It's time for my annual Oscar review of the nominees for Best Achievement in Makeup and Hairstyling.  EMMA (Amazon) Marese Langan, Laura Allen and Claudia Stolze (photo from Google Search) This elegant yet witty film is gorgeous in its hair, makeup and costuming (also nominated). The makeup is clean and simple, as appropriate for the early 1800's. Mutton chops and ringlets are why this film was nominated, as they are in abundance and the delicate makeup and soft tendrils of hair on Emma exude the innocence we are supposed to believe of her character.  It's a lovely updated version, making this the twelve adaptation of the film.  Check out Vogue's article for more insight into the looks of the film.  HILLBILLY ELEGY (NetFlix) Eryn Krueger Mekash, Matthew Mungle and Patricia Dehaney My favorite kind of makeup is character makeup. Character makeup is subtle but incredibly transformative. The actor under the makeup is familiar but perhaps you can't quite put your ...

 Have you ever heard of The Community Loan Fund Of The Capital Region?  The Community Loan Fund is an organization that helps stimulate the small business economy. How? They provide low interest small business loans to women and minority owned businesses of the Capital Region (Upstate NY).  They also provide job training and technical assistance for entrepreneurs. The best part?  Individuals like you can invest extra cash to enable this success in your local community.  The Community Loan Fund’s growing number of investors – over 450 individuals, faith-based institutions, unions, foundations, banks, and other business and civic groups – collect interest on their investments and enjoy a 100% repayment rate. You may be wondering why I'm talking about this impactful organization this week. The Community Loan Fund is a huge part of The Makeup Curio Story. Because of them, I was able to move out of the back room of my house in 2017 and open our first retail space at...

  Every actor should know how to do their own theatrical makeup. It's one of the reasons I created the Theatrical Makeup Intensive - to provide the tools for success backstage. Our Theatrical Makeup Intensive includes the Graftobian Deluxe Student Kit but it was important to me to tell you why this kit is valuable. Here's highlighting the key items every actor should have in their makeup kit: Theatrical Creme Foundations With five shades of foundation, you're sure to get the perfect shade to match your skin tone. Don't forget for large theaters, your foundation color should be slightly darker than your skin tone, as the lights always wash you out. Setting Powder Every costumer will thank you for having an arsenal of setting powder in your kit. When set with powder properly, theatrical makeup doesn't move. Outdoor theater with heavy costumes? Add an alcohol-based setting spray tp seal the deal. Eyeliner Eyeliner creates character and accentuates the eyes. Become sin...

I often say I am a self-taught makeup artist. To me self-taught means no formal "school" training but self-taught never really just means "self."  Before YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok, there were books (yes, books!). Books and practice (and a little YouTube later on) are where I got my start and I wanted to share my favorite ones that I still have in my little book corner that I continue to refer to. (This blog contains affiliate links) Stage Makeup by Rosemarie Swinfield This is the very first makeup book I ever had. It is a step-by-step guide with color photos for various stage sizes, aging, period makeup, hair work, and more. I still reference it when teaching because the photos and diagrams have been such a valued learning tool. The Makeup Artist Handbook by Gretchen Davis & Mindy Hall Interested in a variety of platforms to show off your work? The Makeup Artist Handbook discusses techniques for film, television, photography AND theatre. I continue to refe...

The Theatrical Makeup Intensive is a two day intensive modeled after a college level course.  Here's how it came to existence. The Who: I often say this course is for every actor, technician and makeup lover. It's for teens who want to pursue makeup as a career. It's for the college student who is pursuing theater as a career. It's for adult community theater actors who want to level up their professionalism. It's for the costumer who will be having to design makeup at a small regional theater with no training. And its for a professional beauty makeup artist who loves effects and wants to introduce "glam-gore" to their portfolio. The What: While I fine tuned the course structure, kit, and handouts during shutdown, the Theatrical Makeup Intensive was actually created in 2019, with one class executed in person in Feb 2020. A hands-on course, it teaches those enrolled how to do essential theatrical makeup techniques. It has always been important to me to inco...

It's Women's History Month and I would be amiss if I didn't highlight notable women who made the makeup industry bloom throughout the years and shout out some #womenwarriors I am proud to know as thriving entrepreneurs. (This blog contains affiliate links) Estée Lauder A woman who got her start going knocking on the doors of beauty salons, she went door-to-door selling skincare and makeup products to women waiting for their hair to be dried. The Estée Lauder Company was founded in 1946 by Estée and her husband on the premise that every women deserves to feel beautiful. In addition, she is credited with the business concept of "a gift with purchase." Source: Estée Lauder Companies   Ve Neill We all know the iconic looks of Beetlejuice, Edward Scissorhands, and Captain Jack Sparrow. The woman behind them is Ve Neill. Since the 1970's, Ve has been spear heading major motion picture films as key makeup artist, department head, sfx artist and even hair stylist....

 I started the beginning of 2020 blogging with the intention to educate, enlighten, and entertain our audience but as you know, 2020 became quite a dismal year.  Much of my creativity went deep underground, including the desire to blog, do any makeup, paint, etc.  It felt hopeless. The Makeup Curio was closed and not providing services for almost 5 months last year.  I lost the biggest show season yet - 10 school productions.  Our summer line up of 4 camps went dark. I was selected to be an educator at the 2020 International Thespian Festival in Indiana, a week long event bringing thousands of students together to revel in all things theater.  I was looking forwarding to that experience but, as you can guess, it never happened.  Fortunately I was still asked to produce a virtual workshop.  And of course, our annual SFX Makeup Competition became an afterthought. Beauty clients became less and less...and less.  I am forever grateful for my dev...