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 …

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Summer Chic Makeup Tutorial

Summer Chic Makeup Tutorial

Summer Chic Makeup Tutorial Hi Loves, As some of you know, I’m a pro makeup artist. Even after 10 years, I still love seeing my work get published. I decided to film a tutorial and recreate a makeup look that I did on a model for a photoshoot. I hope you like this Summer Chic makeup tutorial! Products used for this look: Laura Mercier Translucent Powder Urban Decay Gwen Stefani Palette Limited Edition – Stark, Steady, Zone MAC 217 Blending Brush MAC 239 Shader Brush MAC 224 Tapered Blending Brush The Balm Mary Lou Manizer Shu Uemura Eyelash Curler MAC …

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BTS Coachella Inspired Fashion Shoot

BTS Coachella Inspired Fashion Shoot

BTS Coachella Inspired Fashion Shoot Hi Loves, I recently did makeup for a Coachella Inspired Fashion Shoot with model Sabrina from IT Model Management and photographer Tara Ziemba. The makeup that I created was fresh and natural looking. I used a light peach eyeshadow from the Sigma Beauty Warm Neutrals Eyeshadow Palette paired with a neutral brown shade to really make her blue eyes pop. For the cheeks, I chose a sophisticated blue-pink blush from MAC Cosmetics called Dame. To highlight Sabrina’s cheekbones, I applied a loose shimmer called Ravishing by Sigma Beauty using their High Cheekbone Highlighter Brush. This …

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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, …

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Lifestyle Photoshoot: I woke up this gorgeous!

Hi Everyone! I had such a fabulous time on a recent lifestyle photoshoot doing makeup on lovely model Riley, who is with Vision modeling agency in Los Angeles. I wanted to share some behind the scenes pics I took with my iPhone, and the photos taken from San Diego based lifestyle and commercial photographer John Schell. Makeup prep was at Studio BLKGLD in downtown Long Beach. The first makeup look was fresh, clean, natural …. almost like I woke up this gorgeous! I used a lightweight foundation for the skin, placed vanilla eyeshadow on the lid and a light brown eyeshadow in the crease. I applied white eyeliner …

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Makeup That Glistens

Hi Everyone! I recently did a photoshoot with gorgeous model Mikara (image below). She’s from New Jersey, just like me, so of course, we were instant “besties”. 🙂 Moving on to the point: The photoshoot took place on location, outside in direct sunlight. As the Makeup Artist, I really wanted her makeup to catch the light just right to make it glisten. Knowing that these images may be produced in both color and black and white, I chose a gold eyeshadow with a hint of shimmer to achieve this effect. Next, I applied a tinted moisturizer and skipped the powder …

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Behind the Scenes – Spring Floral Shoot

It’s always so fun to do makeup for a photoshoot! I thought I’d share a few “behind the scenes” spring floral photos with my readers and give an insight to a day in the life of a Professional Makeup Artist. This was a floral themed shoot for Spring. Think flowers in the hair, romantic and colorful clothing, champagnes and golds for the eyes and a nice pop of color for the lips. The team got together to discuss locations, clothing options, hair ideas, and specific makeup looks that would blend into an end result of absolutely stunning photos! Yes, it …

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Q&A – Foundation For Photoshoots

I recently received a really great beauty-related question from an Instagram follower who is a model. I thought it would make an interesting blog post because I’ve been asked this often. Q: When I have to do my own makeup for a photoshoot, what is the best foundation for photoshoots? A: Let’s talk about natural light first, and then move onto flash photography. If the photographer is using natural light, feel free to use a makeup that has an SPF so that you are protecting your skin from the sun. One of my favorite foundations is MAC’s Studio Fix Fluid …

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Q&A – Makeup For Color Photography Vs Black and White Photography

Hi Everyone! I just love doing Q&A blog posts. Here is a fun and technical one requested by a follower on Instagram! Makeup for photography! Q: I’m doing a shoot and want to get some cool shots in black and white, but also some in color. What kind of makeup should I do, so it will not look like too much in color and will pop in black and white? A: Makeup for color versus black and white photography varies in technique. If it were me, I would try starting off by doing makeup for color and then make a few …

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The Perfect Pout

How to get a perfect pout! Working as a Professional Makeup Artist in Orange County, I’ve had some incredible opportunities to work with a vast majority of talent. I absolutely loved working with Playboy Model Aubrey Evans and Photographer Joshua Escueta from BLKGLD! To get Aubrey’s “Perfect Pout”, start off by priming the lips with Prep + Prime Lip from MAC Cosmetics. Line lips with a nude liner; try using Tonga Lip Liner Pencil by NARS. Use a lightweight lipstick, such as Hydrating Creme Lip Colour in Rouge Coco by Chanel. Enjoy your Perfect Pout! (Photo was taken at Forever Asbury in Long Beach, …

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Beachy Makeup For Summer!

This is a beachy makeup for summer look I created on model Marie-Charlotte for a swim suit shoot with photographer Douglas Robert. All you will need to achieve this look are a few simple products: peach eyeshadow, waterproof mascara, bronzer, and nude lip gloss. Enjoy this fab summer makeup look! Try using Loreal’s Voluminous Waterproof Mascara. Enjoy your new beachy makeup for summer look! <3 Debra Johnson Makeup Artist, Orange County ♥ Debra Johnson Makeup Artist Orange County, California Don’t forget to share, and comment!

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Behind the Scenes – PhaSHEN Inc. Photoshoot

I had a great opportunity to do makeup for PhaSHEN Inc. This was a behind the scenes photo I took during our shoot. The color theme for the shoot was gold & red. Products used: Eye shadows MAC Dark Edge, All That Glitters, Soft Brown, Vanilla Cheeks  NARS blush in Amour Lips MAC lipstick in Faux and lipgloss in Underage ♥ Debra Johnson Makeup Artist Orange County, California Don’t forget to share, and comment!

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Wedding Planning Season Is Here!

Wedding Planning Season! I’m happy to share that my makeup work was featured on the cover of COAST Magazine February Issue in addition to a five page bridal fashion spread! I must say that I was thrilled with excitement to be working with such an amazing team and shooting at the beautiful Mission Inn located in Riverside, California. I would like to thank Ralph Palumbo, the photographer for this shoot, for inviting me to be part of his team. It has been an amazing experience to shoot an editorial piece like this one! Also, thank you to Shonna Guinn, hairstylist …

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