Music Video

Check out The Hold Steady music video which aired the song "Stay Positive"'.  It was directed by Jake Davis and we used a green screen for most of the shots.  Call time for the shoot was at 4 pm and I ended up cutting two of the guys hair and really pimping them out with makeup.  

The link to the video is on the top right, The Hold Steady.

Meagan Hester

Makeup and Hair by Meagan Hester

LIGHTING!

I was just asked if lighting matters on shoots and my answer was......  

Yes lighting matters the best lighting is natural light.  At all coast avoid fluorescent lights it washes out the skin and creates a harsh look.  Lighting should be thrown evenly on the face which will avoid shadows and hard lines.  Imagine your doing a makeup application and half of the face is shadows what do you think your going to get, not a pretty site.  

Also think about the look is it a day look or a night look you want to maybe consider a light design which can adjust.  Lighting should also be along the side of the mirror or at face level..  

If your really want to get professional you may want to buy a halogen lamp like Tungsten halogen lamp.  They are costly but this is your career in makeup.  But if your lucky you will be in the studio were they have strip lighting.

SO YES LIGHTING IS IMPORTANT!

I have had some awful picture's because of neglect of lights.

Meagan Hester 

DEMI Magazine November 2008

Check out my work in Demi magazine Nov 2008 issue at http://www.demi.fi/....

Preview of new work,,,, Lets get it Published!!!

Makeup & Hair by Meagan Hester

Photographer: Caitlin Mitchell

Stylist: COOL Chris

This shoot was inspired by a location.  I am so proud of this work, the dynamics of the stylist, photographer and models were fantastic.  I can't wait to see the outcome of the shoot we are hoping to get it published in a high fashion magazine.  Wish me luck!!!!!   

Did you ever look back on the path you took and say, "wow how did I get here?"

Why do I chime in sometimes with this thought because wow, really I am so thankful for the opportunity's which have been giving to me.  I've learned allot from friends from old friends from old relationships.  I'm that person who learns after they loose something, unfortunate I know...  Like a kid that was told don't touch that and what do they do they touch it...  That's me, well fortunate enough for me I have finally seen the light people...  I know better maybe it was my journey of loosing great people in my life that I wish i had never did wrong or my journey of reckless behavior or maybe the mixture of both.  

For those of the people that I have did wrong, trust me I have learned my lesson and my faults.  Thats the whole thing with life experiences; learning from your mistakes and fixing those mistakes.  With out that journey I would have never became the woman I have become.  I see people who are so confused and going down the path I have once crashed down and its scary to watch and all I want to do is shake them and wake them up.  But you cant because the only person that wakes them up is them self.  When I was reckless, I was extremely reckless; selfish, and lost fantastic people because of my actions.  I didn't realize my talents and I just felt so blaghzey about things.  Work, well in those years I bar tended and drank more alchol then I sold.  I tended to find ways to really hurt the people I love.  My family looked at me like I was hopeless, I was a disaster.  I had a boyfriend that cared allot and I thought the relationship was disposable, everything was disposable.  

Until now, I woke up one day, and realized after my family didn't know what to do, and the relationship was through.  Pretty much I just had enough of my self.  That's when I realized maybe I should put what I love into a craft.  I always loved makeup and hair,  I remember being yelled at for always wearing eyeliner, so funny.  I wish I thought of it sooner, but this path I took with all the bumps and bruises I gained along  the way, brought me here.  I know I have talent and I have desires to succeed.  I know I am capable of more and I know I love making people feel great after I do there makeup and hair.  Now realizing my talents I want to go the farthest a person can go I guess I am determined.  So determined I even wrote determination on my wrist.  Corny, well when ever I look at my wrist it stands for allot.  It stands for all the things that have made me in the person who is starring in the mirror today.  Those issues that were once there and burned  bridges which will never be burned again.  So when you see me do makeup or hair it means more to me then what is presented.  It is the opening of a life that I never thought I was capable of having and I am actually doing it, living it and loving it.  So for the people that knew me a couple of years ago this is a different person a person that has survived, and if you really knew me you will understand what I really did survive.   Thank you for reading my thoughts.

See you on top,

Meagan Hester

"Excuse the grammar, awful I know." 

Check out Mehron's makeup line...

Here's a sample of work I did for Mehron. 

Check out Mehron's website they are the top sellers for theater, beauty and airbrush makeup.  I will be working with Mehron exclusively building there character kits.  Keep your eyes out for my work.  Werewolf's, bald caps, zombie's and even basic beauty. 

Starting to get bussyyy

Maybe its the season Halloween and all,,, but Ive been getting ridiculous amounts of phone calls two days before a day before...  So crazy, I'm even freelancing for Sephora on fifth ave for Eye Envy for a few hours.  Were did all of these calls come from????   So crazy, I can't complain once your name is recognized the word is spread around...  

So lets have a re cap of tomorrow first queen Elizabeth makeup for Halloween, then Sephora were I will be freelancing, then vampire makeup, body painting of dark angels, then a leopard makeup....  Then I get to rest or maybe I will get a chance to do my makeup and get in the festivities...  See how crazy a life of a makeup artist can be....

I will definitely keep you posted with some pictures....

My mind is spinning from just thinking about tomorrow... 

Wish me luck....

And oh yeah I will see you on top..

Meagan Hester    

The Gay Blades

"The Gay Blades", if you haven't checked them out I suggest that you do.   I never heard of them until I was called by Chell Stephan who was the director of this music video.  As the music video progressed I found the sound to there music fun and soothing.  As for the two guys that are the  show they were filled with great energy and laughs.  James and Quinn were fantastic they bought a great performance, and completely made me a fan.  The song "O shot", had catchy lyrics and great beats.  Keep your eyes put for "The Gay Blades".  If you check out there myspace page they have a schedule of there tour.  After we wrapped up yesterday they hit the road with there bags and van were there tour began in Pennsylvania.  I think this group is going to be around for a bit.  Keep your eyes open for there music video "O Shot".  

Working on music videos are great experiences you meet lots of great people and form contacts.  Alot of makeup artist tend to hate music videos due to there long hours and early call times but I think there fantastic.  Black20 productions was a delight to work for including producer Sam Winters and Chell was a pleasant director.  

Photo Shoot with Gavin Thomas

Makeup and Hair: Meagan Hester

Photographer: Gavin Thomas

Stylist: Sarah Seixeiro

" I fell in love with this model, she was absolutely beautiful.  Her skin was flawless and her legs went on for days."

Through others eyes

This business is so frustrating but I'm not going to let it beat me.  Defeat to something you love is a weakness and its really easy to just throw in the towel.  Looking for work is crazy but there are great places that can assist you on your journey like mandy.com and if you went to a school ask if they have a job website or were the best places for work is.  Once people use you, hopefully you've left a great impression because they will call you again.  

I grew up with very little resources but fortunately I have a great backbone just in case work collapses.  My main resource is my older sister, she has become my punching bag, my guidance, my energy and let me just say I'm not the best person to deal with when I'm down and out.  "Who is?"  No, i definitely put the icing on the cake when it comes to my sister.  Thank god she pretty much is in the same field that I am in, ENTERTAINMENT.   She is an actress, writer, producer; you name it she's doing it or has done it.  Even she has her struggles, so when I seem to be bitching about what to do, I instantly check my self because to build a structure there has to be a base of foundation.  

So maybe the whole thing about life is to learn from others and work as hard or harder for what you dream.  I feel like I woke up out of my blurred vision about two years ago and everything in life has tend to fall together with out worrying about it.  Except minor issues, but we wont go in that direction.  But career wise I have never been more focused and I'm happy to have a great sister to learn from.  If she's reading this she might think I've become soft, but I think I'm a bit older and wiser.  

To get a idea of my sisters work check out Hesterhouseproductions.com, she always has some new project brewing.  A play or a film she's got her hands in there.  There's also a picture of her above, this picture was taking for a carnival feel, for a Hesterhouse promotion card. 

Take care and see you on top,

Meagan Hester

Syracuse University Fashion Show

Key Makeup Artist BillyB

Other Makeup Artist Included Meagan Hester

Video Made by Sugarcamp Productions, PhilCoccioletti

This show was a great experience.  BillyB was the Key Makeup Artist and Johnny Lavoy was also one of the artist.  The show was fantastic and BillyB was the highlight of my night.  

Sugarcamp Productions created the video and they also create great acting, makeup artist, hair stylist and model reels.  You can call Phil directly at (212)691-4040 or there website www.sugarcampfilms.com/Index.swf , he is a genius at creating reels.  That's definitely a necessity for any professionals website a fantastic Reel to showcase your work.

Makeup and Weapons

Makeup and knife application by: Meagan Hester

Appliance Sculpture (knife) by: Matt Fitzpatrick

Video made by: Matt Fitzpatrick

Model: Jessica Hester

This was a test for BRAVO TV, we were to create a knife that could stay on a model while she walk down a runway.  Matt and I plan to have a photo shoot with a more professional look so that his pieces that were made can be show cased.  To see more of his work go to my link Matt Fitzpatrick Art Portfolio.

Financially Struggling

I feel as though it is a right of passage of a makeup artist/hair stylist to struggle.  Its like theres a tag placed on you that once you start in this field financially you become set back.  I'm starting to realize I'm not the only one.  Looking for your next job whether it be a TFP or actually getting paid its part of the chapters of the story which are about to be writing.  Who knows you? Well if you read my other blogs you can figure out what I'm going to say you are the key to your survival.   I'm in the position right now were I don't want to be categorized as just film/TV or print/ runway, I want to do it all.  Plus a double problem I love SPFX makeup and basic makeup, so to market myself is double the work.  Everyone says that you have to choose!  I don't want too! I like both and I feel creatively I get to explore so many different sides of my talents.  Above is character FX makeup that I did while attending the Makeup Designory in LA, California.   It was definitely a challenge for me but I loved every minute.  If you really want to do both I say why not.  I'm going to dive in and try and hopefully you will too.

Meagan Hester

Makeup & Hair

Bathroom Story

This photo shoot was inspired by Manhattan Night life, mainly there bathrooms, its so funny how shoots end up forming.  The photographer on this shoot was Caitlin Mitchell and the stylist were Chris and Sable.  We wanted a CRAZY girl, exploring NYC bathrooms.  We went to different locations and pretty much ambushed there bathrooms to get the right shot.  We even got kicked out of a bar because the bouncer thought that we were doing drugs. "What's wrong with three girls going in the bathroom together."  It was a fun and crazy night......  

Makeup & Hair by Meagan Hester

Photographer: Gavin Thomas (NYC)

"Working with great photographers is a key essential for having a fantastic book."

Well well so I want to be a FAMOUS Makeup Artist!

Boys and Girls so do I!  I too am wishing for my discovery, constantly taking jobs and test shoots just to build my book..  When is it going to happen?  Are you like me you want it now, uurrgh so frustrating.  The known makeup artist are always around I go to makeup shows and I see BillyB, Johnny Lavoy and Eve Pearl and my eyes light up because I see where I want to be..  Its not the fame its that glory feeling like wow I did it.  I did it, and I did it on my own...  

What do we do as unknown artist well I can only tell you what I do.  I BUILD!!!

Build your reputation, go to makeup shows, show your face...  Call people stay connected, when you meet another artist exchange info...   You want to be in contact with as many people as possible in the industry.  Its a small circle, and the percentage of artist that are known are small...  But become a name, I my self is Meagan Hester....  Introduce your self with your full name, make sure they know who you are...  Market wisely!

Still unsure about how to do things, just create your brand....   Like Pepsi or GUESS.....   You know who they are what they sell..  Well they started from no were and you are too.   So make things happen create a website, build a blog, create a myspace, facebook, anything that can get your name out and what you do...  Get business cards that show you, let me make a suggestion, no pictures guys......  Those business cards should look classy...  Got it.... (Above is a picture of my business card.)

First impressions are lasting impressions, so make sure they see you for you..  You are your business so would you neglect a business and let it go bankrupt or would you feed it with good spirits and tools to succeed..  YES,,, the answer to that is YES!!!   Create a strong environment for what you are trying to provide.  If its makeup let them see your work....   Stay encouraged, if you want I am on facebook and myspace become my friend and you can start your networking experience today..

Stay strong,,, see you at the top...

Meagan Hester

Makeup & Hair

 

 Makeup and Hair by Meagan Hester

Keeping cool...

There are moments in this industry were you have to check your self...  For example I was on a shoot over the weekend were the designer wanted the same makeup for 12 looks.  This is were you have to decide to hold your self back.  Yes creatively you want to show your talent and also get great pictures for your book.  I had a moment and then I centered my self and moved on..  

Between you and me I did tweek the makeup every once in a while during the course of the shoot and the designer loved it.  

So they're are moments were we as artist wont be able to express our work and creatively be free.  Those moments will actually be a test of your personality.  Be calm and just roll with the day.

See you at the top...

Meagan Hester

Work from my Portfolio

Makeup and Styling by Meagan Hester

Photography by Caitlin Mitchell

This shoot was actually shot out of a salt water swimming pool in Westchester, NY.

We took over 300 frames and the pictures came out beautiful.  Some of the shots were underwater as well.  For Underwater I used makeup that would not come off, mainly water proof and creme eyeshadows.  It was a cold day but the end results were perfect.  To see more of my work I have an online portfolio on DRIPBOOK.

Building a strong Portfolio

Do as many test shoot as possible to build a strong portfolio.  Try to shoot with different photographers and different models.  Always show the range of your skill.  If your deal is to get into print and runway its a necessity to have a strong book.  

Sometimes you will start to build a relationship with the photographer that she/he will always call you for a shoot just on the basis of your skill and personality.  

As a freelance artist unfortunately we don't have people booking us gigs, unless you become apart of an agency.  Our books are our main tools.  I purchased my book at The House Of Portfolio right in Manhattan.  They have Variety of colors, textures to choose form..  Based on your personality choose one that will sell you.  Books there get pricey and a decent book can run about $400.00 to $500.00 so make sure its a book you will never get bored with.  

Building a strong portfolio will take time, train your eye become your own critique.  Take a step back from it, and make sure that you are placing high quality pictures, and make sure they are airbrushed.  If you are clueless on your portfolio there is a portfolio class at The Makeup Designory in NY and LA.  Also Crystal Wright is an author on a book about marketing your self and gives great advice on your actual portfolio book...

Good look, Ill see you on top.

Meagan Hester

The Journey and Keys to Sucess as a Makeup Artist

Become a success....   Realize and know you are a success it will come to you.  If you have problems visioning it buy the book , "The Secret".   It is a key to train your mind to think what you would like to receive.  I started to believe that I wanted to change my life.  I wanted to become someone who made a mark in history, no I'm not there yet but I am setting goals each day of were I want to be.  

Four years ago I was waisting away in a bar,,, "literally".  I was a bartender in a small town and I didn't do anything else but that.  I started to do drugs and drink and I wasn't realizing that I had bigger dreams and passions.  I knew I wanted to change....  From that point on I stopped drinking , stopped doing drugs, changed my friends, my job, changed everything.  

I knew I was always into hair, makeup and fashion so I started to take classes.  I got my license in NY state for Hair, and then continued to want more.   I started working in a salon that was one of the best salons in Westchester NY, Richard Scott Salon.  That was the best training out of anything I was thrown in to working with clients and great coworkers and bosses.  

But I still wanted more, I then left the salon and moved to LA, California.  Were I enrolled in the Makeup Designory in Burbank.  I took intensive classes on SPFX Character makeup and basic beauty.   I learned my skills with my brushes and my airbrush machine.  I even got into a worldwide competition for prosthetics right after school.  I was determined.

I came back to NY and now I have worked on film sets with great directors like Tracey Moore- Marable...  I've had the privilege to meet VNiels and also work on a runway show with BillyB.  In such a short amount of time......

The key is to think you are successful, know you are capable and own your skills as an artist.  I cant wait to see the rest of my journey, but I definitely know I couldn't of done it without support from family and friends.  Keep your life positive and keep your self strong and productive.  

Be THANKFUL everyday....

See you on top...

Meagan Hester 

Educate your craft as a Makeup Artist

Educate your craft.  Becoming a top Artist is all about keeping up with the trends.  If not for your self educating your craft is the fuel for your career.  Constantly giving your self an edge on the makeup artist who is next to you.  You need to know, you never know everything about your career.  There are constantly new techniques, skills to improve and a better awareness of color theory.  

Why set your self up for disaster and be an average artist, when you can know you are a better and stronger artist.  

Good places in NY to find education is MUD (Make-up Designory), Rouge Makeup Studio and even The Powder Group has workshops which are available.   Search the web for some training, you never know to much...

See you on top.

Meagan Hester

Finding Work

I found it useful if you find a source.  Lets say you want to do weddings; a brides makeup and hair for there big day.  Make well with a catering hall or many catering halls, bring comp cards business cards and create a deal with the director.  This will enable a more productive business flow for the market you want to work in.  Every time you get work from this catering hall be grateful send a percentage of money you are comfortable with to the director.  It will able you to grow a friendship and business relationship.  When you are grateful to people it is recognized and more work will come your way.

Keep your head up this business is tough.

Ill see you on top.

Meagan Hester

The fight of a Makeup Artist & Hair Stylist..

How many of you have struggled and wanted something so badly.  Well keep reading because I am going to take you through the journey of a struggling artist.  So many of us want to be the next BillyB or the next VNiels where ever you are don't quit.  

I'm going to tell you this journey is hard and sometimes it may seem like you are there.  One day your doing a runway show with BillyB and the next day your just wondering how your going to find your next gig.  

Your morale goes from being the best to am I ever going to make it were I see my self.  If you have ever felt this way don't let the fight drag you down.  Know where your goals are surround your self around caring and supportive people.

Ill keep you posted and trust me you will see me on top and I hope to see you there too.

Great Love,

Meagan Hester

Makeup & Hair

New York