LASH EXTENSIONS vs. FALSE LASHES

There’s a lot of fuss being made about lash extensions at the moment and to be honest, I think it’s a lot of fuss about nothing.
When receiving lash extensions, a technician uses tweezers to glue each individual extension to your individual eyelashes, one by one.
It is very important to make sure that the technician is using hypoallergenic, formaldehyde-free bonding glue.
The process involves 30 to 50 separate extensions per eye, and can take between 1 – 2hours.
The usual cost of the procedure can be anywhere from $200 to $500, with maintenance appointments starting at $50.
For the first 48 hours or so, you must be very careful not to injure the bond between your lashes and the extensions.
That means you can't get them wet at all for the first 12 hours.
After that, you should not go swimming, wash your face with any type of cleanser or go into a steam room or sauna for 48 hours after the extensions were applied.
Makeup removers and moisturizers often contain emollients that will dissolve the bonding glue, so they should be avoided.
Mascara, curling irons and cream-based eye pencils should also be avoided, as all of these can damage the extension or dissolve the bonding agent.
Some evidence suggests that some women find that their own eyelashes suffer from repeated applications, and not all women are good candidates for extensions.
The biggest problem is that extensions are expensive and must be refreshed every two weeks for those who can afford the cost and the time involved.
I find that most lash extensions look like a spider that has just been sprayed with insect spray and is left with its legs curled up and a couple missing.
As time progresses your extensions will fall out, not all at the same time but rather, one by one which leaves you looking as though you are going through chemotherapy treatments.
In my opinion you’re better off leaving the lash extensions alone, keeping your own lashes healthy, saving yourself money and time and simply using good old false lashes.
When applied professionally they won’t slowly eat away your own lashes, they will only take about 10 minutes to apply, cost about $20 and look healthy and vibrant all day and all night – then you have the luxury of simply removing them, cleaning them and using them again at a later date.
If you want to have lashes applied come in to the “Lash Bar” and I’ll do it all for you, trust me, you’ll thank me later when your friends are wowed at how stunning you look and years later when you still have your own eyelashes.
Come and visit me at the “Lash Bar” Shop 2/371 Logan Rd, Stones Corner Brisbane, Australia, 4120
I am there on Fridays and Saturdays from 10am to 5:30pm and I’d love to see you. Make sure you book in advance though as this is very popular and I’d hate for you to miss out.
For bookings call 07 3394 2501

SFX WORKSHOPS YOU CAN'T FIND ANYWHERE

The time has arrived for the second round of SFX Basics Workshops being held at Makeup and Glow’s brand new premises and being taught by yours truly.

The last class booked out within the first week so if you want to learn some really cool and simple little tricks of the trade then I suggest booking in fast.

The workshops are designed for everyone, whether you are just starting out or an established artist who wants to brush up on their SFX skills, all are invited to attend.

You will learn some of the following:

> Minor cuts and abrasions
> Bruising and swelling
> Burns and slashes
> Broken noses and fractured cheekbones
> Blood work
> How to sculpt directly onto the face
> Creating deep wounds
> Changing facial features
> Applying and removing prosthetics
> Seaming and blending prosthetics

Along with all of this fabulous knowledge you will receive your very own sample mini makeup kit to start you on your journey of becoming an SFX master.

Lunch is provided and the day is nothing but fun fun fun.
I would love to see you there!

For more information please call 1300 788 366 or visit MAKEUP AND GLOW

PAYING FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO WORK

Just when I thought the Australian Film Industry couldn’t possibly sink any lower I come across this little nugget of complete audacity and hilarity.

Believe it or not, there is a production company in Australia who is currently advertising for and expecting any budding makeup artists to pay them $2995 in order to work on their Feature Film.
(Sorry, but shouldn’t it be the other way around??)

It is being labelled as a “unique special effects course” and is very clever in its marketing, with tantalising catch phrases like,
“Have you done courses in the past to gain experience and a foot in the film industry door and found that you finish no closer than when you started?”

It outlines that you will have the opportunity to observe and participate in the practical side of developing special effects make up with industry professionals as they create appliances, bodies and creatures.

It all begins with an extensive 4 week pre production period where they will be casting actors, sculpting, creating moulds and casting out in both foam and silicone and painting them up.
Then you have 4 weeks of production when the filming starts.

They state that “You will experience life on set as you watch and learn the prosthetics being applied. You will also assist in the makeup removal process and help dress bodies into set as well as helping to bring the creatures to life.”

So, allow me to break this down for you, this production company wants you to pay them $2995 for a completely unaccredited course, which in this day and age means diddly swat, with the return of having your name in the credits.

They want you to do all of the hard work of creating endless SFX for the film, not only for free, but while actually paying them.

Needless to say that the film may be sold and you have worked for zilch!

The production company makes heaps of money and they have not had to outlay any money in order to have the SFX created and delivered.

In fact, they have made money from you to cover other expenses.

YOU CANNOT BE SERIOUS!

Of course there will be some dickheads out there that are so desperate to see their little name up in lights that they will gladly pay for this “experience”.

To them I say – YOU DESERVE LOSING MONEY THIS WAY BECAUSE YOU’RE A COMPLETE IDIOT!

To the Production Company I say – YOU’RE DISGUSTING AND SHAME ON YOU FOR TAKING ADVANTAGE OF AND CASHING IN ON BUDDING TALENT!

NO MORE EYEBROWS

Eyebrow blocking is used widely through Fashion now, but it started with theatre and drag performers many moons ago.

Heaps of people have asked me about how to cover brows and there are many products and techniques you can use to achieve the no eyebrow look without resorting to shaving them off completely.

The simplest way, the way I do it, is to use stick glue.
“Uhu” makes stick glue and it is perfect for cancelling out brows.
The stick glue is non toxic and washes off easily with cleanser and warm water.

Begin by lightly rubbing the glue straight from the stick into the brows against the direction of growth. (Starting at the outer brow and ending at the inner brow)

Grab a disposable mascara wand and brush the brows in to the direction of growth then start lightly wiping the glue stick onto the brows following the direction of growth. (Starting at the inner brow and ending at the outer brow)

Do this until you have basically glued the hairs down to your skin.
Apply some powder to the area to absorb excess moisture then continue to add more glue in the same way as before.

Make sure you don’t stretch the skin in this area as it will cause the skin to wrinkle.

Now apply some more powder and let it sit for a minute or two.
The surface should be flat to the skin and very smooth.

Lightly brush away any excess powder and then apply concealer or a high pigment pan stick over the dark areas where the brow colour shows through. Make sure you blend!

Set this with some more powder then lightly apply your desired foundation with a sponge making sure you keep blending.

Now set the whole lot with translucent powder and your brows should be completely concealed.

BTW...If the thought of using glue freaks you out then try using a simple bar of soap, slightly dampen the end of the soap and keep wiping across the brows in the direction of growth until you are satisfied that they are smooth then continue with powdering and adding concealer, foundation similar to the steps above.

A DEFINITE FOR HIGH DEFINITION!

I have to rave about this fabulous product.

I have been using the ‘Graftobian High Definition Pro powder’ palette for just over a year now and it is the best of the best.

Graftobian Makeup Co. was established in 1978 and is a manufacturer and distributor of virtually every type of makeup.

The palette has lasted for the whole year and has been used on many films and photo shoots with only two of the colours having to be replaced.

Apart from the obvious, being that it is suitable for High Definition work as it is undetectable on screen or film, it lasts for ages and can be reapplied without any hassle.

I use it for concealing, highlight and shade and keeping shine at bay.

I purchased my palette from the fabulous online store ‘Makeup and Glow’ and haven’t looked back since.

You can purchase the complete 8 pan palette and any refills from www.makeupandglow.com.au while you’re there check out all the other amazing products they offer.

COMPETITIVE CLIENTS

When a potential client approaches you to do their Hair and Makeup for a competition, think strongly about whether you wish to be a part of this type of arrangement.

Now, I am speaking about competitions like amateur Karaoke contests or other amateur performing comps.
They will leave you saying that they love what you have done and are happy with the result.
Everything will be just peachy keen.

However, from my own experience, I can tell you it’s not worth the hassle.
They usually want things done on the super cheap and expect too much bang for their buck.
They’re expectations are set way too high and as a result, they have a long way to fall.
They’re amateur performers and have very little experience with winning and losing and as a result they are usually very sore losers.

Apart from this the main reason I suggest not doing someone’s Hair and Makeup for a competition is because when or if they don’t win, instead of understanding that it could be a number of things that made them lose, they will blame you and the Hair and Makeup.

My suggestion is to steer clear of them.

A DAY AT THE OFFICE

Sometimes people ask me what it’s like to work in the Film Industry doing what I do.
Many think it’s fun and glamourous and that there’s lots of sitting around doing nothing.
Well, it can be fun and glamourous and there might be some times when you have to wait for hours while other crew members set up and such, but let me reassure you that it is NO picnic!

You see, I don’t rock up to work at 8:30am and sit behind a desk until lunch when I enjoy a one hour break then return to the desk and continue until 5:00pm when I leave and go home, cook some dinner, potter around for how ever long, then go to bed.
I don’t get to just switch everything off, including my brain, and then leave.

Of course all the people who currently work in this Industry will relate to exactly what I am saying here but there are a lot of people who aren’t aware of what we do.

So for all those who would like to know?
This is a basic breakdown of a day in my field of work on a low budget project…
(This doesn’t differ much from when you are working on a big budget project except for a few things here and there.)

3:00am – Wake up, get ready and check that I have everything needed for the day.
4:00am – Travel to location.
4:30am – Arrive to location and set up.
5:00am – Hair and Makeup begin - most of the time I am making up a couple of actors at a time.
7:00am – Be on set, which may be quite a distance away.
The next 5 hours is spent running back and forth from set - retouching makeup’s to off set - doing other actors makeup’s, keeping track of continuity, setting up any SFX rigs and doing any SFX makeup on set and off set when required. Sometimes changing locations when needed.
12:00pm – Lunch - supplied at the location.
12:30pm – Hair and Makeup revision, retouches (especially mouths) and more actors’ makeup’s.
1:00pm – Be on set, sometimes in a different location from the one prior.
Again, the next 5 hours is spent running back and forth from set - retouching makeup’s to off set - doing other actors makeup’s, keeping track of continuity, setting up any SFX rigs and doing any SFX makeup on set and off set when required. Sometimes changing locations when needed.
6:00pm – Dinner, if you’re lucky - supplied at the location.
6:30pm – Begin “wrapping” the talent, removing Makeup, any prosthetics and Hair styling.
7:30pm – Pack up, clean work area and liaise with Producer, AD’s and Director about next day.
8:30pm – Travel home or to where you are staying.
9:00pm – Clean and sanitise makeup kit, brushes, tools, wash towels and hang to dry.
– organise makeup kit, brushes, tools and anything else required for the next day’s shoot.
10:00pm – Go to bed, if you can.

Repeat this, 5 – 6 days a week for however long the shoot period is.
Add to this - very strict time pressures, handling a wide gamut of creative personalities including some really needy actors, running everywhere, carting makeup bags everywhere, having makeup, blood and hair up to your elbows, constantly washing your hands, standing in broad searing sunlight or freezing cold dark for 14 hours, hearing your name called at least 100 times a day, supervising any assistants you may be lucky to have and remaining pleasant and approachable at all times.

As you can see, to have a career in this Industry, being talented and well connected is a must but stamina, patience, passion and massive sacrifice plays a more major role.

And yet, if I ever do apply for a normal 9 to 5 job, with all my professional and personal experience – I don’t even get a reply from the employer. Hilarious!! Rude!! I say, “Work one day on set with me and see how long you can last”.

Now I am not saying that the average job is not stress filled and tiring but it does kinda make you laugh when you hear a desk jockey complain about how tired they are or how bad their day at work was.

But hey…

Apart from all of this, and call me mental if you wish, I LOVE this Industry and I LOVE working in it!