Ever wondered just how makeup artists get their models looking flawless and blemish-free in editorial onset photo shoots? With years of training and on-the-job experience, the beauty in-crowd has perfected the art of applying impeccable, flawless makeup that lasts for hours on end. So just what's their secret? Top Dallas hair and makeup artist, Paige Anderson, shares her secrets for guaranteeing professional-looking makeup – no experience required.
"An onset makeup artist creates the best quality work when working on a good blank canvas," says Paige. Makeup really does look best on skin that is well cared for and healthy. So how can you get your skin glowing naturally for your makeup to look its best?
A good skincare routine is essential, i.e. cleansing, toning, and moisturizing your skin religiously. But equally important are your lifestyle choices – your diet, exercise habits, sleep patterns, and stress levels. All of these factors play a huge part in the overall health of your skin. "And don't forget your vitamins," adds Paige. "I love Biotin. It's often called the 'beauty vitamin' as it enhances the health of your skin, hair, and nails."
If you can, treat yourself to a facial at a high-quality salon as often as possible. Regular exfoliation and deep cleansing can do wonders to brighten up your skin tone and clear away any blemishes and pigmentation problems. Just remember to avoid wearing makeup right after you've had any intensive treatments done such as pore extractions, laser treatments, or chemical peels. And, of course, stay out of the sun wherever possible and always cover up with sunscreen of at least SPF30.
PAIGE'S TOP TIP: "Water, water, water – the easiest beauty hack there is. Aim for at least eight glasses of pure water every day. You may have heard it a thousand times, but that's because it works. Water helps flush out impurities from the skin plus, if you're bloated or retaining fluid, water balances out your H2O levels."
There's nothing quite as eye-catching and sexy as golden, sun-kissed skin. "Whenever I am onset at an editorial photo shoot or television live shoot, the first thing I notice on a model is a healthy, glowing complexion," says Paige. "Trust me – if you're having pictures taken at an event, the photographer will certainly appreciate the natural sparkle your glowing skin brings to his pictures."
But a golden tan needn't come with spending hours in the sun. A much quicker and far healthier choice is getting your tan from a bottle. With so many great quality self-tan bronzing products on the market, no one will be any the wiser. If you're going the DIY route, be sure to follow the instructions on the bottle very carefully. Ideally, you should build your tan up slowly over a few months for the most natural results. If you're new to self-tan, start out by mixing half-bronzer with half-body lotion to ease into the effects of the new color.
PAIGE'S TOP TIP: "If by accident, you've overdone it with the bronzer, all is not lost. Streaks and dark splotches can be remedied by gently scrubbing your skin in a warm shower with a loofah soaked in fresh lemon juice. Remember to follow this up with a rich moisturizing body lotion to keep your skin soft and supple."
No makeup artist worth her salt would ever be caught dead without her arsenal of makeup brushes. You could have the world's most expensive beauty products but apply them using shoddy brushes, and the effect would be mediocre at best. For those days when you don't have your very own makeup artist on hand, these are the eight brushes that should make up your basic beauty kit:
Applying foundation with this brush will give you all-over coverage and a flawless, smooth finish.
The bristles of this narrow brush are firm and tapered at the edges so you can concentrate your concealer on one specific area.
Big and fluffy, the bristles of the powder brush are fine and dense - perfect for applying and blending powder all over the face.
The bristles are tapered into a rounded, full shape, ideal for highlighting your cheeks with blush.
As the name suggests, this one's great for blending and shading in eye products to soften harsh lines and achieve a perfectly blended eye.
The bristles are short and stubby, making it easier to smudge your eye shadow for more precise work.
This one services the entire eye area – eyes, brows, and lashes. The angled bristles are ideal for perfectly applying all types of product into the creases of the eye.
Ever wondered how celebrities get that full signature pout? Simple - a lip brush. It offers you a great definition for flawless, smudge-proof application.
PAIGE'S TOP TIP: "The way you hold the brush affects the amount of control you have over it. Hold the brush right on the silver barrel under the bristles, for example, and you'll exert more pressure, which means more of the product will end up on your skin. I'd recommend a steady but gentle grip on the brush so you apply the color gradually. You can always add more product if you need more coverage."
Every onset makeup artist knows that accidents are inevitable. But a smudge here or a stain there needn't be a disaster if you come prepared. Paige offers up some of her top tips for dealing with some common makeup mishaps:
PAIGE'S TOP TIP: "You know best what products work for your skin type and lifestyle. Check at your beauty counter if those products come in smaller travel sizes. These are great to carry with you in your handbag so you're always prepared for any beauty touch-ups."
For all the great advice she's given us though, as a Dallas onset makeup artist, Paige has seen her fair share of makeup don't. Are you guilty of any of these beauty blunders?
- The cardinal rule of skincare but also the one most commonly broken – going to sleep with your makeup on. The damage this causes has far-reaching effects. For starters, it completely undoes all the good that a regular skincare routine may have done. Essentially, your skin becomes more prone to breakouts as bacteria have built up in the pores. Ideally, you want to thoroughly cleanse your skin before bed. If you're really tired though, a pack of face wipes on your bedside table will do the trick too.
- An often overlooked step when women apply their makeup themselves is remembering to apply moisturizer before foundation. A good face cream before makeup keeps the skin even and supple, so makeup goes on smoothly without any blotchy areas. Ideally, look for a moisturizer with a high SPF to amp up your sun protection.
- Here's one many of us do without even realizing it - blowing powder off our makeup brushes. What's so bad about that? This may get a surplus product off the bristles, but you're also spreading bacteria from your mouth to the brush. And as this bacteria builds up, it can spread from the brush to the pores on your face resulting in acne breakouts. To remove excess powder, rather tap the brush lightly against the bathroom sink.
For more insider beauty tips and tricks, be sure to log on regularly to www.paigeanderson.com
