Meganomics101

Confessions of A Jealous Makeup Artist: Getting Over The Green Eye Shadowed Monster

2013-06-01T21:06:00.001-07:00

I am writing this blog in order to confess some sins. Sins concerning jealousy toward my fellow makeup artists. It's true, below are just some of my infractions. This is my atonement to those with whom I have trespassed against. Maybe as penance I can shed a little light on the darkness of my jealousy journey, envy in general and help to lighten your load as you back away from your own trip.

Forgive me Stila for I have sinned

I was 23 when I first started as a professional MUA with Senna Cosmetics. I was arrogant and closed off to the idea that there was anyone better at makeup than me. Oi! I remember when a former MAC makeup artist joined our team. Let's just say it went something like the scene from "Top Gun" with Ice Man and Maverick. "Have you figured it out yet? Who's the best?"

Walking backstage at LA Fashion Week was like "Who's the Best Side Story." It was me vs. them, the Jets vs. the Sharks. "Chuh chucha chsssh chucha chsssh." Eyeing everyone down, sizing up the competition, snapping with my thumbs. The whole nine.

How many times did I shimmy up to a makeup counter or met a MUA at a party and felt a condescending face come on? "You think you're an artist? THIS here is what a real artist looks like!"

The Green Eye Shadowed Monster: What is Jealousy?

Have you ever scrolled down Facebook and saw another makeup artist's post "Working on the new Kanye video!" Or "Flying to Rome to "work" #ilovemyjob!"

Did it make you feel like this guy?-->

Jealousy, is a fear based emotion that stems from believing that you are separate from what you want. It's dread that something that you desire will never come to you. It can cause the following emotions if gone unchecked.

anger
resentment
inadequacy,
helplessness
disgust

My jealousy closed off any opportunity to build friendships based on common interests, learn from a fellow artists and I believe kept a lot of good from coming my way. I was arrogant and a jerk. A fellow makeup artist friend of mine pointed it out in a

loving way what a punk I was and that jump started of my

journey away from jealousy.

Getting it under control

You're not alone by the way. Jealousy spans cultures, genders and is fun for the whole family. Here's how I started to break out of my moldy faced jealousy habits.

First things first, you have to put it in check and be aware of when feeling jealous. Some people draw conclusions or make judgments. "She slept with the producer to get that gig." or "Ugh how tacky". I was on the other side of things.Something amazing would happen to someone I knew and I would think, "it's because I'm not good enough." or some other erroneous thought. It could send me into a momentary downward spiral of negative thinking. I didn't like the way it felt so I began to pay attention to when I'd start to feel it. I learned a few tricks and used them when I was aware of my jealousy to throw kinks in the ingrained reactions I had to it.

Switching gears

Jealousy stems from believing that you are separate or will become separated from what you want. When you start assuming, judging or comparing, you are focusing more why it sets you apart from what you want then on how to get it. It strengthens the subconscious belief that you're not going to attain your goals with "evidence". We have to start switching the focus on how to make good things happen to you and not on why they don't!

Gratitude

If you stepped back and gave your career, no matter where it is, a nod, you could rub some of the hater out of your eyes and see that good things have come to you too. This is good to do even when you're already happy because it just makes you even happier. Even right now I can think of some hard core joyful moments from my career going all the way back to esthetician school. My teacher's belief in me, flying to Italy to work on my second feature or the time I got to work with Lily Tomlin (Google it kids.).

They sthaded from the bottom now they ere!

Your perceived "enemy" over there has had their own cornucopia of struggles, down time and jealousies of their own. They too have been at the bottom and might be again be many times in their lives. True "winners" are the ones who get back every time. Cheesy but true.

There's plenty to go around!

You have to know that another's good DOES NOT take away from the good available to you and that jealousy stems from "personal insecurity rather than the actions of others".

An new way of thinking could be that the resources, the niches, the amount of reasons someone needs a MUA are endless and the proof is right in front of you.

"Everything which you can conceive and accept is yours. Entertain no doubt. Refuse to accept worry and fear. That which knows and does everything is inside you and harkens to the slightest whisper."

- Uell Stanley Anderson.

Now when I see a fellow MUA doing a gig that is amazing I think, "Yeah!" or "That's something I want to do too, I'm going to figure out how to do it!" This beefs up your allowing muscles. It's one small way of taking your resistance to someone else's good and turning it into appreciation, curiosity or even playfulness.

Maybe they ARE better than you.

Some people are amazing and its ok to appreciate it and use their skills and career as a model so get your butt online, get a book, research, practice and focus more energy to your own good then the good of whom you are jealous. Figure out how they got to where they got, or what tools and techniques they used on a certain look. Make it your mission to really give the best! Get your talent out there and start your own blog or vlog or instagram dog. Start giving more of what you love to the people that you want to serve!

Put in on life's Pinterest board.

When scrolling on Pinterest I see things that I want or want to achieve, I'm happy with the mere existence of it. The window shopping alone is fun because you're getting to see new and wonderful things. I look at another MUA's good in the same fashion. "How cool! She's a MUA for Saturday Night Live!" Then I mentally click on it and put it in the folder of my brain called "Possibilities." It changes thoughts of "Bitch" to "Bitch is awesome!"

Scratching the surface.

It's not easy to go through life a certain way and change it over night but at least some of these lil tips might be a refreshing way to respond and not simply react to jealousy. These new mental notes can be the difference between true success or YOU alluding success.

"Self discipline begins with the mastery of your thoughts. If you don't control what you think, you can't control what you do. Simply, self discipline enables you to think first and act afterward."-
Napolean Hill

Life after jealousy.

I'm not saying that I don't ever lose site of my connection to abundance, it just seems that the storms are short lived and I can navigate through it with more grace than I ever did before.

I have strong friendships with many professional makeup artists who I can rely on when I have a gig for them that I can't do, need someone to join me on set or vice versa. I can credit more of my gig getting from other makeup artists than any other source.

Be patient with yourself, the good coming to you and always remember to...

Recent "Work"

2012-05-29T14:37:00.000-07:00

Man O man!! Just where to begin sending all of the gratitude and love and excitement for the powerhouse of amazing creatives that I have gotten to work with this past month! As a makeup artist in LA, my mind is perma blown at the inspiring, seemingly random road this career has taken me!

Let's start from the beginning, which is always downtown, where most of my shoots take place Above is a night shoot location high atop China town!

Next up! Hyundai Spec!

My sweet lil gal pall Miss Perto Rico 2010 Mariana Vicente called me up to bring me into the family or at least I felt that way after spending some time in the inner circle of these LA based boricuas. Her friend Javier Bermudez is an award winning editor who has worked on such films as X-Men and Alice In Wonderland. Javier has been in the works honing his skills as a director and was putting together a spec commercial a la James Bond for Hyundai.

Javier and his wife Vanessa have Lala and Koji. After some FB stalking I discovered that these babies get abused! See below!

Poor babies! ; )

Vanessa's Flan! It was like Puerto Rican cheesecake!!!

This girl can look good in no makeup and Pros-aide. The scar was done by Kenny Navarro

Bad ASS!!!

This, ladies is Angel Cabeza, all the way from Spain. Antonio Banderwho??

I love working with this girl! Her makeup was black black black black!!

I had to roll!

More of my lovely city!

Attack of the black lipstick!!

Javier, the fireman...

Wha??

Moving on down the road to Artest Media Group (headed by Ron Artest aka Metta World Peace) artist Vinita! It was full on hair for her video "Take Me For One Night" me which was the first time I'd been on a set where I wasn't doing makeup!

The cool thing about my "job" is the cool places I get to go and the cool people that I get to meet. Last month I had worked allot with TJR Films while they were working on hip hop artiste Mann's video "4:00am", but I didn't get to meet him and a few other cool cats until this particular shoot.

This here is Jason Mizell (Jam Master J's son) DJ for Mann and the cutest smile EVER!!

This is Evan, Mann's bro. I liked him because he looks like Andre 3000 and Dave Chappelle

A&R and head of the music division for AMG,DJ SynCity and Vinita

Makeup artist, Marisa Anhaltzer and stylist, Diandra Barnwell

This is another AMG artist Rina Cervantes. Here she is rocking my bun skillz for an AMG promo shoot.

Let's move on to more randomness!

I met Uriah Carr, a photographer, almost two years ago when I did the makeup for the meetup.com cosplay group Alt+3rR0R LA. When I saw how much fun they were having I wanted to play too and there I was, modeling in a fish net body suit and a blue wig.

Needless to say, he remembered the MUA and contacted me to do his short film "Frozen Voltage". It's about two young lovers hashing out their relationship woes after finding themselves stranded in the snow post car accident.

This is actor Gabrie Vossand his co star Jani Wang

This guy!

Taking a break from makeup-

I'm also an affiliate of downtown's Opulen Studios and Showroom head quarters of celebrity stylist Mr Bradshaw and Lucratif clothing. From photoshoots to fashion events, Opulen celebrated their one year anniversary in style! Book your studio time here, these are some great people to work with!

Here are some random acts of beauty before sharing with you the deets on one gig that will stand out in my memory for a long time purely based on it's over the top girl powerness!!

Braids n Brows!

In order to preface how excited I was about working with this next inspirational gal you have GOT to check out some of her work. The following three images are photographed by the other worldly talent of Sarah Sitkin, each photo will link you to a different article to show you the buzz surrounding this artist from outer space!

Basek (Gameboy thrasher, Breakcore genius and ex Rosslyn neighbor)

Lux Zephyr (mind boggling artist)

John Frusciante (face melting musician)

When I got the email to join her on the music video she's creating for Little Red Lung, I giggled with delight at the thought of the mess we were going to make!

This gal to the left was born at the hands of Miss Sitkin, She is an amazing replica of Zoe Erwin, front woman of Little Red Lung and a photographer herself!! Sarah made these epic root fingers that I applied, blended and painted

(left)Lux, sleepy and creepy (above) Sarah framing the shot.

Above is our scary but beautiful Jazzy Creams working the full costume. Zoe, photographer and front lady of Little Red Lung wasn't quite herself that night. She was another rad and funny chick to ad to the roster of cool girls I get to makeup!

I didn't get to meet Nathan Kondor, drums(left) or Rob Hume bass(right) but Ali Nikou guitar(center) was on hand for comic relief and awesomeness!!

Breakcore belting

Basek with his new soccer tail

Jen Spazmaster, LANCER Radio's DJing diva

met Little Red Lung when she interviewed them for her show

and was asked to join the shoot!

Charlene Huang, has played violin with the likes of Adele but also yours truly Little Red Lung. She hung out with us and stayed the whole night helping out!

Adam Deal is Zoe's fiance and another very talented artist, check out his stuff!

Here's Sarah directing this symphony of a music video.

Jazzy and Patty crypt walking

David Tamargo
yet another sick artist rocking out behind the scenes.Jen, Zoe, Sarah and Jazzy seriously enjoying what's going on here!

A few days later I joined forces again with Sarah but this time for a girls night photo shoot. These "girls" however happen to be on the cutting edge of each of their fields, and I don't think I've ever used the word "legit"more to describe such a group of rock and rollers!!

Laura Escudé is a music, technological, mayhem maestro for the likes of Kanye West, M83 & Bon Iver and is currently breaking out hard core with her alter ego, Alluxe!

We took Laura out of her comfort zone and transformed her in to the electronic music superhero! These lashes were ready for the job.

We ran through a few looks. The bling dice we ended up not using, but which we all tried on as well ass the hard core neck piece from Lace by Tanya

It was just a thought.

Ok, we all got settled in and the magic started and here's what I came up with for her hair and makeup. I kept the back as was when Laura arrived and shredded the top out. We chomped the lashes and monochromized the lip and brow area to make Laura the brains to the face of Alluxe

(left) Chynna Monforte, Sarah's right hand gal with her pretty blonde hair!! (above) stylist Esther Yoon flashes me a grin as Cathleen Cher,(below)over sees the radness! Esther just styled and Cathleen just produced Polica's music video "Wandering Star"

It was time to soften Laura's look for the second act.

Nika Offenbac (right) is a director of everything from documentaries "Small Small Thing"and music videos to the visual show for Skrillex's 2012 tour. She provided such a cool element to the crew and offered up her vast capabilities to create an Alluxe promo vid clip. I cannot wait to see what Sarah's photography and Nika's video turn out like!!!

This photo was provided by another talented member of the crew Shelly Pellegrin. It was about 5 am in this shot. It was the time in the night that the mood shifted to dreamy, the soundtrack to the moment provided by Laura's hypnotic violin. Eventually, Laura ordered up some Lobster grilled cheeses from LA Cafe and we all warmed in the magic we all just made.

I always affirm that I work with the most amazing people, on projects that challenge and inspire me and the proof is in the pudding.

I'm already gathering content for my next blog! I just helped cast a UFC fighter's ear, made bloody brain stuff, there's a wedding, and another hip hop music video all in store! Stay tuned and please follow, share, like ,whatever this blog and check out my new Beautiful Eyebrows series on EHOW.com

Week In Makeup!!

2012-04-18T14:08:00.001-07:00

This week was out of control makeup, brows and psychics! Where should I begin?

Let's start with my demo at Salon Pure in my home city of Downtown LA with my friend Sara.

Thanks for being my model!!

Then....I mad dashed it over to Montebello to meet up with special effects artist Erick Rodriguez. I interned with him last year to get ready for Monsterpalooza. Here's some of the things from this year and last year.

Painting latex

C'est moi

At Monsterpalooza 2011 with Mikey Rotella

My favorite zombie of all time by Jordu Schell

The next day was spent filming my eyebrow tutorials for ehow and livestrong.com. Thanks to Chef Mariko Amekedommo and Morgan Sky Amekedommo for being my models!!

We started at noon and finished at 4. More purple eyebrows were created! They should be up by next week!

The next day was spent with Erica Ford shopping for her dresses and makeup for her two days as hostess for the The LOVE UNLIMITED FILM FESTIVAL AND ART EXHIBITIONDay 1

Day 2

After doing Erica's hair and makeup on Day 2

I definitely took a nap before heading off to do makeup for the lovely and talented Miss Rebekah Phillip's "I Told You So" music video. Once again I found myself working with producer Kurt Zendzian at TJR Films It was a last minute decision to put this video together. Should we use the bike? : )

Bolten and Taylor creating the set

Lights!!

Kurt turns into Beetlejuice when he eats Dorito Shelled Taco Bell

The star!!!

TJR films gets mad booked. We were shooting our video for Becks while Art Director Eric Tabor was setting up shop for artist Brandon Billzmoneybagz Pride who was as dope as they come. I got to meet Johnny Silvis the director and another young and talented film maker associated with The TJR crew.

It's the small details.

Not only was TJR setting up for Brandon but they also used this to make a quick move for Music Producer/Aritst Jimmy McGorman's music video. I threw a quick male grooming on him before high tailing off to sleep at 3am. Jimmy produces artists like Laura Michelle and Bob Pressner who I worked with two weeks ago.

Brandon gettin his lighting ON!

YEAH!!

Here's the opening shot

The week didn't stop there! The next day I went to meet up with a new client. Tiffany is a psychic who works out of a loft on Downtown's 6th street between Main and Spring next door to Round2LA's vintage shop. There I traded a MAJOR reading to for my eyebrow services. GUUURRRLL they are gypsy/italian. I needed to hand yoga afterwards : ) As for the reading. My career is going fine (keep validating that by booking me as your artist!!)! Things are rocky in love : (, I'll be traveling allot oh and um I'm going to have THREE kids!!! AAAHHHHH!!!

No nap for me as it was time to head back down to TJR Films to finish up the final shots for Bob Pressner's "King Of Nothing" Music Video.

Rachel Fox ADs for MB

Take advantage of that lighting GUUURL!

Michael Bolten and Bob jamming out. I think they were playing Blackstreet's No Diggity. At my request of course :)

Aye que frio!!

Kurt REALLY wanted this one!

The next day I was working with a regular client . Here's her before and afters

I finished the day off with a makeup tutorial for a good friend of mine before hitting up Spring For Coffee to relax and reflect on all of the amazing people who have filled my week with awesome experiences that keep validating my belief that everything happens for my highest good! Follow me for more about my fun makeup life. I'm shooting with Miss Puerto Rico 2010 on a commercial for Hyundai and a short film this week end. I wonder what kind of bloggerific material will come out of that?

For more me you can follow me here

or here https://twitter.com/#!/Meganomics101

or on instagram @meganomics101

or on facebook http://www.facebook.com/pages/Meganomics101com/215787735160271

or you can check out THIS!!!! Yes that is me in the animal costumes!

Behind The Scenes Of Bob Pressner's "King Of Nothing Video

2012-04-08T20:50:00.003-07:00

Nicole had jury duty and since I had assisted her on Laura Michelle's video Kurt asked me to join them on another shoot. This time the location was a one day in downtown just a skip down from my hood. This shoot was at TJR Films a full service music video and commercial production company ran by the most rad guys. The oldest of the company is Collin who at 27 with his younger brother Taylor, 23 have already achieved so much success with their business for not even being opened a full year! It's really cool to see such ambitious people doing what they love at such a young age. These kids have been on set while they were in their teens and now they're taking off running with TJR some of them on the team not even in their 20's yet. They were fun and professional to work with!

Today I was working with singer song writer Bob Pressner

If there was eye candy for the girls, there was certainly something to look at for the guys. On set we had the lovely Lauren, Jasmine(right), Jen (below) and even Playboy's May centerfold Nikki Leigh rounded out the sexy models that Becks and I got to doll up!

I even grabbed Sam of the art department and took a spin around her brows with my pencil and some thread. See the difference from the left to the right one?

You would think that everyone would have gotten all twittered around all these babes but the girls were so cool and down to earth that you almost barely noticed that there wasn't much between you and their naughty bits :) Plus, there were other distractions.....

This is Nick Bishop . Nick has been handling snakes and scorpions and other scary creatures since forever. He brought his little friend Butters along to upstage our models.

You either ran from Butters, an albino boa (just like the one Britney danced with at the VMAs) or you took a picture with him.

Max and Spencer (above and left) Phil the AD (pictured left) and Nikki Leigh (below)

Of course there was actual work going on in between the snakery. The crew busted a sweat building this dope set!

Eric reminds me of Wesley from The Princess Bride.

Matt and Emily checkin the stats.

Chad watching the monitor.

Michael Bolton loving what he does!

Laura Michelle even dropped by and we got to see some footage from her shoot "Chuck Norris"

If you film here there WILL be a monster truck rally !

We had fun and wrapped somewhere in the 3am zone. It was an awesome shoot with some amazingly wonderful people!! Thanks to everyone for showing a makeup artist such a good time : ) For more info and updates you can go...https://twitter.com/#!/Meganomics101, or here www.meganomics101.com or even... Thanks for hangin!

Behind the scenes of Laura Michelle's "Chuck Norris" Music Video

2012-04-08T19:54:00.000-07:00

One bright day while watching Pride and Prejudice and Atonement between commercials I broke my Keira Knightly fest with a texty from my bestie and co makeup artist Nicole Burg. She had been asked to be the key makeup artist on the set of Laura Michelle's video "Chuck Norris" and asked if I'd like to come down and help. Being that I was visiting my mother's house in my old neighborhood of Northridge, and just blocks away, I decided to head over.

The shoot was being held at Skateland! Ahh I remember my first time there back in 1984. I always hear Uh-Huh's "Take On Me" when I walk through those doors. How many skate nights and birthday parties have I attended at Skateland? Million and 6. So, I came in and immediately met Laura, her lovely mom Theresa and their craft services!

This is Kurt, he was the producer and trend setter of the crew as you can see. Across from him was Kyle who was the fastest thing on wheels since they started putting fast things on wheels. It's always a little nerve wracking coming onto a set but when people are dressed like this, you know you're in for a good time.

Not to be left out, this leggy dream boat was Max. Max and Kurt are two filming buddies fron Connecticut. They come out every now and again to create music videos for artists like Laura.

Then after so much begging and pleading I reluctantly jumped into a pair of skates to be in the video look ant how shy I am. I didn't fall but unfortunately not everyone went away unscathed :(

Nic asked me back for the second day of the shoot. I can't show you too much of the shoot because it's a surprise! Here's a few of Nicole running around between takes with our set being Hollywood boulevard. At first we balked because we as locals never go there. "Why do people want to come here?" Then we turned it into a "can't beat em join em thang"

Ok ok back to work and off to the third leg of the shoot in Santa Monica.....Again those will be posted after the video debuts but here's one of DP Michael Bolton putting on two different colored sock! Now I've seen everything!

After filming that scene Laura graciously took a few of the crew for a lovely Italian dinner. I secretly really do love the west side!

We heading back to West Hollywood for the final scene on the night, back in costume Max!!

Eric over hear can play you any song on the piano so we jammed out before the start of the last scene. Props to the whole crew for an awesome job!

2012-03-29T22:02:00.002-07:00

The makeup I did for Miss Puerto Rico 2010 Mariana Vicente's modeling reel!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IUvOgeRymlw&feature=youtu.be

Brows; The Good, The Bad and The Scary!!!

2012-03-29T21:51:00.001-07:00

These are the people that rock my world! Eyebrows that are awe striking and OMG WTF was that?"" inducing! Here are some fun interpretations of eyebrows and a few tips on keeping the frame of your face showing off the beautiful art work of you!!! Tell me which ones are your favsies!!

Let's take a look at a symetrical eyebrow shape. Looking good is based on symetry and balance. It's science yo!

Smoldering! His brows would fail what I call the sweater test. If I brushed them down (put the sweater on) the hair would cover his eyes like a wheaton terrier. Damn I want to thread that middle sooo bad!

I'd have to get seriously Edward Scissor Hands on this right here!

What did his eyebrows ever do to him huh? Brows like this make his eyes even closer together. Tsk tsk tsk!

I don't even believe these are shaved off. This girl knows what's up right? She really wakes up very early every morning to seal and cover her brows with liquid latex yeah? Glue stick? No one would ever SERIOUSLY do this right?

Can these girls rock me any harder??? This is how they "jump you in"

Ok so maybe it was botox gone askew. What can we do to even these puppies out? First we have to pick the one that we like better, ok um.......Well let's start actually with the the one we can most like make more like it's sister. The one on her right will have to come down and the left one we would have to attepmt to arch up a bit. If you have an enveveness problem by all means BOOK with me now. These are my favorite types of eyebrows to play with!!!!!

Collin's got a bit of an unveneness problem as well. Of course thick gorgeous brows are coveted and they're most people's "thing" and reason why they don't get them done, but COME ON!!!!! One is clearly bigger than it's polio stricken lil bro. Collin, book with me STAT!!

Oh Brokki poo, yes you're known for your bodacious brows but who was this makeup artist that didnt notice the uneven moves these bad boys were making? I would just slightly grind down a smidge the front part of her right brow. Voila! They aren't thinner or compromising of the shape! BAMN!

You know what? I embrace this eye brow look. Do what makes you feel good. But if having these brows and swimming are your thing, you can never have both : (

I love him! His brows are so very ",broken handle off of a 1950's kitchen silverware drawer." Those things are perfect for opening beers if you've lost an opener! My favoie thing is his blonde roots growing out. Respect him people. He has to really work at this look!

My makeup tutorial!!!

2012-03-26T23:37:00.002-07:00

My makeup tutorial!!

Opulen's Beauty & Fashion Soiree

2012-03-26T17:57:00.000-07:00

Attempting to make it big in LA's makeup world means sticking your fingers in any pies that will further your making friends with people who are into. I joined Opulen Photography & Event Studio (http://opulenstudios.com/ ) to aid in promotions and event planning. I joined the Opulen team with marketing extraordinaire Patty Nak and DJ Steve Huerta (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Steve-Huerta/334705859885421?ref=ts&__adt=3). This past Friday was our first event. We contacted and courted vendors, beauticians and brought together the most talented group. Her are a few photos from the event. Feel free to contact me to book your next event or photo shoot and get 10% off all of your makeup services.

Patty and Vee, setting up the bar.I was giving complimentary eyebrow consults, thank you to Derek for letting my attack!

Refine sugar free margarita mixer. Thank you for sponsoring our event!

Steve, testing out the goods.

Thank you to Camarena tequila!

JaNi Shoetique

The ladies from Skinsofancy.com offering makeup consults and Vixenous.com for awesome hair extensions

Round2DTLA

Marisa, thanks for the bow! http://www.facebook.com/MeowRissa.ML

This was the flier made by Christina. Rock on!

2012-03-26T16:29:00.000-07:00

I haven't posted this up here on BS. Subscribe it! This was my submission to the L'Oreal Destination Beauty Contest

Weekend Photoshoots!

2012-03-26T13:40:00.005-07:00

What does one do when you're a makeup artist in LA on a warm March Saturday? A Beverly Hills photo shoot complete with Playboy bunnies and Maxim bombshells! Hot shirtless studs (oh yeah, I call em studs)playing volley ball. Models in the mineral bath, massive open self serve bar, an aviary! Parrots with the run of the house? It was one ferris wheel and a lama away from the Neverland Ranch. Apparantly Eddie Murphy owned this house 8 years ago and is now owned by a Mobile Home Park owner billionaire who likes to host these weekend photo shoots for LA's hottest photogs looking to update their books. It's also another great way to have Russian beauties lounge at the pool. So here is an inside look at how a billionaire spends a Saturday.

I could sing in here forever!

This is Aleksandra from Ukraine. What a doll! MM# ‎1558546

This was her second makeup look. I added a frosty green lid some Ben Nye orange cheek and lip. I wanted to bring on some funk to this breezy spring look. The dress designs are brought to you by the talented May Salem of Native Sol (http://www.nativesol.org/)

This is Michael Jude, the photog who asked me to join him on this shoot. His MM#1276904 Thanks Mike!!

Ivory here is planning to audition for America's Next Top Model!

Aviary

Entering the grotto

No bathing suit? No problem!

Purple eyebrows in tact.

I was obsessed with these iron ivory encased heating lamps. It's the details.

The main dining hall.

Ivory looking every bit the part!

Stencils!!

The casual dining area

Yet another living space.

Ciao!

2012 Eyebrow Trends!!!!

2012-02-10T14:43:00.000-08:00

Ok ok, I've rubbed my eyes and stopped hitting the snooze alarm on 2012. We all should be done scratching out 2011 whenever we write the date any where . The covers are pulled back and I've awakened to what's new in brows. There's allot to cover; how the runway did it, the hot prod, how it's done right, how it's done wrong and how to do it for less.

How now down brow, need a lift?

My goodness how we've, ahem, grown from the micro brow days of yore to the spawning of Joan Crawford's and Frida Khalo's eyebrows on our faces! Thank Buddha for that too because this eyebrow obsessed lady is all for big beautiful brows. A fuller eyebrow represents drama and elegance. There is something about the strength an eyebrow can bring to a face, perfect for naming the look "power brow"

Nars, Maybeline and MAC, were all gettin down with brows on the runway at New York's fashion week.

How the runway did it for the Spring /Summer shows (Alruzzura and Victoria Beckham)

The hot prod.

This lil item is brought to you by the folks at Billion Dollar Brows. It helps you to decipher where the eyebrows should start, arch and finish in accordance with your face shape. Personally I wouldn't drop the $19.95 for this product and opt for a pencil and follow the lines given in the diagram above for filling in your brows.

In a world of pencil and powders Makeup Forever has introduced a cream and it's waterproof! Go to Sephora and have them match your color.

If you're desperate and about to grab a Sharpie and join an East LA gang, stop and go to Browz.com to order yourself brow wigs. $31.95. Just be careful to follow the instructions and adhere those puppies on tight! There is no need to look like Stan Sitwell from Arrested Development!

How it's done right. (Donna Karen S/S show)

See how her brows begin in alignment with her tear ducts down to the outer edge of the nose. The highest point of the arch is after the iris, but most importantly the brow is parallel from start to finish.

How it's done wrong

Scouse brow inferno!!! A "Scouser" is someone from the Liverpool area in England and the world became aware of the Scouse Brow on the premiere episode of the UK reality version of Desperate "Scousewives" (zing!). A cast member (Jodie Lundstram) did this to the model above. To each their own I guess, but if you're going for beauty that consists of balance, this is not your look. Note how the brow starts off super thick and then trails into nothingness. They've turned into little cornucopias of mixed expression. The front parts of the eyebrows are highest point of the brow giving a worried look but also go lower then the end point giving an angry look. This brow is it's own Escher drawing!

How to do it for less.

Let me introduce you to the eyebrow studio. The photo above is of Vanity Cosmetics in Sherman Oaks, CA. Los Angeles has many awesomely trained face scapers at places like Vanity(tweeze/thread), Chroma Makeup Studio(tweeze/thread), Senna Cosmetics(tweeze/thread), Billion Dollar Brows(wax) or Damone Roberts(wax). Anastacia(wax) is here and so many more. GO TO THESE TYPES OF PLACES!!! Stop going to the threading kiosks at the mall, over tweezing them yourself or having your manicurist wax off half of your eyebrow for "fy dolla ma" Your facialist or body waxer is not always the best bet either, invest in a true shaping from someone specifically trained in eyebrows, even the people from a Benefit Brow Bar are a better choice. You will end up saving on all of the Latisse and Revitalash to help grow out all of the hair that got taken out and isn't ready to grow back.

All of the high end product lines offer amazing tools for filling in your eyebrows. One pencil can run you up into the 20 dollar mark. Ouch! Here's what you need and where get the best products for the lowest price.

A spoolie brush and an angle brush

The angle brush applies the powder, the spoolie brushes the brow and blends the color (whether it's by pencil or powder) into a softer look. You can go ghetto and grab a few disposable spoolies from the tester area at the makeup counter or just add a touch of class and put down a few bucks for your own like this duo from Ardell for under five bucks!

Brow Gel

Brow gel keeps unruly hairs in place and adds to the fullness effect. Prestige's brow gel for $7.50. It has fibers in it to boost those babies! They have a clear for $6.50. E.L.F. has theirs for $3.00

Pencils and Powders and Waxes Oh MY!

$3-$4 with a harder edge so that it sketches on smooth. Quick, soft strokes then blend upward with your spoolie brush. When you are seriously void of hair, a pencil is more useful that powder.

Powder

NYX's Eyebrow Cake Powder will take you back around $6. A powder is a light feathery natural way to fill in your sparse patches.

Wax

E.l.f. is also in the six dollar range and sets your brows nicely! Definitely invest in the seperate spoolie and angle brushes. All of these kits offer you tiny versions of of what you really need. I always end up throwing them away.

If you can afford the higher end luxury versions then get em, but if you're looking for glamour on a budget go for these awesome alternatives.

Alright guys, we're in full swing with our 2012 brows. To recap, brows are full and heavier than they ever were. There are an ever growing roster of hot and not products coming out. We have unleashed the Scouse Brow beast and learned how to avoid it for less. Remember, book with a professional, any of the aforementioned or myself ; P I leave you now with my favorite modern brow icon, Jennifer Connelly.

2011-12-16T17:37:00.000-08:00

I've had the opportunity to work with Mariko Amekedommo who is the newest contributor for fitperez.com. She's known as the "Chef with the pink hair" and you can check out her page at www.culinaryadventureswithmariko.com/. Watch her fitperez.com debut here at http://fitperez.com/2011-12-13-mariko-amekodommo-healthy-trends-in-2012?fb_comment_id=fbc_10150548527917317_25016116_10150548815622317#f29066232

If you're loving Mariko's look stay tuned for my youtube tutorial via http://www.youtube.com/user/Meganomics101?feature=mhee

Otis the trailer as finally been posted!!

2011-11-09T12:32:00.000-08:00

"Otis" The trailer has finally been posted!A dark comedy about a teenage serial killer. I had the opportunity to work with the most amazing crew headed by director Stefan Vino-Figueroa of Winetree Productions this past year. The shoot included a cast of 18 wonderful actors. The shoot started in Downtown in the same building as American Apparel, some place where we drove through snow, East Hollywood and the last day in the glorious hills of Malibu. There was some light special effects involved that I was very proud of. I can't post them yet for fear of compromising the surprises that come about in the "Otis" plot, but I love when I get to make it look like someone has lost allot of blood ; P

I hope you liked what I can show you though! Enjoy!Comment subscribe and all that!