Makeup with 1 brush
Jasmin tasked us to create a full makeup with just 1 brush. I chose to use an angled blush/ bronzer brush since a brush I’d usually use for a base but I thought it could work.
I used the brush to stipple the foundation but I feel like this created a lot of texture. This was likely impacted by my skin being quite dry lately but I think it looked even more noticeable using this brush. I think the contour and blush looked ok and blended well because this is the type of brush I’d use for contour. For blush I’d usually use a smaller, tapered brush that’s quite fluffy but I feel like this brush worked well for it too. Normally for foundation I’d use a flat, round brush and buff it using circular motions whilst also pressing slightly to help it sink into the skin. I tried to use some of the leftover contour that was on the brush on my nose but it’s not particularly noticeable.
Tattoo coverage
I watched the video lesson Jasmin sent on teams and paused the video and copied it after each step. I used waterproof eyeliner to make a ‘tattoo’ to cover I don’t have any of the products the educator was using so I tried to make do with foundations and cream blushes.
I started by using pinks and corals, trying to stay within the tattoo to create a natural blush tone underneath for when I go over it with foundation. I wasn’t sure what colour it needed to be but it didn’t look right as I was doing it. I used a flat foundation brush to apply it so that a lot of product would go on and build up an even layer. I went over with some more orange tones to make it look more skin-like.
After the layer of blush, I used a stippling blush with a foundation matching my skin tone to make a base. The blush didn’t really show through to create the natural look I wanted. I used a lighter cooler toned foundation and lightly stippled it on to add depth because the skin contains lots of colours but it just looked patchy.
I don’t think it was successful. The consistency of the blushes wasn’t right and I struggled to focus on the video because it was so long. I couldn’t get the blush undertones undertones right and I struggled to make it look like skin and not makeup. I think I’d need to watch the video a few more times before trying to do it again and I’d need the correct products and tools such as an airbrush and alcohol palettes.
Flat Mould Making
Jasmin gave us some oil based clay and sculpting tools and tasked us to create texture and make marks on the clay.
The first tool I tried was a double headed carving knife. Using the edge of the sharp end I created small lines, not putting a lot of pressure on to make the lines quite thin. I thought this could be good for creating scars/slashes so I made a large one, cutting through the clay then tried to smooth it out using the round, flat end.
I reshaped it to make the clay flat and tried using the toothbrush bristles, tapping them which created small dents. I’m not sure exactly what effect this would give on a prosthetic. I also dragged the toothbrush which created scrapes.
I also used some other things to see what they would do. Jasmin showed that putting cling film over and using the tools over it will make the marks more subtle.
Jasmin brought out some photos of wounds that would’ve been common in the Georgian era and told us to recreate it with clay. I chose to create a boil.
I mainly used my fingers to shape the clay and used a sculpting knife to make the edges smaller. I used lighter fluid to smooth over parts so it wouldn’t be too harsh of a transition between the base and the raised part of the boil. I added 2 small balls of clay for the parts of the boil where the pus is closest to the surface. Once I’d moulded the clay I covered it with cling film and used a wedge sponge with the bottom plucked to give a skin-like texture. I don’t think the texture showed up as much as I wanted it to but it could be more noticeable once I take the latex off the clay. Once I’d added texture, I added thin layers of liquid latex with a sponge, making sure to keep the base very thin so it’ll blend better when I put it on the skin. I dried the layers in between each one with a hairdryer. Currently there are 3 layers. I plan on adding at least 2 more to the top so it’ll be sturdy enough but I think that even then I’ll need some cotton so it’s not flimsy. If this goes well, I’ll use it for my final look for this project.
The week before the assessment, I added a few more layers and took it off the tile.
Heated and Bendy Rollers
I struggled with putting the first couple of rollers in since it had been a long time since I last used them but it was relatively okay putting the red rollers in. I was struggling with the blue rollers on the sides so Jasmin showed me a different way to put them in which worked better for me. I took out the red roller at the bottom because the hair was falling out and replaced it with a white one while putting the last rollers in.
Overall I think it went ok but I need to practice more because getting the hand movements right to keep the tension was difficult at first.
I didn’t have enough time to get a full set of bendy rollers in but I wanted to do at least 1 so that I cold see how it feels and know what I need to work on. I think it went well. I managed to keep the tension while putting the roller in and because the rollers are longer I found it easier to wrap the hair around the bendy compared to the traditional roller.
Skin Breakdown
One of the first things I noticed when looking at my model’s skin was the redness on her cheeks, so I started by enhancing that. I used a wedge sponge that I’d plucked the end off so it wasn’t flat and would make the product look more natural once on the skin. I sprayed a lot of IPA on my illustrator palette and pressed the sponge into it to pick up the pigment then lightly stippled it onto her skin. I think I should have tapped off the excess on my palette because it was a bit too harsh at first. I think the left cheek looked a bit more natural than the right just because that side had more redness than the other. I also created bags under her eyes to make her look more tired since there was already a slight blue tone in the inner corner. I made sure that she kept her eyes closed so that the fumes from the alcohol wouldn’t be too much and asked if she wanted a break while I applied it. I added a hint of yellow on the skin tag next to her nose which already was very slightly yellow.
Bendy Rollers for Georgian Hair
I followed this tutorial when styling the head because it’s specifically based on Harlots. Instead of using a curling iron like the woman in the video, I used bendys so I can practice using them and I can create tighter curls. I think the bendys went in well and I successfully kept the tension when putting them in. I didn’t finish putting them all in, mainly because there wasn’t an even number of blue and red rollers so I had to get 2 other boxes and give them time to heat up.
Georgian Makeup
I think this went well overall. I think the white base was even. I think the symmetry and colour of the blush was good. I tried to line my lips smaller towards the outer corner to make them look thinner and also to emphasise the cupids bow, which was a trend in the era. However, the line was wobbly so I need to practice lining lips. I think the eyebrows could have been rounder to be more historically accurate, but I know that I struggle with eyebrows. When I next do this style of eyebrows, I’ll use gel to get them into shape.
Hair Laying
The stubble went on well. I mixed 3 different colours of crepe hair to give a more natural look. I got it on without any problems and the thickness was good. For the hair laying, I struggled a bit at first with the pulling motion but after a couple of practices it went well.
Hair Wrapping & Wig Application
For the hair wrapping in the morning, I chose to do a full wrap. I don’t think it went well because it was bulky in the back due to a mix if using too many pins and not successfully flattening the hair. However, I think I did a good job putting the weft clips in at the anchor points.
I think I did a good job at blocking the wig. It was secure and stayed on even when I turned the malleable block upside down to check. I decided to change the wig after trying to detangle it because it was in very poor condition and it would have taken all lesson to get it to a useable point. I did try to steam it but it wasn’t working. I blocked the new wig which was easy and combing it was a lot easier than the previous wig.
I used the washing machine method to put the wig cap on which I felt worked well. When I put the wig on, I used pins to secure it but some of them were showing and the wig wasn’t on the centre. I’m not sure if the wig wasn’t big enough or if I needed to pull it further forward but a lot of my model’s natural hair was showing at the front.
Georgian Wig Styling
I decided to style a wig after getting my model because she wears her hair in braids so a wig would be necessary as it would cost too much for her to put all the braids back in. I chose this brown, curly wig because the curls would help create volume and a lot of Georgian hairstyles used a lot of curls. Since I’m doing a middle class character, I didn’t want extreme height. I got a lot of help from Debs because I know that she’s done a lot of works with wigs. I started by pinning the hair up using thicker U-Pins that wouldn’t be seen so they’d be able to hold the large amount of hair. Once I had a base I started to pin the hair around to give volume. I tried to use bendys to get some curls in the back but they were too heavy and some of the hair fell out from the style so I changed my method and used small rollers and steamed them. I put the hair back up to the main structure and added more pins to keep them secure, making sure to push the pin in and back so it’s tighter. I’m happy with how it came out, especially because I’ve not styled a wig or done Georgian hair before.
I tried it on Emilia to test how comfortable and heavy it fel. I did a quick washing machine wrap and pinned it on. I wasn’t trying to get it on perfectly because I was mainly testing how it felt. I got it secure. I don’t think it was completely on the centre because the back looked like it was leaning towards the right. I left a bit of her natural hair at the front out of the cap to blend it into the wig.