Inspiration Tuesday-Kevyn Aucoin

I'm starting a new post called Inspiration Tuesday where I bring to you videos,pictures and articles from some of my favorite makeup artists. These are the people who influenced me to become a makeup artist and inspire me each day.

My first pick for inspiration Tuesday is Kevyn Aucoin. Who is by far one my favorite makeup artists. Here is a great video I found on him.

GMA Immerse

I was honored to be apart of GMA's Immerse Event. Immerse is a 4 day music training event for artists who want to grow in the Christian music industry. I was apart of the image workshop teaching new artists how to develop there look. I was one of the three makeup artists there, there was also a wardrobe stylist and a photographer. During our workshop we gave makeovers to a few attendees,answered questions and I had the chance to meet new artists from all over the country. A few of the artists asked me for my advice after the workshop. I'll share a couple of my answers with you.


Maria from Miami asked me-"I love the look when people line their eyes on the bottom. But when I try it the liner always smudges or runs creating dark circles.

My answer- Sometimes the wax in pencils causes it run and smudge on the lower lid. Especially if you have oilier skin. I know personally because I have the same problem. So instead a pencil line your lid with a shadow which often comes off a little softer. Or you can also top your eyeliner with the same color shadow which will help it stay put. Gel liners also work great.

Janice from New York-"As I get older I notice that when I put foundation and powder on the fine lines are more noticeably after I put my makeup on. How can I prevent this?

My answer-What you need is a silicone based foundation such asFace Atelier or Makeup Forever HD Foundation that prevents it from seeping into fine lines. Also Makeup Forever Invisible HD Powder is the only powder I have tried that does not magnify fine lines.


Do you have any beauty questions?? Send me an email info@sheritaleslie.com. I'll be happy to answer them.

New Work

Here's a picture from a photoshoot I worked on. I have to admit I'm a makeup artist who loves black and white pictures. When doing makeup for black and whites you have to be very precise and not a have a heavy hand. Because the camera catches every detail.

Getting Red Carpet Ready-2009 CMT Awards

Last month I worked with the Australian singer Shea Fisher getting her ready for the CMT awards. She has had major success in Australia and her album drops here in the US later this year. Shea wanted a look that was fun and glamorous all at the same time. So for her makeup I with a soft brown smokey eyes and flawless bronzed skin. For Shea's hair I went with her signature barrel curls. Here are couple products I used to make this look come together.





LORAC Starry-Eyed Baked Eyeshadow Trio Evening Star

Sephora Super Sheen Bronzing Mist

Also did I mention there was a tornado scare that day. I had to stop doing makeup to evacuate to the bottom of the building. Watch Shea's video blog to find out what happened.

Gospel Dream 2009

I had the opportunity to work on the TV show Gospel Dream it's Gospel Music Channel's version of American Idol. The show was filmed here in Nashville. This was actually my second season working on the show.It is always great being apart of the show from start to finish.

I had the opportunity work with a little of everybody on the show from the celebrity judges,vocal coaches and even the contestants. It's always hard when contestants get voted off. But luckily some of my favorites made it to the end. Be sure to catch the show on the Gospel Music Channel Comcast 189 at 9pm Central.

Working with Mandisa

I am a huge American Idol fan. So I was so excited when I got the call to assist with wardrobe for Mandisa's new album. When I got to the shoot I think my jaw dropped. Mandisa has always been beautiful to me. But recently she lost 75 pounds and she looks amazing!!! You have to look at the pictures from her photoshoot.Her new album is in stores now.

Heather Headley Audience of One

You may remember my earlier post about my shoot with Heather Headley. Well her album has been out for a while now and it's still in the Top Ten on Billboard for Gospel. Here are a few pictures from her album. I was the wardrobe stylist for this shoot. Fashion is my other passion.

Congratulations to Joey+Rory

Congratulations to country duo Joey+Rory on being nominated for an ACM Award in the category of Top Duo. You may remember them from the show "Can You Duet" or seen them in the Overstock commercials. While they did not win it was a great honor for their first album. I was actually the makeup artist for their CD Cover and promo pieces. I really enjoyed working with them. They are such a sweet couple and deserve all of their success. The photoshoot was on there farm in Pottsville. And if you are ever in the city of Pottsville you have to stop at Joey's cafe Mary Jo's. I swear they could have paid me in food. LOL!

Stellar Awards

I am sitting home watching a rerun of the 24th Annual Stellar Awards show on the Gospel Music Channel. I was actually one of the makeup artists backstage for the show that night. We were so busy that day making up most of the performers and presenters. It's great to sit back and see how the show turned out!

Makeup Tips for Teens

In November I was featured on the tween site Shop Like Anna. Shop Like Anna is a tween website that aims to empower young girls, giving them a sense of purpose, and promotes a healthy image for them all while keeping the site trend-conscious and fun. I really like the concept for the site. So I was happy when they asked to interview me. I shared my story on how I started my career as a makeup artist. I also gave a few makeup tips.

Here's a portion of the article:

Question: What is the most important tip for young girls when applying makeup?

Sherita: The most important makeup tip is less is more. Makeup is supposed to accent your beauty, not create a whole new face. Play and experiment with different colors and hues to find out what you like. Buy a set of makeup brushes to learn to lightly apply your makeup. Brushes lightly brush the skin with color so the effects are usually softer.

Question: 5 beauty tips for Tweens?

Sherita:
1. Foundation is too heavy for teen skin, which makes a tinted moisturizer the perfect cover up. A great inexpensive one is Olay Touch of Sun.
2. Only put acne products on your breakouts. Normal healthy skin becomes dried out when you overuse acne products in areas that never breakout. When you overuse acne products it forms a layer of dead skin that blocks the normal release of oil and causes more breakouts!!
3. Choose products that are non-comedogenic. These products are designed not to clog your pores.
4. Try out a crème blush instead of powder. Crème blushes are lighter and give you a beautiful glow.
5. Always start with less eye shadow than you think you will need and build up. Look at yourself in the mirror. Keep adding a little at a time. That way you will never have too worry about adding too much.

You can visit Shop Like Anna to view the rest of the article.




www.sheritaleslie.com

Beauty Quiz #1

Which one of these treats will most likely cause zits???

A)Candy Bar
B)Grande Vanilla Latte
C)French Fries



Answer: Believe it or not it's the grande vanilla latte. Caffeine dehydrates you leaving your skin parched. This causes your skin to produce more oil in an attempt to get your skin back to normal. Sometimes resulting in more zits. Also,since caffeine is a stimulant,it gives everything in your system a jolt,including those oil glands.

Stila's New Talking Palettes

Today I was watching the view and I saw this amazing new product. Stila Cosmetics has a new product called the Talking Palette. At the touch of a button a Stila makeup artist teaches you how to apply your makeup. I think this is a great idea! I have always had clients joke with me about taking me with them. But this is almost like having a makeup artist in a box. I have never tried it myself but on the site it says " A Stila artist teaches you how to create the perfect smoky eye, complete with artistry tips, which brushes to use, and product suggestions, all in under a minute." It comes in three different palettes to choose from-complete day to night look,the smokey eye palette-platinum, and the smokey eye palette-sapphires. Also be prepared to listen to the palette a couple of times. From what I saw on the View the artist talks fast.


Stila Cosmetics Talking Palette

The View

Better Nashville TV Appearance

If you had the chance to catch me on WSMV Channel 4's show Better Nashville Thurs. I went over "How to Stretch Your Beauty Dollars". Just in case you missed it here's a few tips I shared on the show plus a few things I did not have time to say.

6 Ways to Stretch Your Beauty Dollars

1.Alot of people like to spend alot of money on expensive face creams because moisturizing our face is one of the most important parts of our beauty regimen. But you don't necessarily have to buy the $50 and $100 face creams to get the results you are looking for. There are few products that offer the same results of the expensive face creams without the price.For instance Olay Renegerist Micro Sculpting Cream. It's great it keeps your skin firm and smooth it even restores elasticity.

2. Don't be afraid to hit up the Drugstore. Especially for items that you have to replace regularly like mascara. You should replace your mascara every 3 months. So instead of spending $20 on mascara go with a less expensive drug store brand like Covergirl Lash Blast that does an amazing job. It's my new favorite. As a makeup artist I have to replace my mascara every month so I love the fact that it only costs $7

3.If you have a drawer full of half-used lipsticks, don't throw them away and buy more. Take a pillbox and dig out the lipstick colors and put them in each square. You'll have a great carrying case and palette to create new colors like the pros do.

4. Don't throw away broken shadows-you can repair broken shadows or pressed powder with three simple steps. First mix the shadow with a few drops of rubbing alcohol. This will help bond the shadow back together without affecting the product itself. Next take a toothpick to flatten and arrange the broken pieces. Try to piece the puzzle back together as much as possible. Last let it dry till the next day. And your shadow will be back together and good as new. You can also press on it to make it look a little smoother.

5. There are some makeup brands that will give you free makeup for bringing in empty containers. So you are not only saving money but you are also recycling which is great for the environment. For instance MAC, for every 6 empty containers your bring them back they will give you a free lipstick.

6. Have a beauty swapping party- Get together with some of your closet friends for a night of pampering. Have everyone bring there unused makeup they never wear,try out some new colors and swap makeup with your girlfriends. It gives you an excuse to get together with your friends and you'll save money doing it.


If you have any beauty tips you would like me to go over on my blog you can email me at: info@sheritaleslie.com

Better Nashville Website
Olay Renegerist Micro Sculpting Cream
Cover Girl Lashblast Mascara
MAC Cosmetics

Working with Carter's Chord for Country Weekly

I had the chance to work with Toby Keith's new group Carter's Chord as they modeled shirts for a good cause in Country Weekly. The shirts were from country singer Lynn Bryant's Star Heart apparel line. The proceeds from the line benefits her charity Nancy Ferro Learning For Life Foundation, a non-profit organization that provides academic tutoring and character education for elementary school children. It great working on an ad for such a worthy casue and getting to meet the girls of Carter's Chord. I was also delighted that I got to work alongside a good friend of mine makeup and hair artist Tina Davis. Usually I never get to work with another makeup artist on set so you can imagine how happy I was to see her.

Here's my favorite song from Carter's Chord new album


Lynn Bryant's website
Carter's Chord Website
Country Weekly's Website

Got Deodorant??

One thing I hate is when I accidentally get deodorant or powder on a new top. So have to share with you a product I LOVE!! Miss Oops Rescue Sponges they are so quick and easy to use. All you have to do is briskly rub the dry sponge against the stain and watch it disappear. These sponges come in a two pack, safe to use on all fabrics and are reusable. Visit there website www.missoops.com
to buy them on line or find a location that sells them near you

The Amazing Things You Can Do With Makeup

One of the reasons I fell in love with makeup is the ability to transform people. I had the opportunity to work with an beautiful model on a shoot for a CD cover. We instantly hit it off and she later asked me to do her makeup for her wedding. Every time I look at both the pictures it amazes me that they are the same person. Did I mention we kinda made her look like a mummy on the CD cover?? You look at both pictures and tell me what you think.

Alain Patterson Couture

I was the key makeup artist for Alain Patterson's fashion show "A Night in Japan" back in Oct. I know I know it's almost been a year. But I just got my pictures back from the event and I loved how everything turned out. Alain is a fabulous designer and a good friend of mine. I was really tested the night of the show. My makeup assistant had an emergency and was unable to make it. So there were 13 models to turn into Geisha Dolls and I was the only makeup artist!!! It was too late to call backup so I switched into high gear and started making up some faces. It was really crazy backstage. I swear I was in the zone because I was turning out models left and right,checking to make sure everyone's hair was perfect,and keeping up with who needed to be fitted. Alain, who was so stressed about the show, was relieved when everyone was ready by show time. And while the models walked the runway I finally had a chance to relax. Did I mention I love my job!

*Click the picture to see a larger version**

http://www.alainpattersoncouture.com/

Recent Work

I love when I have the opportunity to test and try out new ideas. Here's some of my most recent work.

Photo credit:Dean Johnson Photo Credit:Mic Fonataine

Traveling with Makeup

One of my favorite parts of my job is travel. I love going to new places. My least favorite part is checking my bag in. Before 9-11 would carry on my makeup bag with me but know since the regulations have changed that is not an option. So now I have to carefully plan how I pack my bag so that my pigments are not all broken by the time I reached my destination. Here's a few tips I wanted to share with you.

How To Protect Your Makeup When Traveling

Airlines can not guarantee that your bag will be handled with care. Hear are some tips to help protect your makeup in transport.

1) Be sure to check airline restrictions and regulations prior to packing. Pressed powder can typically be carried on the plane but should be packed with a flat cotton pad or tissue between the compact for extra protection.

2) Tightly pack blush,eye shadow and powders together in a cosmetic bag. For extra protection cushion them by covering them with towels or soft clothes. Also be sure tape the sides of products with twist off caps.

3)Liquids such as shampoos,lotions and etc. have the highest chance of leaking so place them in individual zip lock bags. Then just to be safe place all those bags inside a toiletry bag. It's much easier to clean up one bag than to have it everywhere and all over your clothes.

Fishing and Country Music??

So I just worked on this reality show that going to be on FOX this fall. The show is based on pro angler Sondra Rankin who is also a country singer. Sondra is awesome! Once you meet you know exactly why that wanted to do a show on her. One moment she is a total giryl girl and the next moment she's getting down dirty catching fish. The best part about the show is when you hear her talk about fishing. I have never in my life met someone who loves to fish as much as Sondra. I have never been fishing in my life and she made me want to pick up a rod. LOL! I think the show is going to be great. I can't wait for it to come out. You may even see me on the show. I was taped doing her makeup on one of the episodes.

Here's clip of Sondra earlier this year on Fox Sports. It's not the show but you'll learn more about her .



www.sondrarankin.com