IMATS Toronto 2010 Series Part 5

Beauty Thesis and I

My main reason for going to IMATS Toronto was the workshops. While checking out some of the booths, I noticed I can get some things like NYX for cheaper in the US due to bogo sales, etc.  I still don't understand why as the US dollar has dropped compared to other countries like Canada, that the prices have not changed for those countries.  You would think that the prices would be comparable, but Canadians still have to pay more for MAC, NYX and some other brands.  I think that is unfair especially since MAC is a Canadian brand.  Reason I plan to wait until The Makeup Show Chicago and IMATS NYC to purchase some products that I really don't need right now but plan to get for my kit.  So off to more workshops....

 The next workshop I attended was Nadine Luke, Director of Makeup Artistry at MAC Cosmetics.  She held a workshop on Fall/Winter runway trends.  We watched a short video of behind the scenes of some runway shows showing the trends and then she discussed the trends.  The four trends mentioned are:

Redd Velvet- Red lips of all colors...
Satin Eyes - liner, soft washes of color, brown smokey eyes, etc.
Voi Ve Veil - Gothy, Graphic, Art Forms...
Cashmink- skin 

She also stated tools make a difference.  Quality tools were mentioned at almost all workshops.  She also created the trends on a model.

 Next workshop I attended was Perfecting Each Brush Stroke with Koren of Enkore Makeup.  He is just as wonderful in person as he is on Youtube.  Pursebuzz was his model. Koren also stressed having quality tools and priming/moisturizing the client/model.  He gave out some excellent tips.  Checkout www.beautylish.com  for those tips.  Koren makeup tips.  Christina has some detailed information.

I actually meet her and ? at Koren's workshop.  It was great meeting her and ?.  They even gave me a Beautylish tee which I love.  

? and Christina T of beautylish.com

Beauty Thesis

I also finally meet in person one of my favorite bloggers and youtubers Beauty Thesis.  It was cool  meeting and hanging with her.  Her makeup was looking fabulous as usually. Before the day ended I also got a chance to meet Enkore.

Koren and I

IMATS Toronto 2010 Series Part 4

My 1st IMATS was great.  It took about 4 hours to get to Mississauga, ON Canada(suburb of Toronto).  I arrived Friday evening and checked into my hotel.  My mom and I decided to drive around and check the area out.  I decided to checkout the MAC Pro in the area.  The MAC Pro in Chicago is the closest one to me besides the one on Queen Street.  I finally got a chance to see The Bay store also.  It is very nice.  The whole mall was gorgeous.  I love the way it is designed.  I also love the food court being on the upper level.

MAC Pro store is very nice even thougt I didn't get a chance to see the area where the pro products are located.  I will have to do that next time.  I noticed that one of the MUAs in the store had on some fabulous looking makeup.  We were walking thru and I didn't a chance to find out what colors she had on.

The next day I work up early and arrived at the show around 8:30 am.  The parking lot had at least 30-40 cars on the side that  I entered.  Lines were already formed to pick up tickets.  As soon I walked in, I saw the fabulous Deepa Berar.  She has a great blog and Youtube channel.  She looks just as fab in person as she does in her videos and is so nice.  I entered into the show and headed straight for MUFE.  I had to see what deals they had.  The booth was already crowded and it wasn't even 9:00am yet, lol.  I didn't purchase anything from MUFE.  I have enough for now, but I should have bought the flash palette.  It was only $62 and I may never find it again unless on ebay way over priced.

I checked out all the other booths, and tested some products at Temptu while watching Dani Fonseca do a demo on a potential customer.  Dani looked like she had no foundation on(She had on Temptu of course) and her skin looked flawless.  MAC Pro was not selling any products, but they were signing up people for the Pro discount card on site and talking about the student kits.  You could actually go to the local Pro store and purchase products the same day with the discount!  The MUA I saw the previous day was there.  I headed over to Crown brush booth and purchased a few brushes for my kit before heading to hear my 1st speaker.  I didn't plan to see Kandee Johnson speak because she was having a Youtube Guru Q&A.  I was at the show mainly for skills and technique workshops.  I decided to get in the long line to hear her speak because I do like her channel and personality.  I am glad I did.

Kandee mentioned she condensed her kit down to her Zuca and normally carries 5 foundations and concealer to get rid of redness.  She was asked who was her favorite MUAs and of course Kevyn Aucoin, Scott Barnes, and Topolino was named.  She likes artist who think outside the box.  Makeup is an art form, fun and has no rules to her.  I agree with her view on makeup and her favorite MUAs.  She gave an inspiring speech and then had a meet and greet at Makeup Artist Magazine booth where she was giving away Cover FX, Dinar Airbrush and many other items.

I had to look up Topolino.

 "He is a self-taught, conceptual, make up artist who hailed from the late 80s.  He has produced influential, visionary work for Alexander McQueen and Philip Treacy. He’s inspired by everything, from trash to insects." 

I stayed at the main stage for the next speaker and one of the main reasons I came to IMATS, Kevin James Bennett, award winning makeup artist and author of the website www.inmykit.com.  I made sure I was upfront and center for his workshop.  How many opportunities would I have to hear and see an artist like him live and in person?  Not many... so free giveaways could not move me from my seat.

KJ Bennett as some call him is amazing, down to earth, and loves what he does.  He talked about using quality tools regardless of price(you can find great tools from low to high prices).  He also talked about durable makeup, creating makeup looks that last.  He stated even if the model/client states they have moisturized, etc., it is still best to start with a clean face so that the makeup will be durable/lasting.  He also talked about using the right makeup cleaner to clean up the eye area, etc. so that when applying concealer and foundation later they will not crease.  He used extra primer(Cover FX primer) to remove any fallout, etc.  Even though he his serious about his career in makeup, he stated makeup is fun and we should have fun doing makeup. He explained so much to us while creating a flawless look on the model.  

     
Before the Student Competition Award Show,  I headed over to Royal & Langnickel Brush Mfg. booth to purchase some the brushes he mentioned and were using.  The booth was busy and at first I could not find the brushes I was looking for.  Much to my surprise who walks over to assist me, while he is already assisting others... none other than the man himself, KJ Bennett.  I mention that I was in his workshop and that I was looking for some of the brushes he was using.  He finds all of them for me and even converses for a minute.  It was a great pleasure finally meeting him and being able to sit in not one but two of his workshops.  I hope I get a chance to sit in on a master class that he teaches for the Makeup Show or another IMATS.

Stay tuned for part 5... continuation of  Day 1 of IMATS.....

"Walk" Runway Fashion Show(behind the scenes)

I was asked by my Sands to assist with makeup and whatever else needed to be done for the "Walk" Runway Fashion Show  past Sunday, October 24, 2010.  The show was put on by Iced Crystals and Jelly's World Entertainment and was held at the Charles H. Wright African American Museum in Downtown Detroit.  The show was a great experience.  I was expecting to mainly work behind the scenes assisting with makeup application and being a runner(assisting where needed).  I also was asked to assist with seating people which utilitized my previous skills with customer service and waiting tables.  Knowing how to deal with people are skills everyone needs.

I began the day running backstage to make sure all the models were made up by the main MUAs.  I also got a chance to assist a MUA, Ambrose who I find to be a great photographer.  I first met him during the Salon Showcase for Detroit Fashion Week.  I learned that he also does hair and makeup.  It was great assisting and watching him work because I learned so much.  He showed me a different way of applying foundation and also a different way of contouring and highlighting the face.  I have been applying my own foundation different because of what he has shown me.  He also made me work on an area I need to improve, lash application.  I would love to assist him again.

Ambrose

Ambrose

I also meet some other MUAs that I hope to do more networking with.  They all did a fabulous job on all the models and  LaShana Boyd- Lawson did a great job as head Makeup Artist.

LaShana

Aisha Brewer was the Executive Assistant of the show.  My Sands Aisha Brewer makeup was done by LaShana and dress by her mom.  She looked fabulous.

my Sands

my Sands

This is me after a long day of assisting.  I got a chance to catch the show which was fabulous. 

IMATS Toronto 2010 Series Part 3

Photos courtesy of Make-Up Artist magazine.

10 DAYS UNTIL IMATS TORONTO 2010!!!  I am so excited and ready to attend.  I hope everyone who is from the USA has their passport book(if flying) or card, or enhanced license to cross the border.  I made sure mine was here before reserving my hotel.  I have been checking out the site http://www.imatsshow.com to see the updates to the schedule and exhibitor list.  I also am getting my portfolio ready for some networking....

I will be so excited to be able to hear Keynote Speakers:

Taylor Chang-Babaian- Celebrity MUA and author

and Tom Savini- make-up artist and actor.

 

Whether you are a beginner or have been in the industry for decades things are always changing and there is always more to learn.

I will also be excited to attend workshops by Educators(I can't attend all, but if I could I would):

Kevin James Bennett- Multiple Emmy Award-winning make-up artist/www.inmykit.com

Dominick Briguglio- Stila’s director of sales and education for North America

Roque Cozzette- Kett Cosmetics’ director of make-up

Nancy Crossley- BeautySoClean creator

Randy Daudlin- professional make-up artist for more than 26 years

 Dani Fonseca- owner of The Body of Art

Kandee Johnson- Youtube Guru and Glaminars creator

David Klasfeld-owner/creator of Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics

Wanda Longo- International Communications Director at Cover FX

Guy Louis-XVI- creator of FuseFX silicone paints

Nadine Luke- director of make-up artistry for M.A.C

Eve Pearl- innovator of the Salmon Concealer®

Anabel Vargas- international make-up artist

Vargas- world-renowned body painter

Koren Zander -EnKore Makeup and Youtube Guru

Check out the speaker bio page for a better description of who they are and what they do and the IMATS schedule to plan ahead for classes you may want to attend.

I plan to definitely check out KJ Bennett's classes on Tool Time and The Complete Complexion.  Perfecting the complexion and the airbursh classes are my main focus.  Fall / Winter Runway Trends with Nadine Luke is another class I plan to attend since I have been mainly doing fashion shows lately.  Avant Garde: Make-up as Art with Anabel Vargas is another class I would like to attend because I love fantasy makeup also.  I definitely will be checking out Cracking Couture: The Secrets to a Career in Fashion Make-up with Roque Cozzette since I love doing fashion shows and runway makeup. Some of the things he will be discussing: backstage etiquette, must-have products in your kit, make-up brushes and airbrush techniques.  Faces and More with Vargas follows on the same stage so I plan to stay and learn from him also.  I hope to see the student competitions in between all the workshops. I hope to see you there.  :)

Don't forget to bring money, etc. for great products to pick up for your kit.

                                                                      Photos courtesy of Make-Up Artist magazine.

Tickets are still available for  anyone who plans to attend.  The IMATS site is being updated daily.  Check it out.  IMATS Toronto .

IMATS is produced by Make-Up Artist magazine

Fashion In Detroit Spring/Summer 2011

Hello Divas,

I am still here.  I have just been very busy with Fashion Shows.  I love being behind the scenes doing makeup.  This past weekend I assisted with Fashion in Detroit(FID) co-founded by Joe Faris of Project Runway Season 5.  I assisted doing makeup for both days of the show(October 22-23, 2010).  The show was held at Soundboard in Motor City Casino Hotel(Downtown Detroit).  FID partnered with Michigan based Forgotten Harvest who main goal is to tackle hunger and waste.  A portion of the proceeds from the shows will benefit Forgotten Harvest.   To keep this article short, below is the link to the website for more information on FID:     http://www.fashionindetroit.com/

Quote from site:

 

"Fashion In Detroit is a bi-annual two-day fashion event created by Project Runway’s Joe Faris to put a fashion spotlight on Detroit and create a venue that fills the needs of many locally based designers and the Detroit fashion community. FID’s Executive Committee is made up of the area’s heaviest hitters in fashion, beauty and event management, who are committed to creating a fashion extravaganza to rival other Fashion Weeks around the U.S."

Show Schedule Day 1 included Designers:

Adriana Pavon
Geftaki  / Julie Lindsay
Student Show
English Laundry Presented by Showtime Clothing
Ines Di Santo
Peter Hidalgo

Link to some pictures from Day 1:  http://detroit.metromix.com/

Show Schedule Day 2 included Designers:

Femilia Couture
Christiane Larue by Bonnie Foley
Moosejaw
Heike Jarick
Prophetik by Jeff Garner
Motor City Denim Co. by Joe Faris


Link to some pictures from Day 2: http://detroit.metromix.com/

FID also has a Designer Competition for talented fashion designers who don't get enough recognition for their work.  The winning designer of the competition is guaranteed a spot in the next FID event.  Checkout the website for more information for the next competition.

The main person I worked for indirectly of the Executive Committee was Rino, the founder and owner of  Figo Salon in Birmingham, Michigan.  Rino made sure hair and makeup ran smoothly during the show.  Estee Lauder was the Makeup Sponsor and gave us some wonderful products to use.  Lead/Head MUAs were Amanie Mokdad and Gysta Nuculaj.  Both are fabulous artists and leaders with wonderful personalities.  They were great to work for and they made sure makeup was flawless with the help of their team of Makeup Artists which included moi. We truly worked as a team to get all the models looks completed.  I worked with a wonderful group of talented Makeup Artists with a wealth of knowledge.  Each designer had their own looks from a hot smokey eye to an 80's vibe. The face charts were gorgeous and when we did the looks on the models they looked even more fabulous especially with the great hairstyles that were created.   

It was fast paced and a great learning experience.  Some skills I improved due to my involvement with this show include brows, tag team makeup, pace of applying makeup, blending, etc.  There is always more to learn and ways to grow.  I didn't get any pictures because I was busy assisting(barely had time to eat).  I hope to be a part of the next show and maybe I will have some behind the scenes pictures for you all.

I may do some of the looks and post them here and on YouTube when I get a chance.....
  

IMATS Toronto 2010 Series Part 2

Afternoon my Divas.  I have begun to finalize my plans for IMATS Toronto in November.  For those who don't know what IMATS is... checkout part 1 from last month.  As a Makeup Artist I want to present myself in the best light.  So I prefer to be prepared. I have ordered new business cards that I feel will be more professional.  I have also begun to put my portfolio together for the Afterglow(great place to network).  Update on the afterglow below:

"The Afterglow will begin at 6:00 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 6 at Canyon Creek - Airport, which is located at 25 Carlson Ct., just west of the Toronto Congress Centre. The restaurant offers a diverse menu of prime rib, rack of lamb, cedar plank salmon, double pork chops and more, and features cocktails, Belgian draughts and a wide assortment of wines. "

So business cards are here and I love them.  I still have to get my pictures printed and portfolio together.  That should be done by the end of the month.  I have a few more fashion shows to do and get 8x10s from.  Hopefully I will have some other jobs to do before then also.  The more faces I paint the happier I am.  My room has been confirmed for the weekend and car has been checked for the drive. I have the days off from work, passport is here and I just need to pack my bags to go.

I have checked out the posted info and I am ready to listen and watch Kevin James Bennett work his magic and tell us how to get "The Complete Complexion", Koren(Enkore Makeup) to tell us how to "Perfect Each Brush Stroke" and OCC's David Klasfeld show us how to "Create HD-Ready, Photo-Friendly Skin using Airbrush Foundation".  I see so many great things to learn.  I plan to be in workshops all day, taking notes and photos/video so I can perfect my skills. I also hope to hang out with some of my Youtube and blog Divas who plan to attend either or both days.   

Tickets are still available for  anyone who plans to attend.  The IMATS site is being updated daily.  Check it out.  IMATS Toronto .

IMATS is produced by Make-Up Artist magazine

Detroit Fashion Week Spring Summer Collections 2011

I had a great time being a part of Detroit Fashion Week Spring Summer Collections 2011.  Even though it started 6 years ago this was my 1st year as a volunteer and Makeup Artist.  I enjoyed being a part of so many aspects of the show.  My previously post was about the launch party so I will tell you all about the rest and post some pictures.

The Salon Showcase occurred at Douglas J. Aveda Institute in Royal Oak, MI.  It was not just about hair and makeup but also about attitude and clothing for the Salon showcase.  The models strutted down the runway posing to showcase the hair mainly but letting us know that the whole package matters... hair, makeup, attitude, walk, and clothes.  Even in our daily lives we want to look good regardless of how much we spend on makeup, hair and clothes.  It doesn't matter how much you spend but the attitude and walk.     

The Student Showcase occurred at the Royal Oak Farmers Market where we enhanced the beauty of the models to suite the designs of the clothes. These designs were so gorgeous I forgot I was at a student showcase.  Michigan has some very talented and down to earth student designers who are making an impact on the world of fashion already.  I don't have pictures to post due to being backstage and doing makeup on 3 of the models.  Even though it was my 1st fashion show doing makeup on someone other than myself, I received great feedback and advice from some of the other MUAs at the show.  I also watched and learned the techniques they used.  I also looked at how their kits were set up and what products they used.  It varied from Dinar to Temptu to OCC for airbrush systems with MAC Face and Body being used for some.  I used Kevyn Aucoin Sensual Skin Enhancer on one model and use MAC Face and Body on the other two models.  Both products gave the models a gorgeous glow that showed on the runway.  I mainly used various products by Kevyn Aucoin, Benefit, MAC, and MUFE on the models for eyes, cheeks and lips.  The models were so down to earth and great to work with.

The Designer Showcase occurred on Saturday at the Farmers Market also.  This time i was upfront and part of the volunteer group that assisted with setting up the show, assisting during the show and breaking down the show.  I wanted to do makeup also, but that was done at the Aveda Institute and I signed up as a volunteer host for the main showcase.  I am glad I also experienced this side of the show.  As soon as I walked in the door I was ready to work and they put me too work. :)  We set up the chairs for the audience, the runway and assisted with setting up the video equipment.  While I had a short break I had a chance to see the Drag Makeup being done by the fabulous Queens in the show.  I was amazed at the makeup.  I saw some of the best cut creases, contouring and highlighting.  They all did a fabulous job doing their own makeup and the designers of the collection of clothes their wore are amazing.  I love the outfits.  One dress I was ready to buy on the spot.

They started the show after a prayer from a local pastor.  He stated there are many talented people in the cemetery.  He explained that too many people live their lives without living their dreams and then die never knowing what they could have achieved.  I took that message to heart.  The rest of the show was great.  So many beautiful clothes.  I don't own the pictures so here are links to some sites and photographers who took some great pictures of the shows.

http://www.freeismylife.com/2010/09/review-detroit-fashion-week-salon.html

http://www.freeismylife.com/2010/09/review-detroit-fashion-week-couture.html

http://formzine.com/fashionshowsparties/everything-detroit-fashion-week-2010/

For Gorgeous pictures of JA Apparel check out the site below(She also keeps up to date on so many things happening in the fashion and music industries.):

http://risism.com/2010/09/29/dfw-ja-apparel/#more-3143

http://risism.com/2010/09/26/dfw-student-showcase

After the show ended we broke down the chairs, runway, tables and other equipment, packed it up and went to the after party.  I can't wait until next year's show where I will be a more experienced MUA and hope to do makeup for the Student and Designer Showcases.  In the meantime there are other various fashion, hair and trade shows and other various MUA jobs to do.  :-)