I've been super busy!

Hi All! I haven't written in a long time but it has been because I have been a busy bee!!!  Life has been amazing and busy.

September 2012 - In September my husband Juan Moreno of JAM Photos and I worked on a National Ad Campaign for Progressives International Motorcycle Shows called The Human Motorcycle. Designed by I.D.E.A and Body Painter Trina Merry, we created 3 Motorcycles out of models. It was awesome. A ton of work but totally worth it.  You can find our video on YouTube, http://youtu.be/ATzONfFRU0U . We were featured in Makeup Artist Magazine http://makeupmag.com/100/, Ripley's Believe it or Not and many more.  What did I do on this campaign? Well... I did hair and makeup on Erin Bates, hair on all of the motorcycle parts and assisted in painting the three bikes.  Behind the scenes, I took care of the budget, the staff, the production book, the coordination, the studio rental and management.  Busy busy indeed.  Here are some photos! https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.480473325317992.100848960.201933009838693&type=1&l=2406231bba
September was a big month! My brother was married on September 30th.   :) YAY! I have a new sister!! I was in the wedding and did hair and makeup for the ceremony :) The wedding was spectacular! Juan took photos of the ceremony, I cant wait to see them all!

October 2012 was a bit harder on us. My mom was diagnosed with stage 2 brain cancer.  She had surgery on November 7th and is now going through Chemotherapy. I took a break from extra curricular activities to help her out.  BUT while going through this, my husband and I created our company, Triptych Studios Inc which incorporates Jam Photos and Designs by Sandra.  Thru it all I also worked with Trina Merry on the San Jose Museum of Art Gala.  We created 5 paintings that represented the famous works at the museum.  I created head pieces out of paper and foam boards.  It was a unique challenge that I was very pleased with the results! Here are some photos from that event!  https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.481539455211379.100849220.201933009838693&type=3

November 2012 my mom had her brain surgery to remove her tumor.  I spent all of my days off (3 a week) with her after her surgery. We also celebrated Sirena's 12 b-day! Thanksgiving was especially great, cooking turkey with my stepdad who has non-hodgekins lymphoma and stomach cancer (no more stomach and his cancer is in remission..) Scotty just doesnt have the stomach for much anymore and my mom just remains open minded.. hehe - they have a great sense of humor. 

December 2012 My mom still needed a little help but was doing much much better!  My hours at the salon EXPLODED! whew I was super busy at work.  I had enough time tho to take a few days off during Christmas and new years to rearrange our house to accommodate our PHOTO STUDIO!!!!  We rearranged 4 rooms in our house.  Our living room became the new office/photostudio complete with bar, dance floor and hair and makeup station!! Our entry room that my housed the kids toys and often our kitchen table became the new living room :) complete with a fancy new couch and smart TV hanging from the ceiling. My old office became my sons bedroom :) which means that the girls now have their own room!!  We got rid of 7 truck loads of stuff and it felt SOOO GOOD!! We still have a few more things to do.. Finish up the garage and our bedroom - WHEW!

January 2013-  I was hit by the news that the salon I was in (studio glam) was changing the hours of operation to 11-7pm.... Unfortunately for those hours, my appointments are booked out 3-6 months in advance and I work 9-9... so I set out to find a more accommodating salon. I interviewed at 7 salons and found Head to Toe Salon. An amazing gem on the edge of Campbell, San Jose and Los Gatos.  Right before I moved in I went to Las Vegas for the Redken Symposium.  It was a busy and stressful month but change is good and I made such an amazing discovery with Head To Toe.

February 2013 - My first few weeks at Head to Toe went a little haywire! A pinch to let me know I am still alive.  I lost my keys on the first day, luckily Juan found them for me at Radio Shack... the second week... I stabbed myself in the hand with a steak knife while pitting an avocado incorrectly... landed myself in the ER with 2 stitches in my hand :(.  AT THE SAME TIME - I worked with Trina Merry on Cinnequest! I designed hair for 8 models and helped bodypaint :)  it was a blast! You can find photos at www.facebook.com/photos.by.jam OH and... while this was going on, our plumbing went out at our house so we spent days packing and unpacking living out of different hotel rooms every day since they were all booked from Cinnequest being in town :( .  All in all, the girls at Head To Toe are amazing, welcoming and helpful! It is such a change of pace. I LOVE IT!!! I almost forgot!! we also did a photo shoot at Kool Cat Customs!!

March 2013 After Cinequest, our plumbing, and my hand fiasco Juan threw out his back :( 2 weeks or more before he started feeling better.  We also worked diligently on our taxes.  Taxes as you all know.. BORING!  So I am not going to write too much about that. BUT March is when we picked up our little Chewwie (Chewbacca).  He is 3/4 Yorkie and 1/4 poodle.  If you follow me on Instagram you can see him!@SandraMoreno  But here is a teaser - https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=552341158131208&set=a.205219366176724.50290.201933009838693&type=3&theater .  I also decided this month that I would focus more of my energy into my education and Triptych Studios than in the Art Alive Gallery. I have already started with my education -  I took an Agave Hair Smoothing class and I absolutely LOVE the treatment!! 

April 2013 -  OH That's this month :) so far I have been training my Chewwie, working in the Salon and its WEDDING SEASON!!!! Ive been transforming lots of Brides :) I love it.  I plan on taking some classes next month for Ombre Hair color and a few others!  For the first time in a few years I feel a breath of fresh air. There is nothing in my schedule this year that I am dreading. I am working with Branham High School's LGBTQ Youth space for the Born This Way Fashion Show next week and after that I hope to work on a Locks of Love Marathon ( donating 10 inches of hair is required!) I decided to take this year off the Art Alive Gallery SubZero Festival and since I left Studio Glam I will also have my June free of the Ink N Iron Festival.  This opens up my time for more education and different and exciting new opportunities.

Ok That's all for now!! Please follow me on Facebook at www.facebook.com/designsbysandra and keep up to date with all I learn about hair and makeup this year!! THE YEAR FOR EDUCATION!

XXOO

Trina Merry, The Audrey of Bodypaint

I am a huge fan of creating Up do's that capture an era. I recently did an Audrey Hepburn "inspired" up do on the Body Painter - Trina Merry. I didn't want to exactly replicate Audrey so I pulled out an Adele Vogue cover that I LOVED the makeup on and used that as my inspiration for Trina's color palette. Juan Moreno of JAM Photos helped capture the moment. Hope you enjoy the photos as much as I do!

Trina has very long curly hair so for her haircut I create a round cut with long layers. I keep the layers pretty uniform to help me in my curl sections. When you have curly hair- your ends need friends . This is Trina's natural hair color. Its beautiful, one day we will color it, just not yet. To create this style I set her hair with a large barrel curling iron and set it to cool while I did her makeup. I have an obsession with Kenra Taffy, smells divine and helps me control her hair while shaping into her up do

I use Temptu Silicone Based Airbrush makeup for her foundation, blush and contour. Her eyebrows are airbrushed with the Temptu Airbrow kit. Her eyeshadow is from the Urban Decay Naked 2 palette that is currently available at Urban Decay or Sephora. I have both of the Naked palettes and love them dearly. A MUST have of eyeshadow for anyone. Her eyelashes are strip lashes that look like caterpillars.

Please follow my work on Facebook at Designs by Sandra

Getting ready for school!

Today I had the pleasure of styling my daughter's hair! We got it ready for her first day of middle school :). Omg!! She is getting so big!! Check out the finished product. Haircut, hi-lights, blow-dry and style (she has curly hair like me)




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Making of Tashi's Look (Delhi Belly)

I recently ventured into Special Effects Makeup!! Here is a look at my first creation :) This is Ankit who we transformed into Tashi from Delhi Belly!! Thank you Ankit for creating such an awesome video!!

Illuminare

July 21st was the Illuminare show for RAW: Natural Born Artists. I was featured as the Hair Designer and collaborated with Sara Hirco (makeup) and Violetta Vieux of VioGemini (designer) to create an AMAZING show! My most awesome coworkers at Studio Glam helped me with hair. THANK YOU SO MUCH LIZ AND HOLLAND! They rock :) We curled and curled and curled and curled some more. It all came together in the end with gorgeous vintage feeling styles. I was super thrilled! Here is the link to view the photos from the show. RAW:San Francisco "Illuminare"

Rose White and Blue Parade! Happy 4th!!

Studio Glam will be out in force this 4th of July!! Liz and Marina will be riding in the parade and Holland and I will be passing out coupons and flyers at our booth on The Alameda! I am super excited! I even picked up some OPI blue and red Shatter polish :). Now all I need to figure out is what to wear... Liz and Marina want to go 60's Mod. Hmmm... I wonder if I can pull something out of my closet. OH - and its going to be a scorcher that day!

Other than that - I am open for business. I am providing, cut, color, highlight, special occasion styling and makeup services. Oh yea- cant forget photo shoots and fashion shows as well! July 21st I will be featured in Raw Artists Illuminare show at the Minna Gallery in SF! Im thinking 20/30's chic :). Hope to see you there!!

For the Boys

Memorial day 2011 was an amazing day. I am officially a Hair Designer at the SUPER cute SUPER chic Studio Glam boutique salon. Studio Glam is a 1950's themed boutique with Pin-Ups on the walls and oldies on the radio. On Memorial day, we hosted beautiful live pinups, a gorgeous hot rod, stunning classic cars and a good old fashioned BBQ. We teamed up with JAM Photos to record the event and I will be posting pictures soon!!! Studio Glam is located on 311 Stockton Ave San Jose, CA 95126. (408) 260-5001

Want to get dolled up at your next hair services or for a special occasion?