Better Fight 'Til The Day You Die

 I think of the times when my father said,"Computers would be good for you." 

I think of the times some friends would say, "You're gonna be broke." 

and I think of the times my sister said, "Makeup? Finish your Bachelors!" 

  

 and I think of the times an ex said, 

"My parents don't understand what you do. I don't wanna travel with you." 

 

 

I still didn't quit.

Now it blows my mind that every one is proud of me. 

Doesn't matter what any one says: 

If you have a dream, better fight for it 'til the day you die.

 

Photography by Emily Gualdoni, Jennifer Avello, Chris Free of Project Captured and Bing.com

Maybelline & Rodarte at SAIC 2013

  This year, Maybelline New York sponsored the makeup for SAIC's annual fashion show this year. 

I was honored and thrilled to be apart of it with these two lovely ladies again:

Viki Moon and Lindsay Tosto. We also got to work with new face, Danielle Boulden!

The day started at 5:45 am. 

I was way more excited than tired.

 The Factor Women & Chosen Models went through makeup and hair before the final dress fittings.

Key Artist Gabriel Almodovor created a unique look for the show. 

Red pigment on the brow bone, yellow pigment in the crease, orange winged-out eyes.

This was really difficult for all the artists to re-create this, but we had no time to waste.

The team of hair & makeup had to complete all 60 models within two hours.

The pressure was on!

Hair was provided by artists of Ulta; they created really beautiful, modern wigs and chic hair styles.

The fashion was AMAZING!!

 Myself & Viki finally taking a break after hours of makeup! We had to complete hair & makeup for the models three times; first time was dress re-hearsal at 9am, second time was a show for the school faculty and family at 3pm, third time was the finale at 7pm.

Lindsay Tosto and myself were asked to do makeup for the amazing design team: Rodarte

 These sisters are so humble, sweet and awesome!

I worked on Kate (right), she preferred a natural look with a soft, bronze smokey eye. I showed her the new BB Cream which she adored because of its light weight feel. I also showed her the new "Whisper" lip colors by Maybelline. I recommended the "Go Nude" lipbalm, which was a nude, slightly taupe lip color and she LOVED it. Her cheekbones were amazing to work on! I showed her the new Bouncy Blush by Maybelline in "Peach Satin" to pop her cheekbones for camera.

Hair was created by two amazing artists of Ulta using Redken products.

After we finished the Rodarte girls, Lindsay and I ran back just in time to finish the models for the final show.

The Rodarte Sisters on The SAIC Red Carpet.

For the final show, all the artists were invited to watch the show.

We were relieved to: 1) Have a seat and 2.) Take a look at our work walking down the runway

Here are a few photos from the show:

Caroline Hougen (designer) was one of my favorite collections to watch on the runway. She brought nostalgia, consistency from outfit to outfit, a GREAT song choice which is still stuck in my head 24 hours later and great craftsmanship to the stage.

 Tess Olson was another one of my favorite designers!

Photos from Chicagoist.com

More photos coming soon!

Lori by Jennifer Avello

 It's always fun to work with clients who are open minded to trying new looks! Lori Prestidge was looking to update her portfolio with a variety of edgy and commercial looks to prepare her for NYC agencies. We brought so many amazing looks out of Lori, we were all impressed with how she was able to adapt and change with every outfit! Here are a few of my favorite snapshots of Lori. 

Enjoy! 

 

 For the commercial looks, I kept the makeup very easy and light weight. 

 

I applied Make Up For Ever Face and Body Makeup in #20 to give her a dewy, fresh look for camera. I have been using this foundation for YEARS. Literally, a little goes a very long way and this foundation has been one of my best investments for my career.

I also used a grey tone matte eyeshadow by Inglot #502 to create her soft, smokey eye. Inglot's eyeshadows are only $6, but they deliver so much pigment in such a small size. I LOVE Inglot.

 

 

This was a fun look! 

I slicked Lori's hair back, slapped red lipstick on her, and she transformed! I pumped up her lashes with Maybelline 'One By One' Mascara in Jet Black. Lip liner is 'Scarlet' by NYX and Lipgloss is "Night Out' by Sephora. This combination of cleans eyes and a dark lip was my favorite look on Lori; she pulled it off superbly well!

For this look, I wanted Lori's blue eyes to pop, so I applied Inglot Black Gel Liner in #88 on the inner lower rim of her eyes and lined her upper lids with a thin angled brush by Crown Industries. I created a nude lip with Ben Nye Media Pro concealer palette and highlighted her skin with Inglot AMC "Face and Body Illuminator' in #61.

 I also contoured her cheeks with "Tenderling" Powder Blush by MAC. This is my absolute favorite blush to contour with because it is the perfect shade for camera, whether in color or black and white photography, it always delivers the precise, pronounced cheekbones that I adore.

 Please check out more work of Lori at www.jenniferavello.com

Mustard Seed

 

 

This is my very first business card.

I typed out each card on my mom's Windows 95 computer. The only font we had was Arial and Times Roman, so I used Bold and Italic settings to try to make my cards look fancy. I was twenty years old, I didn't know anything but I was ready for anything. I didn't have a portfolio, or clients, or a lot of makeup, but I knew what I wanted my title to be: Makeup Artist.

It doesn't matter how you start, or where you come from, all you need is faith as small as a mustard seed and the strength to endure every possible obstacle that could come your way. I didn't know what was coming my way, but I was ready with my .99 business card.

The way you start will not be the way you finish: Keep pushing, keep going, keep striving, keep enduring! You never know where life will take you.

Dottie's Delights Spring 2013 Collection

 Dottie's Delights just launched their beauuuuuutiful new lingerie collection for Spring 2013 called 'Pop Tarts'. The collection is fresh with pops of pastels and silky textures from petite sizes to 3XL sizes, Dottie's Delights caters to ALL curvy women!

I had the pleasure of working with the gorgeous Ashley Simone of Ford Models.
Ashley has beautiful naturally, curly hair! I watched hair stylist Jamie Lynn transform her gorgeous curls into various coiffed, vintage hairstyles for the shoot.

Photographer Kimberly Capriotti was so easy going and fun! She helped Ashley feel comfortable in her skivvies while working fast and efficient to get the perfect shots.

I was inspired by the collection and kept the eyes neutral with a slick cat eye, rosy cheeks, and pink/plum lips to compliment the clothing.

Here is a sneak peek into Dottie's Delights new collection, Pop Tarts. It will be available for purchase on her website in a few days! Pre-order this collection because I'm sure this will sell out fast!

Dottie's Delights

 

  

 

  

Fashion Blog "The Lingerie Addict" wrote an article about Dottie's Delights Spring Collection. 

Read more about "Pop Tarts" here: 

The Lingerie Addict

Turn Magazine | Holiday 2012

This Editorial was FUN!

I was able to bring out my creativity and play with glitter, pearl beads, tinsel, and crushed candy on model, Amelia Poole; Amelia is signed with Ford Models and she is the Spring 2013 new face for BEBE.

Wardrobe Extraordinaire Thomas Vaughan snapped off and pulled from TopShop, designer Agga B, and more local, amazing designers from Chicago.

 The clothing mimicked the mood of the shoot perfectly; this story is about a girl hosting a Christmas Party, but no one shows up. As the story moves on, you begin to see Amelia's emotions go from anxious, to sad, to bitter, to anger. Here's the full story:

Happy F*cking Holidays!

Enjoy :-)

Turn Magazine | Holiday Issue 2012 

"Who Brought Candy To A Gun Fight?"

 Cover and 4 Page Spread!

Please purchase your copy at this link:

 Turn Magazine

Here are a few photos from the editorial: