Elisha

Thank you Rick of ImageShooter

for these very cool shots. I enjoyed Elisha and her family so much.

I love getting the flower girl up in that tall stool and giving her a little sparkle and shine; they get the biggest kick out of being a big girl!

Introducing our newest artist, Penny Cooley!

Our newest addition to the brideface team is someone I have known for several years. I hired her as a freelance makeup artist when I was managing the Laura Mercier counter, and she was one of the best artist/salesperson I ever had. She moved her way up through the company and was eventually a trainer and event specialist. In January she was unfortunately downsized, but her loss was brideface's gain because I snapped her up immediately.She is professional, reliable, and a joy to have around. (She even babysat my twins as infants!)

The wedding above was one she did a few months before joining us and I just had to share. The photographer is Tine Hofmann, the planner Brigid Horne-Nestor.

Style Me Pretty feature!

Today one of our very favorite brides in featured on Style Me Pretty. This wedding looks absolutely amazing! Kudos to Mollie, her makeup artist, Sam Hills, her hairstylist, and Dora Manuel her event planner. Enjoy!

Grooming for the groom

It's not something we make a huge deal of here at brideface, but we have been known to do a little touchup on the groom. (Notice how when you see a dude on the cover of a magazine, they never give a "makeup artisty" credit; they give a "grooming" credit? as if he doesn't have makeup!)
Bill Clinton always got airbrushed because he has rosacea-maybe the airbrushing seemed more masculine to him than a sponge and puff?
I have eliminated unibrows, concealed dark circles and black eyes, covered monster zits, dusted bronzer...when I worked at Laura Mercier I can't tell you how many women purchased the tinted moisturizer for their husbands. Apparently the guys were pilfering from their wife's stash but it wasn't necessarily the right shade. Tinted moisturizer is a nice way to go; it is very sheer but evens out any ruddiness and makes you look hydrated. Plus it has SPF 30. You don't want him looking all Richard Nixon to your JFK, do you? I am not talking guyliner, but just a little refining.
Jean Paul Gaultier has a line of men's makeup-not so sure about that-can you see your guy popping into Saks to buy these-?
Suggest to your fiance that he find one of those old school places with the hot towel shave-his skin will look all glowy and you can't ask for a closer shave. I think a lot of the man spas have them, as well as the barber shops downtown. I will have to research that. If he is prone to getting ingrown hairs as a result of his shaves, have him incorporate Tend Skin into his daily routine. That will work wonders on those little bumps. Crazy long eyebrow hairs? My pet peeve. Either get those suckers with some nail scissors or send him to a pro, especially if he needs a little waxing in the middle. He will be finding his inner metrosexual in no time. and one last thing-if you are planning on those popular closeup shots of your hands-have him get a manicure. Point out to him that Tony Soprano gets them; couldn't hurt.

Hello, lover.

This image doesn't really do them justice, but the new MAC dazzleglass is Ridiculous. So glittery without feeling gritty or looking infantile;smells pretty, makes your lips look a bit fuller.
I bought just one last week and am going back for more. Four for me, four for the kit?

More recessionista tips

One of the by-products of our crummy economy is the many articles online and in wedding magazines about ways to save money on your wedding expenses. As a recent bride myself, I know how appealing the idea of saving on expenses can be!

Many authors have suggested that because most vendors have some "exorbitant" markup on their goods and services, that they are more than willing to come down on price just to secure the (hard to come by) gig. Their attitude is that it never hurts to ask for a discount.


I will say that in this particular market, my vendor friends are doing just peachy so far; the economy may not catch up with the wedding biz for another year or more. I would be very careful about requesting lower prices from a vendor you really want-if a photographer is pricey, he or she is in great demand and likely only takes a select number of weddings a year anyway. You are essentially telling him that you believe he is really not worth what he is charging. The most coveted vendors are often the most experienced, educated, well trained in their field, and have invested heavily in the best equipment and products. They know exactly how much it costs them to do the average wedding and how many hours they ultimately will spend completing it.


Be sure you are in a position to bargain in the first place-is your wedding on a Saturday during peak wedding season? You probably don't have a lot of wiggle room. Now if you're doing a Thursday wedding-sure, go ahead and ask that top photographer if she'll go for an hourly rate. Chances are she will say yes.




Are there things you can offer a vendor? Are you a graphic or website designer who can barter your services? Can you book your DJ for a gig with your company in exchange for a little break on your reception? I once had a P & G bride secure me a great little freelance job ; another bride who worked for Loreal hooked me up with a ton of mascara testers.I also recently traded my services for slipcovers for my barstools. Bargaining is give and take.


Many of us are not as "desperate" as the media would lead you to believe.



One other caveat-this economic downturn is also breeding a rash of brand new vendors-either people who have recently lost their jobs, or those who are looking to have a second source of income.While it's true that everyone has to start somewhere, be sure that these up and comers have the level of expertise, professionalism, and high quality equipment necessary to do the job. Does their price seem too good to be true? Will they still be wanting to fulfill contracts at those prices in a year from now, or will they realize by then that their overhead is exceeding their profits? While starting a wedding related business seems "fun" to the outsider, many newbies experience quick burnout when they realize how stressful it can be when you are entrusted to such an important day. It definitely takes a certain personality to work on weddings and give up every weekend.
Don't let that "bargain" become a major headache!

Recessionista Relief Packages!!

I have some exciting offers for those of you trying to trim some fat from your wedding expenses!!



DIY makeup classes

Are you clueless and hopeless at makeup, yet can't afford a pro makeup artist on location on your wedding day? Learn insider tips that will take you far beyond just your wedding day.

Grab your most artistic bridesmaid and come to The Bridal Studio for some schooling. We will walk you through application from start to finish, assess the makeup you have, and recommend budget-friendly products that will round out your bridal look. We will even teach said friend to apply your lashes. One hour class, $100.



Streamlined bridal package

Have you already had your makeup done by brideface as a bridesmaid in a friend's wedding, or do you have a personal recommendation from another bride? or are you simply the laid-back type who doesn't rrequire a preview? Skip the trial run session and enjoy on-location application for the bride for $75. (a three person minimum is still required for booking)



Aviva Events is unveiling some recession buster specials today too!Hop over to her groovy blog!

Drew Barrymore= Stunning

Drew's makeup has just been rocking my world since she has been out promoting Grey Gardens. the retro clothes, the pincurls. Methinks I have a girlcrush-as long I don't have to listen to her...

If one of my brides went with this look to the left here i would be doing a happy dance.

Jen

As you can see I have been lucky to work with Steph Carson a lot lately! What beautiful work. Flowers by Katie Elfers.

I did's Jen's sister Andrea's wedding a couple years ago. i always consider it the highest compliment when a family books me again!

You know I adore the peaches and cream complexion. (Boo; tanning beds! )

Dan Shallenberger was on hand from Lifetime-can't wait to see the teaser!

Stay tuned; I am a blogging fool today!

Allison

I have known Allison for several years. When I worked at Saks, she came and purchase all her Laura Mercier from me as a high schooler and I did her prom and homecoming makeup.

I remember she had a job at that cookie bouquet place and sent me cookies that looked like makeup items! I am so honored that she thought of me all these years later to do her wedding.

She popped in last week to do her trial for her engagement shoot with Todd Pellowe. I have only worked him once before, but I love his work and am looking forward to seeing him on Allison's wedding. I just read on his blog he is expecting boy/girl twins in May, so I have a thing or two to talk to him about...

Attempting to "unplug"

I am constantly telling people what a great Mommy Job brideface is- and it did start out that way before I started getting crazy booked. Now it is to the point that I have a huge amount of emails every day, even through the weekend. I manage four other artists' bookings. Then there's trial runs, engagement shoots, commercial shoots, makeup lessons and classes, events for The Bridal Studio-and blogging, facebook, twitter, networking meetings. And though it doesn't sound grueling, I always have to keep my kit filled, current, and scrupulously clean.
No complaints here-I adore what I do and feel fortunate to be working!- but I also have these kids that still happen to worship me. So I will be taking a little vacation from Friday April 10th through Thursday April 16th. I am trying to touch base before then with everyone who has a wedding date occuring this month, but I am going to try to eschew email and crackberry, and just enjoy Spring Break with my family. I will forward any new date requests to my other makeup artists.
If you have anything pressing to chat with me about, ya got two days!

Tiana/engagement shoot

photography by White Imagery

some smokin' boudoir shots by TM photography

Tine Hofmann is the Queen of Boudoir Photography. This shoot took place at her very cool new studio downtown and I could not be more happy with the outcome. I only wish I could show more!

Divine Subject + Divine Photographer =one happy makeup artist

Jackie

I recently got to re-connect with one of my brides who got married last summer annd i asked her to send me some images. Well, she also added the sweetest blurb that i just couldn't resist sharing:
"Thank you so much for the work you did for us that day. I felt beautiful and am so happy with how my make-up looks in each picture... natural but different than every other day. You really captured what I wanted and made me feel very comfortable. It was easy to trust your judgement and I appreciated your suggestions. I will be sure to pass your name to all of my friends who will be getting married in the future. Thank you."

Images by Michael Bambino.

Eco-friendly musings and the Cosmetics Industry

Recently Linda Wells of Allure railed against excessive packaging of high end skincare and makeup. Do we really need all those boxes?It seems the more pricey the product, the more wasteful the wrappings are.
There have been lines that have tried to do their part; MAC gives you a free lipstick when you turn in 10 empty MAC containers. Cargo has recycled packaging and even has one that is embedded with seeds that you can plant. Stila has cardboard bullets for their lipsticks.
So lately I have been thinking about what small contributions brideface can make to the cause of discarding less stuff.
I am using fewer disposable sponges in favor of brushes. I still have a baby wipes addiction; am trying to work on it. I use pump bottles rather than products in jars, that require sanitary remaval with a disposable swab or spatula.
One of my pet peeves is disposable mascara wands. They are expensive to purchase, and even the highest quality you can buy are pretty sub standard. I am never completely satisfied with the application they provide, but what can ya do; you cannot sanitize a mascara wand. So I plan to request that my brides and bridesmaids provide their own favorite waterproof mascara for my use on the day of the wedding and their trial run. Better lashes AND less waste. (I will still carry throwaway wands and mascara in case they forget)
Now if we could get the cosmetics companies to drop the boxes encasing every product!

Olivia, by Mollie

It is simply the highest compliment when a vendor

recommends brideface to a friend or client, or books us them- selves for that inportant headshot or video shoot.

When Katie Elfers sent us Olivia,we were thrilled to rise to the

occasion!

Mollie always does a gorgeous job!

(and take a gander at Katie's fleurs; wow!I adore fern curls. Sigh.

an endorsement from Katie Elfers, "One of my favorite vendors to recommend is Brideface. I love how excited my brides are after their trial and finally realizing why I so enthusiastically recommend Nancy and her crew. Part of my wedding gift was Olivia's makeup... that's how much I am a fan of Brideface. Mollie, one of the lead artists, did Olivia's makeup. I just knew that in the hands of Brideface she'd look and feel great all night long. As a guest at this wedding... I can vouch that she did!"

photography by Amanda Egan. I know we have some weddings together this year; can't wait to meet her!