A Collection of Top Makeup Tips from 3 Professional Artists

Hey y’all! 

I am very blessed to have a few incredible friends who happen to be professional makeup artists! Since I get quite a few questions about my makeup, especially when I have it done for events and holidays, I wanted to write a blog post sharing about it. But then I realized I didn’t know where to begin and I thought I should call on some of the professionals in my life to share their wealth of knowledge! 

If you have never treated yourself to a professional makeup session I highly recommend it for a special event. It is such a treat and really makes you feel glamorous for the evening! I trust these ladies.

Let me introduce the talent and then we’ll dive into the tips. 

First up, Kara Olsen. Kara has been in the beauty industry for over 2 decades and I’ve known her just as long! After doing hair and makeup for 10 years in the salon environment at Mali Salon and Spa she transitioned to being an on-location freelance hair stylist and makeup artist. This serves her much better since she had become a Mom and is also raising her beautiful children! 

Second is Jaclyn Fondren. Jaclyn has also been in the industry for 18+ years and is a licensed esthetician as well as a makeup artist (MUA). She blends her love for makeup, skincare and cosmetic procedures into her career, and works with her clients in a multitude of ways to make sure they are using the products and practices that will serve them best! 

Third we have Brady Nance. Brady is a licensed medical aesthetician, hair stylist and award winning pro makeup artist. She is a major multipotentialite with all her talents and strives to make women look, and most importantly, FEEL beautiful in their own skin. She’s been working with brides since 2012 and has also been a Celebrity makeup pro with Talent Plus since 2013.

These girls are all so incredible and so knowledgeable. Lets learn from them! 

What can we do to best prepare our faces for makeup application?

“The first and most important tip I can give any of my clients is hydration. It is key to beautiful makeup application. Drinking plenty of water and using a hyaluronic acid serum, which binds 1,000 (yes, THOUSAND) times its weight in water is a game changer and can make skin look hydrated, dewy, and awake.” – Brady 

“I hate to be the one to tell you this but beautiful makeup really begins with beautiful skin. My skin game has come a long way and Racquel has really been the one to help me get there. One of my tried and true must-have products she has helped me find is the RFA Gentle Foaming Cleanser – this helps me prep my face by purifying, hydrating , and cleansing my skin all in one.” – Kara

“For me I’d say dermaplane! There is nothing that makes a smoother canvas for foundation than a good dermaplaning. It removes all of your peach fuzz and leaves the skin looking and feeling amazing. I recommend it to all my brides. If you haven’t had it done, trust me, you will become obsessed.” – Jaclyn 

How can we combat dark circles under eyes?

“Lack of sleep and dark circles? No problem! Use an apricot or salmon colored concealer to combat the blue tones. Start by placing the concealer on the inner corners of the eyes and dabbing outward.” – Brady

“I rely on the Youthful Eye Cream Retinol + Niacinamide to help hydrate, reduce puffiness, and brighten my under eyes. I was never a believer in eye creams until I tried this one and then ran out and then it was on backorder! I was in full on panic mode as I watched the wrinkles on my under eyes start to come back. I truly can not live without it!” – Kara

“We can all look a little tired once in a while. Nothing quite compares to under eye filler, but a close second is this trick – line your waterline with a nude or white eyeliner. It brightens the entire eye and instantly makes you look more awake. My go to is Tarte Fake Awake eyeliner in universal nude. It’s the perfect neutral!” – Jaclyn 

What can we do to get the ever desirable glowing skin?! 

“One trend for Spring and Summer 2020 (and I don’t see this one going away anytime soon) is flawless, hydrated, radiant skin. Since our skin is our canvas let’s start there. I cannot live without the infamous Lux Pads. They really do live up to all of the hype! I will use 1 pad weekly to help smooth skin texture, tighten my pores, and brighten up my complexion…a perfect secret weapon to have for helping achieve the glowy skin we all desire. 

Once you get your skin game right, I suggest layering multiple highlighting products to achieve the ultimate glow up! I love to apply the Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Flawless Filter under foundation (or your favorite cream highlighting product) for that lit-from-within look that we all love. Next, after foundation, sweep your favorite shade of Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder to the high points of your face. If you REALLY want to glow baby glow, I would layer on a touch of Becca’s Champagne Pop to the highest points of the face for that extra POP! 

“I couldn’t agree more with Kara! I love putting a liquid or cream highlighter before foundation. The glow looks more natural and from within. I also use and love the Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Flawless Filter and I’m partial to the Becca Backlight Priming Filter Face Primer. Both products help give a gorgeous glow!” – Jaclyn 

When choosing a blush how do we know we tones suit our skin the best?

“If you are looking for the most natural blush color, look at the color of your fingertips. That is the color you would naturally “blush”. It’s the easiest way to pick out a great, natural blush! My current favorite blush is the Scott Barnes Chic Cheek Palette. It has six blush colors and two amplifiers to emphasize the color and transform the finish!” – Jaclyn 

Eye makeup tips please! 

“I always recommend putting eye makeup on before applying any face makeup for a few reasons. For one, it’s easier to clean up any ‘fall out’ from shadow, and two, you can apply your moisturizer quickly followed by your foundation so it absorbs for that flawless looking skin. 

Pro Tip: If your makeup seems to crease after a couple hours of application, no worries! Just use the warm of your (clean) finger and dab dab dab! The warmth of your finger will help melt any creased makeup right back into place.” – Brady

“I personally love layering mascara. First, I apply one with a thinner brush to feather and lengthen the lashes. I then follow up with a volumizing one. I love using Chantecaille Fauxcils longest lash mascara and then top with Too Faced Damn Girl mascara. 

Pro Tip: If you cannot use Latisse, the Chantecaille mascara is a great alternative. It has lash growth peptides and will make your lashes longer and thicker. I used it during both of my pregnancies to help keep them looking good.” – Jaclyn 

Lip product recommendations to keep our lips kissable as ever?

Tatcha Kissu Lip Mask. This “evening” lip mask has a jelly like consistency and is thick. Apply it before you go to sleep and wake up with hydrated, plump and smooth lips! I love the Tom Ford Lip Gloss in Aura (09). This is pricey but worth it, in my opinion. It’s the most beautiful light pink nude gloss. Hydrating and not sticky either.

P.S. You can exfoliate your lips too! I love Fresh Sugar Lip Polish, but you could also take actual sugar and gently scrub, leaving the lips looking hydrated and plump. 

Anything last tips?! 

“For this spring/summer pair your glowing skin with a neon eyeliner or a bright pink lip and your makeup look will be set. Finish off this look with a sleek low pony or a deep side part and your fresh and sexy 2020 self will be on trend for a hot night out!” – Kara

“I have to share Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Eraser Concealer. After using what I thought was the holy grail of concealers for years (YSL Touché Eclat) I tried this one and fell in love. It has great coverage and staying power and so affordable!

ALSO, the Scott Barnes Flawless Face Brush #65 is also the perfect brush for contouring and bronzing. It gives a perfect contour and is very user friendly. I love recommending it to my clients who are trying to learn how to contour.” – Jaclyn

“For my people with oily skin primer is a MUST. My favorite: Tarte Base Tape and Dupe: Milk of Magnesia… yes, the laxative! It will help the longevity of your makeup and help keep it in place all day. I always remind my clients that makeup should be fun and not taken too seriously! After all, you’re just painting on that pretty little face of yours! – Brady”

Connect with the Pros! 

A huge thank-you to these amazing ladies for sharing their tips with us. Reach out to them for all of your event, holidays or date night needs!

Kara Olsen @karaolsenbeauty

Jaclyn Fondren – @jaclynfmakeup
Email- jaclynfmakeup@gmail.com

Brady Nance @bradysbarbies
Website – BridesByBrady.com