THE MAKEUP SHOW LA 2011 - a Recap & Haul!

Every year it seems The Makeup Show Los Angeles gets better and better! This year was no exception! In fact, it was the best to date! 

Some favorite new additions – Kevyn Aucoin Beauty and GLAMCOR Professional. And of course we visited with our favorites; Stila Cosmetics, Inglot Cosmetics, Make Up For Ever, Senna Cosmetics, Embryolisse, Yaby Cosmetics, Eve Pearl, Smashbox and TemptuPro  - this show really is makeup heaven! 

The Pros made a quick beeline for the Stila Cosmetics booth first because we had received an Illuminating Tinted Moisturizer the day before at the Blogger Event and we were so impressed with it that we wanted to see(and buy)more. It was time to stock up on Stila products because they are so versatile and many have dual purposes, which is so useful for professionals. Our Pro, Cathi Singh, works a ton in print and her only regret was not buying more of the Stila Convertible Colors! She did purchase Petunia, one of their top sellers, and loved its creamy consistency for the cheek and as a light stain on the lips and she has used it for every job since!

Another Stila product that "had us at hello" was the Prime Pot waterproof eye shadow primer. As Pros, we like options and have had some difficulty finding an eye primer other than Urban Decay. This one not only completely neutralizes any discoloration; it gives a smooth texture and does not let that eye shadow budge all day. Another "must have" in our professional opinion.

With Spring around the corner and bright colors popping up everywhere, Stila's The Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eye Liner in Indigo is a gorgeous shade of blue and the liner pen is extremely easy to use. But what sets it apart is the sheen it leaves - it looks like patent leather! Definitely an eye catcher. It also comes in black and dark brown.  We snagged those up for our Pro kits immediately!

As freelance artists, working in different environments everyday, with different elements and accommodations, sometimes it’s nice to have a little music to get the energy going and keep the client happy and relaxed while in the makeup chair. Stila came out with The Makeup Player and we snatched up two! Created by Stila Owner Lynn Tilton, it’s a small makeup case big enough to hold a basic personal kit or necessities, with an iPod hookup and speakers on the front to play your own tunes! It is also compatible with the iPhone so you can watch your favorite beauty how-to videos while getting ready.  The best thing is that it’s cordless so we can take it to each job and use it for makeup storage in transit.

Also, all of you Pro artists out there - be sure and take advantage of the amazing discount Stila has just launched for makeup artists. Go to www.stilacosmetics.com/proartists and sign up to receive up to 40% off products as a Pro.

As an Airbrush Tanning Pro, Cathi Singh, was interested to try out products from the South Seas line. She was given their tanning formula to try, as well as their bestselling coffee scrub to gently exfoliate the skin in preparation for a tan.  Here is her review: 

"I have to say I am extremely impressed with the quality and color of this line. I watched a demonstration and just seconds after being sprayed, the tan was completely dry - no stickiness at all! The color was flawless and had a nice scent, which is important to me. No one wants their client to smell like self-tanner!"

South Seas has been voted “Best of the Best” by Allure Magazine and is used on numerous film and TV sets such as; HBO, NBC, ABC, Disney, and Dreamworks. We highly recommend trying this product. If you want a quick tan for an evening out, try the Tahitian Tan Mist. It’s perfect for self tanning on the go, or touch ups in between spray tans.

During New York Fashion Week, there was a lot of buzz surrounding the Beauty Blender. Our Pros had seen them but never used one because we always used brushes and found reuseable sponges unsanitary. However, artists were using them on every major runway to apply foundation, cream blush, and highlighters on the skin and they were tweeting about how the sponge left a perfectly blended, no-streak airbrush finish. This sounded too good to be true, but we decided to purchase some at the show and give them a try.

Since then the Pros have used the blender on every major client and we are blown away by the results. Not only was it incredibly fast, but it did blend the foundation into the skin and gave a natural and flawless look. We are now huge advocates of the Beauty Blender and wish we had jumped on this train a long time ago!

Pro Tip: The Beauty Blender is a sponge which needs to be thoroughly cleaned after each use. It is somewhat delicate and does come with its own cleanser. However, another safe way to wash it is by using Dr. Bonners Magic Pure Castile Liquid Soap. It’s extremely gentle and won’t harm the sponge, but will disinfect it completely.

Pro Melissa Street, was quick to the TemptuPro booth this year, where she was able to pick up some much needed supplies for her airbrush.  The Pro discount that Temptu offers all in attendance was so amazing that she was able to replenish her S/B Foundations, blush colors and purchase several Dura color packs without breaking the bank! Because Melissa is a beauty and SPFX artist, TemptuPro is one of the best tools in her arsenal, she says, "I can't imagine working without this product line - I have to be quick on my feet and sometimes my director will change a look or add an effect during filming and Temptu never lets me down.  It is a must for tattoo work and wounds, but also I love the foundations and blush colors for beauty!"

The Pros also love our Eve Pearl Cosmetics and must stock up at every show!  This year, our friend Grace Chun was working the booth and we had a great time watching her talk about Eve's new products!  Melissa was gifted the Eve Pearl Lipstick Palette and if you don't have this, you must run and get it.  All of the colors in this palette are wearable and look great on everyone! Rounding out our Eve Pearl purchases were Anti Shine and Eve's Cream Blush Trio.

Every year it is imperative that we stop in and say hello to our friends at Hakuhodo!  These brushes are our favorite and the Pros add to our collection each year.  The quality of the Hakuhodo line is impeccable and they are made out of the best hair for flawless application and blendability.  Our thoughts and prayers go out to all at Hakuhodo and we hope that you are recovering from the devastating earthquake.  Please take care!  This year, the Pros purchased the following brushes; #290 Eye Liner Brush, B533BkSL Eye Shadow Brush pointed, 246 Eye Shadow Brush round and the Yachiyo Medium Purple.

We also stopped in at the Make Up For Ever booth because this was the place to restock our beloved MUFE HD Liquid Foundations.  The Pros grabbed 115, 130 and 145 as well as replenishing our HD Powder.

Embryolisse was next on our list because it had been ages since we spoke with Michelle.  She is always such a huge help when we speak with her about the skincare needs of our actors.  This year, Embryolisse added a few new products to their line and we had to have them for our Pro kits!

You are all familiar with the iconic Lait Cream, but you should also check out Creme Onctueuse Raffermissante, which is a rich firming cream.  Melissa and Cathi are getting ready to work with famed actress, Marcia Wallace and this cream along with the Anti-Age Re-Densifying Serum and Re-Densifying Eye and Lip Contour Cream will help to smooth her mature skin.  These products reinforce, firm, plump and strengthen the skin.

Also, the Rosamelis Lotion Sans Alcool is the best toner we have found and our clients are totally in love with this product.  Even our male actors ask for their faces to be spritzed before makeup application with this product because it helps sooth the skin and makes them feel revived!

Yaby Cosmetics is now a staple in Melissa Street's professional kit.  This year she found herself making her own professional palette and seeking the advice from the incredible Victoria Stiles who was heading up the Yaby booth this year. Victoria schooled her on Yaby's line and Melissa purchased an entire set of neutral, matte eye shadow shades, eyebrow powders and cake liners.  Powder and liquid foundations made their way into Melissa's bag as well and since the show, she has used this line exclusively on Season 2 of Vampire Mob.  Here is her review, "at first, I thought that the tiny colors in the Yaby line would not pack enough punch to pick up on camera, but boy was I wrong! This line is so pigmented that a little goes a long way.  I love how the eye shadow blends and sculpts the eye. They are affordable and of the highest quality!"

Our Contributing Writer Pro, Heather Wilson fell in love with Kevyn Aucoin products and purchased many to add to her kit.  She was excited to get her hands on a few things that had been on her list for several months and since this was the debut of the Kevyn Aucoin line at The Makeup Show, she decided to really stock up.

She had been on the hunt for a super thin eye brow pencil and she found a great one! Here is her review, "this is a super thin retractable pencil that fills in, shapes and defines the brow. There are 3 colors of The Precision Brow Pencil; Basic Brown, Blonde, and Auborn. I have been on shoots playing with all the colors this week, and they are amazing! The Basic Brown is the perfect color for 9 out of 10 clients, and I had a red head in my chair and the Auborn color was perfect!"

 

She was also pleased with the quality of the Kevyn Aucoin blush line and says, "the blush colors are worth every penny! I bought every shade (but dont tell my husband that), and actually wish they had a few more colors!  They go on so smooth, and blend so beautifully on the skin, you honestly would never believe that they are a powder! The bright pink color called Shadore and the color Natura are a beautiful combination on the skin. They work great for print as well as HD."

Another company debuting at The Makeup Show Los Angeles was GlamCor Professional.  This product line is made for the professional by the professional. You must check out their stellar line of bags, brushes, rolls and get your hands on their lighting kit. They are running an artist special right now on their Classic Light Kit (LED, portable, no color distortion)for only $195. This booth was so popular that they sold out in the first few hours!

The education and hands on workshops at the show were packed with big names like Eve Pearl, Pati Dubroff, Eugenia Weston, Joanna Schlip, Orlando Santiago, Ve Neill, Kathy Aragon and John Hennessey just to name a few.

The Pros were able to sit in on a seminar about HD television and film work featuring a panel of artists that are the experts of the HD world.  Along with sharing some of their expertise on how to work with HD filming, they each shared helpful advice on the other part of being a makeup artist, which is working as a team and how attitude has everything to do with it.

Ve Neill made a good point that not everyone is good at everything. It’s important to know your strengths and weaknesses and how to use them to attack the days on set.

Ve also advises for those just starting out, find a mentor. Work for free just to be in the environment and be surrounded by talented people. It not only shows your dedication, but you will learn and absorb so much so quickly.

At the show, you have the opportunity to be schooled by some amazing artists and when you sign up for the private classes, you get to sit with the artist while they tell you their private tips and secrets in a hands on workshop. It is a great opportunity to ask questions and get answers directly from a Pro.

 

Celebrity Makeup Artist to the stars, Joanna Schlip was giving red carpet tips and advice. She has done makeup for Christina Applegate, Ellen Pompeo, Eva Longoria, Megan Fox and Melissa Etheridge for the Emmys, Grammys, and Golden Globe events.

She says that not only do you have a limited time with your client, but you need to do flawless makeup that will last! Their makeup will be scrutinized and many times it is 10 or more hours before the artist gets on stage.

She also talked about how you must be able to do makeup on a moving target. Your client could by eating, talking on the phone, texting or conducting business with their managers or agents.

If you want to see and hear more from these amazing artists as well as Makeup Forever’s Dany Sanz, Cinema Secret’s Maurice Stein and more, book your ticket now for The Makeup Show in New York, May 15-16 at the Metropolitan Pavilion.

The Pros can't emphasize enough how important it is to attend The Makeup Show. We really feel that knowledge is power and as professionals this show helps us to stay on top of our game! Thanks to everyone behind the scenes and we look forward to next year!

The Makeup Show 2011 - Los Angeles

The Pros are excited to attend this year's The Makeup Show on February 26th and 27th at the California Market Center in Los Angeles.  This event is a highlight that we look forward to each year because it is a gathering of some of the top Pros in our industry.  The mentors we turn to for advice, collaboration and continuing education will all be in attendance.

We have been attending this event for the past 4 years now both in New York and Los Angeles and this year we are excited to catch up with fellow artists that are representing some of the biggest brands in professional artistry and to discover new techniques that can take our makeup skills to the next level.

The Pros will also be attending the Blogger Preview Party and a reception honoring Maurice Stein, who is a legend in our industry having worked with many top celebrities, Grammy award winners and three US Presidents!  He is also the owner of Cinema Secrets, which is a cosmetics, hair and special effects supply store located in Los Angeles that provides product to every major studio, professional makeup artist, hair artist, celebrity, as well as the general public.  If Cinema Secrets doesn't carry it, it doesn't exist!

The Makeup Show Los Angeles is also the place to learn to become a makeup artist directly from the best in the business or if you already are a Pro, fine tune or learn a new skill that will boost your marketability.  This year top artists from Make Up For Ever will inspire you with their incredible workshops, as well as attend Makeup 101 with Orlando Santiago or Airbrush 101 with Myles O'Reilly.

Interested in the editorial industry?  Then attend Understanding Photo with Jon Hennessy or for bridal artists, you won't want to miss The Modern Bride seminar with Jo Levy for Becca Cosmetics. Legendary artist, Eugenia Weston will be demonstrating the art of perfecting eyebrows in her Master Workshop-The Art of Brows and Kathy Aragon will be conducting a workshop on achieving Essential Eye looks.

Need to be schooled on hair?  Guru Daven Mayeda will be teaching Basic Hair Styling for Makeup Artists this year and will show you how to maximize your career by understanding hair products, principals and fundamental techniques.  Danessa Myricks will show you how to achieve a perfect canvas in her hands-on workshop Perfect Skin and Joanna Schlip will be conducting a Master Workshop on how to achieve Everyday Hollywood Beauty.

Are you a makeup artist interested in getting into the local Union 706?  Then don't miss Susan Cabral Ebert's seminar called State of the Union.  Susan will tell you exactly what you need to do to become a makeup artist on Union film and television shows. Michael DeVellis for The Powder Group will help you learn how to capture long term success in his Marketing Your Career Now seminar and you must attend Women In The Industry with legends Eugenia Weston, Eve Pearl, Crystal Wright, Joanna Schlip and Danessa Myricks as they walk you through what it takes to to become a brand creator, bridal and beauty artist or Department Head on major television and motion pictures.

Esteemed artist Pati Dubroff, whose worked has graced the magazines of Vogue, Vanity Fair, W, InStyle and Harper's Bazaar and who is called on by A-List Celebrities such as Gwyneth Paltrow, Julianne Moore, Drew Barrymore and Gisele Bundchen, will be on hand to demonstrate and share many secrets on how to become a successful celebrity artist in her workshop Making Up.

For a list of all education opportunities - click here!

As if this wasn't enough, all the major industry brands will be on hand for discount shopping and demonstration directly at their booths. Exhibitors include: Alcone, BeautySoClean, Cinema Secrets, Crown Brush, Dermalogica, Dinair Airbrush, Embryolisse USA, Eve Pearl, Face Atelier, Frends Beauty Supply, Graftobian, Hakuhodo USA, Inglot Cosmetics, Kett Cosmetics, Kevyn Aucoin, Make Up Designory, Make Up For Ever, Mehron, Naked Cosmetics, Naimies Beauty Center, Nigels Beauty Emporium, Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics, Senna Cosmetics, Smashbox, Stila Cosmetics, Temptu PRO, Yaby Cosmetics, Youngblood Mineral Cosmetics and Yves Saint Laurent, just to name a few.

For a complete list of exhibitors - click here!

The Pros are looking forward to interviewing renowned makeup artist, Victoria Stiles and Liz Yu owner and creator of Yaby Cosmetics!  We also can't wait to catch up with our YouTube friends Koren Zander from EnKoreMakeup and Eleesa from PurseBuzz because these two always have their fingers on the pulse of what is bigger, better and happening in the makeup industry!

On the Main Floor, we can't miss Academy Award Winning Makeup Artist, Ve Neill as she talks about the new SyFy show, Face Off! Ve is a judge on the show and she will takes us on a behind-the-scenes look in her seminar Face Off: Inside the SyFy Reality Show on Sunday.

We will definitely be stocking up on our disposable supplies because the discounts offered from industry stores like Alcone, Cinema Secrets, Frends, Naimes and Nigel's can't be beat!  So if you need sponges, puffs, mascara wands, brush cleaner or even if you need empty palettes, we highly recommend purchasing them at this event!

There is still time to get advanced tickets to this event - click here and if you see any of the IMPO Pros at The Makeup Show, make sure to say hello!  We would love to meet you!  See you there!

Products of the Month - November

Usually Southern California is sunny and mild until December, but this entire year has been a crazy weather experience for our State, as well as the rest of the country and the world.

November has been blustery and cold.  The heater was turned on weeks ago and our skin is starting to have that “tight” feeling that we despise!  We have also noticed some dry, flaky patches of skin around our nose and chin.  It’s as if all the dewiness has been sucked right out of our pores.

We traveled over the Thanksgiving holiday too, which did not help the state of our current skin issues. Even though we are professional makeup artists and know a thing or two about skincare, doesn’t mean our skin always cooperates or that we don’t engage in some laziness every once in awhile.

It is time to rehydrate our entire bodies!  More water consumption and more moisturizer.  The Pro’s don’t want to show up to our scheduled holiday parties in a sexy dress and killer heels with patchy, scratchy, red, irritated skin, so we are reevaluating and adding to our current skincare regime (both day and night).

Winter has arrived, so here’s the Pro’s list of November Products of the Month to combat the winter blues…

Jan Marini Skin Research - Age Intervention Gentle Cleanser – not only are the Pro’s having issues with their skin, but our clients are too, so we decided to change things up a bit and add Jan Marini’s newest cleanser to our professional kits. We not only use this cleanser for removing eye makeup, but all over the face and neck to prep the skin prior to applying cosmetics.  It is extremely mild and non-foaming, which makes it extremely effective for all skin types.

Jan Marini Skin Research – Instant Refining Exfoliator – this exfoliator will immediately create a perfectly smooth canvas for makeup and because it is a resurfacer, your skin’s texture and follicle size is refined.  Non-abrasive and gentle enough to use daily (we use it twice a week), this product will get rid of flaky, dry skin and will boost the penetration of other skincare products in your regime.  This product is a Limited Holiday Edition.

SAMPAR Paris – Barley There Moisture Fluid – add this little extra bit of “oomph" to your nighttime skin regime.  We recommend applying under the SAMPAR Nocturnal Lifting Mask before bed.  The combination of the extra moisture and mask will lock in hydration and help to heel itchy, dry patches.

VotreVu – Portrait Collar Restorative Neck Cream – if you think that only your face needs more moisturizer, you are wrong!  Your neck area ages faster than your face because it has different hormonal reactors and by using a specialized formula made especially for the neck, you can help to smooth the appearance of deep-set lines and tighten saggy skin!  Toss out your turtleneck tops and keep your chin up in public!  The Pro’s keep an extra one of these on the bedside table so that we lather up at night too!

Aquaphor – Original Formula Healing Ointment – this product works miracles on extremely dry, cracked and irritated skin.  It also creates a protective barrier that seals in moisture.  If your skin is raw, chapped, chafed or if you have undergone radiation treatments, facial resurfacing or if you suffer from other sensitive skin issues, you may want to try this product.  The IMPO Pro’s rely on this ointment to heal our hands, elbows, heels of our feet and knees during the winter months.  This is also great for the lips and around the mouth to heal chapping.

JAO - Hand Refresher – this is a waterless antibacterial cleanser that is infused with lavender, tea tree, eucalyptus, geranium and sage oil.  It is the only sanitizer the Pro’s use in our makeup room or trailer.  Other products wipe out good bacteria along with bad bacteria, this product’s main ingredient is Ethyl Alcohol, which is proven effective to guard against harmful germs, but doesn’t kill off the body’s natural defenses.  Plus, it doesn’t have that offensive alcohol smell and it won’t dry out your hands.  Keep a small bottle in your handbag, car and backpack.

Phyto – Masque Haute Hydration (intense hydrating mask) – do not forget about your hair this winter!  The Pro’s received this mask as gratis for our professional hair kit, but wanted to try it personally because we had heard about the amazing results consumers were having when using this product. This is an intense hydrating mask that regenerates hair and adds suppleness.  If you are prone to frizz, excessive shedding or if your hair is dry, brittle, dull or lifeless then this product can help.  Bonus – it only takes 2-5 minutes so you can add it to your morning routine!

EOS (evolution of smooth) – Lip Balm – do you have little kids or teenagers?  Do they always have chapped, cracked, dehydrated lips in the winter? If you are answering yes to these questions, then you have to try out EOS.  Kids and teens don’t like products that look industrial or smell medicinal.  They like cool, hip packaging and they must have flavor!  This product is a mom’s secret weapon to solving “ouchy” cracked lips plus it is Gluten-free, Paraben-free, Petrolatum-free and Phthalate-free, which means that this product is 95% organic, 100% natural and it is packed with antioxidant-rich vitamin E.

Youngblood Mineral Cosmetics – Mineral Radiance Moisture Tint – this product does triple duty by leaving the skin hydrated, concealed and protected.  The Pro’s switch up foundation in the winter and we decided to revisit a summer favorite because this product provides our skin with free-radical fighting antioxidants, calming botanicals and nourishing minerals.  It does not sink into fine lines, wrinkles and it helps combat those dry, flaky patches around our nasal labial folds and chin.

Clarins – Barocco Face Palette – it is time to add illumination to the skin during these drab winter months and this palette is up to the task, especially if your skin is dry.  There are 4 shades in this palette – pale pink, sun-kissed beige, sparkling coral and natural beige, which can all be blended together or applied alone.  This product will enhance all complexions and will bring an instant glow back to lifeless skin!

Physicians Formula – Swirl Powder – is a good drug-store alternative to the Clarins' product listed above because it is a brighten powder that will help to blend away redness.  It tops the list of Elle Magazine World’s Best Beauty Products and is great on all skin tones.  Bonus – this product is a mineral correcting powder that is talc-free.

Laura Mercier – Eye Color Pot – this product is a double-decker component that contains a cream color and matching loose color in two different formulas, which can be worn alone or together to create more intensity.  The cream shadow is not only an amazing eye shadow base, but is an extended wear color that won’t crease or fade and blends flawlessly.  If your eyes tend to water in the winter then try this product by using both colors on the lid and only the cream to line under the eye.

Eve Pearl – Black Pearl Liquid Eyeliner – this product has been a staple in both the Pro’s professional kits and personal makeup bags for years now.  It is, without a doubt, the best liquid eyeliner in a pen form that we have found.  Does not smudge, flake or dry out and it is totally easy to use.  We like to use it to tight line the upper lid in the winter and the precise brush allows for a close application right along the lash line to give the appearance of full lashes.

Make Up For Ever – Lash Fibers – this product will double your lashes and will boost any mascara.  Want full, fluttering, long lashes?  Then this mascara base is the answer.  Try it with your current mascara for instant results.

Make Up For Ever – Aqua Smoky Lash – this is a waterproof formula that provides volume and curl.  This mascara can be worn in the most extreme winter conditions and it won’t budge.  Again, if you tend to have watery eyes in the winter due to extreme wind or dryness then this mascara will work wonders for you!

Clinique – Black Honey Almost Lipstick – in returning to our fall/winter collection of lip colors, the Pro’s came across an icon product that consumers purchase every year.  In fact, there is an Almost Lipstick in Black Honey sold every two minutes, 852 sold daily, which means that over 300,000 are sold every year!  You can’t argue with stats like that!  This product is a great color for the season and because it is not quite a lipstick and not quite a gloss, it is the best of both worlds!  It is a sheer color that is moisturizing, blends well and won’t bleed.  Tip:  use a little on your cheeks for a pop of sheer color and to coordinate your lip and cheek area!

Pro Tips and Tricks:

Your complexion is key this season and into the deep winter months.  The application of foundation, concealer and powder should be light.  To create skin that looks hydrated, mix a little YSL - Touche Elcat Highlighter Pen with a pot concealer like Laura Mercier, MAC or Bobby Brown and apply/dab on with your fingers under the eyes.

 Photo courtesy: Implied Images