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STETSON CREATIVE
Now that you have organized your makeup like the pros, there are a few other essentials that every pro never goes anywhere without.
SHU UEMURA Eyelash Curler
This one is simply the best!
$19 - Shu Uemura www.shuuemura-usa.com
TWEEZERMAN Manicure Kit
They call it a manicure kit, but it is so much more! The scissors are great for trimming lashes, the tweezers can be used to pluck a stray hair or apply strip lashes. Don't be afraid to add two or three different types of tweezers - my favorite is the slant-tip!
$20-$50 - Tweezerman www.tweezerman.com
PENCIL SHARPENER
Any brand will do, and it only takes once without one to realize how essential they are - make sure you pick up the dual sharpener to handle all types of makeup pencils!
$7 - Drugstores Nationwide
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STETSON CREATIVE
Shopping for makeup brushes can be quite a daunting tasks with so many different brands, shapes, and styles to choose from, and with prices ranging from practically nothing to barely affordable. In time, your brush collection will start to tell a story about your journey through the cosmetics world, but if you are buying brushes for the first time, you can get away with five good brushes. With brushes, you get what you pay for, so don't be afraid to fork up that extra dough for quality, otherwise you will end up with stray bristles on your face or worse!
My basic rule of thumb when it comes to brushes is this: natural fiber for powder, and synthetic for cream or liquid. Brushes should be cleaned with SD Alcohol for quick changes - don't fall into the gimmick of expensive brush shampoos, they are a marketing ploy. For a deeper cleaning (I recommend once a week, unless you are using them on people besides yourself, and then clean before each use) to keep your brushes sanitary use any conditioning hair shampoo. Alcohol from the quick change dries out fibers and can lead to breakage so using a conditioning shampoo is crucial to extending the life of your brushes! Synthetic fiber brushes are best cleaned with DAWN dish soap - it works the best to remove the oils contained in cream and liquid makeups. For best results, allow brushes to dry thoroughly overnight before using.
THE 5 ESSENTIALS
MEDIUM ROUND POWDER BRUSH
These can be used to apply powder foundations, blush, bronzer, and powder highlighter. Dip the brush into the powder and tap off excess before applying to your face in a circular motion. For cheek contours, use your fingers to squeeze the brush into an oblong shape.
CREASE BRUSH
For getting that perfect shade of shadow into the crease of your eyelid.
ANGLED SHADOW BRUSH
Great for blending color onto your eyelids. The angle allows for broad or more specific application.
CONCEALER BRUSH
This is going to be your basic cream and liquid makeup brush which is good for cream eyeshadow, concealer, foundation, and highlighter.
ANGLED FLAT BRUSH
Often called an eyebrow brush, this is my favorite brush in my entire kit and I keep them in several sizes. This brush is great not only for eyebrows, but gel eyeliner, lips, and other cream makeup application.
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STETSON CREATIVE
Every makeup artist knows that there are an array of non-cosmetic products that are absolutely essential in the flawless application of makeup, many of which can be purchased at your local drugstore!
COTTON SWABS
Great for fixing a mistake, especially around the eyes and lips. There are all different sizes and shapes, but my personal favorite are the ones on the long wooden sticks.
COTTON ROUNDS
Whether you are applying a moisturizing serum, primer, or a makeup remover, these are an essential in every kit!
$3 - Drugstores Nationwide
COSMETIC WEDGES
These are your general all-purpose applicators for liquid makeup and come in several shapes and sizes. I like them better than brushes for foundation because they don't streak like a foundation brush can. Use these only once to keep bacteria away from your face. TIP: Wet sponges before use for the smoothest application.
$3-$6 - Drugstores Nationwide
CLEANSING WIPES
There are two main types you are going to want to stock up on: ones with makeup remover, and ones with brush cleaner. They are great for quick changes with powder color, or to remove your makeup at the end of the day/night.
BLOTTING PAPER
Whether you toss these in your bag to combat shine, or you simply use them at your vanity, they are a great way to remove excess moisture without removing or smudging your makeup.
There are a host of other fun bottles, containers, applicators, etc that makeup artists love to carry around with them, but more these are your solid basics to start out with!
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STETSON CREATIVE
In honor of the Makeup Show this weekend in NYC, all week I will be discussing makeup artist professional tools and how they can be applied to your daily makeup routine. Your first step is to get your makeup organized, as it makes it easiest to keep track of what you have and keep everything clean and sanitary....especially if you have a lot of makeup!
The way you keep everything organized will depend on your space, the amount of makeup you have, and your mobility needs. Most professional makeup artists like to store everything in a way that can be easily brought to photo shoots, etc but if you are not going anywhere with your makeup, you may prefer a more basic solution.
PLASTIC TRAYS and/or DRAWERS
These can be stackable, have lids, or sit on top of your vanity, and are a great, inexpensive way of organizing your makeup. The number one rule to follow here, is: if at all possible, keep your makeup out of the bathroom, as the steam and heat from the shower can ruin delicate powders and cause liquid/cream makeup to deteriorate more quickly.
THE CONTAINER STORE Acrylic Organizing Trays and Drawers
There are SO many options here, you can definitely find something that works with your budget and storage needs.
This is often the choice for the girl on the go or the makeup artist that is just starting out, offering a sturdy, portable case that can be moved from place to place while makeup stays secure and organized inside expandable trays. There are many options available at many prices, but if you are moving around a lot, make sure to spend the money and get a good quality train case, as inexpensive ones tend to fall apart quickly, and the last thing you need is your high end cosmetics spilling all over the sidewalk!
SEPHORA COLLECTION Metro Train Case
Available in three sizes - if you are a real makeup maven, go for the rolling option, which doubles as a portable vanity!
$55-$225 - Sephora Stores www.sephora.com
SOFT CASES and/or POUCHES
This is the preferred method for almost all professional makeup artists, especially if they are travelling to on-site shoots often. This method of storage works great to organize your products, and travel easily, while easily switching out pouches depending on your current needs.
ZUCA Pro Artist Cases
These are great because they are made of high-quality, durable nylon with zippers, so you can see whats in each pouch and keep everything clean and organized - a must for the serious makeup artist. My personal favorite - the backpack, for its ease of transport!
$15-$229 - Zuca www.zuca.com
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STETSON CREATIVE
Now on this day of celebrating mothers let's not forget that grandmothers are mothers too. Most likely a spa day or a massage isn't what grandma is looking for, but what you can do, is put together some fabulous gifts that will make grandma feel 20 years younger. From anti-aging serums to easy cosmetics, your grandmother is sure to love some of these Stetson Creative favorites!
LAURA MERCIER Laura's Secrets Flawless Brightened Eyes Vol. 2 Kit
Your mother or grandmother will love the way her eyes look with this few fast fixers. Set includes: Secret Concealer, Secret Brightening Powder, (2) Eye Basics - Wheat and Eyebright, and Secret Brightener....all packaged in this fabulous makeup bag!
$75 ($164 Value!) - Sephora Stores www.sephora.com
B. KAMINS, CHEMIST C-Reversatrol Serum
Now, you may have not heard of this brand or know of the HUGE benefits to topical Vitamin C, but this product is one that your grandmother (or any mother) simply cannot live without! Infused with Vitamin C, Reversatrol, Acai Oil, CoQ10, Goji Berry, and Vitamin E, this mega-antioxidant serum packs a powerful punch, with skin looking tighter, more even and radiant after just one use - REALLY! (I was amazed!)
$125 - B. Kamins, Chemist www.bkamins.com
CHANEL Coco Mademoiselle Irrepressibly Sensual Set
Now I have never met a grandmother who didn't love Chanel, and this set is simply divine! This set includes the classic spray, a moisturizing body lotion, and a bath gel so that your favorite grandmother can really pamper herself!
$100 - Nordstrom http://shop.nordstrom.com
FEKKAI Ageless Cream
This luxe hair mask restores hairs brilliance and shine without weighing it down. Infused with orchid extracts and proteins to help hair regain elasticity and strength!
$60 - Fine Department Stores Nationwide
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STETSON CREATIVE
If your mom is just that perfect "mom" and may fit into the "soccer mom" or "pta mom" category and her life revolves around taking care of her family while she often puts her own needs aside? This year, treat your mom well with some great beauty gifts that she is sure to love!
SPAFINDER.COM Gift Certificate
These are good at over 5,000 spas wordwide, so treat your mom to a massage, facial, or mani/pedi!
Prices Vary - Spa Finder www.spafinder.com
BLISS Spa-Ficionado Gift Set
Includes everything your hard-working mother needs, including: body butter, vanilla + bergamot body buff, high intensity hand cream, glamour gloves, triple oxygen instant energizing eye mask, eau de toilette, problem salved, #2 nail file, and blue tote. PLUS, enter
MOMGIFT with any order between now and May 8, and get a free fabulous gift set for yourself!
$99 - Bliss www.blissworld.com
STEPHANIE JOHNSON Cosmetics Bags
Whether your mom uses only a lipstick and mascara, or she needs a full kit of makeup, these stylish bags are great gifts (especially when stuffed with their favorite cosmetics!) Best of all is they are available in 27 shapes and 38 fabulous patterned fabrics for a total of around 1,026 combinations! WOW!
Prices Vary - Stephanie Johnson www.stephaniejohnson.com
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