Hello, to all my lovely students and blog readers Jodie here? I hope you’re all safe and healthy during this uneasy time. I wanted to talk about skincare routine and the importance of implementing this into your makeup routine both personally and professionally.
Some of our makeup students are surprised to see that the first page of our makeup training manual starts with the Skin! We discuss the 5 different skin types: Dry, Oily, Normal, Combination and sensitive, the different characteristics, how to identify these and how to consult your client prior to makeup application.
Your client may not know their skin type so its good to ask them questions such as do you suffer from skin sensitivity or allergies, are you touch-sensitive, do you go red easily, does your skin feel dry or tight throughout the day or is it oily to touch and greasy looking.
Identifying your client’s skin type will help you choose the correct products such as face creams, primers, and foundations. If someone suffers from oily skin you want to use an oil-free/ mattifying primer whereas a light-reflecting dewy primer is better for someone with normal or dry skin as long as it has been recently exfoliated and hydrated.
Being a makeup artist I have given myself the excuse that ‘it’s my duty’ to try and buy all new products and in multiple colours to ensure I use the best yet cost-effective products on my clients.
whilst it’s not your job to give your clients skin a facial prior to makeup application as you would need to charge more for this and allocate more time to your booking it is extremely important that your client’s skin is prepped and ready for makeup application. Clients may come to you with makeup already applicated or half removed, the amount of clients who say they are makeup free yet I can see last night’s concealer collected around the eyes or foundation sitting on their jawline is the reason I always have Simple facial cleanser and makeup wipes for sensitive skin to fully remove the final traces of makeup on their skin.
After the skin is cleansed, I apply moisturiser to the skin then start working on the eyes giving the moisturiser time to be absorbed by the skin. Some clients will be conscious of looking after their skin and will already have cleansed and moisturised for you prior to their appointment and in these circumstances, I do not cleanse I move straight to makeup application.
My favourite moisturiser to use personally and professionally is Moisture Surge by Clinic. This sits perfectly under primers/ foundations and not irritate my sensitive skin and also keeps my deeply hydrated without leaving me feeling greasy or shiny ( I have sensitive and combination skin) The reason I love this product in my kit is that it’s suitable for all skin types, its lightweight and dermatologically tested for sensitive skin, oil free for oily prone skin and provides 73hrs of hydration for dry skin. Winner!
Whilst starting off as a makeup artist I completely understand the struggle of the initial starting cost of building up your kit so if Moisture Surge is out of your price range Simple Moisturiser is fantastic for its price as again its lightweight, oil free and demagogically tested. Simple moisturiser is well respected in the makeup industry and you will find many award-winning, luxury brand endorsed artists using this in their kit.
To accommodate sensitive skin which I also, unfortunately, suffer from its best to use skin friendly products throughout your kit. Due to my sensitivity I trial and test all products before they make it to my professional kit collection as I want to see how the products feel and last throughout the day. My favourite foundation range for sensitive skin is Urban Decay Naked Skin foundation which is Oil & paraben free. Not only does this foundation sit flawlessly on the skin it also photographs really well hence being my go to foundation for brides who want to look great but are not used to wearing makeup. It is completely lightweight yet buildable to a medium to full coverage. Although this foundation is oil free it is still illuminating giving you that healthy skin glow. It also has light-diffusing spheres to help blur skin imperfections and give you that flawless finish as though you have been professionally retouched whilst remaining lightweight. If you are yet to try this beauty, add it next to your makeup shopping list!
My go to primer is Kiko Milano- Matte Face Base which is £9.99 for 30ml which works great on all skin types. Although its mattifying the silicone texture glides over dry skin patches leaving the skin silky smooth and ready for foundation application. This texture is also great for open pores, scaring and wrinkles as it plumps up these imperfections. Most of my clients ask me what that great product is with the nice smell and feel I used on their skin and are referring to this beauty. This Kiko primer is very similar to my first ever primer I used in my pro kit which is the highly respected Smash Box- photo finish primer which is £35 for 50ml.
Finally, I want to finish on Mac & Prime Fix+ spray which is great for a instant skin hydration boost or as a finishing touch over makeup. This product comes in some great scented smells such as coconut, lavender and Rose. I like to spray this over my clients face before I apply their primer to give the skin another hit of moisture and for the client to apricate the amazing smells- my favourite is coconut. You can also use this product as a finishing setting spray however I don’t think you can beat Urban Decay- All Nighter Setting Spray for the best setting product. There are a few different Urban Decay setting sprays and of course I’ve tried them all and I have to say the original all nighter is my favourite.
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