Waking up

It's October. I was planning on having a busy month, but geez, this is ridiculous. I haven't even had a spare moment to think lately. This coming weekend is going to be the busiest I've ever had I think. I am super excited!!! Halloween is my favourite holiday of the year! Unlike some of my colleagues, I have been fortunate enough to at least have a couple days off this month. Phew!

During those few days, other than sleeping, I have been thinking that, lately, I have been taking on way too much and forgot all about myself. Feeling worn out and a little depressed doesn't just come from no where. I have to remember that this awesome journey I am on is going to be a little short lived if I don't take care of me and do what I need to do to make myself feel good.

I am super proud of all the work I do, however, especially the charity work, and that definitely makes me feel good. I guess it's all about balance. I have to remember which jobs are important and when it may be more important to spend time with my friends and family instead.

All in all, I am one lucky duckling! I get to enjoy my amazing job and I can truly say that I love what I do! I may do it a little too much but I think this balance thing will come with time. I just need to stop every now and then and remember that I am important too, and you better do the very same thing! :)\

Thanks for reading!!!   

FAQ

Something I get asked ALL the time is, "What type of makeup do you like best?". This question is so hard for me to answer! I love makeup. It's not that I love doing beauty makeup or stage makeup or special FX, I love it all! Makeup makes me feel complete. It fulfills my urge for creativity and I get to make people happy everyday! What could be better than that? I feel like I am doing exactly what I was meant to do. It's pretty cool. I have never felt like that before.

I do beauty makeup most commonly. I think most MUA's do. Weddings, photoshoots, grads etc... usually call for beauty makeup. I really enjoy doing beauty makeup, in fact, when I went to makeup school, I thought I would be a beauty makeup artist. I will always do beauty makeup no matter which direction my career takes me.

Special FX. I have a special place in my heart for special FX. I would love to focus on special FX and work side by side with a team of FX artists and fabricators in the long run. That is what truly satisfies me. I adore doing the blood and gore and making it look so realistic that sometimes people gag (sorry). I love creature FX as well. I haven't gotten into it as much as would like to yet but I am working on it. Silicone makes me happy.

Stage makeup, body painting and costume makeup. LOVE LOVE LOVE!!! The crazier the better! Halloween is my favorite time of year because I get to use all types of makeup to create the perfect character. My clients are thrilled with the outcome and it makes me feel wonderful. Fashion shows, and stage perfomances are great too because the heavier, the better. The people in the back row have to see the makeup as well. Body painting is new to me but I am loving every minute of it. I get an entire body as my canvas instead of just a face!

So now that I have said the word, "Love," a million times I think you get the picture. I LOVE makeup!!!! I really really LOVE makeup and hey, I love the people I get to work with too! it is a total win, win!

I hope you enjoyed reading and follow me on my path to one day becoming a successful makeup and FX artist!!!!  ;0)

Ashly Mckessock
In Your Face

Me: Becoming a successful makeup artist

At this point in my career, I would say that I am moderately successful. I am starting to develop my name and reputation in my home town, I am professional and I am starting to earn back the money that I have invested into my business so far. There is so much further I would like to go and so much more I would like to learn and achieve. I want to (and truly believe I will) go ALL the way! From an outrside point of view, I may not even be moderately succesful yet, but on the road to getting there. I believe I am at that point right now because if you would have asked me three years ago if I would have even made it this far in my makeup carreer, I would have laughed. It has taken a lot of hard work, dedication, mistakes, money and tears but I think I am finally on the path that I have been dreaming of since I was a little girl watching Michael Jackson music videos. Things are finally falling into place.

I have learned a few very important things along the way so far. First and foremost, as a makeup artist, or any type of artist in this industry, you have to be talented. A person can not just wing it and think they are going to be become famous or successful for no reason. That only works for Paris Hilton, unfortunatley. This industry can cause a lot of heart ache and everyone is always watching and judging. You have to have a thick skin and wear it like a pro. Don't take it personnaly. Most people are either giving their honest opinions to help you to improve for future endeavours or they are just jealous. In the case of the jealous individuals, you can usually tell if they are being antagonistic and just brush it off and move on. The third important thing I have learned is, EVERYONE has a 'limited budget'. Hate to break it to you but nothing is free. No one should get anything for nothing and that should be very clear before starting in this industry. I have lost far too much because I have been far too nice. Of course negotiating and trades are one thing but working for free is unacceptable and it shouldn't even be asked of anyone to do so.

So, those are my words of advice for now. Be talented/learn all you can, be strong and confident, and don't let people walk all over you.

Thanks for reading!

Have a Beautiful day!

In Your Face Makeup Artistry by Ashly Mckessock

Keeping your makeup clean

How do I keep that pesky bacteria out of my makeup? You ask...

Well here are few simple tips to keep your makeup clean and your face safe!

First DO NOT keep your mascara longer than 3 months. Really 3 months is pushing it. I usually chuck mine out after 2 months. If you have a tube of mascara that you have been using for the last 6 months, do your eyes a favor and retire that tube and buy a new one.

Carry alcohol or beauty so clean wipes with you in your purse so that you can wipe off your lipstick and eyeliners before you use them. You never know what is getting on them in those yucky purses of ours, not to mention build up of saliva and tears.

Loose and pressed powders can be a bit tricky. Go to beautysoclean.com and get your self some sanitizing spray. This spray will disinfect your powders without changing the colour, bleaching or drying them out. They also carry great brush cleaners. Keeping your brushes clean will help to keep your cosmetics and your skin cleaner and clearer.

If you are sharing your cosmetics make sure to sanitize so as to not spread infection and disease. If you are just using your makeup on yourself there is not as much of a concern but it is still important to keep everything sanitary and free of bacteria.

Be aware! Be cautious! Have fun!!!

Ashly IYF

(Personnal opionions only, I do not receive compensation for expressing opinions)

Washing your face

It is common knowledge that we should wash our faces before bed. So why don't we all do it? Here is a little food for thought.

Washing your face and exfoliating 3 times a week will reduce the size of pores and reduce the risk of cystic acne, black heads and white heads.

Everytime you leave your makeup on one night, dermatoligists estimate that this ages your  skin by 7 DAYS!!!! Yes you read right, one night of makeup to bed means aging an extra week!

Mascara, and eyelash glue build up on the eyes for extended periods of time can cause eye infections, redness, dryness and can actually cause your eyelashes to fall out over time.

Lets think about our pillow cases, if we wash our pillow case once a week but only wash our makeup off a couple times a week, all that dirt, oil and makeup builds up on our pillow cases and your skin will react to this.

... And we wonder where these break outs come from!

Lets all wash or faces and be beautiful everyday! Our skin will thank us!

Ashly IYF