Face charts and photos courtesy of MAC

I'm always inspired by the artistry at MAC, and their Hallowe'en looks are no exception! There's no better time than Hallowe'en to get creative with make-up. MAC has a huge range of products (from eyeshadows to cream colour bases) to help you perfect your Hallowe'en outfit, but you can easily achieve some of these looks with products you already have at home! Check out MAC's Facebook page and YouTube page for more inspiration and ideas :) So many good ideas - too bad Hallowe'en is only one night!

I'm excited about Ellen's wedding this weekend! There's something quite beautiful about fall weddings...yes, the weather is way cooler than the summer, but the colours of fall are such a beautiful backdrop to a bride in her white dress. I can see more and more why many brides are opting for fall rather than summer weddings.

For Ellen's bridal look, I did airbrush foundation as she wanted her make-up to be as long-lasting as possible. Following our initial bridal trial, she told me how she actually slept with the make-up on to see how long it would last. The next day all she had to do was tidy up a 'tiny bit underneath the eyes' - the rest of the make-up was still in tact!! Not that I condone sleeping with make-up on, but isn't that an awesome testimonial to the benefits of airbrushing?! Think about it...you can wake up looking perfect...just like those soap opera stars!!

Stay tuned for more pics from Ellen's wedding day prep. For now, it's time to pack the kit and get a good night's rest in preparation for tomorrow ;)

Hye-Rim + James
Photographer: Geehae Jeong
Assistant Photographer: Chris Luk
Hair: Suzie Choi
Make-up: Rhia Amio

I was excited to meet the lovely Geehae Jeong, as I've seen her talent for photography before via our mutual friend, (the amazing) Claudia Hung (who Geehae frequently works with as well). This time around, Geehae was calling (and taking!) the shots, and what a breathtaking job she did at Hye-Rim's wedding!!

You've already caught a peek of Hye-Rim's wedding with the wonderful photos courtesy of Geehae's assistant for the day, Chris Luk...now take a look at Geehae's awesome perspective of the Big Day!

One thing that I love about fall is how dramatic make-up always makes a comeback. Whether it be in the form of smoky eyes or dark lips, I'm always one to support a little heavy-handedness. :)

Enter MAC's Style Black line - another limited edition collection in the tradition of MAC releases (in other words, get it before it's gone!). The collection features a selection of black-inspired shades for eyes, nails and even lips. Goth make-up has never been so chic!

EYES

MAC Gilt by Association and Blue Flame Mineralize eyeshadows

I finally had the time to thoroughly test run a few of the items I had picked up earlier this month, and my favourites quickly emerged. Hands down, my top item from this collection is Gilt by Association Mineralize eyeshadow. The multi-dimensional blackened shade has flecks of gold and bronze that make it a universally flattering choice for all skin tones, and a particularly gorgeous colour for those with green eyes.

It's a perfect option to do an evening smoky eye with - the multi-dimensional aspect spares you from having to buy a palette of different shades and from having to blend to your heart's content. Simply apply any of the Style Black Mineralize eyeshadows and smudge with your black eyeliner for a dramatic effect.

Bonus: The eyeshadows work beautifully when applied both wet and dry. When applied dry, the black hues of the shade tend to stand out more. Add a bit of water (or an eyeliner transforming product) and the intensity of the shimmer really pops.

Here are some pics of how the eyeshadow appears on the lids (haven't done one of these in a while!):

MAC Blue Flame

MAC Gilt by Association (my fave from this collection!)

My only regret? ...is not picking up the eyeshadow in Cinderfella! ...and now it's sold out! They don't lie when they call it limited edition!

LIPS

MAC Midnight Media Lipstick, Blackware Gloss, Black Knight Lipstick

Ok, so the products for lips from the Style Black collection are not exactly practical nor wearable for the everyday woman. I picked up a few of the lip items anyway, as a good quality black lipstick isn't the easiest product to find! The nice thing about this collection was that it had choices for getting black coloured lips in a variety of textures! I scooped up Midnight Media Mattene Lipstick, Blackware Gloss and Black Knight Lipstick. Of the three, Midnight Media is the most opaque while Black Knight glides on more sheer (think more like a black stain). Again, no practical use for everyday client appointments but these products will work amazingly well for photoshoots....and of course, Hallowe'en!

ARTIST TIP: The trick with doing any kind of dark colour is to make sure your lips are smooth. Dark colours are unforgiving (see pic at left) and cling to any imperfection on the lips. My bottom lip was dry and you can see how the lip colour can really make the dry texture stand out. Make sure to exfoliate the lips and apply lip balm (especially during these colder months). Before applying the dark shade, pat your lips with concealer to act as a base and barrier for the application...a little concealer on the lips will help to prevent the dark shade you've applied from seeping into the tiny lines in and around the lips.

Here's a little anecdote that I'm sure one day I'll look back and laugh at.

This past summer when I ordered my 'book' (a hardcover portfolio to hold my printed photos), I initially requested one that had 50 pages (so, 50 pages back and front = 100 potential spots for my prints). The gentleman at House of Portfolios was kind enough to point out to me that the industry standard is about 25...so that's more like 50 of your best images within your book. Well, duh me. I was probably being overly ambitious and obviously naive. When I thought about it more, I considered that at the end of the day, a busy client wouldn't want to view 100 pictures of my work. The 'best' pics should be enough to indicate whether or not my work suits a client's needs. Yup, learning as I go...

It's been just over a year since I first started building my commercial and fashion portfolio and it's amazing to see the development from those early pictures with the first few photographers I began to network with...here's one of my first few pics:
Fast forward to present day and a more recent shoot with Nadia below, the best part is I'm still learning as I go...and growing each step of the way. With all the developments this past year, I definitely can't wait to see what another year will bring. :)