February 7th, 2023
For this month’s Kit Saviours we turn to MUA and Body Artist Samantha Helen – you may recognise her from demonstrating on our live stage at Look Good Live, or from donating prizes for our recent Virtual Makeup Competition.
An eye for the weird and wonderful, Samantha Helen is best known for her illusion body art and creative looks. Although self-taught, Sam has absorbed her skills and knowledge through her background of art, textiles and photography. Transferring skill sets over from each subject, she enjoys rustling up all sorts of creative chaos.
She first dipped her feet into the industry working for MAC Cosmetics which introduced her into the idea of moving from the face, to using the whole body as a canvas. This transitioned from makeup to body paint where her true artistic flair came alive.
Moving out of retail Sam started to assist and collaborate with large brands on social media such as Coca-Cola, The Gypsy Shrine and Pretty Little Thing. Pushing her skills, she began to build her portfolio which caught attention of the world renowned photographer Rankin, where she stepped into the studio with him as the makeup designer for Rolls Royce and their “Spirit of Ecstasy” campaign.
As Samantha began to inspire the younger generation of budding artists through social media, she was asked to hold masterclasses with colleges and universities. This lead to the development of her own body paint brand Essentials by Samantha Helen.
She talks us through her must have and hero products.
Obagi CLENZIderm M.D.® Daily Care Foaming Cleanser (£38.70)
This is my favourite cleanser for aftercare. All creative artists put their skin through the ringer and this cleanser always manages to restore balance to everyone’s skin whom I recommend it to.
Mehron Metallic Pigment (£11.95)
Whether you activate this with a mixing medium or use the metallic powder as a pigment, the effect is outstanding and show stopping in any creative makeup. Metallic cakes tend to dry dull on the skin, whereas these powders give a true metallic gleam that looks like real metal.
Essentials By Samantha Helen Split Cake Palettes (£37.99)
A cheeky shameless plug of my split cake palette! I would be lost without split cakes. I incorporate them into more or less every design I create. They are fantastic for dramatic quick looks that can shock clients. This palette has such a range of colour the design possibilities are endless.
Diamond FX neon cakes (£8.50)
Incorporating UV into your design or into any clients show can seriously wow the audience with your work. Hints of UV and neon are always a go to fave of mine with creative makeup, as they add an illusion and magic element to your work.
NYX Professional Makeup Epic Ink Eye Liner (£9)
My favourite pen tip liner. This baby is waterproof and is true black with amazing depth. I love using this to outline teeth on skulls as it is waterproof, it minimises any smudges on the lips compared to using body paint which is water activated.
Kryolan TV Paint Stick White (£20.85)
Cream products are the best way to create a flawless base. My go to White base will always be Kryolan’s Paint stick. These paint sticks tend to have the best opacity of any brand and a little goes a long way.
Toothbrush
Oh yes you read that right. A toothbrush. They are the BEST tool for creative-SFX and editorial/beauty makeup. To spray skin illustrator pigment onto the skin in sandy browns, to create freckles for beauty makeup, stipple and blend skin tones for tattoo cover-ups, creative sprays: galaxy stars, blood sprays, flowers, water spray. You name it, a tooth brush can be used in every area of makeup.
2LoveMy Prime & Glow Moisturiser (£19.90)
As someone with super sensitive skin, making sure the skin is prepped and restored after all my looks is essential. This primer is Vegan and incredible for sensitive skin.
Beauty Bay Bright Matte 42 Palette (£25)
This colourful wonder is such a bargain for brilliant pigment! Vivid matte colours which pack a punch in every creative look. A definite must on any job. The wide range of shades and tones from this palette means you can go creative or keep it neutral.
West Barn Co Brow Pomade (£15)
This is such a great product to create a laminated look for beauty and editorial makeup and also a fab product to stick down softer brow hairs for creative looks. An alternative way to use this product is to style baby hairs and lay edges in creative ways on the skin. I am a big fan of multi-use products!
Follow Samantha on Instagram. She will also be exhibiting and joining us for demos and panels at UMAE in Liverpool, 26th-27th March.
Subscribe to the Warpaint newsletter here.
Purchase our print magazine here.
Comments
Related Posts
