Andrea Samuels Makeup: Chicago

Friday, December 25, 2015

Zink Magazine Winter Issue with Kliq Studio

The Winter Issue of Zink Magazine just released before Christmas Day. Grab yourself a copy on news stands at Barnes and Noble!

"You & I"

Photographer | Carissa Lancaster of Kliq Studio

Model | Marta of Ford Models

Hair & Makeup | Andrea C. Samuels of Factor Artists

Nail Artist | Ashley Gregory of Ford Artists

This was one of my most favorite projects I worked on for 2015. We had the gel paper concept planned out, but I had no idea what colors to choose before hand, so I literally brought every glitter, pigment and eye shadow color with me to prepare for the day.

I have to start off saying that I absolutely love the team behind Kliq Studio. This was our first time working together on a concept that Ashley Gregory and myself really wanted to bring to life. Carissa and Le allowed us complete creative freedom; it was really refreshing and amazing to work with people that believe in your talents and give you all the time in the world to work your magic.

I started off clean, which is something I always recommend to every makeup artist. Starting off with clean makeup helps me see my canvas (my model) in a very raw and bare moment; it also helps me map out the features on her face that I would like to highlight in the editorial. I really loved the clear nails Ashley applied on Marta, the transparent makeup & nails looked so perfect together.

So I played with my usual favorites for the first look:

AJ Crimson Cream Foundation in Shade #1 & #2

This foundation is so amazing, it creates the perfect dewy, glossy effect on skin and it bounces off the lights beautifully.

Make Up For Ever "Full Cover" Concealer #3

I applied Inglot Face & Body Illuminator #61 all over Marta's hands, arms and face.

On the lips, I used Dior Addict Gloss in "Angelique"

The second look was not featured in Zink Magazine, but it is the current cover for Nails Magazine February Issue

I used Tom Ford lipstick in "Reckless" as the base

and Inglot gold pigment in #24 in the center of Marta's lips.

Here's an unedited image from my camera phone.

Look 3: I wanted to play up Marta's eyes and mimic the faded effect the gel paper created on her skin, so I created an ombre' effect on her brows with the lipstick.

I used Tom Ford "Bruised Plum" on her brows and brow bone

I applied Inglot Gold Pigment all over Marta's top and lower lid.

On her lips I mixed OCC Lip Tar "Androgyne" with NYX Lip Palette in "Oranges"

Look 4: I wanted to create a wet effect on her eyes, so I used "Silver" pigment by mac with a clear gloss on top on the outer corners of her eyes.

On the inner corners I used a red eye shadow #50 by Inglot.

Ashley created this amazing silver foil on her nails and I fell in love with the results.

Look 5 was not chosen by Zink, but we all loved this look.

The yellow in the inner corners of her eyes was actually an accident.

I used Inglot Yellow Face & Body Pigment #237 for my first time and I had no idea it would splatter every where. I was about to clean it off and start over, but by that time it was starting to get dark outside and I didn't want to waste too much time. I just went with it and made a splatter effect with a neon pink pigment from MAC.

The blueish green on her lower lid and top lid was Inglot eye shadow #317 with Inglot black gel liner in #77

Look 6: We were going to go even more crazy, but the model needed to leave at a certain time so we had to cut it short. I kept it super simple and applied Dior Addict Lip Glow Balm with "Turkish Delight" by Nars on top.

Overall, I am super DUPER happy with the results the team created!!

We had a blast on set and I look forward to creating even more beauty editorials in the future.

Monday, July 20, 2015

Giambattista Valli Lipstick Collection by MAC

Giambattista Valli by MAC

The Giambattista Valli lipsticks launched last week on July 9th, 2015. Giambattista is an amazing Parisian fashion designer who teamed up with MAC Cosmetics to create 5 beautiful shades for the summer. Here is my review of the lipsticks I purchased from this collection:

First Impression

The last time I purchased any MAC limited edition makeup collection was when they launched the Hello Kitty makeup line from 2009.

After 2009, I have not really been impressed or felt the urge to purchase anything else from MAC's makeup collections; I noticed their products have gotten less pigmented over the years and I started to lose my interest until the Giambattista collection launched.

The packaging really caught my eye, I loved the color choices and I really loved the designer they teamed up with. So I saved up my coins and ended up purchasing four out of the five lipsticks from the collection.

Light Test
I did a quick light test under 3 types of lighting to see what looks the most flattering. The Bianca B lipstick looks almost white under the cool and flash lighting, which is not complimentary for women of color but I think the other shades look great under any lighting.
The colors look the most true under the pure white flash light.

Bianca B

Color

Bianca B is a pastel pink. This shade is opaque so it comes out a bit chalky on dark skin tones.

Pastel lipsticks are not very flattering because you will end up looking really washed out and ashy.

I personally don't like this shade for myself on my entire lip, but I absolutely love it as a highlighter for pink lipsticks.

Lipliner

I used lip liner "Hover" by MAC to try to make Bianca B more neutral on my lips.

Longevity

Nude colors tend to wash out fairly fast. Bianca B faded on me after two hours.

Duplicate

If you don't want to go out and spend $18 for a MAC lipstick, here is another brand Bianca B reminds me of:

NYX Lip Butter in "Hubba Bubba" | $5.99 at Ulta.com

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Tats

Color
Hot Pink/ Magenta lipstick; compliments all skin tones.
I added Bianca B in the center of my lips to create an ombre effect.

Lipliner
I paired TATS lipstick with BEET lipliner by MAC

Longevity

This color lasted about 3-4 hours on me without any touchups

Duplicate
There are TONS of pink lipsticks all over the world; and if you're an artist on a budget, here's a duplicate for TATS

Ruby Kisses Ultra Matte Lipstick in "Gossip"
$2.99 at HouseofBeautyWorld.com

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Charlotte

Color

Deep Red with a slight orange undertone. The packaging has a more blue undertone which threw me off, but when applied it melted into my skin with a bit of an orange finish. I personally would use a much darker lipliner to create a true red tone on my lips.