Min Min Ma

As I am looking at these pictures of an incredible L.A. street performer who covers himself from head to toe in hundreds of mirrors (courtesy of www.thecoolist.com), I can’t help to wonder the practical aspects of his visually stimulating presentation. What does he do when he needs a loo time? Did he get there ‘dressed’ or did he dress himself on the spot? Can he run? No no, that was a joke. Regardless of my endless questions, I am so inspired by the Mirror Man and wish he would pay New York City a visit.

Nylon TV featuring SOKO from Min Min Ma on Vimeo.

From sun exposure is best if you want to avoid looking like this.

Though walking around with an umbrella in the summertime is quite uncommon anywhere else expect in Asia.

Hmm… not so practical.

So Doctor D. Schwab Umbrella Medium Environmental Moisturizer would be a happy comprise for the health and style conscious. And coming from a makeup artist, this sun protection is by far the best I’ve ever tried.

Photo: Karine Taira
Styling: Eric Orlando
Hair: Yoichi Tomizawa
Makeup: Min Min Ma
Model: Vanessa Cruz @ IMG Models

Salute!

By Shoji Van Kuzumi

My South Park impersonation

Photo: Columbine Goldsmith
Model: CK @ Rocket Garage Management
Hair: Yoichi Tomizawa
Makeup: MMM

On a sunny Sunday afternoon, the lovely Emily from Rocket Garage Management captured by the (also) lovely and talented Columbine Goldsmith. Location: rooftop in Brooklyn.

Congratulations to Val Garland for stunning work once again! Editorial in Vogue Italia, March 2010 issue. Photographed by Solvo Sundsbo.

Scans courtesy of www.fashioncopious.com

Sebastian Lucrecio capturing Kemp Muhl at her New York home for Nylon Magazine October 2009 issue.

New story in Nylon March issue by Adam Fedderly.

Awesome editorial titled Teen Spirit by Craig McDean for Interview Magazine.

Scans courtesy of www.fashioncopious.com

“… The best kind of inspiration comes from live human beings who have mastered whatever they do, whether it’s flowers or music or a craft. The point is to be exposed to creativity and excellence – the benefit comes more from learning to think like and have the passion of a master, than from being good at whatever he or she is teaching you.” (The Diamond Cutter by Geshe Michael Roach and Lama Christine McNally)

Photos by Karine Basilio

Marla Boehr (the brunette) from Elite Models as one of the mannequins, Greg Bitterman for hair and I for makeup.

Right now.

It’s beautiful to look at but I am glad I don’t have to leave home.  I wonder though for the ladies who do need to step outside and conquer the world, what can they do to still look pretty and dainty without too much fuss?  Simple: cream based and water-resistant products. Let me break it down for you.

Snow when in contact with human face turns wet, cold and yucky. Mascara is a day to day must and under the current circumstances, waterproof mascara is a double must. Try Shu Uemura Precise Volume Mascara Waterproof. Something like Dior HydrAction Deep Hydration Skin Hint SPF 20 helps with windblown blotchy and dry complexion. Wear cream based products for eyes, cheeks and lips keeps the makeup longer lasting. Professionals often use this technique when shooting under the water, on the beach, in the rain and etc. Remember to look for shades with warm undertones like Make Up For Ever Eyeshadow Pearly Pencil in Metallic White, Clinique Quick Eyes Cream Shadow in Cocoa Shimmer, Nars Cream Blush in Penny Lane, Stila Convertible Color in Gerbera and DuWop Icedteas Translucent Lip Treatment in Strawberry Kiwi. Avoid purple, blue or green to avoid looking like a popsicle.

This is a typical conversation when I meet someone new:

“What do you do?”

“I am a makeup artist.”

“Oh funny, you don’t wear much makeup yourself.”

“Well a little, it just looks natural. Besides caring for my own face is the last thing I think of when I am at work.”

Another typical observation: most of my makeup artist friends are big naturalists when it comes to their own grooming. Maybe it’s a trend. Maybe it’s a coincidence.

So going back to the typical conversation above, yes I do wear makeup. In fact, I am going to show you what I have in my cosmetic bag dated today February 10, 2010.

Neutrogena Oil-Free Fresh Moisture: my friend Vannesa (not a typo) introduced me to this product. It’s great as a base and day/night moisturizer.

Eucerin Aquaphor Healing Ointment: not kidding, 99% of makeup artists have this in their kits primarily used as lip balm.

Cinema Secrets Cream Foundation in 302-65A: I also use this brand professionally. Apply with finger tips, sponge or foundation brush. Please note that the shade in photo below is not 302-65A.

Chanel Soft Pressed Powder in Mimosa: takes the shine away and leaves the skin natural looking.

Maybelline Twin Brow & Eye Pencils in Black: price is right and does the job beautifully.

Cargo Smoky Eyeliner Duo in Brazil: includes 1 powder eyeliner and 1 cream eyeliner. Wear single for natural feel. Combine the two for dramatic, out and about look.

L’Oréal Telescopic Clean Definition mascara in Blackest Black: one of the best I tried on my thin and short lashes.

Escents Aroma Blend in Hoola: gets many compliments.

This reminds me to sign up for M.A.C. Body Painting Pro class with renowned makeup artist/ body painter Joanne Gair.

Last night, I watched Rize by David Lachapelle. Released in January 2005, this documentary film tells the story of 2 related urban dance movements, ‘clowning’ and ‘krumping’, originated in the streets of South Central Los Angeles during the early 90’s. The dancers expressed their individuality through their stage characters, freestyle choreography and various face paintings which caught my attention of course. I extracted samples of these makeup designs from the movie to show you how creative and conceptual they are.

My mother bought me a red lipstick from the dollar store to play when I was about 10 years old. I remember liking its tacky floral plastic tube and the waxy smell it would give off. 3 years later, I received my first mascara, Maybelline pink + green, from a friend as a friendship gift. Cute. Then my mother and aunt gave me a professional silver makeup case from Make Up For Ever for my 18th birthday.

Here’s another nostalgia: from an reinterpretation of Estée Lauder’s 1969 Azurée Fragrance comes Tom Ford’s exquisite 2007 Azurée special edition makeup collection. By the way, what did you think of A Single Man?

In this picture: The Lip in $4, The Cheek Glow in #2, Eye Duo in #3, and The Lacquer in #1.

Work by Marten Lange

Pulled these reference photos from my inspiration file. Clearly I have an obsession with multiples, duplicates or repetitions. Check out this old Vincent Peters‘ Citizen K editorial story with black painted faces. My heart just skipped a beat.

By Glynis Selina Arban for The National Magazine from Dubai.

BY John Van Der Schilden for German Amica Magazine. Unfortunately the magazine went out of business.

BY Nelson Simoneau for Flare Magazine.

BY Geoff Barrenger for Lush Magazine. I used lots of body paint…

BY Geoff Barrenger as well with the beautiful Johanna Stickland from Supreme.

BY Matthew Stylianou shot with an 8×10 Polaroid camera. This is one of my first beauty shoots.

Welcome to my blog! This is me back in Fall 2001. Just came home from Toronto’s Complections Makeup School where I was taking lessons.  I was practicing theatrical makeup techniques that I learned earlier that day.