FOTD: Modern Kabuki

Fresh off the heels of my post on the NARS holiday gifting guide comes an inspired FOTD.  Looking at and reading about how the colors most used in Kabuki theatre, red, black, white and gold, are used throughout the collection in different ways made me want to incorporate the colors in a look.

I opted for doing two looks in one - a bold look and a more wearable one.  Video and images are below but first, here are the tools used to bring my vision to light:

FACE
Chanel Mat Lumiere foundation - Cedar
Makeup Forever shadow - brown (used as contour)
MAC pigment - Golden Lemon (used as highlight)

EYES
Lorac palette
Wet n Wild Eye Kohl - White
Maybelline  gel liner - blackest black
Milani Paint Palette - 01 (white only)
Lancome Defincils mascara
Makeup Forever shadow - brown
MAC pigment - Golden Lemon (lid)

LIPS
Milani Lip Flash - Hot Flash

I Wanna Be An MUA: WORKING IN THE INDUSTRY

As you can see I REALLY want all you interested in working as a makeup artist to take your craft seriously.  What will set you apart from the crowd of people vying to become the next big thing in makeup artistry?  We all have the products, brushes, chairs, and any other shiny new product you can think of but not all of us possess the desire to continue our education. 

Again brought to us by The Powder Group and none other than Make Up For Ever!  If you are a TPG Pro member you get a VIP gift bag.  See below for details from The Artist Labs site:

PHOTOSHOOT, PORTFOLIO, AND AGENCY TALK WITH DAVEN MAYEDA AND VICTORIA STILES
Agency represented Los Angeles based Celebrity Hairstylist Daven Mayeda and Washington, D.C. based agency represented Makeup Artist Victoria Stiles form a dynamic education team to give you an exclusive backstage look to the industry and secrets for a successful career in hair and makeup artistry.  In this one-day class, Daven Mayeda will discuss on-set secrets and unseen aspects of the beauty industry while Victoria Stiles will share her industry secrets and tips to branding your artistry and getting you noticed.  Collectively, Mayeda and Stiles will give you a behind the scenes look to working in editorial, with high profile clients, and an insider’s look at working with an agency as well as an exclusive talk on how you can gain representation.
Daven Mayeda is represented by Celestine Agency in Los Angeles.  He has worked on celebrities including Mariah Carey and Adele.


Victoria Stiles is represented by Kess Agency in New York.  Her client list includes Vice President Joe Biden, Jenna and Barbara Bush, Robyn, Melody Gardot and Roberta Flack.  Editorial clients include Conde Nast, Hearst, Niche Media, and TIME Inc.

A note from our presenters Daven Mayeda and Victoria Stiles-

“We are extremely excited to meet all of you! Knowledge is something that should never be kept secret.   We encourage all of you to take your career to the next level and are thrilled to give you the knowledge and tools to do so!   If you are currently working in the industry and would like pro-to-pro advice with a Agency Represented artists, The Artist Labs classes are for you!”

WORKING IN THE INDUSTRY

PHOTOSHOOT, PORTFOLIO, AND AGENCY TALK WITH DAVEN MAYEDA AND VICTORIA STILES

AUGUST 28TH, 2011
WASHINGTON, D.C.

LEIPER STILES STUDIOS
Located 5 minutes from Washington-Dulles International Airport (IAD)
22960 SHAW ROAD
SUITE 600
STERLING, VA 20166
PH: 571-265-7138
www.LeiperStilesStudios.com
EXCLUSIVE INSIDER DISCUSSION WILL INCLUDE:
9 AM – 12 PM
Test Talk
- Taking your test to the next level
- How to book your models, how to choose your models.
- How to make your test portfolio-worthy
- Finding a focus and identifying the direction for your shoot
- Understanding your role and requirements for the shoot
- How to effectively communicate with members of the crew pre-production regarding direction for the shoot
- Techniques in creating a storyboard for a multi-page shoot
- How to tailor your kit and tools to fit the needs of the shoot
- Dealing with different personalities on set
- Creating balance between all parties involved
- Importance of time management and how to gauge time to complete each shot
- Set etiquette, wrapping the shoot, and communication with the crew post-production
- Choosing and selecting images for your portfolio.
12:00 PM – 1:00 PM LUNCH BREAK
1:00 PM – 4:30 PM
Working in the Industry
- How to take your experience from a test to a working job.
- Identifying the main differences between testing and a client booking
- Receiving direction and working with art directors and/or photographers,
- Understanding eras and key references
- Communicating with your crew during the shoot
- Dos and Don’ts; set etiquette for a client booking
- Troubleshooting difficult situations I.E. Difficult or unsatisfied clients, inability to continue shoot etc.
- Wrapping the shoot, importance of following up with your client and keeping communication open post-production
- How to properly juggle your schedule and troubleshooting double bookings
- Creating a client contact list: When its okay to obtain contact information and ways of keeping your client informed on your latest work
- Invoicing your client
- Industry standard marketing materials: website, print book, business cards among other important marketing materials every creative should have
- Appropriate times to obtain sponsorship from a hair or cosmetic line and ways of landing a product and/or monetary sponsorship from a company
- Social Media chat – free ways to promote your work
4:30PM – 6:00PM
Agency Chat
- You will receive a comprehensive print out listing artist representatives in North America
- Portfolios: Industry standard books and how to create both a print and digital book
- Which images to put in your book
- Contacting agencies and ways of how to get your foot in the door
- Working with an agency and standard requirements an agency expects of their represented artists
- Optional portfolio review from Daven Mayeda and Victoria Stiles

TPG MEMBERS GET AN EXCLUSIVE VIP GIFT BAG AND 20% OFF ENTRANCE!

Diary of an MUA/Writer: The Makeup Show New York -The Big Show!

Better late than never right?  Here is my video recap of the actual show.  Overall I had a great time.  I cant say enough how much the camaraderie helped to shape the event and make it a memory I will have for years to come and for all the best reasons.  I look forward to the next event and seeing my beauty buddies soon!

Just...breathe...

I don't get to let loose as much as I used to what with mommy duty, fiance' duty, work, makeup and writing - wherever would I find the time?  Well this past weekend I decided to live a little, plus one of my friends is tying the knot this weekend so of course a celebration was in order, albeit a perfectly timed one.

I started out Saturday with a cancelled client...ok thats fine and we will discuss that at a later date as part of a 'Diary of an MUA' post...that cancellation gave me a bit more time to prepare for a period shoot I had in Georgetown.  The shoot ended up going a bit late so I was unable to make it to my next location - lunch at a local favorite Lauriol Plaza!  I was HIGHLY upset as I do not get to go often but I had to take a big girl pill and make my way on to the next location...Love Nightclub.

I havent been to Love in YEARS!  I dont even know if I have been there since they changed the name from Dream but I digress.  A friend of my P.I.D (partner in drink) Naima and myself, Keyonna, was celebrating her birthday, day party style, so we headed there.  Here are some of the more PG images LOL  Be warned some of them are a bit wonky but I want you to see them for a beauty related reason...

Naima and I-we are the cam whores as u will see

Told  you...and again this is no where near all the pics!  LOL 

Keyonna the birthday girl

Our other PID Rah and Naima

Me and the bride to be, Maisha at Indulj (stop number two for me), I am a bridesmaid and the bride's MUA for the big day!

It was so good to get out and hang with my friends.  We used to do this on the regular but life happens, and kids happen and we grow up.  Such is life but I am glad we can still make time every once in a while to hang and let loose.

On to the beauty...do you see that amazing glow on my cheeks???  Well baybeeeeeee (EmoreJ Couture voice-look closely in that vid and you may see me in my wig days) it is given by a brand that is giving me all kinds of life right now - Ruby Kisses!  WHO KNEW??  I sure didnt.  Get ready for a full on praise-laden review because every single product I have tried has wowed me...and I am not just saying that because they were gifted at the Makeup Show NYC.  If they truly sucked they wouldn't see the light of day on here, trust.

I wanted to look polished but not overdone so I opted for the sunkissed look which truthfully I didnt think I could pull off because I have combo-oily skin but I have perfected my foundation and blush/highlight application.  That coupled with a few trusty products and I was all set for the extreme DC heat, coupled with drinks and a long day.  Products list below:

• MUFE Mat Velvet
• Sigma SIGMAX Brushes
• Ruby Kisses All Over Glow Bronzing Cream
• NYX Jumbo Lip Pencil in Soft Fuschia
• Ruby Kisses Menthol Lip Salvation
• Ruby Kisses Very Sexy Mascara
• demi wispy false eyelashes
• MAC Chestnut liner (lips)
• MAC Cork liner (brows)
• Black Opal Stick Foundation in Heavenly Honey (brows)

Thanks for reading!

PS. I owe you one more vid from TMS NYC, I didnt forget!
PPS.  I did my own hair!!! And I owe you a lociversary post
PPPS I made my earrings!  And I love them!  :)

Make Up For Ever Aqua Cream and a surprise!

MAKE UP FOREVER AQUA CREAM #5

I was lucky enough to be sent a sample of Make Up For Ever's new Aqua Cream to review and let me tell you, it is all that it has been made out to be and then some!  As you know I reside in DC, known for hazy, hot and humid summers, the heat can be relentless, which in turn can wreak havoc on your carefully placed eyeshadow applications.  Well M.U.F.E. has you covered with the new Aqua Cream shadow.

I recently moved, and in between getting the new home set up I also had meetings with potential clients so I still had to be on point with my appearance.  Normally I dont even think about wearing shadow without my trusty U.D.P.P. but in an unexpected but welcome turn of events, with the M.U.F.E. Aqua Cream there wasnt a crease in sight!  I have oily lids and my shadow ALWAYS creases if I dont have a hearty base, now I dont have to worry.  Click here to see an F.O.T.D. in which I wore Aqua Cream #5, a peachy pink shade with gold flecks, as described on Sephora's site.

The Aqua Creams are multi-taskers, they can be used on eyes, cheeks and lips.  I have tried them in each capacity and while I love it on the eyes most (I did this on my own, my particular shade sample, #5, didnt indicate that it was suitable for eye use but I experienced zero irritation), cheeks come in second place of preference and the lips lastly.  Only because it dries quickly so it will definitely be a matte lip.  If you want more of a gloss you will have to mix it or apply one on top.

While discussing this with my fellow Beauty Divas in our BB group, the comparison was made between #5 and MAC's Rubenesque Paint Pot so I did some swatches to show the difference.  On my skin #5 shows more pink whereas Rubenesque only shows gold, not so much the pink.  See for yourself:

Rubenesque pp on left and top swatch, #5 on right and bottom swatch

And here it is on my eyelids - sloppy job, I was rushing sorry :(

oily much?

Which brings us to the surprise portion - a natural hair update - I started locs!  I have been so inspired as of late by locs and truthfully I have always found them to be beautiful but wasnt sure if I could commit long-term because I like to change up my hair so much but now, with the business taking off and free time becoming fewer and far between I need a style that requires less day to day styling from me while still offering versatility.  Not to mention my scalp needs to be free of the weaves, wigs and braids for a while!  "The Sig" told me my hair was cute last night - BOM CHIKA WAH WAHHHHHHH LOL Nah but I love it so far.  Stay tuned for the loc journey, though this isnt really a hair blog so it wont be a constant update thing, just when I am showing makeup or whatever.  I am starting them from 2-strand twists on top since my hair is longer there and gel twists in the back that refuses to cooperate with the rest of my hair!

Back to beauty...

I tried Make Up Forever Aqua Cream and the truth is, I want each and every shade.  These DEFINITELY deserve a try and while I still like MAC paint pots I find that the Make Up For Ever collection is better suited for those with oily lids like myself.

#NYFWMUC- 9/17/09 - The Finale'!

Not the grand finale I hyped myself up to create at all - chalk that up to an awesome slumber that my body did NOT want to break.  I wanted to make a bold statement for the last day of this challenge but opted for a pop of color instead.  Maybe I will do something fun tomorrow since I have a birthday party to attend - stay tuned!

THE TOOLS

The Brows
Face Atelier Pro Foundation - #9
Laura Geller Baked Liner Duo - Creme Brulee/Dutch Chocolate (chocolate was used)

The Eyes
Laura Geller Baked Shadow Duo - Biscotti/Toast
MAC Paint Pot - Mosscape (used as a liner)

The Face
MUFE Mat Velvet + - #170
MAC Studio Fix - NW45

The Lips
Essence of Beauty Lip Frosting - Strawberry Cheesecake
NYX G.O.T.N. Lip Gloss - Natural

THE LOOK!

#NYFWMUC - 9/16/09 - Only 1 more day...

So its just one more day left of this challenge and can I just say that it has indeed been a challenge!  Like I said before I have been in a cosmetic rut for myself and was trying everything to dig myself out, I really think that this did the trick.  Granted there were days when I wanted to just throw my hands up cause I didnt wake up feeling like putting makeup on but I am glad I did.  I had a lot of fun!  We are going to stick with the bold lip trend for this installment. 

THE TOOLS

The Brows
Face Atelier Pro Foundation - #9
Laura Geller Baked Liner Duo - Creme Brulee/Dutch Chocolate (dutch chocolate was used)

The Eyes
MAC Danger Zone (the black was used)
Laura Geller Baked Shadow Duo - Biscotti/Toast (toast was used)
I was rushing and skipped both mascara AND liner today - sheesh!
The Face
MUFE Mat Velvet + - #170
MAC Studio Fix - NW45
NYX Mosaic Powder - Paradise

The Lips
Essence of Beauty Lip Frosting - Strawberry Cheesecake
MAC Heatherette Lip Glass - Style Minx

THE LOOK!

in all my infinite wisdom I rubbed off the side of my lipgloss LOL brainiac

#NYFWMUC - 9/11/09 c/o Back 2 MAC!

Yesterday I FINALLY got a chance to take my empties up to Georgetowne for some Back 2 MAC action.  I had 28 empties total (yeah I know) so I had to leave 4 behind for the next go round.  I get so excited when I have enough empties to take back like oooh hey look at me, look at all my empties...and then you come home with 4 brand new items but its still like damn 24 down to 4 - no LOL Smileyface here my friends...

Anyway I ended up getting Contrast, Patina and Print shadows and Entice lipglass which my friend promptly stole from me (dont you hate friends sometimes?) so my 3 shadows and I decided to create a look today since they seem to play so nicely together.  Lets get to it!

THE TOOLS

The Brows
Face Atelier Foundation - #9
MAC Brown Down

The Eyes
UDPP
MAC Patina (inner half of lid)
MAC Print (outer half of lid)
MAC Contrast (crease and slightly extended to the outer "v" and under the eye)
Milani Minerals liner - Black
MAC Zoomlash-Zoomblack

The Face
MUFE Mat Velvet
MAC Studio Fix - NW45
MAC Petticoat

The Lips
Essence of Beauty Lip Frosting - Strawberry Cheesecake)
NYX G.O.T.N. lipgloss - Beige

THE LOOK!

The Nails (Ive been changing these almost every day too!)

NYX Las Vegas