Sunday, January 26, 2014

IMATS LA 2014

Happy Sunday! 

One week ago I was enjoying the 80 Degree weather, palm trees and witnessing amazing makeup artists showcasing their work! 

Yes, I had the pleasure of attending the IMATS (International Makeup Artist Trade Show) in Los Angeles this year! 

Now, I've never gone to the IMATS before. It was my first experience and it was really wonderful. 
I flew in with my partner in crime, good friend and talented artist-- Martina Sykes. 
She'd been the year before and had a lot of good tips for navigating the show. 

Before I booked my flight, she made sure I had applied (and gotten approved!) for the Makeup Artist Magazine Pro Card. This enables me to go to any Pro Only events before/after the show, it also enables me to have front row seating for the seminars. 

I'm so thankful she told me about it! I had no idea, and it really made a big difference in the experience (from what I've heard!)

FRIDAY
The two of us met at the airport, and to my surprise, two other lovely friends and extremely talented SFX artists from Cirque FX, Crystal and Beka were also on our flight! 

After escaping the Negative degree, snowy Chicago, we landed in Sunny LA! We were REALLY excited to be there :) 


We took a shuttle over to the Sheraton in Pasadena-- we were staying there and it was oh so conveniently connected to the convention center with the IMATS!

We checked in and after freshening up the two of us HAD to get some food before attending the PRO Only shopping event. 

So off we headed to El Cholo for some Mexican fare and margaritas. It was well deserved, and helps with the crowds ;) 

We were also given a complimentary post card with our photos on it! 


Hah! We thought it made for a good souvenir!

Anyway-- Finally made it into the IMATS- and while it was crowded, it was not nearly as bad as it was about to be (ahem, Saturday)

So we shopped! I purchased some kit staples, like Eye shadow primer, and moisturizer, etc etc. I got to shop Naimies, Frends, Embryolisse, Nurturing Force, Alcone.. and so many more! 

SATURDAY
This was the day I was most excited about! 

Friday was all about shopping, Saturday was all about learning! I had so many seminars/classes I wanted to sit in on-- all back to back to back. 
This is where Martina and I parted ways. She has a love for Character makeup for Film and TV, where I have a passion for beauty/celebrity makeup.

You can view her experience here

After waiting in a veeeeery long line, I made my way into my first sit down seminar-- 

GAINING REPRESENTATION
**Featuring two LA agents**
Madeline Leonard of Cloutier Remix
and 
Dion Peronneau of Peronneau Agency

I was really interested in sitting in on this particular seminar, because I am a self made, self-represented artist. I always have been. 
I've had the opportunity to get represented a couple different times by agencies here in Chicago, but it just didn't seem right for me. Now that I'm looking for work in LA, I wanted to learn more about representation there. 
I wanted to know what they look for in portfolios, personalities, and what type of work they get their artists. 

I think the best part was being able to speak with these ladies after their presentation- Madeline was incredibly generous with her time (I'd actually reached out to her agency over the summer, inquiring about a meeting when I was there last!), and her agency has been so lovely and helpful. 

Following next I saw...
REDEFINED BEAUTY AND THE HI-DEF MYTH
**Taught by**
Sian Richards: Founder and owner of London Brush Company

If you don't know who Sian Richards is, I suggest you look her up immediately! She has worked on many incredible films. Watching Sian work was very inspiring. I loved her aesthetic, and hearing her stories were priceless! 
She did half of her model's face with Kryolan's Dermacolor palette. It was really incredible to watch, because she just used a dry brush and worked it gently all over the skin. It was so lightweight and skin like-- I was really dumfounded! Usually when I think of this product, it's being used for heavier coverage, so it was really great to see it being used in a day to day makeup. 
The other half, she used an HD specified line-- it was heavier, and definitely didn't show much of the model's skin. The model remarked that the side with the kryolan didn't even feel like she was wearing anything! 
SOLD! 
Here's the palette from Kryolan's site... 

After speaking with Sian, I caught up to the next seminar... 

COLOR FUNDAMENTALS
with 

Part of the reason why I wanted to see Autumn's class was because I read her bio and saw that she was part time in Chicago and part time in LA-- exactly what I want to do! On the way to LA, I learned from Martina, that they are actually friends! So I had to see her!

She was a great instructor, very easy to watch. Most of the information in the class I already knew, but I did pick up a lot from watching her work. She had some interesting tips, especially when it came to skincare. She has a background in Esthetics so I was trying to absorb as much as I could from that! 

RED CARPET MAKEUP
with 

I've been following Terri's work for some time now. I even tried reaching out to her last time I was in LA about assisting or taking her to coffee-- she got back to me! 
This was a great chance to see how she works (which was also very reassuring because we have a similar aesthetic and do a lot of the same things), as well as taking the opportunity to introduce myself to her. 
She has a great personality, and had some really great stories! The final product was beautiful (as to be expected), with clean skin, lashes and a bold lip. 

LASTLY!!!

Between Autumn's and Terri's seminars, I ran into Madeline (from Cloutier) and she introduced me to the lovely, Kendra Richards. Kendra and I chatted for a good chunk of time before she informed me that she was hosting a seminar herself that afternoon-- which I'd already highlighted and planned on attending!

CREATING THE APPEARANCE OF FLAWLESS- LOOKING SKIN
with 

Kendra has worked on some really stunning beauty ads, commercial work and magazine spreads. Watching her work was a dream...
She had a lot of little tips for covering small imperfections- some I knew, but some I hadn't mastered and it was really helpful to watch.  
Her final result was breathtaking- clean, hydrated, skin. So beautiful. 

She has also recently launched a new skin product, called Heir Atelier. A one step prep product- everyone in the seminar received a free sample and I'm so excited to try it! 

SUNDAY
Our last day at the IMATS arrived and I was already pretty beat from networking, talking, shopping and learning! 

Considering Martina and I din't have much we wanted to see right int he morning, we decided to treat ourselves to a nice breakfast. After walking back to the convention center, I just popped my head into a few different seminars. I watched some very talented artists work-- which is always fascinating to me. I love being able to see other people work, no matter what your art form. 

Here are a few I caught a glimpse of...
Kevin James Bennett
Luis Casco
Cory Bishop
Eugenia Weston

and then I lost motivation. I was SO tired and had spent all my time inside a convention center! So I left to lay by the pool for a bit of sun and alone time... 

Aside from the IMATS, I had the pleasure of seeing Chicago's very talented photographer (and friend) Grant Legan on Friday night for a party in the fashion district. 

As for Monday... 
I had the chance to meet up with friend and photographer Braden Moran for a quick head shot session before heading to lunch with my cousin and then the sad sad drive to the airport! 

It was a jam packed weekend that I really enjoyed. I feel completely re-energized, inspired, and assured that I'm on the right track and in the right field. 

Until next year! 

xoxo Jen


Tuesday, January 14, 2014

2014 Golden Globes

Hello lovelies! 
It's been a few months since my last post, but I swear I'll post about what I've been up to! 

In the meantime...
IT'S AWARD SEASON!!

Sunday night was the first of many glamorous award shows for 2014. I could not stop live tweeting, looking online, and flipping channels between every interview!

Here are some of my Knock Out Looks, Missed Looks, and even one that I found Boring! 

Let's start with a bang shall we? 
Knock out Looks...
These ladies REALLY kicked it out of the park with some super stunning looks.
Hair. Makeup. Perfection. 

Julianna Margulies
As my boyfriend said, "I swear she's getting younger." Julianna looks great, if not better now than back in her 20s! 
The talented artist, Molly R. Stern had the pleasure of working with Julianna. She managed to keep her skin glowing and fresh with a soft coral cheek, pretty pink pout and sultry cat eyes. Her side swept bangs and low tied do' were perfection. 

Emma Watson


I loved Emma Watson's look! 
It was fresh, young and clean! Her deep side parted hair, pulled back was  effortless and made a bold statement. It's not easy to pull off a bold lip with a bright dress, but she did it! Love the contrasting lip color against the red/orange dress. 

Lupita Nyong'o
I think EVERYONE was obsessing over this show stopper. Lupita is new on the scene, but she certainly looks like a pro on the red carpet. 
With beautiful clean skin, a bright red lip (and dress!), and a clean sweep of liner, this girl ruled! Look closely, the look is updated and brightened with a little blue liner on the bottom of her eyes. The perfect modern touch to add a little excitement. Her short hair was parted to the side for a sophisticated, on trend look. 

Mila Kunis
Mila usually wears a dark rimmed eye, but last night she made me OBSESS over her eye makeup! It was softened with soft grays and kept very neutral. I love that there wasn't any additional shimmer or shine on her eyes since her dress was so blingy! Paired with a slicked back, clean updo, the look is modern and beautiful. 
I can guarantee I will be wearing this makeup look very soon! 

MISSES
Here are some ladies that just missed the mark with me- Most are small mistakes that I think could easily be executed in a better way. 

Zooey Deschanel

Before you say anything... Let me explain! 
Girl looked amazing- super cute and charming (as per usual), but she landed on this list because the look could have been better. Her foundation is far too heavy for her-- she has beautiful skin and should let that shine through! You can see the excess makeup creasing under her eyes. It was just too heavy! 
I would have definitely added some slight definition (contours) as she begins to look like one white blob on camera. The girl is gorgeous! Let that shine! 

Lena Dunham

I thought Lena looked incredible in her yellow gown! But when it came to her makeup, it was a flop. The eyeliner is messy and harsh against her skin. I would have opened up the yes a bit more with some warm shadows, and then accented with a soft cat eye- probably with a gel for a softer effect. 
She's so adorable and pretty, but that wasn't captured for me with this look!

Jacqueline Bisset


What a beautiful woman. 
But if you are going to the Golden Globes, AND your NOMINATED, you should get your hair done. Full of flyaways and frizzies, this messy hair did not do it for me. Smooth it out, add some texture, but do it right! 

Boring
And lastly, here is my pick for my "Pretty, but not surprised," look...

Sofia Vergara


Sofia Vergara is always a knockout, but that's probably because she does the same hair and makeup look, over and over... and over
Hair always down, often parted to the side and on one shoulder. 
Makeup is always the same- soft bronzed cat eye, pop of color on the lip. It's all very pretty, she looks great all the time, but it's a little tired. I'd love to see her change that hair! Maybe pin part back, or do a low side swept bun. And makeup, I'd love to see her with a sultry smokey eye, just to change it up! 


Those are some of my picks that really caught my attention. 
Who are some of yours?! Anyone else out there who didn't surprise you? 
Have a favorite of the night?! 

I honestly had too many favorites to post! Everyone really looked amazing. Some could use a little tweaking, but overall, it was a night that was easy to watch! 

xoxo Jen

Photos sourced from, bella sugar, huffington post, getty images and Vogue.