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Costumer's Notes: January 2001
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Cosmetic Hints and TipsInvest in the best tools you can afford. Makeup brushes, tweezers and things such as eyelash curlers and a good mirror can make application easier and with better results. Even inexpensive products will look fabulous when applied with precision using high quality tools. Box it up. Take a lead from professional makeup artists who carry their 'tools of the trade' in organized fishing tackle boxes. Make sure to know what your size requirements are before you purchase your box. There are boxes designed with storing cosmetics in mind, but a tackle box might be less expensive, though more utilitarian looking. Visit a makeup artist and get "done." There are many makeup artists at full service salons, day spas and affiliated with photographic studios. Make sure to explain your needs as a performer and pay attention during the application process. Even if the look is ultimately not usable for performance, you may come away with a whole bag of fresh ideas, tips and techniques. Shop the "After Holiday" sales and pick up an eye shadow palette with the season's hottest colors. Use this item to play and experiment with numerous color combinations. You may want to consider the size of your cosmetic box or bag when purchasing one of these collections; some can get quite big! Always put your eye makeup on in the same order. Generally, women are more adept at applying makeup on the eye on the same side as their dominant hand. For right-handed ladies, the right eye will be the easiest to apply. Since getting a matched look for the eyes is always a goal, starting with the more difficult eye allows for fine-tuning on the easier side. Blend, blend, BLEND! Take your foundation down to your neck to avoid that mask-like look with a hard edge of foundation along the edge of the jaw. Blending is the key to successful results. Don't be "Branded." Experiment and try products from a variety of companies. Good quality and excellent results can be achieved at a variety of price points. For instance, one of the most popular mascara on the market today is Maybelene Greatlash in the familiar pink and green tube. Used by many pros, the price is minimal, it's widely available and you can frequently find coupons for this product line. Since mascara should be changed ever 6 months to prevent bacterial growth, this is a great way to save money. Emphasize your eyebrows! Eyebrows are one of the most important features to accentuate for performance. The audience reads emotion not only through the smile, but also through the movement of the eyebrows. However, most dancers neglect this region. When harsh stage lighting hits the eyebrows, it gets reflected back off of the skin. Even ladies with dark hair can have their brows disappear. To minimize this effect, using an eyebrow pencil or eye shadow on the skin beneath the eyebrow. For dancers with fair hair this is a critical step. Always wear sunscreen when outside. Sun damage will age the skin and contribute to nasty things like skin cancer. To get that "sun kissed" look, keep a tube of bronzing gel, or some dusting powder in your collection. For best results, apply gel on top of foundation, but beneath your blush. Invest in good quality concealer and foundation. Color cosmetics, such as eyeshadow, lipstick and blush go in and out of fashion frequently and are outer layer cosmetics that sit upon the layer of foundation. Finding a foundation that exactly matches your skin tone, wears well during strenuous exercise and is affordable is a challenge. Paying a little extra on this layer is worth it in the long run. Do your research. Visit your local library or check out the selection at your favorite book store. There are many books out, both recent and vintage that deal with the application of cosmetics and makeup technique. If you can afford to build your own research library, read reviews both on the web and off, talk to friends, instructors and troupe-mates to find out which books they recommend before making your selection. Make every purchase count. |
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