Cosmetics Barley Base – this product by far has the best range when it comes to skin tone colors with 7 to choose from – light to a deep dark. Contains an SPF of 20, this product has very light coverage, is oil-free, fragrance-free and longwearing. This product is mineral infused which provides a youthful, healthy glow. It does boost elasticity and will prevent your skin from looking dull in texture. It has a sheer coverage so you may feel the need to use a concealer to cover more pronounced skin imperfections or a break out. Good for all skin types and we prefer to apply this product a sponge or brush for an even application.

All the BB Creams listed above contain a minimal amount of SPF so it is recommended that if you prefer more sun protection that you apply a thin, even layer of facial sunscreen first, but let the sunscreen sink into the skin for about 10 minutes before applying the BB Cream. We recommend Jan Marini's Antioxidant Daily Face Protectant SPF 30.

Also, it is important to note that the BB Creams listed above are not waterproof nor is the sunscreen within the product so make sure to reapply after swimming or long term exposure to the sun!

The Pros love a fresh makeup look, especially in the summer and we prefer to use products that are more long lasting, so now is the time to try those cream blushes and eye shadows too in brighter, fun colors!

Stay cool!

Spotlight: Chella Skincare

The Pros at IMPO have our favorites! Favorite makeup, hair products, brushes, disposables and of course, skincare! In the past, we have posted on this blog and put up on YouTube a video about Melissa’s favorite skincare but today, it’s Cathi’s turn!

As professional makeup artists and bloggers, we are sent many products yearly to test out. Plus, we purchase products for our kits and our personal use several times during the year too!

We test everything before we add it to our kits or write blog post reviews, however testing several different lines monthly can wreak havoc on your skin. Even though we test all products on our clients, as well as ourselves, the IMPO team takes the brunt of the skincare testing because we do not want to risk our actors having breakouts or creating skin issues!

Cathi is the “baby” of the IMPO family and she has sensitive skin that has a tendency to be dry. She’s getting ready to turn the big 3-0 this year and because her skin changes depending on the seasons, as well as stress levels and with the typical signs of aging, Cathi finally found an amazing skincare line that has regulated her skin.

Here’s her review:

“Fight aging that is seen and unseen for undeniable, tangible results.”

Chella Skin Care is a cutting edge line that combines science and skin care to produce a product that targets the aging process, how to slow it down and minimize the results while maintaining healthy vibrant skin. Because of Chella you don’t have to become a mad scientist to fight fine lines and dull skin.

Anti-Fatigue Eye Masks: Do you have 20 minutes to look like you’ve slept a full 8 hours? Thought so! This mask is packed with collagen and peptides that de-puff, firm and smooth fine lines around the entire eye by 15%. In other words, look well rested, hydrated, and bright eyed with these magical patches. Repeat the process once a week for four weeks for lasting results.

It also diminishes redness and swelling that are common due to stress, caffeine, and lack of sleep. Both Melissa and I were lucky enough to try these masks at a recent skincare event. The eye masks are cooling, and very soothing on the skin. It felt like a spa treatment with the convenience of being travel friendly.

Hydrating Cleanser Lush Balm: I have to say I first fell in love with this product because of its appearance. How shallow, I know! It is a beautiful coral creamy balm with an invigorating citrus scent, reminiscent of a Summer-type candle. I had never used such a thick balm on my skin, but with winter weighing heavy on me, my skin needed the hydration.

I applied as instructed, first going on dry skin, then adding warm water. This balm rocks! It not only rids my skin of dirt and bacteria, it also removes my makeup, including my mascara and red matte lipstick (not an easy feat).

Instantly I thought of this balm for my Pro makeup kit as it is applied dry, then rinsed with warm water, making it extremely easy to clean or prep skin while in the makeup chair. And it’s not something that will tip over and spill in my kit! Bonus!

I have found this cleanser to be universal for all skin types, but especially those that are more on the dry side. The balm contains olive oil, which leaves skin feeling smooth and supple after rinsing.

Exfoliating Cleanser Micro Bead Purifier: I use every three days as an exfoliator. It is made especially for “challenged skin.” With the changing climate and because I am in new locations everyday with work, it’s easy for my skin to lash out. Using this cleanser has helped bring balance to my skin tone and reduce breakouts significantly. It is by far the best smelling exfoliator I have ever used- a refreshing cucumber scent that makes it seem almost edible.

It contains jojoba beads that gently cleanse pores without drying or tearing at your skin. What makes this product unique is its encapsulated beta hydroxy acids, called MultiSal 20. It delivers time-released salicylic acid to help rid your skin of bacteria and excess oils.

Most items with salicylic acid can be very drying, especially in the T Zone. I have not had any drying or irritation while using this product, yet my skin is smoother, more balanced and not as oily later in the day, during that magic 4 o‘clock hour where my energy and makeup are both put to the tested.

Resurfacing Matrix Enzyme and Lactic Treatment: Once a week I use this product to rid my skin of the week’s build up, bacteria, and dead skin cells. The lactic acid helps aid in cellular regeneration and contributes to giving a glow to the skin. The enzymes make this mini-peel just strong enough to smooth texture and create a more even balanced tone. Even sensitive skin types can use this weekly without redness or irritation.

Brow Kit-Auburn: I recently colored my hair to an auburn red color. Going from a natural blonde to red caused not only a total re-haul of my makeup regimen, but it also slightly changed my skin tone. I do not color my eyebrows, therefore I began the hunt for the perfect brow pencil. Enter Chella Brow Kit in Awesome Auburn. The kit comes with a brow pencil, highlighter pencil, clear brow gel and sharpener. It is the trifecta of perfect Auburn brows! It is a creamy pencil with just the right hue of warmth and not orange. It’s very blendable and the highlighter pencil is a fantastic pick-me-up for those early morning call times. Just a small sweep under the brows and in the inner eye corner, blend and then I head to craft service for a large coffee!

The Brow Kit also comes in Beautiful Blonde, Luscious Light Brown and Dazzling Dark Brown and retails for only $45.

Check out this great and informative video on the Chella product line: 

For more information on Chella Skin Care and to order products, visit their website http://chella.com.

THE MAKEUP SHOW LA 2012

Every year the Pros here at IMPO wait patiently for the start of our convention season…well it’s not really a “season” because we only have two a year here in So Cal, but whatever!

We do our research, make our lists and try to find out which manufactures will have booths and which professionals will be teaching. There is nothing like “show discounts” and we stock up on everything from kit essentials to the newest gadgets, as well as bone up on our makeup skills to keep up-to-date on the latest techniques and technology!

The Makeup Show Los Angeles held this year in March 2012 was so much bigger and better than in previous years (even though the past shows have been pretty great). Jammed packed with 4,500 attendees ranging from beauty professionals, buyers, press, industry educators and retailers.

This year celebrity makeup artists Troy Jensen (Cameron Diaz, Alyssa Milano, Diana Ross, Eva Mendes, Megan Fox), Mario Dedivanovic (Kim Kardashian), Bill Corso (Hunger Games, X-Men, Indiana Jones, John Carter, Nip/Tuck) and Sharon Gault (Michael Jackson, Madonna, Lady GaGa) all shared their makeup tips and tricks! As well as classes and demos taught by Make Up For Ever, Temptu and MUD, which made the IMPO team feel like we had just relived 6 months of makeup school!

But, we know that our readers are mainly interested in the product we purchased and why…so, here is a taste of our “haul!”

Beauty Blender: this egg-shaped reusable sponge is amazing. We know that there are many duplicates on the market and the Pros have tried most of them. To us, nothing compares! We use it to blend all forms of foundation, concealer, cream blush, contour or highlight. Used dry or wet, we prefer wet, this sponge blends products to perfection – use stippling or bouncing method for best results.

Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics Lip Tar: as makeup artists we are always on the hunt for new product to add to our kits however, they have to be workhorses for us to invest. Lip Tars not only last for hours, you will barely need more than a “bead” sized amount to get major results, so this product will last you a very long time. Applies like a lipstick but feels like a gloss. We purchased: Hush, Trollop, Kava Kava, Ophelia, Mélange, Pennyroyal, Memento and NSFW! Apply with fingers or brush, but the key is to use very little product to avoid feathering. 100% Vegan and cruelty free!

Bdellium Tools: we feel that you can NEVER have enough brushes! The trick is finding the “right” brush that accomplishes the finish you are trying to achieve. A makeup artist is only as good as their tools and if you think like an artist painting on canvas then there are different brushes for different “paint!” Our newest obsession is with Bdellium’s Studio Line. These brushes are antibacterial and eco-friendly using only natural and/or synthetic fibers. We purchased: #990s Angled Face, #975S Mixed Powder, #555U Retractable Lip, #731S Mascara Fan, but more are on our radar like: #708S Bent Eyeliner, #785S Tapered Blending, and the #953S Duet Fiber Foundation.

Skindinavia Makeup Finishing Spray – Original Formula: a cult classic that stops makeup meltdown! This formula holds eye shadow, foundation, blush and concealer perfectly in place all day! Apply after makeup and your need to touchup throughout the day should be cut in half! Good for normal to combination skin.

Embryolisse: this is another staple in our Pro kit that we cannot do without – ever! Formulated in the 1950’s, the Lait-Crème Concentre is like 3 products in one: primer, moisturizer and makeup remover. It also provides a natural barrier to help protect against free radicals and from makeup settling into the pores. We also stocked up on our favorite classic makeup remover Lotion Micellaire. This formulation is non-rinse and will not irritate skin or eyes. We are excited to personally try their new Vitivia topical Pro-Vitamin line, which is pharmaceutical grade, pure concentrate capsules that claim to smooth lines, reduce skin inflammation, reduce hyper pigmentation and scar tissue, as well as help reduce redness and acne.

Viseart: if you are searching for the perfect palette filled with 12 of the most wearable, matte shades ever, then you must purchase this product. These colors are neutral and so versatile that you can wear them as shadows, liner and fill in your brows. Some of the colors are also perfect for contour and highlight on certain skin tones. We love this palette so much that we purchased a brand new one to replace our very used one. Purchase from Alcone; Viseart Eyeshadow Palette #1 – we like to layer these colors over cream eye shadows to create long lasting, layered color that pops the eyes!

Senna Cosmetics Face Sculpting Kit: Eugenia Weston is a goddess to these Pros! We worship the ground she walks on and when we get a chance to speak with her, we bombard her with questions! Eugenia always shares her latest and greatest potions and brews and this year she launched her cream contour and highlight kit. Originally developed for the makeup team on Desperate Housewives, this cream to powder foundation formula is silicone based and blends instantly into the skin and provides a semi matte powder finish. The contour is a very unique shade of gray-brown that can be used to give you fierce cheekbones. Literally change the shape of your face by following the easy to read instructions located on the back of the packaging! Eugenia helped take the guess work out of placement, but always remember to blend using the brush that comes with this compact or grab that Beauty Blender like we do, it is perfect for this product!

Temptu Airpod Foundation System: we fought joining the airbrush band wagon for so long, but when Jori Jeane (Department Head Makeup Artist for Entourage and Harry’s Law) and Darcy Gilmore (Department Head Makeup Artist for The Voice) told these Pros what they thought of this silicone based foundation formula and that they use this line on almost every single actor or talent that sits in their makeup chairs, we had to try it out for ourselves. We fell head over heels immediately and purchased the entire Airpod line. The best part about this system is not only does this foundation last throughout long, vigorous hours of filming, it is easy to apply and there is zero clean up! The Airpod system was originally created for self-application and you can still purchase this system for your own personal use through Temptu’s website. We find that this foundation provides such amazing coverage and sets with a beautiful finish that we don’t need to add concealer on some of our clients. Also, the need for touchup is cut down so much that our actors have actually commented on the fact that we are not in their faces so much on set! Check it out – it is the perfect gift for your holiday or birthday wish list!

That’s just a few of the beauty products we purchased at the show and we visited many other booths to stock up on special effects products too! We hope this post has been useful and please leave us a comment if you happen to try any of the above! 

If you are a beauty professional, The Makeup Show may be coming to a city or town near you, make sure to check their website. Below are a few highlight and press photos from Los Angeles:

Spotlight: Yaby Cosmetics

Probably the best perk of working in the film and television industry as a makeup artist is meeting other professionals in your field. You bond over being a freelancer, seeking advice on upcoming projects, products that work and don't and you share techniques and tips that improve your current skill level.

A few years ago, this Pro was lucky enough to meet a lady I had admired for a very long time. I had known of her reputation for being an outstandingly talented MUA through colleagues and because I had seen her published work. What I didn't know was that she was a kind, generous and compassionate person who would always be available to help bounce around creative ideas or provide advice on a shoot.

Liz Yu with world renowned makeup artist, Roshar and his model at IMATS NYC

Liz Yu became a makeup artist because of her obsession with flawless skin and naturally, that became her trademark. Basing out of Toronto, Canada, Liz has worked on many beauty, fashion, lifestyle, and film and television projects. I learned quickly after meeting Liz that we would become good friends. She is also an amazing effects artist and somehow she found the time during her career to make and manufacture a professional cosmetic line that is a staple in most professional kits.

Her product line is called Yaby Cosmetics and she launched her range in 2007. With an extensive color line for the eyes, lips, cheeks and face, this product is so highly pigmented you will appreciate the immediate pay off without having to reload your makeup brush. Her colors blend evenly and are so finely milled that they work into the skin with very little effort.

Yaby Cosmetics blew me away because at first, I doubted that a little tiny pan of eye shadow could provide me with such amazing quality. O ye of little faith! I should have trusted the fact that, as a professional, Liz knows exactly what products we need to have in our kits and the fact that those products need to work! She spent so much time, money and effort on this line in order to bring it to professionals, as well as consumers that I almost wanted to argue with her over the insanely affordable price!

This Pro has a huge range of products from Yaby Cosmetics in both my HDTV/Film beauty kit and my FX kit. Just one of Yaby's pre-filled eye shadows palettes contains 40 colors and I love her lip palettes because they contain 20 of the most wearable colors around and you can easily mix the colors together for a custom look.

Liz even made it easy to depot your collection of tube lipstick and put them into empty pans, which she sells and then pop them into an empty Yaby palette. No longer do we need to carry around tons of tubes in our kits and the palettes make it easy to coordinate colors for quicker application. You won't be digging around your kit, pulling off caps trying to find the lipstick color you need for that big shoot!

Same goes for eye shadows, cheek colors, powder foundations and concealers. All of these products come in pre-filled Yaby palettes or you can make your own! Plus, this line's foundations, cream and liquid, are beautiful. They blend smoothly and won't cake on the skin for a natural appearance or confidently build up the coverage with several applications if you need without the worry of a “heavy” makeup look!

Yaby Cosmetics also has a line of skin correctors and concealers, brow colors and cake liners, which this Pro uses on every single shoot. My team of makeup artists also carry an extensive array of Yaby in their kits! We wouldn't be caught dead without them on set! This line is completely customizable and the palettes are magnetic, which keeps our kits diverse and filled with color, while keeping volume to a minimum!

Yaby also makes it easy to keep a beautiful range of color in my personal makeup bag too, which means I can easily change up my look from day to night without lugging a bunch of makeup with me in my handbag!

Below are a few pictures from Yaby's color line, as well as a YouTube video from IMATS Toronto 2011 posted by MakeupTalk.com.

You can purchase Yaby directly from their website at www.YabyCosmetics.com or online from Camera Ready Cosmetics at www.camerareadycosmetics.com.

For more info on Yaby Cosmetics visit their Facebook page:

https://www.facebook.com/yabycosmetics featuring more photos from magazine shoots, adverts and gorgeous makeups by Roshar!

All photos courtesy of: Yaby Cosmetics.

Hairtastic!

The Pros here at IMPO have not reported on many hair products because we are not licensed hairstylists, but in our world we do have to work on hair behind-the-scenes and sometimes create styles, change styles and provide actors with products.

We usually work alongside a "real" hairstylist and they take care of the heavy work, then we refresh or tweak styles as the film day progresses. On big budget shoots there is always money for many people on the makeup and hair crew, but on medium to low budget productions it is typically asked that there be one person in charge of the entire department.

When the Pros are presented with a hair challenge, we turn to our bag of tricks that is ever growing and changing however, there are a few items that we keep in this kit that will be with us forever because, to put it very simply, they just work.

Barbar Italy 4800 Ionic Blow Dryer - we used to be very intimidated by the words "blow out!" We never knew just how long it was going to take us and we found that, even though we were fully trained in performing a blow out, our arms, shoulders, hands and wrists tired quickly and the process took longer than we liked. The Pros went on a worldly search for a better, more efficient hairdryer and we found Barbar products this past year. This dryer is so lightweight and sized perfectly to fit into a hair kit without massive bulk. It's got 2000 WATTS of power, which cuts drying time in half. It has multiple heat settings and is the perfect product for a Pro or novice.

Barbar 1800 Ceramic Cordless Flat Iron 1" - in the hair and makeup trailer there is very little space to break out insane amounts of hair tools. You need to be organized and work quickly. This flat iron heats up so fast up to 392F and is cordless. You can use it off the base for approximately 8 minutes without recharging. We love it because it straightens hair quickly without damage and we never have to worry about being tangled up in the cord! Barbar also makes a duo tourmaline cordless flat and curling iron called the Bar 1900.

Enzo Milano Clipless Curling Iron 1/2" - recently the Pros had to create a style that called for very small, tight curls that needed to last! Last year, this type of challenge would have had us shaking in our boots, but this year we found this curling iron and knew that we would be able to make perm like spirals in record time! This product gives a constant heat that will not damage hair.

The Batiste Collection - before we start a style change or if an actor/actress is coming in with already dried or "dirty" hair, we reach for our stash of Batiste Dry Shampoo. This product is the workhorse in our hair kit and our clients love it! Not only does it come in a variety of scents, including the new "Fresh" unisex smell that instantly leaves the hair feeling clean and refreshed, Batiste comes in travel sizes perfect for on-the-go or in our case, in the actor bags we take to set.

The Pros have tried many other expensive dry shampoo lines and even those that are specifically made for colored hair (blondes, brunettes or red heads) and we have found that the Batiste line is best. The colored dry shampoos left stains on our hands, on our actor's face and wardrobe and they were difficult to manipulate, but with the Batiste line, we never need worry. Plus, Batiste is sold everywhere from the grocery store to the pharmacy! The "Original" and "Blush" scents are also in our kit and we have found that our actors love to use them off the set too!

Kevin Murphy Products - if you have never heard of Kevin Murphy then you need to stop reading this post and Google his name now! He is a hair genius and has developed an entire line of amazing hair products. He is the one who invented the iconic "beach hair" look that can been seen on the pages of Vogue, Harper's Bazaar, Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition, Marie Claire, Vanity Fair, Instyle...well, you get the picture.

Also, Kevin cares about the environment and collaborated with Al Gore's leadership program, The Climate Project, which works toward change at the grassroots level. All of his products use paper packaging that is made from post consumer waste and are recyclable. This means a lot to the Pros because we have a strict paper-less rule on some of our sets and recycle bins are everywhere throughout.

Recently, we tried the Hydrate-Me Wash and the Hydrate-Me Rinse, which totally changed the texture of our over processed hair! It's gentle enough to use daily and will not weigh the hair down or make it look greasy. It tames our naturally curly hair and helps to control fly aways!

If you want to recreate Kevin's beach waves he created a product specifically designed to texturize the hair called Hair.Resort - this product will give you that instant messy beach look on long and fine hair.

Check out this instructional podcast featuring Kevin and his tips on how to use the product and achieve the beach look:

Straight.Defence - this product is a weightless heat protecting straightening balm. We use this product prior to a blow out because it provides major heat protection and helps to remove curl.

The Pros need help in the natural curls department because our hair instantly frizzes! Motion.Lotion controls frizz and enhances curls. It can be used on wet or dry hair as a finisher.

When we need to create texture or choppy looks on short hair, we turn to Night.Rider to provide hold. This product is matte and works great on men's styles.

To create major body we use Body.Builder, a lightweight volumising mousse that is flexible, but with just the right amount of hold. Use prior to blow-drying.

Powder.Puff is also a great product to use to create volume. It is a powder that you shake into the hair along a part line. Then tussle the hair with your fingertips to create texture and major volume. The Pros use this product in lieu of teasing the hair, which can be damaging.

Check out Kevin's how-to podcast below:

If you want to have some fun with color, Color.Bug is a wipe on; wash out product that gives intense color in seconds. Use it on your entire head or just the tips. It's safe and gentle color that is available in Pink, Orange or Purple.

The Kevin Murphy line also has entire range of Shampoos, Conditioners, Treatments, Styling Products and Tools available to the professional and consumer. Plus Kevin Murphy also provides education that range from basic to advanced hair classes. For more information visit www.kevinmurphy.com.au.

We hope this post was useful and if you have tried any of the products listed above, please leave a comment. We love to hear from you.