Brow Pencil Review-Richmond VA makeup artist Aaron Ellerbrock

As most of you know I am obsessed with brows. That is usually the first feature I work on when I am with a client. Brow trends including shapes and thickness will often change. Right now we are seeing a groomed brow, but much fuller and thicker than in past seasons.

There are many products that I love for browns, including both colored and clear brown gels, brow wax, powder and of course pencils. One pencil in particular that I am gaga for is the Maybelline Define-A-Brow!! One of the main reasons I love it so much is that the lead is very small so you are forced to make smaller, more articulate strokes with your pencil. Interestingly enough, this is why some people have given it a poor review on the Maybelline site. I do not know why someone would not want a precise tool like this!!!So often the leads are too thick and the brow looks much more "drawn" on. The Define-A-Brow is also an automatic pencil so you can just twist when you need more lead. No need for a sharpener...and let's be honest, how many of us sharpen as often as we should? No worries about that with this pencil.

There are several shades to choose from. If ever I can't find an exact shade for a client I will choose a shade that is slightly lighter and then add a little powder to the brow after I have given the appropriate shape with the pencil. And the best thing; it is only $6 to $8 (depending on where you shop)!!!

I give this product a big thumbs up. If you need help in learning how to master your own brows make sure you contact us!!

Revlon baby sticks review

Y'all know I have a mad obsession with cream blush, and lately I have been really loving the quality Revlon has been bringing to the table. Their glosses and their just bitten lipsticks are to die for!

Gucci Westman, makeup artist extraordinaire, has been designing their collections for quite some time now and I have been loving nearly all of it...

I was stalking my neighborhood Walgreens for these cheek and lip tints, only to be completely let down by them. NO pigment whatsoever! It's like trying to use cherry chapstick as blush. just the merest hint at color. Don't waste your money on these; mine are headed back to the store!

Cincinnati airbrush bridal makeup/MaryEvan, by Sarah!

from Sarah: "I am so excited for MaryEvan and Stuart's wedding this June! We had so much fun doing MaryEvan's makeup for her engagement session, and went with an elegant natural look with lots of rosy pinks. Aren't they a gorgeous couple?"

Photos: Kortnee Kate Photography

Time to Get Ready!!!--Richmond VA Wedding Makeup Artist Aaron Ellerbrock

So many of my clients stress about their getting ready itinerary. Here are some of the finer points to remember:

 

I highly recommend hiring hairstylists that come to you onsite. Appointments in salons increase your chances of running late, and who needs to do all that running around? We have a list of our favorites so please feel free to ask!

 

Location is very important. If you are getting ready at a home, give your stylists adequate space, natural light, and electrical outlets. Try not to choose a hotel room that is too small. A room that seems ample fills up very quickly with a giant gown, bridesmaids, and stylists. I find that if I have enough surface area for my materials I can work a lot more quickly because everything I need is visible.
 

Determine how much time the makeup artist and hairstylist needs per person and stagger appointments. There is no need to do hair before makeup unless the stylist likes to set hair on rollers before makeup and take it out after (this generally only applies to the bride). An itinerary will ensure that your attendants know what time they expected for their appointments. If there is additional time needed for tattoo covering/body camouflage, be sure to budget that in as well!
 

Think about what time you are putting the gown on; you do not want to have key people in makeup and hair chairs at that time who want to help you with dressing. You don't want them jumping out of the chair because that could put you behind and you won’t be finished on time. Aim for an earlier “ready by” time than you think is necessary. A half hour or so will not make or break how long your hair and makeup lasts and if you hired fab pros it will last all day and night regardless, but a half hour of padding can be a godsend for your nerves.
 

Everyone’s face should be clean of makeup! Ask your hairstylist how he or she wants the hair; they often have different preferences (some like “dirty”-some like freshly washed and dried). And, if you don’t want to be glued to your celphone all day, have a point person to handle your calls. It can be very frustrating for your stylists to try to complete your appointment while you are on the phone.

If your fiancé sends you a gift or a card, try not to open or read it while you are getting your makeup done. For reasons that should be obvious!
 

Lastly, look to your photographer and beauty pros to help you with your timing if you are unsure. We have done this a zillion times and know how it should flow!

Cincy bridal makeup/Erica, married!

images, Laura Leppert

I love how Laura captured such an old hollywood feel in Erica's bridal portraits. Hubba hubba! I also adore the moments she caught with Erica's father.

Not only did I get to work with this fabulous family in January, but I get to do the other daughter's wedding later this year! What an honor.

Richmond/Cincinnati mashup!

I met Aaron in 1994 when we we were both working for the Showboat Majestic; he as a performer and me in the orchestra. I wouldn't say we hit it off right way but once we did we were inseparable. We had our own brand of humor that no one else seemed to "get" but that never really mattered to us. We went on to produce shows together on the 'boat, and I trained him how to do makeup so he could work with me at Saks. He was there when I had my twins, and came over every night the first year of their life to give me a break from a long day of mommy-ing. He flew to NYC at a moment's notice to sing my sister's memorial service and to be with me. I stood next to him when he married the love of his life, Michael. So it's safe to say he is my right arm. And we make a smashing team, if I do say so myself.
Aaron started BRIDEface in Richmond VA a little over a year ago. He did an eleven year stint with Laura Mercier Cosmetics as a national artist and then a trainer, and he was ready to follow his true passion.

To make an already long story somewhat short, Aaron will here in Cincy April 15-20 and we want to teach some FACEing classes in tandem. You will want to jump on this, PRONTO. Grab some girlfriends, grab some wine, grab your makeup. We got the rest.

REVIEW:ROC Retinol Correction wrinkle resurfacing system

I have been hearing great buzz about ROC for quite some time now and saw this product very positively reviewed on the Today show, so I thought I would give it a go.
For anyone who has used the purest form of Retin A, you know that it is effective, but it is also A)expensive and B)highly irritating to the skin
Same goes for glycolic peels. They are around $100 a session and two-three days later you start molting. All your skin peels off in sheets and you usually also break out since your skin is "purging" itself. Not terribly attractive!
So what's a girl to do if she wants a more even skintone, more smoothness, fewer fine lines...but is on a budget and doesn't want to be unsightly in the process?

This two step night treatment claims to give the same effect that peels do, only more gradually and more gently. I have been using it about two weeks now and my initial reaction was to the high quality feel of the product. My years of high end retail have made me quite the texture snob, and generally when i use a drugstore moisturizer, I am very put off by the cheap scents and the formulations don't seem to absorb very readily into the skin. This product felt expensive to me right away. The first step is the retinol lotion and the second is billed as an "activator". It has a very silicone-y, primer type texture that gives you that instant gratification of a smother look to your skin. I found that a bit gimmicky for a night cream but at the same time I admit I liked it.

I am a pretty tough critic when it comes to skincare. I wasn't blessed with "good" skin and really have to work at it constantly to keep breakouts at bay, even now. But I can honestly say that after four days on this system I started getting compliments from girlfriends. I went to breakfast with no foundation on at all and one of my makeup artist friends demanded to know what I was using. This NEVER happens to me.
As I continued to use it I saw an increase in smoothness and just better clarity; less dullness.
I would HIGHLY recommend this to a bride who wants to improve her skin for the wedding but is afraid of anything drastic that could make her face look worse before it gets better. And the price point is right around $26 so you cannot beat the value, considering its effectiveness!
Let me know what you think if you purchase this; I would love to know!