Latex Mask Construction

The construction of latex masks can be considered one of the most lucrative jobs within the Halloween industry.  Millions of masks are sold around the world just before Halloween in order to be worn that night or at events during October. Halloween is the second most lucrative holiday in United States second only to Christmas.
 
Every year a huge trade show is held in Chicago or Las Vegas, dedicated to Halloween products, including masks, and is hugely attended by thousands of vendors and customers.  There are also tens of other trade shows dedicated to the Haunting Industry offered around the US and offer hundreds of new products to purchase.

When making masks for Amusement Parks, Haunted Houses, Horror Festivals and/or Theatrical Shows only the highest quality latex is used so the masks can be worn repeatedly during the Halloween season.  And there are collectors of masks who increasingly demand the highest quality of materials.

Learning to make quality masks can change the course of your life and launch you into the beginning of a very rewarding business that may have the potential to be developed into a big company

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There are only two ways to learn any craft: taking classes from experts or learning by oneself.

I don't want to underestimate all those How-to-Books or How-To-Videos because so much of what I have learned in life has been from books and videos, but sometimes it is best to be guided by an expert, one who can answer your questions immediately and quickly clear up any confusion or misunderstanding - you won't get stuck in the learning process.  This is why I personally recommend taking classes at an institution dedicated to the craft you want to learn or the skill you want to own.

By enrolling in specific classes you can have access to more information than what you can get from a book, video or DVD.   You can learn from experienced instructors, and also learn from your classmates.   There is a big advantage to learning in a group. 

Certainly, the institution where you decide to take classes must have a library and internet access for researching your projects.  The same institution should also offer other courses that can be very helpful when designing and developing your creatures.

If you are really interested in starting a hobby or career that can give you income, or if you are seriously thinking of starting a business in the Latex Mask Construction business, take classes from those who are already experienced in this business is a must. 

Do the research and find the best school/program/instructor for your purpose.  Don't get too impressed with all pictures you find, as almost all the photos on the internet are retouched or they may even be computer-generated.  Go to the stability and credibility of the institution or school that offers these kinds of courses, check out their instructors and the school's history.  How long has the institution been in business?  What other services does the school offer besides classes?  Will the school help you with a job search after you graduate?

Think about all of these questions and then make your decision.

Put all these ideas in your head to work for you.  Believe me you will be on the road to success just by making a few right decisions in the beginning of your journey.

Tony Valdes

Director of Education

EI School of Professsional Makeup

Hollywood, CA

Can Face & Body Painting Provide a Career

In recent years the art of face and body painting has gained increased worldwide popularity.  Every day, those who were once painting on canvas have found the face and body more interesting and challenging than a tight flat piece of fabric on a frame.

This has also given advertisers a new way to get the attention of the public: by using beautiful bodies painted with intriguing and glorious designs, and they are able to promote a product too!

From the beginning of time, humans have painted their bodies for a variety of reasons.  Some ancient tribes used skin dyes made of pigments composed of plant extracts or mineral clays and powders; they would mix these pigments with vegetable oil or animal fat to paint themselves for special occasions.  Many tribes considered face painting as a way to transform a person into a spirit.  Some native groups valued the opportunity of displaying themselves as works of art.  Face painting was not only used to adorn oneself, but some cultures used body painting as a protection for the skin, while others used face and body painting for rituals such as weddings, funerals, battles, tribal counsel meetings  -- occasions of change, of spiritual reverence, of power, of respect.  Humans everywhere embellished the living and adorned the dead with face paint. 
 

Eventually face and body painting was adapted by artists for theatrical performances and staged presentations.  In more modern times, we can find face and body painting in a huge number of venues.

There are so many opportunities where a Face & Body Painting artist can work:  fairs and amusement parks, birthday parties, carnivals, school and sporting events.  Body painting has become a welcome site in television commercials, print ads, music videos, on-line, in videos, car shows, trade shows, etc.

So, if you know how to work with cosmetics or you have experience in painting and drawing, you must consider this field.  You will enter a new arena in the competitive world of art.  There are different techniques to achieve face and body painting and learning all about them or taking classes for guidance is a good idea.

Cosmetic Safety and Expiration Dates:

How to know when a product becomes contaminated or expires

Cosmetics aren't required by law to have expiration dates, so you can't just look at the label to know when a product has expired.  Experts vary in their guidelines, and expiration dates are simply "rules of thumb".  A product's safety may expire long before the expiration date if a product hasn't been used, or stored, properly.  For example, products exposed to high temperatures or sunlight may deteriorate well before their time.

From the moment you open it, the life of a product decreases and bacteria grows.  It is important to treat cosmetic products with care.  Keep all cosmetic products (make up and skincare) in a cool, dry, place and remember that any product which changes color or smells should be discarded immediately.

We don't think twice about throwing away milk when the expiration date comes, and it should be the same with make up and skincare products.  The preservatives added to cosmetic products can degrade over time and may no longer be able to fight bacteria.  The cosmetics you use should be as fresh as the food you eat.  As a general rule, expiration dates begin the moment a consumer uses a product.  After products are opened, they will lose their effectiveness. 

The preservatives present in cosmetics should kill common bacteria.  But, as FDA studies show, a little bacteria is present in cosmetics before we buy them.  As soon as you open a new product, airborne bacteria rush in.  Touching cosmetics with unclean hands, unclean applicators and/or brushes adds to the bacterial contamination.  Another possibility for product contamination is sharing.  Never share cosmetic products with anyone, not even other makeup artists.  Sharing cosmetics means sharing germs and the chance of contamination is very high.  It isn't worth risking infection.

General Rules to ensure Cosmetic Safety:

ü      Never use Professional Make-Up Kit products for personal use.

ü      Good hygiene is key.  Before applying cosmetics, sanitize hands.

ü      Always use spatulas to remove product from containers and work off of a palette.

ü      Keep container lids tightly closed when not in use.

ü      Keep out of sunlight and heat (which deteriorates the preservatives).

ü      Never keep cosmetics (make-up and skincare) in a hot car for long periods of time.

ü      Never use cosmetic products if a client has an infection (such as pinkeye, conjunctivitis or skin breakouts).

ü      Immediately throw away any cosmetics if a problem is found or contamination may be evident.

ü      Immediately throw away any products if its color or smell changes.

ü      Never add liquid to a product to bring it back to it's original consistency (adding water can introduce bacteria that can easily grow out of control)

Quality training is the most important element in beginning a successful career as a makeup artist.  Where you study and what you study definitely dictates the results you will get.  To be considered a "professional" declares to the world that you have acquired the knowledge necessary to design and apply makeup for almost any project in film, television, high fashion photography, live performance, special effects, etc., and that you can create a huge variety of characters within a variety of situations.  With a great education a makeup artist build a credible reputation

So how can you go about getting the training you need?  Well, if you are living in Southern California, you are very lucky, as there are many choices.  Begin by asking if a school is licensed by the state of California.  Additionally, ask if the school is nationally accredited.  This ensures that the school has been reviewed by an agency that dictates very high standards for the education offered.  Also, an accredited school can offer financial aid packages to its students, which can make the school more affordable.

Once you have found a licensed and accredited school, ask if you can sit in on a class for 10-20 minutes.  You can get a good feel for the school by doing this.  Ask questions about the curriculum - what are you going to learn?  Ask about the qualifications of the teachers.  What kind of experience do the teachers have?  Ask about student services.  Are there Career Services at the school?  What is the job placement rate at the school? 

As a professional makeup artist, I often hire assistants, and the first thing I check out, is what makeup school they attended.  If they attended a reputable makeup school, chances are that I will be happy working with them, as they will know what to do and I won't have to stand over them correcting and changing their work.  I'm not going to pay someone I have to train; anyone I hire must know what to do and how to do it.

A professional makeup artist doesn't know just how to apply lipstick and mascara, a professional knows how to transform the girl next door into a glamorous red carpet beauty or take that same girl next door and transform her with FX makeup into a mutated zombie.  Many wannabe artists do not know how lighting plays such a huge part in the aesthetics of makeup.  Certain lighting can completely kill a beautiful makeup application or enhance it.  Cameras can also affect the way makeup needs to be applied, and many technical factors need to be considered when designing and applying makeup.  A good school will provide all the specialized training you will need.

Additionally, there is the business side of this artistic profession.  How are you going to deal with clients?  What will you do if you are hired as an independent contractor?  Should you sign a contract?  How do you get some employers to pay you on time?  Make sure the school you're going to attend has answers to these questions, and that they also teach you how to break down a budget, too.  A great school will give you all the tools you are going to need - so take the time to research the schools and you'll be on your way to a great career.