Fair and Square!

There is something that many makeup artists never mention but I think it’s time someone did.  A lot of people try to take the art of makeup as simply an art and don’t realize that we actually put in more than we get when it comes to compensation.

It is time that everyone realizes that those of us who are professional certified makeup artists are entitled to get the compensation we request when you ask us to do your makeup.  We do not only do this for fun.  We need to get paid and that, nor the fee for our services should ever be a topic of discussion or debate

There are some of us that take makeup as hobby or a side job.  There are some of us who take it as way of expression or passion.  Then there are some of us who take it as all of the above AND actually live of it.

No matter how we take this art, everyone should know that we killed ourselves in makeup school every day for a certain amount of hours for a certain amount of months.  That we were hungry, tired, some of us had a full day of work on us to the drag our heavy kits up and down the NYC train stations to make it to makeup night school.  That we sometimes couldn’t see our significant others or kids for days or have a social life because by the time we had free time our backs were out from all the hours standing in class..

Lets add to that all the money we had to pay for classes and makeup, the money that we spend constantly on expensive makeup because many feel entitled to “expensive” cosmetics, but always feel the need for a bargain. We spend hours traveling to and from locations with our heavy kits to then spend more hours on location.  We spend entire days of our lives working hard to make the few bucks, that many consider too much money, to try and make a living and a name for ourselves.

Bottom line here is, our makeup, our time and our talents aren’t cheap and didn’t come cheap to us so don’t expect that it will come at a bargain or free to you cause it’s simply NOT fair.  Come real or don’t come at all.

Please & Thank you!

Makeup for Body Builder Yves Nunez

She looked gorgeous! as feminine as can be!

Just FACE-IT!

I recently had a shoot with a feminine body builder and it promised to be one of the most interesting shoots thus far.  Before the shoot she had gone through my website and pretty much did not find a look she liked in my portfolio.

For photo shoots, makeup artists are usually advised of the look the photographer and/or model are looking for.  In this occasion I was faced with the challenge of finding the perfect look for a feminine body builder whom did not find my work interesting.  The entire day before the shoot I stressed looking for pictures of body builder’s makeup.  She didn’t want a smokey-eye, that left me with beauty or glamour look, She wanted something that would make her look more like a model that a body builder, the thing here was, with their strong features, its hard not to go with simple beauty makeup for body builders.

I finally made it to this nerve wrecking shoot to find a body builder who had actually slimmed down and had normal looking facial features.  I was so happy! This meant we could actually give her more makeup as she wanted. Of course we had to keep in mind that she was still a body builder and had to look as feminine as possible. 

I had stressed so much and felt so unsure of myself when I learned she wasn’t excited about my portfolio.  But I went forward to show that you do not have to like my previous work for me to deliver the perfect look for YOU.  Just give me a visual of what you want and I’ll make it work for YOU, The shoot was a true success and she looked gorgeous!

Pics coming soon!

A lil bit about a few things =)

I finally tried Cover girl's Liquid Line Blast Eyeliner and I must say that I'm going to stick to my lovely MAC Khol liner.  I feel like i have to apply and apply and apply to get the look I would get with just one application of the MAC eyeliner.  I am sooo excited about these new sephora liners though =) |
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Check this out

I wear contacts so I live off of waterproof mascara and I have found that Sephora's Waterproof Eye Makeup Remover is fantastic!  It is full of moisture which is great for the very sensitive area around the eye.

It is hot and humid out there and in the summer the skin tends to produce more oil.  If you are suffering from a few bumps on the road, note that the Clean & Clear Advantage 2-in-1 Acne & Mark Eraser Kit works!

 

Be Inspiring!!! Smile!

As my alarm goes off at 10am for a photo shoot that starts at 1pm (yes i need so much snooze time) miserably i finally get out the bed, drag myself to the bathroom, drag myself to get ready and get my daughter situated. I pack all my makeup, drag myself to the bus stop and then to the train station.

As i roll my small suit case i see families on their way to what seems like enjoying this beautiful 84 degree June weather. I think of all the things I'd rather be doing right now other than waiting on this A train which seems might get me to 34th just in time...or maybe not.

I see a Michael Jackson impersonator walk by me with a boom box playing some MJ music.  The stares seem to excite him rather than shame him.  He stands to wait for the train jamming to his MJ with a smile that exudes confidence and pride. That was the first smile of my day. To see someone so proud and happy of what they do, all of a sudden i wasn't dragging myself to my shoot anymore.  

Suddenly it was so gratifying to know that i was part of what will be creation. That the photographer and model were waiting for me to make this baby happen. The importance of my role in this shoot gave me another reason to smile and maybe, in one corner of this train, there is someone that i also inspired with my smile and aura filled with inspiration. 

One small thing can so easily change our outlook. Smile today, be proud of what you do, you never know who's watching and who you will be inspiring today with your mere presence!

The Bump Up

If you are like me, you like to be prepared for any occasion. We just never know when a last minute after work invite will occur.

To be face-ready for these moments, I like to bump up the everyday look as discussed in the last blog, with black eyeliner. Two favorite liners are Mac's Eye Kohl and the MUD Shop's eyeliner.

Eyeliners can be used many ways depending on your mood.

I sometimes place the liner on my top lash line only. I feel it gives an angelic clean look.

When I want the look to be more intense, I line my bottom lash line only.

But when I really want to make a statement, I place the liner on both the top and bottom lash lines and create a smokey eye effect. YES! With just a black liner! =)

Speaking of liners, Cover Girl’s Liquidline Blast eyeliner just won best eye product by CEW Beauty Awards, I guess I shall test it for myself and give you guys my opinion on it, but if you try it first please leave some feedback! Thanks! :)

Everyday Makeup-Made- Easy

Makeup should not be seen as a tool used to hide our imperfections, but more like a tool used to accentuate what beautiful features we already have! =)  
Some people like to categorize makeup as a mask to our imperfections, so much ignorance surround these opinions because these people are usually the ones who have never even had any experience with makeup.
Makeup goes beyond just covering up imperfections, its mostly used by professionals to accentuate what beautiful features we already have.
Makeup also gives us an amazing uplifting feeling.  When we are down and we look in the mirror, and our beautiful features are hiding behind our frowning appearance, we don’t feel any better.  It is a known fact that if we LOOK good we will FEEL good!  I experience this everyday.  When I wake up in the morning I am NOT a happy camper, as i‘m sure most of you aren’t.  Until I at least put on some concealer, mascara and blush, I do not have a smile on my face.  It’s an instant rush! And it doesn’t have to be a full makeup application.  Keep a small makeup bag with at least these three things, that little mirror and you can conquer the world.
My favorite concealer is Neutrogena’s concealer stick, my favorite blush is the all in one Physicians Formula Bronzer Strips (it can be used as blush/ bronzer and eye shadow) always a sun kissed look! Finally my favorite mascara right now is the Lash Blast by Cover Girl its amazing big brush brings out the smallest most invisible eye lash!  The greatest thing is that for those who cannot afford expensive cosmetics these three are all sold in Duane Reade Pharmacies.