Published in Votive Issue 2: 12 page spread!

You can preview the entire issue or order the print/digital copy here! I am very excited about my first publication where I did makeup/hair & photography as well.  Of course I didn't do it all by myself - I had a great stylist Andrea, and my talented assistant Erika, and gorgeous model Annie!  I really do like what Mathew Jordan Smith says TEAM stands for: Together Each Achieves More! 

Sometimes...there are things you need to get out of your system and this project was one of them. I don't often get behind the lens because I was discouraged from doing everything, but occasionally when inspiration hits, sometimes you just gotta do it! I finished editing around the time we were filming our youtube tutorial, and I showed the images to Tim & Kris, and Tim the videographer told me about Votive Magazine. He said it had more of an Art focus and that my story would fit! Coincidentally, issue 2 was about "Artistic License" and we just had to follow that and it just fitted my story!  Yay!  

And one of my images is in the index too! ;) Well, I hope you enjoy the spread! ;)

Behind the Scenes [Beauty shoot - Jordan Part I video]

Makeup & Hair: Elizabeth Chang 
Photography: Novi Angelomio
Model: Jordan @ Scout SF

Woohooo!!! A reel!!! This one I recorded myself with my little CanonS95 and used CS5 After Effects for the first time~~~ It was really intimidating opening that program, so I had to watch a few youtube tutorials and ask Erika for her advice!  Anyhow...the indoor lighting during the shoot was very warm, so I applied a cooling filter to color adjust the video!  Again it's my first time fiddling around with that stuff, so nothing fancy, not effects or anything. 

We did a clean look before this, and I wanted to keep the look very 'classic.'  Jordan's face looks a bit like Rachel McAdams/Kristen Bell/Rachel Evan Woods combined in some of the angles, but she is stunning!  A lot of my work features really clean makeup, and I find that perhaps people might think that's the only look I know how to do...so I really wanted to do the classic smokey eye look and add some variety - I also want to do different colors smokey eyes later, but I  wanted to start off with the "classic" one!  I'm looking forward to see the images! :) 

Because Jordan's skin was a little dry that day, the foundation had a bit of trouble adhering in the nose area...which is why I decided to pull out my airbrush. Now if I didn't tell you that, could you have known and noticed the difference? :)  Like I say..the airbrush is just another brush, another tool in my tool box (Albeit a slightly more expensive one).

The whole shoot had a bit more of a New York vibe to me than the Bay Area...but I feel like it's good to change it up, keep it loose and interesting! 

*New* Makeup & Hair work!

Model: Rachel @ Ford SF

Makeup & Hair: Elizabeth Chang (Skyla Arts)

Photography & Styling: Audre Van Broers Photography

This is my first time working with Audre, and I was really looking forward to the shoot.  She is really awesome at styling and photography! Audre is one of the few photographers I know that does both fashion and wedding photography. I really loved the synergy throughout the whole shoot, and we completed the shoot very efficiently.  I really enjoyed trying out the strong eyebrow look - I thought it would look good with some of the outfits. The changes in the 2.5 makeup looks were subtle, and we did 4 slightly different hair looks.  Can you tell that I had loads of fun?? :)

Sometimes I put a lot of pressure on myself because there are goals I want to achieve, or the client has very specific requirements, and I am racing with the clock - in those situations it's just like any other type of job out there - work.  I'd say  it happens about 50/50, but the other times, I can't believe how quickly time went by because work is very enjoyable! And I tend to prefer blogging about those times, too~! :)  I love making people look & feel beautiful, whatever the occasion. When the client is happy, I get all giddy too! While I worked really hard last weekend, I was super happy through it all, and I need to remember that feeling and let it help me get through challenges I might face in the future...!

Anyways...! I am running out of my comp card (the 4x6 post cards we give out in our industry, mostly artists and photographers) and I think I am going to put one of these on my new comp card! I am excited to have new images on there! :) I think I might make one for my makeup/hair, and one for my photography now - before they were combined just for the ease of passing out one card, but I think because of how separate my target clients are for the 2 categories, it really makes sense to make 2!

Ok ok, enough of me babbling! I hope you enjoy the photos and that everyone had a great memorial weekend! 

Kris - Beauty

Models: Kris Jung @ Stars Model Management
Makeup, Hair & Manicure: Elizabeth Chang (Skyla Arts)
Photography: Rummy Makmur

I've been back from LA last week and finally returning to a full swing of things with photo shoots and bridal trials happening this past weekend.  I was just really occupied with enjoying the show that I took absolutely 0 images! I even brought my camera with me, but the whole time I was just focused on either working the yaby booth, grabbing items for my kit (including the airbrush kit! woohoo!) and attending the classes that I signed up for - as well as networking and receiving VALUABLE constructive critique from different artists! Now I am convinced I need to get an iPad lol...! Let's see how I do by the end of this year. ^o^ Other news, I've been busy working on my new website and trying to get it to function! And the last step will be to re-configure my current website and then...Voila! Rebranding done! yay!  

I am very happy to share these 4 images ~ There was one more but I found that these were the stronger ones that I like! Especially the black and white ones.  I want to thank Rummy again for letting me take the reigns on the creative direction in this one!  :) I wanted to do the darker kind of looks, and I had some magazine clippings/inspiration images that I saved ages ago.  ^o^ Kris (the gorgeous model) and I might get together and film a makeup tutorial! *maybe* But hope you enjoy the photos! :) And keep stopping by! Don't forget about me!! hehe

Behind the scenes / January Beauty Shoot & Glossy Eye look experience

First photo shoot 2011 in my humble abode!  01/22/11! It took a little over a month of planning to make it happen, and I am grateful that I was able to choose what type of artistic direction I wanted to do with Rummy as the photographer.  Additionally, I had to clear my dining area - It's still not in the most ideal condition right now, but trust me, before you could not even see the floor!  I had to clean clean and organize like a mad-woman this Christmas/New Years!  The purple-ish room in the back is my makeup studio! And we used the hallway as the studio ^o^ I used the super sticky post-its to make the "x" marker! :)

Introducing Kris from Stars Model Management!  Working Look 1!  I was going for a darker/moodier feel to the first two looks and I have to say my favorite results came out of the first look!  :) yay!

Look 2 (a) - I wanted to try something different with the lips, but it was competing with the eye makeup so I decided to....

<3 Dewy skin~

Use a nude lipstick instead! ^o^  Look 2 (b)

Look 3 (a)  Before putting on the Glossy Lids~ It was really pretty on Kris

Look 3! Before putting on the Glossy Lids~ I don't have any behind the scenes of the glossy lids because it was so short-lived~ =P

 

After contemplating for days what to do with the 3rd look, I decided to go ahead and try the glossy eyelid look after watching Jordon Liberty's Glossy Eye Tutorial.  It was my first time trying it out - and when I looked at the film, I was like whaat whaat~ Am I really bad at putting on mascara or something? Why were the lashes clumped so crazy - like spider legs?  I apologized to Rummy profusely, but after stressing out about it for 2 days, I discussed this with my mentor, and she speculated that perhaps I put a bit too much gloss on the lid, causing it to slide onto the lashes and clump the lashes - I think that's exactly what happened~!  I look at the eyelashes before the glossy lid was applied (2nd photo above) and while it was not as perfect as mascara ads, it definitely did not look like the mangled mess that happened after the gloss.  *phew* I am not the type that lets things slide...while there's no need to beat myself up about it, I think makeup artistry is not unlike other forms - it's a process, where you research, trial/error, perform, and re-do/repeat until you get exactly what you want!

I will be off to LA for the Makeup Show this week - it'll be my first time driving from the Bay Area down by myself *Fingers Crossed!* and I'm excited about the trip!  I hope everyone has a great week!  Can you believe it - it's already the last week of February!!!  I for one, cannot wait for February to end and March to be BETTER than February!

Beauty shot with Leila* & Rummy

Photography: Rummy Makmur
Makeup: Liz (Skyla Arts)
Model (& Hair Styling): Leila*

We set up this shoot months and months ago and we finally got to do it yesterday (which happens to be my husband's birthday!~ oops on my part! sorry!!) Leisha is super super experienced~ and I've been anticipating working with her for forever! In the end I selected this one to print in my portfolio and asked Rummy to edit it for me first! So..there will be more photos to come! I love Leisha's eyes~! I also decided to use individual lashes instead of strip lash this time since Leisha already has beautiful long lashes to give the eyes a little extra UUMPH!  I hope everyone had a great weekend!

Summer Beauty Story: Laura Tillinghast x Skyla Arts x Khrystyna

Model: Khrystyna Ukushu (Look Model Agency)
Makeup & Hair: Elizabeth Chang (Skyla Arts)
Photography & Post-processing: Laura Tillinghast

I'm so so proud to post these new photos from a photo shoot earlier this month! It is my first time buying/using hair extensions and thankfully the hair color was a perfect match (as it was none-refundable!) and it looked just so much like Khrystyna's natural hair color.  This is probably the most challenging shoot to date due to the weather conditions (very hot, and then very cold and windy! we were blown all over the place on the hills!) and also time-pressure.  I clipped on the hair extensions in a moving car on a sinuous freeway (the 280!) oh nausea - I definitely pushed myself to reach new heights. We raced against the sunset, battled for light!  So some of the hair changes had to be finished while on the car, driving on a sinuous road up and down the hills!  And of course, makeup on location! Despite the freezing windy conditions, we were still able to succeed! I was stressed to come up with 4 summer & airy makeup looks, but I'm super happy it all worked out! The laced tops and some of the flower hair accessories were provided by Laura, and I provided the cute beaded pink ring & the white headband! :)


Look 1: "Airy Fairy Look" - Coral&Gold eyeshadow/Romantic Curls

Look 2: Pink & Brown Eyeshadow/ Side romantic braid & accessories

Look 3: Soft Lavender eyeshadow / Middle part, twisted side-do, teased curls

Look 4: Soft, smokey purple with liner / Hair completely down.


Extra Fashion shots for Khrystyna - very GUESS ad! :)



Another favorite of mine:


To view some more beautiful photos of Khrystyna, please visit the Beauty photo gallery and the Fashion/Editorial gallery! Enjoy!

Beauty Story with June & Rummy [Part 2]!

Model: June Huang (City Models)

Makeup & Hair: Elizabeth Chang (Skyla Arts)

Photography: Rummy

Photo-Editing: Elizabeth Chang (Skyla Arts)

 

The above 3 photos are edited by me - Rummy will also edit some but I just selected these because I wanted to take a stab at'em myself and also brush-up on my photoshop skills.  I also wanted to print them out for my portfolio.  I don't think doing more creative looks is really my thing because I am fond of clean, natural makeup.  Believe it or not 2 weeks ago I lost a gig because I don't have examples of super glamorous makeup in my portfolio.  Although it's not my thing to try to work for a men's magazine, at this point I'm concerned about getting published so I'll jump at the opportunity to get published.  Sigh.  It's OK, I'll try to get published elsewhere, hopefully, a more appropriate magazine for my interest.

I've also started the process of reorganizing my picasa gallery as well as my Facebook Fan Page! I know it's silly, but I'll be happy if you follow my blog and also my facebook fan page! :)

That's it for now! I'll be uploading the photos edits that Rummy edits soon! Until then, have a great weekend!!! :D

Preview & Behind the scenes from Beauty Story

Model: June Huang (City Models)

Makeup & Hair: Elizabeth Chang (Skyla Arts)
Photography: Rummy
Professional fan holder: Elizabeth Chang (Skyla Arts) J/K J/K! I did hold and controlled the wind with the huge fan - it was very heavy!! my arms hurt

Above is a preview of the shoot we worked on last night!  Rummy (the Photographer) sent me the preliminary edits to check if I'm OK with his edits.  :) Super nice & considerate of him!

I am sorry for not updating in so long! I've just been really really occupied; there are some other posts I have yet to post! I should get crackin' on those~! But no worries, I will when I'm able to! ^^"  So this beauty story was shot in my home studio! (Which REMINDS ME, I need to post photos of what I've been doing to my home studio! ^^ I guess...check back soon!) This is the first time I "hosted" a photo shoot with another photographer, Rummy, in my apartment! It was a last minute arrangement, as the model who I had arrangements with "cancelled" which left me frantically seeking a replacement. Thank goodness June swooped in and saved the day!  I especially enjoyed June singing along to my playlist I had going - that's something I would do and have done while working - when I'm less stressed out.  I was like: "Wow you like this song too? Yay!!" I went right into working and forgot to take the BEFORE & AFTER photo - we were kind of pressed for time...Sorry!  June said she will send me a mug shot of her. 

So I had originally planned just clean beauty looks, but Rummy was interested to do a second look that involved more "extreme makeup" and so yesterday afternoon I did a face chart like a good girl (or shall I say, good makeup artist!).  This face chart is from drawn by makeup artist Jordon Liberty! I printed it out and photocopied it onto watercolor/aquarell paper, and sat down to plan my makeup look.  I used color pencils for the face chart, but MUFE Flash Colors for the face.  I double-checked and triple-checked that June is not allergic to the red pigments (Carmine, Red 4, cochineal etc.), and she assured me she used it before and had no reactions - I do not want to be liable or send her to the E.R!  But after her assurance, I went ahead and did this - I filled in the products used afterward.   
 

After I was done with the 2nd look! I had her hold it up to her face!! :D Actually, in the end I added 2 gem stones on the antennae. It was my first time doing this kind of look, so I was very nervous~ but I think it went OK! So I'm proud of myself! :D

Above is Rummy changing the lights - we used the wall in between my bathroom/stairways and kitchen! We moved Skyla's treehouse and a mirror~ All in all, I had a great time, and definitely got some great shots for my book (portfolio).  More to come soon!  Till then! Have a great weekend!

Laura Tillinghast x MicheStyle x Skyla Arts featuring Mackenzie

Photography: Laura Tillinghast.
Makeup: Elizabeth Chang (Skyla Arts)
Hair Styling & Wardrobe styling: Michelle Tan (MicheStyle)
Model: Mackenzie Drazan with Stars Model Management.

This is my first time working with the amazing Laura but I worked with Michelle on the shoot with Yifei Gu and I am happy to be able to work with her again! Michelle had the outfits planned and told me she was going for a teen vogue girly punk look. I thought the clothes looked great and the accessories were very cool! Mackenzie is 5'10, and with the shoes, she was 6'4! It was awesome! To think that Mackenzie could keep growing taller was cool too! I love to admire tall people! lol~ i'm weird huh?

The first photo is Mackenzie getting her hair and makeup done. The second is when she was studying some poses on Laura's computer. We did 4 outfits, 2 hairstyles, and 2 makeup looks! :) Mackenzie was awesome, and with Laura's professional posing pointers, I was thrilled and inspired on set! I am so happy for the 2nd "Beauty" look with the red lips, inspired by Alexis Bledel. When I saw Mackenzie's blue eyes, I was so excited to put some bold lips on her! I can't wait to see the photos, and special thanks to Laura, for being a great leader on set. I can't wait until the next time I work with either Laura or Michelle. :)

By the way, I added a Cbox on the right hand side of my blog, so if you get a chance or have any questions, please leave a comment or a shout out! :)

For more photos, please visit the Behind the Scenes gallery! :) Enjoy!

Fabulous News + New Testimonial

Very exciting news! My former client Simi, after posting the photos I took (with the hair and makeup I did as well) on her online portfolio, she has been landing tests with prestigious photographers! Here is a new testimonial from Simi that reflects her latest success.

"What started off as a simple makeup and portraits session, based on a whim, led me to sit in the apartment of Matthew Jordan Smith—the photographer who kick-started Tyra Banks’ career in the 90’s and appears on America's Next Top Model—five months later. Matthew was amazed with my pictures and that I had only modeled for a few months; he usually shoots agency represented models with years of experience. Many of the photographers I have worked with since—including Howard Rosenberg who has shot everyone from Justin Timberlake to the Dalai Lama—saw Liz's picture online in passing before asking me to model. Liz is extremely talented with beauty shots and she accidentally launched my modeling career; I now place her photos in the beginning of my expanding portfolio." - Simi Dhillon

:) Congratulations to Simi! My first reaction was: "Can I please meet Mathew Jordon Smith???" I love his work. Hopefully in the near future we'll see Simi in a magazine! Hurrah!

Kelly's Before & After + Portraits

This makeup & photography session with Kelly happened right after K & J's couple's shoot! So..I got backed up and couldn't work on it until recently! So sorry Kelly!~! Kelly chose the "Single basic natural head shots and portraits Option B with Makeup Application"~ we were going for the pretty Korean celebrity look!

She says:

"Skyla Arts made me feel "comfortable" with the occasion. Liz was great with her brushes. I almost fell sleep! She was accommodating and made sure she understood the look I was going after, and that it was "right". And she did! I had a great time at the party that evening, and loved the more "natural" feel to the job she did! I also loved talking to her. She was really sweet, and seemed to have a genuine interest in simply talking to me. =)

Thank you Liz!"

- Kelly

=) Enjoy two of my favorite shots from the set, and feel free to look at the other ones in my Portraits gallery!

Dolly Beauty shot with Kat* at LBC Studios!

Skyla Arts (aka: Liz) was fortunate enough for Jeff to lend her his studio space for these shots to happen! =) Model is Kat* (confidentiality is a must for Skyla Arts!) Her skin was nearly flawless to begin with! *jealous!* but of course, spending more time on the makeup means less time for retouching (I only really had to fix a tiny eyelash that fell on her cheek during the shoot~ ^^) Thanks again Kat* and Jeff! ^_~

Before Makeup (tungsten lights):

From Kat* Dolly Beauty Shots

After Makeup (tungsten lights..sorry I was in a hurry=blurry):

From Kat* Dolly Beauty Shots

With Flash (+tungsten lighting...)

From Kat* Dolly Beauty Shots

On Set:

From Kat* Dolly Beauty Shots

From Kat* Dolly Beauty Shots

From Kat* Dolly Beauty Shots