Backstage With Pat McGrath Instagram Contest

Backstage With Pat McGrath 

Instagram Makeup Contest

If you have not read my previous blogs or seen my work from years ago, Pat McGrath is a huge inspiration behind a lot of the makeup looks I create. She is the top makeup artist in the world and I hope to be at least 10% more like her as I grow into my artistry every day. Two months ago, Pat announced that she was looking for a few new artists to add to her makeup team:

Soon as I saw her announcement, I nearly had a heart attack. I was excited, then nervous, then excited again. I rose to the challenge and attempted to re-create one of her most difficult and tedious runway looks to this day: 

Alexander McQueen FW2014 Show

I teamed up with one of my favorite photographers: Kris Lou + Erik Robert

They are a traveling photography duo that work so well together; they have been doing photography for only two years so far and they create ideas and visions of fashion photography light years ahead of their time. 

I showed them my idea for the Pat McGrath contest entry and they expanded upon it by providing perfect wardrobe to compliment the makeup with amazing creative direction for our shoot to flow smoothly. Kris and Erik had bigger ideas than I envisioned for this project and I thank them for pushing me to believe in myself and go all out for Pat McGrath.  

So far, Pat has liked and commented on the very first image we submitted for the contest:

Here's a look at the final images we chose as the best of the best to showcase our work collectively. Pat McGrath's contest ends December 31st, keeping my fingers crossed! In the meantime;

Enjoy!

Photographer + Wardrobe | Kris Lou + Erik Robert 

Model | (9 Years Old) Paige of Ohlsson MGMT

Model | Jessica LaRusso of Ford Models

HMUA | Andrea C. Samuels - under the direction of Pat McGrath (makeup) and Guido Palau (hair) 

Day 1 | Ivana Helsinki SS2014

SS2014

September 4th, 2013

Ivana Helsinki was the first runway show I worked in for the SS2014 season of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week.

 I arrived early and witnessed the production team still setting up lighting, cameras and equipment inside of Pier 59 Studios. 

 I was beyond eager, pumped up and ready to work!

Ivana Helsinki is a fashion designer from Finland. Ivana is the middle name of the designer, Paola Suhonen, and Helsinki is the town where she is from. Ivana is the first designer from Finland to show her collection at Paris Fashion Week.

---------------

Makeup was sponsored by AJ Crimson Beauty, skincare was sponsored by Beauty Blender and Embryolisse. 

Makeup artist Sir John Barnett executed the look for the show.

Let me just tell you all I had a heart attack when I found out I would be watching Sir John paint the faces of the runway models; I was literally shaking from excitement and nerves the whole time! Sir John has assisted Pat McGrath and Charlotte Tilbury; his client list includes Beyonce', Paula Patton, super models Joan Smalls and Karlie Kloss.

After 30 minutes, this was the look Sir John created for Ivana Helsinki's show: 

- Glossy skin

- Illuminated cheeks with TOM Ford highlighter

- No mascara

- Clean, spiked brows

- NARS velvet lip pencil in "Train Bleu" as the base lip color

- MAC kohl lip pencil in "Smolder" in the center to create a reverse ombre' lip.

-----------

Sir John used his hands for 95% of the look; he used the palms of his hands to melt the makeup into the skin, he also used a wet beauty blender to seamlessly blend the foundation into the skin, and he used his fingers to apply the lip color. The one and only time Sir John used a brush was for the highlighting. 

My mind was BLOWN.

----------------------------
Nails were done at the same time as hair and makeup.

-----------------

For the first model, I was pumped up and I really thought I got the look down after watching Sir John.

Photo by Chip Kennedy

We were given an hour to complete the 18 models. When pressed for time, I get in the zone. I worked fast, a little TOO fast, for my first model. So I showed Sir John my first model, I had my chest puffed out because I really thought I did the damn thing.

Sir john looked at my model, then looked at me, then looked at the model, squinted, and said,

"I see your finger print, blend better. Lips are not correct. Do it again."

On the outside, I was cool as a cucumber and said, "Thank you!' 

On the inside, I DIED.

So I re-did the models makeup again and I really took my time.

Third time, Sir John said, "Perfect."

For my second model, I finished everything except her lip. Sir John pulled myself and a few other artists to the side and asked us to start 'glossing' the models skin with Embryolisse, and cover tattoos, and/or give touch ups for the models.

Here is the show:

Photo by Jemal Countess/Getty Images

  

Photos by fagroupblog.com

Here is the Video of the Runway:

Here's a closer look at the first model I worked on.

Here's a closer look at the second model I worked on.

Photo by ivillage.com

And super model Sessilee Lopez came back stage to congratulate AJ Crimson and Ivana Helsinki for an amazing show. She smized for me!

After looking at all the pictures in my phone, I was in such a shock over everything that happened within four hours. I had an amazing experience!!

Photos by stylebistro.com and my instagram. 

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

  Maybelline New York sponsored the makeup for SAIC's 2013 annual fashion show, "The Walk'. 

 

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 and 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, but we had no time to take our time.

We were assigned 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 and Viki finally taking a break after hours of makeup! We had to complete hair and makeup for the models four times; first time was dress re-hearsal at 9am, second time was a second dress rehearsal at 12pm, third time was a show for the school faculty and family at 3pm, the last 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 with the President of SAIC on the red carpet.

For the final walk through, 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 and Christopher Free of Project Captured.

More photos coming soon!