Just Shana: Real Talk * parental guidance is suggested*

Dionne Farris sang it best (if you dont get the reference I direct you to Google what you think the image is...).  I feel just like that right now...up to my head in it for real!

I gave myself a deadline that I am fast approaching, and while I have had many great experiences that many only dream about, experiences dont pay the bills.   Literally.  As I sit here my phone is off, the gas in the car is low and so are the groceries in the fridge.  At the beginning of this week I had the most awesome prospect on the horizon, probably my biggest to date and it fell through...at the eleventh hour, making me lose out on 2 days of my day rate and let me tell you something - my day rate is not low.  So you can understand my excitement and then my complete heartbreak over it not happening.

Heres the thing that no one tells you when you have the bright idea to make it as a makeup artist...this shit is hard.  I mean like real hard.  If you are fully vested in it you can probably liken it to that of being in a relationship with someone who doesnt love you as much as you love them...yeah just like that.  You invest your time trying to prove that you love it, deserve it, will do anything for it, spend a great deal of your money on it, you are all wrapped up in it and after all that you are LUCKY if you even get a call back.  And just like either you or your good girlfriend who wont leave that good for nothing dude who could care less about them, you cant tell yourself/them nothing until one day you/they just snap and say F this, Im out.  After four years I am at that point.

All I want is to make it in the section of the industry that I love, I have the experience and the talent and it just   wont happen like I want it to.  I could blame a number of things - not being as flexible as I would like to be when things come up, other artists undercutting and therefore causing productions to undervalue what makeup + hair can bring to the project, not wanting to continuously kiss ass to get my foot in the door but it would all amount to the same thing - not enough work to go around...or not enough paid work.

I get questions all the time - how did you get the courage to follow your dream, when is the right time to leave your job and pursue your passion full time, etc so on and so forth.  Look, I wish I could tell you the magic answer but the truth is, there isnt one.  Either you are going to do it or you arent and either its going to work or it isnt.  Point blank.  Its real vague because this whole damn thing is vague as fock.  My journey cant be yours cause its mine as random as that sounds.  My uncle told me something a couple of weeks ago - you know how you know you are supposed to be doing something?  Because you are doing it.

I kinda know this is for me - nah fock that I KNOW this is for me.  I havent been as sure about anything else in life but I also know that even if I do continue I HAVE to be smart and find another source of income.  It pains me to say it but I have been sending out resumes all week and not just for makeup positions.  Yes my friends I have decided to fall back on my Communications degree and Administrative background as well.  So by this time next month a number of things could be going on.  I have never held back before and I wont start now, so whatever happens I will keep you posted.

I had to take a break from my posts/vids about makeup because I look a mess.  Dried up tears, hair everywhere and no makeup would not be cute on screen but I will be back.  Just wanted you all to know whats what.  Especially those who saw my Facebook post yesterday.

*UPDATE* Even before I could finish this post I received a call about setting up an interview for a Full Time job...that call was bittersweet...

FOTD's and Updates! *pic heavy*

This has been a busy week for me - my family and I moved a week ago from a 2 bedroom condo in the heart of the city to a 3 bedroom townhouse in the middle of the suburbs (culture shock much?  not for me as I spent my teenage years right up the road from here but "the sig" is a city dude born and bred!).  I am so thankful, grateful, blessed, you name it.  As I sit at my new vanity and makeup area (I will share soon, still getting it in order) and type this I am still kinda feeling as if I am not here in the moment, you know?

I had the entire week off from my day job but I was running non stop, getting stuff for the house, putting it in its place, transporting the fam, I mean you name it, I was doing it.  I even made time to set up meetings for future gig/client opportunities which brings us to this post. 

I have TONS of stuff to review and share with you all.  PR companies have been so giving as of late-LOVES IT!  When I started blogging I was just doing it for the love of the makeup and it has now developed its' own speed and I really have to stay on top of it lest it speed out of control.  If ever you feel frustrated or unsure, dont give up!  You never know when things you are working on will take a sudden turn for the better.  I am telling you I am living this right now. 

Another thing that is funny, I promise I will stop rambling soon enough, is I am currently reading Kelly Cutrone's book on my Kindle for Blackberry app (LOL @ the product placement), 'If You Have To Cry, Go Outside...' - shout out to Kerris @ Pumps and Gloss for letting me know about the app and it is so on point and timely for exactly what I am experiencing at the moment.  Definitely check it out, the book and the app, oh and prior to Cutrone's book I read Crystal Renn's book (again on Kindle) 'Hungry'.  Two great stories by two very strong women.

dont mind my crazy look, this was like day 4 of trying to get settled in the house

Ok so back to it - Thursday I met with an amazing young woman regarding her bridal business and how I can contribute to the team.  Well we had a wonderful meeting (In IKEA of all places, told you I was running crazy all week) and I will be doing my first wedding with the company next Saturday!  YAY! 

For the meeting I didnt want to do anything too over the top, just enough to show I understand bridal beauty is a different kind of beauty

On Friday I had another prom client so I did a bit more but I didnt want her family to think I was coming to make her look like a clown so I kept it a bit simple for that as well.

dont ask...

For this look I am wearing the new Make Up Forever Aqua Cream #5 on my cheeks and lips (more on that later)

On Saturday I drove to Manassas, which is about an hour away, to do a bridal demo and interview with another artist.  Again I needed to look polished not overdone. 

                                                                  Me and my Zuca Artist backpack (one of my best purchases ever)
Neutrals worked in my favor it seems cause I booked that job too!

Sunday I had a shoot so I was able to be a bit more creative in my look, plus immediately following I was going to the Erykah Badu concert!

The shoot went well for the most part (more on that later) but I ended up wiping all my makeup off due to the heat!

my friends and I before the concert at The Baltimore Harbor Houlihan's
EXTRA HOT but the concert was good.

I Wanna Be an MUA: How to Get Gigs

I was recently asked how I continue to secure gigs so since my posts have been lacking as of late I figured it would make an ideal post.

When I first started to take being a makeup artist seriously I had absolutely no idea where to start. A few folks suggested Model Mayhem so I checked it out and I immediately felt like a fish out of water...

Tip 1: We are our own worst critic, dont doubt yourself.

No my portfolio, or lack thereof, wasnt up to par with many of the makeup artists on MM but I didnt let that deter me. I landed my very first gig from a Model Mayhem casting call that just so happened to be with a big time company.

I now had a reputable company to list on my resume. I decided to then venture to the internet for more research on possible gigs. My 2nd casting call was to be a part of the makeup artist team for an independent film being shot in the area. I contacted the producers and set up a meeting

Tip 2: Be available

A lot of the time that is all it takes. They need someone with the work ethic, minus the attitude, who is available to get the job done. I pride myself on this. I have a work ethic that just wont quit. I wholeheartedly believe this is the reason I continue to get jobs (both paying and unpaid) Yes I can do it, yes I will be there-I make a way out of no way and trust at times it is really hard but I have an awesome support system and they believe in me. During those times I find myself second guessing I think about them and it keeps me going.

Tip 3: Know your sh!t

Instead of just being a part of the makeup team for that first film, the producers believed in me enough to let me serve as the key artist and build a team of artists. It was my first time on a set but I did so much research you would think I was writing the movie. The resources are there, you just have to seek them out.

So Im gathering experience, but I still dont have a portfolio. Every summit, class, workshop I take pushes the importance of a portfolio. Well you know what? I didnt get a real portfolio until February of this year! Ive been operating as a freelance artist for over a year.

Tip 4: Hustle hard!

Networking is your friend. You MUST know that and you MUST practice it frequently. Twitter has been an awesome resource. Social media in general is a dynamic tool available to just about everyone. Use it wisely and watch the opportunities stack up.

Tip 5: Practice Humility, you are never too good for a gig

You never know what one gig will lead to. Even if you dont have the best experience it still may lead to one great picture for your portfolio, one more experience to add to your resume, a chance to talk with someone who is interested in working with you on another project. I dont turn down anything! I use vacation time, I borrow someone's car if need be, I drag my kit on the metro, I make it a POINT to try and do everything in my power to make it to a gig or shoot. Once the calls/emails stop, you are done.

Tip 6: Share the wealth

I know a lot of artists who want to break into the industry and whenever I hear about something that they could work on I extend the invitation. Even if they cant make it to that particular one I keep asking. If I havent spoken to them in a while I try to reach out and ask if they are still pounding that pavement and trying to make it work. The fashion industry in general can be cut throat and I have no desire to engage in that foolery. If I can help you in any way I will, plain and simple.

I wish I had some magic answer for how to make this thing work but the truth is I dont think there is one. Some people want the money and fame, a lot of my gigs are unpaid, my "money" comes in the form of pics for my portfolio. Some want to work with celebrities, to each his/her own. Weddings, runway, editorial, film, television there are so many avenues to take. Right now my focus is to try my hand at each and THEN determine which one I want to focus on solely IF I even decide to narrow it down.

Take the tips Ive listed and apply them to your goal. I hope this helps, we can always discuss further - so if you have any questions feel free to hit me up! I didnt have someone I could go to and ask when I chose to embark on this so I am more than willing to help anyone who wants to chat.

I leave you with an image from a shoot I did recently. Peace y'all.