Makeup Class: Bennett Career Institute

This past Monday, I attended a free makeup seminar at Bennett Career Institute. A newer institution that has made a name for itself; it's the Howard University of beauty schools in this area. Not only can you take classes on Makeup Artistry, a host of classes are taught: Cosmetology, Barber Styling, Natural Styling and Braiding, Fashion Design and more!

The class was started off by informing and offering us opportunities on getting into makeup and makeup sales through different venues. Soon enough, the real show started. Tanna J, one of Bennett's stars and the Makeup Artistry instructor, showed us how she achieves a well polished and dramatic day look.

• Apply moisturizer with a foundation brush- oil control lotion if the skin is oily.
• Work on eyes before foundation (there are other techniques, but this works best).
• Starting with eyebrows, clean them up using concealer (blend concealer well), shade them with a powder and angled brush or pencil.
• Use a cream base product for lids (or Urban Decay Primer Potion, or any other base that may be suitable for oily lids).
• When applying shadows use a patting motion to pack on shadow for more intensity; sweeping your brush across the lids will move the shadow and give a sheerer application. Tanna used a Ben Nye pigment for her lid color.
• For a pop of color, apply a 'pop' shade in the inner lid (corner).
• Use a blending brush to apply and blend a matte color in the crease and outer v. Blend well.
• Tanna's concealer under the brow arch substituted for a highlight color (Sounds like a Yummy411 trick to me! lol)
• Use a dark liner to line bottom lid and set with a matching powder. (Tanna informed us that lining the bottom lid only was a trend this season, leaving the top lid bright and fresh.)
• Apply false lashes: snip ends to fit lid, apply glue to lash band, wait 30 seconds for it to become tacky. Anchor the lash in the middle and press for a few seconds to secure ends.
• Apply foundation (with foundation brush or sponge.) Creamy foundations give medium buildable coverage. Most women of color need more than one color of foundation. Mix appropriately.
• Tanna used the highlight technique of putting a loose powder two shades lighter than the model's skintone right below her eyes and out to her cheek bones ever so lightly.
• Set foundation with powder.
• Apply blush (Tanna lightly mixed three shades.)
• Line lips with a natural shade of liner and apply a swipe of gloss.
• All done!

*Items in bold are what Yummy411 took away with her in her back pocket.. gotta try this at home!

Tanna was fantastic answering all of our questions and giving us tips along the way. She's a teacher first and an artist second, so she great at both. I love her!

I truly enjoy attending events at BCI. I can't wait for the Celebrity Makeup Symposium where makeup artists to the stars come out and talk with students and artists alike!