Long Hiatus

It's been a long time since I last updated this space and this post will tell you all about what kept me busy.

Somewhere in June 2013 I found myself ready to enroll myself into a makeup college in Sydney Australia. The course was due to start the year after, on June 23rd, 2014. It would take me a year and a half before I would complete that course. So I started working on building my portfolio to send in along with my application to the school.

That was a really tough phase for me because I was working full time with hours that seemed impossible to work around. I had to make mood boards, face charts, make appointments and go to meetings with photographers, look for models, venue, make the props/accessories, think about wardrobe - all while having to work full time. It was unbelievable. I had off days that were used up to do what I had to for my portfolio and as you can imagine it was a really exhausting year.

Turns out, I wasn't quite ready (financially of course) to go back to school. So I'll still be around doing freelance makeup for whoever I have the pleasure of working with. Until then, I'd definitely seek other ways to continue learning about this beautiful art of makeup.

I am still looking around for ways to upgrade myself and learn new techniques in this industry. It's not easy and it's not cheap, but I'm sure with hard work and a burning passion, anything is possible.

Second chance

I admit, that I forgot all about this space. I remember getting all hyped about wanting to be more active in blogging and recording my journey as a freelance makeup artist here in Singapore. And then I took up a full time job (which has absolutely nothing to do with doing makeup) and I failed myself at keeping to the promise of maintaining a space that is worth keeping (and dust free from all the lack of updates).

Let's start this over.

All my love,

This post is dedicated to my friends and family who have helped me with my makeup. 

I've been fortunate enough to be surrounded by people who have good hopes and well wishes for my makeup adventures (I wouldn't call it business because that sounds so darn serious!) My family has been supportive in a way that I cannot explain. They've been there for me physically when I need help with cleaning my makeup room/studio or if I need help with decisions.

To my friends; boyfriend, best friend, colleagues, ex-colleagues, who have suggested positively looks that I should try, have given me job referrals or have lent me their faces (or even their friend's!) just so I could build up my portfolio, Thank you so much. 

Theresa, thank you for the opportunity to work with your blogshop. I know sometimes my schedule can be crazy rough on you, but nevertheless you're a doll every time we have a photoshoot.

Ika, thanks for being such a good sport and lending me that gorgeous face of yours. We met and knew each other in Bangkok for 4 short days. Given that you don't know me so well I am amazed at how you still trust to put your face and hair in my hands. 

Lydia, you're a really wonderful person to work with. I love the fact that you're willing to speak your mind and that makes my job as a makeup artist not necessarily easier, but more enjoyable because I will know exactly what you want and it makes me see things in your point of view.

Syaza, I haven't seen you in ages and I know it's uncomfortable being in front of the camera, but thank you for doing this for me. And thank you for the stories of the past life that I sometimes miss a little. I've never been more grateful to have met and known a person like you in an industry where crazy people thrives, hehe. 

My girlfriends, Malyana and Lyna, never ending love and support from the two of you. 

 My appreciation is beyond words can express.

All of whom I have featured on this blog have contributed to my growth as a makeup artist and I hope to do everyone who have supported me proud.

Lydia

Presenting my stunning friend, Lydia with an Indian look.

Ika's natural look

Ika

Mel as a Pinup Girl

Behind the scenes

My small makeup station

Photo shoot in progress

This is what it looks like behind the scenes of the blogshop, Kayssa's photo shoot. This time around we went to a much larger studio, at MacPherson, under Eleganz modelling agency. 

Their latest launch of apparels for Chinese New Year looks awesome. So if you have the time and is interested, please go check out their blogshop! Click here, and enjoy shopping!

Children's Face Painting Party!

Nicolette, 5 Years Old

There was a birthday party for Louisa and Charlotte, both 7 years old on 19th January 2013. It was held at Boatmen's Seafood Restaurant in East Coast Park. This place is awesome for children's party with menus ranging from Italian to Chinese. On top of that the children gets this MASSIVE play area with Jungle Gyms, Ball Pool, Lots of space to run about, everything you'd need to keep children happy at a birthday party. On top of that, there was FACE PAINTING!

We spent 2 hours painting 20 children's faces aged between 4 - 8. That was quite an experience I must say. I did enjoy having younger clients wanting butterflies, flags, flowers, spiderman and spider webs painted on their arms and faces. The parents were patient too and I was glad that they trusted us with their children's faces (please note that our products are sanitised and our brushes and sponges are clean!).

I would do this again, because I love working with children. So if you need a face painter at a party, you know the person to call! 

Post Wedding Photoshoot

Rina and Dennis, 12 January 2013

Rina was an amazing person to work with. She had plenty of smiles and we shared stories while I was getting her ready. She's a sweet, person and her smile is beautiful. And I'm glad that I'll be once again be able to work with her during her wedding reception in April. Congratulations on your wedding, Rina!

                                          Photo Credit

I haven't had the time to continue with a drafted posts which includes the "What's in my makeup kit" post because I've been busy with an exciting project! I am in the midst of revamping a room in my house, transforming it from previously a study to a small and basic home studio (to the best my wallet can afford!!).

Wouldn't it be cool if working on a room was as much fun as the baby is having? But the truth of it is, it's more difficult than I thought it would be. Halfway through packing up, moving stuff around, and now painting (YEAY!) I had almost wanted to give up. Maybe partly it's because I'm doing this by myself. So sometimes after a long day I feel exhausted and unmotivated. Sometimes I feel like I need a project partner to do this with me so we can keep each other motivated throughout.

But when I think about what I have achieved so far, I think it's an amazing accomplishment that I should be proud of. This home studio will be my pride and joy, my baby! And I will be proud to present it to you once it's ready. Even more exciting news, once I've got the studio and equipment up, I'll be posting more pictures of makeup here!!

Until then, an exhausted makeup artist a.k.a renovator wannabe signing off!

Successful Makeup Appointment

Credits: Ecomcom

How's the week treating you so far? I hope everything's going well. In this post I'd like to share some pointers on how a makeup appointment or a makeup consultation can be a successful one for both makeup artist and client. Let's jump into it!

#1 Communicate well with your artist
This is the most essential rule to remember. You have to ask questions when you're not sure, tell her about your skin issues or concerns (if you have any) and let her get to know you so she can create a look that suits your personality.

#2 Be honest
It's normally easy to be honest to a stranger because you don't have to worry about hurting other's feelings. NORMALLY. But somehow in my experience (or maybe I have the sweetest clients in the world), they don't open up and are not honest about my work. While she is working on you, you can tell her if you don't like how things are turning out. Don't worry because a good and professional makeup artist will not take things personally. She will do her best to fix the problem and make you feel comfortable.

I often do makeup for a client with him/her sitting in front of a mirror at all times so he/she is in good view of what's happening to his/her face. This way at every section (foundation, eyebrow, eye shadow, eye liner, blusher..) I will pause and ask the client what they think, whether they'll be okay if I added more colours, make it more bold, make the liner thicker etc. And if I trust that I have an honest client I'll just go ahead and do *my thaang* cos I trust that they will stop me if they don't like something.

#3 Be comfortable
A makeup session normally lasts between 1.5 hrs to 2.5 hours and that's a long time to be seated in the same position. So I like my clients to be comfortable. Be it have your phone to be texting or surfing the net while i work on your face, or blast music over the radio, or have a friend over to keep you company or have a conversation with me. Time will pass much faster and before you know it, voila! You're ready to go.

That's by far the most important things that make a successful makeup appointment to me. Feel free to add anything else that you think is important. Thanks for reading!

Have a great day everyone.

Hyrahh's look

She was a doll letting me experiment with her face. Her look is inspired by a Flamenco dancer. I didn't want to make her her eyes dark because I my favourite feature of hers are her cheeks and lips (they're just gorgeous!!). So I wanted the attention to be focused on those babies.

Bungees

Hey guys!

I have been meaning to share a post on what's inside my makeup kit, the list of products that I use and what I wish I had. But I haven't had time to take pictures of my products yet so instead, today's post will be about something small. I always have it inside my bag when I go see a client for a trial or for the actual makeup.

Aaaaannndddd they are..

..these babies! They're called Bungee Hair Ties. Sold in the states and UK I think and since I'm in Singapore I made a bunch of my own. These are used in place of a typical rubber band. I decided that I need them because I had a bad experience trying to tie up a girl's hair in high ponytail without bothering the bouffant-ness at the front. And boy did this girl have long, but very pretty and healthy long hair. So instead of getting the hair to go in and out as you twist the rubber band around the ponytail, Bungees go around your ponytail. In this way when I have to have my bouffant-ness up at the front, I don't accidentally flatten it from having too much movement.

Problem solved! But now the only thing is because these have quite large hooks at the end, they sometimes protrude out quite noticeably.

So if you're using one of these, you have to go over it to cover up the hair tie. But that's a simpler problem than the one I had at first.

Thanks for reading!

Kayssa.com Theresa

Model: Theresa
Makeup: Shida Roslan

This is for a model who naturally does not wear makeup. So with her I had to find the balance of making her feel comfortable by not having too much on her face and also to make her look polished in front of the camera.

Kayssa.com Carissa

Model: Karine
Makeup: Shida Roslan

Blogshop makeup is actually more tricky than what meets the eye. It has to be natural looking but at the same time it has to be enough to be seen through the camera. Go figure!

Just a little update!

Hey hey!

How's December so far? This year past by so fast for me. It's been quite a productive year in my case and I might blog about what 2012 has been for me in the future. But for now I'd like to share something exciting that I have had a chance to be a part of.

A blogshop, Kayssa, contacted me and gave me the opportunity to be their resident makeup artist. Exciting news isn't it?

So this was how it looked like behind the scenes. Obviously I couldn't take a picture of the process of getting the models done up because that would take way too much time to do. It was definitely a first for me (and I think for the blogshop owner, Theresa, as well). Everything went quite smoothly as Theresa is awesome to work with. She was vocal with what she thought the makeup should look like (and that always help me do my job better).

I'll end this post here and shall update again soon!

Have a great day guys!

Special Effects: Knife Slash Wound

For the fun of it!

Character: Flapper Girl

Model: Mel
Hair and Makeup: Shida Roslan
Photography: Cosmoprof Academy

Special Effects: Boxer

Model: A'an
Makeup: Shida Roslan
Photography: Cosmoprof Academy

Fashion

Model: Nett Esmon
Hair and Makeup: Shida Roslan
Photography: Cosmoprof Academy