Louisa and Caleb's Wedding

While many were out shopping and battling long lines on Black Friday, I was doing makeup.  I had the pleasure of doing makeup for Louisa and her bridal party.  All of the girls were so nice and the energy in the room was unlike any other wedding day I've experienced.  Everyone including the bride was extremely calm and easy going.  Every bride should strive to be like this :).  Louisa was such a beautiful bride with a vintage wedding dress and pink Toms.  The best way to describe her makeup "Less is More."  After two trials we came up with a classic look, which consisted of the following:

•  Primer
• Foundation
• Loose Powder
• Brown eyeliner
• Mascara
• Blush
• Lipstick
• Lip Gloss   

Keeping Bacteria Away

Between hand sanitizer and Lysol spray society has become a crowd of germ freaks....myself included.  Cleanliness should also be practiced in your makeup case and brushes.  Both are breeding grounds for germs, which can lead to colds and eye infections.  Follow these few steps the next time you open your case:

1. Brushes should be cleaned every 2 weeks.  Use baby shampoo, brush cleanser (Sephora offers a great cleaner), or a mild soap.  Take  cup of luke warm water and pour the cleanser in.  Put the brushes in the cup and let them sit for about 1 minute, not much longer because it will loosen the bristles.  Rinse the brushes under luke warm water, pat dry and hang over the counter to air dry.

2. Eye lash curlers, tweezers, scissors etc. should be wiped down with alcohol.  Cases and bags should be wiped down with warm water and soap or Lysol spray.

3. When it comes to the actual makeup it is very IMPORTANT that makeup is not shared.  If working on someone it is important to use disposable wands for mascara (do not double dip) and sharpen lip liner and eye liner pencils after every person.  Lip gloss and lipstick should be placed on your hand and that can be used as your palette to work off of.


These tips will help keep you and others healthy!!!!

Makeup and The Gym

Ok!!...so I'll admit it....I'm guilty of being the girl at the gym with makeup on.  It's definitely ok to wear makeup to the gym, but it shouldn't look like you are going out to the club.  Simple is always best when it comes to the gym and it's also better for your skin.  Sweat already clogs poors and makeup will only add to that, so it's important to let your skin breathe.  Here are a few tips for the gym:

1. Use a tinted moisturizer as your base.  It's light, but gives you the right amount of coverage.

2. Waterproof mascara and if you like to use eyeliner make sure it's waterproof.  Too Faced offers a great waterproof eyeliner pencil.

3. Chapstick is a great finishing touch. 

Trial and Error

Friday was my birthday and I received a few makeup gift sets from Ulta.  Ulta is a beauty store similar to Sephora, both are my sanctuaries :).  Ulta always offers amazing gift sets at amazing prices and these gift sets are from brand name companies such as LORAC and Smashbox. 

Gift sets are the perfect introduction to a brand and also to test new items out with out spending an arm and a leg.  The sets range from $20 to $50 and contain at least 3-5 full size products.  The sets are fun to experiment with and a cost effective way to build your kit.  So go out and buy some sets and HAVE FUN!

Below is a link to Ulta!
http://www.ulta.com/?cmpid=PSGO

Bright! Bright! Bright!

Although my passion is makeup and I'm a freelance makeup artist, I do have a day job to pay the bills.  I work as a sales rep for a textile company.  Within the last few weeks we have added new colors to a few of our lines.  All of these colors are bright and remind me of 80's board shorts.  As I was going through these colors I noticed that not only are bright/neon colors popping up in apparel, but also in makeup.  Bright colors aren't only for the runways, but can also be used in everyday life.  Here are a few ideas/tips:

1. Don't be afraid of color, embrace it! - I tend to lean towards the neutral pallet, but I realize it's time to break out of that.

2. Concentrate the bright colors on one area - If you are doing bright eyes stick with a more neutral lip, especially if it's during the day.  If it's for a night out on the town, a bright lip will be just fine.

3. Bright eye liners add that little bit of pop that's needed.  Sephora carries fun colors under their brand and so does Make Up For Ever.

4. The best way to achieve that fun bright look without looking like you just walked out of an 80's hair band video is to test it out.  Practice, Practice, Practice.  Try a look and take a picture of yourself. 

5. Don't forget HAVE FUN!!

*Below is a link to my favorite line Make Up For Ever - they have the best colors
http://www.makeupforever.com/

End of Summer

Labor Day marks the end of Summer and fun in the sun.  My sister came across an article in More magazine describing the 6 makeup trends for fall.  The trends came straight from the runway so remember to use each look in moderation.

1. Bright Blush - Nars makes amazing blushes that flatter everyone

2. Red Lipstick - Chanel offers beautiful shades of red in both lipsticks and glosses

3. Metallic eyeshadow - I just purchased metallic eyeshadows from MAC that really make the eyes pop

4. Nude Makeup - Less is more sometimes.  A nude lip with a smokey eye looks amazing.

5. Full Bold eyebrows - Gone are the days of penciled in brows.  Filling in brows with a powder gives a natural look.

6. Heavy Black Liquid Liner - Lorac offers a liquid liner that is easy to apply.

*What are some of your favorite fall trends?

Premier Bridal Expo

On Sunday August 21st I attended the Premier Bridal Expo at the Embassy Suites Hotel in Brea with my sister.  I was the Bride for the day and my sister the Maid of Honor, fun to pretend.  It was my first bridal expo and the perfect venue for networking.  Here are a few observations I made:

1. There was only one hair and makeup studio with a booth.  Thought: I need to hurry up and get a booth at the the next show.  Brides aren't only looking for event planners and photographers, but also hair and makeup.

2. Listen to all of the conversations around you and figure out what brides are looking for

3. Collect as many business cards as possible and send your contact informaiton to each.

It was a fun event and I can't wait to attend the next one on Sunday August 28th. 

Check out their page on Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1018069325#!/PremierBridalShow

Jessica and Andrew's Big Day

Saturday August 20th was the Big Day for friends of mine Jessica and Andrew.  The wedding took place at Hotel Laguna and the ceremony was beautiful.  It took place outside with the sounds of the waves crashing in the background.

I did the makeup for 5 bridesmaids and the bride.  The theme was natural yet dramatic.  I enhanced each girl's features and all the bridesmaids had beautiful eyes.  I was able to use colors that really made their eyes pop.  The bride looked beautiful, very old hollywood. 

As I was working on each girl I realized that nothing goes as planned and that plenty of factors dictate how much time there is to work on each girl.  Here a few tips to keep in mind on the day of the wedding:

1. Even if the wedding is an evening affair the makeup artist and hair stylist should both arrive early.  I arrived at 8 a.m., but the wedding didnt' start until 5 p.m.

2. Make sure that your kit is organized and that you know where everything is.

3. Make sure that you have a trial with the bride at least 2-3 months before the wedding and possibly one more 2 weeks before.  It is important to create a perfect look and to know exactly what the bride wants.  It's the perfect time to discuss looks for the entire bridal party.

4. Most importantly make sure the bride and bridal party feel beautiful.

 

Store Brand Vs. Name Brand Cosmetics

As I was preparing and making my to do list for my friend's wedding I started thinking about my collection of makeup.  My kit has a mixture of name brand products (MAC, Chanel, Smashbox etc...) and also store brand products (Revlon, Maybelline etc.).  Through trial and error I have realized that there are some things you should spend a little more money on and there are others that are just as good if they are bought at CVS.

Foundation should be bought at a cosmetics store or counter.  More options and colors are available, not to mention you can try them out before you buy.  Powder and concealer should also be included in this.  Items that can be bought at a drug store: eyeshadow, eyeliner, lip gloss, mascara.

Avon is another favorite of mine.  Everytime a new catalog arrives, it's like Christmas to me.  Avon is perfect for those looking to build their kit or looking to experiment with makeup.  I love all of their lip glosses, the Astonishing mascara and Mark no place to run eyeliner.

Let me know what some of your favorite products are! 

Wedding Checklist

This weekend I will be doing bridal makeup for a friend of mine.  The wedding is Saturday, so I got to thinking what the beauty checklist should consist of the week of. 

1. If you are doing your own makeup you should do a trial run this week.  It's important to get that perfect look down and if there are any last minute products needed there will be time to pick them up.  If you have a makeup artist then a trial run should have already been done and the perfect look created.

2. All facial waxing and facials should be done about 5 days before the wedding.  This is to ensure that if any breakouts occur there will be time to treat them.  Don't worry about stray hairs, they can be plucked the day before or day of.  If you wait too close to the wedding day to wax, thread, tweeze, have a facial..makeup will just irritate already irritated skin.  There is nothing worse than trying to cover up a break out.

3. Most importantly try to get as much rest as possible and enjoy the day that is all about YOU!!!

Below is a link to a few beauty tips for that special day.
http://www.brides.com/about/wedding-beauty

5 Minute Look!!!

Between the pool parties, the beach and hectic schedules of summer, makeup may be the last thing on your mind.  Here are a few steps to a 5 minute look that won't melt in the sun and can go from day to night:

1. Start with concealer to cover up - pay special attention to under the eye and on the eyelid.  Apply with a concealer brush and blend in with your finger.  Please keep in mind not to use your index finger (carries the most bacteria)

2. Apply a tinted moisturizer and liquid highlighter on the cheek bones.

3. Apply a loose powder or pressed powder if needed.  If you tend to hav oily skin, I wouldn't skip this step.

4. Apply either a powder or cream blush to the apples of the cheeks and hit the spots where the sun would naturally hit i.e. nose and forehead.

5. Apply mascara and lip gloss.  Mascara opens up the eyes.

For a night look you can use a darker lipgloss or lipstick and maybe add eyeliner.