Wednesday 22 July 2020

POST LOCKDOWN WORK LIFE

Hello everybody and welcome back to my blog.

After the lockdown it took a while to re-adjust, I just want to share with you my experience.

First of all, when the government declared that we were able to go out and start working again I felt quite weird. I didn't go out for another week; there was a sense of vulnerability, not feeling safe. 

Psychologists said that it is very similar to what prisoners from jail feel when they are finally free.

I wasn't ready. Eventually I started slowly going around town, walking, I wasn't taking public transports.

It took even more time to meet with my friends, it has been a slow process, and everyone has their own time.

Pushing it would have been a mistake.

So if this is happening to you too, don't worry, it's totally normal and understandable.

My first job happened on the 25th of May. It was the Canali campaign, a 3 days job in South Tyrol.

I was very excited to be able to go to a beautiful location, but again a little scared since it was a big crew of 30 people and with all the new rules concerning work safety measures.

They rented a big bus and we were sitting keeping distance, with masks on and a Covid inspector on set the whole time.

So here it comes the morning, with hair and make-up session starting. FFP2 mask on, disposable vest and face shield. I couldn’t see anything. The use of the mask was making  the face shield all foggy and even when it didn't there was a weird reflection that would prevent me to see clearly. Nightmare!

Luckily it was men’s grooming and I got away with it.

Another problem: gloves. I use my hands a lot when it comes to make up, for massaging the skin, for blending, everything. With gloves there was no sense of feeling...nightmare number 2!

I then spoke to the inspector and the good news was that the use of gloves wasn't mandatory provided that I was disinfecting my hands very very often.

Disinfecting tools and keeping the brushes separated for each models was alright.

So overall apart from the first hour, it went well. The location was amazing, the nature, and the view. We were having lunch and dinner all separated, 1 per table on tables of two and 2 per table on tables of four.

After that job I've been off work until the 15th of June...we were all a bit worried, we imagined a faster restart, it took quite some time. After that I worked solidly, almost every day, I guess clients needed to get organised at first and once that was done try to make it up for all the time we've been off.

So these days working is slightly easier, we got used to the mask, even though it's very tiring. I swapped the face shield with protecting glasses, its' a constant use of hands sanitizer, and we try to keep distance as much as we can.

I did my first show after Covid. the 15th of July , The  Dolce and Gabbana men’s. 

It was held at the University camp of Humanitas, near the Hospital which has seen many lives taken away from Covid. Dolce and Gabbana contributed to funding the research that Professor Mantovani is coordinating and chose this location as a symbolic place, all done with discretion and respect.

On the backstage we were totally fine, we actually had much more space than normal, and it was a very nice atmosphere. We had the masks and all the tools and even on the line up the distance were kept properly.

I don't know if this means that next September fashion week will happen again, but certainly if it's done with awareness it's doable.

I hope you enjoyed and please feel free to make questions on the comments area.

 





 

Wednesday 10 June 2020

GORGEOUS COMPLEXION


I've been asked many many times what I use at work to create gorgeous complexions, and of course the answer varies depending on lots of factors. For example it depends on the type of job: if it's a photo-shoot, a show, a wedding...It also depends on the type of skin of the model/client.

So I'm not going to examine case by case but I will be very happy to share with you my favourites.
Please note that this post is not sponsored by any brand, I'm just literally sharing my knowledge and experiences.

  • The first on my list is definitely the CICALFATE RESTORATIVE + PROTECTIVE cream by AVENE. 



It took me a while to get into it because its thick appearance used to discourage me, thinking that it would never get absorbed. Well, I was wrong, it gets easily absorbed with a nice massage that I would do anyway to help the skin circulation. 
It hydrates and nourishes the skin and leaves a fantastic base for what's going to be my next step.

Of course this was happening before the Covid19 came into our lives. Now, following the Covid 19 Safety Guidelines we will have to wear gloves even during the massage, I haven't tried it yet so I can't really express my opinion, but I'm very optimistic, I will keep you updated.

It's also very accessible price-wise, the big size of 100 ml is less than 20 €. I have noticed that you can find great bargains from online stores. In the UK and US it's a little more expensive, and in Paris is MUCH cheaper.

  • The second on my list is SKIN FOOD by WELEDA



Again it's a very nourishing cream with a fantastic smell. It can be used on the very dries areas of the body too, like elbows, knees, heels. I like to use it on clients/models if their skin is particularly dry, mostly winter time. In the summer I would buy the lighter version. 
I like to use Skin Food on myself too; my skin is normal but given the fact that I'm on my 40's it lacks of elasticity and Skin Food restores it pretty well. 

  • The third one is a newbie: CREMA VISO BIO by FIOR DI MAGNOLIA




 I called it newbie because I discovered it only recently from a Supermarket shelf. 
 I don't necessarily rely on a product's price to determine its efficiency; experience taught me to try   things out first.
 The INCI rate is very good (21 greens, 6 yellows, 2 not found). The texture is also what I like, quite   buttery but easily absorbed quickly. I only tried it on me and not at work yet, but I will soon,   especially during the summer when the skin needs to be moisturized but not overdone (shiny, sticky   etc, etc). 


 I hope you enjoyed the  post, any question I will be happy to reply, please leave them on the       comments section

Monday 25 April 2016

FLAWLESS MATTER





The meaning flawless for some is synonymous of dream, goal, fantasy..
I've never really seen it as a dream or goal to achieve, for me it has always been a perfect result of my work, I create flawless looks, I make skins looking flawless.
Recently though I've been experiencing a situation of not-exactly-flawless skin on myself...and I totally empathise with people who suffers of skin break outs and other skin conditions.
IT CAN LITERALLY DRIVE YOU CRAZY
I'm still searching for  the cause of this sudden change on my skin on what could be external causes (pollution, environment, allergies or sensitiveness to products) and internal (food allergies or intolerance, stress).
Luckily though thanks to my job and knowledge I can "cheat" and make my skin looking perfect,
and feel better about the way I look.
It may sound silly to some but really, a problematic skin can make you less confident, I forgot about this, since it hasn't happened to me since teenage time.
There are many many products in the market that can help you with this issue and I could make
a huge list but today I want to bring the attention to a brand which is very well known in the makeup artistry industry and less to the public: Kryolan - Professional Make up
I've known of Kryolan since my early days as make-up artist, I've trained in London and one of the first shops that you are linked to is  the Make up Mecca CHARLES FOX official distributor of Kryolan and always kept the brand on my mind. But then you are always invaded by new products, different brands, different needs and you end up forgetting...until last week
While  browsing in Milan I came across the new Kryolan shop in Piazza Fontana and really like it.
It's very reachable, right behind the Duomo, the staff is lovely  and has an excellent selection of products...which links me to the very purpose of this post: how to make the skin looking FLAWLESS!
This palette from Kryolan is the answer: The Dermacolour camouflage cream

It comes on a palette of 6 colours, 12 and even 24. You can also buy a single colour (refill package)
if that's what you need, or even palettes with smaller pans.

We (backstage Make up Artists) use it very often during the Fashion Shows to cover body imperfections as its' highly pigmented and covers very fast (tattoos, bruises, scars etc) plus it's waterproof so it can resist quite well to the multiple changes of clothes without staining.
It's also great for the face, again thanks to its pigments it perfectly cover spots and scars. By covering the individual imperfection it gives you a flawless skin result.
And when the skin doesn't need a stronger coverage you can also use it as a light cover foundation, with the right brush and amount. That's why i like it, it's multitask!
I bought the small palette during my very first make up course and then lost it during a job (as it happens unfortunately...) but thanks to my friend and fellow MUA Claudia Marchetti who told me wonders about it and I got into it again.

Here you can find the link with the technical info.

Kryolan has been going on for many years, here a bit of  HISTORY of the brand, which I really love and respect.

**** for Make up Artists check out their discount card policy




Thursday 7 April 2016

SPRING-SUMMER 2016 MAKE-UP TRENDS

Natural make-up, flawless skin


MARGARETH HOWELL SS16
KEY ARTIST LUCIA PICA

                                                       

To some of you it may sound disappointing, to find out that once again,the upcoming season most popular make-up trend is the NATURAL LOOK.

It does make sense when you think about it...the same way you want to strip off your winter clothes, you also want to get rid of layers of products from your face,  be easy, fresh and glowy.

To follow, a selection of pictures from the RTW SS16 shows which I took part of.


RALPH LAUREN PRESENTATION SS16
KEY ARTIST TOM PECHEUX

LUISA BECCARIA SS16
KEY ARTIST CYNTHIA RIVAS AT MAC COSMETICS

TRUSSARDI SS16
KEY ARTIST MARC CARASQUILLO

ROBERTO CAVALLI SS16
KEY ARTIST PAT MACGRATH

BALENCIAGA SS16
KEY ARTIST DIANE KENDAL


Which of these looks is your favorites?
There are different techniques to achieve every different one.
Leave a comment nominating your fav and I will write a HOW TO!!













Thursday 9 April 2015

SPRING-SUMMER 2015 MAKE-UP TRENDS

Pale chic, sophisticated yet easy to achieve






A while ago I was asked to describe the look I created for the Elena Miro' presentation of the new Spring 2015 collection.
The article is published now on Curvitaly.com
This is the link: http://www.curvitaly.com/pale-chic-makeup-sofisticato-facile, but since it's written in italian I'm going to translate it on this page.


PALE CHIC, THE SOPHISTICATED MAKE-UP LOOK EASY TO ACHIEVE
The Focus is on the skin, a soft look but super chic, easy to recreate and  it guarantees 
a great impact.

The hero of  Spring 2015 make-up trends is a delicate look, extremely chic and sophisticated.
The skin is luminous with a "bonne mine" touch.
Elena Miro' choses a nice and soft look for the shots of the Spring collection, we asked the Make-Up Artist Chiara Guizzetti how to recreate this elegant look.
So here we have a step by step tutorial.
  • Firts step is to apply on the skin, immaculately clean and super moisturised a mattifying primer, before your foundation, to even out the skin tone and make it perfectly smooth. Remember to apply on the neck zone too with the tip of your fingers.
  • With a foundation brush start applying a luminous light coverage foundation and follow with a concealer for little blemishes and a highlighting concealer under the eyes. To give the skin a fresh young look add a cream blusher on the apple of the cheeks, temples, chin and tip of the nose.
  • To define the eyes work between the lash line with a gel based or cake eyeliner, create a very fine line which will give the intensity to the lashes without screaming eyeliner!
  • On the eyelid apply a cream based matt eyeshadow, choose colours like taupe, or light brown or beige. With a soft ponytail brush blend it from the eyelid to the socket. following the eyeshape without leaving harsh lines.
  • Mascara needs to be non-heavy-duty, a simple black defining mascara applied from roots to tips.
  • Fill in the eyebrows if needed and a make lips super soft with lip balm.




Thursday 2 April 2015

FASHION WEEK AW15-16 MOODBOARD

Resumé of a fabulous season





                                               CLICK ON THE PICTURE TO ZOOM IN

Sunday 21 July 2013

TODAY I LOVE....BLUE....


Sometimes I'm particularly attracted by certain colours..I pick them while working, while deciding what to wear or even on smaller details like choosing a wrapping paper.
These days I'm very much into blue, any shades of it.. and want to share with you some lovely images.


This is  an interesting article  that I found about the meaning and the effects of colours.

Color Blue



Blue is the coolest color - the color of the sky, ocean, sleep, twilight. The ancient Egyptians used lapis lazuli to represent heaven. Blue symbolizes the Virgin Mary. A pure blue is the color of inspiration, sincerity and spirituality. Blue is often the chosen color by conservative people. Blue is the calming color. That makes it a wonderful color to use in the home, especially for babies. Blue is so soothing that is a good choice for pajamas. Dark blue is the color of truth and moderation. A blue iris means your friendship is very important to me. Wednesday's color is blue. Blue gemstones to wear to feel calm are blue sapphire and blue topaz. Lapis lazuli and azurite are said to heighten psychic power.
Turquoise is the symbol of youth, both the color and the gemstone. This color has a soothing affect. Turquoise is the color of communication. It contains the growth quality of green with the blue quality of communication. Turquoise has long been used in amulets to provide protection, health, confidence and strength.
Aqua is the color of high ideals.

Blue Energy

Blue gives a feeling of distance. Artists use it to to show perspective. This is a good way to understand the energy of the color blue - it allows us to look beyond and increase our perspective outward. It contains a cool vibration that is helpful to communication.
The vibration if blue can be used to open energy flow where it is blocked. Using blue to relax will encourage feelings of communication and peace.
Put some blue in your life when you want:
  • calm and relaxation to counteract chaos or agitation
  • to open the flow of communication
  • to broaden your perspective in learning new information
  • solitude and peace