How to get your makeup to look PERFECT all day long...

Hey everyone... if you haven't watched my video on setting sprays, please do.  It's below:)

I just wanted to give you a few more tips for how to get your makeup to stick all day!

1.  Use a primer.  I know some of you have read about the primer I use... I use Monistat Chafing gel... Now, DO NOT freak out (LOL)  It is NOT VJ cream... LOL  The main ingredient is dimethicone and it has been raved about as a GREAT oil mattifier... I love it!  It is ONLY for foundation, so use a primer especially for your eyelids if you are looking for an eye primer.  I swear by Painterly paint pot by MAC.  It is a drier primer which is good for oily lids (and dry lids too).. I have had no caking with it, so for me it is the HOLY GRAIL!!!

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2.  Use a setting powder.  Makeup Forever HD powder and MAC Prep and Prime transparent finishing powder are my favorites.  I don't see enough of a difference to recommend one over the other.

  

3.  Set Liner with eyeshadow... ESPECIALLY if you are lining the waterline.  Just dab a little shadow of the same color over the liner and you should be good.

4.  A GOOD setting spray will make your makeup BULLETPROOF!!!  I am LOVING Model in a Bottle... SO MUCH SO, that I bought a few more products to try.  I will review those later :)

Contact Megan via her website: http://MeganMelone.com for booking and other information

Flawless skin in a photo (MUF HD powder exposed)

Ok, so I have done a TON of photoshoots in my day... both as a model (mostly waaaaay back in the day) and fitness competitor... but also as the makeup artist.  I have learned a thing or 5 about what they say on the internet, what other MUA's say and what is the actual truth.

First off, there is a LOT of rumor on the internet about Makeup Forever HD powder.  Some pics show that there is a white haze on celebrities and they blame this AWESOME finishing powder...



I can honestly say this will happen with ANY powder and the wrong type of flash.  If you plan on taking a lot of self portraits with your iPhone, you will DEFINITELY see this haze on your skin.  The flash is LED and it's FAAAR different from a professional camera in a studio.  I was kind of skiddish about using this before I heard the initial allegations (even though I had used it in MANY MANY photoshoots and had no issues), but I got brave and voila... no issues.  Then I randomly took a pic of my makeup with my iPhone and CRAP, there's that haze... Son of a NUTCRACKER!  This happens with LED flashes with HD Powder and MAC Prep and Prime Translucent finishing powder (which I LOOOOOVE).  Moral of the story, no LED flashes...LOL

Foundation:
As of today, I have found the BEST foundation for a studio photoshoot to be L'Oreal Colorstay...



YUP...L'Oreal!!! No this is not a joke... It has a nice matte finish (but not cakey looking) and really looks better than my high end foundations.  sooooooooooo, it's what I use.  Additionally, there are TONS of colors, 2 formulas based on your skin type and it's inexpensive and easily accessible from most drug stores.  Now, I find that some of the 'fair' color formulas are WAAAY too pink, so I may mix them with another yellow based color and it's perfect.  In fact, this is what I have been reaching for over my Studio Sculpt :)

I used Color stay on ALL of my photo's from SuperShoots (including my main pic on my makeup page) Here is a link to my FB page so you can see...  https://www.facebook.com/pages/Megan-Melone-makeup-services/202668816417684

I also used Colorstay on my photos for my website...YEAH even on myself...



The best advice I can give for photos is to AVOID mineral makeup... you WILL have a funny finish on the photos because of the reflective quality of the minerals... and find foundations with NO or LOW SPF (again, SPF reflects horribly in photos)

I hope this helps... Flawless skin in a photo is not that difficult as long as you have the right products :)

MeganMelone.com

Post Holiday spectacular

All of the hustle and bustle of the holidays is officially OVER and all I can say is PHEW... LOL  Just wanted to recap some of the beauty related things that took place over the past few days...


I committed a MAKEUP blunder on Christmas EVE... LOL... OOPS... I planned on wearing a sparkly black top to church on Christmas eve, so I did my makeup (purple smoky with MAC stars and Rockets and some silvery sparkle in the tear duct) then I decided I did NOT like what I was wearing (women... yea we do that.. LOL)... SO!!!!!!!  I wore RED with purple eyes... I laughed it off (texting my sister, Amy who is an AMAZING Makeup Artist and her laundry list of celebs she has worked with is too braggy to even discuss--lol I digress...) Amy said "I am doing the same thing"... GREAT!!  Hilarious... So I kept it!



Speaking of Amy... We like to get each other some of our favorite products for Christmas... She got me a GHD (AHHH...MAZING--*STAY TUNED*full review coming up in a few days) Flat iron to replace my Wigo...



additionally, some new MAC products and I got her the AVON liner I rave about.  Her comments when she swatched it were "WOW this is super smooth"... YUP... it is a GREAT liner!!!!!



Other products I received were a Dermalogica intensive eye repair and a moisture boost which I am STOKED to try because my skin gets pretty dry in the winter.



Other beauty products... I got the ZUCA sport PRO bag I had been expecting :)  So... I have officially retired my NYX train case.  It was a nice train case, but I really overworked that puppy... LOL


It was a great Christmas and I really really hope everyone also had a WONDERFUL one!!!  Hit me up on Facebook to talk about your new product discoveries... I love it when people share their awesome finds!!!

Contact me at Megan@MeganMelone.com

Pigments galore

This blog is ALL ABOUT PIGMENTS... How to use them, my favorites and why you should use them as opposed to traditional shadow.  I hope you enjoy!


Let's tackle the BIG issue--What the heck are they and WHY use them???
(I use MAC pigments but there are others out there--I just prefer MAC)  Pigments are basically HIGHLY pigmented loose makeup (mostly used on the eyes, but you can do SO much with them).  The reason many people prefer them to traditional shadow is because they are LOADED with color!!!!  There is no dispute that they pack a COLOR punch.  The concern is that they have a load of fallout (color drops below the eyes) but you can counter act that by tapping off the brush and applying foundation AFTER your eye makeup.


I like to pack on the pigments by using a MAC 239 brush, pack the color on the brush using the lid of the pigment and PAT on the color on your lid (or wherever you are using the pigment).  I also prefer Painterly Paint Pot, as the pigments stick to this (IMO) better than traditional primers.  You do not need much, so beware!



Foiling: this is a technique we use to get that "wet" look... Some pigments almost look like METAL when applied correctly... It's a GORGEOUS look!!!  How to foil: pack the color on your 239 brush and spray a little MAC fix plus (or mix the pigment in the lid or another small dish,) then apply by patting/packing on the color.  It leave a GORGEOUS shiny look!!!


Another favorite use... Make your own LIP GLOSS... Yup, you can mix pigment with clear gloss and make GORGEOUS pigmented glosses.  I love RUBY red pigment for this!!!  AWESOME!


TOP 7 MAC pigments
1. Blue Brown--it's duochrome... So it looks different depending on the light... awesome by itself, foiled or applied over a black base it is GORGEOUS!!!!!!!  Definitely a MAC staple!


2. Naked... RUN OUT and get this one!!!!  It's perfect for everyone, shimmery and serves as a highlighter, lid color or brow bone color... STAPLE FOR SURE


3.  Ruby Red--Make a Lip Gloss or use as a BEAUTIFUL lid color.  This is for the brave souls... LOL  I just love it!!!


4. Vanilla--AMAZING highlight color!!!! Has pink undertones in it


5. Copper Sparkle--it's pretty chunky so I like it foiled on.


6. Reflects Gold--it's a FINELY milled gold sparkle glitter.  PERFECT for the holidays (I Think this is a PRO color)


7.Melon--It's so pretty... what a great neutral melon color (yes, it is really melon)


Of course there are others that I LOVE, but I had to give you a few ideas.  I started off with a TOP 5 and it turned into 7...LOL

Questions: Megan@MeganMelone.com or hit me up on Facebook!

The primer issue uncovered (plus a secret)

 I was recently posed with a question what prompted me to delve into some terms I use more closely.  My hope is that this post clarifies some products for you as well as helps your makeup last ALL day.

The question I was recently asked was basically (I am paraphrasing) an athletic woman stating that because of her oily skin, her makeup basically melts off before her day is half way done.  I think this is a common problem and there is a HUGE remedy (and honestly pretty simple) and I am going to divulge my secret to you for a AMAZING primer. 

Speaking of  Foundation primers… Let’s talk about those.  What the heck is a PRIMER anyway?  A primer is a cream/gel product that you apply after you cleanse and moisturize your face, just before you apply foundation (I usually wait a few minutes after I apply moisturizer).  The purpose of a primer is to help makeup stay put on your face for 8-12 hours.  Does it work?  ABSOLUTELY!!!!  If you are extra oily, you can try an oil mattifier.  MAC makes a product called SKIN REFINED ZONE that is nice (use only in the T-Zone on top of primer)… But there are other companies that make GREAT mattifying products (Mary Kay has one that gets high marks, I personally have only sampled it—I worked out and makeup didn’t move at ALL!!!)

Back to primers…

There are also eye primers.  I have discussed this a lot on Facebook.  (https://www.facebook.com/pages/Megan-Melone-makeup-services/202668816417684?ref=ts)The purpose of these is not only to allow your makeup to stick to your lid better, but also make the shadow more VIVID.  I won’t put eyemakeup on without a primer… YES, it works.  Concealer can be used as a primer also… I prefer MAC Painterly Paint Pot, especially for oily skin/lids. 

TOP Recommendations: (these are Primers I have tried and these are my UNBIASED opinions… I bought these primers with my own money and am not sponsored or paid for my reviews)

Best Overall (this is my secret): Monistat Chafing gel –I read about this from some WELL respected makeup artists and HESITANTLY gave it a whirl… I have been using it ever since!!!  It is cheap, works amazing and HECK, isn’t that all we need??? Don't be scared, it's not "vag cream" that's NOT it's purpose... LOL  But it is one HECK of a primer!!!

Let me try to explain how GREAT this primer is... When I was at the MAC store a month ago, I was chatting with an associate about the "technical end" of makeup.  He said they had a class with a "well known" makeup artist from France and he stated HE used Chafing Gel instead of the UPPER end ones... WOW!  (Trust me here!!LOL)

Best For sensitive skin: If you have sensitive skin, Napoleon Perdis Auto Pilot is wonderful.  There are lots of anti bac properties that make this primer great for troublesome skin.  

Honorable mention: Palladio herbal primer—Worked pretty well, packaging was an issue for me though.  (I don’t really like their eyeshadow primer… VERY similar to Urban Decay, just WAY cheaper—too wet for me)

**some other tips for locking makeup on... Use a good setting product like MAC Prep and prime translucent finishing powder or Makeup Forever HD powder. As a LAST resort, Finishing sprays can be used... But I wouldn't use those daily.  

I really hope that clears it up… As always, post on my Facebook wall orEmail me (Megan@MeganMelone.com) if you have any questions J

2 (or 3) new faves

Sorry I have detoured off of my faves for a few days.... I will give you TWO today :) Things have been super busy (It's the MOST wonderful time of the year...LOL).  

Favorite Razor: Schick Hydro 5!  There are other great razors out there, FOR SURE but for whatever reason, this razor is SUPER smooth, no cuts, and seems to last forever!  So don't let the price scare you, it will REALLY last longer than most razors.  

SPRAYS:

I get asked a TON about setting sprays.  MAC Fix+ gets thrown int he mix a lot, but to me this isn't really a SETTING spray, but rather a finishing spray.  If you are looking for a more dewy look (perfect for spring and summer or a natural look anytime of year)... The MAC is a great thing!  You can also use it to foil on pigments and it REALLY is a multi use-product!  I really love this stuff for a FINISHING spray, but it's not (IMO a setting spray)

Favorite makeup setting spray: Urban Decay All nighter.  Now, admittedly, I don't really have an issue with my makeup moving.  I use a good primer and most of the time, my makeup (and my clients) stays put!  But for some extra LOCK, I like the UD.  (they have a GREAT travel size and the full size spray BOTH at Ulta). If you have issues with oily skin, you'll need to make sure you use a GOOD primer and a finishing powder (something finely milled like MUF HD powder or MAC prep and Prime translucent finishing powder).  

Favorite NEW AND FUN product!

I don't use glitter much, but for the holidays, it is SUPER in!!!  Everything has sparkles, shimmer, etc... so I thought letting you know my FAVE products to get that holiday look would be a great idea!

I have 2 glitters I LOOOOVE... MAC reflects Gold (it's like a pigment... VERY fine glitter)... GORGEOUS over browns (more on how to get it to stick to eyes AFTER you have completed your makeup later).



TooFaced GLAMPIRE glitter.  It is SOOOOOOOOOo incredibly pretty... Kind of a baby pink/bronzie color. Amazing...

Best stuff to make it stick to your lid=TOO FACED Glitter Glue.  The best part about this product is if you already have makeup on, and you just want to add some sparkle for the evening or a party, you can pat on the glitter glue and with a MAC 139 or another flat brush,lay the glitter over the already existing eye makeup. AWESOME!