hair stylist

How to Prepare for a Wedding Makeup Trial

February 4, 2011 By makeupbyjasmen Leave a Comment

Determine a wedding day style. What is your “wedding style”? If you have picked out your dress, veil, colors and/or jewelry, then you’ve already begun to put together a look that reflects your personality. You can even get a girlfriend to snap a pic of you in your dress during your fitting. The more details you give your makeup artist, the better. This will help ensure that your final look represents your overall vision.

Make a photo scrapbook. Begin to look through bridal and fashion magazines or google search images of specific makeup looks (ex. “smoky eye,” “natural”) for ideas. Then tear out pages of specific photos that inspire you to show your makeup artist at your trial.

Consider your personal look. What is your typical makeup routine? Think about the ways you put on your makeup, but be open to suggestions when customizing your wedding day look with a makeup artist. Do you always wear lots of mascara and false lashes? Go for lash extensions or a lash growth serum. Moisturizer and lip gloss and you’re good to go? A natural look is you. Like to experiment with the latest looks and trends? Try something retro like a cat eye and a red lip. Don’t hesitate to test out a new lip color or bronzer if your makeup artist recommends it. Remember, this is a trial run, and makeup washes off, so you can always swap a color out.

Maintain a good skincare routine. Don’t throw caution to the wind and fall asleep with your makeup on. Now is a critical time to be gentle on skin, moisturize and exfoliate so that your skin can remain flawless for your wedding day. If you plan on tanning for your wedding, don’t book a tanning session and makeup application on the same day. It will be hard to match your true complexion and you may not get an accurate picture of the final outcome.

Bring a friend. Having a familiar face with you can take off some of the stress that comes with wedding planning. Plus, close friends know your style and can offer a second opinion about the styles you choose.

Leave it to the professionals. Oftentimes to stay under budget, brides are tempted to get a friend to do their makeup. If you are hiring a talented photographer to capture your special day, think of it as your own photo shoot. Professional makeup artists are trained to keep your look fresh and camera-ready throughout the day. If you are investing in good photography, invest in a talented makeup artist so you will look amazing in your photos!

Remember, this should be a fun time and a chance to pamper yourself. Have an open mind about what your stylist might recommend and take lots of photos and have your makeup artist write down colors, so that you remember what you decided on.

Filed Under: Wedding Tagged With: hair stylist, Makeup, makeup artist, trial, Wedding

New Work: Hair Styling and Elevate Artists Workshop with Daven Mayeda

January 28, 2011 By Victoria Leave a Comment

As a makeup artist, I believe in continuing education in order to grow and excel in your craft. The minute you stop absorbing information and new techniques, is the minute your career stops. By closing your mind, you are literally putting up your own road block to success.

For photo shoots, I am a makeup artist first, “light” hairstylist second. I have been styling hair for a few years, mainly on-set and for small events. When I heard Daven Mayeda, hairstylist to Mariah Carey, would be making himself available at a workshop for on-set and editorial hairstyling through Elevate Artists in Washington D.C., I jumped on the chance to absorb information from this master stylist!

Unfortunately I cannot go into detail on his techniques because they were exclusive to our class, but I can tell you the two day hands-on workshop was worth every penny, and more! What made all the difference in the world was the fact this wasn’t just a seminar, it was hands-on. We each had a mannequin head and access to products and tools that we may not have already had in our kit. Stand-out key items used at the workshop were from the T3 line of tools and Oribe Hair Care Products.

Because I did not want to “lose” any of the information I learned, the first thing I did was set up a test shoot so I could put my new techniques in action. My good friend and editorial portrait photographer, Nicholas LaClair, made some time out of his incredibly hectic schedule to help me out with my personal project. DeShae Mayrand, makeup artist, hair stylist, and fellow workshop attendee, assisted me during the shoot (thank you!!!). Her husband swung by, as well, and assisted Nick with setting up lights, backdrop, and props. And my husband stopped by with a six pack of beer!

Here’s our end result with model Chelsea Taylore….

Photographer: Nicholas LaClair
Hair and Makeup: Victoria Stiles
Hair and Makeup Assistant: DeShae Mayrand
Helping Hands and Beer Drinkers: Marc Mayrand and Dan Stiles
Location: Leiper Stiles Studio
Special Thank you to Daven Mayeda and Elevate Artists

Products featured in this post may have been received complimentary for review from a public relations professional. Please view our DISCLOSURE page for more information.
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About The Author

Victoria Stiles is a make-up artist from Washington, DC working in New York and worldwide for commercial print, editorial fashion, red carpet events and weddings. Victoria’s client roster includes celebrities Roberta Flack, Jordin Sparks, Real Housewives of New York’s Jill Zarin, and publications Glamour, O Magazine, Vogue, Surface, Virginia Living, and Washingtonian. Stiles’ expertise in make-up is frequently called upon by local and National publications. Recent articles in Washingtonian, Real Simple, Women’s Health, American Baby, and Northern Virginia Magazine showcases and quotes her knowledge in make-up and labels her as an industry leader.

In addition to artistry, Stiles is a presenter for The Powder Group-- an organization uniting makeup artists worldwide with relevant industry information and career guidance. She has presented seminars nationally at The Artist Summit and The Makeup Shows.

Follow her on Twitter @victoriastiles and add her on other social media networks here.
www.VictoriaStiles.com

Filed Under: My Work Tagged With: daven mayeda, editorial, elevate artists, Fashion, hair stylist, makeup artist, new york, portrait, victoria stiles, washington dc, workshop

The Daily Collective: New Social Media Site Exclusively For Fashion Industry Professionals

June 17, 2010 By Victoria 4 Comments

A powerful social media network has been launched today, and I’m personally excited to be a part of it! With TheDailyCollective.org, fashion freelancers are now connected via an uncommonly effective network that equips them with the most critical of promotional tools – communication.

The innovative site provides creatives, like myself, a free exchange of information to help us reach other photographers, designers, models, makeup artists, and stylists to advance our business, cultivate new contacts, tap new markets and swell our portfolios.

“We kill red tape,” says company founder Marc Samson. “Imagine not having to comb through casting sites or trade classifieds to find qualified talent. We do the screening first, so everyone is legitimate, there’s no garbage, and it’s completely free.”

The Daily Collective site design is visually captivating as it features work from talent seeking other talent for various projects. I am personally honored to be included in this list of top creatives.

: Opé: Fashion Editor and Stylist/Consultant. Photo: Jamie Nelson

: Luis Aragon www.luisaragon.com: Fashion and Beaut Photographer|Hair and Makeup by Kathy Aragon

: Lola: Downtown New York Based Clothing Line|Photo: Emmett Shine

: Victoria Stiles www.victoriastiles.com Commercial and Editorial Makeup Artist|Photo: Mark Gong

: Joelle Phillips www.jojophotographer.com: Beauty and Fashion Photographer|Hair and Makeup by Kathy Aragon

How TheDailyCollective.org Works

- Unlike other social media tools created for niche markets, TheDailyCollective.org does not come with a hefty price tag or any learning curve. Rather than develop a new technology to manage the platform’s interface, the company is keeping it simple by using standard email. TheDailyCollective is a 100% free daily email.

- Every volume is made up of project castings submitted by the community. Project listings are delivered directly to subscribers’ inboxes, and every listing includes a direct email address for the project organizer.

- When a user is interested in a project, they can respond to the organizer directly. For both parties, this means they can spend less time searching and more time creating.

“There has been an explosion of amazing independent freelance talent in the fashion industry,” Samson explains. “Our goal to help these professionals advance their careers — the models, makeup artists and stylists; the sole proprietor photographers and designers; anyone and everyone associated directly or indirectly with new and ongoing projects.”

Fashion photography freelance professionals are one of the largest and most socially-interactive communities, with a heavy presence on general social networking sites like Facebook, Twitter and Flickr. TheDailyCollective, however, has been custom built specifically by and for them, making it uniquely their own.

“For photographers, designers and independent fashion specialists it’s the ultimate networking tool,” says Samson.

The network was created and developed by Marc Samson, a 25 year old social media and public relations expert who operates just outside of Washington D.C. In January of this year, I had the opportunity to interview Samson during early developments of The Daily Collective. Check out my interview here.

Filed Under: Fashion, Hot Now Tagged With: castings, hair stylist, job postings, makeup artist, marc samson, photographer, stylist, the daily collective

Jason Backe at Ted Gibson Salon: Look Like A Celebrity

April 7, 2010 By Victoria 4 Comments

We all go through hair A.D.D., one day we love, the next day we hate. For me, I just could not find a groove with my current style. I liked it but it didn’t “wow” me. I’ve been in limbo for a while now figuring out what looks best with my pinkish skin tone and big brown eyes.

During Mercedes-Benz New York Fashion Week Media Mixer in February, I bumped into Ted Gibson and Jason Backe, two big power players in the business of celebrity hair styling and owners of the infamous Ted Gibson Salons in New York and Washington, DC. Jason saw how frustrated I was with my current hairstyle. From the intense look in his eyes, I could see he had big plans for my limp locks. Jason invited me to visit one of the salon’s two locations for an update.

Last week, I took him up on the offer…check out my video before, during, and after process using INOA L’Oréal’s new revolutionary color process with a fabulous new hair style by Devin Toth at the Ted Gibson Salon in NYC.

You may not be a celebrity, but you can look like one at Ted Gibson Salons.

Follow @TedGibson and @JasonHueman on Twitter!

Filed Under: Hair Tagged With: hair color, hair stylist, inoa, jason backe, loreal, makeup artist, nyc, ted gibson, victoria stiles

TheDailyCollective: Interview With Marc Samson

January 11, 2010 By Victoria 3 Comments

If you are in the business of media production, I suggest you check out www.TheDailyCollective.org. As a freelance makeup artist, I am always searching for new opportunities in my field. TheDailyCollective connects industry professionals like no other site on the web today.

I am thrilled to bring you the first interview about TheDailyCollective with founder, Marc Samson.

What is TheDailyCollective?

TheDailyCollective is a daily, email-based publication focused on source-matching individuals within the photography and filmmaking community. We’ve created a brand new way for professionals to cast for upcoming productions and connect with other creatives whenever there’s a need for collaboration.

We’re completely free and everyone in the industry is encouraged to subscribe and get connected.

What or who inspired you to start TheDailyCollective?

I first envisioned TheDailyCollective about a year ago when I was living in Savannah, Georgia. My friends were SCAD students

Marc Samson

and through them I witnessed a community with a cooperative and collaborative approach to creating and advancing new arts and film projects.

The networking process there seemed effortless. People organizing projects either already knew the best people for the job, or could just ask a friend (or a friend of a friend) — No more than two or three degrees of separation ever existed between a project organizer and a good fit.

I simply believe the same cooperative spirit can exist on a much larger level, a national or even global level, for the hundreds of thousands of talented people supporting art and film.

Do you have a staff for the site? If so, who are they and what are their roles?

We’re a community-based publication — our content is almost entirely user-generated, and more than any one person, we have our subscribers to thank for spreading the word about the TheDailyCollective and growing this new community.

What types of professionals are part of TheDailyCollective?

The Daily Collective includes photographers, filmmakers, producers, clothing and costume designers, hair stylists, makeup artists, graphic designers, set designers, models, actors, sound and light specialists, and all others associated directly or indirectly with emerging and established art and film projects.

What benefits do industry professionals receive by signing up for the site?

We have designed a resource that speeds up the networking process and takes the guesswork out of finding legitimate productions and professionals to become involved with.

Issues of TheDailyCollective are sent directly to subscribers’ inboxes and arrive as a simple, plain-text email (no banners, no images and no useless information). This means our subscribers can spend less time searching for new projects and more time working on them. And we think that’s a good thing.

What types of projects does TheDailyCollective accept?

We accept any photography or filmmaking project in need of talent. Some projects offer payment, others are simply collaborative. There are no size requirements and projects can come from established professionals or new entrants working to build their portfolio.

There’s something for everyone in TheDailyCollective.

What is the process for industry professionals to submit a project?

Submitting a project to TheDailyCollective is simple.

1) Head to www.thedailycollective.org

2) Click the “submit project” tab

3) Fill out the form

4) Press submit

And that’s it – your work is done. Once we publish your project, responses will come directly to your email.

What key points should industry professionals keep in mind when submitting a project?

Three things to keep in mind when submitting projects:

1) Make sure to include any and all requirements you have for choosing collaborators

2) You should include a link to your website or portfolio

3) Stay on point and be concise with your request

What are your future goals for TheDailyCollective?

Our goal is to create the industry’s ultimate free casting resource, helping professionals connect quickly and in a simple and more effective way. As our subscriber base grows, we plan to develop regional issues of TheDailyCollective that will focus on major US cities, as well as continue producing a national publication.

Do you have any closing remarks or additional information you would like to share about TheDailyCollective?

TheDailyCollective is a viral, grassroots community working together toward a common goal. We owe a big thanks to everyone spreading the word and helping us by recruiting friends and colleagues to become part of this growing network of amazing potential.

You can subscribe by visiting www.thedailycollective.org.

About Marc Samson

Marc Samson is an independent Public Relations consultant and entrepreneur living in the Baltimore-Washington Metropolitan Area.

In November, 2009, Marc founded www.TheDailyCollective.org, a daily, email-based publication focused on source-matching individuals within the independent photography and filmmaking industry. He can be followed on Twitter @marcjudesamson.

Filed Under: Events, Hot Now Tagged With: castings, crew, dailycolletive.org, film, hair stylist, job postings, makeup artist, marc samson, photography, production, television, the daily collective, thedailycollective

Wedding Makeup: All Aboard Smoky Eyes

November 18, 2009 By Victoria 1 Comment

Sultry, smoky eyes are my signature look. Since a teenager, I’ve been intrigued with enhancing eyes. Maybe because its the first thing guys look at– trust me ladies, it’s the truth!

For a recent shoot with one of Washingtonian’s top pics for wedding photography, Genevieve Leiper and I collaborated aboard a sailboat in Annapolis, Maryland with one very lucky bride. The scene was dramatic which called for drama-makeup and hair.

Makeup: I perfected her skin with Face Atelier Ultra Foundation and smoked out her eyes with MAKE UP FOR EVER’S Flash Colour Palette. A soft lip in Conquest Lip Tar by OCC finished the look.

Hair: The hair had to be a bit dramatic as well but not to over-power the entire look. I teased the hair at the root all over and gently pulled it back into a low chignon. I wanted the hair to be loose yet secure, so I gently picked through the crown of the ‘do with a rat tail comb.

Here are some of the images from the day!