Archive for November, 2009

How to apply a good Foundation

Wednesday, November 25th, 2009

fb9Last week we had some tips on using primer from the experts here at LA Make-Up. So this week let’s look at foundation.

As you probably know we could talk about foundation all day so to keep things simple let’s stick with night time looks for now. It is nearly December and those Christmas parties are kicking off already!


Applying Foundation

Here at LA we use professional brushes to get an even application and smooth on the product all over the face. We use a wedge sponge then to blend in smaller areas (and definitely for concealer) or for those hard-to-reach parts at the corner of the eyes. But if you use a sponge make sure and certain that it’s clean! There are so many great brushes out there; you don’t even have to spend a fortune. But if you do spend money on any make-up tool we’d recommend that it’s a foundation brush.


MAC: great basic foundation brush

Benefit: foundation brush guaranteed streak-free for $20

If you can’t wait for the post pop into Brown Thomas or Boots and take a look at what’s on offer.


Choosing Foundation


You may already have a collection of foundations which seemed perfect at the time! Our skin tone and shades change colour from season to season so it’s a good idea to update your stock regularly. One good tip is to ask beauty counters for samples – take them home and try them all out. Otherwise try a little on your face and wander outside to the sunshine and see how it really looks.


Evening Choices


Heading out to party you’ll want to shimmer and glow but not shine too much! Difficult balance but some new products like Yves Saint Laurent Radiant Brush or MAC Studio Tech will give you that dewy look without too much of the other. Splash out on Giorgio Armani’s Lasting Silk Foundation or recession-shop for Bourjois Ten-Hour Sleep Effect to look good even after a few nights on the trot.


Depending on the brand you might not need to reapply during the night; apply it carefully and then concentrate on eyes or lips for touch-ups.


What foundation do you wear when you head out at night?

LA Make-Up November News

Monday, November 23rd, 2009

studio-image

Everyone has been busy here at LA in Dublin this week! We know it’s the end of the year but somehow the students and tutors are finding the energy for some great events!

LA Make-Up Open Day

Firstly we’d like to announce a Big day for all of you! We’re holding an Open Day this Saturday – read here for full details! From 11am onwards come and have a make-over, get a goodie bag or buy discounted products. And you can see some talented body make-up artists in action!

Naked Canvas

Yes, you read that right! The body art them beings early. Our students will be practicing their body art skills on the 26th November at the Kingston Hotel Kingston Hotel in Dun Laoghaire. One of our top make-up artists, Emma Woods will direct ten models and a group to students in creating some fabulous looks! They’re going to work on Burlesque, Out of Africa and Twilight among others. Sound be a great day out for everyone. We cover face and body painting techniques on our Module 3 Make-Up Course.

Toni and Guy

We focus on makeup at LA Make-Up but hair is so key to creating a stunning look. So this week some of our Module 3 students headed off to Toni and Guy for the day. They’ve already studied hair styling so it was great to see experts in action and see how much they can do! They learned how to work with hair stylists and created some fantastic looks.

Emma Bidwell had this to say:

“At the beginning I was nervous. We had to do
make up on 2 models each, but once I started it went really well!”

And Laurrine Murphy said:

“My favourite thing from the day was meeting such a great team
from team from Toni and Guy! It was very rewarding when they loved the
make-up I did.’

You can read more from the students here.

See you at the Open Day!

OPEN DAY SATURDAY 28TH NOVEMBER 2009

Friday, November 20th, 2009

open-day-ad-a5-3

Christmas Glitz

Friday, November 20th, 2009

gr8-image

The Christmas lights went up this week in Dublin! Isn’t it great? We’re very excited about the party season here at LA Make-Up. It’s been a grim year for so many people in Ireland and we really need some glamour back in our lives. And Christmas make-up is your chance to step out and light up the night!

And you know what else Christmas brings? That’s right it’s time to party. Whether you’re working or not there is no escaping the Christmas do. They’re sure to be smaller and more restrained than last year. But even if you’re just popping down the street for a local party you still want to look your best!

Work parties can be quite competitive – among the women that is! And it can be hard to get it right if you’re going straight from the office to the do. There are tons of tips on our blog for smokey eyes, kissable lips and more.

But if you’re really looking to wow! everyone at the party then you need some professional help! We offer:

· Individual Makeup Lessons where you and a friend can pop in for a complete makeover! You’ll get advice on a daytime look as well as a bonus and some festive champers of course!

· Fashion Styling so you can make an escape from your beloved Little Black Dress into something funky that will put you at the centre of the party!

· LA White is our service for brides. If your Big Day is happening over the holidays don’t be caught out; book one of our professional artists now to make sure you’re a stunning winter bride.

Come in and see us. Tell us what you want to look like for that big party or for dinner on Christmas Day!

What would you like to know about Christmas Make-up?

Laying a Good Foundation

Tuesday, November 17th, 2009

advanced-pic

We know Irish women love the smokey eyes for Christmas. But our make-up artists at LA will tell you that getting the base is the key to festive success! Foundations and primers get better every year; no more orange face for us!

We’ll look at foundations next week so let’s start with primers. Now this isn’t a product you would used too often a few years ago but lately every brand from Benefit to Nars have this product on the shelves.

Basically what it does it set the foundation (or eye shadow) on your face so there aren’t any Halloween-style slippages happening on the dance floor. You can smooth over any imperfections in your skin before applying foundation.  And you know if foundation goes on more smoothly then you’ll look more glam! With silicon as one of the main ingredients a good primer will even out your skin tone and make sure that any dry areas caused by lines are plumped up.

Does that sound like a mini facelift? Well, it’s not quite that magical but you will get a better result for a big night out by layering this on under your foundation. Just remember that primer was developed for models to use under the heat of studio lamps; so it’s a heavy product. You probably wouldn’t want to use it every day as your skin just won’t breathe at all!

For anyone who has seen the effects of Airbrush Make-up then using a good primer is like this but of course only lasts for the day. Primer really helps if you’re heading out early and staying late; less re-application and less slippy face-look.

There are some great products out there for you. Smashbox was one of the first companies to make primer for regular people i.e. not models so that’s probably a good place to start. Beaut.ie has a list of Irish stockists.

For a lighter touch in some funky packaging try Benefit’s That Gal or their great Lemon Aid which goes on your eyelid; light enough for daily use.  Mac does a range of products including the Prep and Prime Skin Refined Zone which covers up your pores for a screen-perfect finish.

Next week we’ll have a look at foundations and the age old question; fingers or brush?

What do you think about primers?