CosmoProf 2012 Hair Show

I attended a very large hair show last weekend, which was hosted by CosmoProf and for professionals and students only.  I must say, it was a wonderful experience, and really inspired me to do a bit more with hair.  If you don't know what a hair show is, it is a lot like a makeup show, with many brands showcasing their goods through demonstrations and merchandise.  Some classes on hair cutting, hair styling, waxing, nails, and product knowledge were also available.  I came home with a bunch of products, some I've already fallen in love with, but that will have to wait for another post.  For now, I'd like to share some pictures from the show.

Some classmates and I

My head instructor and I

I wish I had taken more pictures!  But my camera died after the first day.  I am definitely going back next year.  I learned so much and I'm sure I'll be more experienced by then so I can buy more products and know how to use them :)

You guys ever been to a hair show before?  Generally they're only open to professionals but if you can find somebody to hook you up with a ticket, definitely go!

Photoshoot 04.14.2012 (Picture Heavy!!!)

Finally, here are pictures from the photoshoot I did last Saturday.  There were originally supposed to be two models but one of them couldn't make it.  So guess who stepped in?  Hahaha.  I did all the hair and makeup, but we decided to do some shots where it looked like Alicia was getting ready to go out.  All pictures (except the behind the scenes) are by Andrew Chin.

First some pictures of Alicia:

I ruined this picture =(  I was taking some behind the scene pics
but didn't realize the photographer was still going.

And of me....

And with the two of us together, I had hoped to make a dark and light contrast.  I don't think the contrast was enough =(

We take photoshoots very seriously.

And of course, some behind the scenes:

You can't tell, but myself and the photographer's assistant are hiding behind
the curtain and taking pics from above.

Do not attempt!  Professionals only hahaha.

And that's a wrap!  As usual, constructive criticism is helpful.  I would have liked the shots to be more "glamorous" but I'm not sure how to achieve that and I think Andrew was going for a different sort of effect.

In any case, thanks for taking the time to check out the pictures!  I hope to do lots lots LOTS more photoshoots in the future!  They're great fun!

Daiso Haul

Daiso is a very, very dangerous place.  I don't know about its availability and locations across the country, but it is a chain Japanese store that sells most of their goods for $1.50 each.  Their goods include household items, art supplies, school/office supplies, snacks, and of course beauty.  The Daiso in my city is very dinky, so when my sister planned a trip to the Daiso in Newark, I tagged along.  And did some damage.

My bag of crap.  Size compared to the NAKED palette.

The lashes.....bwahaha!

Some miscellaneous items for my kit/school.

And the grand total?  A little over $60.  But I also got some baking things for my sister that I didn't include in here.  I went to Daiso mainly to stock up on different styles of lashes, since I hope to do more photoshoots in the future.  I'll upload those pictures soon.  Promise!

Anyone else out there go a little crazy in Asian beauty stores?  How many of you guys have access to them?

Rainbow Leopard Print

One of my classmates has been asking me to do his makeup for a while.  I finally found a bit of time to spare during class, and attempted to put eye makeup on his eyes.  His eyes, however, are so sensitive that he was crying rivers after I applied eyeshadow primer, so we just settled for a simple leopard print on the side of his face and down his neck.

I used the 88 Matte Palette, a Silver NYX JEP, and a black Rimmel eyeliner for the leopard print and whiskers.  On the lips I used Inglot AMC Eye and Lip Pencil in 89, as well as Sephora lipgloss in Rosy Glow.

NOTD: Neon Zebra Print

I'm starting to sound like a broken record but man....I've been so busy.  This week has been so stressful--I don't think I've ever had anything quite like it during my undergrad.  Sure, I pulled all nighters here and then but it was never prolonged like this.  More about this later...

So I had a photoshoot yesterday, and I let my nails grow out so I could do something with them the day before. I was waiting for a client for Friday afternoon, so I asked a classmate to paint my nails until then.  She spent a good two hours on them, and I love how they turned out.  Bright and edgy and fun, not like my usual but still awesome.

Nicole used mostly her own polishes on me, so I don't know what they are.  But for the stripes and the little heart, she used acrylic paints which I think is brilliant!  The paints are a lot easier to use than nail polish.

Anddd.......the pictures of the photoshoot have gone up (on the photographer's facebook....).  I'll upload them shortly!

NOTD: Fast Track

Nail polish is not something I can wear very often because of work.  I generally have to keep my nails short or I'll scratch my flesh right off the bone in my sleep because of my eczema.  What is left of my nails, then, is not very much to work with in terms of producing nail art but I absolutely refuse to be left out of the fun.  When I have two days off in a row, I try to remember to add a little bit more color in my life.

After buying a crapload of China Glaze nail polishes, how can I not indulge?  May I introduce you to Fast Track by China Glaze, part of The Hunger Games collection.  Fast Track is the polish for District 6, transportation.  It's a beautiful soft beige with golden shimmer.  I don't seem to wear it very well, but I like it all the same. 

2 Coats

I can't tell you much about the wear time, but it seems to wear pretty well in the two days I had it on. I experienced no chipping whatsoever, and that is without a base coat or top coat.  Removing it was a pain in the ass because of all the glitter.

I'm wearing Luxe and Lush over Black Diamond on my toes right now and I LOOVEEE the combination.  I'm not sure I want to post pictures of my feet on my blog just yet though, so I'll have to show you another time.

By the way, China Glaze nail polishes are buy 2 get 1 free at Sally's for the entire month of April.  Definitely a good tie to stock up!

FOTD: Wedding-ish (and some Hunger Games Mania)

You'd think that being on spring break and taking some time off of work would give me plenty of time to blog and play with makeup.  Instead, I somehow ended up being as busy as if I had my usual school and work load.  Where has the time gone? Come back!

While I'm waiting for that to happen, allow me to show you a look I did last Saturday before heading to San Francisco to buy some things for my mom's trip, as well as breaking my makeup buying ban one hundred times over.  More on that in another post.

Natural light.

Natural light

Flash

Flash

Face: 

-Laura Mercier Hydrating Primer

-Smashbox Healthy FX Foundation in Light 3

-Laura Mercier Setting Powder

-NARS Laguna Bronzer

-NARS Blush in Deep Throat

Eyes:

-UDPP

-Inglot shadows in 399P (lid), 451P and 434P (crease)

-Lancome eyeshadow in After Dusk (transition)

-Stila eyeshadow in Black Cat (outer corner)

-A highlight color that I don't remember x_x

-Milani Liquifeye eyeliner in Black

-Inglot AMC Gel Liner in 77

-L'oreal Waterproof Carbon Black Mascara

My friend saw the pictures of my photoshoot on Facebook, and asked me to do her makeup for a wedding coming up in a couple of weeks, as she will be one of the bridesmaids.  I was ecstatic at first with this opportunity, but now I'm quite nervous.  Perhaps it's not such a good idea to admit that here because I think she actually read my blog (Hi Emily!).  But in any case, I wanted to practice doing a softer look than I would normally go for.  In the end, it ended up too shimmery and I drew on some thick winged liner because I didn't want my makeup to be soft for when I hit the city.  I think I tend to overblend, and I think this look would still be too much for somebody who doesn't wear makeup regularly.  I'm itching to go crazy with color but I'm going to keep practicing on myself.

Meanwhile......

I watched The Hunger Games for the second time yesterday!  I loved it just as much as when I watched it the first time. *happy dance*  I really love one of the songs on the sound track.  It's called Eyes Open by Taylor Swift.  One of the artists I subscribe to on youtube made a FANTASTIC cover of the song, which I love just as much if not more than the original.  I'm going to share it here so you guys can all enjoy and and have your socks knocked off.