It’s Time to Makeup your Mind : The Artistic Tug of War.
˙Sandeep Sura – The Novice
[Approx; 5 minute read]
Prepare yourself for the 7 essential steps I follow before every shoot. As I guide you through each step, I'll also share the invaluable Expert-Tips that I've received along the way.
My Makeup Kit; These are the products I’ve used for every Video and Photoshoot thus far.
Here we go; let’s get into it.
Step 1: Cleanse for a Fresh Canvas - To achieve a flawless foundation, start by thoroughly cleansing your face. This simple yet crucial step eliminates dirt and excess oil, providing you with a clean base to work with.
Step 2: Towel Pat for Optimal Moisture - Remember this trick: Instead of completely drying your face, gently pat it with a towel to retain moisture. Aim for a slightly damp complexion, as this will help your subsequent products absorb better and maintain hydration.
Step 3: Hydrate with a Matte Moisturizer - The keyword here is: "Matte." It plays a crucial role in preventing any unwanted shine on your face, especially under different lighting conditions. By applying a mattifying moisturizer, you'll achieve two essential goals: ensuring your makeup looks smooth and even without any flaking, while also providing a longer-lasting hold.
Step 4: Keep it light with a Tinted Moisturiser - Since my skin has an even tone and is blemish free, I don’t require heavy coverage. So, instead of a foundation, I use a lightweight tinted moisturizer that is quick to apply and which lasts for a few hours. I was given two variants to mix but luckily, I found the perfect match with the medium tone color.
Step 5: Enhance your look with Bronzer - I incorporate a bronzer to add depth and dimension to my complexion. Since I naturally have a pale look, using bronzer helps to subtly darken my face, creating a more defined and sculpted appearance. This technique allows me to shape and enhance some of my facial features.
Step 6: Set your Makeup - This essential product serves two important purposes. Firstly, it effectively locks your makeup in place, ensuring it stays intact throughout your shoot. Secondly, the setting powder helps to mattify your overall look, preventing any unwanted shine or hot spots caused by lighting.
Step 7: Don’t overlook the Pencil Filler - While this step is optional, it proves to be incredibly useful, especially if I haven't recently visited the barber. By using the pencil filler, I can neatly groom and tame unruly hairs, while also filling in any sparse areas caused by lighter hair. This simple technique helps to achieve a more polished and refined look, ensuring every detail is taken care of before the shoot.
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Tip #1: Seek Expert Guidance; begin by consulting with a makeup and skincare expert to assess your skin type and receive personalised product recommendations. This initial step is crucial for enhancing your skin's health and appearance. I went through this step and learnt a lot about my Combination skin type.
Tip #2: Share your Images and Videos with Experts; by doing this I discovered two important things: flaky makeup and tight skin. Thankfully, the moisturizer solved both issues.
Tip #3: Get Multiple Opinions for Validation; in my case, I reached out to three professionals for help. When multiple experts share the same advice, it serves as a strong indicator that you're heading in the right direction.
Tip #4: Treat Makeup as an Investment; I dedicated a significant amount, approximately Kenya Shillings 9,000/-, for high-quality makeup and brushes. It's crucial to prioritize the well-being of your skin by avoiding cheap products. Instead, conduct thorough research and seek recommendations from experienced users to ensure you make informed choices.
Tip #5: Care for Your Brushes and Makeup; ensure your brushes stay clean and hygienic by regularly shampooing them after use. Don't forget about your makeup as well, keep it clean and well-maintained for optimal application and longevity.
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In conclusion: My journey encompassed two months of extensive research, close to a year to fully embrace the idea of using makeup, insights from three professional makeup artists, and a budget of KES 9,000 for quality products. The result? A remarkable 100% improvement in post-production efficiency and the ability to consistently achieve a polished look for every video and photoshoot.
“So, have you made up your mind? Are you up for giving all this a try?"
Written by; Sandeep Sura