WISE Symposium: Makeup Artistry, inspiration, and networking

For the past 3 years, A-List Artistry has been the official makeup artistry team for the annual WISE Symposium. The guest speakers are invited to sit in the chair with one of our makeup artists prior to their speaking engagement.We've had the pleasure of working with some inspirational ladies ( & they're fun too!) This year was no exception.

It's one of the best conferences for women in business in the Northeast! Check out the WISE Women's Business Center for the next one.

www.wisecenter.org

My assistant, Gigi,helping set up the night before WISE 

This year the event was held at the Carrier Dome in Syracuse. And to be honest, I was a bit worried setting up on the turf of the huge sports complex would be an awkward setting for over a 1,000 women to be inspired. But when I saw the set up the night before, I immediately changed my mind!  

I think the setting actually made women more relaxed. 

Attendees were encouraged to wear comfortable walking shoes and I think it gave more of a Casual Friday feel to the event. 

Part of my makeup artist kit, getting packed up to do makeup for some of the speakers at WISE

More makeup and of course, false lashes! 

We pack a full arrange of makeup for our clients, to ensure we can meet their needs. This year we were joined by Ashley Hansen, who provided hair styling services for the speakers.

Ashley Hansen, Sandra Gault and Jessica Puccia.

Jessica had Sandra Gault in her chair. Sandra founded True Gault, an amazing custom made shoe company. Jessica was thrilled to try out the process of having shoes created just for her. 

Jessica just finished having her measurements taken for her custom shoes from #True Gault

Jessica ordered her True Gault shoes and has received them hand delivered to her door. She has worn them working (which entails at least 4-5 hours of standing straight) and said it is like wearing pillows on your feet! Absolute heaven!

www.truegault.com

I saw an article about JoJo Rings in the Post Standard, so when I saw their display, I had to try one on!

www.jojorings.com

OK, I couldn't resist. I had to buy one! 

Trish Gallen from Method 360 Fitness inspiring women for fitness and self care.

Put it on the calender! If you haven't checked out Sky Armory, it's a must see!

Girl power! Myself, Annie Taylor from Annie Taylor Designs and Cady Huebner

My favorite part of the whole day is meeting up with other women in business for themselves. Being a freelancer or sole proprietor has it's own challenges of not having coworkers to run things by. Or even just to have coffee with. Networking with these ladies is the best! Annie has taken her business to awesome places since we saw each other at WISE. Check out all she has to offer!

www.annietaylordesign.com

So until next year.....

Makeup artist for Carly Rose Sonenclar at Jim And Juli Boehiem Foundation Ball Turning Stone Casino

So much fun being the makeup artist for Carly Rose Sinclair at the Jim and Julie Boehiem Foundation fundraising ball at Turning Stone Casino.
A few of the key items I used:
Face Atelier foundation for her gorgeous skin. 
MAC Cosmetics eye Shadow in Bronze
ARDELL lashes in Sexies
NYX lip color from The Naturals Luscious Lip Gloss Palette

Makeup for 2014 political commercial shoot in Syracuse NY

When it is an election year, commercial makeup artists are busy with print and film work for campaigns. 

I've done several over the years. I love seeing both politicians and their constituents talk so passionately about things they believe in.

It's also great to work on these jobs because the production crews they hire a true pros. Well oiled machines that operate efficiently, have a well planned shooting schedule and have back up plans for any unforeseen issues. 

Watching the monitor lets me see what viewers will see and I can make makeup adjustments as needed.

 The featured photos are from a short shoot in Syracuse. 

Usually the shoots are 12+ hours in a day covering a number of miles to travel to different towns and businesses that support a candidate. I absolutely love seeing parts of New York State I might not see otherwise. Ice cream shops, steel mills, farms, and banks... any business that makes up a community gets involved. 

The constituents filmed never complain that as the makeup artist/stylist I'm spraying their hair, covering blemishes(even the men) or adjusting their clothes. They are so passionate about helping. 

It makes for a really rewarding day.

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!

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. 

www.whiphandcosmetics.com 

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.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

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

Kiara's modeling headshot. Makeup Artist- Holly Piselli

Her eyes are stunning!

Makeup for modeling portfolio

I love doing all types of makeup. I love when a model or photographer contacts for me headshots or portfolio work. Especially up and coming models. They are so eager and it's fun to hear how excited they are. 
Syracuse has it's fair share of beautiful people and I am thankful to team with such a great photographer like Kim Cook at Big Paw Photography. If you have read many of my posts, you'll see her name quite often. We love working together and respect each others talents and work ethic. We just..... click :)
Here's an example of one of our collaborations.

Mckenzie is a natural beauty that also looks great in front of the camera. Kim has a way of bringing out the best from behind the lens and making her clients feel comfortable in front of the camera. This shoot was to get Mckenzie on to an agency site with AMS Models and Talent.

Expect the unexpected-Makeup Artist turned model

When booked on a photoshoot,or for any job for that matter, flexibility is key. Expect the unexpected and go with the flow. So when Christina(our newest addition at A-List) and I arrived to begin makeup on a shoot and only the male model was there and 2 females were no shows... well, we just went with it. And Christina's modeling career was launched.

I was writing a piece for CNY Woman magazine on creating a perfect fall smokey eye. I needed an image to go with the piece, so this was a perfect time to execute the look. Kim Cook at Big Paw Photography is the magazine photographer and this shoot was her vision, so the timing was perfect.

Shot with my cell phone after makeup and before hair

Since Christina is a makeup artist with her kit on hand the whole shoot, she could make a few changes to her look along the way. She changed her neutral MAC Viva Glam 5 lipstick into a fiery red later in the shoot

Christina did our male model's makeup and she added the red lipstick for this shot

CNY Woman magazine piece written by me!

Today's CNY Magazine- Makeup Artist for the Cover!!

http://www.joelylive.com/cnywoman/
Check out this video and see what I've been up to,
I've been lucky to work closely with Today's CNY Woman maganize. Meeting so many differnet types of women, all doing somethings inspiring. This issue may be my favorite! The model is 13 yr old Joely.
She does interviewing work with Sports Illustrated Kid. She's been in commercial and print that includes Martha Stewart, Target, and Vogue *swoon*
So you'd think she would be a spoiled girl with an attitude, but it couldn't be farther from the truth. Joely's parents arrived with her and her SUV full of clothes and props. You can see where Joely gets her polite manners and good nature.
Since she is a model, models never get asked their opinion on a shoot. So I decided, let's switch it up.Let her have a say in some of the makeup decisions. Two of my favorite things she had never experienced : Airbrush makeup and False eyelashes.WHAT?

Airbrushing

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 So I used my new Stilazzi airbrush system with my favorite TEMPTU airbrush foundation. Studio shoots get hot and this makeup doens't budge.

lashes lashes lashes

 Joely was in love with lashes the  minute the first was glued on. Her mom was writing a makeup shopping list in between taking all of these shots.

she made me laugh. a lot

Behind the scenes. The shoe chair Joely brought with her!

 Magazine photographer Kim Cook working her magic while Editor in Chief Cammi Clark looks on.

Pink Pink and more Pink!

Love her!

 http://www.joelylive.com/cnywoman/