Chicago Based Makeup Artist

Changing “day” makeup to “night” makeup within minutes

admin — Thu, 22 Sep 2011 22:41:28 +0000

Most of us do not wear black shadow and thick black liner to work, but maybe if you’re going out with friends at night you could rock the smokey eyes. If you already have make up on it’s easy to change your day makeup to night makeup within a few minutes. First, if you had mascara and liner on during the day and it has run down a bit, simply take some face/hand lotion and some kleenax and using the lotion as a makeup remover clean up all the makeup around your eyes. Work gently around your eyes because this area is very sensitive but using lotion will help moisturize that area while removing unwanted makeup.

Once the area has been cleaned up reapply foundation/concealer as you normally would. If you have a white eyeliner pencil, highlight your brow area and blend. Then line your top lash line with black eyeliner pencil- it has to be pencil eyeliner not liquid because liquid does not blend very well. Once lined- blend blend blend! Blend with your finger tip or some pencils have a blending tool on the end of the pencil. Don’t blend too far up your eye lids, the dark color should be concentrated around your lash line. Once the top has been blended then line the water line as well as the lash line on the bottom then blend with finger for a softer, more smudged look. Reapply mascara for a fresher look and fill in eye brows if you feel the need to do that- remember don’t fill in eye brows using black pencil- go for a dark brown or a more natural tone of brown.

Once the eyes are complete simply apply your blush/bronzer and a darker shade of lipstick such as a burgundy or red and voila! Transformation from simple day makeup to a dazzling night look complete!

My Collaboration with Laura Photos and Model Jessica DuPlessis

admin — Mon, 19 Sep 2011 18:28:38 +0000

This past summer I met so many talented people. I had the opportunity to collaborate with Laura Photography in Palos Hills and model Jessica DuPlessis. Both Jessica and Laura are very talented in their own fields. Laura has done photography ranging from babies, to models to pets and events. Her reviews are excellent. Jessica is very passionate about her work and it clearly shows in her pictures. She is very humble and professional and I hope I get the chance to work with both of these talented ladies again. Please visit the links below to contact them or see more of their work.

Laura Photos

www.Facebook.com/LauraPhotos

Jessica DuPlessis

http://www.modelmayhem.com/1683296

My top 5 makeup items on the go

admin — Fri, 16 Sep 2011 04:05:12 +0000

Ok so I understand that not all girls carry around a huge makeup bag at all times-and realistically we don’t even need everything to retouch our make up throughout the day. I will be listing my top 5 makeup items that I must carry with me at all times for touch ups or something quick on the go.

Foundation or foundation powder. This is handy when I have to touch up my base throughout the day or if I need to apply foundation on the go.
Blush/bronzer. Carrying a bronzer such as “Neutrogena Healthy skin Blends Natural Radiance Bronzer Sunkissed 30” reduces the need to carry a blush AND a bronzer since this gives you a nice healthy glow without being too dark. This product takes the load off the makeup bag while acting as both a bronzer and a blush.
Black MAC Pencil Eyeliner. The good thing about pencil liners is that you don’t have to apply eye shadow if you are in a hurry. You can simply line the inside of your eyes and then line the top lash line and blend with your finger tip to give a soft smudged smokey eye effect.
Mascara. The makeup bag is incomplete without mascara because if you are in a hurry the least you can do is put on some mascara to open up your eyes for a “bright-eyed” look. Also, no look is complete until you apply mascara so always keep this essential item in your makeup bag.
Tinted Lip Gloss/Lipstick. Every person has their own preference regarding using lip gloss or lipstick so keep which ever you are comfortable with – as long as you don’t leave your lips bare. Now there are even tinted chapsticks or lip protectants so keep your lips covered and looking fresh.

These are my 5 makeup “must haves” that I keep with me no matter what. These are makeup essentials that keep you looking fresh and beautiful throughout the day. So if you do not want to carry a huge makeup case around- make a small makeup pouch with these basic items.

Working with models Josie Lee and Louisa Aimee Ford

admin — Wed, 14 Sep 2011 15:48:52 +0000

I had an amazing opportunity over the summer to work with some very talented and industry recognized models- Josie Lee and Louisa Aimee Ford and a very talented photographer-Dean Paul. Josie who is a native Canadian and Louisa who was visiting from the UK -were in Chicago for the Glamourcon convention. I was approached by Dean Paul for the makeup and hair services and I was so excited to meet every one because I admired all three for their work in the fashion industry. Josie is a model, a red carpet correspondent, and has appeared in playboy. Louisa is also a very successful and well known model in the UK posing in such well-known magazines as MAXIM. All photography was done by the talented photographer -Dean Paul. If you guys would like to see more of their work please visit their websites and model mayhem pages!

Website Information

Dean Paul

http://www.deanpaulcreative.com/

http://www.modelmayhem.com/54077

Josie Lee

http://www.supermodels.com/member/profile/1598/

http://www.modelmayhem.com/535

Louisa Aimee Ford

http://www.modelmayhem.com/64480

http://www.louisa-ford.com/

MAC Brushes VS. Paint Brushes- Cheap Alternatives

admin — Wed, 14 Sep 2011 15:47:15 +0000

One of the first challenges beginner makeup artists face upon entering the business is the amount of money they have to invest into cosmetic brushes. Many are students and working one or two jobs just to make ends meet and cannot afford $60 or $70 Mac brushes. Mac is definitely a high end brand as far as cosmetic brushes are concerned; however, the prices are so ridiculously high that one must think twice before making such an investment. Having gone through the process myself, I found some great alternatives which proved to be just as useful without the heavy price tag.

Artist paint brushes are a great cheap alternative to Mac brushes and serve the same purpose. One of the top paint brush company, Loew Cornell has paint brushes made of goat hair, which is the same material as cosmetic brushes. I will be comparing a few of the Mac brushes with Loew Cornell and other cheap brushes, which can be used instead of the Mac brushes if you are on a budget. I have listed a few Mac brushes and the paint brushes that are comparable. These are some basic brushes that most makeup artists start out with.

Face

Mac 129 Powder Brush / BlushBrush	Loew Cornell 277 Round Mop
Mac 150 Large Powder Brush	Loew Cornell 277 Round Mop (XXL)
Mac 168 Angled Contour Brush	Coastal Scents Italian Badger Angle Brush
Mac 182 Kabuki Buffer Brush	Coastal Scents Pink Kabuki Brush
Mac 187 Duo Fiber Brush	Coastal Scents Italian Badger Buffer Brush Large
Mac 190 Foundation Brush	3/4 Royal Soft Grip SG950 or 1″American Painter 4600

Eyes

Mac 213 Fluff Brush	3/8 Loew Cornell 270 Maxinne Mop
Mac 217 Blending Brush	¼ Loew Cornell Amm Mini Mop
Mac 219 Pencil Brush	#10 Royal Soft Grip SG255 or Loew Cornell 272 Dome Round(S)
Mac 224/222 Tapered Blending Brush	Loew Cornell 272 Dome Round (M)
Mac 239 Eye shadow Brush	Coastal Scents Black on Black Sable Shadow
Mac 252 Large Shader Brush	½ Loew Cornell 270 Maxinne Mop
Mac 272 Small Angled Shader Brush	¼ Royal Soft Grip SG393

If you get a chance to go to your local craft store take a look at the paint brushes there, I’m sure you’ll be able to find many more brushes to add to your collection. Also, take a look at http://www.coastalscents.com they have many great brushes at a very responsible price and the quality is not too bad.

Why Bridal Makeup Is So Important

admin — Wed, 14 Sep 2011 15:39:36 +0000

Brides spend thousands on the dress, venue, decorations, food and drinks yet when it comes to makeup many brides compromise, and in order to save some cash they give up on a good makeup artist. A good or bad makeup job can make or break your big day dear brides.

Weddings are expensive and it certainly doesn’t help that we are going through an economic recession. And I definitely agree with the saying “a penny saved is a penny earned” but take into consideration at what cost is that penny saved? As young girls we dream about our magical wedding day, so why jeopardize that in order to save a hundred or two hundred dollars? Find a professional, confident, friendly and helpful makeup artist who will enrich your wedding day experience rather than wondering how you will look once he/she is done.

A good makeup artist will always offer, in fact insist, on a bridal consultation. If your makeup artist wants you to book him/her just by looking at their “previous work” there is definitely something fishy going on and that should be a big red flag. No matter their busy schedule you should at least meet once before and see their work in person. A consultation offers the bride not only the chance to see how she will look on her big day, but it also allows her to see the makeup artist’s makeup style and products used. This is also the time to work out any details regarding the dates, times, number of people getting their hair and makeup done and any other questions either sides may have.

Heed my advice dear brides because I am speaking from my own unfortunate experience. I was young and naive and my makeup artist convinced me to book her for my wedding just by looking at her previous bridal portfolio. They charged me a ridiculous amount of money and I walked away looking like an older clown bride- no joke. I didn’t have enough time to go home and wash my face to redo my makeup myself, so I had to go to my reception looking much different than I had anticipated. I didn’t even get my wedding pictures enlarged and I rarely go through my wedding album. Learn from my mistake and if you like a makeup artists’ work book her/him for a consultation. If the consultation goes smoothly and you love the results than please don’t bargain with them about the money and just book him/her for your big day! You won’t regret it!