Monday, January 31, 2011

MAKEUP BAG MAKEOVERS

Is it just me or doesn’t anyone clean out their makeup bags anymore?!?

I have frankly lost count on the Makeup Bag Makeovers I have done for ladies who’s makeup bags are a dirty mess and I spend more than 30 minutes of our scheduled appointment cleaning each item so that we can begin to see what needs to stay and what needs to go. I am really surprised that women don’t periodically clean out the inside of their freakin’ bags! YUCK! So here’s a few tips on keeping your bags a little cleanlier:

If it’s broken = PITCH IT! *the only exception is if the color can be easily removed you can always pop a magnet on the bottom and insert it into a MAC palette (see the blog on DePotting MAC eyeshadows)

If it’s old = PITCH IT! *especially mascara… it gets super dry and flaky and like wearing socks with holes in them… it doesn’t the job but barely.

Don’t take your entire makeup bag with you everyday because it not only puts the contents at risk of getting broken with all the shuffling around but also breeds bacteria if the bag is left in the hot car for more than an hour. Instead, pack a small zipper bag with your lip color, lip liner, touch up powder and possibly a bronzer. These are all the items you may need throughout the day to keep your look in tip-top shape! If you are using the right primers under your foundation and on your eyelids there is no reason that you would need shadow, concealor, etc... for retouching so that stuff should stay at home.

REMEMBER: A messy makeup bag = A messy and unpleasant adventure retrieving what you need!

Monday, January 17, 2011

ARTiST SPOTLiGHT - Darlina Conto

Fabulous Faces Studios was recently asked to participate in an Artist Spotlight for Jaclyn Fraser at At Last Weddings and I thought it was such an amazing idea, I decided to highlight some of the wonderful artists that work with me.

Our first Artist Spotlight is with Darlina Conto, a talented hair and makeup artist and colleague.



Darlina is one of my Lead Artists and over the years of working together, I am honored to call her my friend. Below is a little interview we did and some spectacular images from her portfolio...


FFS: How did you get started in the hair and makeup industry?
DC: I got started in the business of making people beautiful in Los Angeles, California. I loved applying makeup and found that it could make me money!

FFS: What outlet did you gain your experience?
DC: Most of my experience in makeup and hair is from working in the entertainment industry in Los Angeles. My career was intense and I rose quickly from assisting to being a key artist in film and commercials.



FFS: In your opinion, what sets you apart from your competition?
DC: I think there are many great artists out there, but what sets anyone apart from the next person is their attitude and personality. I love being around people and I have a great deal of passion and respect for the creative process so I am a ball of light whenever I am part of a project. I think that is what people pick up on and keeps me being hired.

FFS: What do you consider to be your greatest achievement so far?
DC: My greatest achievement so far is just being able to do what I like to do and support myself doing it.



FFS: As a fellow artist I know I've gotten some interesting requests over throughout my career, what is the craziest request that you have been asked?
DC: The craziest requests are usually requests to look like a certain supermodel when the person hasn't any features remotely close to the model they aspire to look like.

FFS: What do you get asked most frequently?
DC: I get this question every single time: "What makeup do you use?" And my answer is that I use all kinds...whatever product gets the job done well.

FFS: What is the biggest trend in makeup right now?
DC: The biggest trend right now, and it will continue indefinitely, is getting skin to look natural and flawless.



FFS: What advice could you offer to brides and others that are looking for an artist for their special day?
DC: If you are looking for a professional makeup artist, please review samples of their work and if you can, have a trial run with them before hiring them for a job.

FFS: What brand(s) can be found in your kit?
DC: My favorite brand is MAC. MAC has a lot of wonderful products and has never really let me down. I use other brands, of course, but MAC is pretty good across the board.

FFS: There is a lot of hype about airbrush makeup right now, what is your take on it?
DC: I like applying airbrush makeup and I find that it is beautiful on camera because I am aiming for heavier coverage while trying to maintain a natural look. As for brides, I find I can create a beautiful look on the bride with or without airbrush, so it becomes a matter of personal preference.

FFS: What are some of your all time favorite products?
DC: Top 5 Darlina picks: Cinema Secrets foundation/YSL Mascara/YSL Touche Eclat/Kinerase Peptide Lotion/MAC eyeshadows.



How can people contact you?

Darlina Conto
Tampa Beauty Group
813.957.7516
www.tampabeautygroup.com
darlina@tampabeautygroup.com

Thursday, January 13, 2011

Put the Powder Down!

Now I’m not saying that all powders are bad but I meet women and girls everyday that choose a powder foundation because it’s easy. Well… like most things in life, easy isn’t always the best route.

Young girls tend to choose powders because they can carry it with to reapply it obsessively all day long. This is bad for 2 reasons: Most powders contain high amounts of talc and other ingredients that don’t allow skin to breathe which causes acne and clogged pores. The second reason is that your skin will never look better or be more poreLESS than it does while you’re in your teens and early 20’s so please don’t cake it with powder and cover up the beautiful glow your skin has… that glow doesn’t last forever so show it off and be kind to it!!!

SOLUTION: Try a sheer oil control formula such as NARS oil free foundation or for a little drier skins you can try a tinted moisturizer like Laura Mercier Tinted SPF15 formula.

Now, for my ladies just past their 30’s and beyond, I hear you too that you resort to powder as foundation because you don’t have time and I just going to have to call you out on that because liquid foundation DOES NOT take any longer than a powder application! Not to mention a great liquid foundation will last up to 3 times as long as a powder formula so it is also saving you $60 to $100 every 3 months!
Here’s why aging skin should not use a powder formula: first and foremost because always sets in the fine lines and wrinkles and seriously, who wants that?

SOLUTION: Try a moisturizing formula such as Laura Mercier Moisturizing Foundation applied with an egg shaped anti-microbial sponge OR if you would like a little less coverage, mix a Laura Mercier Illuminating Moisturizer with the Tinted Moisturizer for a sheer, dewy finish.

Friday, January 7, 2011

Professional Makeup Lessons for Professionals!

½ OFF MAKEUP/HAIR LESSONS FOR PROFESSIONALS

I am blessed to have a wonderful team consisting of 9 artists and I hold high standards for the quality of makeup that Bobby Pins & Blush provides. I do work with my artists one-on-one periodically to teach them new tricks and share tips I have learned throughout my career.

Last year I began doing MAKEUP LESSONS FOR PROFESSIONALS which is something that most Makeup Artists would never consider doing since our industry is so competitive but I believe that if you have a talent treat it like a gift and share it! I think that if my peers turned out perfection each and every time than professional makeup artists wouldn’t get so much bad light.

What can you expect to learn? ANYTHING! You tell me what you want to work on. Some of the requests I’ve had in the past are: Bridal Makeup, Bridal Hair, Editorial Makeup, Smoky Eyes, Airbrush, etc… We will customize your lesson for your needs so just tell me what you want!

Regular Price $400 Special Pricing $200 when you book before 3/1/2011

Included: 2 hours of hands on time with me, exposure to countless high end hair and makeup products, List of products to add to your kit and photos to remember the key points of your lesson.

Saturday, January 1, 2011

Beauty Timeline for the Newly Engaged

Did you recently get engaged? Congratulations! Here is a super simple guide to follow while planning your wedding. Unfortunately the beauty end of the planning gets left until last and then you most likely WON'T get what you want or get the vendor you prefer, so follow these simple steps to make sure that you look and feel your best during every step of the engagement experience.

• Schedule your engagement shoot 10-12 months before the wedding
• Book your hair and makeup vendors 9 months out
• Boudoir Shoot or Bridal Portraits 2 months before
• Bridal Trial 1-2 months before the big day
• Trash –the-dress Shoot 1 month after the wedding

Recommendations taken from various bridal resources (The Knot Magazine, Donnie Brown, Central Florida Bride)