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Vegan. Ex-makeup artist. CFS/ME sufferer. Cares about human rights, equality, animal rights, conservation/climate change.

Chitika

Tuesday 26 December 2017

Becoming a Vegan Makeup Artist: Storage and Organisation

So now you have all the stuff you need to be a vegan makeup artist, you're gonna need somewhere to put it. That 'somewhere' will need to be easy to carry and travel with as you travel to and from jobs.

The Zuca Bag was my kit bag of choice for most of my career. It's sturdy, on wheels, and the fabric part is washable for when something inevitably spills. The Pro Artist Bag comes with clear plastic inserts to organise your kit. It's also suitable to take on a plane as carry-on luggage. 




The £229+ price tag is pretty steep, so if you aren't likely to be jetting off with it, you might want to consider the cheaper Zuca Sport.



This comes without the inserts, but you can buy your own clear plastic cases to separate products by type. Clear cases are vital - you need to be able to see what you have quickly without rummaging around! This'll set you back by around £130+. I highly recommend the model with flashing wheels!

For your hair kit, the Zuca Artist backpack is ideal. It's designed to sit on top of the Zuca Bag, it has removable pouches and a thermal pocket so you can put away hot curling irons safely. 




I know these cases are expensive, but I've done my research and carried other cases, and honestly, these are the sturdiest, most hardwearing, most user-friendly cases available. They aren't even paying me to say this! I've linked the cheapest UK shop I've found, as prices vary a lot between retailers. 

If you happen to find yourself in a state of monetary deficit, as I often do, then a second hand Zuca is ideal. As the fabric inserts are removable and washable, you'll have no problem getting your case clean and looking like new again. 


  • Organisation
Your kit should be arranged by type. Each category should have its own place, normally a medium clear PVC bag. My kit categories were as follows;

  1. Skincare, including wipes, tissues and cotton pads (kept in the door pockets of my Zuca)
  2. Foundations, concealer palette, setting powder & single blush/highlight/contours
  3. Airbrush foundation minis (came in their own small PVC bag)
  4. Single eyeshadow pigments, gel liners and cream shadows
  5. Eye pencils and mascara (kept in a small PVC pencil bag or wallet)
  6. Lipsticks and lip palette
  7. Lip Pencils (kept in a small PVC pencil bag or wallet)
  8. Liquid lipsticks/glosses (kept in a small PVC pencil bag or wallet)
  9. Large Palettes (kept at the bottom of my Zuca, under everything to stop them moving around and getting broken)
  10. Disposable lip brushes, mascara wands, and cotton buds (in small Cozette vessels or wallets)
  11. Powder/foundation brushes and eye brushes (in large Cozette vessels or tube holder)
  12. Nail polishes, file and clippers (just those I'll need, not my full collection, kept in a small PVC case in my Zuca's side pocket)
  • Pro Picks
Here are some bits that I think are pretty nifty.

Magnetic Palettes - 



Pic via etsy.com

I no longer support Z-palette after the owner went on a bit of an Instagram rampage insulting customers, and these are some great alternatives.

Pic via love-makeup.co.uk
These clear plastic palettes are perfect for melting cream products into or storing bobby pins or lashes.


On set or location, it's not possible to take your entire kit with you for touch-ups. This is where a set bag is useful to have the essentials on hand. This one has a tissue dispenser built in, and will keep things dry if it rains on location!
Pic via love-makeup.co.uk


When working on a single job for extended periods, such as a film or TV series, it is often necessary to organise each actor's particular products and shades separately. 


So there you have it, you now know all you need to become a vegan makeup artist and hairstylist. The most important thing, when you're learning, is to practice constantly! Makeover all your friends, take pictures, track your progress, take notice of your timing. Get a couple of hairdressing practice heads to practice your techniques on. It's best to get the highest percentage of human hair as you can afford, because synthetic is too slippery and not realistic. (For anyone wondering about the vegan-ity of human hair - humans can give consent, animals cannot!)

I have now imparted my wisdom, bestowed it upon you. Use it wisely. For now, I must bid you farewell. If I ever manage to claw back some precious health, I fully intend to continue this blog! If you'd like more info on my illness and to perhaps donate towards research for a cure, click here.

Til Next Time,

Emma
xXx

Tuesday 19 December 2017

Becoming A Vegan Makeup Artist: Kit Recommendations, Hair Session Styling


It's very rare to be a makeup artist without needing to work as a session hairstylist too. Here are the tools to get the job done. It's a lot, but the trick is to know what you'll need beforehand and only bring the items required.


Pic via denmanbrush.com

Denman Brush - This is the best hairbrush. Great at detangling, kind to hair (the kind of brush with bobbles at the end of each tine can trap the strands and cause breakage.) Super easy to dismantle for thorough cleaning. It also comes with a beechwood handle for those trying to reduce the use of plastic.

Tail Comb - for sharp partings, precise sectioning, and general combing. Wooden version for those reducing plastic use.

Backcombing Brush - Be careful with these, as they often contain boar bristles, make sure they are synthetic.

Sectioning Clips - vital for creating styles.




Pic via salonsdirect.com
Pincurl Clips - to hold a curl in place while it sets.

Bobby Pin Set - in a variety of colours and shapes.

Hair Ties in various colours - get the kind without metal to avoid snagging.


Clear small hair elastics

Bun doughnuts and hair padding in different sizes and colours.

Hairspray

Heat Protectant Spray


Dry Shampoo

Hair Gel

Matte Wax

Heat Protective Mat - safety first, kids!

Straighteners Useful for straight looks and loose curls or waves.

  • Tongs

I liked to have 2 of each set of tongs so I could work faster. The kind with a clip to hold the hair is best, as it can be held with one hand. Wrap one section, clamp and ask the client to hold the tongs. Wrap next section, swap tongs with the client, slide off the curl and pin if necessary. Repeat until the full head is complete. (Be careful, if you're too slow with the next section, the first section could burn! Time is of the essence.)

Tongs, narrow barrel

Tongs, medium barrel 


Pic via salonsdirect.com

Tongs, large barrel

Tongs, extra large barrel

Hairdryer - This won't often be needed, but it's necessary to have.

Hood Attachment Great to set velcro or bendy rollers.

Bendy rollers of various sizes - you can often find the greatest selection of these for the best prices at your local beauty supply or Afro-Carribean beauty supply shops.



So hopefully, these posts have helped you get a good idea of what to carry in your kit. But how to carry it? Don't worry, I've got you covered with the next post.

Til Next Time,
xXx

Tuesday 12 December 2017

Becoming A Vegan Makeup Artist: Kit Recommendations, Lip Edition

Welcome to this instalment of my Kit Recommendations series. This time we've got lippies galore, and no pesky beeswax or carmine in sight!


  • Lip Liner

OCC (Trick is an amazing nude)
Pic via occmakeup.com

  • Lipstick
OCC Lip Tar 

Lip Palettes -
Anastasia Beverly Hills Lip Palette - The expensive option, includes primary colours plus white and black to mix custom shades, plus a metal mixing palette, and a lip brush.

Pic via anastasiabeverlyhills.co.uk


Freedom Makeup Pro Lipstick Palettes in Naked, Reds and Noir. Great value - may be worth it to combine these with OCC's lip tars in black, white and primary colours to mix if you're on a budget.

Matte Liquid lipsticks -

Barry M Matte Me Up SingleMetallic Lip Kits. These are such great value (the lip kits contain liner too) and don't feel crusty on the lips.
Pic via barrym.com

Aromi Liquid Lipsticks,

Milani Amore Matte Lip Cream. Beautiful and smell amazing.

  • Lip Gloss
I don't believe in spending a fortune on lipgloss, and these quality products are perfect if you're on a budget.

Elf Lip Laquer - Standard clear gloss is a kit staple.

Makeup Revolution Amazing Lipgloss/My Sign Lipgloss Wide range of shades, bargain price. What's not to love?
Pic via tambeauty.com
This concludes our vegan lip selection.The next Kit Recommendations post will be up next week, teaching you how to build your vegan hair session styling kit!

Til Next Time,

Emma
xXx

Tuesday 5 December 2017

Becoming A Vegan Makeup Artist: Kit Recommendations, Eye Edition

Welcome back to my series covering the awesomest products to stuff your vegan kit with. This post is all about the eyes.


  • Eye Primer
Elf Eyelid Primer
Quality product, and an absolute bargain. They just brought out medium and deep shades.
Pics via eyeslipsface.co.uk


Elf Glitter Primer Perfect for sticking glitter to the skin.

  • Eyeshadow
BH Cosmetics Palettes (check vegan list.) The Second Edition 120 Palette is a real favourite in my collection!
Pic via beautybay.com


Shiro Cosmetics High quality, interesting shades.

Neve Cosmetics Palettes (All vegan apart from blush palette.) If my house was burning down and I only had time to save one palette, it'd be the Elegantissimi palette. Blendable, pigmented neutrals. Beautiful.


Pic via nevecosmetics.it


Makeup Revolution/ Freedom Makeup Palettes (vegan items labelled on website) 
Surprisingly good quality, for the most part.

Elf Smudge Pot Cream Eyeshadow 
  • Eyeliners
Pencils -
Barry M Kohl Pencils (vegan apart from black glitter shade), 
Pic via barrym.com


Neve Cosmetics Pastello Eye Liner Pencils

Gel - 
Medusa's Makeup Eyeliner Paint, all shades, fantastic bright colour range!

Illamasqua Precision Gel Liner
Pic via Illamasqua.com




  • Brows

Makeup Revolution Brow Pomade

Pic via tambeauty.com








  • False Lashes
Ardell Demi Wispies - My all-time faves - buy the multipack, you'll get through them fast! 
Pic via falseeyelashes.co.uk
Helen Dowsley Lashes Ethically sourced, synthetic but look like real hair.

Social Eyes Lash Glue Latex-free. YouTuber favourite. 

That's your lot for this week. If it's lip recommendations you're after, word on the street is you'll find them here next week. Keep it on the down low, you didn't hear it from me.

Til Next Time,

Emma
xXx