Guess who is one of this mth's featured artists in Dripbook's mthly newsletter! That's right it's me! For those that don't know Dripbook is this pretty awesome site that showcases the work of a lot of amazing and talents ppl in the biz including but not limited to photographers, stylists, retouchers, makeup artists, hair stylists etc.
They also do my website which I get a ton of compliments on and they make it so easy to update that even a computer idiot like me can do it w/ no problems at all!
Anyway, every mth they send out a newsletter which features the work of some of the artists on their site and this mth I happen to be the Featured Makeup Artist! A couple of wks ago they contacted me about writing a little bio for the newsletter and I have to admit I was shocked they were contacting me. I'm not being modest here but seriously a lot of the artists I've seen featured have REALLY amazing portfolios and REALLY amazing clients lists...in fact a lot of have been artists that I look up to. Although, I'd like to think my portfolio is relatively strong I know there is always room for improvement and to be honest my client list doesn't include the names you frequently see mentioned by the artists involved.
Maybe it has something to do w/ the new work I've put up recently I don't know but whatever it is it makes me happy to be featured! I noticed the whole newsletter has a sort of Beach/Water theme and they used one of my pics from the Sol y Mar shoot so that's cool too.
So take a look at the little newsletter if you like!
The REAL Life & Work of a Professional Freelance Makeup Artist!
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
Veet Hair Removal Cream - Review
I have to admit I was pretty impressed w/ what I got! I got a FULL SIZE Veet Hair Removal Cream for Sensitive Skin and Ready To Use Wax Strips (which I haven't actually tried yet...review to come). It's actually been years since I've used a hair removal cream and I remember the smell being just awful in the past. I was very curious to see if this was something they had improved on over the years and I'm happy to say they have...although I'm not going to lie there is still a smell just not near as strong as it use to be in the past.
The product is quite a large bottle and it comes w/ a nifty spatula to scrap away the excess cream and hair when you're using the product. I really like the addition of the spatula and it's not something I remember the product having in the past. I definitely found it to be useful when removing the product and the hair b/c sometimes I did find I did need to actually scrap the area in order for the hair to full remove (I don't know maybe I have strong leg hair lol). The one I got also has 2X more moisturizers then the reg. cream which is good b/c my legs do tend to get dry esp. depending on the weather or how much I'm shaving. It also has a pump which makes for an easier and cleaner application straight from the bottle.
I'm not going to lie the first time I used the product I actually wasn't that impressed w/ the results but I thought it deserved a second chance. The second time was much better. I think I needed to put a thicker layer of the product on for it to work (it says there are approx. 4 applications/bottle but I think you could get more out of it...guess it depends how far up your leg you go). It says it takes 3 mins and you shouldn't go over 6...again w/ my coarse hair I needed the 6...maybe even more although it says you shouldn't leave it on longer but like I also mentioned after 6 mins I did need t scrap pretty hard in some spots to get the hair to come off.
Things I don't like are very similar to the things I didn't like in the past w/ this product. It's a bit messy, awkward and time consuming to stand in your shower for 6 mins waiting for the product to work...guess that's why I usually just shave my legs. Also the smell isn't amazing but as mentioned above it has improved a lot over the years. I actually think I would like this product a bit more for Winter use - 1. b/c my skin tends to be drier then and shaving can dry out the skin more 2. b/c then I can allow my hair to grow for a couple of days before using the product...in the Summer I tend to shave every day or every other day but I felt this product worked better if I let the hair grow for a couple of days which is hard b/c I wear a lot of dresses and skirts in the Summer and I'm not a fan of leg stubble lol.
I did like that it left my skin feeling very soft and moisturized afterward. Also I found that my hair did seem to grow back a bit slower after then w/ traditional shaving...and a bit finer/less coarse too which is always a good thing!
So overall I would use this product again...esp. in the Winter mths. If you're someone that likes hair removal creams then it's definitely a good option and has great packaging to keep everything clean and tidy. I really do like the pump for the bottle and the spatula for removal.
Wax strip review to come soon...just need to find a willing victim...I mean participant ;)
Monday, August 15, 2011
Timeless Elegance w/ a Modern Twist
A few wks ago I had the pleasure of working w/ a wonderful and beautiful bride named Meghan and her entire wedding party and mother. It was really such a great wedding and it went so smooth thanks in part to Ashley Readings who did all the hair for the day and Alice who assisted the two of us. It was a large group w/ 7 ppl both Hair & Makeup and you know what my speed and timing has been in the zone lately b/c we finished EARLY! I was so early in fact that when her aunt came over w/ some not so flattering makeup I was able to take her into my chair and fix it for her. It was actually quite amusing, she apparently never wears makeup and her husband had read something online about a "smokey eye" and HE decided to do her makeup for the wedding! Let's just put it this way, basically he took a very dark GREEN eye shadow (her only eye shadow) and just smudged it all over her lid like to black eyes (well green eyes technically lol). Umm I think this goes w/out saying but ladies - DON'T let your husband/boyfriend do your makeup unless he is a trained makeup artist lol.
Meghan actually found me through Mango Studios who she hired to be her wedding photographers. I know Zach Hertzman from a couple of editorials and he works for the company but he actually wasn't shooting this wedding. One of the co-owners Nancy was shooting it and I can't wait to see the pics b/c Mango Studios is seriously one of my fav. wedding photography studios in the city. They do such gorgeous wedding work and it has such a modern feel to it which is what I'm all about when it comes to weddings.
Meghan was a very organized bride and very meticulous in her planning...she even did a second makeup trial to make sure we got everything just right. But she also changed things up a bit...bought a second dress b/c she realized the first one wasn't "the right one", changed her hairstyle from the trial a couple of days before the wedding. You'd think these sorts of things might lead to stress but not at all...Ashley totally rocked the wedding hairstyle that Meghan wanted...didn't hurt that Meghan has TONS of hair to work w/ in the first place lol! And I have to be honest I DEFINITELY think she made the right choice in changing the dress...I wasn't that crazy about the first one but I LOVED the second one. It had a bit of a vintage feel to it but still looked so modern and actually quite a bit different from "usual" wedding dresses I see. Plus this girl rocked an awesome fascinator! I LOVE fascinators and I LOVE when brides are bold enough to wear them b/c they just add so much personality to everything!
For the makeup it was all about accentuating Meghan's gorgeous big blue eyes. We did a bit of a peach/brown smokey eye w/ a touch of gold. Kept the face really fresh w/ a soft flushed cheek and a soft matte lip (also love when brides are not afraid of lipstick).
Most of the bridesmaids were "natural" girls so I wanted to keep them comfortable and play up their eyes in a natural way that wouldn't make them feel "too made up" or "uncomfortable". Meghan actually wrote me one of the most lovely reviews and commented that at one point she remembers looking around the room and thinking that she'd never seen her friends looks so beautiful...I seriously think that's one of the nicest compliments a bride has given me!
So here's a couple of pictures of the beautiful bride, mom and friends!
Meghan actually found me through Mango Studios who she hired to be her wedding photographers. I know Zach Hertzman from a couple of editorials and he works for the company but he actually wasn't shooting this wedding. One of the co-owners Nancy was shooting it and I can't wait to see the pics b/c Mango Studios is seriously one of my fav. wedding photography studios in the city. They do such gorgeous wedding work and it has such a modern feel to it which is what I'm all about when it comes to weddings.
Meghan was a very organized bride and very meticulous in her planning...she even did a second makeup trial to make sure we got everything just right. But she also changed things up a bit...bought a second dress b/c she realized the first one wasn't "the right one", changed her hairstyle from the trial a couple of days before the wedding. You'd think these sorts of things might lead to stress but not at all...Ashley totally rocked the wedding hairstyle that Meghan wanted...didn't hurt that Meghan has TONS of hair to work w/ in the first place lol! And I have to be honest I DEFINITELY think she made the right choice in changing the dress...I wasn't that crazy about the first one but I LOVED the second one. It had a bit of a vintage feel to it but still looked so modern and actually quite a bit different from "usual" wedding dresses I see. Plus this girl rocked an awesome fascinator! I LOVE fascinators and I LOVE when brides are bold enough to wear them b/c they just add so much personality to everything!
For the makeup it was all about accentuating Meghan's gorgeous big blue eyes. We did a bit of a peach/brown smokey eye w/ a touch of gold. Kept the face really fresh w/ a soft flushed cheek and a soft matte lip (also love when brides are not afraid of lipstick).
Most of the bridesmaids were "natural" girls so I wanted to keep them comfortable and play up their eyes in a natural way that wouldn't make them feel "too made up" or "uncomfortable". Meghan actually wrote me one of the most lovely reviews and commented that at one point she remembers looking around the room and thinking that she'd never seen her friends looks so beautiful...I seriously think that's one of the nicest compliments a bride has given me!
So here's a couple of pictures of the beautiful bride, mom and friends!
Even a couple of me working...thanks Ashley ;) I cropped in on this pic and as far as pics of me working go I actually really like this one...I don't look quite as mean as usual lol!
I like this pic b/c we can see both the Front & Back...albeit a little blurry.
Bridesmaids
Bride & her Mom...I thought her mom looked so good too! Man I LOVE that fascinator!
Thursday, August 11, 2011
Metamorfik
Lucky You, Lucky Me - Bringing you Two New Editorials in Two Days! Unfortunately, after this one I'm going to be real there won't be anymore "new" work for a bit b/c I'm just busy doing weddings and things like that but don't worry obviously I'll still be writing fun and interesting entries. Plus I think I am going to do a little video about the layout of my portfolio so you guys can see it all printed and maybe understand a bit more about portfolio flow and stories and all that stuff!
So here is the FINAL story from my epic shoot day w/ photographer Adamo de Pax that I've written so much about these past couple of mths. Originally, we were trying to get this published but no one was biting :( I still think it's gorgeous! To be honest I don't always get magazine editors and the stories they pick up b/c sometimes I see some really boring or crappy stuff published.
Anyway, Adamo and I agreed it's better to just release the images and put them up on our sites then have them published in a subpar magazine. Truth is (and I'm not trying to brag here) I've had a lot of stories published and the majority of stories in my book are published so I don't really care if I have some pics that aren't published in a magazine b/c to me it's better to have a book full of strong stories then to really concern myself w/ the fact of whether or not a couple of stories weren't picked up by magazines. Plus having a story published in a crappy magazine doesn't really mean anything or get me any farther ahead this point so who cares.
I love this story b/c it is a progression of one idea and Andrea (the model) did an amazing job of capturing the mood which is sort of like the makeup is possessing or spreading across her like a disease and turning her evil. Of course Adamo did an amazing job as per usual too! If anyone is curious I mostly used OCC pigments and the Gold is from my MUFE Flash Palette.
So here is the FINAL story from my epic shoot day w/ photographer Adamo de Pax that I've written so much about these past couple of mths. Originally, we were trying to get this published but no one was biting :( I still think it's gorgeous! To be honest I don't always get magazine editors and the stories they pick up b/c sometimes I see some really boring or crappy stuff published.
Anyway, Adamo and I agreed it's better to just release the images and put them up on our sites then have them published in a subpar magazine. Truth is (and I'm not trying to brag here) I've had a lot of stories published and the majority of stories in my book are published so I don't really care if I have some pics that aren't published in a magazine b/c to me it's better to have a book full of strong stories then to really concern myself w/ the fact of whether or not a couple of stories weren't picked up by magazines. Plus having a story published in a crappy magazine doesn't really mean anything or get me any farther ahead this point so who cares.
I love this story b/c it is a progression of one idea and Andrea (the model) did an amazing job of capturing the mood which is sort of like the makeup is possessing or spreading across her like a disease and turning her evil. Of course Adamo did an amazing job as per usual too! If anyone is curious I mostly used OCC pigments and the Gold is from my MUFE Flash Palette.
I really love that you can see the texture of the makeup in these pics and I esp. love the bit of red that landed on Andrea's eyelashes lol!
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
Enchantment
You may remember a couple of mths ago me sharing some behind the scenes photos from an awesome beauty shoot I did w/ the amazing Sian Melton and Vienna (our gorgeous model). Well I can finally show you guys the final product! I think they look really gorgeous and have this beautiful light and airy other world sort of feel to them.
The story was actually picked up by this new magazine called Veux. Overall, considering it's the magazine's premier issue it looks really good and will hopefully only get better from here on. The pics looks good in the magazine but I have to be honest I hate when magazines try to fit more than one pic on one page b/c it just takes away from the impact of the pic but that's just my personal opinion. Plus they cut out most of the makeup credits which doesn't really make sense considering it's a beauty story. I mean yes cut out the repeats but to cut out almost all of them isn't cool. On a positive note my name is spelled right...and we all know that has been a prob in the past ;)
Anyway, here are the finished pics...I'm including my favs. from the shoot not necessarily the pics featured in the editorial just an FYI.
FYI I went to Pikto today w/ Adamo de Pax to print some pics for my portfolio and they all look gorgeous! I may be old school but I still LOVE seeing my pics printed...so much better than just seeing them on the computer screen IMO. I might do a little video showing you guys the layout of my portfolio and flip through it for you if you think that might be something that would interest you.
The story was actually picked up by this new magazine called Veux. Overall, considering it's the magazine's premier issue it looks really good and will hopefully only get better from here on. The pics looks good in the magazine but I have to be honest I hate when magazines try to fit more than one pic on one page b/c it just takes away from the impact of the pic but that's just my personal opinion. Plus they cut out most of the makeup credits which doesn't really make sense considering it's a beauty story. I mean yes cut out the repeats but to cut out almost all of them isn't cool. On a positive note my name is spelled right...and we all know that has been a prob in the past ;)
Anyway, here are the finished pics...I'm including my favs. from the shoot not necessarily the pics featured in the editorial just an FYI.
FYI I went to Pikto today w/ Adamo de Pax to print some pics for my portfolio and they all look gorgeous! I may be old school but I still LOVE seeing my pics printed...so much better than just seeing them on the computer screen IMO. I might do a little video showing you guys the layout of my portfolio and flip through it for you if you think that might be something that would interest you.
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
Weddings - Love When Everything Goes According to Plan!
Nothing really fancy here. Just thought I'd share some pics I took of a wedding I did recently in Markham. First time this season I was hired to just do Makeup and not Hair or Makeup & Hair...kind of refreshing...and so easy!
I think the thing that actually made me most stressed about this job was the fact that I had to drive out there myself. I know this might sound weird to you all but most of the time when I have weddings outside the city I always have a second person w/ me b/c they happen to be big jobs. If I don't have a second person that means I have to use Zipcar which is this great hourly rental car service for those that don't know. I do btw have a full license but I almost never drive. Before this wedding the last time I drove was Sept...yeah like 10 mths prior lol (If I actually went over my limited driving history it might scare you that I have a license but knock on wood I've actually never been in an accident so don't get too scared lol)! Thankfully, for weddings I'm usually on the road pretty early which means almost no traffic. The following week I actually had to drive again for a job btw...all the way past Muskoka like 2.5 hrs outside the city (fyi I woke up at 3:45 am for this job - that's inhumane). On the positive side actually starting to feel pretty good about this driving stuff lol!
Anyway, back to the wedding. The bride Anna was so lovely (she looks like Olivia Wilde to me) and her entire bridal party was such a pleasure to work w/. Anna was so on top of things that I actually ended up finishing early! It's always nice on wedding days when everything goes really smoothly and there isn't a lot of drama or commotion while everyone is getting ready. Before the wedding I got a lot of emails from Anna about a lot of details and at first I'll admit it was a bit annoying but I realized she's actually a lot like me - always needs to be in control of all the details and planning. This also made me realize I'm going to be a nightmare if I ever get married lol! Seriously, if you didn't know this about me I'm a bit of a control freak and don't really trust many ppl to do jobs I could do myself b/c usually I feel I can do them better lol! I'm sure I was a nightmare to work w/ on school projects! Also just want to clarify Anna was by no means a bridezilla or anything like that lol...she was very lovely always...just VERY on top of things lol! I'll probably be a bridezilla :P
Anyway, here's some pics of Anna and her bridal party...really hopes she sends me pics she was so lovely!
I think the thing that actually made me most stressed about this job was the fact that I had to drive out there myself. I know this might sound weird to you all but most of the time when I have weddings outside the city I always have a second person w/ me b/c they happen to be big jobs. If I don't have a second person that means I have to use Zipcar which is this great hourly rental car service for those that don't know. I do btw have a full license but I almost never drive. Before this wedding the last time I drove was Sept...yeah like 10 mths prior lol (If I actually went over my limited driving history it might scare you that I have a license but knock on wood I've actually never been in an accident so don't get too scared lol)! Thankfully, for weddings I'm usually on the road pretty early which means almost no traffic. The following week I actually had to drive again for a job btw...all the way past Muskoka like 2.5 hrs outside the city (fyi I woke up at 3:45 am for this job - that's inhumane). On the positive side actually starting to feel pretty good about this driving stuff lol!
Anyway, back to the wedding. The bride Anna was so lovely (she looks like Olivia Wilde to me) and her entire bridal party was such a pleasure to work w/. Anna was so on top of things that I actually ended up finishing early! It's always nice on wedding days when everything goes really smoothly and there isn't a lot of drama or commotion while everyone is getting ready. Before the wedding I got a lot of emails from Anna about a lot of details and at first I'll admit it was a bit annoying but I realized she's actually a lot like me - always needs to be in control of all the details and planning. This also made me realize I'm going to be a nightmare if I ever get married lol! Seriously, if you didn't know this about me I'm a bit of a control freak and don't really trust many ppl to do jobs I could do myself b/c usually I feel I can do them better lol! I'm sure I was a nightmare to work w/ on school projects! Also just want to clarify Anna was by no means a bridezilla or anything like that lol...she was very lovely always...just VERY on top of things lol! I'll probably be a bridezilla :P
Anyway, here's some pics of Anna and her bridal party...really hopes she sends me pics she was so lovely!
Anna (Doesn't she look like Olivia Wilde)
Bridesmaid & Cousin
Another Bridesmaid - She has the prettiest smile!
Anna's Sister and Maid of Honour
Monday, August 1, 2011
Raw Beauty
Well Adamo de Pax has done it again! Less than a wk after I put up the last story from him he already finished the next story we did that epic photo shoot day! I LOVE how much variety we are getting all out of one shoot day...seriously it's insane! Every story is so completely different from the other you wouldn't even know they were all shot on the same day and it's so exciting waiting to see what Adamo is going to do next! I should probably stop bragging about him so much...soon everyone is going to want to shoot w/ him and I won't even get a chance lol ;)
I really wish I could show you the one story that we are still trying to shop around to get picked up by a magazine b/c it's seriously gorgeous...and like I said before so different from everything else! It really is amazing how much range and variety you can get out of 4 models that all started w/ the exact same look. Yes, I know I keep repeating it but seriously it's crazy lol!
The last story w/ Sarah was very clean and fresh and this one w/ Bea is so different from that in every way. It's raw and edgy and I really really like it! Bea was really great at emoting that raw sexuality and vulnerability we were looking for w/ this one and she's barely recognizable from the clean face original pic. Yes the makeup is still really clean here but it's amazing what just changing the lighting, switching a pic to B&W and messing w/ one's hair can do to an image. Hope you like!
I really wish I could show you the one story that we are still trying to shop around to get picked up by a magazine b/c it's seriously gorgeous...and like I said before so different from everything else! It really is amazing how much range and variety you can get out of 4 models that all started w/ the exact same look. Yes, I know I keep repeating it but seriously it's crazy lol!
The last story w/ Sarah was very clean and fresh and this one w/ Bea is so different from that in every way. It's raw and edgy and I really really like it! Bea was really great at emoting that raw sexuality and vulnerability we were looking for w/ this one and she's barely recognizable from the clean face original pic. Yes the makeup is still really clean here but it's amazing what just changing the lighting, switching a pic to B&W and messing w/ one's hair can do to an image. Hope you like!
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