When I say "baby band" I mean the bands that are starting out with a million or less in operating captial.
If you are just starting out and all your money goes to the demo and travelling to shows-how do you up your image and sytle ante without using a lot of money?
I have a few suggestions to help:
1. The local Savers ( www.savers.com) is a treasure trove of good stuff! Plus the local vintage shops and thrift stores can have fun, funky, stylish clothes that are inexpensive. This can be a great palce to start for clothes and make a little wardrobe budget go far. Perhaps you can incorporate a vintage store run in each of the citys' that you play in?
2. Partner with a fashion design student. They get their designs in front of the public or in photos and you get something original to wear. To find these fashion students: check out www.fidm.com ( Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandise) or your local community college, look under the art department. I know the Mesa Community College Fashion department has amazing instructors like Angela Johnson and the students are just as good!
I've also seen several meetup.com fashion groups, and of course, myspace.com is full of fashionistas also. Just post a request and see what happens.
3. Your hair. You never know when big rocker hair is going to come back in style, so best get prepared now. Whether you need a cut,color,perm or weave, these services are best left to the professionals. If you don't have professional budget, try the beauty schools. Toni & Guy have a training center in Scottsdale, and AVEDA trains in Tempe. Don't forget Earl's Academy of beauty. The name may be odd but the students are good. All services are performed by students learning with a professional stylist as an instructor. I suggest you take a photo of your hair vision along to the appointment to help inspire the creativity of the student stylist.
These services are more than half off of what you would pay in a salon.
4. A little makeup goes along way on stage or in your photo shoots. Your most important step is to take good care of your skin. Slather on a little lightweight moisturizer with spf to get things started. Follow with spf lip balm because cracked chapped lips never photograph well. For photos use a oil absorbing matte powder but decide if you want to use it on stage depending on the sweat level during performance.
Eyeliner, or in some cases, guyliner is worth the effort. A smudgy smokey eye photographs beautifully and holds up fairly well on stage under hot lights. Most importantly it "pops" the eye and makes them stand out more. Experiment with different brands of pencils, creme or powdered eyeshadows as eyeliner.
Remember, a little makeup goes along way in a more polished and professional look. You decide your level of cosmetic comfort somewhere between Duran Duran and Twisted Sister.
For help coaching your band on an updated style, visit me at the Musicians Choice Rehearsal grand opening party, Saturday September 8th, starting at 4 pm.
2155 E. University Dr Tempe AZ 85281
www.makeupuniversity.com
www.earth911.org
See ya from the front row!
Sincerely,
Your personal makeup coach
Cherelynn Baker
Review my Business at MyHuckleberry.Com
