ULTIMA II, REVLON Makeup Artist Technique

Russell Dado was a makeup artist for Revlon and Ultima II cosmetics in the 1970s. These makeup tips are from 1970.

Russell's technique begins with the gentle cream removal of your makeup, with special gentle attention given to delicate eye tissue. Then, starting from the bottom up, he adds the first corrector, (don't get sensitive- no one's perfect!) a moisturizer with the slightest complexion correcting toner by Ultima II. It acts as a primer for makeup, which doesn't correct. The next helper is a concealer cream, used to cover shadows and lines under the eyes. "There's a great difference between expression lines and wrinkles," he admonishes. (Meant graciously to infer there's no need to worry. Yet.)

Makeup is the next layer applied - across the forehead, over the nose, across cheeks and a quick swipe under the chin - then blended. Sheer blusher is applied high on cheekbones "to focus on the eyes, the true communicator between two people," Russell says. He then sets the makeup with a sprinkle of water and a blot of tissue, rather like a beauty baptism.

Eyes get special treatment, starting with a narrow liner, and proceeding to smoke blue shadow and ultra patina highlighter. Wow, what an effect. Gorgeous long lashes are the final blow, carefully trimmed so as not to interfere with the muscle that controls blinking. A dab more liner masks the lashes, and voila, instant renovation.

"You may not like yourself," said Russell to this subject, "but I sure do. If you were my girlfriend you'd look that way, even if I had to arrive early for a date and do it myself."

The look was a bit too harsh for personal preferences so Russell agreeably toned it down. Reactions among associates were equally split, but it was finally agreed the lashes had to go. Russell had agreed makeup should please the wearer and the people she's trying to please. That is a first for a man in his business, and it's refreshing. But then, so is Russell.

He's a tall man with a quick wit. A pleasure to talk with, he exudes confidence in his ability. After a tour of Air Force duty, Russell enrolled in the Pasadena Playhouse to pursue an acting dream. "But I got so fascinated with the required makeup course I got no further. I went on to NBC, then did some work in Off- Broadway theaters. I joined Ultima II and Revlon two years ago and plan to stay forever. I'm very happy," he says, and so are women who meet him; he's just what beauty needs.

From: The Oakland Tribune, April, 1970.