IMATS Los Angeles

IMATS is in town! This Weekend!

OK not in "town", I actually have to drive for 2 hours to Pasadena ...but it's so totally worth it!

So... like every year, I have my product list ready, my pre-selected list of classes to take and this year I added a secured bed to crash on, (yeah) that way I get to go for both days!

Master classes are offered on Friday but that is something for next year.

I'm ready! Who will be there?

Check out the fab Schedule!

Nibbles,

18 Skin Commandments...

Skin...the largest Organ in our body... and the one we women constantly obsess over.

We buy fancy product, have expensive treatments put ourselves in little dark rooms all in the hope to fight "the wrinkle".

I often speak to women that believe that "brand" and "price" will somehow ward off wrinkles, is Coco Chanel really so much better for you than CG? Maybe...maybe not. It depends on your skin, the quality of it, the texture and of course genetics.

So here are a few things to keep in mind when dealing with skin...My new 18 Commandments! There are probably more but so far these are the ones I believe are worth following.

1. Sunscreen

This is the best way to keep your skin from getting wrinkled, saggy, and speckled is sunscreen, I believe in using a minimum of SPF 30 for everyday, higher for a day outdoors.

Sunscreen should be Broad-spectrum formulas (meaning they shield against both UVA and UVB rays) with Mexoryl or Helioplex offer the longest-lasting protection.

This is for all skin types and colors...we all get sunburned!

Apply 30 min before leaving the house, and reapply if you stay out for longer than 4 hours.

2. Water!

Drinking plenty of water is key to keeping your body and your skin hydrated. Water in it's pure unsweetened form is the best thing for your skin. Soda, coffee, teas and even juices are not considered really water...make it a point to have a nice glass of water in the morning with your breakfast (room temperature water is best), and avoid drinking water 1 hrs before going to bed. We want to be hydrated not bloated! Check out the 10 rules of Waking up like a Star!

3. NO Smoking
OK think about this...if it makes your lungs black ...what does it do to your skin?

Smoking helps develop more deep wrinkles and blotchier skin tone. Gives you an ashy look, no youth shine here, and to complicate things, research published in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, has stated that every decade of smoking results in a perceived extra 2.5 years of age.

4. Little Alcohol

Moderation is key, if you drink more than one cocktail a day, and your skin suffers. Alcohol increases the level inflammatory agents in the bloodstream, what does it mean?? that in the long run it hasten skin sagging, this comes from Dr.Fredric Brandt, a dermatologist in New York City and Coral Gables, Florida.

5. Clean Makeup Brushes

You will ask why? I use them, they are mine, I do not share! That sounds good to me but...
Well how about, muddied colors, clogged pores, and bacterial infections? These are just a few thing that can happen by using dirty makeup brushes. Makeup Brushes (for personal use) should be cleaned at least every 3 weeks, there are plenty of product out there to do just that, or simply use a gentle shampoo and make sure you rinse them well. Alcohol will dry them up so if you really want to disinfect them, purchase a product or go online, there are tutorials on how to make your own brush cleaner.

6. Taking care of more than your face.
Skin care doesn't stop at your jawline! Neck, chest, hands are almost always exposed, and yet they rarely receive same level of hydration and sun protection as our faces. Bad part of this is that the skin there is more delicate and just as vulnerable to aging as our faces. What to do: The next time you apply serum, face cream, or sunscreen or give yourself an exfoliating treatment, extend everything down to your décolletage. You really do not want to have a wrinkly chest at 35!

7. Moles! Not the ones underground...the ones on your body!

Know where they are even the less obvious ones such as your on scalp, the soles of your feet, and under your nails. Have them checked by a Dermatologist once a year (especially as we get older and wiser). Check your moles every month and if anything changes...one grows hair or pops up overnight or something...call your Dr and get it checked.

8. Sleep More

This is not insomnia, I am talking about staying up late for no good reason and doing it often.

Lack of sleep cause stress, which can aggravate all skin conditions, including acne, eczema, etc.

Sleep is also helps your body repairs the damage from the day, by not sleeping enough (7 to 8hrs) the cell turn over process starts to slow down resulting in older more worned out and sallow skin.

9. No Sleeping with Makeup

OK the Hollywood stars do it in movies...they go to bed looking fabulous and wake up looking fantastic. But we do not do that...we wake up looking more like a high breed between a raccoon a blow fish and a frog! So think of this...letting skin marinate in makeup overnight and not to mention a day's worth of oil buildup, can lead to clogged pores and zits. To make things better your body temperature increases slightly when you sleep, that means that it enhances the absorption of whatever is on the surface of your skin. I think I would rather have night cream absorbed in my sleep than makeup.

10. Stop Zits Popping

It's as tempting a bobble rap for some of us. We see it we go for it. Simple but very very bad!
Why? Because popping, as tempting as it is, causes the bacteria to go deeper into the pores, causing inflammation, infection, and scarring. It's like giving zits a second life!

Going out there are getting the harshest chemicals in the bathroom won't help, either, treating any breakout with too much benzoyl peroxide damages the skin around the spot and can cause more irritation.

11. Eating Junk Food

You are what you eat!
Cut the junk fast food, grease stuff, and you can see an improvement in skin condition and acne in about six weeks. Hungry? have a snack like peanut butter, nuts, and avocado, fruits of any kind, taking in healthy fats provide nutrients for the hair, skin, nails, and basic metabolism.

12. Neglecting Your Eyes

The skin around your eyes thinner than practically anywhere else on the body, it's also the victim of a lot and lots of abuse.

Here is how:

1. Stop Rubbing!! Every time you rub your eyes, you risk breaking delicate blood vessels, this leads to darkening, dulling, and thickening of the surrounding skin.

2. Protect! Make sure you always apply an anti-aging eye cream. Chose on with retinol in it, if retinol is too strong, consider peptides, and or zinc, this increase elastin production, which can reduce crepiness! Beauty is the eye of the beholder...or just the eyes!

13. Be Wise with Products...or choosing theright ones.

There are plenty of books/tutorials/free web info on skin types, but somehow the shiny bottle and fancy packaging still takes precedence on wheter or not the products is good for your skin type. Learn your skin type you will be much happier choosing product that will work for you.

14. Cell phones

OK this sounds weird, but lets look at it for a moment...
Talking on the phone means resting your chin or cheek against it (cell or old-school), and that can lead to breakouts, whether or not the phone is clean and bacteria-free. Friction, occlusion, and heat, generated by the phone plastered to your ear can make you breakout. What to do? Talk less or get a headset...this will also save you money!

15. Over exfoliating
OK so we read/hear/see how supposedly exfoliating is good for you...well it is in moderation. Squeaky-clean pores may initially feel good, and the whole "baby's butt" thing is quite alluring, harsh cleansing or too much exfoliating can actually exacerbate oil production and worsen breakouts by spreading bacteria! If you "have to" exfoliate a gentle alternative would be to use a glycolic peel, three times a week.

16. Couch Potato

Exercise along with lifting your mood, increases blood flow to the skin. Increased blood flow will cause a healthy-looking flush. This happens almost instantly! And it improves over time, it has been shown to decrease tension and stress, which can result in better looking skin.

17. No Tanning

So we all saw Baywatch or at least heard of it...beautiful tanned women running around in perfect bodies with a red bikini...or whatever.

How do we mortals achieve that look...well Brozer, Self-tanner, pro-airbrush tan are all your friends. The real baking in the sun is not good for you, your mama told you, your Dr. told you, and now I am telling you. Get out of the sun lady!

What is a tan? To protect itself from continued exposure to the sun, skin thickens and produces melanin, the pigment that darkens cells. Pigment change from UVA or UVB light can cause premature aging and increase the likelihood of skin cancer! Tanning beds are even worse than laying in the sun, since they emit concentrated UVA light, which penetrates deeper than the combination of UVA and UVB rays found in sunlight!

So the moral of the story? Use Sun block and Avoid Tanning beds!

18. Products Overload

Skin care routine should be 3 steps...maybe 4. After that is toooo much!

Do not add products because you think are good or because you want to cut down time and deal with 2 or 3 skin problems at a time! Adding things without checking to see whether they're duplicating ingredients or if they are compatible will cause you more bad than good. Not all products are compatible and sometimes, active ingredients cancel one another out, or they double up and cause irritation or skin damage. Give your skin a chance, use mild product in the recommended amount, establish a simple skin care routine and if it sounds to go...chances are it is fake! My routine...cleans, tone and moisturize, at night I add eye cream. All the rest is optional!

Nibbles,

Hair Magic and Me

Makeup is my passion...hair is my nightmare...I can not do hair to save my life!!

OK I can do very very little with hair, and it's very very basic...most of the times I just tie it in a bun and put paint. My luckier models get my friend and partner in crime Amanda...she can do hair-magic!!!

Anyhow like many makeup artists I would like to become more comfortable in working with hair, know more than the basics, and perhaps increase my job opportunities., etc...but where to start?

California does not require a Makeup Artist to be a licensed/certified Esthetician or Cosmetologist. One can be a Makeup Artist by just doing makeup and owning your own kit...I do not agree with that I think that the basic Hygiene, Sanitation and Makeup 101 is essential if not a must in my mind, one can not be to careful, how to get these...Well that is a different story!

But because there is not "licencing" requirements it does not man that a MUA should not know the basics. I believe that since I was able to learn makeup I could, eventually, one day, hopefully in the future...learn some basic hair.

So what is the plan?
I have various Options...
1. kidnap Amanda and force her to teach me
2. take a class at the community college
3. buy books on hair
4. Watch as many YouTube tutorial till I drop
5. Experiment on my own hair

Come to think of it a combination might be more appropriate...

OK I can woo Amanda into teaching me or threaten to paint her again...I can get some books and watch some tutorial and if all else fail I will take a class (I'm not big in school at this time in my life, even tho this would probably the most reliable and safe bet)

HA!!

On that note let me show you some inspiration Hair Styles...Maybe in my next life I will be able to create some of these...


Andreas-H & Toni Kalin

Adam Livermore & Steve Rego

Kimmi Le & Noogiestyles

PS. Images are from ModelMayhem Members :)

Nibbles

The Makeup Show in LA

The Makeup Show LA February 28 - March 1, 2010

What:

The Makeup Show!

When:

February 28Th and March 1st

Where:

California Market Center

110 East 9Th Street,

Penthouse / 13Th floor

Los Angeles, CA 90079

Who:

Pro-Artist and other beauty industy professionals

Why:

Because..."It's the west coast must-attend event for anyone in the business of makeup and beauty"

What to do:

• Buy Ticket...Date Feb 28.
• Confirm Car pool with Amy and Amanda...this will make the 2 hour drive more enjoyable.
• Meet up with Keith and John prior to show...just to kick it.
• Be at show by 9:30 am! First Seminar start at 9:45 am! While Key notes will start at 10:30 am.
• Make list of items needed....and try...try to stick to it for once!!!
• Makeup a budget without breaking the bank...OK I shall try!!!
• Bring Camera, paper to write on, junk food to snack on, comfortable shoes...

The Goal:

• Replenish Supplies
• Learn new trick and trades
• drool over makeup

Nibbles...

MAKEUP 101 EVENT

Fantastic Event, I am planning to attend!!
The Powder Group is bringing back the Makeup 101 Event!!
So here is the email they have sent me....

"WHETHER YOU'RE JUST GETTING STARTED IN MAKEUP
OR YOU HAVE YEARS OF EXPERIENCE AND WOULD LIKE TO UPDATE AND FINE TUNE YOUR TECHNIQUE AND BUSINESS -MAKEUP 101 WILL CHANGE YOUR CAREER, CONFIDENCEAND ARTISTRY FOREVER!
WE ARE PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE THE MAKEUP 101 WINTER 2009EVENTS WILL BE PRODUCED IN LOS ANGELES, HOUSTON, CHICAGO, NEW YORK CITY, TORONTO AND WASHINGTON DC!

Dates and locations are as follows:
Los Angeles, January 24-26 -House of Marco Marco
Houston, February 7-9 - Renee Rae Makeup Studio
New York City, February 21-23 - Make Up For Ever Studio
Chicago, February 28 - March 2 - Ruby Room
Toronto, March 7-9 - Industry Cosmetics
Washington D.C March 28-30 - Studio 400

And as a part of holiday gift deals offer - you can sign up for any Makeup 101 event for a savings of $200! Through December 22 the three day event is being offered for $790, instead of our regular price of $990!
All you need is a $250 deposit to reserve your space for any of our Makeup 101 events this Winter! This great holiday gift deal is only valid through December 31, so check out the details below and give us a call today to join us at this intensely pro event.

Makeup 101 covers essential industry, artist tools and makeup product information, in depth so you can have be the strongest expert on your career that you can be! We will review:
Industry Terminology - from tear sheets to your CV to HD, what do the key terms used on a daily basis in the business of makeup artistry mean and how do they effect you.
Getting Started - how do you go from learning about makeup artistry to actively working in the business from assisting up to keying a project.
Testing - how to go about getting the strongest pictures of your work to showcase your skills to potential clients. Where to find models, photographers - how to choose photos to use
Marketing and Promotion - using photos, websites, business cards and more to promote your business in the most efficient and cost effective ways
Your Makeup Kit - what goes into a strong and effective makeup kit. How do you edit your kit per job. What will you need to be sure to keep as a must-have in your kit
Brushes - review of the most important tool you will use as a makeup artist. Density, shape, fiber type and cleaning your brushes are reviewed
Tools - what are the must-have tools every makeup artist needs to keep in their kit, how do you use them and what extras should you keep around just in case
Hygiene - what do you need to know about keeping yourself, your tools and your products in the best shape possible and how do you maintain the cleanest, safest work environment and experience for your clients
Working with a Client - understanding how to create the most memorable experience for your clients, understanding non-verbal communication and what questions to ask before you get started.
Color Theory - the absolute necessity for every makeup artist to understand when considering every aspect of their makeup artistry. Color correction, choosing and mixing foundation shades, deciding on color product choices - all revolve around this critical aspect of makeup artistry.
Of course we'll also take you through the pro technique and tips that will make your make the difference between doing beautiful makeup, and being a great makeup artist.

From basics to makeup for editorial and photography, and a thorough review of Hi-Def - this is an intense review of the most important areas of application that every artist needs to know.

• Beauty Makeup Application including: Preparing the SkinUnderstanding skin typeFoundation matching and applicationColor correctionUsing textureHighlight and ContourConcealer and camouflageBrow shape and applicationEye shape and sizeEye color applicationEye lining - powders, creams and liquidsLashes - curling, mascara, false lashesBronzers and blushLips - pencils and lip color applicationShaping the lips
  
• Variations on Beauty including:Makeup for PhotographyWorking in Editorial Beauty and FashionUnderstanding Hi-Def and how it impacts every makeup artistAttendees will observe demonstrations, and participate in hands-on application of all makeup technique reviewed.Please join us for Makeup 101 this season and start off 2009 with a focus on making you they best artist you can be, and your career the strongest possible!

Registration can be handled by calling 212.627.7448, 866.876.9337 or get more information by emailing makeup101@thepowdergroup.com MAKEUP 101 IS PRODUCED BY THE POWDER GROUP THEPOWDERGROUP.COM"

Twilight Makeup

Twilight by Stephenie Mayer is one of the new buzz around town.

The first book of a series of four.

About Teenagers and Vampires.

About Love.

Made into a Movie, and I have to say it is a very good movie since it does not stray so far away form the book. I loved the movie, loved the books (all 4) even more, they have effectively stolen a good portion of my life since once I started reading them and could not put them down....

So I ask the question...

Who did the makeup and how was it done....

The artist behind the magic was Jeanne Van Phue.

I have tried to find some info of her, but failed miserably...there is an interview out there, I might paste it later.

What was used....

On Kristen Stewart as Bella Swan
Foundation: SK-II Air Touch Foundation in OP-3

Powder: M.A.C. Blot Powder/Pressed in Light
Blush: Visiora Compact Powder in PC 103
Eye Shadow: M.A.C. Eye Shadow in Blanc Type, Flute and Wedge
Mascara: Smashbox Limitless Lash Mascara in black waterproof
Lips: Smashbox Lip & Lid Primer and Benefit Silky Finish Lipstick in Good to Go (a plum/brown color)

On Robert Pattinson as Edward Cullen

Foundation: SK-II Air Touch Foundation in OP-1
Powder: M.A.C. Blot Powder/Pressed in Light
Lips: Benefit Silky Finish Lipstick in Ms. Behavin (a mulberry color)

One question remains...I am still trying to figure out how they made Edward sparkel like diamonds...

Got to see the movie!! I saw it twice!

Fashion Show Makeup!!

Makeup for “Fashion Whore” Fashion Show

Location: The Bras Rail in San Diego, CA
Designer: Miss Alphabeth

Model: Amber Dawn
Photographer: Anthony Munoz

Fashion Whore used to have Amateur Fashion Shows once a month at The Brass Rail in Hillcrest.
The Show would feature new and upcoming designers form all over San Diego County and La County. This was a nice place to get your feet wet in the runway “world”, for all involved.

Runway makeup, or Cat Walk makeup is different form Photography, Movies and Everyday makeup. It is usually heavier, more a-vanguard, it is dependent of the fashion of the time and the designer’s collection, and usually something you would not wear to got to the store or at a coffee shop.

How did I do it:

Base, base , base, I think she has at least 2 laier of base on, heavier makeup on the eyes that compliment the outfit, clear lips to balance things out, and a design inspired by Paisley doen with pencil grenn eyeliner, and eye shodows.

Halloween Purple Elf

Happy Halloween!!!

Purple Elf

Photography by: Tiffany Smith
Model: Jessica
Event Hosted by: PhotoChimera
Makeup: Yours Truly Naiyana

What did I use: 2 coats of Snazaroo Electric Purple (881)
and the Black Detail is done with Ben Nye Black Paint

How: Paint model Purple, 2 coats look better so the skin does not show trow the paint, add details black detail (inspiration form the Indian Henna Designs), spray the model with hair spray to avoid the paint form cracking and excessive dryness, cut up an old dress so to give it an extra edge, spike hair with get, give model and axe, and walla! Got you yourself a Purple Elf.