Mary Kay Inspiring Stories- Red Carpet/Q&A

Last night I attended the premiere for three films that Mary Kay made to bring awareness to Women's violence issues.  I was clearly struck by the severity of the issue and met with some of the women featured in the video.  One of them who had been a model, was actually locked up by her boyfriend in her apartment and not allowed to go anywhere without him.  

Maria Menounos (“Extra”), JoAnna Garcia Swisher (“Better with You”), Alexa Vega (“Spy Kids”) joined forces through the Mary Kay Inspiring Stories program to unite their voices to make a difference. Mary Kay^® encourages millions to join in the fight against domestic violence from September 28^th through October 31^st at MaryKayInspiringStories.com.  With each view we can change the future of domestic violence today. 

Through Mary Kay Inspiring Stories the company will support donations to domestic violence shelters nationwide. America can join the cause in three ways: viewing and sharing the films at marykayinspiringstories.com, purchasing a Mary Kay Beauty that Counts™ Creme lipstick, or becoming a fan of Mary Kay at facebook.com/marykay. Mary Kay will be making over $80,000 in donations with a special $20,000 donation in the name of the crew behind the most viewed film. Additionally, from Sept. 1 – Oct. 31, Mary Kay Inc. will donate $1 to the Mary Kay Foundation for every new Facebook fan – up to $1 million.  And, consumers can join Mary Kay in its effort to change the lives of women and children around the world through the purchase of a limited-edition* Beauty that Counts™ Mary Kay^® Creme Lipstick.  In the U.S., from Sept. 15 through Dec. 15, 2011, $1 will be donated to the Mary Kay Foundation from each purchase of “Give Hope,” “Give Joy” and “Give Dreams,” lipstick shades to assist the Foundation’s efforts to end domestic violence.

 

En honor al Mes de  Concientización Sobre La Violencia Doméstica, Mary Kay® anuncia el debut de una serie de documentales para resplandecer una luz sobre esta importante causa a nivel nacional.  Mujeres de todo  del país junto a las celebridades Maria Menounos (“Extra”), JoAnna Garcia-Swisher (“Better with You”) y Alexa Vega (“Spy Kids”), unieron sus voces y esfuerzos a través del programa Mary Kay Historias de Inspiración para efectuar un cambio positivo.  Mary Kay® invita a millones de personas a unirse a la lucha en contra de la violencia doméstica del 28 de septiembre al 31 de octubre a través del sitio web: MaryKayHistoriasdeInspiracion.com.  Con cada visita a este sitio podemos cambiar el futuro de la violencia doméstica, ahora.

Por su parte, los consumidores también podrán unirse a Mary Kay®  en su esfuerzo por cambiar la vida de mujeres y niños alrededor del mundo a través de la compra los lápices labiales cremosos de edición limitada de Mary Kay® de Belleza que si cuenta™.  En EUA, del 15 de Sept. al 15 de Dic. de 2011, Mary Kay Inc. donará un dólar de la compra de cada lápiz labial en los tonos - Give Hope, Give Joy  y Give Dreams - a la Fundación Mary Kay en sus esfuerzos por acabar con la violencia doméstica.

The red carpet:
 



The Q&A session:

Mexico lindo! @ Mara Hoffman Spring 2012

 Frida Kahlo (top left) was the inspiration for Mara Hoffman's Spring 2012 hair & makeup look

For Spring 2012, Hoffman turned to Mexico for inspiration even bringing out a mariachi band at the beginning of the presentation.  Incorporating folkloric prints and embroideries into her rompers, dresses, shorts, and blouses, then adding her own modern, urban touch through sheer fabrics, exaggerated silhouettes, asymmetrical hemlines, and technicolor accents. As an ode to the late Frida Kahlo, TIGI hairstylist Nick Irwin created massive braids and twisted them atop models' heads. But, instead of creating the crown-like form associated with Kahlo's signature updo, which involves a single thick braid running from the back of one ear to the back of the other ear in an arc-like shape along the top and center of the head, Irwin took the braided strands and twisted them in pretzel-like formations for more exaggerated, spiraling 'dos — some of which could've rivaled Carmen Miranda's headdresses in height. To add even more Kahlo charm, colorful printed ribbon strips were woven into models' strands, rosette accents were tucked inside their updos, and tall blades grass were occasionally tucked along the back of models' heads.

The MakeUpForEver team, meanwhile, conjured up Kahlo's spirit by giving the 
models' skin a golden bronzed glow, particularly along the top of the cheeks, and darkening their brows for a stronger overall look (thankfully, they circumvented the temptation to give them faux unibrows). To complete the Coyoacán-ready accouterments, Hoffman enlisted Holst and Lee to create threaded rope and seed bead necklaces in vibrant colors and to produce custom wedge sandals featuring wooden soles and woven straps incorporating her new Spring 2012 prints (tying the footwear back to the apparel).

Check out the presentation here:

Work backstage @ NY Fashion week next year!!

Sebastian Professional is calling hairstylists of all kinds to submit their most creative work in the What's Next Sebastian Challenge.

Submit a photo of your best beauty creations to the Challenge website and you could win a trip to attend New York Fall '12 Fashion Week (February 2012)!  Fans can vote on their favorite looks and a panel of Sebastian gurus will judge the top ten finalists at a live event in Berlin, Germany!

The theme is "Cosmic Infinity"- and remember the hair they want has no limitations so let your imagination go!!!

Submissions are accepted through the end of November, and you can get online and vote for your favorite ones now!!

And if you are a makeup artist, you can also enter for a chance to win a trip to the judging in Berlin.  All the info is here:

https://www.whatsnextchallenge.com/en-EN/get_started

Nuevo segmento en Despierta America para Mary Kay

Ese dia trabaje con las bellas chicas Venezolana Chiqui Delgado (conductora de Despierta America)  Ella no es solamente una de las mujeres mas bellas que he maquillado pero tambien una LINDA persona!

Chiqui Delgado maquillada por Luis Casco. Miami 2011

y de Argentina Rossina Grosso.

Rossina Grosso- modelo de Sabado Gigante para Mary Kay

El punto de el segmento fue como yo le explique a Rossina que no tiene que usar muchos productos sino que pocos que de verdad le funcionen.  Aqui esta el video

Lights-Camera-Action! Mary Kay is on the screen!

From L-R Joanna Garcia Swisher, Alexa Vega, Maria Menonous all participate in Mary Kay Inspiring Stories

I'm very excited to see the finished product at the premier of the short films Mary Kay's Inspiring Stories teams created earlier this year!!!
Here are some details if you didn't know about it:
The Mary Kay^® Inspiring Stories program hopes to inspire, educate, and create a conversation on the issue of Domestic Violence through the creation of three empowering documentaries.


Three all-female crews each had the chance to create, produce, and direct a documentary that will share inspiring stories of women — young and old — who have been affected by domestic violence. In the past 3 years 80% of shelters report an increase in women seeking assistance for domestic violence. Creating these documentaries allowed participants to offer support and inspiration to women to help end the cycle of violence. The films will be viewed online and at a Premiere Event to spread a powerful message of hope and prevention, on September 27th 2011.


The filmmakers worked with inspiring female celebrities who narrated the films and put their voices behind this cause, including our female celebrity narrators JoAnna Garcia Swisher and Alexa Vega and Maria Menounos! All they had was their passion for the cause and our professional crew taught them the rest.


Y en Español:
El programa Mary Kay^® Historias de Inspiración fue creado para inspirar, educar e iniciar un diálogo sobre el tema de la violencia doméstica a través de la creación de tres poderosos documentales.


Cada uno de los tres equipos de producción, integrado por mujeres solamente, tuvo la oportunidad de crear, producir y dirigir un documental que relata las historias de inspiración de mujeres - jóvenes y maduras - que han sido afectadas por la violencia doméstica. En los últimos tres años, el 80% de albergues han reportado un incremento en el número de mujeres en busca de ayuda por causas de violencia doméstica. La creación de estos documentales les permitió a las participantes la posibilidad de brindarles apoyo e inspiración a otras mujeres con el fin de ayudar a erradicar el ciclo de violencia. Los documentales se podrán ver a través de internet y en una Premier para difundir un mensaje poderoso de esperanza y prevención el 27 de septiembre del 2011.


Las cineastas trabajaron junto a celebridades como las actrices y filántropas de descendencia Latina, JoAnna Garcia Swisher y Alexa Vega y la famosa conductora, escritora y actriz Maria Menounos, quienes participarán como narradoras de los documentales, demostrando su fuerte apoyo a esta causa al aportar sus voces famosas. Solamente contaban con su pasión por la causa y nuestro equipo de profesionales les enseñó el resto.


Want to do your part?  Purchase one of Mary Kay's "Beauty that Counts" lipsticks- Great way to help women by supporting The Mary Kay Foundation in its efforts to end domestic violence.




And the colors and formulas are great:

Mary Kay Limited Edition Beauty that Counts lipsticks. http://www.marykay.com/color/lips/limitededitionbeautythatcounts/default.aspx?ab=lghp_beautythatcounts

Individual lash fun!

Individual lashes-makeup by luis casco

After watching all the "barely there" makeup looks that we are seeing on the runways for Spring 2012 I remembered one of my favorite looks to do, it's quick, easy and for sure a crow pleaser!  In the picture above all I used was a white pencil in the water line and then smudged a light shadow on the lid.  Afterwards I started applying Ardell indiviual lashes in medium and short flare.  Mind you this shot was taken in the makeup room before I was finished and with my phone- it is by no means the final look (I will post when I get it)   The point is that this is a look any makeup artist can do to create impact but in very little time.

The trick is that for individual lashes you should use the individual lash glue (the one that goes on clear)  It is a little tackier feeling and it doesn't move as much.  Also, I'd recommend you curling and doing one coat of mascara on the natural lashes before you apply the individuals-trust me it will make your job a lot easier!

Here's the glue I use for individual lashes: http://www.ardelllashes.com/product/?id=105

Great inexpensive lashes: http://www.ardelllashes.com/product/?id=91

And here's their video on how to apply them properly:

best makeup looks from NYFW spring 2012- MONIQUE LHUILLIER

Hands down one of my favorite looks has been Val Garland's cobalt blue graphic eyeliner for Monique Lhullier for MAC:

Spring 2012 makeup trends- Monique Lhullier by Val Garland

 

 

Check out the backstage instructions for her assistants (click on the picture to see every product)  Face and Body foundation over moisturizer for that natural glow!:

Spring 2012 makeup trends- Monique Lhuillier by Val Garland for MAC.

And face chart:

Spring 2012 makeup trends- Monique Lhuillier by Val Garland for MAC

Working the look on the runway:

Spring 2012 makeup trends- cobalt blue eyeliner at Monique Lhullier

Afro-Latinas in Hollywood! My new work in "Essence"

L-R Tatyana Ali,Lauren Velez,  Melissa De Souza,  Judy Reyes.  Essence Magazine  Oct. 2011 Photo by Derek Blanks, Makeup Luis Casco

Out in October's "Essence" magazine is a story I worked on.  It is all about being Black and Latina in Hollywood.  These ladies were SO much fun to work with, the photographer was the super talented Derek Blanks and to top it all off, we listened to salsa all day!  It is really wonderful to see them recognized for their amazing body of work but it is also commendable for Essence to feature Latinas who are also of African descent.


I think most people forget that Latinas come in every shade (yes blondes and even black!)  but that overall we are all united by an amazing sense of pride in our cultures.  These ladies all talked to me about how they are finding it easier for Hollywood to identify them as "Latinas" while they used to assume they were black.  If you hear Lauren or Judy speak Spanish- you would never doubt it!


As far as beauty routine goes, these ladies stayed true to the Latina spirit of loving makeup!  They loved me using MAC's bright pigments on their eyes, asked for lipstick changes after they changed outfits (usually asking for a little more color!)  and LOVED their false lashes and TONS of mascara!!!


I applaud them for their spirit and know that they had maybe a little something to do with the success of their contemporaries like Rosario Dawson and Zoe Saldaña!!!


I leave you here with a song we heard that day a couple of times!  Lauren Velez' performing as "La Lupe":