My Shoot with Edward
May 20, 2020 § 1 Comment
A few months ago I was lucky enough to become acquainted with a local photographer named Edward Duarte at a crowded bar during Downtown LA’s monthly Art Walk. Hipsters lined the walkways and I don’t remember what brand of funk was playing but it was a perfect mix of old school in this new setting, for me. Maybe it was James Brown but it escapes me. Let’s just say it was James Brown for effects sake, shall we? We exchanged some silly jokes and smiles and he slipped me his business card kindly offering to shoot me. Little did I know how seasoned Edward was when I slipped his card into my back pocket.
A few months later I finally collected the balls to take him up on his offer; I mean it took a nudge from my inner child to call him after seeing his portfolio, which you can see here.
On the day of our shoot I remember having a mini melt down trying to decide what to wear. It wasn’t glamorous, it was chaotic. After trying combinations of every one of my pant, dress, short, skirt and capri outfits, I decided on four basic black and white pieces to switch around. Then I met him at his Downtown LA studio.
It was exactly what I expected. The sun was shining through his wall to wall loft style windows. A bed covered only in white sheets against two picture windows screamed — get naked. Naturally, I got nervous while retouching my hair and make up, gagging a little bit but it passed when he turned up the Rolling Stones. CAN YOU HEAR ME KNOCKING put a smile on my face being the easy to please kind of girl that I am. And we started shooting. It was beyond awkward for the first half hour — not knowing how to pose, not feeling at ease with him. Don’t judge though, I’m really shy underneath it all, OK? He suggested some tequila, so I took a couple shots and it helped. And it was liberating. And it was loud music, a camera shooting my every move, in a Downtown LA loft. And I was young and it was fun. I HIGHLY recommend giving in to these experiences if they ever come along.
Here are a few of my favorite shots from the two hour shoot.
My photo shoot with Eva Antoniadu
August 16, 2013 § 2 Comments
Yesterday I had the pleasure of being Eva Antoniadu’s very first photo subject. We met two years ago at CoverGirl’s 50th anniversary event at Universal Studios’ Globe Theatre–where she did my makeup for the evening’s festivities.
She’s a well known makeup artist here in L.A. who is not only really growing into her own as a seasoned makeup pro, but is now dabbling in photography. I couldn’t wait to shoot with her. Here are three of my favorite shots.
hanging at the computer
loungin on the sofa
catching the breeze
Snow White & the Huntsman
October 1, 2011 § Leave a comment
Hey computer animation techs who engineered this movie, I cannot wait to see this total orgasm for the eyes on the silver screen. Just look carefully at the 3D computer graphics used to manipulate the birds to swarm furiously, the soldier to shatter with the strike of a sword and the infamous mirror on the wall that morphs into a draped figure. I’m sure it will make one hell of a big-screen-show.
UPDATE: It did horribly at the box office, and according to one critic, it didn’t live up to its awesome preview.
SF Latino Film Festival: Call for Entries
April 1, 2011 § Leave a comment
The San Francisco Latino Film Festival is now accepting film entries.
Films made by, about or with Latinos from the U.S. and abroad are encouraged to enter.
To qualify films must be made between 2008 and now. Short and feature films are welcome to enter and the deadline to submit is June 3, 2011.
Click here for the PDF entry form. If you have questions, email info@sflatinofilmfestival.com.
Follow SF Latino film happenings on Twitter and like the SF Latino Film Festival on Facebook to join the conversation.
Good luck!
Killer Facial Scrubs
August 17, 2010 § Leave a comment
While I’m a major fan of St. Ives Apricot Facial Scrub, I venture outside of my comfort zone every now and again to try other exfoliators.I noticed that my skin wasn’t benefiting from a great soapy lather. I really loved using Shiseido’s Cleansing Foam because it’s a moisturizing and rich lather, but retails for 40 dollars and it doesn’t exfoliate.
Why not find a soapy exfoliator? During my last visit at Ulta, Philosophy’s Microdelivery Peel Exfoliating Wash was recommended. It contains many more small, round, gentle scrubbing beads and foams nicely. The tiny and plentiful beads scrub more intensively too.
Don’t be alarmed by the word “peel” in its name. The wash is gentle enough to use on a daily basis. It won’t dry out your skin and you will reap the rewards of a mini facial peel.
Facial peels have so many benefits! They scrub away dead skin, reduce the appearance of dark spots, and eliminate clogged pores – reducing the signs of aging.
This wash ultimately leaves less dirt behind. I know this because I always wipe down my face with an astringent and a cotton ball after cleansing. Cleansing with the Philosophy’s Exfoliating Wash leaves A LOT less dirt behind, hardly a trace in fact.
I highly recommend trying this face wash. Philosophy’s Microdelivery Peel Exfoliating Wash retails for 25 bucks.
Another scrub I think it’s absolutely killer, is a really easy at home lemon mixture.
You might know Kandee Johnson, the Glaminar extraordinaire. In one of her videos she instructs viewers through an at home facial scrub. It’s really very simple. All you need is a lemon, brown or white sugar and a round cotton pad.
Squeeze lemon juice onto the round cotton pad, then sprinkle sugar onto it and scrub your entire face. Wash off immediately afterwards and vioala, skin is rid of dead skin, bacteria that causes acne, and it’s much softer.
It’s a way more intensive scrub than the ones I’ve already mentioned, but you can do it daily if your skin doesn’t get irritated. Watch her video here for a more thorough break down of the process.
Got to love it!
Lip Plumpers: The Delicious and the Disappointments
August 17, 2010 § Leave a comment
If you love the sting from great lip plumpers, you’ll love these product recommendations. I’ve tested tons of plumping gloss and lipstick and want to share a few stand outs.
theBalm Plump Your Pucker Tinted Gloss
I liked this line immediately, simply because they name their glosses Coco My Coconut, Squeeze My Lemon and Ruby My Grapefruit. I opted for their nude color called Coco My Coconut and totally LOVE it. It smells like vanilla and notably plumps le pucker.
Its active ingredients are folic acid, menthol, and vitamin C which attract more blood flow to your lips. It also includes Maxi lip; a collagen stimulator that visually increases lip size after prolonged use. Great, right?!
It retails for about 15 bucks and can be found at Sephora.
New York Color Lippin Large Lip Plumper
This plumper is actually the cheapest, retailing at around 4 bucks and it works the best! I went through an entire tube, loving every single application.
Its ingredients include Vitamin E, mint flavor for fresh breath, and active ingredients Ginger and Cinnamon. You can feel it tingling. Personally, I like to feel the tingle to know that it’s working.
It’s available at Ulta, CVS and Target.
Elizabeth Arden Plump Perfect Lipstick
This long lasting lip color is a perfect combination of matte color and plumper in one.
It’s loaded with Vitamins A, C, E and collagen stimulator – Maxi-Lip. It reduces the appearance of vertical lines on lips while it plumps. I love it. It lasts longer than most plumpers because it’s a lipstick and it stings pretty intensely, I like that. This plumper is the most moisturizing and least greasy too.
It retails for about 22 bucks and can be found at any Elizabeth Arden retailer.
Ulta’s Ultimate Pout Lip Plumper
First of all, it smells like chemicals – not fruity or citrusy. I immediately didn’t like it, but tried anyway. It actually worked great the first time I applied it but it takes a few minutes to take effect. It warmed my lips and gently tingled; however, each application after that was a complete DUD. I didn’t feel a tingle and it didn’t appear to plump. This plumper rate is a firm zero on my scale.
It retails for 12 bucks and totally isn’t worth it.
For the perfect pout, I recommend a lip stain like CoverGirl’s Outlast paired with Lippin Large plumper. Muah!
Must Have Multipurpose Beauty Products
July 7, 2010 § Leave a comment
Witch Hazel is a shrub that has been used throughout the ages for medicinal purposes. It’s available over the counter in many different forms such as creams, lotions, moistened pads, and astringents. Here are some remedies you might find useful.
Puffy eyes: Witch Hazel is an anti-inflammatory used in a ton of different over the counter topical treatments. In fact, it is used in hemorrhoid cream, this is precisely why hemorrhoid cream is said to take away under eye bags.
Skin irritation: It can also be used to treat minor insect bites, cuts, poison ivy, varicose veins and burns.
Facial Toner: I like Witch Hazel astringent by Skin Renewal. It’s 98% natural Witch Hazel and non-toxic. It wipes away dirt and oil that cleanser leaves behind.
It’s anti-inflammatory agent keeps skin taut as well. This non-toxic toner retails for only four bucks at Sally’s Beauty Supply.
Egyptian Magic
Egyptian Magic is an all purpose skin cream made with olive oil, beeswax, honey, pollen, royal jelly, and propolis extract. Here are a variety of ways to use it:
Hair balm and texturizer: It is an amazing hair balm when used on dry hair before curling.
First separate tiny sections, rub a small amount of the balm with fingertips and apply to the section before wrapping in a curling iron.
The beeswax, pollen and royal jelly combo burns off, while the olive oil and honey penetrates into the hair follicle. The balm also acts as a texturizer, keeping curls intact.
Wrinkle treatment: After cleansing, rub a tiny amount of the balm into oil. Apply gently by tapping it onto wrinkles. It goes on greasy, but absorbs quickly. You will wake to matte skin.
Scar removal: The makers of Egyptian Magic claim the balm removes scars in nine weeks. Although it might not take the estimated nine weeks, your scars will fade with repeated use.
Foot balm: For an intensive heel conditioning treatment before going to bed, rub a generous portion of the balm onto heels then put socks on and go to bed. The balm will penetrate your dry feet while you sleep and your heels will become softer after repeat treatments.
Antibiotic Ointment: Honey contains a natural anti-biotic stronger than most over the counter topical treatments. Applying a small amount of the balm to minor cuts or burns will help heal and condition your skin.
A very small amount is needed for the above applications, so the 4 oz jar is worth every penny of the 28 dollars it retails for.
Body Oil Rub by The Salt Project
Body Oil Rub by The Salt Project is an absolute go to product for soft skin. It’s made by a one-woman boutique owner in the Bay Area who makes a line of bath products.
The Body Oil Rub is made of Mediterranean Olive Oil, infused with a range of highly fragrant, long lasting scents which can be directly applied to the skin as a lotion or used as a bath infuser.
Tanning oil: Oilve oil is packed with antioxidants, Vitamin E, and Provitamin A. It naturally protects against UVA rays and sunburns while moisturizing skin, making it subtle for tanning. Because it’s all natural and non-toxic, I recommend using this instead of cream based tanners. It won’t dry as quickly and it’ll prevent burns.
Mosquito repellent: Olive oil is a natural mosquito repellent.
Bath infuser: Add a few drops of the oil rub to your warm bath water. It’ll release its scent and penetrate your skin – leaving your skin softer and fragrant. Four stars for an at home spa treatment tool.
Hair serum: If you have dry hair, rub a very small quantity to dry hair before styling for extra texture and hold.
Lotion: Rub the oil directly on your skin after showering. It will absorb slower than a lotion but the fragrance will last all day and soothe shaving irritation.
Ulta’s 3-in-1 Shower Smoothies
Ulta is a one stop skin care, cosmetics, fragrance and hair care retailer that carries both department store and drugstore brands. It offers free gifts with most purchases and offers their own product line.
Their 3-in-1 Shower Smoothies are a shampoo, body wash and bubble bath combo product.
It’s made in 12 scents that are so fragrant, you’ll be tempted to taste – not really, but they really do smell scrumptious.
They’re available in a 24 oz. bottles and retail for 15 bucks.
You’ll love them, I promise!
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