by: Sarah Lei Spagnolo
Photography: Michael Fletcher
Location: Riverside, CA
When no one answered my casting call for a makeup artist on www.modelmayhem.com and the date for my photoshoot with Michael Fletcher was getting closer, I started to panic. I certainly could not face the studio lights without the right kind of makeup especially knowing that my own makeup skills were far from studio-worthy. A friend of mine had crossed my mind, but I just wasn't sure about putting a Persian princess to work. I called her anyway and was happy to learn that not only was she willing to do it but that she was 'excited!'
Meet our guest makeup artist, 21-year-old Suvannah Soleimanzadeh Day from Rancho Cucamonga, California. Though she recently completed her four-week-long makeup course with TNT Agency, her strokes and style are already those of a pro. She attributes much of her makeup skills to years of practice doing makeup applications on herself, family and friends.
"I have never done anything like this before nor had to explain the
reasons why I do makeup a certain way," she says.
She arrives to the shoot with her oversized silver cosmetic case and flashes her pearly whites as she begins to work. She mentions that today is her first time working on an unfamiliar face for a professional photoshoot expressing a little bit of humble uncertainty. Having seen Suvannah's work before, my confidence in her throughout the shoot never faltered. Her light brush strokes across my face were already promise of a makeup portfolio beaming with endless potential.
I was so impressed with her work that I'm having her share with us some makeup tips for three of the looks she created for me:
*All makeup used is from TNT Agency except when otherwise mentioned.
Eyelashes
-For longer, thicker eyelashes that still look natural, use #117 Fashion Lashes (Ardell, $3.49).
-Use cool shades over the cheekbones, jaw line, down the center of the nose and in the middle of the forehead. Meanwhile, use warm shades for the concealer under the eye ids and around the forehead then blend to neutralize skin tone.
Eyes
-Apply white gold eyeshadow in the inner corners and dark brown eyeshadow around and on the outer eye area. This makes for brighter eyes. Use black liquid liner to define eyes.
Lips
-Choose a flesh lip liner and dot the center of the lips with light pink gloss to accentuate them even more.
Cheeks
-Carefully sweep a light pink blush on the cheekbones.
Hair
-For super smooth hair and a faster blow dry, apply Super Skinny Serum (Paul Mitchell, $15.95) to damp hair then blow dry straight. Part hair to one side and straighten with a ceramic flat iron (FHI Heat, $359.99).
White silk top from Alloy.
Eyes
-Add a dark purple eyeshadow on the outer corner of eyes and line the lower lids with a dark eyeliner for a dramatic effect.
Lips
-Apply a bold pink lipstick in Schiap (NARS, $24).
-Dot the center of the lips with a light pink lip gloss.
Hair
-Tease hair around the crown of the head with a teasing comb (Euro Stil Professional 2-Level Tease Tail, $3.99) and spray with Backcomb in a Bottle (Big Sexy Hair, $16.99). A little goes a long way.
Ice skating dress from American Apparel.
Eyes
-Apply dark green eyeshadow to the outer corner of eyes.
Cheeks
-Add red-brown blush to cheeks.
Lips
-Use dark pink lip liner and dot the center of the lips with a light pink lip gloss.
Grey asymmetrical top with black lace from SUO at Citadel Outlets.
