The Powder Group brings back The Artist Summit!

Any reader of this blog knows I am team The Powder Group all day long.  I can't recall how I first stumbled upon them and their fearless leaders Michael DeVellis and James Vincent but my artistry life hasn't been the same since.

Back in 2008 the very first event I attended upon embarking on my pro makeup artist path was The Artist Summit, which you can read about here, and I was giddy like a kid on Christmas.

3 levels of quality education and product at my disposal minus the crowds, I was in love.

From the very beginning the team at The Powder Group was super knowledgeable and willing to answer any and every question I had, and to this day even though they have grown by leaps and bounds, that has not changed one bit.

While I adore The Makeup Show, I think that for any aspiring or seasoned artist attending the Artist Summit is the way to go.

I am uber excited that they decided to bring it back and if you act quickly you can take advantage of some great rates on the event.  I am a TPG Pro Member so I can already tell you that the event has piqued the interest of many who have already made travel and lodging arrangements so you may want to stop wasting time and make your plans and get your tickets ASAP, I am also talking to myself here.  See below for further details.

ADVANCE TICKET PRICES END

ON MAY 31 - FOR NON MEMBERS!

TPG PRO MEMBER RATE EXTENDED THROUGH JUNE 30! $100 HOLDS YOUR SPACE FOR THE ARTIST SUMMIT!

The most inspirational names in beauty will gather for the first time at The Artist Summit! From October 6 - 9, two hundred of the most driven, focused and committed professionals in the business of beauty will come together in Provincetown, MA for three days of insightful and inspiring discussion about artistry, career and industry at The Artist Summit 2013! And, now $100 reserves your space at the biggest pro event of the year! 

Produced by The Powder Group and hosted by Michael DeVellis and James Vincent, The Artist Summit will bring the pro community together in a way that no other makeup event has before. This is an entirely new The Artist Summit event and will consist of one, singular program that all attendees will participate in - so you won't miss a thing! Plus with no vendors, product exhibits or retail area, your focus can be 100% about you and your career development!

The Artist Summit has been designed to redefine and deepen the foundations of your business, strengthen your expectations and aspirations, and inspire you to create your most successful career imaginable. The Artist Summit will move your business forward and will profoundly effect your career!

The three-day event will consist of an ongoing series of one-of-a-kind seminars and talks that will include more than a dozen industry leaders presenting all new programs, each of which are exclusive to The Artist Summit. This program will never repeat itself at future The Artist Summit events, so please do not miss this one-time-ever opportunity!

 

THE ARTIST SUMMIT PROGRAM INCLUDES:

Chris McCarthy - Beyond Belief
Corissa St. Laurent - The Essential Art of Engagement Marketing
Crystal Wright - The Big Change

James Vincent - Inspiring Artistry

Kate Leydon - Incorporating Wellness

Linda Mason - An Artist's Approach
Marietta Carter Narcisse - Getting Down to Business

Michael Angelo - Redefining Your Personal Success

Michael DeVellis - The Power of Community

Michael Duenas - Achieving Intention

Sarah Lucero - Defeat is Not an Option

Victoria Stiles - Creating Your Industry Voice 

PLUS SUPPLEMENTARY WORKSHOPS

NOW AVAILABLE FOR REGISTRATION! 

Two supplementary days of hands-on workshops will be held on October 10 - 11.
These optional sessions are at additional fee and open exclusively to The Artist Summit attendees. Registration is now open for all workshops, to The Artist Summit attendees exclusively.  

  

Orlando Santiago + James Vincent Inventing Editorial

James Vincent + Sebastian Smith Understanding Digital Photography  
Dianna Quagenti + Michael DeVellis Detailing Your Work
Sarah Lucero Beautiful Makeup
Michael Duenas Hairstyling for Beauty 
Dani Fonseca - sponsored by Temptu Pro Extreme Cover 
Orlando Santiago Thinking in Black and White 
Dani Fonseca Using Color Everyday 

Erica Carr - sponsored by Make Up For Ever Bridal Beauty and Beyond   

 

To register for hands-on workshops, and for complete event details, session descriptions, presenter bios and ticket purchase information for The Artist Summit 2013, please visit theartistsummit.com, thepowdergroup.com or contact us at 212.627.7447. Please note that our presenters, session topics and schedule are subject to change.   

THE ARTIST SUMMIT IS LIMITED TO ONLY

200 ATTENDEES!

TPG PRO MEMBERS! 

NOW GET YOUR ADVANCE TICKETS THROUGH JUNE 30!

$100 DEPOSIT RESERVES YOUR SPOT!

TPG Pro member advance registration rate extended through June 30!

TPG Pro members $490.00

After May 31, rate for non-members cost will be $790.00  After June 30, rate for TPG Pro members will be $590.00

$100 Deposit will hold your space and guarantee the advance purchase rate! *Tickets must be paid-in-full by September 1. Deposits are non-refundable but may be used toward other TPG programs if unable to attend. 

CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE TICKETS!

CLICK HERE FOR INFORMATION ABOUT JOINING TPG PRO 

WWW.THEARTISTSUMMIT.COM

In Shana's Kit f. Bdellium Tools

www.bdelliumtools.com

Diary of an MUA: New Segment-In Shana's Kit! f. Beauty Blenders, etc.

Hey hey hey everybody!  I have gotten back into my YouTube flow and I wanted to start a new segment which I am calling 'In Shana's Kit'.  During these videos I will show you the things that I am using in my kit, how I came to find out about the mentioned products and how I use them/why I use them.

The blog posts that accompany the videos wont be too long and drawn since most of the information will be included both in the video itself and in the bottom bar of the video.  So the blog post just serves to provide any product images or additional info I may have omitted during speaking.

Anyway, hope you like the new addition and as always if you have any questions feel free to ask and I will do my best to answer or point you in the right direction!

Check the first video below!

The Makeup Show Announces Holiday Pop-Up Shop - Open to the Public!

image c/o Melody Joy PR

I really need to restock my kit.  Most of the time I wait to do damage at The Makeup Show each Spring.  Well of course I was super happy to see that the powers that be recognized that we need more than one time each year to visit NY and shop all our favorite brands under one roof!  The timing couldn't be more perfect!

Described as an "exclusive sample sale" the Holiday Pop-Up Shop will feature over 40 popular beauty brands including Stila, Temptu Pro, Obsessive Compulsive and Crown Brush, just to name a few.  Not to mention that celebrity makeup artists James Vincent and Orlando Santiago will make special appearances showcasing this years looks from the red carpet and runway.

Tickets for the Friday, December 2nd (5p-10p) and Saturday, December 3rd event (10a-6p) can be purchased here and are only $20 each day.  The event will be held at none other than the Metropolitan Pavillion located at 123 West 18th Street, 4th Fl, New York City!

Do you plan on attending?  What do you have your eye on?

Metropolitan Pavillion Announces 2012 dates for The Makeup Show!!

Alright its time to get those travel plans in gear!  You have either read about it or experienced the fun all for yourself, either way its time for The Makeup Show 2012!!!  Here are the dates:

The Makeup Show LA

Saturday, February 25, 2012 & Sunday February 26, 2012

California Market Center

The Makeup Show NYC

Sunday, May 13, 2012 & Monday, May 14, 2012

Metropolitan Pavilion

 

The Makeup Show Chicago

Sunday, June 10, 2012 & Monday, June 11, 2012

 

The Makeup Show Europe

September 2012, dates TBD

 

and our newest show

The Makeup Show Orlando!

Coming in November 2012!

 

Of course I am partial to NY however I may be ready to hit LA again.  Which show do you plan on attending!

I Wanna Be An MUA: Kevin James Bennett Edition Part 3! *pic heavy*

Earlier this year I set out to condense my kit and I was pretty happy with the results, but I didnt stop there.  As you see in that earlier post I had my eye on the prize, fitting my kit into the ZUCA Artist Backpack and guess what?  I DID IT!  Check me out:

So this is everything I can fit in my kit (you cant see everything in this pic though)

in this pic you see the open front of the ZUCA which houses my disposables and skin prep items, the silver spray bottle is my brush cleaner, next to that is my lash kit, below that is my roll up where I keep all liners, shadow sticks, odd shaped lip products, mascaras, peeking in the corner are the removable ZUCA pouches (LOVE!), my Graftobian foundation palettes (LOVE!), rounding back up is my mirror and on top of that is makeup setting spray, Altoids, liquid bandage, first aid kit, aloe vera gel, and face wipes, and you can see some of my brushes peeking also

so here in plain view are my 2 ZUCA pouches that came with the backpack, in one I keep face powders including bronzer, blush, and my Graftobian foundation palette (which got major use in class by KJB himself, yay me!), the other pouch houses eye shadow, pigments and palettes, under that you see my Graftobian lip palette and correcting wheel (LOVE) and again my Graftobian foundation palettes (as you can see I have all three, definitely recommended to my fellow MUAs)

close up of the flap with the disposables and skin prep stuff

packed all up again, the right flap is where I keep first aid stuff and my hair stuff.  That right side has a thermal pocket where I keep my Solano flat iron, you can put it in there and not worry about it melting anything, awesome.

another view, now with the brushes, and mirror in place

the left bottom pocket is where I keep my Graftobian face palettes and corrector wheel.  I put lip products in the top pocket.

See?

All packed up!

This is the only other thing I take with me (other than my chair which is always in the car, but in case you are wondering its simple a wooden director's chair I picked up from Pier 1 imports), its my Ott-Lite that can clamp onto my chair and I keep it in my awesome bag I got from The Artist Summit (shout out to the Powder Group!) about 2 1/2 years ago.  I only take it if I know I will be in an area without a great light source because it mimicks natural light.  I got my Ott-Lite from Michael's Arts and Crafts.

So here I am all proud that I got everything in this little backpack.  Its so much easier to get around now, yada yada blah.  I go to class with Kevin James Bennett and people have these massive kits so I am feeling good about my condensing efforts...that is until I see this:

This my friends is the ENTIRE kit of the amazing Kevin James Bennett *cue Joe Cocker belting out 'You Are So Beautiful'*

 Here are his brushes and when you fold the top flap back it props it up for easy access to the brushes (dont go trying to find this baby just yet, believe me I grilled him about it and I have spent way too much time trying to locate it-the company is no longer in business BUT I hopefully convinced him to try to get it duped-are you listening Kevin?  I didnt forget!  LOL)

And THIS is what he fits it all in!  Yes I know, pick your jaw up.  Its like a lap top bag...for a working artist...who travels constantly...working on celebs, doing film, tv, magazine covers, keynote seminars, teaching classes, yes my friends, this is what he keeps his kit in.  *smh*

So you know what this means right?  This is now my quest, to be able to fit my kit into a laptop bag.  Kevin explained to us that most products are multi-functional.  You dont need to carry 10 blushes, 10 different shades of brown shadow, 15 different pink and red lipsticks.  Less is more, and when a client sees you walk in with that tiny kit but you bang out the talent like you had a massive rolling case, you will look like a rock star.  No one cares about your MAC this, your Smashbox that, your NARS this, your MUFE that - they just want to know you can do the work.  Also, not bragging about the names in your kit can cut down on kit theft.  

Hope this helps!

Believe the Hype - Yes Another Sigma Makeup Post

I finally gave into the hoopla and purchased a set of Sigma Makeup Brushes

I picked this one because I really dont need another brush roll honestly

Now I have watched plenty of videos from YouTube gurus, read many a post from beauty bloggers on these and most of them said that they were sent the brushes from Sigma.  Although they swore to me that the free brushes didnt sway their opinion I honestly didnt feel I could trust them 100%.  I also have read posts and seen videos about those who said they couldnt support a company that blatantly stole from another company.  Now, let us be clear -  I paid for these brushes out of my pocket with my own money - so trust me when I tell you that these brushes are awesome!  Yes they are just as good as the name brand brushes they emulate and YES they are a WHOLE lot cheaper!  As a self-confessed brush fanatic who spares no expense when it comes to getting a brush that I MUST have I can attest to the quality of these brushes.  I have used them for a good 3 weeks now, deep cleaned, spot cleaned - tried and true, through and through - THEY ROCK!  Whether you are just starting as an MUA or if you are a seasoned professional you need to have these. 

As for the negativity surrounding Sigma's sales approach - I really could care less.  I mean there isnt really too much you can do in the beauty industry without taking from another company.  I mean a brown shadow, is a brown shadow is a brown shadow all day long.  You dont hear anybody complaning about that right?  To each his/her own.  While I will pay for what I want, I do love a bargain and I will be buying more from Sigma in the way of brushes.  I tried Sigma Makeup Brushes and the truth is - I loved them and I will repurchase and I have spread the word about how great they are and I will continue to do so.  Give their shadows a try too - they sent me a great smokey grey shadow as a GWP that I adore.

Diary of an MUA - Project: Kit Revamp Part 1 *pic heavy & lengthy*

Happy New Year beauties!  I hope everyone is ready to go charging at 2010 with full force cause I sure am!  In order to start it off right I thought it was time to part with some things that just have been totally neglected product wise.  I invite you to take a look at *thunder/storm sounds*...my kit!  *loud blood curdling scream*

things that dont fit in the rolling kit

depotted foundations, concealers, pigment samples, glitter

brush belt, brush holder, brush roll (yes w/more brushes) and MAC set bag

inside the MAC set bag, yes more foundation, pressed powders, disposables, brush cleaner, etc.

top of the rolling case, a bunch of everything :eyeroll at myself

drawer 1 - blush, bronzer, highlight

drawer 2 - variety of shadows that barely get used - c the 1 still in the box? oy vey...

drawer 3 - the lash stash (needs to be replenished)

drawer 4 - the FX supplies (depotted lipsticks peeking below that)

bottom of case - space for palettes (4 shadow, 1 blush, lipstick, & Ben Nye)-I kept this image large so you can see the palettes

Random additionals - roll pack that I keep pencils, lipsticks & glosses, gel liner, pigments, paintpots, etc. in; bag for dirty brushes, Artist Summit bag for all things that dont fit in the case, and my clip on OTT-Lite

*not pictured - my artist chair*

You see I have this thing where I HAVE to be prepared for ANYTHING!  The few times I tried to listen to the client and only bring items for the look requested bit me in the azz because of course they asked if I could do a little bit of this and a little bit of that extra.  So I formed in my mind that I need to take any and everything I can just in case.  Now granted that did work but I am tired of lugging this ish around to each and every gig.  I mean come on, a chair, a light, a rolling case and then a bag filled with 2 more bags??? Enough is enough. 

In comes the talented Jessica Jean Myers with her blog post on her kit - I mean Holy Organization batman!  It was like the post I didnt even know I needed!  I immediately decided to tackle my kit - first I TRIED to go through and part with things that Im not using (friends and family had a field day with that but I know I can part with more - stay tuned for part 2), then I said eff this rolling case - it served its purpose for the past year and some change but Im over it now (I gave that to a fellow MUA and friend - Hey Tee! *hugs*).  I remembered getting this insulated bag from NYX some time ago that I refused to throw away for some reason so I dug that out.  Here's what happened after all that:

All of my old kit in this new bag (minus what I parted with)!  YAY!

a peek inside

So I feel a WHOLE lot better now but I am not done - its almost time to part with the depotted foundations at which point I will invest in the RCMA and/or some other brand foundation and concealer palettes.  I feel I can be an even better artist with more organization.  I was still debating the following bags instead of my NYX one above (I am going to cover the NYX logos of course):

 - the Zuca case $295 I think (just like the old case, and I could sit on that too for like $100 cheaper, pass)

- Yazmo bag (looks like my NYX bag, just minus the brush holder in the top and my sides dont zip - $100 so eh, not sure just yet)

- The Zuca artist backpack - $125 and I LOVE IT! If I can fit my whole kit in this then I am SOLD! Just this and my chair and my back would be eternally grateful.  :-)

For now I will keep condensing and invest in some of the removable pouches, I think that can tide me over until I want to pay for the new bag, currently my money is being used on continuing education for the first part of the year and that is WAY more important. 

Hopefully this helped someone like the Jessica Jean Myer's post helped me.  Talk to you all soon!