Final images + Evaluation

So after taking a while to choose long and hard the final four images, here they are!

Final two beauty images: 

Final two fantasy images: 

I am really pleased with the final outcome of these images and the progress that I have made from four words into a whole beauty and fantasy look. I can't wait to submit these images for the Illamasqua competition and am keeping my fingers crossed!  

Shoot day!

So today was shoot day, and it went so well!

The application went really well too, though the colours were not as bright as I had hoped, I used lots of product and built this up until it was as bright as I could get, without looking too caked on. 

^A preview from the shoot!^ 

Experimenting!

I find it very important to trial and practice the makeup look before the shoot, because it is very different to draw something on paper and to draw something on a 3D moving face. 

Before I begin to show my two looks on my face, I wanted to show the products I plan to use and why:

I will be using these three MAC lipmixes, in blue, yellow and white. I will use the blue and white mixed together to create the bright blue that I require. The yellow is bright too and comes up really nicely on the skin, and will not budge. 

These two Illamasqua eyeshadows will also be used in the shoot, the colours are bright and matte, and can be built up to the required colour. The yellow is called Hype and the blue is called Sadist. 

Practicing my look was very interesting to see the images come off of the paper:

Beauty look practice:

Though it doesn't show up well with this lighting and phone picture, the yellow is quite vivid and the blue brighter than it appears. I love the eyebrows and just need to make sure that I make sure that they are completely even and structured. 

Fantasy look practice:

The dip dyed eyebrows work really well here and I love the contrast between the blue and yellow. I like the blue shaping the face and the yellow softening this up, and the eyebrows framing the face, without any eye makeup visible. This is interesting but I am worried the look doesn't look very 'fantasy' like, so when it comes to shooting I will be aware of this and ensure that I address it if needs be.

Final designs!

After choosing my model, I can finally visualise how my makeup and hair designs will look, and can make finalisations on the designs.

Makeup:

Beauty:

Fantasy: 

Hair: 

I have decided that waved hair is going to look perfect on my model. We can see here that she suits the waved hair effect and the light bounces off of the hair and gives some depth to it. I really love this look and plan to use thick wavers and spray the hair to ensure it holds throughout the shoot. I do not intend to adapt the hair for each of the two looks as I feel that there should still be some things kept the same to add to the fact that it is a complete collection. 

The all important model & photographer

Throughout the design process I have been thinking about the perfect model for the look, and I want to use the same model for both of the looks as I think it will help to bond the looks together and make it more obvious that they come as a full collection. The final makeup and hair designs can then be finalised and fully designed when knowing the model's hair type too.

Model Nyane:

This model is perfect! I am so excited to have booked her and cannot wait to get on with the shoot now. I have spoken to Nyane and her hair is all extensions, so I think that the most effective style to do on her hair is the wavy one, using thick wavers and spray it into place. This will look really effective with her silver blonde hair and the contrast with her skin tone.

When it came to choosing a photographer, I looked through many people before I came to my decision. The photographer, Caroline, is really good with lighting and knows a lot about how to create different effects, and I am hoping will be the best at showcasing the bright makeup I will be applying. From what I have seen of it, Caroline's work looks pretty amazing, and I can't wait to work with her either!

Styling ideas

I do not want to spend a lot of time thinking about the styling, though I know that it is important in considering for the entire mis-en-scene of the image, though ultimately the images are being submitted for a makeup and hair look, with no marking towards the styling. I would love the idea of using something structured and stiff in my styling, and have the idea of something made of paper. This is fairly far fetched as I am not entirely sure of how I would go about making something of paper in the short time that I have and also the fact that I do not know anyone who designs paper clothing I think may be a limitation. Examples of these are below:

^ Though I do love the idea of this, I think that this may also detract from the idea of the makeup and hair, and because this is fairly 'out there' already, the image may become too much. I also have noticed that the styling choices in previous Illamasqua collections is not the centre of attention, because they are advertising the makeup essentially, so this needs to be the main focus. ^

^ Another idea I have had for the styling is to have my model wearing a black strapless bandeau and really highlighting and shading her collar bones. This is very simple but I think it will give a really nice effect and come up really nicely on camera with the right lighting. ^

New collection alert!

Illamasqua's new collection has just arrived: Paranormal.

"Illamasqua is opening a doorway to a new dimension. Do you dare to come in? Give in as beauty takes control. After all, why be normal, when you can be Paranormal?" - Illamasqua for Paranormal collection Summer 2013.

These images have a surreal, dusty effect. The colours are blended within these images and give off a smoky, unfocussed effect. 

The use of hands in their images, including a stand alone image of hands by themselves, emphasise the importance of all of their products and to showcase them wherever possible. This gives me a reminder to use hands in possible shots that could be used for my final images.

The bleached eyebrows here that are a totally contrasting colour to the hair is a fresh take on eyebrows and very interesting to the eye.

I notice the use of styling here, and how I must think of this when moving on in my design process.

I love this image!! The use of the hands pushing through the plastic-like material is so interesting and really gives a 'paranormal' atmosphere. 

The following image also emphasises the paranormal feel and the colour blending here is absolutely gorgeous! 

Looking at new collections gives me  fresh ideas and insights into Illamasqua's philosophy and style, and urges me on to complete my own look!