To Be or Not to Be...

Being free-lance is not easy. People think that we are lucky to have so much freedom and flexibility, but in actuality, it can be quite the opposite. When you are a free-lancer, every fun activity you schedule in life is mentally categorized as "tentative," because when you get a job, the job comes first. As every free-lancer knows, every time a job is completed you are unemployed again, and more often than not, you don't know when the next job will come.  Therefore, you have to take the jobs when they come. I can't count the number of times that I have made plans and had to cancel them to take a last minute job. If you want to be my friend, or spouse, then you have to understand that's the way it goes.

Now does this sound like freedom? Not exactly. But on the flip side, every time I get a job I'm excited. It's an accomplishment to get hired or even called back by the same person when there are so many others like you to choose from. Every time you work you have to be your best, because if you aren't, they don't have to have you back. It's a little awkward and uncomfortable to always be around people you don't know, but it's an interesting challenge to learn how to quickly bond with all kinds of different personalities.

Last weekend I was handed an extraordinary opportunity to work with some extraordinary people, and as always, I was so excited. The owner of a highly reputable agency in Los Angeles, called Zenobia, called me out of the blue and asked me if I wanted to work on an Oprah Magazine shoot with an L.A. photographer. Of course I did. When the photographer saw my work, she asked if I could also work with her the next day for a Weight Watcher's Magazine shoot. Of course I did! And to top it off, this agent asked if he could be my rep. Of course he can! He is so on top of it that even during the weekend he responded to my emails within five minutes. What kind of life is that? After thirty years, he still owns his business, and it is doing very well!

The Oprah Magazine shoot was for a story featuring two ambitious young college students who started their own nut butter company called Wild Squirrel Nut Butter, which is already selling locally in major grocery markets. They are only nineteen years old and ready to be entrepreneurs. Good for them! The sky is the limit when you work for yourself. And the Weight Watcher's Magazine shoot story was about a woman who took charge of her body and her life and lost 58 lbs., recovering from a debilitating Rheumatoid Arthritis. Good job!

Taking the risk of taking charge of your own life in whatever form it might be may not be the easiest route to go, but there's a chance it could be the most rewarding and exciting way to go. And once you go for it you'll never look back and wonder what life would have been like if you pursued your dream.

Working in the Elements

Bella's House in Twilight

Having lived in Los Angeles my whole life, except for brief winter vacations to the east coast or a quick jaunt to the mountains to play in the snow, I had never really experienced much change in the weather. My working life hadn't seen the need for much more than sneakers and a light coat to bring me warmth and comfort. In fact, I usually found myself seeking sunblock and shade up until now.  After working in Oregon, I quickly learned how to prepare myself to work outside in the rain.

I just finished working on a two day shoot for FX network's TV show, DVD on TV, airing March 12, 2012 with host Dave Holmes. We travelled to several locations where the movie Twilight was shot. Dave gave the inside scoop on each location. I was looking forward to seeing the locations, and I knew it would be an easy job with only one man to take care of.  Even though I knew it was going to rain, I still chose my stylish new boots to wear over skinny jeans. I wanted to make a good impression. I wore modest black gloves and my down insulated rain coat. Then we headed to the Columbia Gorge.

I had been to The Gorge before, but I forgot how windy it was. My toes and fingers were so cold, they were actually burning. My face, neck, torso, and legs were cold too. My comrades were wearing long underwear under their jeans, but mine were too tight.  Even my makeup was frozen. When it began to rain though, at least I had my handy umbrella and my plastic waterproof set bag, so my makeup and supplies were safe.

Waterproof Set Bag

With host Dave Holmes

I learned quickly though. The second day I brought no less than: 2 pairs of warmer boots, including the hiking boots I chose to wear, 3 pairs of wool socks, fleece long underwear under my jeans, rain pants in case I needed to wear them over my jeans, a scarf, warm hat, thermal shirt under a light fleece jacket under my snow jacket, and warm snow gloves. I was comfortable. I stayed dry. My makeup stayed dry. And I got to spend the whole day thinking about Robert Pattinson. Yes, I looked like a dork. I probably am a dork, but I was warm and happy.

To see more Twilight photos, go to my Facebook Page, then go to Twilight Tour photo album www.facebook.com/CelenaRubinMakeupandHair

Inspiration from Nature

It was such a gorgeous clear blue-sky day today that I took two walks to the park. While I was there I discovered tiny white daisies popping up all over the damp green grass. It’s barely even February. Could spring already be pushing its way through the earth? I panicked a little. We haven’t even gone sledding yet! Well, we’re heading to the mountains tomorrow. I want to make sure I get to experience every season to its fullest. 
I think my favorite thing about each season is watching the colors change. I love seeing bright white snowflakes floating down from the sky as much as I’m excited about seeing all the new flowers in Springtime. Each flower has it’s own dramatic hue. It’s magical. Summer brings a new set of colors with its dazzling red and pink sunsets and lush green forests. In the Fall I’m amazed that a tree that was once so intensely green, can change into a brilliant red, orange or yellow.
These are colors that inspire me, colors that I find in nature. I once spent the day at The Long Beach Aquarium, studying the color combinations on tropical fish, so I could apply them to my next fashion shoot. The colors on fish are extraordinary. The combinations of colors with patterns are proof that a higher power exists. That’s all I need, tropical fish to make me feel spiritual. I take these colors and I apply them to my art. They give me new ideas of color combinations, and inspire me to use colors that I may not have reached for. It might be just one bold color on a face, maybe a lip, a cheek or an eye. Moderation is the key, but have fun with it. Get inspired by your environment, and then color yourself with it!

Welcome

    As I stand quietly observing, listening, and sometimes even empathizing, with the wave of a brush I have quietly crept into the lives of some of the most dynamic, charismatic, intelligent and successful people in the world. My job as a makeup artist is to help these people look and feel their best, so when they step out of my chair and into the spotlight, they can share their talents with confidence.

    This blog is a compilation of tips and tricks of the trade, as well as the thoughts and experiences in the life of a professional Makeup Artist