I feel like Mr. Rodgers inviting you into my neighborhood. But instead of my comfy home, I am inviting you into my big makeup bag, on-set experiences, and my ramblings about everything in between. Enjoy my musings and my valiant efforts to find the best stuff out there. Talk back, comment your head off, and please bring your sense of humor...it makes you look lovely!
Lets face it. Hair removal is one of the most unfortunate parts of a woman’s beauty routine. I hate waxing, and plucking about as much as I hate being a hairy monster. I have tried it all, and it is never fun (no matter how many Tylenol you take!). But, unless you want to look like a wookie, it is a fact of life.
Good to know there are some options out there that are easier and a little less painful than others. I was given the chance to try out Nads Facial Hair Removal Wand. It was easy enough to use, and the tip gave me the control I needed to get those nasty little hairs out. Now, I am not saying that I still don’t squeal when I wax my blonde mustache, but at least it doesn’t make me sob like a baby.
Here are the details:
TIPS:
Thoroughly clean your eyebrow using Nad's Cleansing Wipes. Remove wand cap and twist the end until gel appears at wand tip. When first used, this may take up to 20 twists.
To ensure the Gel melts with your body heat slowly and firmly apply a thin layer of Gel in the direction of hair growth. Only apply the gel over the hair you wish to remove. Any excess will wash away with water.
Immediately place backing strip over the gel and firmly smooth over with your fingertips in the direction of hair growth. Holding skin taut, quickly pull strip off in opposite direction of hair growth.
Remember to hold skin taut with one hand and to pull close to the skin rather than up into the air.
As a makeup artist, the best piece of advice I can give any aspiring or established artist is to constantly continue their education. Always be open to learning new techniques, advice and tips from your fellow artists, and the newest product innovations in the field.
One of my favorite events in our industry is the annual The Makeup Show LA. Every year, the top artists in our industry join together to share insight, industry news, education, and new product launches. Every year I enjoy listening to the keynote speakers and learning from these world renowned artists. This year I am looking forward to Troy Jensen and Mario Dedivanovic!
Also, for artists looking to put their own personal stamp on the show, there is an amazing oppertunity to have your work wow The Makeup Show and Smashbox studios. Good luck, and I will see you there! (and please say hello when you see me xoxo).
Here are the details:
This Town is our Town – A photo celebration of the iconic fashion and beauty images to come out of LA Here is your opportunity to collaborate with your fellow artists and be a part of the Launch Event for The Makeup Show LA 2012.
Task: Create an image that represents your team’s interpretation of this year’s theme “This Town is Our Town,” which will spotlight the beauty & fashion industry of LA and showcase the iconic looks that have come to us from Hollywood’s red carpet, silver screen, and fashion.
Rules for Submission: To enter Submit your single image to info@themakeupshow.com by February 17th, 2012. The JPEG may not be larger than 2 MB. Please include credits and bios for each member of your team including photographer, makeup artist and hair stylist, etc.
Finalists & Winners: Finalists will be contacted via email by February 24th, 2012. All finalists are responsible to mount their own image and deliver to and from the event (California Market Center). Print Dimension should be a minimum of 11” x 14.” All images from the finalists will be displayed at The Makeup Show launch event on March 16th and throughout The Makeup Show LA. They will be judged by a panel of our top industry insiders and viewed by over 4000 industry artists and experts. The winner will be announced and featured on our blog following The Makeup Show LA.
Prizes to be awarded include:
Publication of an original beauty photo story in On Makeup Magazine Spring 2012 Issue with Artist and Photographer included on the contributor page.
Studio time at Smashbox Studios with on set feedback from Celebrity Makeup Artist Lori Taylor, Smashbox Professional Artist Relations Manager
Crystal Wright Live Freelance Advantage Power pack (1 Hair Makeup & Fashion Styling Career Guide, 2 30 Days at 100 Percent Book & CD , 1 1-Day Workshop on DVD, 2 Webinars. 1 $500 Gift Certificate off of 3-Day Portfolio Building & Marketing Workshop.
One on One consultation and portfolio review with Artists by Timothy Priano for each team member, photographer, Makeup Artist, and Hair Stylist.
For the Makeup Artist: Makeup Kit containing some of James Vincents favorite products valuing 1000.00
For the Hair Stylist: Hair Kit sponsored by T3
Announcement and Feature in The Makeup Show Newsletter and featured spot on The Makeup Show Blog.
Complimentary admission to each member of the winning team to The Makeup Show in each city for 2012.
Judges Include: Shelly Taggar: Owner of The Makeup Show Brand and Vice President of Metropolitan Events. James Vincent: Director of Education and Artist Relations for The Makeup Show, Educator and Beauty Editor for On Makeup Magazine and LoveCat Magazine. Lori Taylor: Makeup Artists, Beauty Expert and Professional Artist Relations Manager for Smashbox Cosmetics. Michael DeVellis: Founder/Executive Director of The Powder Group, Editor/Creative Director of On Makeup Magazine, and Vice President Professional Division for Make Up For Ever Timothy Priano: International Agent and Founder of premier agency, Artists by Timothy Priano. Crystal Wright: Agent, Educator and Empowerment Diva. Best selling author of The Makeup & Fashion Styling Career Guide, and 30 Days at 100 Percent. Brandon Showers: LA based photographer and contributor to beauty magazines.
Create a look. Play with products. Experience a real photo shoot with a Smashbox photographer!
Just bring your own model to the Makeup Show LA, book a station and you will get one hour to create a look with insider input from a Smashbox PRO artists. Plus, you get to take home a CD of pro-quality photos from your shoot!
Sofia Vergara’s SAG Awards Red Carpet Look by Kayleen McAdams
"You'll see that Sofia's jewelry had purple tones, in both the bracelet and earrings so I wanted to subtly bring that out in the eye with a plum shadow. To bring the whole look together, I used a mauve lipstick as it complemented the eye and also accented the jewelry."
Last month I was honored to attend a special night honoring the original makeup master Dick Smith. The event was in recognition of his Honorary Oscar, and incredible body of work. What impressed me most about Mr. Smith were the stories that spoke of his generosity and encouragement to aspiring artists. His reputation of mentorship is in line with his outstanding reputation as the "Godfather" of makeup. Below is a small description of his accomplishments, and his personal answers to my brief Q&A. He is truly a master in his field and an inspiration to makeup artists.
"The haunting leer of a demonically possessed girl in "The Exorcist" (1973) is one of the more terrifying examples of the work of makeup artist Dick Smith. Widely considered the 20th century’s maestro of movie makeup and affectionately called the Godfather of Makeup, Smith has influenced and inspired generations of artists. He has gladly shared his secrets with up-and-comers in the field as well as elevated the standards of the craft, both of which helped to establish makeup as a respected discipline of the cinematic arts
Filmmakers have consistently turned to Smith for persuasive renderings of time’s effects on the human body. For artfully aging F. Murray Abraham from his forties to his eighties in "Amadeus" (1984), Smith shared the Academy Award® for Makeup with Paul LeBlanc. He earned his second Oscar® nomination for making a spry 65-year-old Jack Lemmon a persuasive octogenarian in "Dad" (1989), and created an iconic masterpiece with the jowly look of Marlon Brando in "The Godfather" (1972).
Smith steadfastly believes in making movie magic look natural. His artistry is often unnoticed – and that’s just the way he wants it. "A good makeup doesn’t look like makeup," he has said."
Below is the advice that Mr. Smith passed onto me, and to my readers. I hope all aspiring artists take his advice, and learn from his generosity and grace.
What is your advice to aspiring new makeup artists: Dick's advice to makeup artist getting started is to practice and practice. Follow your passion for makeup every opportunity you can. Inspire yourself with makeup magazines, books, and films. When possible contact other makeup artists around you and learn from them. Experiment, practice, experiment, practice.
With all the new products out there on the market, what are the top three staples every artist should have in their kit? The top products that makeup artists should carry in their kit today may often depend on the types of makeup application they are usually involved with. The products that makeup artists involved specifically in editorial, photography, and red-carpet will be different than stage, which will be different than the application of prosthetics, which will be different than labs. Makeup artistry, as also in years past, covers so many areas that you have to be ready for what is called for on that project. It is wonderful to see that MAC Cosmetics carries excellent products that cross into all of the vast ranges of the art of makeup.
Lets face it, at one time or another we have all dreamed of being a rockstar. I personally use my car as my own personal stage and belt out my best Tina Turner every chance I get. Yet, when I want to look like I rockstar, I tend to turn to my three favorite classic pieces pumped up with some fierce accesories. Softer colors still keep the look elegant, while the skulls, and prints add an extra punch.
As for my makeup, I always go for a simple, clean, and elegant look and let the clothes speak for themselves.
With New York Fashion Week coming up, Glam Publishing has partnered with Rock and Republic to celebrate the launch of their new demin line at Kohls. So, if you want to be treated like a rockstar, than enter this amazing contest for a chance to win! Here is the amazing treats that could await you:
Roundtrip airfare for two to New York City
3 nights' hotel accommodations at the W New York-Times Square
Ground transportation to/from the airport & to/from fashion shows
Two tickets to the Rock & Republic fashion show
Rock & Republic makeovers for you and your guest: clothes, hair & makeup
$300 spending money
You have until January 28th at 9pm PST to ENTER HERE!!!. Just think of it, you could be strutting your fabulous stuff in New York with rockstars of the fashion world.
