15 Comments Add your own

• 1. lisa  |  August 1st, 2010 at 4:23 pm

  hi mandi, true of false – nail polish is dangerousfor your health?
  ps. love that hair!

• 2. Ashleigh  |  August 2nd, 2010 at 7:36 pm

  Heya Mandi! U seem 2 be rubbin shoulders with lotsa celebs… how r they backstage?? Do u meet any stuck up divas?? Axxxx

• 3. Hannah  |  August 2nd, 2010 at 9:48 pm

  Hi Mandi,
  How did you manage go from a corporate job into a celebrated make-up artist?? How did you land your first big gig and what advice do you have for people who wants to enter the industry?
  Is it hard to survive in and do you have to have to be in the right circles to get a break into the fashion industry?

  Any tips would be nice!! Thanks

• 4. Tara  |  August 5th, 2010 at 8:30 am

  Hi Mandi,
  When is the Peru Challenge? Lots of friends of going to South America to trek but what a great idea to combine with some charity!
  Tara

• 5. Mandi Levanah  |  August 8th, 2010 at 3:59 pm

  Hi Ladies – thanks for your comments and questions!

  Lisa – nail polish isn’t dangerous to your health if you choose the right ones. Most nail polishes these days are made without the nasties like formaldehyde, toluene and DBPs. My favourite polishes are OPI for their longevity and Illamasqua for their awesome colours. And thanks, re the hair – i love a bit of colour.

  Ashleigh – most celebs i work with are just like you and i. They are usually not too keen on all the fuss around them and just want to do what they’re passionate about, whether its sing, dance, act, etc. I haven’t met any real divas and if i had i definitely wouldn’t talk about it – discretion is the name of the game when you’re so close in someone’s personal space.

  Hannah – to answer your first question; a lot of passion and hard work. Its hard to say what my first big gig was and how i landed it. I’m grateful for every job i get to work on, because i love what i do. My advice for anyone wanting to enter the industry would be to firstly make sure you’re 110% committed to it and secondly, come to one of my workshops. I share everything it took me 10 years to learn into two days about the industry and what you need to know about assisting, testing, etc.

  Tara – i planned on doing the Peru Challenge in December but i may need to push it back due to work commitments. Perhaps in the early part of next year. But they have programs that begin at the start of each month. It looks like such a great program to get involved with and i cannot wait!

• 6. lara  |  August 9th, 2010 at 11:54 pm

  Hi Mandi!

  What are your top steps for an at home mani? In which order do you do things? And also, what’s you’re favourite nail strengthener? xxx

• 7. Connie  |  August 13th, 2010 at 9:38 pm

  Hi Mandi
  What’s the best way to get a good smokey eye look, without it looking like a big black mess?? Mine tends to look more sooty than sexy!

• 8. Mandi Levanah  |  August 14th, 2010 at 1:21 am

  Hi Lara – i just gave myself a mani actually. I always start my clipping and filing my nails (i love them short). I rarely buff nails, unless they reeeeally need it. Then cuticle remover, push back cuticles, then loads and loads of cuticle oil. I’ve probably reapplied about 5 times over the past couple of hours…. Then tomorrow i will paint. I don’t really use nail strengtheners, but i recommend looking for ones which do not contain formaldehyde but rather they’re protein based. Good luck!

  Hi Connie – its all in the eye prep and the product choices. Before you begin you’ve got to remove all oils from your eyelid (a huggies baby wipe should do the trick). For a smokey eye that won’t budge i like using the MAC Paint Pot in Blackground. Start close to the lashes and blend upwards and outwards. Then dust over some black eyeshadow and blend again. With a smoky eye i usually do the eyes first, then clean up under the eye and apply foundation, concealer, etc. And don’t forget the black eyeliner on the inner rim!!

• 9. chinadoll  |  August 15th, 2010 at 2:38 pm

  hi mandi,
  any tips of how to bring out my eyes more with makeup? i have asian eyes – small eyelids and short straight eyelashes (i don’t like using fake ones)….thanks!

• 10. Sandra  |  August 15th, 2010 at 5:47 pm

  Hi Mandi,
  I love putting on make up on others, my sisters, girlfriends and mum but am horrible to touch myself up?? What’s your best tips for make up on the go that is easy to apply?
  Kindest, Sandra

• 11. Beth  |  August 16th, 2010 at 8:59 am

  Hi Mandi, love your work, I am hoping to do one of your workshops soon! Already booked in for Rae’s masterclass in October. You are an inspiration for me to follow my dream… Can you tell me what your top 5 fave products are?

• 12. Millie  |  August 17th, 2010 at 10:02 am

  Hi Mandi,
  I am hoping you might have some professional advice! Acne skin problem catch 22 – have been told not to cover up with make up but if I don’t I won’t want to show my face! What to do?? M

• 13. Mandi Levanah  |  August 28th, 2010 at 12:57 pm

  Hi ladies, thanks for your questions…

  Chinadoll – an eyelash curler and lots of mascara for starters!! Then learn some great contouring techniques for Asian eyes. Check out Rae Morris’s book where she has a great section for asian eyes…

  Sandra – concealer, lippy (gloss or lipstick) and mascara is usually the three things that will get you by on the go…

  Beth – would love to have you along to one of my workshops. Rae’s masterclass will be amazing and you will learn lots!! My top fave products are Lavender water (which i make myself), Kevyn Aucoin concealers, Blot powder, Illamasqua blush, and Nars Liquid Orgasm

  Millie – try to stay away from really oily concealers, but make sure you cleanse your face at the end of the day. Best to see a skin specialist about the treatment of the acne though, there is a great product you can get from Concept Cosmetic Medicine 98118888 its a 3 step product which i’ve seen great results from.

  xx

• 14. Jennifer Croes  |  September 1st, 2010 at 1:35 pm

  Hi Mandi, Thanks for your lovely comment! Much appreciated.
  Well, I would love your job too!
  I love experimenting with make-up when not running around in the jungles as smudged mascara (panda eyes) ain’t a good look.

  Would love to be made up by you one day.
  All the best and keep up the good work!!

  Jennifer

• 15. Dana  |  March 27th, 2011 at 11:21 pm

  Hi Mandi,

  I will be attending Salon Melbourne and have booked myself into one of your workshop. I can’t wait to see you, hopefully I’m able to have a photo taken with you, to constantly remind me to work towards my goals. Your truly an inspiration.
  =)

  Dana

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