Of course with something new and cool there has to be an argument and I guess when copyrights and image use come to play Pinterest is the current playground of choice.

The big news is the fine print that many seem to have not read or ignored, but really... Is there more to it than just words?

Take a mo' to read through the Business Insider article "Pinterest Might Be Enabling Massive Copyright Theft"

There's a mention of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act

Thoughts:

Would a large corporation consider suing an individual only to receive negative press from beating up the little guy?

Would one individual sue another individual to gain nothing from what would cost them a lot in legal fees? How much blood do you hope to get from that one stone?

I'm sure there is a lot of grey areas here and it's certainly difficult to govern considering it's the worldwide web and not the USA web. (See above DMCA link)

Would this mean sites such as [insert many known fashion blogs here] would be at risk of a lawsuit for images that they don't have permission to use? Or what about blogs that don't attribute the rightful owner of the image? What about the successful bloggers that aren't just having a creative outlet but actually getting advertisers on their blogs, making moolah and using images without permission? What about hair & makeup artists, like myself who have a blog to use as self-promotion and another creative outlet? [I've been told in the past by a certain publication that MY OWN EDITORIAL WORK with them cannot go on my digital portfolios since I don't own the right, YET sites such as Pinterest or fashion blogs that repost editorials can and have posted my work... ps I pushed back with that publication and yes, of course I can use my own work. Duh. AC for the WIN!]

I think that who needs to weigh-in are the people who actually own the copyrights, since hair & makeup artists don't seem to own the rights to our artwork I obviously have no say.

[hair & makeup by me, Andrea Claire]

Do note the crusty tone in my voice: some works of art we should have the ability to share the rights to; and this is not a dig at the photographer: Jingna Zhang, who has credited me on her blog for this award winning image - it's just this particular image has circled the world with kudos to her but no one has tumbled my credit with the image or Margaret White (model) for that matter.

[Hair & makeup by Marc Teng]

So - I guess you can say I personally have mixed thoughts about the whole tumbling world of Pinterest, blogs etc... the original copyright owner may not control how things get credited. This above image was shot by Jingna for Bazaar Singapore and I came across it on Pinterest where the image was getting loads of kudos but there was no credit for the team. I added the credits in the comments but it is up to the people who 'repin' the image to leave the credits; hopefully they did.

PS: Although the above images are fabulous what stands out for you more - the hair or the photography? I've said it before: "it takes a fashion village to make beautiful pictures" it's a package deal... I guess so should be the copyright.

Ok. So it's the Junior version, but all Supermodels need to start somewhere right? This is not Zoie Jean's foray into stardom. She has been in many publications already including Bazaar Hong Kong.

Yup. To the left is Zoie Jean's 8 month old bum. Adorbs. [I did the hair on the Bazaar HK shoot] All I have are lo-res scans. *sigh* I could never track down the tears. I also told them that I was not responsible if she peed on the Bottega... or the model.

Aside from being on the editor's page, Zoie was also featured on her own page. Speaking of children with their own pages... yes, I am THAT kind of mother. [Proud mixed with a little wit and sarcasm]

You can watch the behind the scenes to see that Zoie was fully enjoying her day with zero Stage Mom pressure. [Mommy Bragger Alert: That song she is singing... it's Chinese]

The shoot took place at Seb's Bistro on Rochester Park, Singapore. [No, Zoie was not flown in for the day; we live in Singapore]

 *Zoie's hair & makeup was done by Joanna Koh, assisted by Mag Yang. No, Zoie is not that difficult that she needs a glam squad in attendance. The lovely ladies had about 10 superstars to coiff.

Ever wondered what it's like to be on set of a magazine shoot?

I guess with ANTM the puzzle pieces are really not so puzzling...

This is from a recent shoot I did hair and make up on for Harper's Bazaar, October 2010.

I pinned in some red hair extensions for a splash of colour.

Consider it a tease.. buy the issue - it'll be awesome... as always.

Recently I was shooting in BBH, Singapore.

When I stepped off the elevator I was greeted with this view:

Now, my little camera phone pales the view that I actually saw. I felt like I was about to meet Bond. James. Bond.

I didn't.

But I did meet many lovely and cool people at BBH.

In these photos you get a glimpse of the 'inspiration' den, loaded with picturesque coffee table books - I noticed Francois Nars X-Ray on the shelves that I've coveted for years; the surprise in the ladies' toilet and my makeup set up.

Watch out for Bazaar October (Singapore) for what and who the heck we were shooting in this cool locale full of coolness!

I was recently asked to participate as a Beauty Judge for the Harper's Bazaar (Singapore) Beauty Awards, November issue (2010).

Being a hairstylist and makeup artist of 20 years, I pride myself in keeping up with the Beauty Joneses remaining current in my field. This includes reading up on ingredients, recommendations and testing out new products. As you can imagine, I, beauty geek, was honoured to be given this task!

Well, the magazine called to confirm that I was home to accept my boxed beauty bundle as the courier was about to leave their office; 20 minutes later my concierge rang up to my suite 'M'am, you have some hair product delivery. Shall I send it up?'

Ok.  First, hate being called 'M'am'.

Second. Some hair product??? This is not how I would have described it.

I opened the door to find the courier with a dolly full of crates!

I was a kid in my very own candy store! For roughly 6 weeks, donned in my inconspicuous labcoat (the fashion industry uniform: an LBD) my life was immersed in luxurious creams, lotions, gels, fragrances, masks, powders, pigments.... you name it - I tested it.

If this wasn't work related you would have had to do a Beauty Intervention ala SATC's Charlotte and the rabbit episode! And this felt probably as good - if not better!

Now, I don't feel its right to point out my favourites until the issue is out, (mark your calendars to purchase Bazaar, November 2010!) but from time to time I will post a breakdown of what beauty products I tested and the results I have found. (here's one) Some products I was amazed by in an 'if I hadn't seen the results myself, I would never have believed it' fashion. And, yes, yes, OH yes! I did see some ageing reversal from tubes at home.

 I have... err.. HAD a shallow-ish wrinkle in-between my brow that was taken care of within 2 applications... no word of a lie.

Glamoxy Snake Serum

'This revolutionary oxygenated, viper-inspired serum contains syn-ake; a neuro peptide that mimics the effects of the Temple Viper's potent venom to instantly lift the face, freeze muscles and plump fine lines and wrinkles.'

Now, the key word here is 'mimics'. I don't like snakes unless they are on my feet. (I kid; illustrating that I don't like snakes - they give me the hee-bee-jee-bees.)

Check back to see what product had me looking like an organic beef-steak tomato.

 Desired result or no? You be the judge - you know I was.