Tuesday 16 July 2013

Ageing Using Liquid Latex

Ageing using liquid latex is a popular method used within the film and television industry. Simple, cost effective and not as time consuming as applying prosthetic pieces, it is easy to see why this is a popular choice for makeup artists and productions. 

As with all latex products, if you are using liquid latex for the first time it is essential you allergy test yourself by putting a small amount of the latex on your inner forearm and let it dry. You'll know if you've had a reaction as you'll start itching and going red. It's also worth using a barrier cream if you have sensitive skin as it can be quite harsh when you come to peel the dried latex off.

Before:


To begin the ageing on my own hand I ensured my skin was clean and moisturised, as you would with any face makeup, giving me a bare base to work on. Using my Kryolan Rubber Mask Greasepaint Palette I started by adding veining (using a blue) and a couple of age spots (using browns). 



I then began stippling on the liquid latex using a sponge. I did this in a light layer with my hand clenched in a fist to stretch the skin. By stretching the skin in the opposite direction of natural wrinkles, when you release the skin, the latex creates the wrinkles. Once I had applied the first layer of latex I sped up the drying process with a hair dryer and then applied a fine dusting of Graftobian Translucent Powder



I wanted it create more of an aged effect so I continued with adding layers of latex and powdering each one until I was happy with the effect.



As you can see by these images, the powder I used made the latex have a white tone to it. To overcome this effect, I simply waited until all the layers were dry and then used a baby wipe to dab off the excess powder. 

To match the colour of the latex to my natural skin tone I used a mixture of Airbase foundations. I applied these using my fingers to add subtle skin tones and to blend the latex into my skin. 



I love the effect ageing with liquid latex creates and how easy it is to achieve with a few simple products. As you move your hand you can really see all the wrinkles and how they contort your skin adding to the effect.

After:







Have you ever used a different ageing technique? 

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Monday 15 July 2013

Depotting Lipsticks

It's a known fact that I own far too many lipsticks within my own makeup kit and my professional kit so I have decided to depot them rather than having them all lying around willy nilly. I decided to keep the more expensive ones in their original packaging as its far too pretty to throw away so the ones included here are only the budge ones. 

I have read a lot of reviews where people either melt the lipstick on a spoon over a candle or put the lipstick into the chosen palette and then microwave. I decided on the spoon over a candle method as I've heard bad things with microwaving and damaging the colours.

I began with my palette which is a bead box from Hobbycraft, get it here. You can put these in the microwave as there are no metal parts so they're great for both methods and really good value. 

This is a really easy way to depot lipstick, simply melt the lipstick on a spoon and pour into the individual compartments! Simple! Here's a few piccys to help you along, excuse the bright green mat...

Simple tools...

The first one...

Melt slowly so you don't burn the lippy...

Finished for today with spaces left for more buys...


How do you store your lipsticks? Will you be depotting your lippys?

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Sunday 14 July 2013

A day at the Races

Yesterday was the hottest day of the year, reaching 31 degrees in beautiful Yorkshire, which proved to be the perfect day to go to York Races. Having to be ready for 9am on a Saturday was a shock to my system but it definitely paid off with our winnings, a load of pink champagne (it is the races after all!) and an amazing French meal at Souz Le Nez in Leeds to end the night. 





I wore red dress by Monsoon and Kurt Geiger wedges, makeup was my normal look as I wanted to keep it airy and summery with products by Clarins, Illamasqua and Topshop (their blusher/bronzer combo is amazing for summer). 

I'll definitely be going back to the races, it's a great excuse to enjoy some Champers and Pimms and get all dolled up for the day. You might even get lucky and see Richard "Richard and Judy" Madely along the way! 

WINNER WINNER CHICKEN DINNER!

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Wednesday 10 July 2013

Blog Lovin'!

<a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/blog/4496759/?claim=gjmyczfmcmg">Follow my blog with Bloglovin</a>

One of my favourite photos from 2013 World Bodypainting Festival taken from their Facebook page here. Take a look and get inspired!
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World Body Painting Festival

To the talented few, body painting comes as second nature; transforming the human form into an art canvas with paint. Unfortunately I am not one of the lucky ones.
Every year the World Body Painting Festival showcases the best in the industry in the idyllic surroundings of Austria, with competitors and spectators flying in from all over the world. From the 1st July to 7th July 2013 the festival wowed viewers and judges with winners from USA, Belgium, Russia and Italy. Photos and videos have not yet been released yet, and I for one am dying to see what they've come up with this year with themes of "Planet Food" and "Holy Geometry", but here's a round-up video from the 2012 festival to get your senses tingling...
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Joel Harlow - One of the Greats

Joel Harlow is an industry legend. His work has the ability to make viewers question if it is actually practical effects or if it's CGI, which is a dream for all makeup artists. Cinema Makeup School in Los Angeles regularly holds guest tutorials from industry professionals where they reveal their most helpful tips and tricks. If I won the lottery (or found a bag of money) Cinema Makeup School would definitely be one of my first stops, but until then I'll enjoy the multitude of YouTube videos and IMATS visits...
 
 
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