Ooooops we did it again

When one of my favorite photographers Claude Studios (www.claudstudios.com) messaged me about a shoot he was inspired to do; I was like no problem.  I made my way from all day shoot on Ormond Beach to Dynasty Studio in Winter Park. 

When I arrived I looked around for the model, couldn’t identify her at that time from the inspiration I had been given.  I soon realized our poor subject had just been bamboozled by a local “hood” salon.

Her gorgeous short locs had been replaced with a synthetic shiny lace front that looked like it had been purchased from Party City.

Her luck got worse, in addition she had recently been burned by some hot Greece at her day job which was a local burger joint and she had just had a painful outbreak of acne.

Because she was just getting into the industry her wardrobe was very limited.

The photographer and I quickly made some adjustments so that we could accomplish our goal.  I remembered a black scarf I had thrown in the car and I was able to wrap it around her head.

We went totally dramatic with her make up in order to keep the fullness of her brows and bring attention away from the scarf.

I took my time to apply her foundation in layers with a variety of hi lighting and contouring techniques to chisel out her facial features.

We went with an implied nude to totally negate the wardrobe situation.

What we got….well it was lovely.  A try beauty shot.

You take a look and tell me….I say in the words of a popular song…..Oooops we did it again.

Until next time Stay Sexy, Soulful and Sophisticated.

Lena G

visit me online at www.lgcdinc.com

call our studio for more information 1.800.385.3624 x201

Ebony Love's Love

Just the other day I had the pleasant experience of working with Ebony Love a.k.a The Hook. She is known in the hip hop community for her work with; Rick Ross, Lil Wayne, Young Gotti, Gucci Mane to name only a few.
We got her prepped for her video to be featured at Morehouse college where she was nominated as song writer of the year.

Ebony Love is really re branding her image to capture that sultry lounge singer, Billie Holiday, Marilyn Monroe look.

We decided to really play up her eyes, and I found a new favorite product!!! Covergirl Liquid Blast, Blackfire. LOVE IT. We gave her smoky eye with metallic overlay used the liquid blast to line her eyes and smudge out for that sultry smoky eye. Then went back over with the liquid blast to make it very INTENSE. Creme color blush to sculpt her cheeks and natural lip with hint of gold pigment in the center.

I had a great time....shes a great girl and GOOD LUCK EBONY!!!

The Case of the Broken Shoe

In my quest on world domination of the make up world, I think I forgot to concentrate on "ME". I have a friend she is a shoe queen diva, you know that friend that still has shoes with the tags still on...yep that’s her. She recently started to shadow me on some production work, B.E.T , Fox, Daily Buzz. After about a week she yelled at me that if I wore flip flops one more time she would slap the “your imagination” out of me. I'm sorry at this point in my career honestly an 90.00 brush turns me on more than 90.00 pair of shoes. Sad to say though she recently had her point proven. I was on set working for a catalog when I finally got my call for an audition to an agency I had been lusting after for a few years. Basically I had to pack up and drive to a destination 9 hours away without even 24 hours notice.
As I was driving to my destination; I received a call from the Presidents assistant going over protocol for the next day’s audition; everything sounded copasetic great until she reminded me to be in all black and heels...WHAT THE BLEEP.
I don't even think I had pair of heels with me; literally I was going to arrive at my destination at 3 A.M. and have to be at the audition at 8:30 A.M. Not even time to run to the mall.
UN FREAKING Believable.
When I reached my destination, I tore my truck apart and found one loan pair of black heels. YES!!! I didn't remember them or how they got there but thank the lord for small miracles.
Or so I thought......I arrived at the audition and realized I had to walk up a hill and 2 flights of stairs. Can you guess....oh yeah hence the story title.
I have never wanted to scream so badly, but I didn't I just proceeded on as a diva with a broke A@@ shoe.
Yes I did, and as soon as I finished the audition I pulled out my trusty dusty flip flops and headed to the mall to treat myself to a new pair of black heels.

Excited to be invited out by Ashira Chic (http://www.ashirachic.com/) to talk about matching up sexy lingerie to sexy bedroom make up.

A few tricks for fun bedroom make up:

1. Use liquid eyeliner. (Liquid eyeliner doesn't smudge :)

2. Try those false lashes. The better for you to bat your eyes with my dear!!!!

3. A little concealer and powder. Instead of piling on the foundation just use a little concealer to lighten under the eye and some powder to take the shine of.

4. Sexy cheeks, use a bronzer; creme, liquid or powder whichever gives you that special glow.

5. Just smack dab a tiny bit of brown or coral gloss on those lips, make them sexy but not enough to make your man think you just ate KFC.

If you are interested in hosting a private Ashira Chic Lingerie Party; give her a call at 888.850.2442.

10 Minute Smokey Eye

Have you ever wanted to get sexy smokey eye for the evening. Take a look and visit www.youtube.com/lgcdinc for complete demo.

Quiet on the Set

Just the other day I was working on the set of an independent film; it was an overnight production. I am not a party girl; my bedtime is 9 p.m. So you can imagine me pinching myself and drinking a non-ending supply of mountain dew; doing squats, stretches and lunges in the corner to stay awake. I even threw some water on myself and almost drowned. Then I heard someone calling my name, am I dreaming. No I FELL ASLEEP ON SET AND THEY ARE CALLING FOR TOUCH UPS. I don't think this is what they meant by QUIET ON THE SET!!!

Cat out of the bag

I recently had an experience that made me rethink my career as a make up artist after a decade of dedicated service.
I was asked to do a photoshoot; fair enough...I can do that in my sleep.
When I arrived to the location the model and I where puzzled to find no where to set up. The gentleman that owned the facility most graciously offered a location to us out of the cold that had electricity.
In my mind I'm thinking great this should be a breeze. We where escorted to a location that resembled a barn and taken to a back room where we where greeted by a mama cat and 7 kittens.
Did I mention that I have allergies to write home about. That particular day I had no zyertec.
So I ignored our furry friends and continued to unload. As I looked up I see that the kittens have found their way into my make up bag and the models clothing. Someone call 911!!!!!
So trying to find in my heart the love for animals; I kindly removed the kittens and kept setting up. I look over again and they are back. At this point I'm thinking I need allergy medication and a nerve pill.
Then it starts; my right eye running profusely and my nose joins in; drip, drip.
I am trying to do the infamous J Lo look on my model while having a allergy attack brought on by the friendly feline's.
I LOVE MY JOB!!!!
Why of course I do...why the hell else would I keep going back for more.

Lena G
Behind the Brush...Confessions of a Make Up Artist