Pghmakeup's Blog

Kate & Adam’s Knot Magazine Feature

PghMakeup — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 21:47:24 +0000

I was so excited to learn just yesterday that one of my bride’s weddings was recently featured in the KNOT ~ Spring/Summer 2012 Pennsylvania issue. She was absolutely gorgeous and I’m so happy for her and Adam that the magazine featured their June 18th, 2011 wedding. Here are a few additional pictures from my original post as well, photos there are from Leanne Marie Photography! http://pghmakeup.wordpress.com/2011/07/15/kate-adam/

Tanya & Jon

PghMakeup — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 18:46:20 +0000

Congratulations to Tanya & Jon who were married on December 3^rd, 2012! I arrived early morning at the beautiful J. Verno Studio in the Southside to do makeup on Tanya and her bridal party…they were such a fun group of girls! Shari Tumminello, owner of Tease Salon did an amazing job as always on all of the hair. This is by far one of my favorite venues and the pictures were so much fun to look through. Here are just a few of my favorites.

Pictures by J. Verno

Airbrushing with Temptu Pro

I think this picture looks like a painting … <3

With their dog Carson … so cute

~best wishes guys…thanks for being so great to work with!

Kelly & David

PghMakeup — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 17:17:14 +0000

Congratulations to Kelly & David who were married on October 21st at the beautfiul Lingrow Farms in Leechburg. This was the only wedding this year that I got to work with one of my favorite Photographers and friend, John Pascarella of The Brand Studio. Here are just few of my favorites and best wishes to the beautiful couple Kelly & David!

See more of The Brand Studio at www.thebrandstudio.com

<3 this one…

November Ambush

PghMakeup — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 15:14:40 +0000

This past Monday was our second Ambush Makeover! We ambushed Peggy at her job in Plum…she had no idea that she was going to be whisked away for a day of beauty and pampering. If you know someone who really deserves a makeover, don’t hesitate to nominate them! All of the details and November’s full post can be viewed at www.ambushpittsburgh.com.

The amazing before and after ~

www.ambushpittsburgh.com

Look Good Feel Better

PghMakeup — Sun, 20 Nov 2011 13:33:58 +0000

Today I am volunteering for Look Good Feel Better, an awesome program I have been a part of for the last year. If you know someone who is battling Cancer, and especially going through treatment…let them know about this amazing organization. They will receive so much helpful information and a great product kit to aid them during this challenging time as their skin and hair undergo changes from treatment. All the info you need to know can be found at this link. http://lookgoodfeelbetter.org/

Ambush Pittsburgh!

PghMakeup — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 22:21:48 +0000

So yesterday was my very first Ambush Pittsburgh makeover, a very cool project me and my friend Kathy Wolfe started. It was amazing. I love giving back, it’s something I am very passionate about. This is a fun way to do just that and who doesn’t love a really good makeover!? Below is just one photo, so be sure to visit the website to see more fun photos and what Ambush Pittsburgh is about! www.ambushpittsburgh.com.

It’s truly amazing what a little hair color and makeup will do not only for the outside appearance, but for the confidence inside…it was fun seeing MaryBeth flourish through the day

If you know someone who is a great candidate for a makeover, visit the link above. We’re planning on doing one a month but need your help!

Interview with Cory Bishop of Temptu

PghMakeup — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 19:38:30 +0000

Meet Cory Bishop ~ Celebrity Makeup Artist & Lead Global Artist for Temptu! You may even recognize him from a recent episode of Rachel Zoe, as he can be seen touching up the models makeup in the background. I had the pleasure of meeting Cory at a Temptu airbrushing class I attended in 2009 at the Temptu studio in NYC. I not only learned so many helpful airbrushing techniques from him, but also that he grew up right here in Pittsburgh, small world. I really admire him for all he’s achieved so far and have been wanting to pick his brain…so here it is! A huge thanks to Cory for taking time out of his hectic schedule to answer my questions!

JM: Was being a makeup artist something you knew you wanted to do at a very young age?

CB: I didn’t start experimenting with makeup until age 15 or 16 and even then I was more interested in the special effects.

JM: When did you decide to leave Pittsburgh and move to NYC to pursue your dream even further?

CB: Around 2005 I started booking weekend work in NYC and the requests grew and grew, so in 2007 I decided to move here because I was getting more work in NYC than in Pittsburgh. It was a risk, but I loved the city and I could have always moved back.

JM: How long have you been with Temptu and if you had to pick one thing, what is your favorite aspect of working with them?

CB: I have been using Temptu products since 2002, and I have been working with them for 6 years next month. This company is small so we are like a family. We all know everyone and get along great. We also make products that work. I have worked for many companies that have had some awesome products, and some not. We really strive to only create and house things we love.

JM: I know you are one busy guy because I read your Facebook statuses and tweets! Tell me what a typical day in the life of Cory Bishop is like…

CB: HaHa! Every day is completely different. That’s what makes me love my job. Some days I’m teaching in the NY studio, or on set for different TV shows or photo-shoots and other days I’m in some random city working with clients or teaching makeup. When I get older I will be ready for some regularity but until then I live for the spontaneous makeup artist lifestyle.

JM: You are an inspiration to other makeup artists, but who has inspired you throughtout your carreer?

CB: One of my strongest inspirations was the first makeup artist that I ever assisted. I was in high-school at the time. In his prime he was a special effects makeup artist for major motion pictures in Hollywood. He was retired at the time and did a few makeup jobs here and there, which is how we met. While retired he made prosthetic pieces for people who had to have part of their faces removed from cancer, making it possible for them to eat, breath and return to normality. It really touched me at such a young age and helped me realize the transformative and powerful effect makeuup can have.

(I love that answer!)

JM: What are some of your absolute favorite items to carry in your makeup kit?

CB: Temptu S/B foundation! I have been using it for almost 10 years and I have yet to find anything so realistic and beautiful. I also love a good tear drop eye blending brush. I can do the entire face with the airbrush and one tear drop blending brush. Also a kohl pencil – right now I have the Lancome kohl pencil in Black Ebony. It’s a great tool to shape and define the eye. And with my brush I mentioned, I can create a multitude of great looks.

JM: What is a pet-peeve that you have or a mistake that you see so many women making with their makeup?

CB: Many women choose too dark of a foundation…I know we all want to look like we just got back from St. Tropez (myself included) but that is what bronzer is for! If foundation matches the skin, you can use it only where you need it – giving you a lighter natural look. It also lowers your risk of an uneven application. A darker, mis-matched foundation is the easiest way to make your complexion look uneven and old.

JM: Is there someone who you haven’t worked with already that you want to…who is it?

CB: I know it may sound cliché but I would really like to work with Lady Gaga. I think she is one of the most out of the box artists that everyone looks to see what she is going to do next. Her looks are always over the top but not without meaning. I also really enjoy what she supports in the community; I would have a blast collaborating with her.

JM: Once I saw written on your Facebook that you quoted…”Following my dreams not the competition” …, I really loved that quote because this business is so extremely competitive. What is the best advice you can give to makeup artists to keep that in mind while trying to pursue their career?

CB: If you are following your competition and doing what they are doing, you are already two steps behind. Follow your heart. If it feels right or feels wrong you are probably right. A lot of this industry is getting your name out there any way possible, sometimes without pay. That is why you need to love what you do because sometimes that personal gratification needs to be enough.

(LOVE LOVE THAT!)

Thanks again Cory, you rock xo

Stacey Dales ~ NFL Network

PghMakeup — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 16:05:17 +0000

I had so much fun this past Sunday doing makeup for the Live Pre-Game show for the beautiful Stacey Dales of NFL Network. It was a gorgeous day at Heinz Field, reaching into the mid 80′s! Not bad for October at all! I’m looking forward to working with her again for this Sunday’s Steelers VS. Jags game .

Dark Circle Rx

PghMakeup — Mon, 05 Sep 2011 18:37:36 +0000

I can’t tell you how many people ask me what they can do to help their dark circles…it’s almost at every wedding or makeup job anymore. As a sufferer of these pesty circles myself, I’ve always done my research and personally tried several products to help eliminate them. Although dark circles can’t be cured 100%, there are ways to minimize them for sure. The first step is figuring out the source of the dark circles, it could be one thing or a mixture of many things combined. Also remember that the skin around your eyes is the thinnest skin on the entire body, so it makes sense that this area naturally will need a little special attention.

HEREDITY ~ You can thank your parents partially for those dark circles because if you have them most likely it’s an inherited trait. I’ve acquired mine from my father, thanks dad .

DIET & HYDRATION ~ A healthy diet and consuming enough water on a daily basis is not only important for your overall health, but for your dark circles. My chiropractor can tell immediately if I’m not drinking enough water by the darkness underneath my eyes. It can be a little rough drinking the suggested 8 glasses per day, but now with so many options including Life Water and Vitamin Water, it’s not so bad. Also make sure you’re getting enough Iron and Vitamin K which could be contributing factors.

FATIQUE ~ This seems to be the most obvious factor to me…if your not getting enough rest it will be written all over your face, literally. Even though it’s recommended that we get 8 hours of sleep, try to shoot for at least 6!

MEDICATIONS ~ If you are on any type of medication that causes your blood vessels to dilate, chances are you will experience an increase in dark circles.

AGE ~ Dark circles are likely to darken and become more noticeable with age. This is no surprise and makes sense since as we age our skin loses collagen and becomes thinner. Thinner skin = darker circles, blah.

THE GOOD NEWS … There are a few things you can immediately do to help improve your dark circles. Start with trying to maintain a healthy diet, keep well rested don’t forget to keep hydrated. Also know you can go to the professionals for some extra help if you need it although there are many options available in your drug-store or online. Below are a few creams and concealers that have worked for me and many of my clients…

Many of the eyecreams out now pay extra attention to adding brightners and illuminators which will help with the overall darkness of your undereye. One of my favorites is the Youngblood Eye Impact Quick Recovery Cream. I tried this as just a sample and could immediately notice a difference. What I love about Youngblood’s liquid products is their air-tight pumps so you get every single drop of product in the bottle. Another great one to try is Rodan + Fields Multi-Function Anti-Age Eyecream. It’s a little thicker but I loved this one especially for night time.

I also suggest the Youngblood Ultimate Concealers which are the perfect consistency in a concealer…not too creamy but enough hold to keep in place. They come in 5 shades from fair to deep. Both products are available on the Youngblood website which is www.ybskin.com. Another great option is from Bobbi Brown, her Creamy Concealer Kit is used by many of my clients, visit www.bobbibrown.com to learn more or to purchase. Obsessed Minerals also makes a great Salmon Concealer which is a little thicker and creamier to cover up even the darkest of circles. Visit the website at www.obsessedminerals.com.

Tips…

When applying a concealer under your eye use your ring finger or a concealer brush…don’t forget about the inner corner of your eye since this is where people hold the most darkness.
Stipple on the product (small patting movements) instead of going side to side - this will keep the produt in place.
Set your concealer with a loose powder, I use a mineral makeup powder with a very small makeup brush.
A good rule of thumb when applying a concealer is go a shade lighter if you will be applying a foundation over it.
When applying an eye cream (especially at night) don’t go to far up to the lower lash line. Most products will heat up natrually from your skin temperature and going to close to the eye will allow the product to travel potentially into your eye…not good.

PS … Let’s not forget about puffiness either ~ any GEL based eye cream is great to keep in the fridge to reduce puffy eyes. I’m sure you have heard of the ol’ cucumber trick on the eyes. It’s not actually the cucumber that does the trick, it’s the coolness of the cucumber which will reduce the puffiness. If you have any tricks or products that you just love for your dark circles (or puffiness) please feel free to comment below and share! I am always on the hunt for products that work

Kelley & Joe

PghMakeup — Thu, 18 Aug 2011 01:03:35 +0000

Congratulations to Kelley & Joe who were married on July 9th, 2011. It was great working with Kelley again, I did her sister Amanda’s makeup last year for her wedding! I was truly blown away when I saw the amazing pictures taken by Kristi Telnov and I couldn’t wait to share them with you. Check out her website at www.kristitelnov.com.

I used my Temptu Airbrushing S/B makeup on Kelley as well as Amanda her maid of honor. I did the bride’s makeup soft and sophisticated keeping her gorgeous blue eyes the focus. Best wishes to Kelley and Joe and thanks for having me be a part of your day