Quick Fix!

In the world of professional makeup artistry, regardless of the genre you work in, there comes a time when you need a “quick fix!”  In my world I have seen it all!  Every skin sin and irritation, those sun damaged divas, age that seems to march across the face, sleep deprived or depressive skin, the overly caffeinated and dehydrated beauties, obsessive tattooing and those unfortunate souls with self inflicted wounds that need hiding!

It is not my job to judge, discriminate or lecture…it is my job to make my clients look beautiful and feel confident (even in their out of control worlds).  So, I thought my blog post today would be about a few products which give my clients the “quick fix” they need to make it through their day and these products carry over into the “real” world which can help you get through yours!

Let’s start with skin…sometimes when I am in my makeup room waiting for my client to arrive, I fantasize about a world where everyone has gorgeous skin!  No one has to ever scrub, exfoliate, slather or endure hours of laser treatments, but alas I live and work in a world of imperfection and so I will grab the following products to help skin regain its happiness…

Embryolisse Lotion Micellaire is a product that gently cleans, softens, soothes and tones the skin without needing to be rinsed.  It does it all and it does it quickly!  It removes eye makeup, face makeup and preps the skin instantly to receive primer.  Basically, if my client is coming into the makeup room for a quick change of makeup or is arriving from a long night where most of the makeup is still on his/her face and there is no time to properly cleanse…this product saves the day!

Talika Eye Decompress patches are a model, actress/actor and my best friend!  Instantly revives tired eyes!  It is an eye treatment or a therapeutic eye “mask” if you will that nourishes the eye area and minimizes bags, fine lines and dark circles.  So soothing that I have actually fallen asleep during the 7 minutes it takes to activate this product!  Truly refreshing and a quick pick-me-up for the eyes!

SAMPAR Paris Prodigal Pen is a gift straight from the skincare gods!  I use this product to treat pimples or skin irritations caused by infected or cheap makeup, poor skincare regime and diet.  The essential oils in this product immediately calm the affected area which aides in the success of concealing.  Used over night and by following the manufacturer’s instructions of applying 5 times a day, it will heal most skin issues.  I have seen it work on blackheads, bug bites, rashes and on razor burn!

Embryolisse Baume Secours Essential Dry Skin Balm is another miracle coming to the SOS rescue for those with chronic dry, dehydrated and flaky skin.  It is like a lip balm for the face (and lips if needed).  It restores moisture instantly and I use it around the nasal labial folds, chin, forehead, etc.  Kiss that peeling, sunburned skin goodbye too!  Shea Butter, Cotton Butter, Apricot Butter and essential fatty acids along with vitamins A and E invigorate the skin.  This product is a tad bit shiny, so make sure you allow time for the skin to absorb this product and you can also blot with a tissue prior to applying other skincare or makeup.

Eve Pearl Anti-Shine Mattifying Gel is a quick, oil absorbing, sheer cover that is ideal for face, hairline and scalp (bald heads only please).  If you suffer from out of control oil or if you have an extremely oily hairline area, than this product will work wonders for you!  The best part is that it is a tinted gel that can be used alone or under foundation without altering the color.  My only complaint is that I wish this product came in a bigger tube!  I have a few bald, male clients that require this treatment prior to HD television shooting and I go through this product quickly!

Eve Pearl Tri-Fold Eyebrow Razor is a perfect tool when I need to fix a client’s eyebrows quickly!  I have also used it to groom the lip and bikini line area, trim inside the nose and ear areas, even out sideburns and to prep smaller skin areas prior to placing false tattoos (like on the knuckles of the fingers and toes – I know, I know…my job is weird)!  This tool is better than plucking because it won’t leave the area red and inflamed!

CoverBlend Leg & Body Makeup conceals a plethora of flaws!  I have used this quick cover on age spots, stretch marks, veins, bruises, birthmarks, wine stains on the face, rosacea and other skin discolorations, scars, sunburns, scratches, rashes, healing wounds and I have used it to cover tattoos (uncolored).  This product is safe to use all over the body, including the face.  It is ideal for swimming or sweating because it is water and smudge resistant.  I layer and build the color using a brush or stipple sponge and I set immediately with a loose powder and makeup fixative spray. It is suitable for all skin types and it comes in 4 colors.

CoverBlend Concealing Treatment Makeup also works well for the same conditions I stated above however, it has an SPF 20 and is light reflecting so I can not use it for HD television, but it works great for “real life” and provides all day coverage and protection.  It is a heavy coverage and thick in consistency straight out of the container, so thin it out with moisturizer or use a damp sponge when blending and build the coverage and it looks more natural on the skin when applying in this fashion.

A few quick fixes that accompany me to the set in every actor bag are M.A.C. Cleansing Tips, which are pre-saturated with a gentle eye makeup remover that soothes and calms the eyes, they are individually packaged and they will quickly fix any smear.

Jao Anti-bacterial Hand Sanitizer completely disinfects without drying the skin or smelling like chemicals.  Will leave your hands clean, moisturized and not sticky, plus it is safe to use on other parts of the body!  Bye, bye smelly arm pits, feet or…other unmentionable areas!!! 

Clean & Clear Oil Absorbing Sheets quickly soak up oil without adding more powder.  They are perfect for in between touch ups and help control product buildup around the nose, chin and forehead.  You can find them at your local drug store and they are inexpensive!  Keep them in your car, personal makeup and gym bag!

In the hair department (which I rarely blog about) are two products that I use constantly!  Sometimes on lower budget shoots, I am also the hairstylist or I need to change hairstyles during a shoot.  I do not have any formal training in this department, however after 20 plus years as a makeup artist, you learn a few things here and there from the hair Pros!

Batiste Dry Shampoo, which I recently received as gratis to try, is a waterless, dry shampoo that refreshes and revitalizes hair in between shampoos.  The key to this product is to shake the can very well and apply in spurts.  Then gently massage into the scalp, leave for a few moments and then brush out.  It’s great for very active people and takes away all the grease or oils.  Bonus is that you can purchase it from any drug store and it comes in a variety of scents and travel sizes!

Leonor Greyl Eclat Naturel is a styling cream that I like to use on hair that is already dry.  It helps detangle and sculpt hair and tams all fly-aways.  It is great to use to shape the hair with fingertips, scrunch for more curl or to smooth and straighten with a round brush and blow dryer.  Completely reconditions the hair and helps protect against hot styling tools.

PRO TIPS AND TRICKS:

To instantly whiten red, tired, irritated eyes I use Collyre Bleu Eyelights by Verseo.  These drops are individually packaged to ensure that the drops are kept fresh and sterile.  These drops also eliminate the yellow-ness in the white part of your eye area.  NOT RECOMMENDED FOR CONTACT LENSE WEARERS!

Body Electric!

I sing the body electric

I glory in the glow of rebirth

Creating my own tomorrow

When I shall embody the earth...

Remember Fame? This was a very important and inspiring movie to this Pro back in 1980! I wanted to be a dancer, singer, actress and musician. I wanted to attend New York’s High School for Performing Arts!

However, like many young teenagers, I had a warped sense of what a healthy body should look like and spent many hours pouring over the pages of Vogue, Glamour and Cosmo! Skinny models looked amazing to me and I didn’t understand why I couldn’t look like them!

When I became a makeup artist I worked with tons of professional models and I discovered something…they have a very hard job. They have to stay thin (sometimes abnormally thin) in order to work. They don’t eat! They don’t indulge in a craving! They are not “normal!”

No offense to anyone; it just became very clear to me that my body type was not that of a fashion model even though I had the height! I was happy that I chose a different path by making those models even more beautiful through the art of makeup.

We can’t all have a dancer’s body even if we spend 5 days a week in the gym! Dancers are gifted and use different muscle groups when they “work out” and getting on the machines at the gym just doesn’t do the job! You have to move your body and dance like no one is watching!

Through the natural process of aging our skin looses elasticity and muscle tone if we do not exercise and we have to watch what food we put into our body as well. When this Pro was young, eating the occasional Hostess Twinkie was not a big deal, but today I would feel incredibly guilty if I allowed myself to taste that delectable treat.

Why? Because I know myself and I can’t have just one Twinkie, I must have several and that is bad for the body! Plus, do you know how far you have to walk on the treadmill to burn off the calories in just one Twinkie? Yikes! I don’t have that kind of time!

When you are a Pro MUA and you work on a movie or television set, there is an area that I try to stay away from as much as possible…that area is called “Craft Service!” Now, craft service is made up of amazing chefs and other crewmembers, whose full-time job is to provide the cast and other crew with food. Sometimes healthy and sometimes not!

You can get almost anything your little heart desires from craft service; grilled chicken, steamed veggies, fresh fruit, Ding Dongs, donuts, ice cream…see what I mean? Combine that food with the amount of stress a cast and crew is under while making that next big blockbuster film and you can imagine how out of control a person’s eating habits can get!

Celebrities have personal trainers and nutritionist that helps them stay fit, but what about us? It takes a village my friends and support from others for this Pro to control her cravings and to put those Ho, Ho’s DOWN!

Thank goodness there are many incredible beauty products on the market that can help your body look hot even when you have skipped your routine work out days at the gym or if you happen to be a complete couch potato!

This Pro thinks that all women are beautiful regardless of size, shape or color and it is time we all took a good look in the mirror! We need to appreciate ourselves and love those things we can’t change and take control of those we can!

Self-discipline is the name of the game, but there is no harm in purchasing those little body “helpers” invented by smart people who understand that sometimes we just don’t want to exercise or that we love to eat bread with loads of butter everyday (thank you Spanx)!

When this Pro is feeling lazy or like my body could use a little…makeover, I reach for the following products:

Clarisonic - this unbeatable skin care system comes with a brush head for both your face and body. Use it to say sayonara to dry spots and dead skin cells on your arms, legs and decollete!

Orlane Paris – S.O.S. Abdomen Firm & Reshape – "the must-have bodycare product to help remodel your abdomen and control sagging skin." Ladies!!!! Have you recently had a baby or have lost weight? Does your abdomen need a little tightening? Then you should try this product! Your skin will appear firmer and better toned!

CoverBlend – Corrective Leg & Body Makeup SPF 18 – an opaque, natural finish makeup developed to correct any imperfection on the hands, legs and body. Smudge and water resistant treatment makeup that moisturizes and protects the skin from the sun! Can cover tattoos and other discolorations (age spots, varicose veins, bruises, birth marks).

Talika – Bust Serum – this serum is a comprehensive beauty package giving volume, lift and firmness to the breast. It can prevent the tissue from sagging and improves bust appearance.

Lucy B – Frangipani Bronzer – pour a small amount of this incredible bronzing oil into your hands and apply to decollette, face, arms, and hair to add shine and shimmer! Has an amazing tropical fragrance of frangipani and coconut! Hello summer!

Clarins – Extra-Firming Body Care Replenishing Cream – gives your body nourishment and moisture. Helps to firm and revitalize skin everyday. Overtime skin can become more supple, softer and silky-smooth.

fresh – Umbrian Clay Treatment Soap – this bar can be used on your face and body to dramatically improve the overall quality of your skin. I use this daily in the summer to clean off sunscreen residue after a day at the pool or the beach!

It Cosmetics – My Beautiful Breasts – can't afford a "boob" job? Now you can and the best part about this amazing product...no pain! This ket contains everything you will need to make your breasts appear full and lifted instantly. Plus this is a waterproof formula so you can exercise or swim and this product will not fade. Comes with a handy step-by-step instruction guide and this kit works on all body types and skin tones!

Carol’s Daughter – Almond Cookie Sea Salt & Body Scrub - what I love most about all the products from Carol's Daughter is that Carol's Daughter is really making, mixing, blending and testing all of those incredible products herself! This body scrub is perfect for smoothing rough or dry skin and it contains pure ingredients. Your body will be glowing!

Tarte Cosmetics – celluFight – this product does double duty! You can get a great tan and get taut in one easy step! This product helps to hydrate the skin and gradually tans your skin overtime, which can help to minimizes the appearance of cellulite. Also, it is formulated with skinTIGHT complex which will firm and tone the skin increasing elasticity.

Mdskincare Dr. Dennis Gross – Alpha Beta Daily Body Peel – designed with all skin types in mind, this product is first a peel formulated for daily at-home use. It is a unique two-step system with ready-to-use pads that contain a precise blend of alpha-hydroxy and beta-hydroxy acids, as well as many other ingredients that will smooth and moisturizer your skin making it appear healthier and more vibrant.

Orlane Paris – Refining Arm Care – this product was created to target the arm area and to effectively fight against sagging skin. Used properly this product will help your arms regain their toned, defined and firm appearance. Make sure you follow directions and use for the recommended 45 days of treatment for the best results.

Sampar – Dew It Again Shower Gel – when this Pro needs a little pick-me-up I reach for Sampar's shower gel. This product completely indulges all of your senses and will make you feel renewed and invigorated. Plus it removes toxins and pollutants from your skin while reinforcing a natural barrier of defense helping to keep your skin smooth.

Laura Geller – Body Frosting – this is an extremely fine, silky smooth powder that adds warm luminosity to the body. Use to add a sexy shimmer to your arms, legs, shoulders, back and decollette.

Me! Bath – Shower Sherbet – when it is time to have a little bit of "fun" in the shower (no, ladies, not that kind of fun!), I reach for this Shower Sherbet! It smells just like a weekend afternoon when the dark clouds are rolling in and you get caught in a huge rain storm. Jump into a hot shower and let this product energize your body!

These products don’t exactly make me a Dolce & Gabbana super model, but they make me feel like The Body Electric song says…”and in time, and in time, we will all be stars!”

PRO TIPS & TRICKS:

If you suffer from chest wrinkles then you are going to love what this Pro discovered at the recent IMATS Convention back in June. Nothing is more aging than wrinkles on your once beautiful chest! Decollette Pads were designed to correct and prevent chest wrinkles caused by sleeping on your side, sun damage, aging and gravity! These pads are made of 100% medical grade silicone and are reusable for up to 30 days! To place an order for Decollette Pads visit them online at www.decollettepads.com.

STAY TUNED:

Up next on IMPO: Cover up! Got a tattoo or other skin issue? Tired of people commenting on it or need to cover it up for work or special occasion? Our next post will take you through step-by-step instructions on how to disguise your body art or birthmark!