Work Experience on Limmy's Show!

Since I wrote a blog post about Burnistoun I thought I ought to do the same for my time on the Limmy's Show - which was a fantastic experience! Instead of being on set I was working in the Comedy Unit studios in Glasgow where the green screen scenes of the show were being filmed. As I have previously worked on Rab C Nesbitt & Burnistoun & both are productions of the BBC Comedy Unit I was seeing alot of familiar faces in the crew, however I was working with two makeup artists which I had never met before which was great as it was some new stories, techniques & working procedures I could learn! Both MUA's were lovely & very helpful, as I had just qualified in my first year of makeup they also asked me lot's of questions to see how much I knew & to see what I had learned!

As I had previous experience in TV Make-Up (& now qualified!) the artists gave me quite alot of work to do & kept me very busy which was brilliant as on previous experiences I was mostly shadowing the artists, observing them, whereas I got to put my training to good use. I was preparing malleable blocks, washing & drying lace front & synthetic wigs & moustache pieces, tonging moustache pieces - which I have never done before, helping to apply a facial hair piece - onto Limmy's Building Bricks character, washing brushes & I even got to do some makeup for one of the extras. Not to sound cheesy, but I felt like a proper make-up artist! I spent more time on Limmy's Show as I was working in the studios for a couple of days which was great too as I was previously only on sets for the day.

I absolutely loved my time on Limmy, even if I did get horrendously lost driving in Glasgow for the first time & ended up crying on the phone to my mum .. & reflecting on my time has made me so excited for my next work experience on set whatever, or whenever it is! (Hopefully soon & hopefully River City) However I'd be happy with anything!

I was watching the behind the scenes footage of The Woman In Black today & it really hit home how much I want to be a TV/Film/Theatre MUA. I love the idea of being in a tight knit little community with the cast & crew, working together to create something fantastic. Fingers crossed 2013 has some more work experience for me so I can one day live my dream!

Update ..

It's been SO long since I've written anything on this blog purely because it was created for college purposes. I've decided to give it some TLC & start working on it again to learn about new makeup products & techniques, read reviews/opinions & share my own! I am going to start by saying Happy New Year to you all!

Since my last blog update I have gained a qualification in NQ Media Make-Up & I am currently studying HNC Fashion & Photographic Make-Up & am nearly half way through the course, time flies when you're having fun! To be honest, my passion lies in character & special effects make-up although I do really enjoy doing pretty, fashion make-ups & have learned so much about different techniques, brands & products which I can apply to my own make-up use & knowledge! Over the Christmas period I purchased a few products for my kit which I am going to talk about on this blog. I plan on making a HUGE purchase on Smashbox (a brand I am LOVING just now because I'm getting a bit bored with Bobbi Brown, Benefit & MAC) which I'll be sure to write about when I've got it!

Anyways, my first purchase was Stila 'All Is Bright' Lip Glaze set. I am a sucker for lipgloss & this set of 8 gorgeous coloured lipglosses are right up my street! It contains 2 best selling Stila glosses (Black Berry & Sugar Plum) & 6 limited edition Christmas glosses (Jack Frost, Jingle, Holly, Jolly, Joy, Splendor) - Splendor is my personal favourite which I'm not sure will go into my kit .. Ha! This great little set was only £21.95, saving a huge £75 if I were to buy each gloss individually! With a saving like that how could I refuse? The lip glaze is a great colour, have a bit of sparkle & last well. If I was to criticise them all I could say is they are quite sticky & I would avoid wearing them in windy weather because my hair stuck to my lips like glue! A very worthwhile buy though :)



My second purchase, again another lipgloss set! This time by Boots No7. A beautifully packaged Christmas set containing 5 limited edition glosses (which don't have names, boo.) Original price is £16.00 however I got it for £8 in the half price sale - result! At the moment I have only tried one gloss which is an irridescent pale pink. I'm not a fan of pale glosses as I feel it's a kind of (dare I say) cheap hoochie mama look, however when applied is just a nice pink sheen! Looks gorgeous & tastes like peaches. Unlike the Stila lip glaze, this gloss does not feel overly sticky & is lasting very well so far! (I've had it on for over an hour now & it's still all there!)



My third purchase which I feel the need to really moan about is a non make-up product (DUN, DUN, DUN..) which I bought as a little treat for my hair & I'm only going to talk about it because I was SO excited to try it out & was really let down. This product is Umberto Giannani Glam Hair Backcomb In A Bottle, which I have branded Disappointment In A Bottle - bitch! I hear you say! I don't know if anyone has tried it & I am not going to try & say no one shouldn't try it as it may work for different people & you really never know until you try. The product states that it adds instant texture & volume to create the effect of backcombed hair, I was expecting a thick spray which would be like dry shampoo or matte powder (dust it) but was quite surprised to find it was just like hairspray. This did absolutely nothing to the volume of my hair, the bottle claims it prevents you from having to backcomb your hair, but my hair was still flat as a pancake after using the product & I found myself having to backcomb my hair after using it. It is literally just hairspray with a different name. Gutted!! It smells nice though, I will give it credit for that!



Anyway enough moaning! I am on the hunt for eye & lip palettes & high coverage foundations, if anyone has any recommendations please let me know! I'm new to this blogging game so any help is welcomed :) Hols x

Work Experience with Burnistoun!

Last week I was a trainee in the make-up department on the set of Burnistoun & I absolutely loved it! As it was a sketch show I got to see different characters & how the make-up artists would organise all of the wig & make-up changes; which was great to see as it gave me an insight in to how TV make-up artistry works.

I observed the make-up artists at work & picked up alot of tips, it was also interesting to see different techniques being used, for example, I've been taught to pin curl hair or use anchor points with orthopedic bands when wrapping hair in preperation for a wig, however both artists used different ways to wrap the hair - one technique was to style the hair into a bun at the back of the head & pin this flat into the head (with lots of hairspray!) & the other was simply applying watered-down spirit gum onto the hairline which flattened the hair onto the head & made sure there was no stray hairs which may be seen once the wig has been applied. I also got to have a peek at all of the brushes, products & wigs/hair pieces that the make-up artists had in their trailer which kept me busy as there was so much!

Once the actor's were ready to be filmed, I then got to go on set with the make-up artists for checks - this gave me a chance to actually see how the wigs & make-up would look on TV & chat to other crew members such as the cast, director, sound & costume.

There was little filming in the afternoon so I got to stay in the trailer with one of the make-up artists & experiment with some different make-up products. She showed me all of the different palettes she uses & showed me how to use Third Degree - a special effects product - & allowed me to create some scars on myself.

When the actors had finished filming, all of the wigs & make-up had to come off! So I got to see how the wigs are taken off & I was also shown how to clean them.

I had an amazing day on set at Burnistoun, I wish it could have been longer! Working with the make-up artists & hearing their advice definitely gave me the motivation to work so much harder in college - it also made me realise that there is something that's worth getting up at five o'clock in the morning everyday for!! Hopefully I can find some more work experience over the next few months, I'm itching to get back out again! :)

Body painting

It's been a while since my last post so I thought I'd update my blog about our new Monday class - body painting. I can't say it's my favourite class but it's definitely interesting & I love experimenting with illusions on the body!

As part of my course I need to complete a portfolio of evidence including parts of the body such as a foot, an arm/hand, back & of course full body!

My first attempt at body painting was creating a shirt sleeve on my arm, which was a good example of blending, highlighting & shading, but very messy - my arm was stained pink for a few days ..

For our foot painting we were advised to paint a sock, I thought by picking a stripey sock I was getting an easy escape but trying to paint stripes on a foot & making sure that they are the same size is more difficult than it sounds! In the end I decided to paint a ballet shoe after seeing an example in a Kryolan book.

While researching examples of bodypainting I came across some great animal illusions. A body painting artist had created the illusion of various animals such as a giraffe, zebra, tiger & a swan all on hands. Here's my attempt at the giraffe:

I also found a really cute body painting idea - painting animals on your lips! I loved these, I attempted the panda design & I will definitely try some more in the future! They're adorable :)

Apart from painting designs & illusions on the skin, tattoo stencils are also included in body painting. I chose a pin up girl stencil to try, however the aquacolour smudged quite easily & my tattoo looked more like banksy graffiti! I also tried to freehand a tattoo, just using a thin make-up brush, & created a 'love' tattoo over Euan's knuckle - he really suited it!

We were shown a demo on painting a corset on the back on Monday, it's so pretty! I can't wait to have a go next monday. I'll post some pictures! I'm excited to find out what our theme for our full body paint is, hopefully Mo & Bella will tell us soon!!

The History of Wigs

A wig is a head of hair which can be made from various materials including human hair, horse hair, wool or synthetic hair. Wigs date back to the 1600s & have been worn for different reasons over the past centuries to the modern day.


16th & 17th Centuries
Wigs were used in the 16th Century mainly to compensate for hair loss & to improve personal appearance. Aside from this, they also served a practical purpose; due to the unhygienic conditions, head lice were common. This problem was reduced by shaving the hair & replacing it with a hairpiece or wig.

Wigs were also a symbol of Royalty & were very fashionable at this time for both men & women. Queen Elizabeth, who is renowned for her red hair, was infact bald & wore wigs to maintain her appearance as Queen. With this in mind, wigs became increasingly popular amongst men. ‘Perukes’ or ‘Periwigs’ were introduced in Britain following the French style inherited by Charles II after being exiled in France. These wigs were shoulder length or longer & imitated the long hair that had became fashionable in the 1600s. Wigs in this style soon became popular in the English court, a look that is still being worn by those of higher authority in court rooms.


18th Century
In the 18th century, men's wigs were powdered in order to give them their distinctive white or off-white colour. Contrary to popular belief, women in the 18th century did not wear wigs, but wore a coiffure (a hair style) supplemented by artificial hair or hair from other sources - the original hair extensions!

Among women in the French court of Versailles in the mid-to-late 18th century, large, elaborate and often themed wigs were in Vogue for women. These combed-up hair extensions were often very heavy & were weighed down with pomades, powders, and other ornamentation. In the late 18th century this style of hair became symbolic of the decadence of the French nobility.

During the 18th century, men's wigs became smaller & more formal with several professions adopting them as part of their official costumes - this tradition survives in legal systems. Until 1823, bishops of the Church of England and Church of Ireland wore ceremonial wigs. The wigs worn by barristers are in the style favoured in the late eighteenth century.


19th & 20th Centuries


Wearing wigs as a symbol of social status was largely abandoned in the newly created United States & France by the start of the 19th Century. Infact, full wigs were not fashionable in the 19th & early 20th Century & were often only worn by those who had lost their hair. However, during the late 19th & early 20th Century, hairdressers in England & France began supplying postiche - small hairpieces with curls or false buns - which were used to be incorporated into the hairstyle. The use of postiche did not become unpopular, even as women’s hair grew shorter between 1910 & 1920, but did seem to go out of fashion during the 1920s.


21st Century
In the modern day, wigs are worn by some people on a daily or occasional basis in everyday life. This is sometimes due to convenience, wigs can be styled ahead of time & come in a variety of styles & colours. However, wigs are also worn by individuals who are experiencing hair loss due to medical reasons - some women find that wearing a wig after suffering hair loss makes them feel more feminine again.

Wigs are also commonly used in film, theatre & television, & many celebrities wear wigs to completely transform their image when on stage, for example Lady GaGa, Cher & even Dolly Parton are well known for wearing wigs.

Skin Conditions & Make-Up

There are five basic facial skin types, however these can be affected from factors such as illness or even the weather. The most common skin types are oily, dry, sensitive, normal & combination.

Oily

Oily skin is caused by glands within the skin that produce too much sebum & excess oil. Due to this, individuals with oily skin are more prone to blackheads & skin breakouts. Oily skin needs special cleansing with plenty of hot water and soap to prevent the pores from being clogged. When make-up is concerned, those with oily skin are advised to use products which are oil free - the benefit of wearing make-up on oily skin is that it can mattify the complexion to avoid a shiny, greasy look. In this case a powder foundation would be beneficial as a liquid foundation will clog the pores which could irritate the skin & cause breakouts & just make the overall face appear more oily.

Dry

Dry skin is caused by under or inactive oil glands that do not produce enough sebum to keep the skin naturally lubricated. Due to this, the skin can often feel itchy & sensitive. Dry skin must be kept hydrated regularly with rich creams or lotions. Those with dry skin should choose a foundation that is hydrating & should avoid powder foundations which may cause the skin to flake when applied. I would recommend using a tinted moisturiser as it keeps skin hydrated but also gives the wearer a healthy, natural glow without harming the skin.

Sensitive

Sensitive skin can be dry, normal or oily & is characterised by delicacy which is why it can be categorised more as a skin condition than a skin type. Sensitive skin reacts to environmental conditions & often requires special treatment to remain in good condition. Those with sensitive skin are prone to reactions when using products which contain alcohol, fragrance oils, synthetically manufactured oils, harsh ingredients or artificial colours. Due to this, individuals require skin care products which are free from these reactants & opt for gentle, natural products with essential oils. This should also be considered when choosing make-up products - choosing the right foundation or make-up can be difficult for those with sensitive skin as there are so many different products available, all with different ingredients - the best advice would be to try a variety of products & decide which works best for the individual.

Normal

In normal skin, the oil glands produce sebum at a moderate rate, resulting in a good skin balance - not too oily & not too dry - seems too good to be true! Despite this, normal skin requires no less attention than any other skin types & a good skin care routine should be practised daily to keep the skin maintained & in good condition. Due to this, those with normal condition are not limited to what make-up products they can use - lucky!

Combinition

Combination skin is characterised by an oily 'T-Zone' area which can cover the forehead, nose & chin, while the skin around the cheeks, eyes & mouth is normal or dry. This skin type requires different treatments, so those with combination skin should assess their skin regularly & use different products on different areas of the face. Where make-up is concerned, many individuals with combination skin have recommended using mineral make-up as they found it beneficial on the oily 'T-Zone' areas of the skin but not harsh on the dry areas.

All five of these skin types require a skin routine best suited for the individual in order to keep their skin in good condition. However there are also other factors that can affect any of these skin types, such as acne, eczema & even ageing; all which need particular care & attention.

Acne

Acne is a chronic skin condition that affects most people at some point during their life. It causes spots to develop on the skin, usually on the face, back and chest. The symptoms of acne can be mild, moderate or severe - in cases of severe acne, scarring can occur, however this can usually be prevented by seeking prompt treatment. Acne is thought to be caused by changes in hormones that are triggered during puberty & can cause great distress & have an adverse effect on a person's quality of life and self-esteem. Therefore, healthcare professionals recognise that the condition requires effective and sometimes aggressive treatment. In most cases acne is treated using specialised creams & lotions, however in severe cases antibiotics are prescribed to help clear the condition.

Eczema

Eczema is an itchy inflammation of the skin, which can cause symptoms such as; redness of affected areas of skin, general dry skin - which is often thickened in the areas that have been scratched, lumps or blisters in affected areas or signs of superficial infection, such as weeping or crusty deposits. Like acne, there are three cases of eczema which are catagorised by the severity of the condition - acute, chronic & infected. Those with eczema can take reactions to certain moisturisers or bath lotions, therefore it is vital that those with the condition use medicinal products to prevent the skin from becoming more irritated. In most cases, a GP will prescribe these products to the individual & advise them to use this on a daily basis to clear up the affected area(s) as much as possible, however in some severe cases powerful antibiotics must be prescribed if the skin does not respond to any previous treatment such as lotions or moisturisers.

Ageing

 

As we get older the skin becomes much more fragile & stops producing as much natural oils, therefore it requires alot of care & attention to keep the skin looking smooth & supple. Factors such as smoking & sunbathing can increase the ageing process, so extra care should be taken if this applies to any individual. Many argue that trying to prevent skin ageing is expensive, however if you practise a daily skin routine & healthy lifestyle choices & have done so from a young age, this should be enough to aid the gradual ageing process & is much better for you than plastic surgery or botox. There are many products available on the market to help ageing skin, some include collagen - a naturally occuring protein found in the skin which provides firmness & strength - which prevents the skin from sagging.

Halloween Make-Up

Three Halloween films with interesting make-up are The Exorcist, Saw & The Corpse Bride.

The first Halloween character I have chosen to write about is Regan, the possessed girl from The Exorcist. I have chosen this look as it is simple to create, but really effective & scary.

To recreate this look I would start by mixing white greasepaint with a little green & little yellow & apply this over the whole face to make the skin tone look like that of someone who is ill, or in this case - possessed! I would then use a red greasepaint & apply this on the areas of the face where I'm going to create scars & wounds. To create the scars I would use dermawax, then mould this to the skin & use tweezers to split the wax to create the illusion of an open wound. I would then fill this with wound filler & dab a brown/wine coloured greasepaint over this with a cotton bud to look like dried blood. To finalise her possessed look I would use teeth paint to make the teeth look rotted & unclean & backcomb the hair a little, you could also use coloured contact lenses to look more possessed & scary.

The second look I have chosen is the puppet from Saw. I chose this as alot of people are freaked out by puppets & dolls & I thought this one is particularly creepy - great for Halloween.

To start this look I would mix white & grey greasepaint & apply this over the whole face, I would then use some highlighting & shading to create the illusion of the prominent cheekbones, narrow nose & furrowed brow - dermawax could be used to make the cheekbones & brow bone more prominent if desired. I would then apply black grease paint around the eyes to create the creepy, sunken in eyes. I would then apply a red greasepaint ontop of the black on the eyelids for the beady, doll eyes & add a black dot for the pupils & some white reflection lines to make it look more realistic. I would then draw the spiral designs on the cheek using red greasepaint & fill in the lips, extending the corner of the mouth upwards into the sinister, creepy smile. To make the moving chin, I would simply draw the lines down from the corner of the lips & make the lines meet together in a curving motion at the chin.

The third Halloween Character I have chosen is Tim Burton's Corpse Bride. I have chosen this as I think this look is very pretty, but eerie, & would look amazing when put together with the bride costume & a wilted looking bouqet of flowers.

To create this look, I would start by mixing blue & white greasepaints together to make the light blue shown in the picture & apply this over the whole face. I would then use a darker shade of blue around the eyes, nose & underneath the cheekbones to make them look sunken in. I would then draw the eyebrows on using black greasepaint, but I would place the eyebrows higher onto the forehead instead of the natural eyebrow - as this is an animated character, I would create the big cartoon eyes by applying white greasepaint over the whole eye. I would then use a dark blue greasepaint & apply this around a quarter over the 'eyes' to create her melancholy, sullen appearance. I would then use black to draw the pupil of the eye & outline the eyelid & eyelashes. The lips are very pale pink which can be mixed by using greasepaint & outlined using a lip liner which is a darker shade of pink. I could also create the scar which is seen on the side of her face using dermawax, but make it appear old & almost decomposed by using dark reds & browns instead of bright reds & fake blood. This is a great look for Halloween as it could be adapted to look more scary if desired by adding more wounds.

Halloween is one of my favourite holidays as it's the one time of the year you can dress up & have fun with make-up. This year I dressed up as a cat (original, I know) & wore all black which I completed with ears, a leopard print collar, fake eyelashes & I used face paint to create cat like features on my face.

In my Character Make-Up class, I chose to recreate a witch in order to practise some highlighting & shading (& to give people green faces!). I think John & Debbie made fabulous looking witches!

We also had a lot of fun walking around the college at breaktime with our Halloween make-up on & got alot of strange looks from some of the students! Happy Halloween :)