Making Up With Your Makeup: Best Concealers for Oily Skin

Ashley Watts Beauty August 18, 2015

I know, I know. You're sitting there shaking your head in disappointment because it's been months since I've found time to another Making Up With Your Makeup post. Frankly, I've just been too busy with bookings. But I haven't forgotten Kelsey's burning questions about concealers, foundations, and powders. I decided in the last post to break it down by skin type, and even further, into types of coverage. Yes, I do think I am fancy enough to do that. I also think it's the easiest way to not write a blog post the size of a bible. Pst, it's probably also the best way for you guys to retain knowledge as well!

In this edition, we're going to focus on the concealers that I think are best for oily skin. The most important step is knowing what exactly an oily eye area , and whether or not these concealers are for you. Does your eyeliner/mascara slip under your eyes during the day leaving you to look like you've been crying? If you gently press underneath your eye does it feel hydrated? Moist? (Ew, that word is awful.) If you answered yes to these questions, you're in the right place!

Ashley Watts Makeup - Winston-Salem, NC Makeup Artist

Prime:
1. Benefit Stay, Don't Stray - Priming your skin is a step I cannot recommend enough. You get the best performance from your makeup when you use a primer, and seeing as your eye area is much different than the rest of your face it's important to choose a primer that targets your concerns! This product is a game changer for anyone with an oily eye area!

Conceal:
2. Benefit Boing! - Self Proclaimed "Industrial" strength concealer is full coverage and in a "putty" texture. The application is easy, and the color range is pretty great as well. With the consistency I'd recommend rubbing the concealer between your fingers or around the container before applying it to warm it up -- it will glide right on! (Medium/Full Coverage)

3. Mac Prolong Wear - This waterproof concealer is one of my favorite ones to use on any skin type but I think the performance on oily skin is absolutely incredible. I personally don't see much wear using this product during the day. I wish their shades went a little lighter because my ghostly complexion barely makes the cut. It claims to provide matte coverage for up to 15 hours, and I personally think it lives up to the claim. (Medium/Full Coverage)

4. Stila Perfecting Concealer - This semi-matte concealer offers great coverage but if you're looking for the "dewy in all the right ways" look, I highly recommend this product. It's very controllable, and easy to use. The color range is remarkable as well, and it lasts all day. You could really get light, medium, or full coverage out of this concealer. It's formula is the most buildable out of all the concealers I've suggested. (Buildable Coverage)

So there you have my top three concealers for an oily eye area. Now, there are some runner ups for me, so if these don't work for you, but you'd like some other options, I can certainly recommend more products for you. Also don't forget the priming step, it's the most important one out of all of them!

In the next edition, we'll be covering the perfect powders for oily skin. Thanks again to Kelsey Smith, who suggested this question! I hope this answers some of your questions.

Marshall's Beauty Find: Nars Debbie Harry Palette

Ashley Watts Beauty May 21, 2015

If you're a die-hard beauty addict like myself, you'll find yourself looking at the beauty department in every store you ever enter. I could spend hours romantically walking down the isles, looking for new products to add to my collection. Marshall's and TJ Maxx are one of my favorite places to hit, they've been known to have gems if you dig deep enough into their discounted shelves. I've gotten Kat Von D's Liquid Lipstick in Backstage Bambi, Adora, and Outlaw for a measly $6.99 USD. I've been fortunate to find her Christmas eyeliner set as well for a pretty affordable rate. I guess what I am trying to get at, is you can find some great brands hidden on those shelves waiting for someone who's got a knack for what a brand/product really is worth.

This week, I found myself roaming around the local Marshall's, mostly for a new laundry hamper, but who truly only goes directly to the item they need when there's tiny cat figurines to gawk at, and a beauty department filled with affordable rose soaps and oils? No one is strong enough to do that. I repeat, NO ONE. As I rounded the store a little discourage because I was leaving with said hamper, and that is all, I remembered that they have began putting makeup in their little "grab n go" type area. I looked at the E.L.F covered shelf, moving box, after box, of "smokey eye" palettes. Thinking Seriously? Am I about to walk out of this store with not one fun item? As I hung my head in disappointment, I just so happen to see a box laying under the gondola/fixture. I slide the sparkling box out from underneath, as I saw the ever famous Nars logo begin to appear.

©Ashley Watts - Winston-Salem, NC Makeup Arist

You betcha! I just found a unswatched, still in the box, Debbie Harry Eyes Palette from the Andy Warhol Christmas collection Nars released in 2012! The best part? It was on clearance for $8.00 USD! What a ridiculously good price for an incredible palette! I haven't gotten to really dive into playing this palette yet due to a bunch of really big, exciting things going on in my personal life. But I have swatched it, and can tell you the pigment pay off is quite nice. It's really amazing to me what items Marshall's end up having on their shelves. I highly suggest, if you're not utilizing this store for makeup deals, you start today!

Have you ever found any really great deals in the bargain bins? Any products you thought you'd never see there?

Know what you're paying for: Researching before booking

Ashley Watts Beauty May 3, 2015

In this day in age, finding a makeup artist is quite a challenge. There are so many different kinds of artists out there with different styles, ideas, and backgrounds. So how do you know which one is the right one for you?

Ashley Watts - Winston-Salem, NC based Makeup Artist

1. Knowing what makes an artist a professional. The term "professional" or "qualified" gets thrown around a lot in the industry. To some, picking up a brush belt is simply enough to use the title, like being professional is guaranteed. But it isn't always the case. Always ask for a list of credentials and references. I always recommend doing a quick Google search on your potential artist, I usually look at the first two pages and look for links from previous clients the artist might not post.
2. What training does the artist have? Always ask for an artist's educational background. Knowing whether they've completed training programs and hold certifications is a plus. There are many ways to get trained/certified/licensed. This is important if you're looking for someone who is certified for lash applications or airbrushing. Ask for proof of the education (degree, license, certification), don't be afraid to press for these items.
3. Do they have Insurance Coverage? It's important that your artist cares for your well being. Having an insurance policy that protects you, and them is very important. What would happen if you had a sensitivity to a certain product and needed medical attention? The artist should have insurance that will covers situations like that.
4. What's their business set-up? Do they have a website, business cards, portfolio? These items imply that they are serious about their business. Be iffy of an artist that has only low quality photos and a lot of makeup applications on themselves.
5. What's in their kit? Ask about OHS standards and whether or not they keep up with them and cycle their products out. Ask about brands, brush life, etc. We love talking about what's in our kits!
6. Dress/Attire: In the cosmetic industry, most artist will wear all black, professional type clothing that isn't too flashy. I could very well be too picky when it comes to this standard, but I believe all artist should have their armpits covered, and wear close-toed shoes at all points in time, as well as have groomed nails.

With that being said, I think each artist has their own style and personality so finding someone who's a great fit for your event is so important. Talk to your artist, ask for a meet up/consultation so you can see how well you guys get along. The perfect artist is out there for you!

GLOwing the business - A Bou-door into my career

Ashley Watts Beauty April 22, 2015

I've been working with Kira from Oh Betty Boudoir for almost a year now. I was fortunate enough to meet her during a fluke where all the Makeup Artist she frequented were unavailable. My friend Meg had shared an S.O.S post by Kira and I replied immediately. At the time I didn't have a website, or any recent work as I had been working only in the retail sector of cosmetics, but I applied anyways with what work I did have. I think back to that moment and realize how big of a risk she took on me, the girl with no portfolio sending random pictures of their work in Facebook messages. But, I am really glad she decided to welcome me into the studio.

Ashley Watts Makeup - Winston-Salem, NC Makeup Artist© Oh Betty Boudoir 2015 — Ashley Watts Makeup - Winston-Salem, NC Makeup Artist
© Oh Betty Boudoir 2015

Being a Makeup Artist in this area can be a challenge. There's not a lot of competition per say, as most professional/certified artist run in a small group, and we all typically enjoy the company of one another. We pass gigs along the other cannot complete, or we know would make a better fit. I really cannot complain about the so-called competition, I've been lucky enough to know many talented women who impress me every day with their unique, individual styles and methods. I think the challenging part of this industry comes from any "work for yourself" business. You're responsible for building/retaining your clientele, marketing your business/services, and staying up to date with trends(I survived #kyliejennerlip2015). It's a lot of work, and to be successful, you need to be dedicated and passionate about what your business model is, and preserving it.

When I met Kira, I was striking out on a new chapter of my career. I had just ended my job at Ulta as a Lead Prestige, and knew I wanted to focus on building my own business. Working with Oh Betty Boudoir has giving me the spark I needed to know I can do this full-time. There's so much positivity that comes into the the studio, it truly breathes life into my business and guides me farther down my path to success. I can't imagine ever taking the opportunity that Kira has give to me for granted, or the friendship that we've fallen into (Seriously. I guess sometimes, you don't even realize you've become more than "co-workers" and you've crossed the line into friendship!).

In March, my previous employee turned best friend (Am seeing a trend here?), Glo, was invited to model for Kira for a promotional video. Glo is also a Makeup Artist who serviced the Winston-Salem area, but unfortunately relocated back to Los Angeles, CA. She was looking to flourish her career even farther, or so she says, I believe it was to avoid the humidity North Carolina offers during the summer...but who am I to pass judgement? I remember how excited Glo was to finally get to meet Kira, and even more excited to get to experience what had pulled me away from retail and lit the fire in my soul for embracing beauty of all kinds. It was an empowering shoot to have 4 artists in the studio, all there to create something. I think we all learned a little bit from each other during the shoot, and left with a bond you can only get when creating something of artistic value together.

Sharing that experience, and the afterGLO of it all, really proves that I made the right choice in leaving behind the retail environment. I left confident in the experience I gained, the knowledge and tips I received from a great friend and colleague, ready to engulf myself in empowering women the same way I am always empowered at the Oh Betty Boudoir studio.