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Corina Wan

Mar 19
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QC’s Airbrush Makeup Workshop: Creating a Fantasy Look [Tutorial]

By Airbrush Makeup, Student Ambassador, Tutorials & Tips 2 Comments

Want to expand your skills and add airbrushing services to your repertoire? QC Makeup Academy’s Airbrush Makeup Workshop will teach you everything you need to know AND give you a professional certification!

QC Ambassador, Amanda Ramey, Shows How She Created A Fantasy Character with Airbrush Makeup!

Amanda is a professional makeup artist and a graduate of QC Makeup Academy’s Master Makeup Artistry Course, Pro Makeup Workshop, and Special FX Course.

Recently, Amanda also completed her Airbrush Makeup Workshop and received her professional certification!

Today, she’s here to recreate the airbrush look she designed for the final assignment of her airbrush course. Check out her video to see how Amanda brought her character to life!

Want to connect with Amanda directly? Join QC Makeup Academy’s Virtual Classroom on Facebook today!

QC’s Airbrush Makeup Workshop

In this specialty workshop, you will work with celebrity makeup artist Nathan Johnson and Special FX expert Michele Mulkey. With over 35 years of combined experience, you will learn how to use airbrush makeup to create flawless complexions and special FX fantasy looks.

  • Safety and etiquette;
  • Pros and cons of airbrush makeup;
  • Airbrush makeup techniques;
  • Applying airbrush foundation;
  • Blush, contour, highlight applications
  • Airbrush corrections;
  • Stenciling;
  • Special FX for fantasy characters;
  • And more!

When you enroll, you’ll receive printed course books, over 200 minutes of instructional videos, and best of all, a FREE 9-piece Airbrush Makeup Kit! Your airbrush machine, along with a variety of airbrush makeup foundation and fantasy colors, will help you create a variety of looks.

QC’s Airbrush Workshop is entirely self-paced, so you can work on it on your own time with no deadlines. You have up to two years to complete your course, but if you dedicate a couple of hours each week to your course, you can graduate as quickly as 3 to 6 months!

Other QC Perks

Here are a few more reasons why you should enroll in the Airbrush Makeup Workshop and become a QC student:

  • You’ll get 50% off any additional courses you enroll in!
  • Take advantage of exclusive product discounts with QC’s preferred makeup partners
  • All of our courses include free business training to prepare you for a new career
  • You have lifetime access to all of your course materials
  • Our certifications are internationally-recognized
  • Join a community of makeup professionals in our free Virtual Classroom on Facebook
Model using airbrush makeup foundation

Expand your skills today and become a more competitive makeup artist. Enroll in QC’s Airbrush Makeup Workshop!

Oct 26
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Halloween Makeup Contest 2020: Trick Category

By Announcements No Comments

Thank you to everyone who participated in QC’s Halloween Makeup Contest: Trick category. Below is Michele’s critique of the five finalists. Click here to view Nathan’s critique of the Treat category finalists.

Here’s what Michele was looking for:

Effort: There will be points awarded to each entry based on the use of makeup skills and techniques. You will gain extra points if you use additional items such as hair, costumes, and/or props to make a complete horror makeup look.

Skill/Technique: Points will be awarded to each entry based on the application of the makeup itself.  The details in the makeup look are very important to the look you create! Some examples include:

  • If prosthetics are used, are there any edges showing or is the prosthetic glued to the skin completely?
  • If there is blood used, does it flow in a natural way from the wound/wounds?

Photo Quality: Points will be awarded in this category based on whether the photo could be used in a portfolio or magazine ad. If the photo is clear, well lit, with an appropriate background for the photo, higher points will be awarded. Blurry, badly lit photos with busy backgrounds will receive lower points.

Fun/Originality: This is the category where you get points awarded for using your imagination! Horror makeup can be anything and everything! Use your imagination to create a new take on a classic or something completely out-of-this-world scary. The more creative the entry is, the more points the artist will be awarded. Originality is key! Please note that copying someone else work will cause the entry to be disqualified.

Story: This category allows for the backstory of the entry. Points will be given based on explaining what the person or creature is, and not how you applied the makeup. Have fun with this category! It is your chance to tell the world about YOUR creation!

Finalists & Scoring

Artist: Liam Wycherley

Story

After applying for a vaccination trial, you arrive to find something sketchy looking about the place. Once you’ve been taken through, you’re strapped to a chair and tortured and given all sorts of ‘medication’. After it’s all over, you’re left with boils that are ready to explode.

Score

  • Effort: 3/5
  • Skill/Technique: 4/5
  • Photo Quality: 4/5
  • Fun/Originality: 5/5
  • Story: 4/5
  • Total Score: 20

Comments

This was excellent makeup, Liam! Very deserving of the semi-finals. Your application was extremely well executed and you had a good story to go with your creation. I would have liked to see a little more with the photo as far as the background. Being that this was a medical experiment gone wrong, a height chart in the background, or having the photo taken while the victim was still strapped in the chair would have been a great addition. The story mentions torture as well, so evidence of torture would have been great to see. The originality of the makeup was as intriguing as it was scary. Excellent job!!!

Artist: Nicole Ashleigh

Story

THE CONTAGION

It all starts with one bite. They tried to contain the spread but now it’s in your city! You were mugged on the way back from the store and one of them bit you! Now you sit alone in your apartment listening to the sound of gunshots below, waiting, praying.

Then it happens. You look down and notice your nose is bleeding, this is the start. And within a few minutes, your vision becomes blurry, your head starts pounding, scrambling into the bathroom, you look in the mirror and you can faintly see the reflection staring back at you. It’s too late for you now. Will they ever find a cure? Who knows. Will you remember anything that happens? Maybe. But all that we do know is that you are now, a zombie.

Score

  • Effort: 4/5
  • Skill/Technique: 4/5
  • Photo Quality: 4/5
  • Fun/Originality: 5/5
  • Story: 5/5
  • Total Score: 22

Comments

I must start by saying that when I first viewed this photo Nicole, I thought it was a prosthetic! Upon reviewing your video, I was astounded that you did this with wax. You have my utmost respect for your incredible creation! The application and coloring of this makeup were very well executed and you had the best back story to go with your makeup, period. The photo was well done, although a bit more of a background setting would have added to the total look. I would also have loved to see a new take on a Zombie as they have become a standard in Pop Culture over the last decade. Overall, you should be beyond proud of your makeup! You are a truly talented makeup artist and it was a pleasure to see your work in this contest!

Artist: Jessica Brown

QC Makeup Academy Graduate

Story

I tried to imagine myself as a zombie from the Walking Dead.

Score

  • Effort: 4/5
  • Skill/Technique: 4/5
  • Photo Quality: 4/5
  • Fun/Originality: 4/5
  • Story: 2/5
  • Total Score: 18

Comments

This was a fantastic makeup application, Jessica!  I was very impressed with not only your application but the coloring as well.  The addition of contacts added to the overall look as well.  The photo was crisp but a more intriguing background would have added to your overall look.  The lack of a story hurt you in points, and although you created fabulous makeup, I would have liked to see a new take on Zombies instead of the more established look of The Walking Dead Zombies.  This was a great makeup application and definitely earned its place in the semi-finals! Awesome job!!!

Artist: Romane Castelnau

Story

The legendary Spider-Queen, Lissandrea has built her own empire deep within the shadows of Rivenwood. With legions of ghastly Giant Spiders at her command, she has accumulated an untold fortune of treasure. For those seeking riches, Beware! For the queen has none to spare!

Score

  • Effort: 5/5
  • Skill/Technique: 4/5
  • Photo Quality: 5/5
  • Fun/Originality: 5/5
  • Story: 4/5
  • Total Score: 23

Comments

Fantastic makeup Romane! Your application and coloring are both phenomenal and something you should be very proud of.  Even though the background is solid black; the composition lends itself to the makeup creating a final look that could be out of a sci-fi magazine or as a character-still from a new movie or TV show.  The addition of the horns was great and a perfect addition to your total look. This unique makeup is a wonderful addition to the semi-finals. Very impressive all around Romane!

Artist: Cassie Stephans

QC Makeup Academy Graduate

Story

As the relentless sun scorches the earth and the liquid disappears from the life-giving dam, a figure emerges. Crawling out of its muddy pit in await of its next victim. Taking on anyone or anything thing that comes close!

Score

  • Effort: 5/5
  • Skill/Technique: 5/5
  • Photo Quality: 5/5
  • Fun/Originality: 5/5
  • Story: 4/5
  • Total Score: 24

Comments

What an incredible entry Cassie! Your creation has just blown me away! Your application was well executed and it was beyond evident that you considered every aspect of this creation. Your story was unique in design and the incredible effort you put into the fantastic setting was above and beyond. Your photos looked as if they could be screengrabs from a horror movie. You also considered the whole body as a canvas which was evident with the body makeup and details like nails and hair.

You did an incredible job with every category Cassie and that is why you are the winner of the Trick Contest! This was a job well done in every aspect. Congratulations Cassie!!!

A big congratulations to Cassie for winning the 2020 Halloween Makeup Contest: Trick category!

Cassie wins an Anastasia Beverly Hills’ “Norvina® Mini Pro Pigment Palette Vol 3”, an Urban Decay “All Nighter Long-Lasting Makeup Setting Spray”, a set of 5 latex prosthetics, an injury wheel and an RMG bald cap wheel, and two bottles of special effects blood.

Congratulations to Jessica for winning the student prize of the Trick Category!

Jessica wins a Violet Voss “Mini Eyeshadow Palette in Crème Brûlé”, a set of 5 latex prosthetics, and two bottles of special effects blood.

We wish to thank all the makeup artists once again for their contest submissions! And to the five finalists, you should all be very proud of your work.

Looking to enroll in some of QC’s courses? Learn more about each course here!

Oct 26
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Halloween Makeup Contest 2020: Treat Category

By Announcements No Comments

Thank you to everyone who participated in QC’s Halloween Makeup Contest: Treat category. Below is Nathan’s critique of the five finalists. Click here to view Michele’s critique on the Trick category finalists.

Here’s what Nathan was looking for:

Effort:Higher points will be awarded to those who combine diverse skills with incredible imagination to create a detailed and captivating fantasy look. Makeup technique is fundamental, but the more visually stunning the final image is— through the tasteful use of hair, costume styling, props, and accessories — the more points will be awarded.

Skill/Technique: Students who demonstrate the use of polished makeup skills, detailed application, symmetry (when it is supposed to be symmetrical), and diverse use of techniques, will be awarded higher points. There are no rules in fantasy, so don’t be afraid to change, refine, and create new techniques.

Photo Quality: A good quality image is essential. The photograph should be clean, crisp, and appropriately lit. Higher points will be awarded to images that look like they could be in a glamour magazine or media feed. Points will be deducted for images that are blurry, messy, or have cluttered or thoughtless backgrounds (e.g. messy bedrooms, bathrooms, etc.). This doesn’t mean that you need an expensive setup, it just means you need to clean the oils off your camera lens or to borrow a better phone or camera. Incredibly gentle retouching is acceptable, although your makeup should be doing the perfecting on its own. Blurred skin, visible or over-retouching, and filters will result in a loss of points or disqualification.

Fun/Originality: Create a makeup look that is original and from the deepest recesses of your imagination. I expect to see wonder and beauty! Have fun every step of the way! If you copy or tweak an influencer’s existing work, you will be disqualified. You are an artist — don’t copy. And, I can promise you, everyone in the industry has seen enough of the over-done and constantly copied tutorials. Originality is difficult, especially in a social media-driven world, so accept the challenge to create.

Story: A few sentences about your creation and the story behind him/her/it can do a lot to sell your image. Don’t fall into the trap of telling what you did with the makeup. Instead, tell the story of who or what this person or creature is. The stronger your story and concept, the more precise and clear your application will be, and the more points you’ll be awarded. In the past, amazing makeup artists have lost the contest because they refuse to tell a story. Don’t let that be you.

Finalists & Scoring

Artist: Enrica Falanga

QC Makeup Academy Student

Story

I was inspired by the Halloween Pumpkin Lanterns. I’ve never carved one myself but I always wanted to. I always liked pictures of lit pumpkins in total darkness showing their creepy and imperfect grin. I wanted to portrait that creepy grin on my look complete with my very own imperfect smile. The fire within the lantern is also [for me at least] that spark that is inside each and one of us, our strength that shows even in the darkest times. Makeup is part of that spark.

Plus, I never really got out of my comfort zone to try this sort of makeup and I wanted to try even though I didn’t have any particular SFX products. I had this particular red tree sap [that’s right] that I crushed to get that rough texture around the eyes and mouth as an experiment.

Score

  • Effort: 5/5
  • Skill/Technique: 4/5
  • Photo Quality: 5/5
  • Fun/Originality: 5/5
  • Story: 3/5
  • Total Score: 22

Comments

I just love this. The Jack O’Lantern makeup is very common and often overdone, but this is a totally unique variation and it’s just captivating. The black and orange create a stunning contrast that grabs the attention. The careful white accents add dimension. The use of the sap is genius. This is a wonderful tribute to both Halloween and the tradition of face painting. There is a lot of creativity and skill present here. The image is portfolio ready. I do wish there was more of a story and less of a description.

JenniferHarlow-2020-Halloween-Contest

Artist: Jennifer Harlow

QC Makeup Academy Student

Story

The Sirens bewitch everybody who approaches them. There is no homecoming for the man who draws near them unawares… For with their high clear song the Sirens bewitch him, as they sit there in a meadow piled high with the moldering skeletons of men, whose withered skin still hangs upon their bones.

Score

  • Effort: 5/5
  • Skill/Technique: 5/5
  • Photo Quality: 5/5
  • Fun/Originality: 4/5
  • Story: 4/5
  • Total Score: 23

Comments

Siren’s and mermaids are a favorite when it comes to Halloween submissions, but this one is a masterclass. With every aspect perfectly and thoughtfully composed, the photo is stunning. There are so many skills at play here, from flawless prosthetic application to detailed dimensional coloring (see the forehead, as an example). I am rarely a fan of crystals and pearls in makeup because they are often over and misused, but not here. They are used in a way that creates texture and that turns their typical use on its head. The story is well told and draws me right into the world (and it’s not a world I want to be in)! Top-notch!

Artist: Kristen Ward

Story

I have always loved Storm from X-men. Her abilities and confidence are so alluring and to see someone who looked like me have such a powerful position in comics and movies always made me feel like I could be a superhero. I took my favorite color and messed the two together and bam!, a storm worth watching!

Score

  • Effort: 5/5
  • Skill/Technique: 4/5
  • Photo Quality: 5/5
  • Fun/Originality: 5/5
  • Story: 3/5
  • Total Score: 22

Comments

I love this reimagining of Storm. I think it is a vivid and fresh take and I would love to see it come to life on screen. This is a masterpiece. It’s so beautiful, in fact, it looks more like “comic style” fine art than a makeup application. The interplay between colors on the face is so dimensional. I think the lightning coming out through the eye while the big storm builds on the heart and chest is a great visual metaphor. I do wish I was hearing her story, rather than the reason behind its creation.

Artist: Romane Castelnau

Story

Skyhe a hacker who has hidden within the shadows to find a global conspiracy that she once encountered. Her body sleeve enhanced to make her the perfect weapon of justice!

Score

  • Effort: 5/5
  • Skill/Technique: 5/5
  • Photo Quality: 5/5
  • Fun/Originality: 5/5
  • Story: 4/5
  • Total Score: 24

Comments

This is fresh and fun. In one stunning image, there is a beautiful demonstration of skill in both beauty and special effects. (Beauty makeup, bald cap application, transformative face paint, tattoo work, not to mention, “killer” fashion styling). The work of this nature requires extraordinary precision. The lines are crisp, clear, and clean. The color-use is superb. The bald cap and hair placement are HD quality. And, the smokey eye is STUNNING.

This takes me into the worlds of Mad Max, Alita, and all the other great post-apocalyptic fantasies. If she burst through my door, I would know I was either going to be saved or be obliterated…and I’d definitely hope for the former. The more you look, the more you discover—but it doesn’t make the mistake of overwhelming the viewer…that’s great art. To my eyes, this is perfection.

Artist: Sophie Kraynak

QC Makeup Academy Graduate

Story

A girl lives in a world where she feels like she is being controlled by a voodoo doll. One day she wakes up and she IS the voodoo doll.

Score

  • Effort: 4/5
  • Skill/Technique: 4/5
  • Photo Quality: 5/5
  • Fun/Originality: 4/5
  • Story: 5/5
  • Total Score: 22

Comments

Nothing annoys me more than basic copy artistry. The Voodoo is by far one of the MOST overdone how-to copies. BUT, this variation has given it a unique spin that made me fall in love with it all over again. They say the devil is in the details, well, the addition of the stuffing pouring out of the seams took this from “tired” to “terrific”. Honestly, many things in makeup have been done before, but it’s how we craft it to make it our own that creates magic. I love this. The skin is pristine, the illusion is epic. The smokey eye is radiant. I think the tiny detail of the stuffing on the tip of the nose is tipping over the edge into artistic ecstasy. Great work.

There was a lot of great work this year. Congratulations to all who entered. The difference between the winner and the runner up was the smallest of details…and in some cases, it was simply the lack of a story. I am so proud of you all and wildly impressed.
xoxox
QC Makeup Academy Tutor - Nathan Johnson - Digital Signature

Congratulations to Romane for winning the 2020 Halloween Makeup Contest: Treat category!

Romane wins an Anastasia Beverly Hill “Norvina® Mini Pro Pigment Palette Vol 2”, a Violet Voss “Bright Vibes Neon Pressed Pressed Pigments Palette”, a Fenty Beauty “Two Little Mattemoiselles”, and a QC Makeup Academy “Pro Stainless Steel Palette and Spatula”.

Congratulations to Jennifer for winning the student prize of the Treat Category!

Jennifer wins a Fenty Beauty “Killawatt Foil Freestyle Highlighter Palette”, and a pair of Museum of Icecream x Sephora Collection “Rainbow Sherbet Lash”.

We wish to thank all the makeup artists once again for their contest submissions! And to the five finalists, you should all be very proud of your work.

Looking to enroll in some of QC’s courses? Learn more about each course here!

Aug 20
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Why Small Makeup Adjustments Make a BIG Difference!

By Education, From the Experts, Makeup Tips and Tricks No Comments
Written by Corina Wan and Alexis Myers.

Here at QC Makeup Academy, we strive to give our students the MOST out of our their learning experience. Our goal is to make the process of learning makeup online highly effective and all-encompassing, as well as strongly beneficial to those with dreams of launching a success career in the industry!

One of the ways we try to saturate our students with new and useful information is through our regular monthly webinars. Last month, our makeup guru, Nathan Johnson, devoted a full webinar to critiquing real work by students and graduates.

Didn’t get a chance to catch it? Watch the full video below!

Nathan’s goal in this webinar was to teach one major fundamental lesson: that the smallest adjustments in makeup often make a HUGE difference to the overall look!

Let’s examine a few of the student photos that were submitted for this webinar, and see how well they illustrate this lesson!

Why does such a small change have such a big effect?

We were intrigued by this question, so we did some research. Specifically, we looked into how a person’s brain perceives the human face.

In recent years, research has shown that the brain does not actually recognize the entire face. Instead, it recognizes about 20 different aspects of the face, such as distance between the eyes. Our brains then build an image from these different elements.

This explains why a tiny makeup change around the eyes, for example, can have a drastic effect. Amazingly, such adjustments can make the eye seem bigger, smaller, or even change its position on the face! Think of it as a nifty optical illusion, done by tricking the brain into relying on the way it builds the image of the face.

Bet you didn’t think that learning makeup online could get THIS interesting, did you? Well, sit tight, because we’re not even finished yet!

Let’s add in another critical factor. Our brains are said to perceive facial symmetry as a sign of great beauty, right? The problem is that hardly anyone actually has a symmetric face!

Makeup, therefore, has to trick the viewer’s brain into believing that the face is symmetrical.

Great makeup artists do two things. First, they strive for symmetry in makeup application. Secondly, they pay attention to the tiniest detail, knowing that onlookers will subconsciously respond.

As a makeup artist, you’re basically tricking the brain into seeing something that’s not actually there. You’re practically a magician! (Feel free to start calling yourself ‘Harry Potter’ – we won’t judge you.)

Anyone learning makeup online can go to the internet and get a rough idea of how to apple makeup to the face. But this method of learning will only ever be superficially rich, at best. Fact is, the internet will NOT teach you the necessary fundamentals of makeup artistry.

Not only will you be denied information surrounding proper makeup theory, classic technique, etc. – you won’t learn about the psychological aspect of makeup, such as the detail and symmetry perceived by the brain when looking at the human face.

This is why all of QC’s online makeup students are coached by experts like Nathan. Specialized guidance by a true industry professional is the single most effective way to learn how to focus on detail – and THAT is how you’ll bring your work to a professional level!

Do you find it hard to believe that great makeup is defined by attention to detail? Then consider this: an amateur pianist and a concert soloist play the same piano concerto. The same notes are played, in the same order and at the same pace. But what makes one jarring and the other lyrical?

Simple: the attention to the tiniest detail.

Become a true master of your craft by learning makeup online and training at QC Makeup Academy. After all, it’s “The Juilliard School” for makeup artists!

Feb 13
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Devyn Gregorio - still-frame - Valentine's makeup tutorial look

Valentine’s Day Makeup Tutorial [video]

By From the Experts, Makeup Tutorial 2 Comments

Devyn Gregorio is a QC Makeup Academy Student Ambassador. You can find her on her YouTube Channel, DevDevGregs, where she makes beauty videos. Today, Devyn shares how she created a beautiful and bright Valentine’s Day makeup look!

Watch her video below!

Keep reading to learn how Devyn designed and created this vibrant look.

Let’s Recap

February is the perfect time to create a fun Valentine’s-themed look. For this tutorial, Devyn will be working with only Anastasia’s new Amrezy Palette, which contains a variety of nude and rosy tones—perfect for Valentine’s Day!

The Eyes

Devyn starts her makeup look by applying E.l.f.’s Putty Eye Primer over her upper lids. This is a new product, so she’s excited to try it out!

She then uses the shade, ‘Waisted’, from her Amrezy palette to set her eyelids. Afterwards, Devyn uses her Morphe’s M573 brush to work the color, “OG”, into her crease. She chooses this neutral chocolate brown color to start off easy. By remaining in her comfort zone initially, she can then develop the confidence as the look progresses to step outside of it and gradually go bolder!

Devyn then uses the Morphe M504 (a bigger, fluffier brush) to blend out her crease color. Once the crease is finished, she lays down E.l.f.’s liquid eyeshadow, in the color, ‘Disco Queen’, on her inner-upper lid. She starts at the inner corner and slowly uses the included applicator to work the shadow into the center of her lid, as well as up into the crease.

Note: Devyn is NOT doing a cut crease in this tutorial! If you’d prefer a cut crease look, you can use a more precise brush to apply the liquid shadow.

Before the liquid eyeshadow dries completely, Devyn takes the color, ‘Barb’, and uses her finger to tap the product over the liquid shadow. This metallic lilac color will give her inner lids a hint of pink!

To fill in the rest of her eyes, Devyn uses the shade, ‘Šemsa’, (a matte red-plum shade). Using the brush from her Urban Decay Naked3 palette, she gradually packs the color onto the outer third of her eyelid.

Note that Devyn warns how the Anastasia’s eyeshadows are highly pigmented! To avoid making a mess, start with a little product and slowly build up your color with layers.

Pro Tip: By applying the liquid eyeshadow on your eyes first, it makes it easier to blend the two colors. Using this technique, Devyn is able to use the powder shadow to create a seamless transition between the two colors.

To bring the plum shade up to her crease, Devyn switches to a smaller and thinner brush. Again using the color, ‘Šemsa’, she slowly blends the color up. Remember: “Slow and steady wins the race!” To soften up the look, Devyn uses a fluffy blending brush to lightly blend out the edges.

Adding more depth

To add more depth to the eyes, Devyn decides to add a bit black eyeshadow to the outer corner of her eye. Using a pencil brush (Morphe’s e18), she selects the color, “BK”, and lightly packs it onto her outer corner.

The goal here is deepen the existing plum color, and not to make it look like there’s black shadow on her eyes! Use a blender brush to soften up the edges and fully blend the black into the plum color.

Using black shadow on the outer corner gives this look a smokey effect. Although the black takes a bit of time to blend out, it’s definitely worth the extra depth if gives to the eye! To make sure the black blends properly, Devyn warns that you will need to practice, practice, and even more practice!

To finish the upper lids, Devyn uses the same blender brush used for the plum color earlier, and softens up the edges of her shadow.

The lower lids

Devyn starts by using her Morphe eyeliner along her waterline. She also uses her eyeliner to tight-line her upper eyes.

Using a pointed liner brush, Devyn applies the color, ‘Šemsa’, on the bottom of her lash line. She starts from the outer corner and slowly brings it in. She then switches to a small blending brush (M506) to smudge out the color.

To help blend the eyeliner into her eye makeup look, Devyn uses a flat eyeliner brush and applies the black shadow, ‘BK’, right by the eyeliner.

All about the highlight

To highlight her inner corners and brow bone, Devyn switches to Anastasia’s Jacky Aina Palette. The Amrezy palette she was using previously just didn’t have the right shade!

Using her fingers, Devyn lightly applies the color, ‘Trust Issues’, onto her inner corner and brow bone.

Lashes for days

To finish her eyes, Devyn chooses to apply some dramatic lashes to match the bold colors. She chooses the Queen B lashes from KoKo.

The Lips

Because of the colors she chose for her eyes, a pink lip is the only way to go!

Devyn first lines her lips with the shade, ‘Oh Snap’, from Colorpop. Then she applies Anastasia’s liquid lipstick in the color, ‘Dusky Rose’. This shade is pinker than her lip liner, which matches her eye color pop perfectly!

The Final Look

Devyn is very happy with how her makeup look turned out! She had a lot of fun stepping outside of her comfort zone, and working with bright and bold colors.

And that’s it! What was YOUR favorite part of Devyn’s makeup look? Let us know in the comments below!

Ready to start your makeup training with QC Makeup Academy? Check out Devyn’s honest review of the popular Master Makeup Artistry Course here.

Feb 12
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Makeup Looks to avoid on Valentines - Featured

5 Makeup Looks and Hairdos to Avoid on Your Valentine’s Day Date

By Makeup Trends, Tutorials & Tips No Comments

Whether you’ve got plans with your boo, you’re enjoying a girls’ night out, or you’re treating yourself to a fancy night of TLC, we want you to look and feel your best on Valentine’s Day. You’re fierce both inside and out – so the last thing we’d want is for a poor makeup choice or an unflattering hair-do to dull your shine!

We’re sure you know what you’re doing… But just in case, we thought we’d throw a few suggestions out there of things to avoid. Better safe than sorry, right?

Keep reading for 5 makeup looks and hair styles not to do on yourself…

1. Foundation that doesn’t match your skin tone

We’re all guilty of doing this at least once. Unfortunately, some of us are guilty of doing it still. Firstly, when it comes to foundation, you want to make sure that the product you’re using is good for your skin type. For example, if you have oily skin, you don’t want your foundation to clog your pores and make you break out even more.

But the other most important thing about your foundation is that it should match your natural skin color. Otherwise, your whole face is one shade, and then suddenly a different one from the neck down. The result is both comical and unnatural. It’s also 100% obvious when someone looks at you. We know these aren’t the impressions you’re trying to make with your makeup.

A lot of people mistakenly think you should use your inner wrist when trying to color match a foundation for your skin. This is incorrect. To best find your foundation color, test on both your neck and your jawline. When you find a shade that best matches both areas, you’ve found your perfect foundation!

Makeup Looks to avoid on Valentines - Lipstick on Table

2. Too much hairspray and too many bobby pins

Before I chopped off my hair into a pixie cut, I was the total worst when it came to this. I was awful at up-dos, and could only achieve the intended result with about 700 bobby pins and half a can of hairspray to hold everything in place. Even on the off chance that it looked decent enough, it felt disgusting.

Anyone with a sensitive scalp can tell you how bad of a headache bobby pins will give you after a while – especially if you have dozens of them trying to poke you in the brain. Not to mention the fact that your hair will also be as solid as a rock from all that hairspray! Good luck having anyone romantically run their fingers through your locks… They may just break right off in their hand.

Makeup Looks to avoid on Valentines - Woman Fixing Hair

Oh, and remember when I said that at least it might look decent enough? Yeah, that’s only ever from the very front. Eventually, when you use too many bobby pins, they have nowhere to hide. Your up-do turns into something that’s 50% hair and 50% pins. Messy, overcrowded pins. It’s not a good look.

Some people are born with a natural talent to style hair. Others (like myself) are not, and would require a hair styling class in order to properly learn. Once you do learn, however, you gain the ability to learn how to best manipulate hair with hair products, styling tools, and heating tools. What you once had to do with 700 bobby pins, you’d learn to do in 7 – and with only a few spritzes of hairspray!

3. Lashes for days, in all the wrong ways

When properly applied, fake lashes are absolutely gorgeous! They can accentuate the beauty already there, frame the eyes, and draw attention to them. With so many styles, falsies can be as subtle or as bold as you want. But it definitely takes practice to become a fake lash pro!

Until you’ve gained some experience, fake eyelashes can straight up suck. Ever got eyelash glue in your eye? Not fun! It’s messy, it’s uncomfortable, and it can very easily ruin that amazing eye makeup you just spent all that time putting on. Not to mention, if you don’t take the time to properly size and trim the falsies (if need be), they will NOT fit you properly, and it WILL be noticeable.

One other quick thing: when you do manage to apply them, take a moment to go over your upper lash line with some liquid eyeliner. It doesn’t need to be thick my any means; it just needs to be enough to cover up any glue peeking out from beneath the lashes. Again, we’re willing to be that you’re trying to create the appearance of the lashes being as organic as possible.

Otherwise, while you’re having dinner with Prince Charming and think to yourself, Oh my god, he can’t stop staring into my eyes… He must really like me! There’s a chance he may really just be confused by the random goopy stuff on your eyelids.

Makeup Looks to avoid on Valentines - Woman Applying False Lashes

4. Burnt hair everywhere

Another wonderful benefit to hair styling class is that you learn how to properly handle heating tools, such as a straightener and curling iron. There’s a whole section of YouTube full of people who probably would have benefited from such lessons. That’s right! I’m referring to those who have quite literally burnt their actual hair off when trying to style it with a heating tool.

Wrap it around a white hot curling iron too tightly and/or keep it there too long? You may very well lose that chunk right then and there. That’s just one example… Seriously, heating tools are not to be taken lightly. They can really mess up your hair, if not used properly! Sure, hair grows back, but in the meantime, you’re stuck with the damage that’s been done. Some incidents are so bad that a haircut by a trained hair dresser may be the only thing capable of salvaging it!

Not to mention, it really hurts when you accidentally burn yourself! Try having to explain on your Valentine’s Day date that no, that huge red mark is not a hickey – your straightener slipped, and yeah, it still hurts, and yes, you may need to take this date to the hospital. At least that would make for a pretty memorable meet-cute!

5. Raccoon Eyes

Who doesn’t love a good smoky eye! Well, I guess that depends on one question: has it been blended properly If yes, perfect! You’re on fire!

But if not, there’s a chance you may look like a sad raccoon. Let me explain: if the eyeshadow above the eye is not blended, it often times is too dark, too harsh, and too clunky. It definitely isn’t going to look natural, that’s for sure. (If that’s your thing though, then by all means, do you!) Below the eyes, applying too much product and/or not blending it properly can create the illusion that you’ve been crying, and that your makeup has now started to smudge down your face.

Hence, a sad raccoon.

Don’t get me wrong, I personally think raccoons are adorable! I just doubt that’s how you want to feel at a nice, fancy restaurant on Valentine’s Day.

Makeup Looks to avoid on Valentines - Woman Applying Eye Makeup

Of course, the best way to learn how to do your hair and makeup, so that it ALWAYS looks its best, is to study it from real-life experts! Whether you have a Valentine’s Day date this year or not, who cares? You can still treat yourself, and what better way to do that than by turning your passion into a lifelong career?

Use Valentine’s Day this year to love yourself. Enroll in hair styling class and makeup courses, and become the very best at what you do!

Thinking about adding hair styling services to your makeup business? Here are 4 of the top reasons why you should!

Oct 28
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Halloween Makeup Contest 2019: WINNERS REVEALED!

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It’s time to announce the winners of our 2019 Halloween Makeup Contest!

Thank you to all of our participants, semi-finalists, finalists, and our judges, Nathan Johnson and Azzi Williams! Nathan and Azzi has written personalized comments for each of the finalists, and used their scoring system to determine the winner of each category.

Click the links below to navigate to each category and view the winners:

The lucky winner of our student prize draw is QC Makeup Academy student Brittany Bauhaus! Brittany wins a Huda Beauty “Obsessions Eyeshadow Palette” in the color Amethyst, and two pairs of Stilazzi’s fantasy lashes.

Thank you again to everyone that participated!

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