The Makeup Artist Handbook

Here's what's on my nightstand this week: The Makeup Artist Handbook. It's a must-read if you're going to be doing makeup for features, and a good read if beauty makeup is more your style.

Gretchen Davis and Mindy Hall excel at explaining the technical side of makeup. They cover everything from how colored gels change the appearance of your makeup on HD to how to work with Ultracal 30 Molds.

This handbook references artists and makeup artists who are experts in their craft. This tidbit from Daniel McNeill, author of The Face, pinpoints how the right application of makeup can give the illusion of a more symmetrical face:

"In the well known Muller-Lyer Illusion, a straight line with flanges pointed outward seems longers than the one with them turned inward. The one tugs the attention beyond the line and seems to lengthen it, the other pulls it center and shortens it. Makeup Artists exploit this effect. For instance, by daubing shadow above the outer ends of the eyes, they draw them further apart. By applying it above the inner corners, they narrow them." 

Alicia Silverstone Loves La Bella Donna

It's hard to believe that some mascaras still contain mercury in 2010. Cosmetics' Database is the leading expert on cosmetic ingredients. They give full ingredient lists on the cosmetics we're buying everyday. Here's their list of toxic ingredients and which cosmetic lines are using them in their formulations:

www.cosmeticsdatabase.com

There are great alternatives to chemical makeup. Alicia Silverstone gives away a few of her favorites in April's issue of Town&Country magazine and you can bet that her mascara does not contain mercury. She raves about La Bella Donna's mineral powder foundation and mineral mascara. Here's the story...

For more on La Bella Donna, visit www.labelladonna.com.

Headshot Makeup and Hair

Headshot hair and makeup is designed to showcase the actors' range without overpowering their look. As with bridal makeup, LESS IS MORE. Leave the strip eyelashes and trend-driven lip shades for a fashion shoot and use your best makeup primers and contouring powders instead. Here are two of my favorite headshot clients, Shannon LaForge and Derrick Denicola. Notice how much impact their wardrobe, hair and makeup changes have on the image. Of course, the fact that they are both talented actors helps immensely.

The Makeup Show is coming!

If you see a makeup artist at The Makeup Show wheeling a cart around with tons of makeup she's purchased, that's me! Here's the show's website with more details: www.themakeupshow.com.

See you Sunday and Monday.

NEW JOB POSTING: Hairstylist needed for feature film in New Orleans

Shoot dates (tentative) are March 16th-April 12th. This is for a romantic comedy feature film. We're filming in the humidity of New Orleans so experienced hairstylist only. Please send your resume, website, and rates to: jessica@jessicadeben.com.

NEW JOB POSTING: Makeup Artist needed for 'Derrick and Smoky' feature film (March 31st-April 10th, 2010)

Feature film 'Derrick and Smoky' needs a key makeup artist. This is for 8 days of filming on/around March 31st to April 10th, 2010. Filming in Los Angeles. The film will be shot on 35mm and you'll receive a kit fee and IMDB credits. For more info on the film, visit www.derrickandsmoky.com.

The film is being produced by Vincent Pascoe. Please email your resume and links to: vincentpascoe@hotmail.com. 

Good luck!

Cirque du Soleil hiring makeup artists

Are you a makeup artist who is talented at teaching others how to apply their own makeup? Cirque du Soleil may have a job for you.

Cirque performers do their own makeup. (I've watched them apply their own makeup before an Academy Awards party performance and they're good). Someone had to teach them how to apply that intricate makeup.

I spoke with a few Cirque recruiters yesterday, and they hiring makeup artists to teach performers how to apply their makeup and to be on hand for final touches. They are also hiring wigmasters. They asked me to post the following link to their jobs site:

www.cirquedusoleil.com/jobs

Good luck!