0
As an experienced editorial and celebrity makeup artist, Todra tells us about her makeup theory workshop, her work experiences, tips for achieving flawless beauty and her thoughts on natural products.
So what do you do?
I'm a makeup artist/wardrobe stylist/beauty blogger, In transition (soon to be in Southern California)
Tell us a little about yourself and if you attended school or are you a self taught makeup artist?
I became a makeup artist by assisting top makeup artists, Laura Mercier & Brigette Riess Andersen on shoots and at Fashion Week shows. I also worked as a freelance makeup artist under Bobbi Brown.
What is your favorite or most exciting aspect about your job?
I love how my job is different every day. Even though I no longer work in the glamorous fashion arena, I still get to make my hours and create my own work. Between commercial advertising jobs and my workshops, I am on the go. I need that. I don’t do well going into an office, sitting in a cubicle under fluorescent lights every day. It kills my spirit.
Why did you start Makeup Theory Workshops?
Originally, I started my workshops because there just isn’t enough professional ad work in the area where I now live, but as the workshops (which include overall image and self esteem messages along with makeup techniques) grew in popularity, I began to realize how much I enjoy teaching women the tricks of the trade. So many women get their makeup advice from a source that is trying to sell them a product or service. You have to wonder how self-serving that advice is. Women pay me to come and give them unbiased opinions on brands, colors and techniques. I’m not sponsored by any brands. I don’t sell products. What I endorse in my workshops is truth for me. I won’t push something just because a brand sends me a box of free products. As a result, my clients trust me.
What individual makeup products and brands are you "addicted" to at the moment and use on a daily basis?
Well, I’m really into natural and organic Indie brands, like Priia Cosmetics and Eve Organics, so most of my personal color choices revolve around these two brands. Skin Scentuals is my skin care line. As for work, I try to stick to mostly natural brands, but that’s not always realistic based on what I need a product to do on set. Face Stockholm has amazingly fun and long lasting eye shadow colors and I’ll never part with Nars Orgasm blush because it works on so many skin tones.
What are some of the most basic but effective skin care tips that you have that are really important?
I am not an esthetician, I am a makeup artist – I deal primarily with color, creating a look. But naturally, I have to deal with the consequences of how a model/client takes care of her skin. When I attempt to apply color and it drags or looks blotchy, I know the woman isn’t taking good care of her skin. So I always ask her about her routine. If exfoliation isn’t a part of it, I recommend that she consider it. Getting the dead skin cells off goes a long way. Skin looks healthier and makeup goes on easier.
What are the biggest skin care don't s?
I’d say don’t buy skin care just because it’s expensive or hyped by some celeb. I use very simple things on my skin – all natural brands and homemade concoctions like raw honey and Greek yogurt. It’s not expensive, but my skin is in top condition.
Have you had an extreme, crazy or bad experience with a skin care product or during a makeup session? If so, what happened?
Actually, no I haven’t. I use good brands that are made from the most basic ingredients. At least in skin care. Makeup I’ve applied hasn’t caused any issues either, thank goodness. I’d hate for a model to have a reaction to something I used on her face.
What do you find to be the most common mistakes women make with makeup?
Hands down – not matching foundation correctly. I cringe when I see that telltale color line around the jaw. I always start off my workshops by explaining that foundation is supposed to match the color you are, not the color you wish you were. Most of my clients are white and a common complaint I hear is “I’m too pale,” so she buys a darker foundation. No, don’t do it. Match your skin and then use a bronzer or blush to add warmth and color. I hear that black clients want to use lighter foundations (I’ve never had this in fifteen years of work, but I hear it a lot from other artists) but the same rule applies. Don’t change your natural coloring with foundation. It will look ashy and weird if the foundation is too light.
What celebrities do you consider are good examples to follow in terms of their make up style?
Um, most celebrities don’t do their own makeup. I know because I was one of the artists who worked with celebs. I did Mariah Carey, Donna Karan, Sigourney Weaver, Soledad O’Brien, Kimora Lee and many others. I can suggest great makeup artists to follow. LOL
As a fellow Afro-American how would one go about finding the correct match for foundation and particular brands that work the best?
Matching foundation colors is the same for women of all ethnicities. Do the famous three-stripe test with three foundation colors close to the jaw. Wait about three minutes (foundation changes color on the skin) and check to see which color seems to “disappear” into the skin. That’s the correct match. I’ll add that women of color have a harder time doing bargain makeup. It takes more precision to make brown colors than it does beige colors. Drug store brands don’t always get it right and the amount of Titanium Dioxide that they use tends to create gray, ashy tones. Stick with good brands like, Priia, Becca and MAC.
What are your thoughts on organic/natural makeup? Do you use and/or would you recommend them?
I try to use as much natural/organic products in my work kit as possible. I only use organic and/or natural products on myself. It’s really important to me that I don’t add potentially harmful chemicals to my body just so I can look good or save a buck. I don’t even use commercial hair products. I make my own. When I learned to understand the ingredients in beauty/hair products, I swore off everything mainstream. Also, be aware that everything labeled “natural” isn’t. Read the ingredients list.
Are there any beauty secrets that you can share with the readers?
Look outside the big department store lines to the Indie lines where women with small businesses are creating healthy, beautiful products that don’t cause harm to people or the environment. I think that’s the most important beauty secret. To find such brands, go to www.Indiebeauty.com or purchase Organic Beauty Magazine.
Todra has a blog called makeuptheoryworkshops.com where you'll find information for all types of women and make up beauty.
Posted by Epifany in
Articles
- 24 May 2009
4:40 AM
As an experienced editorial and celebrity makeup artist, Todra tells us about her makeup theory workshop, her work experiences, tips for achieving flawless beauty and her thoughts on natural products.So what do you do?
I'm a makeup artist/wardrobe stylist/beauty blogger, In transition (soon to be in Southern California)
Tell us a little about yourself and if you attended school or are you a self taught makeup artist?
I became a makeup artist by assisting top makeup artists, Laura Mercier & Brigette Riess Andersen on shoots and at Fashion Week shows. I also worked as a freelance makeup artist under Bobbi Brown.
What is your favorite or most exciting aspect about your job?
I love how my job is different every day. Even though I no longer work in the glamorous fashion arena, I still get to make my hours and create my own work. Between commercial advertising jobs and my workshops, I am on the go. I need that. I don’t do well going into an office, sitting in a cubicle under fluorescent lights every day. It kills my spirit.
Why did you start Makeup Theory Workshops?
Originally, I started my workshops because there just isn’t enough professional ad work in the area where I now live, but as the workshops (which include overall image and self esteem messages along with makeup techniques) grew in popularity, I began to realize how much I enjoy teaching women the tricks of the trade. So many women get their makeup advice from a source that is trying to sell them a product or service. You have to wonder how self-serving that advice is. Women pay me to come and give them unbiased opinions on brands, colors and techniques. I’m not sponsored by any brands. I don’t sell products. What I endorse in my workshops is truth for me. I won’t push something just because a brand sends me a box of free products. As a result, my clients trust me.
What individual makeup products and brands are you "addicted" to at the moment and use on a daily basis?
Well, I’m really into natural and organic Indie brands, like Priia Cosmetics and Eve Organics, so most of my personal color choices revolve around these two brands. Skin Scentuals is my skin care line. As for work, I try to stick to mostly natural brands, but that’s not always realistic based on what I need a product to do on set. Face Stockholm has amazingly fun and long lasting eye shadow colors and I’ll never part with Nars Orgasm blush because it works on so many skin tones.
What are some of the most basic but effective skin care tips that you have that are really important?
I am not an esthetician, I am a makeup artist – I deal primarily with color, creating a look. But naturally, I have to deal with the consequences of how a model/client takes care of her skin. When I attempt to apply color and it drags or looks blotchy, I know the woman isn’t taking good care of her skin. So I always ask her about her routine. If exfoliation isn’t a part of it, I recommend that she consider it. Getting the dead skin cells off goes a long way. Skin looks healthier and makeup goes on easier.
What are the biggest skin care don't s?
I’d say don’t buy skin care just because it’s expensive or hyped by some celeb. I use very simple things on my skin – all natural brands and homemade concoctions like raw honey and Greek yogurt. It’s not expensive, but my skin is in top condition.
Have you had an extreme, crazy or bad experience with a skin care product or during a makeup session? If so, what happened?
Actually, no I haven’t. I use good brands that are made from the most basic ingredients. At least in skin care. Makeup I’ve applied hasn’t caused any issues either, thank goodness. I’d hate for a model to have a reaction to something I used on her face.
What do you find to be the most common mistakes women make with makeup?
Hands down – not matching foundation correctly. I cringe when I see that telltale color line around the jaw. I always start off my workshops by explaining that foundation is supposed to match the color you are, not the color you wish you were. Most of my clients are white and a common complaint I hear is “I’m too pale,” so she buys a darker foundation. No, don’t do it. Match your skin and then use a bronzer or blush to add warmth and color. I hear that black clients want to use lighter foundations (I’ve never had this in fifteen years of work, but I hear it a lot from other artists) but the same rule applies. Don’t change your natural coloring with foundation. It will look ashy and weird if the foundation is too light.
What celebrities do you consider are good examples to follow in terms of their make up style?
Um, most celebrities don’t do their own makeup. I know because I was one of the artists who worked with celebs. I did Mariah Carey, Donna Karan, Sigourney Weaver, Soledad O’Brien, Kimora Lee and many others. I can suggest great makeup artists to follow. LOL
As a fellow Afro-American how would one go about finding the correct match for foundation and particular brands that work the best?
Matching foundation colors is the same for women of all ethnicities. Do the famous three-stripe test with three foundation colors close to the jaw. Wait about three minutes (foundation changes color on the skin) and check to see which color seems to “disappear” into the skin. That’s the correct match. I’ll add that women of color have a harder time doing bargain makeup. It takes more precision to make brown colors than it does beige colors. Drug store brands don’t always get it right and the amount of Titanium Dioxide that they use tends to create gray, ashy tones. Stick with good brands like, Priia, Becca and MAC.
What are your thoughts on organic/natural makeup? Do you use and/or would you recommend them?
I try to use as much natural/organic products in my work kit as possible. I only use organic and/or natural products on myself. It’s really important to me that I don’t add potentially harmful chemicals to my body just so I can look good or save a buck. I don’t even use commercial hair products. I make my own. When I learned to understand the ingredients in beauty/hair products, I swore off everything mainstream. Also, be aware that everything labeled “natural” isn’t. Read the ingredients list.
Are there any beauty secrets that you can share with the readers?
Look outside the big department store lines to the Indie lines where women with small businesses are creating healthy, beautiful products that don’t cause harm to people or the environment. I think that’s the most important beauty secret. To find such brands, go to www.Indiebeauty.com or purchase Organic Beauty Magazine.
Todra has a blog called makeuptheoryworkshops.com where you'll find information for all types of women and make up beauty.
This post has 0 comments
Posts
Post a Comment