Self Love Series [Flower in the Sun]

Welcome to the first look for my self love series!

The first phase I want to share with you is what I could consider my “hippie/raver” phase.

2013, I had asked to do a “Janis Joplin inspired” shoot.
photographer: Meagan Abell

THE BACKSTORY:

These years made up the last two years I was in college. I had always been a diligent student all throughout my life. High marks throughout high school, got into the college I wanted with early admission, and always held education at the highest priority.

But honestly I was on my way to being burnt out. My parents were proud of my accomplishments; I was on the precipice of graduating and a career in mental health. I felt no excitement anymore, and it felt like I was just going through the motions. 

I came home to Virginia for the summer after my junior year at college and got in touch with some old friends from high school. One in particular had been hearing about these music festivals where attendees would come out to these big empty fields, set up a tent, and dance and meet new people all weekend. The idea was so scary and intimidating for me at first. At the same time it was so enticing. It was something I never thought I would do because it was so opposite of everything from my experiences at that point. I decided to go.

THE IMPACT:

That weekend changed my life. I met so many people from all different walks of life. People that could so freely just live in that moment, genuinely enjoy music and each other’s company. It was like all guards were down, people watched out for each other and shared their supplies and shelter if one was without. I felt like I was in my own version of Woodstock and it was liberating. It opened up a new level of consciousness for me.

When I came home I wanted to emulate more of this in my life. I relaxed a little, I was open to more experiences and delved into astrology as a means to discover more about the complexities of my personality. When the time came to return to school, I continued to go to music festivals and raves (safely, of course). I fell in love with all of the color, the costumes people would wear, and the liberation of no holds barred self expression. This time of my life really solidified the belief for me that everyone has a right and space to express themselves exactly as they choose (and I still managed to graduate college in the top 15% of my class).

ART INFLUENCES:

I discovered and fell in love with Art Nouveau as an art movement around this time because it physically encapsulated all that I felt from this time. It is aesthetically beautiful, pulls design aspects from nature, and has a movement and flow to it that represents life itself. I was learning at this time to go more with the ebb and flow of life and to appreciate the beauty in everything that presented itself to me.

I also really fell in love with Janis Joplin. Her emotion was so palpable, her voice so raw without the frill of music “niceties”. She was the embodiment of living and expressing herself so authentically during her lifetime. The same could be said of Amy Winehouse, who I also started in heavy rotation on my playlist around this time.

BEHIND THE MAKEUP:

When I started this look, I wanted to incorporate the free flowing line work in Art Nouveau and the colorful palette from the raves I went to. Since these two worlds collided for me at the same time, I wanted to take elements from both and make one look out of them. I used a touch of blush colored eyeshadow for the cheeks, under the chin, and across the nose for that nostalgic summer sun-kissed touch. 

2020

PRODUCTS USED:
Suva Beauty Hydra Liner in “Space Panda”
Anastasia Beverly Hills Norvina Mini Pro Pigment Palette Vol. 1
Juvia’s Place The Tribe palette
Pat McGrath Mothership Subversive La Vie En Rose Palette
Benefit Gimme Brow in Shade 6
Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow Lip Pop
Fenty Beauty Gloss Bomb in “Fenty Glow"
Mari Shten Beauty strip lashes in “MAYE” and individuals in “She’s Extra”

MY ESSENTIALS PLAYLIST:
Janis Joplin
old school house music
John Butler Trio
Jefferson Airplane
Zedd’s “Clarity” album
Amy Winehouse

MASKNE. Yes, it's a real thing and it's wrecking my face too.

Perhaps you’ve noticed you’ve been breaking out more around your jaw line, across the bridge of your nose, all over your chin, and around your cheeks a little more viciously than normal. Basically anywhere under where your mask lays on your face.

That my friend, is maskne.

Stylized Maskne. Maybe the new concealer trend?

So what is it?

Maskne, or scientifically dubbed, “acne mechanica” is acne caused by the friction of fabric against the skin. If you’re an athlete you’ve probably experienced these types of breakouts. Since masks are a new necessity with the outbreak of COVID-19, forgive us - we’re just now catching up.

Maskne can also be caused by the compound of excess moisture, sweat, dead skin cells, and oils trapped underneath our masks. Coupled with the heat and humidity of the summertime, this makes it damn near difficult for our skin to breathe. The friction of masks on our skin can also break down the skin’s barrier, making it more sensitive and lowering its ability to retain moisture from our skin care.

So what can I do?

*FULL DISCLOSURE: I am not a licensed esthetician or dermatologist, so if you have any questions about your skin type or are thinking of trying a new product, consult a medical professional. I’m just a makeup artist who loves skin care, and learned myself a thing or two.

1) Cleanse regularly

Use a mild cleanser that isn’t heavy with fragrance or foams up so that you won’t strip your skin’s barrier further (bonus points if it has acne fighting ingredients like salicylic acid. My current favorite is Murad’s Time Release Acne Cleanser). In between your trips outside, use a micellar water after your mask comes off. This will help to prevent buildup on your skin without over washing your face.

2) Keep your daytime skincare routine sweet and simple

Because the skin under our masks are unable to breathe, it’s best to keep the products to a minimum. Unfortunately, your tried and true 10-step skincare routine is probably overwhelming your skin and doing more harm than good with the restricted air flow. Keep your day time routine minimal, and use products that have a lightweight formulation. I’ve been dipping a lot into my water gel moisturizers, like the Belief Aqua Bomb Aloe Vera and the Moisturizing Eye Bomb. They absorb quickly into my skin and don’t leave a thick layer of product (if you’re particularly dry or need a little extra moisture, try spritzing with a face mist, like the Rosewater from Heritage Store before you leave your house). Save your active ingredients like retinol, AHAs, or BHAs for your nighttime routine.

3) Skip your makeup. Sincerely, a makeup artist.

Makeup is another layer that you can probably do without. If you wear makeup, not only will it likely rub off on your mask, but it’s just another layer of stuff getting trapped underneath. It’s also a really easy way to contaminate those cute masks you’ve been rocking. One positive of having to wear masks regularly is that the bottom half of your face is covered! If you absolutely can’t go without makeup, try opting for a tinted moisturizer, all the better if it has SPF. A popular choice is the Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer, great for its lightweight formula.

4) Be mindful of the masks you choose

Cotton masks are the best option for breathability. They’re also easy to clean, super durable, and less likely to irritate your skin.

5) Mask Maintenance

You masks should be washed as often as possible. Try to have several in rotation so while one is in the wash or you’re waiting for it completely dry, you aren’t left without one. Be mindful of the detergent or soap you’re using to wash your masks too. Try to use a detergent without dyes or fragrances, as these ingredients can sit in the fabric that’s rubbing and pressing against your skin.

6) Treat Maskne at night

Topical treatments are a great option for targeting those pesky friends that have popped up on your face. Some of my favorites are the Peace Out Acne Healing Dots, Mario Badescu’s Drying Lotion, or your favorite retinol cream as a spot treatment (mine is the Drunk Elephant A-Passioni). You can also incorporate skincare products with AHAs. AHAs, or alpha hydroxy acids, help exfoliate the skin’s surface on a molecular level. This is beneficial because it helps your skin to rid itself of all the nastiness on its surface, but also exfoliating the top layers away help your skin to absorb your moisturizer more effectively.

7) Be kind to yourself

At the end of that day, we are going through a global pandemic. We are all anxious and stressed to a certain degree. Our “normal “ is in flux and we are all just trying to get through this. Please take care of yourself through your diet, getting plenty of sleep, drinking lots of water, taking time out to do something you love, or whatever self-care looks like to you. Your skin will bounce back and acne is t e m p o r a r y.

I hope y’all found this helpful. If you have any tips or tricks that worked for you, please share with a comment below! Otherwise, might I suggest covering breakouts with little pink hearts?

Corona Virus and the Makeup Chair

Hello all future and returning clients, talent, and production crews,

Yesterday marked Phase 2 of the reopening of NYC. While I’m excited to be heading back to work soon (I’ve been in self-isolation since the middle of March y’all!), I understand that moving forward must look different than prior services in order to ensure the safety of all clients/talent and anyone else on set. I wanted to write this post to open up the lines of communication with anyone who will be sitting in my chair in the future.

When I first began my career, the very first thing I researched were sanitary practices. I knew that by taking on the role of makeup artist, my first and highest responsibility was to ensure the health and safety of my clients. No one should leave any professional’s chair with negative repercussions due to neglect and miseducation of appropriate sanitary practices.

As some of you may already know, I decided to further my education in makeup artistry in 2017 by attending The Make-up Designory in New York City. I wanted to train at a top accredited school with instructors who had valuable experience working in the fashion and film industries. I knew I had made the right choice when the first lessons were dedicated to proper sanitation techniques, and were upheld throughout my training there. I learned more in depth about the chemistry of proper sanitation and further solidified the sanitation practices I had already been practicing throughout my career.

I understand that there will be a lot of anxiety and caution involved with makeup services as we continue to navigate post COVID-19. I use the phrase “post COVID-19” lightly, because at this point in time we have no factual evidence that the virus is completely eradicated. I encourage anyone who chooses me as their makeup artist to please feel free to ask me any questions.

I have used the time in self-quarantine to engage in multiple avenues of education in order to conduct makeup services that keeps everyone safe in this new normal. In addition to keeping my hands, tools, and products sanitized to prevent cross contamination, I will be taking additional cautionary measures to ensure the safest possible service.

Some practices I will be upholding moving forward:

• bringing a thermometer on set to ensure that my temperature is normal

• personally getting tested for COVID-19 to ensure my clients that I have returned to work negative

• requesting additional time from production or clients/talent to properly sanitize and disinfect before the first client, in between all clients/talent, and after production wraps

• sanitizing and disinfecting any and all surface areas that I will be working on, as well as the chairs that my clients will be sitting in

• working on disposable mats so that products and tools do not physically touch any surface area and will be changed between clients

• wearing a mask properly at all times while on set

• maintaining social distancing practices at all times while on set

• requesting that prior to any makeup service given, that all clients review and sign a COVID-19 Declaration Form, which further outlines safety practices that both the client and I as the makeup artist engage while we are in a service together, as well as the symptoms of COVID-19 so that any client may review and seek medical attention should they be experiencing any of these symptoms

• offering to reschedule a service for any client that may be experiencing symptoms or have had the possibility of exposure to COVID-19

I hope this provides some comfort to anyone reading this who is considering getting makeup services. As always my hope for my clients is that they feel confident leaving my chair, and this includes feeling confident that their service with me ensures their health and well-being.

See you soon,

Meeza

Self Love Series [An Intro]

I’m starting a self-love selfie series! 

Being in voluntary quarantine due to the COVID-19 outbreak, I began to reflect a lot about everything I’ve been through (with lots of time to think AND celebrating my 29th birthday, it didn’t take me long). 

I hope that by starting this blog, I get to show you a little bit more about me and the person behind the brushes. Everything I’ve been through influences my artistry, so before long I put two and two together. I’ve been through so many “phases” in my life so far, be it in music or style, etc. Everyone has been through their own fair share of phases too, I’m sure. Sometimes we fall into phases because we want to experiment with our identity, our expression of self. Other times we can get swept away by the movement or a feeling, and parts of our personality or what we’re experiencing in life at that time resonate in these movements.

Even if I’m not rocking the tie dye hippie skirts anymore or the Tripp pants with the chains, all of these phases influence my aesthetic as a creative.

I wanted to start this self-love series as a way to introduce all the facets of my personality, but also as a trip down memory lane, and to show love to the younger versions of me that didn’t have the technical skills or resources to fully express myself how I wanted to. Now I’m a makeup artist with tons of free time, so I hope you’ll enjoy this personal project of mine.

Meeza

My high school senior picture! 2009.

2020, still in love with teal hair.