Affordable Products I Recommend…

Today I wanted to share some of the products that I would recommend, be it makeup or beauty products.  Keep in mind what I like may not be what some people may like, so we are all open to our own opinions.  Keep in mind this is everything I like, just some that had popped into my head.

Please don’t hesitate to share your thoughts and experience or even recommend something you like. 

I’ve been out of practice when it comes to these sorts of posts now.  I know my blogging style had changed drastically since I’ve started freelancing as a Professional Makeup Artist.  I don’t even remember how to make blog posts like this one more efficient or effective to my blog followers.  Heck!  Let me know how I can improve, I feel like an absolutely newbie again trying to figure things out.

Maybelline – Color Tattoo by Eyestudio

Merry Christmas!

Just dropping in today to wish everyone a Merry Christmas.  May you all have a safe, happy and festive holidays!

I'm baking in the heat all the way in Australia Perth, it's sunny and hot but regardless I'm having a great Christmas with families and I hope you guys are too.

Keep safe and I'll probably see you in the New Year of 2013.

Now just share some photos with you all ...

so good!  A great girlfriend treated me to brunch the other day.

Busy Xmas season....

Absolutely busy busy busy for me and I'm starting to feel how tired, exhausted and run down my body is.  I actually don't even know how I put up with the 3 jobs and the long hours and very little sleep.  Super woman perhaps or am I wonder woman?  I doubt I'm either, just someone who runs on some sort of adrenaline and then comes crashing down when my engine is shut down.

I have great plans for next year and I can't wait, but for now it's only in the planning stage so I shall not review just yet.

What have I been up to since my last post.  Way too much, I feel like a robot however I don't regret any part of my life at the moment.  I'm pushing forward with all the energy I have and I'm going to keep going until I reach my goals.

I volunteered myself as a makeup artist, for free that is to two fashion students who were graduating and they had a fashion show as a part of their project where they as a class would put on a show and each student would showcase one design.

I'm proud to say the two student I did makeup for that day had their design make it into the The West Australian Newspaper, which is one of the biggest papers in our state in Australia.  No credits to the designers or the makeup artist, but I'm happy to see my makeup in the papers.

Kylie is a gorgeous pale skin and extremely tall girl and perfect as a model for Shuree.

Petra Vanessie Mini Fashion show for Women in Media (WIM) Event

Not too long ago, probably about a week or two ago I had the pleasure of being the makeup artist for a local designer.  Petra Vanessie is a local designer and her inspiration and style is base on the 1950s and 1960s era.  Her dresses are very chic yet feminine, they're all designed by Petra her self.  Petra who sponsors WIM had the opportunity to do a small fashion show to introduce her brand to a wonderful crowd of women.

Late updates and some photos to share & sneak peeks!

 Long time no update.  It's wedding season and I'm absolutely flat out working 7 days a week now.  I get so exhausted I just go straight to bed or want to laze around and have some quiet "me" time.

I have so much instagram photos and just general photos to share with you all.  I hope you enjoy them and look forward to some sneak peeks from photoshoots.  Unfortunately I am not allowed to release the official photos just yet, but will definitely share with everyone when I can.

You find there is a lot of food pictures.  Some of you probably know I'm a complete foodie and I love eating regardless how much I shouldn't and how I should really cut down on it.  However growing up with such wonder chefs as parents I live my life eating.  I value the moment I absolutely enjoy the food and beverages, I'm in a completely different little world when I'm eating and I'm always grateful to have friends and families who I can share my food with with :)

Instagram Update - Food, Lifestyle, makeup....

Back with an update post of what I've been up to... which means what I've been eating! Yes that's right I'm all about food.  Makeup isn't my only love.  Growing up in a family that eats food and appreciate good food means I like to travel to eat.  I try loads of cafes, restaurants, bakeries, etc.  I have friends who are my eating buddies.

Anyway enjoy the prettiful pictures I'd posted on Instagram.

Lime Crime....

Romantique Boheme

I'm back again with another post.  Today I'm happy to share with you all photos from a great shoot with the gorgeous model Sacha.  I really really love doing makeup for this model.  She's flawless and so pretty and she so slim and her legs are so long.  She also comes with an amazing personality.  Easy to work with and friendly and always happy to try out new things and take time out to do photo shoots.

Enough rambling!

These photos are also published on a website called Fashionising.
http://www.fashionising.com/pictures/s--Romantique-Boheme-by-Kenny-Gunawan-15591-1.html

The shoot was my idea, I always wanted to something a bit more bohemian with some fur in it.  Sacha being the perfect beauty she is was definitely the first model I approached.

Please don't hesitate to let me know what you thought about the photos.  Constructive Criticism is always welcome and can help me improve.  What one person sees isn't necessarily what another person sees in a photo.

Team:
Photographer: Kenny Gunawan
Model: Sacha Patterson
Wardrobe: Rachael Low
Hair and Makeup: Mandy To

Please meet Bob!

Back again with another post.  This one some of you probably have been waiting for and I know I was supposed to had done this one a while ago.  However the fact that I had to take so many photos and then edit them so they're not huge, made me procrastinate and delay it.

Well the other day I kicked my own butt and got a move on.  Then after uploading the photos onto my computer I completely couldn't be bothered editing them.  Until today that is, I just edited all the photos so they won't be huge and will upload to blogger faster.

Keep in mind this is an overview and not an in depth run through of everything that is contained inside Bob.

Here you're thinking.... Bob?  What the hell are you talking about?

Bob is a name, a name that I had given to my new makeup kit trolley that I had bought a few months ago.  My trust metal one was simply falling apart, but it had been with me for a good two years already and I still keep it.  I use it for personal use and sometime even if I need that extra trolley when travelling on location.

I bought my new case from Crown Brush Australia ( so I am not sure if it is available from your crown brush in your country).  It was bought online and I took advantage of their 24 hour 20% off store-wide sale online.

This case is called the "Chicago Trolley case" which is very very similar to the Taz Merah cases that you see everywhere and are so popular.  However this case is half the price of a Taz Merah and slightly different, but definitely loving it to bits.  Shortly after getting it other makeup artists in my city had also gone for this one and each one had loved it thus far.

Hi, my name is Bob.

Frenzied Summer

Back today to share photos from a recent photo shoot with a gorgeous model.  It was a very quick beach shoot and although the weather was beautiful the wind was a little too strong for out liking.  So we made the best of it.  It was also done very early in the morning to avoid the heat in the afternoon.  Everyone sacrificed sleep to meet up early.

Here are some photos that were edited and published on Fashionising.com hence why I'm only releasing them now, as we were awaiting for the website to publish them first.

Instagram update!

It's long weekend here in sunny Perth and the weather for the weekend had been beautiful.  The sun is out and it's not too hot either.  As busy as I have been I'm happy to be able to walk outside and see such lovely weather.

Here I am again sharing with you the lovely instagram photos.

Illamasqua cherry popped! & some food and makeup looks

Hello!

I am back with a quick update and to share my excitement.  I have popped my Illamasqua cherry, I have finally gotten around to purchasing 3 products from them and I'm loving them.

Instagram Update and sneak peak of some makeup

How is everyone?

Hope everyone is having a good weekend?  Mine had started off tiring with a early 6am wake up for a 7:30am start.

Instagram - @mkt86
Facebook Page - www.facebook.com/mankimakeup
Website - www.mankimakeup.com

Just sharing some photos.....

Instagram update/blogging

Just sharing some Instagram photo blogging with you all :)

Blue Veins

Blue Veins is the name of the small project the photographer named.  Naomi Craigs is a new young local photographer and loves portrait style.  An amazing photographer with great potential and I look forward to seeing more of her work and working together again in the future.

Naomi wanted a cold concept/makeup design, so most the time colours like black, white, blue and purple can give off that sort of feel.  With so much I could do with my freedom I was given, I ended up coming up with a dark set of eyes with blue and a slight tint of glitter, some strong contouring and a purple lip.

Enough talking, here are some photos to share with you all.

My Brother's Wedding 05/05/2012

Finally getting around to sharing some intimate photos from my brother's and sister-in-law's family wedding.  We were all worried about the weather as May is in the middle of Winter and normally in Sunny Perth we're pouring and windy during that time of the month.  However the day was beautiful with not blinding sun and no rain and wind until late that night.  A perfect cool day for a lovely quiet wedding for a perfect couple.  After a long journey of 10years together, they have finally tied the knot and began their new phrase in their life as Husband and Wife.

Being a makeup artist I was definitely very happy to be able to do my sister-in-law's hair and makeup.  She liked it simple as she's not a girl who wears makeup on a daily basis and even so it was only tinted moisturiser normally.

She wanted natural yet pretty makeup, she want to still be her in the end and being me I gave her the best I could.  Airbrushed Foundation with my Temptu foundation as her base.  A flawless base for her wonderful skin and lasting all day and night with very little to no touch up.  Eyelashes were probably the weirdest thing for her that day, I mean she wearing them for the first time after all.

For hair it was a simple low bun/chignon with a simple flower clip.  nothing complicated and nothing that required too much maintenance.  Actually it didn't need any touching up either.  It stayed in the whole day through out the photo shoot out on location and through the reception that night.

All photos are rightfully the Photographer!

© 2012 chanraymond photography |http://chanraymond.net/

He was an amazing photographer, professional yet friendly and easy going.


Anyway enough rambling here to some pretty photos.

Her Dress

Just a bit of Instagram and photos in my life...

Today is probably the first Sunday in a long while that is sort of relaxing for me.  Have a wonderful brunch catch up with two of my favourite girlfriends.

Coffee and a good breakfast meal around 11am was a quick fit for the day.

Salmon Twist @ Milk and Honey, Northbridge Perth Australia.

Photo shoots & Rambles

Yo!

Back to share more beautiful photos of two models I've worked with together recently.  Absolutely gorgeous photos and from two different Photographers who both have excellent photography skills.

Before that, if there is any bride-to-be out there I've wrote a little post on my professional blog on my website about taking care of your skin and included tips and tricks that could be useful to some of the soon to be brides.

http://www.mankimakeup.com/blog/2012/7/tips-for-brides

The first shoot is with a gorgeous Korean model who is starting out, I've worked with her before and had met her during my makeup school days and absolutely loved her.  Perfect skin, lovely features and just overall gorgeous.  A sweet sweet girl to work with and I'm glad she had a load of fun that day shooting.  Thanks to Alex and Caitlyn from Hot Pixel Photography for being such an amazing team who had helped direct and educate the whole team on studio photo shoots.  Absolute joy working with this cute couple and had learnt a lot of new things.

Photoshoot with balloons!

I couldn't wait to share them so here I am posting a new post for you all, it's already past midnight and I should be sleeping.  I guess I will just have to be zombified tomorrow and somehow make it through the day.

Last weekend I did a shoot with two models, a photographer and a wardrobe stylist.  The photos did not turn out the way we want it as many obstacles got in the way and we did our best to get around it.  In the end we were disappointed, but we had a lovely day with lots of laughter and met some great people.

Anyway credits to the following team members for making it a fun day.

Photographer: Kenny Gunawan www.kennygunawan.com
Wardrobe Stylist: Rachael Low
Models: Stacey & Emma
Hair and Makeup: Mandy To www.mankimakeup.com

Hope you enjoy the photos.

Flat out exhausted

My grandma is leaving to go back to Hong Kong after a 3 month visit here in Perth.  I've had the opportunity to eat her Hakka food that she used to make all the time in Hong Kong.

My favourite is definitely her sticky glutinous rice balls (Mochi) filled with crushed up roasted peanutes and brown sugar.  Absolutely a delicious snack and not too sweet, yet so soft.

Peanut and sugar filling

Fashion Shoot: Animal Prints

Did a bit of a fun fashion shoot a couple of weeks ago and finally got the edited photos two day ago.  I love them, yet I could see so many things I need to pay more attention to. 

Team:
Photographer: Kenny Gunawan www.kennygunawan.com
Wardrobe Stylist: Rachael Low
Model: Shalom
Hair and Makeup: Mandy To www.mankimakeup.com

Please do not distribute or use these images without contacting and getting permission to do so from the Photographer.

Afternoon creativity & Sneak Peek

Had a glorious Saturday afternoon free for once and being someone who gets bored very easily.

I had bought this vintage looking bird cage from a store for $10 and had since left it in a corner for some bit.  These bird cage are very popular at the moment and they sell out fast at the stores, but I know they keep stocking them up.

I also collects little bits and pieces when I venture in craft stores.  Most things are only a couple of dollars and just put them into a basket until I dig through it to see if I have anything I could use.

Here is a couple of instagram to share with you my little short journey of being creative until I lost patience.

Before any decorations added.

Swan Valley Road Trip once again and update on upcoming photos...

Hello everyone,

I hope you're all enjoying your weekend.  It is long weekend in Perth Australia this weekend, so I'm just glad I have a monday off.

Been flat out busy trying to seriously pursue my makeup career.  I'm pretty determined to get paid jobs and at the same time accepting shoots that will help me build my portfolio.

I've recently did a shoot with a hairstylist who wanted a particular look for her shoot that she'll use in her look book.  She's a wonderful lady who is amazing at hair (cut/style).  So down to earth and easy going that I thoroughly enjoyed the experience.   I was also lucky to have the work photographed by a talented fashion photographer who recently had a gorgeous baby girl (she is so cute!).

Anyway here were the two makeup plans I prepared ahead of time to present to the hairstylist to confirm it is what she wanted.  Her shoot is an inspiration from a photo she saw via searching google image.  It's a photo out of a Vogue (Italia?) magazine a couple years back.  Absolutely stunning, with that vintage couture look to it.

Photo taken from google image via a search

Coming soon...

Hopefully I'll have some great photos to share of work I've been doing for the last couple of week.  However the one I'm most excited about is the one I just did on Saturday. 

A fashion shoot with some very "out there" outfits that a fashion stylist friend of mine had put together. It involved a lot of colour and animal prints.  It turned out absolutely amazing when just viewing the photos off the camera screen.  Can't wait until the previews go up soon and can actually see the unedited/proof of the photos.  I just know I'll love them, I had so much fun that day that I was excited about seeing the photos on the computer screen when the shoot ended.

Another shoot that I am excited about is collaborating with a great hair stylist this coming Friday and a fabulous fashion photographer.  I really can't wait and I'm excited about doing the makeup for it as it's a vintage couture sort of look.

For the time being here are some sneak peak of behind the scenes.  Unfortunately I don't carry any good camera gears and I always use my phone.  I already carry bags and makeup around so I don't really want to have to worry about anymore loads.  I don't even carry a handbag.  I just take what I need and like $20 in case I need to pay for something/buy something to eat or drink.

Inglot Lipstick: freedom style

This post is overdue but better late than never I guess.  I'm sure you guys would have read my Inglot Eyeshadow post just recently, well this was the same Inglot trip I took at the time and in addition to just 4 eyeshadows I also picked up 15 colours of their lipstick in the freedom style (pan).

I like how they smell nice and the fact that they are creamy and smooth to apply to the lips.  It's also not drying like some brands can be.  Their original retail per pan is $8, which is my opinion is still very affordable and great for those who are building a makeup kit.

In my 15 choiced I have chosen a wide range of colours to suit for many occasion, events and jobs as a makeup artist.  I do plan on getting some more, but for now I am very satisfied with my collection thus far.

I don't use Inglot freedom palettes anymore as I love my Z palettes so I just stick them in there.

4 Inglot Eyeshadow Swatches

Hope everyone is having a great week.  I should have shared these a while ago and I'm very delayed with the lip colours.  I've been so busy I'm going crazy, I never uses diaries or planners but I have gotten so confused with appointments/bookings/personal stuff that I don't know what is going on anymore.  It's too hard to keep everything up to date on a phone and I have a feeling sooner or later I'll have to get a tablet.  At the moment I'm am trying to hold off on getting a tablet only because it's so expensive and I don't feel like I should indulge so much.  I very much rather go on a holiday instead, but hopefully things will go according to plan.

Anyway during my last trip to Inglot with a friend because I recieved 2 gift cards for my birthday in March from friends.  I wanted so much to be spending on my kit rather than on myself.  I have way more than enough makeup for personal use, so why not expand the professional kit. 

I've brought 3 matte and 1 with slight glitter.  The mint colour is absolutely beautiful and I loved it the minute I saw it.  The first colour that caught my eyes was the mint one and when I swatched it on my hand it was an instant winner.

D.S. 463
A light neutral cream colour with a hint of glitter.
This photo so does not show how beautiful this colour is!!!

Matte 337
Taupe colour
Great for the crease!

Sharing: photos from photo exhibition

Sorry I haven't gotten around to swatching the Inglot lips and eyeshadows for you guys just yet.  Been super busy and my brother's wedding is coming up real soon on May 5th!  I had to do trials for my sister-in-law and completely didn't take photos (FAIL!).  Had to get some new business cards, since I now have a proper website (www.mankimakeup.com) and a professional email address just for makeup artistry contacts.

However, I'm not sure why I didn't share this with you guys but I did a photoshoot with a photographer about 2 months ago for her photo exhibition.  This is how the photo turned out.  The one on the right was the printed one and displayed.  The model was absolutely gorgeous with flawless skin so her skin turned out to well int he photos.  It was more of a dark genre (titled: the black widow), and the opening night was a success and her work is amazing!

Right photo is the published on at the photo exhibition.
http://14thframe.carbonmade.com

She is only just starting her professional website so if you're interested please check her out there or even look her up on Facebook (14th Frame Photography).

Hopefully I will be back soon with the swatches you guys being waiting for!
Also what more would you like to see from me?  Let me know by leaving me a comment please!

upcoming swatches!

Hey guys,

Just dropping in to let you know what upcoming swatches I'll be doing soon for you guys.

For my birthday I was given two gift cards to shop at Inglot :D Super duper happy!

I wanted to add to my kit and the one thing I really hate about my kit is my lipstick collection.  Have a massive collection but don't want to depot/melt them into pans/containers.  It seems so cruel to do that!

So Inglot be the awesome brand with a freedom system I bought 15 of their lipstick colours in their pan.  Not sure how much it is in other countries, but in Australia the pan of lipstick is $8 each.  I didn't get a palette since I use Z palettes for my kit. I just put them into a large one and still have plenty of room left to buy some more.

I also got 6 new eyeshadow colours that I'll do swatches for and separate from the lipstick that way it's not cluttered.

lots of goodies to share soon!

Stay tuned for the swatches!

Have a wonderful long weekend and easter break :) hope you're all eating loads of yummy chocolate!

Gorgeous Model, awesome photographer and a quick afternoon shoot...

Saturday 24th, the week of my birthday which was on Thursday 22nd (so I'm 26 now)... was the day I had slapped in a quick beauty shoot with a photographer friend and one very gorgeous model.

Phone camera of a part of the park.

Swatches: Napoleon Perdis Lip Liners

Never really been a fan of Napoleon Perdis Cosmetics.  Out of their whole range I probably only like 4 cosmetics in their range.

1. Primer
2. Light Diffusing Foundation
3. Lip liners
4. Barely blushing

However since the Makeup school I studied at uses all Napoleon Perdis product (which in a good way is great for students, at least there is still a decent cosmetics range to use and learn from), I've become quite familiar with their products and that I have a love-hate sort of feeling with it.  I think it is the same with every brand, but there was so much I didn't like and the fact that 2 of their foundations had given an allergy reaction seriously put me on the down side.

Anyway today I'm here to share some swatches of the lip liners that I own.  I did not pay for these lip pencils as I was awarded top student in my class, so as an award I got a gift voucher to spend on Napoleon Perdis makeup.  Lip liners were only some of the things I got from the range and at that time of purchase I was seriously lacking in them too.

Here are the sleek looking pencils with a nice gold cap.  It looks a little more classy, in a way that is and very Napoleon Perdis style.

What's going on in my life?

Hello everyone,

Thank you for all your support regardless how tardy I haven't been with updating this blog.  I guess life is catching up on me especially with work and then trying to put in all my effort to actually create a background/career for myself in the makeup artist industry.  It's definitely not easy and I'm seriously giving it my all to try and make things happen.

So thank you to all those who had left me encouraging/concerning emails.  I've felt so happy and blessed after reading them all.

Here I am today with a day off work because I've gotten so tired and sick that I was not allowed to come in.  Never have that ever happened in my whole working life.  I used to go to work even if I was unwell.

I've been doing photoshoots to help build up my portfolio and to network so I can meet more photographers, models, and stylists who are also in the industry.  It's been great fun working with new talents creating makeup to go with a shoot, but also very tiring as I feel I don't really have any free day to actually just sit down and take a nice long break.

I've also been busy building up my new website just for my makeup artistry and even though it's kind of empty and still under construction you can still check it out here:

www.mankimakeup.com

Grad Photos

Just posted some graduation photos onto my makeup artist blog from Last year in December when I graduated from my Diploma course.  Check it out by clicking the picture underneathe.



Graduation project runway!



Happy Chinese New Year & some basic essentials for a makeup kit.

Hello to my beautiful readers!

Back again, yet not much makeup related unfortunately.  I had hardly any time to even do anything with makeup as of the past couple of weeks.

I just wanted to wish everyone a HAPPY CHINESE NEW YEAR!  Hoep all is healthy and happy, may you have another wonderful year!

Featured! Beautylish Article

Yo yo!

Just dropping in quickly to announce I was featured in an article on Beautylish yesterday.  Forgot to check it out until today.  Even though the eye makeup that was chosen for the article is an old one I'm still happy it was featured.

Check out the article here!

http://www.beautylish.com/a/vcyrg/fairy-winged-eye-liner

My picture is the last one!

It's from this post all the way back in 2010 halloween.

http://hairandmakeupoverload.blogspot.com/2010/10/halloween-fun-look-simple-blue-fairy.html

I hope everyone is having a great weekend!
I'm baking in this heat that we have here.  Oh summer how much I have forgotten how nasty you can get sometime :p

Take care and I'll be back for some more blogging soon!

First post for 2012

Hello lovelies!

Been a very long time and after all the holiday and then getting thrust into a busy 2012 I haven't had the time to even revamp my blog or actually post.

It's late but I still wanted to say it here.... HAPPY NEW YEAR 2012!

I hope everyone is well and well on their way to another happy year :)

I've been the beach lately and gotten terribly burnt in weird place, that I won't even mention.  I'm peeling like crazy on my back still but at least it is not painful anymore. 

Here are a couple of photos to share from 2012!

The day I got burnt in weird places! spent 4 hours in the sun on the beach hmmm... I can see why I'm burnt