Roma la cita eterna

Ciao miei amici. Unfortunately I don't have any photos uploaded yet but look for them soon. I am in Roma taking in the sights, surviving the heat and getting inspiration to share with you.
Stay tuned...

Southwest Airlines Commercials

The first three days of a seven day commercial shoot were completed in Dallas today. Working around these massive machines I'm still awed by the wonders of air travel. That something so huge can actually hang in the sky and take me to Roma or California or just about anyplace my heart desires. Wow! After 3 days in a row, up at 5:30 am, home at 9:00 pm I"m ready to fly away somwhere... I think this man can help me...

Flawless Skin is in fashion

Many of you know that I was treated for a basal cell carcinoma in February this year. If you didn't know you can check out the news segment under the "reel" tab on my website. Then look under " in front of the camera." The segment, titled, Skin Cancer Takes Friends was really important to me. My experience taught me a lot and the main thing was this, most people have no idea what the signs of skin cancer are or an understanding of the cause or prevention. I talked about my experience in an effort to raise awareness and understanding.

I've also had the opportunity to try many new products that contain SPF, sun protection factors. I learned a lot about the ingredients in these products and how they work. Most sunscreens now contain a chemical block like oxybenzone and octocrylene. These work by absorbing the suns damaging rays. Avobenzone is a new ingredient that is very popular. However, it breaks down when exposed to sunlight so you must constantly reapply.
Then there are mineral blocks like titanium dioxide and zinc oxide. These actually block the suns rays, in other words, they do not allow the sun to penetrate the skin at all. They do not break down in sunlight. Zinc has gotten a bad rap because it's white and everyone thinks, " lifeguard." But newer formulations are micronized and blend much better on the skin so you don't have that white face look.
A combination of the chemical and the block to me seems the best way to go.
Natures Gate and Origins both make products that fit this category.

La Roche-Posay has come out with a new product which contains anthelios. I tried this product when I was in Rome where the sun is brutal in the summer, much like Texas.
This product is far superior to anything I've tried so far when it comes to blocking the sun and it stays put, even when sweating and wearing hats. My scar is on my forehead so it was challenging to keep my head covered 100% of the time. With this sunscreen I was able to protect my skin and keep my scar from hyperpigmenting.
In the USA the strongest you can get is 40. Many dermatologists are now carrying it and you can also purchase it on line. In Dallas, you can get it thru Park Cities Dermatology.

Brooke Shields

I got to work with Brooke Shields last fall. She made an appearance in Dallas as part of the Brinker Lecture Series which raises money for The Dallas Center for Performing Arts. No pressure putting makeup on an ex-model and face that is recognized worldwide. A face that I grew up with from childhood. Brooke is still just as beautiful today and one of the few women I have seen who looks equally good in person or in front of the camera. And she's a sweetheart. Basically she just said keep in light and fresh and let me do my thing. Only the real pros do that. Thank you Brooke. And thank you Gary Cogill for asking for makeup.

Barbara Corcoran

Yesterday I went to the Hyatt Reunion to do makeup for real estate wizard Barbara Corcoran. I have to say the NY Times said it exactly right, "Her manner is frank and energetic, but for all her drive,she has no airs." That was my experience of Barbara Corcoran. How can you not like a woman who writes a book titled, If You Don't Have Big Breasts Put Ribbons On Your Pigtails? I hope I will cross paths with her again. Working with people like Barbara is one of the reasons I love my job.

THINK

I love working at KERA. You never know who you will meet. Today Krys Boyd the host of THINK interviewed Fareed Zakaria, editor of Newsweek International, CNN Host and author of
"The Post American World." Great show, great topic and lovely guest. I wish I'd known more about him in advance,,, I would have grilled him more about this book! You can watch the clip at: http://www.kera.org/video.php?cat=1

Susan Martin Wedding 4/4/2009

These photos are from my first referral listing in Paper City's Little Blue Book for Brides, 2009. I love these production photos taken by F8 Studio at the Melrose Hotel, April 4, 2009.

Marta’s Bridal

Believe it or not I've worked with many brides the day of their wedding and I've never laid eyes on them before. Never done their makeup or hair, ie. no consultation or trial run. Marta was one of these brides. She looked at my website, we exchanged a couple of emails and booked the date.

She came to me with a clean face and some magazine tears with ideas how she would like to wear her hair and makeup. An hour and half later, I give her the mirror for final approval and she says, " Perfect!" She emailed me this image by josephmarkphotography.com