SXSW 2015

lately...

Internet Movie Poster Awards

I'm super excited to share with you this movie poster that I shot with photographer Tom Keller.  I loved doing this makeup.  It won an award in the Internet Movie Poster Awards!  Super fun!  Anyway, here it is...
Designed by Blood and Chocolate.

click here:  IMP Awards

Lovin' Life: Lifestyle: TX Photo Roundup

Thank you Stephanie Rausser and TX Photo Roundup for a fab four days of lifestyle adventures.

A little late, but here ya go!

 

(photo by carolyn aeschliman)

5 Easy Steps to the Perfect Smokey Eye

One of the most common questions I’m asked is how to do a smokey eye because it seems so darn complicated and can be done so horribly wrong. Never fear! I am here to guide you into having that soft, smokey look (without overdoing it). Unless you are on a photo shoot, always err on the subtler side. Yes, make it lighter than you think! 1. Sweep a light toned eyeshadow or translucent powder all over the lid with a fluffy eye shadow brush. 2. Start the shape of the smokey eye with a medium toned brown. Apply in a gentle sweeping motion across the entire lid and up into the crease with a firmer eye shadow brush. Then, softly sweep the eyeshadow under the eye and connect at the outer corners. TIP: Don’t over apply underneath the eye because it will make it look “droopy.” And who wants that!? 3. Add black eyeliner to upper and lower lids, keeping it softer on the bottom. Don’t worry about getting the liner perfectly straight since it’s going to be smudged. 4. Blur the outer edge of the eyeliner with a small eyeshadow brush. TIP: The more blended it is, the better it looks! So blend, blend, blend! 5. Finish the look with a layer of mascara and a sweep of nude-peach or nude-pink creamy lipstick over moisturized lips. Remember that we are emphasizing those gorgeous peepers of yours, so don’t ruin the look with a bright or heavy lip color! Go for elegance. Giorgio Armani once said, “To be elegant is not to be noticed. It is to be unforgettable...” Until next time... Your faithful artist and lover of all things beautiful, amber

Radiant Skin

From Hollywood to Austin, glowing skin is always “in.” Many people often ask me how to achieve that gorgeous, radiant skin that you see on celebrities. Well, i’m here to let you in on a few secrets that everyone can do to achieve beautiful skin. FACT: No matter how much makeup you think you need to cover those little imperfections, it ALWAYS begins with good skin care. The most important thing is to find an esthetician that you trust who can prescribe the right products for your particular needs. Seeing an esthetician once per month has PROVEN to slow the signs of premature aging that affects us all. FACT: 90% of premature aging is caused from the sun. I cannot stress this enough...ALWAYS wear at least an SPF30 to protect yourself from the sun’s damaging rays. Cloudy weather can be the most deceptive but, the rays still penetrate and can cause burning and damage. FACT: Healthy skin starts from within. I always carry a bottle of water with me wherever I go so that I can remain hydrated. Eating a wholesome diet that contains healthy unsaturated fats (such as olive oil) will help the skin stay hydrated and looking beautiful. Okay, now that you have taken these steps to ensure healthy skin...now the fun part... MAKEUP! Here are two tips that will accentuate your skin and give that radiant glow. First: Blending the foundation properly is the number one thing that you can do to even out your skin tone and keep it looking natural. I know that sounds obvious, but so many people make this mistake and their makeup ends up looking caked on, sitting in fine lines and wrinkles which only accentuates them and makes you look older...and heaven forbid, the foundation line that stops at the jawline! It is best to apply the foundation with a good foundation brush. Then (here’s the secret) dampen a makeup sponge and gently press it all over the face, focusing on the areas where the foundation may have settled into the fine lines. This creates a beautiful, soft finish. Second: A must have in everyone’s makeup collection should be a bronzer. Everyone wants to look like they just spent the weekend at the beach. I am warning you now, bronzer can be a dangerous monster by giving you the opposite affect. If applied wrong, it can make you look older because of the yellow and brown bases of bronzers can give skin a dull appearance. Instead of dusting it all over, lightly blend it only on your hairline, cheekbones and jawline to create a halo effect. Never put it around your eyes, nose and mouth, which causes instant aging. Be the Star of your own life! The healthier your skin is, the less makeup you need to apply and the more natural and beautiful your skin will look. With a good esthetician, the right skincare and a few Hollywood makeup tricks, you will have younger looking, radiant skin that is in style for all seasons. Until next time... Your faithful artist and lover of all things beautiful, Amber

BRAND SPANKIN' NEW: Collagen Induction Therapy

Various makeup innovations and skin treatment practices for rejuvenation can be traced back to ancient Egypt from the use of heavy black kohl eye makeup to abrasive masks. Then, of course, there’s Chinese skin therapies that date back over 2,000 years old, among many others. The quest to restore youthful appearance has always been desired. By standing on the shoulders of those who came before us, we now have cutting edge technology that yields phenomenal results. So why am I telling you this? Let me introduce you to one of the coolest treatments that I know of...Collagen Induction Therapy (CID) created by a small handheld device called Dermapen, whose roots extend all the way back to these early innovations. This is absolutely the best way to hit the “restart button” on skin health and renewal that is natural, relatively pain free and has virtually no risk or downtime. No joke. And, it’s totally affordable! This treatment tightens and lifts skin, reduces wrinkles, improves stretch marks, minimizes pore size and even improves the worst of scars and burns. Oh, and it’s FAST. Normally only about 10-15 minutes per treatment. So, what’s the big deal? Dermapen is a “transdermal delivery facilitator.” Okay, basically, minute transient punctures are made in the skin in order for the vitamins, antioxidants, growth factors, and other healing elements to penetrate deeper while also stimulating your own natural collagen. The serums used are scientifically proven to aid in healing and regeneration. Most importantly: IT WORKS! Get ready to have younger, healthier, glowing skin. Get ready to minimize embarrassing scars, burns or stretch marks. By the way, Skin Rehab is the only place in Austin that provides this brand new treatment…and I am licensed do it! Your faithful artist and lover of all things beautiful, Amber