I absolutely loved this look from our recent photoshoot with Paul Beattie…friend and fellow Glamonomics blogger, Maggie was our lovely model! Want to get the look? Here’s how…
For Maggie’s eyes I did a classic dramatic brown eye…very similar to a classic bridal look! Chocolate on the lid, a clearly defined crease, and champagne in the inner socket. Then I added a cat eye with my favorite ELF cream liner in black!
Big lashes and a custom blend lip color added that 60’s retro vibe we were going for. I can’t get enough of Makeup Forever’s Flash Color Palette! Endless lip possibilities! I utilized the white and pink colors for this blend. NYX matte bronzer in Dark Tan gave her an extreme contour.
For the hair, Ashley curled it, then teased the crown and pulled it into some up and some down. When she pinned the hair back she pushed the hair up even more to get that ultra volume…lots of teasing and Bed Head Hard Head hairspray gave Maggie that amazing bouffant!
Check out more pictures from the shoot and a summer clothing favorite of mine on Glamonomics today!
Cheers to Pale Lipstick, Bouffants, and Retro Glam,
May 22, 2012
Before I share this story I have to say thank you so much to the photog Kolby Schnelli, the model Amanda (who somehow manages to show hard emotions while still looking gorgeous), and Ashley of course for doing hair. These pictures tell a story, a story that’s been in my head for a long time. It’s so amazing to see it come to life finally.
My life has a lot of “pretty” in it. But I would be lying if I said it was all lipstick, nail polish and fashionable clothing…and there is a difference between “pretty” and “beauty.”
So I’d like to use these pictures to tell a story. It is a story of pain. Not all times in life are pretty or easy to stomach. And I think it’s healthy to acknowledge those times too…
We all experience pain. Whether it’s loss, physical ailment, or emotional hurt…
And no one’s pain diminishes someone else’s just because it may differ in intensity or situation…
It is ok to feel pain, to acknowledge our situation for what it is, and to live through the pain…
We cannot always control our circumstances. But what we do with our pain is the true test…
I had the privilege recently of doing prom makeup for a couple of young girls. It was different from my usual prom gigs though, in that these girls were victims of sex trafficking. They are currently at an undisclosed safe house where they are “able to heal” as one girl put it.
As one of them was admiring her reflection in the mirror when we finished makeup she said, “I’m so excited for tonight!! I’m going to wear high-heels! I haven’t worn heels in a long time. I mean, I wore them before, when I was on the streets. But this time it’s different, this time…it’s like…redemption.”
If that isn’t beauty I don’t know what is.
Cheers to Feeling Pain, Time to Heal, and most of all to Redemption,
May 6, 2012
This summer, hair trend is moving past the beachy look and diving right into what we call “mermaid hair”…it still has that effortless look that we all love about beachy hair, but with a bit more polish!
Remember Jess (not me! The model from photog JennaRae’s shoot!) from yesterday’s post? We’ve been getting lots of questions about how Ashley accomplished this mermaid hair look…so here’s a tutorial how! You have to admit, the fact that it’s called “mermaid hair” does add to the appeal of the look, doesn’t it?!
Enjoy this video tutorial! And Good luck!
Cheers to the Beach, Summer, and Mermaids,
May 3, 2012
I don’t know what it is about the change in seasons that makes me get all introspective but, I once again find myself bursting with ideas and anticipation now that Spring has fully arrived and Summer is practically here! I feel like this…
You know when you are right on the edge of change? Or a big decision? Edges can be scary and edges can be exciting…right now I’m experiencing the exciting aspect of the edge. New season, new opportunities, new chances to be different, to be better. I will not be afraid, I will simply toss my perfectly curled hair and jump right in!
I’m eager for more sunshine, wedding season filled with makeup and hair on lovely brides, vacation, changes in my own life, and exciting growth for Polish and Pout…
Isn’t this model lovely? Her name is Jess (too!)…You will definitely be seeing more of this amazing shoot I did with JennaRae and Ashley over the next month…and later this week more tips on how to get this look and a peek into Jess’ life as a personal trainer.
So Cheers to Sunshine, Anticipation, and The Edge,
May 1, 2012
This is what happens when a photog and a makeup artist are friends and hangout…Spontaneous nighttime photoshoots! Time on our hands and no place to be gave us an opportunity to just be creative…JennaRae captured some great shots, I always love her night shoots! The model’s hair is so fun isn’t it? This look is in my regular rotation of work hair and it literally takes 4 minutes so I thought I’d tell you how!
Start by sectioning off the crown (top portion of your hair). Using a comb and some hairspray, comb back and slick the sides so they are flat to your head. Pull hair up into ponytail leaving out the sectioned hair up top. Tighten ponytail as tight as you can handle.
Back-comb the sectioned off hair and slightly and gently comb over to one side so create a mohawk effect. Tease and “mess up” the hair hanging down from the ponytail too so it has texture and looks imperfect. Set with tons of hairspray!
And there you have it! Easy quick faux-hawk-punk-ponytail look! And yes I realize that most of you cannot put this into your regular hair rotation for work but you can wear this when you’re off the clock! I dare you to, watch your confidence soar when you do…I always feel like I could fight crime or save someone from a burning building when I wear my hair like this, ha!
Cheers to Faux-hawks, Spontaneity, and Fighting Crime,
April 11, 2012
I have successfully maintained all of my New Years resolutions for years…it’s true! I have ALWAYS accomplished them. How you might ask? Every year I resolve not to make a New Years resolution. I’ve been quite successful at it 😉
I suppose why I do not make resolutions is because I feel that I am setting myself up for failure. Also, I like setting goals on a regular basis when I need to. It’s not uncommon for me to make mini-resolutions on Saturdays for the following week, on the first of the month, or even on my birthday.
Don’t get my wrong…I love the feeling of a clean slate that the new year brings, and I definitely have things I am wanting to accomplish this year! But I simply refuse to call them New Years Resolutions! And while plans are good (I am the QUEEN of planning!) you know, there’s something exciting too about imagining what sort of surprises this year might bring.
I wonder what those surprises might be?! Love these pics by JennaRae by the way…this is from a shoot this fall that I did with her and AshleyB. Our model Katie was so awesome and I just knew I would want to blog these for New Years! Watch the video below to see a quick behind the scenes peek of that shoot!
Big plans tonight anyone? I am under the weather so I will be at home taking it easy…the only bubbly in my glass will be my Emergen-C! Haha!
So Cheers (quite literally this time!) to Clean Slates, Plans, and unforeseen Surprises,
December 31, 2011
Having a longwearing…even waterproof look is often times desirable…sometimes necessary, and always a bonus!
It boils down to two things: the products you use, and the techniques you employ.
As far as products go…this may seem like a no brainer, buuuuut: choose products labeled “long-wearing” or “waterproof” this will give you a leg-up on achieving a long-wearing look and products marked as such REALLY do have ingredients in them that help them wear longer (such as oil absorbing ingredients, etc).
Some fav’s of mine for eyes: use MAC’s paint pot in painterly as a base for your shadow…it REALLY stays put and as you can see from these pics, it REALLY helps your shadow stay put!! Also their Fluidline in Blacktrack really goes the distance for lining your eyes!
One of my favorite long-wearing foundations (I mention it ALL the time!) is Dior’s Forever foundation…it really will last through a long day…dancing, moving, hugging, and (as demonstrated by our model) even a dunk in some water won’t make it run down your face! As far as lips go, the trick is to opt for more matte formulas, they tend to be drier but longer wearing. Also, completely color in your whole lip with a corresponding shade of liner to act as a base for the lipstick! Apply your matte shade on top, blot, then repeat!
When it comes to technique, layering is key. Layer upon layer of perfectly blended makeup, that is what is going to give you a flawless long-wearing look. It is important to layer translucent powder on top of foundation, to layer cream blush underneath powdered blush, and to layer liner underneath lipstick. Every layer adheres to the one under it, creating a long-lasting color-packed punch! One thing I really love doing is even layering a cream blush, then a powdered blush, THEN even a bright pop of a different blush right on the apples of your cheeks! I know it sounds like a lot, but remember we are talking about multiple LAYERS, not necessarily a ton of thick makeup! Blending is key!
Use fingers to warm up concealer and foundation, use fluffy brushes to blend away seams and set with powder, and of course use waterproof mascara! I love L’Oreal’s Voluminous mascara in black!
Watch below to see the specific techniques I employ for a long-wearing picture-perfect complexion!
So Cheers to Picture Perfect Faces, to Long-Wearing Lipsticks, and to Not Being Afraid to jump in the pool (or hot-tub!) every once in a while!…
December 17, 2011
Whew, this weekend was a long one! I am sitting at my computer right now in my pj’s thankful for the weekend to be over…Sounds backwards doesn’t it? My weekends are almost always my work days…Sunday night is like my Friday and tomorrow I will be sleeping in! Woohoo!
And although the weekend was busy and felt long I wouldn’t trade it for the world…this weekend was especially exciting because I did makeup for 2 photoshoots.
The first was for my friend Ashley…you know her from her amazing hair styling work for many of my shoots and clients! She needed some updated headshots and also some fun shots of her “in action” doing her hair styling thing! She is a gorgeous lady inside and out! I can’t wait to see the pics!
Our photog was Dan Rappa. This was my first time working with him and I was super impressed! Definitely check out his work…he is amazing!
Of course I had to wear my lucky bracelet that day…I ALWAYS wear this baby whenever I have a makeup gig, wedding, or meeting with a client! Once I forgot to wear it and totally hit major traffic on the way to a wedding…Coincidence?? 😉
Our next shoot was all about motion. Swishy skirts, bouncy pearls, swirling hair…you name it we did it! The lovely Laura was so patient as we tugged at her hair and dropped it, swished it, blew air on her, and made her jump again and again until we got just the right shots…
The pic above is of course just from my little ol’ iphone…I cannot wait to see them! I did get a sneak peek tho and I am so eager to see more! Hope you enjoy this shot from Dan as much as I do…
To make sure Laura was glowing and fresh all over I mixed a sheer coverage foundation with a lightweight body moisturizer and smoothed it into her arms and chest. She is lovely yes?
So Cheers to Long Weekends, to Photoshoots, and to Loving what you do,
December 12, 2011
Two very frequent questions I get regarding makeup and photography…One is usually from a person who does not wear much makeup (or none at all), and the other from someone who is no stranger to makeup but feels like things don’t look quite right when they get their picture taken.
So the first question is: “Do I need to wear [any, more, extra, heavy, etc] makeup that day?” That day of course referring to anything special where pictures are being taken (usually a wedding, family pics, you know what I mean!). Well I could probably write a book on this one question, and I will give you my two cents, but I want you to hear what some industry professionals have to say too!
Photo credit: Charleton Churchill Photography
“An image is not just about the moment the camera shutter clicks, but what went into that moment. As an artist, everything inside the image matters: Location, colors, the right outfits, composition, lighting, props, direction, and posing or interaction. However, what good is all that without a properly painted and dressed up person? In the movies, people wear makeup (yes guys too) to enhance their look. Why should we expect less in a photograph?” Charleton Churchill, Charleton Churchill Photography
So in other words: YES! Makeup is a necessary part of a fantastic picture! Plus a well done makeup job will boost confidence which will show in the pictures too! And while a heavy makeup face is rarely what anyone actually wants, it is entirely necessary to enhance your features so you look like YOURSELF in a photo! And of course I always recommend hiring someone to do your makeup for those special times too so you don’t have to worry about it 😉 Even the “no-makeup” look takes makeup and a little extra skill doesn’t hurt!
So moving on…The other question I get asked quite a bit, in fact I was reminded of this issue yet again when a friend texted me the other day (Hi Brae!), is “I wear (a good amount) of makeup but in pics I feel like I always look like I’m not wearing anything. Why and what can I do to change it?”
Photo credit: Lydia Photography
“Everyone wants to look their best in pictures! But most people don’t realize that the pure, beautiful light that is great for pictures also can wash you out–a la that just rolled out of bed ghost face! Done well, makeup can add back in the radiance we all want to compliment that glowing smile!” Lydia Takeoka, Lydia Photography
It’s true, lighting washes people out…it can make a rosy complexion look pallid, a diminish features that seem defined face to face. Makeup is necessary, more than usual makeup is necessary.
Here’s the catch: everyone’s definition of “natural” or “dramatic” is different, and how you view yourself (or judge yourself!) in a photo is not going to be how everyone else (or your photog, or your makeup artist) views you. Here’s a few tips that can help you get a handle on this:
- Makeup gets cut, cut major, in a photo…depending on the lighting you’re working with, it could even cut what you did in half. So even those who wear nothing or next to nothing will need a little makeup so you don’t look like death warmed over 😉 And for those of you who wear a full face on a regular basis you may want a more dramatic look or even just kicking it up a couple notches. I recall a recent photoshoot in which I kept having to add so much blush to the model (she was photographing pale and we wanted a flushed look) I thought there was no way it would look right but because of the amazing light we had it cut out so much of the color…she looked naturally rosy in all of the pictures, no one would have known how much blush she had on that day 😉
- Intensifying your look for pictures does not necessarily mean piling on more of what you normally do…it’s all about being strategic in product and product placement. A brighter pop of blush on top of your normal cheek look will help you look awake. A touch more of bronzer than you usually use on your forhead, temples and cheeks will give extra glow to your complexion. Slightly more depth in your eyeshadow, or using false lashes will help your eyes sparkle. And do not forget your lips! It’s so easy to lose your mouth in a photo so I recommend using something a shade or two deeper than you normally do to achieve the appearance of your “normal” mouth. Nudes are fun, they are my favorite, but make sure if that’s what you normally do that you use one with more color (like peachy or pinky) because in a picture a true nude could very well make you look like you are ill!
- Determine what your starting point is, what your normal is…this isn’t one size fits all! Everyone has a different look and that’s ok! The nutshell is: whatever you do normally should be intensified. And if you feel like you just can’t figure out why you don’t look right in a pic take some time to to really figure it out: is it that you feel pale? That your eyes don’t stand out enough? Find those exact things that you want to change and that’s how you’ll know where to strategically use more or different makeup!
So let’s recap: makeup is good!! It will make your pictures better and boost confidence, not to mention it’ll also make your photographers job easier too! One size does not fit all since everyone’s normal varies. Find your normal, determine the level of intensity you want, and use more than the usual so you don’t feel bare. Be strategic about product placement in the areas that seem to fall flat when you photograph. And when in doubt, hire an artist to do the dirty work for you! Did I mention I know a good one? 😉
So Cheers to Photographers, and to a little extra Polish and Pout in your Pics,
November 18, 2011
Part of what makes a wedding special is putting in little personal touches or unexpected details…I especially love it when a bride decides to throw in an accessory that’s more on the fun side or even a little trendy!
A few things I see fitting in with bridal trend during the cold seasons…
What better accessory for a chilly weather wedding than a pretty coat?! Definitely a good idea for some cute pics outside before you walk down the aisle! DIY Tip: this coat is from the juniors section in Nordstrom…every year they sell peacoats in all colors for around $50 (sometimes cheaper if on sale!). They come with basic buttons that looked very casual so I went to the craft store and found these gorgeous antique inspired pearl buttons. A quick button swap and voila! A fancy-shmancy coat!
Are you a lipstick or vintage loving gal? Opt for vintage earrings, layers of pearls, or a punchy lip (or as in the case of our model all 3! Ha!)! A bright peach is a great way to rock the vintage look while still being current (bright lips are huge this fall in makeup trend!) and is a nice change from the usual red. Upswept hair with a little texture completes this look (styling compliments of Ashley B!)
Sparkly heels! Who wouldn’t feel like a million bucks in these glittery gold colored babies?! I’ve seen versions of these all over the place and they can be pretty pricey. Our lovely model Ashleigh snagged these at Target! I would have never guessed…they were stunning!
Another cold weather accessory: a scarf! Snag one in a shade like your wedding accent colors. Avoid bulky knits and opt for more of a pashmina or a chiffon or silk scarf. Looks cozy while still being classy! Love trends and fun bold statements? Go for an animal print! Again this can be for pics before or after the ceremony or better yet: before you enter your reception lose your veil and wrap a gorgeous scarf around your neck to change up your look!
A classic smokey contoured eye is always in style! To learn how to do this makeup look click HERE. Ashleigh looks absolutely lovely don’t you think? Thanks for the amazing pics Lydia Photography!
While classic is always nice, there’s nothing wrong with your wedding or your bridal style reflecting who you are at the time you get married! Don’t pass up on something you like because you’re afraid it’ll look “dated” later in pics…guess what, it still will no matter what! So don’t be a fashion victim but enjoy the time you live in and capture it!
So Cheers to Style, Class, and maybe even a little Leopard Print on your big day!
Acessories, Beauty, Bridal, DIY, Fashion, Makeup, Photoshoot, Trend
November 5, 2011
