Alcohol Based Makeup

Hello! It’s been a while since I’ve written up a blog post and I’m extremely excited to get back into it. I was recently sent the new Graftobian F/X Aire Alcohol Palettes (vegan & cruelty free) and thought this was the perfect opportunity to talk about them! Since I started body painting when I was around 14, I’ve always used the Graftobian Pro Paints and have absolutely loved them. If you’re not familiar with the Pro Paints; they’re a water-base paint, so basically that means they’re water activated and can be used for practically any body paint. Although they are not waterproof, they can be pretty smudge-proof as long as you set them correctly.

Now… to get to the alcohol paints! Personally I haven’t had much experience with them yet, but after creating a look with them and practicing with them, I think they’ll be a wonderful addition to my kit. Both the Pro Paints and the Alcohol Paints have a cake-like compartment which allows you to dip your brush straight into them. While water-activated paints can be used to cover an entire body head to toe, alcohol paints are primarily used for smaller detail work and more specific design work such as bruising, contusions, wounds, SFX, tattoos, tattoo covers, and injuries in general.

While researching these palettes, I read everywhere that 99% isopropyl alcohol is best when activating these palettes, but some people have been using anywhere from 70%-90%; so I decided to test it for myself! I used a spray bottle with 70% isopropyl alcohol and the colors were VERY sheer when applying them to the skin, but when I used the 99% isopropyl alcohol the colors in the palette were much more opaque, easier to work with, and easier to customize the opaqueness of. Basically it comes down to this- the more 99% alcohol you use, the more sheer the shades will be. The less 99% alcohol you use, the more opaque the color will be. Using too much alcohol at one time will sheer out the shades. Lower concentrates of alcohol will not activate the color. Of course the alcohol palettes have buildable coverage on the skin, but the same thing goes for any paint- be careful how much you layer them so they do not crack.

The best thing and my favorite quality about the palettes is that they are completely waterproof and smudge-proof. They can withstand any sort of sweat, water, or moisture on the skin, and they can easily be removed with isopropyl alcohol or an oil based makeup remover.

For the most part alcohol palettes are used for bruising, contusions, wounds, SFX, tattoos, tattoo covers, and injuries; so basically smaller scale makeups and detail work. The most common thing people use the alcohol palettes is for bruising and veining in the skin, which is why I wanted to do something different with them! I wanted to show how versatile these palettes really are. I love doing fantasy looks, so I created a look with the alcohol palettes using the Injury palette, Tattoo Cover 2 palette, and the Primaries Plus palette. Below will be a step by step of how I created a look using the Alcohol Palettes and where I used them, along with layering them with a few other products to complete the look!

First, I laid down a light blue cream shade from the Makeup Forever Flash Palette around the high points of my face. (cheekbones, forehead, nose, cupid’s bow and chin)

Secondly, adding purple shading with a cream color from the Makeup Forever Flash Palette around the face and neck area.

Next, highlighting with light pink and deep blue around the face and neck area to add dimension back into the face. (Makeup Forever Flash Palette)

After setting the cream shades with the RCMA translucent powder, I used Navy from the Injury Alcohol Palette and Teal from Tattoo Cover 2 to paint on top of the scale-like patters around the blue shaded around my face.

Now for my favorite part… adding white highlights around the scale like patterns on my face and neck. (White from the Primaries Plus alcohol palette)

Lastly, the finishing touches to bring it all together! Applying flat back pearls with eyelash glue, mascara, and a bold purple lip!

Creating this look was so much fun and it definitely pushed me to get creative with incorporating new products into a completed look. As I’ve stated already, I think these palettes would be a great addition to my makeup kit and any makeup looks I would need to be completely water-proof. Just remember- 99% isopropyl alcohol and you’re good to go!

https://www.graftobian.com/FX-Aire%E2%84%A2-Alcohol-Palettes_p_1169.html

Graftobian Makeup… worth the money?

I knew that when I started this blog, Graftobian was one of the brands I wanted to talk about. When I was about 16, I was invited to Madeyewlook by Lex’s 1 million subscriber party in Chicago. We were both featured in the same issue of Illusion Magazine, with her on the cover and me having my first published article, which was so amazing! I was just starting out in the makeup world and I was focused more on body painting and learning more about that over anything, I would do paint after paint all the time on myself. Anyways though, at this event were people from Graftobian, sponsoring her party. Since they were at Lex’s event, she introduced me to them, and that started something so much bigger than I ever imagined. Fast forward to now…. they invited me to do a live body painting at their booth and do a seminar for them at The Makeup Show Chicago in 2017, they’ve sent me numerous amounts of products and have re-posted my work several times, but most importantly, they were the first brand to really support me and want to help me grow. I will always be thankful for that.

 

Lex, my mom, and I- Lex’s 1 million subscriber event 2015

 

Now of course you know how that goes, sometimes companies send makeup artist’s products and they instantly give their followers positive feedback, whether the product is actually good or not. This however, is not the case. Graftobian is such a great brand with incredible people on their team and I would recommend them to anyone. From their body paints, foundation and beauty products, glitter, airbrush products, and SFX makeup.

All Graftobian body paints- body paint done on myself

 

One of the first and only products I tried from them was their ProPaint. When I started out doing the face and body paint on just myself, I only had the Halloween makeup you can get at Walmart. But hey, we don’t all start out with the best of the best! My mom helped me buy a few shades of their Pro Paint here and there, and I absolutely loved them. It opened my eyes to so much more that I could create. I built up a collection of body paints for both my clients and myself. I’ve loved Graftobian paints for many reasons… they’re extremely opaque, one 30ml cake lasts such a long time and throughout several body paints, the paints are easy to apply even for beginners, and they’re durable while on the body and easy to wash off. Of course with any body paints, do not layer them over and over or they will crack, just be mindful about that when applying the paint.

Models: Dakota Bruton and Diamond Lovely- Pink Forever Fashion Show Body Paints

 

Now getting into beauty… Once I started doing makeup for other people and on clients, I was on the hunt for a foundation palette that would be good for all skin types and a wide range of shades. Once I found the Graftobian HD Creme Palette’s, I fell in love! I’ve tried a ton of different foundations, from high end to drug store, and this seems to be the next best thing as a makeup artist. So instead of having a ton of foundation bottles, I now have all the shades I could ever need all in just a few small palettes in my kit. I love that there are shades for someone with the lightest skin tone, to the darkest, and everything in between with the Warm, Cool, Neutral, and Color Correcting palettes. I’ve used their creme foundation on clients with several different skin types and textures, and this foundation hasn’t let me down. The finish is natural and beautiful, and doesn’t look cakey on the skin. Sometimes if my clients have dry skin, or don’t want a full coverage foundation, I’ll even mix the creme foundation with a moisturizer, turning it into a mousse like texture. This sheers out the coverage, feels even lighter on the skin, and provides the skin with that healthy, hydrated glow.

Model: Sara Elizabeth, Graftobian Creme Foundation 

So then answering the question in the title, is Graftobian worth the money? My answer is yes, 100% yes. Although it may not be a brand that you’ve heard of before, they’re so up and coming and so underrated. As a makeup artist and body painter, I love that they have a wide range of theatrical and SFX makeup, and beauty makeup. There’s something for everyone! If you’d like to check out their website, here is the link: http://www.graftobian.com/

Graftobian Pro Paints

Introduction

Hi everyone! So before I get into talking about what this blog will be all about, here is a little bit about me! My name is Rachel Madison, I am a makeup artist, body painter, and model. I am currently 18 years old (until February!), and makeup has been my passion for years. I’ve always had a fascination with makeup and the art of it for as long as I can remember. Throughout middle school, high school, and even younger, I was always the one to put together outfits, and of course always had my makeup done. I didn’t leave the house without it 😉 I think a lot of people tend to associate that with being insecure, “hiding yourself”, but that was never the reason for me. I saw it as an art, it made me feel even more confident and I loved it. But with any confidence, comes people trying to tear you down for it. I never had very many friends, so I spent my time watching YouTube videos and really looking more into the beauty community. I started watching Madeyewlook by Lex and was so inspired by her and her body painted that I started doing my own, and fell in love with it. Throughout middle school I believe was around the time that I was trying to figure out what I wanted as a career, I had no idea being a makeup artist was an actual career! So that’s when I knew, I was going to be a successful, professional makeup artist. Little did I know at that age, how much work it really is!

HMUA/Body Paint: Myself @glameffectss, Photographer: Willyum Baulkey, Model: Alexandra Rudig

Throughout high school I accomplished more than I ever thought I would. I got to travel to Chicago, St.Louis, Louisville, North Carolina, and so many more for makeup jobs and some modeling. I was published several times in magazines, including the incredible Makeup Artist Magazine. I really worked at building my portfolio, improving my skill as a makeup artist and body painter, and of course making a name for myself. Most people may not know, but in Indiana where I currently live, you have to have a cosmetology or esthetician license in order to be a working makeup artist. So I went through a program in high school where I did half days at school, and half days at cosmetology school my junior and senior year. I can’t say that it was easy, but it was definitely worth it! By the time I graduated in May of 2017, I got my diploma and my cosmetology license. I’m so thankful I had all the opportunities I got when I was in high school and even after school. Each and every one was a learning experience and I can see how much I’ve grown as an artist and as a person (finally being a little more outspoken) since I started this journey around 14 years old.

MUA/Body Paint: Myself @glameffectss, Photographer: Eric Dawson, Model: Maikele Raines, Hair: Cassandra Radford

Now that you know more about me, I’m so excited to start this blog that I’m FINALLY working on. Of course I post my work on my social media, Facebook and Instagram, but this blog will be about so much more than just posting the images from what I do. On here I want to go more in depth of how I create a specific look on clients or myself, review products and give my honest feedback, trying popular trends and making it my own, talking about my personal experiences and working as a makeup artist, and so much more. I want this blog to really showcase what I do as an artist and to hopefully inspire others.

If you would like to check my work and follow my social media, here it is!

Instagrams: @glameffectss, @officialrachelmadison

Facebook: GlamEffects by Rachel

Website: http://rachelmadison04.wixsite.com/modelmakeupartist

Model/MUA: Myself @glameffectss, @officialrachelmadison