Sunday, December 29, 2013

A-List Artistry Chosen Makeup Artistry Team for 2013 WISE Symposium Speakers

 I love the Wise Symposium (www.WISEconference.com). I attended my first one in 2011. The keynote speaker was Bobbi Brown. Yes... THAT Bobbi Brown. So being a makeup artist I was really excited to attend. Jessica Puccia was just joining the team and went with me. It was such an inspiration for us both. I left with tons of notes and a fire to build the makeup artist business I had started to be even bigger and better.

2012 I went again. Solo this time. Jessica was enjoying a well deserved vacation. This year the keynote speaker was Barbara Corcoran. Yup... Shark Tank. Her story totally blew me away! Again, I left with that fire and some new ideas.

2013 arrives. My mind is working on goals for the year. Of course going to WISE was on my list. Only this year I wanted to help behind the scenes and offer makeup for the speakers. Lindsay from WISE loved the idea and a partnership was formed. Christina Cianciosi was now part of the team and she came along as well.

Just as we arrived and were setting up in the VIP room I received a call my father-in-law was being taken to the emergency room. My husband reassured me to stay and do the makeup. He'd contact me if I needed to get to the hospital.

I was really pleased with the number of speakers that scheduled to have their makeup done! And they all were so fun to talk to. The speaker that captivated me and had me busting out laughing was Cheryl Wood. She is down-to-earth with a lot of sass. My kinda gal. We had enough time to run to hear her speak before returning to do makeup for the next scheduled speaker. She didn't disappoint!! I follow her now on social media.www.cherylwoodempowers.com

Holly from A-List Artistry with Cheryl Wood

My final makeup was for keynote speaker, Robin Chase. She is so interesting. And it was cool to hear her daughter is a model! I wish I could have stayed to hear her speak, but I needed to get to my family and find out what was happening with my father-in-law. * drs finally have found the cause of his condition and he is doing well.

Holly from A-List Artistry with Robin Chase
We loved WISE 2013 and can't wait for next year's symposium! You can check out the gallery from this year's event and see better pictures than the ones taken with my phone. Photographer friend Caitlyn Bom was shooting the event. http://wiseconference.com/Symposium/gallery.asp

We've already been named the official makeup artist team for the 2014 WISE Symposium. What inspiring women will we meet this year? Stay tuned for the announcement!

Tuesday, September 17, 2013

A Few of My Favorite Things: Thing One Whip Hand Cosmetics Set the Stage Primer


As makeup artists we get asked our favorite products all of the time. And I'm going to be honest. Makeup is a lot like looking at art, reading a book or eating a meal. What one considers beautiful, entertaining, or delicious another may not. So these are my opinions. My tips. What I've tried on myself and use on my clients. 

Feel free to leave your own comments if you've tried a product. Or let me know if there is something you are curious about. 

The first product I want to blog about is a true miracle in a jar. My main requirement in a product is I must love it. It needs to do its job and do it well. I'm not a follower. There are a ton of "popular" products you won't see in my kit. They don't meet my expectations. Now when a product is made by a fellow artist AND made here in the USA. That's a bonus. THAT is Whip Hand Cosmetics.www.whiphandcosmetics.com

The owner/creator is Riese Lauriet, a makeup artist in Detroit, MI. We're in a mutual Makeup Artist group and a few other artists were raving about her makeup primer, Set the Stage. 



I know. I know.
There are a gazillion primers.... What makes hers so special? Well, I've tried a lot of primers. Found some great and some not so great. But Set the Stage works on a multitude of clients. It helps reduce shine from oily skin, yet it hydrates enough to be perfect for dry skin as well.  It creates a smooth surface for your other face products to glide over and stay put.
As I have ventured to the over 40 yr old club I noticed a new concern: larger pores! Set The Stage makes that issue disappear! I actually threw on my makeup just to run to the craft store and book store. I didn't use the primer. I didn't run into anyone I knew, and I'm glad. I felt naked without the primer! What a difference!
The biggest mistake I feel people make with primers is applying too much. Set the Stage is no exception. A little goes a LONG way.  I apply most products with a brush, but not this. The warmth of your fingers is going to emulsify the product and allow it to glide over the skin.
When you first see the size of the container you might be concerned the cost vs. the quantity. At $39 it is a bargain. And its made in Detroit by real people, not a huge factory. Its a company that not only makes a great product, but also a company that wants to bring jobs to its community. To make their city a better place. Not too many makeup lines can boast that. I will admit, it is a reason I have ordered more products from them. I wish more companies would think like this.(gets off soapbox and stops waving the America flag)
So check out Whip Hand Cosmetics and the Set the Stage primer. And as a side note, they have amazing customer service! Matt was answering my questions by email in minutes and offering additional tips on product use.
They won me over!
I also bought a few other Whip Hand products, so stay tuned for some more recommendations, because it was all great!  

**** a BIG foot note. I purchased the product. And even if a company sends me something gratis to try(& on occasion they do), you can be assured I will only give honest feedback.(* and state it was sent as gratis in the review) If something isn't to my liking,  I. will give the company my honest feedback and will not blog about the product. Many times an artist is sent things to give their feedback on performance the the brand will make adjustments to the ingredients or packaging based on artists feedback.

Whip Hand Cosmetics used for cover shoot for Today's CNY Woman magazine

My blogging as seriously been lacking on the commercial aspect of our work. Not for lack of jobs! We are happy and love our commercial business. I just forget to talk about it.

So for this shoot I had just gotten a few items from a newer makeup line, Whip Hand Cosmetics, that I wanted to try. The line has been taking the makeup artist community by storm and I had to try a few things for myself.




So this first thing I notice is the shipping packaging. WOW! I'm a sucker for cool packaging. So I was instantly hooked. Riese, the creator of Whip Hand, is a fellow makeup artist. Her fierce personality is evident in every way with her products.I seriously didnt' really want to open it.... it was so pretty. But I HAD to try these products.


I personally try everything before using it on clients... I can't afford to use a product that doesn't perform when I'm working. So after trying it on myself and loving it, I took it on the shoot for the cover of Today's CNY Woman. This shoot was at Lune Chocolat in Manlius,NY. I was already a customer of their chocolatey goodness prior to the shoot (try their Lavender and Honey or a Chai Buddha,you won't be disappointed)
The results were beautiful. I primed her face with Set The Stage Primer and used Sneaky creme eye shadow as a base for some of my powder shadows. I used Analyze which is a creme blush that was perfect!To finish the look I sprayed Give Good Face over the whole thing. It's a Rosewater Tonic that smells fantastic and hydrates and plumps the skin for an amazing finish.
So now I am a loyal Whip Hand Cosmetics fan. I'm writing my review of Set the Stage ASAP. EVERYONE should have it in their makeup bag!

Tuesday, April 9, 2013

Makeup for Today's CNY Woman Magazine Cover -March Emily at Lune Chocolat

Emily at Lune Chocolat
I have several loves outside of my family and my work. A couple being shopping and sweets. So when Lune Chocolat opened in Manlius (just around the corner from my Jamesville location) I had to check it out. I wasn't disappointed. All of their pieces are hand made!
On occasion if I had several clients coming in one day, I'd stop in to pick up some treats for them. And maybe a few for me too.** my favorites are the Lavender+Honey, The Peanut Butter Poodle (you have to see it to appreciate it) and the Chai Buddha.
www.lunechocolat.com


I was excited to do this shoot because it was with a business I already support. I also had some new products I wanted to work with from Whip Hand Cosmetiques.
The brand Whip Hand Cosmetiques is a newer line. Much like the chocolate, it is also hand made!In Detroit!Created by pro makeup artist, Riese Lauriat.
It's been getting some chatter in the pro makeup artist forums and I had to see for myself what all of the fuss was about.
I like buying products that have meaning to me as well as do their job. May sound weird. But if I can buy something that is going to create jobs in the US from a place with outstanding customer service, count me in.
It was love at first application!
So much so, that I need to devote a whole post, just to the Whip Hand products I used. Emily loved the look and how great her skin felt. And I loved supporting small businesses. 
how cool is the shipping packaging? felt like a present
Makeup Artist- Holly Piselli for A-List Artistry
Magazine Photographer- Kim Cook @ Big Paw Photography



Today's CNY Woman September 2012 issue cover makeup

Sara Wallace, Lauren Staniec, & Melissa Perry
Makeup Artist- Holly Piselli for A-List Artistry
Makeup Assistant- Dianna Cassinella
Photographer- Kim Cook
Sara Wallace, Melissa Perry, & Lauren Staniec
 Not many women need a reason to go to the mall. So it's even better  when the magazine emails me the next shoot will be at the ever expanding DESTINY mall. Having 3 cover ladies was a first with us. Time is always precious to the busy business woman that are featured each month, so this time I brought along my assistant Dianna to streamline the process.
These ladies are BUSY! One even did an interview with a newspaper by phone while I did her makeup. I admired their stamina, that is for sure. And they all were lovely.


Since shooting this cover, Melissa has become a regular client with A-List Artistry. She books me to do her makeup for major business presentations and large scale events. I am so touched she chooses me each time to give her that extra confidence. Knowing that her makeup looks professional and will stay flawless all day leaves her free to focus on what's important that day; her business.



                  

Thursday, March 28, 2013

Makeup Artist for Today's CNY Woman Magazine Cover December 2012 issue shot in Syracuse, NY

The December issue of Today's  CNY Woman magazine was a tribute to women in the military. I knew I would be the makeup artist for the lovely Mona Wilson, who is chief director of ambassadors for Operation Adopt a Soldier. Let me tell you, she has the most gorgeous skin!



Midway through her makeup application a couple of ladies in uniform arrived. And then a couple more ladies arrived, Then a couple more! As they waited for the studio lighting to be set for the shoot, they watched me as I finished Mona's makeup.


I only had a few minutes before the shoot was to begin, so I grabbed each woman and did quick makeup on each one. They loved the opportunity for a little "girl" time and felt great before getting in front of the camera.
It was one of my favorite shoots to date. I honor the women and men that serve and protect our country. My stepbrother is one of them and I am grateful every day for the sacrifices they make, along with their families.

  PJ & I at our brother Jeremy's wedding 2012

Tuesday, February 19, 2013

Modeling headshot for Brittany. Makeup by Holly



Modeling head shot for Brittany. Makeup Artist Holly Piselli for A-List Artistry.

Punishers Motorcycle shoot. Makeup Artist Holly Piselli



 Another fun day in the life of a makeup artist! This shoot was featuring a motorcycle owned by a member of the bike group Punishers National. Doing so much bridal makeup that is classic and natural, it's fun to do shoots that are a little more sexy in nature.
 And anytime I'm booked with model ChelsieAryn Miller and photographer Kim Cook, I know I'll spend most of my time laughing. I totally need to start doing behind the scenes photos with these guys.
Model- ChelsieAryn Miller
Makeup Artist-Holly Piselli
Hairstylist- Holly Piselli
Photographer- Kim Cook @ Big Paw Photography

Monday, February 11, 2013

Chelsie loves New York Jets shoot. Makeup Artist Christina Cianciosi for A-List Artistry

Some new studio work for model Chelsie. She is a huge Jets fan and does commentating on games through her fan site, as well as other outlets.
Makeup artist for the session was Christina Cianciosi, the newest makeup artist on the A-List Artistry team. Obviously, Christina knows her way around a makeup kit. She even did some hair styling on this shoot.
Shoot was on location at Big Paw Photography in Syracuse, NY. Photographer: Kim Cook@ Big Paw Photo.graphy





Oswego Alumni Magazine shoot- makeup artist Holly Piselli for A-List Artistry

One of my favorite calls to get is for makeup artist for magazine work(usually the cover). I find the cover "model" is always someone with an interesting background and I enjoy hearing their story.
One of the coolest cover stories was scheduled on a dreary rainy day at SUNY Oswego .Who am I kidding it was pouring, high winds and it turned my umbrella inside out on the long walk across campus to the shoot location. I arrived drenched, shivering and excited beyond belief.
I was going to be the makeup artist/stylist for Joanna Shelmidine! 
All dolled up and ready to kick some butt (not mine, thankfully) Joanna, left. Holly, right















Name unfamiliar? I'll admit, I hadn't heard of her. But after a quick google search I realized I had seen a ton of her work! Turns out Joanna is an amazing stunt woman that has been seen on episodes of some of my favorite shows including The Sopranos, Ugly Betty, and Fear Factor, among countless other television and film jobs. 
How cool! 
behind the scenes- shot with my cell phone







Joanna is in incredible shape!


We had such an amazing day on this shoot. Joanna was willing to do anything they threw at her and then some. All of that work certainly gets a stunt woman a little sweaty, but her makeup stayed just as strong as she was!

Here are a few shots photographer Robert Mascavage shared with me. 

I made one of the shots! Not sure if it made the issue or not

My favorite!
Bob has an amazing eye for color and contrast. These shots are not retouched. They are straight out of the camera! To see more of Bob's work:  www.mescavagephoto.com


If you have a minute, check out Joanna's stunt reel. Totally badass!