Friday, September 27, 2013

ELLIS FAAS - by Melissa Street





Ellis Faas has always had an eye for fashion, even as a young girl in the Netherlands she would plaster her bedroom walls with images from Vogue magazine and would sometimes make her own clothes!

She began her career as a photographer working with Serge Lutens, where she would often be used as the model and she would completely transform herself with makeup. As time passed, she grew to dislike the technical side of photography and she decided to develop her new passion for makeup.

She headed to Paris where she trained in makeup and special effects at Christian Chauveau’s Technical School of Artistic Makeup. She returned to the Netherlands after graduating and began to work for various fashion magazines and on a few movies. She moved to London in search of more creative challenges. There she used her talents and training in special effects by imitating skin diseases for medical advertisements.

When the great Mario Testino discovered her, a collaboration was born and Ellis would soon be traveling with Testino to Paris, New York and Los Angeles.  Through Mr. Testino she would meet fashion editor, Emmanuelle Alt, who would then introduce her to Karl Lagerfeld.

Ellis has worked for brands such as Clinique, LancĂ´me and MAC Cosmetics, and she was commissioned by L’Oreal to create a line of makeup for the brand Biotherm. When her contract ended with L’Oreal in 2007, she went on to create her own brand: ELLIS FAAS.




The Human Colors Collection from ELLIS FAAS is a big favorite of mine. I absolutely agree with Cate Blanchett’s explanation of the line…”The line of ELLIS FAAS is based on the colors that the body produces naturally. The important thing is finding the balance between the tone of the skin and the shades of makeup you choose.”



This collection is filled with tawny peach, pure freckle tones and vivid blood red like that which pulses through your veins! Faas used human beings as a universal spectrum, so the colors in this range complement all skin tones.

“Only tested on Super Models and never on animals,” the ELLIS FAAS brand is also exclusively manufactured in Europe, this means that the ingredients within the ELLIS FAAS line are also never tested on animals!

Another remarkable thing about this line is their packaging! The product itself is in a “pen” form with dial up technology. A few clicks and the product is dispensed out of either brush or doe-foot applicators. To store your “pens” ELLIS FAAS sells a “holder,” which can fit a maximum of six normal pens, along with one foundation pen and a compact powder. You can also clean the sponge or brush applicators with a little bit of soft soap, which is recommended by the company for hygiene purposes and to prevent the applicators from clogging. For more information please visit the ELLIS FAAS FAQ Page on their website.



My favorite products from this line are: Creamy Lips L101 “Ellis Red."






Creamy Eyes collection.



Eyeliner E501 Black and Mascara E401 Black.




It is the brand I use both personally and professionally. The ELLIS FAAS collection can be hard to find. I get mine online from the company directly or from Sephora.com http://www.sephora.com/ellis-faas.


Friday, May 24, 2013

Keep Your Actor's Skin Bright and Beautiful!



Makeup Artist and Esthetician, Michelle Garbin, is the creator of the skincare line Vivid M.D. Skincare, which she formulated for her actors/actresses because she wanted to help protect their skin on those long production days.



Michelle is currently the Key Makeup Artist on the show Son's of Anarchy, which requires the actors to wear beauty and F/X makeup. Vivid M.D. Skincare is the product that Michelle uses to prep her actor's skin and to remove all their makeup at the end of the day...even F/X makeup and fake blood!

Let's face it...in today's world of HDTV the camera sees everything so this product line is a perfect addition to a professional makeup artist's kit! Vivid M.D. Skincare was developed under the direction of highly respected Dermatologists and Estheticians to create a unique line that will both instantly improve the skins appearance, as well as renew and repair damaged skin conditions.

This product line will help with hydration issues, slow down the aging process, balance the skin's pH levels, control bacteria, remove dead skin cells and soften the skin while reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. It will also help minimize skin discoloration, blemishes, pores and lighten, brighten and tighten the skin!

We were recently gifted the  Vivid M.D. Skincare Travel Kit that included the following products and a few other samples from the line:

Satin Cleanser
Clear Skin Toner
Micro Dermabrasion Cream
Perfection C
Balancing Moisture Cream

Our favorite products so far are the cleanser, toner and serum! Satin Cleanser is so gentle and removes every trace of makeup and dirt from the skin! It is even safe to use as an eye makeup remover!


Men love it too because it works incredible for shaving the face! It leaves the skin feeling smooth because it is packed with ingredients like Mango Butter, Chamomile Extract, Vanilla Essential Oil and Almond Butter. Check out the cool behind-the-scenes photo below from inside the Son's of Anarchy makeup trailer!



The Clear Skin Toner has the right amount of AHAs and BHAs to keep skin acne-free and minimize pores, but it won't leave your skin feeling tight and dry! If your skin is super sensitive then you can dilute this product with purified water.



The Perfection C serum is a rich skin rejuvenator that enhances hydration and is packed with healthy Vitamin C. Slather this product over face, neck, chest, eye and lip areas and allow to penetrate. You will notice a huge difference if your skin is dry and sun-damaged!



So give your actors a treat after a long day on set and offer to remove their makeup, treat their skin and send them home feeling great! They will thank you for it and in the long run...you will thank yourself because their skin will have less issues that you will have to hide with makeup!

You must check out the video below which shows Michelle demonstrating how to care of your actor's skin!



You can purchase Vivid M.D. Skincare from several retail establishments or online at www.vividmdskincare.com or call toll free (866) 50-V.I.V.I.D.




Thursday, May 16, 2013

Celebrating Crystal Hamilton and her newest Paw Palettes


Hi guys! It's Kim and Melissa and we really want to celebrate pro artists who have created their own products or product lines. Today's post is about Crystal Hamilton, a makeup artist based in Santa Monica, California and her wonderful makeup tool the Paw Palette.  
Crystal Hamilton - Designer of The Paw Palette
You'll see her palette on most sets these days and featured in lots of Youtube videos including many on our own Greene Street Beauty's channel. 
The Paw Palette featured on Kandee Johnson and Greene Street Beauty's Youtube Channels
Crystal, is a friend of ours so we know first hand that she is an effervescent person with a unique and fun style so it's no surprise that her designs are too. 
The Paw Palette 
Crystal originally designed the Paw Palette for herself based on a need to be hygenic and not just put makeup on the back of her hand. "I had always seen makeup artists on TV use the back of their hand to apply makeup, because it’s easier and faster [than traditional palettes]. But when I went to makeup school, they said, ‘You can’t do that, that’s a no-no.’ You can wash your hands and scrub them all you want, but when you’re working on different models you need to practice safe, sanitary habits. So I had to figure out a way to get that back. I figured there must be something like that out there, but I was searching and searching and I couldn’t find a palette like that anywhere."*
Crystal has taken her designs a step further with these really fun Paw Palette rings. 
The Paw Palette ring comes in many styles including these.

She recently came out with magnatized palettes too. Great idea! 
Magnetic Paw Palette
Crystal is in the process of creating new products and we will keep you posted as they become a reality. We are sure they will be both creative and fun, just like Crystal.

Subscribe to our blog! xo, Kim and Melissa 


Friday, May 10, 2013

Playtime with Jouer Cosmetics!






Jouer Cosmetics is a relatively new product line, but it has taken the beauty industry and Hollywood by storm! Christina Zilber is the Founder and Creative Director of Jouer, which means “to play” in French and when she developed the line she wanted to get across the message that “makeup should be fun and playful and not so serious!”



We first came across Jouer Cosmetics when their rep sent Kim their award winning Tinted Moisturizer. At the time, Kim was working on a film and decided to use the product on one of her male actors.  She loved how it covered skin imperfections, as well as protected her actor’s skin from sun damage during the exterior film scenes.  Kim then introduced the line to Melissa who has used it on all her NBC news correspondents and reporters.



The Tinted Moisturizer comes in a “matte” and “luminizing” formulation to meet your personal needs and is great for all types of skin textures. It goes on smooth and blends into the skin flawlessly.  When you are filming on HD it is imperative that makeup look as natural as possible, so you can be sure that if professional makeup artists are carrying this line in their pro kits, that the beauty consumer will love it too!

Jouer Cosmetics has an extensive line of products and we love everything, however we want to point out a product in their range that really impressed us…their Cheek Tints. These creamy blushes can be applied with your finger, brush or sponge and are packed with pigmentation, so a little goes a very long way. They create a gorgeous, natural flush to the cheek, come in a variety of colors that will look amazing on any skin tone and you can use these tints on your lips to create a lip stain that will last throughout the day!



Also, we want to direct your attention to Jouer’s incredible and unique packaging, which allows the consumer or professional to “click” together products and create a personalized palette filled with beautiful color. This is such a great idea for taking your makeup along with you when you need a quick touch-up or if you want to change your look from day to night.



Jouer Cosmetics can be found retail at Nordstrom or you can purchase online via their website www.jouercomsetics.com.

Thursday, May 2, 2013

Get The Perfect Brow with Eugenia Weston and Senna


Greene Street Beauty "Get the perfect brow with Eugenia Weston and Senna Cosmetics"

We are huge fans of Senna Cosmetics. Not just because the products are amazing but because we love +Eugenia Weston. She is one of those people that when you see her you automatically get a smile on your face. She is the brow expert of all brow experts and her eye brow products are fantastic. 

We are picking 2 products from Senna's vast collection to chat about. One is perfect for the Pro Artist and one can work for both the Pro and the Beauty Enthusiast. 

For the professional artist: The Brow Book. 
With the 9 brow powder colors you can match any brow and skin tone. There's a Browlite soft matte highlighter that defines the brow line and accents the arch and a Brow Pomade that adds texture, fullness and is perfect for creating faux brow hairs. You even get an Educational Brow Book with dictionary and expert tools, tips, and techniques for mastering the Art of Brows, written by Eugenia Weston. Just look at those beautiful colors! 

The Brow Book

Senna's Form-A-Brow is perfect for both the Pro Artist and the Beauty Enthusiast. The 3 color kits come in Ash Blonde, Neutral and Dark. It also comes with 4 brow stencils so you can choose the style that fits your face best. 
Form A Brow

Eugenia Weston and Sennas': 8 STEPS TO THE SCULPTED CLASSIC BROW.
The Senna signature brow shape defies trends and creates a flattering frame for every face shape. Use the straight handle of a brush as a guide and mark key brow points lightly with powder color.

  • 1. Place a dot directly above the tear duct of each eye to mark where brow begins.
  • 2. Mark a dot directly above the end of the iris to indicate the arch point.
  • 3. Dot the end of the brow at a direct angle from the end of the nostril to the outer edge of the eye.
  • 4. Place brush horizontally at the beginning dot and lay across both brow bones to ensure they are level.
  • 5. Place brush horizontally from the arch point to the top of the opposite arch to align the height of both.
  • 6. Fill in your brow outline with powder color to create the classic shape.
  • 7. Layer pomade over color to add texture, create faux hairs, and to make color adhere and look natural.
  • 8. Accent brow shape with Browlite under the brow line.

A high arch opens the eyes and lifts the face. Boost fallen arches by extending color slightly above the natural arch.
Extending brows toward the temple makes a wide jaw line appear narrower.
Before you tweeze that out of line brow hair, brush up, scissor trim and it may not need to go.


www.SennaCosmetics.com

xo, Kim and Melissa
Greene Street Beauty






Saturday, April 20, 2013

Introducing "Mentor's Corner"

Hi guys!
It's Kim Greene and Melissa Street here. Our new company Greene Street Beauty was formed in January 2013. We are educators, seasoned business entrepreneurs and veteran professional makeup artists in the film, television and entertainment industry.

We already reach pro makeup artists, beauty students and beauty enthusiasts through Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, LinkedIn and Youtube. We are launching our new web site and our new blog "Mentor's Corner".

Our first beauty app is do to come out in only a couple of months.

We want you to think of us as trusted advisors for beauty-eduction, career and lifestyle improvement.
Mentor's Corner blog is a place to find inspiration, connect with other beauty enthusiasts, learn about products, get tips and techniques and find answers to your career and lifestyle questions.

Melissa Street and Kim Greene 

Web Site: Greene Street Beauty
YouTube: Greene Street Beauty