Top 5 Airbrush Tan Rookie Mistakes

Top Mistakes Made by a Rookie Airbrush Tanning Clients 

1.) Too Dark – Don’t go medium or medium dark on your first time getting an airbrush tan, no matter who does it or how great the reputation.  You don’t know if you will actually like the look on you and you can always go darker in the future.  It is best to start with a light or light medium color.  Less shocking the next day and fades very naturally, until you know that you will love it!

2.) Wrong Outfit – Yoga pants and flip flops are ok, however some Lululemons have very thick seams and are very very tight fitting, they can leave a mark down you legs.  Flip-flops are good during the summer, but the rain on your feet will ruin the spray tan.  Jeans are always a no no…if you have jeans that are baggy enough to not leave a mark then you have a horrible pair of jeans and you shouldn’t wear them anyway;)  Wear very loose fitting clothes and shoes and preferably something with a hood or bring an umbrella.

3.) Poor Scheduling – Get your waxing, nails, pedicures, hair coloring, and clothes shopping done first.  In fact your Flawless Tan should be almost last on your list of services before any event or vacation.  Don’t schedule a massage the very next day (the oils they use can sometimes strip the tan).  Don’t exercise or bath your toddler that night.  If it is summer time, don’t go on a boat or to happy hour sitting in the hot sun for hours sweating.

4.) Bikini Bottoms – I know it is awkward and uncomfortable to get sprayed by a person…especially the first time.  I assure you that all the spray tan technician is paying attention to is the results of the tan!!!  I highly recommend getting your airbrush tan done in the nude.   Having said that, if you are going to wear bottomw, it is crucial that you know how your bikini bottoms are going to fit and where exactly the line is going to be so if you do decide to wear bottoms during the spray tan service you don’t end up with funny lines that show when you put on your swim-suite (completely defeats the purpose of the Flawless tan)

5.) Tanning in a Bed for a Base Tan – This simple truth is that this process does nothing except dry out and ruin your skin.  A ‘base tan’ is equivalent to SPF 2-4 (American Academy of Dermatologist).  Just don’t do it.  The tanning beds before a spray tan will cook your skin and the spray tan will have a hard time drying and processing.  The tanning bed after your spray tan will dry out your already dry skin and create horrible flaking of the spray solution and often premature fading in patches.  Not recommended….the California Cocktail is a thing of the past, not a good look on anyone.  

This is probably more informaiton about spray tanning that you ever thought you needed to know, but it is important random things to consider to get a truly Flawless Tan.

Macklemore and Ryan Lewis - The Heist World Tour

Macklemore & Ryan Lewis Tour – The Heist

Maile and me on the flight...
On our way!!!

I was recently invited to tag along on a 4 city tour doing makeup for the back up dancers, The Macklemorette’s, the Rebecca, Cellist and as it turns out a couple of the male performers for Macklemore & Ryan Lewis The Heist World Tour…was such an honor and amazing experience.

I feel very lucky that I had the chance to evn be backstage at all...I just kept pinching myself thinking 'I am not cool enough to be here'.  There ae such amazing performers and artists and just listening to them talk about writing their songs or practicing their instraments was sureal!  It was the opportunity of a lifetime and I can now check that off my bucket list.  
"Makeup artists for a 6-time Grammy Nominated Performers Tour"

I had no idea what to expect when I arrived and was totally intimidated by the thought of being backstage with all these amazingly talented people.  As it turns out, it felt exactly like being in the locker rooms as a SeaGal at the Hawks Games.  Doing the makeup felt exactly like doing a brides makeup for the first time…everyone just wants to look fabulous and feel great. 

Everyone was chill and easy going and with all of us from Seattle there was already a connection and many common threads that made the conversations easy and natural. 

Rebecca Chung Filice, Cellist for
Macklemore and Ryan Lewis
World Tour

Each performer had a little different need or request, some wanted off the wall fun crazy makeup, others wanted a more traditional stage makeup look, and others just didn't want to have to do it themselves (I love that reason, my favorite)!

We did heavy winged cat eyes, we tried bright blues, and bright golds...as well as a seafoam green all over the lid winged all the way out to the temple.  It looked absolutely stricking on stage.

A great makeup artists’ goal should always be to make the client feel calm and comfortable and give them an hour to relax and chill before they have to be ‘on’ the rest of the night (hosting an event, attending a wedding, or performing in front of 40,000 screaming fans)…this was how I went into each concert.  I wanted whoever sat in my chair to relax and feel just a little more confidant and excited when they performed.

Ray Dalton singer on Grammy Nominated
song 'The Ceiling Cant Hold Us' one of
my favorites!

Anna, lead dancer and
choreographer for Macklemorette's
(as they are known)

The first concert was a trial run for everyone…a little nervous (bad experiences in the past) and a little concerned that I wouldn’t listen to what they were comfortable with for makeup looks.

Andrew Jocyln lead of strings section and
violinist, sporting his new 'Guy-Liner'.

By the last concert in San Francisco we were all ready to try some fun crazy looks with different color combinations and intense eye makeup.  We had a trust level at that point where everyone was able to sit back and relax.  That is when it clicks and it's fun for everyone!!!

Number one thing I took away from this adventure was to trust my talent (10%) and to be myself (90%).  Reading what the person in my chair wants and listening to everything they say, and then interpreting that into what I will do to make them feel and look fabulous….male, female, , homecoming girls, grandmothers of the bride, Grammy nominated performer, and everyone else!  I love what I do and I am lucky that people feel it is worth it to pay me for it!  

Cheers to living the dream and not working a day in our lives!

The Perfect Glitter Holiday Eye - Smokey Bronzed Eye Makeup

Holiday Trend 

The Glitter Bronzed Smokey Eye

I recently did one of my favorite holiday looks and wanted to share some of the basic techniques for appling it so the makeup will stay and look polished all night.  Everyone loves a smokey eye with a twist....add glitter!

1.) First rule of putting on glitter eye makeup -
Apply to the eye lid first...because you will end up needing to clean up all the glitter fall down below the eye.  Glitter is sometimes really hard to get off the skin completely and it stays in my makeup brushes forever so I avoid using them too.


I have started to use a mini lint roller on my cheeks when I have glitter fall down, lol.  A slightly damp mascara wand works too.  

2.) Use eye primer (my favorite is MAC Paint Pot in Painterly) and while it is still tacky place the glitter on the lid with a flat synthetic brush and press it onto the eye, never use a fluffy brush to swipe it on.  It will get everywhere and you wont get the look you are going for anyway.

3.) Go easy on the inner corner of the eye.  Not only is glitter super uncomfortable when it gets in your eyes (or worse your contacts), but it also can catch light funny in pics and look harsh and funny.  It is best to end it at the lash line and use a
or sheen to brighten the inner corner of the eye if that is the desired look.

4.) Eye Liner - Use a gel liner and and angle brush.  Press the liner into the lash line without dragging it across the lash line.  This will ensure that it does not mess up the glitter and the brush will likely not get covered in the glitter.

Product List - 

• MAC Holiday Pigment combo collection on the lid
• MAC Brown Down in the crease used very lightly
• MAC Fluid Line applied with an angle brush 
• Naked Palette Original - a mix of the golds and browns smudge out the bottom liner

Fall Make-up Trends 2013 - Copper Smokey Eye

Copper Metallic Smokey Eye

Make-up Looks for Fall 2013 - Trends and Tips

This year I have been seeing a new version of the Smokey Eye...the color is consistent almost the whole way up to the brow and really only one color is used.

This look is dramatic and modern, but very hard to pull off (keep it simple and extra blending will help).  It is usually done in one particular shade such as copper (shown here) or greys.  Metallic versions are often used as well.  The color is applied heavily close around the eye and then gradually fades out as you blend it to the brow.  This is similar to a traditional smokey eye, however usually there are at least three colors used in the smokey eye we are used to seeing.

This particular look using copper is beautiful with a bronzed contoured cheek (very little blush), heavy black eye liner, a nude peach lip, very heavy eye brows.

1.) Use a Short Shader Brush MAC #213 works great for close around the to blend out the black liner into the heavy copper.  If you are using a metallic copper color you will want to pat the product on your eye lid so it doesn't fall on you lashes.  Blend using short back and forth strokes below the eye.

2.) The #217 MAC Blending Brush is a must have in any kit and works really well for blending out the heavier shadow from the lid up thru the crease.  You shouldn't need to switch brushes for the blending from the crease up to the brow at all, I would just continue to blend (don't add any more product or it will end up too heavy in the crease)

Personally I think the heavy dramatic eye like this doesn't need any false lashes and should go with a very sleek hair style.  It speaks for itself and doesn't nee much else.