I wanted to start this post off with this shot of Darren Lee from our Style: MEN / LEVIS shoot for two reasons - one: he's so darn adorable and two: it has my credits on the page which I would like to point out: Andrea Claire hair & grooming (industry word for guy makeup) using Alison Raffaele and Original Mineral assisted by Francesca Gonella.

I'm sure by now you are familiar with my love for Original Mineral / O&M products. Allow me to introduce to you Alison Raffaele Cosmetics (ARC).

ARC is a brand that's been around like a great indie movie; you tried [watched] it - loved it and every once in a while you nab [watch] it again reminding yourself how much you love it. I first tried Alison Raffaele Setting Powder years ago in Toronto - I spotted it at PIR Cosmetics and was impressed by the fine texture - it truly blends out on every skin tone. I recently ordered ARC foundations, concealers and setting powder - which you can see in action in this spread. The other thing you need to know: it's gluten-free in fact: talc, mineral oil and paraben free oh - and vegan.

Sarcastic me said to Alison: No one is eating it right? What's up with the gluten-free?

ARC via their TWITTER: "Official answer is that while only those suffering with the most severe Celiac disease have problems with topical gluten,
since it is not necessary, I leave it out. My goal is to make highly effective, healthy cosmetics that work for as many people as possible."

You know who else is vegan and gluten-free?? FACE atelier!

You may recognize this lovely woman as Nadya Hutagalung - Supermodel / host of Asia's Next Top Model but there is way more - peel back the onion skin layers here at Green Kampong. I notice she has a fashion & beauty section so next time I see her I will have to bend her ear on some of my fave eco-friendly beauty products.

Interesting character - Joe. He had a calming, strong voice and a very catchy personality that had me curious as to who Joe really was. Joe does voiceovers, and so he should - in fact - why clients don't seek him out from overseas is a wonder - a rojak of an accent like his can easily float across the ocean.

Joe's email signature:

joe moreira
Just Another Human Being Like You

I can't tell you how much I love that: Just another human being like you.

If the world thought that way we would have fewer problems and more hugs. [insert Supertramp's Dreamer]

There is more to this spread. I'll be posting it here shortly.

Photography: Alwin Oh
Styling: Gerald Tan

The lovely Lisa Ray is getting married. I had the pleasure of dolling her up for Harper's Bazaar India who is featuring her this October.

I have learned over the years to offer beauty suggestions to the celebs in my chair. Of course they need to feel comfortable with you and what you can do; ultimately it is up to them to decline  - Lisa was a joy to work with and I say a huge 'thanks' to her for letting me play around with hairstyles.

[sidebar: YEARS ago before Alanis Morrisette cut her hair off I was hired to do a press junket with her in Toronto. I asked her how would she like her hair & makeup done - her answer: whatever I like. Um. How fab is that?  Except I opted for the safe root and did her up like anyone else had.

Note to self: Whenever someone says 'do whatever you like' take it and run with it. Alanis: if you are touring in Asia - call me!]

Hi there hot Lisa in a laser cut leather Valentino dress!

Our team:

photographer: Colston Julian

fashion stylist: Nadia Pizzimenti

hair, makeup & nails: Andrea Claire using Marc Anthony HC, FACE atelier and Dashing Diva Design FX assisted by Delia Lupan 

Buy your digital copy online here.

Some behind the scenes:

Wicked nail bling: Dashing Diva

My second assistant trying to take over Delia's job but obviously full of attitude and a little lazy.

A gorgeous September day in Toronto.

I love this photo of Lisa I snapped with my HTC.

A little bling that Nadia hand on-hand... actually, that's my hand... Nadia: I'd like this ring please. For serious. Who's is it??

Find the team on Twitter:

Lisa Ray

Colston Julian

Nadia Pizzimenti

Andrea Claire

Harper's Bazaar India

PS - I discovered a new song to add to my playlist that day. Listen here, it's catchy.

My favourite shot. I wrapped loads of coloured hair extensions around her ponytail. Easy peasy pretty.

Hard to see in my scans but the little detailing I did on the nails with MINX Nails

If you want to see the full story you'll have to head to a magazine rack and purchase it.

Nothing like a bunch of expat kids wrecking your shot! Kidding. Most of us fashionistas are far more patient than that.

Here is the shot without the uniformed teenagers walking through.

Quick pinning and clamping of the dresses....

The thought process...

The shot that made it in to print; very Aslan with the Ice Queen...  

This spread for Style Wedding, Singapore September 2011, was shot by Mark Gong who was in Singapore from New York.

Creative direction by Furqan Saini.

Hair and makeup... me... [if you follow my blog you or read the header you will know it's what I actually do]

Thanks to MAC Cosmetics for some lovely colours that I was able to use.

Thanks to Hotel Fort Canning for letting us in their space and the use of a room for home base while shooting. Such a nice hotel! [Great brunch too!]

And for keeping me 'jacked' all day. Yum. Nespresso!

This was from the same issue. Creative direction by Furqan Saini.

Photography by Kelvin Chia.

See more of these spreads and my bridal work here and here.

PS: This issue is on the stands now!

As seen in ELLE, Singapore

Hair & Makeup: Andrea Claire

Styling: Furqan Saini

Photography: Mark Gong

Ok. I did not invent post-its.

And yes, the blog title is a claim made by Romy in Romy & Michele's High School Reunion.

But I do have some hair-brained ideas. Probably stemming from years of inhaling fumes from hair colour and sprays.

Like this one:

Notice anything... interesting?

Yup. The free edge of the nail is a little crazy. That my virtual Friends is called: Fash-Shon (pronounced with a hint of a French accent)

I used picking shears.

The nail colour is OPI's Bronze - DS Classic (DS 031)

Why? Well, this I did for an editorial in the upcoming March 2011 issue of Designare. I only did nails. I am not suggesting this is an everyday nail look as I think it has potential to be a lethal weapon; in-fact, I warned the model that if she needs to 'scratch' anything to proceed with caution. Not to mention this Gucci dress was covered in fringe that we were shooting - *bites nails* Model and dress escaped snag-free. [and BTW: those nails are not hers. I used acrylics]

I will post the full story when it drops (industry lingo for hitting the shelves)

Sidebar: I was at a party recently whereas some business exec said I need to be hired as an idea person. Where you get paid to just have a gazillion sell-able ideas. Maybe it's the caffeine, but I am always coming up with something. For example - three years ago I pitched a beauty show for TV that would cover exotic beauty beliefs around the world and showcase them on TV. I pitched this to MediaCorp in Singapore with the help of a production company who wanted to produce it. MediaCorp turned it down citing 'did not want a foreigner host' (me = foreigner in Singapore). So I sent my pitch to an LA reality TV production company - I never heard back. But, oddly enough a show with the same idea was on MTV.  I'm sure it's just a wacky coincidence...

But, I would love to get paid to eat bon bons and come up with ideas! Anyone...?

In the world of shameless self-promotion; I am thrilled to share some links to editorials and stories I collaborated on for November! Now, I do realize I am taking advantage of 'bragger's rights', but I do promise you some helpful tips are on these links and it's not just about 'Me-Me'. 

[NOTE: Please click on the pink links to see more.]

Harper's Bazaar, Singapore had invited me to be one of their Beauty Judges for the Bazaar Beauty Awards. Another beauty judge was Grego, a fellow hair and makeup artist who I worked with on a Lancome/Bazaar shoot. I adore Grego! Contrary to this photo:

Photo credit to wicked photographer and friend Jingna / Zemotion

Check out my Bazaar little teasers here and here, and don't forget the issue I believe is out NOW!

Simply Her Singapore featured me in their Luxe For Less - ah, yes! The shopaholic in me was validated! I also did hair and makeup for the fashion spread.

Motherhood magazine I wrote a beauty story on Beauty & The It Bag; essentials for everyday and what you need for you trendy makeup bag.

Her World and ELLE has me quoting some fun little tidbits.

The Singapore American Paper is printing a censored version of my Japan Airlines fiasco.

In the U.S, I have a DIY manicure beauty story in austinwoman magazine on the DIY manicure inspired by my Marble Manicure blog that EVERYONE seemed to love! Thanks EVERYONE! (ok - this one is actually in October - but I do have another story in November - LUXE face creams!)

In Canada's GLOW magazine I was asked about some of my favourite beauty products. Check out what we top hair and makeup artists' are recommending as the 'Best In Beauty' products! (mine is page on 80, #34!)

Whew - I certainly do get around, don't I! ;)

Run out now and stock up on your November issues! XO

A HUGE THANK YOU to all for picking my beauty brain! 

xo

Andrea Claire 

Nothing excites me more than a fabulous creative team and an uber hot location.

Wanderlust Hotel, a boutique hotel in Singapore was home for a day for the dream team of Seventeen (Singapore) magazine.

Hair & Makeup: Andrea Claire

Assisted by: Norah Salazar

Styling: Furqan Saini & Alisa Chopard

Photography: Ellen Lim

PS This is for November!