Fashion Week 2013

For a makeup artist, there is nothing more exciting than Fashion Week in New York City where the latest trends in fashion and beauty are revealed for the season. If you are lucky, you are apart of the handful of elite artists chosen to bring the designer’s vision to life behind the scenes. 

This year I was able to stand side by side with a very talented group of artist lead by Uzo, Nars Cosmetics Global Artist, who imagined the looks for the Tribune Standard and Joy Cioci shows amongst others.  I also privilege of working with Francelle Daly, National Makeup Artist for Nars Cosmetics, for the first time awakening her vision for the 3.1 Phillip Lim Show.   

The two looks created for Tribune Standard were simply called Bronze and Brass. Describing her vision Uzo said, “I wanted eyes to take center stage in shades of antique bronze, brass and gold to meld with the North African-Arabic influences in the collection. Lips and cheeks are fresh in nude and tangerine.” The beauty of this look was the blending to harmonize the bold colors, which transcended beyond the brow.

Brass.

Bronze.

My model in "Brass" for Tribune Standard. 

My model in "Brass" at Joy Tribune Standard.

“Mermaids meet the roaring 20s” was the imaginative look created by Uzo to compliment Joy Cioci’s aquamarine inspired frocks.  This was my favorite look to recreate because of the inspired detail that went into it. The latest additions to Nars’ fall collection were prominent in this look, featuring shimmery blue and white eyeshadows mimicking the shades of the ocean and foamy waves, along with chunky silver cream blush high atop the cheek bones and glimmering on the skin to emulate the scales of a mythical sea creature. The models went sans color on the cheeks and wore a cool toned pink lip exaggerating their cupid’s bow and stripped down on the center of the bottom lip. 

Mermaid meets the Roaring 20s.

Look for Joy Cioci recreated by Mohawk Makeup.

Behind the scenes at Joy Cioci.

3.1 Phillip Lim was strictly rock n’ roll with Francelle’s 90’s inspired grunge rock look with a modern twist. The models donned clumpy mascara and lashes intentionally stuck together with bronzer just down the center of the face and barely there lips to emulate the edgy recycled makeup worn by girls who’ve been at a music festival for days. My skills as an artist and grace under fire was tested as I recreated the look, which focused on mascara (we used a minimum of 8 coats on top and bottom lashes), while two hair hairdressers teased and styled hair and two manicurist tackled manicures and pedicures. With only 20 minutes to do a full face of makeup, I wasn’t above straddling the manicurists working on the model’s pedicure to get the job done.

My back stage pass to 3.1 Phillip Lim.

Look for 3.1 Phillip Lim recreated by Mohawk Makeup.

Look for 3.1 Phillip Lim recreated by Mohawk Makeup.

The looks were all amazingly beautiful and creative. I felt so honored to be apart of the NARS artistry team and to be surrounded by the incredibly talented designers, makeup artists, hairdressers and manicurists who all worked so hard to create the flawless looks that graced the runways this season.  I can’t wait to do it again next year!    

Skindinavia

I don’t know about you ladies but I despise touch ups. The last thing that I want to do after I’ve taken my time on a natural daytime or glamorous nighttime look is go to the restroom every hour to reapply. The same goes for when I’m working on set or with private clients. Touchups can’t really be avoided at fashion shows because your typical model will chain smoke and drink coffee or some sort of energy drink until its time for wardrobe (which basically means the show is starting), but as a rule my favorite products are ones that hold up while still looking beautiful all day.

I’m always on the hunt for long wear products that minimize touch ups or refresh the makeup without having to reapply product, so I was very excited when I came across Skindinavia’s Makeup Finishing Spray.

While working on the set of Marie Osmond’s new talk show I was introduced to our resident beauty expert Kym Douglas. You may recognize Kym from network television shows like The Ellen Degeneres Show, The Doctor’s and Fox Good Day LA. Kym and I talked beauty products the entire time I did her makeup for her beauty segment on the show.  When I was done with her makeup she handed me a bottle of Skindinavia Finishing Spray and asked me spray her face to set the makeup. I’d used setting products before but this brand was new to me. After I spray her face, the freshly applied makeup immediately looked dewier and more natural. Her lipgloss was the only touch up needed before she appeared on camera for her segment.  I was impressed! I tried it on myself as well and loved the refreshing mist application and found that my makeup also looked fresher at the end of the day.

I did some product research later that night and found that the patented Temperature Control Technology is the magic behind the long lasting finish it gives makeup. Skindinavia caters to women with any skin type with formulas for normal/combination, oily, dry and mature skin types. It is also hypoallergenic, vegan, gluten free and paraben free. This made me very excited to use it again!

The true test came when I took the finishing spray with me on the set of BAMF Girls Club. I used Skindinavia’s Makeup Finishing Spray the entire 12-hour shoot on all of the actors with glowing results. Minimal touchups were needed on the actors’ skin, saving time and product, which is a huge plus for me. Not to mention they looked great on camera! This amazing setting spray also tucks away nicely in your purse for everyday use, making touchups on the go easier than ever.  Skindinavia’s Makeup Finishing Spray has definitely made its way onto my everyday essentials list!