Cute Makeup Tips

I was excited when we got word that my favourite model, Tasha Tilberg, is the face of Smashbox's newest foundation, Camera Ready Full Coverage Foundation UVA/UVB SPF 15! Click here to get her smokey look!

Tasha is also the face of Max Azaria Fall 2008! I'd post a picture but it's a Flash site. What's even cooler is that the behind-the-scenes video features a song she wrote, produced and sang! Click on Collection then Video to see the video. Click here to visit the site!

Who coined the phrase, "I don't wake up for less than $10,000 a day"? It would be the stunningly gorgeous Linda Evangelista and fellow Canadian. It's a ridiculous amount of money but if you are at the status Linda was then why not? When you're a supermodel that's worked your way to the top then you can demand whatever you want no matter how ridiculous it sounds.

In my last post I had said I would dish on two models from the NAM Modeling Agency who modeled for the Jean Paul Gaultier Party on Friday who shall remain nameless (besides I can't remember their names!). It's no secret that Canadian models are a favourite in the fashion industry because they're all sweet as pie. However, that was not the case at the JPG fashion party on Friday. My philosophy has always been to treat people with respect and you will receive it in return, but unfortunately in the fashion industry you sometimes have to be a little ruthless to get any type of respect. When I do a job, I treat everyone the same no matter who you are - no better or no worse. I strongly believe whether the job is paid or not to do your best work and to ALWAYS be professional! Most of the young models I've worked with in the past have always been professional and nice. One as young as 13 blew me away because she clearly knew how to carry herself in a professional matter.

Friday night I was shocked - ok maybe a little surprised at a particular model's behaviour that I did makeup on because it definitely was not justified. Let me tell you, this chick thought she was Kate Moss in the flesh and even then it's not right to treat people like dirt! She was rude, inconsiderate, immature, and unprofessional. Yes, she's only 17 but you should know better by that age.

Strike #1 was: I had dropped a sponge I was using on her and I went to pick it up to throw it in the garbage. As soon as she saw me bending down to pick it up she snapped at me and said, "Um can you not use that sponge on my face please?" I rebutted with, "Don't worry I practice hygiene." I took a deep breath and continued with a smile on my face. I tried to give her the benefit of the doubt and figured she doesn't know how I work so I let that slide.

Strike #2 was: She kept rolling her eyes and sighing like I was inconveniencing her by doing her make-up. I kept thinking, "I am here to do a job so just let me do it!".

Strike #3 was: Another model friend walked over and they bitched about how dark the liner was and that they were so glad they could wash it off after. At that point I wanted to jab my model in the eye with my brush. When you are a model you do not have a say on what the looks should be. Any make-up artist will agree with me when I say we do not care what makes you look good(unless of course it is a personal shoot for you). Your job is to be quiet, look pretty, and sell the clothes. Do you think Pat McGrath consults with the models first before she creates a look? Hell no! It doesn't matter if you think the look doesn't suit you. It's all about the vision the make-up artist sees and what will complement the hair and clothes.

Strike #4 was: I don't mind if models chat with one another while I'm doing their make-up. What I don't like is when you purposely move your head around me to see your friend and that's exactly what my model did. I can't believe I did this but I actually waited and eye balled her a few seconds before I asked if she could look at me. After a few more times I stopped asking and turned her head in my direction which she did not like but I didn't care.

Strike #5 was: Her friend and her kept whining about how they were so tired of these fashion parties because a) they're only modeling for a bunch of drunk people at a club and b) they were not getting paid. She even assumed that there wouldn't be anyone important from the fashion industry there. Here's a little reality check to all new models or models that are still doing free jobs (excluding some editorial work and charity events): The reason you're still doing free jobs is because YOU'RE NOT A SUPERMODEL! I felt like spelling this out to her but had to bite my tongue so many times. Another little tip about being professional is to watch what you say and who you say it to because you don't know who they know or what they're capable of doing with that information. Never burn your bridges because you never know who you'll be working for!

By that point I wanted to get her make-up done as fast as I could and out of my chair. My husband could also tell I was not at all impressed. What I thought was funny is when she started to show a softer side after she realized the photographer was my husband. I don't know if she thought he was going to say something but she smartened up. However, as soon as he left to get food she was back to her diva attitude. I never like to wish bad things on anyone but I really do hope she does not make it far in the industry. Besides, her face is nothing to be desired and is pretty forgettable. If she does make it to supermodel status I hope someone will be honest enough to put her in her place before she gets there. Let's face it Naomi Campbell has already proved she is not above community service!

The above picture makes me laugh because I remember that was the moment I wanted to jab her eye out. I also thought this picture was appropriate because it not only shows my frustration but her back is turned to hide her identity. Remember - never burn your bridges!

As always at any fashion show it's rare that anything runs smoothly or on time. There's always the stress, drama, egos, and juicy fashion gossip. Well, last night at the JPG party it was no different. Why do we make-up artists/hair stylists do it you ask? Because as much as we hate it we love it! There's a certain creative energy in the air during a fashion show that we artists crave. We feed off each other and are inspired by one another's work.

Key make-up artist Ivy Lam is the wonderful artist that organized our team and created the beautiful look for the night. She was given very little information to begin with and was told the clothes would be from the Fall/Winter 2007 collection. The lighting was probably the worst I'd ever had to work with. We did the make-up using the club lights. Apparently they didn't have main lights but I think the owner was just being cheap. The look Ivy created for the female models, all from NAM Modeling Agency, was dark khol rimmed eyes, champagne colours on the lids, rusty orange in the crease winged out to almost to the temple, neutral cheeks, and glossy nude lips. The male models were touched up with a bit of concealer, powder, bronzer, highlighter, and lip balm.

After all the models were done and the clothes arrived we found out that the models would be wearing the Spring/Summer 2007 collection instead. The stylist and organizer Lulu wanted more colour on the cheeks in the rusty orange we used on the eyes and wanted the guys eyes to be lined with black liner. JPG Spring/Summer 2007 collection is boho chic with a twist of Native American thrown in. His line has a lot of colour and patterns which is why Ivy created a look that wouldn't compete with the clothes. The guys weren't too thrilled they had to wear liner and we weren't either. It just didn't seem right for the look, but as always it's what the client wants that comes first.

The models lined up to get retouched and weren't thrilled about it. Ivy, Mila, and I had to sit through their bitching and complaining about having to be there so long especially since it was not a paid event. Ok, there's was only about 2 girls that were being divas which I will get into on my next post.

After all our hardwork, us make-up artists and my husband that took the pictures for the event got to enjoy the fruits of our labour with complimentary drinks upstairs in the club. The turnout was a little smaller than expected due to the unexpected snow storm and the Versace party that was going on at another venue. The music was amazing and the crowd was pretty, fashionable, and pumped. The models were scheduled to come out at 11 pm but didn't make an entrance until midnight. We had assumed there would be a runway but instead the models were told to stand in certain areas mingling and dancing. I thought a runway would have been a better idea to show case the clothes because the models all clung to each other and you couldn't really see the clothes. They did, however, all come out at once and danced in the middle of the dance floor while we all stopped and watched. I thought it was pretty amusing and cheesy at the same time. We are at a club and the majority of them are in high school and us adults are watching them trying to be sexy and seductive. Something about that felt strangely wrong. They stayed out there for 10 minutes maximum and scurried off back downstairs. Some of them looked embarrassed and unsure of what to do. I felt kind of bad for them, but not really haha.

Our crew left right after the models made an appearance. We just wanted to stay and see the final product which turned out being anti-climatic. All in all, we had fun and it was just great to work side by side Ivy and Mila. I thought some of the models were great but the majority of them just didn't know how to sell the clothes and that's what it's all about. What I also found odd was that the party was advertised as "Parisian Nite" but there was nothing "Parisian" about the night. Bad marketing?

Another fashion week come and gone. Can't wait to do this all again in October!