Camera Ready Makeup

Camera Ready is a term that I believe most people truly do not understand. Does it mean full on makeup? Airbrushed? Remove the shine? What is camera ready?

I like this illustration because it's clean and simple, but dramatic. The eyes are minimally defined with mascara and shadow. The complexion is perfected and under eye redness is covered. The cheeks are defined with just a hint of blush and contour. The lips get a real pop of color, but that's simply personal choice. You can define the lips with any color you like.

This looks simple, and it is, if you know what colors to use and how to apply them. And as I always say, perfecting the skin is key.

If you're in the Dallas area and would like to book a consultation send me an email. We can also arrange a group session with friends or even corporate sessions. And if it's not possible to meet somewhere in person there's always Skype.

Thanks to photographer Ben Britt and model Stephanie Fisher.

For more before and after looks read A Simple Beauty Makeover.

before hair and makeup

 Pirates of the Caribbean?

Working With Celebrities

I'm often asked what it's like to work with celebrities. When it's Wendy Davis it's easy, because she's so naturally attractive, and looks great on camera.

Yes, it's hard work: early mornings, long hours, multiple locations, and yes, a lot of cooks in the kitchen on a campaign like this. However, when the end result turns out as well as this did, I feel like my hard work was worth it.

Thanks to a great crew and great editing,  it's better than I could have even imagined. However, this is video, not a still image, so hair and makeup are not photoshopped.


Need a professional to help you make your image stand out?

Shine - Off: Expert Tips for Matte Summer Skin

Staying shine-free when the temperatures are high is one of summer’s greatest beauty challenges.
As a professional makeup artist, I know how hard it can be. Depending on where you live, you may need to control excess oil production, perspiration, or both. So if you’re looking for ways rid yourself of unsightly shine this summer, check out some of my pro tips and favorite products. You’ll be glad you did when that mercury starts rising!

 Continue reading...

Skin Care Tips for Mature Skin

You don't have to be a mom or even "mature," to experience troublesome changes in your skin.

Whether it's due to stress, diet, pregnancy, climate, or age, occasionally we need to  adjust our skin care routine. With Mother's Day around the corner, Beauty Press asked me for some tips for moms and mature skin.

What are some makeup application tips for mature/aging skin? 

Women tend to have more delicate and sensitive skin. Additionally as we age, skin is affected by fluctuating hormone levels.
Generally it becomes more dry, thin, and has less elasticity allowing fine lines, wrinkles and loose skin to develop.
Makeup is still important, maybe even more important than ever, but a less is more approach is needed. Use a foundation that gives a light coverage, and concealer only where needed - instead of trying to achieve maximum coverage with one product that covers everything. If your skin is a little on the dry side, avoid too much powder as it can make the skin look even more dry.

What are some skin care routine tips for mature/aging skin? 

Hopefully you already have a good skin care routine in place and as your skin matures you just adjust it as needed. The basics, cleanse, tone, and moisturize, never change. The products you use may change however, and you may add serums or anti-aging treatments to your regime. Also, if you've always used soap and water or a foaming or gel cleanser you may find that a lotion or even an oil will work much better for you now as natural oil production will decrease with declining hormones. 


Some women experience what they call a second adolescence. Try spot treating the breakouts instead of trying the entire face as if it's one giant pimple. You'll just end up dehydrating the skin and upsetting the acid balance which protects it.
Remember, you're skin is the largest of the body. Treat it with care and it will take care of you.

Please feel free to leave comments or ask questions.

For the press release and high res images contact Beauty Press.

Dark Circle Drama - The Beauty Bitch

Covering dark under eye circles has been and remains one of the top beauty questions I am asked.
Editor Susan Linney tackled the question for Meets Obsession, an online magazine for the beauty and culture obsessed.

If you have a drawer full of concealers that don't get the job done, then read on. Linney interviewed two of the top makeup artists in the biz, Yours Truly and Kevin James Bennet, to get the 411 on disappearing the luggage under your eyes, forever. Please notice we both said essentially the same thing!

Want to know what we said? Read it here.

A Simple Beauty Makeover

This was a really fun and easy photo/makeover. A photographer (friend) asked me to help him with a class project. The goal was to show extreme contrast in one subject. He asked me to create a a simple hair and makeup style, and then to pump up the pretty factor, and he would adjust his lighting.


 To create the "after" look, I simply added more eyeliner, false eyelashes, and lip gloss. For her hair, which is long and straight, I changed the part to an extreme side part, then swept it across her forehead and pinned the hair up in the back. Simple, glamorous and easy.


 What do you think?

photography by Dick Patrick

photography by Dick Patrick

The Business of Beauty

Makeup by Penny Sadler
Hair by Mark Garrison Salon

It's not every day I get to work with beautiful models and top editorial hairdressers.  Believe it or not, most of the time, putting makeup on people for camera means making it look like they don't have on much makeup at all. Putting makeup on these lovelies was just the creative change I needed.

 I was excited and happy to be asked to work once again, with Beth Minardi, an icon in the haircolor industry, and her team of top notch hair stylists. The event was a presentation of Mindari haircolor, sort of a mini runway show.

 I asked them what sort of look they wanted, and the only direction I was given was "pretty makeup with emphasis on the eyes." And that's exactly what I gave them. This is why I became a makeup artist to begin with. Great team, beautiful models. And who do you think the blonde looks like?

Rob Lowe!

Sometimes my job is ultra fun. To answer all of your questions, yes, Rob was nice and a pleasure to work with. Yes, he really looks that good. No, he hasn't done anything to his face. Yes, he needs a little makeup. Yes, he's married and has a lovely wife. If you have a question I have not answered here send me an email. I work with a lot of celebrities and other high profile people on events, television shows and broadcasts. I also work with real people. Please do contact me for your event, broadcast, film, commercial or photo shoot. penny (at) pennysadler (dot) com