I’m thankful for…

So I know I haven’t blogged in a LONG time. But I’ll spare you the excuses. I thought it’d be nice to share some of my all time favorite products that I am so thankful for!

1- Origins Checks & Balances cleanser. Never has a cleanser been able to zap my oil, hydrate my dry spots, and lick every ounce of makeup off all in one sudsy wash. Plus, it has no scary junk in it. Perfect for all of us “in between” skin types.
2- Coconut Oil. It’s SO WONDERFUL for my legs after a shave. Or right before bed on my hands and feet. I smell delicious, it soaks right in, and it heals so well.
3- My scrubby brush. I don’t even know the technical name for this thing, but it has made my skin brighter and more even because of its gentle exfoliation.
4- Armani Luminous Silk Foundation. I hate to admit I love this so much. I’m a big advocate for natural foundations, but this one has such a beautiful radiant finish, I can’t help but crave it. Gives your skin a healthy glow and covers all the uglies.
5- Urban Decay Naked Palette. So many universal neutral shades! Everything from super nude, so dark & glam. I use it almost daily.

There are so many products that I am thankful for, of course, but listing them all would take all day. And I have collard greens to cook! Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

What’s In My Beach (makeup) Bag- Nashville Makeup Artist

This week I am heading to the beach for some seriously needed vacation time! But being at the beach means some crucial changes in my makeup routine. Here are my must haves for staying fresh on summer vacay.

1- Sunscreen. Duh. I use Alba Fragrance Free sunblock. It’s a natural product sure to keep the sun’s harmful rays at bay, without the worry of harsh chemicals. 

2- ELF waterproof mascara. It’s pretty rare that we need waterproof mascara. But the beach is one of those times when it’s mandatory. Just don’t worry about spending a ton of money on it, since after your vacay you’ll probably chuck it anyway. You just need enough to coat your lashes, without looking overly glammed. 

3- Make Up For Ever Aqua Cream. This eye color is ideal for those beachy nights, sitting on a restaurant deck with a cocktail. It gives you a bit of waterproof shimmery color that is virtually unmovable. I like #13 Warm Beige for day time and #2 Steel for night. 

4- Cheek color is totally optional on the beach. Your skin should have a natural flush, so for some it may be overkill. But for others who can’t live without something gracing their apples, try Tarte Matte Waterproof Mineral Powder Bronzer. It gives a sunshiney glow, without the chunky sparkles found in many other bronzers. And, it’s waterproof! 

5- Josie Maran Magic Marker Lip & Cheek Stain. A pop of color that doesn’t budge. Just make sure there is no dry skin on your lips before applying. 

6- Beach hat and towel. I make sure to wear my big floppy hat to protect my face, and to look super cute. An extra hand towel is also handy to cover my face when I’m lying down and the hat is too large for comfort.

7- Kevin Murphy Hair Resort. Looking for perfect beach hair? This is it. Just scrunch it in when your hair is damp and viola! instant waves and a strong hold. No stringy mess here. And no need  for hot tools. It also comes in a spray. 

8- Extra ponytail holders. When a big wave sends you tumbling, you don’t want to be left with your hair all over the place. Bring some extra holders for a quick side braid when the water gets rough. 

9- I really believe in letting your skin breathe when you are out on the beach with no foundations or powders. But if you do have a pesky zit pop up that absolutely cannot be seen in public, Makeup Forever Full Cover is a waterproof concealer that will hide that baby all day. Ideally though, you’ll let the clean air and salt water use its healing properties on your skin instead of trying to cover it up. 

10- Water. Please stay hydrated! Heat stroke = not cute. So no matter how glamorous you look, the minute you get over heated, so amount of makeup will bring you back. So drink up!

I plan to return refreshed and full of sunshine! See you next week!

 

Lindsay’s Wedding Day Glam!- Nashville Makeup Artist

Lindsay had a July wedding that really worked with her sun kissed beauty. She came to me looking for defined curls and a look that could withstand the summer heat. I wanted to utilize her golden coloring, so her eyes were a radiant bronze. Her skin is nearly perfect, so a cream blush just melted into her cheeks for that soft flush.  All her hair was up in a classic updo with clean curls. Jen & Chris Creed did a fantastic job capturing this gorgeous bride.




Two Minute Tutorial- Nashville Makeup Artist

The summer heat can take your powder blush from streaky to totally gone with a couple of sweaty moments. Cream blush has a longer hold and looks more natural when the heat turns up. It’s a quick difference in application that can make the difference between powdery mess and blushing beauty.

Thanks to Mod Media for patience through this scorcher of a video shoot.

October 10, 2011 - 1:18 am NY photographer - Great quick tip. I'll share this with brides who come visit my blog and post a link back. Thanks.

Two Minute Tutorial- Nashville Makeup Artist

It’s summer! Which means popsicles, beaches, watermelon, and sticky makeup?! Not cute. But no need to fret! If your one of those ladies who can’t stand the thought of skipping out on the foundation during the hot months, but also don’t want to look like a greasy mess, there is a technique for thinning out your foundation, while still providing coverage. Tinted Moisturizer is about to become your new love.

August 2, 2011 - 5:17 pm Eva - I love watching you work! You're like the MUA version of Bob Ross:)

Miranda’s Engagement Glam!- Nashville Makeup Artist

Ok, prepare yourself. This post is full of gorgeousness at such a high level your brain may explode. (not liable for any brain juice messes) Miranda and I met through her relationship with CJ’s Off The Square, where she held her May wedding. It was February at this point and she walked in with blue and pink hair, a half sleeve down her right arm, and several piercings on her face. And I thought, “Thanks God”. I love women that are out of the ordinary and absolutely unafraid to push the envelope. Miranda and I spent the next 3 months making magic happen with Ace Photography. I worked with her on two engagement shoots, her bridal portrait, and wedding day. Each occasion, we developed a new look. Miranda would bring a picture to me, usually out of a high fashion magazine, and she trusted me to interpret the look and make it appropriate for the images she will adore even when she’s 80 years old. So let me break it down for you:

Engagement shoot #1- Miranda brought me a picture of a woman with blue eyeshadow all up the upper bridge of her nose. Using the same shape, we applied darker bronze to the eyes and made a very early summer, light, sunshiny face.  Miranda loves big hair, but we kept it pretty simple for this first shoot. Big and loose curls. By this time, the blue & pink were out of it. 

Engagement shoot #2- This time Miranda came with a picture of Katy Perry. Deep eyes and red lips. 1940s inspired finger waved bangs. 
Bridal Portrait- We began her hair and makeup with a fantastic concept, but as sometimes happens, we were led another way. An ever better way. Miranda and I made a “babydoll” look by really popping those cheeks with pink, centered on the apple. Big open eyes and perfect skin. Her hair was loose and mimicked the tendrils in her bouquet. She really looks sweet and angelic.
Wedding day- Words used to describe Miranda’s wedding day: family, personal, unique. Words to describe Miranda’s look: romantic, colorful, big. Golds, coppers, and shimmery goodness on the eyes. Hair that reached to heaven. It couldn’t have been more perfect. 
I loved every second of working with this bride. She allowed me total freedom and really helped me to understand who she was through this art form. She challenged me with her quirky ideas, but I always left feeling so blessed to work with someone who appreciates the art behind makeup and hair. And to boot, she was incredibly sweet and fun and really was completely in love with her man. Fantastic all the way around.

July 20, 2011 - 2:01 pm Louise - GORGEOUS, Amy! Kudos to Ace as well, natch.

Natasha’s Wedding Day Glam!- Nashville Makeup Artist

Natasha is a hoot. She is super smiley and just a happy little burst of energy. Here are her bridal portraits from Chris and Adrienne Scott. Mary Malone took care of the hair do’. Natasha kind of let me take the reins on her look. She wanted to be glammed up, for sure. So we played up the eyes and I really wanted to display her pretty skin. Natasha loves blush, so a bronzy pink cheek was perfect for her. We had some initial struggles with her lips though. After many discussions over the color, she showed me her favorite lip gloss that she uses daily. Ladies, if you have a particular color that you really love and feel good in, then by all means, ask your makeup artist to try it out! You know what makes you feel comfortable. So unless it’s a hideous orangey color that makes your teeth look nicotine colored, chances are we’ll love it on you too! We ended up using Natasha’s favorite lip gloss for her portraits and wedding day. She looks fantastic AND she was totally comfortable wearing this familiar product.

Boudoir Glam!- Nashville Makeup Artist

I love doing boudoir work with Chris and Adrienne Scott. It’s always such a fun time. Check out these super hot images from a shoot we did at Southall Eden. *Note* this girl’s skin was so perfect, she is NOT wearing foundation! Oh…. if only we could all be so blessed. I really wanted to utilize this girl’s bronze tones and bring all that sunshine in for a natural, but sexy look. And of course, we gotta have those messy waves.

Emily’s Wedding Day Glam!- Nashville Makeup Artist

Emily came to me after having a not so pleasant makeup experience shortly before her wedding. It’s not all that unusual for ladies to come to me in a panic after having a scary makeup experience either with a non-professional makeup artist, or after they’ve done their own makeup and realized how terribly standard products perform on camera. So I was glad I could work with Emily and resurrect her from the black hole of makeup sadness. Jamie Clayton shot her wedding at the super cool and unique W O Smith Music School. We went for a light gray lid and a dusty rose lip. Emily has a FANTASTIC lip shape, so I really wanted to play it up. Her hair was done by her regular hairdresser. 


Fun Shoot!- Nashville Makeup Artist

This is Lis. And I had to share these images from Chris Scott. Not only is Lis gorgeous, but she has the MOST AMAZING hair. I feel like angels should sing and fireworks should burst when she brushes it. Or perhaps it deserves its own national holiday in celebration of its glory. It’s just that pretty! Seriously. 

July 11, 2011 - 5:35 pm 2nd Love Cosmetics - Wow! These MUA are really pretty. Great shots!