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!

Brush Off!

In the magical world of professional makeup artistry a great artist possess three very important attributes that make them stand out from the crowd - Attitude, Knowledge and...Makeup Brushes.

Professionals invest in quality over quantity and brushes are no exception. Like a writer needs a great pen, a ballet dancer needs the right toe shoes, a photographer needs the best camera, a makeup artist needs amazing brushes! Brushes can enhance an artist’s skill level and they can be a BIG investment, but one that with proper care, can last 20 years!

To look your best everyday whether you are a professional or a novice, investing in good brushes should be a top priority. Let’s start with the basics…

Makeup brushes are divided into three parts: Hair, Ferrule and Handle. Doesn’t sound that complicated right? Well, did you know that there are approximately 13 types of Natural Hair makeup brushes? Badger, Squirrel, Squirrel Mix/Blends, Pony, Raccoon, Ox, Goat, Sable, Kolinksy Sable, Red Sable, Weasel and Pahmi. There are Synthetic brushes – Taklon and Nylon. All these hair types can affect the overall value of the makeup brush hence also their prices.

Confused? Then keep reading!

Natural hair = soft makeup brushes and are mostly manufactured for the larger brushes in an arsenal, such as a Powder, Blush, Contour, Blending, or large Eye Shadow brush. Those types of brushes usually are made from Squirrel, Pony or Goat. Smaller brushes, such as Lip, small Eye Shadow and Eyeliner brushes are also made of natural hair most likely different types of Sables or Pahmi hair.

Natural hair brushes hold or trap the powder cosmetic they pick up so, when you press the brush to your face, you release the powder more effectively with little to no fall out (or in laymen’s terms – the cosmetic goes where you want it to and not where you don’t! Capisce?).

Synthetic brushes are Nylon or Taklon and are not “absorbent” or will not “trap” powder cosmetic to the bristles. They are best used as Concealer, Foundation or creme product applicators. If you have a brush made of synthetic bristles and you are using it for powder products, you probably get “fall out.”

The ferrule of the makeup brush is the metal “tube” designed to hold the glued hair in place and they are usually made of brass, copper or aluminum alloy. Brass is the strongest of the three. Higher end brush lines can also have nickel-plated ferrules for appearance and corrosion resistances.

Today, brush handles can range from acrylics to fancy metals. Most professional artists prefer wood handles for both durability and control.

Now that you have had quite the education on makeup brushes, here is a list of brush lines I use both personally and professionally:

Ve's Favorite Brushes – one of the most renowned makeup artists in the motion picture industry is Ve Neill! She has created the characters for some of the most iconic movies of our time and is a three-time Oscar winner! Now you can own the same brushes Ve uses when she is making up Johnny Depp, Uma Thurman, Sarah Jessica Parker, Edward Norton, Keira Knightly, Robin Williams or Julia Roberts.



Tricia Sawyer Beauty's Foundation and Powder Brushes – hands down these two brushes should be a “must have” in every woman’s arsenal! TSB’s Foundation Brush is made of taklon with a rounded tip, which allows for better blending over the natural curves of the face. TSB’s Powder Brush is made of a natural blend of Squirrel and Pony hair with a wood handle. Designed to buff your powder into your skin when setting your makeup.




adesign Brushes– Shana King’s professional career as a makeup artist includes such national credits as Smirnoff, Cadillac and Cirque Du Soleil and she has created high-profile brand campaigns in the fashion and entertainment industries. She was also the regional manager of over 35 salons for Aveda. She designed this brush line to improve the function and skill of makeup application for both the professional and consumer.



I also use brushes from MAC, Sephora (silver handle pro line), Japonesque and have been pleasantly surprised by the quality of Sonia Kashuk's line for Target.

TIPS AND TRIX:
Taking good care of your makeup brushes is easy and takes very little time. I recommend using Cinema Secrets Brush Cleaner for quick disinfecting. Pour a little brush cleaner on an old, clean towel and wipe the brush gently back and fourth over the towel or pour the brush cleaner into a metal or glass bowl and soak the brush hairs into the cleaner. Gently stroke the brush over a clean towel to remove excess cleaner and place on the side of your bathroom counter to dry. Do not stand your brushes up (or put them back into your brush holder – dry them flat first – or the cleaner will drip down into the ferrule and cause the glue to disintegrate and the hairs will shed or fall out). I also recommend cleaning your brushes with a gentle shampoo (baby shampoo works great), after all – it is made of natural hair (but please don’t use conditioner).

TIME FOR A LITTLE Q&A:

Stacy H. wants to know:
Why do my brush bristles fall out?

Pro suggests:
It’s actually called “shedding” and it happens to brushes sometimes, but if your brush tends to shed all the time, it is time to get a new brush. Here is how you can “test” a brush to see if it is prone to shedding or loosing it’s bristles before you purchase it: Step 1) Run fingers through the hair. Step 2) gently sweep the brush on the back of your hand. Expect a few strands to fall out. Repeat Steps 1 and 2 – if you notice more strands on the back of your hand, pass on the brush and test a different brand.

Kim A. wants to know:
Can dirty brushes cause breakouts?

Pro suggests:
The answer to that question is a big YES!!!! Dirty brushes are full of bacteria and are unhealthy for the skin. They can cause breakouts and rashes because oil, bacteria and makeup build up on the brush. You must clean your brushes regularly to ensure they stay in tip-top condition! My friend Karen, who writes the Makeup and Beauty Blog, suggests using Wet Ones for quick and easy cleaning if you don’t have time to properly shampoo your brushes. Good tip Karen!!!

Christine C. wants to know:
I have under $75 to spend, which brushes would you recommend I purchase?

Pro suggests:
The most important brushes to have in your bag would be the following: Foundation, Powder, Blush, Large Eye Shadow, Small Eye Shadow, Blender, Eyeliner, and Lip. You could also start with a “travel” brush kit and look for the type that have “dual” ended brushes (more bang for your buck because it is like getting two brushes for the price of one).

STAY TUNED:
In My Professional Opinion will be posting a product review featuring the skin care line Jurlique. As always, if you have a comment, suggestion or beauty question, click on the Ask The Pro button on our side bar and send us an email today!