How to add color adjusters to foundation to get a perfect match

Does your foundation look too pink or yellow on your skin?  Don't settle for a lousy match. In some cases you can return your foundation and get a better match. But if the company doesn't make a perfect match, your only option is to alter it using color adjusters.

EnkoreMakeup beautifully explains how to change the color of your foundation using color adjusters from Coastal Scents. I was so inspired by the clip that I purchased a set of adjusters to keep in my kit.

Makeup Kit 101 - What to put in your makeup kit

Without a doubt, you must start by checking out the product recommendations from Kevin James Bennett at his kit site. (Uh, oh - it's currently under construction, 4/7/2014)

You'll find products in every price range. Please know his recommendations are for professional use, meaning, the products are designed to work for a specific purpose usually associated with high-definition photography or video. In other words, most professional makeup products lack ingredients containing therapeutic or corrective properties because of their potential to cause irritation or reactions. Obviously, this is something you want to completely avoid on a job.

Resist marketing from consumer brands because many of these products have ingredients that will not photograph well. The main problem ingredient is titanium dioxide used in SPF formulas to block out the sun. The problem is, it will also block out the camera's flash and leave your client with "ghost" face - a face veiled in solid white void of any color. While foundations with SPF might look fine to the naked eye, they just won't photograph well.

When you assemble your kit, locate products with multiple uses.  For example, some eye shadows will work for blush and contouring. Some moisturizers will work as primers and makeup remover.

Find a quality neutral eye shadow palette. Pro MUAs refer to this as "the money-maker palette". Personally, I don't like spending a lot of money on fashion colors but they can be difficult to resist.

Stay away from fragrances. Use moisturizers that can work across many skin types without causing irritation. I try to find lotions with few ingredients.

Read all ingredients!

I have a few set bags that I really like. I'll post some pics soon.

Anyways, I just wanted to post the KJ Bennett link due to popular demand by friends, love you!

How to use pro makeup brushes

I absolutely love brushes from Royal & Langnickel and I own most of the brushes from their Silk line. What makes me love this company even more are their helpful tutorials.

The videos are organized by brush type. Want to know how to use the C120 contour brush? Well, click on the link and find out!

The company also has a YouTube channel Royal&LangnickelBeauty but I prefer to use the links from their website so I can keep track of all the clips I've seen. This is a serious education!

You'll find some new ways of using an old favorite such as using a fan brush for blush, who knew?

There you go!

Color Theory for Makeup Artists

Knowing how to use an artist color wheel is essential to makeup artistry. Here's a helpful tutorial to explain color theory and how to find complementary colors:

Here's a color wheel so you can follow:

I keep one in my makeup kit in case I need to reference it. Here's a one you can buy at Amazon.

I like the two-sided color wheels. One side shows color shades and complementary colors, the flip side shows you how to mix colors (as in the picture above).

How to contour and highlight

This has been a popular topic lately. Wayne Goss explains.