Who we are

Based in the San Francisco Bay area, We are a team of Professional Hair & Make-up Artists inspiring others for more than 13 years. For information on special event and consulting services please email us at info@miabel.com

Friday, March 15, 2013

Image credit: recommend magazine/Colin Cowie weddings/Hard Rock Hotel

 I love working with brides for weddings and I love traveling!  
So I was thrilled to find "Mexico Loves Destination Weddings" featured in one of my favorite insiders travel magazines; Recommend.  Lately Mexico has been on my itinerary allowing me the opportunity to experience many of these amazing destinations.  I listed my favorites below, but I suggest you check it out for yourself...who knows you just might fall in love!  
Have you been to any on the list?...share your experiences!

My personal favorites from the list...
Puerta Vallarta/ Riviera Nayarit: Four Seasons Punta Mita

Shh....Two of my personal off-the-list secret editions...
Los Cabos - Las Ventanas al Paraiso (A Rosewood Resort)
Los Cabos - Esperanza (An Auberge Resort)

Love, Blessings & Good Travel
Until Next time..
Jessica

Tuesday, December 4, 2012

Arm your lips...



So....having worked around makeup for 13 years it's tough to find something that really makes me stop and get excited.  This lip gloss checks so many boxes it has me giddy! 

Get the facts...
not tested on animals
paraben free
longwearing
avocado oil
Shea butter
olive oil
Grapeseed
Vit. E

This picture says it all...
Click here for a video on CEO Theo Kogan.

Visit www.beautylish.com to get some for yourself!

image credit: www.beautylish.com

Tuesday, September 4, 2012

Sao Paolo Fashion Week - Backstage Beauty

Sao Paolo Fashion Week June 2012 
"I have seen Fatima in action and she is a makeup artist that knows the contours of the face well.  A wonderfully talented MAC Pro Makeup Artist, she takes us through creating a pinch-of-color on the face - Brazilian style."
- Jessica [Miabel artist]

Article credit: Fashionista.com

Thursday, August 30, 2012

Megan + Michael | Villa Montalvo

What a pleasure to work with Michelle Walker for Megan and Michaels wedding at Villa Montalvo!  Take a peek at her beautiful photo blog here.



Monday, July 2, 2012

Friends at Fashion Week - MAC's Victor Cembellin


How Fashion Week Gets Made
With MAC Senior Artist Victor Cembellin

"If there ever was a makeup artist that put the fun back in to fashion shows, it’s Victor Cembeliin.  I first met Victor in my infant years with MAC Cosmetics, I have even had the pleasure to work along side him on many occasions.  His spirit and level of creativity is amazing!  I am so excited that fashionista.com tapped into his talent for this piece on life backstage at New York Fashion Week." – Jessica [Miabel Artist]

 

 
FASHIONISTA.COM - Article by Cheryl Wischhover
Makeup, from natural to full-on body warpaint, is an integral piece of any runway show. It adds to the aesthetic of the show and helps to showcase the clothes, because makeup is truly transformative. We chatted with MAC senior artist Victor Cembellin, who has been practicing his craft for designers/labels like Zac Posen, Balenciaga, and Vivienne Westwood for over 15 years, and who has put his time in the backstage trenches (He once spent an hour and a half gluing feathers on one girl at an Alexander McQueen show.) Here’s what it’s like to be a makeup artist on a runway show.
Fashionista: How far in advance do you know you’re going to have a show?
Victor Cembellin: We do a kick off meeting right when we arrive in New York, which will be 2 days beforehand. We all get our schedules and look for any conflicts. Basically then the next morning we start out and do all the shows.
How many shows will you personally do in NYC?

It’s an average of 13-15 by the end of the week. I usually do 2 shows a day; some days you might have fashion shows, but some days you have makeup tests which is when you go to the show room of the designer a few days before to work out the makeup look. There’s usually 2 models there–one’s a blonde and one’s a brunette, or one has a deeper skin tone and one’s lighter. They just go through mood boards and they’re collaborating with the designer and the head stylist and try out different looks.
Have you ever had a look change the day of the show? Like a designer says “I hate that lip–change it”?
They’ll re-review the pictures sometimes. They have 2 days to look at the pictures from the makeup test and sometimes..since they’re creative people…they’ll alter it, but I’ve never seen them go, “We have to start from scratch.” There’s so many millions of dollars wrapped up in the whole thing that I think people, while they’re creative, are also thinking with their business mind as well.
How many models are you responsible for per show?
Usually 3. The first one you kind of get to take your time with because [the models] are there on time. With the second girl it’s like “let’s pick it up”. You’ve understood the look so maybe you can do it in a half hour instead of 45 minutes. Then sometimes these girls are coming in 5 minutes before the show is supposed to start, if not like 5 minutes AFTER the show is supposed to start. You sometimes get these “it” girls who are doing 6 or 7 shows and they’re coming across the entire city and they’re in black eyes and braided hair and [you have to get them ready for the] natural all-American girl show. This is where the chaos ensues.
How often does that happen, the last minute scurry?
There are usually 4-6 girls coming in late. By the time it’s evening, the entire day is backed up.
A spring '12 look from Vivienne Westwood (Photo: Imaxtree)
What do you carry with you to every single show?
I have 2 kits. If we’re partnering with a famous makeup artist, we’ll show up to the makeup test carrying as much MAC as we can so if they say “I’m thinking of a green glittery smoky eye” we have something to show them.
What are some of the biggest challenges backstage?
I think people have forgotten how many people are allowed backstage. It’s becoming more popular to have [shows] at some fancy art venue or small gallery. It’s not always in the tents. So we’ll be set up in these unrealistic backstages where there are 14 makeup artists, 22 hair people, 30 models coming in, all the stylists, all the dressers, the press. By the end there’s 200 people in a spot that should hold max 45 people.
What are some of the most complicated or craziest looks you’ve had to execute?
There’s a couple designers who are just known for bigger makeup, like Gareth Pugh and Manish Arora. Makeup artist Val Garland, who’s one of the most famous makeup artists in the world, respects the MAC pro artist as being the best in the industry, so she’ll be like, “Here’s the general look, but you can do your own thing and make it your own on each girl.” In some ways, when I’m nervous, I’d rather be a technician. That’s when it becomes complicated, when you have free reign to individualize your look.
What’s the best way to get makeup off quickly?
I learned very quickly within a season or 2, that even though I’m the makeup artist, just give it to the model herself. People can get their own makeup off a lot quicker. I use MAC wipes to get rid of the whole face–foundation, brow color–and then use Cleanse Off Oil. If you hold it on the eye the makeup just melts away, then a quick scrub to get rid of the mascara.
Have you ever seen a model have a bad reaction to makeup?
I haven’t ever had that happen. I think that models more and more are starting to bring in their own backstage kit. They understand when they’re breaking out and maybe they attribute it to a certain show or certain eye shadow. Some people get really weepy with purple. {Ed. note: Really? Purple?}
What do you do after fashion month is over?
We typically go back and do a lot of shooting. It’s so inspirational that I usually go back to San Francisco and I’ll do some test shoots and I want to try out some ideas. Usually after fashion week there’s sort of this blitz of presenting our findings.
Any other thoughts?
There’s a certain personality type that just really loves being backstage. There’s so much chaos between the loud music and models running around and clothes flying and the pressure of getting the show done, that it’s almost like you’re a paramedic or something. In all this chaos you have to focus. It’s this weird fantasy world that needs so much focus.
 
Article Credit: fashionista.com

Thursday, June 21, 2012

The Coveteur | Whitney Port


I am so excited to have discovered www.thecoveteur.com. It's the most fashionable way to peek into the closets and boudoirs of our favorite people!


Check out their latest fashion profile darling...Whitney Port!

Love,
Miabel

Thursday, June 7, 2012

Looking forward to the Danville Wine Event this Saturday!





Miabel is proud to participate in the auction at this Saturday's Danville Wine Benefit.

Join us for wine tasting and tasty culinary delights! 
Bid on our auction item and you could win a "Beauty Workshop" for you and five friends.

For details visit 
www.danvillewinebenefit.com

We hope to see you there!