Putting some POW in powder!

I love my career as a freelance makeup artist and I can't imagine doing anything else. I enjoy the artistry and the ways to transform someone's looks with just a few touches. When I work in Wisconsin, most of my time is devoted to editorial, lifestyle and commercial shoots.
When I'm not working I try to take that time to collaborate with other artists, photographers, and stylists to create our own shoots and build on a concept. It's a time for all of us to think outside the box and just have a blast! Our goal is to build our portfolios with these shots and hope that some of them may actually get published.
A few months ago I approached Dave Jackson about a beauty shoot I wanted to do with all different colors of powder dropped on a models face. We met a few times, changed dates quite a few times, and then had a last minute model change too. Finally together we made it happen...whew!! I love how they turned out and hope you do to!
Thank you Dave...you made my visions come to life. A thank you to our model, Karen, who was a trooper lying on the floor, keeping her eyes shut, and letting me go through numerous makeup changes.
I can't wait to execute the next creative shoot...I already have a few things brewing in my mind!!

FEED THE FISH

In January of 2009 I was hired to be assistant makeup and hair artist for the movie Feed the Fish. I wasn't sure how excited I was just coming off a film in December that was basically shot outside in the woods for about 14 days in the freezing cold.
When I read the script all I could think was will this Wisconsin makeup artist ever shoot a movie in the Summer or Fall??
I drove up to Door County and the closer I got to my destination the more it started to snow...needless to say we woke up to almost 10 inches of snow the next day...thank God that we were going to be shooting inside that day! I was really wondering what I got myself in to!
From the moment I got there I knew this was going to be a great movie! The cast and crew were amazing to work with. My first time meeting Tony Shalhoub I was so nervous! I had to go to his hotel and get him ready for some television interviews. He was so nice and it was such a pleasure to work with him.
I was recently called to come to the Milwaukee Film Festival and work with Tony again. We shot photos of him for the new DVD cover and he also filmed a Public Service announcement on saving the film incentives in Wisconsin.
I've attached some photos and the trailer below. It is playing in some limited venues so check out there website. It will be out on DVD in January too! It is (the feel good film of the winter:)

The Wonderful World of Beauty Shows

Most of you know that I am one of the makeup artists for Redken/Pureology hairshows in the Midwest. I also recently took on the Mid Atlantic territory too...my trip to Maryland last month was a new and exciting experience for me.

I always look forward to seeing the new trends in hair colors, cuts and styles. The fall season of shows has not let me down. As a Wisconsin makeup artist, I love this opportunity to work with amazing talent and getting exposed to the front line of upcoming trends!

What's hot right now? Check out Redken's website!!

As always, Pureology never ceases to amaze me with beautiful hair and some of my favorite hair products.

Below are some pictures taken behind the scenes from the show in Ocean City. I had the pleasure of working with the Pureology team and two of their amazing platform artists Jay Palaniuk and Mary Katherine Hecht.

I also was in Iowa this past month and looking forward to the Lake Geneva, WI show in November. If you're a cosmetologist, aesthetician, or nail tech it's definitely worth attending to keep your skills and creativity alive!

Take a Walk on the Wild Side

Oh....maybe I meant to say "Take A Walk On Your Website!"

Have you ever visited a website and all of a sudden a person walks into the screen and starts to talk to you? Wow...what a way for companies to communicate with their clientele!

As a Wisconsin makeup artist and stylist I get the opportunities to work with such companies that create these awesome virtual communications.

Webouts is a company of passionate individuals that are committed to raising the bar for your website, emails, and presentations.
They work with companies from scripting to coaching so you can communicate clearly and consistently like never before. It's a great way for your clients to meet you as you talk to them in a relational and friendly way.

My roll is to work with each individual from makeup/grooming, to hairstyling, and wardrobe styling so they look and feel their best. The Webouts team creates a positive and comfortable experience for everyone. You don't need to have prior experience in front of the camera.

I can tell you from experience that these Webouts work!

My Mother was looking for a new doctor and we all know how hard that is! I remember the days when you would pick a doctor from your insurance list, make your appointment, and meet them only to find out that you didn't feel that connection. I went out to my Mother's health care website and found many doctors who had Webouts. I watched a few with her and we chose one from her video. We were able to see her personality, hear about her passions, and felt 100% comfortable making the appointment. Long story short...my Mother loves her doctor! It saved us so much time and she's getting the great care she deserves.

Thank You Webouts!

Visit Webouts site and see what they all have to offer!

Here are a few candid shots from our last shoot!

Creative Minds Collide

I was recently invited to be a part of a creative collaboration in Milwaukee. As a Wisconsin freelance makeup artist I get the opportunities to meet new people all the time. Each time it builds new relationships and you never know where it will lead you.

I was so excited when Brandis, a model I had worked with before, and has graced the fashion magazines with her Paul Mitchell ad, asked me if I would be interested in shooting a fashion story. I would be doing makeup and hair, Brandis put on another hat as wardrobe stylist and artistic director, our photographer was David Larson of www.dalaphotography.com, and Rebecca was our beautiful model.

Our shoot was amazing and we all worked together like we've done it a hundred times before. I look forward to being a part of their creative team again. The strengh of everyones talent really shows in our final shots.

Here is a taste of our work...and as usual there is always the "back of head" shot of me on the set.

Thanks for reading!!

Jai

America's Beauty Show

As a freelance makeup arist in Wisconsin I constantly seek out educational opportunities to keep my ideas fresh and get inspired.

I recently attended America's Beauty Show (ABS) in Chicago, IL and was so excited by the things I saw. It was great to be an attendee this year so I could take in all the hundreds of exhibitors there. I am usually hired to do makeup at these types of shows so I don't get to see alot of what's happening in showrooms and on the runways.

ABS is an event open to salon and spa professionals. There are hundreds of the world's top manufacturers and distributors like Redken, Aquage, Matrix, L'Oreal, FHI Heat and Dermalogica. They are there to share experience, education, and inspiration. They all have their products out for you to see, touch and work with. You get the opportunites to have things demostrated on you too. I got to go on stage and the stylist from Croc curled my hair with her flat iron. That was a treat for me and I got to rest my feet for a little while! It's the try before you buy theory! I spent all three days there and still don't think I saw everything.

Every year there are big names in the beauty industry that come to the show and this year was no exception. Tabatha Coffey, from Tabatha's Salon Takeover, Kim Vo, a judge on Shear Genius and celebrity hairstylist, and Nick Arrojo, Arrojo Studio and former hairstylist on What Not To Wear. I got to see all of them, but am not one to stand in line for an autograph...so I just took pictures instead.

Some of my favorites that stand out from the show was L'Oreal and their creative hairstyles and Aquage for their beautiful finishing techniques. My best purchase was the Textur Iron from Sam Villa...and of course some makeup brushes by Royal & Langnickel Brush Mfg.

I can't wait for next year and if you're a licensed professional it's a must see show in the Midwest!

Here are some of my pictures from the weekend!

Makeup and Hair Meet on the Runway

Being a Wisconsin makeup artist and hair stylist I spend the majority of my time in the state, but I recently returned from Illinois after my first hair show of 2010. Several times a year I get to travel all over the Midwest and sometime beyond for these wonderful events.

This year, like all others, was a full house of eager stylist and aestheticians looking to learn and inspire their creativity with some of the top global educators in the U.S. They represent some of the top lines in the beauty industry like Redken, Pureology, Surface, Keune, and Mirabella to name a few.

Although I don't get to see much of the shows since I'm in the model room applying makeup for 50 or more models, I always enjoy seeing what was all captured on camera. Thanks Elvisa, who was one of the models, for posting so many great photos!

Here are a few of my favorites from the weekend!