@ The Stay-cation Trunk Show

I went to the Style Stay-Cation Trunk Show this past Friday evening. It was a little slow. They were expecting a better turn out for Saturday. But I spent Saturday working and registering for school so needless to say - I went nowhere. (-_-)

Tara to the T, Joey Seeman of Sindustry Designs, Make-Up Artist LaDonna

At the trunk show, however, my gf and I got free makeovers from make-up and hair artist LaDonna Hearne. She recently went into business for herself after working with M.A.C. for three years. I talked to her about her art as she worked on my girlfriend.

To start off, how hard was it to break into the business?
It wasn't really hard to break into it. I've been networking for the past 12 years. I built myself up gradually. I started at 18 with a modeling agency in Amarillo and then worked for MAC for 3 years - best training because you get to work on all skin types, all skin tones. I got to do make-up on 80-year old ladies who didn't speak English.

So do you have any tips for networking?
Utilize online sites like Myspace and Facebook. Work for free if you have to. I got paying gigs from working for free. The biggest thing is know what you're doing so you can have the confidence.

Do you have a favorite photoshoot?
I love working with Brutal Brothers and Jill Rasco but [with photoshoots,] you're always thinking about the next one.

Was there ever a photoshoot or gig where you realized that "Yeah, this it, this is what I'm suppose to be doing?
Every single one.

Wow. You're really passionate. What do like most about doing make-up?
Love the creative process. It's fun to make people feel good about themselves. It's a blast.

My mom always said no woman should leave the house without at least eyeliner and lipstick. What are your necessary two?
Mascara, for sure, because you can easily look pretty. And fill in your brows.

Do you have any make-up tips?

Exhibit A: My Eyes

To bring out eye color, use complementary colors on the color wheel (and she carries one), like blue eyeshadow with brown eyes. For blue eyes, use orange and peaches - plum is a good color too. For green eyes, plum and coppertones.

So have you ever done a drag queen's make-up?
Yes, it's very over the top.

She also recommended L'Oreal's High Intensity Pigments as a substitution for M.A.C. if you don't wanna break the bank. If you want to check out her work, she has both a Myspace (myspace.com/dropdeadmuah) and a Model Mayhem (#1039573). Here are some good examples of her work:

And then... My Girlfriend Alex, Finished!

Thanks for the makeovers!