Snow White Theme Shoot - Behind the Scenes.

On Friday I had a photoshoot with Photographer George Burgess and Model Sophie McDowell. Myself and George had been discussing this shoot for a couple of months but neither of us had the time to actually shoot it. The main inspiration for this shoot came from Snow White, however me and George both wanted to put our own spin on it - Keeping it original!

Products Used

Eyes

Avon eye shadow Primer

Illamasqua Liquid Metal in Focus

MAC Eyeshadow Amber Lights

Illasmasqua Eye pencil in Vow

Bare Minerals Mascara Lash Domination

HD Brows in Medium Brown

Base

MAC Pro Concealer in NC15

NYX Concealer in Tan

Illamasqua Skin Base Foundation

Illamasqua Gleam highlighter in Aurora

MAC Blusher in Well Dressed to Shop

Lips

NYX Lip pencil in Cabaret

NYX Lip pencil in Auburn

MAC Lip Stick in  Russian Red

A few sneaky behind scene images I took on my Iphone...

Take a look at Georges Facebook page here: www.facebook.com/PhotographyGeorgeBurgess?fref=ts

Once I have received the final images I will share them all with you :)

Zoe 

x

Illamasqua Multi Facet Palette

As the sales hit the UK high streets I was determined not to spend a thing, after just getting back from Thailand after 4 weeks of travelling my bank balance had seen brighter days to say the least. THEN......Illamasqua had an EPIC sale with products up to 70% off - this was designed to make me fail!

I noticed a couple of Palettes in the 70% off section that I knew if i didn't purchase them they would haunt me in my nightmares for the forthcoming weeks. One of them was the beautifully designed Multi-Facet Palette in Semblance. The palettes original price was £45 it was reduced down to £22.50 then a week later to just a mere £13.50 (Like I said It just couldn't be left behind). This little beauty arrived on my door step - It was a good day :)!

First thing first: Illamasqua Packaging NEVER fails to make me smile. It is sleek, strong and shiny making it easy to clean - for those make up covered fingers :) The palettes contents didn't disappoint neither it was certainly a bargain...

This palette is made for those that like to travel light (would of been perfect for my Thailand adventure), it contains 8 products as well as a double ended angled and blending brush. The Gleam Highlighter in Aurora adds a healthy glow to your cheekbones, the cream pigment in Hallow designed to contour your cheekbones, adding the blush in tremble to give you a POP of pink to your apples. The Eyebrow Cake in Thunder is an Illamasqua favorite, and the four powder eye shadows allows you to create a variety of looks.

Overall this product for me gets a big thumbs up! I wish I had bought two as I know when it runs out it is going to be a sad day haha! This product is limited edition although it isn't £13.50 you can still pick this gorgeous palette up for a good price of £22.50 at Illasmasqua Online

Zoe x

Portfolio Project - Week 1

This week we have been given our assignment briefs for our new modules. The past week I have been through every emotion possible (How is that possible? You tell me! haha.). I started off really excited about this module and my creative side was running away with me literally! I decided I would create a big elaborate Multi-Piece make up. I told my lecturer my idea, It then came apparent just how ambitious  I was being! As this project is designed so we have a awesome piece of work to add to our portfolio which would hopefully get us a job in the industry/area we want to. Being a novice in Multi-piece make ups, this is not the best module to do it in. I  felt deflated, hated the module and wanted to hibernate under a rock FOREVER! The only issue is, I actually want to pass the course - So last Thursday I sucked it up and started to plan again.

FINALLY it all came together I know exactly what I want to create, how I'm going to do it as well as how I'm going to display it :)! I am currently sketching/Photoshop-ing my pre-vis so I can show you all (and my lecturers) exactly what I want to produce. 

I have made a Gant Chart to keep on track and not fall off the wagon.

A budget has also been produced to make sure I don't bankrupt myself during it too (I'm getting pretty close to the line)

The display is something I'm excited but nervous about too! I want to display my prosthetic in an acrylic display box which has doors on the front that open outwards the only issue is buying something like this costs around £50-90 that's not an option I have. The only other choice I have is to build it myself, It will be a great learning opportunity however, this is going to be a nightmare! Inside the box will be the prosthetic positioned between 2 pieces of clear plasti-card that has been vac formed to match the face cast and prosthetic. 

I had a go at Vac forming yesterday so It was one less thing to worry about later down the line....

Here is the Vac-Formed face cast :)

 Once cut out....

I LOVE IT! I think it's an awesome little machine and suddenly want to vac form everything haha!

That is as much as I can update you all for now on this project but keep your eyes peeled as it's about to get very busy :)

Thanks for reading 

Zoe x

Inside my travel make up bag...

Before I went off on my travels exploring Thailand, I had the usual "What make up should i take?" dilemma which the majority of us girls get! I tried to slim down my contents of my existing make up bag but I didn't seem to be getting anywhere. Each time I took something out of the bag, I added something else to make up for what i took out. It was just organised chaos - A BIG FAT MESS!

I tend to leave the make up in the bathroom in the day and let my skin feel the fresh beach air and "glam" it up a little at night. As i don't tend to tan much taking one shade of a light coverage foundation doesn't prove troublesome.

My usual make up travel bags contains:

My usual option is the good old MAC Face & Body. I love this foundation as it gives me the option of a light coverage or I can build it up to a medium coverage. (For the "I look a mess today" days)

Bobbi Brown Pot Rouge for Lips & Cheeks in shade Rose. I absolutely adore this product as it's a 2 in 1 product and it can be subtle or built up just like the foundation!

Illamasqua Complement Palette, a small compact eye shadow palette which allows me to create a whole range of looks.

A good old Super Cheap Rimmel Soft Black Khol Pencil, as sometimes we all need a little drama on a night out!

Last but by no means least the good old faithful Bare Minerals Lash Domination Mascara.

Having NEVER traveled an entire country in 4 weeks my main concern was the weight of my backpack! I knew I would be picking up clothes/ ornaments / gifts along the way and wanted to make sure I kept my belongings as light as possible! SO.... the above options of make up I wanted to simplify even more! First off, I booked in with my local mobile beautician for Eyelash Perming and tinting and eyebrow waxing and tinting to give the base and save a little extra room :)

I started to do some research into products ideal for holidays on the web, Facebook groups and asking friends that have previously traveled. This is where I was sent in the direction of multiple BB creams, I have tried a variety of BB creams in the past and wasn't all that keen on them!

 I researched a little more and these are the products I ended up taking on my travels....

The Body Shop All-in-one BB cream, this product is incredible (Yeah I said it!) Its a lightweight coverage (so not ideal if your prone to breakouts) However, as it transforms from a white cream to suit your skin tone for the entire 4 weeks I didn't need to worry about the colour. It matched PERFECT every single time!! 

5 out of 5 from me. 

My trusty Bobbi Brown Pot Rouge for Lips & Cheeks in shade Rose. (Previously mentioned) I just couldn't leave this beauty behind. 

 Last but not least... MAC Studio Sculpt Mascara. I only used this towards the end of my holiday as I had my eyelashes tinted and permed before we set off.  Fist time I had used this mascara and I loved the length and depth this mascara gave me!

Yes that's it! ONLY  3 products, I think its unheard of - A Make Up Artist travelling with only 3 make up products! To be honest I couldn't of been  happier I did it, It made me forget about make up for 4 weeks and just enjoy my time travelling an amazing and beautiful country! These are certainly products I will be re-using on my next adventure. 

Be interesting to hear whats inside you're travel make up bag... :)

Thanks for reading

Zoe 

x

*Please note all images were taken from the brands webpage and they are not my own*

Matrix Mould Making AKA Jacket Mould.

The past week I have been learning the process and steps of a Matrix Mould. I'm not going to sit here typing and pretend it's been an easy week. (I'm no liar!) The process is complicated and I struggled to get my head around it at first. It's a backwards process to everything I have learnt a year and a half into my SFX degree. BUT... it does eventually click I PROMISE! 

I'm not going to begin to start to explain the process as there are many websites / tutorials out there on the big wide web that would do a MUCH better job at it than me. I am merely going to explaining my experience with creating a matrix mould.

When our third year Mentor "Claire Minehane" told us what she would be teaching I went off and tried to do a little research into it. My first port of call for research is always my bible:

"Special effects make up for stage and screen "Second Edition" By Todd  Debreceni" If you haven't already purchased it and are interested in SFX! Get out and buy it..http://www.amazon.co.uk/Special-Makeup-Effects-Stage-Screen/dp/024081696X/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1422469419&sr=1-1


If I am completely honest the book gave me a little insight to what we would be doing however, I was still confused after reading. The main point I took from the book was the benefits of a Matrix Mould.

Here are a few:

• Most accurate moulds. 
• Alot of work goes into making them.
• The rigid outer shell is created first. 
• The softer more fluid material between the shell.
• The process is best used to complex shapes. 

With these pointers in mind, I'll show you our process of a matrix mould of a plaster arm cast. 

Here is the first side of the mould. We covered the plaster arm cast with WED clay and added 3 pour holes, and many keys to ensure we had the precision we needed. 

Leaving the plaster arm cast in place, we cleaned up the outer plaster shell and prepped it ready for the next side to be moulded.

 Here is the mould with the other side prepped ready to be poured. We had a slight dilemma at this point we didnt make the clay walls strong enough which caused the plaster to start leaking a little. BUT...with a bit of patience and arm strength we gained back control :)!

 A lesson learnt and one to remember for sure! :)

Being so focused on the next steps I never took any photographs (Silly me!) At this point we filled the outer casts with PS28 Silicone to create the soft center which would collect all the detail :).

We then filled the center of the mould with Flesh tone Pigmented Pro Gel 10, we brushed the silicone into the mould to ensure all areas were covered. (As it's too heavy and big to slush). Once the Silicone was setting we poured in a Brown Pigmented Soft foam. The pigments were used to get a base colour to save time and products when painted.

The arm prosthetic isn't quite complete yet. It still has to be painted, which is my job to do on Friday. So keep posted to see the end result = A severed arm found in the rubble!

Thanks for reading

Zoe x

Thailand Adventures..

The past few weeks have been crazy for me, University deadlines rapidly creeping up on me and almost biting off a large chunk of my ass!

In the mist of all that I had to work this all out during the final stages of planning my 4 week your of Thailand. - Of which I am 2 weeks into, hence the reason for the blog being so quiet and will continue to be until I return and spam you all with my pictures and endless stories....


But for now I just want to wish you all A Very Happy New Year & I hope your Christmas was magical!



Enjoying the sights of Chiang Rai. Koh Korn Waterfall & The White Temple.


How I now think all Christmas Days should be spent. At The Elephant Sanctuaryin Chiang Mai, feeding them, playing in mud and finished with a bath in the waterfall!


The famous Full Moon Party in Koh Phagnan for New Years Eve!

Thanks for reading...until next time.

Zoe
X

Thailand Adventures..

The past few weeks have been crazy for me, University deadlines rapidly creeping up on me and almost biting off a large chunk of my ass!

In the mist of all that I had to work this all out during the final stages of planning my 4 week your of Thailand. - Of which I am 2 weeks into, hence the reason for the blog being so quiet and will continue to be until I return and spam you all with my pictures and endless stories....


But for now I just want to wish you all A Very Happy New Year & I hope your Christmas was magical!



Enjoying the sights of Chiang Rai. Koh Korn Waterfall & The White Temple.


How I now think all Christmas Days should be spent. At The Elephant Sanctuaryin Chiang Mai, feeding them, playing in mud and finished with a bath in the waterfall!


The famous Full Moon Party in Koh Phagnan for New Years Eve!

Thanks for reading...until next time.

Zoe
X

Moulding prosthetics

This week I has been non-stop working on multiple projects. This week one of the projects I have been working on is this......The pieces were sculpted and moulded by myself -  Find out more about the project at www.facebook.com/2031Film and see what it's all about..

The sculptures were sculpted using the good ol' Monster clay then moulded using AD SIL 20 the prosthetic's will then be ran in Pro Gel 10. As soon as they have set and been released I will get these posted for you all to have a nosey at :)

That's all for now :)

Transgender shoot

Last month I was contacted by a photography student Rhian Melvin from Manchester Met University (MMU). Rhian wanted to do a high fashion editorial shoot the breif was "Exploring Gender Roles" this I couldn't refuse!. I am constantly looking at way to spruce up my portfolio with something new, fun and exciting! This was my ideal opportunity to do just that....

Here a few from behind the scenes:

Final Edited Shots:

Products used:

Base

Illamasqua Skin base Primer.

Mac Cosmetics Strobe Cream

Mac Cosmetics fair concealer palette

llamasqua Skin base foundation shade 6

Mac Cosmetics blusher shade Peaches.

Kryolan contour palette.

Illamasqua highlighter  shade Aurora

Eyes

Avon eye shadow primer

NYX Jumbo eye pencil shade Rocky mountain dream

MAC Cosmetics Neutral Palette

Lips

Lush Lip scrub

NYX Luscious Lip Palette Shade Red discovered.

Model: Carrie Furnell

Behind the scenes on today's shoot..

Today has been a fun filled day shooting with the talented Photographer George Burgess and Model Jess Hession. We have worked together in the past on a multiple of shoots we are the dream team :)!

George contacted me last week and asked if i wanted to shoot, which of course I said YES! Sending over a pinterest board he had created and an image of THE MOST STUNNING dress I went away racking my brains with the perfect make up to compliment the dress and to fit the studio lighting.

Here is a sneaky peak of Jess' make up:

Products used: 

Simple Skin Care
Illamasqua HydraVeil
Illamasqua Vintage Metallix in Courtier
Mac Eyeshadow, Honey lust and dance in the dark
NYX White eyeliner
Mac Pro Concealer NC15
Illamasqua Skin base foundation 06.
Illamasqua Highlighter Aurora
HD Brow powder palette
Mac Blusher Fleur Power
HD Brow palette
NYX Lip pencil Neutral
Mac High shine gloss
BareMinerals Lash domination mascara

We also shot some simple shots of actress Sam to bump up her portfolio and add a twist on the existing shoot.


Sneak peak of Sam's make up:

Please note image 1 is without flash / Image 2 with Flash

Products used:

Simple Skin Care
Illamasqua HydraVeil
Illamasqua Vintage Metallix in Courtier and Bibelot
Mac Eyeshadow in Honey lust and Decadence
Mac Pro Concealer NC20
Illamasqua Skin base foundation 08
Illamasqua Highlighter Aurora
HD Brow powder palette
Mac Blusher Desert Rose
HD Brow palette
Revlon in Sizzle
BareMinerals Lash domination mascara

Keep your eyes peeled for a sneak peak of the dress.

Mr Hawk Man Bust

My latest module at University has been to create a Human/Animal Hybrid. The hybrid was created from scratch; starting with a pile of Monster Clay to the complete Mr Hawk Man!

Its has been an invaluable project, I've had the chance to play with new materials and learn a hundred new techniques. (Ok, maybe not 100 but LOTS&LOTS)

Here he is Everyone Meet Mr Hawk Man:


The finished sculpture

Moulded in Ebalta

Silicone released from the mould

The completed Mr Hawk Man:

Halloween Special....

It's fair to say I'm a little late on the Halloween Special but as I've only just set up my blog and Halloween is my favourite time of year I just could not help myself :)! If you ask me, Everyday should be halloween... The world would be so much more fun!!

The three images were taken on Halloween, every year I am hired by the local pub to make over all the staff into something gorey to freak out all the customers. This year we opted for cuts/gashes and wounds. I always try and keep each member of staff individual - make the whole thing more realistic, right?

The above wounds were applied and painted roughly 15 minutes per person. Two of them were created using sculpt gel and 1 was a silicone Pro Gel 10 prosthetic. Can you figure out which on is the prosthetic?

A little about me...

I thought I would start of my blog with a little insight to my life, So here we go... :)

I qualified as Make Up Artist from The Manchester College where i studied Level 2 & 3 in Media Hair and Make Up. During my time at college I found a love of the Special Effects industry, the talent, the make up and props still make my jaw drop now! I then went on the study Special Effects for TV & Film at Bolton University where I am currently a 2nd year student. I have had my work published in CT Magazine on a number of occasions as well as Kryolan (well established professiona make up brand) shared my work via their social media sites.

I'll be sharing my journey of my remaining time at University as well as some of my own personal projects...

I hope you enjoy the read :)