Help me make me over!!

So, this isn't really in terms of my crafting, because I do all sorts of things 'round these here parts ( :-P ), both for me and for others. This is in terms of me in real life, as well as when I act as model or makeup artist (I work quite a bit with those who work with cameras).

Before I went to school to be a MUA (makeup artist), I was GREAT with makeup. Sure, it wasn't the most technically correct all the time, but I wasn't afraid to step outside the box and try something crazy. This includes when I was making-up (lol) myself. Now, however, I tend to use the "correct" way, because it's the easy way--but alas! It is also BO-R-I-N-G, and I do it every day with the same colors and am sick of it!

I think what's even worse is my modeling. I am sooo tired of being "pretty" in all my shots. I want something new and edgy! This is a link to my online portfolio:

http://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/719735/viewall

Sure, there are some stellar photos in there, but do you see why I feel so pigeon-holed? In fact, it's gotten so extreme that it's bothering me in my "real" life. For the past week or so, I've felt the urge to do something completely irresponsible, ie: donning "'ho" makeup and ending up face-down in a gutter somewhere with booze, OR getting something pierced by someone who doesn't know what he's doing (hey, I did it once before), OR dying my hair purple, OR.... you get where I'm going with this.

I'm so pigeon-holed that I don't even know WHAT to do differently, or HOW to do it after I decide what I want to do. Does that make sense?

Maybe I'm just going through a quarter-life crisis... but in any case, what do you all think?

Specific ideas, as well as random inspiration and other bits and pieces, are more than welcome. Happy

Hopefully someone is still reading after such a long and incoherent rant. xD

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40 replies since 19th September 2010 • Last reply 19th September 2010

Reply #1:

I really can't help with the modeling part, your pictures are very nice, but is sounds like you want a change, which isn't a bad thing. I think everyone wants to do changes to themselves at one point or another in their lives.

Why not play with little changes to yourself like getting something pierce (safely) or pay with the color of your hair. You could even use wash out dyes. Maybe even cutting your hair will give you the change you are looking for. Another idea is that maybe you could dress up more edgier and get some pictures done to your portfolio.

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Reply #2:

Yeah--I'm unable to color or cut my hair; my agency would FREAK! I really want to BE edgier; right now I feel pretty boring. ;-D

I did get my belly button pierced the last time I had such a weird personality change. (A cute boy did it in college... it was his first belly button... but at least he'd done other piercings before, lol!)

I don't have a lot of money to create a new wardrobe, and I'm bored with what I have. I want a new style--again, something edgy, but "grown-up," you know?

I'm going to have my mom send some of my old, dead pointe shoes so I can gem/stud them for use on-set. I need ideas besides that, though.

I'd love to see some inspiring photos that are different and new to me, but still seem like "me." The bf has said I should go to DeviantArt. :-P

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Reply #3:

I used to model, and I got the sweet cute vibe alot.

first use more expression in your eyes, show anger, angst(kinda like a squint) narrow the eyes
stare down at the camera

don't put the chest out, try concave (c shape)

pratice infront of the mirror, try new angles

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Reply #4:

get the bf to take shots

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Reply #5:

Wow, my hair's irresponsible, you'd get on with my mother=/

Seriously, if you can't change your appearance because of your agency, maybe you should look for another agency, one that will allow you more freedom. Otherwise, your just gonna have to wear "edgy" stuff outside of modelling and put up with doing the same kinds of shoots over and over.

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Reply #6:

Since you are unable to cut or dye your hair, why not buy a wig or two to play around with. I love your pictures btw!!

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Reply #7:

I think you should try to do crazy new make up!Why not try a bright yellow eye lid that pops OR you can do a totally nude lip (void of all colour) and a dark eye.

I like these photos... maybe they will inspire you:

http://www.imageandstylenews.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/03/crazy-eye-makeup.jpg

http://www.buzzle.com/img/articleImages/385942-824-33.jpg

http://lalaroux.files.wordpress.com/2009/09/smeared-eye-make-up-1.jpg

http://cdn.trendhunterstatic.com/thumbs/eighties-eyes-high-drama-makeup-hits-the-runways.jpeg

you could even do something crazy with your lips:

http://www.hey-dollface.com/images/Spl94653_001%5B1%5D.jpg

I would also try to do a faux bob hairsyle or do an updo with a lot of volume.

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Reply #8:

Why not do some life modelling? You get great pictures, something a bit more daring and it's incredibly relaxing. I just used to read a book, go to sleep or do my shopping list.

Definitely get some wigs though, you have great hair and it would be a shame to cut it but wigs give you so much freedom.

Apply to some fetish sites maybe? Do some latex work? Nothing trashy but something like this?

http://www.atsukokudo.com/shop-page.php?page=Latex-Rubber-Halter-Neck-Ball-Gown

Hope this helps xx

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Reply #9:

I know how you feel. I have a DA that I've posted my modeling shots in the past and I feel so much like "another pretty face" But I'm freelance so I have the freedom of changing up my look however many times I like and I love using wigs in my shoots. However, the sad part with being an agency model is that you have to project the image that they want you to project. I think the photo of you in the red tube dress with the curly hair is pretty edgy though. You look like you stepped right out Drew Barrymore's Poison Ivy movie in that shot. All the others you tend to look like the typical girl next door.

I suggest you hire a photographer to take some new photos for you away from your agency. Sleek back your hair. Make sure the photographer is really good with lighting. Playing with the lighting in your shoots more will edge it up. Stop sticking your chest out in your photos and look the camera straight on in all of your photos. Have you noticed over 90% of your pictures are profile? Not good. Smoke up your eyes so they are very dark and go monochromatic with the rest of your face and clothing. I like the photo of you with the nude lips but the light behind you drives me crazy. Not your fault- whoever set up the shoot didn’t do a good job of it. And relax in your photos. You’re way too tense and it comes across as a pose rather than a fluid movement captured. The top 3 photos on your portfolio are slightly more relaxed and you can see the difference. You just need to relax a little more than that. I think you’re completely capable of being a more edgy model; you’ve got a great face for make-up. It just takes practice.

I hope that helps. Good luck with it Happy

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Reply #10:

If it's a question of style, you can totally reinvent that on a budget. I LOVE going through thrift stores and goodwill, you can find amazing things to work with for really cheap. And since you can't do much in terms of coloring or cutting your hair, what about experimenting with new updo's and styling techniques? If you work around that you could develop makeup looks to go with your hair. My hair is crazy long and boring and by doing that It really does make a difference in the way I feel and look, and with your modeling think outside the box with photos and poses, don't be afraid to get crazy body language translates into photography really well so you maybe challenge yourself to loosen up or get a little crazy.

great shots by the way! Happy

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Reply #11:

Halloween is coming up.
Blood...guts...gore ._O!
(You have no idea how excited I am lol I get to do horror makeup for a movie for a little film festival at school...AHHHHHHH ♥_♥)

You know I don't know that much about the makeup world and agencies yet o^_^o
But maybe something a little on the darker side? Sharp contouring, dark eyes, even darker lips, a snarl here and there?

Or maybe even makeup masks?
Didn't you once tell me about a pop art bit you did on someone else?
Call me selfish, but I'd just love to see that Tongue

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Reply #12:

LOL!!!! The top 3 photos in my port--I was 2 or 3 vodka+red bulls into that shoot. ;) That was a great shoot for many reasons, some of which were the professionalism+the exposure it gained me+their coolness with having a little alchy on the job. :-P

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Reply #13:

I agree with Pink. Try looking at the camera, no profile

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Reply #14:

Thanks, everyone; you've been helping immensely.

I'm not sure about thrift shops here; they are actually usually pretty expensive--the one down the street is charging the equivalent of $45 for an old, out-of-style dress! I don't see how they stay in business.....

I knew I could get a lot of different perspectives by coming here. Happy

Also, I'm not sure how life drawing works around here, though I know how it works in the USA. Maybe I'll give it a shot? Happy

Thanks for the ideas, and please feel free to keep them coming. :-D

xoxo

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