Lights,Camera, Action at Jack Studios Chelsea

My day on the set of Jack Studios, 601 26th Street, NYC.

Chelsea, NYC I'm always looking for great on location spots to shoot fashion content for Best Picks Magazine and my Vanity Fair Looks page. We often shoot street-style here in NYC but as you saw from my reporting from Fashion Week 2015, weather and lighting conditions are often not ideal. This is especially important if you are doing a music video, commercial or film and need a controlled environment. This is when you will want to rent professional studio space for the day. 

Roy Schwalbach - President of Jack Studios

Lighting is Everything
I was told about Jack Studios which is conveniently located in Chelsea, at 601 West 26th Street between 11th and 12th Avenues. What you may not know is that this part of Manhattan does not have the same bedrock underpinnings of Midtown. Therefore there are not many skyscrapers in lower Manhattan which allows for gorgeous, unobstructed, natural lighting. I noticed this also in the West Village when we shot at Bobo Restaurant. Such is the case at Jack Studios which has amazing 360 degree sunlighting from all directions.

Roy showing me the incredible view & lighting in Studio 1.

Jack Studios (named after Roy's Chocolate Lab) has been in operation since 1995. Roy converted this building from a run down sewing shop to the bright connected space you see now with 8 stages that cover everything from commercials, print, video and feature films. The walls between stages are movable, allowing for even greater space and lighting possibilities. Jack Studios currently has over 850 active clients including Toyota, Dooney & Bourke,Vanity Fair, Victoria's Secret, MCM, and more usual suspects of the fashion world. The space also hosts live fashion shows, music events as well as operating as a show room for designers.

Iconic view of the New York Skyline

My Fashion Shoot at Jack Studios
Roy invited us to shoot our SS2015 Fashions & Accessories for Best Picks Magazine and my Vanity Fair Looks at his studio during our visit. We included his new line of elegant eye wear, namely The Super Model in Red Tortoise by Jack Eyes Sunglasses. 

On my way to one of the studios for the first shoot.

Jack Eyes Sunglasses, Cate & Chloe Jewelry

 

Travel Raincoat by ExOfficio. Winter Garden dress by Cindy & Johnny

This is just a tease, I know! More to come, I promise, for my Mother's Day special feature and on my Vanity Fair Looks Page. Suffice it to say that Jack Studios is the 5 star hotel of fashion studios. 2 million, three thousand square feet of naturally lit studio space. Absolutely immaculate, rest/makeup rooms and mirrors everywhere plus a Smoothie Bar to die for. Everything we needed was there on site. Editors, designers if you need space for your upcoming fashion shoot, runway show or a show room, THIS is the place to be. See more film, photography and fashion options online at JackStudios.com

How to Apply The Perfect Makeup Foundation: Runway Model Secrets

The perfect foundation begins with professional tools and the right color match for YOU!

It's no secret that in order to get model perfect makeup, you need the right tools to go along with technique. I've had the pleasure of being worked on by some of the best makeup artists in the industry for magazine layouts, video and television appearances. While I may not have their skills, I can get the best foundation match and use the same quality brushes that the pros do.

That's why I was so excited about the Kett Fixx Creme Foundations. I have the neutral palette and these very rich, creamy colors work very well with their Hydro Foundation which I apply via airbrush. I was using a Sonia Kashuk foundation brush with these which was not bad but often left streaks which needed to be buffed out. Then I was introduced to the Esum Line of makeup brushes by Muse Makeup Pro. The G47 is a very soft goat hair brush and is recommended for use with both creme and liquid foundations. Seriously, this brush made a BIG difference. No lines, no streaks, it basically buffs the foundation in as it's being applied.

Esum G47 is a very soft, natural creme foundation brush

esum G47 - Cream Foundation Brush: Created for perfecting the complexion. Goat hair provides sheer to medium coverage of your favorite cream foundation. Ideal for cream to liquid mediums.

Price:  $42.00

Kett Fixx Creme Foundations and Blush

esum G47:
One of the things that sets esum brushes apart is that natural bristle brushes, such as the G47 are super soft yet durable. That's because they are made from the "first cut" or the goat's birth coat which is always the softest. This entire line is crafted from cured birch wood handles and hand rolled brass ferrules. Natural hair fibers have a cuticle which allows the holding and distribution of makeup pigments onto the skin. I used the esum G47 slightly wet and then totally dry in my Kett Fixx Creme Foundation and Embryolisse Compact Foundation Creme. Either way the finish was gorgeous! The textured goat hair picks up the creme makeup and you see it on the bristles but as you buff it into your skin, the hair fibers turn white again. That's the cuticle transfer you want to see...from the pallet to the brush to your skin.

Embryolisse Compact Creme Foundation goes on like a dream with the G47

How to Apply the Perfect Makeup Foundation

Prime
Some of my tips and tricks from the runway and print work start with very clean but moist skin. I like Embryolisse Purifying Milk Wash followed up with their Hydra-Mat Emulsion for spring & summertime because it controls shiny breakthrough so well. Hydra-Mat Emulsion makes for the perfect primer-moisturizer and is pretty much all you need. If you need more "filler", I like MAC Prep + Prime Line Filler. It is somewhat thick and hard to apply but I tap it in over my completed makeup.

Makeup Foundation  Basics
Kett Cosmetics knows the basic rule that most of us are either golden (olive) or ruby-toned. Once you get this down, you'll be able to apply makeup that looks just like your own skin (only WAY better). If I am doing a photo-shoot, I apply the Kett Creme Foundation first with the esum G47 and then airbrush my Hydro Foundation over it. I generally don't need concealer as the creme foundation's coverage is so complete.

Finishing Touches 
I like to finish my look (contouring, highlighting & eye makeup) with Kett Shimmers and Liquid Metals. Kett Creme Blush is also one of my favorites and I apply it with a Beauty Blender Sponge. The only makeup I don't apply via airbrush is eyeliner and lipstick. That's it! Kett Cosmetics are virtually bulletproof and will not come off until you take it off. I've never had to retouch it even for outdoor action photo shoots and videos.

Tools With Intention Using the same tools as the pros do makes all the difference and I am going to enjoy updating you on my exploration of this gorgeous esum line of makeup artist brushes, namely their 14 Piece Pro Essential Brush Set. 

Esum 14 pc Pro Essential Brush Set

 
I'll be showing off my new look and technique for Vanity Fair's International Best Dressed List Challenge. Click HERE and check it out!

Makeup and brushes c/o Kett Cosmetics, Embryolisse Labs and Muse Beauty Pro respectively.