I am pleased to announce that www.artistrhi.com is officially live!

For a couple of years now, the artistrhi.com domain has temporarily been pointing to my blog here at artistrhi.blogspot.com, as we have been working hard behind the scenes to build the content and get the official site up and running! This blog first started out as a way to document my work as a make-up artist, but has since turned into a full-time hobby (and hopefully useful information resource) with posts on everything beauty!

I will continue to blog frequently here on artistrhi.blogspot.com and post make-up tips, product reviews, answers to your make-up questions along with updates on what's new at artistrhi.

I'd love to hear what you think. Check out the new site and drop me an email to let me know!

A very special thanks to my awesome webmeister Rosie of Design in Rotation for her creative eye and technical expertise!! Many thanks for all the support!

Nearly five litres of coffee and countless clicks of a mouse later, we're getting closer and closer to launching the official artistrhi.com site! Stay tuned as we go live tomorrow morning (Monday, January 5th , 2009).

One of my favourite features of the site is the easy-to-navigate portfolio that will feature bridal, make-over and commercial photo galleries. Until the official launch tomorrow, here's a sneak peak at one of the photo entries that will be featured on the site. (Model Erin and Photography by Paul B.)

With the New Year, I'm sure we've all made a slew of resolutions to help us look better on the outside with the subconscious hope that it will make us feel better on the inside. Yet, one of the best make-overs I think we can treat ourselves to is a "mind make-over" to rethink what we consider to be "beautiful".

Carmindy's latest book release, Get Positively Beautiful, is filled both with helpful make-up tips and self-esteem building thoughts to get you on track to the best you (physically and mentally)! The book includes a comprehensive breakdown of the overwhelming amount of make-up tools and product, along with make-up artist tips for perfecting the features of the face. Carmindy details what products she recommends at the higher end and lower end cost range, so you can make an informed consumer choice about what product to buy.

What I love about Get Positively Beautiful is the focus on the make-overs and beauty journies of "real women". Women of all ages (from teens to 60+) and diverse backgrounds are the muses, as Carmindy explains how to play up your best features rather than focus on how to change what we find negative.

The book makes a great read for people of all ages, and especially for teens just learning about make-up. Carmindy's philosophy of "celebrating uniqueness" in beauty is a mantra we should all abide by. Start the New Year off right and learn more about Carmindy's Get Positively Beautiful movement!

Speaking of the New Year and new looks, it's been in the works for months now and we're closing in on finishing up the final details of www.artistrhi.com! The domain has been pointing to my blog in the meantime, but as of Monday, January 5th , 2009 the official artistrhi site will be up and running!

Some of the features we wanted to incorporate into the site:
Accessibility - Users with special needs will be able to navigate the site.

Comprehensiveness - Intuitive user interface and ease of navigation throughout the site.

Cross-browser compatibility - Testing to ensure the user experience in Firefox, Internet Explorer and Safari is consistent.

Calendar - Ability to view upcoming events and current bookings.

Interactivity - Ability to submit comments, encouraging feedback and discussion.

Stay tuned!

What better way to celebrate the beginning of a New Year than with a new look! You can go dramatic and drastically change hair and make-up, or be more subtle with a slight trim and an update to your beauty routine. Here are some tips to be your best you in 2009 (the text is re-printed below each photo for ease of reading or click on the photo for the full-size view):HAIR: Always have some idea of what look you’re after when going into get your haircut. Look through magazines for desired looks. There are plenty of options out there, but be realistic about hair colour, hair texture and skin tone when scanning for looks you might be interested in. Keep in mind how much change you’ll be comfortable with - a new look works best when the person wearing it wears it with confidence!

MAKE-UP: For make-up, flip through magazines for a look you like. Don’t be afraid to bring in a pic of your desired make-up look, and have your make-up artist/beauty consultant help you find those colours. At many make-up counters, you can schedule a free make-over when you purchase a minimum amount of product (usually $45). Bring a hand mirror with you to view how each stage of the application process happens during your make-up appointment. Use it as an opportunity to learn some new techniques and don’t be afraid to ask any questions you have.

HAIR: I’d leave the actual haircutting to the hands of the pros, but why not try styling hair a bit differently? Add some loose curls. Part it on the side, rather than in the middle. If you always wear it up, wear it down one day and vice versa. It’s a small, subtle change that gets noticed - all without having to cut a strand!

MAKE-UP: Experiment and have fun with make-up! If you’re a natural beauty, try intensifying your look by adding some deeper eyeshadow and lipstick colours to the mix. If you always wear a darker eye look, do the inverse - go bold on the lips and use a light hand on the eyes. You can try as many looks as you like to narrow in on what you feel best in, and the beauty of it is that it all washes off! Put those make-up gift sets and gift cards you received for Christmas to good use and treat yourself to a new look!

You always get better results when you can predict outcomes. If you allow a hairstylist or make-up artist creative freedom, then be prepared for a style that they see on you (which may be something that you absolutely love or something that you totally hate!). Have your examples of desired looks in tow to help communicate what you want to your stylist.
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Location: Fiorio Salon (Yonge/St. Clair)

Model: Katie B
MUA/Text/Layout: Rhia Amio
Hair Stylist: Fabio Persico
Styling Assistant: Keith Sam
Styling/Photography/PP: Nadia Cheema