los angeles makeup artist

How to have the best glitter hair this festival season

paradisebeefI will come right out and say it- I used to loathe glitter. I called it the herpes of makeup. As a makeup artist it was always such a struggle to get it to lay where I wanted. The mediums I would have to mix it with were sticky or runny and I always wished there was something I could have in my kit that would be versatile for photoshoots. Something I could use for photoshoots, but put in the hair or use over body paint. With glitter becoming such a trend in the last year I decided to do something about it and I grabbed a few of my favorite skincare ingredients and got to work. A couple weeks later I felt the base was perfect and started adding tons of glitter and SPACEJAM was born!

The past few months have been so exciting because I’ve been able to see my product grow wings and take off. It’s caught the eyes of some of the best talent in LA and even wound up being featured by celebrity hair stylists at Coachella. I’ve had the luck of speaking to a few of them about what and how they used the products and am happy to share some alternative ways of making your own at home if lemonhead.la SPACEJAM isn’t your…jam…

Here’s two ways to get seriously trendy glitter roots at home:

I. DIY with hairspray and craft glitter via @desiraecherie of @maneaddicts

Products:

  1. Bobby Pins
  2. BLAX Hair Elastic 
  3. Craft Glitter in Very Fine Gold or color of your choice
  4. R+Co Outer Space Hairspray
  5. Ouai Texture Hairspray
  6. Kardashian Beauty Metal Bristle Paddle Hairbrush

Steps via maneaddicts.com:

  1. Spray hair all over using Ouai Texture Hairspray.
  2. Create a center part all the way down the back of the headspace_bun_030-728x517
  3. Brush one section to the top of the head with a Kardashian Beauty Metal Bristle Paddle Hairbrush, and secure with a Blax hair elastic. Repeat on the other section.
  4. Spray each pony with OUAI Texturizing Hair Spray and French lace the hair for fullness.
  5. space_bun_032-728x543
  6. Twist hair down into a bun and secure with French hair pins. Use your fingers to piece the buns out for fullness; leave the ends out for added detail
  7. Spray R+Co Outer Space Hairspray down at roots and sprinkle glitter as desired.space_bun_047-728x505

II. The holy grail of glitter – SPACEJAM by @lemonhead.la

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SPACEJAM is a super concentrated glitter pomade that currently comes in 5 different color blends. You can apply it directly with your finger, or for more concentration use a hair color applicator brush or a synthetic makeup brush like Riawna Capri did at Coachella.

Products needed:

  1. Bobby Pins
  2. Small Clear hair bands
  3. SPACEJAM via @lemonhead.la
  4. Hair color applicator brush or synthetic paint brush 

Once you have your product, get creative! You can follow my video above or do whatever you want with it. SPACEJAM brushes and washes right out so you can be as glittery as you want not to mention it’s especially great for one night stands. #sparklepillows

Check below for inspiration and make sure to follow @lemonhead.la!

https://www.instagram.com/p/BFgzjafPAkC/?taken-by=lemonhead.la

Riawna Capri of @ninezeroone and @beautycoach_com using paradise beef SPACEJAM 

Riawna Capri of @ninezeroone and @beautycoach_com used midnight society SPACEJAM 

Riawna Capri of @ninezeroone and @beautycoach_com used crystal tokyo SPACEJAM 

Riawna Capri of @ninezeroone and @beautycoach_com used seapunk SPACEJAM topped with additional aqua hex glitter

Nikki Lee of @ninezeroone and @beautycoach_com used midnight society SPACEJAM 

Denise Madrigal of @ninezeroone and @beautycoach_com used birthday bitch SPACEJAM

XX MDMA

 

Makeup Mystery Theatre: Episode 4 (Starring GLEAM by Melanie Mills!)

I love love love GLEAM by Melanie Mills! I attribute it to me getting into the Golden Globes’ Weinstein after party with no questions asked. In today’s #MMT I had plans to be outdoors, doing something near the beach with a very good looking friend 😉 I wanted to do something that would look great yet stay appropriate.

Products used: (I’ve posted links for Amazon users)
GLEAM by Melanie Mills Rose Gold Cream $40
GLEAM by Melanie Mills Rose Gold Powder $59
Laura Mercier Radiance Primer $44
NARS Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer $42
Make Up For Ever Face + Body Foundation $40
Marc Jacobs Remedy Concealer $39
MAC Mineralize Powder $32
La Prarie Cream Blush in coral and pink $140
MAC Perky Paint Pot $20
NYX Milk Pencil $4.50
Trish McEvoy Eyeshadow: Antique Rose $18
Trish McEvoy Intense Gel Eyeliner: Black $28
Trish McEvoy Lash Curling Mascara $31
Make Up For Ever Aqua Brow $20
MAC Wedge Shadow $15
MAC Flat Out Fabulous Lipstick (PRO) $16
MAC Neon Orange Lipstick (PRO) $16

Brushes:

GLEAM Body Brush $85
Bobbi Brown Full Coverage Face Brush $42
Smashbox Crease Brush $24
MAC 242 $25
NARS Kabuki Artisan Brush $50
Trish Brush 50 $28

TOTAL COST: $850.50

Something new I think is important and different is saying the total price for the look. No one really talks about how much investment goes into making even the easiest look. It is not to brag but more so set realistic ideas of what luxury makeup costs. A lot of people expect makeup done for free or very cheap not realizing how much it costs to be a working makeup artist. I think it’s important for people wanting to be makeup artists as well, luckily a lot of products are available at pro discounts but most ultra lux products are not (i.e. ysl, trish, dior, la prarie). Start budgeting!!

xx MDMA

The Best Order to do your Makeup to Save Time in the Morning!

I often get asked what order to do makeup. Foundation first? Concealer before or after foundation?
In this video I break down the 8 steps to a flawless face and do my own makeup along the way. Write these down on a post-it and stick to your vanity. Do makeup however you like, just in this order and I guarantee you’ll save a ton of time and have better results every day!

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STEP ONE (Eye Base):
Make Up For Ever Aquamatic

STEP TWO (Eyeshadow/Eyeliner):
Trish McEvoy Intense Gel Liner
Dior 5 Colour Designer 508 Nude Pink Design
(MAC 217 or Trish 30, Dior Eyeliner Brush)

STEP THREE (Mascara):
Trish McEvoy Lash Curling Mascara

STEP FOUR (Triangle of Light):
Trish McEvoy Instant Eye Lift

STEP FIVE (Face Makeup i.e. foundation, tinted moisturizer..etc):
Japonesque Liquid Light 02
Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk 5.75
Beauty Blender

STEP SIX (Face Color- any powder/bronzer/blush/highlighter):
Ben Nye Banana Powder
Dior NudeTan Bronzer 002 Sunlight
MAC Margin Blusher
NARS Kabuki Brush

STEP SEVEN (Eyebrows):
Make Up For Ever Aqua Brow 15

STEP EIGHT (Lips)

*Sorry didn’t realize I sped through the liner! I was sick when editing this haha*

Trish McEvoy Barely Rose Lip Liner
Trish McEvoy Gorgeous Pink Essential Balm
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xx MDMA

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How to Correct Dark Circles Using Lipstick!

Here’s a trick I learned years ago and still use from time to time. Makeup artists take note! For most of you, if you’re only doing your own makeup it may be easier to just purchase a corrector in your tone. I like this trick because my skin tone fluctuates and I can mix with any shade concealer for a custom blend.

So Chaud by MAC is my all time favorite lipstick for doing this trick- I just couldn’t think of the name while recording. Any red/orange lipstick should do the trick. Make sure it’s an orange red vs a pink red.

Happy blending, bright eyes!

Products Used and Reviewed:

VueSet Lip Palette: http://www.naimies.com/vueset-tahiti-palette.html
Dymo Label Maker: http://amzn.to/1kzW3go
Paw Palette: http://www.beautylish.com/b/paw-palette
Japonesque Foundation: http://japonesque.com/luminous-foundation
Beauty So Clean – YOU NEED THIS – http://amzn.to/1kzWVkY
The Balm Concealer: http://amzn.to/1jIuMs7
La Prarie Flamme/MAC So Chaud: http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/mac-lipstick/3022868
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http://www.beautystyled.com

Makeup Mystery Theatre Episode 2: Concert Makeup!

I love these MMT videos because you’re in for the surprise along with me. When you’ve been doing makeup as long as I have or get to the point of owning as much makeup as I do, it almost makes it harder to plan out looks because there are so many choices! It’s like trying to order something at the Cheesecake factory.

Once I turn my camera on, all bets are off. I like the way this look turned out, I got tons of compliments that day and it was great seeing some old friends that night, I felt like a rockstar.
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Products used:

Eyes:
Trish McEvoy 24HR Shadow Pen: Cream
Smashbox Trio Shadow: Lithos
Sugarpill Shadow: Bulletproof
MAC Shadow: Greensmoke
MAC Pro Longwear Shadow: Uninterrupted
Dior Artpen
Chanel Le Volume Mascara

Face:
YSL Concealer
Trish McEvoy Instant Eye Lift
Temptu Concealer Wheel
Make Up For Ever Face and Body Foundation
Dior Airflash Foundation
Chanel Les Beiges 40 Powder
MAC Peaches Blush
MAC Margin Blush
MAC Golden Bronze Loose Bronzer

Brows:
Anastasia Pro Brow Palette

Lips:
MAC Soar Liner
Rouge Dior 123 Lipstick
Chanel Gloss 121 Beige Guitar
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There’s no such thing as the “Perfect Foundation”, so buy more than one!

Most agree, makeup is an art. I’ve always thought the different aspects of what makes it an art are fascinating. Take certain art pieces at galleries. Some things seem so simple and “anyone” can do it, but the art is the emotion it envokes from you. That’s getting a big heavy since we are about to just talk about foundation but the point I’ll make is that there is no perfect makeup for you.

I talk to women almost daily who need help finding the “perfect foundation”. Rubbish. There’s no such thing. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Yes, most of us will agree when something is just a bad product in general or when it’s the wrong color, but what happens when you take all the best foundations on the market and put them to the test on yourself? There’s going to be elements you like about each, and that’s why I sometimes need to have a pow-wow with clients and tell them “It’s okay to have more than one”. The idea is simply startling to some people.

Not only is it okay to have more than one, I recommend it!

Let’s change the word to “base” from now on since now there are Tinted Moisturizers, BB Creams, CC Creams and A to Z Creams (My eyes rolled so hard typing that but alas, it’s true).

I think first of all you need to look at your lifestyle and ask yourself if you’re a more than one base kind of person (I say person because I think it should be socially acceptable for men to wear tinted moisturizer/bbcream). What is your lifestyle like?

Most clients know the difference between a day time look and a night time look but would never think to do the same for their makeup coverage.

I have base I like for my days off (I love Amore Pacific Tinted Moisturizer, NARS Tinted Moisturizer and YSL BB Cream), base for work (medium coverage more natural ones like Cle De Peau Refining, YSL Temps Majeur, Armani Luminous Silk), and base for when I want to look really hot and “makeupie” (Dior Airflash, Cle De Peau Silk Creme, Dior Capture Totale, Kevyn Aucoin SSE).

I want to prove that beauty is in the eye of the beholder and take a totally unbiased set of HD photos using all high end foundations. So many people want to buy foundations based off of the advertisements or even based off of the fact their friend has it. Foundation is such a personal thing because the imperfections on your own face need to be covering to your skins liking, not your friends’. If you’re liking this post, please leave a comment about what foundation you like the most on me and why. Some colors are a bit off due to pulling them from my kit and not wanting to blend them in order to keep them true to their formula, so leave color out of your decision of what is best.

All photos are in their original format and untouched. Also, I got a little irritated towards the end as I’m personally extremely allergic to Bobbi Brown (the things I do for the love of makeup!).

1. Dior Airflash

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Dior Airflash 300

2. La Prarie

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La Prarie 200

3. MAC Matchmaster

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MAC Matchmaster 4.0

4. Bobbi Brown Foundation Stick

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Bobbi Brown Foundation Stick 4 Natural

5. NARS Sheer Glow

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NARS Sheer Glow Santa Fe

6. Illamasqua Skin Base – sorry I didn’t know the lighting was off for this until posting-

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Illamasqua Skin Base

7. Make Up For Ever HD

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Make Up For Ever HD 127

8. Chanel Perfection Lumiere – getting so sleepy…

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Chanel Perfection Lumiere Foundation 30 Beige

So after all of that.. which would you choose?

HD Foundation Test: Make Up For Ever vs Revlon Photoready HD

(Taken from Google)

(Taken from Google)

(Quite) A while ago I got curious while at Walgreens and decided to see what new advancements Drugstore brands have come out with. That day I found a lot of things I still love, my favorite being Maybelline Color Whisper Balms (compare to Giorgio Armani Sheers lipstick or YSL Volupte Sheer Candy). I was the most curious about Revlon HD foundation because luxury foundation, eye shadow and liquid liner is something I just can’t stray away from. I bought a bottle and brought it home, turned my studio lights and my DSLR on and got to the test.

The application of both foundations feel similar and I used the same application technique on both sides of my face.

At first I was extremely impressed with this foundation for being Drugstore. I liked it more than many brands I work with on the regular. It was nearly undetectable from the MUFE. But I needed to know how it photographed. I pride myself as an artist that not only can make things look outstanding on film, but natural looking in person as well, which isn’t the easiest thing to do.

Behold, the results, keeping in mind that these looked almost identical to the naked eye. Lighting is the same on both sides.

These photos are uploaded directly from my camera, zero altering has been done.

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With flash…

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And in lower lighting… I was also having an allergy attack so sorry for the runnyish nose, hey at least I keep it real.

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Both foundations had equal coverage to the eye, so if you’re looking for a nice looking foundation, I approve. However, it in no way compares to the Make Up For Ever HD which it is clearly a “knock-off” of. If you can’t tell which is which, the right side of my face (left side of the photo) is Revlon, and the left side of my face (right side of the photo) is MUFE.

If you’re a makeup artist trying to build a less expensive kit in the HD foundation department, I do not approve. Womp Womp!!