Ingenious Hidalgo Jasin Weiner de la Portland Art Institute

Our favorite literary hero, the Ingenious Hidalgo Don Quixote de la Mancha, takes form as four lovely ladies under the Quixote illusion that life is much grander than reality suggests! These girls de la Mancha dash about fulfilling epic fantasies of chivalric heroism and stunning knightly fashion. Everyone thought Don Quixote was insane (even his loving author Miguel de Cervantes and his loyal sidekick Sancho Panza), but perhaps he had it right: we wouldn't dream it if it wasn't possible, and yes, we do create our own reality.

Early Early Early Beautiful! Early

Come a.m., I'll be grabbing my coffee with pumpkin spice soy milk and rushing off to help bring together another senior fashion design project from the Art Institute of Portland. The designer Jasin has some pretty interesting ideas. (Like building a driftwood sculpture tomorrow onsite. This is why I love this job. People aren't afraid to dream crazy dreams!) His collection is loosely inspired by Don Quixote and will require some ethereal eyes and perfect skin, nothing too distracting. Here's the makeup inspiration Jasin sent:

As Jasin put it, we have some good news and some bad. The bad news: we are meeting at 5:45 a.m. for hair and makeup. The good news: We book it for the beach at 7:30 and will catch the light and play in the sand! I think you'll find me bundled up in my baby pink vintage Missoni puffy jacket and my little sister's fuchsia J.Crew earmuffs, keeping guard on the makeup...freezing in huddled stance. (Carrie, it is December 1st. We are hoping for an interesting sky, not tanning weather.)

Hello Birdy

On Erin's lips I used Clinique lip stick in Beach Coral (a personal favorite, a pink grapfruity color, very rich but wearable and young because the coral takes stage over the rosy undertones), and on her eyes Go MAC eyeshadow highlighted with Nylon. For her face I used Arbonne's super star cream concealer and the brand's pressed powders to even and contour. I've met few models I can't perfectly color match by blending those four powders ranging from Fair to Dark. I finished by lining with Arbonne black liquid liner, then MAC lash primer and Arbonne volumizing mascara.

Doesn't Erin look like a 50's NYC movie star detective here?

The Bird And The Canary

Isn't it amazing when everything that could possibly go right does? It is how life should be always, and is if you are aligned for it. Yesterday morning's shoot for Shwood glasses proved to be one of those deliciously aligned days when everything helpful to the success of our day happened (Gary and Stephen finding the mint condition forest green 1968 BMW randomly in Jantzen beach on Saturday, the owner being an awesome guy sticking around for the whole shoot, Erin's previous shoot being rescheduled, Shaun having time to come take pictures, American Apparel trusting us with gear... on and on) and there we all were, making beautiful pictures and shooting great footage. Sure, it was raining and freezing cold, and I felt so terrible for the sweet little stressed out birdy, but other than that it was perfect... We all collaborated on styling, and American Apparel loaned us some threads to round out the looks. The big silver dragonfly neckless Erin's wearing is my mom's. Erin, Chris and Austin rocked it on camera. I think our non-story line will be absolutely gripping. As with the last Shwood commercial, the story is basically this: PYTs, not much to do, relaxing, simply being beautiful and cool. Always the Portland attitude, definitely the Shwood attitude. Not cut throat. Just creative and cool.

Okay, okay, the story is a little more than that. Hot girl, with her hot forest green BMW, coming upon two dudes just havin' a good time hanging out on the hood with their tropical canary in its vintagey bird cage. They see her, duck and hide, and she's thinking, what are you doing putting a bird cage on my perfect car? They're thinking, dammnnn. Friendship ensues.

I took these pictures, but there will be more from Shaun, and the commercials will be out in December when the brand releases them. Much love!

Shwood Shop Shoot, Tomorrow

Tomorrow we are filming the second Shwood glasses commercial, and Erin Desiree Dierking is coming on as model. I figured she would be perfect for the brand, because like Heather and Jillian she has experience, plus a strong, beautiful face. Gary Tyler will be directing, and we will be up on a sky rise this time (no beach).

Australian Autobiographies

Model Mayhem inspiration... Does anyone know who this photographer is? I need to give her some proper credit (she's from Australia and only 17!), but in the mean time, can we just enjoy her style? Love the makeup, especially the black lips and bright pink raybans. I love the perspective in these photos, and the moody glamour.

Beautiful Girls, Beach, Kiddie Pool, Champagne...What More Could You Dream Of?

The finished Shwood commercial will look like these pictures, but moving. I can't wait to show you! The makeup was fun; did my signature lip of course. My favorite picture is the fifth one down. There is so much energy in the photo, with the wind and hair, but also such a peaceful calmness. This shoot is such a good one because of how funky the concept it...the story is sweet and pretty, but a little off. Like, who are these two beautiful girls, and why are they hanging out drinking on the beach in kiddie pools? Who is this guy filling up the tub, and what the hell is so funny? A little strange. Right up my ally. Model Heather Rieder on the right, Jillian Rabe on the left.

Art Direction: Tyler Mcleod; Photographer: Shaun Mendiola; Makeup: Carrie Hamm; Models Heather Reider (on the left) and Jillian Rabe (Right) and Benny.

China Design Prep at SmashCut

Here is the adorable model Erika Ellis pre wig and post makeup. What a sweetheart! Can't wait to work with her again!

China Design Now, Take 2

Models getting their hair did before the second China Design Now fashion event at the Portland Art Museum. This night required something a little different for the models...instead of a catwalk, they perched up on great boxes and preened while the guests mingled. It's nice to keep things fresh! Pictures are from OSI Photography.

Above center is May Tee, a leader in the Portland fashion design community. I have my eye on several pieces of from her Spring 2010 collection.... To the far left are models Reanna Cadmus and Libby Boggs, and to her right is Heather Shroyer from Portland Fashion Synergy and model Morayma Makay. I love this look that Caprice put together! It was really satisfying to smudge the bright red eye shadow all around Reanna's eyes and onto her upper cheek bones. I felt like I was doing something naughty ;)

Portland Model Megan Hodge getting her wig trimmed and secured. Megan, after I finished her makeup and her wig was perfected!

Shwood Glasses at Oregon Coast

Sunday we did a commercial shoot for Shwood glasses. There will be three 30 second spots total, each with a quirky twist in a beloved Oregon setting (kiddie pool on Canon Beach for instance). Director Gary Tyler wanted the girls to look beautiful and beachy, but also exaggerated a bit beyond practical real life.

So out came my favorite, MAC Ladybug lipstick and LBASS Vixen Lip Slicks.

The sunglasses are so sexy in a cool Portland boy/girl way.

The Tell: Pendleton On The Rocks

Behind on posting, but oh well! That's what happens when you are busy doing things you love! I had my first experience working with studio fx/ prosthetics makeup for a short film produced by Lyon Films (director Devon Lyon, screen writer Kevin Curry) and I really clicked with the process. We shot 12 hours straight (normal), starting at 6 pm (a little less normal) and needed to refresh the blood a dozen times. I can't wait to share the final film with you!

It was a full moon, with only added to the insanity. The process similar to the photoshoots I'm used to, but with the added dimension of movment, which I found intriguing. Keeping continuity was crucial for everyone from the actors to me doing makeup and blood to the director and camera crew. I appreciated the challenge.

Makeup artist Nadia Kingston and I teamed up on the effort. Below, Jillian shackled and abused, sings a plee for release to Portland actor Todd Robinson, playing the softer of her two captors.

Awesome of Scott Hawley to get these great behind-the-scenes photos!

What's Your Rush? You're Missing All The Flowers...

These gorgeous dresses were worn at the Fuse International Fashion Show by Portland Fashion Synergy leaders Kerry Shanks and Jillian Rabe to represent the love between Portland and the Henan province of China. Roses for Portland and peonies for Henan!

In Portland, We Like To Wear Our Clothes

Above and below, more yummy hotness from MAYTEE.Above, a Chinese look from the Clothing Research Center. Below, the final walk for Emily Katz's gorgeous collection.

Look #1 Comes To Life

Photos courtesy of Onscreen Imaging, local fashion and event photography company. Katie and Moryama were so easy and enjoyable to work with. Here's my work on the girls, both wearing MAYTEE.

Pre-show Makeup At Smashcut

Lovely Portland model Moryama Makay. See her in the MAYTEE Spring 2010 preview video on MAYTEE's facebook page, shot in the Rose Gardens.

Looks by Caprice for FUSE Fashion Show

Friday night's FUSE Fashion Show at the Portland Art Museum was a brilliant success! Our makeup team, led by TIGI artist Caprice Hammon, started at Smashcut Studios and finished backstage at the museum, and nailed every look. Caprice faced some unique challenges with wardrobe and event layout while preparing the looks for the show, but what she came up with was perfect: powerful, but not overwhelming, and versital enough to compliment both the Portland and Chinese desings.

Sexy Bunnies Fufus Lurking In The Forest

Sarah Vale Rapp's awesome senior Art Institute project. Amazing job to Shaun Mendiola with the photos, and to the models and of course Sarah. Such a fun shoot!