A Journal of my Work So I Remember When I Get Old

 (Polaroid photo of makeup I did for a Drag Party on one of my forever muses)

When I was younger I kept a diary, a journal and always wrote about my daily occurrences; what was important to me at that point of my life, what I didn't dare voice to any other being, not even my mom. Like when I got my feelings hurt by someone, or my fears. As I got older, I started writing about things I wanted to do in the future, goals, setting smaller goals to achieve bigger goals. I have kept this type of tradition with myself but now I don't always write in a diary and although I always try to use a pen and paper, I more often than not find myself typing in stuff on my notes.

I just wanted to take some time and although I have said this numerous times before, really start taking the time to blog again. Blogging, like the writing part of it has died down and people tend to do more of the vlogging, or curated IG posts, Pinterest boards, the new wave of things. Not sure that anyone even reads this but I want to do this for the maybe one or two readers I might have but most importantly for myself.

The past two years have been incredible for me in regards to growth both on a personal level and in my career too. I initially wanted to be a fashion makeup artist but I soon realized that the universe was pulling me more towards television and commercials. The best thing to do for me, is to go with the flow of things. So that is what I have done and although I don't spend as much time working on my book, I do get the chance to do an editorial or beauty story here and there. I had set out the goal for this year to work on my book and I have done more shoots than I have in the past couple of years prior but need to do more.

In the weeks to come I will be doing recaps of special moments of 2016 and 2017. The most incredible ones I can think of off the top of my head are:

* Working with my favorite band ever Tegan and Sara for their White Knuckles music video
(This is like a Bey fan doing makeup on Beyonce...just wanted to clarify how big this was to me)
* Traveling for the past two and half years to Europe for show seasons and meeting incredible people
* Assisting artists I admire and respect backstage in Milan & Paris
* Doing shoots in Milan & Paris and obtaining clients overseas
* Was able to work on a Major film out in 2018
* Grew my artist client base

All of these things are great and although I am vague with the things I have been doing this year, I am most thankful for being able to go back home to California and see my mom and babies (dogs Coco and Amber) and also attend my younger brother's wedding in the Central Coast with someone he loves.

As freelancers, we are constantly on the hunt for what's next, the following project, the upcoming goal to reach and so forth... that we really forget to take the time to take care of ourselves, those we love and what really matters in life. Yes, yes, we all want to live, breathe, sleep, eat fashion, makeup etc, but at the end of the day, at the end of our life, what will be remembered is who we were, how we treated others, basically our soul, our legacy.

My all time icon was and will always be the late Kevyn Aucoin, and although he was far ahead of his time and setting trends for decades to come, we have to also thank him for putting makeup artists at the forefront of the media and recognizing artists as an integral part of the celebrity package and taking artists from the backstage to the fore front. However, whenever anyone talks about Kevyn, the talent he possessed is inarguably what he was known for the most but equally as important was his character. Anyone ever asked about how it was to work with Kevyn always talks about how he was pure love, a joy to be around and everyone adored him as an individual. Beyond his artistry and legacy as a master face painter he was beloved and made everyone he blessed with his touch feel great, from the inside out.

This has been a challenge for me since I have a very serious character and way of being. I am not bubbly nor extremely loving when I speak or interact with people but through my respect and sincere care for others I have managed to maintain wonderful work relationships with clients and photographers as well as other colleagues that continuously refer me to potential clients or have me cover for them on their regular clients. That trust is gold to me. Thank you everyone. Thank you for walking on this journey with me and for taking me along as well. I want to thank myself for not changing who I am and knowing that although I am introverted and I struggle to be comfortable in over the top environments, I am making it work all while being myself, always.

This week I will attend a documentary screening of Kevyn Aucoin here in NYC. I was personally invited by the KA Beauty team and I am very excited and emotional about attending this event. I will keep you updated on the event.

Yahoo Video: Beauty On A Budget

I am a highly introverted person that only becomes a chatterbox with my family and closest of friends. When producer and journalist Jeanie from Yahoo Personal Finance asked if I would like to be part of a video focusing on beauty on a budget I was nervous beyond explanation of words but accepted the opportunity.

The video focuses on 6 Must-Have Drugstore Beauty Products Under $10. It is geared towards women who would like to have quality makeup products that don't break the bank. To prepare for this makeup, I asked all of my fellow pro makeup artists what drugstore products they swear by and carry in their makeup kits.

Although I personally don't carry many drugstore products in my pro kit, I have had the opportunity to work on pro teams for some of the larger named drugstore brands for events, fashion week shows and products launches, therefore allowing me to play with them and apply their cosmetics on the everyday woman.

These are my top drugstore makeup picks:

Moisturizer: Simple Nourishing 24hr Day/Night Cream

Brushes: Real Techniques 2-in-1 case and stand

Foundation: Fit Me! Matte + Poreless Foundation, normal to oily, by Maybelline

Concealer: Face Studio Master Concealer by Maybelline

Finishing powder: Revlon PhotoReady

Bronzer: Ultra-Nourishing Argan Oil Bronzer by Physicians Formula

Powder blush: color: tea rose #08, by Milani

Eyeshadow: “The Nudes” palette by Maybelline

Eyebrow powder: Brow this Way by Rimmel London

Lip liner: Precision Lips, color: soft blush, by Boots No7

Lip gloss: Super Lustrous, color: super natural, by Revlon

Eyeliner: Waterproof Ultra Liner, color: black, by Maybelline

Mascara: Voluminous Carbon Black by L’Oréal Paris

You can read the article on Yahoo! Personal Finance page and also check me out in the video:

6 Must-have Drugstore Beauty Products Under $10

I hope you enjoy watching the video! This was a wonderful experience that pushed me out of my comfort zone and I am so proud of myself for overcoming my fear of public speaking and being in front of the camera. I would do it again in a heartbeat!

2015 Recap

                                                                       (Photo of me in Paris October 2015, inspired at an Art Gallery 59 Rivoli)

Yeah, yeah, I know, I am a little late to the game but I wanted to express my gratitude to everyone that helped me, referred me and worked with me in 2015 and also share with you my wonderful experiences of this past year.

My 2015 started off pretty shaky for me because those crazy winter  months are rather slow and for those of you that know me well are aware of my chronic asthma, so I was cooped up saying no to the seldom jobs I was blessed to be offered. This discouraged me but things picked up at the end of January and I was hopeful my year would be good.

This year was one of growth and discovery in regards to my art. For the most part of the year I focused on television and commercial work. It is hard to say no to work and I feel fortunate to constantly work but to be honest, I felt an extreme emptiness in me because I was not test shooting or doing any creative beauty. My biggest fear as an artist is to become monotonous in my work and bland. So, I realized that for me, I need to balance paid work and self gratifying work in regards to letting my creative juices flow. Both are so different and being on either set really makes me happy and brings me joy.

Below are some of my highlights of this work year:

* Joined the Local 798 IATSE union as a makeup artist

* Worked on Lottie's makeup team for fashion week in Milan. (major dream/goal come true)

* Was on the Maybelline Pro team under key artist Yadim

* Worked in Milan and Paris

* Interviewed in an international publication as an artist

* Two different publications interviewed me regarding a makeup look I did on a celebrity

* Fortunate to be key artist on a handful of national commercials and advertising jobs

* Did makeup and grooming on more notable personalities and celebs I could have imagined

* I was able to obtain new commercial clients, keep them, work with them on a continuous basis

* Did a handful of editorials for smaller scale print publications

* Dayplayed on episodics and I am a regular artist for TV jobs

* Practiced doing blowouts, not a pro but I have worked on my hair skills

I am so thankful to all the creatives that refer me and  pass my info along for gigs, this past year was excellent thanks to you all. I am also grateful to work with people that believe in me and have given me a chance. Excited and thrilled for what's to come this year! Wishing everyone a wonderful, and productive work year filled with love, growth and gratification.

"Comfort in Chaos" for Deux Hommes

One of the awesome things about Social Media is that you get the chance to be friends with other creatives and people before you meet them. So when you finally meet, it's like you already know them and automatically click and feel connected on set. Photographer Patrick Lacsina and I have followed each other on Instagram and FB for some time now. It was super cool to finally get to work with him during his visit in NYC. 

We shot out of a studio in Brooklyn. Funny thing is that we have another mutual friend in common, hair stylist: Matthew Tuozzoli. It was dope to all work together on quick, yet fun shoot. 

"Comfort in Chaos" was featured as an online editorial for Deux Hommes - a digital platform featuring emerging designers. 

Check out the rest of the images from the shoot: 

Photography- PATRICK LACSINAhttp://patricklacsina.com/

Styling – RJ FRAZER

Models – MIKHAEL AYOUB & SAM VISSER @ RE:QUEST 

Hair – MATTHEW TUOZZOLI

Makeup – MARIA ORTEGA using Murad Skin Care & Marc Beauty

Wardrobe – Nativ NY All throughout

Makeup on Jackie Cruz & Diane Guerrero for Enjoue Swimwear on Vivala

This past Sunday I was able to do makeup in a well lit conference room at The Dream Hotel. All makeup artists will understand how thankful and appreciative I was for the natural lighting with huge windows...perfect for makeup application. Hotels have that pretty bad rep for horrible lighting.

It was a lifestyle shoot for Jackie Cruz, a season regular on the hit show on Netflix, Orange Is The New Black, recent partnership with Kimberly Smalls of Enjoue Swimwear. Diane Guerrero, also an actress from OITNB showed her support by partaking in the shoot for the swimwear line and article featured on Vivala.

The makeup look we opted for Jackie Cruz was a mod look in monochromatic neutral tones, nude lips and a bold black liner and lashes.  For Diane, the look was more of a sun-kissed glow in bronze tones and soft neutral lips. Both makeup looks were created using Chantecaille Beaute, Murad Skin Care and Artis Brushes.

Check out the full article on Vivala!

Female talent:
*Jackie Cruz
*Diane Guerrero
*Kimberly Smalls
*Christina Cardona
*Cyndi Ramirez
*Louisa Taadou
*Jocelyn Chew
*Victor Ross

*Photographer:Sasha B Photo
*Hair: Michael Braun
*Makeup: Maria Ortega
*Nails: Elizabeth Garcia

Kimberly Smalls & Jackie Cruz 

Innocent & Green Scene in the Concrete Jungle

Living in NYC, it's not often that we get to be surrounded by trees, plants and just an overall green scenery. It was refreshing to shoot in an area that made me question if I was still in NYC.  The mosquitos situation was mad real though. My legs have the scars to prove it lol.

The makeup look for this shoot was aiming for a fresh dewy look with good skin. It was a pretty hot day so instead of skipping out on powder, I did used cream highlighter and set her face with powder. We had initially prepped at a home studio and then drove to the location in one of the surrounding boroughs. So the drive there and walk from parking allowed for her skin to become dewy and refrain from becoming oily or allowing the makeup to move.

Model: Carlyle @ The Society
Photographer: Jordan James
Hair: Andrita
Makeup: Maria Ortega

Check out the rest of the images:

Minimalist Beauty at the Beach

One of the most important things to do as a makeup artist is to be well prepared for on-location shoots, which is pretty much shooting outdoors: at the park, on the streets, on a rooftop, on a beach-anywhere outside, not in a studio.

Some important products that I carry with me (besides my basic kit and set bag)  for beach shoots are:

*Spray Sunscreen (everyone on set usually takes advantage of this too lol)
*Lip balm with sunscreen
*Sunscreen for the face
*Baby wipes
*Umbrella
* Hat & Sunglasses (for yourself)
*Paper Towels to blot off extra perspiration on models

I had a great time shooting with a fun team for this beach editorial. The model Alexa from The Society, is very fair so the products mentioned above aided in not getting sun burned.

To ensure extra protection, I used Murad Oil Control Mattifer Lotion with 15 Spf and Nars Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer Broad Spectrum 30 SPF.

Model: Alexa @ The Society
Photographer: Jason Laswell
Wardrobe: Nicolas Eftaxias
Hair: Yianni Tsapatori
Makeup & Manicure: Maria Ortega (me)

Makeup on Jackie Cruz aka Flaca Gonzalez from OITNB for the WPA Season 3 Premiere Party

I had the opportunity to do makeup on Orange is The New Black actress Jackie Cruz, also known as "Flaca Gonzalez" on the show. On the show Jackie, "Flaca" has some pretty solid eyeliner skills, that are even referenced on the show, with tear drops near her tear ducts. 

This past Friday, not only did she appear at the WPA Season 3 Premiere, but also performed singing solo, serenading Ruby Rose on stage and singing along with co-star Taryn Manning. 

To create Jackie's retro look with a modern twist and pop of fiery red lipstick, I used Chantecaille Beaute. 

Both SUGARPOP Latina as well as Latina.com had articles about the makeup look I created for Jackie. 

Check out the breakdowns here:

SUGARPOP Latina 

Latina Magazine Online

Below are some images of Jackie Cruz at the WPA Premiere Party for Season 3 of OITNB:

Photos courtesy of Quistyle and Instagram

Kid's Grooming...Makeup & Hair for Children

Photo source: uwmower.org

Kid's grooming is great and requires very little to almost no makeup. However, if you ever had any nephews, nieces or children of your own-you know that their hands always seem to get dirty and even the most clean of children can get messy.

Skin Prep:

Just as adults, skin prep is of essence when doing children's grooming. This is how I do it:

* Start off by using baby wipes to clean their face, nostrils, hands, feet and knees. I then take a soft tissue and remove eye gunk and crust, go over nostrils a second time. 

* Inspect hands and remove nail polish if girls have painted nails, making sure to clean under neath nails and try my best to remove all traces of marker or pen marks with nail polish remover. 

* Apply Johnson's Baby Lotion over arms, legs and feet as well as hands. The sunscreen option is great if you want a shiny dewy finish on skin. My pick for this is Coppertone Oil Free Lightweight and Fast Absorbing sunscreen for kids. (It's great because it won't clog pores and is dermatologist recommended.)

* Go back to the face and apply either baby lotion or kid's sunscreen on the face- if I'm aiming for a healthy glow. 

* Apply Homeoplasmine with a Q-tip or lip brush on lips since it doesn't have any shine. 

Makeup:

Kids usually have fabulous skin and virtually invisible pores, so makeup application is simple and I only use minimal product on their face. 

*Use foundation such as Armani "Luminous Silk Foundation" as a concealer under eyes and around the nostrils. (MAC Face & Body is a good option too.)

* Sometimes children have scrapes and scratches that have become scabs. To cover these, I use either Armani Maestro Concealer (it's a liquid concealer) or Tarte Creaseless Concealer and apply with a lip brush or a small pencil brush over the scab.

* Most of the kids have a natural rosy flush of color on their cheeks. If they are lacking in color I use Kevyn Aucoin cream blush in Isadore or their duo cream blushes  and choose according to light or darker skin tones. I apply with my hands or with an airbrush foundation brush on apples of cheeks. 

* If a sun kissed look is required- use a large fluffy brush to add a bit of warmth on forehead, cheeks nose and chin such as Marc Jacobs bronzer in Tantric #102. 

* Pass a brow brush through their brows 

Hair: 

Usually on most shoots involving kids, the ideal hair requested is their locks in their natural state. I very rarely do much. 

Boys:

* I run a brush or my fingers through their hair. 

* If it needs to be more piece-y then I warm up a bit of hair paste such as Kevin Murphy "Night Rider."  

* If they are sweaty, (from running around and playing while waiting to be on set),  then I blast cool air on  their hair with my  T3 Micro blow dryer. Seriously, I don't know what it is but the young boy models always have amazing hair and cuts. 

Girls:

I try and keep their hair the same as well, the goal is to keep their hair looking natural and not too "done." Sometimes I don't even brush their hair. 

*Just have them flip their hair over their face and I spray Bumble and Bumble Dry Spun finish soft texturizing spray. It gives that messy beach hair minus the crunch. 

* When their hair is a little on the oily side I spray the roots with dry hair shampoo. The one I carry in my kit is Oscar Blandi in spray form. 

* Some girls hair is curlier on the hair that falls on the nape of the neck so I take a large curling iron and pass it through that area, it tames down the curls but still leaves some texture and body. I then, take a wand and whirl a few pieces of hair on the top of hair with it to give waves, always keeping them looking natural and kind of beachy/messy. 

* For little girls with afros I either take a small curler and add a few spring curls on top or leave as is and simply spray Oscar Blandi Shine Spray and massage it in to add hydration and shine. 

When I am booked to do children's grooming, I make sure to bring hair ties, hair bands, and bobbi pins in bright, fun colors. It looks good on your behalf and those small touches can add the finishing touch to a cute ponytail or bun if that is asked from you to do on set. 

Most importantly, I find that treating the children like little adults and engaging with them in conversation is the best way to interact with them on set, especially while getting them prepped. They will surprise you with their thoughts and ideas, kid's say the most spontaneous things and are far more intelligent than we sometimes give them credit for. 

***Photo source:: uwmower.org***

#TipTuesday Your Makeup is Only as Good as Your Skin

So much emphasis is placed on makeup and cosmetic products.....however, your makeup is only as good as your skin. When all the makeup is removed and washed off, what remains is your face, your skin. Once the illusion of makeup is gone, what lies beneath is exposed.

So my #TipTuesday is: Invest in an excellent skin care routine appropriate for your skin type and needs. Your skin will thank you now and in the years to come. You will age more gracefully and need less makeup. When starting a new skin care routine, test product on jaw line near ear. If you don't break out after a day, then it should be safe to try on your entire face. Better safe than sorry. Test it out first. 

Basics: 

*makeup remover

*face wash

*toner or witch hazel 

*eye cream

*face cream and SPF

These are a great start and you can add a weekly face mask and a serum and/or night cream in the future but for now start with the basics and you will see a difference. These small steps will make a huge impact on your skin now and in the future.

*Aspiring MUA? Working artists invest just as much in skin preparation for their kit. Proper skin prep on set allows for a solid and good base, makeup lasts longer and looks more flawless.*

Photographer: Kira Bucca, Hair: Daleesa Weary, Makeup: Maria Ortega

Makeup for LuuxeHut photoshoot!

Working in this industry has not only allowed me to meet extremely talented artists and creatives but has also granted me the opportunity to become friends with people I collaborate with.

I was most recently a part of the team for the LuuxeHut photoshoot. My friend and wardrobe stylist Kyle Luu and his sister, actress Tiffany Luu curated LuuxeHut, an online fashion store that caters to girls with an alternate fashion sense. This is aboslutely amazing because it allows girls and women to dress in style with the latest fashion trends without breaking the bank. 

This shoot was so much fun because I got to spend the day with friends I love. Below is a preview. After viewing, go shop LuuxeHut!

Models: Doretha M., Piya, Emily Menke
Photographer: Hadriel Gonzalez
Hair: Andrita
Makeup: Maria Ortega (me)

Back To Blogging!!! (New beauty work)

Hi everyone! After a long hiatus from blogging, I have decided to return to writing on my blog. I want to continue to upload my recent work and perhaps talk about certain products that I love and cannot live without.

Ultimately, I want it to serve as my makeup journal or diary and share my experiences on set with anyone who is willing to read up on my posts. Additionally, I want to continue to interview established as well as emerging artists.

Stay tuned to be flooded with my blog posts.

In the meantime, here are a few images from a recent beauty test I did.

Model: Ella Darr @ Q Models

Photographer: Jamiya Wilson

Hair: Andrita Renee

Makeup by Maria Ortega (me) using:
Murad Skin Care
Kevyn Aucoin: Beauty Beauty Balm, Sensual Skin Enhancer, Sculpting Powder, Candlelight POwder Highlight, Molasses Elegant Lip Gloss
Givenchy Brow Pencil as well as Anastasia Brow Whiz
Givenchy Powder Blush in In Vogue Orange
Inglot matte shadows on the neutral eye looks
Yaby Cosmetics eyeshadows on the more dramatic eye, a mixture of Midnight Blue, Butterfly Blue, Emerald Sea, Milk Chocolate, Cocoa Powder, Royal Brown and & Seashell