'Elizabeth' - Shekhar Kapur

Hello you wonderful people, I'm back again! So to help get into the swing of this project we were told to watch a film based around Queen Elizabeth and how she became the great monarch that she was. 'Elizabeth' was made in 1998 and was done in quite a contemporary style. To be able to get both sides of the Queen the actress that was used had to be able to portray both looks incredibly well, this is where the beautiful Cate Blanchett comes in. With her fair skin but prominent features.

At the beginning of the film were shown a young version of the Queen. Before Elizabeth became a a strong monarch she looked to be quite a free spirit. She had light make up and her hair was down in loose waves with a few pieces pinned back. Through out the beginning of the film Elizabeth's look stays almost the exact same. The light make up helps portray the innocence that Elizabeth had creating an almost ethereal look.

As the film goes on, Blanchett's look changes slightly. While the make up stays light an airy, her hair slowly get tied up in more scenes.The hair style that was most commonly used was plaits turned into buns. While the back of her hair was tied up the front was left down but in tight ringlets. Because Elizabeth hadn't been queen long it meant that she still had some sort of innocence but the longer she was the more severe her look came.

However the most dramatic change that Elizabeth goes through is at the end. Part of the storyline was for Elizabeth to get rid of the heretics one of which was her lover Robert Dudley. It was at that moment the true realisation that she was queen hit her. Realising that she can't be that sweet innocent girl that she was before, she creates a whole new look. Her long hair is cut short so that it sits in tight curls to her head, creating the iconic look from this era. The style of make up also changed quite drastically. Going from a very natural look, it became very heavy and very noticeable. A white face, bright pink plush a slightly rosy lips finished off the look. Queen Elizabeth reinvented herself as 'The Virgin Queen', wearing a lot of white gowns decorated in pearls. This showed the country that her intentions were pure and that she was 'married' to her people and her country.

Cleansing the face

I'm baaaaack guys! So today we had our first lesson with Sue Mainstone who is one of our make up lecturers. We were learning about the importance of making sure that your client has a clean face before you start applying any new make up. This is because any old make up could run into the new look and possibly ruin it. Which would not be good! This is also the time when you would ask your client if they are either allergic to anything or if they have sensitive skin. It's best to work with products that are designed for sensitive skin anyway just for extra precaution. 

What you will need:

• Cleanser
• Toner
• Moisturiser
• Cotton Wool Pads/Buds
• Hair cape

So before I explain the nitty gritty stuff, there are a few things that need to be done before you start. First things first, make sure your hands are clean. Your model isn't going to want dirty hands near their face! Let them know that you're going to clean your hands, just so they can have that piece of mind. Another thing is to make sure that they have the hair cape wrapped around them just to make sure that their clothing is protected. And lastly it is easier if they have their hair tied up. Wouldn't want any products going in the hair that shouldn't!

Okay so down to the real stuff.

1. Take two cotton wool pads and put a small amount of cleanser on them. Then in an upwards circular motion, work the pads around the clients face. (if the pads get too dirty then you can get two new ones and use those) 
2. When it comes to getting make up off around the eye area there are two different options that you can choose from. The first is gently wiping away the make up from the eyes using either a cotton pad or a cotton bud. The second option is getting the client to wipe the make up off themselves. This way you know that you aren't hurting the client and that all the make up is definitely all off.
3. To get make up off the eyebrows, take a cotton pad and wipe in the opposite direction that the hair grows. This helps get right down to the roots of the hair allowing you to make sure everything is off.
4. Once you think you have got all the make up off with the cleanser, you do the same steps just with the toner. This helps get off any excess make up that the cleanser might not have gotten. In the same upwards circular motion make sure you wipe around the neck area as well.
5. The last step is to place a small amount of moisturiser on to the tips of your fingers and then gently rub it in to the clients face. This just helps prep the skin for when you put on the base.

Skin Diseases

It's me again guys! Just another update with what's going on. Due to the manner of the course I've been told to do some research on different skin diseases that are contagious and non-contagious. This is so that I know what skin types I can and cannot work on. This is not only for my safety but also the safety of the model. I wouldn't want to create more of a problem!!

Contagious

Impetigo - Impetigo is incredibly common and highly contagious. It can cause a skin infection that creates sores and blisters. However it's not usually serious and can easily be healed within a week of treatment. If a model were to have this particular disease I wouldn't be able to put any make up of any sort on them so that I don't cause more damage and so that I don't catch it.

Conjunctivitis - Conjunctivitis is condition that effects the thin layer that goes over your eye. It causes it to inflame making redness appear. The condition is caused by blood vessels in eyes enlarging making the eye look like it's red all over. This particular disease is highly contagious meaning that if I were to put any make up on someone with it, I would have to throw the brushes away as they could pass on the disease even after cleaned.

Non-Contagious

Eczema - is caused by the inflammation of the skin, making it become red and itchy. Depending on the severity of the condition, Eczema can either turn scaly and more pigmented or in a more serious case can cause blisters and sores. Eczema is one of the most common skin conditions. If a person was to have this disease I would still be able to do their make up as it is not contagious. 

Psoriasis - Psoriasis it almost like Eczema where patches of the skin become red and scaly. The skin can also become quite flaky. It's not a contagious disease however it is incurable and it is a long term condition. I would still be able to apply the make up to the flaky parts of the skin, however if the skin is red then I would have to try and avoid that area so that I wouldn't make it any worse.

Contra Action - A contra action is something that happens when you are with a client or afterwards. Things like inflammation of the skin, redness of the skin, itchiness or swelling. It's best to ask if the client is allergic to anything before you start. However if any of these signs appear during the process take the make up off straight away and place a cold flannel on their face.

Contra Indication - A contra indication is something that has happened to the client before you have started their make up. Like I previously mentioned, it is best to ask the client if they are allergic or have sensitive skin so that you are able to get an idea as to what I can and cannot put on their face.