International Makeup Artist Trade Show or IMAT.

I have to interrupt my original train of thought for a special story:…..

The International Makeup Artist Trade Show….that’s where I was in Pasadena, CA this weekend. I was demonstrating the Luminess Air Airbrush machine and Mineral, Water-Based Makeup used by the likes of Ve-Johnny Depp’s Makeup Artist for “Pirates of The Caribbean” and “Sweeney Todd”.

Ve was kind enough to show me exactly how she did Johnny Depp’s makeup for Sweeney “Todd” on Sunday using this awesome, quiet, light little machine. Unbelievable. By using a very light, almost white makeup on Johnny’s face as a base, Ve was able to use the Luminess Air machine in a much, much darker shade to create the crazy contours on his cheekbones and chin to give him that ghostlike quality. Followed up by RED eyeliner inside the rim of his eyes which bled out to his bottom lashes to make him especially doom-inspired!

There were many awesome finds at the IMAT show. One of my favorites was “PROS-AIDE” Water-based, non-toxic adhesive for facial hardware (Prosthetic pieces) to replace the very TOXIC Spirit Gum of days gone by.

It is my pure pleasure to be a part of Talkingmakeup.com as a contributor for the first time!

My name is Victoria Rowe, and I am a freelance Makeup Artist residing in Los Angeles, CA.  My passion, as well as my area of expertise, happens to be in making people beautiful and happy-inside and out!  When working in Hollywood on Celebrities, Models, Actors, and Musicians, the most important thing is to smile and have a lot of fun!  It makes the day go better, and it makes the work look fabulous!!!  I’d like to share with you some of my experiences as a  Makeup Artist that you can hopefully learn a lot from and enjoy.  I want to make your life a little less stressful and confusing, and a little more fun!!!

Victoria Rowe (left). Victoria with Kimberley Stewart (right).

Here goes!!!

One of the most important lessons we all have to learn about makeup starts with our skin.  Dare I say, you can spend all the money you want on great-looking packaging and fun-looking colors, but when your skin is a mess-it all looks bad!   This leads me to my first and most important rule in Makeup…..Skin is made of nearly 80% water, it needs to be hydrated to be healthy and to look good no matter what your age!!! 

Victoria’s Pick Number 1: Jason Organics Esther-C Cream, around $14.95.

Now, first you may be saying, “Victoria, I have Oily skin.  If I moisturize, I break out.” Think of the logic behind that.  You’re saying your skin cannot handle moisture or hydration.  How can that be true if your skin is composed of almost 80% water? What you’re really saying is, “I don’t want to wait for my moisturizer to soak in before I put on my Makeup.”  We all need moisture!  So many people are taking medicines (we won’t name them all) or treatments meant to dry out the skin.  Some people are under heavy emotional stress or a change of environment or weather.   But what they don’t know or haven’t been told most of the time, is that their skin has to have that moisture replaced or it will start to compensate by creating oil to “moisturize” itself.  Next, your pores open up to shoot out the oil and now every piece of dirt or bacteria is stuck, clogging the pore and creating a blemish on your poor little face!!!

Victoria’s Pick Number 2: Burt’s Bees Pomegranate Creams.
Burt’s Bees Naturally Ageless with Pomegranate & White Birch Bark Night Creme, $25.00.

It’s true.  Oily skin is Dry skin that is creating oil to try and moisturize itself.  Our skin will try to hydrate itself every time it is low on moisture.  Therefore, I beg all of my clients to use products that are hydrating, Mineral Oil and Petroleum-Free, and preferably organic or as natural as possible.  My favorite picks for Moisturizers for Acne Scarring and Oily/Dry Skin are:  Jason’s Organics Esther-C cream (the esther is the purest form of vitamin C and creates the fastest delivery of the vitamin into your skin), or Burt’s Bees Royal Jelly or Pomegranate Anti-Ageing creams for all other skin types.  I recommend using these creams as often as possible on a distressed face (while watching TV, using the computer, sleeping, as well as right out of the shower under makeup).  If you are afraid of the word “Anti-Ageing,” fear not.  These creams are all natural, you can understand all of the ingredients, and Anti-Ageing is only a reference to some really great ingredients that will help fortify and strengthen your skin’s ability to look and be healthy.  You can never start that too early!!!

Victoria’s Pick Number 3: Burt’s Bees Royal Jelly Creams.
Burt’s Bee Radiance Day Creme with Royal Jelly, $15.00.

Your lips need moisture too!  One of my favorite products for that is Too Faced Cosmetics “FUZE” Lip Gloss.  This product isn’t sticky, it goes on clear with a nice fruity taste, and for fun, it contains the appetite suppressant “Citromax” which is found in the “FUZE” energy drink.  If you favor lipsticks, Bare Essentials Lipsticks contain no Parabens or harmful preservatives.  We all need to look to healthier lip products because that is what we put in our mouth and in our bodies every day!

Victoria’s Pick number 4: Too Faced Fuze Slendersize Lip Gloss, $18.50 (left). Bare Escentuals Lipsticks, $15.00 (right).

Once you have chosen a great, Mineral and Petroleum-free moisturizer, be sure to couple it with a sunscreen of at LEAST 15SPF, preferably 30SPF+.  One of my favorites is Kiehl’s SPF25 Sport Spray.  Let these products sit and soak for a few minutes.  If you have time, do your hair first.  This way, your products will be sufficiently absorbed when you are ready for primers or foundations.  Don’t be afraid to mix a liquid foundation with a little moisturizer or sunscreen together to get a gorgeous dewy look.

Victoria’s pick number 5: Kiehl’s Vital Sun Protection Spray SPF 25 for Children.
(”All-Sport Year-Round” Face & Body Spray), $17.50.

Next time, we’ll talk about foundations and which one is the right one for you!!!!

Thanks for your time and stay GORGEOUS!!!

Love,
Victoria

PS-Check out my website at:  www.victoriarowe.com

And my MySpace at: http://www.myspace.com/halocosmetics333