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

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!

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

My Texas Bride

Most often I just adore the bride sitting in my chair. And then occasionally I have someone who's really great. The kind of great that I wanna go grab coffee with and be friends on Facebook with! Don't get me wrong I love all my brides (well almost all! There are a few I've blocked out of my memory but only like one or two. Haha) Yet there still are a few that linger in my mind, who look flawless and have a stellar personality. Some people you just click with. 

Amber was one of the great ones.

Amber planned her wedding, a phenomenal wedding at NorthPointe  Conference Center, all from Texas. She was calm but nervous while I was putting makeup on her.  Soon she was being herself and relaxing. 

She picked a classic bridal look and it was married perfectly with her beautiful dress. We went with a clean pink shimmer on her lid and accented her crease with a soft black.  Liner and Lashes of course.  Amber chose her own lipstick and gloss.  Amber accessories showed her Texas side - Big! Big, gorgeous pearls, on her neck and around her wrist. But the icing on the cake was her hair. I mean she was beautiful when I was done with her makeup but when she got out of the stylists chair! Wow!!! I mean knock-out stunning!  

Ambers niece and bridesmaid were lovely too and it was awesome doing their makeup as well. 

Aren't they the cutest?!? 

Needless to say Amber and Brian are blissfully married and in Texas.  

She was perfection! And a very memorable bride. I was so honored to be a part of her day. 

These photos were all given to me by ShutterHead Studios. Michael at ShutterHead is amazing and did a wonderful job. He's one of the good ones. One of those who goes above and beyond at your wedding and is there if you need him. Amber's photos really reflect this. You see her and Brian's personality and even their wedding party's.  

I have a few other brides that I want to highlight and can't wait! 

xoxox,

T

Eyebrows, pencils, mousse, powder... Oh my!

So I recently got a new pair of hip, fun, big, very cool Jimmy Choo frames... I love them.  Really . . . Love Them!

But they have really got me looking at my eyebrows! I have spent the last several month attempting to grow them out.  I've had some success with this product ...

No 7 fanomenal lash serum.  I bought it at Target, which is very unlike me but I really like it.  

But I'm of a certain age that they are getting sparse so filling them in is a must! The last few years I've used a wonderful product called The Brow Architect by Tarte.  You can get it at Macy's or here.

It comes with a nice turn up, no sharpen, wax like pencil (mine is almost gone! Time to buy another ... or another product???)

along with a highlighter/concealer tucked in the middle (I hardly ever use this)

and of course the very necessary spooly on the other end. 

It goes on so easy and really does the trick.  But I may need more... these frames demand more!!!!
What do you use? What questions or problems do you have with your brows?
Thanks for reading!
xoxox,
T

PS - I am not being paid to promote, review or mention this product or any products.

I'm new here . . . Anyone out there?

So this whole blogging is new for me, but I'll try and see what you think! I have over 16 years of experience in cosmetics, I should have something to say right?! I'll hopefully keep things fun and informative as well as interesting for you.  

You are probably the bride.  You might be another MUA?! Or maybe just one of my friends! Just know I am not an expert. . .  really.  There are plenty of very qualified people out there that can share all sorts of tricks and tips.  I have found that there isn't anything new really... just trial and error.  And that I know a little more than the average makeup fanatic.

Columbus Wedding Makeup is formally known as Makeup By Tami.  I re-branded the company in 2015 to expand our horizons.  I'm building a team and hope to take our artistry to more brides in the Columbus, Ohio area.  We specialize in airbrush makeup and that's one thing that sets us apart.  Among other things, are we pay attention to what the bride wants. Customer service is what it's called, but truly it is the brides special day and I love being a part of that.  

I hope to share some of the things I've learned along the way as well as share my brides and their lovely selves.  I also have fun opportunities like one with Forget Me Knot Photography.  

A few weeks back we did a stylized winter wedding shoot.  I have to say it was one of the most amazing times.  With two very talented photographers, Carmen Hall, of Forget Me Knot Photography and Vivian Nguyen of Vivian Strayer Photography, LLC.  They created a phenomenal setting for the most lovely couple. This couple filled the room with love.  They couldn't have been more beautiful... yes on the outside, but even more on the inside! I loved them!!!

So I'll share more of their incredible session later but for now . . . please leave me comments of what you'd like to know about.  Product reviews, tips, tricks, more bride photos? 

Thanks for reading! 

xoxox,

T

PS - also making this shoot amazing was Little Miss Cupcake, Wedding Plantation & Prema Designs