My journey to New York for The Makeup Show 2012

I left Nola at 5:45pm Saturday evening after working on a wedding for the lovely Emily Halphen that morning.

During my layover in ATL I ended up sitting right next to Michele Probst the founder of Menaji. We shared a glass a wine while waiting for a our flight. She was a doll. I hope her brand did well at the NYC show.

I made it to NYC around midnight. Learning to use the subway at midnight with a 40lbs suitcase was intense. Luckily a very kind lady sitting across from me on my flight shared a taxi with me to the train I needed to take.

This was my first ride. I loved it. Such a variety of people.

I walked majority of the way to my Hostel.

http://www.jazzhostels.com/blog/chelsea-highline-hotel/

I was skeptical approaching my Hostel because of the crazy bag lady outside the door yelling at me about how they didn't have color tv.

The Chelsea Highline Hostel was exactly what I paid for a very uncomfortable bed to sleep on, a clean shower and a locked door. My first two nights I roomed with a girl from New Zealand. She was a very sweet. She was hopping from state to state on her way back home.

The Hostel had no AC but it wasn't needed because the weather was in the 60-70s the whole time I stayed. Although attempting to put makeup on in a warm room was a little difficult. Lets just say my foundation oxidized a lot quicker.. haha

Sunday May 13th, the first day of The Makeup Show was insane. The first 3 hours were like fighting to get close to a stage at a concert. There was just a barrier of people everywhere. You could see everyone's pores at this point.

The first Seminar on my list to attend was Kit Focus: The Makeup Show Artists: James Vincent, Jon Hennessy, Orlando Santiago, Esterique Aidan

May I just say Orlando Santiago is one of the sexiest men alive...

This seminal was really inspirational. I learned about the greatness of Embryolisse Lait-creme. Outstanding product.

After spending my whole years saving in less then 45 minutes, I spent the rest of the day exploring the brands, sitting in on classes & seminars and meeting some great people.

I watched this look in progress all day. It was awesome!

Amazing Right?

Later that night I went to have diner at John Dory.

http://thejohndory.com/

I felt so ignorant to the food, I had no idea what anything was on the menu. I told the bartender to surprise me.

Well he certainly did, I ate octopus that night. It was...interesting.

Before I left for New york, I checked out ohmyrockness.com to see if there would be any cool shows in town. Just my luck Beats Antque was playing at the Brooklyn Bowl.

What a Show! I would recommend seeing them to anyone. I have never seen anything like it. Not only was the show great, the venue was a sight as well. Everything was carved cherry wood, split into a half bowling alley half music venue. Really cool place.

Right before I left, this chick at the bar insisted that she spray me with glitter. I noticed she was walking around with a bottle of Tarina Tarantino Shimmer dust. She was floored when I knew what it was. I explained to her I use to sell that useless bottle of glitter.

I cant remember her name for anything but she had a baby blue wig on down to her bum, a bikini top, belly chain and an obscene amount of glitter on. She was amazing!

Beats Antique has inspired me to learn how to belly dance.

I made it back to the Hostel around 2am. At that point I was so over wearing makeup. It felt great to get it all off!

Monday May 14th, I slept in and mentally prepared myself for the career fair that afternoon. I had lunch at Pastis.

http://www.pastisny.com/

The bartender was extremely friendly. However, the food was overpriced and tasteless...

I headed to The Makeup Show for round 2!

I had my heart set on seeing Ve Neil's Seminar.

Inside The Hunger Games – Ve Neill - Sponsored by Crown Brush

I got a spot right in front and asked a lot of questions!

She is such a pleasure to hear speak. She is extremely down to earth and just plain out cool.

Right after Ve, I ran up to the 5th floor for the career fair.

I stood in line with my hands shaking and my feet bopping up & down. I was so excited I could barely contain myself. The career fair was first come first serve. I got in the line with the first 40 people. They let about 20 in at a time to attack all the vendors tables.

My first stop was MAC, my interview went extremely well. She asked to setup a phone interview. I almost fell out of my chair with excitement. I'm crossing my fingers in hopes to actually get a call this week...

MUFE was my next stop, to be honest my head was still spinning from MAC I cant even remember how it went. It just went fast but good if I remember correctly.

I stood in line 35 minutes just to see Orlando Santiago...

It was so worth it. He gave me the best compliment on my portfolio ever. He told me " my only critique on your book is that its beautiful" I teared up a little.

After having my book torn to pieces by several other artists that weekend hearing him say that was just amazing.

I saw a few other vendors but nothing as exciting or promising.

The show was over for me. I walked the streets trying to figure out what to do on my last

night in NY.

A friend recommended I go down to the frying pan. A lightship doubled as a resturaunt and tourist attraction.

http://www.fryingpan.com/

Yet again, the food was over priced and tasteless. The beer was good...

For my last night in New York I wanted to go out and meet local New Yorkers. I went down to 9th Ave, which is apparently the place to go to party.

The first bar I walked into was the 9th Ave. Saloon. I quickly found out I was in a gay bar. That was fun. I was told I was considered one of them because I do makeup! I met some really great guys there and enjoyed myself!

I hopped around to a few more bars and great New Yorkers! Thank you guys for being so welcoming!

I flew out of NY that evening. On my last trip on the subway I saw "Kony 2012" painted on the the stairway.

The whole Kony 2012 experience is very interesting to me. I do not take sides on this movement, I've simply enjoyed watching people react to it.

I expected to see my hometown littered with Kony 2012 papers on "Cover the Night" April 20th. This is the first time actually seeing something that said Kony 2012 on 5/15/2012.

I made it home late last night. Nola & New York smell exactly the same, like urine.

I had an amazing trip. Thank you to all involved!

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.