So sloooooooow

Edit! Due to Google policy, Thumbtack asked that I remove my link to their site.  Something about reward points awarded for a public link on any site being against policy.  That's fine, I never got any business from Thumbtack anyway. 6.10.15

I knew building my business here would be slow, but I had erred on the side of optimism.  That being said, I'm giving a site called Thumbtack which is a site for advertising local services and posting local service needs.  I found one interesting listing, but I haven't really explored the site yet.  I do like it's interface, it's clean and user friendly, fairly intuitive and kind of pretty.  I'm going to keep plugging away at business building and maybe try out a bridal show or two.

The Mini MAC Haul

Clockwise from Left to Right Red Brick Matte eyeshadow, Swiss Chocolate Matte eyeshadow, Saddle Matte eyeshadow, Clear Lipglass, N5 Face and Body foundation, N1 Face and Body foundation. 

MAC has this great program called "Back 2 MAC" where you can bring your empty MAC containers and get free stuff back.  I have a huge bag of empties.  Like, hundreds of empties.  You see, tragically I live far far away from any MAC counter.  I have to drive no less than an hour to reach the closest MAC counter and farther than that to reach a stand alone store.  Today I happened to be visiting my sister, who lives less than 10 minutes from a stand alone store.  Guess who got to turn in 24 empties?  That's right, this girl.  If you return your empties to a stand alone store you get to pick either an eyeshadow, a lipglass or a lipstick so long as the lipglass or lipstick is not from the Viva Glam collection.  If you're wondering what that B on the lipglass is about, its to indicate that its a Back 2 MAC item.  So, if you have 7 empties, head to your nearest MAC retail spot and get some freebies.
  The Face and Body bottles were paid for.  I was told that they don't need to be thinned out to go into an airbrush, but my airbrush must have issues because its a little too thick for it.  I'm going to try adding mixing medium to it and see how that works, I think a three to one ratio, three drops of FAB to 1 drop of mixing medium should do it.
Speaking of mixing medium, I'm putting a tutorial together on how to mix your own airbrush foundation.  I'm beginning to wonder if perhaps I'm just a dunce when it comes to airbrushing. It's either that or I'm just having a run of bad luck with foundations and my airbrush.  So far, L'oreal's True Match Naturale has been the only foundation that's worked according to plan.  Too bad it's so limited in color selection.  Funny thing that, not everyone is pale and pink.  Why haven't drugstore brand cosmetics realized that yet?  And why do they assume everyone's pale?  If you go to Khol's you can find a fairly decent selection by Vera Wang, they've got a nice deep color, but it runs to the orange and there is glitter in the formulation.  I think it's supposed to create a glowing complexion but really...it just looks like you're going out clubbing.  Glitter may be my favorite color, but I also believe in moderation.  It doesn't belong on your face on a regular work day.  Unless it's a part of your job, in which case, tear it up!

100!

Yay, this blog has now had 100 views.  I know, I checked.  I didn't think anyone read this, I even double checked to make sure that it wasn't counting my own views, as I've psyched myself out this way before.  Ok so maybe the majority of those views were spam bots, I don't care.  100 is a big number.  Thanks to ya'll with human eyeballs who've taken the time to read, I appreciate it.
In case you were wondering what those lovely products are in the pictures, here they are from left to right. t Chanel glossimer in Galactic, MAC's skinfinish powder in Whisper of Gilt and MAC's Beauty Powder in Tahitian Sand.  They were tucked away in my personal cache of makeup.  One day I'll take a picture of my work stash versus my personal makeup stash.  It will be really quite revealing.  Actually it will show that I wear very little makeup on a daily basis and that I save all the good stuff for my clients.  My beauty regimen involves moisturizer, cleanser, lots of water, for washing and for drinking, sleep and tons of vitamin supplements.  That and well groomed brows.  Everything else is icing on the cake.  Makeup is for date nights, light work days, and playtime.  I practically have to hire a babysitter to be able to put my makeup on without having to run interference with my kids and animals. I'd rather sleep those extra 10-20 minutes than put my face on.  I have a very comfortable bed. It's a shameful state of affairs.

Makeover break!

My model for this post is the lovely Katie, you'll be seeing more of her as she works in the same salon as I do.  I caught her doing her face and forced her into my chair so I could get some practice in.  I also wanted to try some new stuff I had just bought.

Product list:
Urban Decay Naked Skin Beauty Balm as a primer
Smashbox Photo Finish Lid Primer
Smashbox Camera Ready BB Cream in Fair
Smashbox Halo Hydrating Perfecting Powder in Fair
NYX Wonder Pencil in Light
NYX Jumbo Pencil in Cashmere ( I LOVE this pencil, I have multiples just in case)
MAC eyeshadow in Arena
MAC pressed mineral blush in Warm Soul
Flower Kiss Stick lipstick in Coral Floret
Flower lip liner in Nude

Face Charts

When you don't have faces to work on, face charts are supposed to be the next best thing. I'm not sure who thought that up but I'd like to point something very obvious out. Paper is flat, faces are not. Also, paper does not have varied skin tones the way human faces do. That said, they are a great tool for keeping track of what makeup you've used on a client and for coming up with new color combinations and looks.
For me, they're an artistic challenge. Getting the shading to look realistic on the paper is not easy for me. It forces me to really observe the way light shapes a three dimensional object. Getting the reflected light right on a glossy lip is like the challenge of a century when it comes to my face charts. I also get a mite frustrated with blending and keeping the color and texture of the makeup to remain true on paper. Try getting the glitter in a sparkly eyeshadow to stay on paper without glue or primer. Dare ya.
Coloring with makeup is not the same as coloring with crayons. I take so long to do a really good face chart that it's probably easier for me to find a model, put makeup on said model, and take a picture. So why do I do face charts? Because it makes me a better makeup artist. By forcing myself to transform a flat piece of paper into a realistically shaded and beautifully made up face, I'm exercising artistic talents that I need to transfer the idea in my head to the three dimensional face successfully. 
I have a selection of more beat up older brushes and makeip that I use just for face charts. Whenever inspiration strikes or I'm feeling particularly smug I pull my kit out and get to work.

LIGHTS!

The lights are situated and I'm open for business!, a photo by The Paper Doll on Flickr.

Well, my lights came in, I set them up and now I'm officially open for business. YAY! Come get your makeup on!

Prime time!

Wow, I found a topic that The Beauty Department hasn't completely covered.  I love that blog! If you love makeup, and you haven't stumbled across that blog, it's time to add a new bookmark.  So, I want to talk to you about primers.  Don't worry, this will be less uncomfortable than that time someone sat you down for "The Talk".  Do you currently use a primer?  For anything?  There are quite a few out there and it can be confusing so I'm going to simplify it.  Get the best of what you can afford.  There.  Everyone's different, everyone's skin is different so everyone's primer experience is going to be different.  I can't give you a miracle panacea primer, I can just tell you why I use them, how I use them, and which ones I use.  So here goes.
Why use a primer?  Because you want everything to stay where you put it and look good while it's there. Primers help pigments adhere to skin.  It's like painting a wall with primer before you get the color on, or putting gesso on a canvas before you start to paint.  You're preparing the skin's surface to receive makeup.  But like everything in life, too much of a good thing isn't good.  More primer isn't going to be better, it's just going to get cakey or pill or roll or crease.  It's not a good look. Be easy.
Nobody pays me to endorse products.  I don't even think anyone reads this thing honestly so if I suggest something, it's because I love it.  Like, crazy love it.  Like, I can't believe I put makeup on anyone without this stuff love it.
That said, here are my favorite primers and why:
All MAC primers:  No joke.  I'm a MAC certified artist formerly of the Cville VA counter. Every time they came out with a new primer, I lost my mind over it.
Urban Decay's Eyeshadow Primer Potion:  It doesn't move. In fact, without some good makeup remover, you're going to have a time getting it off.
Urban Decay's Naked Skin face primer: It looks ridiculously peach when it comes out of the tube, but your skin looks amazing after application.  Sometimes, that's all I wear on my skin, no foundation, no tinted moisturizer.
L'oreal's Magic Lumi: It's more of an illuminator/highlighter but it does brighten dull skin and mixes well with foundations and tinted moisturizers.
L'oreal's Magic Perfecting Base:  Not quite good enough to wear alone, it kind of has a sticky quality if you don't set it with powder or apply your foundation of choice over.  It still looks lovely and wears well on my dry skin. A little bit goes a long way.
Urban Decay's Ozone Lip Pencil: Its clear!  Its an amazing barrier against color bleed!  I love it!  I don't usually like lip primers because they don't address chap issues.  If you have chapped lips, you need to exfoliate.  No primer can fix that, but a moisturizing one can help prevent it from getting as bad.  Also, no primer in the world is going to help a lip biter like me.  I've chewed off more lip product than I can even count.

In summation, find a primer you like, use it sparingly so it doesn't gum up and get gross, and fall in love with makeup that doesn't move.

It's a photo shoot!

One of the most important things you need as a makeup artist, other than having a professional attitude and great application skills, is a good portfolio.  It needs to be current, reflect the entire range of your skills, and look professional.  Guess who doesn't have a current portfolio?  Yup. Me.  It's a sad state of affairs indeed. The thing is, I rarely ever have my camera with me after doing someone's face.  You try begging wedding photographers for some of the prints or shots from a wedding you've done.  Maybe you'll have better luck than I have.  We won't even talk about getting stills and reel (the industry term for images from any film work).  Maybe I'm not charming or persistent enough.  Maybe I'm working with the wrong people.  I don't know.
  So here's my solution.  I'm going to throw a party, put makeup on as many faces as I can and get tons of pictures from some other folks who want to work on their portrait skills and/or portfolios.  Yeah, it's going to cost me to rent the space, but it's worth it.  This will ensure I'll have a well lit space to work in with enough room to accommodate everyone.  So if you're in the area and you need a head shot or want to practice your portrait photography, come on by.

Whatever happened to less is more?

I've recently been doing some intensive blog reading and web browsing in order to brush up on my skills (as a look at my pinterest boards can attest to) and I've been seeing some very defined, obvious makeup.  It leaves me wondering what happened to pared down minimalism or a clean, natural look.  It seems like the only time I see a barely enhanced face is in an ad for skin care or foundation.  I love a dramatic look as much as the next style maven, don't get me wrong.  I just feel like there's a time and a place for it, and it's not every day.  I'm an advocate of enhancing what's already there with subtlety, blending and soft touches of color that mimic or boost your natural coloring so seeing all of these heavily defined, sculpted looks is a little disconcerting.  Some of these eyebrows just look glued on, which intimidates the bananas out of me.  I'm going to spend the next couple of days just looking around at what I see on the faces of the every day local gals and see if that's what people are really doing, or if it's just one of those industry things.

Playtime!

upload, a photo by The Paper Doll on Flickr.

My friend and next door neighbor Cat lets me play with her face whenever I get the urge. You'll be seeing a lot of her here.

Taking big steps

Took some time to talk to a local salon owner about renting a space today.  I think it's time to take a big girl career step and invest in myself.  I've been slinging brushes freelance without a retail/public space for the entirety of my career as a makeup artist and while it's been less expensive, it's also been less productive.  Not to mention the hassle of trying to find a place to hold consults and test runs.  Mostly I had been doing it in my home and I can tell you, with two girls, a dog, a cat, and few places with great natural lighting, that's not so professional.  It'll be nice to not have to scramble to clean the house and stow the kids and animals before a client comes over.
I know the saying "You have to spend money to make money" but actually putting it into practice can be a little...stressful.  To really get things started, there's the initial outlay of portfolio and materials costs.  Then, if you want to up the ante, you've got advertising, networking, retail space, travel and possibly storage depending on your situation.  Right.  And how much are you charging?  Ugh.  In the end, the question you have to ask yourself over and over is "Is it worth it."  I know I'm asking myself that now.  How much is this worth to me? The answer?  I don't know yet.  Right now I'm going to try and see how it works out, because if I don't try, I'll never know, and I really don't like what if.  So here I go, I'm going to hitch up my pants and take a big step.  Wish me luck.