THE STARS ARE COMING OUT!!!

charlene, darais, cherish

soleil and darais

 

tara and darais

jennifer and darais

Working at the MAC PRO store created many opportunities for me to help celebrity clients with their Make Up. They would come in to shop with me, get their Make Up done for events and also for auditions.

One of my favorites that would come in was Actress Charlene Tilton. She was a regular one to visit and Kris would always make her look so glamorous for her events. One day she brought in her daughter Cherish Tilton in and I got to make her over and help get her dressed for a big Red Carpet Event. I loved it when she later moved in next to me for a short while in Studio City!

Paula Abdul was a regular that I got to help on many occasions, Janise Dickenson, and even the hilarious and talented Doris Roberts would come in to sit with me and get her face done. One day it was Gay Pride up in West Hollywood with the parade and everything just a few blocks away and in walks Cher. I didn't know if it was the real deal or just the best impersonator I had ever seen and when I started helping her choose colors I found out she was the real thing. My heart stopped for about 10 beats as soon as I realized and we spent over an hour picking out every pink lip, pink blush, pink eyeshadow that would be best for her and her tour.  I even remember while I was putting on her foundation powder she sang to me a song she wrote called Foxy Lady.... I think it had something to do with the eyeliner named "Foxy Lady" that I showed her. She told me that she wrote it before I was born. She ended up teaching me a whole lot and she left happy and with bags full of Make Up.

I also helped one of my favorites as a kid "Punky Brewster" Soleil Moon Frye, Tara Reid, Jennifer Coolidge, Kelly Osbourne, Salma Hayek, Halle Berry, Hilary Duff, Paris Hilton, Kimberly Stewart, Nicole Richie and more. My job wasn't bad.... I always will remember what Paula Abdul said to me... "Don't let anyone tie you down, or get their reigns on you, as a Make Up artist...You are a wild stallion!"

Get the Perfect Pout: The Penelope Cruz Glossy Pink Lip

PENELOPE CRUZ IS THE PERFECT FIT TO MY LANCOME LEADING LADIES with Julia and Kate by her side! check out the video I did below to get her look!

DO YOU WANNA BE ON THE TOP? ANTM

March 2004, I was hired for America's Next Top Model Cycle 2 Season Finale. It was hosted at the Key Club on Sunset Blvd. I remember how much I wanted Yoanna House to win and she did. I was so glad to be there and celebrate with her and Tyra. Tyra was so nice to me. I don't know if she believed me when I told her that night that I was going to be doing MakeUp on her show one day... I wasn't happy just doing the MakeUp at the party. You know me... I want to do it all.

I had a lot of fun with all the girls that night and also with Pauly Shore...even if I do look a little scared by what he was saying...it's cause I kind of was.

MAKING A WISH FOR A SOON TO BE BEST FRIEND FIGHTING CANCER... Jourdyn I love you.

Jourdyn you are more than ever my Queen and so much more. You conquer all and with the most beautiful smile. Every time I think I have something to complain about I think of you. If I am ever in pain, scared, or hurt I think of you. You have given me more strength than you will ever know and without doing a thing except being my example. Jourdyn I love you and forever will!

jourdyn and suzy

I first heard about Jourdyn, a young girl only 15 years old, from one of my best friends from childhood. Suzy who I grew up next to, and who is one of the most caring, loving persons in the world would only be my "Suzy" as a nurse. She lives to help others everyday. She told me of a girl who she cared for in the hospital who was going through cancer for the second time. She told me that this girl Jourdyn loved MakeUp but hated it at the same time because every time she went for a routine bone marrow transplant, that her immune system was so weak, that she had to throw away any MakeUp that had been opened or used. This left Jourdyn with no MakeUp. I knew there was a small way I could help. I never knew how big of an influence she would have on my entire life.

Jourdyn, after you received a package of MakeUp from me you sent me a letter which
I still have to this day. It said thank you over and over again and also that I was your best friend you just hadn't met yet. I'm so thankful you were right!

I continued to send packages of products every time I got word about one of Jourdyn's operations. I enjoyed doing it knowing how she was the envy of every nurse in the hospital. I was so hurt when I received a phone call from nurse Suzy that one of Jourdyn's good friends had passed away in the hospital and that Jourdyn wasn't making anymore progress. I had a feeling that Jourdyn was done with the fight. Through her infections, removal of lung and kidney, and chemotherapy burning her from the inside I knew that there was something else I needed to do. I called Jourdyn for the first time. I still remember the pain it took in her voice to even speak to me. I asked her when prom was? She said she wasn't going. I said that she was and that I was going to be there as her professional MakeUp artist. At the end of the call I didn't feel the influence that my words had made until a few days later Suzy had called me and told me about Jourdyn. Everyone at the hospital especially Suzy was amazed at the excitement they saw in her eyes to get better. I remember Suzy asking me, "What did you say to her?"

I lived each day at that time to find ways to help sweet Jourdyn. I started getting my celebrity clients involved. Anytime one would come in and shop with me or get their MakeUp done by me I would ask them to sign a card for Jourdyn. Hilary Duff, Tara Reid, Kelly Osbourne all got involved but I was most impressed with Kelly. She not only signed the most beautiful letter to Jourdyn but gave me permission to give her cell number to her. She really wanted to know how she was doing. At that moment, with all that Kelly was going through in her personal life, she still remembered what her mother had gone through, what she felt like, and she reached out much more than any other celebrity! Kelly I forever love you! Sorry I told you that rehab was for quitters!!! I am so proud of you. Your mom hit me for that one at the Ivy!

kelly and darais with jourdyn's picture as she opens her new makeup

With a lot of pain and a lot of love Jourdyn continued to get better. I marveled at her attitude and her ability to be one of the happiest teenagers ever. I started to get my entire store involved with her look for prom. We all made face charts and sent them to her letting her pick her favorite. I love all my Artists I worked with that helped on my end with Jourdyn's battle!

It was a few weeks until Prom and I was so excited to not only meet Jourdyn for the first time but also to find out about her cancer. At this time at work a MakeUp artist and now good friend Gina Brooke would come in store to shop. I loved talking with her and learning from her. She was just signed as Madonna's MakeUp artist. A dream of mine to work with Madonna. Gina asked if I would come assist her on a Music Video... She also mentioned how it would lead to going on tour with Madonna.  I smiled deep inside cause even before she told me when it was I knew the answer was I can't. The Music Video test was the same weekend as Prom. I still remember Gina's teared up eyes as she told me I wasn't like most MakeUp artists. I knew she was right and was glad she was right!

I flew to Salt Lake City, picked up my sweet mom, and drove 3 hours south to Cedar City Utah. When I hugged Jourdyn for the first time it didn't feel like the first. I have always know her. She lived somehow in me. Her strength was in me, her beauty, her love. The energy in the application was victoriously overwhelming and I was thankful to have my mom there to help me out!

best hug ever from the prom queen

The paper came out later that week with this article. I want to thank first Jourdyn for your strength, opportunity, and your teaching me. Second Suzy for making these moments possible and for helping me relize the potential in every opportunity. Third my MAC Pro team artists and celebrities that helped power the adventure and last my mom, for raising me to be the way I am. I can't help it most the time!

Less than a year after Prom Jourdyn was diagnosed for the third time with cancer. She still... to this day...  is winning her fight... with treatment!  To my best friend I have finally met! Thanks for coming to my family reunion with me and I hope I don't ever let someone as strong as you down!

WOMEN ROCK! SONGS FROM THE MOVIES

It was the end of September 2003 and I was excited to be chosen with one other artist from the MAC Pro store to represent at Lifetimes 4th Annual Women Rock! Songs from the Movies. This concert was to  Promote Breast Cancer Awareness. It was the first time I had seen so many Singers and Celebrities all together in one place and for an amazing cause. Everyone was extremely nice, happy, and I learned a lot about what women go through with breast cancer. Two incredible woman there were fighting personally... Sharon Osbourne and singer Anastacia. The sharing of there life hit me hard and I knew I needed to do more than just paint faces. I was busy backstage getting ready... singer from Heart, Ann Wilson and also the only guy performing, Kenny Loggins. I remember the movie "Footloose" was filmed only 20 miles from where I had grown up and the whole time I was doing his grooming I couldn't get the song out of my head.

darais and ann wilson backstage

The show was hosted by Mandy Moore with a list of Alison Krauss, Bonnie Raitt, Debbie Reynolds Jessica Alba, Lisa Rinna, Dolly Parton, Ann Wilson, Kenny Loggins, Sharon Osbourne, Mindy Smith, Anastacia, and many more teary eyed and emotional with me back in the green room. I don't think us MakeUp artists were prepared with enough waterproof eyeliner and mascaras. We had a blast. I also got to meet and work along side with Tommy Cole. President at the time of the 706 club or SAG for MakeUp Artists. He was so helpful with tips and techniques for stage MakeUp.

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I loved it when Dolly came in for sound check at 8:30 am completely put together, her face completely painted. Her "No Such Thing as Natural Beauty" hair was perfect and up as well, and when I asked her what time she got up to achieve the look she said that her face she can do it under 30 minutes however her wigs are done days in advance. I loved talking with her and also my mom's favorite Debbie... Who says that if you wear Red Lipstick you can pretty much say whatever the #^%# you want! She made me laugh so much I cried even more. I was impressed with her elegance and stage presence. Everyone got reverent as she captivated and hypnotized the entire audience with her red lips and sequence!

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MY FIRST RUNWAY SHOW backstage!!!

Working at the MAC Pro store on Robertson gave me many opportunities that I never would have had anywhere else. One of the first was working under MAC Senior Artist John. I learned so much from him and am thankful that I got to work with him for the first time at the Macy's Passport Fashion Show. He is still one of the most talented artists I have worked with.

darais and john

John was not only keying the show but also doing MakeUp on Kelly Osbourne who was also walking the runway. It was amazing to meet her and I knew our paths would cross again. I watched John's demonstration of the look to do on the models and I got to do the complete look on two of them. They turned out fun for my first time!

doing the look on the models

We then took it further and got into some body painting. Something I love to do still to this day! Here I am putting the finishing touches on some of the body art us artists got to get ours hands dirty and sparkly with.

body make up behind stage

I learned so much once released from the everyday make up I was used to doing in store, and got out of the box with Runway MakeUp. This MakeUp would probably never work for an everyday look or even a night out for some. Colors, sure, but make up trends come more now than ever from celebrities and with High Definition out there it has gotten more and more safe! Think of the 60's, 70's, and 80's... All the MakeUp trends came right from the runway... and now many of you girls are looking back saying..."What was I thinking?"  Laugh it off... and learn from it.

WELCOME TO HOLLYWOOD, WHATS YOUR DREAM?

It was a year to the day of the tragic 9/11 that I had packed up my car and moved out to California. I transferred from Salt Lake Nordstrom MAC counter to the Glendale Galleria MAC counter.

I still remember one of my favorite moments in MakeUp. Glendale California is home to many Armenians. They all have these beautiful big brown eyes. Bigger than I have ever seen. My first week doing MakeUp a lady came in for her appointment with me. She asked me to do a natural look on her. I then learned that natural in Utah is completely different than some other's definition of natural. I don't think that I have ever used so much black eye liner and eye shadow in the crease before. I loved it! She looked at me like I was crazy when I told her that natural in Utah was maybe some brown mascara!  Makes me laugh to this day when someone tells me they want a natural look. If anything I have learned from that to investigate what natural is to each individual.

Most MakeUp artists don't ask enough questions. Make sure they do if you are ever getting your MakeUp done and also hold the mirror so that you can learn and monitor the intensity of your application. Just don't make any final assumptions until your mascara is on! I spent many years behind a counter and learned a lot of lessons from a lot of people. Customers teach me so much about everything, not just MakeUp. I love meeting people when I am not with celebrities and am in store!

InStyle Magazine in the December 2010 issue with Carrie Underwood on the cover "scoured the country to find the best cosmetics counter artists and asked them to share their application secrets- and the scoop on how to score one of their coveted appointments." They found only 8 artists coast to coast and I am so thankful that I made the list for Los Angeles.  It makes me feel like all I have learned and share has payed off in such recognition  Check it out on page 264 complete with a face chart on how to achieve the look!

I want to thank all the artists I worked along side with at Glendale MAC. I learned so much from them. We were in constant search for  being creative. We planned almost weekly theme days and dressed up for every event. My hair and MakeUp has never been so crazy/so bad... but we had a blast!  I had so much fun with this group of girls and will remember it all! Michelle, Christina, Chrissy, Kelly, Linh, Lilianna, Laura, Lisa, Sue, (Rosie, Ruby, Jami, MAC Store) and Trainers Iris and Ericka... I LOVE YOU!

michelle, christina, chrissy, kelly

linh,lilianna,christina for matrix event

debra, lisa, christina, linh, sue for army event

lisa and christina my bunnies and im hue on easter

trainer iris and manager michelle

rosie and ruby

trainer ericka large pears

jami

I was only at MAC Glendale Nordstrom for a short 8 months. I went to my first MAC update/training only a month into it and while I was sitting in there, before we had begun, a guy came walking in in motorcycle gear and long hair. He was one of the coolest artists I had ever met. He sat next to me and I asked him where he worked in awe. His name was Kris. He told me the MAC Pro Store on Robertson Blvd. He had been with MAC since their beginning and I knew I could learn a lot from him. That was the flagship store and the store where all the celebrities went after eating at the Ivy. My heart started beating fast and my mind was set. I told him that day that in less than a year I would be working at that store and that my hair would be as long as his! I was later told that I needed MAC Store experience and of about 2 years to work at the Pro Store. I never seem to listen! I was at the MAC Pro store after being in California for only 8 months.

Darais... doing MakeUp on Model Meki in New York at Hudson Stuidios Part 2

Franklin Covey makes some good lashes! HA! I love being creative everyday. Try it... you just might smile a whole lot more! :o)

model meki and darais

And my runway look is complete! Thanks Meki, you are a most beautiful canvas. I hope to work with you again soon.

Darais... doing MakeUp on Model Meki in New York at Hudson Studios Part 1

New York is a lot of fun if you can't tell by this video with me and my model
Meki. Thanks Carin for not talking but playing checkers with me!!!

NORDSTROM TREND SHOWS FOR THE 2010 FALL & HOLIDAY SEASON

So I finished another season of Trend Shows at Nordstrom. Can't believe that 2010 is almost over! The Video above is the beautiful model Amber and I getting the look on from the Lancome Beauty Box in the cool colors... sorry Amber for the lighting... it was 6 am and the store hadn't turned on all the lights yet but you looked amazing on stage... and because you had me for a partner!

Out on stage all the beautiful hundreds of women along with the gorgeous host Kari Larsen makes it feel like it's not that early! Thanks everyone in attendance for your energy and smiles... especially when talking about my mustache! ha

Here is a look at all the looks from the Fall/Holiday 2010 Trend Shows. Thank you Nordstrom, Models, Executives, my Pro Team Artists, and Starbucks!!!!!!