The hunger games

So those of you that don't know, this fantastic book series is about to become the next teen movie sensation.
To cut a long story short - 24 people (1 male and 1 female from each district 1-12) get selected to play in a battle to the death, winner getting a life of luxury and celebrity status. Catch - the players are aged 12-18, and they are drawn from a lottery. The capital, a excessive community of decadence and superiority is in charge of this "entertaining battle that is televised live".

Sounds a little morbid i know, but a truly interesting read. And has a detailed focus on it main characters.
For me being a makeup artist i have been impatiently waiting to see the faces, and the fashions of "the capitol".
And they have not disappointed. Its was a fine line between creating something visually bold and interesting - without changing the somber mood of the city itself.

Over the next few weeks i intend to re-create a few capital inspired creations myself. In the meantime here is a sneak peek at some of the looks in the movie.

         

last image courtesy of Hayley phelan.


be bold,
joanna xo

corrective makeup

As you know by now i have issues with redness on my face. I thought that tonight as a follow on theme from my cosmetic enhancement segment, i would post some pictures of what i do to deal with this.

Firstly i want to say that i don't use a heap of makeup to mask the affects of my birthmark, and ruddy complexion. It is all about finding products that are liquid in their texture but highly pigmented. Also if you suffer redness you want to pick shades that are quite yellow based. And you will know yellow based colors when you find them!

For me my perfect correcting shade is L'Oreal true match in w4.
w = warm which have a golden base to them.
c = cool which have a pink undertone (don't even look here!) and
 n = neutral which is a blend and quite possibly another match for ruddy skins could be found in this shade range. But i cant stress enough the importance of finding a yellow based product - which will counteract the redness.

i particularly love these foundations for the range of shade choices, the watery consistency yet - medium to full coverage, they are totally build-able and extremely affordable.

i also use camo quad concealer palette in medium (which can be brought from www.coastalscents.com) for a mere $8.
 i place this over any spots, marks and in a triangle shape down the sides of my nose and up and out to the corner of the eye blending inside these perimeters. This product has a amazing texture and covers very, very well.

Here is a picture of half my face using only these products. Do bere in mind, i am not adverse to having flushed cheeks in the right places, so i simply conceal out the areas of redness that bother me, leaving the blush area, lightly covered for a natural glow.
                                        

So you see already without using any corrective makeup (which is usually much heavier and more pigmented than normal foundation) These products markedly improve the color of my skin.

I decided to complete the look by making up a whole side of my face to show you how much we can naturally enhance what we have via the medium of makeup.

                 

Be blessed my friends,

joanna xo

pics from the past

I was browsing my endless folders of photos on my computer and found all sorts of forgotten gems. These are makeup photos that i have either done on myself, or on models. Its fun to look back and see how far we have come in life, and its always good for a moral boost. Its easy to forget sometimes how good at things we actually are. Often its easy to see the accomplishments in others but we brush aside our own as if they dont really count. Well lets stop

that right now! Take some time to reflect on your own personal accomplishments and growth. You, like me will be amazed at truely how far you have come! Enjoy

 

Have a wonderful day filled with creative thoughts and happy memories.

Joanna xo

LOTD

Here was my makeup for the day, just a nice flush of gold and some natural false lashes excentuate the eyes.
Glowing cheeks, tanned skin and a nude mouth pull it all together.

This is my favourite everyday look, its fresh and summery looking. Whats your favourite warm weather makeup?
Joanna xo