Nail Theory

Hi Everyone!

Very much overdue for a blog post, so I thought I'd share a few nail designs that I've done over the past few months for different editorials!

Quick backstory to my "Nail Art", Nails were my obsession when I was younger, second only to a new tube of lipstick. At every chance I'd spend my allowance on little baggies of press on nails and sparkly nail art, I remember I used to be frustrated that my press-ons didn't look "thick" like some ladies nails. Until I finally discovered that it was acrylic and NOT 100 coats of nail polish, hey! Don't judge, I was thirteen!

It's fun having a third outlet for my creativity on set.

Aqua Glitter Nails

Gold Leaf Nails

Soft Nude Nails

Fishnet Nails

Galaxy Nails

Purple Drop Nails

Reverse Halfmoon Nails

Bionic Nails

nail art

Saj Mack is a Professional Makeup Artist in Atlanta Georgia providing over 6 years experience in Beauty, Commercial, Film, Television, Special FX and more. See her work at www.makeupbysaj.com

Make Up For Ever Pro Brush Launch

Event: Make Up For Ever Pro Brush Launch

@ New Museum Sky Room NYC

What They Say: 

"As the fundamental tool for the MAKE UP FOR EVER universe, the brush has always been an essential element since the creation of the brand in 1984. The brushes have been developed and improved over time, and are now close to a new level of perfection.

WITH THIS COLLECTION’S LAUNCH, MAKE UP FOR EVER HAS CREATED TOOLS THAT WILL MEET BOTH THE MOST SPECIFIC DESIRES AND THE SIMPLEST OF NEEDS.

For the choice of materials, Dany Sanz, creator & Artistic director of the brand, selected from a variety of technological breakthroughs in terms of synthetic fibers of the most perfect quality, close to the silky softness that natural hair offered in the past.

The basic essential brushes have been combined with the most technical tools, for professionals with skillful strokes who seek out specific shapes and particular effects, especially for body painting.

The collection is both useful and highly creative, and it will meet all the needs and desires of make-up artists and make-up brush enthusiasts (foundation, blush and powder application, etc.) around the world.

With this new range of brushes, there is an even stronger link to the world of painting and artistic creation. MAKE UP FOR EVER is showing more than ever how close it is to the cutting edge of innovation with this bold, radical (choosing to create a range of 100%newsyntheticfibers), ambitious (a vast offer of 76 references) and highly creative (new shapes, original tools) collection."

Saj Mack is a Professional Makeup Artist in Atlanta Georgia providing over 6 years experience in Beauty, Commercial, Film, Television, Special FX and more. See her work at www.makeupbysaj.com

My (Natural) Hair Routine

Since I've posted a few instagram pics of my hair, I've been asked quite a few times as to what products I use, what my "hair routine" is etc.

I've shied away from answering because I in no way consider myself a "naturalista", not that there is anything wrong with it, I however simply consider my hair an accessory that I choose to change, wear , style as I feel like.

I've also been asked what my hair texture is, and I've heard a few "grades" being thrown around, same like weave, I only know tripple A batteries and Grade A eggs.... hair...I have no idea.

It's curly, puffy and confused at times lol, thats the best I can do!

Insta-fro

poof!

I went through a few products, some were products I always used when I was natural, but they didn't work any more, ( my hair and skin is not happy with Georgia water so everything is confused, bear with me..) others I liked but they left such awful residue in my hair by the second day, others made my skin (forehead) break out.

What I finally ended up trying was Curls: Effortless, Fizz Free Custom Curls Cocktails 

I really like the way these products work and smell! they smell amazing like marshmellows and coconuts..nom nom!

There is also ZERO product build up...no matter how much you gunk on daily and has no effect on my skin, which is important. When hair products get heated by the environment and by your scalp/body temperature, they can melt and run on to your face during the day causing massive breakouts.

This is why hiding acne with bangs is a no no!

Did I mention they smell amazing?! ^_^

Now for my routine, It really isn't anything special but here it is!


Cleansing:

-Shampoo with Cleansing Cream and Condition with Coconut Sublime Conditioner every Sunday

-Detangle with Quenched Curls

-Twist or Braid with Whipped Cream

-Air Dry

Styling:

-Refresh with Quenched Curls

-Comb out twists or braids

-Apply Whipped Cream

-Scrunch curls lol depending on the work day

-Done!

Products Used:

Cleansing Cream $15.00

Coconut Sublime Conditioner $20.00

Quenched Curls $16

Whipped Cream $17

My only need or want for these products would be shine, it could be my greedy hair, but I definitely feel the need to add a shine product to the mix, I will prob grab some coconut oil to add to the mix and see how it goes!

These can be purchased at your local Beauty Supply or Target

What do you use on your natural hair? Comment below!

More Iman...

Saj Mack is a Professional Makeup Artist in Atlanta Georgia providing over 6 years experience in Beauty, Commercial, Film, Television, Special FX and more. See her work at www.makeupbysaj.com

Clarisonic Mia

So yes I might be late to the party but have no fear I'm here!

I picked up my new Clarisonic Mia along with a Deep Pore Cleansing Brush Head from Sephora yesterday! I'm so excited to use it and hopefully get rid of the un-welcomed guests  ( eek!) that have been clogging my pores.

Clarisonic Mia $119

Deep Pore Cleansing Brush Head $25

I've only used it once and I love it already! I will be doing a full review in about 2-3 weeks after daily use ( morning and night time) so standby!

If you're on Vine follow me at Saj Mack! I posted a video using it for the first

Do you have a clarisonic mia? mia 2? Share! I'd love to hear your thoughts! comment below about this handy gadget! 

Clarisonic

Saj Mack is a Professional Makeup Artist in Atlanta Georgia providing over 6 years experience in Beauty, Commercial, Film, Television, Special FX and more. See her work at www.makeupbysaj.com

Make Up Forever Pro Road Show ATL Bridal Class

 

This past weekend, Make Up Forever hosted the 2nd Pro Road show in Atlanta where I had the pleasure of hosting a class on the Beauty and Business of Bridal.

For those who don't know check out my first post HERE on the Pro Road Show.

My Class Focused on the business of Bridal Beauty, not just from a marketing type perspective but from understanding how to successfully control what you as an artist wants from doing bridal.

Many say that the Bridal Industry is an artists "Bread and Butter" which can be true, but it can also become your "Steak and Potatoes"..... if you want it to be.

This was one of the main things I spoke on during my class, not being afraid of doing bridal! It's pretty rewarding to work with every day women who show so much appreciation for literally making their dreams come true.

                  

 

Decide what type of bridal artist you would like to be and simply work towards it!

Unfortunately we had such limited time, I honestly thought going in, I hope I have enough to share to cover a 90 minute class, turns out we needed a whole day!

I did speak on calculating your rates as a lot didn't know where to begin on deciding rates. I previously wrote a blog post here on working out your Daily Cost of Doing Business ( click for post) feel free to look at it and work this out for your self. Not only for bridal, but for every aspect of business to freelance artist. Fair warning! That post is half rant but very informative. I was having a moment that day :)

The business side ended with a mock consultation on my Bride to be, Road Show attendee Sophie, who met her fiance in a bar lol don't ask. Her bridal look is 100% all Make Up Forever Products, including the new Aqua Shadows which are amazing and will be added to my kit!

If you attended my class, I thank you for making the time to come and being so welcoming, I hope that everyone was able to take with them at least one thing that they learnt that day.

Thank you also to Michael and Mariel for having me and for putting together such an amazing event for Artists at all levels. It was truly a great feeling of community and knowledge.

Saj Mack is a Professional Makeup Artist in Atlanta Georgia providing over 6 years experience in Beauty, Commercial, Film, Television, Special FX and more. See her work at www.makeupbysaj.com

Fresh Sugar Kisses from Sephora

I stopped by Sephora to pick up my Beauty Insider birthday gift ( one of the many perks) and this time around it was Fresh Sugar Kisses Mini lip Duo set.

Fresh Sugar Lip Treatments not only give you the sweet pouts, but it's super moisturizing leaving you with perfectly soft yummy lips.

The set comes with Sugar Fresh Lip treatment, a no-colour balm with SPF 15 and  Sugar Rosé which is a tinted lip treatment, same quality nourishment but with a subtle hint of colour.

Sugar Rosé swatch left and Sugar swatch right

I really love how these make my lips feel (and taste), I'm almost out of my usual vitamin e stick for my professional  kit and definitely will be replacing it with this product!

I also picked up Philosophy: Eye Hope, a multitasking eye cream for dark circles, puffiness and lines, because well...let's face it...I'm not going to be 21 for ever....or maybe I will ;)  but just in case.

Hubby also scored some sweet samples, which the ladies at Sephora bestowed upon him for being "cute" and "waiting in a makeup store"

Have you tried any of these products? I'd love to hear what you think of them!

xx

Saj

fresh sugar

Saj Mack is a Professional Makeup Artist in Atlanta Georgia providing over 6 years experience in Beauty, Commercial, Film, Television, Special FX and more. See her work at www.makeupbysaj.com