It never gets old

The feeling of excitement that runs through your body when you have accomplished something.


The feeling of having people respect you so much that they will help you accomplish your dreams.

After I got back from LA, I decided I wanted to make an updated, more professional portfolio.

I spoke with a good friend of mine and fellow industry professional.
Max has always given me advice on business especially business in the south.
I consider Max to be one of the most talented photographers I know.
Max agreed to help me make a portfolio solely based on my makeup.

Throughout the years of being involved with random shoots, I have met some extremely talented models.
I hand picked 10 models in hopes they would all say yes!
With everyone having different schedule's I didn't expect everyone to be able to make the shoot.

Surprisingly enough, everyone said yes! I couldn't believe it!
We chose two days to help split up hours of shooting.
It was settled May 29th & 30th 2011!

I still was on the hunt for the perfect hairstylist. Teri Wyble recommended Jason Keller. I had worked with Jason once on a really quick job last year. I remember him being tattooed from head-to-toe.
Jason isn't just a hairstylist, he is a hair artist.
My jaw dropped when he made time out of his busy schedule to work with us! And on his birthday too!

On May 29th, we started at 10am at the Breathless Boudoir Studio.
Our first model was Maddie Randolph Vitale. Jason had dyed her hair a bright orange a few days previous to the shoot. He put a rockin Mohawk in her hair.

I wanted every model to have 2-3 different looks. Each look starting with something soft and natural. Something an everyday women would wear.
After the natural look, I built more dramatic looks on each model.

Maddie Was a real trouper! She did an amazing job!

Lauren Siegel was our second model, she is the epitome of beauty. She has such a soft, classy, feminine yet sexy look.

Lauren did an awesome job. She was even willing to go out in the Louisiana heat! I got a sneak peek of the edited versions of these pictures.. they are just Jaw dropping...

I had done makeup on Lauren before. She does a really great sultry look. She defiantly knows how to work her eyes. I saw a YSL ad that reminded me of Lauren. I decided to recreate the look on Lauren. She rocked it!

Makeup I had done on Lauren previous to this shoot.

YSL inspiration.

Obviously, my iphone doesn't do it justice.


Bliss Kelly Was my third model. I have shot with Bliss a few times. She has a really pretty just simple look. In the past I did a mad hatter look on Bliss that I loved!

I really wanted to re-create this look but put more of a tribal spin on it.
Again, the behind the scenes picture just don't do the beauty justice.

I did really love the hair on this look. I am not use to Bliss having bangs or blonde in her hair, so it was difficult to get use to at first. However, after seeing everything put together. I can't imagine it any other way. I loved the waves Jason created in her hair.


My fourth model was the lovely and talented Jen Leblanc. Not only is she a natural model she also is a very talented photographer and a great friend.

I didn't get any behind the scenes pictures of Jen unfortunately. However, I again wanted to recreate a look I had done on Jen before. Jen has a very intense look. Her eyes can portray emotion like no one I have ever seen before.

I had done a shoot with photographer Jessi Arnold in the past that was a good vs. evil theme.

This is the same makeup I recreated on Jen. It was very updated look. I took off the feather piece that I originally had on her for more of a high-fashion look on her.

Megan Martinez was my last model of day one. She is so kind and genuine. I loved working with her. She has the beautiful piercing blue eyes and very sexy lips!

I wanted to focus on Megan's lips. I love her lips!

Check out the behind the scenes shots and videos of Megan and the other ladies for day one!

The Makeup Show LA 2011

I heard about "The Makeup Show" in 2008. All the other artists I worked with would talk about it and how great it was...

At the time I was in school and working myself into the ground.

The day I quit Retail Cosmetics in 2010 I swore I was going to go the following year.
I saved up every penny I could and drained my savings.

I booked my trip.

I decided I needed to go alone.
I didn't want anyone to hold me back.
I wanted to go where ever I wanted whenever I wanted.

I was going to stay at a cheap hotel, but the old man volunteered some extra cash to let me stay at one of the conventions hotels.

I stayed at the OMNI. It wasn't worth the money. The tub was nice...
I took several extra mini shampoo's and shower caps... haha

The view out the window was cute. I had the advantage of seeing if the complimentary car was available in the AM...

The weather was a complete culture shock for me.
La was in the 80's when I left. When I arrived in LA it was low 60's

I flew in the day before the convention. I wanted a little extra time to explore the city, check out E.I. Makeup School and stalk Kat Von D.

The Makeup Show also set up a Pre-Party for all the guests who bought tickets early.
I was terrified to go to the party alone but this is what this experience was all about for me.
It took everything in me to just walk up to people in a complete different city and just introduce myself.
After a few quick glasses of wine from the open bar, I met a few cool girls. I also got to hear Maurice Stein (Creator of Cinema Secrets) speak. He was great.
I enjoyed the Pre-Party but I was starved.

After the Pre-Party, I used my Urban Spoon APP to find food in the town. It was pouring all night. I was soaked from jumping from Taxi to Taxi trying to figure things out.
I saw an average priced "restaurant" The Red wood Grill.
on Urban spoon it wasn't listed as a bar. I wanted some sort of seafood.
Little did I know ALL food is Mexican in LA...

I walked into the "The Redwood Bar and Grill"

http://www.theredwoodbar.com/site08/homewiframe.htm#
It was a Pirate Bar.

It was a really cool bar. It just wasn't what I expected.. Everything was pirate themed.. There was candles melting on skulls heads etc.

I decided to stay at the pirate bar and have dinner.
After realizing everything on the menu was Mexican, I asked the bartender to give me his favorite.. I have no idea what it was but it was delicious.


The next morning, I did my best to look all fashionable and important.

My $20 dress from Rue 21 will have to suffice...


I stupidly took my sweet time getting ready because I was nervous...
I wasn't aware of the amount of free education I was missing...

Needless to say I didn't waste anymore time. I went to as many classes & seminars as I could.

I walked into the California Market Center and saw this hanging...

I think I pissed my pants a little.

My heart was pounding when I walked in! I saw all my favorite brands (excluding MAC).. I didn't know where to start...

This is all the stuff I bought my first day...

David Hernendez for Makeup Forever, I could listen to this man talk for days.. he is so RAW and True

He tells you how it is and is a truly talented artist!

In this Seminar he was teaching all artist to utilize every product in their kit, challenge your self to use "Fake blood as blush" Crazy stuff

Really great tips

I probably learned the most from him.

Another highlight from my trip.
Ve Neil and Guests for The Makeup Show : Face Off: Inside the SyFy Reality Show

Everyday of the show Makeup Forever would do a live model Makeup.
This was incredibly interesting for me. I watched the Makeup develop throughout the day.

The Artist Florence, wanted to create half Barbie/ Half creature look.

She rocked the hell out of the Bald Cap. It was laid perfectly.

Lijha Stewart for makeup Forever had a basic Special FX class.

She taught us how to create a broken nose out of Plasto (MUFE)
She taught us how to create a burn / scaring knee..
She taught us how to create Glass in a leg as if she flew through a window

The full beat up model!

I did have a little extra time to visit my friend Scot while I was in LA. When I use to stalk CFX, Scot was always there with encouraging advice. We met at that pirate bar and chatted about the Show and future plans. I'm happy I got to see Scot.

This is a picture from a couple years ago, Scot was attempting to teach me how to create a life cast. I mostly learned about the materials. It was an all around good experience.



After The Makeup Show I had one day left to explore the city.

List of things to do:
-Appointment at E.I.
-Stalk KAT VON D
-Board plane home.

I made an appointment with Joe Barcia the Admissions Director of Elegance Intelligence School of Professional Makeup.

After he gave me the tour of the school we satin his office and talked for about an hour...
I showed him my portfolio and he proceeded to tell me that i was to advanced for his school.
Although, I loved hearing that, I guess it didn't really answer my question about if I should go back to school or not...

I really enjoyed talking with Joe, he gave me a lot of helpful advice.




After leaving E.I. I headed to Hollywood Blvd.
Trying to catch a Taxi is way more difficult then it looks...

I arrived at Kat Von D's shop... I toured her wonderland gallery and enjoyed the art. I even bought a signed copy of her new book...
Unfortunately, while I flew across the country to see her she was in Texas...

I found the Kat Von D Wonderland Gallery :)


I ran around the building and climbed the fence and got a shot of the mural in the back of the shop...

I know I'm pathetic...



The Makeup Show was one of the best weekends of my life. I am so happy I went, I learned so much and I will continue to go every year.




Hope you enjoyed my detailed trip.

LK

Staring at the Sun

This time last year I was living with 2 of the most influential people of my life.. They taught me how to appreciate life in different ways... They had an old tub in their back yard they use to fill up and plug during the summer when is was hot.. At first I laughed, then I tried it. I spent hours in this tub staring at the sky. It was great.

The Arnolds Black Swan

I think anyone who saw the movie Black Swan who had an ounce of creativity in them was inspired after watching.

After reading the article in the newspaper about how "amazing" the makeup in the movie was I had to see for myself...


I originally wanted to do a shoot that was extremely dark and scary with special fx etc..

I haven't gotten to do it yet ..Summer 2011....

Jessi Arnold called me with a different take on the movie. She wanted to recreate the idea of Black Swan in a more artistic,blissful and whimsical way.

Model Abigail Grace Helm, who has been a dancer for years, was perfect for the part.

Ali designed a beautiful silk black dress for the shoot.

This shoot yet again, I couldn't stay for...

Austin Arnold made a video called "Transcend Impulse" showing the hard work of his sisters and the greatness of the shoot.


This video touched me...

Its perfect. Ive watched it several times it doesn't get old.

Transcend impulse from austin arnold on Vimeo.

Phoenix Rose rocked hair as always!

Everyone did a great job go team!

The Arnolds

Jessi Arnold: Amazing Photographer
Ali Arnold: Amazing Clothing Designer
Austin Arnold: Amazing Videographer


WHHHATTTT?!

genetics...

I've known Jessi for a bit she is one very driven photographer. She is hungry to learn and try new things. I love that about her.

Jessi invited me to do makeup for a huge shoot for all of Ali's wedding dress designs.

I ended up doing all the makeup on the front porch of Ali's house it was super quick and fun. Teri and I rode up to BR from Nola for the first half of the shoot. Then I had to rush back to Nola for work that afternoon.

Eric Vosburg, an incredible young and talent MUA took over the other half of the shoot and rocked it!


Ali challenged me with a different style of makeup that I am use to. I enjoyed the challenge and I cant wait to work together again.

This is a behind the Scenes shot I caught of Teri.



These are some of the Ali Beasly Designs.

Enjoy.






Thanks to Jessi Arnold, Ali Arnold, Phoenix Rose, Biba Isla, Eric and all the amazing models yall were so much fun! We couldn't have done it without you!