Anna - Before & After

Anna, pictured here, came to one of my group workshops a few months back. We reconnected to discuss beauty/spa products and her personal beauty routine. As a certified image and etiquette consultant and CEO of Dale Resources, Anna does a lot of public speaking (sometimes on television).

Her personal style is, as expected, impeccable. And she faithfully uses an at home galvanic treatment device for her skin's health. But she's admitted she'd like advice on makeup selection and application, especially for those big event days.

When we met the first time Anna was simply wearing a light pink lip gloss and a swipe of soft black mascara (pictured above left). She has nearly perfect skin, soft and even toned, so foundation isn't a daily must-do. But I felt we could apply a sheer foundation like miessence organics translucent foundation to add a little glow to her skin for special occasions.

And I really wanted to bring out her eyes while also offering her a pop of cheek color to brighten her face.

Although we would be applying a full face of makeup, the goal was not a total redux. Think polished, not glam. We want her clients to still recognize her.

With mature skin it's important to pay attention to texture. Too much face powder or glittery colors accentuate lines and take away from natural beauty. Less, applied properly, is more.

After Anna washed and moisturized her face, I applied Brite Prep, a brightening foundation primer from FX, underneath Anna's eyes and just a dab all over her face. Concealer and foundation goes on and stays on better with a good primer underneath. It's a bonus that Brite Prep also has an SPF 50.

Next I reached for Laura Mercier's Undercover Pot-2, a great concealer with two color options for blending in a convenient travel sized pot.

I used a nylon brush to blend the concealer underneath her eyes and around her nose where she had the slightest bit of redness. Next came a thin layer of foundation applied with a damp sponge.

I applied a very light dusting of loose powder (using a huge, fluffy powder brush, not a puff) to set the concealer and foundation, careful not to cake it on.

Next, I gave her a swipe of Nars Orgasm blush on her cheekbones to accentuate the shape of her face.

Since we'd decided that the eyes were our focal point, I hand blended loose green and bronze mineral eye shadows to get a color that would work with Anna's changing eye colors and small shape. I added a stroke of the same color underneath her eyes as liner (I hate pencil eye liners for under eye definition unless I'm doing a smokey eye - they look harsh). I lined the top of her eyes with a dark brown pencil liner right in the lash line.

A coat of black mascara on the top lashes only finished her eyes.

The final touch was Bronzed Beauty lip gloss by Sephora (Thanks, Elizabeth for insisting I try it. I love the color).


Now Anna's makeup is as pulled together as the rest of her.

If you'd like to schedule a similar personal consultation, contact me at makeuptheory AT Verizon.net.

On a side note today (August 1) is my birthday! I'll be doing a weekend long celebration. Will post again on Monday. Enjoy your weekend.

New Business Collaboration

My friend Paul, a successful commercial photographer, wants to challenge his talents to grow in a different direction. We've been brainstorming on some business ideas that we'd enjoy doing together.

Our new venture? Model and actor portfolios/head shots. It doesn't pay nowhere near what we're both used to making for commercial and editorial work, but we'd have more creative freedom to make pretty pictures. And honestly, it would simply be fun.

So starting this weekend, we'll be shooting our first model shots. We've got three gorgeous young women from a local agency who'll be building their books. One of the girls is in negotiations with Wilhelmina Models in New York City.



We're providing three looks for each model including makeup/hair and wardrobe styling.

We also have some upcoming shoots for actor head shots.

A shout out to the local Barbizon and to my agent, Mary, for sending us our first victims, um, clients. And we'll have the ever wonderful Rachel to do her amazing hair styles. Rachel, if you're reading this, please don't leave us to move to San Francisco. We need you. LOL.




If you're a model/actor (or singer, comedian, etc.) in the Pennsylvania, NJ, Maryland or DC area, give us a shout out. We'll give you amazing portfolio photos and head shots. We're also considering doing magazine style family portraits. Stay tuned.

The photos here are Paul's work for advertising clients.

Professional Spa Treatments in Your Home

A few weeks ago, Anna, a woman who'd been a guest in one of my makeup workshops contacted me. She wanted to introduce me to a skin treatment device that is getting a lot of media attention, the Galvanic Spa System II by Nu Skin.

As you may have read in fashion and travel magazines and seen on numerous news channels, the whole idea behind this sleek little device is regaining youthful skin. That makes perfect sense for a product developed by Nu Skin. Their focus since the company's inception has been state-of-the art anti-aging products.



Anna emailed me a litany of brochures and web links that gushed over this new beauty treatment. After reading the rave reviews, I decided it would be fun to check it out. We set up an appointment. I also asked a friend to come along and give her feedback.

The first thing Anna showed me were the company's before and after shots. I saw pictures of women and men who had used the Galvanic Spa System II on just one side of their face (or tummy, thighs, etc). The idea was to show the visible difference between treated and untreated skin after continued use of the product.




I have to admit, I was impressed. Some shots showed small changes with just two weeks of use. Others showed drastic skin improvements as the treatments had been continued over the course of several months.

The trick to seeing the major results is using the skin device along with the facial gels containing Nu Skin's AgeLOC technology. Okay, I'm warning you, I'm not a science type, but here's my best interpretation of what happens with the gel/machine combo:

Nu Skin's research has discovered clusters of genes that play a critical role in the process of aging. Nu Skin calls these "Youth Gene Clusters." The ingredients in the AgeLOC gel is said to work with these Youth Gene Clusters while simultaneously fighting against arNOX (a source of aging identified by Nu Skin).

The galvanic machine then helps the gel to penetrate to deeper levels and do its job correctly. Phew. I have a headache now. And if a Nu Skin rep reads this and has a fit because I totally botched it, please comment and I will change it.

But this is my dummied down version of what I think happens. At any rate, the gel and the galvanic machine seem to be working for a lot of people. In my five-minute treatment session, all I was able to determine is that it doesn't hurt in any way.

I obviously can't comment personally on the long term effects as I did not do the treatments for several weeks. I came pretty close to buying the galvanic machine.




I considered writing the $300 check on the spot. I mean it would only be a one time cost. But then I looked into the cost of the gel packets. The recommended treatment schedule is three times a week. Four packs of gels costs $46. A one-month supply of gel would be $138. That is in addition to my other skin care products - cleanser, toner, moisturizer, masks.

For my current budget, it's not a responsible investment. Perhaps when the economy changes and I'm back to the level of work I'm accustomed to getting. But I'm glad I got the chance to try it. And tell you all about it.

Has anyone out there used the Galvanic Spa System II for an extended amount of time? What were your results? Do you have pictures you could show us?

Who Are We?

I just got back from my gig in NYC. It was for a modeling and acting convention that is held in NYC and Los Angeles yearly. I did makeup and wardrobe styling for one of the modeling agencies that participated.

There were thousands of teens with dreams of fame and fortune. Some of the parents were more driven about it all than the kids. A few kids, as happens every year, will be picked up by major modeling and acting agents. They are the faces that will be on the magazine covers and movie screens in the next few years.

Every year the local agency I go with has several girls and guys who snatch a lot of the agency spots. One boy in particular garnered so much attention that his local agent was bombarded most of the night with calls from New York City modeling agents requesting they get first shot at signing the 16 year old.

I'll admit, he's incredibly beautiful with his chiseled jaw line, his black, waist length hair and perfect smile. One agent wasn't sure if he was a girl or a boy he's so gorgeous!

But just as he was this year's hit at the convention, thousands of kids will go home with nothing to show for their efforts. And all of the money and hopes their parents placed on them. The convention is not a cheap endeavor. It's not a scam by any means. Every year a few golden teens become the next Halle Berry or Elisha Wood (both discovered at modeling/talent conventions).

But for those who didn't garner the attention for whatever reasons, it's a painful ride back home.

To guarantee a coveted spot with a top agent, the girls I work with start preparing a full year in advance. Teachers are brought on board to transform them from Central PA high schoolers to model material. Everything from eating habits to understanding current clothing trends is taught. I come in for the makeup and wardrobe tutoring.

By the time they get to the convention, they really are prepared despite how nervous many of them are.

Several of the girls I worked with this year obsessed constantly over everything from the cut of their jeans (Do you think the skinny jeans make me look hip heavy???) to their natural genes (Should I straighten my hair and lighten it so the agents will notice me more?).

For some reason, hair was a big ordeal this year. The hair stylist was a friend of mine. She's amazing at what she does. But repeatedly I heard one young woman stressing out my friend about the styles chosen for her.

As much as the young woman was annoying, I couldn't help but think about how hair plays such an important role in our society. It's part of the bigger issues about image and how we're perceived based on something as fleeting as our looks.

To switch gears here for a moment, I'd like to relate a few stories.

A male friend who is part Native American (the other part is German)has the most beautiful hair I've ever seen on a male. Thick, wavy curls that grow down his back and drive the girls crazy. But he had to cut it down to a conservative style a few years ago. The reason? Clients wouldn't hire him for his photography services because he looked too "ethnic".

I can't tell you how much that pissed me off.

An African-American media personality told me not long ago that she was forced to straighten her hair for her job. She would not be considered for an on-camera role if she didn't take out her natural curl. Grrrrrr.

When are we going to stop this craziness?

No wonder that 18 year old was driving my friend crazy about her hair styles. We're conditioned to think we have to be or look a particular way (dare I say a homogenized way) in order to be rewarded in our society.

I'm not sure if that girl got any agent call backs. I left the convention early to have some down time in the city with friends. But the entire ordeal left a weird taste in my mouth.

I wish we could finally realize that physical beauty isn't a particular hair color, eye shape or body shape, even.

Okay. I'm done. Just needed to get that off my chest. Enjoy the India Arie video. She's so right on.

Big Apple Here I Come!

I'm going back home to New York City for a few days to do a job. See you all when I get back.

From Video Shoot to Straw Bale Building

Most of last week I was working on a video shoot for Subzero. Then shift everything radically to the left as I race to West Virginia at the end of the week to volunteer on a straw bale building project.



Several friends have asked me if I'm going through some sort of midlife crisis early. It seems lately I've been anxious to do things outside of the realm of glamorous. Stretch myself a little.

Working on a house building project was a definite stretch for me. But here's how it all started: I pitched a story to a magazine (I sometimes work as a writer, too)on straw bale houses. I'd seen pictures of one in a book at Barnes & Noble.

When I got the green light to do the story, I sent out a mass email asking if anyone knew of someone who lived in a straw bale house. Three families contacted me. I visited their homes, heard their stories about building their own abodes and learned more about Green architect than I'd ever imagined.




In all of the discussions the same name came up several time: Sigi Koko. She's a seriously good architect who focuses just on natural building projects. I loved her already.






I connected with Sigi through email and picked her brain for my story. She was absolutely wonderful. She answered all of my questions, but in a way that didn't make me feel silly for asking. I'd never built even a book shelf so I'm sure some of my questions were very basic.

My story was published. The magazine got accolades for covering such an interesting topic. And I got paid. All's well that ends well.

But for me, it hadn't ended. I really wanted, no needed to get my hands on some straw bale and build something! It became an obsession. I am so serious here.

So, when I found out about a hands on workshop that Sigi would be giving on a retreat area in West Virginia, I jumped at the opportunity. Three days in the woods lugging hay around and connecting with total strangers? I loved it.

The house we worked on will be home to a kind couple who is a part of the Rolling Ridge Study Retreat Community.

I have to say it was hard work, but a lot of fun, too. And how excited was I to finally meet Sigi in person and learn from her! Here are shots of the crew and a link to more photos, if you're interested.

If you'd like to volunteer to help on this project, check out this link.

Eve Organics Winner

Hey there.

I am rushing like mad out the door for a weekend workshop on straw bale building! A few years ago I was an editor for a regional magazine and I pitched a story on eco homes. I wanted to learn about straw bale houses so badly.

Well, after finishing the story, I wanted very much to participate in building one. I'll be doing just that for the next three days at a residential community/yoga retreat center.

I can hardly wait.

But before I leave, I need to announce our Eve Organics Giveaway winner. It's Jenn from the blog, Starting my life in the Navy.

Jenn, you are going to be the cutest officer in boot camp with these gorgeous cosmetics. LOL

Just send me an email with which of the two lip gloss colors you'd like and which blush color makes you happy, along with your mailing address to: makeuptheory@verizon.net

Your products will be sent directly from the company.

I'll connect with you all when I get back from my building adventure.

XOXO

Todra

Latisse Eyelash Medication

Have any of you seen the commercials with Brooke Shields endorsing a new FDA approved eyelash medication? The formal name of the product is Latisse. Here is a video about it. There are fancier commercials/videos out there, but they all warn of impending death if anyone uses their video in a blog. Copyright laws are serious business.

But this doctor, Charles Runnel, answers the basic questions about Latisse. And he doesn't seem hostile about others using his video. After watching it, tell me if you'd try the product. Or if you have already.

I have a natural suspicion concerning drugs that address cosmetic concerns only. But the idea of having long, sexy Bambi lashes the moment I wake up is sort of appealing, although incredibly vain.

People using Latisse have reported the need to trim their eyelashes because they grew so long and thick. However, I did hear that the product turns blue eyes brown with extended use. Hmmm. That sort of freaks me out. I already have brown eyes, so I wouldn't see a change, but it's weird that the medication has the ability to change eye color. I just wonder how safe this is long term. What do you think?

Eve Organics Giveaway

It's no secret that I'm a cosmetics junkie. When I get product samples in the mail, it totally makes my day. And when its an indie brand I'm receiving, I usually get to know the woman behind the brand. Sometimes we find a fun bond that goes beyond makeup.

Jenn and I first met through this blog and the samples of an organic lip balm she sent for me to try. Now she's my Cali escape girl.

Kelley Maddison and I met several years ago when she was just starting out as a medical esthetician. Now that she's a natural cosmetics formulator, she's someone I trust to explain ingredients and their performance/hazards. It's also fun to gross her out with emailed photos of my dinner (frog legs, squid, etc).

Now I can add another friend to my list - Sharron Pinheiro of Eve Organics. Sharron first sent samples from her line several months ago. She was generous, sending skin care and color cosmetics.


She also sent a LOT of literature about the hazards of synthetic ingredients and parabens. I sat and read everything from cover to cover. It confirmed what I already believed. Many ingredients in mainstream products aren't good for consumers.

But, as a makeup artist, what I endorse and use on my shoots have to be quality, not just healthy. I've found Eve Organics to be both. I use her color and skin care products on shoots and on my self.

Equally important, she's always upbeat and kind when we talk. She doesn't make me feel pressured to "hurry up and review my stuff," when she sends something. And lately, in light of some heavy family things I'm going through she's been a source of encouragement.

As her small indie brand is picking up momentum (Whole Foods has taken notice!), I asked her to grant me an interview here (before she blows up and snubs me. LOL)

Makeup Theory: Sharron, there are a lot of mineral makeup lines on the market. It seems new ones are popping up daily. But I've noticed besides creating a mineral makeup line, you're spending a lot of money on educational material concerning harmful ingredients found in beauty products. Why?

Sharron: When I decided to create my makeup brand, I was personally using a big name mineral makeup line and it was itching my skin and irritating my rosacea. That didn't make sense to me. I started to research and realized all mineral cosmetics are not as pure as they are marketed to be. I discovered the other brand had parabens in it. Why? Mineral makeup is simply dirt. You don't need preservatives.

I've always advocated using the purest, simplest ingredients in my organic skin care line (which I had before the makeup line). Mineral makeup was simply an extension of what I was already doing. Helping women understand what "natural" really means and how to read beauty labels is part of our mission as a company.

Makeup Theory: I love the idea of a folding business card with names of harmful ingredients printed right on it. I keep one in my wallet for the rare times when I buy mainstream products. I can pull my card out and compare the label's ingredients to your list.

Sharron: We hand those out in our educational workshops and give them to customers. We find women simply don't know what some of these ingredients have been linked to. The idea isn't to bash other companies or to say buy our products exclusively. We want women to know they have a choice in what they put on and in their bodies. We just don't want women misled by advertising.

Makeup Theory: Oh, please. Don't get me started on all the junk out there in the supermarket that's being touted as "natural." That word means absolutely nothing. I've learned to read everything. There is no FDA standard on what can be called natural, right?

Sharron: Actually, only 1% of the ingredients in a product has to be naturally derived for the label to say "natural." We run into these questions a lot with our skin care line. I make the skincare myself using organic ingredients and pure Essential Oils. I don't use fragrance at all. Fragrance can have up to 300 different ingredients in it. There are so many hidden things in there that have been found to be linked to health conditions. It’s stuff we don’t really need in there.

Makeup Theory: I noticed how different your skincare and bath products smell from something I'd get, say, at Bath & Body works. Your scents are earthier and more complex.

Sharron: Yes. I try to explain that there are synthetic fragrances and then there are scents from plants. Essential oils are mostly from leaves, not the fruit – kiwi strawberry scent is not from Essential Oils. Leaves don’t give off the scent of the fruit. Only citrus oils can reproduce the scent - say lemon or grapefruit.

Makeup Theory: I love sweet orange EO.

Sharron: Yes, that's a good one.

Makeup Theory: I tend to be someone who really loves scents, but what if you have a customer who really doesn't want any scent to their skincare?

Sharron: The Essential Oils I use in my products aren't just for the scents. They are also for healing properties such as hormonal balance. But, if someone doesn't want the scent I can easily custom make their products without it. We're actually working on a line now that doesn't have scent.

Makeup Theory: In the future, do you think more consumers will demand that skin care and makeup become healthier and more environmentally conscious?

Sharron: I think we are headed that way – back to the basics. I don’t think enough research was done back in the 50s and 60s when things were being put into products without testing them thoroughly. People are becoming chemical sensitive, allergies are going through the roof and our bodies aren’t used to that. I think it’s going to take us going back to the basics so people can detox their lives. As everyone becomes more educated, we’ll put pressure on the big companies to make things more natural.

Makeup Theory: On a slightly different topic here - I wanted to mention your cruelty free brushes. I've always advocated natural fur cosmetic brushes because they blend impeccably. But lately I've been disturbed about the cruel conditions the animals are kept in. I gave the brushes you sent me a try.

Sharron: What did you think?

Makeup Theory: I'll admit it took me a minute to be comfortable with them. The hair is really soft to the skin and the brushes did the job, but they felt different in my hand. My strokes felt different. But that's something I can get used to. The only brush that I noticed a major difference in application from natural hair was the foundation brush. The mineral foundation didn't cling to it as well as it does to the natural brush. But otherwise, they were really good. Even the blender brush. I was surprised. You've got a good set of brushes there.

Sharron: Thank you. We're still tweaking the brush line, but I'd have to say I'm happy with most of it. We've gotten good feedback on them.

Makeup Theory: Speaking of good feedback. I've been hearing the buzz about your company's giving. Your brand gives 10% of everything earned to charity. What are you doing? You're a small, new brand. I'd think you'd want to reinvest everything back into your business, especially in this economic climate.

Sharron: We are a new business and we do have our struggles but, I really believe in giving back. Giving, along with taking care of the environment, is what we all need to do. People have helped me in so many ways in the past. I'm paying it forward.

Makeup Theory: How do you decide what charities to give to?

Sharron: Sometimes we choose local charities, sometimes national ones. Sometimes customers suggest charities. We try to choose a different one every quarter. We have donated to Breast Cancer organizations in October and MS charities in March.

Makeup Theory: As a result of your giving and your environmental work, Eve Organics has been nominated for a few awards; Your name came up for Beauty with a Conscience and Natural Beauty Award. That's pretty impressive for a 2.5 year old company. Congratulations.

Sharron: Thanks. We were very excited about it. And now mainstream magazines like Teen Vogue is taking notice. They mentioned our glitter shadows in one of their recent issues.

Makeup Theory: Oh, once the teens decide your brand is IT, there will be no stopping your success. (Laughs) Oh, before I wind this up, I want to share that cool tip you sent me. Remember? The one about foundation?

Sharron: Oh, yes! You mix a little bit of a good quality moisturizer with any of my loose powder foundations to create a concealer. Add a little more moisturizer to get a shear cream foundation.

Makeup Theory: That's a great tip because sometimes my customers don't like how powder foundations apply to the skin. A cream may be more comfortable for some women.

Sharron: Absolutely.

Makeup Theory: Where can we buy your products besides your website?

Sharron: In August I'll be opening my first retail space in Chesterfield, Michigan. We plan to expand further into the Michigan market and then into Chicago. We are in negotiations with Whole Foods, also. If all goes as planned, we'll be in our local Whole Foods first; then hopefully we'll be able to expand nationally.

Makeup Theory: That's fantastic. Good luck to you. Also, can we give something away here today so readers can try Eve Organics?

Sharron: Sure. What do you want to give?

Makeup Theory: I was thinking of doing a fun summer look, let's call it Sunkissed. How about letting one winner choose either the Bronze Babe or Shimmery Bronze lip gloss and any blush they'd like?

Sharron: That sounds great.

Makeup Theory: As usual, this giveaway is only for those who follow this blog (simply hit the Follow button to the right above if you're not already a follower). Leave a comment telling us if you've ever tried natural cosmetics and what you thought of them at the end of this post and you'll automatically be entered to win. We'll pick a winner on Friday, July 10, 2009.

Thank you to Sharron for taking the time to tell us about her great products!

Candy Glam Winner

Oops. I had a packed work schedule yesterday that kept me away from the lap top. But I did get a chance to actually pick a winner for the Candy Glam Giveaway. I just didn't get the chance to announce it as scheduled.

But here goes:

Amy from Changing Focus is the winner!

Congrats to Amy.

Thanks to all of you who entered.