America's Beauty Show | Chicago 2015

I represented Mizani this year at America's Beauty Show!

I truly had a BLAST working with the team of amazing hairstylists.  I was able to create fashion forward makeup looks for their  "New Gen" presentation this year. They contacted me after seeing this image on my Instagram page photographed by Carissa Lancaster for Ellements Magazine:

Here are a few backstage photos I took and/or other people took of the looks I created with key hairstylists Miss Wu and Cesar Ramirez for the "Legacy Awards" inside America's Beauty Show.

First Look | "Street Wear"

Model | Tess of Factor Women

Milani gave me hours and hours of time to complete all the looks, which I SO appreciated. I was really inspired by the symmetrical, graphic hair style and the wardrobe Tess was wearing, so I tried to mimic the lipstick to match the highlights in her hair by mixing Tom Ford's "Bruised Plum", Bobbi Brown Lip Pot in "Chocolate Cherry" together with Bobbi Brown's, "Plum Gold" Lip Gloss. 

I mixed a few different lipliners as well so I honestly don't remember everything I used, but I was really happy and pleased with how the first look came out.

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2nd Look | "Futuristic"

Model | Reese

The hair color for model Reese was literally neon green and there was no way I was going to attempt to outshine the hair with heavy makeup, so I went the opposite direction and kept the palette on her face nude. I used Ben Nye Powder in Olive Sand and Make Up For Ever Mat Velvet + in Shade #70 on her skin. On her lips, I used "Spice" from MAC and a neutral gloss on top. Everything else on her face was very neutral and simple. I chose to use matte shades of makeup because this was an all day event, the models had a lot of walking to do and I wasn't able to complete touch ups on them while they were onstage, so I used durable, sweat-resistent makeup to complete these looks.

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3rd Look | "Avant Garde"

Model | Florence of Factor Women

The hair was so regal and beautiful, so I wanted to add extra drama and class by using gold everywhere. I strategically placed gold leaf on Florence's body so it would look like custom jewelry from a distance. The rest of the products were very minimal; I used Make Up For Ever Mat Velvet + in Shade #80, Ben Nye Luxe Powder in Cocoa and MAC lip liner in "Cherry"

To learn how to apply gold leaf, please check out my previous blog!

I show you how to apply it easily with just a couple easy products:

Midas Touch Gold Leaf Editorial

I really enjoyed myself this past weekend and I feel so blessed and honored to be able to get creative and have fun on my job. 

Thank you so much for the opportunity Mizani!

The Midas Touch | Ellements Magazine Beauty Issue

The Beauty Issue of Ellements Magazine just released today!

"The Midas Touch"

Photographer | Carissa Lancaster

Wardrobe Stylist | Clarissa V. Pierre

Model | Joanna Bajena of LModelz Management

Hair & Makeup | Andrea C. Samuels of Factor Artists 

Nail Artist | Ashley Gregory of Ford Artists

The team worked with all gold EVERY thing 

We wanted our model Joanna to start off fresh and innocent then later turn into a 

Dark Goddess. 

I was very inspired by both the wardrobe stylist, Clarissa, and the nail artist Ashley. Carissa the photographer had a lot of positive energy on set which helped the shoot run smoothly. Everyone kicked it up a notch and brought their A-Game to make this beauty editorial come to life.

We started off on a clean slate: 

White, cream and gold was the palette in the wardrobe;

fresh, dewy makeup with nude nails completed the first couple looks

These are the makeup products I used:  

Face 

- AJ Crimson Dual Skin Foundation in Shade #1

FYI: This foundation feels amazing

AJ's "Dual Skin Foundation" is so creamy but it's not sticky, not flaky, not drying and not oily; it is not bad at all. It covers acne and scars VERY well and leaves a soft sheen on skin. I find it similar to Graftobian for all the curious artists out there who haven't tried this brand yet. I also really love AJ's foundations because it comes in the lightest hues to the darkest tones; it caters to all shades and I love brands that can provide this for all my clients.

- Make Up For Ever Full Cover Concealer in #1

Eyes

- Gold Leaf (only in inner corners) from Michaels Craft Store

Cheeks

- Inglot Face Illumintor in #61

FYI: This is one of the BEST Illuminators

This illuminator from Inglot is not glittery at all, this highlight creates the most gorgeous glow on skin in person and in camera. It is my most favorite highlighter by far and I highly recommend using this for bridal to fashion to runway work.

- MAC Blush in "Tenderling"

Lips

- Dior Addict Gloss in "Angelique"

I prefer to start all editorials with light makeup; it helps to build the mood and the color palette as the story grows darker. The makeup, nails and accessories have to mimic the wardrobe so it reads well on camera, so I try to keep that in mind and not get too distracted or too carried away with colors. As an artist, I can easily get distracted by looking at ALL the colors in my kit so I only pull out the specific products I need so I can stay consistent with the theme.

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The story moved into more golden, olive and bronze tones, so I went a tad bit darker here by using these beauty products on Joanna's eyes:

- Gold Leaf over eye lid (Michaels Craft Store)

FYI: Gold Leaf is hard to work with.

Gold Leaf is like tissue paper but it's lighter than a feather; if you don't hold it down well with your makeup brush, it will literally fly away from you. Gold leaf is not as dense as paper, so you will need something sticky for the gold leaf to adhere to skin. You could use lip gloss, lip balm, or lash glue; I ended up using lip balm because it was just the right amount of stickiness for me so incase I needed to adjust the gold leaf to frame the eyes, I can do it without disturbing the eyeshadow beneath.

- Inglot Freedom System Eye Shadows in: 

357 (base) 363 (crease) 09 (lid) 21 (lower lid) 329 (outer corners)

- Bobbi Brown High Shine Gloss in Canary (on top of eyeshadow)

- Make Up For Ever Smokey Extravagent Mascara in Black

I also straightened Joanna's hair to create a Donatella Versace look

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For Joanna's "Dark Goddess" look, Ashley added gold leaf all over Joanna's fingers to create her "Midas Touch" taking over her skin

I added a lip liner by MAC with a braided crown filled with gold pigment to give her a more regal look. I love how Joanna's mood changed once the clothing, makeup, hair and nails became more dramatic; she really got into character.

Eyes

- Added more Inglot Eyeshadow #329 on lower lid

Lips

- Rosebud Lipbalm

- MAC lip liner in "Currant"

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Over all, I am really pleased with this beauty story and I love how the team worked together and encouraged each other from beginning to end. We all tried something new and took risks for Ellements Magazine.  To view the rest of this story and to find out about the wardrobe credit, you can purchase your own copy right here:

Elléments Magazine Beauty Issue