Paula's Choice and Skinetica

Oh hello there pretty kitties!

Just a heads up-this is going to be a long one. 

Regular readers of this blog know that I am fanatical about protecting my skin with the proper sun protection and that I treat my skin with my favorite acids-AHA's and BHA's. You would also know that I have very reactive skin and struggle with breakouts. 

I have recently upped my skincare game to include Retin A (this will be a separate blog post) and a topical antibiotic to help banish the breakouts and generally improve the health of my skin. At the same time that I started this new skincare regime, I had discovered an AMAZING blog written by Caroline Hirons (carolinehirons.com) that has changed the way that I take care of my skin. All of this will be a separate blog post as there is just too much to write.

What I do want to tell you about are two products that you may be interested in trying. 

The first one is from Paula's Choice (paulaschoice.com). Reasons I love Paula's Choice: good products with good, quality ingredients, very reasonably priced, fragrance free, you can try it before you buy it, and she takes on the big named companies who sell sub par products with basic ingredients at ridiculously expensive prices. 

So earlier this year, Paula's Choice rolled out their Resist BHA 9 for Stubborn Imperfections.

Click here to read my post on BHA's

Now usually the highest strength you can find for a BHA product is 2%. The good folks at Paula's Choice have managed a 9% formulation that is very gentle on the skin. The texture of this product is like a serum bordering on an oil. I am on my 2nd bottle of this product, however I had to stop a few month's ago as per doctor's orders, when I started using the Retin-A. According to Paula's Choice website, Resist BHA 9 is effective for: Acne Breakouts, Anti-Aging, Blackheads, Brown Spots, Enlarged Pores, Keratosis Pilaris, Redness, Rosacea, and Wrinkles. 

It:

• Reduces clogged pores-Yes
• Diminishes enlarged pores-Yes
• Reduces white bumps (milia)-Not Sure
• Minimizes flesh-colored bumps (sebaceous hyperplasia)-Yes
• Softens rough, dry, and flaky skin-Yes
• Calms redness and irritation-Yes
• Fades marks from past breakouts-Yes
• Reduces wrinkles and fine lines-Yes
• Dissolves stubborn blackheads-Nope
• Clinically proven non-irritating-Definitely non-irratating
• 100% fragrance free, no added dyes-Yes
• No animal testing
• Reduces Breakouts-Yes

Pros: A well formulated product that definitely makes a difference in the skin's appearance and helps with controlling breakouts.

Cons: Very expensive for a Paula's Choice product. $36.95 for .3 oz. That is not a lot of product.  

This product confused me at first. It was touted as a spot treatment, however my blemishes, wrinkles, pores, etc are located on all different parts of my face so I was applying it all over as a full face treatment. The original pump sucked. This was being marketed as a spot treatment but the pump only pumped out a full face pump. They seem to have gotten that in order with their New Precise Control Pump so you can use it any way that benefits you. 

This is definitely worth a try if you have any skin imperfections. You can purchase a sample to try it first before committing. I tried the sample first and didn't see any major changes until 1/2 way through the sample bottle. 

The next product I've found, I am on the fence about. 

I found Skinetica (http://www.skinetica.co.uk/) while snooping around online and decided to give it a whirl. The reviews looked good and the price was right-around $21 USD. This product ships from the UK.

According to the website, it is:

•    anti-blemish skincare treatment~  for the removal of acne, spots, pimples, blemishes, blackheads and whiteheads
•    a Super Toner – removes virtually all skin impurities
•    a Base to Foundation – prevents make up running even in hot climates

•    With visible results in 2-3 days and no side effects

•    No harsh chemicals, non-toxic, non staining, non greasy and can be used under make-up

•    Safe for all skin types and all areas of the body

It claims to "kill 99.99% of P.Acnes Microbes without using toxic chemicals". The technical explanation from the website is:

 As Skinetica air dries after being applied to the skin, it forms a molecular matrix, attached to the skin surface, which consists of very sharp pointed molecules. P.Acnes microbes cells are negatively charged, whereas the Skinetica molecules carry a positive charge, and when in close proximity the two are electrostatically drawn together. The Skinetica molecule being sharp like a sword, penetrates the outer cellular wall of the microbe, thus killing it. The medical name for this process is “lysis”. 

The ingredients list is short:  purified water, ethyl alcohol (only 18%), fragrance (BOOO-we no likey fragrance in our facial products), quaternary ammonium compound. 

So basically, you would use this product twice a day after you cleanse your skin, just like a toner (this product is a liquid- It is thin like water). Apply to a cotton round (I feel you lose too much product with a cotton ball) and swipe all over your face, neck, hairline, chest, back-wherever you may have a blemish. 

One thing I noticed while reading the online reviews, either people loved it and described it as a miracle product or they didn't see a difference. There was very little in between. After using this for a few weeks, I did not feel it did anything for my breakouts, existing or preventive. It definitely made my skin look and feel much more soft and conditioned in the morning but blemishes were still present and did not disappear, especially within the 3 day time frame. Once Retin A came on the scene, I put this on the shelf for about a month or so. I am now back to using it and like it much better the 2nd time around. My face is much clearer than it has been in a while but I am not sure if Skinetica has anything to do with it or if it is the result of the Retin A/Antibiotic combination. Either way, I am not sure if I will be repurchasing this when the bottle runs out. 

So there you have it! 

Please feel free to post any questions in the comment section below and I will answer as best I can. 

Until next time!

Have a safe Labor Day weekend!

~Jessica~

ZPalettes

I am not the most organized person I know. I am definitely not that girl that has everything in just the right place. I envy those people. However, I am very organized when it comes to my makeup kit. You have to be! For multiple reasons. First, you don't always have a ton of time to be leisurely looking for what you need. Second, you don't want to look like a disorganized mess in front of the client. 

Most professional makeup artist know all about ZPalette. They are very cute, stylish and customizable makeup palettes. I believe they are an absolute necessity for the pros but I highly recommend them for anyone who wants to organize their makeup clutter.

Zpalette's are magnetic, empty cases with a clear top that you can fill with your own eyeshadows and blushes. 

The palette I bought at The Makeup Show was specifically for liquids, so I filled mine up with lipstick. Now I don't have a huge amount of lipstick that I carry around with me but enough to make it difficult when I'm in a rush and do not have a ton of time to open every lipstick to find the shade that I'm looking for. I usually end up going with gloss because the shades are easier to find because of their see through tubes. 

I purchased a hot pink palette, along with the little silver magnetic wells for the lipstick. 50 come in a package. 

So here is what you do.

• Pre-heat your oven to 200 degrees (depending on your oven, you may have to go up to 225). 
• Slice about an inch off of the lipstick of your choice and place it in the metal well. Do this to all of the lipsticks that you would like to melt down. 

• Line a cookie sheet with all of your lipstick filled wells.

• Place in the pre-heated oven and DO NOT WALK AWAY. Seriously, this will take about 30 seconds to a minute for them to melt down. 
• When they are all melted and liquidy, take them out and let cool.

• Now just put them in your pretty, little ZPalette and Voila! Instant organization. 

Let me know what you do to organize your makeup.

Click here to get your ZPallette!

Physician's Formula Review

Hi there! 

Sorry I disappeared for a minute but life gets in the way and I went into vacation mode. Thanks to all that have stuck around and I hope everyone is enjoying their summer.

So I was lazing around, just minding my own business when I bumped into two products that made me snap out of my summertime stupor. 

Some of the problems us fair skinned lovelies have with bronzing powders are that they can pull too orange or muddy on our skin. A bronzer should make you looked sun kissed, not like an Oompa Loompa and dirt had a baby. So on my recent first visit to Ulta (I know, where have I been?), I decided to try Physicians Formula (a line I do not recall ever trying before) Mineral Airbrushing Bronzer SPF 30 in the shade Light Bronzer. I am so happy I found this product! Let me first say that this is so finely milled, it is pretty much goof proof for anyone worried about blending it. It does give an airbrushed effect and it has a high SPF so it is protective as well. The Light shade has a pinky, sandy, neutral tone to it (no orange!), which works really well with my fair/medium skin. I use it more for contour as it is a satiny matte with no shimmer and blends really well. I am not sure how well this would show up on a darker skin tone but you can try the darker shade. Also, it was less than $8 at Ulta! I believe they had a buy one, get 2nd 1/2 off. It usually runs about $13. My one complaint would be the packaging-it is quite cumbersome. The Bronzer comes with a mirror and a brush (which I will never use) but it is bulky and awkward to carry. 

Hey Physician's Formula, ditch the brush and make the packaging slimmer please!

The Bronzer is showing up lighter in the photo than in person but this shade is definitely for light skinned ladies. 

The second product is a highlighter, also from Physicians Formula. I bought Mineral Glow Pearls in Translucent Pearl after being drawn to the bumpy pearl like texture and the pinkish sheen of the product. I have to say, I am impressed with Physicians Formula's products. This product is again, very finely milled and provided a subtle sheen perfect for highlighting. It is pretty translucent, leaning towards the white side than the pink. It does not settle into lines, it just creates a healthy glow. I would use this on cheekbones, brow bones and down the bridge of the nose. I paid $13.99.

Again, epic fail on the packaging. Another bulky compact with a useless brush. 

All and all, two great, reasonably priced products worth a try.

DIY Sweet Body Scrub

Oh hiii kittens!

 It seems that everyone really enjoyed the DIY yogurt mask post from a few weeks back, so I will try to post more of those for you.

Here is one more thing that you can try at home:

Mix some sugar together with a little olive oil, jump in the shower and scrub away! You will emerge all smooth, glowy and polished. 

Some TIPS:

White sugar, like the kind yo momma used to keep in her cubbard, works better than the raw turbinado sugar that I now keep in my cubbard. Also, this works best if you do this while your skin is still dry, scrub for about a minute or two all over and then rinse off and continue with your regular cleansing routine. 

Keep in mind, your tub will be slippery due to the oil-so be careful!

You can also do this with any combination of the following: salt, shea butter, coconut oil, grapeseed oil, jojoba oil, avocado oil, vitamin e, lemon.

I do this once or twice a week. Happy scrubbing and tell me what you think. Let me know what kind of DIY skincare post you would like to see.

Bdellium Tools

One day my mother was at my house while I was putting my makeup on and she said "I can't believe how many brushes you use to get ready" I thought how could you not!? It amazes me when women say they only own 3 brushes! I use 3 brushes just to do my cheeks. Now don't get me wrong, you can definitely do a simple eye with a single brush, but you have to have options! Different brushes achieve different looks.

So if you're wondering why your makeup isn't looking as polished as the pro's, look at the tools you're using and you may have found the problem.

Now brushes can be quite expensive but there are plenty of affordable options available.

I would like to introduce you to Bdellium Tools.

I was turned on to these brushes by the girl who checked me in at last years IMATS. I bought 1 brush and it immediately became one of my favorite go to brushes-oh and it was $6. Now I believe that may have been the show price but still, full price is like $12. That is quite affordable for a quality brush.

So at this years Makeup Show Bdellium was going to be one of my stops.

Bdellium offers 6 series of brushes on their website. Maestro Series, Studio Line, Travel Line, Green Bambu, Yellow Bambu and Pink Bambu. Individual brushes range anywhere from $7 to $20. Depending on the line, some brushes are treated with an anti-bacterial agent and some are eco-friendly. I have so far stuck with the Studio Line and I have been really pleased with the quality and performance of these brushes. I bought a 12 piece brush set for the eyes (that came in a cool roll up pouch and contains one of the tiniest angle liner brushes I have ever seen) specifically for my kit and I will definitely be repurchasing some of the brushes for my own personal collection.

Click here to learn more about Bdellium Brushes.

One of the reasons makeup artist's looks are so polished and flawless is because of their blending abilities.

So here is a TIP just for you:

Keep a clean blending brush available when you are applying your makeup! Yep, that's right! Make sure one of your brushes is clean, meaning you have not dipped it into any color and use that brush to blend. If you blend with the same brush that you've applied color with, you will just muddy up the colors. So apply with one brush and blend with another brush!

And don't forget to clean your brushes! Don't make me come after you for not cleaning your brushes! 

~Sincerely, the Brush Police~

Marcelle BB Cream

                                                       

     

BB Creams have taken over the beauty world. I have already expressed my skepticism about BB Creams. In my opinion, BB Creams are basically tinted moisturizers.

Click here to read my post about BB Creams and where they originated. 

I used to offer a tinted moisturizer at Little Goddess Cosmetics. It was sheer coverage, chock full o' antioxidants and ingredients that just made your skin feel damn happy! Plus, it had a high SPF, basically a BB Cream. I think the only difference between a tinted moisturizer and a BB Cream is some BB's have anti-acne properties (I'm sure some tinted moisturizers do as well) and they have more of a primer like consistency. 

Let me be very clear, it's not that I don't like the actual product of a BB Cream, I do not like the fact that the cosmetic companies are marketing the BB Cream as something new and never done before, especially since from what I understand, the US BB Creams are nothing like the Asian BB creams that started this craze. Now they are selling CC and DD creams! AND a big name hair company has created the first ever BB Cream for your hair! Really? Sigh.

With all of that being said, I have found a BB Cream (or a tinted moisturizer, whatever you want to call it) that I love! Marcelle BB Cream in Golden Glow is perfect for a summer day. Keep in mind, this product does not contain SPF so you need to protect accordingly. This cream is not heavy coverage, it works best on clear, blemish free skin. It does give your skin a healthy golden glow while evening out skin tone and masking imperfections.

According to the website, it is an "8 in 1 BB Cream" and a"complexion illuminator".

 It:

-gives skin an instant glow.

-evens out skin tone.

-offers immediate and long term hydrating benefits to the skin.

-protects skin from premature aging and environmental stresses.

-soothes and calms the skin.

-reduces the appearance of imperfections.

-controls shine.

This cream is fragrance free, paraben free and oil free. 

If you want to try a BB Cream (or a tinted moisturizer), this is a good one to try!

Let me know what you think!

It's That Sunny Time of Year Again!

Hello Kittens!

I forgot to post my yearly re-post about sun protection! I hope y'all were smart and are not half burnt by now! For those who still insist on worshipping the sun, please read this and learn something!

Hey Guys! It is that time of year again when the days get longer and everyone starts spending more time outside. More time outside means more sun exposure so you need to start protecting yourself! This is a post I will re-post every single year at this time to remind everyone why it is so important to protect their skin from the sun!

Apparently there are some of you who think that SPF 4 is adequate protection while you are laying in the sunshine for hours. You know who you are because I am speaking directly to you.

Enjoy all this great info:

 It is that time of the year again. Summertime is fast upon us, so it is my duty to make sure everyone knows the importance of sun protection. The sun makes your skin look dry, dull, uneven, wrinkled, and causes the collagen to break down, which causes skin to sag. Also, you don't even see the damage it causes until years later, which is why it is so important to use broad spectrum sun protection all the time, including wintertime and during daily activities. Besides causing premature aging, you can get skin cancer from the sun-so please protect yourself.

So what is the best protection for you? Well let me explain the difference between sunscreen and sunblock. Sunscreen or chemical sunscreen use chemicals as the active sun protection ingredients. It usually contains oxybenzone or avobenzone (also known as Parsol 1789), which can cause irritation if you have sensitive skin. Chemical sunscreens absorb UV rays before they can cause any damage. Chemical sunscreens need to be applied about 30 minutes before sun exposure as that is how long it takes to "activate" on your skin.

Sunblock or physical sunblock use minerals such as titanium dioxide and zinc oxide as the active sun protection ingredients. Physical sunblock is much more gentle on sensitive skin and they work by forming an opaque film that reflects or scatters UV light before it can penetrate the skin. Physical sunblock sometimes has a whitish cast when applied to the skin (think of the lifeguard's white nose-that's zinc oxide).

I had done a whole post on antioxidants, they have been proven to increase sun protection so make sure you get your daily dosage of antioxidants through your diet or apply it to your skin before you apply your sunscreen, such as with the green tea toner, or a Vitamin C serum (I am going to do a post on how to make your own).

Yes it is true, almost everyone looks better with a tan, but there are much healthier ways of getting that tan than sitting in the sun or a tanning bed such as using a self tanner, going to get a spray tan, or using Little Goddess Mineral Bronzer in Congo! Also keep in mind that when your skin tans, it is actually protecting itself from the rays that are damaging it.

**TIP**When applying bronzer to your face, remember to hit your neck, chest, ears and even the tops of your hands so everything matches and looks uniform, and your face doesn't look like it's a different color from your body.

Ok guys, I hope you found this re-post helpful and informative! Please don't go outside without your protection and if you have any questions, you can always message me!

Love and Sunshine,

Jessica

The Awesome Yogurt Mask

Here's a tip: If you want to stay young looking, take really good care of your skin.

It's that simple.

 Besides the obvious like staying out of the sun and not smoking (y'all know who I'm talking to), you have to feed your skin and keep it healthy and supple by moisturizing, and you have to exfoliate!

I cannot stress this enough. As we age, it takes longer for your skin to shed and new, healthy skin to form. It takes longer for cells to turn over and it takes longer to build collagen which keeps your skin plump and young looking. You need to help your skin along by exfoliating. There are a few different ways to exfoliate your skin but I think chemical exfoliation as opposed to manual is more gentle. 

I also like DIY projects when it comes to my skincare, for a few different reasons. First, I can control what goes into the product which means less unnecessary stuff. Second, it is usually cheaper than purchasing some expensive potion.

Now with all of that being said, let me tell you all about the Yogurt Mask. So yogurt contains lactic acid-you know how much I love my acids for keeping the skin young looking! Acids are gentle exfoliators.

Click here to read all about AHA's & BHA's and why you should use them for your skin.

Lactic acid falls under the Alpha Hydroxy Acid(AHA) category, which means it will dissolve and gently exfoliate the top layer of your skin so new skin can form. Some of the benefits of using a Yogurt Mask 2-3 times per week are:

• It will smooth skin.
• It will soften fine lines.
• It fights acne.
• Reduces discoloration
• Prevents premature aging.

The only rule for a yogurt mask is to make sure it is plain yogurt. None of that fruit on the bottom nonsense.

Basically, just take some plain yogurt and apply it to your clean skin. I like to massage it in and let it sit on my skin for 20-30 minutes. Rinse with warm water. I also like to kick it up a notch by dissolving an aspirin in the yogurt and applying. Aspirin is a Beta Hydroxy Acid (BHA) which means not only does it exfoliate your skin, it exfoliates the inside of your pores, therefore keeping them clean and blemish free! 

This is what you will look like. Puurrttyyy.

So using a Yogurt Mask a couple of times a week will keep your skin healthy and glowing AND it is inexpensive and chemical free!

Try it and let me know what you think. What are your DIY skincare solutions?

Almond Cosmetics

One of the good things about not having to write about just one product is I get to write about a bunch o' products!
The first product I wanted to write about was created by fellow makeup artist, Jennifer Membreno. Almond Cosmetics was inspired by the beautiful brides that Jennifer makes camera ready on their most important day. 
"I wanted to create a line that was socially responsible and strive to increase levels of social responsibility in the products as the company grows."
I love supporting women who make it happen and I especially love supporting women who support other women. A portion of each lip gloss purchased is donated to Women for Afghan Women, a non-profit organization that supports the human rights of women and children in Afghanistan and New York.
So, back to the glosses--I love these glosses. I've been wearing Emma for the past few months. Emma is the perfect combo of peachy pinkness with a bit of shimmer. They are highly pigmented, yet very versatile-just changing my lip liner or layering over a lipstick creates a new look. Plus, the texture is perfect! Exactly what a gloss should be-slippery and shiny, never sticky.

 Now there are no almonds in the ingredients so anyone with a nut allergy, do not fear, they are safe for you to wear. 

Emma

Almond Cosmetics come in 10 delicious shades.

 They are paraben and cruelty free and have a light butterscotchy scent to them(at least Emma does). 

Visit almondcosmetics.com to purchase these gorgeous glosses and to view Jennifer's beautiful work. If you would like to donate to Women for Afghan Women, contact jen@almondcosmetics.com. Jennifer is also the founder of Almond Eyes Makeup Artistry.

The Makeup Show and Follow me on Instagram!



The Makeup Show was in town this weekend!

Kett Cosmetics

I love the Makeup Show! It is one stop shopping for the professional makeup artist, however anyone that loves makeup, would love the Makeup Show.

The beautiful thing about the Makeup Show is that it is an incredibly creative and inspiring atmosphere. You get to touch, feel, smell, use all of the professional products that you hear about and most everything is sold at a discount. You also can take advantage of really great free education, as there are a ton of lectures and demonstrations from top names in the industry.

The big fat con about the Makeup Show is it is so ridiculously crowded, it is near impossible to get even close to some of the booths, never mind actually purchase products without it becoming a full contact sport.

OCC Cosmetics

So all the usual suspects were there. All of the big name makeup companies as well as the well known pro lines.

 This is what I bought and I will write about each product individually as I use them. 

Bdellium Brushes

ZPalette for Lips

2 Mehron Palettes

4 Stilla Eye Palettes

Kevyn Aucoin Foundation

Ben Nye Powders

Adhesive Tape for Lashes

Also, I've been on Instagram for months and just started posting photos so FOLLOW ME!

jsavino333 or just hit the little button in the upper left hand corner!

I will try to post photos daily!

Thank You!

So as everyone knows, I started Little Goddess Cosmetics after my Wall Street Career came to an end. I was done trading stocks and all I wanted to do was play with makeup all day long. So I started my own company and created my own makeup line. I knew NOTHING about owning a business or building a website but I was going to go for it anyway. 

I have learned so much in the past 6 years while owning Little Goddess Cosmetics. I received a crash course in building a website, marketing, social media, chemistry and ingredients, and the cosmetics industry in general. I've learned a ton about makeup artistry and educating myself on different techniques, as well as the different genres of the industry. I've met many talented, passionate people who are trying to make a living in this industry and how important networking is.

With that being said, I have decided to close the doors at Little Goddess Cosmetics.

I would like to give a big, fat THANK YOU to everyone who has supported me over the past 6 years.

I truly appreciate it from the bottom of my heart. I am still going to keep writing this blog (hopefully much more than I have lately) and I will still be involved in the makeup industry as a makeup artist.

I am looking at this not as an ending, but as a new beginning and I am very excited about it!

Thank you all!
With love,
Jessica

When to Splurge, When to Save

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

Being a Glam Goddess can take a lot of time and a bit of money.

I find there are usually two types of women. Ones who will only use high end department store brands because they feel the more expensive the product is, the better it must be (so not true).

Then you have the women who will only use drugstore brands because she refuses to spend a lot on cosmetics.

I believe the perfect makeup collection will be a combination of the two.

So what should you splurge on and what should you save on?

If I were going to splurge on one item, it would be foundation. Although there are some decent drugstore brands, I feel you will get the most bang for your buck by spending a little more for the more elegant formulations and the wider range of color options. You also get to go to a counter and try all the colors and formulations, as well as have a trained sales person help match you up perfectly! (This applies to concealer as well)

Now there are a few items I would choose to save on if I were on a budget. The first would be mascara. There are plenty of drugstore brand mascaras that do a great job. The second item would be trendy eyeshadows. So maybe this fall the eyeshadow color that is all over the runways and a must have in every makeup artist kit is lime green with purple sparkle. I would bet you a dirty martini, that color will not be popular past December. So why spend $35.00 on it if you are only going to use it very sparingly over the next few months. Buy the $5.00 drugstore version and then toss it after it has served it's purpose.

So there you have it, my suggestions for saving and splurging! You can have the best of both worlds!

What do you splurge on?

Little Goddess Cosmetics

Sexy Bronze Eye

Just wanted to show you guys this sexy bronze look! Bronze eyes and bronzey skin!

I sometimes feel these looks don't translate as well on video as they do in person-this look looks a lot more goldy bronze in person than it does in the video! It was a cloudy day so maybe the lighting was off. Let me know what you think.

 If you like the videos, please give me a thumbs up and subscribe to my YouTube channel, it helps me out. Also, anyone that is not yet subscribed to this blog, please do! There is a link to the left that lets you subscribe easily! While we are at it, there is also a link to the left that lets you LIKE our Facebook page, so you may as well do that too!

Thanks from my heart!

Products Used:

• Superwear Gel Liner in Noir
• Topaz and Sandstone Mineral Shadows
• Cashmere and Volcanic Ash Mineral Matte Shadows
• Evergreen Eye Pencil
• Congo Bronzer
• Tulip Baked Blush
• Spicy Lip Liner
• Contessa Liptoxyl Sheer
• HD Mascara in Carbon
• Brow Shaper Kit in Light

CLICK HERE TO WATCH VIDEO!

All products available

 at

littlegoddesscosmetics.com

Ro Puchal Makeup Artist



Ro Puchal



Have you ever had a friend you know a long time but you don’t realize how long until you decide to write about them?

The first time I remember meeting Rosanne Puchal, I was around 15 years old and Ro opened a hair salon, Heavenly Hair Design, across the street from where I lived in Brooklyn, NY.

I remember going there and getting a funky, little spiky hair cut that made my very fine hair look like I had some body! Thinking back now, it was a kind of new wave mullet and I LOVED it (it was the 80’s)! I loved going to Ro’s salon not only for the awesome hair cuts but I really liked to listen to her no nonsense talk!

I have remained friends with Ro after all these years and she has been somewhat of a mentor, sharing information, encouragement and her experience with me in my own quest in the makeup world. She was one of my earliest supporters when I started Little Goddess Cosmetics and she has offered me guidance on my path to becoming a makeup artist.

Ro has worked as a cosmetologist since 1976 and as a makeup artist specializing in runway, print and bridal since 1981, after opening her salon. As well as doing hair, Ro would have makeup demonstrations at the salon, where she would apply makeup on a model, usually one of her customers or someone from the neighborhood, while giving instruction on what she was doing and I remember sitting in awe at how easily she took someone from average to truly beautiful.

She started doing professional makeup for television and film in 1987 after completing an intensive course in makeup artistry at the Joe Blasco Makeup School in Hollywood, California.

“I applied, tested and was accepted into IATSE 798 as a Journeyman in 1997. Before being accepted into the union, I worked non-union shows. I had taken as many classes as I could from any makeup artist willing to teach any aspect of the art.”

Although she is proficient in any and all styles of makeup, Beauty Makeup is her expertise.

“My favorite thing about being a makeup artist is the ability to completely change someone’s look, either for the better with beauty, or for the worst with character makeup. It is so rewarding when you see other people’s positive reaction to your work.”

She considers Academy and Emmy Award winning makeup artist, Mr. Dick Smith (Twilight Zone, Exorcist, Godfather, Amadeus), along with Rick Baker, Bill Corso and Ve Neill as some of her early inspirations.

“After seeing the Exorcist when it was released, I was intrigued by the makeup so much that I just had to know how it was done. It left such an impression on me, I had to sleep with the lights on! I still do!”

She had the pleasure of meeting her idol, Dick Smith, at a makeup trade show in Pasadena, CA.

“I told him that story. What a wonderful, giving man in addition to being the most talented makeup artist! He was incredibly kind to call me a few weeks after the show to answer a question I had for him. He sent me some of his personal notes. I’ll always be thankful for the opportunity to meet my idol and I’ll continue to be in awe of him. Thank you Mr. Smith!”

Ro was kind enough to take time out of her busy schedule and sit down to answer a few questions that will maybe inspire all of my fellow MUA who are trying to make it in this business.

Why did you want to become a makeup artist?
Becoming a makeup artist was the result of a strong desire to be an artist. I always (and still do!) wanted to be a fine artist.

Where do you find your inspiration?
I find inspiration from current trends in addition to classic looks made modern. I go on more "don'ts", meaning I pick apart what I think just doesn't work and try to make it better. I also see inspiration in nature.

Do you feel that it is necessary for someone to attend school to be successful in this field?
Any kind of professional training, including set etiquette, is a plus.

Was there a defining moment when you felt you had succeeded and achieved your goals?
Seeing your name in print or a screen credit on a reputable show is great validation that you have achieved professional recognition.

Another example of professional recognition happened to me while walking down the street. I had been on several seasons of Project Runway when someone stopped me and asked if I was one of the makeup artists from the show. I was surprised and amazed that someone would recognize me from the few seconds on camera. I have to admit, it did feel good.

Do you have any advice for an aspiring makeup artist? Where to start? What not to do? Any thoughts on professionalism?
In my opinion, schooling of any kind, is a plus not a necessity. Mentoring under someone with experience in the field you choose is also a very good classroom. Don't step on toes. Show up to work on time and prepared. Leave your personal life at home. Be respectful and courteous to each other. If there's something you are assigned and don't feel confident to do it, ask for help. Be prepared for a job by reading the script, researching the characters so there are no surprises once the show starts shooting.

Do you have a favorite makeup job that you have worked on?
My favorite makeup jobs didn’t have anything to do with a particular television show or movie. It has to do with the people in your department. You spend many hours on a set and getting along with your peers is very important. Team playing is a must. There have been some sets that were difficult, but all situations are good experiences. The television/film industry is wonderful. It’s far from glamorous and requires constant creativity on your part. An average day is about 12-15 hours. It’s hard, demanding work, but very rewarding.

Who is your all time favorite makeup artist?
I’ve been very fortunate to have worked with very talented, wonderful artists. One NY/LA based artist, Donyale McRae, has been very generous to me and always allows me to shine in my own light. It’s very rare when you work with a Department Head who gives you the credit before himself. Thank you to the most giving, talented makeup artist I call friend, Donyale!

Another incredibly talented makeup artist, CA based, who deserves recognition is Anne Turk. Anne and I know each other from attending Joe Blasco Makeup Center in Hollywood CA. Although, we don’t work together nearly as much as I would like, it has always been a great experience when we do. Thank you, to my west coast ‘sister’, Anne!

Do you have a favorite celebrity that you have worked on?
There have been many celebrities in my chair, but I can’t say I have a favorite. I’m just so grateful to do what I do on ANY face.

Who would make you star struck?
There really is no time to be star struck if you are on a professional shoot. Most actors chose to be treated like everyone else. They require privacy and quiet time to rehearse their lines.

Although, there were several times I can recall being in awe of multi-award winning actors. The first was a time at the beginning of my career when I was hired as a makeup artist for a benefit. I worked with Mr. Cliff Robertson who was so wonderful, complimentary and charming. The second was when I had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Dick van Dyke on the set of Diagnosis Murder while visiting a friend and colleague, Stacey Halax, who was one of the shows makeup artists. Mr. van Dyke was quite wonderful and engaging. He even sang and did a little two step for me. And lastly, Ms. Cloris Leachman, who I had the pleasure of working with on a TV pilot called "Hopewell". She paid me the highest compliment that any actor can bestow by saying she thought it was "the best she's ever looked". I was very surprised and grateful for the generous compliment.

What is your must have beauty item?
Q-tips! I love my Q-tips. Also, a really good concealer palette (I’m still in search of one I truly love). I also treat myself to fabulous makeup brushes by Hakuhodo.

If you had to invent a makeup product that does not exist what would it be?
I would have to say it would be realistic corrective colors, specifically, for under eye concealing, tattoo cover, blemish cover without it looking cakey or overdone. Maybe it's already on the market, but I haven't found it yet.

What is the number one mistake that women make when doing their makeup?
The #1 mistake women make is using too much….LESS IS MORE, especially as you age. Choosing the wrong colors is also a big no-no. Foundation color should blend into the skin flawlessly and without a line of demarcation. You can always pump up the color with a tiny bit of bronzer in the right places.

Any makeup trends that you want to predict?
Perfect skin. A lot less of everything, seems the way to go. Just clean, natural beauty.

What would you be doing if you were not a hair/makeup artist?
If I didn't work as a makeup artist, I would probably be doing something else in the creative arts. I never really thought about it since this is all I ever wanted to be.

To contact Ro:
rosannepuchal@gmail.com

Thank You Ro!

Little Goddess Cosmetics