She Howls

Literally, over a year ago I did a shoot w/ photographer Zach Hertzman, Stylist Alexandra Loeb and Models Julia K and Julia C (Elmer)...also just a side note my assistant for the day was Cassandra Forrester I did give her name w/ my credit information and I HATE when they don't credit things right!  You guys may remember I even wrote about it on this blog after the shoot!  Anyway, even though the shoot was really cool w/ lots of amazing clothes, photography and all that it had a HELL of a time being picked up anywhere...it happens.

Well out of the blue stylist Alexandra Loeb contacted me to let me know that it had been picked up by this magazine called LadyGunn!  Really cool magazine and it's even available in print! She had literally submitted it to them eons ago so it was a big surprise to hear from them...but a nice one!  They printed the whole story and overall it looks pretty good.  There are some things I would change w/ the Makeup & Hair and I def. don't think it's by any means my strongest work but you know what it's been a year so of course I've grown and evolved (and hopefully improved).  Plus I was experimenting w/ some techniques and styles and that's all necessary to grow as an artist so even though I don't think it's my best I think it's good to share it w/ you.

It's weird to see an editorial I did SO LONG AGO finally come out...I remember it was VERY hot that day and the girls were such troopers wearing fur and everything.  The heat and timing of everything def. led to some complications but like I've said before live and learn.  One thing I do still like is the wicked nails I shaped and created for Julia K (the "dark" one).  I gotta create some cool nails again for another shoot!

So here it is - ENJOY!

Alice in Wonderland Part 2

A couple of wks ago I finally got some of the pics from the amazing wedding photographer team Justin & Mary from the Alice in Wonderland Workshop I helped out w/ a few mths ago.  Crazy it was Summer when I did this shoot...feels like not long ago at all and yet Fall is already here upon us and the weather is quickly cooling down.  Where is the time going!?!  But you know what even w/ the temperatures cooling off wedding season is still in full effect!  In fact I have 3 weddings next weekend!  And I'm getting tons of ppl requesting quotes for next year...book me now before it's too late ;)

Anyway, here are some of the pics for you to enjoy!  I love all the little accent pics that really just help to set the scene and tell the story...even if they do have nothing to do w/ Makeup or Hair lol!  Can't wait to throw a couple of these up on my website!

Rebel Baby - Marta Pacek

In between weddings and more weddings every weekend I sometimes like to sneak in the odd job that doesn't involve a bride, a veil or a white dress.  Last Sat. I got this opportunity when I was approached by photographer Robert Rafton to help work on the new Album cover for Singer/Songwriter Marta Pacek's album Rebel Baby.

Marta, who originally hails from Australia is an indie singer/songwriter w/ a sort of country/folk feel to her music.  Strong on storytelling her music has a sort of moody and intimate feel to it.  She had a different cover for her new album Rebel Baby originally but after some advice from some industry insiders she wanted to showcase something that was a bit more raw w/ a bit more sex appeal and to break away a bit from her "good girl" image.

Marta still wanted to keep the makeup very clean.  Very minimal dewey foundation, some mascara a bit of lip colour and some contouring/bronzer on the cheeks was basically everything.  The biggest thing I did was make her brows a bit more full and dark then they normally were.

For clothes Marta had a whole sort of gipsy/saloon girl thing which matched perfectly w/ the location photographer Robert Rafton found.  It was in some park and there was a log cabin as our backdrop...sorry I can't tell you more...I don't actually know where I was lol.

I can tell you though there were a shit load of mosquitoes that went to town on my face and body.  Mosquitoes LOVE me!  And unfortunately I react a bit more severely to mosquito bites than the average person.  Right near the end of the shoot I got a bite right on the corner of my lower lip.  I looked like some botched lip injection patient...w/ only HALF my lip swollen.  Which wouldn't have been THAT bad except I had one of my best friend's 30th b-day party to attend that night!  Thank God for dark lighting and matte nude lipstick!  Seriously my lip was swollen for like 10 hrs...No Joke!

Here's some behind the scenes photos courtesy of Neil - Marta's friend!  Gotta LOVE iPhone pics!  Can't wait to see the album cover when it comes out!

Me doing my thing!

I'm not a smoker and I know it's wrong but I love smoking pics!

I'm covering myself w/ a towel b/c 1. Trying to protect myself from Mosquitoes lol 2. It got kind of chilly

And just for laughs - here's my lip like 3 HRS AFTER the bite!  It actually looked WAY worse than the picture shows lol!  I know what a WEIRD spot to get bit...at least I can laugh about it now...I was NOT impressed than lol!

Sigma Brush Winner!

Hi Guys,

Sorry for the delay I know I was suppose to pick the Winner on Fri. but it's just been a crazy couple of days - Magazine Shoots, Weddings, B-Day Party, Album Cover Shoot...I'm a BUSY GIRL lately!

Anyway, did the draw through Random.org and the WINNER is...

MoonRae - Sharon Siqueiros


Thanks again to EVERYONE that entered!

Sharon I'll be sending you an email shortly and forwarding your info off to Sigma and they will get in touch w/ you about sending you the brushes!

Congrats!

Love Good Days - Shoot for Chatelaine, Gifts in the Mail and Cocktails w/ a Friend!

Yesterday was a particularly good day (beside 1 job being cancelled)...why you ask?  Well I started my morning off at a shoot for Chatelaine Magazine.  The photographer is the incredibly young and talented Caitlin Cronenberg.  First time I ever worked w/ her or for the mag so anytime I get to make new connections is a totally cool thing!  How did I get this hook up you ask?  Well my good friend Sian Melton (photographer/makeup artist/all around cool chick) was doing the makeup/hair for this shoot and since it was a group shot she needed a little extra help and she invited me to come along and partake in the fun.  It was totally laid back and it was actually a group shot for the Women of the Year section in Chatelaine coming out in Oct.  Really great experience b/c I got to work w/ a bunch of awesome, real women that do amazing things for their organization, city and country.  So inspiring and always fun to work w/ ppl that don't normally get "dolled up" b/c they appreciate it that much more.

So that filled up the morning and it went so great that we were all wrapped and good to go before 2 pm!  Got home (b/c as mentioned above my 2nd job was cancelled urrggh) and to my surprise there was a nice little package for me in the mail.  I LOVE getting packages in the mail!  I unwrapped it immediately to find the most beautiful cosmetic bag I think (actually I know) I've ever owned!  A couple of wks ago I was contacted by Yolanda about reviewing one of her BEAUTIFUL handmade cosmetic pouches.  The site is called This Magpie's Nest and she has a variety of gorgeous makeup pouches to choose between.  Many feature old style photographs on the front w/ old postcards on the back.  Really unique and eye catching!  I chose the Mrs. Wright...Wishing You Were Here!  As mentioned above it's handmade and measures 5X7 (very roomy), it has a zippered pouch and the postcard  is printed on Muslin.  The inside is lined w/ red fabric and I have to say it's all REALLY well made!  Not flimsy or cheap at all!  In fact I CAN'T BELIEVE she's selling these pouches for the LOW LOW price of $15/each...seriously I've seen things like this in stores for like $35 and up!  Also I just want to mention how beautifully it all came wrapped and packaged...seriously it would make a perfect gift for anyone!  It was wrapped in red tissue paper w/ twine wrapped around it and a Magpie's Nest tag.  I noticed the package smelled so good and on further inspection when I opened the pouch I realized there was some lavender inside...what a nice touch!

The Front

The Back

Inside

Btw she is offering a 20% discount to any of my readers that mention this post when they are ordering...that means these beautiful pouches would be only $12/each...seriously that's INSANE!!!

So after that my day was complete w/ a nice trip to one of my fav. drink spots in Yorkville - The Avenue.  Sipped some white wine and chatted it up w/ a friend!  Great end to my great day!

Sigma Brush Review & Giveaway!

A few wks back the great people at Sigma contacted me about doing a little brush review and giveaway for them so of course I jumped at the opportunity b/c 1. I LOVE getting free stuff to try out and 2. I LOVE giving away free stuff to my readers lol!

The very generous ppl at Sigma sent me Travel Kit Naughty in Black.  Which is really a complete set of brushes and perfect for those weekend getaways or longer trips away when you're trying to pack light.  What's made this so exciting for me and I know this is going to sound crazy b/c I am a makeup artist and all was I was planning on keeping the brushes all for myself b/c I actually don't even have a set of makeup brushes I use just for me lol!

Yes, that's right I'm a makeup artist who doesn't even use brushes on myself most of the time...crazy I know.  Usually, for myself I just use my fingers, a sponge and a q-tip...yes I'm that ghetto lol!  For fancy nights I'll sometimes go into my professional brushes so I can do some eye makeup but it doesn't happy often lol.  Truth is I barely buy makeup for myself anymore too...it's like I'm a mother and my kit is my child - I give it everything I get and keep nothing for myself lol! Btw my kit is my child...if there was a fire you better believe that would be 1 of the 3 things I would be grabbing if I could only grab 3 things!

Anyway, back to the brushes.  First off one of the biggest things I LOVED about the set was it didn't have any crappy "filler" of "useless" brushes in it like you get so often w/ makeup brush sets - you know they'll give you a mascara spooly brush or an eye shadow brush w/ the sponge top that you'll never use.  This one has all the necessary brushes to do a complete face IMO.

Here's some details about the brushes in the kit straight from the website:

Pencil - E30 - Precise application of color on the crease, outer corner, and upper and lower lash line. Also ideal to smudge out pencil liner. Natural bristles.

Tapered Blending - E40 - Rounded and tapered top. Specially designed to apply and blend color on the crease. Natural bristles.

Eye Shading - E55 - Soft and dense with a rounded finish.  Can be used to apply pressed or loose eye shadows and pigments.  Ideal to build intense color on the eyelid. Natural bristles.

Large Powder - F30 - Very dense with a rounded top.  Ideal to apply powder products on the face and body. Natural bristles.

Large Angled Contour - F40 - The angled shape makes this brush ideal to apply blush or contour shades. Natural bristles.

Foundation - F60 - Can be used to apply liquid or cream foundation.  It is also recommended to apply moisturizers and conceal large areas. Synthetic bristles.

Concealer - F70 - The founded, tapered, flat shape makes this brush ideal to conceal the under eye area. It is also recommended for a precise application in small areas. Synthetic bristles.

So I'll start my review w/ the first brush they mention.



Pencil - E30 - It's a good brush for applying dense colour to the outer corners or crease that you're then going to blend for the smokey eye.  It's also a good brush for blended out and strong liner that you want to soften.  I like the the brush is dense and firm but still pliable in action.

Tapered Blending - E40 - I'm really picky about my Tapered Blending brushes and for my personal style this is probably my least fav. brush in the set.  It's not that it's bad it's just I prefer the bristles in my blending brush to be a little bit more dense and not quite as fluffy.  This brush will work of course I just feel I personally have to do a little more work w/ it.  But again it all depends on your style...to some they might prefer a fluffier blending brush.

Eye Shading - E55 - Good all over eye shadow brush.  Good size for applying that first bit of product all over the eyes and the bristles are dense enough if you later want to build colour on the lid or wherever.

Large Powder - F30 - Being that it's a travel kit I guess I want be too harsh on what they are considering to be a Large Powder brush...IMO it's proper blush brush size and not really large enough to be classified as a large powder brush.  That being said yes it does get the job done and of course it can be used for all over Powder...just for my professional work I would never consider it a large powder brush...but it would make a great blush brush.

Large Angled Contour - F40 - Good size, soft feel, dense enough and great for applying highlight to the cheekbones or colour to the cheeks if you know how to manipulate a contour brush for blush application.

Foundation - F60 - What's funny is I almost NEVER use a foundation brush when applying my own personal foundation.  It's good.  It's got a good size and the bristles are firm yet pliable.  It blends out both liquid and cream products well.

Concealer - F70 - Again there is nothing wrong w/ this concealer brush and it does work I just personally prefer my concealer brushes to be a little bit smaller and more angled at the end of the bristles so I can get a more precise concealing application for areas like around the nose, under the eyes and those pesky little pimples.

Btw another BONUS w/ this collection is that they also sent me a FREE Duo Fiber - F50 - you know the Skunk Brush - great for blending in liquid or cream products for that airbrush finish w/out using airbrush.  Seriously, one of my fav. types of brushes in my makeup kit and I'm always pulling it out.  This one is okay but again and this is just a personal preference it's too fluffy and not dense enough for my likely.  I don't like when the bristles give way too much on the skin and I want them to remain a little bit firm when I put pressure on them.  I do feel this brush is good for blending out blush though.

So overall I was really impressed w/ this brush set and I'm really excited to finally have my own personal brushes to use on myself every day lol!  Sigma has really affordable brushes and overall for the price point they are great quality.  They are perfect for the artist that's starting out and needs to build their kit or the makeup enthusiast who just likes to play around w/ makeup for themselves.


So now on to the FUN part - the GIVEAWAY!  The great people at Sigma are going to GIVEAWAY a Travel Kit in Naughty Black to 1 LUCKY READER!  That's a $49 gift...plus I think you'll get the additional Duo Fibre brush as a bonus as well!

How to Enter you Ask!  Well there's a couple of ways.

1. You must first follow my blog!

After that there are a couple of ways to Enter just Please tell me which ONE you did and Please leave your email address so I can contact you if you're the WINNER.  You can do all the different ways to ENTER just let me know in separate comments each way you ENTERED so I can keep track of it all more easily. 

REPEAT FOR EVERY WAY YOU ENTER PLEASE POST A SEPARATE COMMENT!!!!

1. Like my Fan Page on Facebook
2. Follow me on Twitter
3. Like Sigma Brushes Fan Page on Facebook

BONUS ENTRY

1. ReTweet this Giveaway on Twitter

Open to Anyone in North America - Yes Canada & United States!

CONTEST CLOSES FRI SEPT 9 @ 6 PM!

GOOD LUCK!

Weddings - Unfortunately You Can't Always Control Everything!

A couple of wks ago I had the pleasure of working w/ a beautiful bride named Gina and her mother and mother in law for her wedding day at The Old Mill (Great One Stop Wedding Destination in Toronto).  What made it so neat was I actually knew her groom b/c he is a partner w/ a production company I have had the pleasure of working w/ Encounter Film Studios.

I'm not going to lie this actually ended up probably being one of the more stressful weddings I've ever worked on lol!  Why you ask?  Well if you haven't realized this about me before you will now...I'm very punctual and almost always early for my jobs (nothing freaks me out more than being late or running behind).  Seriously, there are a couple of things I hear over and over again from clients - 1. How insanely quick I get back to them by email (even late at night) 2. I'm always early, professional and ready to go.  I'm a bit crazy, I'll admit it lol!

Anyway, I had given very specific instructions to the bride about arriving at The Old Mill at 12:45 pm so I could set up and get to work right away at 1:00 pm.  I of course arrived early and was waiting and waiting lol...they wouldn't let me into the bridal change room w/out the bride.  While I was waiting Paul Nelson (the photographer) arrived and he was able to convince someone to give him a key so then I was at least able to set up (in the very tiny room w/ dim lighting) and he was able to unload his equipment (did I mention the room was small lol).  Few mins later a couple of the guys I know from Encounter showed up which was a surprise to me!  They were acting as the videographers that day (makes sense lol) so anyway great to see them b/c they are always fun and then then put their stuff in the tiny tiny room lol.  So it's getting later and I'm texting the bride and it's getting later still texting and still no bride.  I'm not going to lie I was getting a little worried at this point just b/c I had made a schedule and I knew the schedule I had planned out was good but tight and therefore also meant that I needed ALL the time in the schedule for everything to be ready on time...plus I didn't want to do a half ass rushed job b/c that's just not me!

At about 1:45 Gina's mother in law arrived and I immediately got started on  her makeup.  She looked gorgeous when I was done - this woman has amazing skin and so wonderfully delightful!  Just as I was finishing her up Gina and her whole crew arrived...it's after 2:00 at this point!  I'm not going to lie I was a little stressed.  They saw the size of the room and knew it wouldn't work and were able to get into their bridal suite early...thing is that it's in a whole other section of the hotel...this meant I had to pack EVERYTHING up and carry it to the new room (this of course is taking up more time!).  But I will say they were more then helpful in helping me carry my stuff over...I can't say enough how accommodating and friendly this group was through everything!

Once I finally got to the Bridal Suite I immediately got started on tackling Gina's hair (and boy does she have a lot of hair lol).  One thing I will say about everyone even though things were behind schedule everyone including the bride remained SO NICE and SO FRIENDLY and SO CALM...seriously I was more stressed about it all then them...but I guess when you show up an hr late I might have a sneaking suspicion you're use to being late for things ;) lol.

So the reason I was a bit nervous about the timing was b/c I knew Gina's hair was going to take AWHILE...there were a lot of steps and it was a process!  First I had to blow out her naturally curly hair (and boy does she have a lot of it), then I had to clip in the extensions I made for her b/c even though she has a lot of it it's not long enough, then I had to curl and style all the hair b/c she wanted big loose curls...very different then her normal curly hair.  As you can see it's like styling 3 heads of hair and I knew it was going to take a long time!  Once I got all that done I moved on to makeup which I'm not going to lie was a bit hard to do b/c the hotel room was so dim and it was a cloudy day so not a lot of natural light coming in...man hotel rooms always have the worst lighting I swear!  I guess it's more suited for sexy times then makeup work ;) lol.  After  a little hiccup w/ the foundation I got everything to a level I was happy w/.  But then of course I had to do finals on the hair and re-curl some pieces and just fix it up a bit.  I might add at this point it was probably 4:50 and the wedding was suppose to start at 5:00 (thank God it was all in the same location).  I was freaking a bit b/c I didn't know if I could do her mother's makeup but of course I wanted to do her mother's makeup.

Finally, they just said to me we're going to be late it's okay.  It's more important to do the mom's makeup and be late then to not do it so go ahead.  They said weddings always start late anyway so it's not really a big deal lol!  Plus the mom told me at 4:45 she had ppl in Mississauga calling and saying they were just leaving then!  Man it must be a cultural thing or something b/c seriously I would be stressed out if I was the bride lol!  Truthfully, I don't think a lot of my other brides would have been so calm.  It was funny b/c I was apologizing b/c I just couldn't get things done quicker and do a good job and they were like it's okay don't worry about it we understand lol.  I'm so happy they were so understanding and accommodating about the whole situation (I mean I guess they have to be they were late lol but still they could have made it a lot worse).  So in the end I did the mother's makeup and everyone looked gorgeous and I think they probably started about 30 mins late lol.  But you know what it was worth it if that meant that everyone looked beautiful!  Rather be a bit late and do a good job then be on time w/ a half ass job...I just can't do anything half ass and not beat myself up about it afterward.  Btw I should mention it wasn't like I was running around like crazy stressed person I just literally didn't look up for 3 hrs and just kept focused at the task at hand.  I met her bridesmaids I couldn't even tell you what colour their dresses were b/c I didn't look up lol!

Thankfully, I knew the bride (sort of) b/c they let me just stay after they were all gone from the room and clean up my stuff alone and then just let myself out b/c seriously my area has NEVER been such a disaster.  Seriously, it was insane looking!  My friends at Encounter started shooting some film of my area and I literally yelled "Don't Shoot This it's Disgusting".  It probably took me 30 mins just to clean up everything and calm down lol.

I have to say thank you again to Gina and her entire family for being so warm and friendly and just all around lovely to work w/.  Even though I was stressed they were really wonderful about everything and actually helped a lot to keep ME calm (man usually it's me doing that w/ the bride lol).  I'm so glad everything worked out in the end!

Also BIG THANKS to Paul Nelson for sending me the BEAUTIFUL images I'm going to share w/ you from the day!  Yes, he already has a bunch of the pictures done and it's only been 1.5 wks since the wedding - what a PRO!  He was also wonderful at not getting in my way, working around me and still being able to capture a great picture (even in my chaos lol)!  Can't wait to add them to my Website!

So many GREAT Behind the Scenes Pictures...and overall I don't look like a complete DISASTER in them lol!  It's actually good to see that stressed Jessica actually looks very similar to my normal intense working Jessica lol!

Hadi's (the Groom) Mother - Such GORGEOUS skin!  This was in the TINY room before we moved!

Me doing some Makeup work on the Beautiful Bride - Gina

I may have been a bit stressed but at least my lines were still clean and crisp!  I hate sketchy eyeliner!

One thing I will say is I did a good job on the extensions - they matched PERFECTLY!

They look so HAPPY and she's just GLOWING!