You can now get the same great beauty advice on the examiner.com. You can find product reviews, tips and tricks, and now step-by-step instructions to create your favorite makeup looks. We are super excited about this opportunity to be able to share our talents on a larger platform. Even better things are coming soon!

Click here to access the Atlanta Beauty Examiner page.



-J

Don't you love it when you get to work with amazing people! The great thing is that I get to do it everyday. I am so blessed to be able to interact with beautiful women inside and out. I recently did a photoshoot with Fresh  Johnson in Atlanta. Fresh is a radio personality in New Orleans on Power 102.9.Thanks to her great personality, some fierce makeup from Nuance Makeup Imaging, and the talented eye of Derek Blanks we ended up with some amazing pics for her website and promo ads.  You can check her out at www.freshjohnson.com . Check out some of her photos below:

-J

   Just because you are working out, doesn't mean you can't look great doing it. Whether you are striking your favorite yoga pose or sweating in your spinning class, there are a few products that are must haves in the gym. 

Being minimal is key, after all, you are working out! Here are four products to throw in your gym bag:

Tinted Moisturizer
When I go for a run, I don't leave without my tinted moisturizer. Tinted moisturizers are lightweight and sheer, just enough to even the skin tone without looking like makeup. Protecting your skin is important whether you are in a gym or jogging on a trail, so find a tinted moisturizer that has a SPF of 15 or more. Our favorites:

                                        
         Laura Mercier
Tinted Moisturizer SPF20 ($42)             

                      

    
Stila Sheer Color Tinted Moisturizer SPF20 ($34)


Waterproof Mascara and Eyeliner
Mascara and eyeliner are my favorite makeup partners. One looks even better with the other. The products work together to define your eyes. Choosing a waterproof formula keeps mascara from running and eyeliner from smudging. Our picks are Lancome's Definicils Waterproof ($25) and Stila's Smudge Stick ($15).

Lip Balm
Keep lips hydrated and smooth with a moisturizing lip balm. Don't forget the SPF especially if you are doing outside sports. Try Banana Boat Sport Performance Sunscreen Lipbalm SPF50 ($3).

 

Now you can look great reaching your fitness goals. Have fun!

- J

Tools of the Trade

If you are as serious about makeup as we are, then you're equally serious about your tools. Our beauty looks would not be complete without professional quality brushes to enhance precision and to insure a perfect blend. Over the years, I have collected a great deal of brushes (lost a few, some have been “borrowed”, and some have seen better days). Nevertheless, I have cherished each and every one.

Brushes are the most important part of any beauty makeup application; therefore they are the biggest investment. The cost of a professional makeup brush can range between $15 and $65, but worth every penny. In most cases the lifespan of your makeup brushes is up to the user. If properly cared for, they can last as long as your makeup career.

Brushes exist to make makeup application easier. So don’t make it difficult by choosing brush shapes and sizes that are challenging for you to work with. Be sure to take into consideration the purpose for the brush and how it feels in your hands.

Here are a few more tips when shopping for brushes:

1. Purchase brushes separately. Brush sets can be very general and may not include the brushes you need, so get what you want.
2. Natural vs. Synthetic. Natural fibers are better for blending. Synthetic fibers are great for foundation and cream products.
3. Size matters. Smaller brushes are best used for eyes and lips where precision is important. Larger brushes work well for the face for products such as powder, bronzer, and blush.
4. Soft vs. Firm. The softer the brush, the better it blends. Softer bristles also allow you to control the amount of color you apply. The opposite can be said for brushes with firmer bristles. Firmer brushes tend to pick up more product and apply product heavier for a more intense color payoff.

We are a huge fans of MAC brushes. MAC offers a great selection for our needs and the brushes are very durable. Some of my faves are:

                                                                               
#138 Pointed Face Brush ($52)   #224 Crease Brush ($29)            #210 Liner Brush($18)    #231 Small Shader($18)
     Great for face                          Essential for blending               Master of precision       Use for smoky eyes
                                                             eye shadow

Need to buy your tools in bulk? Try the Crown Brush Company . They have an endless supply of brush styles and colors at a great price.

Going Green! Nvey Eco’s earth friendly brushes look and feel great. The cool factor is that the brush bristles are man-made which makes them 100% cruelty free and the corn resin brush handles are ready for composting.

If you need help making brush choices, please leave a comment below. We would love to help you build your toolbox.

-J

It's the holiday season so you know there will be a lot of mistletoe around. That means your lips have to be soft and kissable. Winter can be rough on skin. The best way to combat dry, cracked lips is hydration. Here are a few tips to prevent and maintain a soft pucker.
 

This is a "no brainer". Find creative ways to sneak in moisture. Your options are not limited to bland, cold bottles of water. A cup of hot green tea is a great alternative. The idea is to get as much water into your body as possible. The more water that enters your cells, the plumper they become, which leads to healthier, smoother looking skin.

Exfoliate

Your skin has a natural cycle to rid itself of dead skin. This process tends to slow down in colder months and as we get older. To speed up the process place a small amount of Vaseline on lips and rub dead skin off lips with an old toothbrush. Another suggestion is to make a homemade lip scrub using raw sugar and water and follow with a moisturizing lip balm. If you don't want to take the homemade route try products like Lip Scuff  ($12) from The Body Shop or C.O. Bigelow Soothing Lip Buffer No. 1070 ($7.50).

Moisturize

I prefer lip balms and salves that are petroleum based. I like the weight of them and think they do a great job protecting against chapping thanks to cold winds. Lip balms that are "butter" based have a lighter texture and are excellent at holding in moisture. Search for balms that contain shea, avocado, or cocoa butters. Find a texture that works for you. Some of my favorites are Vaseline Lip Therapy ( $1.99), Carol's Daughter Lip Butter  ($7.00), and my new favorite (for the great packaging) EOS 's spherical lip balm $9.99 for a pack of three). I like the lemon drop flavor. 

Following these steps will allow you to heal dry, cracked, chapped lips. Its is a lot easier to apply lip glosses and lip color on smooth, hydrated lips. Now Pucker Up & Happy Holidays!

Keeping it Fresh

How do you stay inspired? I think we can all admit there are times where there is not one creative bone left in our bodies. I know I have and it is difficult to inspire and motivate others when you’re in a rut. Aspiring artists want a creative jolt just as much as you do. You dig down deep and you exhaust your thoughts to come up with something no one has ever seen or heard before (not likely, but definitely worth a try). There is nothing worse than showing up to an editorial shoot and having to create something “new”, “fresh”, and avant garde. So what do you do?

Keeping it fresh is not difficult, it is just a variation on a common theme, fabulousness, with influences that can come from very unconventional and intentional places. Here is a list of some of my favorite sources of inspiration:

1. International Magazines

I read domestic publications too but nothing is better than Italian Vogue! Check out fashion magazines from other countries like Australia, South Africa, France, U.K, Japan, and Germany. The treasures you can find on these pages are delightfully surprising. Not only will you see unbelievable fashion but an inside look of beauty through the eyes of different cultures.

    2.  Start a Look Book

Beauty professionals are visual. Keeping a digital look book of photos that give you goose bumps just makes sense. I have a folder on my computer that contains images that I have collected online; the bedazzled Louis Vuitton pumps, the Michael Kors watch, a textured clutch, a random woman wearing orange lipstick, a floral pattern via Liberty of London. It doesn’t have to make sense. Over the years I have learned to look at images with greater detail. I see more than just a dress, it is more about the way it drapes, the direction of the lighting, the shades and tones of the hues in the background, the hardware of the handbag, or the creamy lipstick and the individual lashes applied perfectly in the middle of the lash line. It is always a good to have a visual point of reference that may help you fulfill the needs of your clients.

     

    3. Travel

Reading international magazines is not the only way to see international beauty trends. Why not see it for yourself? I was in Rome, Italy earlier this year.  I was observant of the women in the city of how they dressed and the makeup they wore. I even found a great Italian makeup line, KIKO Cosmetics (http://www.kikocosmetics.com). While in Rome you can’t miss all of the awesome architecture and historic museums. This was an amazing opportunity for me and I can say Michelangelo and Bernini inspired me to be an artist with purpose.

    4. Go Back, Way Back

How many times have you watched Mahogany and marveled at Diana Ross and her many transformations? I’ve seen it millions of times and it’s like the first time every time. My favorite era is the 70’s. Beautiful bronzed skin, white eyeliner, metallic shadows, and gloss, lots of gloss. Going back in time with the help films, books, and photos is a great way to get refreshed. Every season is a reminder of time passed. A great challenge would be to master key elements of beauty icons’ signature looks such as, Audrey Hepburn’s eyeliner, Marilyn Monroe’s red lips, and Joan Crawford’s eyebrows.

This is just the beginning of a great ideas to keep you inspired. Writing about inspiration has got me inspired. I want to hear what your thoughts are so we can expand the list.

BRONNER BROS. INTERNATIONAL HAIR SHOW

I had the opportunity to work with Mcbride Research Laboratories and Design Essentials for this past weekend at the Bronner Bros. hair show in Atlanta, GA at the World Congress Center August 8^th and 9^th. Design Essentials is a salon professional line with amazing hair care products for every hair type. This year marked their 25^th anniversary and the launch of a new natural hair car line. There was a great deal of excitement from the company’s educators, technical team, and stylists.

            The makeup team was asked to provide makeup services for over 20 hair models. We were asked to create looks that would complement the three categories they would be representing in their training classes: coloring techniques, editorial hair techniques, natural hair care. Here are a few photos of some of the models that I worked with:

I wanted to place an emphasis the shape of the model’s eyes for this editorial look. I created a clean look with M∙A∙C eyeshadows in “gesso”, “handwritten”, and “tan” pigment. Fluidline in “blacktrack” was used with a #210 brush for expert precision. Her eyes were lined on the waterline with “fascinating” eye pencil.

The white liner is extended with the black liner on the top lash line to make her eyes appear more open. M∙A∙C “Studio Mist” foundation was used to even skin and M∙A∙C “Studio Sculpt” concealer was used to perfect skin around the eyes. She was also dusted lightly with a mineral powder.

The direction was to make the models look like goddesses. The golden glow was achieved by using mineral powder, and M∙A∙C “tan” pigment to highlight using a fan brush. Eyes were highlighted with the same pigment with M∙A∙C “tempting” and “handwritten” eyeshadows. A warm blush was added to the cheeks and a copper sparkle gloss finished the lips.

Here is another editorial look with a focus on the lips. Lips were lined and filled in with M∙A∙C “beet” lip pencil with M∙A∙C “show orchid” lipstick layered on top.  I kept the eyes simple but edgy by extending the eyeliner and connecting both inner and outer corners.

I always have a great time at the show. It is a great opportunity to network, meet pioneers in the industry, take classes, and see hair do things you never thought it could. I revel in any opportunity to be creative and do beautiful makeup. The next show is in February 2011. I will see you there!

-J
For more information check out our website: www.nuancemakeupimaging.com