Never-mind the worst thumbnail picture EVER! Le sigh... Thanks a lot YouTube!

Royal and Langnickel asked if I would like to be part of their 'Day in the Life of a MUA' series. Thanks for thinking of me! :D

Check out my mad editing skillz and my daughters, Sage and Zoie Jean who steal the show near the end... just wait for it.

Enjoy!

xo

BTW: The makeup brushes that make a cameo appearance? Royal and Langnickel's Green Silk Line I LOVE these brushes. Truly. Not kidding.

After 20 years, I still get a thrill when I see tearsheets with my work. That's me in the top corner sporting my Zuca and Seventeen hot off the press.

This editorial is in the September issue of Seventeen magazine, Singapore. To see the rest of the story you will just have to buy the issue on the stands now!

Want to know my secrets from the shoot?

 As I always do, I prepped our model's skin with Dermalogica skincare.

Foundation: DiorSkin Nude Natural Glow Hydrating Makeup  021

Blush: Shiseido Luminizing Satin Face Color RS 302

Eye Shadow:

MAC Cosmetics Straw Harvest on the lid

Yaby Cosmetics First Snow in the tear duct

 Part way through our shoot I glammed up the eye with a little wing-tipped liner. To achieve the look I used an eyeliner pencil and a flat angled shadow brush. Sweep your angled shadow brush back and forth on your kohl pencil and then with eyes open looking directly into the mirror brush on to create a softer wing-tip liner look.

*TIP Applying eye shadow with your eyes opened will give you a better idea of where you want to place your makeup. Try this 'open-eye' technique for creating/cheating your crease - eyes should be opened naturally and not an exaggerated stare.

Hair

I prepped the model's hair using Phyto Hair products. The voluminzing spray is amazing! Not sticky and gives great grip to the hair. I then set her hair on ceramic hot rollers I got from good ole Target!

Nails

Sadly you can't see them in my blog, but I applied MINX Pulse; aren't these ridiculously cool!! LOVE MINX

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The women's candy store equivalent tends to be the cosmetic aisles. I am frequently asked what do I covet from the lines aplenty.

Currently my favourite cheap and cheerful beauty products in no specific order are:

1. Concealer: Milani HD Concealer  I tried this one only recently and was uber surprised at the coverage. I also noticed there was no caking or fading throughout the day.
2. Eyeliner: L'Oreal Voluminous Mistake-Proof Marker Eyeliner  I just bought 5 of these to have a stock for my kit. Just like it says 'marker'; reminds me of a Sharpie but safe for applying around the eyes! The marker tip makes the application easy. On a classic Hepburn-esque eye or to finish off a dramatic eye, this is a must-have beauty bargain.
3. Waterproof Eye Liner: Gosh Cosmetics Velvet Touch  I bought these when an airline lost my kit on the way to a job (yup, lost. Grrrr). Sometimes things happen for a reason! Gosh Hypnotic Grey is my new black. Love Grey liner and it suits everyone.
4. Lip Plumper: Sexy Motherpucker by Soap and Glory - Is it just me or do you hear Prince's Sexy MF song when you say the name of this lip product?  Yes it plumps and burns a little, but ladies, beauty can be a little painful. It is worth it.
   
5. Fake Lashes: Ardell Lashes There are so many lashes to choose from. You can never go wrong with Ardell. If you have light lashes wear brown falsies for a more seamless application; you can always layer with black mascara.                                                                
6. Hair Texturizer/Spray Wax: Sally Hershberger Genius Spray Wax Just as the name suggests and the brains behind the beauty, it's genius. Like any wax product, use sparingly. What I love about this one over the higher-end salon brands; it isn't as greasy. Apply with quick sprays mainly to mid-lengths and ends of hair.
7. Shampoo and Conditioner: Infusium 23 shampoo and conditioners are great! I was a spokeperson for Infusium when they relaunched and personally tried them out. The Frizz Controller Collection linked here is a great maintenance for frizz caused from humid weather or curly hair; but do click through the site as you can find the collection geared to your hair type.
8. Blow Dryer/Brush: Hot Tools Air Styling Brush, an invention I am addicted to for work and personal use. This is the BEST hair tool. I use this if I want to blow-dry volume at the roots or if I am creating big, bouncing beautiful beach hair, I will use this from roots to ends. Best used on slightly damp hair. Hair shrinks as it dries so if hair is soaking wet, it could wrap around this round brush tool and get stuck easily. Always round brush on hair that has minimal water in it.

Recently I was interviewed by two on-line publications; I was thrilled to be featured!

Andrea Claire at age 5. Yes, my 'calling' started early.

 Since I receive many emails asking how did I get into this glorious career I thought I would post the interview links for you.

Click for the Model Resource feature on Andrea Claire.

Click for The Drama Diaries feature on Andrea Claire.

Click for the salon magazine feature on Andrea Claire. (This one is a few years old but coming full circle as we were moving to Singapore at that time and .... well.... here we go again! (insert laugh here) )

Please feel free to post a question or comment below. I do try to respond to all of them as best I can and in good time!

A clip from an article from my Stylin' Gypsies days. (makeover show)

Leading a team for a  MAC Fashion Cares segment

Another year leading a team for MAC Fashion Cares