International Body Painter Pashur Workshop

I had the privilege to meet and learn from the Internationally famous Body Painter Pashur. I took his workshop in Norwich, UK this week to learn tips and tricks from the best. He came all the way from LA, USA. The public can see him painting at Paintopia, Dunston Hall this Sunday (tickets on the door £6). I'm going for the first time to view all the wonderful artists at work.

Pashur has been in the industry for over 17 years and is known as "The Picasso of Body Art". The work he has created is out of this world! There are some artists that I've seen that can't do half as good on a piece of paper as he does on a body. His clients have included Nickelback, Playboy, TV show Skin Wars, Toyota to name a few.

When I heard Pashur was coming to hold a workshop at Jackie Hamiltons School of Beauty I jumped at the chance to take part. I surprised myself having never done an body painting before with what I ended up creating. After Pashur introduced himself I had to come up with my own idea to paint something. This threw me as I wasn't prepared and useless at doing things from memory. I found a photo of the roses my boyfriend bought me and with noting else coming to my mind started sketching them out on. It was my beautiful model Lindsey Beard's first time modelling for body art so it was a great experience for both of us. It took me 2hrs to paint in the end, stopping and starting while Pashur showed us how to lay the paint in different ways. The whole workshop ended up being 4hrs in total.

I bought some paints and brushes both from Cameleon so I'm looking forward to creating more art work in the future. Practice makes perfect after all.

oX Wendy Xo

Maybelline 24hr Color Tattoo review

 

Yesterday I was preparing for a photo shoot in Anglia square, Norwich. I was super excited to be working with the fabulous Nikkala from NAphotography. Her work is outstanding and I had no idea she was a student, her work looks so professional. The night before she had asked me if I could use gold glitter on the models eyes to complement the outfit. I wasn't prepared for this as I don't often use glitter, It's my least favourite medium for makeup. This prompted a mad dash to Boots 10 minutes before I was due at the shoot. I grabbed the goldest product I could find (thank goodness for my points card).

I had not heard of Maybelline's new 24hr Color (spelt the American way) Tattoo until yesterday - I think I've been hiding under a rock! The shade I bought was 24k Gold and it was stunning, a dream to work with, and the colour was so bright even without a white base. Me being the sceptic, having not had much fun with creams in the past, applied a gold eye shadow over the top to set it. The above photos show the true colour of the cream eyeshadow, I have not edited or used and filters. 

My lovely model, Claire Gaskings, who I had the pleasure of working on had such big eyes. Claire is stunning, at only 17 she was incredibly professional and didn't complain once, not even when I could see she was starting to freeze. The shoot took over 4hrs at the Twilight club and the makeup stayed on the whole time. I only had to touch up the lips while shooting. I think it's the best makeup I've done so far and itching to see the final photos but I'll have to wait a few weeks until the editing is done.

oX Wendy Xo

Makeup Counter Interview Process

I've worked on many counters and applied for even more. The one brand I have always wanted to work for but never been given the chance is Urban Decay. The holy grail of counters is MAC; the brand every girl and her aunt want to work for. The two counters application process couldn't be much different.

 

Urban Decay is about Sales - If you are lucky enough to be invited for an interview don't expect to be sitting down and chatting. You are about to be thrown into the frying pan. Urban Decay want to see if you can 1. COPE and 2. SELL. The Area Manager will explain the products you have to promote and their benefits so don't worry if you don't know every product on their shelf.

 

You are now going to be traffic stopping. For those that haven't heard this term it means stopping shoppers when they are walking straight past you and showing no interest in you. This is where lots of girls fall flat. One girl I was with during this process left when she heard this. You will have to approach these non-customers and influence them to come over to the counter where you will apply either a lip or eye makeup. If you managed to get their bum on a seat that's the easy part (yes, the EASY part).

 

You now have to sell  the products you are applying because by the end of her mini makeover your need her to buy something. You can do this several ways. I prefer the compliment approach by telling her how gorgeous a product looks on her and how much it enhances her best features. Some people go the other way and tell the customer all their faults - baggies, dark circles, thin lips - and then show them how to cover them. There's no right or wrong! You just need them to buy as it's highly likely that if you don't sell anything then you won't be invited back for a second interview (this is what happened to me).

 

Similar brand first interview process:

Benefit and Clarins

 

Brands who do a phone interview before inviting you to a formal interview:

Clinique and Bobbi Brown

 

 

MAC is about the Art - now before I start I have never applied for MAC but I wanted to show you the contrast between different companies. My information below is from other people who have applied.

 

If you are applying for MAC then you know something about makeup and how highly this brand is rated in the market. You WILL need a portfolio to apply for this counter and know how to apply makeup to a professional standard. Initially you will have a telephone interview so be prepared for all questions. I like these interviews because you can have all your notes in front of you (try not to sound like you are reading them though).

 

Example Questions:

Name a current makeup trend and how that has inspired you.
What is your favourite product? How would you sell it to a customer?
What do you know about MAC? (MAC history)
Describe MAC
What can you bring to MAC?

 

If you are successful you will be invited to a formal interview and to perform a Trade Test. This is where you will be asked to complete a look on a model (which you supply) and supply your own brushes (MAC preferred but not essential) and tip.. take a MAC palette. If you are successful you will have a final interview to evaluate the Trade Test and more questions about yourself.

 

Example Questions:

Is there anything you would change about your look?
What inspires you?
Where do you see yourself in 3 years time?
What can you bring to MAC?
When do you expect to be promoted?

Give a makeup trend you may see in the coming season?

 

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Can you see how different the brands are now? The processes will ofcourse fluctuate so be prepared for group interviews or formal interviews before phone interviews etc This is just an example of what to expect. Good Luck with your interview and please come back and share your experiences in the comments.

 

oX Wendy Xo