Interview With A Makeup Artist 2

January 5, 2009

In the previous article, Interview With A Makeup Artist 1, I introduced you to makeup artist Jenepher Reynolds. I never visit PEI without taking an opportunity to sit in her chair. It is always a great experience in beauty and learning. We chatted about makeup for women over 40 last summer. Here is the second half of our conversation.

Views on PEI's Confederation Trail.

6. The three most important products for women over 40?

JR: An eyelash curler !! Care to know the why? As we age, the lashes tend to fall and stick out rather straight from the edge of the lid, so from the front they become invisible. The eyelash curler lifts the hair up, which immediately counteracts gravity. It also exposes more of the white of the eye, which makes the eye look larger.

Secondly, smudged eyeliner. It defines and thickens the lashes, which is youthful. Where the line goes depends on the eye and the face.

Third is concealer in a yellow-orange-peach color. The light yellow-beige sold in most lines is too light and not very effective. If you think about color theory, orange cancels blue and yellow cancels purple. So since a lot of Caucasians are blue/purple under the eyes, it only makes sense to use a concealer with yellow and orange in it.

Also, a pimple is nowhere near the color under your eyes. It’s red. Green cancels red so for blemishes you need a concealer with a bit of green in it.(Not to the extent of an illusion toner). That can be a very difficult product to find but it counteracts redness and shadows better than any other.

I have several favorite concealers. One is made by Ben Nye (see the article Concealer : Ben Nye Neutralizer Crayon Should Be Famous) .

Long walks on windy beaches.

7. Any general color advice that applies to everyone?

JR: Nothing applies to everyone. You might reconsider if you are using deep, dark, or matte colors on lips. Lips are the only feature that can be big!! Darkness, especially if it’s dull and matte, is a minimizer.

I think a lot of people have experience with color whether it’s from decorating their house or buying clothes for themselves or someone else. Color theory is color theory. i.e. if you choose a color for your lips that is much darker and deeper than your skin and lip tone, there is high contrast which can be harsh, especially if it’s not blended. I mention this because so many women will not put any make-up on except lipstick and quite often a very deep lip color. All we see are the person’s lips.

This applies to eyes as well. Colors that contrast strongly with those naturally appearing on your face may appear harsh and that can be aging or unflattering.

Consider bronzer year-round, in a shade more golden than brown, for the soft light it brings.

No more dusty rose blush. That color is flattering on a small and select group of women. Peach/apricot/pink are more attractive on most fair/medium/dark Caucasian skin tones faces.

New Glasgow, PEI.

8. What are the differences between applying makeup on models and on real women?

JR: Women should understand that it takes several hours, professional lighting and photographers, and upwards of 100 – 250 pictures to get one good shot. Add to that hair and makeup people (often several of each) and models with training in how to pose. This is before we discuss computer retouching! It is insane for women to compare themselves to model photos. There is no comparison. Go have a look at the videos on the Dove site if you need an example.

What you will see of your kids - see the line of snorkels?

9. What did you learn from working in a plastic surgery milieu?

No matter how much money you have or how much work you get done, it doesn’t mean that you will be happy or satisfied with your looks. I know this also from my own experience with cosmetic surgery. Like your insides and the outside will reflect just that.

How's that for a carbon footprint?

10. You’ve worked with so many lines of cosmetics. Why did you choose to work with the AboutFace line?

JR: I answer this question on my website’s Cosmetics page. They rely on advisors within the industry, editors, chemists, and others. They do not test on animals.

I looked at many lines before I settled on this one. I felt it best addressed the needs of many women. I also appreciate that they are always adding new products.

Brackley Beach. A wee bit different in December.

11. Have you any reaction to how media tells women over 40 to feel about aging?

JR: The most common complaint I hear from mature women is “I look so old”. They’re trying to hide this spot or that one. Sure, they don’t look like they did when they were 17, but why accept that there’s something wrong with that?

Why try to hide yourself? Why not enhance what you do have? All the makeup in the world won’t hide poor eating habits, smoking, or an angry expression.

If cosmetic surgical procedures truly will make you feel better about yourself, then go ahead. It can make a huge difference in self-esteem. But it’s not for everyone. Growing enough to accept that we are no longer who we used to be on the inside, and seeing it as natural to reflect that on the outside, can satisfy most of us.

You can do preventative things to slow down aging, concentrating on the biggest aging factors. Those are sun, smoking, and stress, not necessarily in that order.

I’d like the beauty industry to stop using the term “anti-aging”. We start aging from the day we’re born. The focus should be on taking care of yourself inside and out. I have laugh lines that end in my hairline. I’d rather that than frown lines.

Hay bales and the ocean over the next hill.

Hay bales and the ocean always over the next hill.

Despite the oversight of having left out a visit to Jenepher’s studio, which I’m certain will be corrected in the next issue, the ultimate Book of Musts : The 101 Places Every Islander MUST See is absolutely unequalled for letting you in on what to REALLY do in PEI. (here it is at Amazon). I’d like to tell you it’s sunny and hot all summer but that might be an overstatement. With this book in hand, you’ll have a fantastic time, even if you’re at Value Village buying fleece.

Without it, you might not find the best Montreal bagels and Thai food. You might not know that 6AM and 9PM are the best times to be on the North Shore beaches. Pick the strawberries on Tea Hill so you can stand up and gaze out at the ocean. Cross country ski at Brookvale and you’ll feel entirely at peace.

PEI Book Of Musts.

Go to the Island but don’t go without this reference. The more kids you bring, the better you’ll like it.

Go without kids and take the forest walks at Bubbling Springs or Lover’s Lane at Green Gables.

So much more than a sub-Arctic sandbar and the home of Anne of Green Gables. Any water sport you can name. Fantastic food. Incredible shopping. Oh, it goes on and on.