When you aren't accesorizing with rhinestones, you will find that there is another way! Using metal leaf is a great way to add texture and shine to the surface of the skin, though it can be extramely difficult to work with. Here, I take the guesswork out of it so you an make it look fierce!



STEP 1: Start with a good quality metal leaf...

$8 - Craft Supply Stores Nationwide

STEP 2: The right adhesive is key, and this is the one time that I like to use Spirit Gum; which can be purchased from MEHRON along with the Spirit Gum Remover.

$4.95-$19.95 Mehron www.mehron.com


$4.95-$14.95 Mehron www.mehron.com

STEP 3: Brush the desired area with a light coat of spirit gum. Use a dry brush to tap the foil onto the area, and allow to dry about 30 seconds. Leafing is very difficult to handle so use care.

STEP 4: If you are covering a solid area, it will look more finished if you provide a smoothing coat. KRYOLAN Aquacolor works quite well for this. Just use a small amount of water and brush over the area with a flat makeup brush. This will give your foil a finished look.

Call for Pricing Alcone NYC www.alconeco.com

This coming weekend is Gay Pride in New York City, so in honor of drag queens everywhere, this week I am tackling all that glitters, starting with metal. There are many cosmetic lines out there that advertise "metal-effect" or similar makeup, but there is one product line that takes the cake with all things metal, and if you want that heavy metal look, you should know about MEHRON!


Image courtesy of Bella PR for Mehron Makeup

For that perfect metallic look, there are a few steps to follow:

STEP 1: PRIMER. If you are using any type of powder, it needs something to stick to for maximum coverage. This can be done with a primer such as MEHRON Velvet Finish Primer (for the face), URBAN DECAY Primer Potion (for the eyes), OR for a REALLY intense shine, use a cream metallic makeup as your primer such as MAKE UP FOR EVER's Flash Color in Silver or Gold.


$19.95 - Mehron www.mehron.com


$18 - Sephora Stores www.sephora.com


$18 for individual colors - Sephora Stores www.sephora.com

STEP 2: POWDER. Use a good quality powder brush to dust the MEHRON Metallic Powder over the primed area. Since you already applied a primer, it will stick well give an extreme metallic effect. Be very careful to not get excess powder on unwanted areas, as it will be nearly impossible to remove. Simply tap off excess powder from the brush before moving to the face to avoid potentially disastrous results. If the area you are metallizing has a straight edge, I find that it helps to tape off with a masking tape.


$7.95 - Mehron www.mehron.com

STEP 3: FIX. Using MEHRON Barrier Spray after powder is the ultimate way to ensure that your makeup does not budge all day (or all night). Make sure to close your eyes, and spray a light mist over the entire area. Allow to dry about 30 seconds before opening eyes.


$8.95 - Mehron www.mehron.com

You now know the makeup artist's secret of metal, but there is still more! While the obove technique is perfect for medium to large sized areas of coverage, all of those layers can make details look a little sloppy. Luckily, MEHRON makes a Mixing Liquid just for this purpose. Mix a small amount of the liquid with the powder and apply to the desired area with a thin brush; one with a flat edge or fine round tip works best. Allow to dry for 60 seconds, and you have details that will last through almost anything! For extra durability, these details can also be sprayed with the barrier spray!


$7.95 - Mehron www.mehron.com