Costumer's Notes is devoted to costuming for Belly Dance, Danse Orientale, Raks Sharki, and Middle Eastern Dance.

Home | About | Archive | Links | Subscribe
Costumer's Notes
Holidays 2003
Holiday Issue - Main
Editorial
Instant Costuming
Makeup Makeovers
Makeup Tools
Room Redo
Shopping Resources
Gypsy Style
Reading List
Davina's Picture
Visit Davina's
website.
www.davina.us

Makeup Tools
One of the best ways to instantly improve the quality of your makeup application is to improve the quality of your makeup applicators. If you are still using those little sponge-tipped wands that come with pre-packaged eye shadow or if you store your stage makeup in a zip-lock baggie, now is the time to invest in some quality makeup tools.

With the approaching holiday season, makeup brushes are a hot gift and packaged sets are available from virtually every makeup brand. Makeup brush gift sets make ideal gifts for your friends or yourself. A basic set of natural bristle brushes can give you years of excellent performance. Specialty brushes can be added to your collection according to your needs and budget.

But there are many other tools that can help make making-up a simpler procedure with more polished finished results. Something as simple as a new pencil sharpener, a convenient case to carry your cosmetics and tools or a well-lit mirror can improve your results.

Makeup Brushes
Brushes come in a variety of sizes, shapes and styles. Most makeup artists prefer to use natural bristle brushes such as sable and squirrel. These brushes are soft and resilient and hold up well to repeated use. Better brushes not only have higher quality fibers, but are better made, with more fibers and a better ferrule and wood. (The ferrule is the metal portion of the brush)
Types of brushes

Face - Concealer Brush
Blush Brush
Powder/Complexion Brush
Fan Brush

Eyes - domed eye-shadow brush - smudge brush
angled eye-shadow brush
eye shadow blending brush
eye liner brush
mascara brush
brow brush
lash comb

Lips - Retractable Lip Brush

Hot-tip - Visit a specialty makeup store or cosmetic counter and check out the brushes. Test the way various brushes feel, their texture against your face and the ease of use. If you don't mind long handled brushes, you may want to take a visit to your local art supply store and check out their selection of watercolor brushes. This is an especially good place for fan-brushes for blending and fine brushes for eye-liners.
Caring for your makeup brushes
Good quality brushes are an investment and caring for them will extend their lives and maintain their superior performance. With proper care, good quality brushes can last for years. To keep your brushes in tip-top condition, developing a regular regime for cleaning and care. Here are a few tips to keep your brushes in their best condition.
Buy the best you can afford - Buy the essential brushes you need for your makeup application techniques. It is far better to have just a few well-made brushes that will stand up to use and cleaning.

Cleaning - Natural fiber brushes are best cleaned using gentle methods. On a daily basis, use your facial cleanser to clean the brushes you use. Wash your brushes thoroughly every few months with your shampoo and conditioner to moisturize and maintain the fibers.

Drying - Dry your brushes flat, and make sure to reshape the bristles before putting them away in your makeup box or brush roll. Do not store brushes before they are completely dry.

Storage - Keep your brushes in a makeup box or brush roll to keep them protected and prevent the fibers from getting bent, broken or from fanning out. Storing your brushes upright in a cup or jar can cause the bristles to spread.
Other makeup tools
Disposable makeup sponges - Sponges come in a variety of shapes and styles. Foam wedges make applying a smooth even layer of foundation quick and easy. Foam tipped disposable applicators and cotton swabs are a great way to do spot-specific touchups with a dab of makeup remover.

Hot tip - Sponges and cotton swabs are great tools to have handy in crowded dressing rooms where dancers are putting on makeup. Disposable products can be lent out to other performers with no worries of losing expensive brushes or exchanging bacteria.

Pencil Sharpeners - One of the easiest ways to line the eyes is a well-sharpened eyeliner pencil. To keep the tips in the perfect shape, a pencil sharpener is an essential tool. Sharpeners get dull with repeated use and need to be periodically replaced.

Hot-tip - Artist supply stores are a great source of inexpensive yet durable pencil sharpeners.

Eyelash Curler - One of the ways to make your eyes appear more open, your lashes more long and sumptuous is to use an eyelash curler. The ultimate luxury is a heated curler, which will help set the shape of the lash more effectively.

Tweezers - Some women feel the need to clean up and reshape the brow-line. Even if you get your brows waxed by a professional, it's a good idea to keep a pair of tweezers handy in your tool kit to pluck any strays.

Makeup Mirrors - For beautiful makeup application, a well-lit mirror is nearly essential. I know of dancers who have become masters of applying full makeup in the mirror of a compact in a moving car, but for most of us, without a black-belt in makeup application, this is probably an impossible feat. One solution is a makeup mirror with lights. Makeup mirrors are fairly inexpensive and are widely available.

Hot-Tip - Carry a makeup mirror and a battery-operated standing flashlight. Even when changing in the darkest storage room, you can use your flashlight to cast light on your face to check your look in the mirror. Although I wouldn't recommend putting on your makeup under those conditions, it's important to have decent lighting to do touch-ups.

Makeup Cases - Having a protective case for your makeup and accessories will help keep them clean and protected. Makeup cases allow dancers to quickly and easily pick up their makeup and tools and head off for shows. If your dance schedule includes travel to other cities for performances, a make-up case is an essential tool.

Hot-Tip - While beautiful professional style train cases will keep your makeup and tools pristine, they are quite expensive. For budget conscious a toolbox or fishing tackle box is an inexpensive alternative to high-priced specialty boxes.