What A F'N Year.

The last moments of 2010 included me graduating from Blanche Macdonald, a school where I was not only very fortunate to attend but changed my life. 

This pass year has been over the top amazing. It's really remarkable to look back and realize just how much you can not only accomplish, but learn in a year. 

Here's some highlights of this year makeup style...

Attended 'The Makeup Show' in LA. 

Learnt a lot as an intern for They Rep.

 My work appeared in print for the very first time. 

Was part of the makeup team at Vancouver Fashion Week. 

Competed/won 2nd place in IMATS Vancouver Beauty/Fantasy Competition. 

Learned an amazing new skill; eyelash extensions. 

My first written beauty article was published. 

Moved to Toronto which was a major stepping stone for me, and was by far the best career decision I have made to date. 

You may have caught a glimpse of me on ET Canada. 

Beauty spread published in YYZ Living. (Found @ Chapters!)

Not to mention countless shoots, creatives, lookbooks and a few weddings I've gotten to be a part of.

 There have been moments that were difficult and stressful. There were times where I've 'failed' or was told 'no'. However those have been the moments that I learned and grew the most from. I wouldn't give any of it up, in fact some of the best ideas, moments and opportunities came out of these so called 'failures'. 

I honestly am so thankful for everything and to everyone. 

Thank you. 

Huge thank you's going out to every single person I have been fortunate enough to work with. 

Thank you to every person who has been viewing and sharing my work.

 Of course a big big thank you going out to all those awesome people who have been supporting me & cheering me on through this amazing journey. 

I hope y'all stick around because it's not over. 

The last days of 2011 are upon us and I must say I am really pumped for 2012. Who knows what it will bring, and I think that's what's most exciting of all...

Here's to doing what you love, cheers!

xo

The Wanders

Most recent grooming publication can be found in December 2011 issue of Lux Magazine!

This shoot was so much fun! Kim & I were enroute to the stylist, Christina DaSilva, house from downtown Toronto, when Kim spotted this amazing junk yard. We met up with our male models from Elite, after I was done their makeup & hair we decided to go check it out. 

We were a little nervous that it wouldn't be possible, but I was way too pumped to not ask. And voila! The guys were totally onboard and supervised the whole shoot. Big shout out to the fellas who made this possible, the shoot wouldn't have been the same without this awesome location!

Here's the end result with a few behind the scenes! 

Photography: Kim Akrigg

Models: Alex P & Ace with Elite Models

Styling: Christina DaSilva

Grooming: Shawnna Downing

One of my faves from the day, absolutely loved this outfit below!

  

Kim doing her thing!

What a rock star! One of our amazing supervisors, who had our back! 

Torn Prospects

A collaboration with Kim Akrigg, Chris Elizabeth & Alex P with Elite models was recently published on Glass Book!

  

Photography: Kim Akrigg

Styling: Chris Elizabeth

Model: Alex P with Elite Models

Grooming: Shawnna Downing 

YYZ Living Winter Issue

A beauty spread in YYZ Living - Winter Issue is where you can find my latest work!

Kim Akrigg, Dat Tran & Steph from Ford Models teamed up for this awesome set!

YYZ Living Winter Issue

Photography: Kim Akrigg

Model: Steph - Ford Models

Hair: Dat Tran - Dat Salon

Makeup: Shawnna Downing

The makeup for this shoot was all about using jewel tone colours. I was completely inspired by Steph's gorgeous bone structure and had been in love with the idea of doing a cheek focus. 

Here's a look at some behind the scenes from our shoot @ Dat Salon..

Naturally Pretty

Photography: Kim Akrigg

Model: Francesca with Next Models

Makeup Artist: Shawnna Downing

Sunday Read; Beauty Products We Love

 I love makeup and working with clients is always a blast. On the flip side I also love talking makeup while having the chance to work with new products, look into what else is out there or perhaps coming out.

 Recently I had the opportunity to write a beauty article for String Magazine about some of my favorites and a few products I've been dying to try. 

You can check it out here; Beauty Products We Love

Morning Star

New Webtorial Up On Papercut Magazine's Website!

Photography: Kim Akrigg

Model: Dervla with Annabelle Cho

Styling: Natalie Bradshaw

Makeup: Shawnna Downing

Feelin The Colour!

New beauty work posted in this month's issue of Sessions Magazine! (starts on pg 95) 

It was an amazing September afternoon, bees we're hanging out, enjoying a little afternoon delight when we shot this awesome series.

This is definitely a moment, being my first beauty shoot published! It shouldn't be too difficult to find our inspiration in the photos below. Love having the opportunity to be playful! Taking each individual shade and focusing the colour in different ways on our gorgeous model's face was a lot of fun and definitely excited to share! 

Photography: Kim Akrigg

Model: Marta C @ Ford Models & Peggi Lepage

Makeup: Shawnna Downing

Roman Holiday

New work is inside this month's issue of Racing Minds Magazine! 

Check out the full spread pages

 28- 33 here; http://www.issuu.com/racingminds/docs/october2011 

Photography: Kim Akrigg

Model: Crystal @ Next Models

Styling: Liz Am

Makeup & Hair: Shawnna Downing

IMATS Vancouver 2011. Makeup Artist Magazine. Wowza.

A little while ago, when I was still living in Vancouver, I submitted 9 photos in hopes to take part in IMATS Beauty & Fantasy competition 2011. For those of you who perhaps were either there or know me, I was very fortunate to be chosen as one of the 8 competitors. 

IMATS Beauty/Fantasy Competition Video

I was blown away with the opportunity and was over the moon to take part. The theme was tribal and quickly I started sketching and testing out ideas. The day arrived, and we had 2 hours to complete our makeup. Every single person did such a fantastic job, I was in awe of the creativity that surrounded me. 

After all was said and done I was completely happy with how my makeup had turned out, but was incredibly nervous to be judged. I was very fortunate to have an amazing group of friends, pass teachers and supporters there cheering me on. 

As it would turn out I took 2nd place! Such a shock and one heck of a moment for me as a makeup artist. It was a whirlwind for sure. 

Below are some before & after snapshots of my amazing model, Emily (who at the time was also one of my amazing roommates) and I. 

 I still can barely believe it. Though that day in July seems a little far away now, that moment is recognized in this month's issue of Makeup Artist Magazine. 

Definitely an amazing day to remember. I had a blast doing what I absolutely love, makeup. Thank you so much for the opportunity to take part! 

Love Life. Love Makeup.

Highlight of the Day

A few days ago Kim and this beauty wanted to do a little creative. I was super stoked to take part and really wanted to do a makeup that solely focused on highlighting. So that's exactly what I did here. I highlighted the center of her face as well as her gorgeous eyes. Here's what we came up with!

Photography: Kim Akrigg
Model: Annabelle Cho
Makeup & Hair: Shawnna Downing

Model In A Box

Last Tuesday I was showing some behind the scene photos from a shoot we did with Kayanna who was in town from Vancouver. Here's the finished product!

Photography: Kim Akrigg
Model: Kayanna with Elite
Makeup: Shawnna Downing