When we learn a martial art, or ballet, or gymnastics, or soccer … we consciously practice movements in a deliberate way, repeatedly. By conscious, repeated practice, we become good at those movements.

Our entire lives are like this, but we’re often less conscious of the practice.

Each day, we repeat movements, thought patterns, ways of interacting with others … and in this repeated practice, we are becoming (or have already become) good at these things. If you constantly check Facebook or Twitter, that is practice, and you are forming that habit, though it’s usually not with too much awareness.

When you smoke, or eat junk food, or speak rudely to others, or put yourself down internally, this is something you are practicing to be good at. You may already be good at these things.

What if, instead, we practiced consciously, deliberately, and became good at the things we really want to be good at?

What if you first, above all skills, learned to be more aware of what you are practicing? What if constant conscious action is the skill you became good at?

If you could learn to take conscious action, you could learn to practice other things you want to be good at, rather than the ones you don’t.

What are you practicing? Can you consciously change your daily practice? YES you can.

The first step is always awareness. When you are conscious of what you are doing, you can decide whether this is an action or thought pattern you want to practice, or if there’s an alternative you’d rather be good at.

As you go through your day, practice this awareness. It’s the first skill, and it’s the most important one. Be aware, without feeling guilty or angry at yourself, of what you’re doing and thinking. You will forget to to this, but remind yourself. You might wear a rubber band around your wrist, or carry a talisman, or make tally marks on a slip of paper each time you remember.

As you get good at conscious action, start to practice those actions and thought patterns you want to be good at. Start to notice the ones you’d really rather not be good at, and see if you can deliberately practice other actions and thought patterns.

As you consciously, deliberately repeat these things, you’ll get better at them. It takes a lot of repetition to get good at a skill, but you’ve got time.

You won’t be able to change all your habits at once, and I’m not implying that you should try. The habit you’re really changing is consciousness, and practice. Other habits will be difficult to change, especially if you’re trying to change all of them, but it’s OK if you mess up. Give yourself permission to make mistakes without guilt, and instead just deliberately practice again, and again.

If something is too hard, and you can’t get it right no matter how many times you practice, you can try it in smaller steps. If you can’t quit smoking, try not smoking once, and instead relieving stress through walking or doing some pushups or meditation or self-massage. If you can’t quit junk food, just replace one snack with a fruit, or add a tasty veggie to your dinner.

I’d like to emphasize that this isn’t about perfection. There is no perfect way of life, and you don’t need to strive to be perfect every moment of the day. I believe you’re already perfect. This is just about conscious action, which is a useful skill to have.

Remember that we become good at what we repeatedly do, and what we do repeatedly can be done consciously. It’s when we’re conscious that we are truly alive.

‘If you want others to be happy, practice compassion. If you want to be happy, practice compassion.’ ~Dalai Lama

To read more about “Life as a Conscious Practice” by Leo Babauta or other posts from ZenHabits click here http://zenhabits.net/conscious/

Do you prefer working in a salon, fashion shows, private clients or agency assignments?

LJ: I am a freelance artist and prefer working completely for myself. I like the freedom of working wherever – and not be stuck in a salon. I can work on location, out in the woods, on a movie set, with a celebrity client, at a private clients home to give her lessons, you name it! I am not repped by any agency currently because I like to keep my options very open and I find my marketing skills and instincts are pretty good – plus I prefer to be in total control and keep ALL my money!

What is your favorite part about your job?

LJ: Bringing the clients vision to life to their satisfaction. When I am able to put the full force of my creative vision to work I am most happy. I love collaborating with other creatives – hairstyling, wardrobe styling, the art direction and the photographers vision. It enables me to grow and learn ultimately about myself in a way like no other profession I have had.

What was your favorite project and/or subject and why?

LJ: I don’t have a favorite per se – they’re all so different in scope. I enjoy makeup transformations – who doesn’t like a fabulous before and after? I also LOVE working on fashion editorials that turn out spectacular – because you see your work in print and go “oooOOOOOhhh that came off amazing!”. I seriously put so much focus on every project – big or small – I enjoy the preparation, the shopping (!) and packing of my kit for the job and the energy from the team. It’s all an illusion we are creating in the moment.

Part B- What is your dream assignment and why?

LJ: Oooh, good question. I think I’d love to work on a period film and key the entire makeup department someday. I think being able to create the characters “looks” would be so much fun and so rewarding – and to see it all unfold on the big screen would be very gratifying.

What is the secret to standing out in the Makeup Artist industry, or even any industry?

LJ: I think the secret is patience, dedication and humility. If you don’t have all three, something will be wrong. If you are not patient and persistent you will become easily discouraged. Being humble will keep you grounded to learn what you need to know in all environments – natural light, lighting in studio, the needs of all these different applications and what products to utilize. Look at it this way – if you book a client without knowing all that needs to be accomplished for the project – and you don’t deliver – you not only will have ruined your reputation you will have cost them money and time – along with the other crew members efforts for that day. That is what is at stake.

What is the most valuable lesson you have learned as you have built your successful career?

LJ: Business management skills. You have to do it ALL. Booking, Marketing, PR, Sales, Accounting, Taxes, social media, tracking down checks from late or non paying clients – EVERYTHING. That’s on top of your actual workload and keeping up with new products and techniques and your clients needs. One of my favorite makeup artists said to get a business degree!

BONUS QUESTION: For the readers of RobertBallew.com what is one thing you would highly recommend to anyone before updating or drastically changing their makeup product &/or palette?

LJ: Hire a makeup artist for a lesson – you can try on new looks without purchasing a ton of stuff from a counter you may not use again. Buy the right tools (brushes) for the job at hand. Like fashion and tailoring for your body – realize that the basics of neutral makeup and clean skin are always going to be in style when properly applied. Spend your money on a great skincare line and a foundation that matches you flawlessly in natural light. Like fashion accessories, you can always purchase seasonal trends in lip, cheek and eye color for a pop and to experiment without laying out too much money. The drug store brands have seasonal colors down now. Have FUN with makeup! It washes off.

To view more or book this Nashville Makeup Artist Lisa Johnson, go here http://www.lisajohnsonmua.com/

Riccardo Tisci skipped a full blown catwalk show, made do with two models, eight plastic mannequins and a picture of Stella Tennant in languid black jacket and elaborate nose ring (just like the old days). But in some ways the modest setting played well to the extraordinary workmanship of his ten outfits.

The suspended mannequins were eerie and elegantly, showcased the hand beading exquisitely. The extraordinarily fierce and sensual chocolate alligator dress… was the sum of days of labor and the skins of two entire alligators that had been embroidered onto tulle.

French fashion house Dior unveils its latest collection in the opulent salons of the atelier on avenue Montaigne… an intimate setting for its presentation. Stand-in designer Bill Gaytten, Galliano’s former right hand man, is holding up the fort brilliantly.

Gaytten rekindled Dior classics from its iconic 1947 collection. Think ladylike silhouettes and gossamer layers of silk. A dose of sensuality in an otherwise classic collection.

It has been almost eight years since Versace last performed on the couture rostrum, although the atelier remained open to private clients throughout. The enchanting voice of Maria Callas was necessary to mark Versace’s big return to the Haute Couture scene.

The collaboration between Versace and H&M this past winter was epic and is still resonating, giving affirmation that Versace is still a relevant name to the public at large.

The looks are sculpted and citric, dripping with color and attitude.

This new format will allow lots of flexibility for me as Editor-n-Chief and more information at your fingertips. In anything new, there will be a bit of adjustment as I learn the new layout and organizing the best flow of information to you. I do appreciate your ideas and patience.

As always, you can continue to ask me anything in the “Ask Robert” form on the right hand sidebar. Look for my replies in the “Forum” section for further discussion or in a dedicated post, so that everyone may learn from our experience.

Again welcome, explore and enjoy.

My Best,
Robert

“That image of a celebrity wearing drop earrings, or a dramatic necklace, and all the many ways it is shown and commented on in the weeks after the awards shows … there is no way to quantify the value,” says Victoria Gomelsky, editor of JCK magazine, a trade publication for retail jewelers. The Tiffany tassel earrings worn by Natalie Portman at last year’s Academy Awards “had an enormous repercussion on the market.” 
The Red Carpet was not the spectacle it is today until the 1990s. Giorgio Armani saw an opportunity and began dressing Hollywood for award shows. In 1992, Sharon stone called Jeweler Martin Katz and asked to borrow a pearl necklace and earring to wear to the premier of “Basic Instinct.” Katz agreed on one condition: that she wear his jewelry while doing magazine publicity for the film, and that his name be in the fashion credits. 

This parade is all for you and I at home, sitting on the edge of our seats, waiting for Ryan Seacrest to ask, “Who are you wearing?” not because he really cares, but because this is the big sell. This is the moment where we collectively decide what we desire… creating a trend… creating a demand.

How did this all come to be, you ask? Studios have been borrowing jewelry for their starlets to wear in films since the 1930s, but Harry Winston claims to have been the first to lend diamonds to a star to wear the Academy Awards. In 1944, Jennifer Jones donned them as she won the lead actress award for the film “The Song of Bernadette.” Sadly, the earrings don’t show in any of the images and nobody knows what happened to them afterwards, but this has become a part of the Harry Winston legends. Currently, the firm, by itself, lends out millions of dollars worth of diamonds each year.
These simple acts paved the way for stars and stylists to have access to the most unique and expensive collections from both clothiers and jewelers; leaving us to wonder, “What will she wear next?” in anticipation, as we count down the days until the next red carpet event.

Karl Lagerfeld transformed Paris’ Grand Palais, into “Jet Blue” encompassing the viewers completely. Sophisticated feminine silhouettes constructed in opulent fabrics, with moments of conceptualism. Pay close attention to the varying collars, emphasis to the shoulders, earrings and brooches, SUPER important trends for this spring and summer. ENJOY!!!

Accessorized Head To Toe

The delicate touch of a dotted veil over slicked back hair and punctuated beneath by marigold lips. The billowy ruffle of a one shoulder cocktail dress with the bare shoulder accented by long taupe leather evening glove topped with two delicious crystal floral cuffs. The sum total of brilliant styling.

The unexpected veiled cape with fur details…

The play of soft and hard… fur glasses.

Going back to what a purse should be… not a suitcase but an accessory for necessities.

A french maids white collar, cinched waist, golden mask, decorative hand cuffs and tied ankles… bondage anyone?

Neutral with crimson red… yum!


Model: Natasha Photographer: Willy Banderperre Stylist: Nicoletta Santoro


To drink in more visually lush images, go to Chicaboom Fashion http://www.chicaboomfashion.com/

In today’s world, true style pioneers are far and few in-between, at least without a stylist on payroll. Crawford had her own set of Style Commandments to live by.

“Find your own style and have the courage to stick to it.”
This is what I express to you, and my clients, every day: find your style, and you will find your confidence. Once you feel put together, the confidence rises up from within.

“Choose your clothes for your way of life.”
For my “Mom” clients this is SUPER important. If you’re picking up kids, taxiing them around, cleaning the house and preparing dinner, you need to consider the right combination of apparel for your hectic schedule. In contrast, my corporate executive clients require sleek suits with power scarves or ties. While both are equally important jobs, they each require very different silhouettes.

“Make your wardrobe as versatile as an actress. It should be able to play many roles.”
Separates are a great way to get as much versatility out of your closet. Check out these “Essentials for Every Women’s Closet” to get started.

“Find your happiest colours… the ones that make you feel good.”
These happy feel good colors are our “signature colors”… they make you smile.

“Care for your clothes, like the good friends they are.”
This is SUPER important… ensure the longevity of your investment by following the recommended care instructions on the tag. I personally have sweaters from when I worked at Armani Exchange on The Plaza in Kansas City… circa 1996?

You don’t have to be a movie star, or a model. You don’t need an incredibly sized closet (though we all secretly want that!), or have paparazzi following your every move. But, you CAN be a style icon, once you release the “awe-inspiring” YOU from the inside.