Friday, August 12, 2022
Wednesday, May 3, 2017
Sunday, November 28, 2010
Q&A
Q: My skin is almost always red and flushed around my cheeks and neck. Especially if I am hot, nervous, emotional. Pretty much anything by sleeping. How can I minimize this or make it go away completely without pounds of makeup? -Kim
A: Many people, just like yourself, have to deal with unwanted redness on their face and neck due to capillaries close to the skin's surface and rosacea. Generally speaking, there is little you can do to eliminate the condition, however there are wonderful products you can use to minimize the appearance.
Overall, you want to look for a yellow or green tinted product to reduce the appearance of red in your skin.
Clinique makes a great product, Redness Solutions Instant Relief Mineral Powder to not only help reduce the redness but also to "cool" the skin. Clinique also makes other creams to help reduce redness. The great thing about this product is that you can layer it to your desired coverage.
Other products that work well (and don't add "pounds" to your makeup) are skincare products such as Dr. Dennis Gross Hydra-Pure Redness Soothing Serum and Murad Redness Therapy Recovery Treatment Gel to help soothe your skin and prevent your blood vessels from dilating too much (which is one cause of redness).
Other than that, you can use Dermablend products, which are fairly lightweight and meant to cover imperfections such as rosacea, tattoos and port wine stains. There is even a Smooth Indulgence Redness Concealer you could use as well.
Make Up For Ever also makes a great, lightweight Full Cover Concealer if you wanted to use that as your foundation.
I would suggest going into Sephora and trying out some of the creams and serums to see how much they reduce your skin's natural flush. Then you can determine how much makeup you would need or want to cover any remaining redness.
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Product Test: Mixer by Geri G. Cosmetics
It can be used before or mixed with your foundation, blush, eyeshadow, powder--anything and produces a dewy yet matte finish that is water-resistant with titanium dioxide sun protection. It is hypo-allergenic and also has Vitamins A, C and E antioxidants and natural botanicals in it. Plastic surgeons and medical doctors as well as celebrities and professional makeup artists have all endorsed this product. There is also a secret ingredient called Nanomarine-5 that is patent pending so no other product has it.
So with all of that, I decided to give it a go. I tried it as a makeup primer after moisturizing. I didn't use a concealer or foundation but instead used a powder foundation and applied it with a brush. The powder definitely "stuck" or mixed with the product and created the dewy yet matte finish described on the website. Despite my sweating from being on the packed subway, the makeup stayed quite well throughout the day--definitely better than if I would have just used the makeup alone.
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
The Makeup Show NYC
We just finished out The Makeup Show NYC 2010! We have been a part of this from the beginning, so it is great to see the growth and development of the show from then to now.
Amazing pro products, seminars/workshops, and tons of industry friends to see and new ones to meet.
Makeup is such a vast wonderland with products and tools for every corner of the industry: beauty, fashion, editorial, bridal, special fx, and more.
We will be reviewing some new products we learned about in the coming days, so stay tuned for the inside scoop!
Amazing pro products, seminars/workshops, and tons of industry friends to see and new ones to meet.
Makeup is such a vast wonderland with products and tools for every corner of the industry: beauty, fashion, editorial, bridal, special fx, and more.
We will be reviewing some new products we learned about in the coming days, so stay tuned for the inside scoop!
Sunday, May 16, 2010
You've Got Questions...We've Got Answers
Every bride has questions...and every bride deserves an answer. On our website you can ask your beauty questions--even if they aren't related to your wedding. We are here to give you an unbiased answer (a.k.a. we are not trying to sell you any specific brand of makeup, skincare or haircare).
So ask away--either via email: info@bridalbeautyartists.com
or via our website: www.bridalbeautyartists.com/AskTheExpert.html
Check back on our blog as new questions will be posted regularly!
: : How do I choose an artist? What questions should I ask before booking?
Choosing an artist/stylist can be a daunting task. Every artist is a little different than the next, each artist has a different portfolio or website, and most have a signature style or look they specialize in. There are lots of things to consider when choosing an artist--cost, personality, level of expertise, efficiency, etc. So where do you start?
First, decide if you want a natural "nothing" look for your wedding day makeup or if you want dramatic "wow, is that me?" change from your no makeup face. Deciding this will help you as you sift through websites and portfolios. If you want a natural look and all the pictures you see for a particular artist are dramatic, then perhaps that artist is not the right one for you. That said, the only way you are going to know if an artist is truly able to do your makeup or hair the way you want it is to have a trial run through with him/her.
When you are inquiring about hair and/or makeup services via email or phone, be sure to specify your wedding date, what time you need to be ready by, what services you are looking for, how many services you are looking for, where you will be getting ready, and any special concerns you might have.
Besides pricing, ask about availability, services offered, experience, how long it normally takes, what forms of payment the artist takes, when deposits/balances are due, if there are contracts, cancellation policies, travel fees, other additional fees, if the trial run through is one look or multiple looks, etc.
Generally via email or phone, you are able to gain a good sense of if you like the personality, professionalism and demeanor of the artist. This is important to note because this person will be a part of your pre-wedding experience and can make or break the energy and mood of you and the others before you walk down the aisle.
: : I don't normally wear makeup, do I really need to for my wedding day?
There are no laws or rules that will prevent you from being married without makeup, however, if you want to look your best in person and in pictures, a little makeup will only enhance your beauty. There are plenty of products out on the market that are extremely lightweight, tinted moisturizers instead of foundations, cheek or lip stains that are virtually weightless and stay on all night, cream eyeshadows and non-clumping waterproof mascaras--all that feel quite close to nothing on your skin.
Makeup will help correct blemishes or complexion imperfections and make your skin look smooth and flawless. It will also help you look more "alive" or "awake" -- both to your guests and in your pictures.
In the end, the most beautiful bride is one who is happy, so if wearing makeup will prevent you from truly enjoying your wedding day, don't do it. But if you can handle it, you'll probably be happy you did.
: : What should I expect at the trial run through?
This is different for every artist/stylist. Be sure to ask your artist/stylist what to expect. Ask if you can try more than one look, how many you can try, how long it takes, where it is held (do you go there or he/she come to you), if the artist comes to you--what space/lighting requirements are needed, how to prepare your skin/hair, if you need your hairpiece/veil, etc. Regardless, it is important to have an idea of what you want. Gather pictures of examples for hair/makeup that you like and don't like. If you have pictures of when you had your makeup/hair done previously and you loved/hated it--bring those also. The more examples you have the more concrete references you can give about what you want and don't want to look like on your wedding day.
: : Can I do my own makeup for my wedding day?
That all depends on you. Even the most highly-skilled makeup artists will often call on the talent of others to take care of them for their own wedding day because it is a highly emotional day. Things that would normally be fine on a regular day are on a different level when it is your wedding day. At that point, drawing a straight line on your eyelids or lips becomes a frustrating and impossible task. If you are the type of person who is always calm, cool and collected, perhaps you would be fine doing it yourself. Just remember that if you want to do your own makeup to save money, it is not always less expensive to "DIY" versus hiring a professional artist as you will often end up purchasing a ton of makeup to "DIY" which can cost the same or more than if you would have hired a professional to do it.
: : Is it okay to make all my bridal party members have the same hairstyle?
It's your wedding and you can do what you want to! If you truly want the bridesmaids to all have the same hairstyle, go right ahead. There is no law that says you have to or don't have to do anything at your wedding. That said, there are some hairstyles that are not as flattering as others on certain face shapes. Some bridesmaids may not have hair long enough to do what you want. To consider those things, you can also choose a general style (i.e. half-up or all up) and then let each choose their own variation of it. But in the end, it is your call--you are the bride.
: : When should I schedule my trial run through?
For some brides, scheduling and completing their trial run through sooner than later is another item checked off their list and provides them a better sense of calm. For other brides, the trial run through shouldn't be scheduled until their hair is long enough to do the style they want, or their skin is finished with a particular skin treatment. If you need to see the way it will look on the wedding day, you will want to schedule the trial run through closer to your wedding day. Just be sure that this does not interfere with reserving an artist for your day as most all artists can be booked up for your date if you wait too long. Talk with your artist about his/her policies for booking the wedding day versus having the trial run through. You also want to be sure you have enough time to find other options if you end up not booking that artist after the trial run through.
: : How soon should I book an artist?
This is a popular question. Our sister company, MG Hair and Makeup, accepts bookings up to 25 months in advance of the wedding date. And there are brides who book that far in advance when they know what they want. It is the same as any other vendor you choose for your wedding. If you know who you want to work with, you want to be sure they are available for your date. If you don't have a particular artist in mind, the general rule is sooner than later. Most brides book their artist between 12 months to 6 months prior to their wedding date. There are a few that squeeze in their booking during the the 6 months to 3 months prior. Waiting longer than that is usually when a bride starts to get stressed. Planning your wedding should be as fun as it can possibly be, and cramming last minute bookings into the final weeks or months limits the choices for artists, schedules, and ultimately your happiness with your choice.
: : How should I prepare my skin for the wedding day?
You want to be sure your skin is ready to look its best. Exfoliate--get rid of the dry flakes on your skin. Use a scrub or a washcloth and get your skin to a fresh layer so the makeup will set nicely on it. When your skin is too dry or you have flakes, the makeup sets differently on the dry layers of skin versus the fresh layers and you end up with a blotchy, sandpaper-like effect. Be sure to do the same for your lips as well!
After exfoliating, moisturize according to your skin type. The best overall moisturizers are from the Olay brand--the Regenerist and ProX lines are excellent for almost every skin type and available at your local drugstore or supermarket.
: : Is it wrong to make my bridesmaids get their hair/makeup professionally done?
These are your pictures you will look at for the rest of your life, so no one can blame you if you want them to look good! However, it is important to be sensitive to your bridal party members' budget--weddings are expensive. One of the best ways to remedy this is to give the hair and/or makeup as a gift to your bridal party. Let's be honest, few if any will actually wear the matching necklace and earrings again. The gift of hair and/or makeup is a great way to show your bridal party that you want them to enjoy themselves (and look their best!) on your wedding day, too.
: : I am doing my own makeup, how should I choose what foundation to use?
There are so many options out there to accommodate every skin tone, skin type, desired coverage and budget. If going to a makeup counter, be sure to try the foundation and wear it outside of the store in natural light before purchasing--those department store lights are not natural and cast a tone on your face which can be deceiving until you walk outside.
And there are great options for different levels of coverage that still can feel lightweight on the skin. To explore the most options with the least amount of pressure, go to your local Sephora store and test out different types of foundation.
: : Do I need to use false lashes for my wedding day?
Of course not! There are plenty of women who have natural lashes that would beat out any false lashes I've ever seen. The best thing to do is to curl your lashes and apply a volumizing and/or lengthening mascara. This is plenty for most brides, however if you have sparse or extremely short lashes, false lashes can add the extra drama you may be looking for. Just be sure to try them out before the wedding day and see if they are something you like. Also be aware that though they are light, on your eyelid, they may seem heavy given that your eyelid is not used to lifting the extra weight every time it opens and closes. Many women get used to this easily while others are bothered by it. Try it out to see if you can get used to it or if it will distract and bother you on your wedding day.
: : Should my eyeshadow and lip color match my flowers or wedding colors?
You need to match your eyeshadow and lip color to you, your preferences and your skin tone. When you look beautiful, it doesn't matter if you match outside colors, such as your flowers or bridesmaids' dresses. If the colors you prefer for your makeup happen to coordinate with your flowers or wedding colors, that's great, but you should not feel like you need to wear teal eyeshadow because your bridesmaids are dressed in it.
So ask away--either via email: info@bridalbeautyartists.com
or via our website: www.bridalbeautyartists.com/AskTheExpert.html
Check back on our blog as new questions will be posted regularly!
: : How do I choose an artist? What questions should I ask before booking?
Choosing an artist/stylist can be a daunting task. Every artist is a little different than the next, each artist has a different portfolio or website, and most have a signature style or look they specialize in. There are lots of things to consider when choosing an artist--cost, personality, level of expertise, efficiency, etc. So where do you start?
First, decide if you want a natural "nothing" look for your wedding day makeup or if you want dramatic "wow, is that me?" change from your no makeup face. Deciding this will help you as you sift through websites and portfolios. If you want a natural look and all the pictures you see for a particular artist are dramatic, then perhaps that artist is not the right one for you. That said, the only way you are going to know if an artist is truly able to do your makeup or hair the way you want it is to have a trial run through with him/her.
When you are inquiring about hair and/or makeup services via email or phone, be sure to specify your wedding date, what time you need to be ready by, what services you are looking for, how many services you are looking for, where you will be getting ready, and any special concerns you might have.
Besides pricing, ask about availability, services offered, experience, how long it normally takes, what forms of payment the artist takes, when deposits/balances are due, if there are contracts, cancellation policies, travel fees, other additional fees, if the trial run through is one look or multiple looks, etc.
Generally via email or phone, you are able to gain a good sense of if you like the personality, professionalism and demeanor of the artist. This is important to note because this person will be a part of your pre-wedding experience and can make or break the energy and mood of you and the others before you walk down the aisle.
: : I don't normally wear makeup, do I really need to for my wedding day?
There are no laws or rules that will prevent you from being married without makeup, however, if you want to look your best in person and in pictures, a little makeup will only enhance your beauty. There are plenty of products out on the market that are extremely lightweight, tinted moisturizers instead of foundations, cheek or lip stains that are virtually weightless and stay on all night, cream eyeshadows and non-clumping waterproof mascaras--all that feel quite close to nothing on your skin.
Makeup will help correct blemishes or complexion imperfections and make your skin look smooth and flawless. It will also help you look more "alive" or "awake" -- both to your guests and in your pictures.
In the end, the most beautiful bride is one who is happy, so if wearing makeup will prevent you from truly enjoying your wedding day, don't do it. But if you can handle it, you'll probably be happy you did.
: : What should I expect at the trial run through?
This is different for every artist/stylist. Be sure to ask your artist/stylist what to expect. Ask if you can try more than one look, how many you can try, how long it takes, where it is held (do you go there or he/she come to you), if the artist comes to you--what space/lighting requirements are needed, how to prepare your skin/hair, if you need your hairpiece/veil, etc. Regardless, it is important to have an idea of what you want. Gather pictures of examples for hair/makeup that you like and don't like. If you have pictures of when you had your makeup/hair done previously and you loved/hated it--bring those also. The more examples you have the more concrete references you can give about what you want and don't want to look like on your wedding day.
: : Can I do my own makeup for my wedding day?
That all depends on you. Even the most highly-skilled makeup artists will often call on the talent of others to take care of them for their own wedding day because it is a highly emotional day. Things that would normally be fine on a regular day are on a different level when it is your wedding day. At that point, drawing a straight line on your eyelids or lips becomes a frustrating and impossible task. If you are the type of person who is always calm, cool and collected, perhaps you would be fine doing it yourself. Just remember that if you want to do your own makeup to save money, it is not always less expensive to "DIY" versus hiring a professional artist as you will often end up purchasing a ton of makeup to "DIY" which can cost the same or more than if you would have hired a professional to do it.
: : Is it okay to make all my bridal party members have the same hairstyle?
It's your wedding and you can do what you want to! If you truly want the bridesmaids to all have the same hairstyle, go right ahead. There is no law that says you have to or don't have to do anything at your wedding. That said, there are some hairstyles that are not as flattering as others on certain face shapes. Some bridesmaids may not have hair long enough to do what you want. To consider those things, you can also choose a general style (i.e. half-up or all up) and then let each choose their own variation of it. But in the end, it is your call--you are the bride.
: : When should I schedule my trial run through?
For some brides, scheduling and completing their trial run through sooner than later is another item checked off their list and provides them a better sense of calm. For other brides, the trial run through shouldn't be scheduled until their hair is long enough to do the style they want, or their skin is finished with a particular skin treatment. If you need to see the way it will look on the wedding day, you will want to schedule the trial run through closer to your wedding day. Just be sure that this does not interfere with reserving an artist for your day as most all artists can be booked up for your date if you wait too long. Talk with your artist about his/her policies for booking the wedding day versus having the trial run through. You also want to be sure you have enough time to find other options if you end up not booking that artist after the trial run through.
: : How soon should I book an artist?
This is a popular question. Our sister company, MG Hair and Makeup, accepts bookings up to 25 months in advance of the wedding date. And there are brides who book that far in advance when they know what they want. It is the same as any other vendor you choose for your wedding. If you know who you want to work with, you want to be sure they are available for your date. If you don't have a particular artist in mind, the general rule is sooner than later. Most brides book their artist between 12 months to 6 months prior to their wedding date. There are a few that squeeze in their booking during the the 6 months to 3 months prior. Waiting longer than that is usually when a bride starts to get stressed. Planning your wedding should be as fun as it can possibly be, and cramming last minute bookings into the final weeks or months limits the choices for artists, schedules, and ultimately your happiness with your choice.
: : How should I prepare my skin for the wedding day?
You want to be sure your skin is ready to look its best. Exfoliate--get rid of the dry flakes on your skin. Use a scrub or a washcloth and get your skin to a fresh layer so the makeup will set nicely on it. When your skin is too dry or you have flakes, the makeup sets differently on the dry layers of skin versus the fresh layers and you end up with a blotchy, sandpaper-like effect. Be sure to do the same for your lips as well!
After exfoliating, moisturize according to your skin type. The best overall moisturizers are from the Olay brand--the Regenerist and ProX lines are excellent for almost every skin type and available at your local drugstore or supermarket.
: : Is it wrong to make my bridesmaids get their hair/makeup professionally done?
These are your pictures you will look at for the rest of your life, so no one can blame you if you want them to look good! However, it is important to be sensitive to your bridal party members' budget--weddings are expensive. One of the best ways to remedy this is to give the hair and/or makeup as a gift to your bridal party. Let's be honest, few if any will actually wear the matching necklace and earrings again. The gift of hair and/or makeup is a great way to show your bridal party that you want them to enjoy themselves (and look their best!) on your wedding day, too.
: : I am doing my own makeup, how should I choose what foundation to use?
There are so many options out there to accommodate every skin tone, skin type, desired coverage and budget. If going to a makeup counter, be sure to try the foundation and wear it outside of the store in natural light before purchasing--those department store lights are not natural and cast a tone on your face which can be deceiving until you walk outside.
And there are great options for different levels of coverage that still can feel lightweight on the skin. To explore the most options with the least amount of pressure, go to your local Sephora store and test out different types of foundation.
: : Do I need to use false lashes for my wedding day?
Of course not! There are plenty of women who have natural lashes that would beat out any false lashes I've ever seen. The best thing to do is to curl your lashes and apply a volumizing and/or lengthening mascara. This is plenty for most brides, however if you have sparse or extremely short lashes, false lashes can add the extra drama you may be looking for. Just be sure to try them out before the wedding day and see if they are something you like. Also be aware that though they are light, on your eyelid, they may seem heavy given that your eyelid is not used to lifting the extra weight every time it opens and closes. Many women get used to this easily while others are bothered by it. Try it out to see if you can get used to it or if it will distract and bother you on your wedding day.
: : Should my eyeshadow and lip color match my flowers or wedding colors?
You need to match your eyeshadow and lip color to you, your preferences and your skin tone. When you look beautiful, it doesn't matter if you match outside colors, such as your flowers or bridesmaids' dresses. If the colors you prefer for your makeup happen to coordinate with your flowers or wedding colors, that's great, but you should not feel like you need to wear teal eyeshadow because your bridesmaids are dressed in it.
Thursday, May 13, 2010
The Today Show's No Makeup Day
So it is the hottest thing right now for celebs to bare all (on their face that is). Every major magazine is showing off the makeup-less mugs of Heidi Klum, Jessica Simpson, and the list goes on. The KLG and Hoda also did a special episode all without makeup.
It was great--definitely worth seeing to remember that they don't wake up looking like that--no one does. So it is best to stop loathing yourself without makeup and "love the skin you're in".
http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/37130121/ns/today-today_fashion_and_beauty/
It was great--definitely worth seeing to remember that they don't wake up looking like that--no one does. So it is best to stop loathing yourself without makeup and "love the skin you're in".
http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/37130121/ns/today-today_fashion_and_beauty/
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