WHAT'S IN MY KIT?

What's in My Kit?

As a professional makeup artist you kinda need to have a little of this, a little of that, some of this...you get where I'm going? You never know what you will need and that need changes when the job changes as well. So that's where your inventory starts and you begin to  build you kit. Si inside my kit there are products that I must have. Let's call them Staples and sometime when I don't have an item that's I depend on and  can feel a bit off my game, but just for a second. So here are a few  products that I MUST have!

1. COTTON TAIL ~ Q-Tips

Q-tips are a must in any one's kit. and there are many types to have and love. I prefer the wood  applicators.  There are sturdier and the tip is packed tight....and they look great on your station.

These cost around $1.75 - $2.25 they also come in longer versions as well...

Nigels' Beauty

2. CONCEALER PALETTE

I really love these empty palette's. There great for all those half empty concealer's that

I just can't throw away. Also amazing for lipsticks. Just label underneath and your set.

NIGEL"S BEAUTY  $6.75/ each

3. MARIO BADESCU~Drying Lotion

Without mentioning names, sometimes the stress of early morning morning calls and lack of sleep and craft service causes talent to have breakouts and in the world HD and the RED CAMERA you want to get it fixed real fast...Thank God for Mario Badescu . It has saved my life a few times...

mario badescu $19.00

4. YOUNGBLOOD~ Mineral Radiance Moisture Tint


This Product is new to me, and I really do like it. I find it to be buildable and smooth. 
it's great for men.  $30.00 Youngblood

TARTE COSMETIC~ Cheek Stain Tints


These are one of my all time favorite must have products. They're great for lips too.
I use these alone or layered with another blush color..... hum, like SMASHBOX Paradise blush with TARTE Tickled. it makes for pretty pretty! 

The Brief History Of EYE SHADOWS

The Brief History Of Eye Shadow

Cosmetics have been used for as long as there have been people to use them. Face painting is mentioned in the Old Testament (Book of Ezekiel 23:40 ) and eye shadow was used in Egyptian burials dating back to 10,000 BC. The word "cosmetae" was first used to describe Roman slaves whose duty was to bathe men and women in perfume.

Egypt

As early as 10,000 BC, men and women used scented oils and ointments to clean and soften their skin and mask body odor. Dyes and paints were used to color the skin, body and hair. They rouged their lips and cheeks, stained their nails with henna, and lined their eyes and eyebrows heavily with kohl. Kohl was a dark-colored powder made of crushed antimony, burnt almonds, lead, oxidized copper, ochre, ash, malachite, and chrysocolla (a blue-green copper ore) or any combination thereof. It was applied with a small stick. The upper and lower eyelids were painted in a line that extended to the sides of the face for an almond effect. In addition to reducing sun glare, it was believed that kohl eyeliner could restore good eyesight and reduce eye infection. Kohl was kept in a small, flat-bottomed pot with a wide, tiny rim and a flat, disk-shaped lid. According to images of the time, the use of makeup was not limited to women. Highly polished silver and copper mirrors aided the application of makeup.

TOOLS AND STORAGE FOR MAKEUP

Greece

In Greece, precious oils, perfumes, cosmetic powders, eye shadows, skin glosses, paints, beauty unguents, and hair dyes were in universal use. Export and sale of these items formed an important part of trade around the Mediterranean. During the 7th and 8th centuries BC, Corinthian, Rhodian and East Greek traders dominated markets in perfume flasks and cosmetic containers. The containers included aryballoi, alabastra, pyxides and other small specialized shapes.

Rome

Ingredients

Men and women in the Near East painted their faces with kohl just like the Egyptians did. This was to protect them from the ‘evil eye.’ After the defeat of the Greeks by the Romans, the original Egyptian intention suffered its final bastardization beyond any reasonable recovery. The Romans were unabashedly hedonistic; Egyptian oils that were once used for sacred purposes became nothing more than sexual accouterments in Rome. There was some dignity amended when the Romans discovered medicinal applications as well. Plagues were so rampant throughout Rome, that aromatic gums and resins were burned to repel demons and bad spirits.

Common ingredients in eye shadows consist of talc, mica, sericite, magnesium stearate, colorants, and preservatives. Fillers in eye shadows are primarily talc. The liquid binders are typically a silicone and the dry binders are typically magnesium stearate. In order to make an eye shadow, there has to be a balance between the fillers, dry binders and liquid binders. Once the ideal combination is found the shadow are pressed using 700-900 psi.

Something  to know:

Kohl:   Kohl was the first recorded eye shadow. many people mistakenly believe that Kohl was just  crushed charcoal, but real kohl has a surprising amount of stuff in it. Specific formulations of crushed antimony, lead (ugh) oxidized copper, ochre. burnt almonds, ash, malachite and chrysocolla were all part of the popular recipe- wow, if  you didn't get bite by an ASP, your where destine to die a slow death from being poisoned whoa!

Protective Eye Shadow: 

That Black rim eye of kohl that the ancient Egyptians wore wasn't just to make them pretty, wearing black around the eye protected the from glare. They also believed that the black rim of kohl would restore lost vision and protect there eyes for infection. for this reason that eye shadow was worn by both men and women of all ages and social classes.

Colors;

In  ancient Greece and Rome, colored eye shadows were used for decorative reasons. The Iraqis thought that's the colored shadow would protect them from the "evil eye" but the Greeks and Romans just thought it was pretty. These shadows where created from using herbs, crushed minerals, and stones as well as dried flowers and crystallized dyes from plants and animals sources.  

Gotta Have! New Brushes!

ecotools / limited edition kabuki brushes 

These are a must have them, get and own, i love ecotools brushes and these are just as great as the others.
Check out the website for more info these became available on October 4th so go get them!

ecotools

A Few Of My Favorite Things

Every one's  got  there something, well at least that's what singer Nikka Costas Is signing in my ears at this moment. So, I thought Why not share my something;s with you, A few of my favorite things.




BENEFIT Creasless Eye Shadows in Busy Signal & Birthday Suit.
These Amazing Little pots of pretty are guaranteed to make you gorgeous as they line, shade and contour your pretty peepers.  This is truly a do it all shadow that doubles as  liner as well, multi-use is good right? These shades are blendable too so you can wear them sheer or as dramatic as you like.  These Creaseless Shadows have great staying powder, i mean, 12 hours on set in hot lights, perfect. great for the gal that seems to eat her makeup. I swear by them and think you will too!


quick tip: for keeping it sheer? blend evenly from the lash line to brow bone. For buildable coverage, let the shadow sit for hm, about 30 seconds then apply another layer.

BUSY SIGNAL [Venitian Brown]

BIRTHDAY SUIT

quick tip: for lining eyes, sweep tip of brush into the shadow. place edge of brush against upper lash line at outer corner of your eye and ever so steady draw a line towards the inner of your eye. Then smudge in into the lash line for sexy softer look. repeat on lower lases.  BENEFIT $19.00

TARTE cheek stain in tickle ~ 

Hands down this is one of my favorite blushes these days. I use this almost every time I do the lovely Brooke Burns Makeup. what I love about it is that its buildable and i can apply it sheer for just a kiss of color or over another color for depth.  It give the cheeks a healthy glow that's not wet looking, but healthy and  beautiful. Also these are made to wear on your lips too.  Don't let the color shade of the packaging scare you.  i was like, "this is grape, no thanks", but i gave it a try and look love forever. 

TARTE $30.00 [great Buy last Long Time too]

Brooke Burns Wearing Tarte Tickled Cheek Stain

And for those of you that may want n alternative blush try Tartes Award winning Amazonian Clay 12-Hour Blush is matching shades. wear alone or with matching gel cheek stain $25.00

tickled

SMASHBOX Nude Eye Shadow in nude ~ this is a staple in my kit at all times, i have up to 4 at all times, what i like about this shadow is that it can be worn alone for a clean , soft look, or washed on in layers to create a deeper eye, but still look natural. also it's great for contouring the eye and as a blueprint shade to outline the design your going for..and its MATTE! yes!  long wearing too! Smashbox  $14.00

 MAC  Pro Long wearing eyeshadow in Legendary Black [warm almost black]  I love this new to me unique eye shadow with it's  silk-creamy texture  thats' easy to blend and build. creates a smooth eye lids no matter how dramatic the application and last up to 8 hours

here's a tip: I like to use it as eye liner, mix a little water with your angle liner brush and glide ever so evenly at the top lash line, the almost black shadow leaves a more subtle, yet still dramatic look.

MAC: Legendary Black $20.00

ECOPOUF® CLEANSING PAD This dual-sided shower loofah is a natural bath and body essential! The natural loofah side gently exfoliates to reveal fresh, radiant skin. The EcoPouf netting, made from 100% recycled plastic, creates a rich, cleansing lather. The reversible hand strap provides a controlled comfortable grip so you can cleanse to perfection from head-to-toe.  ecotools

NEW PRODUCT ALERT! SIGMA COLLECTION

SIGMA BEAUTY~ Has Just come out with the NEW Sigmax HD brushes. And check them out! They're absolutely amazing/ This new Collection features their exclusive Sigmax filament, which

was created to perfectly apply powder, creams and liquid products onto your skin with out the waste and absorption into the bristles.

And with it's tapered design, the F86 is perfect for applying powders, 

cream, and liquid products exactly where you want it on your face.

The F86 is  also perfect for contouring  and aplies just the right amount 

to the right areas for that flawless, sculpted look. Its a revolutionary brush

that in unique in quality ans design. A much welcome addition to  any makeup kit. 

The F86 can be bought separately for $16.00 pr as part of the Synthetic

Kabuki Kit (brushes, F80, F82,F84 & F86) for $56.00 great deal!

F86

The New Synthetic Percision Kit cotains the (P80,P82,084 AND P86) the P80 is a

small, flattop brush that is ideal for concealing blemishes, sun spots and small 

imperfections on your skin. it can be used to stipple concealer on desired areas as well. The rounded P82 was desogned to mimic your fingertips, making the brush ideal for applying shadow primers. The small angled top of the P84 makes this brush perfect for  even and percise countouring of the sides of your nose and the hollows of your cheeks bones. The P86 brush, tappered shape of the brush is perfect for applying concealer

under eyes and in defined areas like the sides of the nose, chin abd arounf the mouth. 

Look these brushes can be used for any part of your face. each brush will be sold for $114.00 each or as a set for $49.00

Or just go for it and get the Synthetic Esseantial Kit, this set of 8 brushes for 

your face is all you need to achieve a perfect and flawless look. Available on

 line for $99.00 Great Deal!

SIGMABEAUTY

 

ALL A FLUTTER: My Top 6 Eyelash Curlers

All A Flutter: My Top 6 EyeLash Curlers

If your eyes are the Windows to your soul then the your  curtains better be really pretty. Using an eyelash curler is a great way to open up your eyes  and to emphasize them, making them wider, and brighter. In my line work i use an eyelash curler everyday and many times a day. I have My favorites and i thought I would share them with you guys, just remember that whether you lashed are short or straight an eyelash curlers helps make them look longer.

1. SHU UEMURA

You can achieve the perfect curl with this Iconic shu uemura eyelash curler, the tool adored by pro-makeup artist and stars alike around the globe. i use this one on a daily basis, i has at least two in my kit at all times. $19.00 sephora/shu uermura

2. TRISH McEVOY

Trish's high-performing, user-friendly Eye Lash Curler is meticulously engineered to encompass a full lash line and with the most gentle, effective spring to dependably give your lashes the perfect sweep up every time.

$18.00 Nordstrom/sephora

3.Laura Mercier

Laura Mercier Eyelash Curler creates incredible lift and curl to the lashes with its perfect size and shape. I like this curler, but I have to do it, most clients don't know how to use it. $16.00 Nordstrom

4. KEVIN AUCION


 A slim, stainless steel tool for perfectly curled lashes.

• Sleek, stainless steel frame
• Curved rubber pad bends lashes to perfection
• Provides a firm grip with its handcrafted shape
• Turn upside down to curl bottom lashes for a Hollywood  starlet look
• Leaves lashes perfectly curled

$20.00 Kevin Aucoin
/Nigels Beauty

5. SHISEIDO

Curl lashes from the roots at a stroke and create glamour. Just one squeeze firmly catches lashes at the root leaving them beautifully curled. Edge-free design prevents pinching. Broad curve curls all lashes from the inner to the outer corner in one squeeze $19.00 Sephora

6.Japonesque Precision Eyelash Curler 

 the professional choice of makeup artists everywhere. The curler is designed for small sections of lashes to curl exactly where desired. The innovative stainless steel narrow cage helps target a specific section of the lash line such as the outer corners. Love Love this curler, yet the refill pads are hard to find. $9.00 ulta

extra:

Blinc Heated Curler

this is an awesome eye lash curler~ totally works perfect every time! $25.00 Blinc

 .

Here's a Tip:

Please Ladies; Remember that mascara is applied after your eyelashes are curled. Otherwise you can cause serious breakage.

Whether you have short or straight lashes, eyelash curlers help make them look longer. Almost all drug and cosmetic stores carry three types of eyelash curlers- metal, plastic, and heated. I prefer using a metal curler, but you can choose what you feel more comfortable with . Also there are two ways that you can intensify your lash curl, 1. dip the lash curler into hot hot water, pat off and curl as usual. 2. Hit the lash rubber with heat using a blowdryer then carfully curl ~ becareful it's not to hot before you put it to your eye please.

And In case you didn't know of you've forgotten here's a how too in 6 easy step

STEP 1- Cleanse The Eyelash Curler

Naturally the curler should always be disinfected before using to prevent bacteria from entering the eye and causing irritation.

• STEP 2- Heat The Curler

If you desire long lasting curled lashes, then heat your curler. This will also make it easier to curl your lashes. Try using a hairdryer or hot water to heat the eyelash curler for ten seconds.

CAUTION: When blowing air on your lash curler or putting it in hot water - make sure that it is not too hot before using!

• STEP 3- The Lash Curler

Position your eyelash curler around your eyelashes - make sure that your upper lashes are between the edge of the curler.

• STEP 4- Squeeze The Curler

Squeeze the edges of the curler carefully and hold for ten seconds. Repeat if necessary. Make sure that the curler is fully open before removing it.

• Step 5- Apply Mascara

Look down and stroke lashes upwards with the tip of your brush. Do not overload the wand with mascara. Apply desired coat - this will depend on what you are trying to achieve.

• STEP 6- Comb Your Lashes

To give your lashes a more natural look and remove any excess mascara, you should comb your lashes.

USEFUL TIPS

1. Clean your lashes before curling them
2. To avoid pinching your eyelid, do not close the eyelash curler too close to the base of the lash
3. Instead of a plastic eyelash curler - choose a metal or heated lash curler
4. Use a hairdryer or hot water to heat your eyelash curler
5. Always apply mascara after curling the lashes
6. Curl the bottom lashes if you want to
7. Be sure to replace the pads on the curler every three months
8. Disinfect the eyelash curler before using
9. Dip a cotton swab in alcohol or eye makeup remover to clean your eyelash curler

Now go bad those peepers and get flirty.......and maybe even a date!