The finish of our makeup, namely Matte, Satin or Shimmer sends a clear and unique message.
This applies to all makeup; skin, eyes, lips and cheeks.
Here are the Finishes defined;
Matte – Does not reflect light. In a way, almost absorbs light.
Satin – Reflects light similar to how the water and oil in our skin naturally reflects light.
Shimmer – Reflects light in a sparkling fashion. Hyper-reflection.
Each of these finishes send a distinct message.
How we mix and match these finishes influences how we are perceived when wearing makeup.
The following observations are based solely on my experience with makeup and do not necessarily reflect any scientific study.
Part One focuses on a Matte Finish.
Matte Defined:
- Flat.
- Look, don’t touch.
- Approach at your own peril.
- Removed.
- Powerful.
- Not human.
- Mysterious.
- Lifeless.
- Timeless.
Matte makeup is excellent in creating contour to our face because it absorbs light.
When making the crease of the eye deeper or the underside of the cheekbone more slender, matte finish aids in enhancing the effect.
Experience the Gourmet Collection: Eye Shadow Quintets
When making all of the skin matte, it can have a variety of effects. The fairer the skin, the more dramatic the matte effect.
When paired with contrast colors colors on eyes and lips, it is a beautifully dramatic effect.
When worn with little contrast on eyes and lips, the effect is stark and less lifelike.
Experience the Gourmet Collection: Eye Shadow Quintets
On medium skin tones and darker, a matte finish appears to have a less stark effect than on lighter skin tones.
Also, when subtly pairing a more reflective feature (as in lips with these 2 images) with a Matte Finish on the skin, life is brought back to the look of the makeup as a whole.
Experience the Gourmet Collection: Eye Shadow Quintets
Here is a Makeup Gourmet How-to Tutorial for Matte Finish Skin.
Experience the Gourmet Collection: Eye Shadow Quintets
There is no right or wrong finish when using makeup. when better understanding how the Finish affects the overall look, it only enhances the effect you want to create.
Next blog I will discuss a Satin Finish in more detail.
Warmly,
Chris Scott
28th of January, 2016
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Makeup Gourmet’s Face with a Heart Authentic Beauty Makeup® products are developed alongside the Face with a Heart Authentic Beauty Makeup® method of application. They are customized to give you the best results when applying your makeup.
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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