Here's a gorgeous pic of Megan displaying the new Airbrush Foundation!

I'm crazy about the Airbrush and today I kidnapped Genevieve Leiper for a photo session with the popular product. More pics to come (including her assistant, Megan!). I need to post some before pictures of us because we really don't look like this in person!

P.S. – I just had my hair cut and highlighted today by JoDene Dewey

Due to popular demand, I am now offering Airbrush Foundation to my clients! For those of you who do not know what an Airbrush is, the small machine is a compressor weighing about 4 pounds that delivers a steady stream of air through a small pen-like attachment. The foundation that I am using is the Micronized Airbrush Foundation from M.A.C. PRO. This cutting-edge formula is for HDTV, Film, Photography, and Beauty. The product goes on seamlessly and the coverage is light yet flawless. I have invested in a variety of shades suitable for any one of my clients. If you would like more information on this service, please feel free to call me at 1-866-400-GLAM.

As a working makeup artist in the DC Area, I receive numerous emails monthly from aspiring makeup artists who want to break into the biz. The number one question I always get is, “Where did you go to school?”. The answer is I did not go to a “makeup school” but I did attend, as Sam Fine calls it ,The Real School of Beauty. This quote, from my fav makeup artist of all time, refers to the countless hours behind a makeup store counter assisting customers of all races, all sexes, and all ages. What Sam and I learned as cosmetic counter employees cannot be taught in any sort of makeup school. I try to tell aspiring artists that hands-on experience is the way to go if they ever want to develop their own techniques.

To sum this post up: If you want to be a makeup artist, apply for a counter position at your local department store and really learn how to put makeup on anyone that sits in your chair!

I would like to formally announce the launch of my Official Portfolio Website, www.VictoriaStilesMakeup.com. This website was created in order to accurately display and organize all of my portfolio images. This site is linked to my main website, www.BeautifulbyVictoria.com which will still remain with all of my booking information, frequently asked questions, as well as my services and rates. The only aspect that has changed with the main site is that the makeup galleries have moved to the new portfolio site! Check it out!

The Kids Helping Kids Program was developed by M.A.C. to benefit children directly effected by HIV/AIDS. Every year the M.A.C. locations play host to hundreds of Holiday cards designed by kids for kids. The Kids Helping Kids cards come in packs of 6 and are just $6.00. Every cent is given right back to kids affected by this deadly disease. This year the cards are extremely cute, complete with lace trim and feathers! Personally I think they make great gift cards to attach to the gifts of co-workers, family, and friends. This Holiday Season, when you pop into the M.A.C. store to replenish your Twig Lipstick or Chestnut Lip Liner, drop a few dollars for kids in need of assistance and get great Holiday cards in return!

For more information on this program and other programs through M.A.C., please visit www.macaidsfund.org.

Aduri has three more weeks of shooting after the Thanksgiving weekend upon us. I have to say this is an awesome group of people full of talent. One of the actors stars in a couple of television commercals, Mattress Warehouse and Greenpeace to name a few. Another actor from the movie is currently working on an indie flick with Gretchen Mol. It's been such a pleasure to work with a fine cast of people!

This is a shot of Roger, an actor from Aduri, practicing his lines (with no help from me because I'm in his face with the camera!).

Later that day, I had a bride in Winchester. Lisa had a small ceremony at this beautiful location. Thank you so much Lisa. You were such a pleasure to work with!

To wrap things up, I had a small model shoot with a local fashion photographer. Below are a couple of pics I shot myself. I will post the actual shots from the actual professional photographer when they are made available to me.

This week I will be kicking back and taking it easy – for once! I have just one trial this week for a December 2006 bride. I would like to keep it light from here through the Holidays and book additional trials for after the New Year. Yeah, I'll see how that goes!

Tricia is getting married in April of 2007! She will be tying the knot in Maryland. With her already gorgeous face, I created a semi-dramatic look using pink tones for her wedding day and I also talked her into using MAC #7 false eyelashes to finish the look. Check out her before and after below! Thanks Tricia!

Tricia Before

Tricia After

Kelly is one of my June 2007 brides. As June is a busy month, I had two other pending bookings for her wedding date. Kelly swooped in and booked me on the spot without even meeting me! I finally met this lovely young lady and her fiance today. Below is a snapshot I took of her natural look that I designed for her engagement portraits with her leading man. Kelly, it was a pleasure working with you today and I look forward to our bridal makeup trial!

I know Senior Portraits are normally done at your various high schools around the DC Area but for many of today's high school gals, Genevieve has become the popular one to go to instead! It all started when a high school gal relocated from another area and was in need of pictures for her yearbook. This gal started a trend and it took off from there. Now Genevieve offers in studio Senior Portraits and my makeup artist services as an optional upgrade! Check out Katie's pictures from last week's session!

www.GenevieveLeiper.com