Budget Bombshell - Take Two!

In these economic times, we are counting every dollar and penny spent on the “non-essentials” but really, do you consider your health, image and general beauty to be a “non-essential?” Well, we here at In My Professional Opinion don’t and we strongly believe that now is not the time to skimp on taking care of yourself!

Feeling like a million bucks without feeling like your spent a million bucks can be a reality, especially if you follow the economic tips and tricks listed below by our fellow blogger specialists in the fields of hair, fashion and of course, our own tips on essential beauty products!

IMPO Pro, Melissa Street says, “… the higher end cosmetic companies offer great deals, you just gotta keep an eye out for them!”

Gift With Purchase (aka GWP): now is the time to take advantage of department store brands’ gift with purchase programs, but be smart! Check to make sure how much you have to spend in order to receive the gift and check out the gift products thoroughly. Traditionally, those products that make up the GWP are either best sellers or crap sellers all dressed up in a pretty cosmetic bag. If you decide you can't live without the GWP, purchase something you know you will use, like a bronzer for summer, skincare, eye makeup remover, mascara. Don’t get all caught up in the “glitter” and “glitz” – remember, that is what they want you to do! Those counter babe’s work on commission!

Recycle Programs: take care of Mother Earth as well as yourself! MAC Cosmetics has a unique recycle program called Back 2 MAC. Here is how it works, bring in 6 empties (of ANY MAC product and it doesn’t even need to be totally used up!) to a MAC store and you can redeem a FREE lipgloss, lipstick or eyeshadow. What a deal! Got some old gloss from last season or that crazy iridescent lavender that was hot last summer but is kinda funky now? Spring Clean your makeup bag and get thyself to a MAC store!

Kits: big bang for your buck! One of our favs is Smashbox! They put together great kits and special collections that include everything for the face! Recently, we tried the GlamBox Vol. 4, which is a Nordstrom exclusive. This kit includes full size: eyeshadow palette of 6 standby colors, a gel eyeliner palette with brown, black, dark blue and bronze and an angled brush, a blush palette containing three beautiful pink and light bronze shades AND… there is more… a dual lipgloss! WOW! If purchased separately, this Smashbox kit would retail for $190, but you can purchase it now for only $68! In response to our tightening purse strings, many cosmetic and skincare companies are offering these all in one kits. But beware: they’ll get you hooked!

Daily Makeover – writer: Megan McIntyre says, “don’t resign yourself to a life of perpetual bad hair days!” Read on for tips on how to keep your hair looking it’s best without spending a fortune:

Maintenance: shampoo and conditioner are the foundation to good hair, so look for formulas with lots of moisturizers to keep hair healthy and strong. I’m currently obsessed with Herbal Essences Hydralicious Self-Targeting Shampoo and Aveeno’s Nourish+ Revitalize Conditioner.

Color: for many of us, the thought of giving up our pricy in-salon coloring is cause for near panic. If you’re not into DIY, you can still partake in your usual professional coloring, you just have to extend the life of your hair color for as long as possible in order to get the most bang for your buck. The best way to do this is to opt for products that won’t cause your hair to fade or lose its luster. Protect your hair from frying UV rays, the biggest fading culprit, by choosing products that contain UVA and UVB protectants. I like L’Oreal’s EverPure Moisture Deep Restorative Masque and Pureology’s Essential Repair ColourMax.

Styling: most of us tend to cut our hair when we get bored or sick of our current look. And for me, that happens quite a bit. (That’s why I love my job!) One minute I want short hair; three weeks later I’m pining for long locks. Instead of shelling out the mega-bucks for constant trips to the salon, invest in Ted Gibson's new line of hair extensions. The 18” long, full head extensions clip in easily and look really natural thanks to their multi-dimensional color. Best of all, the synthetic hair can be heat styled so you can go wavy, curly or straight. Now that’s versatile!



Another great way to save some dough is try out a style before you make your hair appointment. You wouldn’t buy a dress without trying it on first, so why would you chop your hair without first knowing how you’re going to look? That’s what makes the DailyMakeover.com Makeover Studio such a great budget tool. Download your picture and then try on thousands of celebrity styles to find your perfect cut.

My Wardrobe Today – writer: Alison Gary says, “your sense of style shouldn’t suffer during these tough times!” Read on for tips on how to be well dressed, composed and in control of your wallet:

Keep it simple: now is not the time to buy the print, the shoe, and the silhouette of the moment. Sticking with classics means you will get a longer life from the garments, you can wear more often without looking like a broken record, and they are more likely to blend with what is already in your closet. Crisp creased trousers, simple a-line or pencil skirts, dark jeans with a simple straight leg, black turtlenecks, sheath dresses and white tailored shirts can be worn multiple times and look different yet elegant with each wearing.

Make accessories your friend: it is amazing how a scarf or a belt can completely transform an outfit. Slip a skinny belt over a classic cardigan and trousers for a new silhouette, or cinch a floaty dress with a wide stretchy belt under the bust. Scarves can be used in the hair, around the waist, and of course around the neck to change the silhouette or cut of a look. I personally love tying a large square scarf “cowboy” style so it hangs in front, and tucking the ends into the collar of a blouse or neckline of a sweater. Also nothing jazzes up an old purse better than a pretty scarf tied to its shoulder strap!

Shop in unexpected places, and don’t be a label snob: some of my favorite day dresses are from Target – they are just as good of quality and style as boutique dresses that cost three times as much! I have recently scored some modern and stylish pieces at an amazing sale price from Talbots – a shop I used to consider more appropriate for my mother. If there is a specific designer or style I like, I check eBay to see if someone is selling a gently used version in my size. I have also scored some fabulous finds – vintage and even current designer pieces at thrift stores – what is one person’s trash very well may be your low priced treasure!

Stop using the mall as a form of entertainment: if you enter it, you will buy something. More often than not, you purchase something you don’t need and don’t even love. I worked in retail marketing for years and know those stores are set up to lure you in and have you purchase something, anything! If you aren’t there, you won’t be tempted. Want to get out? Meet a friend at a local park for a walk or a potluck picnic.

Make a list and check it twice: this rule works for any type of shopping – home goods, groceries, and fashion. If you have a list before you begin shopping, you will be more likely to only purchase what is needed and do your homework to find the best price. It’s far more fashionable to have one perfect skirt or one perfect bag than a closet full of not-quite-rights.

Do a fashion swap: this is one of the best ways to get a new collection of clothes without spending a dime. Make it a party – send out an Evite, make a signature cocktail, and invite your friends to bring items from their wardrobe that are in good condition but just not in regular rotation. Everyone ends up leaving with new looks and no one had to spend a dime!

LAST LOOKS:
IMPO wants to thank all our blogger buddies out there who contributed to our Budget Bombshell posts. If you don't know My Wardrobe Today, Daily Makeover, The Beauty Foodie or the Personal Fit Coach, you are doing yourself a disservice!

These bloggers are smart cookies and spend many long days and nights (and some weekends) searching for truth, justice and how to save a dime or two (which is the American way) so, you owe it to yourself and your bank account to bookmark those sites immediately and check back with them frequently!

This week, the Dow was up, and perhaps our spirits have been lifted a bit too. But the tips and tricks listed above are great to keep in mind anytime not just crunch time!!

STAY TUNED:
Up next on IMPO: we are taking it to the streets of Paris with Maqpro! It's a little secret place tucked away in the most romantic city in the world and it is wear professional makeup artists and gorgeous parisian women shop for their cosmetics! Watch IMPO makeup artist, Melissa Street, get a makeover! Don't miss this post!

The Apprentice!

Recently, In My Professional Opinion has been receiving emails requesting information regarding beginner professional makeup kits. Questions we have been presented with include: What should an apprentice carry in their kit? Which products are good bang-for-your-buck and work in all types of genres? Where can I get a sturdy, but inexpensive makeup case? Where should I concentrate spending most of my money?

So even if you are not planning on becoming a professional makeup artist, are a YouTube How-to Star, novice, just curious about what is in a Pro’s makeup kit or if you love a good bargain, you will benefit from this blog post – so keep reading!

The Pro’s decided to use these questions when shopping for and testing products at the recent Makeup Show in Los Angeles and here are our suggestions for the Apprentice:

Makeup Cases: there are a few online companies that carry extensive selections of makeup cases made especially for the professional (and the novice if you are a huge beauty junkie). Yazmo.com has a complete line of professional makeup artist cases and cases for everyday use. This Pro’s case is from Yazmo and is called the Pro Aluminum Makeup Case in Silver that sells for $169.95.



This case is able to carry all of the product this Pro uses on any type of professional shoot and comes with many trays and compartments you can customize to fit product or brushes. The case is on in-line skate wheels, which make it easy to maneuver and has a telescopic handle. The lower storage compartment is deep and can hold bottles, palettes or hair needs (blow dryer, etc.). Other online companies include: Alcone, which has a wide variety of set bags and Japonesque. If you are working with a very low budget you can always try a fishing tackle box or gardener’s tool bag – not very glamorous, but they get the job done!.

Brushes: it is the opinion of this Pro that a large chunk of your professional makeup budget should be spent on brushes. Please review the archive post called “Brush Off” for a listing of brush lines this Pro recommends. Remember, these are your “tools” to create a beautiful face and having the right tools makes all the difference in your application. For those on a tight budget check out Crown Brush, which has the largest selection of brushes for you to choose from in prices ranging from $1.99 to $15.99. Whether you decide you want to be a film, television, runway, theatre or editorial makeup artist, having the best brushes you can afford will help build your confidence and technique! Again, this is not the area in which to be frugal – you can take the time to build your brush arsenal by purchasing a few good brushes at a time. Take care of them properly and they will last you 20 years!



Apprentice Kit: every prepared apprentice should show up to the set or backstage with a kit that contains skin prepping products (moisturizers/primers), foundations, concealers and correctors, powder, color products, mascara, liners, lipsticks or gloss. Also, you should pack your kit with disposables such as orange puffs, q-tips, cotton puffs, wipes, lip wands, mascara wands and sponges. Don’t forget to have some brush cleaner and tissues. Your Department Head or Key Makeup Artist will look over your kit and decide which actors/actresses you are able to work on from the contents in your makeup case. The more prepared you are, the better chance you will have to assist with lead characters. If you have a sparse supply of cosmetics, that is okay too, you will most likely work with extras and that has its benefits – remember that all work is good experience and builds your resume!

Bang-for-your-buck: check out the professional industry’s beauty supply companies like Cinema Secrets, Frends, Naimes or Alcone, they will have products with good pigmentation such as lip liners, eye liners, lip sticks and color products at lower prices.






You should have a few palettes of eye and cheek colors in your kit too. Check out Coastal Scents or La Femme (carried at the stores listed above) for great matte and iridescent shadows and blushers. Cinema Secrets’ Translucent Powder will be sufficient for starters and mascaras such as Cover Girl Lash Blast or Max Factor 2000 Calorie work just as well as higher end products. Look for foundations, concealers and corrector lines that provide more than one color in a container, such as MUD (Make-up Designory) foundation and corrector/concealers, which come in palette form and are good if you end up working in HD. If you skimp on foundation or concealers, you will regret the coverage a drug store foundation will provide.



As you become more comfortable working in a professional environment and start making money as a freelance artist, you can begin to fill your kit with higher-end product that work miracles and are prestigious. To be honest, it does make a difference to some actors, actresses and models which cosmetic and product lines you choose to stock your kit with, but don’t let that discourage you. Just set aside a few dollars after each job and begin to build a makeup budget and then attend shows like The Makeup Show or IMATS for great deals on product lines such as Make Up Forever, Temptu, Eve Pearl, Gerda Spillman, Ve’s Favorite Brushes, and Smashbox or you can shop for brands like Dior, Benefit, Nars, Stilla, Cargo and Urban Decay at Sephora. Major cosmetic brands like MAC and Nars offer Pro discounts of up to 40% when you are able to meet their criteria as a professional, make sure to apply for those discounts.

TIPS AND TRIX:
Don’t forget to ask a photographer for a few professional pictures for your portfolio or bring a camera with you to the set (but be careful when snapping photos – some actors/actresses don’t like it and you can be kicked off the set.) Use your common sense and ask your Key Makeup Artist if it is okay to take photos first. Be professional, work quickly and efficiently and remember that no job is “off limits!” If you are asked to help with hair, wardrobe or even craft service – do it! Watch your language and don’t be obnoxious – remember you want to leave a good impression so that you will be asked to apprentice again. If you make a mistake, admit it, ask for help in correcting it and move on. If you are asked to clean the makeup room or trailer that is part of your job as an apprentice and remember, we all started out in your position!

STAY TUNED:
Up next on In My Professional Opinion: Guest Blogger Jose Teneza, professional makeup artist in Baltimore, Maryland says he wants everyone to “Go Naked” or at least have the right information when seeking out natural moisturizers – if you are a natural product lover, you won’t want to miss this informative post!

Photo Credit: Kit photo above borrowed from The Education Blog.

In the Hot Seat...Eve Pearl!

In My Professional Opinion is live from The Makeup Show-Los Angeles! This extraordinary, 2-day event is put together by The Powder Group, which creates and presents innovative events for makeup professionals and consumers!

Today and tomorrow this Pro will be posting about the event and bringing our readers information on some incredible cosmetic lines that are available to the public, but are not sold via mass market.

I was able to sit down and interview 5-Time, Emmy Award-Winning, Celebrity Makeup Artist, Eve Pearl who is an exhibitor at this event. Eve has spent years creating faces as a makeup artist for theatre on Broadway and she has been working with celebrities in the television and film industries for the past fifteen years. She has won 5 Emmy Awards for her achievement in makeup and she is the author and producer of Plastic Surgery without the Surgery, the Miracle of Makeup Techniques (Book & DVD). Currently, she is the personal makeup artist to Meredith Vieira and spent nine years at ABC’s The View and is now working on NBC’s Today Show.

Eve is amazing and her energy, talent and creativity is infectious. You know that this Pro loves the Eve Pearl cosmetic line, especially her magical Salmon Concealer so I had to grab a few moments with Eve to get the inside scoop on how her product line got started.

Pro: Why did you create Eve Pearl cosmetics?

Eve: I suffered from bad skin when I was younger, have always had very oily skin and I also happen to have extremely sensitive skin and I can’t wear products that contain an SPF. For years I searched for cosmetics and remedies to ease my makeup issues only to discover that my skin would have a reaction to an ingredient. As a makeup professional I was always mixing and matching cosmetics for my celebrity clients and decided that I would just create my own line and bring it to the public.

Pro: What are CosmeNutrients and why did you put them into your products?

Eve: CosmeNutrients is simply cosmetics infused with nutrients. I combined a unique blend of vitamins, minerals, proteins, peptides and anti-oxidants into the formulation to ensure that my product line is luxurious and that they allow the skin to breath. The nutrients help to nourish, protect and restore the skin’s texture and elasticity. They also reduce the appearance of pores, fine lines and wrinkles. AstaREALA is the most recognized brand of Astaxanthin, which is the key ingredient in my cosmetic line and is also a very potent antioxidant. Astaxanthin’s role is to enhance the immune system and prevent oxidative stress. You will find these nutrients in all of my foundations and concealers.

Pro: I am a huge fan of your Salmon Concealer, how did you invent this product?

Eve: Most people are under the impression that the discoloration under the eye (known as the dreaded dark under eye circle) is purple in tone, but in actuality it is blue toned. Individuals who use a concealer that is yellow in tone (because yellow cuts purple on the color wheel) think they are hiding those flaws, but they are really making them stand out! Salmon (orange on the color wheel, which cuts blue) is the tone that will diminish and disguise those dark circles and make them totally disappear. I want everyone to stop using the wrong color concealer and banish those raccoon eyes for good!

Pro: Tell us about your seminars?

Eve: I want to teach everyone how to put makeup on with confidence! I offer a “Hands-On” Seminar that will teach the basics – how to take care of the skin, understanding colors for the face, eyes, cheeks and lips, color correction, creating definition, concealing imperfections and learning the art of blending. Blending is the key to a flawless face! This introductory seminar is $295 per person and includes over $250 in Eve Pearl products. I also teach an Advanced “Hands-on” Seminar for those who want to fine tune their skill as a professional makeup artist, as well as Lash Out – All About The Lashes, where you will learn “The Eve Pearl Method” of application!

Pro: Will you share with my readers how you got started as a makeup artist?

Eve: My mother was originally from another country and we moved to America when I was very young. The only job my mother was able to get here was in a Hair Salon. I grew up in the beauty business, but felt it was beneath me to pursue a career in beauty after college, so I went the opposite route and worked in “corporate” America. After many years, I got tired of playing that game and decided to return to my roots. I was able to work directly under another artist and learn everything I needed to know about the techniques of theatre, television and film artistry.

Pro: What was the inspiration for your book and DVD?

Eve: Women at some point in their lives naturally consider some form of cosmetic surgery. We feel so much pressure to resist aging and some turn to quickly to going under the knife instead of considering a safer alternative. My book and DVD will skillfully show you how to enhance your looks using makeup instead of surgery. It’s painless and has no recovery time!

Here is a list of this Pro’s favorite Eve Pearl cosmetics:

Salmon Concealer – this is beauty on the go! It is infused with Astaxanthin, which works as an eye treatment while neutralizing those dark under eye circles! This is a luxurious cream product that provides full coverage and is available in light, medium, tan and dark.



High Definition Dual Foundation – all we hear about these days is High Definition! It is taking over the world! I recently had the pleasure of trying this foundation, which is also infused with CosmeNutrients just like Eve’s concealers and is a lightweight cream that provides full coverage, but is non-greasy and glides on the face. The two shades of foundation adapt to the skin tone so that you are able to customize your exact foundation match. This product is great on all skin types, including sensitive skin and is available in light, medium, tan and dark.



Anti-Shine Mattifying Gel – is quick drying and provides sheer/invisible coverage. It is water based and contains sebum-activating, oil-control spheres that regulate oil production. Available in light/medium or tan/dark. Use under makeup or alone.



Photo Finish Pressed Powder Neutral – this is a diffusing sheer pressed powder that eliminates shine. It also removes discoloration or redness and adds highlights to improve the texture of your skin.





Eve Pearl cosmetics also has a very extensive color line including gorgeous eye, cheek and lip colors, which this Pro carries in her personal cosmetic bag! The eye palettes contain six shadow colors, making them perfect for touch up or changing your daytime look into nighttime glamour instantly!

Thank you Eve for spending a few moments with this Pro and our readers! Please visit www.evepearl.com for more information on products and seminars.

STAY TUNED:
Up next on In My Professional Opinion – more beauty from The Makeup Show!