Ask Temptalia - Question & Answer Session #10

Have a question you’d like to ask? E-mail questions to temptalia@gmail.com – if your question is time-sensitive, please be sure to let me know so I can do my best to answer it in time.

Q: Where is the best place to apply eyeliner under your eye, above or below the lashes? I generally use it below the lashes but i wonder if it would look better if I put it above the lashes.
A: Above the lashes is called the waterline, and below is the lower lash line. Either one is acceptable – waterline lining doesn’t usually last very long, because of the nature of it, with how it’s slightly watery at all times. Most do both!

Q: What is the best way to clean brushes between various applications? Let’s say I have to do 5 girls’ makeup back to back, what is the quickest way to do this?
A: The best way is to invest in a brush cleanser, like MAC’s, which is meant to dry quickly. Professional makeup artist Billy B recently shared a tip with Karen from Makeupandbeautyblog.com that using Anti-bacterial Wet Ones makes a great quick cleanser for brushes in between doing models.

Q: I want to avoid buying tons of foundation at this moment. What is the most feasible way to get various shades of foundation using the most minimal approach?
A: I would try to purchase three warm shades, three cool shades. Go for the lightest and darkest in both ranges, and then pick a middle-of-the-ground one. This will allow you to mix different shades together to achieve the best shade. You can start out light, add a touch of a deeper color, and so on. Many artists end up having to do this, even if they have a whole range of shades available to them, to create the most flawless skin.

Q: What is the reason that Studio Tech would appear to be cakey and even heavy on some people? Would liquid work better?
A: Studio Tech is a heavy coverage foundation, which means you’re applying more product onto someone’s skin. This can sometimes give the cakey appearance, especially if the skin is drier. Adding some moisturizer or even Fix+ will help make it easier to blend.

Q: Do you have any tricks you use to match foundation accurately?
A: I’ve found that one way is to simply look at a group of friends or even ladies online that post their makeup. Ask them what their foundation shade is so you can see what a NC/NW15 looks like, what a NC/NW55 looks like, etc. and you can kind of go from there. You can also think about starting with NC/NW20 on ladies that look light, but who don’t seem incredibly pale. Test out NC/NW35 on medium-skinned women with some lightness. Try a deeper one, like NC/NW45 on darker, more tanned ladies.

Q: I love the way you wear makeup. I was wondering when you use pigments, so you use them wet or dry. And also if you use a primer for your eyes.
A: I always use MAC’s water-based mixing medium, a slight drop on my brush, then run the wet brush against the back of my hand so it isn’t too wet, and then pick up the pigment to apply to my lid. I don’t use any eye primer, though.