Dead Gorgeous Hair & Makeup Styling

Hello fans! To kick off 2013 we have another wonderful interview for you!

Love pin up hair and make up? Well this post is for you. If you are on the Gold Coast or in Brisbane, that's even better!

Introducing the wonderful Bree from Dead Gorgeous Hair and Makeup Styling...

When did you discover the world of Pin Up?
When I was a kid I'd watch a lot of old movies with my nan. I fell on love with the grace, beauty and femininity of the Hollywood starlets.

What inspired you to start DG?
Having done my hair and makeup for all my pinup shoots, I found I loved getting ready just as much as the shoot itself. So I figured why not do it for others then I'd get to play with hair and makeup more often.

What is your favourite product that you have up for grabs?
My fave would definitely be the powder foundations. I've worn mineral foundation for last 10yrs and swear by it. DG cosmetics is even better than the bare minerals I used to wear, so much lighter and more comfortable to wear plus it gives great coverage and has SPF15.

Did you know that Bree also has a special on just for January? If you are looking for some new makeup now is the time - Buy one, get one FREE! Just head to her Facebook Page for more information - https://www.facebook.com/deadgorgeousmuah

Who are your Pin Up icons?
I definitely look up to Doris Day. She never gave in to Hollywood pressure to become a sex symbol. She stuck to her guns and stayed wholesome. I admire her strength to stay true to herself.

What did you want to be when you grew up?
I always wanted to be a hairdresser like my mum, but when it came time to sign up for a TAFE course I chickened out. I wanted to be Frenchie all my childhood...I still do!

What are your favourite Pin Up themes?
I do love cheesecake pinup, but prefer to put a lil twist on things. For example when doing the housewife look, maybe a sneaky martini in one hand or a butchers knife... just to give the viewer something to think about (or a giggle).

What would be your ideal place to holiday?
I'd absolutely love to go to New York between Autumn and Winter and see Central Park just like it is in all my fave movies. Then of course onto Broadway.

You're a Pin Up with tattoos. What has the reaction been to your style and do you have a favourite tattoo?
The reactions been mostly positive, however you'll always get someone who doesn't like them but their opinion is just that THEIRS. I think there's two distinct groups of pinups, you have your, what I like to call, true vintage pinups who dress in a more traditional way and have NO tattoos. Then you have your modern pinup who's style leans more towards rockabilly and HAS tattoos... usually several. I definitely fit into the second group, I LOVE traditional vintage but also LOVE my tattoos.

I adore all of my tattoos and most have a very special meaning behind them, but my favourite is DEFINITELY Frenchie on my right thigh done by the incredible Joe at Scorpian Tattoo in North Lakes. It's a portrait of her with pink hair, below her are a curling iron and a can of hairspray, and above is a banner that reads "Beauty School Dropout". Grease has been one of my fave movies since I was tiny, and being a hair and makeup artist now it just seemed perfect.

Sugar skulls are a wonderful part of your hair and make-up courses. What drew you to this?
I find skulls beautiful and have always been drawn to them. To me they symbolise life, and sugar skulls represent this, too. They come from a Mexican tradition Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) which celebrates the lives of loved ones who have passed away. People give each other skulls made of sugar that have been decorated beautifully with icing, sequins, glitter etc and also lay them as an offering at the grave of their lost loved ones. I think this is a gorgeous tradition and found a lot women wanted to know how to do their makeup like a sugar skull. The classes are always super fun, there's lots of lollies, colour, laughs and everyone gets a photo at the end to show off. 

Do you have any words of wisdom for designers, models and anyone new to the Pin Up scene?
Research, practice and enjoy. Let your creative side come out and let your look reflect your personality.

When is your next Sundae School Pinup Class?
I'm still waiting to hear back from the venue, so the date hasn't been confirmed yet. But the classes will be getting a slight facelift this year. I will be splitting the class in two. The first class will be only makeup, we'll focus on achieving a vintage pinup look using minimal products (just like Nanna did), and the second class will be hair only. I've found there's a lot of girls who can do one or the other (or neither) and so I decided to split them up so they can attend the class they need the most, or both! Each class will be $30pp or if you book in for the two it's $50pp. I love teaching my Sundae's School Pinup Classes, it's kind of like my happy place.

Thank you to the lovely Bree for chatting to us!

You can follow her here:
Facebook -  https://www.facebook.com/deadgorgeousmuah
Instagram - deadgorgeousmuah
Twitter - https://twitter.com/deadgorgeous3
Pinterest - http://pinterest.com/deadgorgeousmu/

July Feature - Hungry Designs & Giveaway

Every month I will be showcasing local talent - pin ups, crafters, shops - you name it.

My first feature is with the amazing Amanda from Hungry Designs. I have watched her business grow over the years and admired her journey. She is not only very talented, but also such a kind soul. 

You can also enter her giveaway! Read more below.

Tell us a bit about Hungry Designs...

Hungry Designs started when I was at university.  I studied Illustration & Printmaking in Scotland and while in my final year, I created a line of screenprinted tees under the fake brand "Hungry Designs".  After completing my Honours Degree, I really fell out of love with drawing and took my creative side in a different direction, and started making trinket and charm jewellery.  Friends and family encouraged me to sell my accessories at local markets and events.

In 2009, I moved back to Australia to be with my family, bring my now-husband Colin with me.  Here I was encouraged to start to draw again.  Reluctantly I started illustrating designs at local events and markets that I attended and the response was fantastic.  The trinket and charm jewellery started to take a back seat as I started to take Hungry Designs in a completely new direction.  

I have so many themes and collections, I think this was a subconscious decision, my first collection of wearable art designs was a massive range.  An umbrella girl, zombie, day of the dead girl and a voodoo girl.  I think from there I always knew that Hungry Designs would have something for everyone, for all tastes and age groups.

When did you discover you had an artistic talent?

I have always doodled and drawn and art was always my favourite subject at school.  So I think I always knew that I would study art and design.  I just didn't know that art would consume my life and I would have my own small business based solely on my illustrations.  *grin*

What is your favourite creation to date?

I'm quite indecisive, and to be honest my favourites change on an almost daily basis...I wear the first Day of the Dead girl that I had cut a lot.  I think that is more because I wear a lot of reds and browns though, so she is perfect for most of my outfits!  I am rather smitten with the Cheshire Cat design from the new Wonderland Collection though.  I love that the hoops are cut out and that the clothing that you wear shows through.

Has anyone had your artwork tattooed or are you contemplating one for yourself?

I am fortunate enough to have a few of my designs tattooed on lovely ladies.  It's always a huge compliment and I am always thrilled when I am asked to either design a tattoo or if someone can have one of my illustrations tattooed on their person.  It's the ultimate wearable art. 

I would love to have tattoos, but I am far too indecisive.  I would love a Day of the Dead design on my arm, because this reflects Hungry Designs. But I would like to have the tattoo turn our exactly the same as my illustration and I have never found a tattoo artist that could work in the same way as me.  Tattoos are obviously so permanent and I would have to be 100% happy with the final product and my concern would be that I would look at it and see flaws.  I much prefer piercings - I have 13 and counting!

Who/what inspires you?

I am incredibly inspired by modern American comic book illustrations.  I am a massive collector of comic books and I think it is obvious that I am inspired by them.  I am also inspired by fairy tales, poems and my love of Disney films.  My husband, Colin, inspires me.  He is the first person that I go to when I have a new idea and we speak about the ideas, and it often grows into something quite out of control!  My fans and friends on Facebook inspire me on a daily basis.  I am so grateful for every comment and every piece of feedback I receive.  It's refreshing.  

What do you enjoy most about what you do?

I enjoy that my art is an accessory.  It's worn, touched and matches outfits and personalities.  It represents the people who wear them and I am always so blown away that people want to WEAR my art.  I love this most about Hungry Designs and am so grateful.  

What do you do in your spare time away from Hungry Designs?

I love watching foreign films.  If I watch a film at home, I am normally answering emails, drawing or doing something Hungry Designs related.  It's really very difficult for me to switch off.  When I watch foreign films, I have to focus on the film, reading the subtitles.  I enjoy that it forces me to switch off.  Hungry Designs is like my child - I don't have any children but know a lot of people who do.  They talk about their children a lot and because Hungry Designs is my child, it's what I talk about.  Everything seems to be about Hungry Designs in some way.  Everything feeds into it.  

I like to bake for the same reason that I enjoy watching foreign films, baking forces me to focus on non-Hungry Designs related things.  The same can be said for reading comic books and painting my nails.  

Most of all I love spending times with Colin and our two guinea pigs.  There's nothing better than sharing my life with someone as special as Colin.  I know that Hungry Designs wouldn't be what it is without Colin.  He's the Wizard, behind the curtain, pulling the cords and pushing the buttons on the beastly machine that is Hungry Designs.  

What’s your favourite travel spot or somewhere you really want to go?

I do love Scotland: Colin and I plan to go back and visit his family and our friends.  Although, if they weren't there we probably wouldn't go back as often.  There are so many places in the world to visit, it seems a shame to visit the same destination over and over.  

Colin has never been to New York and we plan to travel to America in 2013, spending Christmas in Disneyland, Florida and New Year in New York.  

We also want to explore Australia a lot more.  It always seems that when you live in a country, you never explore what is in your back garden, but dream of destinations that are further afield.

If you had a piece of advice for up and coming artists across the globe what would it be?

Be open to change, advice and the world around you.  Find your niche, and themes that haven't been done before - originality is key when building a successful business.  Be good to those around you and embrace other creatives with open arms.  Being a creative is quite solitary work and having creative friends makes things much easier: they encourage you and their honesty will push you to be a better business owner and designer. 

What's next for HD?

We are focused on our homewares range.  We are busy sewing cushions and putting together clocks.  It's exciting for us that Hungry Designs is no longer solely brooches.  I have a new Halloween range coming out in September - I'm insanely excited about this, it's all top secret at the moment!  *grin*

Now that is one inspiring interview! Go out there and be creative. It's wonderful to see how Amanda's brand has evolved from brooches to endless possibilities! 

Amanda has also been kind enough to offer readers a chance to win 3 x $25 vouchers as part of her giveaway :)

To be in the running:

• Pop over to her Facebook page and 'like' - Hungry Designs, and,

• Post a comment on her page saying Miss Rockabilly sent you!

It's that easy! Good luck!

Winners will be drawn at the end of August.

Stay tuned for more fantastic interviews and giveaways in the coming months!

Cooly Rocks On this Weekend!

This weekend you are in for a fabulous Rockabilly treat if you are in Coolangatta. There will be heaps of stalls, bands and of course hot rods so be sure to check it out! The Cooly Rocks On celebrations kicked off on the 1st and continue until the 11th!

We will be there at the Craft Markets section along Marine Parade on Saturday & Sunday (9th & 10th). Be sure to pop by and say hello! Everything in this section is all handmade by local designers so it’s well worth a look and to support your crafty ones! Lots of new stock I haven’t had time to photograph yet will be there! 

Had a blast last Sunday at Coolangatta for Sundae’s School Pin Up class! I have decided that my hair is seriously too long for victory rolls! But it gives my arms a great work out! Usually when I do them I cheat because I can't reach the end of my hair... one day I will show you a video on how I put this maine up! Everyone had a great time. Looking forward to many more classes!

See you at Cooly Rocks on this weekend!

2012 It's All Happening!

In the words of Bette Davis - "Attempt the impossible in order to improve your work"


This is exactly what I've been doing lately. I've been trying new ways of crafting and creating. With trial and error I've found the best ways to do things. Without challenges, it would be boring and I'd lose interest.



Miss Rockabilly is slowly evolving. It is my hobby after all and I do have a full time job but in my spare time it's one of my escapes. I love creating gorgeous little pin up girls on hair clips, resin jewellery and focusing on my other hobby! Sometimes I need to sit down and relax and not try to do everything at once. Last week I said 'today is time for me' and what did I do, cleaned the house until 3pm. Somehow I don't think that was 'time for me'.


I do feel I need a holiday or week off to focus more on other crafty elements I want to try. I have many art pieces in the works because I just love drawing and painting but I never seem to complete them in a hurry. That will be my next focus.


In other news, the Mega Sale was a great hit in March and that was followed up in April with the BrisStyle Indie Twilight Markets. It was a bit of a rainy evening but we were nice and cosy undercover with plenty of shoppers! My table below and Mite Design in the 2nd image. 

Not a week's rest from the BrisStyle markets and I was back in full swing for the Garterbelts and Gasoline Festival on Mount Tamborine over the long weekend in May. This year I thought to give one last pin up comp a go and what a night it was! It is always wonderful to meet such wonderful pinups and support stage staff to make a fantastic night! A couple of pics from the night.

After a big night on stage it was a 6am wake up to do all the pin up hair and makeup once again for the Garterbelts & Gasoline Hot Rod show. Perfect weather and what a crowd! I had such fun and the cars were a delight. But always best to get there early and see the cars before they start heading home around lunch time. My wonderful pin up pal Chi Chi Cheetah and myself at the car show. More pics to come... they are still on the camera!

Thanks to all the lovely fans that stopped by the Miss Rockabilly stall. You will find me next at Cooly Rocks On June 9 & 10 - Coolangatta. Just off Marine Parade. I'm right near the food vendors which may be a bit detrimental to my waistline! Be sure to come say hi from 9am-5pm! 

After Cooly Rocks On there is one more major event Miss Rockabilly will be at in Queensland. Can you guess what it is?

First Ever MEGA Sale

Hi Followers! I know it's been a while since posting. It has been very hectic! There are lots of things happening for Miss Rockabilly this year, new products being crafted all the time and an array of markets coming up this year.

Before all the markets kick off I'm having a MEGA Sale. It's my first sale night for my Facebook fans so pop over tomorrow night at 6:30pm Brisbane time to grab a bargain. I'm not having another mega sale until probably the end of the year at this stage.

xx

Cruzin Magazine

Recently I was approached by Cruzin Magazine to do a photo shoot for their latest issue. I started pursuing pin up modelling from early 2010 in order to compete in the Miss Pin Up Australia competition, since then the opportunities to grow in the industry have been incredible!

I am truly grateful to those who have made this possible and from the support of friends, family and other wonderful pin ups in the industry. You instantly know genuine people that surround you from their level of encouragement and support.

The message I have to all those wanting to pursue a career in any industry to never lose faith in your own abilities and believe that what you want will come in time, no matter the ups and downs everything happens for a reason.

If you want to have a peek at the magazine go to any local Newsagent in Australia, the November Cruzin Magazine issue is out now! Such a gorgeous purple hot rod on the cover. Just love that car!

Here is one shot from the day that was taken by Photographer Dale Haberfield. Thanks Cruzin!!

Cancer Research Charity Auctions - Nearly at our target!

The Girls Night In Charity Auctions all of October have been going great!

Thanks to our sponsors for their wonderful contributions. We only have a few days left of charity packs so get on board and lets see if we can hit the $400 mark for Cancer research!

Without the following contributors it wouldn't have been possible so check them out on Facebook or Etsy!

• Petal Accessories - lovely lingerie and accessories
• Vintage Caravan Magazine
• The Collective Store - stocking handmade goodies
• Hungry Designs - gorgeous wearable art
• Pin Up Boudoir - Reproduction pin up clothing
• Journal Addiction - funky stationery for everyone
• LoveLeigh Designs - handmade hair accessories and jewellery
• P is for Pinup - handmade pin up handbags and hair accessories
• 3 Girls and a Goat - handmade gift cards and stationery
• Jubly Umph - handmade tattoo art jewellery
• Dead Gorgeous Hair and Make Up
• Kiss My Button Vintage - vintage fashion
• WA Roller Derby
• Me & Holly B - felt creations

The Collective Store - Everything modern retail chains are missing!

Where and Who are they?

The Collective Store is located in Wynnum, Queensland. They are a handmade boutique store filled to the brim with handmade and unique Australian products.

What makes The Collective Store stand out?

Simply put - great customer service, products that radiate love and owners with a passion for what they do.

How often have you walked into a retail store, couldn't find the staff to ask a question and when you did they were rude and put out that you even found them. This is something I have found that many retail stores and chains are really lacking - great service and passion for what they do. Which is why so many shoppers hate going out, dealing with bad service and not finding what they want.


Outlets like The Collective Store are different and there is a reason for it. I cherish when I walk into a store filled with love - from the products being sold down to the people that work there. You feel welcome and at home as soon as you set foot inside and could browse the endless range of unique products for hours. This is exactly what The Collective Store has created. 

How did it all start?

Leonie McIntosh is the owner and creative mind behind The Collective Store. 


“As a hobbyist silversmith I had found it almost impossible to make my craft even a tiny bit profitable. Galleries and boutiques charge too much commission, markets can either be too expensive when you sign up for designer markets or depressing when you are competing with stallholders who deal in imported, inferior products but who seem to be making money hand-over-fist. Online selling is difficult for jewellery because it’s such a tactile product; it really needs to be seen first-hand to be judged for weight, size, texture and quality”

This is how The Collective Store came into fruition.

It's “a marketplace for high-quality products handmade in Australia. I envisioned a community of independent artists, crafters and designers bringing beautiful handmade products to the general public by way of a fresh, fun, co-operative wrapped in a gorgeous little boutique – a shopping oasis!”

You can also have a look on their website – www.thecollectivestore.com.au and check out the monthly featured sellers. There are so many talented art and crafters that deserve to be recognised.

How do I get some gorgeous handmade products?!?

Head to their store in Wynnum and check out all the goodies or on their facebook page!

Bid on the latest auction for your chance to get hold of a $100 voucher from The Collective Store generously donated by Leonie! All of the money raised from bidding goes direct to the Cancer Council. This auction closes tomorrow at midnight so be quick! It is a fantastic cause so dig deep. Wonderful sponsors have been kind enough to donate their wares and services to make this possible!

New Miss Rockabilly Products

This is your first peek at my new products! I made a bunch of stock over the past week and some were on display at the Beenleigh Roller Derby on Saturday night.

Pin Up Girl Lace Fascinator $18 - one off piece

Hand Painted Tattoo Art Lace Fascinator $35 - one off piece

Cherry Stripe Shoe Clips Set of 2 $18 - one off piece

Crown Polka Dot Hair Bow $15 - one off piece

Babushka Gingham Hair Clip $10

October Events for Miss Rockabilly

October is jam packed full of Miss Rockabilly events and promotion! I have been flat out lately creating product for stockists, Miss Pin Up Australia prize packs and other events.

Just gone was the Pin Up Parlor event held in Sydney. Lots of performances and it looked like an all round fun pin up evening! Here is the video. Miss Rockabilly was a sponsor of the event with prize packs!

http://tattooink.tv/?movideo_p=45508&movideo_m=131860

Here is what is coming up in October:

• 25% off all Online Sales in October of Miss Rockabilly Products are going direct to The Cancer Council! So get Christmas shopping on Etsy or Facebook
• Sponsor Prize Packs are being auctioned off all month on Facebook with all funds raised also going direct to The Cancer Council as part of the Girls Night In event. So follow my fan page to bid! Lots of goodies will be up for auction. Check out our sponsors below!

• This Sunday the 2nd is the Dead Gorgeous Spring Carnival Hair and Make Up course. Miss Rockabilly Hair Accessories will be on sale! Perfect for spring racing pin up style.

• Saturday October 8 is the Roller Derby at Beenleigh - Defiants V Furies. Miss Rockabilly is having a stall from 4pm onwards so come check out all the new products

• October 28 is the BrisStyle Indie Twlight Markets in King George Square, Brisbane. I am sharing a stall with a Touch of Glass so come say hello!

• October 29 - Live QLD Pin Up Heats for Miss Pin Up Australia. Tweed Seagulls. All the winners and runners up are getting Miss Rockabilly products and vouchers!

Greazefest Markets 2011

Well Greazefest went off with a bang this year! It was my first and certainly not the last market there. Amazing stalls, glamourous people and of course hot cars!

Here are some pics and of course ... new products! I just love creating new things and there is more of this to come. I just haven't had time to photograph everything new.

Fashion Parade Models with some Miss Rockabilly Accessories

New Anchor Hair Bow

New Range of Knuckle Duster Necklaces

All New Cherry Resin Bangle!

The Cars...

Miss Rockabilly's Stall