I Wanna Be An MUA: Kevin James Bennett Edition - FINALE!! *pic heavy*

Well I sure know how to drag out a two day class now don't I?  HA!  We have finally made it to the end of this ride and of course I saved the best for last - THE SHOOT!  Our assignment was to create clean beauty looks on the models (Thanks to T.H.E., Wilhelmina and Modelogic for the beautiful ladies!) and then have our work critiqued as images were taken by the great Luis Aragon (have wanted to shoot with him for like 2 years now and didn't think I was ready *sigh*) and Kevin.  You talking about nervous?  Honey...but I am always up for a challenge, so much so that when a challenge was thrown out during class I stepped up and took it!  More on that later.

So again we had to do at LEAST 2 different clean looks on 2 different models and possibly a more amped up look on a third model if we allotted ourselves enough time.  We also had to select models that we were naturally uncomfortable with (meaning we never worked with their skin-tone, nationality, etc.).  I noticed my first two models right away and as soon as we were given the go ahead I ran, just like you see on reality TV.  LOL  Yall know I let the dramatics out every now and then LOL  Lets take a look shall we?

 My setup for the day - until that is we were told to edit even more (no shimmer shadows, one blush, etc.)

What I used for shadows that day - 6 MAC shadows and my Graftobian Warm Foundation Palette (this is the palette that KJB kept coming to borrow from me for the other students in the class - it is a MUST have esp as it can pull double even triple duty - foundation, shadow and bronzer/blush color)

This is what came in our goodie bags c/o Paint and Powder Cosmetics - I used the Episilk lip balm for the shoot that day - it was amazing!

Ok so remember this is clean beauty.  We want the client to look like themselves but more polished.  So here are my behind the scene shots of the models...

My first model was Haylie.  This was her first photo shoot!  She is with Modelogic and this is her before shot.

Here is her after.  I ended up changing her lip color.  Initially I didnt want to take away from her natural lip color since it was so pretty but on camera the eye kept going straight to her lips so we made it more nude.

Haylie getting pointers from Luis before shooting.

 And the shoot begins!

This is Merron (I may be spelling her name incorrectly, sorry!) and she is also with Modelogic.

This is Merron's after - her skin and skin tone is so gorgeous.  This phone photo isn't doing her justice.

After her shoot we broke for lunch - yum!  When we returned I already knew who my 3rd model would be but right before I began to work on her a challenge was offered that I initially didn't intend to take but when no one else stepped up I took that as my cue.  The next model had to leave for work.  I had literally 15 minutes to get her camera ready.  I am so upset I forgot her name, but we were rushing!

She'd already had her 2 natural looks so I was able to play a bit more with her look, but I still wanted her to look pretty, not overdone...

Here is her after.  We ended up adding a bit more bronzer to her cheeks but other than that I was happy with the look especially since it was a rush job.

This is my last model Jenny.  I was the only student to do 4 looks that day so I didnt have a chance to get a shot of her before but I love how her look came out.  Jenny is with T.H.E. and Wilhelmina if I am not mistaken.

Here is Jenny on set.  I dont know if you can tell but she has the cutest little baby bump.  CONGRATS JENNY and thanks again!

I cant wait to see the finished images!

As a bonus, here are some other pics from that day of the goodies in Kevin's kit.  Thanks again to Kevin James Bennett, Studio 400, Kathy Aragon, Luis Aragon and Hidden Oasis Salon and Spa

This is Kat's mom!  She is SUPER funny and really sweet.  We were short on the first day when we practiced on each other so I had the pleasure of doing makeup for Kat's mom.  Hidden Oasis Salon and Spa is her baby and where Kat got her start!  Thanks again mom!

Three Custom Color Lip Effects Palette

Elizabeth Arden 8 Hour Cream - one of the models had sun damage, this cream to the rescue!

 Cozzette Angle Foundation Brush

Anisa International Inc flat top duo fibre brush

The Masters Brush Cleaner and Preserver -very fresh scent, he also had Parisian Spirit spray

 Ve Neil foundation brush - she had this brush custom created for Keanu Reeves on the set of The Matrix because he didnt like the feel of brushes on his face first thing in the morning...it WAS quite soft...

KJB's neutral palette - all matte M.U.F.E. shadows in a Z Palette 

His color palette, again all Matte M.U.F.E. shadows, save for the silver, bronze and gold.  I used that hot pink and red/orange one as a blush on Merron - GORG!

O.C.C. pigments

Purely Cosmetics Diamond Powder-super soft to the touch

Remember I showed you all the brush bag?  Well it was a Rap Bag, here it is closed - I NEED IT CLONED ASAP!  This site has one discontinued bag but not that brush one *sigh*

2 Royal & Langnickel brush prototypes that are definitely going to end up in my kit as soon as they are available in September!

Rubber Spoolies!  SO much better than the other disposables that I normally carry.

Thanks for reading!

I Wanna Be An MUA: Kevin James Bennett Edition Part 3! *pic heavy*

Earlier this year I set out to condense my kit and I was pretty happy with the results, but I didnt stop there.  As you see in that earlier post I had my eye on the prize, fitting my kit into the ZUCA Artist Backpack and guess what?  I DID IT!  Check me out:

So this is everything I can fit in my kit (you cant see everything in this pic though)

in this pic you see the open front of the ZUCA which houses my disposables and skin prep items, the silver spray bottle is my brush cleaner, next to that is my lash kit, below that is my roll up where I keep all liners, shadow sticks, odd shaped lip products, mascaras, peeking in the corner are the removable ZUCA pouches (LOVE!), my Graftobian foundation palettes (LOVE!), rounding back up is my mirror and on top of that is makeup setting spray, Altoids, liquid bandage, first aid kit, aloe vera gel, and face wipes, and you can see some of my brushes peeking also

so here in plain view are my 2 ZUCA pouches that came with the backpack, in one I keep face powders including bronzer, blush, and my Graftobian foundation palette (which got major use in class by KJB himself, yay me!), the other pouch houses eye shadow, pigments and palettes, under that you see my Graftobian lip palette and correcting wheel (LOVE) and again my Graftobian foundation palettes (as you can see I have all three, definitely recommended to my fellow MUAs)

close up of the flap with the disposables and skin prep stuff

packed all up again, the right flap is where I keep first aid stuff and my hair stuff.  That right side has a thermal pocket where I keep my Solano flat iron, you can put it in there and not worry about it melting anything, awesome.

another view, now with the brushes, and mirror in place

the left bottom pocket is where I keep my Graftobian face palettes and corrector wheel.  I put lip products in the top pocket.

See?

All packed up!

This is the only other thing I take with me (other than my chair which is always in the car, but in case you are wondering its simple a wooden director's chair I picked up from Pier 1 imports), its my Ott-Lite that can clamp onto my chair and I keep it in my awesome bag I got from The Artist Summit (shout out to the Powder Group!) about 2 1/2 years ago.  I only take it if I know I will be in an area without a great light source because it mimicks natural light.  I got my Ott-Lite from Michael's Arts and Crafts.

So here I am all proud that I got everything in this little backpack.  Its so much easier to get around now, yada yada blah.  I go to class with Kevin James Bennett and people have these massive kits so I am feeling good about my condensing efforts...that is until I see this:

This my friends is the ENTIRE kit of the amazing Kevin James Bennett *cue Joe Cocker belting out 'You Are So Beautiful'*

 Here are his brushes and when you fold the top flap back it props it up for easy access to the brushes (dont go trying to find this baby just yet, believe me I grilled him about it and I have spent way too much time trying to locate it-the company is no longer in business BUT I hopefully convinced him to try to get it duped-are you listening Kevin?  I didnt forget!  LOL)

And THIS is what he fits it all in!  Yes I know, pick your jaw up.  Its like a lap top bag...for a working artist...who travels constantly...working on celebs, doing film, tv, magazine covers, keynote seminars, teaching classes, yes my friends, this is what he keeps his kit in.  *smh*

So you know what this means right?  This is now my quest, to be able to fit my kit into a laptop bag.  Kevin explained to us that most products are multi-functional.  You dont need to carry 10 blushes, 10 different shades of brown shadow, 15 different pink and red lipsticks.  Less is more, and when a client sees you walk in with that tiny kit but you bang out the talent like you had a massive rolling case, you will look like a rock star.  No one cares about your MAC this, your Smashbox that, your NARS this, your MUFE that - they just want to know you can do the work.  Also, not bragging about the names in your kit can cut down on kit theft.  

Hope this helps!

I Wanna Be An MUA: Kevin James Bennett Edition - Part Two

Now we get to the nitty gritty.  All you ever wanted to know about making it as an MUA by one of the bests!

If you have delusions of grandeur about being a makeup artist and think that you can throw a color on an eye, lip or cheek, or you can beat your face so how hard could it be to make it as an MUA or that it is a glamorous job - then this is definitely NOT something you wanna get into.  Kevin has done magazine covers...BIG magazine covers for as little as $100 (if paid at all) and had to hunt them down for that bit of change.  Get your mind right.  *puts soap box away and continues with class recap*

KJB explained that when you take a job it isn't about your creative outlet unless that is established beforehand.  The makeup has to be relevant to the character the client wants.  You have to have an editing eye, if you think you need to add 1 more thing, step away (I had to do this a couple of times in the class).  When working if something by chance goes wrong, no one should notice it but you.  Regroup, plan your course of action and fix it...quickly.

It is important to visualize your career in a "concrete, attainable way".  Generosity with your talent makes you not only credible but it will keep you working for a very long time.  You must possess generosity, honesty and transparency.  When you step on set as an MUA it should be void of drama.  Drama is expected from the talent, but not you as the makeup artist.  We are simply "the help"; by making the talent look good, you in turn make yourself look good.

When trying to determine your rate you need to research your market.  After you determine who your client is in your area, be honest with yourself and determine your skill level - beginner, intermediate, advanced artistry.  Once you have that figured out think about what the artists in your market are charging and based on that where exactly do you fall in that market?  Based on all the predetermining factors, from the very lowest to the highest you should put yourself in the middle towards the higher end.  Do not be apprehensive about your rate, it is YOUR rate.  When someone calls you ask them up front what the budget is for hair and makeup.  This will eliminate any confusion.

(the beautiful Kat Aragon ready for her commercial beauty close up!)

Some common myths/queries dispelled during the class:

• All of the products listed on 'In My Kit' are not based solely on the opinion of KJB, it is a collective polling of working professional makeup artists and what they are using and loving
• "Somebody, somewhere will be allergic to something" - this isn't preventable.  Kevin swears by silicone based products.  The molecules in silicone based products are large, too large to clog pores and therefore not harmful to the skin.  Silicone based products are water resistant, long lasting and stable.  Silicone is an inert mineral and one of the least reactive, same as mineral makeup (you know how people love to say they only use mineral makeup...) because silicone is a mineral!  Problem solved.
• In keeping with the mineral makeup query, every foundation is made from mineral pigment. 
• NO ARTIST SHOULD EVER USE SPF MAKEUP...EVER....NEVER...EVER...EVER!
• If a sun protection factor is needed use a primer with an SPF instead.
• "If a person isnt oily, stay the hell away with the powder!"  We as humans have depth and a healthy glow to our skin, we dont walk around looking super matte, that isnt a healthy look.  To get rid of oiliness on set fold blot paper in half over a sponge to remove the oil.  This prevents you pressing all over someone's face with you fingers and tackles the issue at once
• White setting powder - dont blame the powder when someone looks white...the setting powder has to come in contact with either moisture or oil for it not to be white anymore.  So if you have matted the skin down and stripped it from moisture then of course the skin will look white.
• When does Kevin use an airbrush machine?  Not all the time. (his machine of choice is the Iwata Silver Jet)
• If there is extensive corrective make up needed then the correction is done by hand application, after that THEN go back in with an airbrush with a bit more foundation to give a more natural look to the skin. 
• For extreme highlight/contour cases, do that by hand and then airbrush over
• Body work of course
• Tattoo coverage - do extreme coverage/color correcting makeup first then go over with airbrush using 2-3 skin tones to return the depth to the skin

Part Three will discuss kit revamping!  I will show you my kit now as a result of revamp #2, go here for revamp #1, and also KJB's kit, which is now what I want my kit to look like when I do revamp #3!