UGGHH - Vision I Hate You Right Now!

So I just got word today that a shoot I did a million years ago for Vision Magazine has been postponed AGAIN! At this point I really don't see this shoot getting into the mag which is so disappointing b/c it's a really cool editorial. Hopefully, Todd can get it published somewhere else but the truth is it's kind of late for that uggghh! Vision is a totally cool magazine and I like it a lot. I've had a few editorials published in it and they do some really cool shit so I just don't get why they aren't all over this particular shoot!

What sucks is they were totally in love w/ a shoot that I actually really didn't even like all that much (personally I found the model REALLY weak). The model for this shoot was so good and I'm not just saying that b/c I personally chose her...the girl knows how to pose! I loved the location, the mood and I thought my makeup was good. The only weak point was the styling...and that's not to say the styling was bad at all b/c it wasn't. The prob is here in China they are obsessed w/ huge designer names. Basically they will go through an editorial and decide if they like it based on the credit list and not even the pics. If it has good names then it is deemed a good editorial if it has designers that they have never heard of then it's not usable. This is one of the frustrating things when you work in a market full of brand whores that won't take a chance on a new or unknown designer.

If anyone has any suggestions on some art magazines that might be interested in a submission let me know b/c I'd love to pass the info on to Todd!

Moet & Chandon

My years of bartending and cocktailing in Toronto have allowed me to become a bit of a champagne snob w/ particular tastes. To me Dom Perignon is the most overrated. I've never liked it! Veuve is probably my fav. I like Cristal Rose over Cristal. Pierre Jouet and Bollinger are pretty good too. So as you can see I love champagne ( you know cuz I'm classy like that ;) lol)! So when I was approached to work some events for Moet & Chandon I thought sure cool...maybe I'll get to have some champagne (unfortunately this has not been the case lol).

Anyway, this has probably been one of the more "interesting" jobs of done esp. since I'm doing it in Shanghai. I was referred by another makeup artist b/c she was going back to Australia for the holidays. I guess they were looking for a makeup artist b/c of the fine detail involved in the work but in truth this job has nothing to do w/ makeup which I guess is why I find it weird to be doing it in Shanghai but I'm cool w/ whatever pays the bills you know (and it pays well :) ).

So basically I was hired on by the very nice ppl at Jetlag Productions to go to nightclubs in Shanghai and personalize Moet bottles w/ crystals. I have my own booth where I sit and ppl come and watch me while I personalize these bottles w/ their names. The secret is basically it's all a show b/c it takes FOREVER to do one bottle by hand so a lot of times they prepare the bottles in advance using these stick on crystal stickers (ssshhh don't tell anyone ;) lol). But yes I do personally put crystals on a few bottles. I've done a few events thus far and I guess the most interesting one was on New Years Eve at Muse. The DJ that night was AMAZING! If I wasn't working I can tell you I would have danced the night away! I wasn't too upset though b/c I'm use to working on New Years Eve b/c of bartending. I mean I'd rather make money then spend it...plus I negotiated a higher rate b/c it was New Years Eve ;) yeah for me! Hopefully the ppl at Jetlag will hire me on to do more events...and maybe some of them might even involve me doing makeup lol!

Here's a few more pics of me at work!

I'm concentrating very hard here!

A fan watches on lol!

Busy, Busy Week!

Very busy week this week! If all my weeks were like this then I'd be a very happy little makeup artist I can tell you that (and a much richer one too ;) lol). Just did an editorial today for a European magazine w/ German photographer Norbert Kniat (I'll be writing a behind the scenes post later). On Thurs I'm doing a very well paying advertising campaign w/ my photographer friend Todd Anthony Tyler and now he just told me that we will shoot a cover for DestinAsian Magazine on Fri. This will be my first official cover so I'm VERY excited about that! I was suppose to have a cover back in the Summer w/ Catalog Magazine (Singapore) but they ended up not using it b/c they didn't like the male model THEY cast uggghhh...hopefully nothing like that will happen on Fri.

Also still waiting on some final confirmation details about my BIG NEWS! It was slow getting started in Shanghai but WOW what a great start to the New Year! Hope it continues!

Exciting News!

I think I'll have some VERY exciting news to post in the VERY near future so make sure you stay tuned :)

Poverty Does A Body Good!

New Year - New Beginnings! I came to Shanghai about 6 wks ago or 1.5 mths...however you want to looks at it and it has definitely been a learning experience in many ways. I came during the "busy season" and unfortunately I can definitely say I did not prosper during this so-called "busy season" which to put it mildly sucks large!

It wasn't like I didn't prepare before I came here either. I saved a good amount of money and I've had several really good meetings I just feel like I'm just waiting for it all to fall into place...until then I live a very very modest life b/c who knows when I'll be getting paid next! The thing that first kind of screwed me over when I got here was the fact that to rent an apt. for 6 mths I had to basically give 4 mths up front. I had to pay 2 mths rent plus 2 mths deposit that I will get back when I leave. 4 MTHS RENT UP FRONT...that's a lot! I mean I don't know many renters in Canada who would be able to afford 4 mths rent right away.

Add to that the fact that the Canadian dollar took a hit before I came here so my money was worth quite a bit less then it was when I was here in the Summer. To put it in perspective a tall Starbucks latte costs approx. $3.50 Can in Canada well if you do the conversion that same latte costs $5.30 in China....insanity!!! So yeah right off the top I was feeling pretty poor...ooh yeah and don't forget how my computer broke my first 2 wks here...how could we forget that lol!?! Basically if you break my weekly budget down I try to live on 300 RMB a wk (approx. $50 Can)...to anyone who knows this is NOTHING! I spend about 100 RMB a wk on transportation (subway) and laundry which is actually kind of expensive for me b/c my apt. doesn't have a washer but they do have a laundry service downstairs for the tenants to use. I just give them one load a wk to wash...no separating either just all in one cuz I'm THAT poor lol! Thank God I pretty much only wear darks in the Winter anyway. That leaves 200 RMB for food (approx. $34 Can) - break that down and it's less than $5 a day...aka less than a friggin' Starbucks latte!

There has however been one benefit to my new found poverty - WEIGHT LOSS! Anyone who knows me knows I have struggled w/ my weight for many many years...like since I was 9 or 10. Anyway, since I arrived here those few short wks ago I've managed to lose 16 pds! It's a lot I know but I was also up about 5 right before I left. Hoping to lose another 10...I'll keep everyone posted w/ pics of course.

So before you all freak out I'll let you know Yes I am eating! Just less and I don't go out and I don't drink and I walk a lot and I basically eat the same thing every day...yeah I know sounds kind of depressing doesn't it lol! Basically, I'm eating a lot of fruit, vegetables, chicken, yogurt and soup. I've pretty much cut out the breads and I have to be honest I've never felt better. I've always had a very sensitive stomach I think this definitely proves to me that I have some sort of wheat intolerance. So below I'm including some pics of my new found weight loss and of course a Before Shot...Enjoy!

BEFORE SHOT
Side Note: Yes this was taken on Halloween. Yes I'm a French Maid. No that is not my hair I made some clip in extensions. This was taken approx. 2 wks before I left and it is the most recent pic I have before my departure. Sorry it's not a straight on body shot - As someone that has always been bigger than most of her friends I've "mastered" the side angle body pose lol!













AFTER SHOTS

The first ones are of my Face - I'm serious looking so you can see my cheekbones. No makeup or contouring involved - ALL NATURAL!!!


































These are body shots. Sorry I couldn't get a more full length pic but I took the pics myself in my bathroom and I can only hold my arm out so far lol. I'm wearing a pair of my old jeans to show you the difference in size and how big they are. For all weight loss updates I'll try and wear the same thing to really emphasize the difference.

Luckily, I haven't lost my breasts or booty yet :)

Look I have a natural 6 pack forming!!




























My goal by the end of this is to be able to wear some God Damn Skinny Fucking Jeans!!! For the last few seasons I've seen cute girls styling it up w/ skinny jeans tucked into boots or w/ heels or w/ flats and I've been stuck in my flared or wide leg pants (I'm a pear I carry it all in my hips and thighs). But no more...I will wear skinny jeans...I don't even care if they aren't in fashion I WILL WEAR THEM!!

Happy New Years

Hello All! Just wanted to wish everyone a safe and happy New Years! It's actually been 2009 in Shanghai for 6.5 hrs already lol. I was actually working New Years which I preferred b/c let's be real I'd rather make money then spend money. I can go out any night (esp. in Shanghai) who cares about New Years in my opinion. Plus I'm use to working anyway b/c of my years of bartending. I'll be updating soon w/ some pics about the job I've been working on here. It's been interesting I suppose and not quite makeup related which is kind of weird but it pays great so I'm not complaining!

New Years Resolution 2009: I almost never make these but let's see - To Learn A New Language lol...might help while living in China and all ;)

I never could have predicted the twists and turns of this past year. I'm excited to see what lies ahead in the New Year! I'm really hoping my career will continue to grow this year...I'm pretty pleased w/ the results of last year...I mean I am in Shanghai after all!

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!