Smashbox Primers now @ KIT. A brief review...

Recently I was given a bag full of Smashbox primers from KIT.  I've used the original Photo Finish Primer tonnes of times before, and I love it. I'm not really a pro-primer makeup artist, because I believe that good exfoliated and moisturised skin is enough for a gorgeous foundation base. But these OIL FREE Primers do give a great finish to every one's skin, particularly 25+ skin.

In order of the photo:


Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer (original)

Amazing foundation finish, especially for older skin or acne scared skin.

Smashbox Photo Finish UVA/UVB SPF 15 Primer

I haven't tried this one yet but having SPF in your Primer is better than having it in your foundation (it can make foundations greasy).

Smashbox Photo Finish Colour Correcting Primer Blend (Peach)

Apricot will blend colour and correct skin tone including concealing under eye circles, veins and sunspots.

Didn't see much of a difference on my skin but being very fair and having translucent skin I need a little more coverage with eye circles, veins and dreaded sunspots. 

Smashbox Photo Finish Bronzing Primer

I can't test this one on myself, I'm just too white and it would look ridiculous! But can't wait for the next client opportunity. Although I wonder if it will have much effect, since you apply foundation over the top anyway. I will let you all know! - UPDATE This product is fantastic if you need a bit of extra colour to match a spray tan when the tan hasn't taken to your face (or you've washed it off but your body is still brown). It gives that little extra oomph to your foundation!

Smashbox Photo Finish Colour Correcting Primer Adjust (Green)

Green will correct colour and counteract redness. I tested it on my cheeks where I have a bit of redness - a slight difference but not that noticable. I'll keep using it for the next week and then decide whether it will go in my kit or not. - UPDATE  I haven't really found any difference between this and the original clear primer...it really doesn't adjust your skin at all.

Smashbox Artifical Light Luminizing Lotion in Pearl

This is quite gorgeous! Although it's best applied after foundation and blended well down the nose and along the top of the cheekbone. It can also be mixed with foundation; looks best at night, during the day it just looks too greasy. - UPDATE Loving this for evening clients!

Smashbox Photo Finish Lid Primer

Fantastic! No eyeshadow creasing from 6am until 11pm when I washed my face!

Conclusion - Photo Finish Lid Primer is definitely a kit must have. Of all the Primers, I'm going to stick with the original as a favourite because I just don't feel like the others make much of a difference. The Luminizing Lotion is also lovely.

Tip - It's best to wait at least 15 minutes between applying the Primer and applying your foundation. Give it time to set, otherwise you may have trouble keeping concealers in place.

xx


Christina Cleary
Sydney Makeup Artist

Beauty Blender Review

I was given a Beauty Blender as a gift yesterday. I've always wanted to buy one, but I couldn't justify the $29.95 when I have an abundant supply of disposable wedges. As soon as it was given to me I couldn't wait to try it out and see it was as great as the magazines say it is...I thought "Blog! Review!".

The Beauty Blender is a "hot pink, teardrop shaped, latex-free and hypo-allergenic makeup sponge used to create a flawless makeup application". And it delivered! I dampened it a little bit (the instructions say this is how it works best) and away I went, stippling (bouncing) it all over my face. I used the tip end for concealing the corners of my eyes and around my nostrils...my foundation application was perfect!

After use, I cleaned it with the Beauty Blender Cleanser as recommended and left it to dry in it's perch (the packaging it comes in...which you keep for this reason).

You can purchase it through Lehved makeup supplies, either on their website or at their cute little store in Surry Hills (the owner, Eve is absolutely lovely!).

The Beauty Blender was awarded Allures Magazine Winner for the "Best of Beauty" in the category of Beauty Tools for 2007 & 2008...and now I know why.

I highly recommend!

xx


Christina Cleary
Sydney Makeup Artist 

So Fresh & So Clean

At the moment, I'm working Mondays to Sundays, and this weekend I'm working on a film (which means very long hours) so today I tried to have some time to myself. I was spoiled to a lovely 'Complete Revitalising Overhaul' package at my favourite beauty day spa, Beauty at the Bay in Double Bay. The girls there are so lovely...and they always remember you...it's like time out with your girlfriends!

I was pampered for 3 hours with:

• Body exfoliation with Canadian salt deposits on a warm bed of steam (Vichy)
• Re-energising cocoon of natural clay from Canada (found 1000
  metres beneath the surface) in the hydrothermal steamer (Vichy)
• A steam bath (Vichy)
• Lifting intense facial 
• Manicure
• Pedicure
• Eyebrow tint
• Eyelash tint

The Vichy is like a human capsule...you lay down and the top closes on top of you, leaving your head outside. Sort of like a tanning bed (but it doesn't give you cancer!). It was a little scary at first, but I was relaxed in no time at all! It's a steamer, a bath and a shower (with lots of nozzles) all in one!

My facial was amazing! Irena used a mask (not exactly sure what it was called) that dried almost like plastic...when she rolled it off and showed me it was like an exact mold of my face!

I feel like a new woman! So fresh and so clean!

Beauty at the Bay give me the best mani and pedi every time and they are extremely hygienic (big tick in my OCD book!). My cuticle beds never dry out after I go there and the paint (OPI) lasts for well over a week (and that's saying a lot, since I work with my hands. When I manicure myself I'm lucky to get a few days value from my nail paint). I don't like the "starbucks" nail salons/beauticians...you know, the ones that are in all the malls and have rows of pedi spa chairs. Most of the girls are not trained properly and they have a bad reputation for being very unhygenic - for example, did you know they are not supposed to use a blade to scrape dead skin from your hooves!?  I always feel like I'm on a money train in those "salons"...customer in, nails done quickly, customer out, $$$, next customer in. Nope, I prefer going to a trained, customer service orientated beautician. Or, if you want to relate it to makeup artists...why go to a department store counter when you can come to me, I get to know you and what you like and we build a professional relationship that's going to satisfy every time you have your makeup done! You get my drift.

Beauty at the Bay use Payot, La Prairie, Babor and Gatineau spa products, and OPI nail polishes. 

Oh, and I receive absolutely no compensation or freebies from them for this post...I always recommend products and services based on my own experiences!

xx


Christina Cleary
Sydney Makeup Artist

Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics! YES!

I also finally purchased the range of OC Lip Tars today! OC actually stands for Obsessive Compulsive, so you know I had to have them! They are 100% vegan and animal cruelty free, they're free of parabens and look amazing on camera. Plus, a little goes a really, really long way. The tests amounts per strip on my hands were about the size of a rice granule, no kidding! After getting my new little darlings home and testing them out, I have already found my favourites (top to bottom):

NSFW 

A blue based red

Anime

A neon pink

Demure

A rich, purplish fushcia

Pageant

'Beauty Queen' fushcia

Grandma

A clean, classic coral - perfect for bridal. In fact, perfect for any occasion! I'm wearing it out tonight!

I purchased these for $14 each at the ACMUSE store in Annandale. They have a website where you can shop online too!

  

Do you like my blossoms?!

Unfortunately if I want to have pretty blooms in my apartment, they have to be fake. 

My housemate is a red Burmese, Charlie Ho Mah. He's allergic to most plants. Since he likes to chew on everything and since I love being surrounded by prettiness, I have to suffice with plastic florals.

Meet Charlie Ho Mah. My naughty little munchkie!

He's a sookie and loves cuddles with his Mummy, drinking water out of the tap rather than from his bowl, stealing used makeup wedge sponges out of the garbage bin (he can open the cupboard door all on his own), fake mice, chewing expensive shoes, getting in to Mum's closet and chewing off the waist ties on Leona Edmiston dresses and jumping in to the handbags of my friends and clients when they come over.

xx


Christina Cleary
Sydney Makeup Artist

Good Things Start With Z!

The Z Palette! Why didn't someone think of this before!? I've wanted one of these baby's for a while! I finally decided to get one today! Of their fine product, Z Palette says:

The “ultimate customizable makeup palette” was designed to help not only the makeup professional but also the everyday woman get streamlined once and for all. Z Palette is an exclusive universal case with an open magnetic bottom to fit the color pans you want, and none of the ones you don’t. Customize it to fit your needs and be eco-friendly by reducing packaging. In addition, the clear window lets you know immediately what’s inside.

Life is complicated enough; why not simplify the things you can. (read less)

"The “ultimate customizable makeup palette” was designed to help not only the makeup professional but also the everyday woman get streamlined once and for all. Z Palette is an exclusive universal case with an open magnetic bottom to fit the color pans you want, and none of the ones you don’t. Customize it to fit your needs and be eco-friendly by reducing packaging. In addition, the clear window lets you know immediately what’s inside."

I decanted a 15 small pan MAC palette and a 6 large pan generic palette in to this baby - and it's the same size as the MAC palette! Less palette's in my Kit means more space...and less weight to lug around! 

I'm already on my way back to my supplier to buy 2 more for eye shadows and blushes!

 

Fortunately I have the ZÜCA Pro bag, which makes transporting my Kit so much easier! It has so many compartments and comes with 4 removable zip lock cases so you can just whip out your makeup and start working. It has double wheels so I can take it up and down stairs without upsetting too many of my products, and it doubles as a seat for when I'm on long shoots and need to rest my toots! If you're a makeup artist and you don't have one of these, you should seriously consider getting your little paws on one! You won't know how you survived without it!

If you would like to know where you can purchase either of these products in your area, leave me a comment with your location and I'll let you know!

xx


Christina Cleary
Sydney Makeup Artist

Make Up Alley & Dermalogica

If you're a makeup or beauty product junkie like me, check out MakeupAlley.

Here you will find countless opinions from real people on everything and anything beauty related! 

From makeup, hair care, fragrance, skin care, home DYI to nails, etc etc!

I use it to ascertain what 'real people' think of certain brands or to get 'real people' feedback on products before I purchase them to sample (if I can't already get a sample)...it saves me a fortune as a makeup artist! 

I spend a lot of time on the web looking for the best beauty related sites and the cheapest sites to buy certain products...so from time to time, I'll post my favourites! For example, after hours comparing sites for the cheapest Dermalogica products, I found Skin Care Store! No minimum spend with up to 40% off and no delivery charges! Fantastic! Plus, they have great customer service which is a big bonus! They also stock Ultraceuticals (my new favourite...my skin has never looked better) and MD Formulations, amongst many, many more!

xx


Christina Cleary
Sydney Makeup Artist

Love 'At First Sight'

I did a little nail polish shopping today. Having well kept nails is not easy to achieve when you are a makeup artist, constantly working with your hands and being  that I'm so OCD means my fingers are always in disinfectants. I'm sure it's why my nails always chip, split and break...at least that's the excuse I'm using!