#8. Teaser: Outta the Box

We had the privilege of working with rising photographer Diane Christine Villanueva, and scientist/newly-found model, Maricris Macabeo, this past summer and are super excited to finally see some of the finished products!  This was a good 12+ hour work day with three completely different looks and locations!  It was challenging but extremely worthwhile.  More Outta the Box to come...

Model:  Maricris Macabeo-Ong
Styling, Hair & Make-Up:  Step HEAVVY
Photographer:  Diane Villanueva

#7. Music Artist, Soda Can Coutoure, and San Francisco.

Models: Arnelle Lozada ; Jayne Santayana
Designer: Kaatje Designs
Make Up & Hair: Step Heavvy
Photographer: Henry Alfonso Navarro (Lens Exposure)

#6. Part 2 of Adapt's Newest Shirts + Sweatshirts for the Ladies

Here's a sneak peak of our recent shoot with our favorite clothing company.  More to come!

#5: Hard Candy with MC's Miss Haze and Denise Williams

Step HEAVVY recently worked with the talented MC's Miss Haze and Denise William for their new album's cover shoot.  We were SO honored to have collaborated with them, as these two ladies are not only beautiful, but also extremely gifted.  We were able to get a sneak peak of some of their dope tracks during the shoot and absolutely cannot wait for their highly-anticipated album, "Hard Candy:  The Mixtape", which drops today!!!  Pick up their album at Amoeba SF or check them out here.

Models:  MC's Hazel Rose and Denise Williams
Make-up, Hair, Styling:  Step HEAVVY
Photographer:  Amanda Lopes

Wishlist: High Quality Make-up Organizing Palette

Unii Palettes are one of the best make-up organizational palettes on the market right now.

Each UNII Palette Includes:
  • Magnetized Palette, so makeup pans stay put
  • Adhesive magnetic sheet with writable labels
  • Large, full-sized mirror for the makeup on the go
  • Movable thumb grip
  • Tight, rubberized seal prevents leaks
  • Fold-out instruction box
  • Outer dimensions : 3.7"D x 6"L x0.7"Thick
  • Inner dimensions : 2.8"D x 5.4"L x0.4"Thick

In comparison to MAC palettes, they're a bit thicker and smaller...but are loads more durable.  In my opinion, the best parts of these palettes are that they 1) come with a huge mirror, 2) can fit more than just eye shadows, and 3) they're super slick and sexy.  I'm a sucker for packaging, and this one makes the cut.  The once popular card board Z palettes just does not compare.

They're $29 a piece, and costs a $1 less with each additional palette you buy.  Free shipping for US and Canada is a plus.

The downside is the size and possible weight(?).  I wish they came in larger sizes so that I can fit more into them for it to be completely versatile--especially for on-site gigs.  I haven't found any reviews that complained about its heaviness, but several bloggers noted that the weight eludes to its durability, which I am a fan of.

Verdict:
Completely justifiable and next on my list after MAC's To The Beach.  I can throw blush, eye shadow, liner, lashes, travel brush into this baby, toss it into my purse, and travel the heck out of it.  Great for on-site gigs--won't create a cloud puff of mess due to the rubberized seal, the thumb grip allows me to carry it like a painting palette, travel-friendly, AND it will look appealing to clients.   

Wishlist: 8-LED Lights in a Compact Mirror!

UK's Les Tai Tai's Model Mirror is a definite must-have for make-up fanatics on-the-go!  Especially useful if you're someone like Gen, who applies make-up in the car or if you're re-touching in a club or traveling on a plane with horrendous lighting. It comes with 8 embedded LED lights, 2 compact mirrors (one regular and the other 2x magnification), a drawstring cloth and extra battery.

They're steep-$34 a pop...but well worth it in my book (like most things that are expensive...NOT ALL though--I still have yet to justify paying that much for a YSL lipstick).  Unfortunately, for the U.S., only a handful of designs are available, but at least shipping is free!  You can get your Model Mirror on their U.S. website here.  Personally, I'm really fancying the Summer Candy Cane design:

The only down-side that I can think of besides of the price, is having to replace the battery so very often, especially if you're an avid user.

Verdict: 
This is a definite wish-list item for me, but I don't think I'll be purchasing this anytime soon.  I usually apply make-up once a day and barely do any touch-ups unless I'm on my feet the whole day and FEEL that my face is a hot-oily mess.  Maybe if I was making a little more money...  

#4: Comedian Edwin Li

Photographer:  Vladimir Khlynin
Hair & Make-Up:  step HEAVVY