Moncton Makeup Artist | May Favorites | Products I'm Lovin!

Hi Everyone! I have not been able to post a lot lately due to baby life / work life balance , but thought I would pull together a quick post on some of my favorite products I keep going back to again & again ! Let me know if there is a specific type of product you would like to me share my favorites on for the next Favorite Product Post !

#1. Nars Albatross Highlighter

Available at Sephora for $33.00 CDN
Sheer light golden sheen.
I use this product on the top of the cheek bones, inner tear duct of the eye and sometimes on the cupids bow of the lip for a warm glow. You can blend it away so that it is really subtle or leave a more vibrant highlight to really make the features pop! 
 From Nars:  

• Creates instant radiance
• Made with transparent pigments to avoid heaviness on the skin
• Universally flattering shades

#2. Makeup Forever Aqua Eyes

Available at Sephora for $23.00 CDN
Matte Brown 25L - Dark Chocolate Brown 
An eyeliner that is actually waterproof- If you want to do a smokey eye with this pencil, or any from the collection, you need to get it on and blend right away cause it won't budge once it sets! I also love the chocolate brown, I use brown on my eyes more then black during the day when I do makeup (people that know me know I don't wear a lot of makeup during the day and I love the softness of  brown for my itty bitty eyes- just a personal preference no makeup logic here) The black I also have and it's amazing, I will slowly begin replacing all my eyeliners with shades from this collection. 
From Makeup Forever:  
 Waterproof, highly pigmented, and smudge-proof, the Aqua collection of long-lasting lip and eye colors was created for the Parisian Aquatic Ballet. Tested under water for five hours.

#3. Dior Addict Lipgloss in Angelique 

Available at Sephora for $31.00 CDN (Ouch!)
223 Angèlique - pale creamy peach
Dior would be my "go-to" splurge line when I want to pick up some extra special goodies and not look at the price tag. This gloss is AMAZING. My favorite way to wear it is over a light pink lipstick to create a subtle pinky-peachy lip. But it is also BEAUTIFUL on it's own. Although the price is steep - there is a fair amount of product in the tube, the packaging is also beautiful and of course -most important- the product is truly amazing!
From Dior:  
 Addict Gloss delivers brilliant shine and a volumizing effect in dazzling shades. The smoothing and hydrating formula comes in three finishes: sparkling, pearly, or pure. 

#4. M.A.C. Warm Neutral Palette  

Available at M.A.C. for $115.00 CDN (I think)
An Eye Shadow Palette in fifteen warm shades: Hey, Warm Breeze, Gingersnap, Dark Brew, Dance in the Dark, Brule Vanilla Extract, Honey Lust, Amber Lights, Saddle, Lemon Tart, Butterfudge, Creative Copper, Unwind and Divine Decadence.
I always opt for warm tones over cool around the eyes and this palette has such a great mix of shades for blue, green or brown eyes with matte and shimmer shades. The only thing I wish it had was a matte meduim tone , like a carmal -the one they have has a shimmer to it, but other then that this has become one of my go to palettes from women of all ages and races - SO VERSATILE! 
From M.A.C.:  
 The highly pigmented powder formula applies evenly, blends and builds beautifully.

#5.  Stila Stay All Day® Waterproof Liquid Eye Liner

 Available at Sephora or Shoppers for $26.00 CDN
Black - Jet Black
Stay all day? More like stay all week!! I had swatched this on my arm when I was out shopping and it literally did not come off for almost a week I didn't use makeup remover on it ..just soap and water and it took days for just water to break down the product - it's one of their bestselling products - and I can see why!
From Stila: 
 This easy-glide, quick-dry precision liner stays in place until you say when—no smudges, feathering, or running. The thin, marker-like tip is easy to use, even for the beauty beginner, and delivers any look—from a thin line to a bold, dramatic stroke. It goes on smoothly without skipping, smudging, or pulling, and lasts all day.






Hope you enjoyed my latest favorite finds! 

If you like what you read and want to stay up to date on what me and the Bastarache Beauty team is up to, sign up for my newsletter: HERE !

 xx
sj
WWW.BASTARACHEBEAUTY.COM  

Rothesay Make Up Artist | Rothesay Netherwood School | Holly & Jeff

So I have been SWAMPED with emails - thank you everyone for your inquiries and bookings, but it has interfered with my blog and social media ( you've probably noticed I've been a little quiet the past week or so) So here is "Wedding Wednesday" ..on Monday ..sounds like a great way to start the week to me ;)

Holly is one of my 2012 brides and of course, like all my fabulous brides, an absolute sweetheart.

For Holly's Wedding Makeup and style we went with a Classic Beauty feel. Rose toned lips and cheeks and a soft eye chocolates, taupes &champagnes.

Products Used:
Ben Nye Neutral Eyeshadow Palette * Dior 5 color Eyeshadow in Incognito 030 *  L'Oreal Voluminous Mascara in Waterproof * Smashbox Jet Set Waterproof Eye Liner in Deep Black *Classified Cosmetics Aero Mineral Foundation * Smashbox Blush Rush in Flush * M.A.C Buttercup Lipstick *

I LOVE Holly's first look photos ... I just love her face and body language in the photos - SOOOO CUTE! Her hands give it all away :)

Kind words from Holly on her Bastarache Beauty wedding experience:

I literally could not have been happier with my

experience... You spent most of the morning with us,

you were lovely to have around and I and my

bridesmaids felt absolutely beautiful in our make-up.

I wish you could do my make-up every day!" – Holly

 
Photographer: JK Murphy Photography
Wedding Dress is from: Matthew Christopher
Decor: Judith Mackin
Flowers : Sandra Miller Floral
Venue of wedding: Rothesay Netherwood School (chapel and Heritage Hall)

Wedding Coordinator: From Menus to Venues 

Makeup Artist: Bastarache Beauty

Thank you again Holly & Jeff for having me as part of your wedding day. Your wedding has always been a favorite memory of mine - and I am SO excited about the new things happening in your life together! All the best on your journey!

Thank you everyone for stopping by - I hope you're inspired!

xx
sj
www.bastarachebeauty.com

Moncton Make up Artist | Make Up Misses

So I don't like to be negative or talk down company's or products ...but I do feel a sense of responsibility to tell you guys what I buy and don't like, since I like to share my product hauls etc.

So here are a few products I will not buy again & I am disappointed in spending my hard earned money on.

My March "Make up Misses" :

1. Cake Dry Shampoo 

I have fine hair, and it gets oily fast, I  usually need to wash my hair everyday unless I have a good dry shampoo...this my friends is  not a good dry shampoo..it absorbs for like 2 seconds..maybe. I just hated it all around. $22.00 ...super disappointed.


2. Nars Skin Smoothing Face Prep

I was looking for something for my mature clients, this was recommended as it is suppose to help smooth over fine lines and pores. Personally though, I feel that it is too mattifying for anyone over 30. At $36.00 ... I have other products that I can rely on consistently, not a buy again.


3. Diorskin Nude BB Creme

So I posted when I purchased this for myself ...NOW ..it is a nice finish ...but because of some of the ingredients it oxides really bad, which means, once it's been on your skin for a little while - it darkens. Maybe for personal use this would be ok. If one opted to purchase a shade lighter then they would normal buy - and let it adjust accordingly.  For my pro kit,however, I don't have time to test it on clients and wait for the color to change etc. So if I am going to be spending $44.00 on a BB Cream...it's not going to be this one.


4. Sephora Collection - Retractable Brow Pencil 

 

Full brows are still in - and they are beautiful, I love them. But finding good brow products isn't always easy. I've been testing a couple of different lines and different products for brows - and this just didn't make the cut. It does not last - even with setting it with a powder. A girl needs her brows- all day. Fortunately - it was only $16.00 dollars...but I'd much rather spend that somewhere else. 

5.Sens'Eyes Waterproof Sensitive Make up Remover

I hear so many people raving about this eye makeup removed ..but I was not impressed. Especially at $29.00 . Don't get me wrong - it does take the makeup off. But my regular eye makeup remover does too- and I need a lot less of it to do the same thing, and it even costs less. So similar to the Diorskin BB Cream - it's not terrible, but I've had better.


So let me know what you guys think of this blog, would you prefer to just hear what I like? Or do you want to know my makeup misses? I don't want to start bashing products all the time, but I am more then happy to give my honest opinion on products either way.

If you like my posts, make sure to sign up to my newsletter. You will be among the FIRST to know about what's happening at Bastarache Beauty : SIGN UP HERE .

Thanks for stopping by!

xx

sj

WWW.BASTARACHEBEAUTY.COM

The Ten Foundation Commandments

I'm going to come right out and say it - Foundation (to me) is a splurge purchase. I have bought $7.00 mascara and $5 lipstick..but rarely do I spend less then $40.00 on foundation (sorry.) My Three favorite companies to buy foundation from (in no particular order) Smashbox, Make Up Forever, Laura Mercier.

Here we go:

#1. In this Instagram, Facebook and selfie world, having your makeup photograph well is a priority. That being said I ALWAYS opt for a yellow based foundation - always. Flashes and harsh lighting in photographs accentuate redness in the face, a yellow based foundation will help neutral this and help you not look pink in the face.

#2. Color Matching, When you go to purchase complexion makeup, do the jar stripe test. Run the makeup from your check done to your neck, and try 3 colors that look close (that is a Robert Jones trick). This will give you the closest and truest color match.

#3. Use the Right Tools: For a very natural finish, use your fingers, for a little more coverage use a Beauty-Blender and for the fullest coverage I recommend a synthetic Brush.

#4. Have The Right Base: Use a primer if your skin has uneven texture (dryness, break outs, fine lines & wrinkles) But make sure your formulas are compatible. If you are using a water based foundation, have a water based primer etc. To keep this simple, buy your primer & foundation from the same line - same can be said for the concealer.

#5.Start in The Center of your face and work your way out. Women tend to have  more redness around the nose, so put the bulk of your product there and the product will sheer out naturally as you get to your jaw line.

#6. Layer it up - A light to medium foundation base is best for longevity and then spot concealing where there are problem areas. Then to really help things last - finish with a powder. For dry skin I just lightly dust a setting powder over t-zone. For oily skin- a mattifying one, wherever needed. Doing light layers of different products will give you a more natural finish and more bang for your buck by being longer lasting.

#7. Timing: Let your moisturizer and primer absorb into your face before you get your foundation on, so wait a few minutes in the beginning. BUT as soon as everything looks perfect with your foundation/concealer..get the powder on before your foundation creases or settles into any fine lines.

#8 Do your eyes first : A lot of clients will comment: "Oh, you do the eyes first?" Yes I do, every time. Who has time to make their skin look absolutely perfect, and then screw it up with eyeshadow fall out and mascara smudges? Not me. Do you eyes first, then take a bit of moisturizer and wipe away any fall out, and then start creating your perfect complexion.

#9 Choose the right formulas: You want your formulas to be age appropriate and skin type appropriate.

#10. Use Multiple Shades: Find a shade that matches your skin tone perfectly -  buy that one and then buy one shade lighter, and one shade darker (or use bronzer) You can use these to subtle bring dimension and life to your face. Apply the shades where you would apply highlighter and contour.

Please comment below if you have any questions or tell me what your "foundation commandment" is you swear by! I'd love to hear your tricks or your favorite products for your skin type!

xx
sj
WWW.BASTARACHEBEAUTY.COM

Most images are google images in this post. With the exception  of title image: by Caro Photo, and Selfie. lol

Working with Makeup Artists PT 2

I was lying in bed last night contemplating my last post, and I hope that on ones thinks I am being arrogant, I am the first to admit that I certainly have not "arrived." I am always looking for new ways to expand and grow as an artist and jump at any opportunity to assist or work under anyone who has more experience then me or I can learn from. And it is in that spirit of wanting to grow that I share these thoughts with you.

I suppose...I just wonder, if our approach to creative work is a hindrance in itself to getting us to the next level. How would our images and results change if the photographer treated his shoot like Patrick Demarchelier treats his shoots for Vogue editorials?  Or if MUA's prepared like Pat Mcgrath for fashion weeks around the world? If Models practiced posing in front of their mirrors like Chanel Iman? I know everyone has to start somewhere, and it's important to get experience and build rapport, but why not raise the bar a little each time? Why not take your creative shoots and TFP shoots as seriously as if it were an national campaign for Louis Vuitton?(Even if it doesn't even look close!) Hone your craft, keep raising the bar, and keep putting yourself out there.

Missed part one? Here is the post: http://bastarachebeauty.blogspot.ca/2013/02/working-with-makeup-artists-pt-1.html#.UY0yIEqjGSo

#5. Workspace

Adequate lighting and table space to set up 

Lighting is so huge for makeup preparation, for obvious reasons, a MUA needs to be able to see the face of the client she is working on. Natural lighting is often best, as it can be the harshest if the sun is out and really reveal the pigmentation in the skin, and any blemishes or darkness that need covered.However, if there are no windows, which is not uncommon, any artificial lighting that is as close to assimilating the lighting that will be used for shooting is great. If possible florescent lighting should be avoided, very unflattering. Again, we work with what we are given, but if you can give us light! Please do! Also a small table, even the size of a card table (although a little higher, so we don't have to bend down) seems like a no brainer, but there are more shoots and productions I do that don't have a table then do. Most makeup artist have a system for laying out their products in the order the use them or something similar, again this helps speed things up, so having a space to do that for hair and makeup, you are doing yourself a favor too!

#6. Artistic Etiquette

A photographer would be offended if they saw someone had gone and changed the editing of one of their images, so please don't change the makeup yourself, if you are unhappy with something, confront your MUA, and ask them to change it.

I know confrontation can be scary but it is so important; just as a photographer invests a lot of themselves in their images so do makeup artists into the faces they work on. I personally have not had this happen on a photo shoot, but I have had models change their makeup at fashion shows and they get a strong reprimand from the key artist and the designer who collaborated on the look, but I do know of MUA's who have had this happen to them on a shoot, and it is just bad form. No one has the right to change something about your image; however, they certainly can ask you to edit something for them. It's the same with MUA's, if there is something you don 't like, or isn't quite right, let your artist know what you want changed, they may explain a reason for why they did it that way opposed to another, or they will happily change it. A even worse crime is sending the model to another makeup artist to make the changes, wouldn't it make you feel sick to have your images edited by another photographer behind your back if you could do it yourself?

#7. Feedback

Constructive criticism is imperative to anyone's growth- if we don't know the problem, we can't fix it.

If there was something wrong with my makeup, it melted, or smudged, or faded, and something didn't photograph well, and nobody told me...I would just be so disappointed.I know it can be hard to tell someone something negative, even if it will be helpful to them in the future, so I recommend using the "Encouragement Sandwich Method" Start with one or two positive things, then give the negative, then end on a high not again with something you are happy with. (This works great in marriages too)

 I.E. "I loved how the models skin looked, and the you chose worked so great together - you have a good eye for that... One thing I was hoping for for next time was for the eye makeup to be more dramatic -bump it up with some more color, it was a little too plain once I started editing it , do you see what I mean in the images?... Her makeup lasted great though, hardly had to touch it up at all after you left, stay flawless -great job on that!" See? So not painful!!

#8. Rates

Pricing for services.

I found on a makeup artist website from Halifax, I can't remember who it was so I can't credit them, but a great description of what goes into the rates that a makeup artist will charge, I tweaked it a little but it essentially says the same thing: "Pricing for my services is reflective of my on-going training, education, previous experience, industry research, sanitization, cleaning and preparation of products, travel time and expenses,product replacement and actual labor time."    Furthermore, as most entrepreneurs and creatives know, you are paying your own dental and health bills/insurance,liability insurance, your own EI (optional), you have to pay income tax out of your rate,put money into retirement, and you don't collect any vacation pay. That's why when a client wants to hire me and asks how much it is to do X amount of people, I tell them that I operate by a half day rate or a full day rate, so regardless of whether I am there for 2 1/2 hours or my full 4 hours for a half day, the Rate will stay the same, as the only thing that is reduced is my actual labor time, but all my other overheads stay the same. Also, if things do wrap up ahead of schedule and I can head out an hour or so early, I still have booked that 4 hour or 8 hour time slot for you, and have mostly like turned away other work to be part of your project, as I am my product and service, I can make money only where I am.

That being said, if you are working with a small budget, make an offer towards the asking rate, and perhaps negotiations can be made. Being part of the  close-knit creative Atlantic Canadian community, most want to support what others are doing and are willing to be flexible to build relationships and continue working together on future projects



I think that is all I have to share for now, I am sure I will edit and add more later. Again I hope you all found this to be a resource to help you operate your projects and businesses better!

xx
sj
www.bastarachebeauty.com
www.sarahjanes.ca

Back to Work

Hello Darling,

It's been over a year since I've last posted because I've been on maternity and taking care of my brand new son. Now, I am ready to get back to work, so one of the things I will be starting again is my blog. YAY ! Let's see if we can breath some life into this baby.


I have lot's of plans for my freelance business is going, I wish I could tell you all, but alas, as most things are only in their developmental stage, I must stay hush! hush!

 But what I will do is a quick overview of some products I am loving right now:

Nivea Pure & Natural Moisturizing Day Care ($10.00)

 This is my current Moisturizer and I am loving it, I also got one to use on some of my bridal clients and the feedback has been all positive. PROS Leaves skin feeling soft and gentle to the touch. Enriched with organically grown Argan Oil and Aloe Vera. Made without parabens, silicones, colorants or mineral oils CONS Fragrance - I hate fragrance in products,and I find this one a bit strong, but that's probably because most of my products are fragrance free, so when something is scented - I notice it.

Mary Kay TimeWise MicrodermaBrasion Set ($60.00)

 I am addicted to this stuff ! Everyone should have it. It is the best microdermabrasion system I've tried besides a professional procedure with the dermatologist. Almost all people's skin problems when it come to texture, ie; oily with blemishes or dry with flakes. Can be dramatically reduced by microdermabrasion and this is the one I use, and it makes my skin feel awesome! Get some from my mom here !


RÉSIST-ÂGE Fine Lines ILLUMINATING & DEPUFFING Lise Watier ($47.00)

This is a great eye cream for brightening and refreshing the under eye area. I can't say much about whether or not it fights fine lines, as I don't have any yet to worry about, but this is a beautiful product that leaves skin looking and feeling great. Sometime when I feel like i look extra haggard, I actually do a double dose of this. I apply the first layer on under my makeup then after I have my under eye corrector applied, I dab a little bit more, and it really opens up the eye and makes you look awake

 Mary Kay Intense Moisturizing Cream ($40.00) 

 This moisturizer saved my skin this winter, it is amazing! I had also purchased the Embryolisse miracle moisturizer that gets lots of press from the beauty industry as being the best moisturizer, I honestly couldn't tell the difference between the two and the Embryolisse one almost seemed harsh, my face would get red when I would put it on, where the Mary Kay one, sat really nicely unto the skin. I will definitely be picking two of these up for next winter, one for me and one for my kit.

 White Musk® Eau de Parfum by the Body Shop ($24.00)


 After all this whining about fragrance in products , I do have a couple fragrances I keep around the house to wear, one of them being this classic clean scent from the Body Shop. It has been a favorite of mine for years! I usually put a couple of spritz on before I head out the door because it is very light.


...No Makeup reviews today I guess. Over the past year, as my makeup routine has had to be simplified to fit into this new season in my life, I have definitely developed more of an appreciation for skincare, as having great skin really simplifies the makeup requirements.

Until Next time!

xx
sj