Speed Factor

I hope you guys enjoy seeing my work w/ Lilogi as much as I enjoy showing it b/c there is going to be A LOT more for the next couple of wks!  Literally, it's like I'll have a whole new portfolio to print in a mth the way we keep producing such awesome work!  I know I keep saying it but it really  is fabulous to work w/ a bunch of ppl that can truly collaborate w/ and that respect and get your vision as much as you get theirs and therefore trust you enough to do your own thing!

Here's last week's pics from their Alexander Wang Sports Wear Week!  Such a great shoot and such a gorgeous model!  This was also a lot of fun b/c I got to work w/ my often mentioned Makeup/Hair partner in crime Ashley Readings.  She did the AWESOME hair you are seeing in the pics!  And I know it might be hard to appreciate b/c it looks like just a really smooth sleep high ponytail but you have to understand what she started w/!  Eunique the model has some very gorgeous and BIG natural hair w/ A LOT of curl at the root so Ashley did an AMAZING job in blowing out that hair into the sleek and slick pony you see in the pics!

Photographer Renee Rodenkirchen

Stylist Alexandra Loeb

Makeup Jessica Jean Myers

Hair Ashley Readings

Model Eunique (Elmer Olsen)

Seeing Pink

Here's Last Week's Fashion Editorial from Lilogi - The HOTTEST, New Fashion Website in Town (Yeah maybe I'm a little bit biased ;) )!  As you can see last week's theme was PINK!  You should see the HOT STUFF up there this wk for Sport Wear Week!

Photographer Renee Rodenkirchen

Stylist Alexandra Loeb

Makeup & Hair Jessica Jean Myers

Model Hayley (Elmer)

Whitening Lightning - Tooth Whitening Review

About a mth ago the great people at Whitening Lightning sent me a new Tooth Whitening product to try out (sorry Whitening Lightning for not doing the review sooner lol).  I used the product for approx. 14 days every night and I have to say I'm IMPRESSED w/ the results!

What makes this whitening product different than a lot of the other ones out on the market is that first off it's a Pen that you twist up and paint the product on  your teeth...much like those brush on lipglosses that you twist up to release product.  The pen is great b/c it's small and convenient - you can throw it in your purse or toiletry bag if you're going away and need to use it while you're gone.  The pen also makes it very easy to apply the product directly to your teeth and you really only need a small amount of the product too.

It's also a lot less messy and less intrusive than those teeth whitening trays or strips that you have to wear for 30 mins at a time.  Just put this on before bed, go to sleep and wake up the next morning w/ whiter teeth...couldn't be easier!  The product remains on your teeth till you brush it off the next day and apparently it's a lot less harsh for your gums then some of the other brands on the market (important if you have sensitive gums).  Although you should still try to avoid getting it on your gums.

There's also no unpleasant taste like w/ a lot of whiteners and one of the biggest pluses for me was that I could use it to remove stains from my teeth bondings (I have a couple of teeth w/ bonding on them and traditional whiteners don't work on them).  They also have a money back guarantee so you can't really go wrong there!

As an added BONUS readers of my blog get a special DISCOUNT if you want to purchase the product - just type in JESSICA70 (all caps) and get 70% off your ENTIRE ORDER!  How cool is that!

To use you just twist up the product and paint it directly on the teeth.  From there just take your hairdryer and blow dry your teeth for approx. 30 secs and that's it!  Apparently, it also helps prevent morning breath...nice added bonus ;)

Here's some Before & After pics of my Teeth...I know not the most attractive pics but hey I think it does show a difference!  It says you can lighten your teeth 7-10 shades...mine weren't that stained but still there's a difference!

BEFORE

AFTER

Brides, Brides & More Brides

So recently I've been in contact w/ several of my brides and their photographers trying to hunt down some of the pics from their gorgeous weddings back in the Fall.  I LOVE seeing pics after the wedding day.  So rewarding seeing my work on these beautiful women and being part of their special day.  Plus it's great for my website ;)

I thought instead of doing a million (okay like 4) posts w/ different pics of my brides I'd just do 1 post w/ a collection of the pics I've received recently!

Laurel - Photos courtesy of Tyler @ Mango Studios

This wedding was actually on my b-day so you know it's kind of special for me lol!

I did all the Makeup & Ashley Readings my "Other Half" did all the Hair

Love how all the dresses are jewel tones but different!

Jennifer - Photos courtesy of Josh Cornell @ Naomi Studios

You may remember Jennifer for an earlier post.  She is going to be featured as a contestant on Canada's Four Weddings.  I think her episode airs in March.  I hope she wins!  What a fabulous group!

I did all the Hair!

Mona - Photos courtesy of Jenn @ Studio Studios

This was somewhat of a last min booking for me but I'm so glad I got to work w/ both Mona and her Maid of Honour

I did both Makeup & Hair 

Natsuko - Photos courtesy of Jag Photography

I did both the Makeup & Hair for Natsuko and she was so nice!  It was such a pleasure to be able to fit her into my schedule as I remember that was a crazy day where I had two weddings and a trial booked!

Future, Now

Here's the latest video from Lilogi that I promised you!  ENJOY!  FYI if you are watching this from the main blog page you'll have to scroll down and Pause the other Lilogi video Petals b/c they both start as soon as you come on to the blog.

Directed & Edited by Renee Rodenkirchen

Produced by Lilogi

Styled by Alexandra Loeb

Makeup & Hair by Jessica Jean Myers

Hair Assistant Jade Truscott

Model Astrid (Elmer Olsen)

The New Future

Here's the latest shoot brought to you by the fab ppl at Lilogi!  This is the last of the shoot pics on the one day when we knocked out 3 amazing shoots for the website!  But don't worry I'm booked 2 full days next wk w/ Lilogi for 6 - YES 6 upcoming shoots/videos...gonna be 2 REALLY long days lol but I look forward to the challenge b/c I know the rewards will be SO WORTH IT!  Seriously, in like 3 mths I'll have a completely new book!  I'm definitely going to have to go get some more sheets to add to my portfolio b/c I'm already close to the end.

I loved all the shoots that day but I don't know something about this one really made me just go FUCK YEAH!  I'll be honest I didn't actually have a firm concept of what I wanted to do in terms of makeup at first and in fact wiped off what I did part way through and started from scratch b/c I wasn't digging it...so glad I did that b/c this was definitely the right direction to go in.  Maybe that's why I love it so much - I really just developed it on the spot working w/ the model and her features specifically.

The model (Astrid) is actually wearing a black wig but the style so suits her and makes her piercing blue eyes pop even more!  For the makeup I decided to actually keep it somewhat simple.  I lightened the brows and did some gold on the eyes but where the drama came in was w/ the lashes and liner.  I did 2 full sets of lashes on top and also a dramatic corner lash on the bottom w/ lots of black liner and I LOVE  the results!  I wanted her to have flawless skin (which was easy cuz her skin was amazing) and not a lot of colour but some really nice contoured cheekbones.  Again the lips are rather natural - nude layered w/ a bit of gold.  I really went big w/ the nails lol!  I did a LONG tip and we painted them gold and dipped the tips in gold glitter!  The look was all about Gold and coming into the New Year and The New Future!  We wanted to create something that felt very modern and strong and I think we definitely did that.

Photographer Renee Rodenkirchen

Makeup & Hair Jessica Jean Myers

Stylist Alexandra Loeb

Model Astrid (Elmer Olsen)

Hair Assistant Jade Truscott

Look Out for the Video from this shoot Tomorrow!

Goals, Resolutions & Reflections 2012 Edition!

I know it's about a wk after New Years and usually I would have posted this sooner but after a crazy whirlwind Dec. I wanted to take a week off from the blog and just catch up on some things.  Every year I like to reflect on the past year - what I've accomplished, what I still need to work on, how far I've come etc.

I just re-read my post from last year about my Resolutions for the New Year and it really reminds me one of the reasons I love having a blog so much.  It's always so amazing and interesting to me go back and remind myself where I was at that point in my life.  What was going on, how I was feeling, where I saw myself going...all of that.

Last year I had such a sense of renewed optimism and I have to say for the most part I've really carried that through this entire year!  I still feel very optimistic about everything the future holds for me.  In general I think I'm a pretty optimistic person.  Sometimes, this surprises ppl b/c I am very blunt, sometimes harsh and a realist by nature but I'm also very positive and I do believe in striving to be the best you can and continually working towards the future whatever that may hold.

After re-reading last years Resolutions/Goals I think I did pretty well...but you know what I could have def. done better!  Let's talk about what I did well!

I def. accomplished my goals for my Bridal Business and Website!  I built a new bridal website and I think that helped the biz a lot!  My first year doing Bridal I worked on approx. 20 weddings and this year I kicked my goal to double that out of the water...by year end I had worked on approx. 48 weddings I believe!  Plus I already have several booked for this year already!  Last year at this time I had no weddings booked at this time!

I def. made more money!  I won't get into numbers but let's just say I almost doubled what I made last year from Makeup & Hair work!  No I'm not rolling in the $$$ trust me lol!  But that's a HUGE improvement and I did get more commercial/fashion paid work and I def. got more bridal work!  Plus I'm feeling very optimistic that that number will only continue to grow!

I updated my blog more!  And I think overall I was giving some pretty good content so I'm happy about that!  In fact last year I wrote more blog entries than any other year I've had the blog!

I've improved on my Hair Skills a ton!  As you all know I've even done several weddings where I've just done the hair!  Two years ago I never would have dreamed about that!  I do still need to work on the airbrushing though...I got some new airbrush foundations and I think that will make a HUGE difference b/c I was just NOT LOVING the brand I had!

I've def. stepped up and started paying off some of my debt so that makes me REALLY happy b/c anyone who knows me knows I HATE debt!  It took awhile just to catch up on things b/c I'm not going to lie the beg. of last year was really slow at first, plus there was moving to a new place and all the expenses that go along w/ that.  But now I'm on the right track and I'm feeling good!  I do need to start saving though...that's one area I still need to work on!

I've networked w/ more ppl in the biz but again it's an area I need to work on...I'll be honest ppl are surprised by this b/c one on one I'm quite outgoing and even a bit loud but I have a real problem at parties and events going up to ppl I don't know and talking...plus I have a weird phobia of the phone...I really don't know where I'd be w/out the internet I swear!

I didn't get an agent but you know what I'm not that sad about that one...it wasn't the right time and I did okay on my own...doesn't mean I'm not going to try again this year though ;)

The thing I actually probably didn't stick to the most was the working out and weight loss.  Disappointing I know esp. since I was doing so good at the end of last year!  This is the one thing I'd probably give myself an F on!  In 2010 I was really good about working out!  I was doing Boot Camp, I had a personal trainer at one point, I was going to the gym reg. I don't really know what went wrong on that front in 2011 so I'm not going to make excuses but just say that is def. NOT going to happen this year!  I literally live 1 min from my gym so there are NO EXCUSES!

Okay now on to my GOALS for this YEAR!

1. Travel More!  Traveling is REALLY important to me and that's one area I really neglected last year.  Probably b/c I was busy building my business and trying to catch up on the debt game but I'm going to make it a priority again this year!  The only trip I went on last year was a few days in Las Vegas in Feb...that was almost a year ago...that's not acceptable lol!

2. Learn Moderation in Living! I'm not going to make ABSOLUTES about Eating, Working Out & Weight Loss b/c I think that's a bit of my problem - I'm ALL or NOTHING!  When I'm on I'm on but when I'm off Holy Shit lol!  So this year I want to learn not to beat myself up if I have a bad meal or don't hit the gym 5 days/wk.  Of course I want to loss weight and get in better shape but I need to take baby steps.  I want to drink MORE WATER!  This is something I need to work on...and I actually have to make an effort to drink 8 glasses a day.  I need to take the stairs more...I did this in Shanghai and well it doesn't hurt lol. Eat for hunger not boredom or emotional reasons.

3. Grow My Business EVEN MORE!  I worked on approx. 48 Weddings last year - this year I want AT LEAST 60!  I also want to work on networking and building relationships more so that I can build my Commercial/Fashion business more.  Yes, I love my brides but I also need something to occupy more time during the wk lol!

4. MORE Self Promotion!  I think I'm okay at getting my name out there but I could do better.  This goes along w/ the networking but I want to find more ways to promote myself and "my brand".  Whether it's approaching ppl to do Guest Blog posts, reaching out to brands to collaborate w/ or just meeting new ppl.

5. Debt & Savings! I WILL pay off my Line of Credit this Year!  And I WILL start Saving more aggressively for the Future!  Overall I'll be honest I am pretty good and living within my means and budgeting my money...I'm proud of that b/c there are A LOT of ppl who aren't!

6. Read More!  I know this sounds kind of silly but I really feel like I'm not evolving mentally enough lately and I think it's b/c I'm not reading as much as I use to.  I'm a curious person and I want to start reading more again and just overall keep myself up-to-date on current events and the world around me.  I'm part of what can be a very superficial business and I don't want to let myself become too ill informed or lazy intellectually. I also just feel sometimes like my language and vocabulary skills are going to shit...I only speak one language as it is, it would be nice if I was fluent in it lol!

I think that's a good start there!  Those are all pretty big Goals w/ multiple steps and levels...I'm sure as the year goes on the list will grow and change for me but I'm curious to see next year where I'll be and what will have changed!

Good Luck & Happy Belated New Years to Everyone!  Many New Posts w/ New & Exciting Work to Come!