San Francisco Makeup photo shoot

In most cases Less Is More!

It’s not how much makeup you apply, it’s the technique in which you apply it. One thing I’ve learned as a makeup artist is that a little makeup can go a long way.

Apply your everyday makeup to look more natural.

Always apply your face moisturizer/primer and then conceal your blemishes and discolored areas.

Lightly apply a face powder to then set your concealer.

This makeup technique is a more natural approach compared to applying your face foundation to the whole face.

For fuller coverage, apply a tinted moisturizer before you apply your concealer.

You can also combine your daily face moisturizer and your foundation for a lighter texture.

The works of Andrew Dunbar- Renown Australian Photographer.

In the image displayed, we wanted the neck piece to be the main feature in the photo.

However, we also wanted the model equally drawing the viewers attention.

I feel we were very successful in achieving this look.

When applying makeup to a model where a product is advertised, the model should attract attention to the product but never overpower it.

On this occasion, I applied little makeup to keep the face natural.

Shades of shimmer  were applied to the model’s chest to highlight the neck piece.

I also wanted the model to look raw and powerful, a simple application technique was effective and presented the neck piece  suitably.

Choosing the right colors for your makeup

Concealer can be used not only to cover blemishes, but to also even out skin discoloration. Particularly around the eye area, blue or purple tones are common.

To conceal a bluish area, apply a concealer with an orange tone, lighter than the foundation color, this will counteract the blue. For purple shades, apply a yellow based concealer.

To neutralizes the redness found in blemishes and scars, apply a green concealer first then apply a concealer that matches the skin tone over the top.

It is important when choosing your concealer not to use a shade that is too light, this will draw attention to the area rather than covering it.

Be sure to set the base with a powder makeup for longer lasting coverage.

Create different looks with face base makeup applications.

Basic looks include:

Matte (dry makeup application):
Achieve a matte look by applying only matte makeup products.
Make sure to apply face powder for a soft suede finish.
Best for fuller coverage and oily skin.

Shimmer (dry application):
For best results, apply a light textured face powder before applying shimmer.
This will hold the shimmer and give an overall better looking effect.
Apply natural shades to highlight brow bones and cheekbones.
A perfect evening application for a night out in San Francisco.

Natural/Fresh:
Use minimal makeup and go easy on the matte textures.
For an natural and fresh look, apply tinted moisturizer, mascara, cream blush and a juicy gloss.
An ideal daytime application and perfect for brides and wedding makeup.

Dewy/Glossy (wet application):
For those who love a dewy look, go big on cream blushers and cream shadows and use a lighter textured foundation.
Lipstick can also be applied to the cheek apples for vibrant dewy color.
Finish off with a heavy duty lip gloss.
A dewy look requires as little powder as possible, therefore not the best for long lasting coverage or oily skin.

makeup styles for brides and wedding parties in San Francisco

There are makeup foundations to accommodate all skin types…

Dry Skin: Can be fine, flaky with minimal oily areas, may feel tight and sensitive

Solution: Use a cream base (oil based), stick foundation with moisterising features, tinted moisterizer.

Oily Skin: Skin is coarse in texture and shiny in appearance, mainly in the T-zone (forehead, nose and chin). May have enlarged pores and more prone to blemishes.

Solution: Use a water base foundation (oil free), compact foundation, oil free tinted moisturizer.

Combination Skin: The most common skin type.
Usually skin is dry on the cheeks, outer areas of the face and T-zone produce oil.

Solution: Apply oil free foundation to the T-zone and creme based to the remaining areas.

As a makeup artist from San Francisco and Australia, I’ve had the chance to work with many different skin types and makeup applications for weddings, photographers and model portfolios.

Makeup Artist tools

Using quality makeup products and brushes are vital for best results.

Good products will look and feel better and they are easier and less time consuming to apply.

As a makeup artist, I am proud to use the respected brands listed below.

Christian Dior
Laura Mercier
Nars
Estee Lauder

I certainly prefer particular products of various brands, however I am always on the hunt for new and advanced products, many of which I’ve found in Australia and San Francisco.

fashion makeup san francisco

Makeup trends have changed dramatically over time!
The modern evolution of makeup started in the early 1900s. Prior to this time, women were using toxic “cosmetics” containing lead and mercury.
Max Factor was the first to introduce motion picture makeup in 1914, followed by lip gloss in 1930 and Pancake Makeup in 1937.
Makeup and fashion trends have shaped women throughout history.

1920s
Face: Cream/ivory powder shades.
Cheeks: Shades of rose, raspberry and orange
Lips: In the middle of the 20s, popular lip shades included plums,deep reds, deep brownish reds and orange.
Towards the end of the decade, women began to wear shades of raspberry,rose and medium reds.
Lipstick was applied as a “Cupids- Bow” to the upper lip.
Eyes: Eye makeup was worn quite dark, edged with black. Eye shades such as grey, turquoise and greens were often applied.
Brows: Brows were drawn on with black/brown ink to create a thin, down sloping brow.

1930s
Face: Foundation Colors worn were Gardenia (white & waxen) and Tea Rose (ivory with a touch of pink). Complimenting powders were light mauve (maybe with a touch of light green) and rich ivory.
From the mid 30s women began wearing ivory with shades of pink, blue and orange cream.
Towards the end of the 30s women began to take a more natural approach by applying more pink undertones.
Cheeks:Early 30s, light pinks were used if any.From mid 30s raspberry shades, yellow reds and purple reds became popular.
Lips: light rose, raspberry tones, chinese red and orange.
Bright red shades became popular later in the decade.
Lipstick was applied as an elongated bow rounded and flared at the corners, also known as the “rosebud mouth”.
Eyes: blue, bright violet, green, brown and orchid were popular.
Brunettes often applied grease paint for a more exotic look. Shimmering shadows were an evening trend, applied from the upper lid to the brow.
Darker shades were applied to the crease of the eye creating depth.
Brows:Brows were plucked off or shaved entirely and then drawn on.

makeup artist themes

1940s
Face: . Slightly darker, warmish foundations were applied and finished with a lighter than skin tone powder for a more natural look.
Cheeks:Red with pinkish undertones, bright pinks with fuchsia undertones and bright rose shades were the colors of choice for rosy cheeks.
Lips:Lips were made to look full and soft by exaggerating the upper lip, all shades of red were worn often.
Eyes: Brown or black mascara and a small amount of eyeliner was worn. Eye shadows mostly varied in muted grays and browns. .
Brows: Eyebrows were kept natural yet manicured with defined arches.

1950s
Face: A peaches and cream complexion was the look of the galmorous 50s. Applied as either a liquid or pressed powder, the foundation needed to reflect the soft femininity of the day.
Cheeks: Minimal blush was worn only enough for a rosy cheek effect, using soft pinks.
Lips: Red red and red! Applied to look full and plump.
Eyes: Neutral eyes shades were often applied to the lid, however turquoise was also a popular shade. Black eyeliner would be applied as a thick line across the top lid and lashes were made to look thick and dark.
Brows: The manicured brows with defined arches remained as the ideal look.

1960s
Face: Sheer bases were used by makeup artist in very natural shades polished off with translucent powder.
Cheeks: Natural shades of blush were applied to create a hollow cheek, blush was being applied as a contour.
Lips: Pale and Shimmery, bronzes and silvers were also popular.
Eyes: Dramatic eyes, bright colorful eye shadows including bright greens and blues. Mascara was heavily applied for long defined lashes.
Brows: Were worn slightly more natural then past decades, still kept clean but not as manicured.