**NOTE: Airbrush makeup is NOT to be confused with Airbrushing in Photoshop. It often is.

Now I tote my compressor and equipment with me wherever I go, but I don’t use it on everyone. Let’s start by going over the myths:

Myth: Airbrush Makeup will make me flawless.

Any makeup can make you the prettiest version of yourself you can be, it doesn’t have to be airbrush and there are many times it isn’t. The correct application for your own personal needs is more important. (Read: It’s much more important that you hire a great aritst than an artist soley based on if they airbrush or not)

Myth: Airbrush Makeup is waterproof.

Well, there are a few makeup lines that are water resistant, but it has nothing to do with weather or not is comes out of an airbrush gun. And, when makeup is water resistant, it comes with it’s own set of problems.

Myth: Airbrush Makeup is good for bad skin.

No. Airbrush makeup is WAY to thin to be used as a foundation for acne, scarring, fine lines, wrinkles, or dry skin. At best, it may be used as a fine finish on top of a traditional foundation simply to give it a finer finish once most of the work has been done.

So why all the hype?

1) You see this flawless model in a magazine whose been airbrushed. (Makeup or Photoshop?)

2) Airbrush makeup got a water-proof repuation, mostly because retail-lines promoted it that way.

3) There are some cases where airbrush is not only suitable, it’s IDEAL, especially with High Definition camera’s becoming the norm.

Bottom line:

Airbrush makeup is a much finer product, thinner than a traditional foundation. Because it comes out as a spray, it very closely mimics the way cameras see your face. Think of it as tiny little pixels being applied as opposed to a big block of color. Also, it makes blending a breeze! Carrying it down to the neck and decollete is smooth and seamless. The caveat is that because it is so fine, it only works best on skin that is already in pretty great condition and should never be applied heavily.

Traditional foundation is more opaque, and has a richer coverage. Also, because the finish is in hand-blending, you can work the product into skin that may have some texture issues, filling in all the nooks and crannys. It allows you to be more involved, more detailed, because you don’t have to worry about ruining a finish since the finish is largely contingent upon your skill as an artist and not a machine.

For those wanting a water-proof application, keep this in mind: Makeup that is best water-resistant is not super dry, it’s actually still got some viscosity to it. The water beads up on the skin, as opposed to re-wetting it, kind of the way a freshly-waxed car would bead up against the rain.

Our preferred foundation line is Makeup Forever in HD. This particular product can be used either as a traditional foundation, or combined with a mixing medium for airbrush application. Either way, we know our clients will be camera-ready and all-night-long fabulous!

xoxo-

Amelia C

However, no matter how big the store, how expensive the cream, how good the artist, there is not a single thing outside of you that can make you pretty on the inside.

Being pretty on the outside can’t be bought. You can’t hire someone to do it for you. It doesn’t come in a jar and can’t be applied with a brush. The closest you can get to a “pretty on the inside tutorial” it is the two-page articles in beauty magazines squished between this seasons white capris and some new spread on the sex positions you knew about three years ago.

Some of the most beautiful women I’ve ever worked with haven’t been “attractive” by your media-driven standards. And I also know women who have had the most expensive aesthetic surgeries yet remain so ugly there isn’t a thing in my kit that can help them. I avoid those women like the plague.

Pretty on the inside is about who you are, what your soul is all about. Kindness and compassion go much further for your looks than the perfect lip-color. Love, empathy, and joy add a sparkle to your eyes that no eyedrops can duplicate.  If your brimming with conceitedness and envy, sweetheart, you need a more than me. You need a psychiatrist.

I am not writing this post under the delusion that some witch of a woman will read it and see the error of her ways- no, I am not that dim to assume they would have even made it this far. Rather, I’m writing it to make a statement for myself. My personal manifesto, if you will, that reminds me that who I am on the inside is significantly more important that the new shadow collection I just had to have.

Feel like your soul is in need of a brush up, a make over? As a professional, I recommend the following:

1- Find a charity you can get behind and donate or volunteer at least once a month. You can find some great options at Charity Navigator

2- Next time you feel wronged by someone, be generous when explaining their behavior. You may think you know why they did what they did, but chances are, you are just making the story worse that it really is. You don’t know what’s going on inside their head or their life. I’m not saying become a doormat- footprints don’t look good on anyone. What I am saying is before you get forehead wrinkles from scowling and talking smack, why don’t you consider the possiblity that the story is different than what your imagination made it out to be?

3- Consider the possibility that your a soul with a body, instead of a body with a soul. Do some quiet reading, start exploring who you are instead of what you are. Even just for a few minutes a day. Download a podcast from Oprah’s Spirituality Channel. Pick up a Deepak Chopra book. Drop in on a meditation class. Do something, every week, that preens your soul and keeps it growing beautifully.

Ugly and Beauty are action words. They require doing something. What you do in the morning to get ready for your day is less important than the way you act during that day. There isn’t a thick enough concealer to cover up someone ugly on the inside, and there isn’t a lipstick in the world that can make a beautiful soul any prettier.

Namaste,

Amelia C

This sweet bride-to-be was cool as a cucumber in the week leading up to her wedding when she suddenly had to make a venue change. Hayley and Alana had a chance to meet with this posh chick about a month before during her engagment session with the ultimate Ron Miller and were stoked to be a part of her wedding. She never lost her spunk even with the unexpected changes that came her way, and looking back at her photo’s you can see this is a girl with spirit! Well known for their elegant affairs, Anthem Country Club pulled off a bright and smashing event in record time. The colors were vibrant, her makeup and hair were fashion-forward and sexy- this is one bride we wished got married every Saturday! Congrats Jennifer!

For the FULL BLOG and PHOTOS, visit Ron Millers Site! For the highlight reel of Jennifer and Seans magic day, keep an eye out on Lighten Films Blog!

xoxo,

Amelia C

Uber photographer and friend Ron Miller had been retained to capture their wedding, and on a referral from him I entered the picture. Nate and Liz’s story alone is enough to kept one captivated, but more was to come; They would be the first couple wed at the much-anticipated Smith Center on March 23rd. This event was intoxicating, and I’m still riding the high.

]]> http://amelia-c.com/?feed=rss2&p=1038 0 http://amelia-c.com/?p=1003 http://amelia-c.com/?p=1003#comments Mon, 19 Mar 2012 15:58:34 +0000 Amelia http://amelia-c.com/?p=1003 I’m always curious as to what a client’s regular beauty routines are, it helps me go through a mental checklist to find out what’s important to them and what they need to see in the mirror when I’m done so they feel like themselves. Beauty is an art and is totally subjective- it really doesn’t matter what a woman does with her makeup or hair as long as she feels beautiful after. Judgments about what and what doesn’t look good should be reserved for those who ask for it. Artistically speaking, there is no right or wrong.

However…

Some of your beauty routines are downright dangerous! If you do nothing but eliminate the worst of the offenders, we can pawn the rest off on your OCD and call it a day.

1) Using a safety-pin to separate your eyelashes

Who on earth said it was a good idea to take a sharp object so very close to your eye? The one and only time something that could cut be near your eye is if your getting Lasik, and the person wielding it has had nearly a decades worth of education. You, my dear girl, have absolutely no business being near your eyes with anything sharp. Got clumpy lashes? You need a thinner mascara- probably a fresher mascara. When you pull the mascara out of the tube, scrape the excess off on the inside of the tube rim and you won’t goop up your eyes. Also, it’s important to note that absolutely no one is going to notice if two little lashes are stuck together. You know what they will notice? The pirate patch you’ll be sporting when you impale yourself. And no one is going to see your perfect lashes when a patch is covering it anyways.

2) That sponge in your compact

If there is one flaw in major-cosmetic production I could change, it would be to remove that  little puff that comes with every compact you buy. At first glance, it totally makes sense… you need some kind of applicator for your powder or foundation. So you wake up in the morning and use that fresh, new sponge to apply your makeup to your fresh, clean face. You throw the compact in your bag for your mid-day touch-up. Noon rolls around and you freshen up with this mornings sponge. Here’s where it gets bad… you then take that very same sponge to your face the next morning, on your fresh clean face. Your literally wiping yesterdays dirt, oil, and bacteria onto your fresh skin. It only get’s worse from there. Imagine how many days, how many WEEKS, of down-right gross-ness is caked into that sponge you touch up with mid-day, every day. Every morning your telling your sensitive skin ”Boy, I’d love to have a zit today!”. So what’s a girl to do? If you must touch up during the day, invest in two very seperate compacts. One which is your “clean” compact, that you only use in the morning on clean skin, and another that is your “dirty” compact that you use for your touch ups. Wash both at least once a week. I have a lovely anti-bacterial tea-tree hand-soap I use on my personal sponges, you don’t need a professional grade cleanser if your the only one using it. (And you should be, the only people who should be sharing makeup and applicators is professional artists and we know how to sanitize.)

3) Skipping moisturizer

Whenever someone tells me why they don’t use moisturizer, I usually hear something along the lines of “my skin is already oily”. If your cleansing your skin twice a day, as you should be, your stripping if of all that oil your producing. Did you know that dry skin can cause breakouts just as much as oily skin? If the surface layer of your skin is dried out because you aren’t moisturizing, your forming this hard, scaly crust over your fresh new under-layer. Oil can’t escape and becomes trapped under that layer, mixes with some of the dead skin and next thing you know, you’ve got another breakout. That’s the least of your worries, though. The worst part is this: When your skin is dehydrated, it makes putting on foundation an absolute nightmare. Instead of settling into the skin, makeup sits on top and puts a spotlight on all that scaly texture. You now look like a cakey lizard. Not exactly an improvement. Spend some time to find the right moisturizer for your skin type… if you only make one investment into your skin care aside from your cleanser, it needs to be that. There are thousands of different moisturizers on the market and there is one for you.

Bonus Note: The one and only product line I’ve found that helps with severe acne yet does not contain a moisturizer is Obagi. You’ll want to talk to your dermatologist about the line to deterime which version suits your skin type best, then visit amazon.com for more economic refills.

**Heads up Ladies, a GREAT facial WILL make you break out! It get’s all that gunk out of your skin, not to mention professional products usually singe the top layer to reveal the new skin underneath. This is all wonderful… THREE DAYS after the facial. Do not get a facial the day before a big event!**

Story starting to sound familiar? Ever had that happen? Here you are, like a good woman you have all your appointments lined up and just days before you see your guru your suddenly wishing you had made your appointment for three and a half weeks, instead of the usual four.

I needed a pick-me up, something to get me feeling smooth and glowy without the unavoidable down-time a true professional-grade facial brings on. Good thing I’ve got a trick or two in my kitchen! I’m a huge fan of going natural and organic when I can, so I’ve got quite the collection of books on home-made skin care recipes. They are mild enough for my emergency facial, but strong enough to perk up my face before a long weekend. Consider this your go-to for a facial emergency when the powers that be keep you from your aestheticians bed for a few more days.

Step 1) Cleanse your face

I always have two parts to cleaning my face: First, I remove all my makeup with a wipe. I just can’t help being grossed out by the idea of dumping face wash on my face and making a brown sloppy mess when I’m supposed to be cleaning! It’s like trying to mop your floors and not sweep first. Then, go in with your cleanser and warm water. Spend at lease 3 minutes massaging your cleanser into your skin, and don’t forget your neck and hairline. Pat dry.

Step 2) Steam

Those steam machines in your spa make a big difference! The reason why they are used is because the gentle, hydrating heat of the steam opens up your pores, allowing whatever goodness your about ready to use on it to penetrate deeper. I love a good home-made steam, even if it’s not facial-day. In a heat-proof bowl, microwave approx 5 cups of water. I like to add a few sprigs of mint and some rosemary from my yard. Place bowl in front of you, drape a towel over your head and bend over the bowl but do not let your face touch the boiling water. Steam for your face for 3-5 minutes.

Rosemary and Mint Facial Steam

Step 3) Make your mask

One of my favorite masks is super easy, super effective and nearly always in my kitchen: Oatmeal and Milk Mask. The oatmeal works as a mild anti-inflammatory, soothing any sensitive spots on your face. It also helps draw out impurities in the skin as it dries, for an even deeper clean. Milk is one of the holy little wonders of the kitchen, and way over-looked: milk contains lactic acid, which in much stronger concentrations is used in dermatologists offices for intense exfoliation. Lactic acid is a chemical exfoliant. For you crunchy moms out there, next time your baby doesn’t finish their sugar-free natural baby cereal, take a spoonful of it and smear it on your face. You and your kid will look alike, and you’ll get a quick facial while they are giggling at you.

Oatmeal and Milk Mask

Recipe: 1/4 cup oats, coarsely crushed with a mortar and pestle or with the bottom of a heavy glass. Add milk a few teaspoons at a time till it forms a thick paste. It should look like breakfast!

Apply to the face and neck, then grab your favorite book and chill out for at least 10 minutes. Be sure to protect your hair if it’s not your wash day!

One of my finer looks...

After about 10-20 minutes, the mask will have started to dry. It’s easier to remove if you gently wipe your hands over your face to remove the bulk of the oats. Follow by a good rinsing. That milk does wonders, you’ll notice right away how much smoother your skin is!

Step 4) Tone

I’ve only found two toners that I like: Witch Hazel and Obagi. Most toners contain such high concentrations of alcohol that it totally wipes your skin out of any moisture and leave’s it shiny and tight- that is NOT healthy skin, healthy skin is soft and supple and has some natural oils to it. In this case, I used witch hazel, the perfect ending to my natural facial. I’ll talk more about Obagi in another post.

Witch Hazel, the perfect gentle toner

Wet a cotton ball with toner and apply to the face and neck.

Step 5) Moisturize and Protect!

You should always follow up every cleansing with moisturizing! Allow me to repeat: Always moisturize after cleansing! There is one time and one time ONLY when you do not moisturize, and that is when you are on a specific skin-care regimen that a professional has designed for you. And by professional, I do not mean the ads in beauty magazines. Going to bed? Skip sunscreen. Going out? SPF 30 or more, please!

xoxo,

Amelia C

xoxo,

Amelia C

   Most of you brides-to-be have probably already developed a very deep, personal relationship with Mr. Randy Fenoli from swooning over his exquisite gowns on his current hit show, “Say Yes to the Dress.” Now imagine for a moment, Randy takes his whole show, put’s it on a truck, and comes knocking at your doorstep- and you have the makings for a fabulous time!

The setting for Randy is created by the exquisite team of The Wedding Guys, bridal show producers extraordinaire. Only a handful of companies were invited to participate in this bridal-show-gone-Randy that was hosted here in Las Vegas, and we were more than thrilled to share the experience with some of our favorite people! Naakiti Floral, Shutterbooth Las Vegas, Ron Miller Photography, Couture Bride, Simple Elegance Cake Design, and our very own bridal show Bridal Spectacular.

Can we just talk for a second about how wonderful Randy is? Our business is not just wedding driven, we work with all kinds of talent and celebrities and although I can’t honestly say I’ve had a bad experience, I can say that I don’t think a celebrity has ever treated us as warmly and as sweetly as Randy. This man stopped by our booth a couple of times during the taping to compliment our work and share a smile. (He even waved to us later that night as we devoured a celebratory plate of fried goodness near the film site post-production.) I don’t have a habit of asking any of our talent for photo-ops while we are working, but after mustering up the courage and getting the OK from the producer, I asked and he was more than happy to oblige! My most awesome team was all there to help run things, so we got the entire crew to take the photo with him! Special thanks to Ron M Photography for snagging this for us!!

Gina, Daileny, Amelia, Randy, Alana, Melissa and Hayley at Randy to the Rescue

xoxo,

Amelia C

As professional artists, half of our battle battle isn’t just making our clients beautiful, but making sure that they look that way for hours to come. Now granted, makeup can only hold up so well under the following circumstances: excessive drinking, cliff diving, skinny-dipping, and those who are so ugly on the inside that Kevyn Aucoin himself couldn’t help them. However, for those of you not taking up extreme sports or libations, you can arm yourself with the right tools and techniques that will leave you regret-free at 2 am.

Urban Decay 24/7 Glide on Pencil in ZERO 

Who doesn’t love a good smokey eye? It’s totally appropriate for a GNO, date night, or general cavorting around the town. However, most pencils with the creaminess to create the look lack the stability to have it stay in place. This bad boy delivers the best of both worlds… uber creamy and decadent, but when it sets, it SETS. The pigment payoff is superb, so your going to get that rich, intense look your after too. Well worth the price of admission, even if it is “just a pencil”.

Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion in EDEN

Can you tell I’m a fan? I make it a point to diversify my kit so that I don’t get sucked into the “one line” only way of thinking, but UD does eyes so very well. This should be your daily primer whenever you want to wear shadow. Use your fingertip to dab a little on the lid, blending ALL the way up to your brow bone and into the inner and outer corners of your eye. A little goes a long way, so order the smaller tube because it will last. Allow to dry for just a few moments then get to work. Note: Have makeup-remover wipes handy because I’m telling you, this stuff does NOT come off without them.

Makeup Forever HD Foundation

Drinking, sweating, and club-lights do not make for a premium photo op! Not to mention the unflattering flash of a camera phone. Give yourself a fighting chance by wearing the best foundation possible, and I’m here to tell you, this is it. The best part about it, besides the fact that its super long wearing, is that you can build up the coverage where you need it. Glooping on heavy concealer (or any product for that matter) is a recipe for disaster. Those with oily skin like me can rest easy knowing it dries to a matte finish. NOW- that being said- I do have to use blotting papers if it’s a long day or night. I don’t care how miraculous the product is, nothing you put on top of your skin is going to stop what’s going on underneath, and if your oil glands are having a party your just going to have to work around that. In a pinch, the (unused, please) toilet seat covers in most public restrooms double nicely has a blotting tissue.

Course, there’s a bunch of other stuff that I schlep around on a regular basis, but I’m pretty certain without these three things I’d be at a loss when I showed up to a job. This is where you want to put your money for a look that will last longer than the effectiveness of your Sugar Free Red Bull. (That, and a good bronzer, because only Oompa Loompa’s look good orange. But that’s another post.)

xoxo-

Amelia C