My Face Chart and Beauty Tips App!

IMPO's first post for 2014 is going to be all about a product that I invented with my business partner Kim Greene!

Kim Greene (right) and Melissa Street (left)

Kim Greene and I became friends about 3 years ago. We quickly realized that we shared a passion for makeup artistry and for teaching young artists. Like me, Kim has been a professional makeup artist in the film and television industry for the past 20 years. She has also Department Headed some of the most iconic films of our time, like Terminator Salvation, Charlie’s Angels, Pineapple Express, This is 40, etc.

Last year, we decided to start a new business called GreeneStreet Beauty, which is all about “beauty-education, career and lifestyle improvement!” Our first endeavor would be to create a revolutionary app for the iPhone and iPad called, My Face Chart and Beauty Tips. 

We had never made an app before and had no idea where to start, but we knew we wanted to do something different. Plus, we wanted to create something that would become a useful tool for makeup artists and beauty enthusiasts. We also felt there was a lack in our industry when it came to finding good face charts that looked like real human beings and not perfectly featured mannequins!

Our app allows the user to create a customized composite by selecting different facial features – face, eye, nose and mouth shapes. Then, turning that composite into a personalized face chart that actually looks like the user or the client sitting in a professional artist’s makeup chair.

Our My Face Chart and Beauty Tips app quickly became a big hit with professional artists around the globe. Artists working in the film, television, theater, special effects, bridal, fashion and print industry, as well as YouTube artists, found the app to be extremely useful when designing looks for their actors, models, and clients or for their YouTube tutorials.

Phoenix design by: Angie Davis - GoldieStarling on YouTube

Makeup designed by: Kim Greene

Bridal artists no longer have to rely on generic face charts they get off the Internet. By using our app, the artist can ask the bride to email a photograph of themselves, upload it into the app, create the composite to look like their bride and then print out their bride’s face chart.

Using actual makeup, the artist then applies it to the chart, makes detailed notes in the note section on exactly which products are used and then takes the chart(s) with them to the bride’s consultation.

This process makes it much easier for the bride to decide on a look she loves because she can see how the makeup will translate onto her face since the chart actually resembles her own unique facial structure and features! The makeup consultation process is now smoother, more professional and extremely personalized!

Makeup designed by: Beauty by Stacey

Makeup designed by: Aaron Devon Gomez

The app also contains our “pro tips,” which allow the user to learn exactly how to sculpt the face or facial features using classic contour and highlight techniques. These written and visual tips are useful if you want to diminish a certain facial feature or play up a feature that you love!

For beauty consumers, our My Face Chart and Beauty Tips app makes it easy to be like a Pro, by designing and practicing party, prom, date night, job interview or other special occasion makeup looks on your own customized face chart. 

Just take a “selfie” and upload your photo into the app or choose an inspirational photo of a makeup you like from a magazine, book or if you are planning your Halloween look, upload a pic of a character makeup. Choose your facial shapes and print out your face chart. Apply the makeup you want to wear directly onto the chart or you can use colored pencils, crayons or colored markers.

Ursula designed by: Ag

Bride of Chucky designed by: Olivia Hawthorne 

For the film, television, theater or body painting makeup artist, our app is great for designing makeup looks during the script and character breakdown process and to show your director during preproduction. Your designs will easily translate onto the actor or actress and keeping continuity will be much easier.

Makeup designed by: Kim Greene for The Goldbergs

Makeup designed by: Edward Coronado III

Students in beauty school find the app helpful too because they are able to create thousands of different face charts and practice their makeup application. In school you are asked to bring in models, but models are not always easy to find and usually friends or relatives end up in the makeup chair. 

As an artist you need to be well versed in proper makeup techniques for different eye, nose, lip and face shapes, so you can make everyone look their best. Our app provides a way for the student to perfect their skills on various ethnicities and because the app is designed for the iPhone or iPad, you can easily access the app for quick reference on the go!

For more information about our My Face Chart and Beauty Tips app, you can visit Greene Street Beauty’s website – www.greenestreetbeauty.com.

To purchase the app click here!

We also made a helpful instructional video:

We invite you to connect with Greene Street Beauty via Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest or Twitter! We also have a great YouTube Channel for those interested in learning more about the world of television and film artistry! 

Kim and I also developed a mentoring program for artists who need career advice – visit our website and click on Mentor’s Corner for more information on our one-on-one Skype counseling sessions and our upcoming workshops!

EXTRA! EXTRA! Read all about it...by Cathi Singh

Hello IMPO readers and subscribers! I wanted to let you in on some very exciting news that our very own Melissa Street has been keeping secret until recently.

Melissa and her very good friend and professional colleague, Kim Greene, have combined forces to form a new company called Greene Street Beauty. This duo brings 40 years of experience in the beauty industry to consumers, students and professionals via YouTube, Facebook, Twitter and other social media outlets.

Currently, Greene Street Beauty is “under construction” while forming their first beauty app for both the iPhone and Android, which will be available in 2013. In the meantime, these ladies are bringing their knowledge of the film and television industry, proper makeup application, as well as providing support to students by filming tutorials and how-to videos for their YouTube Channel.

In order to get the word out about this new venture, Greene Street Beauty is running a contest on their YouTube Channel right now for all subscribers – please see the video below and make sure to subscribe in order to be entered! Also, make sure to “Like” their Facebook page because a little bird told me that another contest is forming over there too!

But, let’s give you a little bit of background info on both Melissa and Kim, just in case you are scratching your heads and asking yourself, “Who are these ladies?”

Melissa Street has been a freelance makeup and FX artist in the film, television, print and live event industry for the past 20 years. She attended the acclaimed makeup school, Joe Blasco in Los Angeles, California, and as luck would have it she would be mentored by the late, great Stan Winston, who gave her the opportunity to apprentice in his lab and help out on some big blockbuster movies that became iconic films – Terminator, Aliens and Invaders from Mars!

In 1992 Melissa moved to Las Vegas, Nevada where she worked on several live shows at the MGM Grand and Monte Carlo Hotels, as well as other live productions and music videos. There she met an amazing makeup artist, Jim Sacca, who took Melissa under his wing and helped form her career by giving her the opportunity to work with the incredible James Earl Jones.

In 2001, she relocated back to Southern California and began to form and build relationships within the freelance production community. Melissa would spend the next 12 years working hard to expand her business Epic Makeup, which now serves clients such as NBC, CNN, CBS, Food Network, Telemundo, E!News, ESPN, HBO and Comcast to name just a few.

She has worked with celebrities from Ron Howard, Arnold Schwarzenegger, The Rock, Jeff Bridges and Suzanne Somers to famous musicians like Carlos Santana, Foreigner, Kenny Loggins and Chris Ledoux to comics like Carrot Top and Louie Anderson.

Currently, Melissa works on national and local commercials, non-union films and television shows, YouTube web series, industrials, corporate videos, news media productions and live theater. She also co-owns InPoint Productions, owns and writes for this blog, as well as her industry blog, Epic Makeup and she has her own personal YouTube Channel.

Kim Greene is first and foremost a “filmmaker!” She has been Union Makeup Department Head on some of the biggest and most memorable films of the century, including Terminator Salvation, Anchorman, Superbad, Charlie’s Angels, The Wedding Singer, Scream 4, The Three Stooges, The Green Hornet, This is 40 and the soon to be released Identity Thief, to name just a few.

Her IMDB credits read like a “who’s who” in the film industry and she has been a personal makeup artist to Woody Harrelson, Drew Barrymore, Christina Applegate and Neve Campbell.

Kim began her career by studying under Vincent Kehoe, who was among one of the best makeup artists of his time, as well as an author and teacher. Mr. Kehoe would help Kim development the foundation for her skill set and prepare her for a tremendously successful makeup career. She would then move forward to meeting and working directly with Ron Berkley, who was so impressed with her that he brought her on to the Black and White music video set with Michael Jackson.

Kim is also an innovative entrepreneur and developed a very successful line of cosmetic bags both for the professional and consumer. The Kim Greene Line was originally formed because she realized there was a need within the professional makeup artist community for sturdy, easy to clean and comfortable to wear set and actor bags used to store and transport makeup from the trailer to the set for touch ups during filming.

There was nothing available at the time that wasn’t heavy, canvas and dark, which when you combine those three elements make it difficult for an artist to find the makeup or tools that they need efficiently. She became so frustrated with the bags that were on the market that she set out to change the standards.

Today, almost every professional makeup artist in the film and television industry uses The Kim Greene Line of bags at work everyday and they have helped many other Department Head’s keep organized even on the most hectic sets, like American Idol! Her bag line is great for travel and can easily fit inside your carryon luggage and because the bags are "clear" passing through TSA with those 3 ounce liquid bottles is a breeze!

When Kim is not on a film or television set, she teaches at professional makeup schools, writes incredibly informative blog posts on Kim Greene’s Tips from the Set and films tutorials for her personal YouTube Channel. She has also been a guest judge on season 2 of the SyFy Network’s makeup artist show, FaceOff, hosted by McKenzie Westmore.

So as you can see, these two are really the Dynamic Duo of the makeup world (I’m just not sure which one is Batman and which one is Robin). Together they hope that their passion to educate the public about the beauty industry is welcomed with open arms.

I hope that you take the time and opportunity to subscribe to their YouTube Channel, interact by sending them a comment, suggestion or question and “Like” their Facebook page or follow them on Twitter. They are always willing to reach out and answer your most pressing beauty questions and help ease your frustrations, so give then a shout!

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!

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: