Camera Ready Makeup

Camera Ready is a term that I believe most people truly do not understand. Does it mean full on makeup? Airbrushed? Remove the shine? What is camera ready?

I like this illustration because it's clean and simple, but dramatic. The eyes are minimally defined with mascara and shadow. The complexion is perfected and under eye redness is covered. The cheeks are defined with just a hint of blush and contour. The lips get a real pop of color, but that's simply personal choice. You can define the lips with any color you like.

This looks simple, and it is, if you know what colors to use and how to apply them. And as I always say, perfecting the skin is key.

If you're in the Dallas area and would like to book a consultation send me an email. We can also arrange a group session with friends or even corporate sessions. And if it's not possible to meet somewhere in person there's always Skype.

Thanks to photographer Ben Britt and model Stephanie Fisher.

For more before and after looks read A Simple Beauty Makeover.

before hair and makeup

 Pirates of the Caribbean?

The Business of Beauty

Makeup by Penny Sadler
Hair by Mark Garrison Salon

It's not every day I get to work with beautiful models and top editorial hairdressers.  Believe it or not, most of the time, putting makeup on people for camera means making it look like they don't have on much makeup at all. Putting makeup on these lovelies was just the creative change I needed.

 I was excited and happy to be asked to work once again, with Beth Minardi, an icon in the haircolor industry, and her team of top notch hair stylists. The event was a presentation of Mindari haircolor, sort of a mini runway show.

 I asked them what sort of look they wanted, and the only direction I was given was "pretty makeup with emphasis on the eyes." And that's exactly what I gave them. This is why I became a makeup artist to begin with. Great team, beautiful models. And who do you think the blonde looks like?

Traveling with One Carry-On

I"m often asked how many bags I take with me when I go to Italy for two or three weeks. My answer, one carry-on and one personal bag. This seems to be a challenge for most women. When I tell them I only take two pair of shoes they go into defense mode. More shoes is more, right?

Summer fabrics make packing light easy as they take up less space in your luggage. The key is choosing colors and patterns that can be layered and matched with every other piece.

Here's an example: If your accent color is a strong, vibrant, turquoise blue, but you have a favorite jacket that is a pastel pink, well that's not really going to work, is it? What do you wear the pink jacket with?
White pants you say. Yes, but the idea is that each piece can be interchanged.
Conclusion: you must leave the pink jacket at home, or change your accent color.

To illustrate this concept I got together with professional model and friend, Rhonda Sargent Chambers. Rhonda supplied her classic travel wardrobe, which she tells me she wears year-after-year, and I supplied the makeup, photographs, and a bottle of prosecco.

Head over to my travel blog Adventures of a Carry-On  to see more photos and read the rest of the story.

Here are a few more photos from the shoot, Summer Travel Style.

This and That

Since my last post, things have continued to move full speed ahead. I find that the type of work I do seems to go in cycles. Sometimes I work on commercials and sometimes it's more television news and satellite broadcasts. Recently, I've worked on shows for the Food Channel, HGTV and the Speed Channel.

Working outside in Texas is challenging, especially in the spring and summer. Either it's too hot, too humid or too windy. The past couple of shows, I worked with female hosts, and we were constantly battling the heat, humidity and winds gusting up to 40 miles per hour. Keeping the hair from blowing is simply impossible. I've posted a couple of photos from these shoots, taken in a more controlled environment.

The key to long wearing makeup even in the Texas elements, apply it properly in the beginning! Prep the skin with sunscreen and moisturizer if needed. Apply a silicon based primer to help the makeup go on more smoothly and give it staying power. I also use a liquid or gel eyeliner because it's more water proof than pencil and doesn't smear. Finish with powder. As the day goes by,  I usually only have to touch up under the eyes and the lips.

I also had the opportunity to teach for Last Looks Makeup Academy.  I taught three classes: bridal makeup, eye makeup only, and airbrush makeup. The classes were small, so the students got lots of one-on-one attention and extra tips and tricks I use on set.  Everyone had a great time and learned a lot. If you are interested in classes in Dallas, let me know or contact Heather at Last Looks Academy in Los Angeles. If there's enough demand she'll bring the school to Dallas.

Haircolor Icon Beth Minardi

Recently I had the honor of working with Beth Minardi on a video project, introducing her new product line, Minardi Luxury Hair Care. Beth is an icon in the professional hair color industry. I've been watching her on stage since the beginning of my career, more years than I care to recall. She was a delight to work with, gracious and funny and a natural beauty. Thanks for trusting me Beth. Learn more about Beth Minardi here.

Sometimes You Just Have No Control

For these bridals  I did hair and makeup at my location in Dallas then, the bride flew to San Antonio where these photos were taken. I gave her a few tips on how to keep her makeup fresh and how to touch up for photos since I wasn't going along for the ride. She kindly sent me these after the session with a note, "I think they turned out great." I thought so too considering everything that had transpired between the time she left my place and arrived at the location in San Antonio.
Since photographs are forever I worry about all the details. I want perfection. The note and the photos told me the day had been in a success. Sometimes you have to let go.

Classic is Forever

A simple but elegant chignon for the Marina film shoot;  perfect for a black tie event, wedding or, in this case a night of dinner, dancing, and gambling on a luxury vacation cruise. I really enjoyed the chance to create pretty and classic looks for the Marina film shoot. A bit of glamour mixed into daily life is just so civilized - even if it is staged. To see other hairstyles go here.

Getting Glam On The High Seas

As mentioned in an earlier post, I spent two weeks working with a production crew filming marketing materials for a luxury cruise line.  Production work normally requires minimal hairstyling, but for this job, I was asked to create very elegant and sophisticated hairstyles. This was challenging and gratifying  at the same time as, it forced me to use skills that are not often called on.  I was also blessed with a model who had absolutely gorgeous thick hair, with just enough natural wave to help me mold it into a beautiful up style. I am grateful to all the wonderful hairdressers I've had the pleasure to work and study with over the years especially Martin Parsons and Guy Kremer. for sharing their knowledge and helping me expand my repertoire.

Oceania Cruises - It's Not The Destinations, It's The Journey

I recently had the luck to land a two and half week job on board a luxury cruise ship. As part of the hair and makeup team I was asked to create glamorous hairstyles and makeup in keeping with the elegant interiors and upscale clientele of the new ship christened the Marina. Many of you may have seen the news coverage on Entertainment Tonight with Mary Hart, the godmother of the the Marina. This was my first time on a cruise ship and I have to say, I am ruined. Absolutely, spoiled. The ship was beyond luxurious and the crew was first class 24 hours a day. As soon as I complete my edit of 1000 plus photos I'll be back and tell you the rest of the story.

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

Brianna Nickels bridal portrait

Brianna was great to work with. She told me she wanted to be airbrushed and that she loved makeup - so “don't hold back!” The color composition of this photo by Jenny Martell is just beautiful. A successful collaboration.