"...Caffeine! Give me a break..." abc1234 Caffeine is actually an antagonist of the α-2 adrenergic receptor... Source: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK519490/

Caffeine, when applied topically through masks and other skin care treatments, constricts the blood vessels and helps reduce inflammation and puffiness. It also tightens and brightens the skin, reducing wrinkles and visibly smoothing skin texture.

Oh, btw, I'm currently tutoring a nursing student who's studying for her CCRN Exam (Critical Care) She is just coming up on two years in her hospital's ICU ward... Covid was a horrific challenge for her...

Yep as a Chem Major at the U of MD I did course work in BIO Chemistry... finally getting to use it a lot in real time now...

btw, you are indeed correct abd1234 water and glycerin are a mainstay for Physique Models... i.e. body builders.and such... However they are using a much higher concentration of glycerin than in Fix Plus. I do a lot of runway shows and trust me, Fix Plus is a staple of the Catwalk... I hold a Cosmetology License from the State of Maryland in Makeup Artistry... And nearly half of the requirements were focused on issues of dermatology... we had to know all the major health care issues involving the skin... Cosmetologist work with the Epidermis well Dermatologist work on Dermis...

Below is a colleague who works the Catwalks of NYC Fashion Week... she's a breathtaking 6 foot tall Ethiopian Fashion Model and happens to be one of my neighbors... small world... Not only are Ethiopian long distance runners the most elite in the world... Ethiopian Fashion Models are considered by those in the fashion industry to have the most beautiful bone structures of all... Hands down!

Hope this helps to clarify... all the best on your epic journey abc1234!
Cheers... Thomas

"...Caffeine! Give me a break..." abc1234 Caffeine is actually an antagonist of the α-2 adrenergic receptor... Source: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK519490/

Caffeine, when applied topically through masks and other skin care treatments, constricts the blood vessels and helps reduce inflammation and puffiness. It also tightens and brightens the skin, reducing wrinkles and visibly smoothing skin texture.

Oh, btw, I'm currently tutoring a nursing student who's studying for her CCRN Exam (Critical Care) She is just coming up on two years in her hospital's ICU ward... Covid was a horrific challenge for her...

Yep as a Chem Major at the U of MD I did course work in BIO Chemistry... finally getting to use it a lot in real time now...

btw, you are indeed correct abd1234 water and glycerin are a mainstay for Physique Models... i.e. body builders.and such... However they are using a much higher concentration of glycerin than in Fix Plus. I do a lot of runway shows and trust me, Fix Plus is a staple of the Catwalk... I hold a Cosmetology License from the State of Maryland in Makeup Artistry... And nearly half of the requirements were focused on issues of dermatology... we had to know all the major health care issues involving the skin... Cosmetologist work with the Epidermis well Dermatologist work on Dermis...

Below is a colleague who works the Catwalks of NYC Fashion Week... she's a breathtaking 6 foot tall Ethiopian Fashion Model and happens to be one of my neighbors... small world... Not only are Ethiopian long distance runners the most elite in the world... Ethiopian Fashion Models are considered by those in the fashion industry to have the most beautiful bone structures of all... Hands down!

Hope this helps to clarify... all the best on your epic journey abc1234!
Cheers... Thomas

Fabulous wayne! One of the most informative post I've seen in this section...
You are a gentleman and a wonderful attribute to the People Photography Forum...
Please keep up the good work!

As for "using a black background and one of the staff members was a very dark complected young lady with long jet-black hair and a black blouse...How did you deal with such situations?"

With women of color I will go for "Lustrous Skin" or "Sheen" rather than shadows to induce depth and dimension... Albeit since I'm a makeup artist I use product which produces lustrous skin tones...

Best advice? Go to a MAC store and ask for a bottle of "Fix Plus" spray... It's like magic!
https://www.maccosmetics.com/product/13825/32212/products/skincare/primers/prep-prime-fix

Or better yet, collaborate with a Makeup Artist in your market...
Your work is stellar and you should have no issues finding MUA's to work with (for trade)

Below is an example... Hope this helps...