Makeup Timesavers

I am so excited it is finally March, and spring is just around the corner.

After a long winter, it's so great to finally see the sun peeking through again. Daylight savings time can really reek havoc on my system for a while, so I am always searching for the best products that can make me, (or my clients), look more awake, refreshed and make up that time that mother nature took from us!

Losing that hour of sleep over the weekend, hurts, but it's nothing that a little concealer, (and caffeine) can't handle...or how about a concealer, with caffeine, to instantly perk up the eye area?

Smashbox High Definition Liquid Concealer does all that! The caffeine helps sooth the redness and puffiness around the eyes, while never getting cakey. Apply this after your foundation to lighten under eye circles and soften the lines.

Spring is the time to shed the heavy foundations and lighten the coverage with some of the newer BB creams. I'm a huge fan of Miracle Skin Transformer. It gives a flawless, airbrushed look to the skin while moisturizing, priming the skin, minimizing pores and providing a SPF 20. The formula glides on like silk resulting in perfect looking skin without looking like you're wearing a full face of makeup.

Continuing my quest for flawless skin, another one of my new beauty time savers comes from celebrity makeup artist, Kendra Richards. Heir Atelier Ultimate Makeup Prep is a hydrating serum designed to moisturize, nourish and prime the skin for a beautiful complexion. The silicone free formula is so lightweight and immediately absorbs into the skin. It's a must have on all of my shoots as it keeps the makeup looking fresh all day.

And finally, on those days where you just want to look alive, and fresh and have absolutely no time for makeup, there's always time for NARS Multiples. With a quick swipe of the stick on your cheeks, eyes and lips, your skin glows and instantly perks up with sheer beautiful color with a hint of vitamin E and acai oil.

Slice Cosmetic Pencil Sharpeners

I really never thought I'd get super excited about a cosmetic pencil sharpener...but I have, and just wanted to share my latest discovery with you, thanks to the recommendation of my friend, celebrity makeup artist Kendra Richards.

Slice cosmetic pencil sharpeners are the cadillac of sharpeners- a great compact, sleek design by Michael Graves. It is the perfect companion to my high end cosmetic pencils - no more shredding and tearing my expensive pencils apart with cheap sharpeners!

This unique design catches all the shavings in the bottom of the container, while the dual German stainless steel blades sharpen your 8mm and 12 mm pencils to a precise point. It even comes with its own handy cleaning pick, and for 9.99, it's worth every penny, and makes my life as a makeup artist, so much easier!

But the best thing about Slice, is that founder, TJ Scimone donates 1% of all product sales to help fund autism research. His son Alex is autistic...now that is beauty with a cause.

Supah Ninjas Season 2

Last summer was spent at 31st St. Studios with a bunch of crime fighting teens filming, Supah Ninjas Season 2 on Nickelodeon.

I loved this super talented cast, which consisted of: Ryan Potter, Gracie Dzienney and Carlos Knight and the charming, witty George Takei!

Here are some behind the scenes pics from the "Shadow Fly" episode:

shadow fly billboard by our fabulous art department

these fans saved our lives all summer

Ninja hair and makeup team

ninja power!

green screen

yes, our actors really had to hang!

those nin-juice pants were so heavy, but really cool

the beautiful ninja, Gracie Dzienney

the super hot high school set

filming a Supah Fly commercial on green screen

our amazing camera department

we loved our stunt men- always made us laugh

it takes a village to film a 16 week TV show!

Thank you Nickelodeon for an incredible experience..check out Shadow Fly, a cool episode to work on with lots of special effects, stunts and some great acting.

Supah Ninjas: "Shadow Fly" S1
Get More: Supah Ninjas Episodes,Supah Ninjas,Supah Ninjas Games

Beauty on the GO!

As a professional makeup artist, I am always on the go, reorganizing my kits, and looking for the best possible cases, products and containers to make my life and job, so much easier.

Here are some of my favorites:

A few years ago, I was working on the film, Adventureland, shot on location in Kennywood Park. We were constantly toting our makeup bags and kits all over the park, and after 15 hour days on the set, our shoulders were aching!

It was then that the key makeup artist introduced us to a really cool, rolling case, made by Zuca.
Besides holding all of my products, it fits on an airplane AND doubles as a seat while standing in long lines, or sitting around on movie sets. The coolest thing is that you can customize your own case and the wheels light up. I get so many compliments ever time I take it out...mine is pink, and very cute:)

In my Zuca case are many palettes that I have created from the hundreds of lipsticks, blush and eyeshadow pots. I love the MAC cosmetics and Z Palettes.
Z Palettes are a great way to put all of your favorite powders, blush and shadows in one case. Just pop your shadows out of the containers and place them in the magnetic cases.

Another makeup artist must have is the Kim Greene Premiere makeup bag. The see thru set bag, with all of the different compartments, keeps your actors makeup organized, allows you to see whatever makeup products you are using, and grab them quickly for touch ups. Love, love, love these bags!

The airlines love these bags, too!

Evian water spray is a must for hydrating and refreshing the skin when traveling. It can also wake you up on those long car & plane rides. On movie sets, we use it to make the actors sweaty, and mix it with eyeshadow to make eyeliner- I can't live without this stuff!

I love multi tasking products such as Laura Mercier's tinted moisturizer. This is a great time saver as it is a moisturizer, foundation and sunscreen...a huge time saver for those hectic mornings.

Rosebud salve lip balm is another cult classic. It's one product that can do it all, great for lips, nails, dry skin, even hair! The strawberry scented balm is heavenly.

 Nurturing Force Lavender blotting papers are a great new product used to absorb oil from the skin, and save you from caking powder on your face- they smell heavenly and the packaging is so clever!

For quick, and gentle makeup removal, I am a huge fan of DHC's Make Off Sheets- perfect for on the go touch ups! They're made from 100% cotton and aloe vera, a natural skin healer.

 

And after a long day of travel, or on the set, there's nothing like Burt's Bees peppermint foot lotion- the best cooling, tingling feeling for tired feet!

Hello 2013!

It's been a while since I've blogged...sorry, work just got the best of me!

 2013 has been quite a busy one already.
 Another successful Steelers season has come and gone, (at least for the makeup department) and now my attention has been focused on working with NBC on the Pittsburgh Penguins home broadcasts...such a great group of people to work for...let's go PENS!

Mike Emmerick Hockey Hall of Fame announcer

 Podcasts for the Discovery Channel and UPMC have been keeping On Location artists busy as well. We are very fortunate to live in a city with the best doctors in the world right here in Pittsburgh, and very thankful to work for the great folks at Summer Productions.

 But I wanted to let my clients know that we will now be offering private makeup lessons, makeovers and even small parties at our small studio in Greentree or we can bring the experts to you for a fun girls girls night out party.

We now offer Fluhme Cosmetics to our clients as well. I was fortunate enough to help create some of the looks of the shadow palettes with owner Tiffany Fluhme.
Please call us if you are in need of a new spring look!

Thank you, Kate and WePropel.com

I was quite honored to be chosen to be a featured entrepreneur on the new blog, WePropel.com, celebrating women business owners,
Here is a link to the blog:

OCT
31
2011
Spotlight: Patty Bell of Patty Bell Makeup



Patty Bell has the tools to get you looking your best! She’s one of the most sought after makeup artists in Pittsburgh. She’s been called the “unofficial” makeup artist to the Pittsburgh Steelers because of her work with Steelers TV for the past 10 years.

She’s also worked with Samuel L. Jackson, Kate Walsh, Lance Armstrong and many more celebrities.

She’s broken into a highly competitive field with ease and is living her dream!

We’re so excited to share her story with you. Enjoy Patty’s Q&A!

___

Introduce yourself and business as if you were speaking from the cockpit:
Good morning ladies and gents. This is your captain, film and television makeup artist, Patty Bell, and owner of On Location Makeup, speaking to you from the movie set, Elixir, where I am working as key makeup artist. I will be flying here for the next 23 days. Sit back and enjoy a wild ride in the fast-paced world of television movie making… it’s lights, glamour and lashes in this ABC family musical.

When did you earn your wings?
I’ve been a makeup artist since 1986 where I got my first pair of wings on a commercial with director, Glenn Pryzborski. My agent, Deb Docherty plucked me out of the department store and gave me my first job with Hartwick/Przyborski.

My career took off after that and I eventually got into the New York hair and makeup union in 1990, (thanks to my friend, Paula Pappas) and assisted on my first film, Iron Maze.

20+ films later and thousands of commercials and videos later, I’m still going strong and loving the ride where every day is a new adventure.

If you could name a nail polish color after yourself or your business, what would it be?
It would be called:
“Not A Shrinking Violet”…Aptly named for my first grade teacher who told my mom that she didn’t have time for…shrinking violets, aka, me;)

This color is for all those late blooming violets, who shine brightly in all their glory and make the world a more beautiful place.
It’s a sparkling, vibrant violet—fun and calming, magically enhancing whomever it touches.

Not all flights are smooth. Tell us about how you handle turbulence in your business.
Being freelance offers its share of turbulence as a makeup artist, as you are basically on call 24/7, always awaiting your next job. There are only so many jobs to go around in an over-saturated, highly competitive market.

The key to survival is learning how to get through the slow periods, which is why I do a little bit of everything: print, film, TV, video, sports, brides…Pittsburgh is a town that can offer a wide variety of makeup jobs and a great place to start.

Looking back, the people that were the toughest on me in the beginning of my career, made me who I am today, and have taught me: patience, strength and professionalism, and to always put your best work out there, no matter what.

Who is the wind beneath your wings?
My mom is the wind beneath my wings and has always been my biggest supporter, fan and confidante…I don’t know what I would do without her.

Advice to other women as they navigate the business world?
Women need to support each other instead of knocking each other down.

Success doesn’t happen overnight…you have to earn your wings in this business and never stop learning or volunteering your time or skills to help those in need.

More often than not, your attitude and professionalism is what gets you hired and re-hired in this business, so be kind and nice to everyone you meet along the way, as they could be your boss someday!

And most of all, be positive, check your ego at the door and be open to any opportunity that comes your way.

posted by KATE STOLTZFUS | 0 comments

Discover some amazing physicians in Pittsburgh with the Discovery Channel

On Location Makeup has been hard at work this past year partnering with the Discovery Channel and UPMC Pittsburgh working on some incredible life changing videos for physicians and patients.
It has been quite a journey and we are so lucky to live in a city known for having some of the top experts in their field right here in Pittsburgh.
We've laughed, we've cried, been in and out of every hospital and operating room in Pittsburgh, but most of all, we've learned some pretty amazing things along the way all while making the doctors and patients look their very best for these videos, and we hope you do, too.
The first show aired 9/10/11 called Life Changing Medicine hosted by Dr. John Whyte, chief medical expert for the Discovery Channel....here is a preview: