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
Friday, January 14, 2011
Thursday, January 13, 2011
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
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,
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.
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
Friday, December 31, 2010
2010 Highlights
Another year has ended, time to look back on some of the highlights of the past year. I have done some pretty amazing things and got to work with amazing talented people. Those who know me know I am not one to brag, I'm the most humble and shy person when it comes to these things, I am just thankful for these opportunities and so greatfull I get to do what I love doing. Some major highlights:
1) Working with the Lovely and talented Gina Brooke, on Madonna's film W.E.
If you look in the background, that's me sitting on the bench with the green hat. I got to work with Abbey Cornish so sweet and so talented.
2)I had the opportunity to work with Martha Stewart for the cover or the Halloween issue of Martha Stewart Living.
I applied custom made tattoo's to her face and neck.
3)I keyed a movie Staring Keanu Reeves called Generation Um.. Due out next year.
4) Keying the Gerlan Jeans Fashion show SS/2012 there is a video of the show on the website! Shout out to my team they rocked it, Joel, Roshar and Tiffany!!
So here's to the start of a wonderful year !!! Much success and love to all lets kill it 2011 before we are killed in 2012, thanks mayan calendar HA! (stole that quote from Karl)
1) Working with the Lovely and talented Gina Brooke, on Madonna's film W.E.
2)I had the opportunity to work with Martha Stewart for the cover or the Halloween issue of Martha Stewart Living.
3)I keyed a movie Staring Keanu Reeves called Generation Um.. Due out next year.
4) Keying the Gerlan Jeans Fashion show SS/2012 there is a video of the show on the website! Shout out to my team they rocked it, Joel, Roshar and Tiffany!!
So here's to the start of a wonderful year !!! Much success and love to all lets kill it 2011 before we are killed in 2012, thanks mayan calendar HA! (stole that quote from Karl)
Face Charts
I was always complimented on how well I did face charts,and people would always ask how I did them. Some day when I have time I will post a how to video, there are some good videos out there that show the basics, I'd like to go more in depth. good/bad idea? do you want to see that?
Face charts are a really great tool, lately I have been doing them before every shoot, just to get an idea of where I wanna go with the makeup and what colors and products to use. It's also a much easier way to convey your idea's to the team, and you will look that much more professional and prepared.
This face is a combination of 2 that I did for a shoot, once I saw the clothes and model this combination worked out much better.
They are a jump off point and never translated literally, sometimes but not to often.
Here is another from the same shoot this is the full face for the lips on the bottom of the other chart.
I have used millions of different charts over the years, I've made my own. I find MAC's to be the easiest to work with and the face is so nondescript you can transform it to anything. and make just about any face shape.
like in these examples:
I always use real makeup on my charts, how else are you gonna know what it looks like or how the colors will perform. Also if you are using real makeup the paper should be water color paper, this is why the MAC ones work so well, they are made of water color paper. If you wanted to make your own just go to a craft or art store and pick some up, trace a face out of a magazine and Viola, instant face chart. The reason for the water color paper is it hold the products better, creamy products don't seep into the paper and you can blend a lot easier.
Also don't expect your first chart to be amazing, mine certainly wasn't. There is a definite learning curve. Just play and be creative.
Face charts are a really great tool, lately I have been doing them before every shoot, just to get an idea of where I wanna go with the makeup and what colors and products to use. It's also a much easier way to convey your idea's to the team, and you will look that much more professional and prepared.
This face is a combination of 2 that I did for a shoot, once I saw the clothes and model this combination worked out much better.
They are a jump off point and never translated literally, sometimes but not to often.
Here is another from the same shoot this is the full face for the lips on the bottom of the other chart.
I have used millions of different charts over the years, I've made my own. I find MAC's to be the easiest to work with and the face is so nondescript you can transform it to anything. and make just about any face shape.
like in these examples:
I always use real makeup on my charts, how else are you gonna know what it looks like or how the colors will perform. Also if you are using real makeup the paper should be water color paper, this is why the MAC ones work so well, they are made of water color paper. If you wanted to make your own just go to a craft or art store and pick some up, trace a face out of a magazine and Viola, instant face chart. The reason for the water color paper is it hold the products better, creamy products don't seep into the paper and you can blend a lot easier.
Also don't expect your first chart to be amazing, mine certainly wasn't. There is a definite learning curve. Just play and be creative.
Thursday, December 30, 2010
MANIC PANIC
This past month I have been brought in as creative director for the new MANIC PANIC. I am creating the new kits for spring. New shadows, new lip colors and its all Vegan! I can't give to much away but the products are going to be really great and the price point is terrific. Stay tuned for more updates.
Of the existing products I highly recommend the lip colors, the gel liner, and for pale velvety skin the pressed powders, more colors will be introduced for spring.
Of the existing products I highly recommend the lip colors, the gel liner, and for pale velvety skin the pressed powders, more colors will be introduced for spring.
Re-vamped.. Re-modeled... Re-made...
So I have been a bad blogger the past year or 2. I haven't updated it in ages and I've decided to start from scratch. I will try and update often. It will contain info about me and work I am doing, products I like, the industry and whatever I feel like venting about.
Lets start with an introduction, I am a professional makeup artist based in NYC, I've been in the industry for about 11 years now. I consider myself to be a pretty well rounded artist, meaning I do a bit of everything, fashion, film, theater, SFX, editorial, body painting I could go on.
there is a link to my website to the right in the links section.
I will try to keep this blog interesting for everyone, other artists and those who just love makeup as much as I do.
If there's anything you want me to blog about just let me know!
Love and Lipgloss
C
Lets start with an introduction, I am a professional makeup artist based in NYC, I've been in the industry for about 11 years now. I consider myself to be a pretty well rounded artist, meaning I do a bit of everything, fashion, film, theater, SFX, editorial, body painting I could go on.
there is a link to my website to the right in the links section.
I will try to keep this blog interesting for everyone, other artists and those who just love makeup as much as I do.
If there's anything you want me to blog about just let me know!
Love and Lipgloss
C
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