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Makeup has evolved from being part of a war accessory or part of a spiritual ritual to being the one thing that presents a personality, an idea, a concept, something that captures a state or an effect throughout history.
Today, makeup is complex in so many different ways, both in terms of style and utility. I am referring here to beauty makeup, used in activities such as photography or video, bodypainting (probably its most complex expression), being found in different types of structural and character changes and it can help create different physical effects (bruises, wounds, cuts or dismembered body parts, bleeding, bruising) or we can simply see it as the art of learning the skill of creating these modifications/ transformations ourselves.
Like many other professions nowadays, makeup has become for many people something “simple”, “within everyone’s reach”, even ridiculed sometimes by not respecting the chromatic, proportional and conceptual rules established hundreds or even thousands of years ago by people who studied, demonstrated and implemented these rules based on strict and scientifically proven structures.
Makeup as a profession is a complex field that has to be based on solid knowledges of chemistry, dermatology, chromatic, the impact of light on colors, proportions, product and color quantities, purpose and, most importantly, to whom and in what moment it is applied on.
For these reasons, I think that a two weeks course is not enough to correctly assimilate these knowledges. Considering all these aspects, it is important that the choice of a makeup artist is not something simple. It is very important to understand that it is not the experience that should matter, but the basis of that experience. Talent and skills without a concrete, clear and well-established structure from the beginning can have unpleasant consequences to say the least, even medical, just like a well-structured theory without talent or skill can lead to an unsatisfying result.
I find myself being part of the second category – after I have acquired some well-structured technical and scientifical knowledges, in all the years of experience I have learned the art and talent to work faster, more harmoniously, reaching a point in which my results are more and more satisfying. Combining makeup with photography and cinematography resulted in a very unique crystallization of vision, diversity and complexity which can be executed in a short amount of time and with “wow” results, too.
Beauty makeup
Beauty makeup is a popular technique meant to enhance the natural features of the face, subtly correcting small imperfections without drastically changing the physiognomy. Unlike artistic or stage makeup, it focuses mainly on a healthy and glowing skin.
Main types of beauty makeup
Natural look: A simple and quick style that focuses on freshness, using neutral shades of beige, peach and pale pink.
Evening makeup is designed to glow under artificial lighting, being more intense and more defined than daytime makeup.
Key elements of evening makeup:
Modern Smokey Eyes: It uses shades of intense brown, black or grey, often adding glitter or metallic flakes for a dramatic look.
Red Lips and Eyeliner: A timeless look offering a strong visual impact. This season, both matte and high gloss lipsticks are in style.
“Chrome” and Metallic makeup: It uses eyeshadows with gold, silver or copper reflections to catch the light at evening events.
Glamour in Shades of Pink and Purple: Ideal to highlight brown or green eyes, offering a touch of freshness and sophistication.
Soft Glam: A more elegant version of natural makeup, suitable for events, adding shimmer (fine glitter or pearlescent shades) and more defined eye makeup.
Bridal makeup: Based on lifting and highlighting techniques to ensure an impeccable look both in real life and in photographs.
Photo / video makeup
Photo and video makeup is a specialized technique that takes into account how the camera lens and studio lighting (flashes or continuous lights) interact with the skin. Since the camera sensor tends to “delete” approximately 30-50% of color intensity, this type of makeup is generally more intense than everyday makeup.
Golden rules for a flawless on camera look
Mattifying is essential: Bright lights can make the skin look oily even when it’s not. The use of translucent powder is recommended in the T-zone to prevent unaesthetic shine.
Pronounced contouring: Cameras tend to “flatten” face features. To restore depth, features such as cheekbones, jaw, nose must be more defined using contouring products.
Pay attention to “Flashback”: Avoid products with high SPF or ingredients such as excessive silica, because they can reflect flash light, leaving white spots on the face in photographs.
Perfect blending: High resolution lenses (HD/4K) capture any trace of unblended product. All transitions between colors must be perfectly diffused.
Specific techniques based on environment
| Aspect | Photo (Still) | Video (Moving) |
|---|---|---|
| Base | Medium to high coverage to correct any imoerfection. | A lighter, hydrating base to move naturally with the face. |
| Highlighter | Controlled; highlighter is applied only on key points (cheekbones, brow arch). | Glitter excess is avoided, as it can create digital noise on the camera. |
| Colors | Can be very dramatic, with the camera absorbing much of the intensity. | Saturated but better blended colors, to avoid looking artificial in motion. |
Transformational makeup
Transformational makeup is an advanced artistic technique that uses intense plays of lighting and shadows (contouring/highlighting), chromatic corrections and sometimes prosthetic elements to change the facial features. It can vary from beauty transformations (runway glam, bridal) to special effects (SFX) for Halloween and characters.
Key features:
Correction and reshaping: Visualizes the facial contour, lifting the cheekbones, slimming the nose or changing the shape of the eyes.
Shading techniques: The intensive use of cream and powder products to create depth and volume.
“Before & After” effect: The difference between the natural face and the one wearing makeup is dramatic, emphasizing a radical makeover.
Versatility: It covers intense social makeup as well as artistic or stage transformations.
This type of makeup is popularized online through “transformation” videos that show the transition from a natural look to a glamorous or a completely changed look on Instagram.
Special effects makeup
Special effects makeup (SFX) is an artistic branch used primarily for movies, television and theatre to create realistic or fantasy physical transformations. Unlike conventional makeup, it uses sculptural materials and chemical substances to simulate wounds, aging or creatures.
Main Techniques and Types
Transformational makeup: Changing facial features in order to age a character or to offer a different aspect through shadowing and tridimensional lighting techniques.
Prosthetic makeup: The application of pre-sculpted silicone, latex or gelatin pieces directly onto the skin to modify bone structure, create elf ears, broken noses or deep wounds.
Trauma simulation: Creating visual effects like bleeding, 3rd degree burns, cuts and bruises using fake blood, modelling wax and alcohol-based paints.
Temporary Effects: The use of specific products such as tear stick (to simulate crying on cue) or tooth enamel.
In order to achieve these effects, specialized kits are used that withstand intense lighting and prolonged use:
Key Materials: Prosthetic silicone, special adhesives (such as Pros-Aide), alcohol-activated paints and different types of fake blood (liquid, gel or crust).
Self-makeup course
Self-makeup courses are specially conceived to teach you how to enhance your features using products and techniques tailored to your physiognomy. You can choose between physical classes, guided practice or online courses for flexibility.
Available types of courses
Individual courses (one-on-one): Offering a personalized experience, focused strictly on your skin’s needs and your own product kit.
Group workshops: Ideal to learn basic techniques together with other people.
Online courses: Pre-recorded video modules or live sessions that cover everything from daytime makeup to advanced techniques.
Shopping assistant
Nowadays, when we talk about shopping, an important aspect is saving time and money, and the personalized expertise of a professional is a big plus.
What I can help you with during shopping sessions is:
I don’t sell only products for a specific brand, but I am offering you a solution to common problems: no more impulsive shopping (you avoid buying products only because they were “on sale” or “viral”, that don’t really suit your skin), customization (I choose products that suit your skin, subtone and lifestyle), savings (I prevent useless spending on wrong foundation shades or textures that don’t work).
I help you to have a makeup kit that works for you
We go shopping together (or online) and we choose exactly the products your skin needs, so you no longer waste money on products that gather dust in your drawer.
I am your personal beauty assistant
My job is to translate complicated terms on labels and to find the ideal products for you (foundation, lipstick shades, brushes) that enhance your natural features, without the stress of you choosing them by yourself.
Independence from brands
I repeat, I am not an employee of a single store, but I look for the best option for you from everything that is available on the market.
Post-shopping services:
This experience is not singular and individual. Later, we can schedule one-on-one meetings so I can teach you how to correctly and efficiently apply the products you bought with my assistance.