Z Palette

Favorite Things Friday: Z Palette

Ever since I discovered the Z Palette, my life has been much more organized. I am super OCD when it comes to my makeup, since I am a makeup artist. I strive to keep my kit clean and organized.

The Z Palette is amazing! I was able to fit 27 MAC eye shadows in one Z Palette!  Taking the eye shadows out of the pots have saved me so much space! The eye shadows I had were not the pro store ones that have a magnet and go in a palette, these are the regular ones you buy at any MAC store. They come in a bulky pot and they take up a lot of space in your makeup case. I even bought a Z Palette for my personal everyday makeup. No more looking through a bag of eye shadows to find the right one.

Taking the eye shadows out of the pots is not as difficult as you may think. Just don't do what I've done in the past and try to rip them out without melting the glue first. If you do this, I will show you how to fix a broken eye shadow and properly  de-pot it.

Items you will need:

1. Flat Iron (one that is not super expensive and you don't mind getting melted plastic on.)
2. Tweezers or forceps 
3.Ttiny screwdriver or something else you can pry the eye shadow with
4. Hand towel ( so you don't burn your hands)
5. Somewhere to place the de-potted eye shadows on while they cool

Step 1
Place eye shadow on the bottom plate of your Flat Iron. Leave there for about a minute (until the glue holding the shadow down had melted a bit)

Step 2
Remove Eye shadow from Flat Iron with Forceps or tweezers ( can get a bit hot)

Step 3
Lift the eye shadow up and away from the pot with your tiny screwdriver or tweezers.

 

Step 4
Let cool on a safe surface

Step 5
Clean off any remaining glue from the back with Acetone or Alcohol

Step 6
Apply Magnet ( you can buy them on Z Palette website) to back of eye shadow

Step 7
Place in Z Palette and VOILA!

You can buy a Z palette at www.Zpalette.com

O-GLOSS INTUITIVE LIP GLOSS

O-GLOSS INTUITIVE LIP GLOSS

I commented on a friends amazing lip color the other night, and I needed to know what she was wearing. Turns out it's a new lipgloss from Smashbox! It's called O-GLOSS. It's an intuitive lip gloss that goes on clear and turns into your very own shade of pink. I had a few friends put it on and everyone's lips turned out a different shade of pink.

O-GLOSS has Goji Berry-C Complex™ and ginkgo biloba, pomegranate seed antioxidants, revitalizing marine botanicals and moisturizing avocado oil that give you shiny kissable lips. And it's not sticky at all like some lip glosses.

O-GLOSS is the Winner of Allure Magazine Reader's Choice Award for Most Innovative Product, and two-time Best of Sephora Award Nominee for Best Lip Gloss and Best Beauty Innovation.

Also try O-GLOW it's a creme blush that turns your cheeks the shade you blush naturally!

My first full head prosthetic!

My first full head prosthetic!

I decided to make an homage to the movie "Tank girl" and make a female Ripper. It's a kangaroo. Here are the steps I took to make it.

1. Full head life cast in Body Double.

2. Ultracal 30 to make positive of life cast

3. Begin sculpting in clean clay

4. Cast finished sculpture into a mold

5. Fill finished mold with prosthetic grade latex foam.

6. Paint with PAX

7. Punch in whiskers

8. Apply to model

9 Blend eye and mouth  piece to model

10. Add finishing makeup touches

11. Add Wig and clothes and VOILA!

For pictures of the full process from sculpture to painting check out my website http://www.nancymendoza.com/Kangaroo.html

CSI HEAD Project

This is what I've been working on for the past few weeks. Our teacher Mike McCracken taught us all about the process that goes into creating a Silicone CSI type body. My group worked really hard on this project for 1 month. Everything from casting the boys face to sculpting the gore out of clay and casting that into a Silicone form. I learned alot about myself during this class. I love sculpting! I really got good at creating finger prints and I really love punching hair.

I can't wait to do this again and maybe see it one day in a movie or TV show.

Thank you Mike McCracken for being such an amazing teacher and mentor. I hope I can work right next to you one day.

Check out my website for pictures of every stage of this project.
http://www.nancymendoza.com/csihead.html

Valli O'Reilly- Makeup Designer for Alice In Wonderland

Meeting Valli O'Reilly was amazing! She has such a calm spirit and great aura. I felt a whole lot less nervous speaking to her than I thought I would. Then again, I have met tons of famous people since I was little, so I usually act pretty normal. This was way less nerve racking than meeting Gavin Rossdale when I was 13.

Valli O'Reilly showed us how she did the Red Queen's heart shaped lips for the new Alice in Wonderland movie. She showed us the actual stencil she used on Helena Bonham Carter. It was unreal.

I would love to work with her in the future. I just need to rack up some film time so that I can join the Union ASAP! So if you need a makeup artist for your next film ( a non union film) call me! I am willing to travel!

My first MUAtv makeup experience!

Yesterday, I was given the opportunity to do makeup for Makeup Artists Television. It was for an interview between Joe Blasco and the new Joe Blasco cosmetics distributors in Holland. I was assigned to do Hair and Makeup for the owner of SANDRA HAIR AND BEAUTY CENTRE. She is beautiful and it was a great pleasure to work with her. She has gorgeous hair and the cutest nails.

The interview will air on MUAtv.com . I will let everyone know when it goes online.

Mr.Blasco showed us the whole process that goes into filming an internet tv show. Everything from makeup, lighting and filming. I learned so much in just a few hours. I can't wait to do it all again tonight.

Many Thanks to Mr. Blasco and everyone at MUAtv.com for giving me this amazing opportunity!

What is MUAtv.com?

THE ONLY LIVE STREAMING WEBCAST FOR PROFESSIONAL MAKE-UP ARTISTS, MAKE-UP SCHOOL STUDENTS AND COSMETICS RETAILERS.  THE FIRST AND ONLY WEBCAST FEATURING PRO MAKE UP AND BEAUTY KNOWLEDGE, NEWS AND EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEWS WITH AWARD WINNING ARTISTS 24/7.

Learning whisker work with Fred Blau

 I truly enjoyed learning "Whisker Work" from Fred Blau. Mr. Blau is also creator of the special effects makeup line known as Reel Creations .

Fred Blau taught us how to properly lay and style facial hair. It's so much harder than it looks, but I loved learning all about laying a full beard and mustache from crepe wool. We also learned all about styling the facial hair with old style mustache curling irons.

You can see my progress below.

My mustaches need a whole lot of work. But it's cool to know that in a pinch, I can create a full beard and sideburns with crepe wool or human hair. It's not as easy as they make it look. But it's a pretty cool process.  

Me with Fred Blau

The Amazing Kim Greene

As you may have heard on twitter and facebook, I will be working on a zombie movie (a zombie comedy or a zombiedy) shooting in Orlando in the next few months. We were given the script, which I absolutely love.  Kim Greene taught us how to "break down the script" and to be prepared for virtually everything and anything that will happen on a movie set.

(pic) Me with Kim Greene

Kim Greene has worked on so many great movies ( 17 again, Terminator Salvation, Superbad, Anchorman, etc). She has department headed so many movies and we were lucky enough to learn from all her experiences. The information she gave us is invaluable, this kind of thing has never been taught.

I can't wait to begin working on the movie. I have submitted my script breakdown, character makeup breakdown along with the man days form.

Also, don't forget to check out The Kim Greene Line. It's a line of really cool clear makeup bags created by Kim Greene herself. She uses them on set to keep each actors makeup organized. I bought a few to keep my makeup kit organized and even use some for everyday personal makeup use.

Color Changing Nail Polish

I found the Mood Struck Heat Activated Color Changing Nail Polish Colors near the check out counter at the Forever 21 store in Orlando, Fl. They caught my eye at only $2.80 so I had to try them. I bought 3 different shades. Berry Pink to Neon Pink, Green to Yellow, and Teal to Turquoise. They all seem to work but the Green to Yellow polish works the best. The other two shades are not as drastic and you probably won't notice much of a change.

Here are two before and after pictures of the polish just after I paint my nails and then once I dip my hand in Ice cold water.

This morning I noticed the green to yellow changed just after I got out of the shower. I would like to try some other brands, or find some shades that are more drastic with color change. I will keep you updated.

How to make your own Face Chart

Makeup artists use FACE CHARTS when they want to remember or duplicate a specific look. You may have gotten one from MAC or DIOR after you've had your makeup done. I have always loved using them to list all the products used for a specific makeup I may want to duplicate again in the future.

Makeup artists also use face charts when they want you to remember/buy all the products they used on you.

If you're like me, I've always wondered how to make my own face chart (since my face shape does not resemble the MAC or DIOR face shape at all!). I looked around online and found a pretty cool website that will convert any image into a sketch (which is great for creating a face chart that looks exactly like you)!

Here is an example of a face chart I created as well as the original picture.

To make your own face chart

http://www.dumpr.net/sketch.php

How to make a makeup Face Chart

Face charts are a very important part of makeup artistry. Makeup artists use face charts in order to remember every product used on a specific client, in case they need to replicate the look at a later date.
It is imperative for Makeup artists fill out face charts on brides on the day of their makeup test run. This is important because makeup test runs are mainly done months in advance, and remembering everything the makeup artist used on their clients makes it easier on everyone on the “BIG DAY”.
Another time you may get a face chart is at a department store at the cosmetics counter after you’ve had your makeup done. This is useful because you can buy all the products you liked (even months after).
I like to use face charts when I do character makeup I may want to re-create at a later date. Here is an example of a face chart I made for Sally the rag doll from Nightmare before Christmas.


I like to use the actual makeup on the face chart ( like in the 1st picture) eyeshadow, eyeliner, lip liner and lipstick can be used on the paper as long as you apply powder at the end to prevent the makeup from coming off


I also like to use watercolor paint like in the picture below

You can also use colored pencils, paint, crayons, etc. It doesn’t really matter what you use to fill out your face chart as long as you remember to list all the products you used to create that look.
Here is a face chart i designed on Photoshop

If you have any questions about Face charts, feel free to ask me.

Come join me on The Next Great Singer

Join me on The Next Great Singer Nancy Mendoza has: 13 friends 23 photos 26 videos 1 blog post Come join me on The Next Great Singer! - Nancy Mendoza Click to Join Members on The Next Great Singer: Viviana Ryan Sanchez kylie wilson catherine debourse Holly Brim About The Next Great Singer The best community to show your singing talent. your way and on your own terms. Just upload your videos, photos, songs, music 398 members 653 photos 181 songs 528 videos 6 discussions 26 blog posts   To control which emails you receive on The Next Great Singer, click here

Ksolo MySpace Karaoke

If you would like to hear some of my Karaoke recordings on Ksolo MySpace Karaoke you can listen here or go to my Ksolo Profile page and hear all my recordings.

Nancy Mendoza Ksolo MySpace Karaoke

I'm a Myspace Karaoke Featured Performer!

I just went on MySpace right now to see if anyone left me any new feedback on my Ksolo profile and I was surprised by seeing my picture on the Main Myspace Karaoke homepage as a Featured Performer! I just use the Myspace Karaoke profile as a fun outlet to record songs I like or learn some new ones, so this is a great surprise to be featured.

Here is a link to my Karaoke Profile


Thank you to everyone who has left me feedback and lots of support. I can't do it without you!

Slipknot- Snuff by Nancy Mendoza feat. Salem

I tried to record myself playing the Slipknot song, Snuff. My cat Salem really likes music and when I sing, he wants to be all up in my face. So this ends up being funny cuz I can't get through the song without him rubbing up on the guitar.

Who doesn't love cake?!

As some of you know, my sister Sophie Mendoza is a baker and makes the most amazing cakes and cookies in Florida. Her bakery (Yummy Cakes and More) was nominated for Nickelodeon's 2009 parent's pick for best Birthday cake.


If you've ever tasted one of her cakes you know how much she deserves to win Nickelodeon's 2009 parent's pick for best Birthday Cake.

Please take a minute to vote for my sister Sophie by clicking the link below. You can vote once per day until July 15. Winners will be announced in August.


Nickelodeon's 2009 Parents' Pick
Vote for Yummy Cakes and More here.

http://gocitykids.parentsconnect.com/parents-picks/miami-fl-usa/best-miami-ft.-lauderdale-birthday-cake
Thank you,

Thank you for your continued support.
Have a great day

I have an addiction

Hello....My name is Nancy and I'm addicted to Converse shoes. lol

Most girls have a purse or high heeled shoe addiction. I on the other hand have always been really drawn to converse shoes. I don't know how it started, but ever since I could remember, I loved seeing people wear converse shoes. I think there is nothing cuter than a boy wearing converse.

I wish I could wear converse every single day( and on the most part I do). I even want to wear converse on my wedding day (IF I ever get married) and I love nothing more than to see babies wearing their first pair. I bought my niece a few pairs of converse and I even kept a few of them once she grew out of them. Little by little I have converted my family members and convinced them that converse are the most comfortable shoes on earth.

My brother in law has a really cool pair of ed hardy chucks and a pair of parcell converse. They look really nice on him. I bought my oldest sister Karen a pair for her birthday last year and I still get happy when I see her wear them. My sister Sophie has an awesome pair of chucks with Velcro straps. I would love to convince my mom to get a pair, but she loves her high heels.

Most people don't believe me when I tell them how much I love converse shoes and how many pairs I own. There are a couple of new ones I want to buy, but I'm running out of storage space. Soon I need a room just for my converse!

I would love to work for converse one day, doing Public Relations or anything really. I have so many ideas for new converse shoe patterns and would love the opportunity to combine my love for converse with my love for promotions.

Check out some pix of my converse
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2207826&id=18706827&l=4c6985878e

Have it your way!

The BK whopper bar opened this past Tuesday (March 10,2008). It's the first Whopper bar in the world.



It's pretty cool. They make your whopper to your taste right in front of you. It's located on the 2nd floor of city walk in Universal Studios. It's right next to the Hart and Huntington shop (carey hart yummmm).
Anyway. This is cool. I thought it would be some free standing cool structure (like a giant whopper) but it's located in the mini food court on top of the movie theater. It's pretty cool that you can see your custom Whopper made right in front of you, and you can pick from a bunch of ingredients to add to your burger.

Tailor Made by Colbie Caillet

Tailor Made by Colbie Caillet. She's such a great songwriter and her voice is so pretty. I just had to try this song on guitar. I just love the sound of my acoustic guitar. Thanks for buying it for me mom and dad. It's the best guitar ever!!!



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=youvVkvy7ms

Thinking of You

This song is dedicated to the special guy who has had a hold of my heart for almost 2 years now. Even though we don't get to see each other as often as we'd like, I am always thinking of you. <3 You!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tO-Q4CTWj6Q&eurl=http://blogs.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.ListAll&feature=player_embedded