What should you, or your makeup artist, be thinking about before you start putting makeup on? SKINCARE. Here's why skincare is the secret to your makeup look:

• Smooth: Imagine applying makeup to a smooth canvas. That's what good skincare does! It helps your foundation sink in, and look much more glowy, and skin-like.
• Breakout Blocker: No one wants their makeup to look patchy because of a breakout. A solid skincare routine keeps your pores happy and helps prevent those unwanted blemishes.
• Makeup Marathon Ready: Want your makeup to last longer? Hydrated skin is the key! It helps your makeup grip on tight, and wear more evenly.
• Glow Up: Healthy skin = glowing skin. When your skin is lookin' good from the inside out, your makeup just enhances your natural beauty.

Quick & Easy Skincare Steps Before Makeup:

• Cleanse: Wash that face! Get rid of all the gunk from the day.
• Exfoliate: Gently scrub away dead skin cells for a smoother surface.
• Tone: Balance your skin's pH – think of it as a refreshing drink for your face.
• Hydrate: Moisturize, moisturize, moisturize!

By adding these simple steps to your routine, you'll not only have healthier skin but also a flawless makeup look that'll make you feel like a queen.

When booking a makeup artist, pay attention to what the skin looks like in the portfolio photos if you can. Also- if they want a few extra minutes for eye patches or skincare steps- do it!

I freaking love SXSW from a professional standpoint.  I. used to go see music and film premiers, but it doesn't interest me so much anymore- and it's honestly just such a hassle to make happen. What I love about this festival... is the work.  Most of my gigs entail visiting clients for a do and go.  A do and go is when I visit them (usually their hotel room), get them prepped of an event (sometimes called glam, or men's grooming), and they are off to their event. This is easy work, and I get to meet a lot of really interesting creatives.
Other times I stay with a client, or group.  They are traveling around to multiple events, and want me to stay with them for touch ups, and occasionally look changes as they transition from day to night.  I love when I get to know a client for an extended amount of time- these jobs can be really fun. Last year I had a great job for multiple days in a row.  We dialed her look in so perfectly, it was awesome.
The creativity happening all around during SX is so inspiring- it will always be my favorite work festival of the year! (Close second is ATX TV Festival- which not a lot of people know about!).

Post holiday and holiday season can mean a lull for my industry.  I find Sept-Nov to be quite busy, even the beginning of December sometimes.  But after that.. There can be a good 6 weeks of nada. My theory is this. As the end of the year approaches companies are jamming in all of their photoshoots, commercials, corporate events, etc. before the end of the year.  Possibly using up budget?? Makes sense to me, lol.
Ad campaigns for social content and new product launches are the most common things that I get booked to do hair and makeup for. However THIS year, I got multiple gigs to do HMU for podcast recordings!  It's apparently increasingly common to have them recorded for video use as well.  YouTube I assume, and to be cut up and used for other purposes.  Now these jobs were inspiring.  All business owners being interviewed with the story of how they built their businesses. These podcasts are so popular- and now I know why! I will say I did mostly men's grooming for these.. which I wish wasn't the case.  Here's to more stories of women owned businesses in 2025!