Vivian's H&M Trial!

Who: Vivian

What: H&M Wedding Trial

Where: San Jose Home Studio

It was so much fun to have Vivian back in my makeup chair! This time though, we were creating her bridal look instead of her bridesmaid look :) Yes, so in fact, I had worked on Vivian before as she was a BM for her friend Valerie's wedding. Click here to see that post. The trial was fun and comfortable, and I especially loved how Vivian let me do whatever I wanted with her look! What a treat :) She also had a super fun story about how she and her fiance met.

MAKEUP

Before and After #1

Before and After #2

Eyes open, eyes closed

Makeup Focus

- Overall flawless face complexion

- Clean, shaped brows

- Enhance eyes for "pop"

- Tone down naturally red lips to a more nude look

- Healthy glowing blush

HAIR

Vivian requested something off to the side with some romantic curls. She also knew she'd probably have some kind of hair accessory like a flower to add in on her special day. 

Before and After #1 (Back)

Vivian's hair length was really good for this look. I would not recommend going any shorter for this side pony, otherwise hair extensions may be needed to create the cascading effect the right way.

Before and After #2 (Profile)

I had some flowers on hand that we could try out to get a better idea of placement and feel. Turns out two was better than one!

Updo process highlights

1: Use straightener to create voluminous body and curls, especially on bottoms of hair. (Vivian has a lot of hair!)

2: Tease crown, pin in place

3: Create swirls with hair from side swoop and pin, keeping in mind eventual placement of flowers

4: Adjust flowing, romantic curls off to side pony

Different Angles

I loved seeing you again Vivian! I'm so glad that you came back :) I love the look we created for you and can't wait to help you get ready on your big day!!!

Of course, bringing BMs along is always more fun :) Thanks for coming Valerie and Audrey! You guys were so supportive of Vivian. I enjoyed the time with you ladies as well!

Rapper, Songwriter, Model, Artist: Mindy Suga!!!

Photo courtesy Ricci Photo Art

Who: Artist Mindy Suga

What: Photoshoot for Album Cover 

Where: Santa Clara Studio

Photographer: George Ricci

This shoot happened all the way in July! WHERE has the time gone?!? Again, another perfect opportunity to push out this post in time for Halloween :)

George had contacted me earlier to see if I'd be interested in helping out with the makeup prep. Some key notes I took in from George's e-mails to help create Mindy's look:

"The shoot is suppose to deliver some dramatic images for Mindy Suga's (stage name) cd cover.

She a rapper and models. She's the model doing the Pris shoot:

http://www.meetup.com/Bay-Area-Artistic-Shoots/events/122770642/ her

MM is on the site so you can get her look.

I'm dressing her in a long white velvet hooded cape with red latex

looking lingerie under the cape. Obviously, I'll need the eyes to hold

up to that outfit. With maybe a blue/black lipstick and

fingernails I want something to make people notice her.She'll probably

have some gold accessories. I want a wayout eye

look; so, I'm thinking either white to gold or maybe white to red eye

color. But, I'll want your input."

Alright!!! I was stoked to create a "way out there" look, and was even more happy when I met Mindy for the first time. It was so easy to work with her, and her enthusiasm for her work could not be beat. Hearing about her story and how she got started in her music and modeling track was amazing, and it still brings a smile to my face. Mindy's personality is contagious, and anyone who meets her just ends up rooting for her and cheering her on :) I had a chance to work with Mindy again during another photoshoot, and had the same awesome experience. 

BEFORE AND AFTER

Makeup points:

- Flawless face

- Clean dark brows with arch emphasis

- Black eyeshadow, lots of blending

- Lashes, lashes, lashes, with gel liner feathering for upper and lower lids

- Bold eyes rimmed all around with thick liner

- Black lips

* George bought two different contacts for Mindy's extreme eyes... we went with the one you see in the picture :)

George and Mindy hard at work!

THE RESULTS

Best wishes Mindy! Keep it going! George, great captures as usual :)

MUA for Western Saloon Photoshoot!

Photo courtesy Robert Eng

What: Bay Area Photography Shoots (Western Saloon Photoshoot)

Where: Santa Clara Studio

Models: Amanda Sophia Novello, Bramani Quinn Spiteri, Callie Sue

This photoshoot happened awhile ago, but I thought it would be a perfect entry to help gear us up for the Halloween festivities! I knew there would be three ladies coming in to get their makeup done for this super fun Western Saloon setup (Great job George!). Since I was short on time, I asked the models to come to the studio with false lashes already applied. Thinking about the Western time period, and the probability of more black and white pictures, I requested the lashes to be the biggest, thickest, longest the models could find. When I applied their MU, I also focused on making the models' features extremely and dramatically bold and defined...almost over the top! Black shapely brows, deep red and full lips. Honestly, in real life, it was a little scary! Scary, but necessary for getting the right look in the photos :)

BEFORE AND AFTERS

Model: Amanda N.

Model: Bramani S. aka The Fire Lady!

Model: Callie Sue

Western Saloon Gallery

Photo courtesy Rex Mann

Photo courtesy Rennis Kauffman

Photo courtesy Sandi Allen

Photo courtesy Robert Eng

Photo courtesy Robert Eng

Click here to see more photos from this event!

Anna's Wedding Celebration H&M!

Who: Anna

What: Wedding Hair and Makeup

Where: San Jose Studio

Photographer: Cassie Green Photography

I loved everything about the experience I had meeting Anna and helping her get ready for her special day! What was really amazing is how quickly it all worked out. Wedding celebration was done and over, including her hair and makeup trial, within two and half weeks of her first calling me.

Anna is just a sweetheart and has such an awesome life travel story! As I was listening to how she and her husband met in Europe, got married over there, experienced the world for EIGHT months, and finally relocated to the Bay Area, I just kept on shaking my head with wide eyes, soaking up her adventures and trying to imagine what it must've been like. You can read her blog here!

This special event was a celebration that family from the states could join in on, as well as Anna's family from Germany. I can only imagine what a fun day it must've been! It was so nice to be able to meet Anna's mom and sister that had traveled from afar to enjoy time with Anna, and also be tourists :) On a side note - I got a kick out of hearing conversations going back and forth in German! I loved just listening to all of it... although I had no clue what was being said!

MAKEUP

Before and After #1

Before and After #2

HAIR

MOM and SISTERS

We were able to work it out where I'd help with Anna's sisters and Mom's hair. In addition, we also fit in the flawless face airbrush foundation for all three. All they had to do was to complete their makeup looks at home within the timeframe they had.

CASSIE GREEN PHOTOGRAPHY GALLERY

A great big THANK YOU to Cassie for sending over these gorgeous photos of the event! She really captured the spirit I saw in Anna, and I'm sure of the big party :) Please check out her blog for more photos from the event here.