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How often do you clean your silverware?

A client asked, ‘How often do I need to clean my brushes?’.

My knee jerk response was ‘as often as you clean your silverware’.

At first glance, this felt like a ‘smart donkey’ answer.

However upon retrospect, the analogy felt accurate. 

Someone once told me,  “I know it’s time to clean my brushes when I start breaking out”.

I am chuckling as I write this because it’s at least good to have a system to know when to clean your brushes.

However if you know that the results of not cleaning your brushes is skin irritation perhaps you might want to do it a little sooner. (still a smart donkey)

side note- Cleaning brushes is fast and easy so please don’t sigh and think who has the time. After reading this you will want to clean your brushes and I will share the 2 best methods I know.

Here are my best reasons for keeping makeup brushes clean

• Every time our brush touches our skin it picks up some oils and with that bacteria.
• Left to its own devices, bacteria will continue to grow in our brush.
• The next day we use that brush, we brush that growing bacteria onto our skin while adding new oils/bacteria to our brush.
• This cycle continues and accelerates until we put a stop to it.
• Bacteria quickly breaks down the integrity of the brush hairs and the brush becomes unmanageable.
• Skin oil ‘glazes’ (a layer of congealed oil) our makeup and makes it difficult to pick up with our brush.*
• Bacteria breaks down our makeup product and diminishes its quality.

Brush Cleaning methods

1- Quick Dry Brush Cleaner (after each use)

2- Shampoo (suggested weekly if using brushes daily)

1- Quick Dry Brush Cleaner (after each use)

-Problem-

Shampooing my brushes everyday takes time and they take forever to dry.

-Solution-

Quick Dry Brush Cleaner

For brushes used with dry product (eyeshadow, powder etc.)

Spray a tissue or paper towel and swirl the brush hairs vigorously on the paper towel.

Brushes are ready to use in 5-10 seconds.

Also ideal for using the same brush for different colors during the same application.

For brushes used with wet product (foundation, cream corrector/concealer etc.)

Wet product requires deeper cleansing, Spray brush hairs directly and swirl the brush hairs vigorously on the paper towel.

Quick Dry Brush Cleaner Special

Buy the 16 oz. economy refill Quick Dry Brush Cleaner
and get a 2 oz. travel size as our gift.

Watch Complete Quick Dry Brush Clean Video

2- Shampoo (suggested weekly if using brushes daily)

-Problem-

What shampoo do I use?

-Solution-

Pantene shampoo & conditioner in one.

Back Story

When I first started working with beauty makeup I truly knew very little on the subject.

Very early in my makeup career when I was representing Chanel a peer asked me how I clean your brushes?

My response was ‘clean your brushes’?.  I never have. She look cross-eyed at me.

I did a little research and it was suggested to clean my brushes with gentle shampoo.

I said what the heck I’ll give it a try.

I half-filled my sink with some warm water and mixed in some gentle shampoo.

I plunged my brushes hair first into the water and to my shock the water turned immediately a deep purple Grey.

As I swished the brush hairs in the water it just turned almost a grey black.

I drained the water and did it again and this time the result was only a light grey so I thought this must be doing something.

After the second wash I rinsed out the brushes. I then squeezed out excess water and let the brushes sit on my bathroom counter with the hair hanging over the edge of the counter to air-dry.

The next day I was blown away how beautifully and softly my brushes applied makeup.

Above is how I suggest you shampoo your brushes.

Watch Complete Brush Shampoo Video

Why Pantene Shampoo & Conditioner in one?

It effectively and thoroughly cleans your brushes while maintaining just the right amount of conditioning to keep brush hairs supple.

A common recommendation for brush shampoo is baby shampoo. I do not recommend this. It is too drying. The idea of a gentle baby shampoo sounds harmless, but it will dry brush hairs and make them brittle. An internet answer to this issue is mixing a little olive oil with baby shampoo. The oil is meant to provide a little conditioning for the hairs of the brush.

I strongly urge you to not follow this recipe.

Olive oil and really almost any kind of household oil molecule is too big for your brush hairs. What happens is the oil gets into the hair but very difficult to take out without completely stripping the integrity of the brush hairs.

The brush becomes somewhat limp and heavy and loses all of its life and playfulness when applying makeup.

Conclusion

My New Year’s resolution wish for you is to treat your makeup brush hygiene the same as your silverware.

Your makeup will go on better.

Your brushes will last longer.

Your makeup will last longer.

Your skin will be happy.

Warmly,
Chris Scott
5th of January, 2017
Happy New Year

You may book new appointments now by clicking here.
http://makeup-gourmet.genbook.com

*If you find that makeup is not picking up on your brush well due to glazing, I suggest using a table knife and very gently scraping off just a very thin top surface of your product. What you are doing is removing the glaze from the congealed oils from your skin that have settled on the top of your makeup. By doing this you refresh your makeup so that it is clean once again and much more easy to use. It will also extend the life of your product.

CHRIS SCOTT, M.A. is the creator of San Francisco-based Makeup Gourmet®. Over his nearly 30-year career, in addition to doing makeup for top models from every corner of the planet, he also had the honor of working for legends like Paul McCartney, US Vice President Al Gore, Shirley Temple Black, Maya Angelou and Olympic Gold medalists Oksana Baiul and Kristi Yamaguchi. He was the creator and host of the TV show ‘Makeup Gourmet’ from 2008 – 2010. He was a leading Chanel Beauté national artist for over two decades, and is also the creator and guest teacher of Fashion Makeup at the Academy of Art University in San Francisco. He created his unique Makeup Gourmet line to ensure his clients and the public could have access to high-quality, ethically produced, ‘green’ makeup and skincare with a low-carbon footprint. Chris is also the author of Cosmetic Counter Survival Guide: How to Buy the Right Skin Care and Makeup and the international #1 bestseller Face with a Heart: Mastering Authentic Beauty Makeup.

‘The grass is always greener where you water it.’
CS

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The good news is Makeup Gourmet is all moved and savoring its new location. 

Along with the move came unexpected innovations.

The first is new lighting. I am sharing this in the spirit that if you ever wanted better (oh, let’s just say ideal) lighting at home and not sure how to achieve it, read on.

Although I was always pleased with the ‘Hollywood’ style lights I used in my previous studio, they do not fit the look of my new studio.

I also want more true daylight light as well as energy efficient and not hot lights. All of which my previous lights were not.

It was funny to research this online as so many bloggers said “The best light is natural light”. Well yeah, however, how does one simulate this in an in indoor setting.

Side note. My new studio has a west facing window and if natural light is requested, it is available.

The light source most often mentioned as being clean, true light, energy efficient and not hot is LED light.

After searching and pricing expensive pre-made options, I decided to make my own.

I want to tell you this because it is so simple and so very awesome.

I am using countertop strip lights. These are the lights that are attached to the underside of cupboards and light up kitchen counters in that cool indirect way.

I searched and found these discreet LED strip lights at IKEA.

I put one strip on each side of the mirror and…

Voila!

There are 3 components to order from IKEA online.

The light strips come in three sizes: 15, 18, and 24 inches and range from $35-$45 depending on the length. Click Here to see lights at IKEA.

The other 2 things you need are one power cord ($5) and one electrical transformer ($12 – $30).

The math you need to do is pick a transformer that handles the full wattage of the lights.

I chose the 24 inch lights which use 10 watts each. Because of this, I got the transformer that can handle up to 30 watts and plugged 3 lights into one transformer.

Installation was easy. Screw 2 screws that hold the plastic support plate and then press/snap the light into the plastic support plate.

Next plug each light into the transformer.

Plug the electrical cord into the transformer and a light socket.

The cord comes with a handy switch on it to easily turn on/off the lights.

The light is so clean and balanced you will always be able to see yourself more clearly and thus most precisely achieve the finish you want with every makeup application.

I invite everyone to come and see my new location.

If you mention this post, I will give you a 15% reduction in the full service price and you will still receive a 15% reduction in all product purchases at time of service.
This is a stand-alone offer and may not be combined with any other offer/promotion/coupon. Thank you. 

You may book new appointments now by clicking here.
http://makeup-gourmet.genbook.com

Warmly,
Chris Scott
5th of October, 2016

CHRIS SCOTT, M.A. is the creator of San Francisco-based Makeup Gourmet®. Over his nearly 30-year career, in addition to doing makeup for top models from every corner of the planet, he also had the honor of working for legends like Paul McCartney, US Vice President Al Gore, Shirley Temple Black, Maya Angelou and Olympic Gold medalists Oksana Baiul and Kristi Yamaguchi. He was the creator and host of the TV show ‘Makeup Gourmet’ from 2008 – 2010. He was a leading Chanel Beauté national artist for over two decades, and is also the creator and guest teacher of Fashion Makeup at the Academy of Art University in San Francisco. He created his unique Makeup Gourmet line to ensure his clients and the public could have access to high-quality, ethically produced, ‘green’ makeup and skincare with a low-carbon footprint. Chris is also the author of Cosmetic Counter Survival Guide: How to Buy the Right Skin Care and Makeup and the international #1 bestseller Face with a Heart: Mastering Authentic Beauty Makeup.

‘The grass is always greener where you water it.’
CS

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Credit Where Credit is Due

High five’s for all of your help while we move.

As a bonus thank you, I am adding one more use per customer of the movinghelp22 discount code.

Please use and share this Moving Sale 22% Cart Discount Code movinghelp22  with Olympic intensity.  

This is truly the greatest moving help you can offer.

The code for the 22% cart discount is:

movinghelp22

It is good for the entire cart regardless of size except for already featured sale items. If you happen to put a sale item into the cart, the code will not work. Simply delete the featured sale item from the cart and the code will work.
Code is now good for 2 rounds of moving help shopping.

Here is a blank-slate sneak-peek of the new
Makeup Gourmet Studio

We will reopen September 6, 2016

You may book new appointments now by clicking here.
http://makeup-gourmet.genbook.com

Thank you for your continued support!

Warmly,
Chris Scott
25th of August, 2016

CHRIS SCOTT, M.A. is the creator of San Francisco-based Makeup Gourmet®. Over his nearly 30-year career, in addition to doing makeup for top models from every corner of the planet, he also had the honor of working for legends like Paul McCartney, US Vice President Al Gore, Shirley Temple Black, Maya Angelou and Olympic Gold medalists Oksana Baiul and Kristi Yamaguchi. He was the creator and host of the TV show ‘Makeup Gourmet’ from 2008 – 2010. He was a leading Chanel Beauté national artist for over two decades, and is also the creator and guest teacher of Fashion Makeup at the Academy of Art University in San Francisco. He created his unique Makeup Gourmet line to ensure his clients and the public could have access to high-quality, ethically produced, ‘green’ makeup and skincare with a low-carbon footprint. Chris is also the author of Cosmetic Counter Survival Guide: How to Buy the Right Skin Care and Makeup and the international #1 bestseller Face with a Heart: Mastering Authentic Beauty Makeup.

‘The grass is always greener where you water it.’
CS

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“Now please stop oozing out – get out.”

Have you ever wanted to say this to someone who, while announcing their departure, finds every reason to stay?

The Character Sheridan Whiteside says this from the play, The Man Who Came To Dinner, by George S. Kaufman and Moss Hart.

Makeup Gourmet has been ‘oozing out ‘ the last 6 months announcing relocation and all the while staying put.

Our search is over and now we need your help during our move.

You can help us greatly by taking advantage of our ‘movinghelp22‘ 22% cart discount during our move.

The code for the 22% cart discount is:

movinghelp22 

Offer expires after Labor Day September 5 2016

It is good for the entire cart regardless of size except for already featured sale items. If you happen to put a sale item into the cart, the code will not work. Simply delete the featured sale item from the cart and the code will work.

Please Note: this is a one per customer code so please fill your cart accordingly. Users are identified by email during checkout.

We will take appointments through Saturday August 20th and then reopen Wednesday September 7, 2016 in our new San Francisco location.

Using and sharing this Moving Sale 22% Cart Discount Code movinghelp22 with wild abandon will be the greatest moving help you can offer while we are closed for the move.

Thank you for your help!

Warmly,
Chris Scott

8th of August, 2016

CHRIS SCOTT, M.A. is the creator of San Francisco-based Makeup Gourmet®. Over his nearly 30-year career, in addition to doing makeup for top models from every corner of the planet, he also had the honor of working for legends like Paul McCartney, US Vice President Al Gore, Shirley Temple Black, Maya Angelou and Olympic Gold medalists Oksana Baiul and Kristi Yamaguchi. He was the creator and host of the TV show ‘Makeup Gourmet’ from 2008 – 2010. He was a leading Chanel Beauté national artist for over two decades, and is also the creator and guest teacher of Fashion Makeup at the Academy of Art University in San Francisco. He created his unique Makeup Gourmet line to ensure his clients and the public could have access to high-quality, ethically produced, ‘green’ makeup and skincare with a low-carbon footprint. Chris is also the author of Cosmetic Counter Survival Guide: How to Buy the Right Skin Care and Makeup and the international #1 bestseller Face with a Heart: Mastering Authentic Beauty Makeup.

‘The grass is always greener where you water it.’
CS

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Makeup Gourmet Chris Scott’s  series of how-to video tutorials based on his #1 international best seller
Face with a Heart Mastering Authentic Beauty Makeup

Blush. A Flush of Color.

Blush needs to appear as if your skin is manufacturing that color, not wearing it.

In order to do that, it is essential to examine how a natural blushing of the skin appears.

To my eye there is a surge of color in the skin that grows more intense as it moves toward the center of the face.

For both cream and powder blush, here are full-proof techniques to achieve a flawless flush of color.

Cream Blush

• Put cream blush on tip of middle finger

• Make 3 dots along the cheekbone in the exact same places described in the powder blush section and in the same order.

• By default, the first dot will have more color and the consequent dots will have less as the amount of cream blush lessens with each dot.

• Starting at the first dot closest to the heart line and with a clean finger, use the palm side of your finger and blend blush by working in a circular motion.

• Slowly work back to the hair line.

• This technique shall disperse the cream blush evenly and smoothly.

For skin that tends to absorb cheek color rapidly, it is suggested to layer the cream and powder blush.

In this scenario, apply the cream blush first and the powder blush over the cream blush using the exact application techniques as described above.

Cream Blush Video Tutorial

Powder blush: 3-2-1

• Pat the tip of the blush brush on to the blush color.

• Tap off the excess

• Smile or ask model to smile.

• The part of the cheek that rises up the most is where the first blush is applied. We call this the ‘energy’ of the cheek (this area is often called the apple of the cheek. As this placement is more precise, the energy of the cheek is preferred.) This means the place where the face moves the most in the cheek area.

• For placement, the first blush application goes along and outside the heart line in the energy of the cheek. This will further define and enhance the heart of the face.

• In a systematic fashion, pat the brush 3 times in the energy of the cheek.

• Now move up to the center of the cheekbone just along the top side of the contour application and pat 2 times.

• Next move back a little more towards the hairline and pat 1 time.

• Repeat this on the other side of the face.

Go back and forth from cheek to cheek until the desired intensity and balance is met.

Powder Blush Video Tutorial

How blush Contours

By strategically placing blush just outside the heart line, the brightness of the interior of the heart is enhanced in contrast to the blush just outside it.

As long as blush is outside the heart line, it will not compete with the eyes and lips and become a distraction.

This is good news for those who really like their blush. By using the 3-2-1 powder blush method, the result always appears natural to the skin and you can get away with a substantial amount of blush without throwing off the balance of your look.

Click her for the Makeup Gourmet complete range of cheek and contour products.

This contour series will feature the following topics.

Part 1: The heart is off limits.

Part 2: Finding and enhancing your cheekbones.

Part 3: Bronzer & how it applies to contouring.

Part 4: Blush. A Flush of Color.

————————————————————–

Face with a Heart is a clear and precise method to apply your makeup specifically. It clarifies all your questions about what goes where and why.

If you want to look specifically good without ever being overdone, Face with a Heart Mastering Authentic Beauty Makeup will  show you the way. Along with the book, there are online videos to visualize the application so you too may master your makeup!

A complimentary e-book comes with every
paperback purchase from Amazon.

Note: This series of video tutorials is organized in a specific order of application. It is not necessary to do every step when you do your makeup but I do suggest you follow the order of the videos and skip the steps that don’t apply to you.

Please let me know if this blog was of value to you and share your own Authentic Beauty Makeup tips in the comments box below. I would love to hear how you get on trying this new method of makeup application – tell me how useful you find the tutorials and how you found the results. You can also use the comments box to tell me what interests and concerns you when it comes to which makeup colors to choose. Please let me know so I can fashion future blogs that are relevant and interesting to you.

Want to know more? My new book, Face with a Heart: Mastering Authentic Beauty Makeup is available on Amazon now.

Warmly,
Chris Scott

3rd of August, 2016

CHRIS SCOTT, M.A. is the creator of San Francisco-based Makeup Gourmet®. Over his nearly 30-year career, in addition to doing makeup for top models from every corner of the planet, he also had the honor of working for legends like Paul McCartney, US Vice President Al Gore, Shirley Temple Black, Maya Angelou and Olympic Gold medalists Oksana Baiul and Kristi Yamaguchi. He was the creator and host of the TV show ‘Makeup Gourmet’ from 2008 – 2010. He was a leading Chanel Beauté national artist for over two decades, and is also the creator and guest teacher of Fashion Makeup at the Academy of Art University in San Francisco. He created his unique Makeup Gourmet line to ensure his clients and the public could have access to high-quality, ethically produced, ‘green’ makeup and skincare with a low-carbon footprint. Chris is also the author of Cosmetic Counter Survival Guide: How to Buy the Right Skin Care and Makeup and the international #1 bestseller Face with a Heart: Mastering Authentic Beauty Makeup.

‘The grass is always greener where you water it.’
CS

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Makeup Gourmet Chris Scott’s  series of how-to video tutorials based on his #1 international best seller
Face with a Heart Mastering Authentic Beauty Makeup

Bronzer

Bronzer further redefines the shape of the face while adding a ‘first sun’ look.

‘First sun’ means that color you start to notice on your skin soon after being in the sun.

Bronzer can mimic the appearance of a tan without ever being obvious. This means it works for those who tan naturally to those who never tan (do not allow skin to see sun) or are unable to tan (sun exposure goes straight to a red burn).

To know where to apply bronzer, look in the mirror and lift your chin up. Where you see light wrap on your face first is where you will naturally tan first.

These areas that get light first are primarily the crown of the forehead and the shelf of the cheekbone. Secondarily light strikes the bridge of nose and chin.

Apply bronzer the same way, primarily on crown of the forehead and the shelf of the cheekbone. Then apply secondarily (meaning half as much) on the bridge of nose and chin.

By wrapping bronzer around the forehead and onto the shelf of the cheekbone, the areas within the heart of the face appear brighter and lighter. Beyond bronzer looking pretty on its own, this added dimension to the face is helpful for those who want to lessen the appearance of a high forehead and/or a round face.

Bronzer is effective and appropriate for any age and ethnicity.

Just for sheer contrast, bronzer is effective for most skin tones except for medium-dark to dark skin tones. For these skin tones, using a highlight product rather than bronzer will have a nice contrasting effect.

Which Bronzing Product Do I Use?

Makeup Gourmet of course.

The shade is called sunkissed and imparts a perfect balance of warm and cool tones to blend flawlessly with your skin.

Here is a video demonstrating bronzing powder application.

The videos are a complimentary resource created by Makeup Gourmet.

Face with a Heart is a clear and precise method to apply your makeup specifically. It clarifies all your questions about what goes where and why.

If you want to look specifically good without ever being overdone, Face with a Heart Mastering Authentic Beauty Makeup will  show you the way. Along with the book, there are online videos to visualize the application so you too may master your makeup!

A complimentary e-book comes with every
paperback purchase from Amazon.

This contour series will feature the following topics.

Part one: The heart is off limits.

Part two: Finding and enhancing your cheekbones.

Part Three: Bronzer & how it applies to contouring.

Part 4: Blush- A happy pill for the face.

Note: This series of video tutorials is organized in a specific order of application. It is not necessary to do every step when you do your makeup but I do suggest you follow the order of the videos and skip the steps that don’t apply to you.

Please let me know if this blog was of value to you and share your own Authentic Beauty Makeup tips in the comments box below. I would love to hear how you get on trying this new method of makeup application – tell me how useful you find the tutorials and how you found the results. You can also use the comments box to tell me what interests and concerns you when it comes to which makeup colors to choose. Please let me know so I can fashion future blogs that are relevant and interesting to you.

Want to know more? My new book, Face with a Heart: Mastering Authentic Beauty Makeup is available on Amazon now.

Warmly,
Chris Scott

27th of July,  2016

CHRIS SCOTT, M.A. is the creator of San Francisco-based Makeup Gourmet®. Over his nearly 30-year career, in addition to doing makeup for top models from every corner of the planet, he also had the honor of working for legends like Paul McCartney, US Vice President Al Gore, Shirley Temple Black, Maya Angelou and Olympic Gold medalists Oksana Baiul and Kristi Yamaguchi. He was the creator and host of the TV show ‘Makeup Gourmet’ from 2008 – 2010. He was a leading Chanel Beauté national artist for over two decades, and is also the creator and guest teacher of Fashion Makeup at the Academy of Art University in San Francisco. He created his unique Makeup Gourmet line to ensure his clients and the public could have access to high-quality, ethically produced, ‘green’ makeup and skincare with a low-carbon footprint. Chris is also the author of Cosmetic Counter Survival Guide: How to Buy the Right Skin Care and Makeup and the international #1 bestseller Face with a Heart: Mastering Authentic Beauty Makeup.

‘The grass is always greener where you water it.’
CS