Behind the Scenes - A Week of Shoots

Last week was quite busy for me as I had three shoots scheduled. Two were tests with models and one was a commercial shoot.

The first of the week was with a model for possible stock photos (yay for $$$!) and also for portfolio building purposes.

Here is a quick behind the scenes shot of the first shoot of the week (stock):


We also did some on-location that day, but because I was helping hold the reflector, I couldn't snag some photos with my phone.

The next shoot of the week was with this GORGEOUS Australian model who relocated to Los Angeles and had the most gorgeous face. At certain angles she reminded me of Angelina Jolie.

We did some really clean looks and then we did a creative lip series. Since she has such fantastic lips, we did a look with some red glitter, super shiny iridescent gloss and one with about 7 or 8 different colors melded together. I cannot wait to get the pictures from this shoot back! I was so excited I didn't want to take any phone pictures as that would just not have done the looks justice.

Last but not least was a commercial shoot on Saturday. It went very smoothly and I think they will be a good set of commercials. Here are a couple of pictures from my vantage point on set:





(In the photo above you can see my lovely set bag. I love it so much! If you are wondering the brand, it's from Luxor Pro. It is so light but hold LOTS of products).

And there you have it! As promised, as soon (and I mean the minute they arrive in my inbox) I will post the lovely lip series from my mid-week shoot.

Lip Service

Hooray! I finally received the final pictures from a shoot I did about a month ago with Courtney. First we did some really clean looks, and then let loose with a fun beauty series focusing on just the lips, playing with color and texture.

I think they came out very well, and our lovely model Jolette did such a great job. I've posted them below.

As far as products, Surprisingly, I didn't use an actual "lip product" on any of the looks. I played scientist and mixed some products together to get what I wanted. For the pink and purple lips, I used my trusty Yaby eyeshadows mixed with Face Atelier transforming gel and topped with a clear gloss, while the yellow lips were actually Cinema Secrets creme makeup, and since it was super emollient, no gloss was needed.

Hope you enjoy the pictures! I will post a snippet about my quick and fun shoot today on Friday.

Picture #1 from "Nailed It" shoot

I was beyond excited to get the first photo from the shoot I mentioned in my "Nailed It" post this morning. I think it's gorgeous, but I will let you decide ;) I cannot wait for photo #2 :)

Nailed It

Last Thursday I was fortunate enough to do a shoot with Courtney, a beautiful model and a fantastic manicurist. It is truly rare to have a manicurist on set, unless of course nails will be featured or be a central part of the story. Other than that, I am usually required to have a mini manicure set on hand in case a little touch up is necessary.

Having Julie on board was fantastic! We did two looks, one with a vibrant turquoise nail color paired with long nails. We kept the look rather simple on that look with clean skin, no liner (just a few false individual lashes thrown in for a slightly more "oomphed" natural eye), groomed brows and no blush. Just a little contour powder and gloss topped off with slicked back hair. I think it turned out rather well with the nails and the lips stealing the scene.

The second look was pretty much the opposite. Jule trimmed the nails and gave them an "inverted half moon" shape topped with a shimmery granite color polish. It was fabulous! I created a smokey eye with slate and granted colored shadows as the lid and accent shades and contrasted the crease with a warm coppery bronze color. We also used extensions in black to give the picture a dark and mysterious mood.

I loved the way both the looks were executed and shot, and couldn't thank Julie and Courtney enough for the quick and fantastic shoot. These shots will definitely be going into my book. Below are some behind the scenes pictures of the shoot...Well, the first look anyways. My Iphone died sometime between the last picture and my completion of the second look. Enjoy!


Since we were shooting from the shoulders up, our lovely model didn't have to "strip down" and only needed to wear a flesh colored sports bra. Much easier to shop out :)

Below are some key products I used on the shoot. I am so happy to have them in my kit as they produced such stellar results.

Embryolisse 24 hour miracle cream


It truly is a miracle cream. Just a little dab on the 5 points of the face and you (or your model) will have creamy dreamy skin almost immediately. This product has saved my skin on more than one occasion.

Kevyn Aucoin The Sculpting Powder


While this powder looks to be an unusual shade, it is fabulous for creating natural looking shadows/contours. I've had more than one person call me a miracle worker because of this amazing powder.

Face Atelier Lip Glaze In Cameo


I thought I couldn't live without my Peach and Flamingo Lip Glazes from Face Atelier (Well...I can't!) and after the Makeup Show in March, I realize I can't live without Cameo either. This is a perfect shade to create the coveted "nude lip" in light medium to medium deep skin tones. Gorgeous!

Face Atelier Transforming Gel


What do we have here...another product from Face Atelier! It's a great line, what can I say? You might have noticed that gorgeous shade of turquoise on my model's lip. While I would like to say that I am fully equipped with every shade of lipstick known to man, my kit (and my back!) couldn't handle that load. So I do what any makeup artist who wants to really pare down their kit does: Carry this little baby! I actually mixed a Yaby eyeshadow and pearl paint together with the transforming gel and I instantly had a yummy aqua lipstick. Transforming Gel, I love thee!!

Yaby Pearl Paints


These little darlings are the basis of the fantastic range of colors in my kit. With my pearl paint palette, I have any color liner, lipstick, eyeshadow or whatever I may need at my finger tips (paired with my Face Atelier transforming gel of course!) One of my kit staples. Love them!

Stay tuned for some pictures of my last shoot and a behind the scenes from another shoot!

Beach and Gardens

A few blog posts ago I mentioned the hair and makeup I did for the lovely Summer Rayne Oakes for her L.A. book launch party of her book "Style, Naturally". She posted some great pictures and gave me a nice little shout out on the blog, so check it out here:


http://www.summerrayne.net/index.php/2009/03/18/style-naturally-la-launch-party/

Also, one of the shoots I did last year or so was posted on the Behance Network, and when I stumbled upon it I thought you lovely readers would like to see it :) So here is a link to that:

http://www.behance.net/Gallery/Beach/180069

I did a shoot with my most favorite photographer Courtney Dailey about a week and half ago, so once she finishes editing them I shall post them for your viewing pleasure.

I may post a blog tonight about some new Smashbox products I bought...stay tuned!

A Luster In My Eye

Spring is here...the flowers are in bloom, the birds are singing and it's time for me to purchase a few new color products from Spring/Summer collections to add to my kit to keep it current.

Since I've been doing quite a bit of event makeup and commercials, much of my work needs to reflect the trends of the moment, rather than the upcoming fashion season.

I've found a few little gems that I am absolutely loving and so I thought I'd blog about them here for your viewing (and perhaps purchasing) pleasure :)

Too Faced Cosmetics Luster Liners


While these little pencils have been out for a couple of months, I somehow recently noticed how a couple of these colors are perfect for the Spring trends for lips...and to add that I absolutely adore the finish and feel of the product. It has a slight cooling effect and they go on quite opaque.

These are advertised as lip liner, but they are chubby and you can easily use them like lipstick. They also come with their own sharpener so you can keep them sharp and sanitary for your clients.

My current favorite colors are South Sea, Caspian and Akoya. Gorgeous!

NARS Summer '09 Collection

So while I love all of my NARS products, I am really excited about some of the new products and color combination that NARS came out with for their Summer color collection. What found it's way into my kit (and dare I say...my heart?)

NARS eyeshadow in Tropic. What can I really add but that it's a truly gorgeous shade of teal. Not too green, not too blue which means it will look absolutely fantastic on everyone. *yay!* Don't let the tiny sparkles fool you. This will not turn into a hot glittery mess. It gives a subtle sheen that looks marvelous on set as well as "in real life".



NARS Falbala Lipstick

It's just a pearly gorgeous bronzy/beigey shade that will look hot paired with any vibrant shadow that is so in for Summer. Truly beautiful.



NARS Outsider Lipstick

It's pearly in consistency and copper in color. Could you really want anything else in a lipstick for Summer? This shade will go perfectly with bronzed eyes (or cheeks!) and will look lovely on medium to dark skin tones. *Love!*

For a little twist I am also adding a drugstore foundation find that I recently tried and decided that I love!

Max Factor Pan Stick Foundation



This little gem has been a cult favorite since it's release in the 1940's. I had a coupon for one, so I decided to give it a whirl. Wow! Was I impressed. The consistency, opacity and finish reminded me of my Gerda Spillman ( the foundation of choice for the American Idol makeup artists) although I must say the Max Factor is slightly less "dewy" and imparts a very nice satiny matte finish.

While I don't usually suggest buying drugstore foundation for one's kit, I understand there are instances in life in which emergencies happen (my good friend once had her car broken in to and her entire kit was stolen, and when she went out to go ready her kit for her 6 a.m. shoot, she discovered it was gone) and you need a reliable foundation that will do in a pinch. I can confidently recommend these foundation to anyone who finds themselves in a situation like that and can't get to a pro store, or can't find one that is open (let's face it, Walgreen's is open 24 hours...Frend's not so much).

So for the week, these are my new loves and I hope to discover (and report!) some others in the coming days :)

Getting Back To Business

I have said it before, and I will say it again - I am a bad, bad blogger. I sort of have an excuse. I've been quite sick and I am just feeling better so here I am getting back into the swing of things, and most definitely back to business!

So as promised, here is the roundup of Day 2 of the L A Makeup Show

It was certainly much less crowded on Day 2. I think that fact that it was Monday and 2/3 of the Sunday crowd had to go back to work.

My artist friends and I started off the day by taking in K.J. Bennett's lecture on ensuring makeup on-set lasts. It was a little loud on the sales floor, so the closer you were to the stage, the better.

When then proceeded to buy more cosmetic goodies and see if any "extra show" specials were to be had. I purchased more Face Atelier glosses (at 3 for $23, how could I not? That's better than the 40% off discount I get!) and I bought some more velour puffs for on-set needs.

I was also finally able to get some more Crown Brushes (it was virtually impossible on Sunday) finally bought some coveted Kevyn Aucoin Sculpting Powder (LOVE it!)

We were there a considerably less amount of time since we had done most of our shopping on Sunday, but it was great to meet up with and see friends, and of course make new ones. The amount of cosmetic companies there was great, and there truly were some great show deals on alot of the merchandise.

Friday I have a shoot at CBS studios, so I shall blog about that and I have a couple of product reviews coming up. I promise to be a better blogger for those who actually read my blog ;)