For both regular women going out for the night, and makeup artists working on a celebrity’s makeup, the Kabuki Brush is a popular brush choice for applying mineral makeup – and its composition goes hand-in-hand with mineral makeup for the protection and nurturing of beautiful, healthy skin.

These brushes are short brushes with rounded tips, and they are typically made of the softest fibers. Kabuki brushes originated in Japan with the beauty rituals of early Kabuki and Geisha theaters, and they were originally intended to help contour and define the cheekbone.

Though they may come in different sizes, the most ideal ones fit comfortably in your hand and can be used for the application – not only of your mineral foundation, but also any blush, setting powder, or any other face colors you may prefer.

Why This Brush?

The Kabuki brush is the must-have, all-purpose brush without which no makeup accessory kit is complete. A quality kabuki brings makeup application to a completely different level. Often made with a luxurious, full head of incredibly soft goat hair (other types of animal hair are also available), they apply your makeup smoothly, contouring in such a way that the skin will look noticeably different when makeup is applied with a Kabuki brush than any other type of brush. These brushes may be used not only on the face, but also for makeup application anywhere on the body.

Many Kabuki brushes are even made especially for mineral makeup application. The wide dome allows for a fabulously smooth sweep of makeup or powder. They consistently distribute the right amount of pigment for beautiful recession contouring. It softly sculpts the face for great effect.

Great for use with bronzers

Anyone looking to maintain that healthy summer glow during the autumn and winter months should give a try to a Kabuki for bronzer application. Bronzers are much more natural especially when a Kabuki brush is used.

When shopping for this brush for bronzer application, make sure to choose one that works well for both the body and the face. Some smaller brushes may not work as well for bronzer dustings on the cleavage and shoulders, for instance.

What to look for in a Kabuki brush:

Like the one described above, the best Kabukis are made with a very soft animal hair. If you’re looking for a more affordable Kabuki brush, it is less likely that the brush will be made with animal hair, but you should try to avoid those made with any synthetic materials.

More affordable brushes may also come in a retractable version, though the higher-end brushes do not. If you’re not interested in an animal hair brush, high-end brushes not made with animal hair are also available, without any of the hygiene or animal rights issues that may be associated with brushes made from animal hair.

Caring for your Kabuki

It is important to care and clean your Kabuki brush regularly; this not only preserves the authenticity of your makeup color, but also prevents your skin from exposure to germs and bacteria that can build on the brush over time.

Cleaning your brush is similar to other makeup brushes. You should clean the bristles with gentle soap and water, and then make sure you rinse the brush very thoroughly. Stick your wet Kabuki upright into a cup, and allow it to air dry completely. Caring for your makeup brushes ensures great makeup application – as well as excellent longevity.

Learn more about the Kabuki brush and other makeup brushes at Cleopatra’s Choice

Organic makeup is safer for you because it is made without toxins that will be absorbed in your body and can cause you to become ill or have an allergic reaction.

There are many different brands of organic makeup on the market today All these have to pass strict regulations that ensure that they are truly chemical free. Organic make up is good for the environment, they are made now that will protect the skin, and the product is contained in eco-friendly containers.

Without chemicals are being absorbed in the body you have less risk of becoming ill and having an allergic reaction to your makeup. Not only does makeup have ingredients that can make you ill, also the lotions, soaps and deodorants that you use if they are not organic will make you sick and could have an allergic reaction.

The ingredients that they put in these hygiene products can have adverse effects on your health, where as organic and natural products are all natural and safer for you and your family. They are made in all the usual makeup that you are used to wearing, in many different shades and finishes. There are many different variations in the makeup that you can choose from now that will make you glow and have healthy skin. Most also have sun block in them to protect your skin even more.

If you want to protect yourself from reactions to chemicals and other toxins you will want to make sure that anything put next to your skin is synthetic free and organic.

Organic Makeup is safe and comes in different styles and shades. There are organic makeup and organic cosmetics that will suit every type of shade or skin type.

Do you ever wonder about eye makeup shades, how to apply them and more?

Phew! Let me take a big breath after that title. But it needs to be a long title, because it hits on an important topic. A lot of girls are a bit overwhelmed by beauty reviews on eye makeup how to apply it and choose it. If you’re getting confused by the beauty reviews you are reading, then my advice is to stop reading. Beauty reviews should be simple and straight-forward. Not complicated doctoral theses on the chemical makeup of makeup!

Each writer has her or his own take on how to create a beautiful face. And each model has her own characteristics like skin tone, eye color, hair color, etc.. Plus most of those beauty reviews only tell you the base colors they use. They don’t explain how the shades may have been blended with others. Maybe the makeup artist had an extra shade of her own lipstick that she blended in with the brand that they were promoting? These things happen all the time on the set. The object is to make the model look good while still selling their products.

That’s why I try to keep my beauty reviews short, sweet and on a single topic. Maybe two if they are related. Why? I really enjoy playing with makeup and learning about skincare. I think it should be fun. So here is my one quick tip on eye makeup and how to apply it.

Dark eye shadow minimizes the areas you apply it to. Lighter eye shadow colors bring attention to those areas. So if you want to make your eyes look closer together put your brighter eye shadow shade in the outer corner. If you want them to appear further apart try you brighter shade in the inner part of the eyelids. Try the Too Faced Eye Shadow Duo for some stunning color combinations like Cocoa Lily with chocolate brown and lilac rose.

Remember to pick colors that compliment your eye color. You do not want to match it exactly but pick shades that accentuate and enhance the natural coloring of your eyes. Do not go off the charts with your selections. You can pick unique colors but still try to stay within the frame of your natural colors.

Also remember you are trying to match your eye color, not your shoes, your dress or your hand bag. Your eye makeup is simply used to accentuate your eyes and to some extent your skin tone. You can match your outfit to your skin tone as well. That is the correct way to use cosmetic tips. Applying cosmetics should be a fun experience. Play with it. Have fun testing colors to see what works. Create a look that is unique to your personality.

This may sound like a simple technique on eye makeup how to apply it, but in my experience, the simplest beauty reviews are the most effective.

For more in depth, free beauty tips and tutorials you can go to: http://www.stillagirl.com

Caterina Christakos is the author of the Seduction Game for Women.

For more in depth, free beauty tips and tutorials you can go to: eye shadow tips

The secret of effective make up lies in the techniques of its application. The best make up techniques can make the heaviest make ups look most natural and yet attractive, concealing the flaws of the skin to perfection. The most effective trick lies in choosing the right kind of make up depending on the occasion and time of wearing it.

After washing the face properly, depending on the skin type and complexion a moisturizer is essential to maintain the skin balance. In case of a day make up, a sunscreen moisturizer or sun block is essential, which would suit individuals according to their different skin types. Choosing the right foundation can make a huge difference that comes in different types such as liquid, cream and foundation sticks. The “stick” type is considered to have a better coverage and is efficient in concealing the blemishes and broken veins completely, while a liquid base provides a more natural look with its lighter coverage. One of the most important aspects would be to match the color of the foundation with the complexion imparting a natural look and feel. In case of oily skins, dry compact bases or oil free liquid bases are recommended whereas a dry skin would require cream based foundations with a moist appearance.

Highlighting the cheekbones can be done with bronzing powders specifically made for the purpose and not with darker shades of foundation bases. Testing them in the daylight would be better to ensure that they look natural when applied and can be thus, applied preferably on the jaw lines instead of wrists.

Blending plays a very important role in make up and when done with perfection changes the appearance altogether. Using the fingertips for blending is the ideal way, although use of a damp sponge can also help. Blending the make up finely with the hairline, jaw lines, sides of the face, around the nose and taking it down to blend it with skin of the neck is essential so that the face does not look like a painted mask.

The colors of the blusher, lipstick, and lip liner are to be chosen to compliment each other.

Make Up provides detailed information on Make Up, Eye Make Up, Make Up Tips, Make Up Mirrors and more. Make Up is affiliated with Nail Care.

Have you ever held on to a pair of jeans that haven’t fit you in
over a decade because you truly believe that “someday” they will? I
think we all have.

And I also believe that all of us have done the same thing with
makeup. We buy makeup that doesn’t look good on us then toss it in
the makeup mistake drawer, with the congealing foundation that we
bought ten years ago.

We have this vague hope that some day miraculously these products
will look good on us and we won’t feel so bad about spending the
probably thousands of dollars, over the years, that we got
hoodwinked into spending on them.

Here is a fact that really didn’t hit me until a few years ago:
Sales people at these makeup counters are on commission, just like
the ones that tell you that the dress that makes your butt look
three times as big is absolutely “fabulous” on you.

Some truly want you to look good but many just want to make the
sale. These people may be short sighted, in that after you are
burned once by them, they will never see your shadow by their
display again but that still doesn’t change the fact that you have
been suckered.

Although I do buy some of my products in department stores and
pharmacies, I buy most of my products at Sephora. Why? Because they
stand behind their products 100%. If it doesn’t look good on you or
you simply don’t like it, or you have changed your mind – they will
take the used product back!

My sister used to work for them and people returned makeup all the
time, without being hastled. The staff there has less reason to
rush you through a sale because if you are not happy they will be
the ones having to refund your money, lose out on the commission
and waste time they could be spending helping another customer.

Now let’s get to the main problem of the makeup mistake drawer and
why it actually exists.

1) We hate to admit we are wrong. Isn’t that true? We go to the
counter, get convinced that, despite the fact that we are computer
glare pale, some tan goop looks good on us, make the decision to
pull out our credit card and spend our latest paycheck and then
spend the extra effort convincing ourselves that it must look good
if we went to all that effort.

2) We are inherently lazy. Now don’t go getting all offended. Think
about it. You have just spent all this effort buying the stuff and
retrying it on at home and then you have to go all the way back to
the mall to return it. The mere thought of fighting traffic to
return something can sometimes be tiring. It is the same principle
as the excercize equipment that you bought to use as a clothes
hanger. Who is going to take the time to pack and return that thing?

How to Get Past this, Clear out your Makeup Mistake Drawer and Find
the Right Makeup for You:

Long term purchases:

1) Go to your makeup mistake drawer right now and clear it out.

- a)Anything that has begun to seperate must go. Foundations go
first.

- b)Any mascara that has been in your drawer for 6 months or more
needs to be tossed. (Bacteria grows on the brush and can cause
infections)

- c)Every free shade of lipstick that you got with your purchase
must go. That is right that puce colored lipstick will never look
good on you or anyone else, which is why it was a freebee. That was
their fashion mistake that they fousted on you.

- Every moisturizer that made you break out needs to hit the trash
bin.

Short term purchases:

1) Admitting that we have a problem is the first step. Ok, so we
hate to admit we are wrong and we especially hate having to treck
to the mall to admit to the sales clerk that we were wrong. Maybe
we feel that we will hurt his or her feelings. Acknowledge this and
get over it.

-a) If you just recently bought something that doesn’t look good on
you and the store has a good return policy BRING IT BACK. If you
don’t want to return it to the same sales person fine but make sure
it is returned to some other sales person in the store.

- b)Get the credit for your item but don’t use it that day. You do
not have to feel obligated to make another purchase today. Save it
for a day when you really have time to try on different shades and
products.

Final Step for Future Beauty Purchases:

- 1)Schedule an Appointment with a Beauty Consultant – THIS IS FREE
in most department stores and makeup specialty shops.

-a) Only buy the products that you are shown that you truly like
and will really use. If they show you this great eye liner but your
hands shake and you have a fear of poking yourself in the eye DON’T
BUY IT.

b) Speak up. Nicely tell your makeup consultant if you are not
thrilled with the color choices, the way the product feels or the
way the makeover turned out. Be polite. Simply ask if you can try
another look or shade. If you have sensative skin, tell them that
before they pick a moisturizer or foundation. If you prefer to wear
just concealer and powder, let them know that as well.

The idea is to create a look that you can and want to replicate at
home.

That’s it folks. This is not rocket science. Let go of your hangups
about returns. If you truly feel guilty about taking the time to
make smart choices, take a portion of the money you would have
spent on makeup don’ts and donate it to charity. Then take the rest
of what you would have spent on the wrong shade of lipstick,
foundation, whatever and stick it in your savings account. You will
feel and look better believe me.

Caterina Christakos – founder of stillagirl.com – a positive place for women and girls. For more makeup tips go to: stillagirl.com

Before considering a career as a makeup artist, you must do field research. That’s the primary way to avoid pitfalls. Is there room in your geographical area for another makeup artist? What is the competition like? Are you willing to travel for, say, a wedding? How far? Is your car dependable? If you don’t want to travel, is your city big enough for you to get the client base you need?

Also get the scoop on pay in your area. It will vary, even in one town, depending on your clientele. Working for a wedding planner, you will make more than working for a mall photography shop. Find out what the highest and lowest income opportunities are.

Freelance or Corporate: Perks and Pitfalls

If your research gives you a green light, the next step is to decide between the freelance life and the employee life.

Working for a company, perhaps being a sales rep for your favorite cosmetics brand, or being the on-call makeup artist for a film production company, you can count on a regular paycheck and perhaps even benefits.

Joining the growing group of freelancers, you’ll need to spend at least 50% of your work day on marketing yourself.

Licensing

In either case – freelance or corporate – the next step is to become accredited.

Get the information on the legal, health, and educational certification required by your state, county, or town. Take classes from an accredited beauty school (many have generous scholarship programs).

How to Get Work

Now you’re ready for the most critical part of becoming a professional makeup artist: marketing yourself.

If you want to work for a company, you can send resumes to spas, beauty salons, and specific cosmetic companies. Once you get a job, you are on your way to a career. You can make contacts, work your way up in the organization, acquire mentors, and get that most magical benefit of all – experience. If you get a job with a specific cosmetic company, they may require you to take additional classes focusing on their products. Usually they will pay for that.

A plum job with great pay would be one with a special effects makeup company that does film and television work. Getting that job will require additional training, lots of pavement pounding, and living in the right city. L.A., Atlanta, Chicago, and New York are important film industry hubs. Other cities, like Austin, Texas, attract film professionals, but these people often bring their own makeup artists with them.

Choosing the freelance route means that self-promotion becomes a way of life. But once you reach a point where you have a little bit of paying work, you’ll find that word of mouth will exponentially increase your customer base.

Freelancing: Special Considerations

As a freelance makeup artist, you can approach wedding planners, photography studios, film production companies, ad agencies, and theatrical groups. Make sure, too, that all talent agencies in your area know about you.

You’re creative – that’s one reason you’re going into the makeup profession. And you can use that creative mind to make a list of marketing ideas. Here are a few to get you going:

• Print up business cards and always have them on you. Leave them with everyone you meet during the day.

• Join a networking group. These groups are extremely effective. You’ll meet perhaps once a month either for lunch or happy hour (some troopers have breakfast meetings!), and there will usually be an agenda, followed by a social time of mingling. Some networking groups are free, some charge a fee. If you’re just starting your networking experience, definitely join the free groups. You will have to pay for your meal and drinks, though.

• Walk tall and exude success. It always shows. Read books on your own. Study magazines. Try makeup techniques on your friends and read makeup sites on the Internet. Get your confidence up as high as it will go!

• Make a list of all your contacts. You have more than you realize. Friends, your accountant, your church or social groups, the shopkeepers you see regularly. Don’t worry, you’re not going to hassle these people. But you can send them a cute postcard announcing the opening of your new makeup business.

• Which brings us to the next item. Print up some eye-catching postcards (you can do it on your computer), and send them out. Always have extras so you can send them to new people as you meet them.

• Get yourself to any and all beauty-related events in your area. Whether it’s a trade show, a trunk show, a store opening, or a book signing, be there with your business cards.

• Put up a website. It’s easy, even if you’ve never done it before. Today, a website is more important than a business card! See Website – Do It Yourself to get started.

• Design and print up a resume-type introduction that you can give to the local spa directors and wedding planners. It must be unique – not bland like a business resume – and colorful. Use your imagination. Make it irresistible.

Today’s Freelance Makeup Artist Needs:

The other requirement of being a freelancer is that you’ll have to stock your own makeup kit. This is an investment, and if you make money, chances are you’ll be able to deduct the costs of your cosmetics.

Many women are going “green” these days, so be sure your makeup kit is filled with earth-friendly, skin-friendly, and non-animal tested products. If you want to specialize and use only vegan products, you could use that as a compelling marketing tool.

Being “known” for a unique niche is also a great way to catch business. You could specialize in makeovers, anti-aging looks, head shots for actors (although many actors prefer to do their own makeup), or runway and catalog makeup for models.

Whether you apply to work for a company or go freelance, remember: there is no guarantee that you will immediately earn enough money to live on. Go into the process with enough money saved up to keep you in the black for at least six to twelve months. And decide ahead of time how long you’re willing to go without clients. Market your services with an organized plan, and be persistent.

Going into the makeup artist business can be an awesome life change – financially and emotionally. Do it with care, do it with intelligence, do it with a plan – and you could be living your dream.

Suzann is a technical writer and copy editor, with many pieces published both for the web and in hard copy. A graduate of Northwestern University, she runs the website My Makeup Mirror. http://www.MyMakeupMirror.com

Make up Tip #1: Building Strong Skin

Cleansing

Make up brushes are made either from synthetic or natural fibers. Natural fiber brushes are better because natural hair, such as that of goat, squirrel, sable and mongoose, include pores – tiny pockets, which collect color and allow even placement. Make up brushes are available as brush sets with a built in mirror. Small make up sets contain 5 or less brushes, medium sets contain 6 to 8 brushes and large sets contain 9 or more brushes.

Soft and durable high quality brushes for the face are used to apply and blend products, contour and buff the face. Buffer brushers help you to buff, polish and blend powder or emollient-based products. Contour brushes blend and contour all powder products. The brow comb brushes are handy for brushing and shaping the eyebrow. The blush brushes are used for shading and highlighting the cheeks and face with powder and blush. The powder brushes are for applying face powder and for full and dense dusting of loose or pressed powder on face or body. These are good for blush application also. Foundation brushes are essential for applying cream or liquid foundation evenly.

Make up brushes for the eye include shader brushes, lash brushes for applying mascara products, and the brow groomer to groom and blend brow color and to brush the brows for a natural look. The eyeliner brush is used to line the eyes with liquid or cream products. The fluff brushes are suitable for the application of eye shadow to the eyelid area.

Lip brushes are used to apply lipstick, lip-gloss and lip conditioners. The lip liner brush is for controlled lipstick or eyeliner application. The retractable lip brush is a compact lip brush for the handbag.

Make up brushes must be washed on a regular basis with a tiny amount of shampoo and warm water. Then, allow them to dry with bristles positioned over the edge of a sink. Brush cleansers can be used to clean, disinfect and condition the brush fibers.

Make Up provides detailed information on Make Up, Eye Make Up, Make Up Tips, Make Up Mirrors and more. Make Up is affiliated with Nail Care.

My daughter has very sensitive skin that is prone to acne, irritation and inflammation. We had tried a huge variety of makeups and most caused problems for her. Recently, light, mineral based makeups have become all the rage and she wanted to try them simply because all of her friends were using them and she wanted to fit in. Turns out, this turned out to be a make up that she can wear all day and not be a shiny, oily, broken out mess by the afternoon.

Like most people, I assumed that bare essentuals mineral makeup consisted mostly of the foundation, but I’ve recently learned that I was wrong. The company actually offers an entire line of products and they all are free of irritating ingredients, just like the foundation. Here is a list of products I didn’t know existed, but I am now glad to know that they do:

Eye Shadows: The company makes eye shadows in many different colors. The eye colors come in small individual packaging, but they are pretty inexpensive and have some SPF coverage as well as being bismuth oxychloride free. Usually you can get a couple of shades of shadow for under $10.

Cheek Colors / Blush: Bare Essentuals makes powdered colored makeup that is primary used on cheeks but also can be used as eye and lip color as well. The colors come in 2 ounce packages and generally run under $10 also.

Lip Colors/ Lipstick: The company manufactures vitamin containing lip colors in a variety of shades with ingredients like jojoba, coconut oil, and macadamia oil which are said to condition lips while providing lasting coverage.

Face Care / Moisturizers: This line’s moisturizers are known as skin “rev-er uppers” and contains glycolic and salicylic acids and botanical extracts. My daughter could never use moisturizers before. They always clogged her pores and caused breakouts, but so far this is working for her. This item is relatively inexpensive, usually in the $5-$10 range.

As you can see, Bare Essentuals mineral makeup is not only about the foundation. Although the foundation is probably the best known product, there are also makeup and facial products available that are definitely worth a look and are pretty inexpensive, depending on where you chose to buy them.

To view a video demonstration of the proper Bare Essentuals application, as well as more information about many popular products, click here to visit the Bare Essentuals Makeup Website.

Make up powder is available in a wide variety of color shades. The best time to use make up powder is at the end of the make-up application, i.e., after applying the foundation, base, concealer, blushes, shadows, and liners. When these and other cosmetic products are used, a final dusting of the facial powder is essential to seal in color and prolong the effect of the make up. You can apply make up powder with a puff or a brush. These puffs and brushes have to be washed on a regular basis.

Make up powder is available either in a compact with a puff or sponge, or in a loose powder container. Compact powder is more suitable for touch-ups away from home. The loose powder is suitable for at home application. The make up powder application generally includes just dip, shake and dust.

Make up powder is available in colored form or with shimmering components to provide a sparkling, bright appearance for the skin. Make up powders for certain particular skin types and hues are also available nowadays. Certain make up powders possess a light reflective oil free formula that offers great coverage without clogging skin pores. This provides a great light and oil-free make up. The bronzing powder compact is a popular type, which is a refillable tanning powder. The microfine components and special pigments offer a soft, silky, smooth “one day” tan instantly. This compact can also be used as the natural looking rouge. It is water repellent and therefore long-lasting. It is also free of mineral oils, talc and fragrance. Other types of compact powder moisturize the skin and protect it with hyaluronic acid. Loose make up powder absorbs excess oils and leaves the skin with a silky, smooth touch. Most make up powders are available with SPF for added protection from the sun. The SPF is the sun protection factor which denotes the degree to which the powder protects the skin from ultraviolet rays.

Make Up provides detailed information on Make Up, Eye Make Up, Make Up Tips, Make Up Mirrors and more. Make Up is affiliated with Nail Care.