Krystle Morris, owner/stylist of Blue Cameo Salon, backcombs model Emily Mock's hair for our Lady Gaga-inspired photo shoot. MIKE SIMONS/Tulsa World
Jennifer Thomason at the MAC counter in Saks, Utica Square, did the makeup for the shoot. MIKE SIMONS/Tulsa World
The finished look, head-to-toe -- perfect for a night out on the town before, during and after the Gaga concert. MIKE SIMONS/Tulsa World
Sadly, we couldn’t find a meat dress anywhere in Tulsa.
Yeah, we could’ve made one; but I’m on Weight Watchers, and I think it best to abandon my fantasies of a bacon corset.
Nevertheless, we found a fun, concert-worthy outfit for Emily Mock, our Linda Layman model extraordinaire, who was our guinea Gaga for the day. As you will see and read in Thursday’s Weekend entertainment guide in the Tulsa World, we did Emily’s hair and makeup, then dressed her in something fun, as if she was going to paint the town Gaga the night of the big concert (Monday, if you’ve been under a rock).
However, we only had so much space to devote a blow-by-blow account of the maestros’ work on hair, makeup and wardrobe, so I thought I’d take time now to tell you a little bit more about what they did.
9:50 a.m.I go to Starbucks, as a fashion shoot is NEVER complete with caffeine – a grande skinny caramel latte for me (only 3 Dubya Dubya points, thank you very much); a cinnamon something-something for Emily; and a lemonade blah-blah-blah for Krystle Morris.
10:05 a.m.Everyone’s already at Krystle’s Blue Cameo Salon, 1717 E. 17th St. (perhaps one of THE easiest addresses to remember – and one of the coolest salon spaces, as it used to be a bakery, and there’s this cool little lounge area off to the side that used to be a big oven. But I digress …)
10:10:37 a.m.Mike Simons, our awesome World-ly photographer, snaps shots and shoots video while Krystle begins back-combing Emily’s gorgeous red hair.
“We’re going to dirty up her hair,” said Krystle, who reminded me that unwashed hair is easier to shape, especially for the futuristic updo she’s envisioned for Emily.
Helping “dirty” it up is Paul Mitchell’s Hold Me Tight hair spray, which she used quite a bit during the process.
10:30 a.m. (OK, I’m totally making these times up, just FYI …)
The fun thing about Krystle’s Gaga-inspired style for Emily is that there are “no rules,” she said. After back-combing, she creates a large pin curl at the crown of Emily’s head. Of course, more Hold Me Tight was sprayed.
“It seems like a lot,” Krystle said, “but we want it to stay.”
She used bobby pins to help shape and keep the hair in place. “Lots of pins will do the trick,” she said. “Always does.”
11-ish a.m.“Love it! Love it!” Emily exclaimed, looking in the mirror. We bid the mahvelous Krystle adieu – at leats for a few minutes, as she joined us just a little bit later at Saks Fifth Avenue in Utica Square, where we met MAC cosmetics counter manager Jennifer Thomason (who had on THE cutest had with little feathers in it). Talented makeup artist A.J. was on hand, too, as was counter associate Dahlya, whom I probably kept creeping out by asking her over and over again how to pronounce her name. Sorry, Dahlya.
Whatever-o-clock (I give up guessing, sorry …)
“Anybody can do Lady Gaga,” Jennifer told us. As Emily and I had been discussing earlier, the superstar’s ever-changing wardrobe and look makes it fun – and easy – to dress up however you’d like for the concert. So your imagination is the limit! Well, that and the law, but whatever.
By the way, Jennifer and her makeup artists, by the way, will be doing Gaga makeup the day of the concert. Interested? Make an appointment by calling Saks, 918-744-0200.
Anyhoo, here’s how Jennifer broke down the makeup steps for us, bless her helpful heart:
Eyes:
She used MAC Paint Pot in “Painterly” color as an eye base to keep shadow on all day and prevent creasing. She also used Fluidline gel liner in “Blacktrack” for smudging.
Jennifer does the eye first, she said. For the look, her inspiration was Lady Gaga, who helped developed the awesome Viva Glam Gaga lipstick (a really beautiful light warm beige) and the Viva Glam Gaga lipglass, both of which benefit – like, EVERY PENNY – the MAC AIDS Fund. At $14.50 each, they’re a charitably great deal.
Now, back to eyes. Jennifer used “Da Bling, “Bamboo,” “Handwritten” and “Vanilla” eyeshadow colors for the look. By the way, USE BRUSHES! You’ll not only get the look more perfect, you’ll save on product, too, Jennifer said.
1. On top of eye base, apply “Da Bling” from lash line to crease with MAC’s 239 brush.
2. Apply “Bamboo” and “Handwritten” in outer crease, and blend with MAC’s 224 brush.
3. Apply “Vanilla” under brows and on inner corner of eyes to highlight with MAC’s 226 brush.
4. Line eye with “Blacktrack” on top with MAC’s 266 brush. Then, smudge “Blacktrack” and “Handwritten” shadows under eye with 239 brush.
5. Apply “Zoom Fast” black mascara on top and bottom lashes. Add No. 3 MAC lashes on top.
Lips:
Jennifer used Lady Gaga 2 lipstick, a perfect neutral beige tone to wear with almost any smoky-eye look, she said.
She lined the lips with MAC’s “Oak” lip liner, then applied Viva Glam Gaga 2 lipstick with MAC’s 318 brush.
After that, she finished with Viva Glam Gaga 2 Lipglass in the center of the lip.
Face:
Jennifer used MAC’s Prep and Prime Skin, which preps the skin for longevity of foundation wear, creates a smoother finish on the skin with silicone ingredient and has caffeine ingredient to take away redness.
On top of that, using MAC’s 188 brush, she applied Studio Sculpt foundation, a medium-to-full coverage foundation with a natural-skin finish. It contains shea butter, which is very comfortable for normal-to-dry skin types. It contains SPF 15 for sun protection. Plus, it’s creamy enough to use as a concealor as well.
“How about that?” Jennifer said. “You dont have to buy a concealor in addition with this particular foundation.”
After makeup, the store’s marketing guru Amanda Viles helped coordinate the wardrobe, which was this fabulous sequined top by Robbi & Nikki, as well as an awesome ribbon-detailed Alice + Olivia skirt. The shoes? Jimmy Choo, of course – “glitter champagne,” no less.
Whether you go to the concert or not, always find an occasion to dress fun or funky. You’re only alive once, right?
And, as the Lady herself advises, “Don’t be a drag -- just be a queen.”
Peace, love and little monsters … XOXO
