Faces By Ren

Recipes for homemade masks

2012-01-11T20:22:00.000-08:00

I am re-posting these "how-to" videos to share the step-by-step process and ingredients for the homemade masks shared on Daytime Tri-Cities on Friday, January 13th. The Chocolate Mud Mask is not really a mud mask at all since there isn't mud as an ingredient. I find it more practical and I love the fact that it gently exfoliates the skin as well. The original video produced by Keith Dixon Studios can be found at "How to Make a Mud Mask".

The other mask talked about on the show was the hydrating banana mask, also produced by Keith Dixon Studios for About.com and can be found at "How to Make a Banana Face Mask".

If you scroll down this blog a few posts back you can find both posts that cover a total of six different mask recipes, including an aspirin mask to help heal acne.

Join me at The Art Collective at 117 1/2 W. Main Street in historic downtown Jonesborough, for some fun and informative workshops starting this month! We will be adding photography and video classes in addition to makeup techniques.

January 2012:

Monday, January 16th from 7-9pm

Homemade face masks: learn about a variety of ingredients and recipes to feed and nourish your skin. Raw foods are rich with enzymes in addition to being relatively inexpensive. Treat your skin at this hands-on workshop. Bring a clean jar and lid to take home a mask especially designed for your skin type. $25 per person

Thursday, January 19th from 7-8:30pm

Color Theory: Learn about the relationships between colors, what analogous, complimentary, achromatic and monochromatic mean. How to use knowledge about colors to help you create beautiful makeup looks and empower yourself to see the world of color choices available! Each participant will create a color wheel and receive a pre-printed color wheel to take home.

$20 per person

Thursday January 26th 4-6pm

Basic eye techniques: Do you feel overwhelmed when faced with a grouping of eyeshadows? Does eyeliner make you cringe? Find out how to keep eyeshadows on all day, how to wear basic colors that adapt to any situation and how to properly blend a crease. From primer to liner we'll go over the basics so that eyeshadow will no longer intimidate! Bring some of the eyeshadows or liners you own and I will make suggestions on how to apply them. $25 per person

Please register for any of the above classes by calling Faces by Ren: 423-202-1111

Daytime Tri-Cities segment promoting Woody's bridal show:

2012-01-11T20:08:00.000-08:00

Latest segment for Daytime Tricities!

2011-12-03T14:37:00.000-08:00

A big thank you to Amy Lynn and the entire crew at Daytime Tri-cities for inviting me back to share some of the latest holiday trends and tips. It's always a fun time and I even ran into my good friend Susan Lachman! Enjoy...and please let me know if you have questions/ideas/comments on future topics you'd like to have covered.

Another thank you to my lovely models; Rachel Shaw (who was on air with us), Becky Lay and actress Greer Bishop. You are all so fabulous to work with!!!

The Harris twins...

2011-10-29T19:41:00.000-07:00

This is a story with a happy ending, or rather a beginning. Because in life there are really only more beginnings and endings and it's hard to tell which is which until much later.

My friend Miranda Harris is a brilliant photographer and beautiful human being both inside and out. She and her husband Eric have one child together and wanted another baby more than just about anything. They were so excited and happy to find out that they were pregnant with twins last year. Their immense happiness turned to deep sorrow when the twins died four months into the pregnancy. They were devastated of course. But the sorrow was only about to cut deeper...Miranda lost her very dear father just months later.

It was a very dark time in life for their family as you can imagine. Just months after the death of her father, Miranda discovered not only that she was pregnant, but pregnant with twins again!

When I found out she was having twins, I was so incredibly happy for all of them. For their family, this was an answered prayer (many prayers really) and more than one photographer in town wanted to capture their very special time. I had the honor of doing belly art for the Harris's with Keith Dixon Studios doing the photography for this session.

Miranda felt each of the twin's personalities throughout the pregnancy...Mya was like fiery energy and Max was like the calm cool of blue and moon, hence the sun/moon design. We also painted messages that were personal to their family.

The twins were born on September 29th and are at home, healthy and thriving. Mya Faith 4 lb. 11oz. and Maxwell Paul (after his beloved Grandfather) at 5 lb. 9 oz. Congratulations to all of you!! We are so grateful to have been witness to such a special story and to capture a moment of this sacred time. Welcome to our world Mya and Max...you are deeply loved!!

Banana, Aspirin and Clay face masks

2011-08-25T14:41:00.000-07:00

Here is the next installment of videos we did on homemade face masks for different skin types. If any of you try these recipes, please feel free to leave feedback in the comments section. Enjoy!!!

Banana Face Mask

Aspirin Face Mask

Clay Face Mask

My face mask videos on about.com!

2011-08-02T22:04:00.001-07:00

Keith and I have ventured into the realm of making instructional videos. Our first attempt was a freelance job for About.com and here are the links to three of the six videos. I'll post the other three when they come out, remember, these are created to be watched individually so there is some repetitive sections at the beginning and end. :) Let us know what you think!

How to make a Mud Mask

How to make a Yogurt Mask

Applying a Milk of Magnesia Mask

A huge thank you to: Enkore Salon and Day Spa for the use of their lovely space, models Sierra Allen and Laura Bowman for being our guinea pigs and playing along even when I goofed up. We'll post an outtakes video soon...it's pretty funny!

Elizabeth Hall wedding

2011-07-21T20:45:00.000-07:00

A few photos from my June 11th wedding, which was especially fun and beautiful. I always see the preparation so it's really great to get some pictures of all the pieces coming together. A big thank you to their photographer Joscelyn Haward for letting me use these for the blog! She works out of Knoxville and has quite an artistic flair.

When I arrived at 8am, I think I woke most of the bridal party up. They had reserved the Presidential Suite at the Carnegie where I always enjoy doing makeup due to the natural light of the large picture windows. I started makeup while others were showering....one thing I love about weddings is the unexpected. :)

Yeah, there's a little bit of MAC in that kit.

Elizabeth before hair...

...and all ready, touching up.

She made a stunning bride!

These ladies were all so very fun to work with...they've known each other a long time and really seem to enjoy each other's company. I love being in the midst of laughter and family stories and rich connections.

Congratulations Elizabeth and Daniel, on your very special day. Beautiful!

Faces by Ren Jan. to July

2011-07-11T12:31:00.000-07:00

I don't even know where to start....my life went into upheaval last year for good cause and I'm back in full force but I don't even know where to begin as there have been so many great changes! I'll keep it simple. I met Keith Dixon in 2008 for the first time and last year we started seeing each other. He is a professional photographer and together we have had an amazing amount of fun working.

We just rebuilt both our websites, we've been shooting portraits and art projects and the big news this month is we are opening our own studio in downtown Jonesborough with Jim and Krisna Goodwin of "Jim Goodwin Photography".

We couldn't be more excited!! There will be weekly classes on photography, makeup, art and much more. There are plans afoot to build a darkroom for black and white film photography. So many great things are happening here in my corner of the world and it's hard not to get overwhelmed sometimes. Anyhoo, the following images are a small sampling of our work for the first half of this year. Enjoy!

Models: Susan Smith Andrews and Laura Bowman
Photographer: Keith Dixon
Shot at the Metro-Productions studio in Johnson City TN

Models: Susan Lachman and myself (just goofing around during her portrait sitting)
Photographer: Keith Dixon

Model: Sierra Allen (yes, she's my girl)
Photographer: Keith Dixon
This was one piece of a large body of work that Keith and I did for our "Semiotic Imaginings" art show displayed for the month of April at the SR404 Gallery.

Applying makeup on model Tiffany Church for the 26th annual Tri-Cities Bridal Show in January.

My friend Jen Norris brought her beautiful girls in for some Mother/Daughter portraits. Her daughters are exceptionally adorable!

We had a great time playing in the studio with the controversial and always fun Chris Crocker.

One of the best things for me personally, is the movement into professional photography. I still feel like such an amateur in so many ways, but I'm learning a lot and having an incredible time doing so....

Model: Shanna Tate, hair stylist for Enkore Salon and day spa
Photographer: Ren

I did Shanna's makeup for her birthday and shot a few pictures just for fun. So this look was mine from makeup to photo editing.

Last Sunday we worked on a collaborative project with the Goodwins. The idea was for Krisna and I to get some practice with studio lighting so we brought in four models to work with. I did the makeup of course, and then made a lot of mistakes learning how to adjust to different lighting situations. Fell in love with the ring light Jim and Krisna brought! The following images are my first attempts at studio photography. Thanks to Jim and Keith for being such awesome mentors.

Model:Kayla Neikirk, harpist extraordinaire

Model: Khia Sams

Models: Khia Sams and Andrea Lankford, twins and super-fun ladies

Model: Andrea Lankford

"Women with Wings" 2010 body art show!

2010-07-05T20:03:00.000-07:00

I haven't had much time to blog but I wanted to share some pics of the body art show from Friday night at Nelson Fine Art. All of the pictures which are part of the calender project were on display and there were 12 live models displaying a variety of art.

We had a great time!

Chris Crocker stopped by to partay with us for a bit!

Models Khia Sams and Andrea Lankford, painted by Patti Peters and myself took FIRST!!

Model Emily Denton, painted by Laura Bowman took third place

Model Teresa Robinson, painted by Mandy Bateman took second place

Faces by Ren has a fan page!

2010-04-14T17:35:00.000-07:00

I created a fan page at Facebook to stay more connected with friends and customers. It's been a great tool so far and in the first few days has 200 fans already.

Just had my first winner of a prize...the 200th fan will be having some makeup mailed to her shortly. The value will be around $50 retail.

There will be give-aways, daily content and new pics posted regularly, so come "fan" me! See you there: Faces by Ren fan page.

Model: Lillith

2010-04-10T09:03:00.000-07:00

Model: Lillith

Wardrobing: Wendy

Photography: Paul Bishop

This was a fun shoot in which another person pulled the wardrobing elements together and I did makeup inspired by the total look. Collaborative energy is great!

Lillith is such a fun and beautiful model too.

Model: Rachel

2010-03-01T20:08:00.000-08:00

More images from last week at "The Studio" in downtown Johnson City. Enjoy!

Mellissa Oh and her sweetie...

2010-02-27T18:44:00.000-08:00

So I'm really behind on posting pics mainly because my computer is down and I'm using my husband's temporarily. Less ability to upload and manage my photos right now means I have several photo shoots to post but I'm so excited by these latest images I just had to get a few up tonight!

This is Mellissa Oh and her boyfriend, having fun with color and so obviously into each other they were a blast to work with! As always, Paul Bishop captures their energy, spirit and the makeup beautifully.

You will notice a difference in the above picture from the following. The reason for that is not photoshop, but the application of different colors in the makeup. The above was actually shot last, after I added a lot of black and shading to the bright colors.

New website!!

2010-02-02T18:24:00.000-08:00

So I finally launched my own website for Faces by Ren! It's definitely a work in progress but I hope you'll stop by and sign my guestbook. It will be easier to check prices, dates or contact me.

Changes, changes....2010 is going to be a great year!

More from Lillith

2010-01-29T19:07:00.000-08:00

A few more shots from our session last week with Lillith, from the studio of Paul Bishop of course.:) GORgeous!!

Model: Lillith

2010-01-28T09:08:00.000-08:00

Shot at The Studio of Paul Bishop in downtown Johnson City last week. There were so many great ones from this shoot I'll have to share more when Paul is done with them!

Artist's reception for the Spirit Gala

2010-01-25T21:30:00.001-08:00

My good friend Laura Bowman and I painted two models up for the artist's reception in honor of a local fundraiser (the Spirit Gala) a couple weeks ago. Our models were Lillith and Tiffany who were great sports about being paraded around with no more than a bandeaux and paint for shirts. Paul Bishop was the instigator for this one! I can safely say that was the first time any body paint had been displayed at this event.

Finishing up my model at the Millenium Center. My work was inspired by Kandinsky's "Group in Crinoline's" circa 1909.

The four of us hamming it up with an extra Eiffel Tower....the theme was "A Night in Paris". Laura's art was inspired by Chagall.

And finally, their backsides. I hear next year is going to have an English theme...I wonder if we'll get invited back? :) It was a lot of fun at any rate!

Try out that new hairstyle...

2010-01-25T16:28:00.000-08:00

...risk free without cutting a lock of hair! This is a really cool virtual makeover program you can play around with for free. I like the program and as long as you have the right picture (they explain what works and what doesn't) you can really test out some cool hairstyles and even makeup.

It gives you a feel for what is flattering on your face and what colors/cuts you might not love. I think my kids are going to have a blast with this one!

Model: Rachel Wise

2010-01-23T19:14:00.000-08:00

Looking soft and glowing. Shot in Johnson City at The Studio by Paul Bishop.
Rachel looks so different in every shoot which makes her an excellent model!
Past looks include: Edgy body art
Body Art by Aline Backes
Being a walking ad for the body art show
Beauty makeup

I want to hear from you!

2010-01-18T21:18:00.000-08:00

I want to improve my blog, give you more of what you want... share tips, tricks and information you may find useful in addition to pictures of recent work.

I want to hear from you! Tell me what you'd like to read/see/hear about. The more opinions, the better. Do you want tutorials? Stories behind the photo shoots? Do you want to see certain types of makeup being done? Current trends and how to rock them? What floats your boat? I want to know peeps!

I'm working on putting together my very first blog giveaway. So leave your suggestions and comments. I'll be posting a pic of the very cool giveaway soon!

F is for FANtastic!

2010-01-03T20:19:00.000-08:00

Fabulous model and artist Laura Bowman, coupled with the Fresh photos of Paul Bishop and some Fierce makeup artistry/hair styling equals FREAKING fantastic!!

These were shot last month at "The Studio" in downtown Johnson City.

Model: Tiffany Church

2009-12-19T20:36:00.001-08:00

Photographer: Paul Bishop

Model: Lilith

2009-12-05T21:43:00.001-08:00

Model: Lilith
Photographer: Paul Bishop

Shot this week in downtown Johnson City. I think I found my "Avatar" model! Next time you see her, she may be sporting blue skin. ;)

Model: Laura Bowman

2009-12-01T13:57:00.000-08:00

...the girl who never dresses up! She makes an amazing model, full of energy and fun. This was one of my favorite shoots ever.

Makeup, styling and hair by Ren
Photography by Paul Bishop of Johnson City

Halloween and body art

2009-11-09T11:27:00.000-08:00

Body art for First Friday November.
Model: Heather Hawe
Assistant makeup artist: George Hassler

This one was held at Stay True Tattoo and was smaller with just a handful of models and artists participating.

A homage to Alex of "Clockwork Orange", for Halloween. Model and concept: Lenee Hendrix

Lastly, my standard vampire makeup for Halloween....worn at the ARGH gathering held at Roan Mountain. I'm getting hungry again......

Fashion Bites Back 2009!

2009-10-23T22:01:00.000-07:00

A few of the images from "Fashion Bites Back" 2009.

Sci-Fi Glam meets Vampire....one of the main "monsters".

Some of the models getting down with their funky selves after the show...

My plug for "Youth OUTright" the GLBTQ support network for whom the fundraiser was held. It was a lot of fun!!

Smoke and Mirrors a smashing success!

2009-10-04T18:55:00.000-07:00

The very first body art show in Johnson City was a grand success, pulling in a huge crowd and showing off some great talent!

We started early....

The winning entry, painted by Two Couture (myself and Patti Peters) on twins Anna and Sarah Ringley.

All of the models posing with Dick Nelson of Nelson Fine Art Gallery.

What a night!!!

If you'd like to see details of all the above works of art, please check out the Two Couture blog!!

Laura Bowman art.....

2009-09-13T22:12:00.001-07:00

Body art: Laura Bowman
Face makeup/Model: Ren Allen
Photography: Paul Bishop

Patti and I promoting the body art show...

2009-09-12T19:12:00.000-07:00

...and some fall makeup trends. Lots of fun with Amy Lynn of WJHL on Daytime Tri-cities. Check out our segment, then join the facebook group for Smoke and Mirrors, we'll see you there!

Rachel graciously agreed to being painted at an early hour. She had to go home and shower all the art off before work. Thanks for your help girl!

Rachel Wise; body art

2009-09-02T09:54:00.001-07:00

More body art, photographed by Paul Bishop.
Concept, makep and hair by Ren.

If you want to see what Rachel normally looks like (and just how transformational makeup really is) scroll back through my older posts. There are some of her in natural makeup from June. It's titled "Model; Rachel".

Sarah and Anna; Wildcats

2009-08-25T19:29:00.000-07:00

In preparation for the body art show in October (Smoke and Mirrors: The Grand Illusion) we're doing a series of photo shoots in order to have hanging art present at the same time there are live models.

Don't miss the first ever body art show in Johnson City folks!! Nelson Fine Art is the venue, First Friday October 2nd at 6:30pm is when the fun begins. There will be a people's choice award and many fun events all night. See you there!

Models: twins, Sarah and Anna Ringley (will someone sign these girls already?)
Photographer: Paul Bishop
Concept, makeup and hair: Patti Peters and Ren Allen (Patti did Sarah in cool colors, I did Anna in warm).

More Miranda

2009-08-07T19:34:00.000-07:00

More from the Miranda photo shoot in June.
Makeup, concept and hair by Ren
Photography; Paul Bishop

The necklace is made with makeup and candy, her lips and eyes have sugar crystals layered over makeup.

Makeup and wigs and lashes...oh MY!

Miranda back to a more natural look, plus the lashes.

Hayley, Dave and Ayla

2009-07-19T13:45:00.000-07:00

Photographer: Paul Bishop, shot in the downtown Johnson City location.
Makeup: Ren

This was a photo shoot that had lovely timing. Hayley's due date wasn't for another 3 weeks, but there was concern about the cord and possible induction. So we decided to go ahead and do her shoot the first week of July instead of waiting. Good thing we did! Baby Ayla took her first breath just a few days later. She was 6lbs. and I got to meet her a couple days ago. She is utter perfection and her parents are positively glowing. Beautiful baby. Beautiful family.

I am honored to have been a part of capturing this special time in their lives.

Hayley's face makeup was applied by her, as she is a talented makeup artist herself. I focused on baby belly art.:)

Enchantress: Kim

2009-07-11T18:18:00.001-07:00

Model: Kim
Photographer: Paul Bishop
Makeup, hair & concept by Ren

Model: Miranda

2009-06-26T17:04:00.000-07:00

Photographer: Paul Bishop
Concept, hair and makeup by Ren

This was a really fun shoot in which I utilized colored sugar crystals as makeup! More to come from this session....

Model: Ashley White

2009-06-24T22:34:00.000-07:00

These are older pics from a couple years ago, but I like them and don't have them up anywhere else right now. This is the shoot we laugh about because the cops got called on us as we worked in an abandoned lot near a train track. We were reported as shooting someone "nude", which wasn't true but apparently a risque outfit will get you in trouble in Bristol VA.

Photographer: Devon LeFevere

Model: Rachel

2009-06-24T22:31:00.001-07:00

Photographer: Paul Bishop, shot in the new studio downtown Johnson City

Clean, classic makeup.

My fave apprentice...

2009-05-09T20:05:00.001-07:00

...well, not really as she lives to far away to actually be an apprentice! But I have mentored this young person whom I like very much. She is a creative, colorful person and her skills as a makeup artist have grown by leaps and bounds. Will a cosmetic company hire this girl already?!

Her first attempt at a Youtube makeup tutorial. Gorgeous!

Model: Erika

2009-04-23T09:43:00.001-07:00

These are some images created at the new studio of Paul Bishop in downtown Johnson City! Downtown offers a wide variety of shooting opportunities and the studio itself is adorable, with an old-time feel and hardwood floors. I highly recommend his "Studio 5 zero 1" for any brides who are still looking for a photographer!

It looks like Patti and I will be offering makeup lessons and workshops down there soon...so stay tuned.

Model: Taylee

2009-03-12T21:38:00.000-07:00

Model: Taylee Childs
Photographer: Levon VIII
Makeup by Ren

These are older photos I just hadn't gotten around to posting yet. I think Taylee has great potential as a model and hope she goes far in the industry!

The latest from Paul's studio

2009-03-09T21:32:00.000-07:00

Photographer: Paul Bishop
Models: Kim and Alyssa Osborne, Sierra Allen
Makeup and hair by Ren

And finally, a 20's look on Kim....we're planning on working our way through various decades.

Hollywood!

2009-03-04T10:10:00.000-08:00

The big weekend in Hollywood/Beverly Hills didn't have as much to do with my craft as I would have liked. But we did get to attend the Makeup Artist Symposium which was totally amazing, educational and inspirational!

The Walk of Fame and the Kodak theater are a "must-see" on Oscar weekend.

Finally, the Night of 100 Stars where we celebrated the Oscars in STYLE!

I've posted a lengthier run-down of the weekend for those who are interested, over at one of my other blogs. Enjoy!

Superatv.com

2009-02-12T12:18:00.000-08:00

These aren't great copies, so you won't be able to see the makeup, but here it is. I did the model's makeup for these Superatv.com ads recently published in several nationwide magazines. I even got editorial credit in the ad which is not the norm.

The model is Tiffany Church, the photographer Woody Woodruff.

What I did on my lunch break...

2009-02-09T22:37:00.000-08:00

...last week.
Did a 50's look just for fun and decided it would be great to have some photos. Paul Bishop was gracious enough to squeeze me in at the last minute. Here are some faves:

Model: Kelly

2009-01-23T07:30:00.001-08:00

Makeup: Ren
Photography/concept: Levon VIII

Model Ashley White

2009-01-23T07:23:00.000-08:00

From the La Pom studio.
Makeup: Ren
Photography/wardrobe: Levon VIII

The La Pom flyer

2009-01-21T20:19:00.000-08:00

Photographer: Paul Bishop, November 2008

2009-01-07T22:30:00.000-08:00

It's what I love to do!:)

Models Lindsey and Tess, makeup and hair by Ren:

Model: Shanna Tate

2008-12-12T21:04:00.000-08:00

Photos by Julie Lawson of JL Photography, makeup by Ren, December 2008:

Graffiti Gurlz

2008-12-11T21:30:00.001-08:00

Models Sierra and Karina, photo and makeup by Ren.

Shot November 2008.

Photographer: Paul Bishop

2008-12-11T21:22:00.000-08:00

Kim in a 1950's look. Hair and makeup by Ren, photography by Paul Bishop of Studio 5 zero 1.

Photos shot summer 2008.