What's it like on set of a photo shoot- what should you know as a hmua?

I've been working on sets for about 22 years now. From test shoots back in the day; finding people to collab with on Model Mayhem (IYKYK), to working with brands like Athleta, and Hydroflask. 
Here are a few things you should be aware of, and what to expect- that you may not think of. 

Know the call sheet, and who is who.  What is the photographers name, who are the PA's, who is wardrobe, etc. Make sure you introduce yourself to any other parts of the vanities team- they will be your buddies. 

Know your roll.  It is not your job to speak your opinions on any other part of the shoot.  Stay in your own lane. 

Bring snacks.  You never know what crafty will be like.. especially if you have dietary restrictions ??(like me!). You should likely eat bfast first as well if you do, even if they will be serving it. 

Know the order of the shots, and the schedule.  When do you need to have who ready by.  Know who to communicate that with.  This depends on the size of the shoot.  Don't let yourself be clueless, and then be unprepared when it's go time. 

As a hmu, you will be watching your talent and the monitor and keeping an eye on your work.  If there are big issues, know who you should tell.  You also have to really be able to read the vibe in regards to interrupting or not.  I was to shy to for a while, but now I ask the photographer before we start what he wants me to do if I see something awry.  Some want me to just go, some want me to say something, and sometimes.... you just have to wait and keep your mouth shut. It can be an eggshell situation.. sometimes photogs are so in the zone, they do not want to be interrupted.  Also- don't leave the area.  Be ready to pounce- a photog may ask you to step in as well.  

Music on set is ideal. It definitely makes the environment fun. 

Don't tell someone you will be off at a certain time, because you never know!  You may be getting overtime. 

Still photo shoots and editorial work are my favorite to be a part of.  I will take stills over video any day!! 

What are some big ones? I've done men's grooming for the following:
ACL (October)
F1 (November) 
Spring SXSW (March)
ATX TV Fest (June) 

I have NOT worked
Round Top Film Festival (November), but would love to!

My favorite getting bands and guys ready for photoshoots, 
Here's to festival season! 

During the week of F1 here in Austin, I had the oppurtunity to do grooming for some of the McLaren F1, and Arrow McLaren team on a shoot showcasing Puma's new collab with McLaren.  It was a fast and furious day!.  Well.. there was a lot of waiting, but when there was action, it was indeed next level.  I'm waiting for more great pic from that shoot, but here are a few I've gotten in!  

 (I get this question all of the time! Especially from gals in my age group.  We grew up on powder blush, so it's just "the way", but cream blush has been everywhere for a few years now.

The difference is in the finish. Cream blushes melt into your skin, therefore creating a skin-like finish. Powder will sit on top more, creating a mattified look (not as extreme if you are really getting good moisture into your skin ahead of time via skincare).  I use cream blush on myself 90% of the time because I love a natural, glowy look.  To me, this reads healthy!

Now, in the summer(oil production high), or if I'm getting ready in the wee hours of the morning, I will sometimes top my cream blush with some powder.  This is the same idea as setting your foundation with primer.  You can even do a powder sandwich! The latter I will layer powder on top more often. In the summer, I'm typically still good with getting a good glow on.
On set, I only use a brush to apply this to others.  On myself, I use a brush sometimes( this one is great), but mainly my fingers.  When using your fingers, tap it in. You will get to know how much to use.  Often the tapping stimulates color in our skin, and then when that goes away, you find you didn't put enough on. *Always have a designated powder blush brush and cream).

Glowy skin is attractive at any age, but I do think it's important when you are getting into your 40's to really be conscious of the finish of your skin after applying makeup.  It's more common to experience drying skin, or skin that lacks natural glow and finish.

My two most used cream blushes on myself are Jamie Makeup Blighlighter in "The Cherry one" (looks sun-kissed), and Jones Road in "Rosy Brown".


I hope this helps! 

 I'll try and lay this out quickly- hitting the key points, so not to bore. 

I was an artist from a young age, that was my jam.  Any extra classes, camps, etc. revolved around some medium of art, and I had many projects going in my room.
I stole makeup from the leftover product my mom had after a career with BeautyControl(think Mary Kay) and experimented.
I was the resident homecoming and winter formal hair stylist, and would sit my BF down and pluck her eyebrows

My mom encouraged I go to beauty school(my senior year in HS got whack), so Summer of 2001 I started. I attended while assisting at a nice salon in town. I graduated, got a job as a stylist, grew my books super fast, and set some big goals for myself, thanks to a book called, "Dare to Win". I wanted photoshoots, editorial, etc. (and other things); I have my dreamboard to this day.

Fast forward 2 years, I moved to LA.  By myself, from Pennsylvania, just shy of 21, with my own savings. I enrolled in MUD, which is a well known makeup school for film, photo, TV, etc.  School was awesome, and I started doing test shoots immediately (I also got my CA cos license a few months later so I could work in a salon $). I approached H/MU Artist agencies with a PRINTED portfolio, asking for a chance to assist their artists. It worked,  Disney, Victoria's Secret, Oakley, etc.  Amazing.

Time, time, time goes by, I end up in Austin. This was 17 years ago. There wasn't another artist with a website- I stood out.  I contacted every production company with an email, and attached photos of my work.  I advertised on The Knot to get some income that way (and that business TOOK OFF!).
I did some films, got other gigs- all while still working behind the chair, and opened my own studio quite quickly.  It was adorable.  Sweet and fresh.

Time, time, time... well, I guess that's really it.  Things built. I had kids, it slowed me down.. and I rebuilt. And today, for me, I have the best job in the entire world.
The end: )

It's obvious what my time is spent doing on a job.  Hair and makeup.
However, a good amount of time goes into maintaining my kit in between jobs.  Thoroughly cleaning my tools happen after a job- full washing and sanitizing, not just a spray. And then comes the incremental work.  The other week I spent a good 4 hours just de-potting and organizing my shadows.  I recently got a new lipstick and cream blush palette system(which was very pricey!!) that reduces the weight and space those products take up in my kit. That took me a few hours as well.  Going through products from time to time making sure they are all fresh, buying and trying, cleaning out brushes and pin boxes, re-upping and keeping disposables organized, wiping all of my palettes, pencils, etc. down to keep them clean, etc. This all takes time! I change up my kit according to the specific job as well.

Point is... it's not just show up and work the hours needed.  It's maintain a beautiful, functional, and fresh kit.  Pack, lug, travel, show up, travel, clean and sanitize, refill, - do it again!!

Over my career( 22 years!!) I've really done about everything.  From black eye and wound injury makeup, heavy glam, and the most minimal makeup for men's grooming jobs. For the past few years, I've curated my portfolio to showcase the type of work I want to take(take a look and you will understand what I mean!).  I love natural looks, soft glam,  and men's grooming, I want skin to look like skin in my applications, and don't like using heavy foundations for an airbrushed  look (and I don't like airbrush makeup- but I did it for years!). I do not like heavy eye makeup or shimmer.

As an artist, I think it's important at a certain point in your career to hone in on what you love. I do think it was extremely valuable to have such a wide range of experiences.  It's made me the artist I am today, and able to work with all mediums- problem solve as well.

I've always been a multi-media artist, and I wouldn't have it any other way!  Since childhood I've made clay, beaded, and wire jewelry.  Sewed by hand and machine.  Created art with pastels and charcoal, different types of paint, pencils, pen, markers, etc. This is all why I wanted to become a makeup artist.  I get to combine the practices I've honed throughout my life, and use them in the most fun career ever!  Blending, painting, lining- it's all the same.

 As a makeup and hair artist, I get so excited get clients ready for special events- like movie or TV show premieres(which happen a lot here in Austin during SXSW and the ATX TV Festival).  There's something magical about helping someone transform and feel their absolute best for a big moment. It's not just about "putting on makeup," it's about crafting a look that empowers, boosts confidence, and perfectly complements the occasion.
So, what goes into creating that red carpet-worthy glam? Here's a peek behind the scenes from my perspective:
Consultation is Key: Before the brushes even come out, we chat! This is crucial. We discuss the event itself – is it a glamorous premiere, a professional speaking engagement, or something else entirely? We talk about your outfit, your personal style, and the overall vibe you're going for. Do you envision a classic glam look, a modern and edgy vibe, or something soft, romantic, or very natural? Understanding your vision is the foundation of creating something truly special.
Skin Prep is the Foundation: Gorgeous makeup starts with healthy, happy skin. I can't stress this enough! Proper skincare is essential, and I often recommend a good facial leading up to a big event. On the day of, I prep the skin with cleansers, toners, moisturizers, and primers to create a smooth canvas for makeup application.
Makeup Artistry: More Than Just Color: Makeup is an art form. It's about highlighting your best features and creating balance. Contouring and highlighting play a huge role in sculpting and defining the face. We consider the lighting of the event – will you be under bright lights on a stage or on a red carpet with flashing cameras? This influences the intensity and finish of the makeup. And of course, we choose colors and products that complement your skin tone and enhance your natural beauty.
Hair Styling: Completing the Look: The hair is just as important as the makeup! From sleek and straight to voluminous curls, the hairstyle needs to complement the makeup and the overall look. We consider the neckline of your outfit, the shape of your face, and how formal you want to be.
The Final Touch:  The best part of my job is seeing the transformation in my clients. When they look in the mirror and see their finished look, their confidence shines through. That's the real magic. It's not just about the hair and makeup; it's about helping someone feel incredible in their own skin, ready to conquer their special event.
So, if you have a big event coming up, don't hesitate to reach out! Let's collaborate and create a glam look that will make you feel like a star. Because everyone deserves to shine!

Working as a hair and makeup artist on commercial gigs is really fun, and can also be quite tiring.  Long days; think 10-12 hours, and travel on top of that.  However!! Things are shot in bits and pieces, and if I'm lucky enough to actually see the completed product- it's RAD!  Like working on a micro micro movie.  I just worked on a commercial this week that had a lot of moving parts (figuratively and literally) and will have really cool transitions that the director set up for perfectly.  I've never seen so many takes, but I understood why. He needed absolute perfection for the different scenes to line up when put together in post production.  This shoot featured multiple talent, moving sets built by the art department, a trained working dog, a military consultant, lots of background actors, and more.  We were at a campsite, a business campus, and a college campus. Can't wait to see it!

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!