CoverGirl at 2014 Olympic figure Skating Trials!

2014 Olympic Trials

I was honored to be one of the chosen P & G Beauty Salon Team at the 2014 Olympic Figure Skating Trials at the TD Center In Boston, Ma 1/9-1/12.

P&G Beauty Salon

Out fabulous team leader was the Talented Candace Corey, and yes you HAVE seen her work in magazines, commercials, shows... I was surrounded by a group of Very talented ladies, Jenn, Angie, Zanette, and Kay.
Originally I was brought in, alongside my charming Charlotte, NC  peer, Kay, for nails, but as the days progressed, I was fortunate to be able to jump in and help with hairstyling, as well as makeup applications!. And the best part WE got to hand out a LOT of Swag!!
Not only does our job allow us to make gals feel gorgeous, and truly good about themselves, but Covergirl- allowed us to give away all the products that we were using on our clients! Talk about fun, and HAPPY- these girls, and women were so happy to just be pampered- all complimentary, but then to get to keep all the products- well we were the cherry on the ICE-ing of that Figure skiting event!
I was so impressed with how PASSIONATE these people all were about there sport, how we had even 70 year old ladies sit down and tell us they STILL are skating, AND competing!
I have always had a great appreciation for figure skating, as a former dancer, the beauty and artistry, along with the sheer athleticism to make it LOOK effortless appeals to me.
As a professional makeup artist, I have always had an appreciation of makeup as well. My most favorite products from the event have to be the nail polishes- so pigmented! I was very impressed- and this is coming from a polish SNOB! The Diva After Dark, Silver Lining, and Bombshell were
AH-Mazing! Bombshell was gone after day 3!

I was also truly impressed with the precision of the Covergirl liquid Liner pen! wow- best flick/cat eye ever! so easy- and very long wearing!
lastly the Covergirl Liperfection Jumbo gloss balm-So gorgeous! and the hot pink was my obsession!
The days were long, but the event, and all the people- all the attendees, the marketing team, and the people from P&G, and, of course, My amazing team of stylists- were what made this entire event an experience I thoroughly loved!

Styled Wedding Shoot

A recent Styled wedding shoot made 2 blogs- here's some pics! enjoy!
Kiss My Tulle

Answers to a young, aspiring Makeup Artist

I was recently emailed by a young, aspiring makeup artist. She asked if she could question me about certain choices, and ask for advice. I was humbled, and honored to be sought out for this, so of course I wished to be of any help I could. Here are her questions, and my answer- very informal.
Her questions to me:

How did you know that you wanted to be a makeup artist for a profession?

what steps did you go to get there? Did you go to Cosmo school or makeup school? What do you recommend? As in school wise? Should I move to the west coast or east coast?

who influenced you?

what tips/advice would you give a starting out make-up artist in the real world?

Did you shadow people often?

My Response:

I didn't so much choose to be an mua, until I was already doing it- LOL I was the person who everybody asked to have do makeup. I worked in a salon and was getting bookings and referrals. Then I started getting more work outside of the salon. I had actually developed my own line of makeup- and was doing private consults as well. and it kept growing- and I just loved it!
For me the steps started very early- I was a dancer and was doing a lot of stage makeup by 10 years old- and all through college I danced, it was my minor- so I have always done/wore makeup- and even helped others.
I went to cosmo school for nails- and am licensed. i did that after my daughter was born so I could work 2 days per week. There is no license for Makeup in my state. If you have an interest in skincare as well, or ever want to work in a spa, or salon- you will need an esthetics license. If you wish to freelance it may not be necessary BUT you should educate yourself by taking classes with real, working pros! people who you see their work when you open a fashion magazine- they do teach as well- many of them! that, to me is the BEST education money can buy! If you want to do special effects or more prosthetics etc you really should go to school. there are several good ones in California- and 1 -Joe Blasco in Florida- really not much more anywhere else.
Again where to live- is based on what TYPE of makeup you desire to do- movies, or fx- California is busiest- and North Carolina also having a strong movie market! If you want fashion and editorial nothing beats NY. but there are pockets everywhere for all different types of makeup work- and, of course bridal is everywhere!
Starting out- MAKE connections Good ones! Look at the actual work of anyone teaching a class- or seminar etc- and if they have amazing work- they are a good mentor- as they will offer REAL advice. But, understand they will be in great demand- so don't lose hope if they can't personally take you under their wing. Go to trade shows like Makeup Show Imats, etc meet your peers- that is where you can most likely find a good mentor. Offer to assist- which will mostly be unpaid- but you will be paid In experience!
You must test, test, test. find amazing people to work with and always strive to work with people you feel are better than what you already have in your portfolio. pay them if need be- and that can be hard. But it is better to pay an amazing photographer and/or model to get pics for your port, than it is to buy a crapload of expensive makeup- I can make a model look amazing with dollar store makeup- but I can NOT make a photographer  take a better picture- or even more, EDIT it well. nor make a model emote,pose, look and better. Just a few months ago I offered to hire a very busy photographer because I wanted to shoot with him. i think I surprised him, he looked at my work, and instead he came back to me with a paid test. So I got to shoot with him, And ended up with a job. But it took awhile to get there, and had my port not been where it is, and I not wiling to PAY to get what I needed- that never would have happened.
In the very beginning shoot a lot with a lot of people to gain the experience of what happens, how things work, what you like, what you could have done better, etc. As you build you port and are getting pictures that are port worthy- then you start being more choosy about your tests. Before you say yes you ask yourself- what is the concept? is the model good, agency or agency stats?  does this fill a need in my port? When it's a concept/look you don't need then this test doesn't benefit you- you say no, or offer a rate.
I would love to shadow more, actually, even now- there is ALWAYS something to learn! I bet I could learn something from you, by watching you. That is how this industry works- since it is artistic we all have these insights/inspirations that live in us- and we get to bring it forth in our work where other can see it- THAT is what makes an artist! and it is unique to each of us.
Who influenced me??? there are so many- I adore Roshar- he is so different from me in style and he literally blows my mind and takes my breath away with his amazingness. I was just introduced to someone this past week who was from my market and doing work that I didn't think existed here- Liz Margin- major campaign stuff back in the 90's the stuff I grew up looking at in high school and college and is still just as gorgeous and relevant today! Dick Page- blah everything stunning!!!! met him and got to ask him questions at the NY makeup Show this past year-just wow! I also really love James Vincent- because he is not only an mua- very edgy and rock/punk style- BUT he is instrumental in trying to bring accessible education and connections to the mua community- and i LOVE him for that! he's sweet and nice and very generous in that way.
and current working artist friends- again soo many AND for all different reasons!
Ok i hope i answered everything you have asked- there really is so much more- and if you have any further questions I'd be happy to help if I can! Keep in touch and let me know how it's going, what decisions you've made.

Clean Beauty

One if the hallmarks of a true, professional makeup artist, is the ability to execute a clean beauty look. But what, exactly does that mean?
In layman's terms this mean making the model, or person look as if they are wearing no, or only the barest hint of any makeup.  Think of the skincare ads- and you will understand what I mean.
Now, why are these so important for a makeup artist?
Firstly- because it shows our skill. We can make a person look amazing without hiding them behind layers of color and texture. Skin must look flawless- and if you think models come to set with already flawless skin, no redness, never a blemish, well it does happen- but it is the exception rather than the rule- as models are people too- with the same skin condiotions, sun exposure, etc. The smart ones do everything in their power to protect and preserve their looks, after all it IS their job, but blemishes do happen!
To make skin look glowing, smooth, completely even, yet enhance bone structure, and contours as well as strategically utilizing highlight  and color, take a unique combination of skills- and to do it all for HD film and camera is, again the sign of a well trained, well educated artist. This is by far the most difficult look to get perfect, and yet it is the basis for every other makeup look!
So how do YOU, the everyday women, fit in this equation?
THIS should also be a goal of yours!    

If every other makeup look builds off of this one- getting your "perfected canvas" Ie- your clean beauty face- will only enhance every other makeup look you try. How great does a sultry smokey eye look- when you haven't corrected or covered the dark circles under your eye- or evened out the blotchy red next to your nose?
I promise you EVERYTHING you do looks better when you have that flawless face first!
And young girls- this is ALWAYS my advice. Learn to cover a pimple, redness, dark circles under the eye- learn to curl lashes, comb brows, maybe a teeny bit if mascara- touch of bronzer if needed, and a sheer slick of gloss. My mantra for these 12-13 year old gals is, "Don't you want to be the girl who walks into school and people say- Wow she is so pretty, and she doesn't wear a stitch of makeup." WHO DOES NOT WANT TO BE THAT GIRL????
And not so young ladies- this is a technique that will help you over your lifetime to be able to transition your makeup to always suit the needs of the face staring back at you in the mirror. Face it (literally) as we age, our makeup needs change; but a clean beauty look NEVER goes out of style.  And if you have mastered it, you will have the knowledge to continue to adapt as the needs of your face, skin, eye shape, etc, change, and they will.

Nail art!

Here are some pics on recent nail art that I did using Shellac, different mineral Pigments http://www.fortunatefaceminerals.com/, Glitters, and materials ie. bubble wrap, tulle, sponges, etc.

From top to bottom and left to right
Gradiant Glitter: Shellac Asphalt- w/ Noble Sparks Silver- top, Ultrafine Glitter- next, Silver Glitter tip-, and Chunky irridescent Glitter- pressed randomly. Topcoat 2x.
Marbled: Shellac Cream Puff w/ FFM Shadows red, Yellow, Blue, Purple- Pressed w/ bubble wrap wiped w/ IPA. Topcoat.
Snakeskin: Shellac left Stripe Iced Cappucino, right stripe Rubble -Mixed down center. Tulle pressed into surface to cure. Then Stunning FFM shadow rubbed into sticky layer-  More Iced Cappucino brushed randomly- cured, and top coated 2x
Japanese Blossom: Shellac Studio White. Black pool spikes w/ striping brush. Wildfire- hand painted blossoms, Cream puff w/ dotting tool pulled into red. cure 10sec. Repeat red & white. Topcoat.
2nd row
Party Nail: Studio White. Tropix dotted on nail & swirled w/ dotting tool cure 10 sec to set. Repeat with Red Baroness, then Tutti Frutti. Press chunky glitter and white fibers into surface. Topcoat 2x
Ombre Nail:  Cream Puff. Press FFM Voracious into tip, next Orange, then bronze, then yellow, & finally gold. Use brush to burnish together. Topcoat
Silver Streak: Silver Chrome. Use striping brush pulled through Black Pool to create upward stripes. repeat with Cream Puff. cure to set 10 seconds Repeat. Cure- reapeat until desired depth. Brush Silver glitter lightly onto surface. Topcoat.
Camo: Cream Puff.  Using 4 pieces torn makeup sponge dip into Black Pool, Hotski to Tchotski,  Cream Puff, & Silver Chrome and press randomly on nail surface. Cure 10 sec. to set. repeat all and set 10 sec. approx 3x. Topcoat.

My job does NOT suck!

So sunday was a beautiful day at Salisbury beach- where we shot on location- a stunningly gorgeous model Alex, and a super hot male model Adam (more on him later)
I am looking forward to the pics from this fabulous team! Talented photogrpaher Bobby DiMarzo pulled us all together to create a great storyline!
I loved working with Lindsey Coco of Coco's Closet- sweet as anything- and pulled some great stuff- She loves Rag & Bone- right there, I was a fan!
Watch out for Alexandria Serafina- because all I can say is- she is a  Dream-  6 ft and can work her angles.
And Adam, *sigh* 6'5" and I got to rub him down with body bronzer and baby oil, yup Does NOT suck! pics to come

but I don't want that much makeup!

Ok I'm going to clear up a little misconception in the makeup industry here and now. Just because you "don't want a lot of makeup" doesn't mean it takes me 5 minutes to do your face. It's an often heard refrain from pretty much everyone across the board- from brides and prom gals to professional photographers (who, frankly, should know better!) If you are looking at any picture in my pro portfolio- you are seeing beautiful models with perfect skin. You will see it on every model- whether you are looking at a clean beauty look- which appears as if the model has zero makeup on - all the way to a glam punk rocker-esque look (see photos below) These looks both took the same amount of skill and effort. Oftentimes, contrary to popular belief the clean beauty is MORE time consuming- unless the model shows up with absolutely flawless skin to begin with.

Clean Beauty

Punk Rocker-Esque

My point in this little demo is to explain that It matters NOT what look you are going for- I will spend copious amount of time, effort, and product perfecting the skin, creating a flawless canvas- and using all my skill to ensure that each feature is sculpted, imperfections minimized or visually erased- in fact- no makeup looks are MORE challenging because there IS no other focus! Please understand That a professional MUA, with a port demonstrating these abilities, is an artist with a great deal of skill. It's probably the reason you contacted us in the first place, AND it has taken plenty of training and working to achieve that ability. Please know that our rates reflect our skill, training, and expertise. When I quote my rate- it is not an insult, or meant as a discouragement, but rather an acknowledegement of MY worth as an artist and the level of skill I bring to whatever job I am hired to do.