Movin on up

Ok, mission complete! So let's all move over to the super fab NEW BLOG!

excuse me!

Please excuse my blog mess while it gets reworked. I've decided to umph it up a bit, and it's in the beginning stages of its awesomeness, which makes it temporarily even uglier.

my lip gloss is poppin

Lil Mama said it best:
MAC, L'Oreal, yep, cause I'm worth it
Love the way I puts it on so perfect
Wipe the corners of my mouth so I work it
When I walk down the hallway they can't say nothin
Oh, oh oh, my lips so luscious
The way I spice it up with the MAC-MAC brushes
L'Oreal got them watermelon crushes
That's probably the reason all these boys got crushes

At some point in my life, I've been a Mark Kay, Avon, and BeautiControl representative. Scary, I know. I am the worst salesperson ever. If something stinks, I'm gonna tell you. If it's amazing, I'm gonna tell you. So selling beauty products never worked out for me and I tend to shy away from those lines minus a few select items. One of those items is in Avon's Mark line. Glow baby Glow hook up lip gloss is awesome for several reasons.

First of all, each gloss is super compact and fits ideally into a purse. And if you buy two hook up products, you get a free connector, which connects any of their hookup products together. So lip gloss paired with mascara for quick touchups on the go? It's super convenient and doesn't require carrying a giant cosmetic bag in your already overloaded purse.

Second, the colors are great. The glosses come in an array of colors, "pink crush" being one of the most popular. I'm also a big fan of "peek a boo" which is a creamy nude. Being a big gloss wearer, it's easy for me to get annoyed with my hair sticking to my lips, or the shimmer clumping around the corners of your mouth. Not with this gloss. It delivers shiny, pumped up gloss, without the gloopy stickiness. And the amount of shimmer is just enough to add some dazzle, not stick around after meals to glob around you lips' edges.

Third, the PRICE! At $5.50 a pop, who can resist?!

So look up your local Mark rep or just order online. So your lip gloss can be poppin!

Fall Makeup trend #1

Earth Tones

Think greens, golds, browns and greys, but smokey. Velvety texture, but with a smidge of shimmer.

so fresh and so clean, clean

My best friend is getting married in 2 weeks and I am doing her makeup. Duh! Now, Eva is a gorgeous girl all on her own. Long brown hair, big green eyes, and a perfect silhouette. Her personality is quirky and fun. She's enough on her own that she doesn't need a ton of makeup to bring her out. So when I asked what she wanted for her wedding day words like "illuminating, radiant, and not matte" were used. She sent me a picture of Leighton Meester that illustrated the type of finish she was looking for.

Eva is having an outdoor wedding, in a garden with a relatively simple dress. Her colors are dark plums and greens. So a very fresh atomosphere. Her makeup should also reflect that and I'm glad she chose this picture of Leighton as a base. In order to get a light, dewy looking skin, you have to do several things. You can either use a foundation or not.

If you choose not to: Use a good moistuizer all over. Then use a highlighter across the cheek bones. Place a creamy concealor where needed. Use bronzer as cheek color, one with only a smidge of shimmer, on your apples sweeping lightly back toward yoru temple. Keep the rest of your makeup light as well.

If you decide you need more coverage and would like a foundation: Add a sheer highlighter such as Fluid Sheer to your foundation. Apply as normal. Use bronzer as cheek color, one with only a smidge of shimmer, on your apples sweeping back toward your temple.

Now you saw I mentioned Fluid Sheer. It's great. Fluid Sheer is a product that can be worn alone or mixed in with foundation. It is a liquid filled with tiny little illuminators that really give your skin a radiance beyond belief. Now dont' be intimidated by all the shade options! I recommend sticking with Porcelain or Golden Sand for starters. Porcelain gives you a radiance as if you are lit from within. Golden Sand is more of a light sunkissed glow. Once you feel confident, you can brave the other amazing colors. Armani actually has these in sample sizes to test out.

So appearing kissed by the morning dew is not only beautiful, but easy to achieve! Can't wait to show you pictures from Eva's wedding!

sneak peek

here's some quick images of a shoot I did last week. Details to come...

Nashville...in August

Today's high is in the low 90s. Needless to say, it's hot. So when planning one's makeup for the day, certain products get better results. One of the worst things ever is to get your face totally done, and after 15 minutes outside, your pretty baby pink blush is streaking down your cheeks and onto your neck. Or even worse, to have it caking with foundation and sweat to form a nice layer on top your dimpled apples. Ugh. So how to you get a blushing cheek without being streaky or cakey? Cream blush. Cream blushes are the perfect way to get just a dab of color in your face, as if you've already been outside, without being heavy. You only need a small dab of a light pink or peachy color to smooth in circles onto the apples of your cheeks and lightly blend up towards your temple. You can apply it alone, or under a tinted moitsurizer for a sunshiny cheek that will stay on your skin, not run down. Since it blends into the skin and doesn't sit on top of a foundation, it will stay put much better than a powder blush. Avoid products with sparkles or a ton of shimmer, as they can appear too shiny and make you look sweaty. Try Maybelline New York Dream Mousse Blush. Or Smashbox has one called O-Glow that works with your skin to create a custom color that matches your natural blush. makeup above by Yumi at Frank Reps

told you so...

It's the best. Thanks Jessica!

Facial Paradise

Those of you that know me, may know I've been battling a bit of a skin problem the last few weeks. So when I was offered a facial by Kalli at Unruli, I was ready to try anything. She is a new esthetician at the salon in downtown Franklin and she is AMAZING. Kalli has this snuggly little room upstairs, with the dim lights and spa music playing. On Thursday I got cozy for 1 hr 45 mins of bliss. I don't usually keep quiet for anything, my mouth is constantly running, but after 5 mins I shut up for the entire experience because it was just that relaxing and wonderful. She starts out taking you on a "sensory journey" where you allow your nose to pick an essential oil for her to work with. Mine was cinnamon bark and clove. Warm, sweet, but invigorating. Then she massages your face with countless Aveda products, each one feels more awesome than the one before it. She rubs down your arms and feet and wraps them up in these warm little bundles. It really is the greatest thing ever. So now it's Saturday. And I woke up this morning to my sweet husband getting ready for work and he stops and looks at me and says "Wow...she did a great job. Your skin looks so smooth!" Best words I've heard since he said "I do". Kalli is a super nice lady and she is very knowledgeable about what your skin needs and what your body needs as well. I'm going back next week for a second treatment and anticipating the glory. But I know with everyone's pockets being pretty empty, these things are hard to indulge in. Thankfully, this full treatment is only $75!!!  So if you lay off the Starbucks and one restaurant dinner this month, you can use the extra cash to show yourself some Aveda love. Even if it's just once a month, this treatment makes you feel so awesome. And I know if I can see results after one treatment, within 2 days, and I have a major skin dilemma, then anyone can benefit from a visit. Tell her I sent you and I'll give you a free custom lip color and goodie bag!

airbrush: greatest application or just a trend?

I had a bride contact me a few weeks ago about being airbrushed for her wedding. She had heard about the technique and really wanted to have it for her big day. After much discussion and a few trials, we decided to airbrush her foundation using Makeup Forever's HD foundation. Now, this bride was adamant about using the airbrush because of the good things she had heard. There is a lot of talk about using airbrush, especially for HD film and TV. It provides a nice, solid coverage and works well for HD because of the way the product is misted onto the face, leaving no area uncovered. However, it has it's limitations. The airbrush is just a tool, like any other brush. If I put foundation on with a toothbrush, it's going to look different than if I use a sponge, blush brush, or foundation brush. The finished look of the makeup depends greatly upon the method of application. So the airbrush is just another alternative to traditional brushes. It is great for 2 purposes...1)textured skin (acne, scars, rough) benefits from using the gun because the mist gets into all angles of the face, leaving no space untouched. It ensures coverage of all these areas. 2)those with skin conditions are also good candidates because there is no physical touching involved. Certain skin issues are made worse by touch (ex: Rosacea) so we eliminate that problem because using the airbrush means we don't have to touch the skin at all. But a great looking foundation can be achieved even without the airbrush. As soon as her wedding pictures are available, I'll be sure to post them!

review me!

I need reviews! It is super helpful, when people are deciding on a makeup artist for their event, shoot, or wedding, to have testimony from other clients. So anyone who felt their experience with me was a positive one, it would be amazing if you could write a short bit on it.

Click my listing . Then add review. 

The most powerful way to gain business for me is word of mouth, so I can't tell you how much it does for me when you tell others about your experience. Thank you!

orange, green, blue, and embroidery

Sound like 1973 living room decor?

Well, it was Ashley Rowden (now Whiteside)'s wedding ambiance! When i met Ashley at Panera for the first time, I was so enamored with her soft demeanor and bright smile. We were there to discuss my potentially doing her wedding day makeup. She showed me a picture of a very delicate, peachy toned makeup she had pulled from a magazine. As with every bride, I asked about the details of her wedding, to get a feel for her style. She begins to show me images of green, earthy details with splashes of orange and blue. Words like "quilt" "birds" and "natural" are thrown around a lot. Now at first, I was a bit concerned for how all of this was going to come together. But Ashley's gentle and focused tone convinced me that this wedding was going to be unique and beautiful. S0 when I arrived on May 23rd to get Ashley's wedding day look pulled together, she remained the same; calm, easy, and glowing. You could tell she was very ready for this day and for all the right reasons. Standing there giving her the finishing touches, I knew she looked amazing. But now that I've seen the pictures, HOLY MOLY. She honestly, was radiant. I don't think I've ever seen a bride look as healthy and illuminating as she. Ashley's skin was a great match for the Smashbox Halo I rave about. We kept her look very warm and clean, using peaches and apricots. All the colors and natural elements she chose worked so well together for her wedding details, and the softness she evoked just wrapped it all up. Congrats Ashley and Brandon! And thank you April with Evoke Photography!

Body Painting

***CAUTION: BOOBS BELOW***

Had to put that out there before you scrolled too far down. Didn't want to catch you off guard!

Occasionally I get asked to do creative shoots with photographers and models. And I'm always up for stretching my artistic side. So Bruce Yonce contacted me a several months ago and we just recently found the time to get together and play around with some stuff. Bruce had been wanting to do a graffiti shoot. Some of you may recall some graffiti work I did in Vancouver last fall.

I haven't used my airbrush much since I've been home, so I thought working with Bruce would allow me to get reacquainted with my sweet little air gun. We decided to do a piece that illustrates our society's inundation with ads and logos. So I used corporate logos and the word "Takeover". It turned out a little more rough than I planned, due to a cream base that wouldn't dry. (I know not to use that one again) Thank you Chimere for being still and patient! And thank you Bruce, for letting me make a mess!

Bridal Event

CJ's Off the Square is hosting a bridal event that is sure to be filled with juicy info. Wedding planning is a pain in the tush, if you ask me, but these ladies know how to make the process super easy peasy. And as a bonus, they're super fun to hang out with! This event will get into the nitty gritty of the marriage/wedding process, beyond flowers, linens, and favors. Sure to be a good time!

face full of sunshine

Bronzer can be your face pick-up any day. But it can go terribly wrong very quickly. Bronzer is meant to be a way to give your face some light. It provides highlight, glow, and warmth. It is not meant to give you an instant-just-got-back-from-Cancun-tan. Especially if the rest of your body is mid-December pale.

yeeps!
Apply bronzer, lightly, where the sunlight hits your face. Across the cheekbones, forehead, down your nose, and on the tip of your chin for a natural sunshiny glow. Beware of bronzers that are super shimmery, or orange.

Good ones to try out:

MAC has a bronzer that is a pretty safe bet. It comes in various shades. I like it because it has just the right amount of shimmer to it, without making you look like a shiny bronze statue. It's also pretty light, so you can gradually build it up instead of being surprised by a glob of orange dust on your cheek with the first brush stroke.

I also like skinLights by Revlon. Not only is it super affordable (about $9 for a bottle that will last forever) but it's easy to apply. It is an oil-free liquid, but it can be a little thick. The trick is, to mix about half a pump in with your moisturizer. Then apply it in the appropriate places. You can put it on directly, but it is a bit intense. Wear it alone for a dewy sun kissed look, or underneath your foundation for more coverage. Plus it has an SPF of 15!

So bronzer can be your summertime staple, if you treat it right.

much better...

Ohmmmmm....

I'm a big advocate for natural healing and living chemical free. Switching to all natural cosmetics is a giant part of that and quite a difficult transition. Think of all the products we use on a daily basis: shampoo, conditioner, face wash, body wash, shaving cream, exfoliator, toothpaste, lotion, facial moisturizer, toner, zit treatments, deodorant, All the makeup, hairspray/pomade/polish, etc. The FDA doesn't regulate cosmetics, so companies can put anything from petroleum based parabens to carcinogenic EDTA to formaldehyde in the products we use. Now, obviously as a makeup artist, it would nearly impossible for me to switch to all natural cosmetics in my kit and still get the same results on camera. So my kit contains a variety of cosmetics, most of which are not natural at all. But for everyday use I choose differently. What does "all natural" mean? I can walk through Walmart right now and find many products who claim to be natural, or have names such as "Nature's Peace" and other frou frou misleading titles. To ensure a product is truly natural, you have to read the label. So in my personal quest for skin care and other body products that were chemical free, I found Saje. Saje is a Vancouver based company that makes totally pure products. They have everything including skin care, bath products and remedies. I've used several of their products and have been in awe over each one. They honestly use only essential oils, water, and plants. Saje is free from petro-chemicals, preservatives, artificial colors, fragrances, synthetics, animal products, byproducts, or testing. One of my absolute favorite remedies they have is called Stress Release Mist. It is a blend of essential oils and water that you mist on your face when you are feeling overwhelmed, tummy butterflies, irritable, angry, fearful or nervous. It balances the nervous system, creating a calm, more relaxed you. I use it for brides and they can't believe how well it works. So if it can tame the nerves of a day-of bride, it can tackle anyone's daily stresses! And the best part...no chemicals! So you don't have to worry about side effects, allergies, nothing! Just spritz, breathe in deeply, and chill. They've got such an inventory of awesome products, a few of which I plan to highlight soon. But for anyone needing some anxiety reduction in their life, this is cheaper, safer, and more convenient than Xanax. And it smells nicer too!

Check your labels here

Halo = amazing

So last summer I fell in love. With a face powder. It wasn't love at first sight, but it just seemed to grow on me. I'm not a real sucker for flashy sales people, pretty packaging, or cheap pitch lines. So when the Smashbox rep told me this Halo powder was "five foundations in one! and it has GOLD in it!", I wasn't impressed. And even after using it on my own face, I still wasn't ready to sign my name on the dotted line. Several days later, another artist I knew had picked it up, allwoing me to see it in action once again. Hmmmm....maybe it was worth at least one date? So I forked over the $60 for Halo in light. After using it to it's full potential during a photoshoot, I couldn't let it go. It is absolutely one of the most important products in my kit. Halo has several qualities that any girl could fall in love with. First of all, it does have gold in it. But the gold, along with other various minerals and light reflecting particles, work wonders in front of a camera. The light used for a pictures, whether it is natural or artificial, hits the face and all the light reflectors bounce it back, creating a glow for any complexion. Hence the name, Halo. You essentially have a halo around your face. It's gorgeous. It is also hydrating, which means that it keeps your skin from getting that powdery cakey look . Instead of sitting on top of your face, the powder buffs into your skin, making it a very supple application. Halo comes in four shades: fair, light, medium, and dark. Now, I know some people are like "Soooo, where does that leave me?". This color system will adjust about five shades. So if you're not sure where you fall between light or medium, it will work with your natural color to settle into a perfect fit. For those who get a smidge darker in the summer, this works great because you don't have to go out and purchase a brand new foundation. It also has amazing packaging, which has won awards! it shaves off a minimal amount of powder to avoid all that messy fluff you get when dipping your brush. No waste! Plus, it comes with a mini brsush and sample primer! And who doesn't love freebies?!

I use Halo in every shoot I do because it has worked so well. Brides love it because it can be used either instead of or on top of a foundation. And it makes any face look flawless on camera. As always, if you purchase it at Sephora, if you hate it, you can bring it back. But I know, you'll find the love of your life, just as I did.

Brittany, in sunlight

Brittany outside

Fabulous skin both ways! Halo love

Thanks to Mike Cowart at Myrick Studios for these!

Here's Becca wearing Halo, taken with a digital camera. Notice her healthy glow?

wedding day glam

reason #1 to hire a pro artist for your wedding day-

your "normal day" makeup is NOT the same as your "camera-ready, want to look fabulous, this lighting is crazy" makeup.

Case in point:

Need I say more?

Not such a bad Habit

So I rarely get to do any fashion work considering Nashville is just a baby when it comes to fashion. There are very few photographers that do it, mostly because they've got to eat and the work just isn't here! Well, I met Evan Baines at the bridal show this past January and we had been touching base periodically, when he called me Monday. His sister, Lindsey Boland, is a designer in Chicago. Now, I've heard a lot of people consider themselves designers, so I never know what to expect. But this girl not only makes her own clothing line, she owns a boutique called Habit. The goal of Habit is to promote the work of up and coming designers by offering their clothing and accessories for sale. Most of the pieces in the store are one of a kind or created in small quantities. So if you're looking for items that are original and everyone else isn't walking around in, this is the place to go. Check out this earring set from Alisha Louise Designs

 adorable

Or this springy dress from Filly and Modaspia. 

Love the pockets!

So you can see that there are super awesome duds going on in this store. But here is the real kicker. So Evan calls me because Lindsey has designed a dress that she needs photographed. He has lined up model, Crystal, to wear the piece and our goal is to really focus on the dress as it does have so much work put into it and such a large amount of detail. My job then, is to keep things simple, without being boring. Since it is fashion, and it is not a runway, there has to be something going on on the face. Alot of runway makeup is super minimal, which is fine, because the girls are moving so quickly and you want them to all blend together. No one face should stand out on a runway, which is why things are kept simple. But in a fashion photo there is a little more room for color and shape. Since Crystal is the only one in the image, we didn't have to worry about consistency. Also, the viewer will be looking at her a lot longer than someone sitting at a show, so we have to make sure her face is visually entertaining as well, without distracting from the clothes. Lindsey's dress was enough excitement on it's own, and with Crystal's loooooong body, things worked pretty well together. Here's a sneak peak!

 Thanks Evan, Amanda, Crystal, and Lindsey!

more to come...

Mijune Pin Up shoot

Ok, so these images are a tad old, meaning from last November or so. This was a shoot I did in Canada with the lovely Mijune. Mijune is a gorgeous, super thin, and fun model. She wanted to do a Pin Up inspired shoot with Allen Ko and they invited me to join! Allen became a friend of mine during my time in Vancouver and we shot together often. He is so organized and knows exactly what he wants, so our days usually went by smoothly and with great structure. And being that his "day job" is with Lays, he always had delicious new flavors of potato chips for us to try out. mmmm...chips. So this shoot comprised of Mijune, Allen, myself, and a fabulous hair stylist, Victoria and outstanding stylist, Beverley. Beverley came up with some unbelieveable vintage pieces and combined with Mijune's mother's fur, it was an incredible ensemble. I'm always amazed at people who can put together random articles of clothing and create something that completely works and looks amazing. So with lots of fur, low sodium dill potato chips, and red lipstick, here's what we got:

Other images are available at Allen and Mijune's sites.