Just In Case

Everyone knows that your kit doesn't only consist of just makeup.  There are a lot of things that we use other than makeup that are essential to our kits and essential for us to work.  Mascara wands, Q-Tips, Sponges etc.  But what about those "just in case" items?  You know...those items that aren't used much but you keep them around...well...just in case.

These particular items do not take much space in your kit at all.  And as many as you know, I'm a kit condensing master.  The smaller/compact/less I can make it, the better.  These items should live in your kit at all times.

Nail Polish Remover - Models come in with funky nail colors or are told to have nails done but they still show up with them undone.  Nail polish remover will save the day (and make you look like a genius).

Nail Polish - Well, you've removed that chipped nail polish.  Now what?  You have to put something on them.  Always carry nude/beige/pink nail polish in your kit.  Colors I carry in my kit:

     * OPI - Suzi & The Lifeguard

     * OPI - Samoan Sand

     * Maybelline - Pink Prism

Tide to Go Stain Remover Stick - It happens!  People spill things, no one is perfect.  You get that one person that just couldn't resist sipping on some Fruit Punch while wearing a white shirt.  Great if working with kids.

Mini Sewing Kit - I have yet to use mine but I know many MUA's who have come to the rescue of a bride who didn't notice that one of her dress sequins was falling off.

Mini Shaving Kit - Includes: Shaving Cream, Disposable Razors & Travel Electric Shaver.  Whether you're working with men or women, always carry a shaving kit.  Men have missed a spot, women forget to shave their armpits (yes it's happened).  The electric shaver that I carry is from Conair.  I've use it mostly to even out sideburns or the hairline in the back on the neck.

Headache/Cramping/Allergy Medicine - For someone who is deathly allergic to cats and is pretty much allergic to everything in nature during allergy season, I always carry my allergy medicine.  I've been stuck shooting in a studio who happens to own a cat or shoot on location right smack in the middle of April when all the pollen is happily floating around.  I've also shot with models who get cramps/headaches in the middle of a shoot.  As a woman I know those pains are NO JOKE!  You'll be seen as a hero if you have those on hand.

Fruit Snacks/Granola Bars etc. - They tell you lunch is at 1pm but it's 2pm and obviously lunch is late.  You HAVE to eat.  Many of us forget to eat while working (I know because I'm very guilty of doing it myself).  It's important to have something with you to hold you up...just in case.

Hair Spray, Hair Brush & Pony Tail Holders - Even when I'm not doing hair, I always carry these items.  Why?  Hairstylists cancel or models are told one thing and do another.  Don't let bad hair ruin your shoot.  Brush it, spray it and put the hair up in a bun.  Viola!  You can still have a great shoot (especially if it's beauty).

That's pretty much all the "just in case" items I carry in my kit.  These items don't take much space in your kit and if you make the travel section at Target/Kmart/Walmart/Whatever your best friend, you can find most of those things in a mini version and for cheap.  

First I'd like to start off with an apology.  I haven't posted in quite some time.  I have been quite the busy bee both with personal things and work.  Since the last couple of times I've posted, my husband enlisted and left for the Army, I got signed with an Agency and I've flown back and forth for both work and Military Spouse business.  I've also been taking some driving lessons to refresh my memory.  Yes, I'm 30 and I don't have a drivers license.  I live in NYC and I live 2 blocks from the train station.  Never needed one but since I'd like to eventually own a car someday, I'm finally getting this done.  Next up, swimming lessons! HA! Anyone got a cloning device?

What's new? I did a shoot with model Cynthia who I shot with before a VERY long time ago.  It was nice seeing her again.  I had an amazing team and the pictures are quite amazing if I do say so myself.

Photo: Norm Chow

Model: Cynthia

Hair: Sasha Bay

Makeup: Yisell Santos

I've also had a video of me working along with my images put together.  I'm not one to be in front of the camera so it was weird having someone record me as I worked but it turned out to be pretty cool.  I'll add more footage of me working (and maybe even talking - YIKES!) as time goes by.  Thank you to Norm for shooting this and putting this video together in such short notice.  You're the best and I owe you dinner.

Well that's all for now folks!  I will try my best to stay on top of my blog and remember, you can always send any questions and/or requests to my email (contact [at] yisellsantos [dot] com) of anything you'd like me to cover in my blog and I will try my best to get that up for you guys.  I love you all and keep making people beautiful.  Never give up on your dreams.  I didn't ;)

What's In My (condensed) Kit

When I recently posted a picture on my Facebook Page of my kit in a small Eve Pearl shoulder bag I immediately got requests to post what was in the bag.  Well, ask and you shall receive!

Personally, I don't feel that I need to have a million and one things in my kit to do my job.  Most of my jobs are catalog, commercial, tv/film, corporate and some bridal.  I only carry what I need and I pack according to the job.  If I'm doing a corporate client, why do I need to take my blue, yellow and orange liptars?  Why bring my green eyeshadow?  I don't need it.  I'm obviously not going to use it.

So what's in this bag?

All of this!

I made my own working eyeshadow Z Palette (Zebra).  By "working" I mean colors that I use the most and fit 98% of my jobs.  I also made my own lipstick palette (Leopard).  I condensed all of my lipstick tubes and depotted them into the Yaby Empties.  Why carry a million tubes of lipsticks?  Made my own blush/bronzer palette (Pink) as well.  

The Rest of the Items:

• Powderpuff Squad Blush Palette (sadly discontinued and the company no longer exists - had this for ages)
• Foundations - Depending on the job I switch them out.  Today I had my MUFE HD packed and yes I can make any color I want out of those 3 colors (118, 128 & 177).
• MUFE Camo Concealers
• Setting Powders - FACEatelier & Laura Mercier
• Gel Liners - Tarte Amazonian Clay in Black & Brown
• Yaby World of Pearl Paints palette, for those "just in case" moments
• Q-Tips
• Cotton Squares in a plastic soap carrier
• NARS Laguna Bronzer
• Lipglosses
• Mascaras, Lash Curler (heated and regualar), Tweezers and Scissors 
• Toner, Moisturizer, MUFE Sens' Eyes, Hand Sanitizer, Alcohol, Brush Cleaner 
• Mascara Wands (in the mini Cozzette Vessel) 
• Elizabeth Arden 8 Hour Cream
• Laura Mercier Primer 
• MUFE Uplight
• Duo Lash Adhesive
• Book of Eyeliners and Brow Pencils
• MUFE Flash Palette (never leave home without it)

That's it!  I still have a little room left if I wanted to include some Lip Tars if I wanted to.  I don't need anything more than this to make the job happen.  I like to make my life and my commute as easy as possible.  And trust me, living in NYC, the easier the commute, the better it is.

As always, if you have any questions/requests at all, feel free to comment below.

I Will Not Work For Free!

SAMPLE AD:
"Looking for Makeup Artist to shoot for amazing clothing line.  TFP (no pay) but you'll get photos for your portfolio, great exposure and you get to work with amazing people.  You'll only be needed for 2 hours.  If we like you and this does well, we'll pay you for future work.  Check out our site [website link here]."

Wait what?!

Let me share with you a little story.  Let me start by saying that anything I write on here advice wise is because I have gone through it personally.  It has happened to me, I have witnessed it.

When I first started as an artist, I was so eager to shoot and took pretty much anything that came my way because I needed the practice and experience.  I also took the "TFP we just need you for 2 hours and great for exposure" jobs and I know for a fact that they will NEVER call you again and will NEVER "pay you later if it does well".

TFP (Time For Prints) is when no one at all gets paid but walks away with some pretty good (or even amazing) photos.

This ad wants you to do a shoot where they will eventually make money selling their clothing but the team that helped put their awesome ad / lookbook / whatever together gets nothing.  How is that fair?  Also, that whole "we'll hire you again if we like your work" line is crap.  They obviously hired the artist because they like their work.  Why does the artist have to suddenly prove themselves?

These type of job ads are taking advantage of our newer artist who don't know any better.  New artists who will see this as an actual really good opportunity when it isn't.

We need to stand together and put a stop to ads like this.  It's because of artists that keep taking "jobs" like these that people will continue taking advantage.  This is why our industry is suffering and why many artists no longer get paid what we used to.  Negotiating and completely getting robbed are two totally different things! You want us to work?  Pay us!  Simple as that!

The Magic of the Makeup Forever Flash Palette

Many claim "must have" items in their kit.  Be it an eyeshadow palette or a blush but when I mention that the Make Up For Ever (MUFE) Flash Palette is a MUST in their kit, most of the time I'm looked at with a questionable face.  "What do I need that for?", "What do you use it for?"  Well, let me tell you what you can use it for.  EVERYTHING!!  Yes, everything!

Things I use it for:

Lipstick

Eyeshadow

Blush

Eyeliner

Correcting Foundation

Adjusting Foundation

Creating Foundation

Let me tell you that this palette has saved my life in some occasions.  I've cleaned out the kit and OOPS! I forgot to pack my neutral matte eyeshadow palette.  Do I panic?  Nope!  Why?  Because I have my MUFE Flash palette.  The only time I ever remove that palette out of my kit is when I'm actually using it.  I even have a designated pocket for it in my Zuca.

To show you how important it is to have this palette in your kit, I've gone and done my 98% of my face using JUST the MUFE Flash Palette (the 2% is the gloss I used on my lips and mascara).

First things first, create the foundation color.  Mixing Brown, White, Yellow, Red & Peach I created my own foundation to match my skin tone.

Second, I made sure that it did indeed match my skin tone.  I swatched it on the back on my hand and even somewhat blended a bit just to make sure.

Now I went ahead and took one for the team and took some before, during and after pictures. 

NOTE: It's laundry day, my hair's a mess and my brows are over due for some love and grooming...don't judge me =P

I particularly photographed this side of my face which is where I have some old teenage acne (and even some reoccurring) scarring on the chin area.  I am completely bare faced here with nothing on but moisturizer.

With a Kabuki brush, I've completely buffed in the foundation I created to even out skin tone (and cover up those pesky little scars).

With the same flash palette I've contoured, added rosy cheeks (blush), did a day time brown matte smokey eye and a classy red lip.  The colors I used to create this looks were:

Brown (for the shadow and slight contouring)

Magenta (for the blush - buffed also with a kabuki brush for softness)

Red (for the lips - I added my own gloss for drama)

I swear by this palette and so should you.  If you already own this palette then you already know what I'm talking about.  If you have yet to put this palette in your kit, then I highly suggest it becomes #1 in the priority list.  Another artist that swears by this palette is Roshar.  He can make anything from it...but then again it's Roshar and I'm pretty sure he can magically bake cupcakes from this palette!

Win It! Yaby Cosmetics World of Pearl Paints Palette!

THIS CONTEST IS CLOSED!

Because you guys are such awesome people I've decided to do a wonderful giveaway.  I want to share my love for Yaby Cosmetics with everyone.  Some already own Yaby products and some don't (yet).

Yaby was developed by Toroto makeup artist Liz Yu, when searching for a solution to condense her ever-growing kit.  After going through a number of DIY kit solutions, (which were all eventually replaced due to difficulties in finding easily sourced DIY materials) Liz decided the only solution was to create a more permanent and easily customized way for all artists looking for an answer to their kit's organization.

Business Cards - Revised

Business Cards...that lovely 2 x 3.5 piece of paper that you give out...that people keep...that plays a part in getting you work.  A while back I had done a blog post on business cards.  I stated that keeping it simple is the best way to go but if you wanted to add a photo, it had to be tasteful.  Well, my opinion on that has changed.

As artists, we see a blank canvas and we just can't resist filling it up with art and color.  Some people like to put images of their work on their cards and some don't.  Putting an image on your card is totally up to you but remember, it can make or break your card.  Which is why when I am asked "should I put an image on my business card?  If so, how many images should I put?"  My answer...NONE!  Yup, you read that correctly.  None.

Here's why:
* If I put a clean beauty image on my card and hand it out to a fashion client, they're going to assume that all I do is clean work and cannot execute a fashion story.
* If I put a fashion image on my card and hand it out to a catalog/TV client, they're going to assume that all I do is fashion work and won't be able to execute clean every day makeup.

So in turn, I've just lost work because the client assumed that I can only do the kind of makeup that is on my business card.  "But, Yisell, they can always just go to my site and see that I have lots of other work."  Yes that is true...but do they really go to your site?  Does anyone go past page 1 or 2 when searching Google?  Once they see the photo on your card, they won't see a reason to go to your site.  But if there's nothing there, the WANT to see more.  Like the lovely Michael DeVellis once said "Putting a photo on your card tells only ONE story."

Also, what if you've given away your business card 5 yrs ago, and your current work has gone a major improvement?  If I'm looking for a makeup artist or an assistant, all I have is that picture from 5 yrs ago that isn't the best.  What do you think is going to happen?

What should be on your business card?
* Your full real name.  Not "luscious lips makeup" or "sparkles of glitter".  First Name and Last Name (ie: Yisell Santos).

* What you do.  "Makeup Artist", "Hair Stylist" or maybe you do both "Makeup & Hair".

* Your website, which should be your first and last name.  Not "sparklesofglitter.com" or "makeupblush.com".  It should look like this: yisellsantos.com or jessicachoimakeup.com.  Why?  Because "sparkles of glitter" is NOT your name!  I don't say "hey, so glad to see you again sparkles of glitter", I say "hey, so glad to see you again Jane Smith".

* Your email address.  Preferably it should be with yourname.com.  Not gmail or yahoo or aol. (ie: contact[at]yisellsantos[dot]com).

* Your phone number

What should not be in on your business card:
* Photos (as per discussed above)

* Crazy Clipart (or as I like to call it "Foo Foo").  What registers as foo foo?  Clip arts of glosses, mascara wands, powder puffs etc.  Those are extra unnecessary things that your card does not need, causes a distraction and can make your card look amateurish.
NOTE: Foo Foo is not to be confused with Logo's.  Logo's are perfectly ok to have (see Liz's card below).

Here are some examples of really great business cards (phone numbers have been blocked out for privacy purposes):

Liz Washer

Front

Back

Victor Amos

Front

Back

 Mine

Front

Back