FLAIR & SME 2010

Sunday chill, turned into Sunday buzzing! There was not a moment during my weekend (especially Sunday) where it was not hectic. Sunday evening was spent sitting at the Sponsors/VIP table and on the stage/floor of Star Central Magazine's 2010 Ultimate Cover Girl Contest and SME (Starcentral Magazine Entertainment) Awards.

Funnily enough, even being one of the major sponsors of this event, I was a nominee for for the SME Awards', 'Female Look Of The Year 2010' and I won. Thank you to all those who supported, encouraged, put up with, and voted for me. I truly appreciate it!

Here are some photos from the night, although not many. Love.

 SME Awards: Female Look Of The Year 2010 - Receiving my 'dust collector' plaque ;-)

 This is the moment someone screamed out "SATIN!!!" - The Satin Hands Pampering Set really work wonders on the hands and leaves a lasting impression!

With two of the boys from Gigabeatz, dance crew

 Awarding Lisa Chan with her third runner up plaque and goody bag.

Pink Tuesdays: Sophiella Verde Makeover

I find it awkward and uncomfortable using someone else's makeup kit and brushes, and that's exactly what I had to do last night. There were only 3 brushes, so I just used my one finger to do this whole makeup makeover. Excuse the poor fluorescent lighting that I had to work with. Thankfully, I'm someone who can do 'makeup in the dark'. (Note: there was no eyelash curler available, so Sophiella's eyelashes are not curled. If they were, her eyes would be a lot more open and look larger. It would create a whole different impact and effect to her face.)

Thank you to the ever fabulous Sophiella Verde for giving me permission to feature her before photo. One time soon, I will put up my before photo because I don't think that it's fair that I allow everyone to see my clients' most vulnerable state (naked face) and not my own.

Skin Prep: Mary Kay Botanicals Set 3 (combination/oily), Mary Kay Timewise Microdermabrasion

Makeup: Mary Kay Mineral Cosmetics

(N.B. you may e-mail me if you would like more information about these products)

My lips are by OCC

TEMPTU PRO

Meet my new baby. Isn't she just so precious? Shannon from Temptu, NYC was a sweetheart at IMATS Sydney and let me have a try at her portable compressor, and one of the other makeup artist's compressor (non-portable but with a higher PSI). I suddenly miss my New Yorkers! Time to start working the airbrush!

IMATS Sydney 2010

Testing out the softness of some brushes. If it does not feel as soft as cotton - DO NOT buy it or use it. It will create more pores. And quite frankly, no one wants more pores, bigger pores, irritated pores, or even just someone poking at their pores!

This Japanese makeup brush brand had some amazing looking brushes. We weren't able to take a closer photo of them. But to give you an idea, they look like ancient Japanese calligraphy brushes to scribe fine lines, tips and points. Amazing.

With my buddy Koren Zander of EnKore. He is such a nice guy, with quite tantalising coloured eyes. You can't tell from this photo, but he has light brown eyes with red specs.

Here I'm testing out an airbrush. It is not the one I bought, thank goodness I was talked out of it. Talk about impulsive buying. That's what happens when you love airbrushes. I ended up with my gorgeous Temptu Pro S-One ;)

Behind The Scenes

Here are behind the scenes photos from the Don Quijote-Magtuto Pre-nuptial Photo shoot with Another Surography.

MUA: Crystalline

Photography: Another Surography + Team

Spa & Beauty Expo

A 5AM wakeup call on Friday morning, getting home at 1AM, then having to do it all over again the next day and the day after... it does not do you (or me) any favours. The following photos were taken at the Sydney Spa & Beauty Expo that took place over the weekend. It was only one component of my weekend of beauty, but was a large part of it.

I also attended a 3 hour (which turned more into a 4 hour) seminar/workshop with Leading Australian Makeup Artist, Rae Morris. She's such a down-to-earth Aussie woman, who can talk the socks off a crowd and really get people involved. The photo I have with her was just after getting her to sign one of my books, which was followed by her helping me out with choosing her new favourite brushes. Shu Uemura wasn't there, so we had to opt for the more affordable accessible kind ;)

 Saturday with Youngblood Cosmetics

Sunday with Rae Morris on a BlackBerry camera. I forgot my camera in my other bag :( Thankfully most phones have a camera on them now.

Ode To My Alter Ego: Coco Inspired

Makeup, Coco Chanel Inspiration, Another Surography and a day in need of something uplifting and creative. This is the product of a dose of collaborative creativity. The makeup was kept simple, yet had high impact. Porcelain skin, blue-rouge lips, a contoured face, Audrey Hepburn inspired eyelashes, strong brows and sleeked back hair. A runway look fit for the daily grind. The styling was also kept simple and classic, paying homage to Mademoiselle Gabrielle Bonheur "Coco" Chanel.  I hope that you enjoy the following images just as much as we enjoyed creating them.

Love,

Crystalline