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Watch for Meleah's tips each month.  You can purchase her stage makeup video at BellyDanceShoppe.com.  You can purchase her recommended cosmetics at http://www.meleah.com

Meet the our logo and makeup Artist..... Meleah            You are both a makeup artist and a dancer, which is your came first?  Tell us about it. I started both approximately 20 years ago.  As a dancer, I have done workshops in Brazil, Mexico and Canada as well as the United States.                                       I have been a full time makeup artist for 15 years .  I do makeup for weddings, photo shoots, plastic surgeons, workshops, classes and consultations for cooperate accounts as well as dancers.  I noticed that you have your own makeup line. Is there a reason the you selected to do that also? I have chosen products that are best for my clients.  Since I work with plastic surgeons the products I have chosen are particularly pure and safe for their recovering patients as well as products that I can recommend to my other clients. I noticed in the workbook that goes with your video you say that leaving makeup on overnight is one of the worst things you can do for your skin.  You say that it can age you seven days for every night you do so.  That is shocking and if that is so is makeup bad for you? Makeup is made for daytime use.  While the newer products have some skin improving ingredients, their molecules are bigger.  They are created to wear during the daytime to protect your skin.  Many have sun screen to protect from the sun and they protect against everyday pollutants.   At night, you need to nourish and rehydrate your skin.  You need to thoroughly  remove the protective  makeup so that you are not grinding it into the pillow. On your clean face put on the nourishing, hydrating products to help your skin rest and renew while your body is in the renewal process of sleep.  Tell me, is it really better to buy the expensive brands? Not always, not really.  You can be paying for the name, the expensive packaging, models and promotion.  On the other hand, there are certain ingredients that are better and cost more.  Which ingredients you need depends on your skin and what you are trying to accomplish.  In general, ingredients such as shea butter, almond oil, Vitamin E, Vitamin C, jojoba oil, hyaluronic acid.  To see if a product is good for YOUR skin use it for 3 or 4 days.  You should be able to see some results in 3 or 4 days and a real difference in 3 to 4 weeks. How can I find a good eyeshadow?  For eyeshadow and blush, it is exactly the same,.  First look for one with a lot of pigment. You should be able to touch it with your finger and the color that you get on finger should be the color of the product in the pot.   The other thing that is important is that it is not powdery or flaky and that it stays in place.  You don’t want it running or flaking off. What is the most makeup important advice you can give a belly dancer? Daytime makeup is about blending.  Stage makeup is about contouring.  You want to see your features.  Put on your makeup, then stand back 20 feet and look at your self in the mirror. Make sure that you can see your features. You have spent a lot of time learning your routine and on your costume.  The first thing that the audience sees your face.  Give your face and makeup as attention as your dance and costume.Learn the tricks to enhance your features and  make it last. Thank you, Maleah. I know that our readers will appreciate the information that you shared today and will share in the future