This review is super overdue from a lesson I took in May. I was just starting to get into makeup (in my early 30s) and was realizing that I was only gonna learn so much from YouTube tutorials. I'd been considering taking a lesson for months and when I finally bit the bullet and contacted Debbie, it turns out she was super duper pregnant but still insisted on letting me take a lesson with her! We met up at the La Canada Flintridge Country Club with all my makeup and brushes (aka - at the time - the drugstore brands that were displayed nicest at CVS). I was intimidated at first, but Debbie is so nice and encouraging that that went away quickly. I had/have all sorts of insecurities about all sorts of physical features - hooded eyes, upper lip a little thinner than I'd like - and she addressed how to use makeup to counteract those things, but more importantly, she pointed out my natural beauty that I wasn't even allowing myself to see. She isn't there to sell anything, but she did give a lot of recommendations and let me know where to splurge and where it's ok to skimp. I learned about eyeshadow, contouring, and lipstick. 2 hours went by so fast. So that was all great and I looked nice that day, but the real magic was what happened afterwards. I bought some nice products and began to incorporate them into my makeup routine. I experimented with eyeshadow looks and different liner. I had been given permission to play around and have fun with makeup, instead of view it as a burden. I'd always thought that I was makeup-illiterate, when really, I was too intimidated to put in the effort to practice my skills and get better. Now, because of the stuff that I learned from Debbie, I have a completely different attitude about makeup and see it as a fun way to express my creativity. And I'm not half bad at it, either. I'd still be toiling in YouTube tutorial purgatory if I hadn't contacted her. Thanks, Debbie. read more

Renee is a super friendly but she is a quack! On the telephone she stated that "lessons are about $150 and typically run 1.5 hrs and that you can bring up to 3 friends. You and your friends can split the cost the cost of $150." However, she fails to inform you that the lessons are $150 an hour and not $150 a lesson. Despite what type of lesson(s) you have in mind and communicated to her on the telephone, she totally disregard in person. When you get to her residence, aka her studio, she is not professional enough to have all the materials ready, nor does she ask you how many hrs of lesson you have in mind. She takes her slow ass time and before you know it, 3 hours have passed and BAM, and then she tells you that you owe her $450!!!! LADIES BEWARE! Renee might have talent has a makeup artist but she sure teaches girls to cake on the makeup. read more

I was going through a post breakup and wanted to get a makeover without being too obvious. Makeup application was the noninvasive approach to this and did few researches online and came across Beauty Studio Makeup. I was thrilled to come across a makeup artist who actually specialized and emphasized Asian beauty. I immediately emailed Renee right away and got a quick response on setting an appointment to have lessons. Right away she made me feel I was someone she had known for an extended period of time. I knew right there and then she weren't there to judge me but to give me a diligent makeup tutorial. Renee definitely made the session fun and informative. Similar too many Asian women, my first question was on how to make my eyes bigger and Renee gave me insightful tips and tricks to accomplish this. Furthermore I bow down to her for highlighting tips. I realized I did not have to put foundation on my face but able to accentuate my face with concealer and bronzer (bow down). Also, I asked her to do my makeup for my birthday and she made me feel like a million dollars and the makeup never melted off my face. She has the special touch to have the makeup stay on ones face for hourssssss. Did I mention she put lashes on me and lasted (no joke) 3-days- with care of course =) Side Note: Renee really takes time to make sure you have grasped her makeup tutorial and will ask you to take notes and try applying makeup yourself so this is a full blown lesson! read more

Renee is the BEST!!!! Renee and her assistant did about 8 ladies' (including myself) makeup for a wedding recently and they were wonderful! They were friendly and professional and very clean and organized. Renee is great with Asian make up and she is very detailed and articulate with her work. All of our makeup stayed on all day long and well into the night (we had our make up done at 6am). I was so excited to be able to experience her magic and can't wait to have her do my makeup again! P. S. Renee is BEAUTIFUL in person and she only wears concealer! read more

Renee is a true talent! I did a session with her for New Years and she made me look like a ROCKSTAR! My eyes never looked bigger and I felt very sexy all night. It was a departure from the looks she creates for brides, which looks more demure, but equally impressive. She did a smoky eye on me that actually made my eyes look bigger, she fixed my brows so that they opened up my face better, and she taught me how to wean myself off of my daily foundation routine - which was prematurely aging my skin. That lesson alone made it worth the price I paid. Most importantly, she made me appreciate my Asian looks. She enhanced my face without trying to mold it into something else. I've been to many a makeup artist before and I've found that most of them can't adjust to Asian faces. They end up making my eyes look closed off or they insist on making my eyebrows pitch black or they can't make my super straight lashes curl. I've even had a makeup artist who made me look Hispanic. Hot, but not like myself. Renee made me look hot AND like myself - which was incredible. The tips she taught me I've never heard anywhere before. Not at Chanel, MAC, or any other pros. She's also refreshingly warm, surprisingly young and pretty, and very very good at what she does. It was an incredible experience to just go and get pampered for a few hours and I highly recommend Renee to anyone! read more

SHORT REVIEW: If you are a bride needing a makeup artist, Renee Lee is "the one". Renee is trustworthy, professional and a real gem. LONGER REVIEW: I'm an actress and decided it would be good to learn how to do my makeup. I looked her up on the internet and booked an appointment. She made me feel completely at ease. She showed me exactly every brush, every piece of makeup and instructed me how to do it. She insisted I write it down and what I could buy and what I could skip. Just because you do something every day (putting on makeup) doesn't mean you know how to really do it. I went from looking okay to looking totally camera ready. EXTRA INFO: Before I would definitely book work (commercial and TV) but after I learned how to do makeup I REALLY began booking work. Now when I work (on shoots) I do my own makeup and the makeup artists just do "touch ups" The only bad thing is that I am in NYC and she is only in LA. Recently (Nov. 2012) I referred her to a friend of mine in LA and she also thought Renee was the bomb. read more

I took a private make-up learning session with Renee recently and was honestly blown away. I cannot believe I went 27 years without properly learning how to put on make-up. Renee individualizes the lesson based on your needs and she covers everything for day and night looks: -Highlighting/Shading Basics -Layering of products -Eyeshadow and liner blending (Renee knows how to blend eyeshadow to fit Asian monolids) -Eyebrow application -Eyelashes (Ingenious - First time in my life my own natural lashes stayed curled and defined for 12 hours) -Foundation/Concealer (I learned that foundation all over my face is overkill. Renee teaches you how to use highlighting techniques to strategically place concealer on certain parts of your face and blend) -Bronzer/Blush (I learned basic contouring for a natural look) Renee is extremely patient, personable, and detailed! She encourages note taking and draws diagrams that I definitely needed to help me remember everything I learned. (Notes are key!) Her teaching style is amazing. She walks through the basic make-up routine step-by-step and does one half of your face while you do the other. She will help you correct bad habits and encourage you to try everything on your own. What was also helpful was that she looked through all my existing make-up and brushes and showed me what I can work with and any other tools and brushes that I may need. She even has a list of affordable brushes you can purchase from Target so that you aren't spending an arm and a leg on buying all new things. All in all, if you ever want to learn how to properly put on make-up and transition from day to night looks, Renee is the perfect artist to go to. She's the best! read more

Since I hadn't had a makeup lesson since my 12th birthday - in 1985, I thought it was time. I specifically wanted to figure out the mystery of correct eyeshadow application, and how to keep eyeliner actually on my eyes. Renee gave me exactly what I was looking for and more. Over the course of three hours in her studio, she reviewed my current makeup regime, rejected it, and showed me how it is really done. I expected to take some notes, but Renee gave me a pen and paper and continually repeated "write that down" over and over again. She is truly invested in making sure you will be able to actually use her lessons once you leave. If only my hair stylist would do the same! Those notes were invaluable. I took pictures of brushes and tools, learned the consistency and tint for the perfect concealer and armed with all of this, completely renewed my makeup palette. The difference is amazing. I especially appreciate it that Renee doesn't give in to product marketing. She doesn't recommend specific brands, and instead patiently explains the characteristics of the particular shadow or liner or concealer you need. (She doesn't sell any makeup.) She does all of this with flair and humour. I left Renee's studio that afternoon feeling like a million bucks. read more

Simply Amazing... Renee is an amazing artist as well as someone who makes you feel great about yourself. Her bubbly personality is gravitating and her beauty is captivating~ She knows exactly what to do and what to say to help you bring out your inner beauty as well as the outer beauty you didn't know you possessed. read more

Ladies, the first thing I did after I secured my wedding venue was to call Renee and see if she was available to do my makeup. To my everlasting disappointment, Renee was already booked for another wedding. HOWEVER, she offered up the next best thing - private lessons so that I could learn to do my own makeup. I took a couple of lessons with Renee (they were fabulous, she is so good at explaining things and will even draw detailed diagrams for you on your notebook), practiced a few times on my own, and voila! I was able to do my own makeup on my wedding day. It was the next best thing to having the master herself do my makeup (see my profile pic to determine how successful I was!). I received tons of compliments, my makeup lasted all day and all night thanks to Renee's tips, and tons of people even asked me who my makeup artist was! I am incredible pleased to have learned such a valuable skill. Also, Renee is such an amazingly generous person. She even sent me a set of her favorite lashes and lash glue to complete my look! I am so thankful to have found her. She is the most talented artist I know. read more

Dude. You know the movie 'The Matrix'? Yeah, well if you haven't taken a makeup lesson from Renee, you are one of the millions of poor souls still hooked up to the Matrix, living what is essentially an intricately constructed lie. Basically, after my first lesson with Renee, I felt like a newly 'freed' Neo, and Renee is Morpheus who helped me 'realize the truth'. Actually Renee is both Morpheus and the 'Oracle' who has shown me the way. No wait, Renee is all three, Morpheus, the Oracle AND Neo and I must be Trinity because I effin' fell in love with her. WOw. All kidding and terrible analogies aside, Renee will rock your world. She is personable, funny and most of all incredibly knowledgable. She will cater the lesson to you and your needs, habits, etc. I only wish that I had been 'freed' sooner. Better late than never I suppose. read more

I took a 2.5 hour makeup lesson with Debbie and it couldn't have been a more fun and worthwhile experience! I love makeup and I'm not a novice when it comes to makeup and makeup techniques, but even in my 30s, I still haven't figured out a consistent and effective makeup routine. I had been contemplating taking a makeup lesson for years, but always thought they were too expensive. I looked up A LOT of makeup artists, but could never bring myself to book a lesson. I continued watching YouTube videos, reading makeup blogs, talking to makeup artists at the local Sephora stores, etc. hoping to work something out on my own. After years of frustration and hundreds of dollars wasted on cosmetics that never worked out for me, I decided to reach out to Debbie and book an appointment. When I walked into the lesson, it was immediately evident to me how much work Deborah puts into her makeup lessons. She thinks of everything you could possibly need during the lesson and provides it all. Everything was clean and well organized. I was so impressed by the comprehensive lesson plan she had made and by the incredibly detailed diagrams she provides for your reference at home. Here are just some key points b/c I can't possibly list all the great things about the lesson: 1) Debbie will develop a custom makeup lesson for you after getting to know your current makeup bag, routine, skin type, facial structure and preferences. 2) She will recommend products based on your needs, skin type, facial structure, eye shape, etc. She will tell you what to add to your current makeup kit and routine and what products you do not need to waste your money on just b/c you've seen it in every makeup YouTube video (I am totally guilty of this one). 3) While she only uses high end products on her clients as a makeup artist, for your own day to day use, she will provide recommendations for both high and low end products and let you know where you can save your money and where you should invest your money. 4) She will come up with the most effective and efficient makeup routine for you. I never realized how much makeup I was wasting, due to my putting waaay to much on my brushes or the illogical order of my then current makeup routine, which I learned from YouTube and makeup magazines...yikes.. 5) She will clearly explain each technique and demonstrate on one side of your face. She will then have you practice on the other side of your face and explain where you need to make adjustments. You will leave the lesson knowing how to properly apply your makeup (oh that's how I apply eyeshadow to my hooded eyelids!) 6) Deborah is such a sweetheart! She is funny, generous and thoughtful. The 2.5 hours flew by b/c I was having so much fun. She's also checked up on me since the lesson and encourages me to continue asking her questions! I can go on and on, but if you're on the fence about whether or not to book a lesson, just do it and book with Deborah! I am so happy with my makeup routine now and my makeup has never looked better or lasted as well throughout the day. I've edited my makeup bag with products that will work for me and will no longer have to waste money with products that just cause more frustration. Lastly, I'm excited to wake up and properly do my makeup each morning b/c I feel so much more confident and polished now. read more

some girlfriends and i decided to get together for a girls night IN and we heard great things about RENEE from a mutual friend. GOOD LOOKIN OUT EUNICE!!!! renee is one person who will make you feel super comfortable and not at all insecure about your lack of knowledge on makeup! it didnt even seem like she was the teacher...she seems like one of the girlfriends! other than having a great personality, this girl really knows her stuff. she was really informative and gave us step-by-step advice on applying specific types of make-up. THIS LESSON IS WORTH EVERY PENNY!!!! i can confidently say our girls night in was a big success! i'll be reserving RENEE for future makeup calls :) thanks babe, you're awesome!!!!!!! read more

My friend and I went to Renee for a makeup lesson and both thought she was fantastic! Renee is very thorough and takes you step-by-step through the makeup application process. She taught us how to apply the makeup, how to choose colors that are flattering, and gave us tips on the types of tools to use. I have had other makeup lessons but this lesson has definitely been the most thorough and fun. Renee was also very patient and made me feel at ease immediately. My only regret is that the lesson didn't last longer. Renee is also generous with her time. After the lesson, I emailed her several follow-up questions about brush and makeup recommendations. She responded within several hours and even provided links to websites where I could purchase them at the best price. I would also like to address the criticism leveled by Jack and May S. While I can understand their frustration in paying more than they anticipated, I think their comments are a bit unfair to Renee (at least based on my experience). Renee was very upfront about her hourly fee and estimated that the lesson would take between 1.5 to 3 hours (depending on how things went at the lesson). When I told her that I wanted to limit the lesson to a set time, she was very understanding and respectful of my wishes. She was conscientious about the time during the lesson and packed as much information as possible into that time. If you don't want to spend more than a certain amount, tell Renee and she will work within those parameters. read more

Renee was friendly, but I regretted going for a makeup lesson (few months ago). Her makeup style is totally opposite from mine. She knew what she was talking about, but afterwards, I don't think I remembered very much. She uses a LOT of makeup, including bronzer, concealer, etc. By the time I left, there were several layers of stuff on my face. It didn't look too bad when I left, and I had contours on my face that I never had before. BUT the makeup started slipping within two-three hours, and then it was...not my most flattering look (one friend said it looked like a clown- ouch! Another friend was more diplomatic, but you could totally tell she agreed. That was $300 down the drain). Two stars because she was nice and gave some advice that made sense. But only go if you are the type who puts on tons of makeup. And maybe it was just me. Because the bride she was working on when I arrived looked pretty good. read more

Renee is awesome and talented. She taught us that we don't have to spend that much on makeup and how to do a speedy awesome look for everyday use. Please don't be fooled by Jack and May S.'s is comment. Renee did state $150/hr, everything we agreed to she kept her word to. She does not lag, everything she says is very educational. We were not their for three hours, she was actually kind enough to give us an extra half hour free because of certain circumstances. Renee is an overall hardworking, educational, inspirational, professional individual. I rarely Yelp, but Renee deserves great compliments for such great service who encouraged me to put less make up on, not cake it on. read more

I LOVE Renee's work. She was my make-up artist on my wedding day, and I couldn't have hired anyone better to do the job. Her flawless technique of contouring and shadowing made me look (and feel) beautiful on my wedding day! She also did a fantastic job with my mother's make-up, as well as my 9 bridesmaids, and was able to do it all and get us out the door on time . Not only is she talented at what she does, she does it very professionally as well. She showed up on time (to both the trial session and on the wedding day), and she was just fantastic to work with. She is the only make-up artist that I recommend to friends and I can't wait to work with her again. read more

Renee is the best when it comes to Asian makeup. She is very kind, attentive to details and makes you look perfect for any occasion. We used her for our wedding day and she did a perfect job. I can highly recommend her. She is worth every penny! read more

i used to fancy myself a make up aficionado because i watched contour videos and spent the gdp of third world country at sephora. and so, when i booked the lesson with renee (at the behest of my gf), i didn't think i would learn much. mother freaking wow. i was stunned by her theory and her technique. girls everything you thought was right, is probably wrong. she is meticulous and just thinks out of the box, but understands that most girls want something quick, easy and pretty. no.1 shocker was that i learned to put less on my face (no more cakey look), AND that i don't need about 2/3rds of my products. it was the best money i've ever spent. i would have spent twice as much, and wish i had done it 10 years ago. when i have kids, my daughter will go to renee and my daughter's daughter will go to renee. and for all the generations. amen. read more

Renee's got the magic touch. Her skills come so naturally that what she does with those brushes can only be described as a godsend! She has a way of contouring your face so that, at every angle, you look more defined. I felt like she was able to give my round flat Asian face that taller nose and chiseled chin that can only be achieved with surgery. I also love her because she's so versatile. She's creative and bold enough to do high fashion, but subtle enough to do important events like weddings. Put your faith in her, and you'll walk out feeling like you're having your prettiest day. :) read more

I had the chance to work with Renee on several photo shoots. As the owner of a well known studio handling commercial and fashion shoots as well as high-end Weddings, needless to say that all our Clients have the highest expectations. Renee is just prefect. Not only can she make any Bride look gorgeous, she is also the best partner at any fashion shoots. Her skills have no limits and she is also the sweetest Lady. I highly recommend her. read more

Natural look that made me shine if you want to see art in your face, I highly recommend

Renee is a makeup maestro. I haven't written a review since 2008 but Renee is just that great. She makes me wish I know more brides currently, just so that I can rave about how great she is and give her a thousand thumbs up. So since I don't, I'll just have to rely on Yelp to recommend her this time :) I've never been satisfied with makeup applied by any other person, be it a Macy's counter application or any other wedding trial makeup artists. Renee is the only person who's truly understood how to make me look radiant and beautiful without being overdone or tacky. Even though I am a shy person, she made me feel really confident and glowing on my wedding day. My husband said he couldn't stop staring at my face during the entire walk down the aisle. That to me is the greatest compliment I can give Renee. My bridesmaid emailed me later to tell me that she was "blown away" by how she looked after Renee did her makeup. She said she never knew she could look like that, and she definitely wants to take a makeup class with Renee now. Renee is friendly, kind, responsible, and a really beautiful person, inside and out. She has a genuine and comfortable air about her that make her pleasant and warm to be around. On top of that, her humble nature belies her extraordinary skills. Please check Renee out if you're looking for a makeup artist for your big day! read more

I attended a 3 hour make up instructional lesson with Deborah (Debbie). The time flew by! We asked so many questions and she had a wealth of info to share about any and everything concerning our skin, make up, tools, etc. You really need to do at least 3 hours. Background info: I am a novice make-upper. (Haha...made that word up.) I have done the same style of make up since high school, use old, more affordable make up for way too long, own the most basic make up tools and go very light on my make up. So this session was very, very informative and I feel like I graduated from elementary to college-level knowledge of make-up!! Puhahaha...ok, that is how I feel but probably not a reality in the world of makeup-dom. Now it is a matter of purchasing what I need and quickly practicing what I learned to retain and grow. Novices, dont get intimidated by eyeshadow like me! It takes practice and trying new things so you don't go back to your old ways. But apply!apply! what you learn quickly and consistently so you dont waste your newfound knowledge. Debbie is a pro! She answers every question thoroughly and explains the "why" of what we needed to know. She printed out info and guides, provided the make up (you dont have) and tools like brushes you need. We also set out all the make up and tools we own so she could teach us how to properly use what we have. We started by purging old make up and with some basic make up rules. We went step by step from bare face to a full-on nighttime make up look. She helped apply one side of make up to teach then we applied the other half with corrections and guidance. She used a timer to ensure we had enough time to get through. YOU REALLY NEED TO BRING A LAPTOP AND TYPE THE INFO OUT or write notes. If you have Dory memory like me, there is no way you can remember all of her tips, instructions, brushes to use, quality and cheaper make up item suggestions....unless you write it or type it out. Your notes will jog your memory of what you did. And I created a list of what to buy and quick directions on how and where to apply. Also prepare beforehand with specific questions or needs you have or what type of make-up you want to learn the most, so you can ask them at the right time. I would also suggest having in mind the type of make up look you really want to learn, like a daytime vs. nighttime look. She focused on more of a nighttime look which is what I wanted and is more difficult, but I forgot to ask for some eyeshadow color suggestions for a daytime look. But she is so cool about emailing and answering questions so no worries there. She went overtime and the time flew by! I highly highly recommend her! She is so knowledgable, honest, down to earth, skilled and talented! I feel like I need a couple more sessions, but can at least get the basics down now with practice and then get another session later on! read more

Debbie Debbie Debbie!! My new guru! I am sure I am probably like most girls who think that they have a reasonably good idea how to apply their makeup but they are wrong. Debbie is AMAZING!!! She took the time to get to know my routine and went over my existing makeup and brushes so that she could incorporate it into her beauty advice later. What I expected (it was my first lesson ever) - the make up artist making me look all pretty and me not really being able to recreate it myself later, I was just hoping to pick up a couple of ideas. What I got - a very attentive to detail artist who explains exactly what she is doing and how to do it (I was taking copious notes along the way too), makes you do it yourself on one side of your face so you WILL remember how to do it later, shows you the right technique and corrects you as the lesson progresses. You show up with a bare face and all your makeup, have your main questions ready and be very attentive. I have learned how to (properly) apply foundation and powder and which ones are the best for my skin type, learned the basics of contouring, how to layer products and so on. One of my questions was the "cat-eye", that one I am still working on :) I even send Debbie photos of myself after I did my own makeup the next day to brag! So happy I did it, putting makeup on is now fun and not a chore. I can't thank Debbie enough, worth every minute and every penny! read more

Renee's the best. This is the 3rd time I have taken a makeup lesson with her and every time I learn so much. She was very good the first time but now she absolutely fantastic. She's patient and listens to you. She wants to know what you want out of the lesson, not just a generic lesson plan but a custom lesson plan just for you. For all the brides out there, you need to have Renee do your wedding makeup! She will make you look gorgeous. read more

My husband gifted me a 3 hour makeup lesson with Deborah and it was one of the most fun experiences that I have had! I know almost nothing about makeup but am a professional woman for whom appearance is very important. She was really knowledgeable, fun, pleasant and a great teacher. I would highly recommend her for a bachelorette party, corporate events, or just to learn a difficult skill. She color matched me and recommended all manner of products which I need. I feel like I have found a new confidence with applying makeup and that it can be really fun ! read more

Renee is the best! she has the remarkable talent of artfully accentuating Asian features. I've taken makeup lessons from her, gotten my makeup done for my engagement party as well as my wedding day! she can teach you the basics and help you simplify your daily routine, and she can also take it up a notch and glam you up for a stunning high fashion look! she's very professional and always a doll to work with. No matter what your style is, she'll have you looking gorgeous! :) read more

I recently saw a picture of myself and realized it was time for a change. I've been doing my makeup pretty much the same way since I was 14. So I went to Renee to learn what works on my face. Let me tell you, she changed the shape of my face through makeup and technique. I look more refreshed. She also helped me realize that I didn't need to wear so much powder. I'm a perfectionist when it comes to makeup so it's not so easy to impress me, but Renee definitely was worth the money. I highly recommend her for any girl who wants to update her look. read more

This review is WAY over due. I purchased a 2-hr day/night course with Renee back in January, and was very impressed. I had never had a private makeup course before, and she was professional, knowledgeable and friendly. I learned several techniques that I still use today. I took copious notes (she encourages you to take notes & contributed some really helpful drawings to illustrate what she was teaching) Probably the most valuable was understanding basic makeup application techniques (i.e. how to use different brushes, setting & blending eyeshadows, properly shading/outlining eyebrows, etc.). It was very valuable and I'm SO glad I chose Renee. I would highly recommend her if you are looking to learn new makeup techniques or brush up on your current ones! read more

I took a private makeup lesson with Renee and it was great! I typically don't wear much makeup and I never really knew how to apply anything other than eyeliner and foundation so I thought a makeup lesson would help me out a bit. Renee was very detailed in her instruction and tailored the lesson to what I was interested in learning. She's very professional and also made me feel comfortable throughout the lesson. She really knows her stuff! I learned a lot and I now use a lot of the techniques she showed me in my everyday routine. I'd definitely recommend her private classes! read more

I took a private makeup lesson from Renee and it was fantastic! I have to second everything that Michelle says in her review. I've always felt mostly clueless about artistic makeup and I've also felt too overwhelmed by makeup retailers to feel like I can get useful, comprehensive advice. Retailers seem so biased because they just want to sell you their products. I've also tried watching makeup YouTube videos and reading makeup blogs, but if I tried the same thing, it never came out right, and I could never really figure out why, so I just felt defeated and discouraged. I could never figure out what the overall strategy was supposed to be, but now I feel like I have one. The lesson started out with me explaining my usual routine and showing Renee what products and brushes I already have, which are basically a hodge-podge collection of stuff from retailer recommendations or online reviews. Renee taught me so much about the products I've been using for awhile that I see them in a completely different light now, mysteries explained! As we went through the lesson, Renee pointed out techniques for application, showed me how to fix things, and explained how to tailor makeup to my personal facial features. The lesson was incredibly insightful and personalized. read more

from the first moment, you know that renee is good at what she does. i went to her for makeup lessons and it was really a great experience. she was engaging and informative. she took a very educational approach to it and was very comfortable in her demeanor. i stand by the fact that only asians will get the asian face. non-asians just don't understand asian features, colors, and tones. everyone talks about her wedding makeup being great but i requested her rates at least twice and didn't get a response. too bad! :( ck her out! read more

This review is for Debbie. Apparently Renee is now in charge of east coast and Debbie has taken over as the west coast make up guru. Debbie is an amazing teacher. I am quite clumsy with makeup but she explains everything so simply that even someone like myself can understand. She is also a really amazing listener and listens to preferences and concerns, cuz let's be honest... She's not going to know how you want your face done unless you tell her. When I met with Debbie I wanted to learn how to make my face a little more dramatic and to master drawing in my eyebrows. She broke the information down into easy to follow steps and was so encouraging of me. I love be Debbie and highly recommend her. read more

Debbie is a wonderful makeup tutor. After watching numerous Youtube videos on makeup application, I figured I needed to talk directly to someone to talk directly to receive personalized suggestions based on my own face and features. I did a private 1:1 lesson with her, and the hours just flew by. She took her time carefully explaining important makeup fundamentals that I may have otherwise missed just watching videos online (for example: brushes can make a big difference). I especially appreciated how I was able to bring my current makeup bag and share my previous makeup experiences so Debbie could meet me where I was at and help fill in the gaps of makeup knowledge. With her easygoing attitude, I felt at ease asking her any questions that came to mind and really appreciated her casual, conversational approach to the lesson. It might be helpful to time your lesson with a same-day special event, because you leave with a makeover that lasts all day - an added treat! Debbie also provided take-home sheets and encourages you to take notes throughout the lesson. THANKS SO MUCH!! I learned a lot while also having fun - so worth it :) read more

I took a small group session with Debbie. Absolutely loved it! Debbie is a load of fun and explains everything from start to finish. She applied makeup on half my face and I tried replicating her technique on the other half which was great. Learned makeup base, contouring, what brushes to use, fake lashes, product recommendations, sanitizing.... Debbie is very professional and definitely worth going to. Wish I had gone to her sooner. read more

Renee did makeup for our web-series shoot with Comcast/Endemol. She did an amazing job, that combined with her personality and willingness to go the extra mile -- made her a pleasure to work with! Looking forward to having her on the next shoot... read more

I don't know why I waited so long to put my best face forward. (Given my friends aren't exactly iPhone camera shy). I had a 3 hour makeup lesson with Deborah last weekend and she was great! I thought I was knowledgable... Unknowingly, I had gotten into a makeup rut, despite working with many makeup artists on shoots in my time. It's not easy finding good people and I'll definitely be using Deborah for events and will be recommending her to my friends. I would love to ship her to Paris for my wedding... I'm now equipped for evening dramatics looks (even a subtle bit of contouring) and daytime effortless on-the-run type looks. I don't have the time to research products so it was really valuable to get recommendations from an unbiased professional. A good investment and enjoyable - she has a really lovely disposition. read more

renee is so awesome!!! she is one of the best make-up artists i know, especially for asian faces. we all know how difficult it is to find a good make-up artist who specializes in asian faces without making us look like aajumas. she's really detailed, talented, and so great to work with. she makes you feel relaxed and beautiful, which is how all anxious brides should feel. my mom thought going to a korean place would suit her better but when she saw my make-up, she regretted not going to renee. she still talks about it to this day. go to her!! read more

I had the best 3.5 hr makeup lesson with Deborah! I'm fairly experienced and have a great collection but still had the style that I learned 20yrs ago when I first learned how to apply makeup! Deborah was super cool and fun!! I appreciated the level of detail of the lesson and the great balance of education and being able to apply what I was learning. We went through the process step by step including contouring, highlighting and applying fake lashes....where Deborah would do one side of my face and I would get to practice on the other. I took notes and pictures too! I brought all my makeup and brushes and she gave advice on what I should add (e.g matte eyeshadow palette, makeup brush cleaner as soap and water doesn't cut it) and what I should get rid of (e.g. shadows and lipsticks over 5+ yrs old since the color won't be the same). The time went by fast but I walked out ready to go out that night and got many compliments. I've been applying what I've learned in my morning and evening makeup routines. The lesson is exactly what I was looking for. read more