Burgundy Smokey Eye

Burgundy Smokey Eye

Hi Loves, I finally got back to blogging and filming makeup tutorials. Yay! I created this gorgeous Burgundy Smokey Eye look and wanted to share it with you. I thought it would be perfect for Fall! Although it’s Fall season, it’s about 90 degrees here in California. Crazy weather! Wishing I was on the East Coast enjoying the crisp cool weather. 🙂 To create this Burgundy Smokey Eye, I used the Burgundy Times Nine Eyeshadow Palette from MAC. I love this palette because you can create so many different day and evening looks with it. Since this look is all …

Read more
Beach Day Makeup

Beach Day Makeup

Hi Loves, I filmed this Beach Day Makeup Tutorial before Summer and finally had a bit of time to edit! Better late than never I suppose. 🙂 My friend Sandy came over and I created this simple makeup look for the beach or the pool. This look is light and wearable, perfect for the hot Summer weather! I wanted to keep the foundation natural and light looking, so I used Make Up For Ever Water Blend Foundation. I love it because it looks like real skin when applied. To warm up Sandy’s face, I used the Too Faced Sun Bunny …

Read more

BTS Fashion

Hi Loves, As you all know, I’m a makeup artist in Orange County, CA. I filmed this BTS Fashion video in December and finally got around to editing it today. I know it’s now May… a little late,  but better than never. 🙂 Model Kelli Kickham and I have been planning on collaborating for years and I was so excited that we eventually got around to shooting! Lovely photographer Anna Buder was on set with us to take some amazing photos. I was doing the makeup and filming this video. Please note that hair was done by Madison Reeves, clothes …

Read more

July Favorites 2016

July Favorites 2016 Hi Loves, I filmed a quick video sharing my makeup favorites that I’ve been using a lot during the month of July. These products I have used personally and also on set for work. I hope you end up liking these makeup products as much as I do! ♥ Smashbox Full Exposure Palette – This palette has beautiful universal neutral shades. Great for creating both day and evening looks. I used these eyeshadows in my Fresh Daytime Makeup Tutorial. Take a look at the pretty look I created. Smashbox Photo Matte Eyes – I recently used this …

Read more
May Favorites 2016

May Favorites 2016

May Favorites 2016 Hi Loves, It’s that time again to share my monthly faves. Here’s my May Favorites 2016! I’ve been really loving the Sigma Eyebrow Pencils. These were created to match most brow hairs and gives a natural effect. I used these for the first time during my Rose Gold Makeup Tutorial and really liked them, so of course I added them to my pro makeup kit. These brow pencils come in four shades: Clean Cut, Dressed Up, Elevate, and Top-Shelf. I like to use the shade Clean Cut for blondes and Top-Shelf for those with dark hair. Dressed …

Read more
Sunburst Makeup Look

Sunburst Makeup Look

Sunburst Makeup Look Hi Loves, I created this pretty Sunburst Makeup Look on my friend Courtney to make her hazel green eyes pop! To create this look, I used the shade Gash from the Urban Decay Vice LTD Reloaded palette and placed this color right on her lid. To warm up the crease, I used the eyeshadows Texture and Rule by MAC. I highlighted her brow bone, inner corner of the eyes, and cheek bones with Mary Lou Manizer by The Balm. This is such a gorgeous highlighter! To get glowing skin, I mixed a few drops of The Glow …

Read more
Rose Gold Makeup Tutorial

Rose Gold Makeup Tutorial

Rose Gold Makeup Tutorial Hi Loves, My friend April came over the other day and I created this pretty makeup look to include rose and gold eyeshadows from the Buxom Dolly’s Wild Side Eyeshadow Palette. I paired the look with a pink blush from Sigma Beauty called Modesty. For the lips, I decided to use a lavender shade from Urban Decay called Bittersweet. I tested out the Sigma Beauty Clean Cut Brow Pencil and Duo Brow Powder in the shade Light. They were really nice to work with! To complete the look, I added Ardell Wispies Lashes. These lashes are inexpensive and …

Read more

Valentines Day Makeup

Valentines Day Makeup Hi Loves, I created this pretty Valentine’s Day Makeup look on my friend Cierra. The eyeshadows are matte and then I added a bit of glitter on the inside corner of the eyes to make them pop. This step is optional if you prefer not to wear glitter. I paired the look with a pink blush and pink lipgloss. Here is a step by step makeup tutorial on this makeup look. I really hope you like it! ♥ Product List MAC Wipes NARS Sheer Glow for eyeshadow base MAC 190 Foundation Brush Beauty Blender Pro Laura Mercier Translucent Powder …

Read more
Simple Makeup Look

Simple Makeup Look

Hi Loves, I created a simple makeup look on my friend Sana using mostly neutral shades from my MAC eyeshadow palette. For the cheeks, I lightly contoured and highlighted with a few new brushes I got at IMATS from the Sigma Beauty booth. To complete the look, I used a mixture of Bobbi Brown and Sephora mauve lipsticks. I hope you find this look easy to recreate. If you do, please tag me on Instagram: makeupbydebra Product List: MAC Wipes Laura Mercier Translucent Powder MAC Vanilla MAC Texture MAC Jest MAC Espresso MAC Brun MAC Blacktrack MAC Haute & Naughty …

Read more

December Favorites

Hi Loves, I’ve been busy working on set and wanted share with you some of the makeup that I have been using a lot recently. I’m calling them my December Favorites! Too Faced Natural Matte Eye Shadow Collection I’ve been reaching for this lately while doing makeup for clothing line lookbooks and catalog photoshoots. I’m able to create beautiful day time makeup looks and also gorgeous evening makeup looks with this palette. The colors are so pretty and the names are really cute. I think my favorite shade is Cashmere Bunny! ♥ The next item on my list of December …

Read more

Smokey Purple Eye

Hi Loves, I loved creating this gorgeous Smokey Purple Eye makeup look for my friend Brenda. I started out by using a deep purple eyeshadow and then added a bit of bronze to the look. No eyeliner was needed, but I did use falsies! To complete the look, I paired it with a peach blush, nude lipstick and gloss. I hope you like this Smokey Purple Eye look! Product List: MAC Wipes MAC Studio Moisture Fix MAC Vanilla Lorac Pro Palette MAC Soft Brown MAC Bronze Becca Pearl Becca Champagne Pop Too Faced Mascara Sigma Beauty Limelight Bronzer Sigma Beauty Heavenly …

Read more

Winter Classic Makeup

Hi Loves, I created this gorgeous Winter Classic Makeup look on my friend Christine and thought I’d share a step by step makeup tutorial on how to recreate it. Starting with a gold shimmery eyeshadow, pairing it with a cutesy pink blush, and completing the look with a stunning red lip. This makeup look is just perfect for Winter! I hope you like it! If you recreate this makeup look, please feel free to tag me on Instagram @makeupbydebra #makeupbydebra All of the products that I used in this video are listed below. Happy New Year! Product List: MAC Wipes MAC …

Read more

New Year’s Eve Makeup

Hi Loves, I hope everyone is having a happy holiday season so far. I thought I’d create a festive New Year’s Eve Makeup look that is a bit smokey with a champagne pink twist to give the eye a pop! Recently, I purchased the Anastasia Beverly Hills Self-Made Palette and wanted to test it out. It was absolutely perfect for this makeup look! Of course I wanted the lashes very glam, so I coated them with Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara and then added beautiful falsies by Ardell. To make this look radiant and glowing, I used the MAC …

Read more

Holiday Party Makeup Tutorial

Hi Loves, I created a gorgeous makeup look for my friend Susie. I hope you love this Holiday Party Makeup Tutorial! All of the products I used for this look are listed below. MAC Wipes MAC Soft Brown and Texture Eyeshadows MAC 224 Tapered Blending Brush MAC 217 Blending Brush MAC 266 Small Angle Brush MAC 239 Eye Shading Brush Lorac Pro Palette Urban Decay Naked2 MAC Fix + Sigma Beauty Gilded Loose Shimmer MAC Vanilla Pigment MAC Fluidline Blacktrack MAC Studio Moisture Fix Maybelline Superstay Better Skin Foundation MAC 190 Foundation Brush MAC 129 Short Handled Brush MAC 116 Blush Brush …

Read more

Holiday Glam Rock Chic

Hi Loves, I had a fabulous time creating this Holiday Glam Rock Chic makeup look on recording artist Haley Horsager. I hope you like the tutorial! All of the products I used are listed down below. Product List: MAC Wipes Bobbi Brown BBU Palette MAC Vanilla and Texture Eyeshadows MAC 224 Tapered Blending Brush MAC 217 Blending Brush MAC 266 Small Angle Brush MAC 239 Eye Shading Brush MAC 190 Foundation Brush MAC 129 Short Handled Brush MAC 168 Large Angled Contour Brush MAC 109 Small Contour Brush MAC 219 Pencil Brush MAC 188 Small Duo Fibre Face Brush Urban Decay …

Read more
Channel Trailer

Channel Trailer

Hi Loves! As some of you may know, I have been working on launching my YouTube Makeup Channel. It’s finally here, my very first video – Channel Trailer! It’s taken me some time to learn the tech side of things – camera, lighting, editing software, etc. I’ve had so much fun throughout the process and look forward to producing more videos for my Youtube Makeup Channel. I hope you like it! Please feel free to leave your comments on YouTube below the video and SUBSCRIBE. ♥ As always, thank you so much for reading! ♥ Debra Johnson Makeup Artist Orange County, …

Read more
Makeup For A Shift In The Seasons

Makeup For A Shift In The Seasons

Hi Loves, I had the opportunity to do makeup for an editorial shoot with a local magazine. The wardrobe consisted of lightweight layers and fall outerwear. There were a few different makeup looks that I created for this shoot. My favorite was the second look, where I used gold, bronze, and brown eyeshadows paired with a pretty berry lipstick. I added a bronzer to the model’s face to warm up the look and used a gold highlighter on top of the cheekbones to bring light to the face. I slightly filled in the brows, but kept them more on the …

Read more

Summer Makeup

Hi Loves! I’m sure some of you have already seen a few pics I posted on social media of my latest shoot with Newport Beach Magazine for their June/July “Best of Beaches” Issue. The shoot was held on the gorgeous grounds of the Montage in Laguna Beach overlooking the beautiful Pacific Ocean. The day started out a bit foggy, but the sun did eventually shine! The theme of the shoot was all about resort wear…with bright hues and bold patterns, paired with the perfect Summer makeup! Let’s get right into my favorite part…the makeup! For this shoot it was all about …

Read more

Ethereal Makeup

Hi Loves! Recently, I had the opportunity to do makeup on a really fun shoot with photographer Sarah Park and model Megan McDermott! The theme of this photoshoot was wrapped around the wardrobe, which consisted of beautiful tulle flowing skirts by Space 46 and accessorized with one of a kind head pieces by Creature of Habit. The makeup for this look was to be fresh and somewhat ethereal. ♥ For this ethereal makeup look, I started Megan’s makeup by priming her lids with a makeup base. Next, I dusted a golden shade of eyeshadow to the lids and under the eye. …

Read more
Bronzed Beauty

Bronzed Beauty

Hi Loves! I know it’s been like forever since I wrote a post! The life of a Makeup Artist… on set doing makeup for beauty campaigns, fashion lookbooks, commercials, private makeup lessons, makeup for weddings, etc. You get the idea… ♥ By now I’m sure you have seen some social media buzz from a recent beach shoot I worked on. I thought I’d share with you how I created this beautiful bronzed beauty makeup look for gorgeous model Fallon Baker! I started creating this makeup look by prepping the eyes with a shadow base. You can use your foundation or an …

Read more
The No Makeup Makeup

The No Makeup Makeup Look

Hi Loves! Let’s talk about the no makeup makeup look! This look is very on-trend right now, especially since it’s getting a little warmer out. I had such a fun time creating this makeup look for gorgeous model/actress Brittaney (photo below) during a photoshoot and thought I’d share it with you. This look is just perfect for a summer day at the beach or pool! 😉 Here’s how to get this flawless no makeup makeup look (photo below): 1) Start by prepping the eye with a base like the Eye Priming Perfector from Becca. This eye primer creates an invisible canvas …

Read more
Top Ten Makeup Must Haves

Top Ten Makeup Must Haves

Hi Loves! As you know, once in a while I randomly post “Ask Me Anything” (makeup related) on my social media pages. Sometimes I am able to answer these questions right on the spot; others I like to blog about. I received a great question from a fellow makeup artist and thought it would be really fun to answer it here! Q: What are your absolute top ten makeup must haves for your kit? A: This is a fabulous question! Each makeup artist has their favorites depending on what type of work they do. Here are my top ten makeup must …

Read more
Bridal Makeup

Beautiful Bridal Makeup For Your Wedding Day

Hi Loves, Are you getting married and searching for the most gorgeous makeup look for your wedding day? I had a fabulous opportunity to do makeup in Los Angeles to create a beautiful bridal makeup look and wanted to share it with you! (photos below) Here is a step by step makeup tutorial on how to recreate this wedding day makeup look for brides to be! If you have been following my makeup blog for a while, you know the very first step I like to do for a makeup application is prep the eye. Start by applying an eyeshadow makeup base …

Read more

How To Get Perfect Brows

Hi Loves, Let’s talk about how to get perfect brows! 😉 When doing a makeup application on myself and clients, I always spend time working on the brows. Why you ask? Eyebrows are one of the most important features of the face, as they frame the eyes. Without a good frame, there will be no focus to beautiful eyes and gorgeous eye makeup. Tip: The beginning of the eyebrow is determined by the inner brow line, which extends from the tear duct upward.  This means that any unwanted stray hairs past that point should be cleaned up. Be sure to use …

Read more

How To Achieve A Fresh Faced Makeup Look

Hi Everyone! I had the pleasure of doing makeup for lovely model Lyssa during a photoshoot recently. For this blog post, I thought it would be fun to explain how you can achieve this fresh faced makeup look (photo below). This makeup look focuses on creating flawless skin while incorporating a pop of color which is totally wearable every day. Start by prepping the eye lids with Too Faced Shadow Insurance. These come in several shades. For this look, I chose the basic one that does not have shimmer. Sweep the lightest shade from the NARSissist Eyeshadow Palette from NARS …

Read more

Category Archives

brows