Greetings once again, my faithful Makeup Mondays readers!
Last week I talked about one of my favorite retro-inspired brands, and this week I’d like to talk about another of my favorites, Joe Blasco. This particular brand is known as a “pro” brand, meaning that it is frequently used in the film and photography industries. Although pro products don’t come in glamorous packages, they tend to be top quality products that deliver superior colors and finishes—these should not be overlooked! You’ll find that the higher pigment-to-filler ratio will allow you to apply a thin layer of color that looks and wears superior.
Joe Blasco is a professional makeup artist who started in the makeup business in 1964. After graduating cosmetology school he went to work for the Max Factor Cosmetics Company as a travelling salesman. As we know, Max Factor was the artist who refined the cosmetics manufacturing process for film, and his products were the first to be adapted for “home use” ( when the movie stars he worked with began taking his cosmetics home, he realized there was an untapped market.) Mr. Blasco soon left that job, and with $50 in pocket, travelled to Hollywood to work as a makeup artist. In 1967 he took a job as an instructor at a small makeup school in Westwood, and at that time realized there was a need for a course that taught motion picture and television makeup artistry. During this same time, Mr. Blasco also apprenticed with major professional cosmetics manufacturing firms as a cosmetics chemist and compounder; he eventually introduced his own line of cosmetics in the 1980s. As I was researching this artist, I found it interesting to note that he does not claim to use only his line of makeup though—you have to respect him for pointing out that artists always use a variety of products to suit their, and their clients’, needs!
The Joe Blasco line is filled with a number of wonderful products well-suited for period makeup use. A personal favorite of mine are the Ultamattes; these dry creams are wonderful for shading and lining the eyes, and can be used on the brows as well. The color Eddie Leonard, named after a Max Factor Pan-Cake shade popular in the 1960s, is a warm, rich chocolate brown tone perfect for pale blondes and redheads who have trouble finding the right shade of eyeliner (this is a staple in my kit and I use it nearly every day.) Both Grey Violet and Dark Grey make excellent shadow choices, and Taupe and Medium Grey Brown (this name is a bit of a misnomer, as there isn’t a hint of gray in it) are wonderful as well. If you are interested in exploring this product, be sure to read my earlier articles that cover application.
Another favorite product of mine is the Dry Blush; these are smooth, wonderfully-pigmented shades 
that blend like a dream. Many of the shades offered are fantastic choices for vintage looks; be sure to check out Flamingo, Orchid, Puff, and Dust.
Joe Blasco also makes a high quality cream foundation called Ultrabase, and although the very fair sadly won’t find a color match here, this product is still worth looking into. Pro cream foundations are to be applied in very thin layers, and can look amazingly natural while providing full coverage. And don’t forget the colorless loose or pressed powder; this is a must in any makeup bag as it will set your makeup without altering the colors (translucent powders do have enough of a tint and can change the color of your blush and shadows slightly.)
Check out the Joe Blasco line at www.joeblasco.com and www.megamakeupstore.com.
xoxo,
Amanda Lee