IMATS 2012: techniques and products you need to know

Freezing? Moi?

Last weekend I was thrilled to attend my first ever IMATS (International Make-up Artist Trade Show) and it did not disappoint. Held at Alexandra Palace, IMATS is a 3-day event which brings together the very best of make-up brands and talent from around the world. Here were some of the top techniques and products from the show:

Been on yer 'olidays pet?

Contouring

If you’ve never contoured before then check out this fab 'how to' video from celebrity make-up artist Lisa Eldridge. Contouring (e.g. with a matte bronzer), is one of the quickest ways to warm up the skin. Done in the right way (note: subtly!) it sculpts and adds definition to your face, bringing out cheekbones you never knew you had. In a word, it's undeniably flattering. MAC’s premier artist Terry Barber demoed a stronger contoured look to the delight of an audience of more than 500. Terry thinks fashion & editorial make-up is becoming more masculine - "perfection is the new trashy" - and he's right what with stronger brows, no mascara eyes and a whole spectrum of nude & skin-toned colours making headlines on the catwalks. But I don't think I'll be binning my Lady Danger just yet...

Reverse contouring (image courtesy of Eve Pearl)

Reverse Contouring

Reverse contouring is a trend that's been growing for a while. It follows the principle that our skin - regardless of our colouring - is not simply one flat colour (just as our faces aren't a flat canvas). Matching a single foundation to our skin tone and then applying it across the entire face is therefore not enough.

To reverse contour you need to work with 2 shades of foundation; one that matches your skin tone exactly, and another which is slightly darker/warmer (e.g. one shade darker than your skin tone).

Here's the trick: apply the slightly darker colour to the cheekbones, forehead and the centre of the chin, and the lighter colour to the jawline and around the top of the lips. Then blend in between the two colours with a foundation brush or sponge.

Reverse contouring makes a lot of sense to me because the ambition is always for the jawline to match the neck. And since we naturally blush around the cheek area, blending a slightly darker foundation here also makes sense. I doubt women everywhere will be rushing out to buy, not one, but two (ha!) very expensive bottles of liquid foundation but the technique certainly does give us something to think about.

A fab invention (image courtesy of Eve Pearl)

Matte black eyelash glue

I was very excited to see that Eve Pearl (American make-up artist who worked on Saturday Night Live for years and who has her own make-up range) has launched a matte black eyelash glue. I'll say it again, matte and black. This is exciting for two reasons: 1. It's hard enough wearing false lashes without worrying that people can see you're wearing them. 2. Sometimes the white glue dries shiny (even when it dries clear). 

DUO dark tone adhesive

Unfortunately you can't buy Eve Pearl here (unless you buy online from the States) but Duo (a staple in all professional make-up artists' bags and available from Charles Fox, Screen Face and other pro makeup stores for between £8-£10) offer a 'dark tint' adhesive. Well worth trying if you're a lash gal.

Double cream for the face

And finally...Embryolisse 
Embryolisse - where have you been all my life? Now, I'm not the first to blog about this moisturiser, for one it's long been a favourite of the fabulous make-up video bloggers Pixiwoo...but, if you're reading about it for the first time, you need to try this product. Here's why:
- it's deliciously rich (my skin has been terrible this winter but since buying Embryolisse last week, my skin is transformed, hydrated and smooth)
- it acts as a great base under make-up
- it's only £10 for 30ml (hurrah!)

Look out for my next blog post which will be all about brushes!