Dear LMM,
How long does it take you to do a model’s makeup on a shoot? And are the products you use in your tutorials what you use in a professional capacity?
Thank you, Holly.
Dear Holly,
Thanks for your email.
The time it takes me to apply makeup at a photo shoot can vary. It depends on things like the type of look (natural versus strong), the condition of the model’s skin, and whether or not I need to apply false lashes. On average I usually allow an hour per face.
Typically, the products I use in my tutorials are the same as those I use every day in my professional work. These products tend to be mostly high-end brands, but more and more mass-market products are slowly creeping into my kit. Just because I use certain products in my videos doesn’t mean you have to buy these exact ones in order to recreate the looks. I absolutely encourage you to get creative with the cosmetics you already have at home and work within your budget. Simply copy the colors, textures and/or techniques I use with the products of your choice.
The biggest difference between what I do in my tutorials and my day-to-day work is the longevity factor. The makeup in my videos is designed for street-wear and should last accordingly, whereas on set or at fashion shows I generally work to a pre-determined theme and the looks tend to have a shorter lifespan.
At a beauty shoot for instance, the makeup doesn’t have to last all day; it only has to stay put long enough for the photographer to get ‘the shot’. This often takes minutes, not hours. To fulfil the creative brief, I literally put wear-time aside and focus on wow factor. For instance, to get a perfect finish on the face, I sometimes use a foundation formulated for dry skin on a model with an oily complexion. For everyday wear this is something I would not usually recommend, but because I’m there to top up the model’s face with powder, I can keep the shine on the skin at just the right level until the perfect image is captured.
Similarly, on the catwalk it’s more about the makeup’s short-term effect, not its long-term staying power, and the choice of textures often reflects this. For example, in line with a show’s creative direction, I occasionally use lipgloss on eyelids and lipstick in eyebrows. While this does not always translate well to the sidewalk, basically all that matters is that it lasts a few return trips down the runway and the director’s dream is realized.
Hope this is helpful.
Love lots and pink polka dots, LMM.
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Tags: Dear LMM . . ., life of a makeup artist
