Filling That Space In the Trophy Case: Finishing My Online Makeup Course

     You won't believe it! Or maybe you will, because if you know anything about me, you'll know that I finish everything I start, even if it comes down to "eventually...". But enough of that, guess what?!! I'm finally finished with my makeup course!! Yup, completed, made whole, finished, victouriously terminated, I've got more...So you know what that means? I'm officially certified!! Got to print it off, and order an official copy and everything. :)

     Guess what else this means? I get discounts on tons of totally cool, and awesome makeup products!! Booya! Could this get any better? Well, of course I can always improve, and whole bunch of other things: I could start up my website, create and print some really awesome business cards, get a couple more clients, you know...
     This is so exciting! I get to start doing such awesome, cool stuff now! Heck, I'm going to get that certificate framed and hang it up on my wall for everyone to see! Yay me!! Now for me to pick out my next project. Hmmm...so many choices! Sweet, extravagant fantasy makeup? Smokin' hot club makeup? Decisions, decisions...I'll figure it out. You'll see it up here soon!

Loves,
    Jessica Ashley

Trifles of a Makeup Artist: Dealing With Disappointment

     When you're a makeup artist, you have this captivating vision set out in front of you. A vision that is full of success, and even possibly fame. One where everyone that meets you knows and loves your work, and wants you to come be the expert on their set, because they know you will be spectacular.

     Sometimes, your assistance is requested, and you become excited and hyped, ready to conquer the world. Your imagination flutters with creations and designs of how to beautify the models and subjects placed before you, and you can't wait to prepare and get started! You have all these extraordinary and unique ideas, and then without warning...the plug is pulled, and your once ginormous pool of creativity, swarming with magic, is now a swirling tub of water funneling down the drain. Ouch.
     It hurts, it does. But you can't let that get you down, you have to keep making goals, and working towards them, and above all, keep doing what you love; because one day, you will be noticed. Never stop practicing, practice makes better. The more you practice, the better you become. Thus the more magnificient your beauty profile, and your talent!

     What might one need to stay motivated? A new product to try? A new challenge? A checklist of things to do? Or how about all of the above? Oh! Almost forgot, chocolate. Chocolate never fails to better my day, even if it's only minimally, it always helps to have that goodness to savor and melt in my mouth. :)
     Ok, so a new product. What does one need for such an item? Money. Yes, that's right. Especially when you're stuck on a student budget, making a fund for "pick-me-up" splurges like this helps. For all you artists out there who love the feeling of holding new makeup for the first time, and taking it out of the crisp packaging, know how hard it is to SAVE that money. Now you need a way to make it FUN!!

     I find that one way to make it fun, and to help keep myself motivated to do so is to keep it where I can see it, but always in a place where it's not easy for me to reach it. This is where a simple DIY project with a traditonal mason jar comes in handy.

     But just placing a plain mason jar on your top shelf isn't very motivating, is it? No. You have to make the marker of your makeup fund look appealing, so to keep the goal of having a fund appealing. Slap a picture of your next big splurge item on the front of it, tie some ribbons around it, use a stencil and some paint, just make the jar itself look fun. :)

     Now, whenever you have any extra pocket change, or after each paycheck, put some money in there.
Maybe $10-$20 every payday. It'll add up quick, I promise. :) Never lose sight of your goals. Without goals you lose your ambition, and ambition is a big part of reaching for the stars!

Talk to you all soon!

Loves,
     Jessica Ashley

Makeup Artistry 101: Makeup Kit & Client Hygiene is VERY IMPORTANT!!!

     As a makeup artist, I have the skills and abilities to make you look how you wish, and how you don't wish. Whether that is glamorous and ready for the spotlight, or gruesome and ready to scare someone it is all up to you and what we discuss and plan out together. If you are also a makeup artist, you probably already know this, so that is nothing new, but there is one very essential thing you must NEVER forget when working with clients, and that is one very vital thing...HYGIENE IS CRUCIAL FOR THE HEALTH OF YOUR CLIENT!!!

     I am taking the time to give you this lesson so to protect you and your future clients (paid & not paid). So please, heed this wisdom, it will be very useful to you.

     Never is it okay or in any way a valid excuse to use your own personal makeup products and brushes on a client, whether that person is paying you or not it doesn't matter, NEVER use your own makeup and/or makeup brushes. There is a very specific reason that girls do not share makeup with each other, this includes everything from makeup brushes to mascara, and why makeup artists have a separate kit for their clients apart from their own personal makeup kit, and that reason is BACTERIA.
     Yes, that's right. As gross and horrifying as it may sound, there are thousands upon thousands of little, tiny, microscopic bacteria all over your makeup products. Do you know how many mites (microscopic little "bugs") live on your eyelashes? Or how many bacteria are in your eye alone? You reapply it day after day, and why doesn't it harm you, you may ask? Because it's all bacteria from YOU! But take those same bacteria-infested products and put them on someone else and that can be very harmful; anything from rash to infection can spread out on your client's face all from just one application of your own personal makeup.

    This is one very important reason why we makeup artists disinfect and sanitize all the products in our clients' makeup kit after EVERY SINGLE use. It doesn't take long, and it is not an expensive process, but this is an extremely crucial step to keep both you and your clients safe. Now this isn't to say that you need to personalize a makeup kit for every single client, that's going overboard; that's why we sanitize everything after every session, to make it clean and safe for the next client we use it on. Also especially be careful and cautious when using mascara. NEVER double dip the same mascara wand into a tube of mascara. If you do, plan on giving it to your client at the end of the session, or throwing it out. This is why we use disposable mascara wands, and get a new one for every time we need a new pump of mascara.
     Never use you hands and fingers directly on the client's face. That is what makeup sponges, brushes, powder puffs, mascara wands, and cotton swabs are for. Just because you wash your hands before beginning a session does not mean there is no bacteria on your hands. There is still bacteria that creeps back onto your hands, and there are still the natural oils on your hands and fingers that will dirty your client's face, and effect the application of makeup if you touch their face with your bare hands.

     So, please, please, please, PLEASE practice good hygiene and sanitation habits for the betterment of your career as a makeup artist. You will thank me.

I will talk to you all again soon!

Loves,
    Jessica Ashley