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!

Elle Magazine USA | July 2014: Women In Tech

I had the amazing opportunity to work with these ambitious and driven women for Elle Magazine's "Women In Tech" fashion editorial. Here's a few photos I was able to capture behind the scenes from April 15th, 2014:

Breakfast was delicious!

Studio Black in San Francisco, California is massive; infinity walls covered 2/3rd of the room.

The wardrobe was absolutely insane, there were literally hundreds of options for the women to chose  from.  

Behind the scenes with Jessica Livingston, photographer J.R. and one of his assistants.

 I was grinning ear to ear as soon as I stepped on set. I was surrounded by professionals in jeans, t-shirts, and Chucks; I was the only one dressed in a suit. A majority of the crew walked up to me and said, "You're not from around here, are you?"

Here are the final selected photos I worked on for Elle Magazine's | Women In Tech:

Photographer | J.R. Mankoff

Wardrobe | Sarah Schussheim

Producer | Anthony Michael

Hair | David Tolls @ Work Group

Makeup | Andrea C. Samuels @ Black Board Group

Danae Ringelmann was a little nervous and camera shy. After a few wardrobe changes and adding a soft, bronze smokey eye to enhance her blue eyes, she grew comfortable with the whole process and eased into natural poses for J.R.

Here's one of my favorite women I was able to work on, Grace Woo. Grace was one of the youngest and most powerful women in the room but she started giggling like a little girl when she saw all the makeup, wardrobe, and hair products just for her. 

Genevieve Bell has a warm spirit, her smile literally lit up the room when she walked in. Ms. Bells' laugh is infectious; she was so genuine and sweet to the crew. As soon as I applied her false lashes, she threw on a pair of five inch Jimmy Choo heels and transformed in front of us all.

Padmasree Warrior was very daring with her makeover, she asked me to give her a bold red lip and allowed me to be an artist. Padmasree initially came on set only wearing mascara. Padmasree's skin was so flawless, her face was a dream to work on.

 Danika Laszuk was so easy going and carefree, I really loved her energy on set. Danika wanted to keep it simple head to toe, so she chose a gorgeous white gown from Alexander Wang and requested fresh, clean makeup for herself.

Once Jessica Livingston came on set, she knew exactly what she wanted and exactly how she wanted it: clean and simple hair and makeup with a signature black dress to compliment her natural style. 

Glossed & Found | Summer Travel Fashion Editorial

"America The Beautiful" July 4th Editorial out now on www.glossedandfound.com! 

 Head to the website to see more photos from the story! 

This was the most relaxing day I've ever had in a long time on an editorial. The team traveled to Harbor County, Michigan and discovered a cute town full of spicy personality with unique, kitschy areas. Model Jasmine of Factor Women did a splendid job!! I had such an amazing time. Here are a few behind the scenes photos from the day.>>

Here's Jasmine and my hand! 

Having fun on set, flying kites!

These Sophia Webster heels alone were one of the highlights from the shoot. 

We all loved these!

 

Last look of the day>>

PHOTOGRAPHY | Jennifer Avello Photography
CREATIVE DIRECTOR | GRAHAM KOSTIC
STYLIST | HELEN BERKUN, FORD ARTISTS
HAIR + MAKEUP | Andrea C. Samuels | Makeup Artist
MODEL | Jasmine Ann Shogren | FACTOR WOMEN
STYLIST’S ASSISTANTS | Rebecca Neenan, FORD ARTISTS + Ant Muggz
FILM | Jordan Lindley
FILMED ON LOCATION IN HARBOR COUNTRY, MICHIGAN

 

 

Head to GlossedAndFound.com to see more of this Patriotic Editorial!!

Inglot

Some of you may or may not know, but I am representing Inglot Cosmetics for the Holidays! I could never work for a brand or company that I do not believe in, but I can tell you with 100% honesty I am in love with Inglot. I am quote proud to represent them for the Chicago region during the Holidays.

Inglot is a Polish makeup brand; it is the last name of the chemist and owner, Wojtek Inglot. Inglot offers a various array of color choices and finishes for eye shadows, eye liners, lipsticks, lip glosses, foundations AND nail polishes. The nail polish is very comparable to OPI quality.

Also, Inglot offers the "Freedom System." No other brand allows you to custom make your own palette from beginning to end: You choose the colors, you choose the size, you choose the finished quality. Not only are these palettes magnetic, they are easy to transport and they do NOT break. You can pop the product out with the magnetic plexi glass lids when you are ready to change the palette!

Here are a few images of two palettes I custom made myself during my first week working for Inglot:

Neutral (Creme & Brown) Palette

Grey & Black Palette

I'll show swatches of  Inglot makeup products I have been playing with soon!

www.inglotcosmetics.com

(Photography by Inglot India, Inglot Asia and myself)