..::Beauty Video of the Day: 8.20.10::..

"Pink and Coral Eyeshadow Tutorial"
by: "QueenofBlendingMUA"



You can check out her YouTube Channel at http://www.youtube.com/user/QueenofBlendingMUA

..::The Importance of Eyeshadow Primers and Nita J's Top 5 Picks!::..

Eye shadow primers are very important when applying makeup. A good primer will help you to apply product easier, help colors appear more vibrant and help product stay in place throughout the day. If you have oily skin, not using a good primer can cause eyeshadow to come off quickly or crease within your lids. I think that a primer is a great staple for any makeup kit!

Here are my Top 5 Primers!

Urban Decay Primer Potion ( http://www.Sephora.com )





















Mary Kay Eye Primer ( http://www.MaryKay.com )













MAC's Paint Pot in "Painterly" ( http://www.MACcosmetics.com )











NYX Jumbo Eyeshadow Pencils ( http://www.NYXcosmetics.com )
























Too Faced Shadow Insurance ( http://www.Sephora.com )


















Have any other product suggestions? Share them in a comment!

Glamfreak Magazine Fall/Winter 2010 Issue!

Guess who's makeup work made the cover!! YAAAAAAY! lol



Photo Shoot for Designer SAMM at Viola Ricci
Date: August 8, 2010
Location: Baltimore, MD
Photography/Hair: Michelle Aristocrat
Designer: SAMM at Viola Ricci
Makeup: Nita J
Model: Ksusha Belousova






For a Behind the Scenes look at the photo shoot for the cover check out my blog post:
http://nitadoesmakeup.blogspot.com/2010/08/photo-shoot-behind-scenes-shoot-for.html

..::Beauty Video of The Day 8.18.10::..

Pink & Purple Rock Star Makeup
by "MakeupByRenRen"



You can check out her YouTube Channel here!
http://www.youtube.com/user/MakeupByRenRen

..::Celeb Beauty Buzz: Get The Look!::..

Today's Celeb Beauty Buzz will be featuring Lea Michele of FOX's hit TV show "Glee". This look is fresh, flawless and seemingly effortless!

How can you achieve this look? Keep reading!

Step 1: Start of with a light to medium coverage foundation like MAC's Studio Fix Fluid or Revlon ColorStay (either the Combination/Oily formula or the Dry Skin formula, depending on your skin type). Apply with your choice of brush or cosmetic sponge (Tip: Be careful with sponges and liquid foundations. The sponge will sometimes absorb too much of the product!)

Step 2: Apply just a sweep of neutral eyeshadow to the lid. With a fluffy shader brush or blending brush apply a shadow like CoverGirl's Eye Enhancer in "Tapestry Taupe" to the lid and a little of a lighter shadow to the inner tear duct area to brighten up the eye. CoverGirl's Eye Enhancer in "Champagne" would be great for that!

Step 3: LOTS of Mascara!! Apply 2 or 3 coats or Dark Brown or Black mascara to the top and bottom lashes. For this simple look, bold lashes would look great! Try CoverGirl's LashBlast Fusion Mascara or Dior DiorShow Mascara for good length and volume. (Tip: If you choose you can also apply a little eyeliner with this look, but since this is a more natural look, the mascara may be enough!)

Step 4: For the cheeks, a warm, natural bronzer would do the trick! Try CoverGirl's TRUblend Mineral Bronzer in "Natural Bronze". WIth a blush brush, sweep the bronzer from the apples of the cheeks and upward to the temples.

Step 5: Add just a pinch of natural color to the lips. A pale pink, light peach or nude color would be ideal. Line lips with your choice of neutral lip liners. I suggest MAC's "Subculture" Lip Pencil or NYX's Lip Pencil is "Latte", "Natural" or "Nude Beige". Then add your lip color. Try a lipstick or gloss with a more of a lustre or matte finish. MAC's "Half 'n Half", "Jubilee", or "Ramblin' Rose" lipsticks are all great shades. For a more affordable alternative, Wet 'n Wild's "Bare it all", "Sand Storm" or "Just Peachy" lipsticks are awesome (and they're only like 2 bucks!). Just add your fave nude gloss on top!

Step 6: To pretty up the eye brows, add your fave brow gel. My favorite is Ardell Brow Scultping Gel in Clear. This really defines and contours the brows and gives a great finish to your look!

Try this look out yourself! Send me pics and a list of products you used to achieve your look! I will post the top 3 on my blog! Send here... NitaJ.MUA@gmail.com

..::Networking in the Beauty Industry:TALK TO EVERYONE!::..

So I get a lot of questions about how to get your name out there if you are an up and coming makeup artist, stylist, esthetician, etc...whatever your hustle is, NETWORKING is definitely a key component to expanding your business and spreading the word about what it is that you do.

In the beauty industry, having an extensive network of photographers, stylists, event planners, hair stylists, etc would be very important. You want to build positive relationships with individuals who you could benefit from and also who you may benefit as well.

But it doesn't stop there. I like to meet with people who are not in the beauty industry at all..Sounds crazy but it's actually a very good method to expanding business. In the business world, the most effective way to get business is word of mouth. So WHOEVER you talk to, be it within the realm of beauty or outside of it, someone will speak on your behalf if you're not around and in turn, bring you new business. That means...talk to EVERYONE..not just those in the beauty industry, do NOT limit yourself..you never know what kind of referrals you'll get by speaking up! Sit down and see what kind of services you can offer to different kinds of people. Get creative!

Here's a cool article that I found! "Effective Networking for Busy People"...VERY informative
http://entrepreneurs.about.com/cs/networking/a/networking4busy.htm


Also, here's a quick video: "How To Network" which can be helpful to everyone, not just us beauty industry folks!



Hope this all helps! If you have any tips to share feel free to comment!

..::VA FASHION AWARDS::..

Here's the info on this year's festivities! I have been selected as a finalist for "Best Makeup Artist" this year! Congrats to all the finalists in all categories!!!

For more info visit http://www.vafashionawards.com/

..::Beauty Video of the Day 8.12.10::..

Avant Garde High Fashion Makeup Tutorial
By: "MissChievous"

You can view her YouTube Channel here: http://www.youtube.com/user/MissChievous

BEHIND THE SCENES! Photo Shoot for Hair Stylist Lamont Wagstaff (August 10, 2010)

Photo Shoot for Hair Stylist Lamont Wagstaff
Date: August 10, 2010
Location: Hampton, VA
Photographer: Dexter D Cohen
Makeup: Nita J
Hair Stylist: Lamont Wagstaff
Model: Clarissa Scott




Impromptu photo shoots are always a fun challenge! No concepts or themes discussed prior to..just show up and show out! I LOVE IT! Photographer Dexter Cohen, who I work with frequently, called me a few hours before the photo shoot and asked if I could do makeup for a shoot in Hampton, which I quickly agreed to..didn't know any details, location or anything lol!

Once I got to the shoot location I became so excited that I was going to be working with model Clarissa Scott, who won "Best Female Model" of the VA Fashion Awards 2009! What made things even sweeter was that the hair stylist, Lamont Wagstaff, photographer Dexter Cohen and myself are all nominated for different categories of this year's VA Fashion Awards! That common bond between all of us made the shoot so amazing..all that talent in one studio!!

Here a few pics I snapped during the shoot...

Our Photographer!

















Model Clarissa in my makeup chair!

















Our hairstylist working his magic!










































































Photos from the shoot coming soon! Stay Tuned!!!

..::MUA Spotlight: Makeup Artist Pat McGrath::..

Makeup Artist Pat McGrath is one of the most influential and creative makeup artists in the world! She is one of my favorites and is such an inspiration to myself as a makeup artist as well as many, MANY others around the globe.

Click this pic to view her full profile and portfolio!




















Here is a video about Pat McGrath! Enjoy!
(I watch this video at LEAST twice a week...for inspiration...lol)

BEHIND THE SCENES! Photo Shoot for Designer SAMM of Viola Ricci (August 8, 2010)

Photo Shoot for Designer SAMM at Viola Ricci
Date: August 8, 2010
Location: Baltimore, MD
Photographer: Michelle Aristocrat
Designer: SAMM at Viola Ricci
Makeup: Nita J
Model: Ksusha Belousova








I really had a blast with this shoot. I was asked by designer SAMM of Viola Ricci in Baltimore, Maryland to do makeup for a shoot he was having this past Sunday (8/8/10). I was so excited to get a chance to work with him as well as photographer Michelle Aristocrat.

I made a a whole weekend out of it. I drove up on Saturday for a relaxing day with friends. That way I could get up early and prepare for the shoot and get to the location in a timely manner.

Now I would be lying if I said I wasn't a little nervous for this shoot. Before heading to Baltimore, SAMM and I had discussed that I had always wanted to do more Avant Garde looks but never got hired for those types of gigs. So he told me to " GO ALL OUT and do want you want!" I LOVE THAT! I love to have to chance to freely express myself through my craft, and having clients that fully support that!

I got to SAMM's studio about an hour before the shoot where he let me try on shoes, look through fashion magazines and he even gave me a quick lesson on sewing AS he created 2 new pieces just before the shoot! I was so impressed and excited!

SAMM and I arrived at the shoot, ready to go! As we walked in I met photographer Michelle Aristocrat and Russian model Ksusha Belousova. She was amazingly beautiful with gorgeous facial features and stood at a stunning 5 feet 11 inches tall! I quickly got to work doing her makeup. I thought of the garments that were going to be used for the shoot, and then remembered a few looks I had seen in the fashion magazines from earlier. I was inspired and created look #1 for the shoot.

After her makeup was complete, Michelle (who was also the hairstylist for the shoot) finished up the model's hair and SAMM got to work dressing and styling her! Here are a few photos I captured during all the madness lol!

Then it was on to look #2! Since I went with a dark and edgy eye and lighter lip for the first look, I decided to switch it up completely and create a subtle, almost nude eye and dark lip! I used a foundation a couple shades lighter then her natural skin tone and paired that with a dark bronzer and powder for heavy conturing to add depth and warmth to the skin...that really made those dark lips POP!

And then SAMM got to work again..HEY SAMM! lol (Sidenote..that jacket was FIERCE..and it almost came back to Virginia with me..hehehe..)

















Its a wrap on the photo shoot! Here's me, Russian model Ksusha Belousova and Baltimore photographer Michelle Aristocrat! Makeup by me!

















Hey Ksusha!!! She is such a sweet girl!

This shoot was so much fun for me and I definitely learned a lot! To be able to work with such a passionate and talented group of individuals was SO awesome! Can't wait to work with them all again!

Here are the links to everyone who was involved in this shoot! Check them out! Definitely a talented group!

Designer SAMM at Viola Ricci http://www.modelmayhem.com/794866
Photographer Michelle Aristocrat http://www.modelmayhem.com/1262862
Model Ksusha Belousova http://www.modelmayhem.com/1335345

Photos from the shoot will be up soon! STAY TUNED!!!

The Intro...SPEAK NITA!!!

Good day beautiful people, and welcome to my new beauty blog!

This blog will be dedicated to everything beauty related and will include beauty tips, product reviews, tutorials, celebrity makeup, beauty trends and all types of beauty discussions. It will also include videos and serve as a journal for me as a makeup artist and a makeup enthusiast...

Stay Tuned for more!!!