Sam's Make-up

My new Favourite fashion socilaite. Her makeup is flawless!!

OMG!!!!

And the WORSE of the worst is....

Are you kidding me!

Below are some Halloween makeup ideas that I found online- What are you going to b e this Halloweeen?

Now I call that AMAZING photography!!

I love Ivanka's makeup!

Concealers are like gifts from heaven! They cover blemishes,uneven skin tones and most importantly, under-eye circles. You don't need foundation if you have a good concealer for every day use.

However, the question I always get asked by clients is: so Sam, what’s the best concealer? And Should I use liquid, crème or matte concealers? With so many brands out there, I understand how hard it is to choose. Here is what I think you should do when it comes to concealers:

First, examine your skin; do you have dry or oily skin. Do you have winkles and pores that you want to conceal? Do you have dark under-eye circles? These are the three main questions you should ask yourself prior to purchasing a concealer.

The general rule is: liquid concealers are better than stick concealers because they blend in well in the skin and they don’t look caky. However, if you have very dark under-eye circles you might want to use a crème concealer with different shades to eliminate the dark shadows like orange or even green shades- something that we call “color-correction”. I will talk about this in details in a different blog.

When it comes to brands :I have tried literally tens of brands and have come to the realization that sometimes you don’t have to pay too much to get the results you want.

One of the best concealers out there is Fit Me by Maybelline; it provides full coverage, has tiny particles that eliminate wrinkles and is not that expensive; $10. It is the concealer I use every day for myself.

If you have more money to spend, you might want to try Select concealers from Mac. The only problem that I found was that you have to set the concealer with powder because it might crease especially if you have wrinkles yet it provides amazing coverage for photography in particular.

If you have under- eye circles- very dark circles, you might want to try Cover Girl sick concealers, they provide full coverage and are not pricy at all!

One last brand that I HAVE to mention in this article is Smashbox - Photo Finish Targeted Pore &Line Primer.

It is by far the most amazing under-eye lines and pores minimizer!!  You apply it before your concealer. It really does wonders! It's incredibly thick. This is the only primer I've ever used that actually obscured the pores around a friend’s nose and kept themunder wraps all day long. It works wonders for under eye wrinkles too.

 Please email Sam for appointments or questions at:

sam@samsmakeup.net

Or call/ text: (780) 604-4990

We all know that makeup does wonders especially if the makeup artist is talented enough to do the magic.  For me, eye makeup is an essential component of any makeup look. The smoky eyes look usually works on any one. The client has to know that it is a lot of makeup and if they usually don’t wear makeup, I do not recommend the smoky eye look.  Which celebrity do you think looks so different without makeup?

Remember; the after picture is most likely photo-shopped. For me it's J Lo! She looks sooo different.

My first advice to you is don’t just go for the best price when choosing someone for hair and make-up, but go for someone that you trust. You should make sure that they understand your needs so that you feel 100% confident on your big day and are not stressed.

Hair:

• Get plenty of beauty sleep two nights before your wedding day.
  
• Wash your hair before you go to bed and blow-dry it. Do not wash your hair the same wedding day. Dirty hair is the secret to long-wearing updo.
  
•  Your hair will probably be exposed to the weather more than usual. Use a conditioner or hot oil treatment before the wedding day.
  
•  If you want an updo/ chignon or big hair, it is always better to bring a ponytail hairpiece or clip-on hair extensions- please consult the hair stylist before buying a wig to match your hair color.
  
• Bring a hairspray with you as you might need it later on.
• The style of your hair and make-up should also suit the theme of your wedding, your dress, your face shape, your complexion and your hair. Bear in mind that everything comes together at the end.
  

Make-up:

• Exfoliate your face and then moisturize it before you go to bed and moisturize first thing in the morning on your wedding day.
• Bring your mascara with you as it is better to use your own to avoid infection- waterproof is recommended.
  
• Get your eyebrows shaped; the make-up artist can assist you if you don't know how to. If you have not requested touch-up services, make sure that your touch-up kit has all the right colours and make-up you need.
  
• Avoid bold nail polish
• It is a good idea to have your trial at least a month or two before your wedding day.
• Make sure that you have an idea of what you are wanting to look like on your big day, any pictures or magazine clippings of a style/makeup you have in mind is a great help for the stylist/make-up artist.
  
•  Also, understand that your makeup will need to be heavier on the day of your wedding for longevity - and for the photos so you wont look washed out.
  

The photos below are without editing or Photoshop or any artificial lighting.

Aida was perfect. She's not only photogenic, she has a beautiful colour, gorgeous teeth and came with the perfect accessories.

 Please email Sam for appointments or questions at:

sam@samsmakeup.net

Or call/ text: (780) 604-4990

How do you know when a cosmetic item isn't good anymore? Beautiful vintage cosmetics as collectibles are one thing, but no one should use them on their face. Here are some general guidelines about shelf life for some products, but always keep common sense in mind. If it smells bad, separates, or changes color, kick it to the curb! Read on for some great beauty tips and advice.

Foundation: There are two different types of foundation: water-based and oil-based. These will last for 12 months and 18 months, respectively, after they are opened. If you notice that it starts to smell sour or turn off-color before then, head out to buy a new one.

Concealer: Can be used for up to 12 months, but toss it if it starts to look caked when you apply it under the eye area.

Powder: Loose powder will last up to two years. Pressed powder usually lasts only about a year, because the oils in the sponge break it down if the sponge isn't cleaned regularly. It helps to keep that little plastic barrier that comes with the pressed powder between the powder and the sponge.

Eye shadow: Can keep up to three years. If it starts to get crumbly, treat yourself to some new shadows.

Eyeliner: Will last up to three years, just be sure to sharpen them regularly. Twist-up liners sometimes tend to dry out after a while. If it's dry or tugs at your eye area when you apply it, then get rid of it.

Mascara: Will last up to four months. If you keep it any longer the mascara can dry out and flake. Here is a great tip: do not pump the mascara wand because it pumps air into the tube, which in turn dries out the mascara. The best way to get more mascara on the wand is to twirl it around the tube, scraping the sides without lifting the wand out. Then, take it out and use one side of the wand for one eye and flip to the other for the other eye.

Lipstick: This one is up for some debate. Some experts say one to two years is as long as you want to keep it. The best way to judge is to smell it. If it smells rancid or different from how it originally smelled, pitch it. Besides, isn't shopping for a new lipstick fun?

Cleansers and Moisturizers: Good for up to one year. Try not to stick your fingers into the jar. Use a cotton swab so that you don't contaminate the product.

Nail Polish: Up to 12 months if you keep it standing upright. If it starts to separate and you get a yellowish layer, then it's time to say goodbye.

Brushes: Great quality brushes will last a lifetime, and they should because they can cost a fortune! Wash them with a gentle face soap and dry by laying them down so that water doesn't leak into the brush handle. You should wash your brushes every two weeks, or three if you have dry skin. Oilier skin causes more build up on the brushes, so they may need to be washed weekly.

 Please email Sam for appointments or questions at:

sam@samsmakeup.net

Or call/ text: (780) 604-4990

Awesome Tutorial! Enjoy..

 Please email Sam for appointments or questions at:

sam@samsmakeup.net

Or call/ text: (780) 604-4990

Since foundation isn't a “one size fits all” product, it can be tricky to find the right one. Fortunately, reading a foundation review and checking out popular products can help. Read on to learn about foundation reviews for top-rated products. 

As a makeup artist, sometimes I mix two or three foundation colors to get the perfcet color. My favourite foundation, however, is Make Up Forever HD Foundation. It has particles that fill in pores and lines so it is perfect for photos and videos.

The HD Foundation is quite pricey at $40. It is lightweight with medium coverage which is buildable. Most of my clients said that they dont need to set it with a powder but I prefer it with powder. The HD powder is also awesome. It is a little expensive but well worth it since it covers the skin.

My advice to you, however, is do not wear foundation every day; it is simply not good for your skin. Usually, I wear a good concealer and a light weight powder everyday. Here are some tips about applying foundation:

• If you wear foundation on a regular basis, your best bet is to spend the extra money and purchase it from a cosmetic counter that allows you to test the color first. Or you can purchase foundation at a drugstore which allows you the option to return any product you don't like.

• Test foundation along your jaw line. It should blend easily into your natural skin tone. Beware of winter pales. You might find you need a slightly darker shade of makeup for summer.

• Amount of coverage is a personal preference. Use cream or longwearing foundations for heavier coverage. Use lotions or tinted moisturizers for lighter coverage. A tinted moisturizer works well for summer but may not last as long.

• Moisten fingertips and blend makeup along the jaw line so there is no demarcation line.

• If oil surfaces during the day, blot the area with a tissue then apply a light dusting of powder.

• Always apply powder to set makeup and reapply throughout the day to prevent shine.

• Apply foundation 10 min. after moisturizer. If you don't allow the moisturizer to absorb into the skin, your foundation will "come off" in a matter of hours.

• Foundations and powders with pink undertones make your skin appear older

• Liquid, cream and tinted moisturizer should be applied with fingertips or a damp sponge. Mineral makeup should be used with a kabuki brush and applied in a circular buffing motion. Start at the forehead and work your way down. Always ally powder to neck.

 Please email Sam for appointments or questions at:

sam@samsmakeup.net

Or call/ text: (780) 604-4990

I get asked all the time about makeup for photos so today I am going to talk a bit a bout it with you. The first secret is to simply fix your face as if you were going out for the evening, wearing more than for daytime use, extra contrast and especially more powder.

You will probably think you that you are wearing too much but remember that the lights take away from whatever amount of makeup you have on so don't worry. The first step is to moisturize your face thoroughly and then begin with concealer.

The concealer you use for photos should be 2 or 3 shades lighter than your skin tone.  Concealer is used to hide blemishes, lighten your eyes and used if there is any discoloration around the lip area.

Next, use a solid foundation evenly applied over the face. Use yellow tones to break the pink tones.

After your foundation is finished, always contour- For me this is the best kept secert! Well, I guess its no secret anymore I will be writing about face contouring on my next blog entry.

Last but not least, Powder! Powder! Powder! Be sure not to forget the powder! If you've ever seen makeup applied for TV or the movies, the makeup artist is almost always patting the face with the powder applicator. Ever wonder why?  Because powder, and lots of it, is absolutely essential to gaining that beautiful mat finish which is always present in a great portrait.

 Please email Sam for appointments or questions at:

sam@samsmakeup.net

Or call/ text: (780) 604-4990

Here are the make up trends that experts from the beauty industry are predicting for this year:

• Hot red lipstick is still dominating!

•  A more natural look, away from last year’s bronzed-up looks

• Fancy bold shimmering browns and shiny gold eye shadow

• Thick & dark eyebrows

• Winged eyeliner
  

• Delicately flushed, pastel pink cheeks

 Please email Sam for appointments or questions at:

sam@samsmakeup.net

Or call/ text: (780) 604-4990