Quick Fix

   Have you ever received a last minute invitation to do something then you look in the mirror and think my roots look awful and my teeth are yellow? When you’re in a hurry there might not be two hours to color your hair, here a few tips to make it look better. If you have dark hair and your grey is showing through buy a hair crayon at a beauty supply store that matches your color you want to be. Once your hair is styled and set apply the crayon to the roots only, this will hide the grey. If your roots are dark and you have blond hair buy dry shampoo. Apply it to dry hair on the roots, shake and then style. There are also highlight kits that can be done at home.

  On to the teeth, whitening products are the best. I find the strips and whitening rinse together really work great. You will see results within two days. If you upgrade to a mechanical tooth brush your teeth will seem brighter than just using a manual brush alone. Women can also wear a lipstick in a shade of red for that event; it will make your teeth pearly white. This is a trick they do in print ads and commercials to show off the teeth better.

   When I feel chicken white I like to tan fast. Here is my BEST fake day tan. I buy Sally Hansen bronzer for your legs and apply it all over my body, but not to my face. Using a foam sponge applicator (like you paint with from the hardware store) to help blend in the color. Apply each section one by one blending after you spray. Then use foundation that matches your tan for your face. Make sure to wash it off with soap at the end of the night, water alone won’t work. The bronzer also might wipe off your body onto clothes so not a good idea if your outfit is light in color.

   Lastly is your manicure is a mess? Remove old polish and file your nails. Then head over to your favorite drugstore and buy some nail polish decals. There are all kinds of designs and colors even crackle and French styles. If your not a good manicurist these decals will for sure fool your friends. With these quick fixes you will look beautiful going to that last minute event that you might have said no to otherwise.

Roux hair crayon

TIGI dry shampoo

Sponge applicators

Nail decals

Earth Day Cosmetics

    Today is not only my oldest daughter’s 17^th Birthday, but it is also Earth Day. I was asked to be on our local NBC morning show Live on Lakeside to talk about “green” cosmetics. I know about some of these products because I have allergies but while researching for the show it opened my eyes to so much more. Cosmetic companies are not regulated by the FDA unless it has a color additive added. On the packaging it might state organic, vegan or natural on it. To an average consumer this is confusing. Here is what I learned. To be organic it has to be made by certified organic growers. The crops need to be free of pesticides. Any vegan product means there is no animal testing done or animal byproducts included. For natural products no preservatives are added and only a few ingredients included come from the Earth.

   Here are the products I  featured; Juice Beauty; it is manufactured in a solar power plant and uses recyclable paper and soy ink for packaging. Fruit juices, seeds and essential oils make up their products. 100% Pure; it is vegan and gluten free. California Baby;  products  are all organic, vegan, soy, dairy, oat and gluten free. Burt’s Bees;  more of a natural cosmetic. No preservatives are in it and no animal testing is done. London Butter; is a nail polish free of formaldehyde and other carcinogens. EcoTools;  are makeup brushes that have cruelty free synthetic bristles and recycled aluminum bamboo handles.

   When buying a “green” product it is best to narrow down what is important to you. Some companies such as Aveda, Origins and Paul Mitchell will give back proceeds to charities that help the environment. Some retailers such as the Body Shop will give you a discount if you bring back in your bottles to refill them. At MAC cosmetics they offer a free lipstick for six glass, plastic or metal containers you return to their store. My best advice is to read the package, it will give you insight into what you are buying and if it fits your needs and beliefs. If you have access to the Internet look up the company and see how the product is made and if money is donated to a charity for the environment.  Below is a link to the show, if you have time please check it out.

 http://www.wkyc.com/life/programming/Live_on_Lakeside/article/296130/442/Karen-Siat-Organic-Makeup-42213

 

Spring Cleaning

   It is that time of year to “spring” clean our homes, I think it might be time to clean out our makeup bags as well? At Christmas I received a designer purse as a gift, recently I looked at my makeup bag and thought "Wow this is an ugly mess and it doesn't match my new purse at all. So the hunt was on for a new cosmetic bag. Some are tiny, others are too big,  I was feeling a lot like Goldilocks in search of the right fit. I need the bag to not over take my purse, yet hold all the contents that I carry around. Ideally clear in material. Did I find my perfect bag? No! In fact I bought the worst one yet, why? Because I thought a black one with polka dots would look so cute with my new purse. Right now the problem is I can't find my tweezers or my eye brow pencil, it is a black hole, too dark inside to see anything.

  I want to share with you tips on spring cleaning your makeup bag. Throw away makeup that is old. Meaning old shades of lipstick you wore two years ago and stinky old. If it smells pitch it.  Eye creams might be expired check the dates and if you have foundation over two years old end your attachment and just get rid of it. Clean your tweezers with alcohol. Your eyelash curler might need a rub down also. Replacing the pads inside the curler might be a good idea, if it has been around awhile. Clean any makeup brushes in a bowl of baby shampoo or brush cleaner then rinse and dry them flat.

     If you have mascara for three months it is time to get rid of that also. You don't want an eye infection or clumpy makeup due to the formula being thick. Make sure to wipe out the bottom of your makeup bag. Add some band aids inside for summertime blisters and hair ties in case of a humid day. Drug stores sell small SPF tubes that might be a good addition inside as well.

    Unlike my awful pick of a makeup bag, it is wise to invest in a bag that is insulated to protect your makeup.  Don’t keep your makeup in too hot or too cold (now I sound like Goldilocks) elements because it will wreck your makeup. A clear makeup bag is good choice so you can see what you need fast and it pushes you to be neat all the time. I know we are all busy and this might not be a priority, but just think how much better you feel having a clean makeup bag. Plus if you go to an event all dressed up you can pull out your makeup bag and not feel embarrassed on how it looks.  Be the complete package when you go out not just the bow.

Insulated  bag

My cute but awful pick

Clear bag

Nashville

         When you hear "Nashville, Tennessee" two words, country music, come to mind.  Yes in the last year the television show Nashville has taken off as well, so maybe that was your first thought?  Growing up outside of Cleveland, Ohio and spending my entire life in North East Ohio, Nashville is the city I dream of living in someday.  My Mom was born in Elizabethton, Tennessee and some of her family still live there.  As kids, we traveled extensively to the South.  I was country before it was cool.  My Uncle Wayne had a small ranch home which sat in front of his barn.  He owned a horse and many other farm animals.  We really got to see the countryside.  My Grandparents moved the family to Ohio in 1957 as it was a state with huge job growth.

                 I now live in the suburbs of Cleveland in the snow belt of Ohio.  The city sits near the lake and we can get clobbered with bad weather.  As an adult, I don’t partake in winter activities and HATE winters since we get five months of it here.  In the last few years, Cleveland is on the comeback but the economy has taken a HUGE hit.  As a makeup artist I could make three times more what I do now in Chicago or NYC, but I don’t want to live there.  WHY?  I want to live in Nashville.  There is more work for me there, it is the hub of country music, and has an energy that can’t be described.  An added bonus is the kind people of Tennessee; it has a family friendly atmosphere, and NO snow!  In the last few years, I have been networking in Nashville to set the stage for my future move.

                

I am a firm believer in sending  positive thoughts out into the universe with the hope they will come true.  My family knows I want to move and my friends keep asking when I am moving.  So why haven’t I?  Timing!  I am not twenty anymore and my life isn’t just about me.  Last year, my partner and I did travel there so I could sell him on the city.  A few years back, I took my kids and they loved it.  This year I will visit again with leisure in mind, but I might schedule a small photo shoot while in town.

                I think the television show Nashville has pushed me to have a greater desire to be part of the country industry. Would I miss Cleveland? Maybe, but I would be following my dream. This dream has been there for many years. In addition, our friends could always come and escape the gloom of Cleveland  winters and visit us.  One thing I have learned in my past is we can set goals and make all the plans we want, but then God laughs and we realize he is still in charge.  For now I will continue to work in the Buckeye state taking my coat and boots along to all of my shoots waiting for the right time to move on.

Nashville 
Credit: mysouthernrealator.com

So cold in March, with singer Erica Lane

Summertime! I am  in a hoodie at the beach...No lie!
Eric Mull photo

Smoke and Mirrors

       Makeup can be transforming. On camera, the talent isn't the only one requesting a makeup artist for photography these days.  Business people want a great photo for marketing purposes and singles are calling because they want to sparkle in the photo soon to be posted on a dating website.  You might think, really? Yes, really! Here is what I suggest if you find yourself wanting to upgrade a profile photo

      Digital and cell phone photos can be tricky and unflattering by giving the appearance of false shadows, fine lines, and bad coloring.  When we market ourselves, we need to bring out our best features. If a little smoke and mirrors is what it takes, I say, "Bring it on!" First off, set a budget and, then, find a photographer that will accomplish what you need.  Also ask him which makeup artist he recommends for the photo shoot.  Check out the stylist's website and then talk to him or her to get advice for the day of the shoot.

       Next is wardrobe.  Plan at least two changes.  Women should bring an upscale look, such as a blazer and blouse with either a skirt or dress slacks. Ladies, make sure the blazer is solid in color without a busy pattern or stripes.  Men should bring a business coat with a colorful dress shirt and, maybe, a tie. Color is so important.  If you have light colored eyes, blue and green colors are best to wear.  If you have dark eyes, pick more primary colors such as red, blue, purple, emerald green, copper or brown.  Black might not be the right hue to wear, especially if your hair is long and dark.

          Also bring a fun look.  Ladies, have a cute dress or sassy shirt and jeans on hand.  Men should take a nice fitted (and definitely not too big) button down shirt and pair it with some cool jeans.  Taking two looks will cover both your LinkedIn and dating website profiles.  Once you land a job or find your dream date, you may want to start to use SKYPE.  Web cameras aren't always our friend.  My best advice while chatting is to sit in natural light, so shadows don’t cast under your eyes.  Ladies, apply some illuminating foundation to help smooth the skin and also use sheer blush and lip colors.  

       First impressions are important.  By all means, I am not endorsing false advertising at all in this blog.  When planning your photos remember that the person being photographed should still be you, just polished up.  The shots should not look like a person you don’t recognize.  Remember to have fun with the process and be hopeful that the results will open new doors or new beginnings.

Business look with a colored shirt.@JCP

Business look@KOHLS

           Nice button down, please press the shirt and a true fit.@Kohls

I love the neckline and color.

       Great color for a dress!

This is a dress if you are  fuller figure. @KOHLS

Photography or Instagram?

  Photography has changed so much over the years. Going from black and white photos, negatives and film, to what we have now digital files. Digital photography has become my friend, I can see what touch ups need to be done so that the photo looks great and we don’t need to re shoot. If there is a blemish on a model I will try and cover it, and now with photo shop one click and it’s gone.

   Over the last two years my biggest “beef” is washed out photos. You all know them today as Instagram. Yes, this style of photography is now being used in ads. It tends to be blurry, and washes out colors. Skin tones look ghostly and muted, if you can even see the person past the blur. I feel as an artist “Why is a stylist even needed?” Maybe to clamp the clothes?  Actually the model might not have on much, so am I even needed?

    When images are shot this way, photographers get SO excited. As a makeup artist, I am NOT. Here is why. I apply makeup on a model and prepare her for at least an hour, finding the angles in her face to bring out and shading her eyes so they “POP.”  Then the camera takes a photo and blurs out her features and mattes down all the texture in her skin. It makes me sad. Black and white photos were the start of photography. As a makeup artist doing B&W you learned how to adjust and bring out the best in that person knowing this type of photography will be used. Today many photographers don’t know the images will be muted till post production when the Ad agency or magazine switches it up. Sometimes they do know and don’t have the heart to tell the stylist till after the shoot.

   I rather know in advance. I can adjust colors and tones or I can just take less time to do the application all together because the makeup is not  the focus. I am all in for change. I am all for creativity but as an artist my work isn't  seen. I feel blurry might be good for other subjects just not people. The white wash is good for one thing  vampires; they are all the rage now right?  I just feel with everyone caring around a camera these days taking their own blurry photos and up loading to Instragram, why will people want to pay for a photo session? People need talented photographers and makeup artist to bring out the beautiful and colorful sides of them, not a photo they can capture themselves via their cell phone. Below are some samples you be the judge.

Instagram of me

Photo Credit: Tesh

Jessica for Macy's

Pink

Mascara Mania

 On February 12, 2013 I was on Live On Lakeside WKYC/NBC  to talk about mascara. Below are my tips  about the product  and the link to the segment for  the show.

Do:
1. Curl your lashes, make sure they are free of mascara. Use the curler three times on each eye lash. First the root then  shaft and end ten seconds for each motion.
2. Apply mascara at the root, wiggle product as close to lid as you can. Pull product through to the ends.
3. Apply only two coats on the lash,don't let the first coat dry do both coats on the  eye at once.
4. Separate lashes before they dry. 
5. Clean up marks on your eyelids and under the eye if they smear.


Don't:

1. Don't pump your wand in the tube it will cause air and deposit too much color on the wand causing clumps.
2. Don't hang onto your mascara if you had an eye infection, it will harbor bacteria for another infection. 
3. Don't keep your mascara for longer than three months, it starts to dry out and you also risk eye infections. 
4. Don't pull at lashes while removing. Instead use a saturated cotton pad with remover or makeup remover wipes and hold on the lash for ten seconds, then wipe down and out. 
5.Don't  wear waterproof makeup everyday. It is too harsh and will damage your lashes. Water resistant is a great alternative. 


Another great tip is to wear two different colors of mascara, black on the top lashes three quarters out then  brown on the tips. This will give the illusion of thick and long lashes. 
 Also If your lashes are sparse consider a eyelash growth product. 

http://www.wkyc.com/life/programming/shows/live_on_lakeside/default.aspx?bctid=2160237349001