Well, it's been a while...

I must confess and apologize. I've been a bad blogger. I had to take a break for a while because I had some very exciting career advancements that left me almost zero time to blog. But now I'm back and ready to share with you everything I learn about my fabulous job every day!

Here's a quick rundown of what I've been up to-

I joined the Local 706, which is the Hair and Makeup Union. For those of you who know me, this has been a long time goal of mine and it was a rough road to get there! But in the end it was so worth it because....

I got to travel to do hair on the next Hunger Games film! Such a thrill. I a huge fan of the books and getting to work on the movie was a dream. It was like playtime, the looks are incredible, one the movie comes out (Fall 2013) I'll be able to share some photos.

Because of that I got to meet some amazing artists who I continued to work with back home in LA. I did a feature called Reach Me with an amazing cast. (Check it out on imdb!)

Since then I've kept working on more film and television projects and photo shoots with other clients like dance-wear company Sugar and Bruno and Kat Von D for Sephora!

Clearly, I've been busy. I've included some fun snaps of my various stations for you guys. Coming up I have way more product reviews, videos and a livestream tutorial coming soon!!

Please share this with your friends and leg them know that Ask AnnaRose is back!

New tutorial video on Buzznet!

Last week I got to go into the Buzznet studios and shoot some fun tutorial videos. Here is the first one, its a video teaching a very simple technique for a very cute crown braid style! Click here to watch it!

Product Mixology: One mascara is never enough

My last post about product mixology talked about hair products and cocktailing them together to give them more bang for your buck. Today I'm going to be talking about one of my favorite beauty products ever- mascara!

When it comes to picking a mascara there are two main factors that I think make for a great mascara, brush design and mascara formulation. Some mascaras have amazing brushes, but terrible formulas and others have awful brushes but formulas that are incredible. So I like to mix and match mine to make a super mascara that I truly love! 

Here's a few mascara cocktails you can try to get different results with your lashes!

Maybelline Falsies

L'Oreal Voluminous Carbon Black

Maybelline Define a Lash

 This is my favorite combo right now. If you want serious "false lash" like drama, these two are the way to go. I apply a few coats of the Falsies, and then after it dries I layer on the buildable formula of Voluminous (this works with just about any other mascara).

Covergirl Lash Blast

For volumized but not clumpy lashes, apply two coats of Lash Blast and then remove and clumps and define lashes with Define a Lash. Lash Blast gives great volume while Define a Lash sharpens every hair. 

Maybelline Full N Soft

Maybelline Lash Discovery

 For a soft, natural look combine Maybelline Full N soft for volume with Lash Discovery to grab every last lash. I love the tiny brush on Lash Discovery for really getting into the roots.

Bite Sized Beauty Tip- Give those bobbys some extra grip!

Having trouble getting your bobby pins to stay in your hair? Try these little tricks to give them some extra grip.

Before inserting a bobby pin, give it a spritz with some dry shampoo, the powdery formula will stick to the pin and help it hold in your hair.

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Try this stylists favorite by Klorane! 

You can also insert the pin with the wavy side down for stronger hold. And if youre doing an updo and need some serious grab, try a teeny spritz of your hairspray on the pin! 

Secrets from the set: Liquid Gold!

A typical day on a film set is a minimum of 12 hours. Actors come in first thing and I have to set their look. Then during the day they can sometimes have up to 5 different style changes! That's a lot of brushing out, recurling, and restyling. Overstyling your hair can sometimes make it look dry, damaged or brittle, so I use a lot of serums and shine sprays to keep my actors hair looking great. 

Recently, thanks to my friend Terra Shaprio (extensionist extraordinaire), I discovered what I like to call Liquid Gold, also know as Redken All Soft Aragan Oil Serum. 

This stuff is amazing. Here's what Redken says about it: 

1 Luxurious oil. 6 amazing uses. Intensely nourish and protect dry, brittle hair. With Omega-6 enriched argan oil provides concentrated softness, deep conditioning and lasting suppleness. Versatile treatment can be used in six ways. Use before you shampoo or blow-dry for added moisture, after you blow-dry to smooth and block humidity, on damp hair or dry hair to boost shine, added to treatments to intensify replenishment or overnight for deep nourishment.

I love it on dry hair to help give polish to a finished style. It defines waves and adds shine for healthy looking hair. It is especially helpful on days with lots of look changes, it really brings the hair back to life! 

This one is definitely gonna be a staple in my arsenal. Whats your favorite secret weapon styling product?

Product love: Alicia Silverstone for Juice Beauty

While working on Jesus in Cowboy Boots, I got to know Alicia and learn all about her all natural, organic, vegan makeup line with Juice Beauty. I've been a fan of Juice Beauty for a while now so it was so fun to try out her products and fall totally in love with them.

Her line consists of 2 skin care products, a cleanser and a moisturizer. Both of which are amazing but the moisturizer does not have an spf so I usually stick to it for night time use. The cleanser is essential oil based so its great for removing makeup. 

As for the color products, I am absolutely in love with the lipstick. Its super smoothy and moisturizing and the color is sheer and shiny.  The powder has great color payoff and stays all day. The only product that I am wary of is the highlighter. The color is beautiful but its a little too sheer to be a blush and a little too pigmented to be a highlighter. I'm still playing around with it, I like it when its layered with another blush.

Overall, I really love Alicias line! If youre into green/eco products, these are some of the best I've come across. 

Recent work: Jessie and The Toyboys

Heres a new video I recently shot with my girl Jessie of Jessie and the Toyboys! We had about 5 different looks and they were so much fun! I used a lot of Sugar Pill pressed eyeshadows for those fun colorful looks.

Which look is your favorite?