Just Makeup............really?

While participating as a vendor at a bridal show recently, a bride and her future groom meandered their way toward my table. The bride was clearly interested in the concept of airbrushing, while the groom clearly was not. As I proceeded to talk to about the benefits airbrushing provides to the group of people gathering around me, I heard the future groom say to his bride," it's just makeup".

Just makeup? Are you kidding me! I thought my head was going to spin completely around circa 1973 excerocist style. Airbrush makeup easily lasts 8-10 hours, feels weightless while providing full coverage, is water resistant and sweat proof and can make gals with even bad skin look beautiful all while creating a soft lens effect, softening fine lines and creating a youthful glow. Just makeup......just makeup?! I still can't believe such a ridiculous statement was uttered.

What do couples have at the end of the day after the wedding is over? Pictures, right? Do they pay top dollar for that photographer? Of course they do! Why would they skimp on the makeup the bride is wearing in the pictures? I’ll never get it.

If I've heard it once, I've heard it a thousand times, brides wishing they had chosen to hire a makeup artist instead of doing their makeup themselves. Not only would they have been able to relax a little more on their wedding day, the cool air of the airbrush blowing on their face is actually calming. While I’m spraying, I can visibly see them take a breath while their shoulders slowly release. Then I hand them the mirror and get the smile that makes it all worth while.

Just makeup? I think not.

Makeup Artist Summit

Well, the Powder Group did it again!  Another great makeup event in Miami where I got to catch up on the latest products and meet some of the best artists in the business.  It was so exciting and there was so much information to process, I don't know where to begin! Let's start with meeting Michael DeVellis, the founder of The Powder Group.  My friend Alicia and I arrived early and we were immediately greeted and welcomed by Michael; what a warm and friendly man.   As a speaker, Michael knows how to connect and involve the audience, he is also just down right hilarious!   Alicia and I also got to meet Eve Pearl, a  5 time Emmy Award winning makeup artist; Matin, celebrity makeup artist to Angelina Jolie, Gwyneth Paltrow and many more well known names and lastly James Vincent who has worked in every facet of the makeup world from film to fashion and is The Director of Artistry for the Powder Group.

Michael DeVillis, Alicia and Shawn

 Matin, Alicia and Shawn

Alicia and Eve Pearl

Shawn, James Vincent and  Alicia

Okay, let's get to the trends and products! For fall 2009 the emphasis is on either eyes or lips.  If you choose to accent the eyes, metallics with earth colors including greens, golds and bronze are very flattering. The smokey eye is still very popular but is also being shown in jewel tones. Should you choose to emphasize the lips, matte creamy colors in bright reds and berry make a bold yet feminine statement.  Pinker shades for blush and foundation should be minimal and play up healthy radiant skin.

While at the show, I found a lip pigment that delivers a punch of color and stayed on through out the day.  It's made by Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics called Lip Tar.  It's a must have for my brides now!

Another one of my favorite products is Collyre Blue Eye drops.  This is not new product, in France they have used it for years, but it was certainly new to me and boy does it make a difference!  These blue drops make the cornea of the eye whiter creating  brighter more sparkling eyes.  If you travel a lot, your eyes tend to look tired or your going to be photographed these drops are ideal. 

My last favorite product find is Eve Pearl's black eyelash glue.  This glue  appears to look like a black eyeliner that dries quickly to a black matte finish.  Love it!  Makes the whole false eyelash process a little quicker.

You have now been brought up to speed on the latest and greatest! Enjoy.

Do I really need to curl my lashes?

There are certain tools in my makeup kit that I never can be without and my eyelash curler is definitely one of them. It is the single most effective tool I have to open the eyes and make them look bigger and brighter. However, I am surprised at how few women incorporate this handy gadget into their own makeup kits at home. When I probe my clients as to why they have an aversion to the eyelash curler I often get responses like: "Well, I did try it once and it pulled out all my lashes", or "it always pinches me, I just can't get it in the right spot". Admittedly, I too have administered the dreaded "eyelash curler pinch" to myself in my earlier years of pursuing eyelash perfection, but with a little practice I mastered the technique and I know you can too!


Before I tell you the best way to work with an eyelash curler, let me show you the difference it makes with this before and after picture. In the before picture, the eye almost looks tired, in the after picture the eye looks more open and even though she is not wearing mascara, it almost gives the illusion that she is.

So here are the steps:

1) Make sure your lashes are clean with no residual mascara left on them.

2) Loop your thumb and index finger through the holes of your curler.

3) Open the curler and place at the base of your lashes.

4) Slowly close curler making sure you are not pinching eyelid.

5) Squeeze the curler tightly for 15 seconds and release slightly, repeat that same step 2 more times.

6) Do the same to the other eye and you are then ready for mascara.

I love my eyelash curler so much, that even on days when I choose not to wear mascara I still curl my lashes.   My favorite lash curler is made by Shu Uemura and can be found at Sephora, it seems to fit the eye perfectly and has a silicone pad that is gentle on the lashes. 

Do you really need to curl your lashes?  No, only if you want to look amazing!

The Organized Bride

Just this past weekend I met with a bride for her makeup trial run. She came to me with her wedding binder (a.k.a. the bridal bible) and although I have seen many of these in my day, hers was quite impressive. In order to give me a full visual of what she had in mind for her bridal makeup, she presented me with pictures of her dress, brides maids dresses, flowers she would be carrying, hair style and a picture of a model wearing the makeup colors that she thought would be flattering on her. Wow! This bride knew what she wanted.

We discussed the picture of the model she brought to me and made a few minor color changes. In the end we were able to put to together a palette of colors that would enhance and highlight her features. She loved the soft romantic look that I airbrushed for her.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not looking for the easy way out but the organized bride is my favorite. I know what she wants and she gets what she wants, that's a win win in my bridal binder!

Wedding Day Communication

A brides wedding day is hectic enough, but throw in six or seven bridesmaids unsure of how they want to wear their hair or makeup and whether or whether not they are responsible for the payment of these services, and you have the makings for a stressed out bride. There's also a little thing I like to call "every bridal party has one", but we'll get to that later!

I try to counsel my brides on the pitfalls of miscommunication or there lack of. It's the little things that can end up being big things and cut into the brides time with the hair stylist and makeup artist. When it comes to who is responsible for payment of these services, it is imperative it is made clear prior to the wedding day. I've actually had a Mother of the bride want ME to disclose this delicate piece of information; talk about awkward! It also helps to let the bridesmaids know what kind of payment is accepted, so often I'm asked if I will take a credit card and I do not.

Ok, now for what we've all been waiting for........"every bridal party has one". Maybe you already know what I mean, the one gal in the pack that either thinks it's her day or is so difficult that no hair style or makeup application is going to be to her liking. I have ways of dealing with these feisty gals, although admittedly I do it better earlier in the day! Which is precisely my point, if you know as a bride that there lives among you a "steal your thunder" bridesmaid or anyone who could, let's say, be difficult, it's best to get them out of the way early in the day. I've been told that communication in the form of threats seems to work best on these individuals, but to each his own!