Stacey Dash IS Cleopatra...

"Life of the Party" is the title track of  the new song Stacey Dash is featured on. Ms. Dash wasted no time getting into the life of a music artist shooting the music video for her debut single either! The video was shot in Las Vegas at a natural history museum. They feature many exhibits at this particular museum, and of course ancient Greek history has to have a "Cleopatra"!

Prior to the video, Stacey was very serious about getting me the reference images I needed to get an idea of the makeup of that era. I was very excited about the project...even more excited that she was able to get the actual dress that Elizabeth Taylor wore when she portrayed Cleopatra. This was definitely a job that caused me to get creative. I teamed up with Leah G, who did her hair for the video, and we came up with a modern day version of Cleopatra using some of the same ideals without copying. It's always important as an artist to be able to emulate, but not duplicate. It was a beautiful moment in time...

Apparently, our rendition got rave reviews! The makeup took about an hour to do, and I wanted to share the entire process with you.

1. First I prepped her skin as I would normally do, but I just made sure the area around her eyes was powdered down since I was going to be applying make up outside of her lids.
2. I used a dark brown pencil to sketch out the idea I had before I went in with MAC Carbon eyeshadow to darken the look, black pencil can smear. I used the eyeshadow to fill in her brows.

3. I covered her entire lid up to her brows and the entire shape of the eye with MAC Bamboo paint so nothing would slide.
4. I then used Carbon on her lid again, just up to the point where her eye creased. I blended MAC Rule eyeshadow and  Amber Lights through her crease and up to her brow highlight,
5. I used Black creme liner to shape the outer eye, and fill in the sharp points of the eye shape. Then I set it with Carbon.

6. I contoured her with Kevin Aucoin's skin enhancing foundation in SX16. I highlighted her with MAC C4 studio fix mixed with MAC Yellow loose powder. I blended the entire face with Koh Gen Do Foundation in #301.

7. I used YSL Rouge Pur Couture in #6 for a pale pink mouth. Since the eyes were doing so much, we kept the lip nude...and Stacey loves her pink:) Leah puts the finishing touches on the wig.

We had so much fun with this shoot, I had to do the same make up for 2 days of shooting...so I was challenged for sure. It was nice to meet Emcee N.I.C.E and Blake Smith as well. Stay tuned for the video, the concept was cool, the song is fun, and it's sure to make you move!! xo

 

The Spirit of Oya...

Working with artists on the music side of the entertainment industry is always a special treat for me. It hits close to home because that's how I started out in the industry. I was involved in the developmental stage of talent image early on, so it's a lot of creative thought that goes into each individual project. Oya enlisted my help for her new promo photos for her album and website, so it was a really big deal! The photographer she chose was the amazing Carlos Armando, the wardrobe styling was done by Mike Sam, and Lilit did her hair. The team she put together was one that she trusted, and we had such a great time!

Putting an album out can take months, so it's been a while since the shoot. Now the pictures have been approved, the website is up, and her debut single "Love" is available on iTunes. The entire album is set to be released on September 23, 2012 in honor of her father. Needless to say, she has a lot of great things going on and I am glad I was able to contribute in some way to her project!

Oya is naturally beautiful, so she wanted to keep the makeup simple and clean. We did a smokier eye for the last few looks, but more natural to start. As you can see, it was an all day affair, but we got it done. She was happy, and that's the most important thing:) Congrats on everything Oya, and thanks for including me in your plan. Much success to you! xo

www.spiritofoya.com

 

Vivica sparkles at "Sparkle"...

Everyone was talking about the premiere of the much anticipated film "Sparkle". Not only was this the great Whitney Houston's last film, this was a way for people to celebrate who she was and how fabulous she was, one more time. The movie had an amazing all-star cast, so you know the Hollywood red carpet was nothing short of stars shining and sparkling for the occassion. Vivica Fox was one of the celebs who showed up and showed out!

She wanted her look to be natural and bronzy, so that's what I gave her! Her dress was a gorgeous creme and gold sparkle number by Naeem Khan. She looked fabulous in it!! The look was classic simple beauty, and I loved it! Check out a few behind the scenes shots before she arrived at the premiere, and how she rocked the carpet! xo

Head shot Makeup

I do a lot of head shot makeup because I have a very natural approach to beauty. My motto when it comes to make up is "less is more", and I stand by it:) My style of artistry is very clean and I like to make the client look like themselves, just enhanced. One of my good friends, Jahnika Blythe, is an aspiring actress and she was taking new head shots, so of course I assisted her with the make up. You also have to make sure you have a good photographer that knows how to capture the real you, since you have to look the same in person. The photographer she used was Kem West at www.kemwestphotography.com He has great work!

Here are a few steps to a beautiful head shot makeup:

First things first, make sure those eyebrows are clean and groomed. Next you prime your skin with an oil free, matte control primer. This is great in case you shoot at different locations and you get shiny. Concealer is your best friend when doing head shot makeup, because of all the highlights and shadows in our faces, using a lighter colored concealer in the right places naturally creates depth. Next dust a light oil free pressed powder the same color as your neck over your face to create the warm tones in the face. Since it's head shots, you don't have to use eyeshadow, but if you do it must be almost the same color as your skin tone. I just take the same blush color I use to warm and add color to the face using the same blush brush, and sweeping it over the lids. Add mascara, and as far as a lip color...neutral, non-glossy is best.

The key is to look as natural as possible....too much makeup can throw off the casting directors. So if you have a smokey eye or a red lip, or too much eyeliner on your current head shots (for acting)...it's time to redo them:) Good luck! xo

Summer Makeup 101

Summer heat can be horrible for those of us who like to be made up. The more makeup you put on, the more cakey and gross you feel by the end of the day. I have a few suggestions for you gals who may want a light pretty face for the day.

1. Make sure your eyebrows are groomed to your liking (wild hairs aren't attractive on a clean face)
2. Make sure once you've washed your face, you apply a moisturizer with and SPF of 30 or greater. I recommend Murad's Perfecting Day Cream. $47

3. Apply a light concealer to problem areas.(Under eye, blemishes, dark spots, etc.) I recommend NARS stick concealer $22. Use a brush to apply it and let it melt into your moisturizer.

4. To avoid shine, take a large powder brush and dust a light pressed powder all over to set your concealer and finish evening you out. I recommend L'Oreal True Match pressed powder. $11

*Please note, if you have no blemishes and your skin is flawless, just a tinted moisturizer will do for steps #3 and #4.
5. Take a blush brush to apply bronzer to your cheeks (for lighter skin), or to apply a warm blush to your skin (for darker skin). This will bring your color back once you've evened your face out.
6. Finish your look with mascara and a nice lip conditioner with a tint. I recommend Sugar Lip Treatment SPF 15 $22.50 and L'Oreal Voluminous Mascara

7. If you have oily skin and you need to touch up throughout the day, I recommend Poreless Face Defender by Mally Roncal. This product is great against shine and it sets your makeup.

Your finished look should be clean, seamless, and just enhancing your natural beauty. Remember less is more, especially on the beach:) Good luck! xo