Pedicure. Girl, Keep them toes in check!!!!!!!!!!!

Million dollar red! What's your fave color at the nail shop for your toes?  I kinda go by seasons sometimes.

Pedis are MANDATORY. And living in SOCAL that means all year round. We have like no winter. Thanks Polar vortex! Seriously! But on the serious note my go to color is magenta. I love a hot pink! French manicure is cute too if my nails are long enough. Gotta have pretty toes. No man will dig your crusty piggies! I also love designs on them. Even if it's just polka dots. It's just adorbz. Treat yourself.

Love & xoxo,
Rachael Beauty :)

Before and After, Hairstyle by Rachael Beauty.

The before photo is just after I had crimped the model's weave. The after photo is the final look.

Here is a better view of what I had to work with. I made it work!

Time to get creative!

This hair did take me a long time. I am not going to lie. I think it took me around 6 hours or so. I wasn't rushing though. When doing an avant garde hairstyle it is all about trial and error.

At least for me. I played around with a few different looks the whole time. I also asked for input from the stylist, photographer and makeup artist. I think I used a whole bottle of hairspray on her! 

I molded the hair the direction I wanted it to go and made sure it dried. I used synthetic extensions to stuff the hair to make it appear full and with lots of volume. The only part of her real hair that is showing are the bangs of about 1 inch. I made sure those stayed down nice and tight.

I used a pomade to get a shiny look. I had fun on this photoshoot. I was able to create something I didn't even know existed nor knew it was something I could do. I just went for it. 

Sometimes you just have to let your creative juices flow.

If you are a beginning hairstylist, don't give up! Practice. Practice. Practice.

Watch youtube tutorials. Practice on a doll head or anyone that will let you.

You won't regret it. 

I started out not knowing a thing, absolutely nothing about hair! I was able to create this after countless hours practicing at cosmetology school and at home. Lots of people made fun of me for trying out different hairstyles on my dollheads at school. But you are there to learn! And I knew I had a lot to learn if I wanted to create interesting hairstyles for editorials. 

I also get very inspired by Antoinette Beenders who is Global Style Director for Aveda. 

I encourage you to follow people that inspire you in your field or even in any other field that interests you. You will learn a lot. 

Don't let anyone talk you down from your dreams or accomplishments. You can do it.

Hair by Rachael Beauty, True Americana

I had a fun time styling Danielle's hair on this shoot. She had extensions with a curl so I just polished them up a bit and gave her some volume. I then did a quick messy side braid. The location was in the hollywood hills by Runyon Canyon. It is pretty dangerous up there. And very hard to find parking. 

For more photos of my work, visit: rachaelbeauty.com

Thank you! xoxo

RB

Stylist: Donny Joseph

Hair: Rachael Beauty

MUA: Desiree Stovall

Model: Danielle Souza

Photographer: Troy Huynh

Emma Stone: Do & Don't Hairstyles

Do:

Red, Classy waves. Perfectly pretty.

Retro cascading waves. Sophisticated beauty.

Don't:

She looks like she is ready for Saturday morning errands with this hair. No, No, and No. DIY waves and a clip back are not cute. :)

Minimal Folio portfolio iPhone app

I just put together a portfolio app for my free lance & on location hair styling. I organized my work into columns as best as I could. It can sync up with your DropBox folders or your photo library on your phone. Everything is drag and drop and slide gestures. You can also zoom in. Plenty of tutorial help within the app as well. Looking forward to buying the new iPad to showcase my work properly on a tablet device. Making it larger & easier to see.

I am going to test out more apps the for the iPad. I think it's important to accept and embrace the digital technology we have available. Beauty is far behind in a leading example in that area. It really should be a higher priority.

I used Minimal folio iPhone app. It's $.99 cents. I think it's a great start and very reasonable. Tutorials are available.

Minimal Folio iPad iTunes download

Minimal Foilo iPhone iTunes download

Developer Simon Heys Website.

http://www.simonheys.com/minimalfolio/

Visit my website

RachaelBeauty.com

Who is Rachael Beauty?

Photo by Albany Katz

A few days ago on Facebook someone asked me which girl I was on my profile. He couldn't tell right away because I had so many pictures. Different pictures of different models and of myself and friends. At first I was wondering how is it not obvious who I am from my profile? Then I began searching around my pictures and albums. It did seem a bit confusing because I am not branding myself enough on my profile! I want it clear and direct about who I am online in every way possible  If someone can't tell what my profession is and they have access to my personal and professional pictures then I need to change the way I present myself online. I am glad he mentioned this, as no one else has. He wasn't in the beauty business, which is why it is even more important to me. 

Mackenzie's avant-garde hair and makeup look by Rachael Beauty

So, let me introduce myself properly. I am Rachael Beauty, a creative hair stylist/designer from Los Angeles, California. I specialize in make overs, updos, styling, blow-outs, haircuts, & editorial, avant-garde looks. I am dedicated to my craft and approach beauty with a degree of professionalism and tact. I enjoy working together as a team.  I like to achieve the best results with technique and style. Not taking short cuts, even if it means it takes a little longer. The end result is far more superior than if I simply cut corners. No pun intended. :)

Pilar's contemporary victorian look. I used a wand curler then pinned to set. 

Finished with hair spray and teased.

I graduated from Aveda Institute Los Angeles in the summer of 2011. I am a licensed cosmetologist for the state of California. I am open-minded on techniques and I love learning and trying new things. I have a great sense of humor and am very social and people friendly. I love to network online and in person. I have many goals and plans for my future in the hair & beauty business.

Sandra & her plum & lavender Avant-garde hair piece. 

I used 3 different colors of extensions and braided and pieced together as a semi crown on top. 

I take my work seriously and I love what I do. I love beauty. 

If you would like to check out my portfolio you can do so at: RachaelBeauty.com

There you will find various projects, photo shoots that I have been apart of. If you would like to contact me for a project of your own, there is a contact section on the website. 

You can look at some of my rates here, some are negotiable. http://www.styleseat.com/rachaelbeauty

Big teased hair with lots of volume.             Model: Jackie Kalinowski

I also excel at social media. Brand presence, visibility, audience and community development are my specialties. If you have no idea what that means and just have a Facebook account to promote your business then you probably need to talk to me. The internet is a shift in communication and it isn't going anywhere. 

I am new in creating my brand for Rachael Beauty. I know exactly what I have to do. Most requires trial and error of various techniques online. It's a learned habit that comes gradually over time. 

Get to know your clients, listen to their needs and respond in a friendly way; not as someone simply trying to sell them something. Stand out. Care. The rewards will come.

 

Majestic Red Goddess & Peacock Princess 

Trying not to sound too much like a résumé, but my work is my passion and I love making beautiful things come to life. Have a lovely day and thank you for reading. 

Love&etc,

Rachael Beauty

On location in the Salton Sea, CA with model Ana

Pin Up Girl, Retro Vintage Playful Fashion

Emerald colored dress is stunning.

Sailor. Gotta love it.

Love this one! <3

Sex Kitten

Salute!

Corset Chic

Trio of beach cuties

Go Mom!

Simple, cute.

Red. Hot.

Zebra Rawr.

Office bombshell

Trailer Park beauty

Lustful Class

Fashionable diva

I have always loved the glamour and sex appeal of the classic all American Pin-up model look. Red lips, pale skin, flirty cat eyes, sex kitten heels, and curve hugging dresses. In an age where most women wear jeans, uggs, and a tee shirt as daily wear, vintage fashion brings back the femininity that our generation has lost. And when I say femininity, I do not mean tasteless, revealing, cheap clothes.

Men appreciate women when they dress as women. I know that seems obvious, but when you are wearing your sweat pants, flip flips and a tank, he is not that attracted to you. Men love to see a woman in a dress, skirt, or "all dolled up." And you know I really can't blame them. I love to look ultra feminine as well! It just takes hours! 

So, in this day and age prepping for a vintage look takes careful planning. Like rolling your hair with sponge rollers at night and letting it set while you sleep. I have tried this and it works great! Put a scarf over the rollers and secure with pins. There are many videos on youtube on how to roll the rollers and also on vintage hair styles, makeup, & fashion. I highly recommend watching some & subscribing.

One of my fave Retro Glamour Gurus, Aja. 

I think you can still have a modern look with some key glamour, old hollywood elements that will bring in that very sultry sex appeal that is classic and beautiful. Have fun with it! Thrift Stores are your friends. Even if you can't pull this off every day, once in while I think it's very pretty and a nice change of pace. The hairstyles do take LOTS of practice!!! Even myself, as a hairstylist I need to practice the different techniques and make sure I have them perfected. It's very much about hair control, pinning, back combing and styling with comb/brush. It looks simple when someone else does it. But believe me I have tried on myself and hopefully soon I'll get it right for my hair length, which is very short. 

I adore the red, belted, wrap around dress with thick black glasses, red headband, short bangs, and black heels look. It is very cheeky, geeky, and down right sexy! A must have for me! 

Check out my own youtube channel as I am going to doing tutorials soon! 

Rachael Beauty Youtube

Rachael Beauty xo

Karl Lagerfeld: Sephora

For a man that has a day job of creating meticulously designed haute couture collections for Chanel, Karl Lagerfeld seems to have a ton of time on his hands for various off-piste collections, the designer has created a limited edition Christmas collection for the brand, featuring a Karl shaped eye palette, nail polishes in black and gold and an ever-so-chic makeup bag with Lagerfeld’s portrait and signature embossed on the front.

From the eye shadow palette where each shade is shaped like Karl, to the nail polish (gold and black, obviously–please do a full nail polish collection, Karl!), it is kitschy Karl at his finest. His new fragrance Karleidoscope is available now, too. However, we will all have to admire this collection from afar, because it will only be available at Sephora in Europe and Singapore, starting November 6.

Fingers crossed they open a store in the USA soon. Available in Europe and Singapore only.

Take a look at Karl Lagerfeld’s cosmetics collection for Sephora.

Tips on Passing the State Board Cosmetology California/National Exam

It's been a long, tough journey to obtain my Cosmetology license. Throughout all my burdens and sacrifices I am glad I did not give up and I endured it until the very end, where I obtained my license last Friday!! I took my State board test in Glendale, CA. I can say that the test is 80% mental & nerves.

If you cave under pressure and time you will have a difficult time. Time passes by so quickly and you are timed and it's early in the morning and you need to be on your A game. Waking up at 5am was not fun! 

Tips for a successful State board Passing:

1. The night before prep your model! Cut hair in round layers, shoulder length. DO NOT bring a model with middle of the back hair. You will fail. It takes too long. 

Give her a mini manicure. Also practice rolling the perm rods on her hair. It's different than doll head hair. 

2. No cell phones! You will get kicked out.

3. Check your attitude at the door! No divas, don't give other girls looks, mind your business. Stay on task! I didn't even really glance around the room that much. 

4. Go to the restroom on break or before test. Every min counts. Come back on time from breaks.

5. You can bring bottled water inside the test area.

6. Sanitize, sanitize, sanitize!!! 

7. Lots of girls didn't finish the hair cut! Make sure you have it down. Controlled sections. Comb neatly and double check when done. She checks angle at the crown for 90 degree.  

8. Proctor checks haircut, rollers, nails, and waxing.

9. Client protection. See something on her face, clean it. Spray water on cheek, wipe it. 

10. Listen to all DIRECTIONS!!!!  If the timer goes off and she says stop. STOP!! Don't keep cutting.

11. I recommended Western Kit Company for your kit. It is $125 and you get to keep it and attend classes.

12. Watch Youtube videos on State board. Google it, they are on there.

13. When checking your inventory of items in your kit make sure you take off all sealers on the lotions, gels etc. So you don't waste time later.

14. Don't touch your face or hair. If you do, sanitize hands - immediately.

15. Dress professionally. Wear all black, nothing flashy. Nothing over exaggerated. I would not try to stand out during the test. The one time you want to be low key. Why call attention to yourself at this! 

I was not sloppy. I looked professional. Clean look. I saw a few girls that looked like they rolled out of bed. This is your career! Act like you care! 

16. Get plenty of rest. Eat before you check-in.

17. The written test was pretty simple. 110 questions. Know your Nail chapter! Electricity, PH chart.

Parts of Hair structure. 

18. Believe in yourself and your abilities. You can do it. The keys to your success are in your hands!

19. I made a sign that I wrote: State board PASS and taped it in the bathroom so I saw it every day. 

With the right frame of mind it will happen. Be positive and confident. 

20. Good luck beautiful! Rock it out! :)

Happy moment!!! :)

Love, Rachael Beauty xo