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Makeup artist shares on-the-job experiences

40 Best Makeup Artist Blogs

A talented makeup artist can transform a person into someone or something completely different, whether it’s for beauty, costume or just for the sake of art. Their hard work doesn’t go unnoticed, particularly in the movie industry, where the best are honored with awards such as the Academy Award for Makeup. Like with any form of art, it takes quite a bit of studying and practice to master the craft. The 40 makeup artist blogs listed below provide an abundance of information for those looking to enter the profession or just cultivate a challenging hobby.

Celebrity Makeup Artists

These makeup artists have achieved rewarding careers in the movie and fashion industries because of their unique talents.

1. Kandee Johnson: Kandee is a celebrity makeup artist who has worked for CBS, ABC, CNN, MTV and VH1. She spends her spare time sharing makeup tricks on her blog — her YouTube videos have garnered almost 60 million views.
2. Elke Von Freudenberg: With 20 years of experience as a top celeb and editorial makeup artist, Elke has plenty of wisdom to dispense.
3. makeup by Mario Dedivanovic: Mario’s impressive list of celeb clients includes Kim Kardashian, Eliza Dushku and Amanda Bynes, and his work has appeared in magazines such as Glamour, Teen Vogue and People.
4. The Makeup Blogger: Christina discusses new looks and shares her on-set experiences.
5. MiMi J.: Mimi J. looks at life as a makeup artist, providing behind-the-scenes footage of photoshoots and step-by-step tutorials.
6. emma farrell make-up artist: Dublin-based Emma shares her experiences, providing an abundance of pretty pictures along the way.
7. Lisa Eldridge Makeup: Lisa, a fashion makeup artist, has been “plying her trade” for two decades, and has worked with many notable photographers and celebs — such as Cameron Diaz, Demi Moore and Heidi Klum.
8. Inside the Life of a Glam Makeup Artist: Brandy blogs about her glam life as a celeb makeup artist in New York. She provides tips, including “How to Create a Classic Smokey Eye.”
9. The Amy Face: Amy offers “random musings and beauty tips.”
10. Audrey Mansfield: Audrey is the makeup artist for NBC’s Sunday Night Football — if she can make ex-pro football players look good, you know she’s a master of her craft.
11. A More Beautiful Makeup:Rosalina is a film makeup artist who covers cosmetic trends and all-things beautiful.
12. makeup + me: KJ is an Emmy Award winning celebrity makeup artist with lots of knowledge to share. Included on his blog is the helpful post “Saving Face ? Turning Beauty Boo-Boos into Makeup Must-Haves.”
13. Terri Apanasewicz: Celebrity Makeup Artist: Terri’s work has been featured in magazines such as Allure, Vogue and Elle, and it has been lauded by her celeb clients.
14. Makeup Artist Victoria Stiles: The career of veteran freelance makeup artist Victoria is followed. Her lengthy resume is something to envy.

Other Gifted Makeup Artists

These makeup artists may have worked with celebrities, but aren’t completely immersed in the Hollywood scene.

1. ProMakeupBlog: Jessica studied makeup artistry in film and photography at the Make-up Designory in Los Angeles, and eventually earned her degree in communication from UC-Santa Barbara. Her blog is well-written with tons of insight.
2. amyopoly: Prior to starting amyopoly, Amy video-blogged makeup tutorials on YouTube, which earned her national recognition. She still does it, but now also focuses on regular blogging.
3. Andy Lee: Andy’s popular blog looks at beauty and makeup trends important to makeup artists.
4. Makeup by Ren Ren: Ren Ren’s blog is supplemented by her YouTube page, which features several online tutorials.
5. A Makeup Artist’s Blog: Gain insight into the work of a talented makeup artist in San Diego.
6. sian lidgate: Sian, winner of the Charles Fox Award for Makeup Artistry, specializes in fashion, beauty and editorial makeup.
7. Jessica Jean Myers: Jessica’s involvement with the Toronto fashion scene is a testament to her abilities.
8. Stephanie J Mazzeo: Stephanie’s blog is an excellent source of inspiration for her fellow makeup artists.
9. Spicie Style: Erin displays her work and highlights her inspirations.
10. FacesByFarah: Farah is a makeup artist and beauty editor who combines her talents by composing a fabulous makeup-centric blog.
11. FacesBySarah: Pro makeup artists Sarah mostly examines products on her eye-catching blog. Not to be confused with FacesByFarah.
12. mcmakeup’s blog: Mcmakeup examines everything from “The Ultimate Pro Makeup Kit Builder” to the “Best and Worst Fashion Hair and Makeup for the 2010 Emmy’s.”
13. Makeup Artistry by Christy: Christy specializes “in airbrush and traditional makeup applications for weddings, proms, special occasions and photoshoots.”
14. Makeup Junkie: Professional freelance makeup artist Joy has worked in television, runway, bridal and print, and blogs during her spare time in order to share “beauty reviews, celebrity style, and beauty tips.”
15. JennySue Makeup: JennySue fittingly works in Athens and Atlanta, Georgia. Makeup is her passion and it shows on her blog.
16. Dvoradivine: Deborah documents her experiences, writes reviews and delivers news important to makeup artists.
17. rhia amio, make-up artistrhi: Rhia provides updates on her work, which is prominently displayed throughout her blog.

Product Focus

A talented makeup artist is nothing without a trusty arsenal of makeup.

1. The Makeup Artist Blog: Iris tries and recommends new products and provides tips helpful to all makeup artists.
2. EyeCandy Blog: Lynne provides “product reviews, top makeup tips, celebrity style and all general beauty news and gossip.”
3. The Makeup Girl: In addition to product reviews, you’ll find how-tos and celebrity beauty reports.
4. Hooked On Beauty: Makeup Artist Carissa, also a self-described TV beauty expert, reviews a variety of beauty products. She’s 100 percent independent and believes her integrity is of the utmost importance.
5. Makeup and Beauty Blog: Karen’s growing blog is the place for “daily product reviews, makeup tips and beauty news.”
6. The Beauty Brains: A group of cosmetic scientists — fittingly — explain cosmetic science so that you’ll know the real story on beauty products.
7. krasey beauty: Adina, a 20-something New Yorker and competitive dancer, dabbles in makeup artistry. She enjoy experimenting with different looks and products.
8. Beauty Logic: Editor Milly tests hundreds of products per month in an effort to find the best ones out there.
9. Pink Sith: “Makeup and product musings from an occasionally verbose, and often slack, product junkie.”

 

 
Makeup artist Melissa Conner has worked in print, such as this jewelry advertisement, as well as with celebrities. Courtesy

By JASON ASHLEY WRIGHT World Scene Writer
Published: 8/11/2010  2:19 AM
Last Modified: 8/11/2010  6:00 AM

We asked, but Melissa Conner didn’t share her photograph with us.

It seems she’s more comfortable behind the scenes, as the Tulsa native prefers making others luminous for the limelight.

Thankfully, she didn’t shy from answering questions via e-mail between jobs as a makeup artist who lives with her husband in southern Florida.

Currently, she does mostly fashion and beauty editorial, as well as advertising, she said.

“My job is amazing, creative, different every day, and the people are fun,” said Conner, who maintains a website and blog, tulsaworld.com/melissaconner

People around the country read it, including, of course, her peeps in Tulsa.

“She is one of the most talented makeup artists/hairstylists around, and anyone that knows her is for the better,” said fellow Jenks High School alum Lauren Goldberg Zeligson, who was the first person to tell us about Conner.

“She is one talented lady and has rubbed elbows with some pretty famous people, and you would never know it if you met her,” Zeligson said. “She’s pretty fabulous.”

Conner spent the first few years of her life in a home at 16th Street and Denver Avenue across from University Club Tower before moving to west Tulsa, she told us. From kindergarten through 12th grade, she attended Jenks schools, as did her 88-year-old grandmother, Pearletta McCurley, who lives with Conner and her husband.

McCurley and her late husband, Bud, were part owners of a Tulsa landmark, the Phoenix Cleaners on 18th Street near Boston Avenue, Conner said. For a short time, they owned Bud’s Grill in the same area. The notoriety extends beyond 18th and Boston, though. Pearletta McCurley’s brother, Henry Custer, wrote a book, “Dirt Floor,” which described the early years in Tulsa and their lives.

“My grandmother was on the cover of the Tulsa World in, I think, summer of ’65,” Conner said, “when she burned my mother’s Beatles collection after John made a public statement she didn’t like.”

Family members weren’t the only colorful ones, though, as Conner herself had been wearing costumes, “piling on makeup” and expressing her creativity since childhood. She remembers being in grade school and getting in trouble for putting on makeup in class.

Her impending career path, though, was occasionally a laughing matter. When she was in high school, Conner tried stand-up comedy, she said. After graduation, she skipped college (“and my freshman 15″) to go on the road as a stand-up – “too cruel of a business for me, so I hit the makeup counters.”

After gigs at Miss Jackson’s and the Prescriptives counter at Dillard’s, Conner went to Dallas to work for Chanel and Bobbi Brown at Neiman Marcus. Then, she trained makeup artists and did road shows for Toni and Guy hair salons – “and that’s about the time the freelance bug got me.”

Inspired by beauty gurus Patricia Morales and Tanya Carpenter, “who taught me the ropes of freelance,” Conner eventually decided to freelance full time. She and her husband moved to Las Vegas for seven years and recently relocated to Florida.
Not just a pretty face
During her career, Conner has had the opportunity to work with numerous celebrities – and, of course, we asked her to dish.

“My first celebrity was Dr. Phil,” she said. “Who was funny? Wayne Brady. We joked together all day.”

She’s been included in four reality TV shows, “but only one wasn’t my hand doing the makeup,” she said.

The comedian Carrot Top earns her award for best at remembering names. “S-o-o-o nice!”

One of the most current faces she’s worked on is Ferris Patton, the Orbit’s Gum girl.

“Most cordial and down to earth? Andre Agassi and Steffi Graf,” Conner said. “Love them.”

“Hottest actor in his skivvies? Doug Savant,” she said. “What a charmer.”

And her least favorite? That wasn’t so easy for us to get out of her.

“You know who you are,” she said.

Her biggest accomplishment, “hands down,” was doing Sarah Larson’s hair and makeup at George Clooney’s house for the Academy Awards.

“All the gals had lunch in his kitchen and watched ‘E! News’ as they predicted what Sarah would look like on the red carpet,” Conner said.

“The weirdest moment has to be the week the paparazzi stalked me at my house to interview me about Sarah,” Conner continued. “I didn’t like that experience even for a day. Can’t imagine having to deal with that every day.”

Still, it doesn’t seem Conner would change careers any time soon.

“All in all, it’s been a charmed life,” she said.

For more about Conner, see her blog or follow her on Twitter (@mcmakeup).

Favorites
We asked makeup artist Melissa Conner for her favorite products to use. Here’s what the Tulsa native recommended:

Bobbi Brown Long-Wear Gel eyeliner”Really waterproof,” she said. “The first time I used it was on the Pussycat Dolls for ‘VH-1 Divas Live,’ and it never smeared.” Find it ($21) at Saks Fifth Avenue, Utica Square.

Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk foundation”So beautiful on camera but a bit pricey for everyday use,” she said. It was also among InStyle magazine’s “Best of Beauty” picks in 2009. Find it ($58-$59) at tulsaworld.com/saksarmanilumsilk

Egyptian Magic Cream This miracle worker for face, eyes, body and hair a “secret weapon” for celebrities, Conner said. Find it ($35.99) at Akin’s stores in Tulsa.

Original Print Headline: Look behind the makeup

Read more from this Tulsa World article at http://www.tulsaworld.com/scene/article.aspx?subjectID=43&articleID=20100811_43_D8_CUTLIN59906&allcom=1#commentform

February 26, 2008
Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal

Larson, Clooney the royal couple

Norm Clarke   

And the Oscar for the most envied woman in the world goes to …?

We’re guessing it would be Las Vegas model Sarah Larson by a landslide, after she shined as one of the golden girls of Oscar night. Larson, 28, didn’t win one of the coveted statuettes, but when you’re parading down the red carpet with boyfriend George Clooney and sitting in the front row, you’ve hit the lottery of Hollywood royalty. The former cocktail server at Moon nightclub at the Palms has been dating Clooney since things heated up in June at the Las Vegas premiere of “Ocean’s Thirteen.” Larson, who grew up in Washington state and won NBC’s “Fear Factor” in 2005, was stunning in a beaded ice blue, pale pink and gold Valentino provided by the designer. Her hair was styled by Las Vegas stylist and makeup artist Melissa Conner, who said she went with “classic Hollywood glamour, a modern version of Veronica Lake or Rita Hayworth. “The floral dress “made such a statement,” said Conner, “that we definitely wanted to go with a clean, fresh look.” Much is being made of the appearance being the first time Clooney, 46, has taken a girlfriend to the Oscars. When Larson, 28, told red carpet reporters that the dress was “really heavy,” Clooney made a gallant offer. “I will carry her,” he said.

January 29, 2009
Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal

The Dream Team

Xazmin Garza   

By XAZMIN GARZA

LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL

Meet five women who earn a living making Las Vegas beautiful. Each is hailed by the entertainment industry as the creme de la creme in the art of makeup. Whether it’s commercial work, runway, editorial or the red carpet, these are the women who make us stop and stare. Take a look at what makes each of them stand out from the competition and scope out the life-changing beauty products that have earned their loyalty over the years.  Melissa Conner

Celebrity resume: Jerry Seinfeld, Alicia Keys and Adriana Lima

Proudest accomplishment: “Going to George Clooney‘s house last year to do hair and makeup for Sarah Larson (his then girlfriend) for the Academy Awards.” 

Life-changing product:

Bobbi Brown Long-Wear Gel Eyeliner: “When it says longwear it means it. You can swim in the ocean, watch ‘Terms of Endearment’ and take a two-hour nap and it stays put.”

Props: “I love working with Melissa because of her dedication to her work. She brings an added level of creativity to the set and she has a wacky and wicked sense of humor.” � Jerry Metellus, local fashion photographer

Jul. 06, 2007
Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal

Best in Beauty

Save up your money for these standout products. Find out what the top local beauty experts consider their favorite hair and beauty items. You’ll want to go shopping after reading this.

By XAZMIN GARZA AND SUSAN STAPLETON
REVIEW-JOURNAL

         Melissa Conner

Las Vegas hair and makeup artist Conner paints the faces and tames the tresses of celebrities such as Kim Alexis, Jennifer Tilly and George Stephanopolous. In Las Vegas, she works with photographers such as Jerry Metellus, and shoots regularly with 944 magazine, Venetian Style and Vegas Magazine. She also handled the makeup and hair looks for the cover of image this week. Lip Stain: Tarte Rise and Shine Plumping Lip Stain, $21, Sephora. It leaves a sheer and sexy pout. Lipstick: Bobbi Brown Matte Stain For Lips, $20, Nordstrom. It looks very natural. Blush: Anna Sui Cheek Color, $25, strawberry.net. Sheer and pigmented for a natural look when applied lightly. Eye Shadow: Bobbi Brown Longwear Cream Shadow, $22, Neiman Marcus. It doesn’t run or disappear. Eyeliner: Bobbi Brown Longwear Gel Eyeliner, $19, Neiman Marcus. It doesn’t bleed or run. Mascara: Loreal Volume Shocking Mascara, $11.99, Ulta. It doesn’t clump and it’s inexpensive. Concealer: Yves Saint Laurent Touche Eclat Radiant Touch, $38.50, Nordstrom. It’s a classic that covers dark circles, but it’s pricey. Foundation: Armani Luminous Silk Foundation, $55, Giorgio Armani. Offers gorgeous sheer coverage. Loose powder: Bare Escentuals i.d. bareMinerals SPF 15 Foundation, $25, Sephora.Great coverage to wear alone for sensitive skin. Pressed Powder: Bobbi Brown Sheer Finish Pressed Powder, $30, Neiman Marcus. Doesn’t separate throughout the day. Brows: Lorac Brow Wax, $16, Sephora Great for taming bushy brows. Brushes: Smashbox, prices vary, Ulta. Blend well and last forever, nice price point. Facial Cleanser: Olay Express Wet Cleansing Cloths, $5.29, drugstores. Inexpensive and convenient to keep in your purse. Facial Scrub: Philosophy Microdelivery Mini Peel pads, $35, Sephora. Great to travel with on a plane. Wrinkle Treatment: Shiseido Benefiance Wrinkle LiftingConcentrate, $62, Macy’s. Skin feels fantastic. Moisturizer: Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cream, $22.50, Kiehl’s  Skin feels great and lightweight for under makeup. Mask: Fresh Rose Face Mask, $55, Fresh boutique Great for dry, desert climate and smells great, too. Body Lotion: Nivea Daily Lotion for Dry Skin, $21.52, drugstores Skin looks sexy, smooth and flawless. Bronzer: Laura Mercier Mineral Powder SPF 15 in Warm Bronze, $35, Nordstrom. Not messy and smells great. Self-Tanner: Lancome Flash Bronzer Instant Colour Self-Tanning Leg Gel with Pure Vitamin E, $28.50, Dillards Skin looks golden and not orange and smells awesome. Nail Polish: Chanel Le Vernis, $18 to $19, Dillards Coverage is great and always on trend with color. Product you can’t live without: Kiehl’s Lip Balm Number 1, $5.50, Kiehl’s Can’t live without lip balm because lips look and feel smooth instantly. Product I wish was in Vegas: Makeup Forever Pro Products. The color range is amazing and palettes hold everything.

October 13, 2006
Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal

Face
Time
Go full, go dark, go matte, go smoky. Whatever you do, think dark and sultry this fall.

Xazmin Garza   

By XAZMIN GARZA

REVIEW-JOURNAL

With a silhouette that’s either blown up or completely deflated in fashion this season, it’s no wonder the makeup trends are just as contradicting. It’s either drama to the fullest or a low profile, subdued look. Whichever you choose, application is essential to accomplishing your end goal. Here are all the insider tips you’ll need to pull it off, courtesy of makeup artist Melissa Conner.

JUST BROWSING For brows � like models in Spain � super thin is out. The new look is much fuller, more voluptuous if you will. To get the most out of your brow all you need is an angle brush, brow comb and brow powder that’s one tone warmer and lighter than your natural brow color (try Laura Mercier Brow Powder Duos, $23, Neiman Marcus). Fill in the sparse areas of your brow with the powder. Then, brush through the more dense areas. For bushy brows, use clear brow gel (try Anastasia Beverly Hills brow gel, $20, Sephora) to lay the hairs flat.

last nail in the coffin

It seems a little Goth, yes. But just because you’ve got black polish on your nails doesn’t mean you have to wear a shirt paying tribute to The Cure. This new polish trend is the perfect balance for pink pearls and frilly lace. Like the must-have polish of the mid-’90s, Vamp, Chanel has come out with its successor 10 years later: Black Satin (Chanel Le Vernis Nail Colour in Black Satin, $18, Saks Fifth Avenue).

matte chance

Once upon a time there was a makeup trend called matte. It was on lips, cheeks and eyes and had many a fan. Then, another makeup trend by the name of shimmer came into the picture and matte was never to be heard from again. Until fall ’06 that is.

Eyes: Start with an eye paint, a crème product that dries matte (try MAC Cosmetics Eye Paint in Deep Shadow, $16, MAC Cosmetics). Blend a medium brown shade over the entire lid, using a heavier application on the lid and lighter one toward the brow. Line the inside of the upper and lower lid in a brown-black liner (try Lancome Le Stylo Waterproof Long Lasting EyeLiner in Café, $22, Dillard’s).

Cheeks: Brush a brownish-red paint under the cheekbone to contour (try MAC Cosmetics Cheekhue, $12, MAC Cosmetics). Start at the hairline near the ear and swoop down. Dust a darker brown (Smashbox Cosmetics Ray of Lights Body Powder, $59, Ulta) on the cheeks and a peach tone (Clarins Compact Powder Blush in Terra, $27, Macy’s) just under the eyes to highlight.

Lips: For a nude lip look for a color that matches your skin tone, not your lip tone. The latter will have more of a natural rose tint, which will defeat the goal of the nude lip. Here, a peach nude was used in a matte lipstick (try Bobbi Brown Lip Color in Carnation, $22, Wynn). If liner is used match the natural lip color, not the lipstick (try Bare Escentuals lip liner in Wearable Nude, $11, Sephora).

SMOKE IT UP

You didn’t think this look was going anywhere, did you? It’s the most reliable answer to the age-old “how should I do my eyes tonight” question. This season smoky eyes are coming in more shades than just, well, the smoky ones. Look for burgundy, blue, green, purple �

For this look, start with a black burgundy shadow (try MAC Cosmetics Eye Shadow in Beauty Mark, $13.50, Saks Fifth Avenue). Apply it first to the lash line and blend it to the crease of the eye. Using the same application, use a burgundy frosted pigment on top of that (try Yves Saint Laurent Ombre Solo Long Lasting Eye Shadow in Intense Garnet, $24.50, Nordstrom). Matte shadows are easier to blend with a shimmer coat on top.

Line the inside of the upper and lower lids with black liner (try Bobbi Brown Long-Wear Gel Eyeliner in black ink, $18, Saks Fifth Avenue).

With burgundy shadow apply from the inside corner up to the brow line (try DuWop Smoke in Plum Wine, $28, Victoria’s Secret Beauty). Use a pencil brush to apply the same burgundy shadow along the bottom of the eye.

Then, blend it all with a product-free brush. Next, use a light shimmer in the corner of the eye in the form of a V to brighten the eyes (try Hard Candy Eye Candy in Peppermint Snow, $12.50, Ulta). Last, apply partial lashes to the outside edge of the lashes (try Shu Uemura Long Eyelashes in regular, $15, Saks Fifth Avenue).