Choosing Bridal Makeup/BRIDEface Richmond VA Makeup Artist

Makeup! We play with it, we buy it, we wear it, we love it! But sometimes we hate it too, don’t we? Why is it that the products that look so pretty in the store or in the magazine don’t look as pretty on us when we get home?

On average women spend $100 per month on beauty and cosmetic products. That certainly adds up! Above and beyond anything else, the number one reason I hear as to why so many women end up not liking what they buy is A LACK OF EDUCATION!!! And guess what ladies…that is not your fault! It is the fault of the person selling you that makeup. Now, I understand that if you are picking something up from a drug store you may not have a beauty advisor there to help you, but if you are shopping at ANY department store, there are people there that are paid to do just that. The problem that comes up is that they are also required to sell a certain dollar amount each day (and yes girls, I did that for years) and so sometimes the sale of a product becomes more important than how to put it on.

Make sure you take the time to ask questions like: What is the best applicator for this product? How heavy do I want to apply? Show me exactly where on the eye this goes to contour? Do I need anything to maximize the wearablility of this product?  Hundreds of dollars a year can be saved if you have the advisor give you the proper education on that product. We actually teach FACEing classes where we come to client’s homes and she brings up to five friends and we do just that. We go through the makeup bags, not with the purpose of cleaning them out (although if I find a mascara that is older than 5 months I will do my best to pry it away from you) but to show how you can get the most out of your products and make them work for you!

Now when it comes to wedding makeup there are a few things to keep in mind. I firmly believe that you can be very confident with makeup, but should probably not take on the pressure of doing your own. The nerves and excitement of the day can add stress to the bride who is trying to do it herself. If you must do your own; for example a destination wedding; take a DIY class first. Second, be careful what foundation your chose. You want to be certain what you are wearing is enough coverage so that your photographer does not have to work overtime editing the photos. But conversely, you don’t want a heavy foundation that will weigh the skin down and make you look older. Cheeks are very complicated. Brides like to have the glow, but stay away from the “sparkle powder”. That ends up reflecting your photographers flash back at him and you end up “whited” out. Create a great cheek by the use of cream blush and a perfectly placed highlight. When it comes to eyes you typically need to go with a little more drama. That does not mean if you are used to wearing a little liner and mascara for everyday that you have to have a full blown smoky look. You can still get the drama with a nude allover shadow, a bit of contour for the outer crease and then a dramatic liner with lash enhancements. That way when you look at your photos in 20 years you will look like you, not some stranger. One last tip to remember is to make sure you have a great sealer the day of the wedding. If it is warm, or you are someone who gets teary-eyed, a sealer can save the day.

Makeup can be your best friend. It is something that should boost your confidence, not make your more stressed. Take time before the big day to research what is going to be best for you. Remember there are professionals out there that want to hear a register ring, but there are so many more who want you to feel like the beautiful and confident woman you are.

BRIDEface Cincinnati makeup artistry/Brooke's portfolio

I just realized I never blogged these modeling shots from several months back. I think they illustrate perfectly how different you can make someone look with makeup. Brooke is such an incredible canvas, I could've painted her all day.

Images, Robin McKerrell

BRIDEface makeup artist/How to repair cracked makeup brush handles

(pictured above: "before", "after", and Plasti-Dip.)
Makeup brushes can really be a significant investment. Some of my large powder brushes are around $55 and the smaller ones are in the $20-$35 range. A few of mine are nearly 15 years old; I even have a couple that have the original Laura Mercier logo on them,. which was a girly script. The brush hair are all still in wonderful shape. I really baby my brushes, because I have to wash them so often. I use brush guards on them after washing so the hairs won't fray and they keep their original shape. Every so often I put jojoba oil on them before shampooing to condition them.
But the handles were really showing signs of wear. The paint was cracking and peeling and a couple were down to bare wood. (one thing that contributes to this is tapping your brush against hard surfaces; I always train my clients to tap the brush against your other hand to get rid of excess pigment) I found tons of tutorials online to save bristles, and alter brush shape, but no one addressed distressed handles. Rather than pitch them I thought I would search around for a solution to salvage them, especially since one of my favorites is a MAC brush that is no longer manufactured.
A google search took me to Plasti Dip. It coats a piece in liquid rubber, giving the effect of a pair of pliers with rubber handles. The website had a ton of colors but at my Home Depot I was only able to find black.
It was about 7 bucks and comes in a small can. The first thing is, this stuff is stinky. You need to have wire or string handy to hang up your item to dry, as well as newspaper underneath to catch the drips. I wrapped the ferrule (metal part) with wire and dipped it right in and then hung them from my chandelier. I could not be more pleased with how they look now! The handles feel very nice in my hand too; as if Good Grips pimped them out.

I am tempted to hunt down a neon lime green shade-maybe that would keep my brushes from "walking" out of my kit?

BRIDEface Cincinnati makeup artist/Maybelline Eye Studio Color Tattoo

I am what you would call a rabid fan of cream eyeshadows. I have all of Laura Mercier's metallics that come in a squeeze tube, nearly all of Benefit's, and many of MAC's paint pots. I love how creams give a dewier texture, give excellent saturation of color and intensity, and applied properly, good longevity. I generally keep these on the lid only, but if I take them up to the brow, I always add a powder shadow into the crease to contour and to prevent the creamy texture from creasing up. Cream shadows make an excellent base on which to build a smoky eye as well, especially if it's a pewter or deep bronze shade.

When I spied this new product I was pretty excited about the prospect of finding a less expensive alternative to the ones I normally buy, particularly for my FACEing classes; I like to be able to recommend a high end option as well as a mass market if possible.

It did take a bit of searching to find ample stock in these; many stores are already all out! (which only heightens the sense of the chase for me)

I ended up purchasing Tough as Taupe, Bad to the Bronze, and Fierce & Tangy (the orange one).

On Day 1 I put on Fierce & Tangy but it was such a hideous shade on me, I took it off immediately. I do think this will be very pretty on a deeper skintone. I then put the bronze on with a brush, from my lash up to just onto my brow bone, without adding any powder on top whatsoever. Ten hours later I found no signs of creasing or fading at all. The application was smooth, the pigmentation was truly impressive, and the texture was like that of a pricey shadow. I actually preferred the texture somewhat to Benefit's because it is a slightly more powdery feel. The bronze is really fairly shimmery; I would probably confine this to the ball of the lid only if I were to wear it for "real life". It is more sparkly than Benefit's RSVP, my go-to for a quick, one step polished eye.

I was really surprised by the taupe; it's completely matte, which is very hard to come by in a cream eye color. Sometimes they can look a bit chalky but not this one. It's really more a light grey than taupe though, which can be a hard color to wear.

I need to use up quite a bit of what I already own, but I'd love to go back and get the pomegranate, the gold, the asphalt, and even the white. (The brights are fun but I don't get enough cause to use them and I have tons of loose pigments to suit that type of thing.)

Overall, I would definitely recommend these to a client looking to save a little money. really a ton of bang for your buck here and outstanding wear. The shade range is a little odd-too many "out there" colors and not a lot of universal neutrals. A peachy nude is sorely needed, as is a beigy champagne, and I would add a slight sheen to both.

BRIDEface makeup artists/Sigma brushes rave

If you's ever worked with me, you know that I own a ton of makeup brushes. I have been weeding out some of the brushes that look shopworn (some are 15 years old!) and shapes I just don't use, and investing in some new ones for my kit and for a dedicated kit for my FACEing classes I recently made several purchases from Sigma Beauty and was so impressed by the quality of their products.

My favorite brushes in my kit are MAC, Laura Mercier, and Trish McEvoy. But when I experienced the quality of Sigma at a fraction of the price of the other brands, I was hooked. For example, that entire set above is only $59!
 I now have their Dry n Shape roll, which you put your brushes into after you have washed them, and it shapes them like the day you bought them. Absolutely love it. I also got a traditional roll, but I admit I am not using it because I have a huge one my friend custom made for me. I have the two piece brush cup pictured above, only in black. And I have an assortment of the brushes. I am looking forward to trying their new Bunny line, which is all Vegan and uses HD fibers. My only beef is that they don't make my beloved flat liner brush. (Are you listening, Sigma?)

Richmond Wedding Expo as seen by BRIDEface Richmond Makeup Artist

I had a great time at the Richmond Wedding Expo on Sunday, which is the creation of Richmond Weddings. Now, since I got married in the stone age, when shows like this were not as popular or as grand, I was not quite sure what to expect. From the moment I walked in until the time I left I could not have been made to feel more welcome or pampered. Whether it was the delicious food from the many caterers, the crazy fun photo session with Virginia Photobooths and More, or the decadent desserts of which I may have sampled a few, the day was so much fun!

For anyone who may be getting married I would highly recommend that if you get the opportunity, you should check out a show like the one I attended. The reason I say this is because it gives you the opportunity to see a lot of things you may not have considered. The number of interesting vendors and designers and themes that I encountered that day was quite impressive. When you attend a show it allows the bride AND the groom to begin brainstorming what they want their day to look like.

Now a bridal show is not like the grocery store. You can't just pick up a photographer or a florist and throw them in your cart (that would be kind of odd...wouldn't it?). But it does give you the opportunity to meet vendors and start getting ideas of how your day will plan out. However, my one word of caution is that a bridal show is a good starting point, but it should not take the place of reseach on your own. Just because you might like a cake at the show does not mean that is who you should use. That wedding cake designer may be out of your budget or unable to deliver on the theme you want. You still need to "get out there" and do your research, look at reviews, get testimonials, meet with people. Make sure you take the time to really investigate the vendors with whom you would like to work. With that being said, a bridal show is a great launching platform. Having been in this industry for so long I have come across many brides and grooms who feel quite overwhelemed with the planning stages and just want to crawl under the table with a bottle of vodka! A show can ease that tension, offer some insight, and if nothing else you get to play in the chocolate fountain!!

For our Richmond fan base I wanted to share with you some great vendors that I met this weekend. If you are getting married make sure to check them out!

Jenny at FMS Events and Reunions. She was the first person I met and was so sweet and outgoing. Their table was absolutely stunning and the colors they used really did stop people in their tracks. She could not say enough about the owners and how much she enjoyed working there. I would never have thought to look at FMS because their web address says "reunions" not "weddings". Another reason why a bridal show can help.

Next came Don Mears of Don Mears Photography. I already "liked" his work on Facebook but I got to see it up close. It is even more beautiful in person and he is quite charming. Don was easy to talk with and his set-up at the show was top notch. You could tell he is on top of his craft.

I then had the chance to meet Dave Miller and Shaun of Dementi Studio. I had not had the pleasure of looking at their work until Sunday and it was gorgeous. This studio has been around a very long time in Richmond and is quite well know by locals. They have a range of prices and Richmond Magazine loves them.

Then it was off to meet a wonderful lady, Honeylyn Armstrong (Honey) of Honeydew Events. She is just as cute as the name of her company! She was quite helpful to me (with this being the first show I have attended in sometime) and made me feel very comfortable. That is an important trait for someone who is offering coordination to possess. She has a fresh take on events and I loved the "warm" vibe she has.

Another photographer was next on my list to meet; Bridget Hazel of Bridget Hazel Photography. I adore her. She has a lot of knowledge about the indusrty and the bridal shows in general. Of course her work is amazing too! There was one shot of a wedding cake in front of some plate glass that was outstanding. She was easy to talk with and seems to have a good knack for understanding her clients needs.

The final person I met that day was Melissa from Nicole Vance Photography. I fell in love with the wedding books they had on display. So many to choose from! There were some photos that had this beautiful metallic finish and they do some very interesting things with reflections.

Give them a look if you have a need. Now for those of you that have made it this far in today's blog I will also tell you there were some vendors that had some very interesting edible treats as well as some boudoir lotions and potions.....they were set up downstairs in the corner. Hhhmmmmmmm....

Cincinnati makeup artists/meet Honour!

I am repeating our Meet the Artist series on the blog since some of you may have missed it in our monthly newsletters!  Allow me to introduce Honour Pillow. I have know Honour for many years and in fact I was responsible for getting her her very first job in cosmetics many moons ago. She is our fourth team member to have studied personally under Laura Mercier!  Where did you learn to do Makeup? I started my makeup career assisting an artist I met while living in NYC in 1996. While attending design school in Cincinnati the following year I was fortunate enough to work for Trish McEvoy Cosmetics which had recently launched at Saks Fifth Ave. After a few years of honing my skill and building my personal kit, I decided I would work independently. I started working for Wings Model MGMT as a lead artist for photo shoots and runway shows. Our team traveled the midwest scouting new talent and developing them for worldwide placement. In 2001 I moved to Chicago to launch NARS Cosmetics for Saks Fifth Ave. Working with famed NARS makeup Artists such as Ayako was a dream come true. I spent 4 years with the NARS team before moving to Las Vegas in 2004. This is where I fell in love and truly learned the art of "natural beauty" while working for brands Bobbi Brown and Laura Mercier. I have worked side by side on numerous occations with both Bobbi and Laura and have been through extensive training in artistry and application. For the past 3 years I have traveled the southwest as a Regional Account Manager for Laura Mercier Cosmetics. What looks are you loving right now? I will forever be a fan of beautiful, natural glowing skin and flushing pops of sheer color. I am also guilty of the undoubtably timeless smokey eye and pale lip. One of my favorite signature looks is mixing cools and warms in the same look. I love a peach cheek and a cool pink lip, or even a violet lipstick with a bright orange lipgloss popped on top. What is your specialty as a makeup artist? Complexion. There is no need to fuss about fabulous makeup without fabulous skin. With the right products and techniques, anyone can have a flawless looking complexion. As Laura Mercier would say "skin looks like it's glowing from within." And the beautiful part, no one needs to know your wearing makeup. What are your 3 products you couldn't live without? Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer, Bobbi Brown Pale Pink Blush, Exfolikate by Kate Somerville What is your favorite drug store product? Hmmmmm...(it's been a while, lol!) Revlon Color Stay Lipstick What are your 3 most tried and true makeup tips & tricks? Tightline the upper lashline for eyes that Pop! Use 2 blush colors to create contour and shape without a "contoured'' look. Spend time on the complexion and you can never go wrong. Also, beware of powder...it can be a great product for many purposes but if used incorrectly it can make the skin look textured and mature, even if it's not. What would people be surprised to know about you? I spent 6 years performing as a stand up comedian in Chicago and on the Las Vegas strip. Which celeb's makeup do you covet the most? As much as I don't want to admit it...Kim Kardashian's makeup always looks incredible! If you had to only use one beauty brand, which would you choose? Laura Mercier What’s on your beauty wish list right now? I'm still trying to get my hands on the Naked Palette from Urban Decay. It's 12 shades of neutrals all the way from ultra soft to deep smokey. It's been sold out for 6 months. Favorite perfume? Flowerbomb....I don't normally go for florals but this one is sexy, striking, yet feminine. Natural Or Dramatic? I would say I am 80% in favor of natural, but 20% all for dramatic, we all have to make a statement with out look every once in a while. If you had to go out in public only having used one product, what woud it be? Blush!! Most embarrassing beauty moment? Really, just one....Would have to be doing Holly Madison's makeup at Planet Hollywood and only noticing the red lipstick all over my teeth in the car on my way home from the shoot!