Sneak Peak of Emily & Renee's Wedding {Monterey Wedding Makeup & Hair}

Makeup & Hair: Skyla Arts {Elizabeth & Carolyn, assisted by Erika}

Photography: Larry Nordwick / Creative Images Photography

We are excited to see a sneak peak of Emily & Rene's beautiful wedding photos, courtesy of Creative Image Photography!  We also did her bridal party, flower girl and ring bearer, and we can't wait to see the group photos as well!  Carolyn also colored Emily's hair - I really loved her new hair color! I just went WOW when I saw her! Oh and now both Rene & Emily sees Carolyn on the regular basis!  Congratulations again to Emily & Rene! :) From Liz, Carolyn & Erika!

Did you watch season 1 of Scouted on E?

How did a month just slip away, just like that? *snaps finger* I think this may be the busiest January since I moved to the Bay - which is a good thing - but not so much for my little blog! Which is why this is like 3 posts in one post, blogging about *new* work for 2012 and previous work from 2011 that never made an appearance on my blog because I have a bad habit of not blogging chronologically.  I guess that could be a goal for 2012?  Ok! Onward!

Scouted season 1 had its finale last Monday on E!  The show documents scouts from smaller markets and small towns, and submitting them to a scouting company in NYC where the experts put the model to the test on a photo/video test shoot, and then showing the images & presenting the model to Scott Lipps/Owner of One Management. Scott then announces his decision to sign the model.  Each episode features 2 models, and their home town and their lives is also documented on the episode.  We here in the San Francisco Bay Area were very excited for the show because one of the highlighted scouts is Kristen Kotik from Stars Model Management!! It also highlights San Francisco, and as Kristen said: "It puts us on the map!!!" I think it's really great~ considering the recent events of Ford SF closing their office.  Many artists/photographers/models are moving to LA or NYC - it's a bit disheartening BUT I believe that sooner or later San Francisco will return to its former glorious position in the fashion/commercial industry!  How can it not...We have silicon valley - we are the leaders of technology and such a high concentration of creative people! That's my opinion anyways~ =P

If you've been following my blog, then you might know that I love working with Stars & their models!  The models have great hair, great skin, and a great attitude. Oh and they are punctual! :) I first had the pleasure to work with a Star model Mackenzie Drazan back in Jan of 2010 with photographer Laura Tillinghast, who told me all about Stars! But the next Star model would be Jan of 2011, exactly a year later, when I worked with Kris Jung! So Jan of 2012, I was invited by Calvin Ma to do a shoot with Amber Robertson from Utah, who was on the show and now part of the Stars roster!  It was a cool morning, but surprisingly sunny upstairs!  My classroom of 3 months, Cinta Aveda Institute, is one floor down from Stars, so I was very familiar with the building, but it was my first time on the roof top!!! I think Amber has that girl next door appeal/bombshell combo, and maybe she can go as far as a VS angel! She definitely has the looks for it! 

Here is a behind the scenes shot of me fluffing up her hair! I'm into fluffy hair textures these days haha

Photo: Calvin Ma

The one below is my favorite shot of the day!!  I really love the colors! And the two following were my picks! :) There's a few more but I thought I would just post my favorite ones! 

Photo: Calvin Ma

Photo: Calvin Ma

Photo: Calvin Ma

OK! This is PART II - Lindsey was also featured on Scouted.  The previews of that episode really did magnify her morality/ethical contract and portrayed her as a Christian but when you watch it, I think they are great guidelines for a model under 18 to follow - like, no negative influences such as drugs/alcohol, no sheer clothing.  Watching her on Scouted, I was like...what was I like when I was 18?  Thinking about it...Ya know..when I was 18 until my 20s, I was much more outspoken, sometimes a bit too outspoken for my own good because it got me in trouble, and actually didn't benefit me - so I went the complete opposite and became too quiet/reserved/withdrawn; over time, unsure of myself, losing confidence. My goal for 2012 is to really tap into my inner confidence again - find my inner-18 year old, who wasn't afraid to speak her mind!   In regard to the confidence thing, I think I'm making giant strides and it's still only January 24th! I remember last year I'd feel hesitant about walking into a room full of strangers to network with them and feel the need to bring someone along - don't get me wrong, it HELPS when there are familiar faces, but I think I'm getting used to it, and as I find small successes, I will slowly regain the lost confidence back! :D

These are two shots from the 60s inspired fashion story, shot by Calvin Ma & styled by Cindy Tran

Photo: Calvin Ma

Photo: Calvin Ma

Last but not least, CONGRATULATIONS to Alwyn for being signed to One Management in the finale of Scouted! I had a lot of fun with my new Ben Nye color palette that day.  Sometimes, you just feel like playing and doing something new! I was really pleased with the dewy skin, and dewy nose and cupid's bow here!

Photo: Rummy Makmur

OK! The end of a really long post!!! Happy year of the Dragon!!  I hope you enjoyed some of the photos! I'll be sure to blog soon! ;) 

Happy Holidays! ! ! {2011 in Review}

Scrapbooking design generated with Smilebox

Happy Holidays everyone! ;)

I remembered a fun tool to make cards, and while I reviewing the smilebox (the only thing that's annoying is the ad, but it won't go away unless you pay their membership fee!!), a cute little tool to make online digital cards to send to friends/family/etc! Of course I couldn't fit every event in, but it's still fun to plug it in and take a moment to remember, and be grateful for all the opportunities I was given with wonderful clients, whether it be fashion editorials/video/film/news/catalogue/bridal/special events/makeup lessons!! 

I saw that they had a scrapbook and I thought to myself...why not!!! I've never done it before, but then again, 2011 has been a year of a lot of firsts!  Some notable ones for me..

- First time in NYC/NY Fashion Week!

- First time being published on StyleMePretty - California

- First time filming a 'real' makeup tutorial

- First time producing a bridal editorial (this one is not released yet!) 

- First time published for makeup/hair/photography in the Siren's editorial!

- First time getting props for a shoot, and buying the wardrobe (the picnic kids shoot in the park!)

- First time having/training assistant(s)! 

- First time doing 2 wedding gigs in a day (Even though I get multiple inquiries on the same date, usually the times end up conflicting and I am unable to accommodate 2 parties)
- First time winning the staff-voted RAW (un-photoshopped) Facebook photo contest! or any contest, really~ ;)

- First time having a public portfolio review (ohh nerve-racking! but worth it for the experience!)

- First time doing a full-on 80s makeup on my husband for his company's Xmas party!  

And here's the iPhone photo again for laughs~ ;) I could barely contain my laughter~ my husband, however, was fully in character for every photo.  He showed me an image of Rob Smith from The Cure, and demanded lipstick/powder and everything! He went through my jewelry box and found a random earring, and he asked me if I had any chunky necklaces to complete the outfit! Some of his colleagues barely recognized him but were 100% entertained and pleased with his look! It was a lot of fun! Bringing laughter/joy to people with makeup lol~!  I made my hair as big as I could tolerate it - I'm usually not a big hair person but it was fun to tease it out and have frizzy hair with lots of hair spray!!!

I want to take an opportunity to thank everyone for their support for my blog and commenting! I really appreciate the interaction! Have a safe & wonderful Holiday season everyone!!!

May 2012 be even better than 2011!!!  <3 <3 <3

Laurie & Aviv Wedding Video by Thomas Hughes Films

Laurie & Aviv, Thomas Fogarty Winery from Thomas Hughes Films on Vimeo.

Special thanks to Alex at Thomas Hughes Films for sharing Laurie & Aviv's Wedding Video with us! You can catch a sneak peak of us in action in the very beginning!

They make really beautiful wedding videos and had celebrity clients like Courtney Cox & Alicia Silverstone! 

Laurie & Aviv {Fogarty Winery Wedding, Woodside, CA}

Makeup & Hair: Skyla Arts {Elizabeth & Carolyn, assisted by Erika}
Photography: Deborah Coleman Photography
Venue: Thomas Fogarty Winery, Woodside, CA
Caterer: Continental Caterers
Florist: Design with Flowers
Videographer: Thomas Hughes Films
DJ: Joel Nelson Productions

Time to share another beautiful bride! I wish I could share a few more gorgeous brides, but I need to track down their photographs!  Special thanks to Debby at Deborah Coleman Photography for responding to me and sharing these photos of their big day with us! 

Congratulations again to Laurie & Aviv! Carolyn had the pleasure to work on Judy's (Laurie's beautiful mom!) hair color before the big day, and I also got to shape Laurie's brows so they are ready to go!!  The bridal party got ready at Palo Alto, and then headed up to the winery shortly after.  

When Laurie first called me over the phone - we shared a 323 area code, and she asked me if I used to live in Los Angeles!  We then had a meeting to discuss the package details and she had some questions for me, and then we scheduled a trial session. I always share with my clients that anyone can be sensitive to any ingredient, even if it's a "good" ingredient - it's good for a lot of people's skin, but not necessarily for everyone.  The benefit of having a trial is almost like an insurance policy to make sure nothing will react with your skin.  During our trial, we also tried out two different mascaras to see which one Laurie preferred!  It's a perfect time to get to the nuts and bolts of things - you would not want to stress or think about these details on your big day! 

I love the ambiance of Jewish weddings; After Judy was all dressed with hair and makeup all done, she told me she was ready to DANCE! As Debby's photos show you, everyone's dancing and having fun! I hope you enjoy the photos!  Happy Wednesday! ;) 

Gillian & Walter {San Francisco City Hall Wedding}

Photography by Roffna Principe
Makeup: Liz

Hair: Carolyn

Introducing...the Webers! I blogged about Jill back in May and shared a little bit about them.  It was our absolute pleasure to be a part of their big day.  The two families joined as one, and they couldn't have been happier!  It was a busy getting ready suite with the kids all excited after returning from breakfast, and everyone was excited!  Lots of smiling and happiness in the room; it was contagious!

As mentioned previously, it was my first time meeting her on her wedding day.  It was very touching to me that she trusted me enough to let me handle her look without having a trial.  Jill had beautiful skin, and I loved how the soft coral-y pink color looks on her! Of course without the trial, there is less time to 'play around' with the look - and Carolyn and I were so happy that everyone loved their look!

I'm a bit embarrassed to post this many months after it had happened! I simply lost track of the order I should be blogging!  This is why I still have less than 100 followers! =P oh well...! Anyways....! Please don't let my bad blogging habits stop you from sharing their joy! ! ! 

I hope you enjoy the photos of their intimate wedding celebration that Jill generously sent to me to share with you! :)

And now...some getting ready shots / Behind the Scenes! ;)

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! ;)