The PMA Video

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The extraordinarily talented Alexa Lee took the time out of her very busy schedule to edit a promotional video for PMA. I've worked with Miss Lee for many years and I absolutely love her work!

The video showcases the PMA team at work. As illustrated in the video, we go beyond makeup and hair. We become part of the bride's entourage as the glam squad and we make sure she's paparazzi ready at all times... PMA goes all out with the 'Star treatment.'

Click here to view THE PMA VIDEO

Way to go Gene!

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Gene Higa is one of the top Bay Area and destination
wedding photographers. I was very honored when he submitted a picture of one of my hair designs to Grace Ormonde publications. His amazing talent did not go unnoticed and the picture got publish in one of the issues.

Check out the Gene Higa blog and read about his inspirational career and journey of his photography passion.

Baume de la Ferte

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People ask me all the time if there is one cosmetic line I prefer... my usual response is "I use everything." I do have favorite products such as Baume de la Ferte lip balm by Guerlain. I swear by this product!

I need products with instant gratification and this one sure delivers moist luscious lips on contact. One of its ingredients is Bordeaux wine which is known for its healing properties and unlike chapstick, you don't have to keep reapplying it, once or twice a day is enough to do the job. No more chapped lips!

I have the best testimonial for this product too: I did makeup for a music video for a Sony artist and the video shoot took place in the freezing mountains outside of Madrid Spain. The entire crew was wearing snow suits because it was so windy and cold (except for the singer who was wearing blue jeans and a sexy t-shirt as you can see in the picture), one of the crew members asked me if I had something for his extremely chapped lips and I gave him Baume de la Ferte and within a few minutes he had told the entire crew that I had some miracle lip potion that completely healed his lips in minutes... needless to say I had the entire crew forming a line to get the lip balm. I used the entire tube that day, but we had a happy crew.

This product can be found at Neiman Marcus or Saks Fith Avenue.

HD Makeup is here!

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I never liked airbrush makeup, to me, it always felt artificial and made the skin look like mannequin skin. Many companies have attempted to come up with a skin friendly formula but I was never impressed.

I've changed my mind...

I attended a Kett Cosmetics airbrush makeup seminar with famous makeup artist extraordinaire 'Roque Cozette' (celebrity makeup artist) and 'Sheila McKenna' (founder and creator). I first started hearing great reviews about their company in the World Alliance of Makeup Artist chat room, intrigued by these reviews, I decided to take the seminar. To my surprise, I was completely sold on airbrush and I now offer it to all of my clients.

Kett airbrush makeup was specifically designed for high definition cameras and is at the front in airbrush research and technology. The best part is that it can be applied with fingers, sponge, brush or airbrush... I love the flexibility!!

For those of you who do not know what is an airbrush, it is a mechanical device similar in appearance to a pen. It utilizes compressed air to generate a fine spray or mist. As air passes through the head of the airbrush, a vacuum is created, siphoning the paint up from its container. It delivers a flawless application that bonds to the skin.

Makeup has been improving in the last 100 years but airbrush is a radical improvement; I'm excited about all the new possibilities!

About Trial Photos...

The above photos are of real PMA clients during their preliminary trial sessions. I do not use models for my bridal portfolio. I want you to be able to see my artistry style on real clients and not 16 year old models (as seen in magazines)...

What you see is what you get!

All pictures were taken by me in my home studio in different lighting conditions, different times of year and sometimes with different cameras... AND NO! I'm not a photographer!...

I just happen to have photogenic clients!

Note: Colors & photo resolution may vary depending on your computer settings.

The Chessmen, Movie

In 2004 I had the opportunity to work with upcoming new director Ken Kokka on his indy film"The Chessmen"...

Here I am with Martin Yu (actor) right after I put dirt on his nice white shirt for his next scene and also spray water on his face (to simulate sweat), I sprayed him all day long on a cold day...yikes! He's also been in Grey's Anatomy and Veronica Mars.

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THE CHESSMEN: Director: Ken Kokka 19 min. Video 2004
Based on a short story by Toshio Mori, CHESSMEN tells the bittersweet tale of Hatayama Nursery, a Japanese American-run carnation nursery struggling to survive in the resettlement period after World War II.