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My Beautiful Blushing Brides :: Pictures

As a Makeup Artist there's' nothing more pleasing & exciting than to enhance a bride's beauty on her special day. Below are a few professional & candid images of my clients Mya & Cynthia. Both of them jumped the broom this year. Everyone looked absolutely stunning and I'm not just saying that. Thanks to my friend & fellow MUA Tia White for her assistance.

Congratulations and many continued blessings to the both of them.

Peace, Love & Lipgloss!

Moisturizing Favorites

Moisturizing is the key to keep your face and body hydrated, nourished and ash-free. There’s nothing better than applying a good moisturizing cream or lotion after a shower leaving the skin feeling soft and silky, now who doesn’t want that?

Facial moisturizers are available for dry, oily, combination and sensitive skin. Use what works best for you and your clients.

Below is a short list of facial moisturizers that I use on myself and / or have in my kit.

All are perfect for use during the day or at night before bed. Make sure the moisturizer indicates that it has “SPF” to protect your skin from the sun when you go out during the day. Applying moisturizer prior to applying foundation makes for a smoother, flawless application.

Embryollisse ($24-$30)

Neutrogena Oil Free Moisturizer w/ SPF 15 ($9.94 at Target)

Juice Beauty Nutrient Moisturizer ($30 at Sephora)

Oil of Olay w/ UV protection - available at area drugstores ($7-$11)

Nivea (cream or lotion $6-$7)

Crème de la Mer ($130-$230 - (try finding it on eBay if it isn't in your budget)

Bobbi Brown Hydrating Face Cream ($45.00)

Ambi w/ SPF 30 ($9.94 at Target)

What are some of your favorites?

Send your comments and suggestions to artiastry@gmail.com.

Peace, Love & Lipgloss

Choosing A Makeup Artist For Your Wedding Day

"Choosing a Makeup Artist for Your Wedding" (courtesy of About.com)

Planning a wedding can be exhausting. Everything from the church to the food at the reception needs to be accounted for. As the bride, you have quite a bit on your plate. You need to find a dress, pick out your wedding party and their dresses, and make hair, nail, and makeup appointments. With everything else on your list of "to dos," choosing a makeup artist often falls at the bottom. Unfortunately, many woman wait till the last min and just pick one out of convenience. If this doesn't sound like a big deal, think again. The makeup artist is in charge of perfecting your bridal beauty preparing you for your big day and all the pictures. Use these tips to help find the perfect makeup artist to fit your needs.

· They Should Listen: Sure, they are the experts but the fact of the matter is that it's your wedding therefore, if you want to wear green mascara and purple lipstick thats your prerogative and their job to make sure it looks the best it possibly could. When you begin your search for a wedding day makeup artist tell them what your looking for and see how they respond. If they aren't thrilled with what you want and demand the upper hand, look for someone who understands your style.

· Look at Previous Work: Previous work is one of the best ways to gage a makeup artist's talent. Most will have a portfolio with pictures of past clients. Ask for a portfolio and flip through it. If you're less than thrilled or don't like their style keep searching for someone who meets your standards.

· Bring Pictures: It's highly likely you have been flipping through wedding magazine to help you find out what you want on your wedding day and that include what you want your makeup to look like. If you find a particular style, color, or look that you absolutely love, cut the picture out and bring it with you. Your makeup artist will thank you for the example and you'll find it much easier to get what you want when you come prepared with a visual.

· Nothing but the Best: Your paying to have your makeup done professionally and therefore should expect professional makeup or at least that of good quality. You want to make sure your lipstick doesn't go become your husband's after the first kiss and that your mascara makes it through your tears of joy. Ask your makeup artist about the products they use on their clients.

· Insist on a Dry Run Appointment: Weddings take a great deal of practice and planning and that includes your appearance. You probably looked at tons of dresses, flowers, and cakes before you made a decision. Likewise you will or at least should have your hair done before the wedding day; you will try your dress on; and you will rehearse the day before. Make sure the makeup artist you choose will set up prior appointment to figure out what will look best. The last thing you want to do is go in blindly the day of your wedding and come out with makeup you hate.

· Let Them Know If You Don't Like It: Having your makeup done professionally is one way to be sure you look your best on your wedding day. Since you are paying to have it done you have every right to like the way you look. If you don't like the way your eyes came out or aren't a fan of that particular shade of lipstick, let the makeup artist know. This is your big day and you should be one hundred percent satisfied with the way you look after you leave their chair.

TFP | Testing For Print

This blog entry was created over a year ago for another blog and I figured I'd post it here to give my readers some insight. There are a lot of people out there who aren't familiar with the term "TFP" (Time For Print, testing, etc.). I hope after reading this post you will have a better understanding of the term(s) and come to realize that everyone has provided TFP services at point in their career and there are quite a few who still do including the well established beauty professionals.

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There are some of us out there who are fairly new to the beauty industry and unfamiliar with the terms "TFP" and "TFPCD". However, there are others who have gotten their feet a "little wet" in this industry and still aren't familiar with the term. Well have no fear I'm here to enlighten you just a bit.

the arTIAstry Dislaimer

"What I'm about to write is solely "my opinion". I'm not saying that you have to take my advice and/or do the things that I do. Everyone has a mind of their own. The information I provide is based "MY EXPERIENCE" and the experience of some of those beauty industry professionals with whom I've had the pleasure and opportunity to work alongside."

TFP - Time For Print | TFPCD - Time For Print on CD

Basically this means that you are open to working with photographers, models, hair or fashion stylists and/or other creative professionals in exchange for prints, images, photos on a compact disc. Now I'm speaking from a Make-up Artist's side however, the same applies for those listed above if they choose to do the same. In some cases Make-up Artist's who provides services TFP have what is known as a "kit fee". A kit fee can range anywhere from $50+ (depending on the Make-up Artist's rates) which covers the cost for the products in their makeup kit that he/she may use during a TFP photo session.

Doing TFP / TFPCD can be a great way to work with an awesome photographer, hairstylists, fashion stylists, make-up artists and models. However, you want to make sure that these key persons will be able to create and capture the concept and images that you are seeking for your portfolio. With that being said depending on your area of focus "just average" photography, models etc. won't make the cut. I've had photographers and others view images in my portfolio and say "if I were you I wouldn't show these to anyone"...and before hearing that I really thought I was doing something by offering my services TFP in exchange for images. Bottom line you can't just shoot or work with anyone and put just "anything" in your book!

Also, there are contracts out there for models and photographers who choose to do TFP work. Do your research and start with www.Google.com.

There are websites that provide you with even more insight on how you can request your TFP images be readily available to you in a timely manner instead of waiting several mos. after the shoot and being hit with a lot of excuses as to why you have yet to receive the images to the placement and font size of a photographer's logo. You can have a fierce image where a photographer has added a big logo in the corner, when people view the image what do you think will be their focus, the image or that big logo? Something to think about.

It's ok to do "some" things for free. Make-up Artist Mary Erickson (themakeupartist.com) will tell you..."the first two years of your career you'll be working for free". I volunteer for charitable events, non-profit organizations, beauty workshops and good causes. My TFP/TFPCD services are very limited and YES I now charge a "reasonable" kit fee because I understand that everyone is on a budget including yours truly.

Until next time...

Peace, Love & Lipgloss

25% Discount - FACE Atelier

This brand is one of the best foundations in the industry. Silicone-based. The application is smoothe and the end results are flawless. New shades for women of color are forthcoming in 2010, I can't wait! DISCOUNT CODE: GOOD NEWS valid until November 1, 2009.

THINK PINK:: Giveaway

Greetings Beauties!

I know it's been a week or so since I've posted anything but here I am! I'm late but better late than never. In light of THINK PINK and October being Breast Cancer Awareness month I'm giving away a Sonia Kashuk 4-pc. brush set w/ cosmetic pouch as displayed in the lower lefthand corner of the picture.

To enter simply leave a comment on or before November 6th.

The winner will be randomly selected.

Good luck!