Events/Adventures: The Makeup Mavens of The Makeup Show 2011

I'd have to admit, it's been almost a month since the spectacle of The Makeup Show had come to pass, and even longer since I posted anything on my blog (yikes!). Yet the memories of what had happened that wonderful weekend in L.A. stays fresh in my mind as I look through these photographs. The array of talent and "cream-of-the-crop" makeup artists that roamed the penthouse of The California Market Center was nothing short of remarkable!


For those of you who are not familiar with The Makeup Show, here is a brief description directly taken from their website.

"The Makeup Show LA will continue to grow and deliver the largest PRO ONLY driven beauty event in Los Angeles, California! Join us at The Makeup Show as the top industry artists and pro-driven companies present the newest products, seminars, forums and hands-on workshops. We'll deliver the same pro-driven, artistically inspired, celebratory energy of The Makeup Show to the west coast, and bring together your top brands and inspirational artists and educators for two amazing days of community, career and craft building. Check out the fresh looks of the upcoming season. Learn about the newest lines and product launches. Explore makeup workshops and discover school programs. Network with your peers. Develop new relationships with the companies that make the industry tick."

Experiencing the event for the first time, I immediately sensed that this wasn't your run-of-the-mill tradeshow. It was a community of professional artists assembled under one roof, eager to express their expertise and great skill in their creative endeavors of transformation through makeup. I was thrilled!


Please, allow me to razzle-dazzle you with the number of  amazing artists I've had the pleasure of meeting that day.

This entire event would not have been possible had it not been for the genius of Michael Devellis (the lovely gentleman with the button down shirt) founder of The Powder Group and the force behind The Makeup Show. Michael and Brad Farrell were so open and engaging that I instantly felt at ease around them. It was such an honor to have met them both.

Prior to taking this picture, we were laughing our heads off because of Michael's wicked sense of humor followed by a bit of banter among the three of us. I felt like I was in a sit-com. So much fun!

They were oh so charming with such lovely hearts.

Kristofer Buckle (Christina Aguilera's makeup artist) and the expert behind Christina's ever changing looks from her simple nude face to her breathtaking transformation in the movie Burlesque. He loved this picture because of the 70's-retro feel to it (also because of the backlight which made us look oh so much younger! haha!) Like a star-struck teenaged girl, I told him that I have one his quotes in my Facebook page, to which he replied, "Oh honey, I'm so flattered! You just made my day!" Little does he know that he made my day by taking this picture with me.

Danessa Myricks, the striking and pioneering beauty behind www.imakeyoubeautiful.com started off very much immersed in the corporate world but also wanted to express her creative side. Her drive and passion took her hobby of experimenting with makeup into a full blown career as a formidable and sought after makeup artist by numerous celebrities. If you can think of a celebrity name, chances are she worked with them. She was so sweet and had a smile so inviting that made it easy for me to approach her. What a treat it was to have met her!

AJ Crimson, the co-founder and creator of Kissable Couture a luxury cosmetic line has demonstrated an individual approach to achieve clean yet luxe makeup and skin routine. He is a beauty and fashion expert who continues to work with countless celebrities in film and in music. His work is described as "Imaginative and Passionate". Plus he worked with Pat Mcgrath! (LOVE and ADORE her!) I was in awe of his skills.

The talented Mr. AJ at work with his beautiful model. I kept snapping away with my camera of his work. I was full of questions while he was working that afterwards, he thanked me for asking them. Finally, he told me to be true to myself because I can go so far in this business with my positive attitude. Then, complimented me on my eyebrows. I had to pinch myself to make sure I wasn't dreaming. He was awesome! I left his class walking on air and felt like I can tackle anything.

AJ's model (my apologies, but I couldn't recall her name) looked absolutely stunning after he got a hold of her face. The lighting in the room does not give her beauty justice. She reminded me of my dear friend Angel's daughter Ajah. Both are equally gorgeous!

I asked AJ if it was okay if I took pictures of the tools of his trade, to which he quickly replied "Of course!" I took advantage of it by snapping pictures away "stalk-a-razzi" style. haha! I also admired a few Hakuhodo brushes he used during the makeover. I am now convinced and determined to purchase a few key brushes from that line to further improve my kit.

Philip Luque is a celebrity makeup artist and licensed cosmetologist who has been making women beautiful since 1994. Apart from being the Global Senior Educator and Exclusive makeup Artist for Youngblood Mineral Cosmetics, his artistry has graced the faces of numerous celebrities  and has been featured in the pages of W and Italian Vogue. He has worked on numerous prestigeous fashion shows that are too many to mention. Meeting Philip for the first time upon the insistance of my dear nephew, I was assured that I need not be intimidated by this man. When I finally met him, I instantly found out that he is such a lovely person inside and out. Then as a parting gift, he gave me several samples of their amazing products. What a dear!

Billy Brasfield a.k.a. "Billy B." whose celebrity clientele is long and distinguished. To put it another way, if I had to list them all, I would have onset carpal tunnel in a week! haha! In the early '90s, Billy B. was asked to do makeup for an up-and-coming singer named.... Mariah Carey. The rest as they say is makeup artist history. Currently, he is the brilliant creative mind behind Lady Gaga's makeup transformations and a frequent guest judge in one of my guilty pleasure  "Ru Paul's Drag Race" show on LoGo. He was funny, charming, personable and was carrying on a conversation like we were long lost friends. He gave my Glaminar sisters and I a taste of his Southern charm. He layed it out like a scrumptuous spread of down home country style-cookin'. We were eating it up and kept asking for seconds. haha! It was such a pleasure to have met him. Much respect!

Overall, that day was an incredible success! I am so honored to have met them all. I was inspired and overwhelmed by amount of talent I've encountered that day that I was razzle-dazzled myself! haha!

As the day came to a close, my Glam sisters, my nephew and I went to dinner for sushi and sake to unwind and celebrate. We chatted away as we ate yummy food and enjoyed each other's company until late in the evening. It was a wonderful way to top off an amazing day.

Until next time,

Love, Laugh, Live Positive

A handful of the GlamFam (future Makeup Mavens) with the uber talented and charming Billy B.

So blessed!