Setting Makeup

I love this trick!

After applying your foundation and powder, I like to set my makeup either with a spray, or with…….a Baby Wipe.

I know some of you are thinking that this sounds very strange, but it works. This is also a great way to soak up oil on your skin after a long day of dance, or even at school. It refreshes your makeup, absorbs oil, and gives you a nice clean finish.

It’s easy. All you do is take a baby wipe, and gently press it into your skin. Your powder will come off a lbit on the cloth, but that’s ok. The rest of it will soak into your skin and stay put!

If you feel oily or blah after wearing your makeup all day, do this and you will have a refreshed look!

A spray that is good is either an evian spray, or a makeup setting spray called “Model in a Bottle” I think I’ve talked about this before.

In the Opera world they use aresol hairspray as well (EWWWWWWW, can you imagine)? I think the baby wipe works the best!

Good Luck!

Sometimes people have a hard time applying their makeup with brushes. The reason for this is because of the amount of pressure they use while holding the brush.

When you choose a makeup  brush, try to use one with a longer handle, and hold it on the far end. This will help you to gain control while applying eyeliner and shadow.

Since it’s winter time, lets talk about skin care. This can be really tricky especially if you are a teenager. The problem that I see often, is that there are sooo many options when it comes to skincare, that sometimes people overdo it. When you are a teen and your body is going through all of these changes, it really takes itself out on your skin. So if you start to break out, you try to use acne fighting ingrediants which can overdry your face.  Sometimes, by using these products your face will get worse. If you overdry your face, then the dead skin clogs your pores.  Then you really have a problem because you have dry skin ontop of oily skin.

This is my advice: If you try Proactive, then start out by using the face wash once a day instead of twice.  Gradually work your way up to using it full strength.  If your skin starts to get dry, wash your face with a washcloth to buff that dry skin off. I just bought a clarisonic pro which I love! It is a handheld facial brush that spins to get all of the dry skin off. It  is expensive, but amazing.

I like to use an antibacterial soap like purpose or neutrogena, with a washcloth. Then IF you need a toner, the proactive toner is fabulous. Then an oil free  moisturizer. Try and take skin care step by step….without causing dry flaky skin.

Now adays, you can purchase makeup brushes at a very resonable price.  If you spend the extra money on some good brushes, you can keep them for a long time.  I usually use MAC brushes, just because they are very easy for me to pick up at the mall,(and because I get a huge discount for working on a television show:)). Even though they a re expensive, I still find that they shed on my face sometimes which is a little annoying. When I travel, I use a travel set. I sell these on my website for $15! www.rachelrossmakeup.com They come ina roll up bag, and they are great. They have 6 brushes inside, and that includes my favorite eyeliner brush.

Whatever brushes you buy, make sure that you keep them clean. If you reuse the same brush, you can spread dirt and oil all over your face, which will cause breakouts.

Every couple of weeks you should wash your brushes in warm water and shampoo. You will be so amazed at the dirt and old makeup that comes out. When they are clean, roll them up in a towel to soak up the water, and then lay them on your bathroom counter with the brush end hanging off.  Or put them in a glass standing upright until they are dry.

If you are using your brushes on other people, you can buy some brush cleaner at Sally’s beauty supply, or Clinique and dip your brush into it and wipe them clean on a peper towel. It dries in a couple of minutes. That’s what the professionals do.

Bobby Pins!!!!!!

I would like to talk about Bobby Pins today.

I bet 90% of people are using bobby pins the wrong way. 

On a bobby pin, there is a smooth side, and a ridged side. Usually people will put the smooth side against the head……WRONG!

The smooth side will slip right off, as soon as you start dancing around on stage.  The ridged side is what goes against the head. When I am pinning a bun, I take the bobby pin, and with the smooth side down….I pick up some of the hair and push it away from the bun. Then I flip it over and with the ridged side down, secure it against the head. This will cut the number of pins that you use in half:)

This is how you use a HAIR PIN as well. You use the pin to pick up some hair going away from the bun or french twist….and then flip it around and secure it.

Today I’m talking about foundation.

There are sooooo many options when it comes to chosing a foundation for your skintype.

For everyday makeup, I like to use a tinted moisturizer first, and then add concealer to trouble spots.  Especially if you have young nice skin.

If you are a little older and require more coverage, then you might want to move on to a cream or liquid foundation. Some favorites of mine are Armani (expensive but fabulous), Lancome, Revlon,  and Loreal.

I also really LOVE mineral makeup.  Bare essenctuals is the best, but there are many drugstore brands.

For stage, I always recommend Sally Hansen Spray on Foundation. This will stay on FOREVER! It even covers tattoos. If you go over this with a mineral powder you can be sure that your face will stay put under any sweat, or heat.

False Eyelashes

Today I’m going to talk about the application of false eyelashes.

Using strip eyelashes is an absolute must for stage in  my book.  Even if you already have long lashes, the strip lash will make your eyes look HUGE and absolutely gorgeous!

Here are the steps you will need to take when applying:

1. CUT THE LASH (you can measure the strip against your real lash, or just cut the srip in half)

2. Squirt a dot of lash glue on a napkin and spread it on the strip with a bobby pin.  You only need to use enough glue to cover the srtip. If you use too much glue it can get on your regular lashes.

3. Let the glue gert tacky. Wait about 20 nseconds so that the glue isn’t slippery.

4. Line up the lashes with your outer lashes. If you are puting these on someone else, it is easier to have that person sit while you stand next to them. This way you can see better, and you can literally lay the false lashes on top of the real ones. 

5. Finally…you can top this off with a coat of mascara. If you cut the lashes in half this will blend them together.

You can re-use lashes too.  Just peel them off when you are done, remove the glue and put them back on the tray. If you accidentally used too much glue and it hurts to pull them off, just get them wet, and they’ll slide right off.

If you are allergic to lash glue, then you might have an allergy to latex.

I am going to talk about eyeliner today.

When it comes to stage makeup…you need to find a product that will last the entire day of performing. That said, I would definately stay away from pencil eyeliner. So what about liquid?

Liquid liner has amazing staying power, but you really need a steady hand when applying. Here are a few steps for an easy liquid liner application:

Start in the middle of the eye, and work your way towards the outer lashes. You might want to pull your eye a little tight for a smooth surface. Then start at the inside corner of your eye and connect it to the line you’ve  already made. This is easier then doing the line in one swoop.

Liquid liner does have its downsides too. If you put it across the bottom of your lashes, it can make your eye appear smaller. Using a pencil in this area is definately not a good idea, since it will melt and spread within an hour.

Here are some fabulous options.

1: You can use a product called I line. It is a  clear gel that has a brush. you use it to mix into a dark eyeshadow and paint it on like a liquid liner. It turns your normal eyeshadow into WATER PROOF eyeliner. It is much easier to control then a liquid, since it’s a gel. By using this on the bottom lashline, it creates a softer edge, and eyes appear smokey instead of small!

2. You can also use your favorite liner, and then go over it with a product called “She-Laq” from Benefit cosmetics. This will waterproof your makeup. It looks like a clear nail polish. I love this product so much!

Try to remember that by lining just the outer corners of your eyes, it will create the illusion of wide big eyes on Stage!!

Hello!

My name is Rachel Ross. I am a professional makeup artist and hairstylist from Hollywood, Ca. I have worked on many television shows, including “So You Think You Can Dance”. I an currently working on the daytime drama “The Young and The Restless”

I was a dancer growing up, and am now on staff with Showstopper American Dance Championships. I tour with their competitions, and conventions to share my knowledge with students and dance moms all over the country.

I have created a perfect makeup kit for competition dancers that I sell on my website, www.rachelrossmakeup.com. It contains 3 eyeshadows,false lashes,red lip liner, red lip gloss, and a white highlighting pencil.

I will be blogging about everything related to beauty. On and off the stage.