Make-up Masterclass

Would you like to learn how to apply make-up correctly that not only enhances your natural beauty, but lasts the entire day?

I am always being asked for tips and tricks on certain application techniques such as;

'How do you stop liner from smudging?'
'Do primers actually work?'
'What shade and type of foundation should I buy?'
'How do I conceal my under-eye circles properly?'
'What are the best products to use that will suit MY skin type?'

Well, I can answer these burning questions for you and SO much more in my group Masterclasses.

Make-up can be a wonderful tool if used in the correct manner and the skills you will learn will be invaluable for years to come.

I have a wonderful model on board to help me demonstrate a variety of application techniques whilst you lovely lot sit back, take notes, soak up the wonderful and exciting world of make-up and fire any questions you may have at me. There will also be a practical element to the class to enable you to utilise your new skills.

There will also be thorough hand-outs included in a booklet to refer back to, a goody-bag for attendees containing luxury samples and hand-picked products for you to take away, special offers and a free online after-care service for all.

Unlike many make-up classes, my masterclasses will be kept small and intimate to allow a quality and thorough learning experience, with parties of just 8.

The first class will run on SATURDAY 30th SEPTEMBER from 11:00am-3:00pm in Ladbroke, Warwickshire. A short break and refreshments will be provided.

Further dates will be announced soon.

The fee is £50.00 per person (a £20.00 non-refundable deposit will be required to secure your place with the remaining balance payable at least a week before).

No previous make-up experience required.

Email me or use the contact page today to secure your place:

CCMakeupSpecialist@outlook.com

I can't wait to share my knowledge & passion with you!

Chloë 💋

Airbrush Make-up Vs. Traditional Make-up

Airbrush Make-up Vs. Traditional Make-up

So, a VERY regular question I get asked, particularly by my brides, is ‘What is Airbrush make-up?’ and ‘What is the difference between Airbrush and the regular ‘traditional’ way of applying make-up?’

Well, I am fortunate enough to offer both of these application techniques which I feel is extremely important as a Professional Make-up Artist, being able to cater for all customers whatever their age, ethnicity, skin type and tone.

I will start off with explaining about Airbrush. The brand of Airbrush make-up & tools that I currently use is Airbase; which is a silicone based high-definition make-up. It is used regularly on film and television for its HD qualities, particularly for its flawless and long-lasting results.

**NB Airbrush make-up must not be confused with Airbrush photo shop (used for re-touching images in magazines), which unfortunately, it often is…

Airbrush make-up is a ‘sprayed on’ foundation which is poured into an airbrush ‘gun’ and with the aid of an air compressor; the make-up is sprayed onto the face which throws out tiny particles of make-up that create a fine layer of foundation on to the skin. The coverage is very sheer but it can be built up by allowing the first ‘layer’ to dry and a second helping sprayed over. Think of it as tiny pixels being sprayed onto the face, rather than as one block colour, which is typically applied in the ‘traditional’ manner.

The reason it is known as ‘High Definition’ is that it is sprayed onto the skin in tiny particles, which when shot in HD cameras and film is undetectable as it does not leave any brush strokes, creating an incredible even and  flawless coverage. Sounds easy, right? There is still a great deal of skill that is required by the airbrush artist. An exact colour match is required along with an even coverage/finish. Bronzer and blusher can also be applied with the airbrush, so correct placement and pressure of the spray is key. Never book a MUA just because they offer the airbrush services. Make sure that they are trained and check out their previous work & reviews beforehand, as believe it or not, there are some ‘cowgirl’ airbrush artists out there who offer this service without the relevant training.

With Airbase make-up there are 7 different foundation shades, ranging from very pale to very dark, 2 shades of blusher and a bronzer. All of these shades can be mixed together to create the perfect match to the clients skin tone, and this is determined prior to application (and why it is very important to have a trial-run, particularly for the bride). It really does cater for every skin tone from the palest porcelain skin, to olive, Asian and black skin tones.

Airbase foundation range - Silicone based foundation

Being a silicone based make-up as opposed to a water-based make-up (which most ‘traditional’ foundations are), Airbase airbrush is durable (long-lasting so perfect for bridal beauty), sweat and tear-proof (NOT completely water proof as some airbrush make-up is advertised), heat resistant (so again adds to the durability), flawless and packed full of ingredients which are good for the skin such as:

·         Vitamin A: an ingredient that is proven to improve elasticity of the skin and therefore reduce fine lines.

·         Vitamin E: an anti-oxidant that moisturises and repairs helping to deactivate the free radicals that age the skin.

Airbase Airbrush make-up is a luxury application that does not feel like a mask and it really does feel weightless on the skin. BUT airbrushed makeup is not for everyone…

Because of the sheer coverage that airbrushing provides I would not recommend it to:

·         Somebody who is looking for a very heavy coverage. Although the airbrush can be ‘layered’ it can sometimes take a while to ‘set’ which could result in a cakey and unnatural coverage.

·         Somebody who has extremely oily skin. Because of the silicone ingredients it could exacerbate excess oils in the skin, resulting in an overly shiny finish. Setting techniques can be used in this instance, but one of the benefits of silicone-based makeup is that it required minimal setting and touch-ups.

·         People who have respiratory problems due to the make-up being electronically sprayed and potentially inhaled (although I do ask that clients hold their breath for a short time during each spray). It is sometimes known to ‘take your breath away’ due to the cool spray sensation.

Now, onto the traditional make-up application method:

Make-up is more conventionally applied with the use of our hands, sponges, brushes or puffs. As a professional Make-up Artist, I use all of the above but prefer to use my tried and trusted brushes, as I feel that these give us a much more professional and even finish, allowing the make-up to be worked in to the skin and manipulated where necessary.

I use both synthetic and natural hair make-up brushes. Synthetic brushes are predominantly used for the application and natural brushes for the blending of creams and shadows. It really depends on what make-up is being applied to what tools I would use, but our hands also allow us to connect with the face and get a feel for facial geometry, which is very important in the application and placement of professional make-up.

As explained a few paragraphs above, foundation from a ‘traditional’ bottle is like one block colour that is applied and worked into the skin (as opposed to sprayed in tiny particles with airbrush). It can also come in an array of different finishes from very light ‘sheer’ coverage (think MAC Face & Body) to very heavy coverage (such as Estee Lauder Double Wear), very dewy (such as NARS sheer glow) to very Matte (Clarins ever Matte). The finish required depends strongly on the skin type of the client, but also by managing their expectations and requirements. A professional MUA will discuss these with you and advise on the best products to achieve the best results for you.

MAC Face & Body - Traditional Foundation (water-based)

Traditional make-up is worked into the skin and is easier to layer or build coverage but bear in mind, make-up brushes are not magic wands and make-up will not improve the texture of the skin; which is a very common misconception! It can, of course, make imperfections appear less visible, but make-up should not be used as a heavy mask, layered on thick in the hope that it will give a smooth finish. This will just result in a very unnatural look.

Great make-up first begins with great skin, so get the foundations right before the foundation looks right!

Some would say that there is more skill involved with the traditional application method, allowing the make-up artist to be more precise with the placement of certain products. Although I do not disagree, I think that both application techniques require a great deal of skill and knowledge, which takes into account (but not limited to) skin type, tone, occasion, age and skin conditions

In conclusion, there really is no ‘better’ application technique. It is purely down to personal preference and occasion. Your make-up artist will advise on the best option for you (again, this is why a trial is highly recommended, so that you know what to expect and also saving a great deal of time and apprehension-particularly on the wedding day!)

Which make-up application technique would you opt for?

I hope that this blog has been helpful!

Chloe x

Airbrushing a bride

7 Things ALL Make-up Artists and Clients MUST know about Make-up Hygiene & Sanitation

MUA Hygiene & Sanitation

This is a topic that I feel extremely strongly about working as a Professional make-up artist and I want to arm EVERYBODY with my knowledge and tips within this blog post, whether you are a working make-up artist, make-up artist in training, self-taught MUA, a make-up enthusiast or a person who is planning on hiring a MUA for a special occasion or event such as a wedding.

I want this knowledge to be spread far and wide, as I have been witness on one too many occasions now, where poor hygiene and sanitation has occurred. Not only this, the college course in which I undertook I felt some-what lacked this important information. Sure, we touched on cleanliness of hands & brushes etc, but proper sanitation of tools and products was barely mentioned. Therefore, I took it upon myself to thoroughly research MUA hygiene. After all, it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to work out that using the same mascara wand on numerous people could lead to cross-infection such as CONJUNCTIVITIS. Very glam…

My work is predominantly bridal based, so I am often booked to take care of the make-up for numerous members of the bridal party, sometimes for as many as 9 people. Now that’s a LOT of brushes and tools to get through when you think: one foundation brush, one powder brush, one lip brush, numerous eye brushes (around 3-4), countless cotton buds, pads and sponges. Obviously, working on this many people single-handedly is a task in itself, but keeping up with hygiene and sanitation should never mean that you can cut-corners because it’s ‘quicker’ or ‘easier’ to do so.

Just one instance I will mention whilst recently working on a large bridal party, where the client had booked a separate MUA to take care of the bridesmaids whilst I focused on the bride…I couldn’t help but notice the sheer lack of sanitation on their part, whilst I glanced in horror as they BLEW excess powder from a brush and persistently used THE SAME mascara wand on numerous bridesmaids. This was all in the space of a few minutes so I dread to think what other nasties occurred, and just how many millions of potentially harmful bacteria lives amongst their kit...

A client (e.g a bride) whom books a professional make-up service will expect that you, as a make-up artist, will carry out your services to the highest standard, from arriving in time on a date and location as previously agreed, to a safe and hygienic make-up application. Now whilst I do get that some people may not even think about whom or where the MUA’s brushes have last been used, or what make-up products have been used on whom, I don’t get how anybody who provides such an intimate service would think it is acceptable to use dirty and unsanitary tools. Would you expect a surgeon to use un-sanitised tools during an operation? No, most certainly not. It’s the same difference-it just should not happen when working in such close proximity to some body’s face.

The nature of this post is aimed at both make-up artists and those looking to hire one, so PLEASE, take note of these tips for future reference, and together let’s stop this horrendous and unprofessional practice.

Let us be armed with the knowledge of hygiene, cleanliness and sanitation within the beauty industry…

1.       Cleansed and sanitised hands

It’s a bit of common sense to start off with. Make-up artists could not work without their hands, from applying moisturisers and creams to a client’s bare face, to holding and handling products and tools. As we all know, germs can spread extremely easily so to prevent this, always ensure that your hands are thoroughly clean. Sanitise in front of your clients to instill peace-of-mind.

2.       No ‘Double-dipping’

This is a term that is used for when a brush or tool is inserted into a product (such as a cream foundation, gel eyeliner, lipstick etc) and then re-dipped, having been applied to part of a client’s face. This, of course, can cause cross contamination of the product and potentially cross-infection to your client. Just because germs cannot be seen does not mean that they are not there! Just imagine if a client had a cold sore (which is a strain of the herpes virus…which is extremely contagious) and you’ve applied lipstick to them from a brush, and then with that same brush, dipped it back into the product. Hey presto- harmful germ central. If this occurs, chuck the product immediately. I’d probably be inclined to chuck the brush too-you can never be too careful working in this industry. To be honest, I would be very dubious about doing a client’s makeup at all if this was the case, since any contagious diseases should be avoided. Always sharpen eyeliners & lip liners between each client. Your kit, personal health and your reputation is worth much more than an angry client- and they should understand this too.

To prevent dipping back into a product, invest in a palette knife and palette to decant small amounts of product and re-dip that way if necessary. Simply wipe clean and spray between each client.

3.       DO NOT USE THE SAME MASCARA WAND MORE THAN ONCE!!!

This is a real personal hate of mine. Of course, if it is your own mascara that you use on yourself and yourself only, then this is absolutely fine, since you are not picking up different peoples eye bacteria and spreading it around. If applying makeup from your kit to a client, ensure that you use a disposable wand for EACH EYE and do not ‘double-dip’ back into the mascara. Mascara is the worst product for cross-infection since it is of a moist consistency, potentially warm and in a dark container – 3 areas where germs THRIVE!!

*Tip* Cut the mascara wand from the tube off to prevent the desire to double-dip.

4.       Clean your make-up brushes, tools and equipment!!

Do not be tempted to use the same make-up soiled brush on more than one client. As mentioned above, when I work on numerous members of the bridal party I have a make-up brush sanitising spray that I use between each and every client. A few sprays will kill bacteria and then wipe the brush onto a clean tissue. It also dries in seconds so can be used again pretty much instantly. It’s a good idea to have a range of different brushes so that you are not spending lots of time cleaning them when working to tight time-frames, which is often the case as a MUA. After each and every job I give my brushes and tools a thorough clean with luke-warm water and an anti-bac gel. I then condition them with hair conditioner to maintain the bristles and dry flat, either over-hanging a window sill or upside down. Tools such as lash curlers, tweezers, pencil sharpeners and make-up palettes should also be sanitised between each client. A thorough kit and bag clean should be carried out every few weeks or when required.

N.B Clients, if you see a MUA come at you with a dirty brush-either challenge them or run a mile!! Also, never BLOW excess powder or product from a brush. It’s unsanitary and it’s rank.

5.       Use disposables

Always ensure that you are well stocked up with disposables in your kit. These should include cotton buds, cotton wool pads, face wipes, mascara wands, lip brushes. You will find that these will come in extremely handy, not only with the cleansing of a client’s face prior to make-up application, but also for any spillages which can sometimes occur. Lip brushes are handy to give to your client (particularly brides), along with a sample of her chosen lippy so that she can re-apply when necessary.

6.       Robe your client!!

Always ensure that you cover your client with a protective robe to prevent any accidents! The last thing you want is to drop a lipstick soiled brush into somebodies lap or spill foundation all over somebodies favourite blouse…or even worse…their wedding dress!!! I would advise that you NEVER make up a bride who is already in her dress. This would be the Worst. Most. Embarrassing. Situation. Ever. Not to mention a very angry and tearful bride. *GULP*

7.       Personal hygiene

It should go without saying that when working in this industry you should take care of personal hygiene. Nobody wants to hire a smelly, scruffy make-up artist. Always carry mints and/or gum, deodorant, where possible tie long hair back and go easy with the perfume, you don’t want to be over-powering your clients and giving them a headache.

I would like to think that a lot of the above is common sense and that make-up artists already practice the above sanitary rules, but having witnessed first-hand the uncleanliness of some so called ‘professionals’, I felt I needed to share this important information.

MUA’s – Do not compromise your profession and your reputation

POTENTIAL CLIENTS – You have been warned :)

I really hope that this post has been useful. If I have missed anything please do let me know in the below comments box. Please share this with all of your friends and spread the word on proper hygiene and sanitation, instead of spreading potentially harmful, and even life-threatening germs…

Much love,

Chloe X

(Images sourced from Google)