May 2, 2015 Wedding

For the most part my lovely brides are not makeup wearers.  So a light hand is most definitely needed.  I will admit when I get a bride that says "lay it on thick and I want drama", I get very excited.  But I am equally thrilled when I see a lovely bride like Megan.  Natural, radiant and comfortable with herself.  
Giving brides the ability to feel comfortable in their skin and letting them feel like themselves at their best on their wedding day is why I do this.  
Special thanks to Ambria Nofziger at 5L Studios for these lovely photos.  You can visit their website for me gorgeous work.  

Megan and her family were lovely & I was so happy to have such a natural, relaxed bride on her special day! Thank you again Ambria @ 5L Studios for these beautiful photographs.  

xoxo,

T

It's been much too long since I posted . . . So some of my favorite things!

So,this is the middle of my busy season, but wanted to take a minute to post.  I honestly have had a cold all week & trying to take it easy so I'm ready for the weekend with 3 weddings on the calendar!
This post will probably be random & scattered but bare with me.
I decided it'll be a "favorite things" post -

I've started to find that most of the ladies I'm putting makeup on are not using an eye cream.  And most of them are in their 20's which is really understandable, but this is when you have to start using skincare.  Keeping that delicate skin young and wrinkle free starts now.  Otherwise in your late 30's and 40's you'll feel like you look like you're in your late 40's and early 50's.  So take a few moments and slather on some eye cream!  Your concealer will go on easier, your eyes will look brighter and the puffiness and bags, we all complain about will soften and dissipate, as well.
A few of my favorite eye creams are . . .
Clarins has a few that are wonderful choices for nourishing that under eye area. Although on the pricey side if you're are really wanting immediate results this may be worth the bucks.

It comes in at a $62 price point but it really wards off the fine lines! Now Clarins has a Balm and Gel that are great for a younger skin & price at about $38.  Still it's up there! But Clarins is a french company that is known for it's skin care.  Honestly, they're my favorite.  I hope that I can achieve the luxury of this skin care with my line someday.  I'm a Clarins fan. And you can purchase online here. 

The other skin care line that I champion a lot is Origins.  The have an great all around-address-all-the-issues kind of eye cream.  It's called GinZing. At $30 its that mid-level eye cream. Shop here.

 

This amazing little pot holds an eye brightening powerhouse.  As well as delivering moisture to smooth out that under eye area.  This is great eye cream and has a reflective property so you see results quickly.  I also have put this in the fridge and then popped in on my under eyes.  Bags gone immediately & it feels so nice.  Really any eye cream benefits you if you put in the fridge, it's just not that convenient. Haha   

Last but not least BLUSHED by Tami has a few great eye creams, but for an overall solution the Enzyme Eye cream is best - 

I've priced it just below the Ginzing, at $29, but it's such and all in one - Nurturing eye treatment. Moisturizes, firms and conditions the delicate skin around the eyes. Soothes and smoothes tired, lined eyes; reduces puffiness and the appearance of dark under eye circles. And the enzyme ingredient exfoliates (gently) the dead skin that can cause those fine lines and dryness. You can shop at Store Envy or contact me to order. 

Anyway - I'm just a big proponent of taking care of your skin when your young.  Then it's not as hard when you get older.  

My other favorite things this week is DoTerra Essential oils and wellness products.  I signed up to be a Wellness Advocate about a year or so ago. I cannot tell you the life changer this was.  I was pretty skeptical at first, but receiving a discount is always on my agenda so I signed on.  Well, I have to say I cannot even post all the ways these oils have changed my life, because frankly there are too many to list.  

The major benefit would be getting my life and energy back pain free.  I suffered a lot physically since I had my son.  I never recovered from the toll weight gain and a very hard pregnancy took on my body.  I just didn't have the energy to do much therefore got in to a cycle of too tired to work out, not working out means not loosing weight which means not feeling well.  Then I injured by foot; tearing my plantar fascia is no joke! It's the largest tendon in our bodies.  And boy does it hurt when it's torn! I stand on my feet practically 100% of the time so being in a boot and cast then back in a boot again was not good. 

I spent most of 2014 injured.  I was in pain all the time and even after physical therapy I still struggled daily.  I couldn't get out of bed without pain all day long.  I was limping and it was effecting every area of my life.

So having tried everything - even oils (which wintergreen & deep blue would relieve pain for small time frames), I started taking the supplements from DoTerra. LifeLong Vitality, is a package of 3 supplements, which gave me enormous amounts of energy.  I felt normal again for the first time in 5 years! It was amazing.  It is amazing!  Now I had all this willingness to be active but was still in pain from my foot.  So I had to try something else.  Deep Blue Polyphenol Complex! I was pain free day one of taking this.  DAY ONE! 

This amazing supplement supports joint function and comfort.  Ah . . . now I'm back at the gym, down 10 pounds and feel like I have my life back.  I could go on and on about how daily DoTerra oils help me.  

If you have questions or would like more information about DoTerra please feel free to visit my website for Doterra here.  Or if you have questions feel free to contact me.  

So one more favorite thing. .. it's business related.  I've been searching for years for a customer relations program that could help me automate some of my business, store client information and streamline my communications with them.  There are few but they are for big business not me the lone "momprenuer".  But a few months ago I was in a Facebook group and a fellow Makeup artist mentioned a company they use - 17 Hats.  So I pulled the trigger this week and invested in it.  Wow! Can I tell you the difference just one week has made?!  I'm two weeks ahead of things I'm usually two weeks behind on! I'm thrilled already with the results.  

The customer service has been great too with any questions I have. It's a super intuitive system and has been a huge asset to Columbus Wedding Makeup! 

Ok - that's all for now - sorry it's all over the place! But I just wanted to share some of the little things in my life that keep me going! 

Have a great weekend! 

xoxox,

T

I can't take the mosquitoes!

So since the beasts have ascended upon us I've been desperate. Yes, that's right I'm talking about mosquitoes! Is this beauty related you ask?! YES! I say YES!  If I welt on my face or legs or arms because of these (expletive) things, yes it is beauty related!


 In a normal amount, these spawns of Satan, I use my Doterra bug repellent oil (Terra Shield) to deter them. And it works fine for me (although I have to reapply often). But in this apocalypse of mosquitoes it's not cutting it. So I too was thinking maybe I'll buy something with DEET! Gasp!!! Then I decided I'd tried Ava Anderson's bug spray.
 
I picked beans out of our garden for about 45 minutes. I only got bit once. Having a bag full I headed for the house. On the way ... One more. I made it inside. I haven't been able to stand in my driveway without getting bit at least 10 times. I'm a magnet. I'm allergic. I welt up. It's ugly. I proved to my husband that I could go outside without getting bit! I spray down - I go out! NO bites!!! Yay AVA!!!

My son is allergic too. He swells up and it's so scary. But he played outside in his sandbox for over an hour. He didn't get one bite!! Such a believer....
There's an article about lemon and eucalyptus oil being just as effective as Deet. Whew- I was very close to trying the chemicals. Thankfully I found Ava Anderson. I'm excited to try othe non-toxic/non-chemical products. 

http://www.treehugger.com/lawn-garden/cdc-confirms-lemon-eucalyptus-oil-as-effective-as-deet.html

As far as trying to deter the mosquitoes this year I'll stick with the Ava Anderson bug spray . . .  Visit Kate's website for more non-toxic solutions!

Xoxoxo,
T

Happy Independence Day!

I hope everyone has a lovely 4th celebrating the birthday of our wonderful country. Although things are very much changing in our world, we live in the greatest country in the world. My favorite "4th of July" song is Lee Greenwood's "God Bless the U.S.A."  I seriously tear up every time. Here's the YouTube link.  I want to say a very sincere thank you to every person and their family that serves our military.  Without you we could not live with the freedoms we are afforded.  God Bless You!

I just wanted to share a quick blog and try to start blogging a bit more. I'm reading a challenge about making a connection with your clients and audience through your blog. We used to be able to chat face to face but the world has changed and connecting is mostly online now. So in a great effort to connect more with you ... I blog!

Recently High School kiddos will be headed back to school probably end of August. (That is seriously right around the corner.) And for many they are entering their senior year. So photographers everywhere have started their "senior sessions". 

Now I love bridal work. Really. Love it. But I really enjoy doing makeup for a teen. They're so excited to have their makeup done. Most of the time I'm the first makeup artist to ever put makeup on them. (I know weird). But that's exciting! How many other times will they have such a glamorous experience? The next will probably be their wedding day. 

So I partner with a local photographer (www.portaitsbycarmen.com) to do a few sessions a year. We had our first session Wednesday. She posted a few on social media: 

So I for real die over these! I mean gorgeous!! Not only are these young ladies completely beautiful,  look at that photography work. That is not your mom on the corner with a camera stuff. Carmen's work is very inspiring. I find myself wanting makeup to be extra perfect if I know she'll be editing a picture! Lol

Enjoy your holiday & be safe. 

Xoxo,

T

Makeup by me - Columbus Wedding Makeup
Photography - Portraits by Carmen
For wedding photography visit her at Forget Me Knot Photography

A Beautiful Wedding with a Beautiful Soul!

A few months ago I received an email from a mother of the bride.  Her daughter was getting married in April and was needing makeup services.  The artist that was booked couldn't be at the wedding so they were searching. 
I showed up at Lauren's apartment for our trial. It was a gorgeous spring day.  Lauren seemed very nervous.  So I asked if she was alright.  She almost started crying.  Lauren had a previous makeup trial with another artist.  She didn't like the makeup and was extremely nervous and upset to try again. 
By the way - I don't know who the artist was, but Lauren showed me a picture and it was beautifully done makeup.  BUT it wasn't Lauren! It was too much and red lips etc.  Again gorgeous makeup but not suited for Lauren. 

So my philosophy is to make my brides look like themselves but at their best.  So I did Lauren's makeup how I thought she would look her best!

The next thing that happened surprised me.  She started crying again, but this time it was a happy cry! She hugged me and couldn't have been happier.  This makes what I do worth it.  This is why I do it.  Seeing that brides eyes so thrilled and so content with her makeup is the best feeling.  To make someone pretty is one thing but to make them happy is amazing. 
Spreading love and lip gloss!!!
xoxo,
T

This is the Lovely Lauren & her beautiful wedding

 

Special thanks to Jenny Haas for providing these incredible photos!

 

Photography by Jenny Haas Photography 

Hotel Accomodations: The Renaissance Hotel Columbus
Venue: Via Vecchia Winery

Wild, Wild World of Makeup Brushes

Do you have a set of brushes? Do you use your fingers? Do you still use those triangle sponges for foundation & Q-tips for eyeshadow?

I went to a trial once for one of my brides and actually forgot my brush set! Oh the horror!!! 

I told her "well if I can pull this off then I guess I've proven my worth!" She laughed but I know she was nervous!  So with q-tips and fingers I did it! She looked awesome and she was as surprised as I was.  I said "How much better are you going to look on your wedding day when I have the right tools!?!" And she did!
So if I can do it with just fingers and few rudimentary tools, why spend the major bucks on those fancy brushes!?
Well, we do and we need them.  You cannot always achieve the right look, blend or finish with a q-tip.
So what's in my tool belt? Well I have a few actual art brushes, a bunch of MAC brushes, a few Prescriptives brushes and a few drugstore brushes!
And I just ordered my first BLUSHED by Tami brushes... I haven't received them yet & will keep you up to date about them and not sure they'll be introduced in the line or not, but we'll see....
So.... great brushes . . . MAC. MAC has the best brushes on the market.  I don't care what anyone else says they are the holy grail.  They work beautifully.  Do what they are suppose to and are high quality.  Meaning they're not going to fall a part on you.  Also they have a huge selection of brushes.  If they don't have it it doesn't exist.
Brushes shed sometimes, whether they are high quality or not.  But it should be a minimum if they're a good brush.  My favorite brush is a MAC 217.

I have 3 of them.  I had 4 but gave one to an artist on my team because it is a necessary brush in your bag and she needed it!  The MAC 217 isn't just a blender brush.  It is made with a mix of natural & synthetic hair which means it works great with creams and powders.
I have had my Prescriptives brushes for 16 years! I haven't lost one.  I love them.  Sturdy wood handles!  I hope to have these brushes for 16 more years!

Prescriptives Powder Brush 

I recently found Real TECHniques in the last year or so.

They are a synthetic brushes made by a wonderful makeup artist "across the pond" Sam Chapman.  Her sister Nicola colabs with her to create and promote these brushes.  These two are almost my favorite makeup artists ever . . . well not almost, they are! Just sweet beautiful girls.  I like them I think because they came from retail & their style translates like that.  Which is similar to mine.

A set of these is like $20-ish. A set! Like 5 brushes!! And although they aren't fancy they are a good brush.  They are cut uniformly and perform as they should.  Soft is an understatement.  Also they're easy to clean because of bristles being synthetic. Cleaning . . . that's another blog!
Real Techniques just came out with a higher end brush.  They cost more and are prettier. But if I'm going to pay $20 plus I'll buy a brush from MAC.
So I have to mention Sigma or I would be remiss.  Sigma is a phenomenal brand of brushes.  They rival MAC.  I would say if you can't drop the money on a MAC brush you could spend a little less and buy Sigma.  But to me I'll just get one at a time and keep working on my MAC collection.

xoxo,
T

PS- all of this is my opinion.  Many would have very different opinions and that's great.  The point being brushes are made differently and every artist must find what works for them!

Tuesday Tip from Tami - Contouring

Well, it's been a few weeks so I thought I'd post another Tip from Tami. I talked to a few clients over the weekend and they all mentioned contouring. Now I am not a subscriber to the Kim Kardashian contour.

Which is actually a technique that isn't new. Theatrical makeup artists and those who work in television have been contouring people for years. My real first in encounter with it was probably Heavy Metal music in the 80's! All those guys wore makeup and wore it dramatically! As they did everything else. I was/am a Stryper fan (Those of you who don't know they are a Christian Heavy Metal band that dressed in makeup and leather. Sort of the Christian worlds version of KISS. Gene Simmons would be proud).
Kim's got nothing on these guys - look at those cheek bones!

So I digress... I'm not a subscriber to the extreme contouring. But I do almost always contour my clients. And this is how....
Subtly! If you need to contour everyday . . . then let's look at what we are wanting to highlight and contour. Don't just do it they way Kim does it.  We have to fit our needs and face structure.  On Social Media I follow Lisa Eldridge.  She's an amazing makeup artist and the new Creative Director at Lancome.  She recently posted a photo where she did Kim's makeup.  Everyone raved about the difference.  (Click on the link to read the article).

Glamour Article

and this (photo is retouched) done by a Mario Dedivanovic who is someone who does Kim's makeup on a more frequent basis and kind of responsible for all the shading business (and also genius). 

She looks almost like a different person. And it's all because of contouring.  Now the debate is which is better. For Kim it doesn't matter.  She's a beautiful woman and short of a bag over her head, I'm not sure there's anything that can make her look bad.  

But you and I may need a bit extra help.  Well, I know I do.  So contouring our cheeks and around our face is a nice place to start.  The chart below shows us placement for contouring for different face shapes.  It also helps designate where to highlight.  

Notice on the long face there isn't any highlighting and contouring happening in the nose area.  WHY?! Because that would just make your face look longer! Following the rule light makes things look bigger and dark makes them smaller is best to keep in mind when doing this technique.  So someone with a round face wanting to look slimmer would shade around the outer part of her face. This draws the eye to the center to a smaller visual.  

This isn't something you have to do every day unless you choose to, but for occasions you may want to pay a bit of attention to using contouring and highlighting.  

All of this brings us to products to use.  You can use creams... this will give you a very dramatic Kim K. look.  You will need a beauty blender or similar product to blend it all out.  Listen... this is a lot of work.  The placement of the product along with the blending and then that's just your base.  You'll need foundation and the rest of your makeup on top of that.  Plus you're using multiple products and that can be costly.  If you really want to knock yourself out . . . go for it.  But personally I do not understand this. Unless you are Kim K., again I ask why?! LOL

So for a more subtle approach - use a matte bronzer or powder a few shades darker that yours and  you can still achieve a very nice contour.  The easiest way is to brush on, starting at your temples/forehead and working your way down the sides of your face in a "3" shape will accomplish this nice glow and creating shadows where dark should be.  Just follow the natural contour of your face.  Again, nothing too dark just a shade or two darker ... you can then add highlighter at the tops of your cheeks and where appropriate.  

It can be easy or complicated... if you have questions let me know below.  I'll try to answer as best I can!

Happy Tuesday!

xoxox,

T

Makeup Monday

Monday is winding down, but I thought I'd do a quick post about a product!

How about eye makeup remover!

We all use it . . . we have a love/hate relationship with it, right? I mean it's necessary most of the time, but sometimes it doesn't always feel so nice.
We try coconut oil or baby wipes.  Or we go really "old school" and just water with a wash cloth.  And sometimes all of those work. But let me shine a little light on the damage you can do to that precious skin around your eye by using the wrong product.
Did you know The area around your eye is called the contour & it's the thinnest and most fragile skin on your entire face.  It lacks the elastin fibers and along with the strain of 22 muscles and constant motion, plus 10,000 blinks per day, this area shows signs of aging first.

So therefore we should be really paying attention to what we use on our eyes and how we use it! 

I see people putting tape on their eyes and pulling them... we use hard pencils and rough, cheap brushes. We rub them with wash clothes and abuse our poor whittle eyes! Well, maybe it's not all that bad, but we really need to have a better awareness of this tender eye area.  So it's a huge topic but let's just look at how we take off makeup.  

There are a few products I would suggest work nicely.  You have to find what works for you, BRAVO.  We all want the same things, something that doesn't leave a greasy and oily residue, something that doesn't clog pores and something that does take off makeup easily and pretty much in one swoop! 

Here are a few products I think do that! 

1. Neutrogena Wipes.  These little things are actually amazing for taking off all your makeup.  They're about $7 and you get about 25.  It's a great option even if your have sensitive skin.  They're also awesome for on the go or travel. You can pick these up at your local drugstore or don't leave the house and order them from Amazon.  

2. Bi facil by Lancome.  

This  is a pricier end of makeup removers (Like 29 bones!), but there's a reason. It's ridiculously good.  It seriously uses the bi-phase technology to break down makeup gently and not leave a residue.  It's amazing for sensitive eyes.  This was my only choice for years and years ... Until I made my own! Blushed by Tami has a very, very, very similar product for a little less the cost ($24).  This Dual Action Makeup remover is my new choice and I love it.  No itchy or stinging eyes.  

3. MAC cleanse off oil ($31).  This is also a makeup remover for more than just eyes so you could justify that price point a bit more.  It is an oil and most people cringe, but really it's a great.  It does not leave an oily residue.  I promise.  It does however break down oils and makeup so you don't have to tug at your skin and wipes it all way.  It also comes in a travel size, of 1 oz., which is especially nice for those world travellers.

MAC Cleanse OFF Oil 5 oz.

So there have it for Makeup Monday! A little guidance on how to take care of your eyes! They are the only ones you're getting so don't tug and tape them!!
Leave me some comments about what you use to remove your eye makeup.  Good, bad and ugly! I want to know.  I'm sure there's a product out there I'm missing and I'd love to know about it.

Have a great week!
xoxo,
Tami

Pantone Color of the Year!

I'm definitely behind on this color of the year thing!! I mean I don't really believe in it, but there is something about having a fresh new look and a brand new color to base that around.  We all will take an excuse to buy a new makeup product, right?!

As far as wedding makeup goes, I would discourage brides to go with anything too trendy! Classic & Timeless makeup choices are best.  Now, don't get me wrong, you can incorporate Marsala in a myriad of ways into your wedding. And not just in makeup.  It definitely won't look "dated". For example . . .

But if you're just looking for makeup for everyday and need a fresh makeup-bag-makeover, basing it on "THE COLOR OF THE YEAR" is a great way to find something fresh & exciting.  So I've done some research just for you!


Marsala . . . Tada! It's not red, it's not burgandy.  It' s Marsala.  Kind of a currant color.  Which makes my first pick perfect -

Make up For Ever Blush

Make up For Ever cream blush in Black Currant.  It's a cream... but you'll get that gorgeous Marsala color when applied.  My bestie is contemplating the purchase of this blush as I write this. It's a splurge, but you could wear on your lips as well! It can be purchased at Sephora for $26. 

There's a lovely little blog posted by Jolie.  You'll need to hit the translate button, but she shows you how to coordinate Marsala colored clothes and makeup with accessories! Brilliant!  

She features on there one of my most favorite eyeshadow palettes from Dior.  Now let me just tell you there isn't a Dior 5- Colour pan palette that I have seen that I don't die for! I'm not kidding... I love every single one of them.  But this one is especially gorgeous. (and yes, I say that about all of them.) 

Trafalgar 5-Colour Eye Shadow- Dior

Last but not least, a girls gotta have a lipstick (or a lip gloss).  This pick is from my line (Blushed by Tami).  It's a lip gloss that goes on nicely and plumps your lips! It's great sheer color with a little sparkle and it isn't sticky.  It glides on with a brush rather than a doe toed applicator.  That will give you a bit more control and the ability to build onto other lip products.  You can purchase Voluptuous over at my website for $15.

Voluptuous

So there you have it . . . The 2015 Pantone Color of the Year - Marsala. 

You're welcome!

xoxo,

T

Winter Stylized Shoot

So most of the time I say yes to things & really don't know what I'm getting into! This was one of those, but I was pleasantly surprised by the entire experience.  I posted about this briefly in my first post, but wanted to share more of that day!
Carmen Hall, who has become a lady I cherish, is a local wedding photographer.  Her company is call Forget Me Knot Photography.  She approached me and asked if I could do makeup for a winter stylized shoot.  As I mentioned, I said YES!
When I arrived in FRANKLINTON! I was a bit nervous.  I mean I grew up in the south end of Columbus, but led a fairly sheltered life.  So all the warehouses and empty feeling the neighborhood of Franklinton can give, was a bit intimidating.  We were at 400 West Rich.  It's actually an amazing Urban Arts Center.  There's a great article here for a little history.  Once inside you feel the life of the community thriving.  Art is everywhere you look and art was taking place by us! It was a great experience.

Our bride and groom have actually been married 7 years, but volunteered their time for this gorgeous shoot.  We started right away with hair & makeup.  Kristi B. did hair & makeup by me!

The designer for flowers, linens etc, was Prema Designs & they were amazing.  I was in awe! 

The cake was gorgeous too and done by Little Miss Cupcake.

And wedding attire provided by The Wedding Plantation.

 So I know it's too many photos, but I had to share! It was a really fun day & I am glad I'm impulsive and said yes to things without thinking! 

xoxo, 

T