Neo2 December 2013 cover and editorial

Not a lot of people know this but before my last visit to Barcelona, I was actually really sick and I ended up being mal nurished. So while I was recouperating in sunny Spain I got booked on a shoot for Neo2. This was the result.

Punto Blanco Wintertime 2013 2014

After almost a year I can finally post the pictures and the video from the Punto Blanco campaign.
So without further ado here are the pictures and the video. With 4 models I was assisted by the lovely Marta Blasi.

Putting your best mask forward.

Like I stated in my last post I also use a massive amount of face masks. I hate to admit this (who am I kidding, I love to admit this) but I am addicted to masks. I absolutely adore using them. I have had times where I have applied up to 5 one after the other. Here is my collection of different types of mask I have on rotation at the moment and how I apply them.

Before I apply any type of mask I start out with double cleansing my skin. This means I start with Clinique redness solution that I remove with a moist towel and then apply Dr Hauschka creme cleanser. After rinsing this off I apply my exfoliating toner (loving Clarins gentle exfoliator at the moment).

When I go for a multiple mask session, I usually cleanse, treat and hydrate. Meaning that I start with a cleansing mask move on to something that will treat something and finish with a moisturizing mask. 

Cleansing Mask

I have several ones that I use but I love Dr Hauschka. It comes in powder form that you need to mix with water. I actually add a few drops of essential oil to the mixture just to give the mask an extra cleansing boost. After 5 to 10 minutes I rinse this off. The reason I love this is because most clay masks have a tendency to be a little drying. This one doesn´t. It just cleans the pores without stripping moisture from the skin. After patting my skin dry I move on to my next mask.

Treatment Mask 

Let me start off this section with one of my favorite treatment masks. Apivita seaweed peel off mask. Affectionately named the smurf mask because of it´s blue color. You mix this with some water, apply it to your skin and peel off after it has dried. It will detox the skin and gives your skin this amazing soft feel. Not to mention that after the cleansing mask this one will make your pores look like they are smaller (nothing can close your pores, they aren´t muscles) and make your skin look completely revitalized. I gave this mask to my male model friend Robin and he loved it. Proving that this most definitely is a face mask men will like to.

Another favorite of mine, and part of my skincare kit that´s in my makeup bag, is Caudalie enzymatic peel mask. It is supposed to tighten the pores and promote radiance. Now the pore tightening I haven´t really noticed, the peel off mask is more effective in that department, but it will give your skin a radiance boost. Apply to a clean dry skin, leave on for about 10 minutes and rinse of with water. 

I use to love this next one but I haven´t used it in awhile. Korres rose mask, again gives you radiance and softens the appearance of wrinkles and color imperfections in the skin. Like the Caudalie mask, you apply on clean dry skin, leave it on for 10 minutes and rinse off with water.

Hydration Mask

My absolute favorite mask for re hydration has to be Aveda intensive hydrating masque. What this thing does to the skin is just amazing. Not only does it provide you with a massive moisture boost to your skin, I noticed that is also slightly clears out your pores. Apply this to a clean dry skin leave on for 10 minutes and then rinse off and finish with your regular moisturizer.

Another moisture mask, that I love after being in the sun is Korres yoghurt mask. It has real Greek yogurt in it and it will not only hydrate and calm your skin it also cools it, so it gets rid of the feeling of heat that is in your skin after sun exposure. I personally wouldn´t exfoliate my skin after I have been in the sun so I apply this on freshly cleansed skin (skip any type of exfoliation on this mask) leave on for 10 to 15 minutes and rinse off. You will notice that your skin will absorb only where it needs it. What I have noticed with this mask is that is leaves a soft film like texture on the skin, something I don't mind after being in the sun.

The Holy Grail of Masks

Now there is one mask that is the holy grail of masks. It will change the appearance of your skin. Gone out clubbing for 4 days straight without sleep, this mask will make it seem you had 8 hours of sleep. SKII facial treatment mask, I use this on clients for events. It comes in a sachet that contains an actual face mask that is drenched in liquid. You apply the mask on your skin and leave it on for 20 minutes. It will really change the look of your skin. Finish with a good moisturizer. 

Now obviously you don't have to use any type of mask, if you don´t feel like it but it will really help to give your skin a bit of a boost and you will see and feel a difference in your skin.

My personal skincare routine

After being hounded by my cousin and Semi to post something for the last few month, I have finally decided to actually post a little something today. This one is not makeup related but concerns my personal skincare routine.
For those of you who don´t know this, I have severe dermatitis and I go through several periods a year when my skin isn't in it´s best shape. My dermatologist gives me steroid and cortisone cream to combat the flare ups and they do help but for the last few months I have been trying out different types of cleansers, toners, serums and masks. I have to say that my skin hasn't looked or felt better in ages. I will start off with my daily skincare routine and then go into what I use to target more specific things with masks later this week.
Before I start off with that I think it is important to note that I have extremely sensitive combination skin that is severely dehydrated if I don´t take care of it. If your skin is on the drier side, these products might not be the best for you.

Every morning I cleanse my face with Dr Hauschka cleansing creme. This is the only product that I keep in the bathroom (it´s actually in the shower). On a moist skin I press a pea size amount into my skin and rinse it off. It looks like it´s peanut butter and has the finest grain to it. It leaves my skin super soft and because it doesn´t contain any type foam/soap ingredients it doesn´t dry out my skin.

At night I use Clinique redness solution cleanser. I apply this on dry skin, rub it in and then get a small moist face towel and remove the cleanser from my face. 

The cleanser breaks down my SPF and the towel removes it without any problem and leaves my skin clean.

Once I have dried my face I will use a toner that will exfoliate my skin with a very mild AHA. I have tried several but absolutely love clarins gentle exfoliator. I actually didn't know this but the instructions say that you can only use it once every 2 weeks or so. I have been applying it very happily for the last 3 months twice a day without any type of issue. I doubled checked with my dermatologist and she said it was fine.

I then move on to a moisturizing mist. I have 2. Dr Hauschka toner and Caudalie beauty elixir. I spray one of these on and then at night I will apply some type of oil (I have tried my own concoction of essential oils or I apply Clarins lotus oil). I am not a big fan of the glow the oil gives me but love the feel of my skin in the morning, that's why I keep the oil for my night routine. 

Estée Lauder gave me their new and improved advanced night repair. The old one always made me break out, so I was very reluctant to try this but dear god how I love the new formulation. It gives my skin a very healthy appeal and it has hyaloronic acid in it, so my skin just gets a massive moisture boost and just looks amazing. I apply this after the mist in the morning and after the oil at night.

For the day I use clinique city block. It actually has moisturizing properties in it and considering my skin has a tendency to be a bit on the oily side, this works wonders for me. I am protected and hydrated all day long.

My night moisturizer is caudalie cell renewal night cream. I love how is smells but I didn't like it on it's own but with all the hydration layers that I apply before it gives my skin the right amount of moisturization. 

Before you go nuts on me with how many layers I apply and you don't have time for all this. I am done in less than a minute. I now have very well hydrated, poreless skin with no shine and haven't had to use any type of cortisone cream since I started this routine. Another perk people think I am 25!!! I smoke like a whore in love, sleep very little and am in constant airconditioning or the sun, 25 is a compliment considering I am well over 30. 

080 barcelona fashion

After last season vowing to never ever do another backstage portrait series again, this year I was back where I was last year and shooting portraits of the girls backstage at 080 in between their shows, fittings and castings. 

After spending 48 hours in Paris shooting an all male editorial series for essentiel homme with male models Yannick Abrath and Gerhard Friedl and another 48h in a car heading to and back to my beach birth town in Spain, I arrived quite relaxed for the backstage portrait session. Mr, Sebastian Sabal Bruce was the maestro behind the camera for this series and models like Clara Alonso, Iris Egbers and Laura McCone all posed for his lens (rocking my makeup). 

Sebastian and me decided before shooting I was going to test drive my newly purchased Tom Ford eyeshadow quads. Not only are they super easy to work with, they photograph beautifully. 

As soon as all the material has been processed I will upload them to my website. In the meantime check out some of the backstage action.

Después de la temporada pasada prometi nunca hacer otra serie de retratos durante la 080 pero este año estaba de nuevo haciendo otros retratos a las niñas en el backstage de 080.
Después de pasar 48 horas en París haciendo una editorial para essentiel homme con los modelos masculinos Yannick Abrath y Gerhard Friedl y otro 48 horas en un coche ida y vuelta a mi pueblo natal en España, llegué bastante relajado a la sesión . Sr. Sebastian Sabal Bruce fue el maestro detrás de la cámara para esta serie y modelos como Clara Alonso, Iris Egbers y Laura McCone posaron para su objetivo (rocking mi makeup).
Sebastian y yo decidimos antes de disparar de probar las nuevas paletas de sombras de Tom Ford. No sólo son super fáciles de trabajar, tambien fotografían de maravilla
En cuanto las fotos esten procesadas las subiré a mi pagina web, mientras tanto echa un vistazo a unas fotos del making off.

The skinny of it

It has been a while since I last blogged. I have been going back and forth about what I need to blog about. I really didn´t want to do another post about what was in my kit or what product I was coveting at this moment, so I decided to do a small series of posts about how one becomes a makeup artist. First and foremost these posts aren´t going to be very rosy colored. It is not my intention to be mean or to burst any ones bubble, but to give anybody who wants to work as a makeup artist a small insight into how it all works.

Not so long ago I heard that being a makeup artist meant that I was loaded and I quote: "You guys make so much money in a day" and I have found out that this is the idea that the general public has about not just makeup artists but models, photographers and anybody fashion related alike. Let me start out by saying that if you plan on becoming rich, find yourself another profession. It takes a very long time before you can support yourself only on makeup jobs. So patience is a virtue. The really lucky ones can supprt themselves after about 3 years but for the majority of us it takes a bit longer.

The first thing you need if you want to start attracting clients, is a book. This is a portfolio that you use to showcase your work. It holds all the pictures of your work. In order to fill your book with pictures you will need to test shoot. Start out with natural looking makeup. Make sure that everything (hair, styling, retouching) works together and unless you are Peter Philips or Kevyn Aucoin stay clear of using anything like glitter, feathers or rhinestones.
Unfortunately your work will be judged by the models that you have worked with, the photographers that have shot your work, the magazines that you have published in and last the type of make up that you have done. I know it is not fair but that is the way how it works. For this reason when you do a test shoot make sure that every member of the team involved is a professional. Only if this is the case can you use the pictures for your portfolio.
However when you are just starting out the best way to gain experience is to just start doing makeup. Just make sure that the photographer is good. The better models will follow soon enough. Be very critical. This will help you when you do get to work with the Giselles and Naomis of the world that you already know what not to do.
Now a good book is filled with tearsheets from all the glossy magazines but I will explain how that works in another post.

Luxury products for events

I was recently asked about my favorite luxury products by my dear friend Nadine and I thought I would do a post about my most coveted and upscale products. For a shoot, for example, I really am not looking for a moisturizer that will combat the signs of aging but one that will provide me with good moisturizing qualities. That is why taking care of your skin outside from the set is so important. Some product I list I do use for prepping the skin for events and celebrities but the majority of them are just for personal indulgence.
Thread with caution, some of the products come with a hefty price tag.

Shu Uemura Ultime8 Sublime Cleansing Oil

I am a huge fan of all the cleansing oils from Shu Uemura but this last one is, like its name, sublime.
It contains 8 botanical oils for 8 skincare benefits and contrary to what people may think it, it doesn´t leave your skin greasy.

Rodial Dragons Blood Hyaloric Moisturizer

The first in a series of Rodial products that are phenomenal. This day moisturizer will rehydrate your skin and plump it up while protecting your skin.

Rodial Glamtox SPF15

My second Rodial product. Every single time I use this moisturizer people ask me what I have done to my skin and how I get it to look so good. It won`t happen overnight but after a few weeks this little jewel will have your skin looking oh so fine.

RéVive Moisturizing Renewal Cream Suprême Ultra Retexturizing Hydrator

Not only does it provide lasting hydration, it also gives you the most healthy looking skin imaginable. Considering it is a little bit heavier and more anti-aging I would apply this one at night.

Rodial Glam Balm

Last Rodial product on this list. Flying doesn´t only dehydrate your skin, you will also lose your tan. That´s why it´s perfect for flying. It will create a protective hydrating barrier around your skin. Added benefit: you don´t lose your tan on the way home.It is also great if you have very dry areas that need a moisture boost.

Dr Sebagh Serum Repair

Applying this serum feels like you aren´t applying anything at all but nothing could be further from the truth. It boosts the hydration level in your skin, gets rid of fine lines and makes puffy eyes disappear like snow on a sunny day. This is amazing to use as an eye serum at events or all over if your skin needs a boost.

SK II Facial Treatment Mask

If you need anything on this list, forget every product on this list and just get this one. It is 8 hours of sleep when you have partied for 3 days and have just come home and need to go to work. It just leaves your skin looking amazing. For events this is my favorite product to prep the skin with.