Happy Thanksgiving & Hi-Def

Fall wedding season and holidays are here - I've been getting booked more frequently this fall. I've also taught several private make up lessons and had wedding guests come to my studio for make up applications. I like it when people come to my studio to get their make up done because my back doesn't require a pummeling on the massage chair for hauling my kit around the city. I also have my entire kit here so the possibilities are endless.
I'm very thankful for the space and location I now have my home studio in. The windows let in a lot of light.
I had a client early this morning come in to have a make up lesson and prep her on how to do make up for HD TV and Film. One of the most important aspects to HD TV, Film, and Photography is how the light will hit your face. HD doesn't lie and will always look scary if you apply make up with a very heavy hand. It brought to my attention the importance of products that work. One of the best things to put on the face is a good mattifying primer. The last thing you want is looking like a flashlight on TV. Check out Givenchy's Mister Mat. This is a good mattifying primer for that T-zone. Another favorite HD product is Make up Forever's High Definition Microfinish Powder - a little on the messy side but an excellent product b/c the powder is so fine, gives a translucent finish, and gives a smooth surface.
The best make up for HD is the airbrush foundations by Kett, Obessessive Compulsive Cosmetics, and Temptu - I like the watery, fast-drying, and natural looking finish these foundations give applied by the airbrush gun, brush, or fingers. All three of these brands are available online. If you don't have access to these brands or they don't deliver to your location, you can try Make up Forever's HD Finish Foundation. Apply with a light hand and only add extra coverage where you need it the most and blend everything well!

Thanksgiving and my birthday is coming up this week so Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

The brush that cleans your face

My face broke out really badly mid-September and I'm still recovering from the after effects - not quite sure what is going on but I have dry patches, splotchy patches, and an area of my face where there are break outs! (ick!)
Off to Sephora I went to try to find something that would deep clean my face so all the nasty stuff would just leave my face alone. I've always been curious about the Clarisonic brush but definitely turned off by the price tag. The makers of the Clarisonic brush came out with a smaller and cheaper version (still pricey in my opinion!) of the Mia. I decided to give it a try because I was tired of seeing problem spots on my face. I purchased the Mia last month and all I can is that this brush provides exfoliation so should be lightly applied throughout the face otherwise it can cause to much abrasion and cause sensitivity. (I learnt that the hard way...) I only use the Mia once every 2 days now b/c and don't apply any pressure. I just glide over the areas with the brush. This method seems to be working the best.

Mineral Mate

We all love Mineral make up but its so messy. The solution is the Mineral Mate. You can also use it as a sanitary mixing palette (esp. fun for make up artists!)
As a make up artist, I am constantly custom blending colors because I believe that every person is unique and the colors on a person's face should be customized to suit them and if there isn't a color that is just perfect then make it yourself! This versatile palette allows me to play with highly pigmented colors and then mix it with a different texture such as a clear lip gloss to make a truly customized color.
I recently also used Mineral Mate to put my brush cleaner solution so I can clean my brushes. Prior to the mineral mate, I used a ceramic cup filled with the solution but the problem was that the brushes would get drenched in the solution and take forever to dry. With the mineral mate, it was just enough solution to clean and disinfect but also didn't drench my brushes so I could use the brushes within 5 min. of drying on a paper towel.


Products in this review were given to the blogger by Minerals Mate. All opinions belong to the blogger.