U+ Magazine

So I'm sure you all remember the photo shoot staring Nils a few wks ago. Anyway, the mag that shoot was featured in has come out and I grabbed a couple of copies YEAH! It's actually for a new weekly magazine under Modern Weekly company (they have like 10 mags) and it's called U+ (well actually it's called something in Chinese but that's what I can read lol).
The spread is okay. Definitely not one of my favs but whatever it was paid and I like to see my name in print lol. The main prob. is that for the most part it seems Chinese fashion editors don't know how to choose good pics for editorials. There will be a bunch of really cools pics that could make a really cool story but they always want to play it safe and they seem to be really obsessed w/ making sure all of the details of the clothes are showing. Like the model could have some screwed up face but as long as the clothes are lying right on the body they will choose that pic...ugghh!

So anyway, here are the shots that were used in the mag. These aren't the actual tears just the pics used that Todd sent me. The model's name is Kristina btw.

I really like the pics w/ the sun burst but unfortunately it's a little too close to the face and the printing quality isn't that great so it washes out the details of the face and makeup too much :(

This pic I don't get at all! She's making a weird face why would anyone choose this pic!

Btw I just got the sample pics that are going to be used by Norbert Kniat in that awful, long photo shoot for Don Gil Magazine and I'm actually overall really pleased w/ them! If the printing quality is decent I'll definitely be happy w/ the editorial esp. w/ the conditions that were experienced that day...ugghhh!!

The Beauty Blender

So during my editorial for Modern Weekly I got the chance to use a new product that is taking the makeup world by storm - The Beauty Blender! I had heard a lot of hype about this product from several other professions so I wanted to see what all the fuss was about and I can tell you I was NOT disappointed!

Basically it's an egg shaped sponge that you can use moist or dry and it comes w/ its own cleaner so it's reusable (yeah for the environment). It was designed by makeup artists and it really does help create a flawless finish. The patented rounded edge helps you say goodbye to visible lines and streaks - very good when talking about HD makeup and the pointed side is great for getting into those hard to reach areas i.e corners of eyes, around the nose. I should also mention this little gem is latex free, hypo-allergenic and odor free.

Unlike a lot of makeup artists I really do love sponges for finishing my foundation look...I don't know why and I feel like I'm in the minority since it seems EVERY makeup artist has their personal fav. foundation brush. But now I feel like I can come out of the closet and be proud to be a sponge girl w/ my new hi-tech Beauty Blender!

I should mention I do use foundation brushes when applying moisturizer, primer and foundation but I've never gotten in the habit of blending in my foundation w/ a standard foundation brush. I personally always found it a bit time consuming and annoying and much prefered to either take my MAC skunk brush (duo fibre brush) and blend the foundation in or a sponge right at the end to finish it off. I do still love the MAC skunk brush btw for buffing foundation into the skin for me it has always worked so much better than a typical foundation brush.

So now you ask where do I get myself one of these amazing little wonders! As some of you know I'm from Canada and I got mine before I left for Shanghai. I actually got mine from Holt Renfrew (Fancy Canadian Dept. Store). If you're in the US I would suggest heading over to Camera Ready Cosmetics . It's an online makeup store that carries only the best professional quality makeup brands. I have NEVER been disappointed w/ the service and it has always been very fast and professional...even when ordering from Canada. You can also go to The Beauty Blender website to see if there is a retailer near you that sells it.

FYI a single sponge and cleaner retails for about $35...I found it was the same in the US and Canada hence why I just bought mine in Canada. Enjoy!

Behind the Scenes - Modern Weekly

So last wk I did a shoot for one of the magazines under the "Modern Weekly" magazine company in Shanghai. I always love shooting for mags even if it is a rather simple look and they don't pay a lot just b/c of the energy on set. This shoot in particular had a very "interesting" energy to say the least lol.

Did the makeup at the magazine office and then headed over to the location. We were shooting at the mag editor's "friend's" place. When we got there we were greeted by the obviously still VERY drunk "friend" lol. His name is Nils and what a character to say the least! He opened the door, let us in and proceeded to stumble around the apt. for a few mins slightly confused about what was going on b/c he had apparently lost his phone the night before and didn't even remember that we were coming over to shoot. He was very polite though and a great host - even offering us a bottle of Moet at 9 am lol. Unfortunately, b/c I was working I of course had to decline (although anyone who knows me knows I love a glass of champagne every now and again)...maybe if I would have added orange juice the 9 am thing wouldn't have been a problem lol?

Once we got shooting things went great! Really loved the backdrop of the city from the rooftop - great view. Plus w/ the early morning sun burst in the pics I think some of them will look really cool so I can't wait to see them when they come out.

But lets get back to Nils the true star of the shoot lol. Nils and I hit it off right away...even if he doesn't remember this happening lol. We talked and bonded over his life and why he wasn't working on a Thurs. morning. He made many mentions of the fat, ugly model and feeling disappointed b/c he was promised many thin, chinese, nearly naked models lol. He declared his love/hate relationship w/ fashion and his inner desires to intern at the fashion magazine. Mostly, I just tried to keep him out of the way and occupied so that Todd didn't kill him lol!

As the shoot progressed like all drunk men Nils realized how fabulous I was even though in his words "I'm not thin, tall and flat chested" like his "usual type" lol. He and I danced around his apt. and he put a very select group of songs on repeat and even let us hear the song he wants played at his funeral. After the shoot was finished we all had a glass of champagne to celebrate...I wish every shoot ended w/ glasses of champagne!

He somehow managed to get invited to the studio for the rest of the shoot and when we took him back to his apt. he refused to get out of the cab...REFUSED!! After many minutes of begging, pleading and arguing we gave up and had to take him back to the office where I distracted him w/ coffee and the editor snuck away lol. I'm still confused how someone could maintain that level of drunkness for that MANY hours lol!

Here's a few of Nils during the shoot and me "enjoying myself" after the shoot!


A picture really is worth
a 1000 words I think lol!
Let's count the photoshoot cliches - alcohol, cigarettes, sunglasses inside, cell phones, drunk guy - add some coke and we're set lol!