Styled Bridal Shoot - Spring/Summer Inspiration! {Allied Arts Guild, Menlo Park}

It is my great pride & joy to share a shoot conceptualized by Christine Le and myself to highlight the various wedding vendors located in the San Francisco Bay Area - specifically the South Bay vendors and hidden gems! We were hoping to submit it at the time it was produced & shot in June of 2011, but at the time there were an over saturation of stylized shoots! The photos were shot on film and are as is without alteration.  Nearly 2 years later, I am excited to share a few of the images here on my blog.  All of our vendors and the models worked hard and we are really proud of our work.  Watch the video now! :) :) :)

I also wanted to thank my friend Patty for agreeing to join!  What had happen was the original 'maid of honor' we casted had to cancel because she had to go in to work that day.  Patty & I went to grade school together in Bangkok, Thailand...we were supposed to hang out but I got the dates mixed up!!  And then I begged and begged Patty!  lol this is her acting & modeling debut! 

Here is the description of our project:

Christine & I drew our inspiration from the heart of California and its Spanish heritage. By juxtaposing a beautiful historic venue with modern elements, we salute old world

Spanish charm but present it with a modern twist!

Allied Arts Guild, a cooperative of artists, has been an inspiring sanctuary for artists and craftsmen since 1929. Originally owned by a Spanish King in 1700s, it was designed in the classic Spanish Colonial Style with tile work broughtby art lovers. The location is picture perfect with its exquisite over from Spain and Morocco and purchased Spanish-style gardens, making it a dream destination wedding venue. The Spanish architectural details of the red-roof tiles, archways, courtyards, and wrought iron reflect the beauty and history of California.

Our color palette of soft peaches, yellows & ivory was inspired by the warm California sunset as well as the hues of the venue's Spanish tiles. Indelisa Montoro from Royal Bloom designed the romantic yet modern floral designs. Also found in her charming boutique, located in the Allied Arts Guild, is the chandelier, vintage utensils and plates, as well as couture wedding favors like the bird nest our ring bearer is holding in his palm!

The groom and ring bearer wear custom fitted tuxedos provided by Eli Thomas. The lines and ruffles of the bride’s organza ball gown {“Chelsea from David Tutera by Faviana 2011”} echoe the motif of the Spanish tiles. Complementing the gown is a hand-made hair accessory by Bonnie Harper from One World Designs Bridal. Jewelry featuring an elegant organza & cotton flower on top of ivory feathers with a pearl accent in the center; it is placed carefully on top of the modern, side-parted low. The bridesmaid and mother of the bride wear Simone Carvalli – all gowns chignon on the bride by makeup & hair artist Elizabeth Chang from Skyla Arts, and the unique floor-length Sara Gabriel “Rachael” Veil are provided by BoLee Bridal Couture. Also showcased on the bride, is Yael Design’s bridal “Novelique” collection that is opulent and stylish –featuring a beautifully crafted diamond engagement ring. Jewelry worn on thebridesmaid and mother-of-the-bride is from Yael's “Lyra Collection” containing colorful diamonds, rubies, and sapphires.

Staying true to our Spanish/California inspiration, Tim Prestoza from Low Tek & Elizabeth

chose “Mi Corazon” (My Heart/Love) as the background music of our video, and the style of the digital videography –mixing the old and the modern - replicates vintage Super 8 mm film but is done instead (remove instead) digitally.

It was a surprisingly warm day for June, but despite the heat, all the vendors and models pulled out all the stops to create these images & video! We hope you enjoyed the photos and thevideo as much as we do!

Star Vendor List: 

Venue: Allied Arts Guild {Menlo Park, California - contact: Tiana Wong}
Makeup and Hair : Elizabeth Chang @ Skyla Arts {assisted by Erika T}
Photographer: Christine Le @Magnolia Photography {assisted by Erik L}
Videographer: Lowtek Studios {Tim & John}
Jewelry: Yael Designs
Hair Accessory: One World Designs Bridal
Bridal Gowns:  BoLee Bridal Couture, designer - David Tutera
Tuxedos: Eli Thomas
Flowers: Royal Bloom Boutique
Stationary: Inviting Ideas

Cast: 
Bride: Jana Molder
Maid of Honor: Patty Wu
Groom: Kelly Murphy
Best Man: Shane Swenson
Mother of the Bride: Astrid Tromp
Father of the Bride: Al Valdes
Flower Girl and Ring Bearer: Kelsey & Travis@ JE SF

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! ;)

Underwater Photo shoot & Top Model Attributes!!

Photography: Chad Riley (Chad Riley Photography) @ Look Artist
Makeup : Elizabeth Chang (Elizabeth Chang | Makeup & Hair)
Styling : Katie Quinn (Q the Stylist)
Model: Allie D. @ Look Models
Photography Assistant: Antonio Fernando

You may vaguely remember the Underwater Photoshoot Behind the Scenes blog nearly a year ago! It was a long wait for these images, but I'm really excited to share them with you!

As mentioned in previous post, it was my first under water shoot and also the first time I needed this degree of waterproofing (completely different from the typical sweating, humidity or longevity of makeup wear for bridal).  From the sneak peaks I was very worried that the makeup wouldn't show up, but alas, I was just nervous over nothing.  Allie and I were joking that it's called "Makeup Forever" because it stays on FOREVER. For this shoot, I had specifically purchased a few items from MUFE that I didn't own at the time, and that combined with the tricks Liz Yu from Yaby Cosmetics showed me, the makeup actually showed up under water!! woohoo!!!  The star makeup brands for this shoot that saved the day are: Yaby Cosmetics, Makeup Forever, and Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics! Also very funny, was that after the first look, I adjusted her blush way stronger after receiving feedback from Chad so that it will show up under water and I showed Allie the mirror and we were like omg Clown! lol! But yeah, we did 3 makeup looks that day to go along with her outfits, and it was quiet an experience, doing the makeup changes while the model is still under the water!

For the green dress, I actually tried to apply false lashes to see what will happen- it's not the glue that's not waterproof, it's the force of the water when the model goes up and down for air - it makes the lashes flop and go crazy, like a clam shell!

Allie blew us away with her underwater posing skills.  Katie and I were just gawking in amazement at how graceful and gorgeous she looked ABOVE water! We could only imagine what was going on under the water! :P

I know this is only my 3rd year working as a makeup artist (2 yrs and 3 months in!) but out of all the agency models I've personally had the pleasure to work with, there's only a handful (I can count with one hand!) of Fashion models who really just blew me away! Ahh please don't misinterpret~~! No offense to the other wonderful models I've worked with, but Fashion to me is a very specific category, attributes and skill set - some models belong in more than 1 category (ie: Fashion/Runway & Commercial, Fashion & Beauty, Fashion & Swimwear etc etc etc endless combinations) and of course you can also be a TOP Beauty model or Top Commercial model.  What I am trying to express is,  Fashion models are very rare to come by, which is why when they become the top models, they get paid the most money.  I really got to understand this after watching Allie under the water.  Before, I just didn't have what you call first hand experience.  I never thought modeling was easy, but just in case anyone thought modeling was EASY as long as you are a certain height, weight, beautiful girl, you can be a model - that is sooo not true...!

Qualities of a Top Fashion Model (according to liz...from my experience...lol)
- Intelligent, educated, articulate & cogent
- TALL + extremely fit & physically healthy
- Beautiful body & limbs (you can be super tall, but not have proportional limbs or odd legs)
- Understand your body
- Unique facial features & strong bone structure
- GREAT skin, GREAT Hair
- Versatile/Chameleons
- Independent & Adventurous
- Super professional (shows up on time, completely prepared for the shoot, positive attitude)

Some of these you can learn & acquire with experience, but others you are born with. You need the perfect combination!

Allie - you are amazing!

Green dress look features OCC Lip Tar in Pageant!!

Behind the Scenes [Beauty & Hair Editorial Story]

Model: Morgan @ Stars SF

Makeup & Hair: Elizabeth Chang (Skyla Arts)

Photography: Rummy Makmur
Wardrobe Stylist: Andrea Schultz Igreja
Makeup & Hair Assistant: Erika Taniguchi

Is it me, or is it getting HOT in here? :P  Rummy approached me about submitting to an editorial and I thought...we need a stylist! Fortunately, Andrea whom I've worked with previously came to the rescue! The focus of the editorial is hair accessories, and the theme is the model needs to look hot/bothered/frustrated. & of course sweaty! This photo shoot took place at my humble abode, and I had to REALLY clean my kitchen hard core - it was my own idea to best utilize the cool colors of my kitchen to contrast the neon colors for the wardrobe and makeup.  I have to say...my kitchen never looked so good...and it would never look so good again without gorgeous Morgan sitting on it!  I loved Morgan's look and her energy.  She goes for it, and has a positive aura around her and a pleasure to work with! 

The challenge is to make Morgan look sweaty - but it was actually a cool evening. Not only did we crank up the heat, my special formula to create the "sweaty look" worked fairly well I must say! woohoo!  Since it was an evening shoot, we were running short on time towards the end of the evening - The first look in the photo above (top left), was for my book - I had purchased some hair accessories for bridal and was eager to put it up in a photo, and special thanks to Rummy & Morgan for allowing me to put my vision into reality.  With editorials, sometimes you really have to look at the concept, and the wardrobe, and decide on the spot what you wanted to do for the makeup & hair.  Because of the bright colors, I decided to play with my OCC lip tars that I had purchased from The Makeup Show in LA, and went for a gorgeous orange shade. Morgan had long and voluminous hair, which is exciting to work with, but I decided on the spiral curls which was time consuming. We changed from up-do, to bohemian-chic curls, to sexy teased mane, to side pony, to side fish-tail braid.  We really rocked it, team! :) *high five* Special shout out to Erika, my talented assistant for this shoot! Because I don't have curtains installed, I wondered if my neighbors could peer in, and I wondered what they would think: "Wow there's a GORGEOUS girl sitting on her counter top...not the usual Asian lady cooking in the kitchen today" lol.....! This story will be out in June! Stay tuned for more of beautiful Morgan! 

What you should know before hiring a Makeup Artist

Happy new year!! May 2011 top 2010 for everyone!!! I can't believe I'm blogging again today since I blogged yesterday! This is one of my goals...to blog more but...I'm realistic, I can only try my best! ^o^

This post is inspired by a recent conversation I had with my sister-in-law during her visit over Thanksgiving, and also my partner's fraternity brothers who were visiting town recently.  The core of what led me to write this post is unsanitary practices I've witnessed in the past - and also, I become really surprised when models (who get makeup done all the time for their jobs) would compliment me for being super sanitary and when I pull out my disposable mascara wands, they say to me: "Oh it's so good you are careful (with mascara) and use disposables!"  My reaction on my face is: "You mean...you've worked with OTHER ARTISTS WHO DON'T USE DISPOSABLES WITH MASCARA!??!?!" But most people don't get their makeup done everyday (unless you are a reality tv star! ;P)  and so I'm wondering if clients who are searching for their makeup artists, or go to a trial session know how check these things.  I've had my makeup done for my brother-in-law & sister-in-law's wedding (it was nice to receive makeup application for once!!!) but I was freaking out the whole time...I can't help but wonder how these artists get away with those things.....freaks me out.........so how do you separate a good professional makeup artist, and....not?  These are 100% my personal opinions and sentiments~ although they are shared by many artists out there!!! 

Before I get started, I highly recommend the following blog posts by makeup artist Jessica Jean Mayers:

Not-So-Glamorous Life of a Makeup Artist & Weddings - Makeup Artists rule to live by !  When I saw these posts I can't help but go: "Omg~ so true~ exactly how I feel~" ^^|| So I'm going to follow Jessica's footsteps and add a couple things in my own blog just in case you don't know these things already! 

What you should know (or find out!) before hiring a Makeup Artist (abbreviated as 'MUA') / Indicators of professionalism

1. Does the artist practice proper sanitation? 

...Basic, but can be overlooked.  I've seen scary stuff in person, and especially on youtube...*shiver...* gives me the CREEPS.

Good sanitation practices to look for:

• Does the artist use clean brushes and sanitize the brushes in between clients? 
• Does the artist wash hands or use hand sanitizer before touching your face?  Does the artist wash/sanitize hands in between clients?
• Does the artist use palette knifes or disposable spatulas to remove cream/liquid products from a jar onto a clean surface (clean hands or clean palette) and using a clean brush or clean fingers to apply it on your face? 
• Does the artist clean the implements in between dipping into products (aka: not double dipping and preventing cross-contamination?) Does the artist use disposable mascara wands? 
• Does the artist disinfect tweezers and scissors with proper disinfection solutions?  
• Does the artist bring clean implements (tweezers, lash curler) and disposables in a clean or separate container, free from exposure to moisture and bacteria?
• Does the artist place soiled items in a designated bag (for reusable items) and throw disposables/trash away?

Bad, unsanitary practices to look out for:

• Does the artist use products straight from the tub of product and on to your face? or straight out of a mascara tube?
• Does the artist apply lash glue straight from the tube? 
• Does the artist uses a lip brush straight from the tube and then double dip on to the lipstick to apply more lipstick on your lips? 
• Does the artist BLOW on the lash glue or the eyeshadow brush OR the blush brush!?!??! Do you like spit on your face?  or near your eyes on the false lashes?!?
• Does the artist have a habit of touching his/her face and hair before touching your face?

Unfortunately you can only find out these things from either former clients, or meeting them for a trial session.  If they don't practice good sanitation habits on you, they probably didn't on their other clients..and round and round the germs goes...!  I can't stress how important it is...I'm probably considered very strict on even the little-st things, but I know artists who are as strict as I am - and I can tell you that if the artist doesn't practice sanitation practices, you can get:

• Pink-eye (conjunctivitis) or Staph (MSRA) infections in the eye area
• Herpes Simplex (cold sore) - can be spread from mouth, to the nose area or even eyes 
• Exposure to blood-borne pathogens: HIV virus, Hepatitis, etc.
• Actually - there are many more communicable diseases you can catch...Tetanus/Diptheria, food poisoning, tuberculosis, strep throat, blood poisoning, pneomonia, typhoid fever 

What!? HIV? from makeup application? lol Yes chances are lower than say a bacterial infection - but sometimes when you tweeze brows or if their skin have open sores/abscess where blood comes out (including acneic pustules or just injuries where there might be blood), and let's say they use a dirty/contaminated brush or implement, and then apply it onto YOUR face and you just happen to have open skin (think cuts, sores, or open skin from acne) then bam! You are exposed to blood-borne pathogens..Do I look like I'm joking around here?  In Asia it's common to use a blade to groom brows - but if you are not careful, you can easily CUT - no matter how small the cut is - and if you don't dip that implement into approved disinfection solution for 10 minutes (immersed), and then cleansed before using it on the next client, you are exposing all of your clients to potential blood borne pathogens.

How do you know the MUA is doing all of this behind the scenes or even in front of me? 

YOU as the consumer and the client are RESPONSIBLE for preventing unsanitary practices from happening to you.  If during the trial session, the makeup artist comes at you with the mascara straight out of the tube, it is YOUR right to DEMAND a fresh tube of mascara and using disposables and PROTECT YOURSELF from getting pink-eye or staph infections! If at ANY TIME you are uncertain, it is your RIGHT to stop the artist from using contaminated materials on your face.

Of course, hiring a 'true professional' and not a hobbyist will make a difference, but how can you REALLY tell before meeting them?  You still have to be vigilant and protect yourself!!!  I went to a reputable spa one time to check it out as a potential work place (No I don't want to work there after my experience...) but at the end of the service, the esthetician FORGOT to put sunscreen on my face, and when I asked the front desk to ask for me, she confirmed this and then told me I can use the 'mineral makeup with SPF' with the kabuki brush on the counter - first of all, the brush is obviously exposed to germs and not covered, and second of all, IT WAS DIRTY. I demanded a brush cleaner and thankfully the receptionist brought it over quickly - this is my right - I ain't gonna expose myself to unnecessary germs and definitely not going to expose myself to UV rays after a facial!!!! I haven't really gone to another spa since~ but I'm sure other spas are not like this! Unacceptable in my books.  I had this conversation with my friend who is a dentist - and we were both like "EWEEEE!!!!!! THAT'S DANGEROUS & GROSS" lol...but really, you don't have to be in the medical profession to spot bad sanitation practices and appreciate good sanitary makeup artists!!! 

Please click to read the rest of this blog~ and see #2-4 and my conclusion to this post! :)

Behind the Scenes Editorial Photo shoot

Photography: Pam Sta Cruz

Makeup & Hair: Elizabeth Chang (Skyla Arts)
Designer & Wardrobe Stylist: Phuong My
Models: Lauren Fletcher @ City & Chrissy

Last time I tried to work with Pam & designer Mymy, it happened during the freakin' GIANTS parade...I'm sorry - while I'm happy that they won the world series, I don't appreciate the parade making me miss the photo shoot completely!!!  I was moving 2 blocks per hour, and at that rate, I would have never made it to the shoot since I had to take a 10+ block detour (at 2 blocks per hour!! the sun would have set and it was an outdoors shoot!!!) so I had to just get out of San Francisco...Pam & Mymy were so nice about it~ I was really touched...and  I am just so happy that finally I got to work with them this time and two amazing models, Lauren & Chrissy.  Phuong My is a super talented, confident & young designer - even though I'm not knowledgeable in clothing and couture and won't pretend to be, watching her work and make these clothes and the hats (Yes! she made them herself!) is really really remarkable & inspiring!!!  My favorite one was a purple hat that I unfortunately didn't snap a photo of!! But I was like @o@!!!! AWESOME!  WOW!  lol~ literally.

I was scheduled to do hair, but unfortunately the hair stylist could not make it - and due to time constraints, it was very stressful and Mymy and I had to brain storm really quickly to come up with a solution that works with the outfits and the time constraints.  Mymy described that Lauren will have the softer smokey look with red lips, and Chrissy will have the darker smoldering look for the "bad sister" whereas Lauren is the "good sister" (never done anything bad in her life).  I just tried my very best, had fun with it, and I am happy with the results! Armed with more experience between the last editorial I worked on, I am just keeping my fingers crossed about this fashion story getting published!!! :D I was sharing that sentiment on set, and Mymy said: "What are you talking about; OF COURSE it will get published!!!"  ;) *fingers crossed*  Since we are still waiting to hear, the final images won't be shared until ...after we know! :)

These images  on the blog are taken with my brand new canon s95! I love it!! It was very dim/dark at the hotel in SF so I'm so happy to have the Canon S95!!

Lauren is smiling at me, the photo stalker! ;) I LOVED the lines on the back of her dress

Chissy working it on top of the fire place!  Loved the jacket!!

Pam taking the photos~ Mymy watching on the side!

@ The lobby~ Lauren looked really stunning

This was before Christmas and Mymy found a X'mas ornament that inspired her; although...I don't think it worked out! Lauren is thinking: "omg I have a x'mas ornament on my head!"

Behind the scenes! This shot was REALLY AMAZING! One of my fav!!!

LOVED this outfit too! The skirt part of the dress looked amazing. Mymy adjusting her outfit~ The vintage phone was super awesome! 

Last scene before the big wrap for the evening! Chrissy had a small change in lip color, and their cheek colors were intensified a little! :D

Super proud of our team work!!!!  Yay! Until next time, everyone have a great holiday and new years! :) 

NeoBohemian Fashion Story with Cecilia Austin

Model: Niamh Parsley 
Makeup: Elizabeth Chang (Skyla Arts) 
Hair: Ciara Robles
Wardrobe: Chaine Leyendecker and Hannah Trevino
Photography & Post-processing: Cecilia Austin

I finally finally posted these photos! I'm catching up slowly~ ^^ We did three looks that were all dropped eyeshadow looks that started 'clean' and gradually transitioned into smokey.  The theme was neo-bohemian traveler inspired. Cecilia is also a fine art photographer, so her compositions and background selections are always so inspiring! I received lots of compliments after applying Niamh's foundation~ :) Cecilia also named the story as "Under her Spell" but I thought I would just use a different title for my blog just so I'm not directly lifting from Cecilia! :) I also think the whole story fits the NeoBohemian theme~ teehee! The crew really liked the way I applied her highlighter and blush and loved the way her skin looked and glowed! yay! There were 4 outfits~ I think outfit #1 (by the window, shorts) and #4 (rock'n'roll with the boots and hat) are my favorite.  I have been enjoying the world cup this weekend while doing a bunch of chores and work! The warm weather is not very pleasant, though...! I hope everyone had a great weekend!!

Some behind the scenes! lol I don't look too good in this photo, but that's ok! haha The photo to the right, is Hannah (wardrobe), Ciara doing some final touches to Niamh's hair, and Chaine (wardrobe) to the right. We were a great team! 

To view some more beautiful photos from the shoot please visit the Fashion/Editorial gallery! Enjoy!

Black Story - Final photos!

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

Hurrah! The final photos from this shoot is here! I am super proud of the work we produced as a team! I can't wait to work with them again! I'm a little backed up with my posts...! life is a bit crazy....but I hope I don't lose my visitors! *fingers crossed*

For more photos, please visit my website, Skyla-Arts.com and click Makeup>Fashion/Editorial or Beauty! :) Enjoy!