Makeup By Kim Porter
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Review: KeraCare Oil Sheen with Humidity Block

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I purchased this product after my hair stylist started using it on my hair.  I just want to say that my local beauty supply store ripped me off completely for it.  Now that I think about it, maybe they didn’t since if you purchase it online, with tax and shipping it comes out to be around the same price. 

Features (source)
KeraCare Oil Sheen with Humidity Block is a light formula that gives hair a natural looking shine.

• Contains a conditioning blend of Olive Oil, Carrot Oil, and herbal extracts.

• Enriched with anti-reversion agents.

• No CFCs or drying alcohols.

Benefits
• Hair does not look or feel greasy.

• Does not weigh hair down.

• Combats reversion on humid days.

Directions
Hold can 10-12 inches away from head and spray evenly on hair. It’s concentrated,
use sparingly for best results.

My thoughts: I really like this product.  My hair has a continuous shine even after wrapping it, and unwrapping it the next day.  It does help stop reversion (you know when your hair gets a little wet (from rain/sweat).  It also helps keep your hair from getting poofy when it’s humid out.  A little goes a long way, so please if you get this & use it don’t go crazy spraying it.

Price: $8.99 (I paid $13 at my local beauty supply)

Where to get Professional Cosmetics

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Working as a makeup artist, you always want and need your kit to be well stocked.  If you have already been working on building your kit, you’ve probably noticed that some of the items you need are quite expensive.

My advice is to get a business card.  With a business card (and  other credentials), you can begin to apply for makeup artist discounts (anywhere from 20-40% off)with cosmetics companies.   Business cards are a must have anyway, especially when building your clientele – walk with your cards so you have them with you to hand out.

Here are some places where you can get some discounted professional makeup and makeup application tools.

Alcone Co – has been around since the 1950’s.  they are located in NYC, but you can order a number of makeup products from around the world at discounted prices. They have their own brand, as well as Kryolan, three Custom Color, Ben Nye, Eve Pearl, and Face Atelier to name a few. 

Cinema Secrets –  They have a professional beauty supply store located in Burbank, Ca.  You can also order products on-line.  They have great foundations many makeup artists use in their kits.

Camera Ready Cosmetics – They offer a 20% discount to professional makeup artists.  They have brands such as RCMA, Graftobian, Joe Blasco, Cinema Secrets etc.  They also carry makeup tools, and disposables.

Makeup Mania – they have a Denver (headquarters) and New York City location.  They have professional makeup & tooks for makeup artists. 

This is where I get my eyelashes from Beauty Shop OC – They Sell Red Cherry Lashes for $2 – 100% Human Hair Lashes

Don’t neglect your local drugstore & watch out for sales.

Look out for my post on cosmetic company discount programs.

Makeup Kit Essentials

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I am doing this post since many of you have asked me either here or on twitter what items are must haves for your kits.  I just want to say that depending on the type of makeup you’re doing (wedding, editorial, theatrical etc) the items you have in your kit will vary. So below, you will find the basics. 

*** If you’re just starting out, try to find sales & go to your local drugstore. 

Makeup Application Tools

  1. Makeup Brushes – Anyone, from a makeup artist to an everyday person needs a good set of brushes to apply makeup.  Invest in good brushes.  They don’t necessarily have to be MAC or Billy B. brushes; you can find pretty descent brushes from Crown Brush or Coastal Scents, even Sonia Kashuk’s line at Target. 

      Basic Brushes to have:

  • Powder Brush
  • Concealer Brush
  • Eyeshadow Brushes: a smaller one that can be used to cover smaller spaces like the lid, a larger one that could be used to apply a “wash of color” across the entire eye area and could also be used to blend color softly, and a crease brush which is used to apply a darker contour of color in the crease of the eyelid.
  • Eyeliner Brush
  • Angled Liner Brush
  • Blush Brush
  • Eyebrow Brush/Eyelash Comb
  1. Cotton Swabs
  2. Disposable Mascara Wands
  3. Disposable Lipstick Applicators – Doe Foot or the Regular Brush
  4. Disposable Cosmetic Sponges/Wedges (get latex & latex free just incase you encounter someone who has a latex allergy)
  5. Eyelash Curler –  Have both types, the regular and the Japanese type. The Japanese curler works best for people who have tiny eyelashes.
  6. Tweezers – Slant Tip & Precision

 Makeup Products

***It’s best to get things in palette form since it makes everything more compact & it’s less stuff to carry in your kit.

  1. Concealer/Corrector Palette
  2. Foundation Palette – Try CameraReadyCosmetics.Com, RCMA, Graftobian.  Make sure the foundation you get can be used on different skin types (oily, dry, combo etc)
  3. Powder
  4. Eyeshadow Palette – 120 Palettes are good if you’re on a budget, but eventually invest in something else. Try Stars Makeup Haven, Yaby etc
  5. Lipstick palette
  6. Contouring/Blush Palette
  7. Foundation Primer
  8. Eyeshadow Primer
  9. Moisturizer – Make sure you have a Non-oily one so that you’re prepared for clients with different skin types
  10. Lip conditioner
  11. Eye brow gel
  12. Eyebrow Powder
  13. Mascara
  14. Eyeliner
  15. Lip Pencils
  16. Clear Gloss 

Miscellaneous

  1. Hand Sanitizer
  2. Makeup Sanitizer – Beauty So Clean
  3. Two Ply Tissue
  4. Makeup Remover/Makeup Remover Wipes
  5. Package of Mints – Just in case
  6. Brush Cleaner
  7. Alcohol Wipes
  8. Spatula/Mixing Tool
  9. Mixing Palette
  10. Eyelashes
  11. Lash glue – Duo Adhesive or LashGrip

 The best place to purchase stuff for your kit (disposable wands etc) is Alcone Co and try to apply for discounts from cosmetic companies.  You NEED a business card.  

What’s in your kit? Where do you purchase your stuff from?