Rick is one of my favourite photographers, though he regards himself as a designer with a passion for photography rather than a professional photographer. If you take a look at his Flickr and his website you might take my side and view him as the camera wielding guru I do.

2011 sees Rick working on his third project 50, and I was lucky enough to be invited to take part as the subject matter for day 11.

You can view this photograph really really big here. There is also a wicked video which he does for each photograph where he goes through the lighting setup he uses and as a result of being in day 11 you can see me briefly making an appearance in said video – I even say “Hi.”

Here’s a closeup of the face paint ~ there are product details below the image.

I took this one with my iphone - I'll work on clearer makeup shots in the future.

Makeup: MAC : I contoured my eyes with  smolder eye kohl and the #219 brush, used vanilla, brule and carbon eye shadow on the eye and then delicately accentuated with “dark soul” pigment. I finished off the eye makeup with the #44 lash which is dramatic and has a winged whispy edge. I used Face and Body on my face, select cover concealer and sealed the lot with prep ‘n prime finishing powder, applying it  in circular motions with the #187 brush. For the blush I blended “buff” “blushbaby” and “sunabasque.” I stained my lips by applying “brick” pencil all over and then applied “pretty plush” plushglass while we were on location.

The clothes you can see: waist pincher from Wolf and bra from Agent Provocateur.

I didn’t do my hair – it was windy and I thought it would be tied up. It was actually so cold my eyes and nose kept running. Fortunately Rick works quickly.

Pro Tip: Always keep an ear bud in your make-up bag to press into the corner of your eyes if you can feel your make-up running. Nothing else prevents mess as effectively.

MAC’s spring colour collection 2011 is a collaboration with Wonder Woman from DC comics.

Not only does this mean that the entire collection is covered with Lichtenstein-esque prints in vibrant comic book colours, but you can also expect jumbo sized products in pop-art style, from extra large lipsticks to compacts to glosses to mascara.

The range features eyeshadow quads, Opulash in 3 limited edition shades (burgandy, green and blue), 2 reflects glitter (the very fine glitter that is invisible until it reflects the light), 2 limited edition pigments, lashes (no feminine icon is complete without her power lashes), a giant Penultimate liner packaged like a khoki, limited edition bronzers and beauty powders as well as limited edition bold lipsticks and glosses and two limited edition nail colours in blue and red. There are also makeup bags and brush sets that are packaged into bags one could wear as a belt (hopefully only with a similarly shiny Wonder Woman outfit)

*boom*

Yummy - Penultimate, reflects glitter and a bright fuschia pigment

Bold nail colours (I'm going to have to buy both of these)

The entire collection

*bang, pow, zang*

I have always loved Wonder Woman and am extremely excited to have little reminders of her when I put on my face in the morning. This collection is hitting South African MAC counters on the 3rd of March so make sure you pop in to get what you want – this range is bound to sell out fast!

Let me know which products you love/buy from the collection in the comment section below.

What is it: A plumping lipgloss with a pearlised high-shine gloss finish and a sweet vanilla aroma.

How does it work: Vanilla and Licorice work together to plump, the one cools your lip whilst the other warms it. Your lip, confused as to why it is hot and cold sends excess blood to the lip to fight what it assumes to be an infection (the heating and cooling) and as a result your lips experience mild to moderate swelling. Plushglass does not dry out the lip area the way that traditional MAC lipglass does, instead it moisturizes and soothes the lip whilst vitamin E provides additional environmental protection.

How much does it cost/where can I buy it: R160  from a MAC store in South Africa or buy online in international currency.

Consumer Tip: This is my favorite gloss to keep in my bag, its sheer buildable high-shine finish makes it “natural-glam” and its wonderful smell, coupled with its minimized stickiness make for kissable lips.

Pro Tip: A whole sensory experience, this is sure to make models feel beautiful. The more beautiful she feels, the more beautiful the photographs will look!

How I believe the product could improve: If it came in a tube applicator rather than a doe-foot one, there would be no more red lipstick infiltrating my plushglass.

My favorite shades are “pretty plush” and “full for you” – “wet wild and wonderful” is great on darker skin tones!

Carolina Herrera spring '11 by Peter Lueders for Moroccanoil

When I set out to write this post I originally aimed to create a red eye makeup look you could re-create at home.

Alas, after visiting MAC, Chanel, Dior, Guerlian, Estee Lauder, Clinique and Bobbi Brown I am sad to announce that not one of these brands brings red eye shadow into SA.

I then decided to improvise and went in search of a red blusher (as long as it’s high-quality, blusher is a good second option for the eye) or a red eye-liner.

Still I had no luck.

I then considered demonstrating how to blend a red lip liner around the eye area but felt that a) the staying power of lip-liner on the eye area is not fantastic and b) those of you who want red eyeshadow are probably dedicated enough makeup fanatics to order it online or ask a friend who travels to bring product back for you.

With that in mind, my recommendations are Ilamasqua, PMU and MAC pro that all stock amazing red eye shadows, blushers and pigments.

MAC pro also have MAC paintsticks and MAC cream colour base which have fantastic colour payoff.

For those of you who manage to track down the rare-in-africa reds here are some pointers to help you wear red successfully on the eyes:

* Unruly brows are an absolute no-no as red eye shadow will make them look even worse. Shape, pluck and define.

*Red eye-shadow is a statement look so keep the rest of your face neutral: understated blusher and eye-shadow.

Photo: Style.com

* The same goes for what you wear: stick to tonal neutrals and avoid prints!

Photo: Style.com

*When using a flat or one dimensional red eyeshadow, focus on texture: soften and “fuzz”  the red around the eye area, leaving the rest of the face porcelain nude. I like to soften the edges of my shadow with the MAC #224 eye shadow brush.

*Remember that a creamy or metallic red will pick up the natural contours of the eye area thanks to its shiny finish so rather leave this look to professional makeup artists working on OTT editorials or be especially precise in your application and shading.

Photograph by Robert Miller, makeup by Samantha Laura Kaye

Photograph: Robert Miller, Hair and Makeup: Samantha Laura Kaye

* Like any statement colour, red eye shadow should ideally be softened around the edges, blended with darker or lighter colours to create depth or layered next to strong colours such as black or white to outline the shape of your eye and soften the overall effect.

Photograph courtesy of weheartit.com

* You can also introduce warm oranges or golden tones with great success if your skin is tanned or dark. Some great eye shadows in this tonal range are MAC’s Cranberry, Sketch, Mythology, Antiqued and Copperized. Golden Lemon is a wonderful yellow MAC pigment to blend into orangey reds as a highlight.

Photograph courtesy of temptalia.com

Red Eye Shadow Don’ts and Things to Avoid:

Don't! Photograph courtesy of frazzledbutlovingit.blogspot.com

* Do not apply lots of red eye shadow below the eye. It looks scary!

* Do not use a flat red liner around the eye area unless you are Rhianna or have very dark skin. Red shadow looks best on yellow-toned skins. The paler you are the more deliberate and delicate your application must be.

*Do not get mascara on your eyelids as most red pigmented products are exceptionally hard to blend. Rather apply mascara and liner first, then add red.

* Do not look eyelash-less. Long dark lashes work best with this look so if you need to, use a pair of good quality false eye-lashes. I am a big fan of MAC false lashes, as well as DUO glue which I find easy to use and dries clear.

SLK shows you how to rock red eye makeup with false lashes.

This post has also appeared on the Aficionado’s website.

Revìvere - “to live again” is a series of portraits celebrating style from the 1920’s to the 1960’s. The dolls are unwrapped and brought back to life. The project was the brainchild of Bisera, brought further to life by the large and wonderful team:

Photography: Bisera Milos Stefanovic

Lionel Jon Henshaw

Make Up: Samantha Laura Kaye

Hair – Mario from Mario’s Company For Hair and Beauty

Model: Jo-Anne – 3D Model Management

Vintage dresses and accessories – Nicola Belle Tyson’s private collection.

Wardrobe – Calvin Scully

Shot on location in 2010

Make-up: To make Jo-Anne’s skin glow I first applied MAC’s Strobe cream to illuminate the cheekbones and cupid’s bow. For her foundation I mixed MAC’s Studio Sculpt Foundation (gel based) with MAC’s Face and Body Foundation (water based). I buffed the foundation into the skin with MAC’s #187 brush whilst spraying water (I use The Body Shop’s Vitamin C spray or MAC’s Fix+ Spray) to thin out any areas that need blending or thinning. I did not set the foundation with powder to maintain the shine, instead I minimised sweating and wear-and tear with Fix+ which delivers a fine spray of water to cool and refresh the skin.

I sculpted her brows with MAC’s clear brow gel and then filled and defined them with “Lingering” brow-pencil. I used MAC eye-shadows: “Vanilla” to highlight her eyes,  ”Soba” in the crease to sculpt. I used MAC’s eye-kohl in “Fascinating” on the water-line to enlarge her eyes for the full body shots.

For her cheeks I used MAC’s cremeblush to further enhance her glow, and on her lips I used MAC lipliner in “Brick” and lipsticks “MAC RED”, “Berry Boost” and “Lady Danger” (I’m addicted to mixing for depth and unique colours).

Photography: Bisera Milos Stefanovic

Lionel Jon Henshaw

Make Up: Samantha Laura Kaye

Hair – Mario from Mario’s Company For Hair and Beauty

Model: Chloe – 3D Model Management

Vintage dresses and accessories – Nicola Belle Tyson’s private collection.

Wardrobe – Calvin Scully

This shoot is one I smile upon the memory of. The photographic industry is an industry laden with weight upon one’s reputation, yet so often I find the reputations, especially the big ones misleading. Sean Laurenz is as talented as he is genuine, taking photographs that are masterpieces from their first sight as large postage stamps on the back of his canon, to their reception after his careful and genius processing – which unlike some he does entirely himself. Nena Hugo surpassed all of my expectations, fluidly migrating from fashion icon to bohemian beach babe with endless energy and exceptional attention to detail, as well as standing as a phenomenal stylist in her own right. Nick held palm leaves, reflectors and smiles on our faces with equal aplomb. This whole experience was a treat for me

Make-Up and Hair: I kept her skin as translucent as possible with MAC’s Face and Body Foundation, contoured the cheeckbones with MAC’s D Powder in “golden” and then applied “Sunbasque” blush to her cheeks. Eyes were kept simple using MAC eyeshadow in “cork”, “vanilla”, “brule” and “good as gold”, eyes were lined and smudged with MAC’s “Costa Riche” Eye Pencil. Brows were groomed with clear brow gel and MAC’s “Lingering” Eyebrow Pencil. Lips were lined with MAC “Subculture” lip pencil and then filled with MAC’s “Pink Clash” (limited) gloss. Her hair was damp and simply did its own beautiful thing.

Photographer: Sean Laurenz

Photographer’s Assistant: Nick Raper

Model: Nena Hugo from Trigger

Stylist: Nena Hugo

Hair and Make-Up: Samantha Laura Kaye

Shot in Cape Town, 2009

“A Moment in Time” is the brainchild of Boss Models and Artist Management along with Bell-Roberts Gallery. It is an exhibition of photographic works by some of South Africa’s most talented fashion photographers, stylists and hair and make-up artists, all of which are 1/1 and signed by the artist. The exhibition opened on the 22nd of October, and patrons are invited to bid for the works online up until the 30th of October 2009.  All proceeds go to “Missing Children SA Charity.”

I worked with Bevan Davis for some of the images in his part of the exhibition. Bevan asked for make-up that was simple and clean, but still sexy rather than nude. Bevan is not only a fantastic photographer, but also a master of post production, all of which he does himself. For me, Bevan’s series is timeless, and I gaze upon the images the way I do a painting, rather than a fashion photograph.

Make-up:  Salome is naturally beautiful, and I wanted to keep her look clean and timeless, accentuating her features rather than the make-up. I used MAC make-up, starting with Face and Body Foundation (for hydration and glow) thinly spread over her entire face. I used MAC’s mineralise skinshimmer “Lightful” (unfortunately a limited ed product from their “Corps De Ballet” range)  to accentuate her collar bones, cheek bones, shoulders etc. Witha #187 brush I then buffed in some Studio Fix Fluid, lightly over her nose, cheeks and forehead where needed. This allowed me to matte certain parts of her skin, and further even out her skin tone. Using the #224 brush I buffed  Select Moisturecover into the skin under and around the eyes. Select Moisturecover is ideal for around the eyes as it is moisturizing, blend-able and satin/glossy finished (in other words not matt) which allows it to “bounce” light up from under and around the eye. I used a NC (yellow toned) select moisturecover in a shade lighter than her natural skin tone on the inner corners of her eyes to make them “pop”. Finally I dusted her skin with Mineralize Skinfinsh Natural.

On her eyes I used “whistle” (limited edition pale pink shadow from “Barbie Loves Mac” range), highlighting the lash/lid border and eye-brow arch with “Vanilla” and “Shroom” shadow. In the crease I blended “cork” eyeshadow using the #217 shader brush. I finished her eyes off with prolonglash mascara which is great for individual lash definition. To define her brows I used clear brow gel (to hold the hairs in the desired position) and then further shaped the brows with “Lingering” eye-brow pencil.

For her lips I used “subculture” lip pencil and a mix of “honeylove” and “kinda sexy” lipstick over lips well moisturized with MAC’s lip conditioner.

Photographer: Bevan Davis

Model: Salome from Boss Models

Make-up: Samantha Laura Kaye

Shot in Studio in 2009

If you would like to see the rest of the exhibition click here

Animal print full piece by Tracy B

Robyn is currently heralded as one of FHM’s 100 sexiest women of 2010. Visit this link: http://fhm.co.za/fhm-models/2010/RobynHobson/ to help her make the top ten. She braved unbelievably strong (icy) winds to make this series possible – a brave, talented and beautiful girl she is well deserving of your vote.

Swarovski Crystal and Beaded Monokini - Tracy B

Make-Up: MAC: Skin: Strobe Cream, Hyper Real Foundation and Studio Fix Fluid Foundation. Glow added with “Good as Gold” Pigment and shadows with “Harmony“. Cheeks: “Uncommon” creamblush. Eyes: Paintpot in “BlackGround” topped with “Cinderfella” mineralise shadow, as well as normal MAC eye-shadows in “Carbon“, “Garcon Grey“,”Brule” and “Vanilla“. Technakohl liner in “Graphblack” and mascara in”blacksplash” waterproof mascara. Finally #37 lash is applied and topped with “blacktrack” fluidline. Lips lined with “Subculture” lip pencil and filled with “crescent” (limited ed) lipglass.

Photographer: RawElectric (Ramese Matthews)

Photographer’s Assistant/Bounce: Nick Raper

Model: Robyn Hobson

Hair and Make-up: Samantha Kaye

Swimwear: Tracy B

Shot in Location in Big Bay in October 2009.

I love this photograph.  Rob presented me with a picture of a girl with red raccoon eyes and sparkles one day. The make-up was flawed in areas and we both agreed that we thought we could adapt it and evolve it into something better. Rob brought in Cally Palmer, who brought the *perfect* black sequined shirt – which added elegance and depth to the black background we needed to “calm” the red as well as a red apple – which for me applies an organic parallel to the otherwise very harsh and foreign red placement in the photograph.

Make-up main ingredients: MAC cream colour base in Reel Red (limited edition), Mac Kohl Pencil in Fascinating, Zoomblack Mascara and swarovski crystals.

Model: Kristi

Photographer: Robert Miller

Stylist: Cally Palmer

Make-Up: Sam Kaye

Hair: Sam Kaye

Location: Snap Studios, Woodstock, Cape Town

Year: 2009

This image is taken from a series of images shot for Pasella – where I was given exactly 20 minutes for hair and make-up (including liquid liner and false lashes.) I like this image because it’s clearly a portrait, yet one cannot make eye-contact with the model – which makes this image (compared to the others from this shoot) more powerful in my eyes. Lyndall had just received her title as FHM’s sexiest SA Woman for 2009 and I felt very privileged to have worked with her.

Main Make-Up ingredients: MAC #7 lash, “pro lash” mascara, MAC eyeshadow in “black tied”, “beauty sleep (disc.)“, “garcon grey” and “brule”. Kohl Pencil in “smolder”.

Main Hair ingredients: Hair Spray

Photographer: Evert Theron

Model: Lyndall Jarvis

Make-up: Samantha Kaye

Hair: Samantha Kaye

Location: The Westin Grand, Cape Town

2009