Colored Hair Story for Bello Mag photographed by Sean Armenta

Nothing is more fun than adding a little pop of color to hair!  For this Bello Magazine shoot I customized some colors to use on my amazing models Britni and Amanda.  Art Director Jamie Breuer and I wanted to create a soft image but still keeping a little flair and boldness to our girls.  With photographer Sean Armenta's expert lighting and makeup guru Mathias Alan's amazing we were able to create just that!  

Photographer: Sean Armenta

Art Director: Jamie Breuer

Makeup: Mathias Alan

Hair: Sienree

Wardrobe Stylist: Karen Raphael

Models: Britni Stanwood and Amanda Smith from Photogenics

Shoe Privee Advertisement photographed by Richard Reinsdorf

I love California for so many reasons, one is the versatile shooting locations that are less than 2 hours away.  Photographer Richard Reinsdorf took us out to Palmdale to shoot at the four aces which is a old 60's movie set, the set includes a retro diner, awesome motel rooms decorated in vintage furniture, and a old school gas station.  Needless to say, it was a fun experience and Richard is amazing, it is always a pleasure to work with him and watch him create beautiful pictures.

Hair Talk-

For Taylor's long golden blonde locks I curled everything with a one inch iron and pinned each curl to set.  Once all the curls are cooled I took out the pins and back-combed each section tightly to the scalp for maximum volume. Using a wide tooth comb, I gently separated the curls and finished with Oribe's superfine hair spray.

Note: Since Taylor's hair is so long it's easy for curls to drop through out the day, using a tighter iron is essential for the curls to stay.

BTS on GENLUX Magazine's beauty shoot!

Here's some behind the scene shots from my beauty shoot for GENLUX Magazine yesterday.  I can't wait till the issue comes out!


Photographer: Courtney Beckett
Makeup: Camille Marie Clarke
Models: Kate Schuette and Anatasia Kolganova

Bio Ionic Hair Campaign 2012

I first discovered Bio Ionic brushes and heating implements 5 years ago and fell in love with it immediately!  When Fernando, the founder and CEO asked me to help with their 2012 campaign I was so honored to take part.  Nothing is more exciting than working for a company that you truly believe in.

Photographer: Karla Ticas

Makeup: Leibi Carias

Models: Devon Barnes, Jade Corinne, & Cristina Irimiciuc

Carousel Editorial by Tracey Morris

This was the first time I have ever set foot at the LA Zoo and what a treat it was!  I got to work with my favorite makeup guru Patrick Tumey on this awesome editorial photographed by Tracy Morris for Beverly Hills Courier.  Although the call time was 4AM which is not a very pleasant time to start work, looking at the images just makes all worth it!


Hair Talk- 
Svetlana has beautiful long dark hair so I actually used a wig to create a Vidal Sassoon round graduated cut.  I've noticed when I need to create such a precise shape on a wig, I always get a better result if the final touches and refinement is cut on the model.  Of course if you are cutting fringe, hair can get really messy so make sure you hold a tissue over the models face under the fringe before you start cutting, once you are finished, gently remove the tissue but make sure not to disturb the makeup unless you're looking to piss the makeup artist off :).  If you need to go back for more precision cutting, just use another tissue and continue.  


Photographed by Tracy Morris
Makeup: Patrick Tumey at Celestine Agency
Hair: Sienree at Celestine Agency
Model: Svetlana 

SLASH, AlICE COOPER, DEE SNIDER, & ANDY BIERSACK FOR REVOLVER MAGAZINE

Last month I had the opportunity to work with Golden Gods Alice Cooper, Slash, Dee Snider, and Andy Biersack for the multi- covers of Revolver Magazine.  Definitely one of the coolest shoots I've ever been on!


This new issue hits stands on May 15th!


Photographed by Travis Shinn

PREP TO POST // Lighting for Hair & Makeup Workshop // DC // Jun 23-24

PREP TO POST Workshops presents a one of a kind educational and networking event open to PHOTOGRAPHERS, MAKEUP ARTISTS, and HAIRSTYLISTS mentored by beauty photographer Sean Armenta, hairstylist Sienree Du, and makeup artist Kathy Aragon. This unique workshop will illustrate how to best light hair and makeup from not only a photographic point of view, but also from the perspective of how light interacts with makeup and hairstyling products as well as specific makeup looks and hairstyles.

Learn how three different artists approach lighting for beauty in this exciting two-day event. Sean, Sienree and Kathy will share their real-world experience working as freelancers in the fashion and beauty industries to enable you to become more confident in your respective fields. As a makeup artist or hairstylist, have you ever wanted to know more about lighting in a non-technical format? Have you as a photographer wanted to know more about makeup and hair to aid in your lighting skills? This workshop is definitely for you.

Sean Armenta will demonstrate his approach to lighting makeup and hair from his experience working with clients such as Paul Mitchell, Milani Cosmetics, NailPro Magazine, Beauty Launchpad, Modern Salon, and American Salon. Sean will go beyond the lighting techniques and illustrate how and when to use certain lighting scenarios that will best feature the 6 basic makeup and hair looks you will encounter.

Sienree Du will impart her expertise from being a Paul Mitchell artist and educator, whose freelance career has included clients such as Arden B, Wet Seal, Revolve Clothing, GQ, Elle, Seventeen, Shane West, Mya, and Cote De Pablo. She will reveal her favorite products to use for various situations and how to dissect photographic lighting from a hairstylist’s frame of mind.

Kathy will reveal her secrets from working with advertising, editorial, and celebrity clients such as Elle, GQ, Glamour, Burberry, Rocawear, American Express, Demi Moore, Betty White, Claire Danes, and Paulina Porizkova. Kathy will expose the ins and outs of makeup application techniques and products to best suit the lighting situation.

During the first half of the first day, artists will be split into groups of their specific disciplines for lectures. In the second half of the day, Sean will discuss lighting with hairstylists and makeup artists while Sienree and Kathy will lead the photographers to educate and answer questions. On the second day all artists will be brought together to view a practical application of the topics and to witness the interaction between photographer, hairstylist and makeup artist within a collaboration. In addition, attendees will be able to network with fellow artists, take what they’ve learned and begin planning their way to producing better work and elevating their craft.

DAY 1

PHOTOGRAPHY

• The three basic makeup qualities

• The three basic hairstyles

• The qualities of Light

• Using the right modifiers

• Communicating with your team

• Leading a collaboration

• Post Production Considerations

HAIR

• Lighting dissection and basic lighting theory

• Recognizing lighting modifiers and equipment

• Hair possibilities and limitations

• Product knowledge

• Shooting In-Studio and On Location

• Communicating with the Photographer

MAKEUP

• Lighting dissection and basic lighting theory

• Recognizing lighting modifiers and equipment

• Product knowledge

• Selecting the right finish for the lighting condition

• Applications for In-studio and Outdoor location

• Communicating with the Photographer

DAY 2

• Live Shoot

• Q&A

• Portfolio Review

• Networking

JUNE 23-24, 2012
9am-5pm 

Hosted by
STUDIO 400
7205 Lockport Place Unit E
Lorton, VA 22079
(703) 203-5902

The cost for this two-day event is $500
Students with proof of enrollment in Photography or Cosmetology courses $299

REGISTRATION FOR THIS WORKSHOP IS NOW OPEN! REGISTER BY MAY 12TH AND PAY ONLY $399

To register click here:  http://preptopost.com/archives/1320

Cyndi Lauper and Beverly McClellan on The Voice- Money Changes Everything

For Cyndi's live performance on The Voice, we decided to go with something a bit more soft but still keeping a rocker edge.  After all this is Cyndi Lauper!  She wanted something influenced by the colors in mother of pearl so we decided to add little hints of pastel blues, baby pinks, and soft lavenders.  These iridescent colors were perfect with her Gareth Pugh jacket her fabulous stylist Nikki Fontanella picked out for her!

As for texture, I wanted her hair to look pretty but still rocker.  Not too harsh but not too straight edge either.  

Here's the scoop on how I created Cyndi's look:

I sprayed Oribe's Maximista and blow dried it with a medium round brush for maximum volume.  Once everything is lifted and dry, I used a 1 inch marcel iron to curl random pieces away from her face (Remember to leave out the ends for more of a lived in and rocker feel).  When everything is curled I used Oribe's Texturizing spray all over and separated the curls the curls with my fingers.  Right before she hopped onstage, I secured my look with Oribe's Superfine hair spray.  

Dani Lundquist by Sean Armenta for Bello Magazine

Photographed by Sean Armenta

Art Directer & stylist: Jamie Breuer

Model: Dani Lundquist at Photogenics  

Makeup: Mathias Alan

Hair: Sienree 

Desert Fox Beauty Story for Beauty Bender!

SOOOO Excited for my new beauty story for Beauty Bender shot by Raquel Olivo.  Check out the full story here along with beauty tips from phenomenal makeup artist Johnny Saade- 

http://www.beautybender.com/2012/04/desert-fox/#1

Photo by Raquel Olivo

Makeup by Johnny Saade

Styled by Arturo Chavez

Model: Keats

Hair- using Rene Furterer Products

Beauty Bender's Beauty Formula Interview!

Something my mama always taught me about being a woman is the importance of skin care.  So I am pretty excited to share my beauty formula with the world!

Check out my little interview with Beauty Bender

American Classic editorial by Sean Armenta for Bello Mag.

Anyone who grew up in the same time I did remember's watching I Love Lucy on daytime television.  How could we ever forget the show that brought wit, humor, and absolute silliness into our lives!  Lucille Ball not only is one of America's favorite red heads, but she also is a legend of the 1950's.  

When Jamie, the art director for Bello Magazine approached me with this concept inspired by our favorite comic for their spring issue, I was beyond stoked!  I had so much fun picking out bright colors from the red/ orange family to use on our model Rachel!  Check it out!

Hair Talk-
For Rachel's 1950's inspired look, I wanted to re-create a Lucille Ball's legendary up-do of a textured top and slick sides into a well constructed chignon.  I first slicked and tied back her hair leaving the top portion out in the shape of a horse shoe, I used Oribe's Rock Hard Gel to control the sides from moving and to slick down any fly-aways and baby hairs around the ear ad hairline.
Once the sides are done, I prepped the top remaining portion with Oribe's Volumista Spray and blow dried it in an upwards motion for lift and volume.  This also gives the hair enough texture to mold and hold the desired look.  After the the hair is completely dried, I neatly curled each 1/2 inch by 1/2 inch sections with a 3/4 inch curling iron then molded the curls to a desired shape and pinned it tightly with bobby pins.After I have achieved my desired shape and sculpture, I sprayed Oribe's Superfine Strong Hair Spray to finish so the curls don't move or deflate during the day.

Photography- Sean Armenta

Art Director- Jamie Breuer

Wardrobe- Holly Copeland

Hair- Sienree

Makeup- Mathias Alan

Model- Rachel Moore at LA Models