"The Great Adon"- Cesar Casier photographed by Adrian Nina

There is nothing more sexy than a man in a suit with class and style. Well, the only thing that can top that is when you have hot  Belgian model with flawless skin and perfect hair, styled in luxury clothing by the dynamic duo Tal Peer & Roy Fire with photographer Adrian Nina to capture it all.

When I was on set, I felt as if I was taken back in time. It felt like a combination of the Gatsby era and a mixture of Mad Men with a modern twist and pop of color a-la eccentric ADON Magazine style.

It is always a pleasure to work on set with the ADON team and I am happy to share the images of this editorial with you all:
"The Great Adon" for ADON Magazine
Model: Cesar Casier @ VNY
Photographer: Adrian Nina
Styling: Roy Fire & Tal Peer
Grooming: Maria Ortega using Kevyn Aucoin Beauty & Matrix

 

 

If you haven't already, you can purchase the ADON Summer Issue #4: www.adonmagazine.com

and by the end of this week go into select stockists to purchase your copy. This is one of many amazing editorials in this issue!

 

Tom Bull for "LMAO" editorial for ADON Magazine by Greg Swales

It was a pleasure to do men’s grooming on the tall, handsome, and oh so sexy  Australian male model Tom Bull for the "LMAO" editorial for Issue 4 of ADON Magazine. He was charismatic and full of energy. By far, one of my favorite shoots to work on because we could all feed off of his vibrancy and enthusiasm. There was never a dull moment on this set. From dancing to playing around and even doing flips on set, this Aussie definitely knew how to “bring it."

Doing men's grooming on Tom Bull was a piece of cake. He already had a sun-kissed glow and tan. I prepped his skin and followed with a very sheer application of Kevyn Aucoin Beauty  “Sensual  Skin Enhancer” and brushed over with “Ethereal Pressed Powder.”  Rosebud Salve on his lips and clear mascara on brows.

To style his hair, I used Sexy Hair products. First I applied “Dense” primer spray and blow dried. I followed with “Rocked Out” styling clay.

Sylists Roy Fire and Tal Peer have an unmistakable sense of fashion and you can always tell when they style a model.  All the pieces and garments were young, fresh, eclectic and totally fit Tom Bull’s bubbly personality.

Without any further preamble take a look at the editorial:

“LMAO” for ADON Magazine Issue 4

Model:  Tom Bull

Photographer: Greg Swales

Stylists: Roy Fire & Tal Peer

Grooming: Maria Ortega using Kevyn AucoinBeauty and Sexy Hair

 

I hope you love the editorial as much as I do! The entire magazine is filled with dope editorials. You can purchase ADON Magazine internationally at select store locations. There is a limited amount printed so order one online to ensure you receive your copy before they sell out at store locations!!! To purchase online, visit the ADON Magazine website and “LIKE” them on Facebook!

Now, before I go, check out the silly and fun group shots we took after the shoot. We had so much fun!

 

My hair work for VH1's tv show: Off Pitch

I was very delighted to do hair for the promo shots for VH1's tv show: "Off Pitch."  To find out more about OFF Pitch and about the cast memebers visit: http://www.vh1.com/shows/off_pitch/cast.jhtml

Below are the images of the shoot.

Here are a few of the individual shots of some of the cast members:

Marcia

Josh

 

Ben

Liv

 

 

 

The one below is from VH1's Instagram:

 

This is a behind the scenes image of the female cast members and me.

 

Photographer: Piotr Sikora

Makeup: Joanna Lily Wong

Hair: Maria Ortega

(Hair products used: Batiste Dry Shampoo and Biolage by Matrix Hair tools: T3)

 

*Images copy right of VH1

 

Veil Cosmetics' magic in a pen: "Illuminating Complexion Fix"

I was first introduced to this magical Illuminating Complexion Fix for face and eyes last year in September when I was recruited by a fellow makeup artist to work with the Veil Cosmetics team during Mercedes Benz NYFW for the Falguni and Shane Peacock runway show at Lincoln Center in NYC. The key artist was Sébastien Tardif, international celebrity makeup artist, co-founder and CCO of Veil Cosmetics.

I immediately fell in love with these magical pens because I am a firm believer that skin is supposed to look like skin, even with makeup on. They come in neutral, pink and golden undertones so there is a color appopriate for all skin colors and undertones. The Illuminating Complexion Fix is more than a concealer, corrector, highlighter and makeup for the face, it has skin benefits that treat and soothe skin. What more can we ask for? Makeup with skin benefits while you wear it!

You can use it on under eye dark circles, to cover blemishes, as a spot treatment or all over the face. It is super light weight, oil free and hypoallergenic. It has buildable coverage so you can apply layers in areas that need special attention and rest assured that no matter how many layers you decide to apply, it will never look cakey or thick on the face. When we used the Illuminating Complexion Fix on the models at Mercedes Benz NYFW, the skin was left glowing, radiant and healthy looking.

Veil Cosmetics indtroduced the makeup world to these pens that have "light fast technology" and are a triple threat because these Illuminating Complexion Fix pens 1) illuminate, 2) hydrate and 3) soothe. Ideal for all skin types, including those with sensitive skin, these magical pens even skin and help fade spots while protecting skin and aid in redness, itchiness and uneven texture.

Additional reasons to love Veil Cosmetics besides its amazing benefits and coverage are the fact that they are non-comedogenic, do not test on animals, and are sulfate, mineral oil and paraben free. It is also water resistant and drift resistant. The packaging exudes luxury and quality. Sébastien Tardif is a makeup artist with years of experience and has an extensive knowledge in what is needed to enhance the natural beauty of women of all ages and make them look their best with added benefits to a light weight product that can be used by the every day woman and makeup artists. Pat McGrath has them all! Need I say more?

I use all twelve Illuminating Complexion Fix pens in my makeup kit. I never go to a makeup job without my Veil Cosmetics. It is ideal for men's grooming as well. Being such a fan of these magical pens, I also use on myself because I do not like to use foundation on myself on a daily basis.

I highly recommend these products to every woman and artist. Trust me, once you try one, you will fall in love.

*photo copyright of Veil Cosmetics

Sophie @ ONE

I love models that have an adrogynous look. It is a wonderful form of unconventional beauty.  When I walked into the studio and saw Sophie, she reminded me of Elly Jackson from La Roux. I am a huge fan of the duo and love her look so I was totally delighted.

I opted to use purple colors to contrast yet compliment her ginger hair and skin tone. I used a mixture of purples and eggplant colors to contour her eyes and opted for a pale pink blush and wash of lip color.

On her hair, I simply used a Kevin Murphy Nght Rider Texture Paste and some of his Session finishing spray.

Model: Sophie @ ONE

Photographer: Nick Suarez

Makeup/Hair: Maria Ortega Makeup

VIktor Luna FW13 GALA Collection

I once again had the honor of working with New York City based designer, Viktor Luna for his FW13 GalaCollection lookbook shoot. This collection exudes luxury and sophistication. Viktor was inspired by the NYC nightlife and also by the “elegance of women who love to dress up and look radiant.” The GALA Collection is filled with rich and luxurious fabrics such Satin Dutchess, silk organza, crepe georgette and velvet burnouts. Viktor Luna is known for his detailing, some examples found in his past collections are unique prints of photos taken throughout his various travels, crystals, spikes and studs. For this collection, Viktor used many texture elements such as pearl beading, hand painting, braided rope, ostrich feathers, bamboo beads, along with custom cover button to finish some garments. In this collection you will see the color red showcased in many of his designs. "Red is a vibrant color that exudes sensuality", says Viktor. He also complimented other neutral colors in a form of monochromatic and color blocking, creating a timeless and simple modern palette.

 

 

 

Since the FW13 GALA Collection is the equivalent of eleganza, Viktor wanted a simple, clean  makeup look with a bit more emphasis on the eyes, subtle contour on the hallows of the cheeks paired with neutral lips. The hair was also kept minimal and opted for a soft, messy bun. I used Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics for makeup and for hair, I used Oscar Blandi. Both the hair and makeup were serene and complimented the elegant collection.

 

 

Viktor’s garments and past collections have been used on the Red Carpet for awards shows, featured in Vogue, Elle and Elle Girl and most recently seen on Ciara amongst other notable personalities. If you are interested in purchasing any garments from this collection, visit:

http://viktorluna.bigcartel.com/ .

 This is a group shot of: models Jackie G & Megan @ Wilhelmina, Viktor Luna, the adorable Mickey, and Me.

 

 *Photos taken by LendonFlanagan

MUA Vintage Dinner in Brooklyn

Although this blog is dedicated to makeup related topics, I could not resist blogging about a vintage dinner I hosted for my MUA friends and me.

 

 

 I am obsessed with anything vintage and honestly feel that I should have been born during the Motown or Rockabilly era. I love the innocence of that time period, the music, the life style and of course the fashion along with makeup and hair. Being from California, I grew up with the vintage influence. My younger brother Danny is a rockabilly at heart and rocks the pompadour. Growing up as kids, we listened to Motown music, oldies, and Rockabilly tunes. I think that California is a state that truly appreciates that time period and plays homage to it by keeping the style vivid and alive.

 

There is just something so timeless about that era’s makeup style. Clean and simple skin with a pop of color on the cheeks, defined brows, mascara and of course who could skip out on that wing tip liner! I am a huge fan of bold lipstick colors and red is one of my signature lip color choices. During that era, bold, matte, red lips were a perfect evening color option but also suitable during the daytime, for the daring woman. Many women opted to wear pinks and peach lips for daytime makeup. Eye shadow was usually kept to a simple minimum, primarily using matte, neutrals with a soft definition in the crease and outer edge.

 

The dinner took place at a vintage diner in downtown Brooklyn. Some of the girls showed up in pinup, others in a more vintage style and a few opted to wear modern clothes with a vintage feel. All of my friends looked gorgeous!

 

 

 

 

 I was very happy to see the different vintage inspired hairstyles my friends did. One did victory rolls, others had rolled bangs, pompadours, waves, and curls. I was very afraid to do my own hair. I am okay at styling hair on set, on models or on clients but not so great on myself. Since I already have bangs, I went with a classic curled bang and retro waves/curls a-la Bettie Paige hair style. For this dinner I wore a Bettie Paige brand black pencil-skirt type sleeveless dress with bows on the straps and vintage peep toe heels.

I went with a classic vintage makeup look.

Skin: Kevyn Aucoin airbrush liquid foundation

Blush: -Kevyn Aucoin “Isadore” cream blush topped with

      -Kevyn Aucoin powder blush (I mixed a matte baby pink and matte peach)   topped with
     -Kevyn Aucoin “Candle Light” powder highlighter.     

 Eyes: Mehron Celebre neutral matte shadow palette

          -Kevyn Aucoin white pencil eye liner for waterline

       -Motives gel liner for wing tip

        -Maybelline Falsies mascara

Lips: NYX 817 Hot Red lip liner all over lips

          -MAC “Ruby Woo” matte lipstick
         -Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics lip tar in “NSFW”

I love my friends and I am glad we got to have a vintage dinner together! xo

 

*Photos Copyright: Eduardo Acevedo