Words for aspiring makeup artist's...

I've been having lots of conversations with new artists and about new artists, and those trying to break into the industry. So I thought I'd talk about some things that keep coming up.

 To go to Makeup school or not:
 There are many school's of thought, no pun intended, on this subject. Some say it's essential, some say its a waste of money. IF you have no training at all, and learn better in a classroom environment ( hands on) then a school may be the right choice for you. You will get valuable practice and learn the basics of application and in's and out's of the industry. IF you are looking to break into the film and TV industry I feel it's essential to take a SFX course. Yes you can learn FX on your own but it's better to be taught, there's a lot of things to know, and the practice you will do in class is invaluable. If you want to do any other aspect of makeup; fashion, runway, commercial, bridal. School may not be 100% necessary but like I said the practice is valuable and there are other things besides learning how to put on make-up that you will learn like, set etiquette, hygiene, how to write a resume for makeup among other things. So the short answer is do your research and see if it is worth it FOR YOU to go to school. Visit the schools, ask tons of questions, see who is teaching the classes be sure you are being taught by someone who works in the field you want to be in. Another point: Do I need a license? The short answer, no. In a professional setting you do not need a license to do makeup. However if you plan on working in a spa or salon check with the state board that you are in, most states require you to have a cosmetologist or estheticians license to do makeup. The downside to that is it's expensive to get a license and for cosmetology and esthetician. They spend maybe a day on makeup tops. If I had to pick one to get I'd get an estheticians license at least its based on skin and good education about the skin is always good to know. But again this is only if you plan on working in a salon or spa setting full time, and it varies by state.

 Choosing a path:
 Where do most aspiring artists want to work, of course fashion, runway, and editorial. But I'm gonna be honest that is the lowest paid area of artistry to work in. Unless you have "IT" and are working with the top designers represented by the top agency, the money you will make is peanuts if anything. I'm not saying this to discourage anyone, but you have to think long term. Think about it, fashion week happens 2 times a year in NY what are you gonna do the other 10 months out of the year to make a living? I know when you start out your so full of ambition and passion and are dazzled by the glamour of it all, trust me I was there too, but the reality of it all is it's a very lucrative business. When I started out in the freelance world it took me 2-3 years before I was making substantial money doing jobs, I'm not saying that this is the norm but be prepared for a similar experience. This is where so many artists get discouraged and leave the biz, they feel they are never gonna get anywhere and after a year give up. Everyone needs to pay their dues, we all have to start somewhere. I've seen to many artists that expect you to hand a career over to them, it doesn't work that way. It's hard work and you have to work everyday at it, you have to find the career, the career is not going to find you. Just something to think about.

 The Importance of Assisting:
This may be the most valuable thing any artist can do. Assisting a senior artist is by far the best learning experience. You see them work, see how they interact with talent and clients. If your lucky you will get some connections out of it, and possibly some jobs that the senior artist can't do. It may be hard to find an artist to assist right away, after all we are busy people, just keep yourself on their ray-dar, don't bombard them with calls and emails just let them know your available and check in every few weeks. And when you do get a call be a good assistant, know that you may not be doing any makeup at all, you'll be cleaning brushes, fetching coffee, cleaning up. Do not I repeat DO NOT hand out business cards, chat up the client or photographer. It is not your job you are there to make the artist you are assisting look good. When I look for assistants the most important thing besides their work is personality, do we get along, I can usually tell within minutes of meeting someone if we will mesh, and I usually always like to meet my assistants before I work with them. Just be punctual, be able to take direction, be clean.


      Now forgive me if I ramble here for a little bit. This is a wonderful industry and I love it, I'm constantly learning everyday and from every artist I meet. That's the beauty of the beauty industry, your always growing and reinventing yourself. Like every Industry it has it's up and downs and days where your panicking praying for the phone to ring. You just have to be smart about it, every job leads to the next, network all the time you never know who you are going to meet. Unfortunately in this business it's not what you know it's who you know..BUT it's what you know that keeps you getting hired, if you got the talent and the connections you are sure to go far, and that's with any aspect of makeup. You could be the most talented makeup artist in the world but if you don't have the right connections and marketing materials you ain't gonna get very far, even then it can take some time. Just remember to think long term, with everything, from test shoots to buying new makeup. Will this shoot benefit me in the long run, will I get good credits, will it benefit my book and help me on my right path? will this new lipstick shade really add to my kit or can I make something like it from what I have? all these questions should be at the back of your mind. If anyone reading this has any questions or needs some guidance please feel free to contact me chrismilonemakeup@gmail.com

 Love and Lipgloss
Chris

Makeup Department Head ... more fave products

I am the Makeup Department head of the upcoming film "What Maisie Knew" I am super excited! Its a great cast and great script.

So I thought I'd post some can't live without items to have on set of a feature film.

DERMACOLOR PALETTE

Seriously, it's brilliant and should be in everyone's kit. for covering tattoo's, bruises, cuts, super dark circles. So many uses.

BEAUTY BLENDER

Don't have one? GET ONE! It will change your life!! Its the quickest, most flawless application tool I have ever used. I use mine wet, so it's nice and soft apply some foundation or concealer with a brush and blend it out with the beauty blender.

CINEMA SECRETS BRUSH CLEANER I find this to be the best when working quickly ...it dry's the fastest, people love the scent, it gets off everything including the thickest glosses to alcohol based products. Parian Spirit would be a close second I like that scent much better but it tends to be a bit oily and can take some time to dry.

KIM GREENE SET BAGS I have a few of these they are awesome when only dealing with a few actors. the outside pockets are great for carrying the small stuff like lips and lipliners and the larger outside pocket I keep brushes. In the big compartment i keep things like tissues, a fan, blot film, wisps, sponges, lotion and other larger makeup items.

This image is the smaller bag, I have the large. but just wanted to show how it can be packed. NC2 SET BAG and BACKPACK I have both the set bag and back pack. Ideal for day playing... they hold everything I would need on a day play gig and keep me organized. I just unzip the backpack and work out of it ...it's like a portable makeup station. this is the set bag

for more views and to see the back pack go here

THE MAKEUP SHOW 2011

So I have been attending the makeup show since the very first one and I have to say this had to be the best one yet. SO many brands, SO many good deals, SO many amazing artist. My loot from the show is above, from Obsessive compulsive Cosmetics, TemptuPro, Hakuhodo, Kevin Aucoin, Nars, The powder group and a new brush company called BDellium tools.

I saw old and new friends, had my portfolio reviewed. It was a great success and I can;t wait till the next one!!

MANIC PANIC Spring Collection Photos

Here's is just a sample of the spring looks ..enjoy

Chris Milone - makeup
Christopher Ritchey - hair
Engie Hassan (fan page is EngieStyle) - stylist
Steph Rai - model
Valerie Gentile - model

My latest obsessions...

So it's been awhile guys and I appollogise I've been super busy working lots of fun and exciting things soon to come out.

On to new things.

1) Bronze Glow by Roxanne Rizzo

I Sprayed my boyfriend last night and he fell in love. It's truly an amazing product. It Gives you the healthiest most real looking bronze I have ever seen. Roxanne herself turned me onto it and showed me how to use it, it's so easy, hold it arms length away from the face and mist in small circles. It's best to do light coats and build. Another Key feature It can be sprayed OVER makeup!!!! and used on ANY skin tone all over the body ANYWHERE!!

for more info and to purchase check it out here!

2) Kryolan Supracolor

This Palette should be in every pro makeup artist's arsenal. These are what MUFE Flash colors are based on, I love my flash colors but the Kryolan are not as greasy. They Come in over 100 different shades including skin tones. The possibilities are endless with these. you can use them as a base for eye shadow, to adhere glitter, out of kit FX, body painting I could go on. The picture above I think of the the 24 color "N" Series I would recommend the "K" 24 color series has just about every color you could think of, then you can mix to your hearts content and come up with new shades. Love love love this product.

3) LIP TAR!!

SO I saved the best for last. If you haven't experienced Lip tar for yourself, WHAT are you waiting for!?! They are like my american express card I never leave home without them. They are the most pigmented lip product on the market bar none!! A little dab will do ya, and I'm not kidding the tiniest tiniest amount is all you need for full on full coverage color. of Course like with any lip product they can be sheered down, and they can be mixed to create new bold colors. My absolute most favorite favorite product in the world!!! My faves would be demure,hoochie,Anime,pageant,NSFW,Katricia, Grandma, Hush, Stalker. see there are so many I just love em all.!!!!

check em out at www.occmakeup.com

MANIC PANIC Spring Collection

So been hard and work and meeting with Tish & Snooky

, the creators of Manic Panic going over the final details for the new collection.
For a peek at the new stuff check out the Manic Panic Collection facebook page here.

The collections is 80's punk inspired, Bright pinks and purples and green. I will be shooting the promo images with the new colors this coming week,so stay tuned for updates with photos.

My latest obsessions...

Sorry I haven't posted in a bit been working on a feature film. Now while working on this film I've become obsessed with some really awesome products.

I'm in LOVE with the Tarte natural lip stains. They are so easy to apply and fast, especially for last looks on set. The colors are beautiful and really last.

Illamasqua cream blush is the bomb! I have the color "rude" I've been using it a lot lately is just a gorgeous shade and goes on so smoothly a little dab will do ya as it's super pigmented. Gives the most natural flush.

That's it for now ...more obsessions bound to surface.

Love and Lipgloss
C

I love a bargain. Shopping at the .99 cent store!

I love bargains and I love .99 cent stores, there are so many things they sell for us makeup artists to use. I have just come from shopping at one so I thought I'd compile a list of goodies that you can find at the local .99 cent store.

*q-tips
*tissues
*baby oil
*baby oil gel
*tweezers (not the greatest quality though sometimes you get lucky)
*baby powder
*baby wipes
*scissors
*nail clippers
*brushes (poor quality usually use them for glue or body painting)
*mirrors
*pencil cases
*pill boxes - for lipsticks
*nail files
*empty travel bottles
*cotton
*cotton rounds
*alcohol (usually 50% or 70%)
*which hazel
*Vaseline
*scotch tape (I use it to remove fallen glitter off the face)
*dish rags
*nail polish remover
*latex gloves
*sponges
*paper towels

the possibilities are endless and not every .99 cent store is the same. These finds I usually always get at the .99 cent store and I splurge on things like brushes and actual makeup. So I hope this post was helpful to someone. Happy shopping!!

Love and Lipgloss
Chris

In MY kit .... Non Makeup items

So everyone wants to know what is in everyones kit and what they use. No one ever asks about the tools other then brushes. I am going to talk about some necessities that should, I think, be in every makeup artist's kit.

1) Metal Palette and Metal Spatula

This is the most important tool a makeup artist can have in their kit. It's for mixing products, scooping out product, squeezing out product. because you never want to double dip your products from their original container, which is why you also need a metal spatula to do the scooping.
There are many varieties of each find what works best for you, my metal palette is pretty small, takes up less space, easy to store. You can find these at pro makeup stores, or your local craft store, I'd opt for the latter much cheaper there. There are also disposable paper palettes which you can also get at the craft store, it's effective and works but who wants to shell out $6-$7 for a new one when you run out of paper, buy a metal one and you'll have it for life , clean it after each use with 99% alcohol.

2) Brush Organization

Nothing bugs me more then when I am looking for a brush and I can't find it right away, Or it's hidden in that black hole that forms on my workspace where everything I need at that second disappears into.

I used to be a brush belt guy,

(this is a great one by the way, from japonesque)


then a brush roll guy.

Now I like cups or tubes or vessels, whatever you wan to call them. I find them so easy to work with. I can see all my brushes in front of me and they store them perfectly without any squishing or deformities.

This purple gem by Cozzette called vessels are brilliant. they come in three sizes so they can fit even the tall brushes. I must get more at the next Makeup Show.

So whatever you choose, how ever it is you like to keep organized, just be sure it's clean and neat, and all your brushes are CLEAN!! I can't stress that enough!! the easiest way to keep your "containers" clean is don't put dirty brushes in them.

3) Eyelash curler

I'm sure I don't have to mention this one but I am putting on the list anyway because it is an absolute MUST!

There are billions to choose from some of the best are:
Shu Uemura
Shiseido
Tarte
Kevyn Aucoin


4) Tweezers

You should have at least 2 or 3 good tweezers.

They come in all shapes and sizes. Find what works for you and is comfortable in your hand, test it on the hairs on your arm make sure it grabs the hair easily. I have ones from, revlon, tweezerman, Lacross. You can find them everywhere, especially since there seems to be a wallgreens,duane reade, or CVS on every corner nowadays in NY.

4) Scissors

I keep lot's of scissors in my kit. cuticle scissors, haircutting scissors,small ones, big ones. you just never know. Use them for cutting false lashes, trimming brows, opening a package you can't get into.

5) Bamboo Placemat

This may be more of a personal choice but I feel it makes you look that much more professional.

This was my set up for a Dolce & Gabbana shoot I did with Steven Klein. You can find them at just about any home store. I have never paid more then a Dollar for one. When they get really dirty I replace them, at a dollar a piece I don't really mind.

I feel presentation is everything, if your set up is clean and neat and looks appealing to your talent it will put them at ease.

6) Candle

I try to keep a candle on me, nothing huge and crazy,just a small little candle to set the mood and create an atmosphere.

I love love love Diptyque candles!!!


That's all for now. There is tons more I could have covered, But I did the bare bones minimum and two of my personal touches. I could have gone into brushes and cases and bags etc etc etc etc.. But thats a post for another day.( and I could probably write a novel just on brushes) .

Love and Lipgloss
Chris