GORGEOUS COMPLEXION

I've been asked many many times what I use at work to create gorgeous complexions, and of course the answer varies depending on lots of factors. For example it depends on the type of job: if it's a photo-shoot, a show, a wedding...It also depends on the type of skin of the model/client.

So I'm not going to examine case by case but I will be very happy to share with you my favourites.
Please note that this post is not sponsored by any brand, I'm just literally sharing my knowledge and experiences.

• The first on my list is definitely the CICALFATE RESTORATIVE + PROTECTIVE cream by AVENE. 

It took me a while to get into it because its thick appearance used to discourage me, thinking that it would never get absorbed. Well, I was wrong, it gets easily absorbed with a nice massage that I would do anyway to help the skin circulation. 

It hydrates and nourishes the skin and leaves a fantastic base for what's going to be my next step.

Of course this was happening before the Covid19 came into our lives. Now, following the Covid 19 Safety Guidelines we will have to wear gloves even during the massage, I haven't tried it yet so I can't really express my opinion, but I'm very optimistic, I will keep you updated.

It's also very accessible price-wise, the big size of 100 ml is less than 20 €. I have noticed that you can find great bargains from online stores. In the UK and US it's a little more expensive, and in Paris is MUCH cheaper.

• The second on my list is SKIN FOOD by WELEDA

Again it's a very nourishing cream with a fantastic smell. It can be used on the very dries areas of the body too, like elbows, knees, heels. I like to use it on clients/models if their skin is particularly dry, mostly winter time. In the summer I would buy the lighter version. 

I like to use Skin Food on myself too; my skin is normal but given the fact that I'm on my 40's it lacks of elasticity and Skin Food restores it pretty well. 

• The third one is a newbie: CREMA VISO BIO by FIOR DI MAGNOLIA

 I called it newbie because I discovered it only recently from a Supermarket shelf. 

 I don't necessarily rely on a product's price to determine its efficiency; experience taught me to try   things out first.

 The INCI rate is very good (21 greens, 6 yellows, 2 not found). The texture is also what I like, quite   buttery but easily absorbed quickly. I only tried it on me and not at work yet, but I will soon,   especially during the summer when the skin needs to be moisturized but not overdone (shiny, sticky   etc, etc). 

 I hope you enjoyed the  post, any question I will be happy to reply, please leave them on the       comments section

FLAWLESS MATTER

The meaning flawless for some is synonymous of dream, goal, fantasy..
I've never really seen it as a dream or goal to achieve, for me it has always been a perfect result of my work, I create flawless looks, I make skins looking flawless.
Recently though I've been experiencing a situation of not-exactly-flawless skin on myself...and I totally empathise with people who suffers of skin break outs and other skin conditions.
IT CAN LITERALLY DRIVE YOU CRAZY
I'm still searching for  the cause of this sudden change on my skin on what could be external causes (pollution, environment, allergies or sensitiveness to products) and internal (food allergies or intolerance, stress).
Luckily though thanks to my job and knowledge I can "cheat" and make my skin looking perfect,
and feel better about the way I look.
It may sound silly to some but really, a problematic skin can make you less confident, I forgot about this, since it hasn't happened to me since teenage time.
There are many many products in the market that can help you with this issue and I could make
a huge list but today I want to bring the attention to a brand which is very well known in the makeup artistry industry and less to the public: Kryolan - Professional Make up
I've known of Kryolan since my early days as make-up artist, I've trained in London and one of the first shops that you are linked to is  the Make up Mecca CHARLES FOX official distributor of Kryolan and always kept the brand on my mind. But then you are always invaded by new products, different brands, different needs and you end up forgetting...until last week
While  browsing in Milan I came across the new Kryolan shop in Piazza Fontana and really like it.
It's very reachable, right behind the Duomo, the staff is lovely  and has an excellent selection of products...which links me to the very purpose of this post: how to make the skin looking FLAWLESS!
This palette from Kryolan is the answer: The Dermacolour camouflage cream

It comes on a palette of 6 colours, 12 and even 24. You can also buy a single colour (refill package)
if that's what you need, or even palettes with smaller pans.

We (backstage Make up Artists) use it very often during the Fashion Shows to cover body imperfections as its' highly pigmented and covers very fast (tattoos, bruises, scars etc) plus it's waterproof so it can resist quite well to the multiple changes of clothes without staining.
It's also great for the face, again thanks to its pigments it perfectly cover spots and scars. By covering the individual imperfection it gives you a flawless skin result.
And when the skin doesn't need a stronger coverage you can also use it as a light cover foundation, with the right brush and amount. That's why i like it, it's multitask!
I bought the small palette during my very first make up course and then lost it during a job (as it happens unfortunately...) but thanks to my friend and fellow MUA Claudia Marchetti who told me wonders about it and I got into it again.

Here you can find the link with the technical info.

Kryolan has been going on for many years, here a bit of  HISTORY of the brand, which I really love and respect.

**** for Make up Artists check out their discount card policy

SPRING-SUMMER 2016 MAKE-UP TRENDS

Natural make-up, flawless skin

MARGARETH HOWELL SS16
KEY ARTIST LUCIA PICA

                                                       

To some of you it may sound disappointing, to find out that once again,the upcoming season most popular make-up trend is the NATURAL LOOK.

It does make sense when you think about it...the same way you want to strip off your winter clothes, you also want to get rid of layers of products from your face,  be easy, fresh and glowy.

To follow, a selection of pictures from the RTW SS16 shows which I took part of.

RALPH LAUREN PRESENTATION SS16
KEY ARTIST TOM PECHEUX

LUISA BECCARIA SS16
KEY ARTIST CYNTHIA RIVAS AT MAC COSMETICS

TRUSSARDI SS16
KEY ARTIST MARC CARASQUILLO

ROBERTO CAVALLI SS16
KEY ARTIST PAT MACGRATH

BALENCIAGA SS16
KEY ARTIST DIANE KENDAL

Which of these looks is your favorites?

There are different techniques to achieve every different one.

Leave a comment nominating your fav and I will write a HOW TO!!