My Life in Pummelvision Glamazon Artistry

Sigma Makeup Brush Numbering Guide (Eye and Lip Edition)

The purpose of these posts is to help those of my readers who may be confused with the new numbering system, as I have provided the old Sigma Beauty SS numbering and the new. The old system allows you to easily relate each brush to its MAC equivalent. I hope this helps!

Eyes

SS209 - E05 Eye Liner Brush

SS210 - E10 Small Eyeliner

SS212 - E15 Flat Definer

SS214 - E20 Short Shader

SS217 - E25 Blending (travel sized comes free with $30 order)

SS219 - E30 Pencil Brush

SS222 - E35 Tapered Blending

SS224 - E40 Tapered Blending (black bristles)

SS226 - E45 Small Tapered Blending

SS227 - E50 Large Fluff

SS239 - E55 Eye Shading Brush

SS252 - E60 Large Shader Brush

SS266 - E65 Small Angle Brush

SS275 - E70 Medium Angled Shading Brush

Lips

SS316 - L05 Lip Brush

Sigma Makeup Brush Numbering Guide (Face Edition)

Recently Sigma Makeup changed their numbering system, they used to have MAC equivalent numbers on their brushes (ie SS217 would be a dupe for the MAC217). They steered away from this system and made a new one, their brushes now have unique numbers and the letter F, E and L before the number, indicating face, eyes and lips. I have put together a guide here to make it easier to distinguish between the two systems. I liked the old numbering because it was easy to know what the comparable brush was, but this way they have their own unique system and own identity too.

Here is the rundown of all the current brushes being sold on the Sigma Makeup website and their corresponding new and old numbering system. I will break this up into two parts, since there are so many brushes, this one will be face, and the second will be eyes and lips.

Face Brushes

SS150 - F30 Large Powder Brush 

SS187 - F50 Duo Fibre

 SS188 - F55 Small Duo Fibre 

  SS168 - F40 Large Angled Contour Brush

SS109 - F05 Small Contour

SS190 - F60 Foundation Brush

SS129 - F10 Powder/Blush

SS134 - F20 Large Powder (shorter handled paddle)

SS138 - F25 Tapered Face

SS165 - F35 Tapered Highlighter (smaller egg shaped)

SS182 - F45 Buffer 

 SS131 - F15 Duo Fiber Powder/Blush (tapered duo fibre)

SS192 - F65 Large Concealer (black bristles)

SS194 - F70 Concealer

SS195 - F75 Concealer

SS197 - F80 Flat Top Synthetic Kabuki

TEN TIPS TO RECESSION PROOF YOUR MAKEUP CAREER

Found this on the Powder Group blog! Feel free to comment and pass around!

TEN TIPS TO RECESSION PROOF YOUR MAKEUP CAREER
It's not getting any easier out there. Competition is growing, the economy is in a tailspin and you are stuck with the results of poor fiscal planning on the part of people you'll never meet and likely couldn't care to. How will you be sure that you can make the most of your career now, and be sure to keep it growing as things turn around in the economy? The Powder Group offers these ten tips on securing the future of your career. These tips brought to you by the artists of The Powder Group and The Artist Summit.

TIP ONE: *MEET MORE INDUSTRY LEADERS
Knowing the people who make the industry move is a our number one way to ensure you get the work that you want - when you want it. But knowing them is just a part of the task - they must know you! Meet the cosmetics company owners and executives that you need to know, the agents and union artists that can hire and get you work and the pros who can bring you onboard their artist teams.

TIP TWO: *KNOW THINGS THAT OTHER MAKEUP ARTISTS DON'T
One of the most sure-fire ways to be the first makeup artist people think of when hiring talent is to be the one they are certain knows the job best. Whether you use every skill in your repertoire on every job - understanding the implications of Hi-Def, how to create a realistic bruise, when airbrushing is the best option, or how photography effects the direction of your makeup application - will make you the expert that clients will hire every time.

TIP THREE: *MAXIMIZE YOUR ONLINE PRESENCE
Nearly every search for new talent starts out online. Whether you are with an agency or out there on your own. Regardless of whether your specialty is bridal, film, catalogue or FX, the first thing most people know about you is what you tell them through your online presence. Maximize online networks like Linkedin, Myspace, Youtube, and Facebook, and back it all up with a great website, amazing images and an online promotional campaign. Finally, maximize your search engine results to ensure that you get noticed.

TIP FOUR: *DEVELOP AND USE PHOTOS THAT MAKE YOU SALEABLE
Once you have their attention, blow your prospective clients away with your work. Understand how to create a great image by understanding the camera, and the clients perception of who you are and what you can do for them through a collection of great images. Learn how to edit down your images to make the most impact - and not throw your image off by including work that doesn't say "hire me!" Know what will sell and how to test or get the jobs that will give you the images to help sell your work.

TIP FIVE: *FINE TUNE YOUR TECHNIQUE AND MAKE YOUR WORK UNIQUE
Even the greatest makeup artists need to update and learn a new tip here and there, and find new products and tools to help to help separate them from the pack. Being able to do beautiful makeup is not enough in a marketplace with increasing competition and shrinking budgets. Know the techniques, tools and products that will help you detail your work in a way that tells your clients you are passionate about your craft and that you care about the results of the work enough to pay attention to the finer points of makeup artistry.

TIP SIX: *DEVELOP YOUR ARTIST NETWORK
It's a simple equation - the more other makeup artists you know - the more work you will get. Sounds crazy? It's not. You are not alone - there is strength in numbers. Even if you could do every job that comes your way - maximizing your relationships with your peers will ensure that you get referrals and assisting jobs, and that you can find a strong backup when you need one. Keep the work close to home by developing a network of like-minded creative types, (including hairstlylists and photographers!) who can help to strengthen your client base and ensure that you and your crew are the first people your clients think about when looking for talent.

TIP SEVEN: *BECOME CREATIVELY INSPIRED
There is no doubt about it - boredom with your craft shows through to the final product and to your clients. It shows in the way you promote yourself, it shows in the way you produce your work. Whether you are doing makeup in a salon, at a retail counter or for film, theater or the red carpet - be sure that you are staying creatively inspired and bring the excitement of that inspiration into your work every day. You will grow faster, direct your career more steadily and work as often as you want to, if your clients know that you love what you do everyday.

TIP EIGHT: *LEARN HOW THE BEST GOT THERE
What better way to create a sustainable, impactful and satisfying career than to ask the people who have done it already how they did it. It doesn't matter if you are in the same field of makeup artistry - artistic integrity and a long lasting career cross over to every part of the career of the makeup artist. Get in front of the most talented artists in the industry, hear their story, apply their passion and insight to your own career and watch your own business grow and last.

TIP NINE: *SHOWCASE YOUR WORK AS OFTEN AS POSSIBLE
The most amazing makeup artist in the world can't get hired if no one knows that they exist and they don't show anyone the work that they can do. Become an active part of the community of makeup artists and clients that hire them. Develop the strongest means by which to show off your work, and go to where the community is. Get your comp card out there, drive traffic to your website or agency, show the makeup artist world what you've got to offer and make yourself known to potential clients and network peers.

TIP TEN: *BECOME A BRAND THAT CLIENTS KNOW AND REMEMBER
Remember that makeup artist who you met a while back at that trade show? Right - neither does anyone else because they didn't have an image, a business card, or a story about their personal brand that stuck with you (or their potential clients). Ensure that you are remembered and though of first by the entire industry by creating a brand that is memorable, makes you stand out and clearly defines who you are as a makeup artist. It starts with a great personality that connects you to people, continues on with a strong business card and website, and keeps going until the job is done and you have followed up and gotten the next job. Is your brand is as strong and relevant to your industry as a certain coffee shop or or discount retailer with a big red dot in the middle of their logo? Get the work by making it so.

But that's alot to do - and you don't have all that much time. So might we humbly suggest that you check out *The Artist Summit in NYC on October 12 and 13 and keep your eyes out for The Artist Summit Miami, Los Angeles and Toronto coming in Spring 2009! www.theartistsummit.com

Michael Angelo: 10 tips to Pamper Your Colored Hair

I don’t know about you, but I color and highlight my hair. And trying to stretch my dollar as much as I can, maintaining the color for as long as possible is super important to me. Michael Angelo, certified haircolorist and owner of The Michael Angelo Hair Studio and The Michael Angelo Masterpiece Haircare product line, is an expert in advanced haircoloring techniques and fashion forward hairstyles. Known by many within the professional beauty industry as “The Haircolor Guru”, Michael Angelo has pioneered the art of turning haircolor into visual works of art. Michael Angelo knows the importance of properly handling your color-treated hair in between salon visits.

He has provided ten essential tips to pamper your color treated hair, restoring shine and manageability: 

• Tip 1: Trim your hair every four to six weeks to remove split ends and to help make your hair more manageable. A great haircut is the best foundation for keeping your hair healthy and looking its best.
  
• Tip 2: Use a shampoo specifically formulated for haircolor treated hair. If you must wash your hair every day, shampoo only once. When you shampoo, avoid tugging your hair and wash gently. Rinse thoroughly to remove all traces of shampoo. This professional haircolor safe shampoo gently cleanses, restoring your hairs essential nutrients and natural beauty.
  
• Tip 3: Use a conditioner formulated specifically for color-treated hair and apply it to your hair every time you shampoo. It is best to apply an additional amount to the ends of your hair and to rinse thoroughly to remove all traces and minimize any film that can hide your natural shine.
  
• Tip 4: Invest in a special micro-fiber towel that removes excess moisture from your hair after you shampoo and condition. These towels absorb more moisture than regular bath towels and can cut down on drying time. Once your hair is towel dried, use a wide-tooth comb to detangle your hair. Wide tooth combs are less likely to cause split ends and breakage.
  
• Tip 5: After you towel dry your hair, allow your hair to minimally air dry prior to blow drying. The more heat you apply to your hair, the more damage you can inflict to the cuticle.
  
• Tip 6: Avoid curling irons, hot rollers and flat irons as much as possible. It is best to style your hair with a brush and a blow dryer. When you do opt for styling your hair with heat activated appliances, always apply a protective hairstyling aid directly on your hair to keep moisture locked in.
  
• Tip 7: If you do apply styling products like a mousse, styling gel or hair spray, apply them sparingly. Many of these hairstyling products contain drying chemicals that can dull the haircolor and shine.
  
• Tip 8: Avoid chlorine. If you do swim, thoroughly wash the chorine out of your hair immediately with a special haircolor safe clarifying shampoo.
  
• Tip 9: Try to avoid excessive sun exposure to your color-treated hair. UV and UVB rays from the sun and indoor tanning beds and booths can leave your hair looking look less vibrant and lacking shine. If you are a sunbather, it is best to help protect your haircolor with products that contain UV ray protection.
  
• Tip 10: Always take the time to consult with your professional haircolorist prior to receiving your haircolor treatments. Ask questions on the best way to maintain your haircolor in between salon visits and haircoloring services. Ask about future haircolor options.

Reality Check: Hair Battle Spectacular

Reality TV is something American’s can’t get enough of, especially when a profession is involved. Project Runway has been giving fashion designers a spotlight for a number of seasons now, Top Chef has allowed foodies and consumers to see just how hot it gets in the kitchen and thanks to networks like BRAVO and Oxygen, the general public now understands how hard salon professionals work with shows like Blow Out, Split Ends and Shear Genius. Recently added to the lineup of salon-based programming is Hair Battle Spectacular,” a competition series that pits 10 of America’s hottest fantasy hair stylists against each other for $100,000-- set to premiere Tuesday, August 10, 2010. 

We recently got our hot little hands on a pre-cut, raw version of the first episode and we can say this competition is going to be filled with MAJOR drama. What do we love most? Yes, the fantasy hair is pretty incredible and you can see how much time and effort gets put into creating these impressive (and sometimes ridiculous) style, but it has to be when stylists are forced to duke it out Mike Tyson style in a boxing ring during the ultimate face-off. Seriously folks, this is going to be one show you WON’T want to miss.

 

The show is going to be hosted by the one and only Brooke Burns, and judges include the award-winning Derek J (who can also be seen on The Real Housewives of Atlanta and the documentary of Good Hair) and celebrity stylist Lindsay Albanese along with a panel of rotating guest judges who will be critiquing and determining the fate of each contestant. And speaking of contestants, let’s meet them shall we?

Do You want to meet the Contestants? Click here to read the entire Article