Sulphates are chemicals used as cleansing agents in products. They can be found in most household cleaners, detergents, and shampoos.

There are two sulphate types, mainly sodium lauryl sulphate and sodium laureth sulphate. Both sulphates are used to create a lathering foaming effect to remove dirt and oil from your hair. An easy way to tell if your shampoo has sulphates is if it lathers easily, and of course check the ingredient listing. Sulphate-free shampoos generally make little to no lather. They belong to a class of cleansers called anionic surfactants, which clean away substances.

When should someone avoid sulphates?

While sulphates are effective at removing dirt and oil from your hair if you have sensitive skin, eczema, contact dermatitis, rosacea or any allergies to sulphates you should avoid them completely. Some symptoms to look out for if you are allergic to sulphates: Redness, Skin rash, Swelling (inflammation), Itchiness, and Hives.

Avoid sulphates if you have the following hair conditions:

·         Dry or fine hair, sulphates will strip the natural oils needed to keep your hair healthy.

·         Coloured hair, avoid sulphates as they might strip the colour from your hair. Rather choose a sulphate-fee shampoo for colour-treated hair, these may not lather as much, but they help your hair maintain moisture that may be lost from your colour treatments.

·         Frizzy hair, when sulphates come in contact with your hair, they create a negative electrical charge, which creates frizzy hair after you shampoo.

Always make a habit of checking the ingredient listing on your products to ensure you are using a product suitable for you.

Hydro International offers courses in HAIRDRESSING / COSMETOLOGY. Come and chat with a career consultant about a future in hairdressing today.

A smokey eye is one of those timeless looks that delivers a sexy, smoldering effect worthy of an evening out on the town. There are a few techniques a PROFESSIONAL MAKEUP ARTIST will always use to create the perfect smokey eye. Let’s take a look…

A smokey eye should be dramatic and bold. The secret to a great smokey eye is all about blending. When creating a smokey eye it is important to pair up light base colors with rich dark colors. For example, a gold base with a deep purple upper lid or a champagne base with a vivid green upper lid. Always remember to combine light bases with rich dark colors and blend until it looks flawless, and you are set.

The best smokey eye is one that uses three shades from the same colour family: a light base for the entire lid, a darker shade, and a deep shade. Assemble your shadows and use a coordinating dark eyeliner to get started. Follow these steps to get the perfect smokey eye every time.

1. Prep the lid.

Brush the primer over the entire lid and let it dry. Many PROFESSIONAL MAKEUP ARTISTS prefer brushing a cream concealer over the lid and setting it with powder.

2. Apply eyeliner.

Apply dark eyeliner along the upper lash line, drawing the line thicker in the middle of the eye. Repeat on the lower lashes. After you finish, use a cotton swab or a small makeup brush to smudge the line.

3. Apply the light base shade.

Sweep the light base over the lids up to the brow bone. A light, shimmery shadow works best.

4. Blend in a medium shade.

Begin to blend in the darker colour on the bottom lid, about halfway across the eyelid. Blend the shadow upward and outward into the crease of the eye.

5. Blend in the darkest shade.

Using a high-quality shadow brush, sweep the darkest shade into the outer corner of the eye. Remember to blend!

6. Highlight and create contrast.

Create contrast by applying a small amount of medium shade over the brow bone. Continue to blend until you’ve achieved a flawless look.

7. Finish with several coats of mascara.

Make sure to finish with several coats of mascara to ensure the lashes are dark and bold or apply false eyelashes for a dramatic look.

PROFESSIONAL MAKEUP ARTIST tips and tricks

• Finish the smokey eye before applying foundation and concealer to avoid eye shadow dust from ruining your foundation.
• You can create the smokey eye with many different colour palettes but avoid blue shades—they can make your clients look like they have under-eye circles.
• To achieve a subtle, everyday smokey eye look, you can use shimmery brown shades.
• Keep your lips nude when creating a smokey eye, rather put the focus on the eyes, or the lips, but never both.
• Keep a good selection of colours from the same colour family in your makeup bag to create the look with ease.
• Use good-quality brushes if you want a professional look for your smokey eye. Make sure you have a flat shading brush, a mid-size shadow brush, and a fluffy blending brush on hand.
• Lighten up the look by adding a little shimmery white shadow to the inner corners of the eyes.

At Hydro International we offer PROFESSIONAL MAKE-UP ARTISTRY COURSES where you can learn the art of makeup application for different occasions and events. Why wait, start your career in PROFESSIONAL MAKEUP ARTISTRY today!

In a world of ongoing change and trend-setting there is a valuable need for PROFESSIONAL MAKEUP ARTISTRY Not only does it encompass the foundations for current and specific ideas but also the creation of imagination and fantasy. PROFESSIONAL MAKEUP ARTISTRY points towards a variety of avenues, from events application to more involved theatrical and film claims. In this vast range of approaches, there is a focus on individual desires but also industry-driven requests.

As a PROFESSIONAL MAKEUP ARTIST, the possibilities for growth and development are as diverse as the products and cosmetics used in the industry for the creation of a variety of different practices. The choice of path is specific to each individual and the particular skill and qualification attained.

The roots of make-up always lie in the beautifying and enhancement of features and imperfections not always acceptable in social circles or the public eye. Cosmetic makeup application goes far beyond the use of make-up for attractiveness and masking flaws.

PROFESSIONAL MAKEUP ARTISTRY can be divided into categories for easy access and selection according to individual requirements or desires. Basic day makeup conceals blemishes, enhances good features, and limits the visibility of blemishes and prominent facial features.  All in all, this is a very natural or matt application however as per individual needs, styles, and media trends this may be enhanced with specific cosmetics, products, and commodities. In most instances, the overall outcome of a day’s make-up is to have the “no-make-up” look. In this category, one will also find nude makeup with bold lips and strong highlights. One can experiment with bold colors while creating a light look without taking away the natural look and enabling the skin to breathe.

Monochromatic Make-up or one-color make-up is often used for the individual on the run, with limited time for professional application and time-consuming procedures. It is chosen to enhance the color of an outfit or specific eye color. It can be subtle or bold depending on the individual desires and personality.

Evening Make-up will cater to changes in lighting, indoor or outdoor events, lavish attire, or corporate apparel. The use of color is often bolder, striking, and shimmer-orientated. Generally, the setting is heavier to last longer and possibly allow for photographic variations.

Bridal make-up varies greatly on the specifics of the wedding theme and bride requests. It is detailed to suit photo and lens variations during photographic sessions to ensure visibility and enhance the natural beauty of the bride. High-definition makeup is necessary and the more advanced airbrush techniques create flawless applications. Airbrush techniques do not use conventional brushes and tools, rather painting on the makeup with an airbrush. This creates a flawless look by layering the makeup which lasts much longer and creates complete coverage for blemishes and imperfections without making the skin look cakey.

Photographic make-up is a specialized field in which many artists will focus as the financial gain and career security is more stable but can also be done on a freelance basis making the artist more flexible for other opportunities. Color, lighting, theme setting, and personal preferences determine the outcomes. Both color and black-and-white photography options are used extensively in the private, corporate, and advertising sectors.

Stage and Theatre makeup is based on visibility rather than detail and precision. On stage, make-up needs to be bold and heavy to accommodate the effect of strong lighting, distance from the audience, and the desired character building. Different types of cosmetics and heavier wax-based products are used to create the desired effects. Often the makeup is thick and may leave the skin blocked and feeling oily. Thorough removal is essential to avoid skin breakouts and congested pores.

Professional Make-up Artistry involves another division more suitable to the individual happy to experiment and give way to imagination. Film and television make-up is a highly advanced and expert-driven section of the make-up industry. The artist is not only to follow and apply creative ideas but also to stay within the limits of the theme. Products and cosmetics used vary greatly and the preparation of a character may precede days before the actual application. Building props and accessories in advance may take days or even weeks to complete depending on the elements of the character. In most cases, the make-up artist is part of a team and will work in conjunction with other individuals for the final character assembly.

No matter the type, style, or use of make-up the PROFESSIONAL MAKEUP ARTIST industry is a comprehensive and exciting biosphere of diversity and creativity ready for the enthusiastic and ambitious artist to establish a name and reputation that will stand the test of time given the correct motivation and inspiration.

In HAIRDRESSING / COSMETOLOGY hairstylists have many tips on how to take care of your hair. Our team have put together some basic guidelines for your daily hair maintenance routine.

 Most people are not aware of how to select the correct shampoo/conditioner/hair treatment. This is mainly due to a lack of exposure to professional HAIRDRESSING/COSMETOLOGY practitioners. A lack of knowledge and understanding of hair types usually leads to incorrect choices.

 A great starting point would be to complete a professional analysis done by a HAIRDRESSING / COSMETOLOGY practitioner to establish the condition of the hair and scalp.

 Hair types are categorised into dry, oily, damaged, or chemically treated. The scalp could be dry, oily, sensitive, or scaly. A thorough examination will steer you in the right direction and make the world of difference to the condition of your hair and scalp.

 For a dry hair type HAIRDRESSING / COSMETOLOGY practitioners recommend a moisturising/hydrating shampoo and conditioner. For damaged hair select a repair shampoo and conditioner and depending on the extent of damage a professional treatment would be recommended, these are normally protein based. If there is dandruff present, anti-dandruff shampoos should be selected. In more resilient cases, special liquid solutions are used and are highly effective. They are usually applied after shampooing, the hair will then be towel dried, and the solution is then applied to the scalp and left as a leave-on treatment. For hair with colour and or hi-lights, select a shampoo and conditioner for colour-treated hair. In cases where the yellow or brassy colour needs to be controlled for hi-lights, select a silver/purple shampoo and conditioner. Most hair products of today have been formulated with low Sulphates or are Sulphate free.

HAIRDRESSING / COSMETOLOGY stylists would recommend professionally formulated products available in Hairdressing salons to suit your specific needs, this will ensure the best results and eliminate the guesswork when purchasing over the counter.

 For any information regarding our HAIRDRESSING /COSMETOLOGY courses, chat with our career consultants.     

In 2022 the Curly and Wavy look made a comeback for hair. All of a sudden these beautiful bouncy locks are seen everywhere. HAIRDRESSING / COSMETOLOGY professionals are sure that it is here to stay for 2023.

Women with curly tresses always look soft and feminine. Hence the perm comes back. Not too long-ago HAIRDRESSING / COSMETOLOGY professionals were not performing perms in the salon at all. In fact, hardly any perm products were available in the marketplace. Manufacturers are back as well, creating new even better fragrances with more protective ingredients for Perm formulations.

One icon HAIRDRESSING / COSMETOLOGY professionals always refer to is Salma Hayek who rocked the curly Femme look for a long time. Hayek is the epitome of voluptuousness.

That being said not only are females perming but the males are going for more volumes permed looks.

So if you are looking at jumping on the bandwagon and getting a perm done, research some of the options. Just make sure you consult a professional HAIRDRESSING / COSMETOLOGY practitioner to achieve this look.