The Queen of Dark: An Interview With Nyakim Gatwech
The Minnesota-based model has gained a lot of online attention after Yahoo News wrote about her unpleasant conversation with an Uber driver. The model-activist has been very vocal about loving her skin and who she is. She is not afraid to share her story and thanks to that she has appeared in local magazine covers to national campaigns. Getting to this point has been a journey for Nyakim to say the least and she doesn’t plan on stopping any time soon.
Nyakim Gatwech is the Queen of Dark.
The Minnesota-based model has gained a lot of online attention after Yahoo News wrote about her unpleasant conversation with an Uber driver. The model activist has been very vocal about loving her skin and who she is. She is not afraid to share her story and thanks to that she has appeared in local magazine covers to national campaigns. Getting to this point has been a journey for Nyakim to say the least and she doesn’t plan on stopping any time soon.
Q: How did you cope and deal with the negativity and ignorance from haters back when you were in middle and high school?
When I was in middle school, I didn’t know how to cope with the negative comments I received daily. Back then, the way I dealt with the negative comments was either locking myself in my room and crying or trying to fight the people that said mean things about me. I knew it wasn’t solving anything. Locking myself in my room was causing me to become depressed and fighting back was getting me suspended from school. My problems weren’t being solved, so I told my sister, “kids are making fun of me because of my complexion. What do I do? I wanna bleach [my skin] and all this stuff.” She told me that [skin bleaching] wasn’t the way to go about it.
“The way I dealt with the negative comments was either locking myself in my room and crying or trying to fight the people that said mean things about me.”
She was the shoulder I cried on. We talked a lot. She would give me such great advice and remind me constantly how I am so beautiful and there is nothing wrong with being different. They [the bullying kids] aren’t used to seeing someone that looked like me. They were scared of seeing [someone] different, seeing something new. In high school, I just didn’t care [anymore]. I love myself. I didn’t care what people had to say. I was just like, “you need help if you’re going to talk down to me like that - something is bothering you. You just need a friend, or a hug or something.” In middle school I didn’t know how to cope with the negative comments as much as I did in high school. I grew to learn to love myself.
Photography by Aidan Petrilla
Photography by Aidan Petrilla
Q: How do you deal with them now?
Now, I am not bothered by it [the negativity]. I accept my skin, I love myself, and I’m not insecure about my skin anymore. I don’t think I’m ugly anymore. I have confidence in myself. It doesn’t bother me as much because I am okay with who I am. Sometimes in the morning, I remind myself, “out this door, there are going to be negative people looking at you sideways, people are going to say negative stuff to you, [but] it doesn’t matter because you are beautiful inside and out and the people that see it will be more.”
If you are so affected by the mean stuff people say about you, the negative comments people write about you then you attract negative people. But if you are positive and confident, then you attract positive people. If you walk with pride, and confidence and love yourself then you are going to attract people who come up to you and say, “Oh, you’re beautiful!” I have become a strong woman who can stand up to anyone who says something to me and educate them. [I can tell them] the reason I look like this is because I come from this part of the world. There are so many beautiful human beings around the world, that you never get to see all of them. We all look different. We are all different shapes, different sizes, and its okay! We shouldn’t be scared of different.
Q: It’s one thing to deal with haters, but when you encounter Models, Designers or Makeup Artists, people who are supposed to be your peers, how do you push through?
That is the hardest thing when it’s your workplace. With my fellow models, peers, and friends, I wouldn’t say anything. Sometimes I would go to casting calls and I’d be sitting next to a group of girls and some of them would be nice and say things like, “Oh, hi! Where are you from?” While some [models] would look at me like you’re not a model, you shouldn’t be a model (for whatever reason). I deal with this by not letting myself be bothered or brought down by it. There’s a bigger picture. At first, I was doing it to just prove a point that I’m beautiful too. Now, I’m past that point, I am not just proving a point anymore. I’m standing up for all those little girls who were like me at one point, who are being bullied right now, who are going through the things that I went through.
You can do anything you put your mind to, right now I am doing this for them, for my younger self. For Makeup Artists and photographers, I feel like it has gotten better for me right now. When I shot with photographers in the past, I would do a photoshoot, and its dope, and the photographer would edit it and send me the pictures and they are so light. It’s gotten better, I would talk to them [photographers] and be like “Hey, I’m not trying to be rude, I know this is your job, [this is] something you’re good at, but I feel like this is just too light, its not my complexion, do you think you can tone it down the lightening?” And some of them [photographers] would be like “okay, thank you for letting me know that.” And they would fix it. For the Makeup Artists, when I’m getting my makeup done, either they would put a foundation two shades lighter because they didn’t have my foundation shade and my face would look different from my neck or they would say “Oh you don’t need a foundation” because they just don’t have my foundation. I just started to always carry my foundation with me. Instead of being hurt by it, [thinking] “Oh now I can’t do this photoshoot. My makeup doesn’t look right. I don’t want to offend the photographer”. I am nice about it and say, “Hey I have this foundation that I think is dark enough”. I just have a solution or try to talk in a very kind way, before I just didn’t say anything and go home and cry about it. “I had the worst photoshoot or fashion show”, “I looked so bad on the runway” but now I speak up.
“ I’m standing up for all those little girls that were like me at one point, that are being bullied right now, that are going through the things that I went through.”
Q: What do you do to practice self-love?
I look in the mirror every day and remind myself that I am beautiful, I am different, I am strong and I am confident. I talk about it [self-love] on my Instagram and Twitter. I love to do makeup. I get my nails done. I treat myself, because, in the past, I didn’t.
Q: During MNFW you mentioned not only black girls, but girls of all shades and sizes reach out to you. Why do you think they feel encouraged by you to do so?
I feel like it’s because I tell my story. I am easy to be connected to. I was willing enough to tell my story about how I got bullied because of my skin color and how I was told I shouldn’t be a model. The fact that I was able to open up and tell my story, is what made it easier for little girls and other models to reach out to me and be like, ‘Hey this is what I’m struggling with, what can I do?’ If I can, I would give them advice. With my story, I was just being myself. I did not plan to write the Uber story. I don’t even know how that came up! Honesty! I was just posting [as usual]! Every time I post a picture on Instagram, I write something motivating.
For the Uber story, I was looking at our skin color, because it’s the first thing you see when you look at the picture. And I just wrote the story [in the caption] and Yahoo! saw it. I feel like the reason they are able to reach out to me is because I am myself. I check my Instagram messages all the time. If you want to send me a message or email, reach out. I will give you the best advice I can. I always put myself in their shoes.
Q: If you could say anything to that Uber driver from that one day, what would you say?
I feel like I would say the same thing to them as when I first had the conversation. Which was ‘I am sorry you feel that way and feel concerned but the state I am in right now I love myself and I am beautiful. I would never bleach my skin for anyone or any opportunity,” because I [apparently] would miss job opportunities for whatever reason. That’s what I told the Uber Uber driver.have the right to feel that way, you have the right to your opinion, but I love myself right now. In the past, I did consider bleaching my skin, but right now I would never do it for that reason – or any reason at all. If he told me what he did while in middle school, I would have cried. I would have said “Yeah, I wanna do that!” but today, I am confident in what am I, who I am, and where I come from. If a guy doesn’t find me attractive because of my skin color, that’s his problem. If I don’t find a job, that’s their loss.
Q: What are your thoughts on Instagram and its impact on girls’ self-esteem?
Instagram is a good network and social media platform, but I also feel like it can tear you down as a person. There are so many “how you’re supposed to look” pages out there. So many people you follow are living lives that are so perfect, but you don’t see the stuff they go through daily on Instagram. Never trust what you see on the screen completely. That’s not always the truth. [However], at the same time, it is a good platform to make something out of your life. You can reach out to big brands through Instagram. It’s good and it’s bad.
I feel like there should be an age limit too. My little cousin is 10 years old and has an Instagram. She said, “Auntie, I am following you.” I said, “Where?” “Oh, I see you on Instagram!” “Through whose account?” “I just created an account [on my own].” I’m like, “No, no, no”. There are so many bad things on there. It can tear you down, it can build you up, you've got to be a strong person to not let what you see on a phone or laptop screen tell you who you are as a person or make you think twice about the life you have.
“today, I am confident in what am I, who I am and where I come from.”
Q: Lastly, do you have any words of advice for girls struggling with self confidence and self esteem?
My advice is to build self confidence, feel confident in who you are and love yourself. There are so many people who love you and want to be your friend. If you are having self-confidence issues you are not going to see the people who love you, you are going to focus on the negative people. So my advice is to just talk to the people who love you. Talk to your friends, if you are being bullied talk to someone. Talk to family. Work on loving yourself and know that at the end of the day it comes down to you. If you don’t love yourself, no one else will. But as a little girl, how do you work on that? How do you work on your self confidence? I didn’t know how to. I cried a lot and locked myself in my room.
So I’m not expecting you to be able to do this right away. Confidence takes time. It takes time to build yourself when you’re at that stage. Just know there are more people that love you than hate you.
Photoshoot Credits
This interview was done and the photoshoot was styled by Debbie Aderinkomi.
The Photography - Aidan Petrilla
The Styling Assistant - Cooper Felipe
Apparel provided by: Scout & Molly's Edina | Shop Hazel and Rose MPLS
Accessories provided by: The White Room MPLS | Gold Fine Jewelry
Sunglasses provided by: InVision Distinctive Eyewear
The Makeup Artistry
Nyakim Gatwech's makeup for this photo shoot was done by WarPaint International Founder, Jessica Mae.
Many thanks to Nyakim Gatwech for doing this interview and photoshoot, and allowing us the time to get well-spoken answers to serious questions in the beauty, social media, and other sectors of "real life".
The Nyakim Gatwech Photoshoot
Makeup Artist Jessica Mae Demonstrates Makeup Looks With Pantone Color Of The Year 'Viva Magenta' On Twin Cities Live
“One of the things I love the most about Viva Magenta is the feeling or attitude it creates within you when you wear it. It’s a powerful color that boosts confidence and swag - at least for me… It’s boldness, with a feeling of fun”, said Jessica Mae.
Putting Viva Magenta Into Your Makeup Look
If there is one thing that Minneapolis Makeup Artist & Founder, Jessica Mae, loves its bold colors and fun looks.
“I am personally obsessed with the year’s Pantone Color of the Year for 2023, Viva Magenta! There are so many ways you can wear this color!”
~ Jessica Mae, Professional Makeup Artist
Makeup Artist and Founder of WarPaint International demonstrated fun and easy makeup tips on Channel 5, Twin Cities Live on Monday, January 23rd, 2023. The airing of the news segment is done entirely live on camera so the techniques need to be easy for viewers to do and able to fill the time requirements of the program. So Jessica demonstrated 3 simple ways to incorporate ‘Viva Magenta’, the Pantone Color of the Year for 2023 into your daily makeup look.
“One of the things I love the most about Viva Magenta is the feeling or attitude it creates within you when you wear it. It’s a powerful color that boosts confidence and swag - at least for me… It’s boldness, with a feeling of fun”, said Jessica Mae.
Watch the Segment
View the full Twin Cities Live segment below.
Viva Magenta Makeup Tips
While you can certainly wear all three of these items at once for a monochromatic style, I prefer to wear one at a time. However, there are no rules when it comes to makeup in my opinion, so try one or all of these. You do you!
Eyes
Swipe a bit of viva magenta on your eyes. I like to focus on the outer corners of the eye with this shade while keeping the rest of the eyeshadow light in color in order for the magenta to really pop! The palette I’m using today is Blushing Berries from Dose of Colors. This is a great palette that you can create an array of looks from.
Blushing Berries by Dose of Color. $32 from Camera Ready Cosmetics.
Cheeks
An easy way to switch up your makeup routine without needing to invest in additional tools (if you don’t already have them) is using a cream blush. I love this Halo cream cheek and lip tint from Smashbox, in Pomegranate, to bring some Viva Magenta vibes to your cheeks.
Pop a small amount onto your cheeks using your fingertips. It’s a buildable color so you can have it be as subtle or dramatic as you want. Bonus, this formula doubles as a lip tint.
Smashbox ‘Pomegranite’ Halo Cream Cheek + Lip Tint. $28 from Camera Ready Cosmetics.
“It gives you that “just bitten” appearance”
Lips
Speaking of lips, I love a power lip. This is perhaps the reason I’m so pumped about Viva Magenta being this year’s Pantone Color of the Year 2023. I found a fabulous lipstick that’s a balm lipstick hybrid from VIOLETTE_FR. It gives you that “just bitten” appearance and with their color Sucette you get that soft but powerful effect. To wear during the day, I recommend applying lightly and then applying heavier to amp up your look for a night out.
Bisou Balm Sheer matte Lipstick. $28 on on their website.
Makeup For Weddings
The team at Twin Cities Live asked Jessica if she sees the bold color trend being used in bridal makeup artistry and the answer is yes! However, many spring and summer brides tend to follow the whimsical, soft fairytale natural makeup look. Our fall and winter brides like to step outside their box and try bold looks, cat eyes, and vibrant colors.
Getting married? WarPaint International has beauty teams in a few places. Book Makeup Artists in Minneapolis and St. Paul, Makeup Artists in Jacksonville, Florida, Makeup Artists in Chicago, and Makeup Artists in New York City for your wedding day beauty services. We also offer on-site hairstyling in downdo/blowout styles or complex updo and specialty hairstyles.
Top 10 Reasons to Hire Makeup Artists and Hair Stylists on your Wedding Day.
Have you considered the top reasons to hire a professional makeup artist or hair stylist for your wedding day? How about a Beauty Agency? Would your freelance artist pass a criminal background check? Here are our Top 10 reasons to hire a pro and some reasons to book your wedding with WarPaint International.
Top Reasons to Hire Beauty Professionals on your Wedding Day
A Beauty Professional's Point of view.
So, you're doing your own hair and makeup...
Have you considered the reasons to hire a makeup artist or hair stylist for your wedding day? While there are many reasons to hire a makeup artist AND hair stylists for your wedding, they are all rooted in looking your best on your special day. Your wedding will be forever remembered through wedding photographs and the hiring of professional artists will help ensure that you are flawless and beautiful the day of and in the lasting memories of the event.
Furthermore, the benefits of a Beauty Agency vs. freelance artists are numerous. Considering the financial commitment and high expectations, the "beauty" of not worrying about the last minute proverbial bus - sickness, criminal backgrounds, poor character, or other hurdles - is a benefit that only reputable agencies can provide. Read our top 10 reasons why you need a professionally vetted makeup school graduate and hair stylist on your wedding day.
1. Be stress-free on your wedding day
Of all the reasons to hire a professional makeup artist and hair stylist for your wedding day, this may be the single most important benefit. Take it from experienced brides... your wedding day is guaranteed to be busy and will likely include a few unexpected challenges, so don’t let your appearance be one of them. You shouldn’t have to spend time worrying if your eyeliner is straight while ensuring that your vendors deliver on time. Any reputable artist that is a professional will meet with you prior to your wedding day to do a trial run of the makeup look or hairstyle you want. On the day-of, your beauty team rolls in, on location, and knows your skin type, your desired outcome, your theme, and any complications in the trial.
P.S. Your photographer will love you for it
See how your booking process looks with WarPaint International Beauty Agency.
The Bride Experience. Your booking process with WarPaint International Beauty Agency.
2. You want to look "natural"
Professional makeup artists study the art of their craft. They live it and breathe it like a musician, and the proper selection of colors is part of their DNA. From your foundation to your lips to the perfect eyeliner, makeup artists know how to choose the colors that match your unique character and features. Your wedding day will keep you photographed, possibly more than any day in your life. High definition optics can do some interesting things to your complexion and pores.
Even if you tend to live in the "natural" state and your photographer does to, find a makeup artist that specializes in "natural" looks so that your memories and face-to-face interactions are striking and memorable. The natural look is far more involved than most brides think. In fact, what most people categorize as difficult is the avant-garde, high-fashion looks you see all over the internet. If this were the case, more Instagram makeup artists would be showcasing breathtaking, natural looking brides than stamping out glorified brows and winged eyeliner.
3. Professional grade products that last
Like it or not, there is a big difference behind mainstream, less expensive makeup and hair products vs. professional grade products that have been engineered for specific applications. Since makeup artists apply cosmetics for a living and hair stylists test the quality of hair products every single day, most have a kit stocked with high quality (and possibly very expensive) products that are designed for wearability and flexibility that you may not own or be able to afford. Not to mention, most artists endure years of professional training to keep up with the trends, techniques, and industry concerns. You simply can't put a price on their experience or the luxury and intimacy of having them apply it and perfect it. It is after all, what they live for - your beauty.
4. Just enjoy the day
Don't fool yourself. You likely don't have the experience mentioned in point number 3, and even if you do why in the world would you want to exercise it on your own wedding day? Experienced makeup artists practice the art of makeup every single day. Experienced hair stylists nearly double that rate. Professional makeup artists and hair stylists have painted hundreds, if not thousands, of faces and designed hair in dozens of eras, themes, and personal taste categories. If you’re not a makeup artist or hair stylist and you haven’t studied the proper methods of executing flawless looks that withstand heat, wind, tears and very long days, then pass on the notion that you'll save a few dollars. The key to being a perfect bride is to be yourself; that usually still requires professionals to extract that state and keep it there for your wedding day.
On a more important note, most brides envision their day beginning in an artist's chair with champagne in hand and the loving banter of their bridal party - not a stress-filled morning of racing the clock and no human interaction.
5. Application techniques
It's not that you don't already wake up looking breathtaking... We actually wouldn't change a thing about you. Industry professionals study tricks to emphasize a person’s best facial features while disguising other, less flattering ones just by applying makeup. Hair stylists have an in-depth knowledge of hair types and tendencies, scalp problems, and product benefits. If you want to really highlight your eyes for your big day, your makeup artist can use special makeup techniques to make that happen without caking on the product.
Want to pull off a bold lip color, but are afraid of transferring it onto your groom when its time to “kiss the bride”? A professional makeup artist can help prevent that, too. Scared of your hair flying away or falling due to heat? Yeah.. they've got that covered.
6. Ensuring perfection
This is one of the most important pieces since the bulk of your day will be spent saying "CHEESE". Experienced makeup artists and hair stylists will sculpt your look using contouring techniques to add the illusion of depth in 2-dimensional photographs and in real life. You instantly turn into a 2-dimensional image instead of a 3-dimensional being when your photo is taken. If you choose to not use a makeup artist or hair stylist, you're likely to be a flat image in your captured memories. If you use a makeup artist that is not experienced, or your makeup and hair are applied and styled improperly, you'll also appear flat and in some bad cases that we've seen - orange! Lastly, you don't want to appear shiny, gray, over, or underdone. Perfection is the key. You are perfect, right?
7. Product, product, product
Like we mentioned above, beauty professionals use high-quality products that are blended with rigorous expertise. When you a hire a makeup artist or hair stylists for your wedding, you won’t have to worry about your makeup wearing off during your wedding festivities or your hair falling from its form. There are special primers, setting sprays and powders that your artists will know exactly how to apply to ensure complete bliss. Your groom may also be appreciative at the end of the day :-)
8. A cohesive look
It is amazing how many women will visually match their friends for Halloween, themed parties, even "pajama parties" but when it comes to their wedding day - the one day everyone should look the same - they turn the other cheek. Think about the last wedding you attended (or even stood for) that had no beauty or dress direction, no orchestration, and no attention to detail. Though that may be the personality of the wedded couple, it certainly spells frustration for their guests and mixed feelings about their captured memories. If cost is a factor, skip the bachelorette party and treat your ladies to luxurious beauty. Nothing is more memorable than sitting back together in a bridal suite, sipping champagne, laughing and letting the professionals unfold your beauty desires. Stress-free is the key and your entrance and impact to your guests will be memorable.
9. Trial pains...
We said it above, but its a pain point for many. We've met brides that have paid in full for 3 or more trials and come to realize they were dealing with an amateur, or their sister's friend or aunt (who can do it for them) and walked away only spending more money on the right fit.
Demand a trial. No makeup artist or hair stylist can walk into your wedding day and smash it out of the park. This relationship is an intimate one and takes discovery questions and a few dry runs in some cases. Always, always have a makeup and hair trial. You'd hate to be orange from the chin up on your wedding day, or worse yet... your artist leaves for Vegas instead.
10. Wedding day beauty schedules
Hire a Beauty Agency. Yes there are talented, dedicated freelance individuals all of whom deliver endlessly, but they do get sick, have car accidents, run late, endure family deaths, etc, etc. When hiring a beauty agency, your selection of top professionals is much broader, but the security of not having a mishap with an artist on your wedding day is alleviated. Even if your artist gets hit by the proverbial bus, their trial notes and opinions are available to the agency and an artist that matches their skill-sets and schedule will simply step in to ensure a flawless wedding day for you as if nothing ever happened. At WarPaint International, we screen our artists, do technical interviews to test their skill level and work with a wide array of schedules.
Criminal background checks. We are also a national partner to Trusted Employees, so we criminally background check our Artisans across state and federal databases for background information. We have passed on applicants that work for our competitors or on their own. You wouldn't want a convicted felon in your home, hotel room or personal space scoping out their options. Be smart when hiring on-site professionals.
Learn more about Safety in hiring freelance Artists at our article “Has Your Onsite Beauty Service Provider Had a Criminal Background Check?”
~ Added advice and experience
You may also find benefit in pre-wedding day skin care tips to ensure smooth delivery and a "day of" itinerary for your wedding party to follow and depend on. No one should have to ask "when is Jenny's hair getting done" or "when does this person arrive". We've got that covered. Project management comes at no extra cost and ensures that you look beautiful and we provide superior expertise and service on the most memorable day of your life.
SO... Will you be hiring a professional to do your makeup and/or hair on your wedding day? You won't regret it and though we recommend shopping around to find the perfect match for you and your bridal party, if you're looking for excellence in hair and makeup artistry with the added benefit of a wedding planner for your beauty needs, seek a beauty agency. WarPaint International.
See how your wedding day will look with WarPaint International Beauty Agency.
The Bride Experience. Your wedding day with WarPaint International Beauty Agency.
Want to chat with us about your wedding day beauty services? Check out our weddings page and contact us to set up a time speak with a WPI bridal consultant about the details of your big day!
3 Top Trending Wedding Makeup Looks
When thinking about what style of makeup you are going for, the way in which you communicate to your artist is essential. Here are the top 3 trending wedding makeup looks and my recommendation on how to acheive them.
There is so much that goes into planning your wedding. The venue, Photographer, Flowers, THE Dress, etc. When it comes time to think about what you want your wedding makeup looks to be for the big day, there is SO much to think about. Not to mention the countless photos on Pinterest, Instagram and Google. Where to begin?
“When thinking about what style of makeup you are going for, the way in which you communicate to your artist is essential. ”
My recommendation is to stay true to who you are. Really think about what your personal style is, and make your goal to accentuate that. Too often I hear about brides who go against what they truly want, and where their comfort zone truly lies. Now, if you are someone who wants to do something different and out of your comfort zone, by all means, go for it girl!
When thinking about what style of makeup you are going for, the way that you communicate to your makeup artist is essential. Having photos of inspiration is a great starting point, but also knowing what you want and using the right terms to describe it will lend to the success of the look.
I am here to help! I have broken down 3 Top Trending Wedding Makeup Looks to aid in not only narrowing down the look you want, but also being able to then communicate that to your artist.
On to the wedding makeup looks!
Natural
For ladies that want to slightly enhance their natural beauty, keeping your makeup look simple is the way to go. This is what most brides ask their artists for, but knowing what natural makeup means to an artist versus you is very important. Coming prepared with photos is key. When this makeup look is requested it is also helpful to have a photo of yourself with your daily makeup done. This way it gives your artist a gauge of what you're used to - if anything at all.
“Knowing what natural makeup means to an artist versus you is very important.”
When a natural makeup look is requested I recommend airbrush foundation as it tends to look more like your actual skin and is lightweight while still giving nice coverage. When requesting this look from your artist it is helpful to use descriptive words like; fresh, glowy (if you like a glowy look), not over done, myself but slightly enhanced.
Pro tip: When thinking about lashes for a natural look, ask your artist about individual lashes or a half strip lash.
Natural
You, but a little more than your every day.
Romantic
I love this look for brides who want to have a hint of glam, but not too much. This type of makeup look is great for clients who want more than their every day look, but still would like to look like themselves. For me, what makes a look romantic is adding lashes and a little hint of smokiness to the shadow. This makeup look works for any type of venue or time of year. When requesting this look from your artist it is helpful to use descriptive words like; medium spicy, natural glam, romantic.
Pro Tip: For an extra pop, have your artist use shadows with some shimmer to them!
Glam
Full on bold and spicy! Glam looks are great for clients who love to wear makeup and want to make a statement with their look. If you're considering this look you can count on a bold lip, a smokey eye, some contouring (or sculpting which I prefer to call it) and of course lashes! I typically see brides request this type of look if they have a Fall, Winter or evening wedding, but the Glam bride can rock this look any time she wants. When requesting this look from your artist it is helpful to use descriptive words like; sassy, sexy, bold.
Pro Tip: Take your look to the next level by adding wings to your eye liner!
Glam
For those not afraid to make a statement.
Whatever style of makeup you decide on, make sure it makes you feel like your most beautiful self. Too often I have brides in my chair who are easily influenced by others (ahem... Mother of the Bride and sisters...) of what they think the bride should have for makeup. Remember, you're the one getting married - not them.
One last piece of advice...
Keep in mind when you are looking for inspiration images... any image you find online is likely edited. Some more so than others, but they are all edited. It is also a good idea to find photos where the person in it has similar features to you. Having realistic expectations not only sets you up for success but your artist as well.
Photo Credits:
Banner Image: Brovado Weddings.
Natural Makeup: James Stokes Photography.
Romantic Makeup: De La Vue.
Glam Makeup: Justina Louse Photography.
Want to learn these looks on your own? Book an in-home makeup lesson with a WarPaint International artisan, we also do personal makeup shopping!
PRIDE Hair & Makeup Looks for 2015
#TCPride 2015. This year, WarPaint International Beauty Agency worked with Minneapolis's premier GLBT Journal, Lavender Magazine, to create a few Pride hair and makeup looks with three local Minneapolis celebrity figures. Nothing compliments a Pride festival like Hair, Makeup & Glamour. Check out how these three Minneapolis celebs "Prepare For Battle™" with WarPaint International's "Pride Paint" for 2015.
"Pride Paint" #TCPride.
Celebrity Hair & Makeup looks for TC Pride 2015.
“So how do three of our local celebs show their Pride? Doug Melroe, Grant Whittaker, and Jamie Yuccas give you an Event Look, an Everyday Look, and a Special Occasion Look.”
#TCPride 2015. This year, WarPaint International Beauty Agency worked with Minneapolis's premier GLBT Journal, Lavender Magazine, to create a few Pride hair and makeup looks with three local Minneapolis celebrity figures. Nothing compliments a Pride festival like Hair, Makeup & Glamour. Check out how these three Minneapolis celebs "Prepare For Battle™" with WarPaint International's "Pride Paint" for 2015.
Doug Melroe
LOOK: PRIDE EVENT
"You may recognize Doug Melroe as the face of The Firm, where he has been teaching since 1986. He has also led the warm up for the MN AIDS Walk every year for 28 years. Or you might recognize him as the guy at the end of the Pride parade wearing his pride and not much else." ~ Lavender Magazine.
On Doug: Makeup: Carla Anderson, Artistic Director; WarPaint International.
Photography by Kyle Lieberman
Grant Whittaker
LOOK: EVERYDAY
"A Twin Cities style catalyst and fashion and events producer, Grant sets the table with European flair and new and original ideas." ~ Lavender Magazine.
On Grant: Hair & Makeup: Benjamin Rodich Artistic Director; WarPaint International.
Photography by Kyle Lieberman
Jamie Yuccas
LOOK: SPECIAL OCCASION
CBS local news anchor by morning. Fervent philanthropic cheerleader by night. Friend and supporter of the GLBT community — always and forever.
On Jamie: Hair & Makeup: Anna Giuliano, Artisan, and Jessica Mae, Creative Director; WarPaint International.
Photography by Kyle Lieberman
Photography by Kyle Lieberman
PRIDE PAINT
By Brandon McCray June 11, 2015
Categories: Featured - Home Page, Our Scene, Style & Entertaining
Orignial article: Lavender Magazine Pride Edition.
Book your Pride Hair & Makeup online,
with WarPaint International Beauty agency.
Top 5 Wedding Day Skin Care Tips for Brides.
Your wedding day is here but your skin is FREAKING OUT!
One of the biggest concerns that a Bride-to-be has on her wedding day is what her skin is going to look like. Brides and wedding parties will often spend quite a bit of time and money investing into Wedding Day Beauty services such has hair and makeup, but will then be disappointed by the appearance of their skin. There is a way to help...
Your wedding day is here but your skin is FREAKING OUT!
One of the biggest concerns that a Bride-to-be has on her wedding day is what her skin is going to look like. Brides and wedding parties will often spend quite a bit of time and money investing into Wedding Day Beauty services such has hair and makeup, but will then be disappointed by the appearance of their skin. There is a way to help...
Wedding day advice from our preferred Skin Care Specialist. Call today to talk to Jill.
Jill Schierholz | Owner of Skin Savvy
Aesthetician & skin care specialist.
Stress, weather, and other external forces will often dictate what our skin looks like but there are many things can be done leading up to your big day in terms of a skincare ritual that can help alleviate this from happening. I'll address the most common questions about wedding day skin care tips below.
1. How long before a bride's wedding should she start a skin care regimen to improve tone and texture of her skin?
A consistent treatment and product regimen should be between 2-4 months prior to the wedding. For more mature skin, where there can be more concerns with uneven color, laxity, lines and wrinkles; 4 months is crucial. Acne problems can be stubborn and controlling, so it can take more time to get it under control- start earlier for better results. For someone with little concern, but looking to get a fabulous glow and texture improvement to the skin; 2 months can be enough. All the while for all people, using an AM and PM skincare routine to maximize and maintain is important to ensure the BEST results for the big day!
2. What is the difference between a facial and a peel? What type of results can you expect to see from each?
A facial is deep cleansing, mildly exfoliating, and hydrating. A chemical peel is regenerating, smoothing, pore minimizing, tone evening and can be antibacterial depending on which used. The two compliment each other so much, the best results can really be seen when done together.
3. For brides that are looking to reduce the appearance of acne scars, what treatment would you recommend?
It can really depend on the skin color and skin type for this one. More olive skin types can get brown discoloration on spots of acne, which would then be treated best with IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) and/or a medium-depth chemical peel. For lighter skin types with red/pink scars, Derma-pen treatments would be the best. For "ice pick" or any scar that causes an indentation in the skin, Derma-pen would also be ideal.
4. For us "oily-skinned" gals, what products and treatments do you recommend to help reduce oiliness?
Being an "oily gal" myself, I've always tried to find the best combination to conquer the shine! For treatments - definitely peels. These help to shed the built up layers of dead skin and thickness that can lead to excess oil. The best are medium depth peels. (The Vitalize Peel or The Perfect Peel)
The best products to help exfoliate to maintain the results of the peels and flush out and shrink pores are professional strength Retinol, Alpha Hydroxy acids and the amazing Clarisonic Cleansing Brush with deep pore or acne brush head.
5. For the night before wedding prep; what can a bride do to ensure a radiant flawless glow?
The night before, exercise if possible to stimulate circulation, a hot bath with a mask suited for their specific skin type, drinking TONS of water to flush toxins and hydrate the skin from the inside out and of course plenty of sleep. Using a satin or silk pillowcase will prevent "sleep lines". All this along with topically applying a professional Retinol cream or Alpha Hydroxy cream along with an individually suited luxurious eye and lip cream will have the skin canvas perfect for a WarPaint International Makeup Artist to work their magic for impeccable skin!
Below are some examples of skin care procedure before and afters. Click them to expand and have a closer look at the results.
I offer the "Perfect Derma Peel", which is a bride and mother-of-the-bride favorite.
What ingredients are in Perfect Derma Peel?
Glutathione - an anti-aging ingredient and skin lightener.
Kojic Acid - skin lightener. (The combination of both these ingredients are unique to this peel)
Trichloroacetic Acid
Salicylic Acid
Phenol
Retin-A
Vitamin C
- The percentages are not noted as this is a proprietary blend, however this is proven to help with Melasma, Rosacea, Hyper-pigmentation, acne and some other skin problems.
Is it safe for all Fitzpatrick's (Skin type scale - 1-6, 1 = super pale white to 6 = dark black)?
Yes, the "Perfect Derma Peel" is safe for all skin types.
How long do you leave it on?
Six hours. Overnight if there is no discomfort for you.
How long does the Perfect Derma Peel last?
Results with maintenance can last a long time. It can be done 3 - 4 times per year (4 - 6 weeks apart) and with the Perfect A it will elongate the effects. How long this procedure lasts depends on how well you care for your skin (i.e. staying out of the sun, tanning, etc).
What does a kit cost and what does it include?
Its $300 for a kit. It includes six customer take home kits with six peels in a kit and A moisturizer and Retin-A pads.
You can see them in action on WCCO | CBS Local
Behind The Scenes with WarPaint International Beauty Agency
In preparation for our New York City launch party in February; Creative Director Jessica Mae and & Artistic Directors Carla & Benjamin put their heads together to concept the first ever WarPaint International commercial. With the help of WarPaint artisan Mariah, the talented team at Akalika Creative, Haythem Photography, Posh Bridal Couture, Atmosfere and our amazing models (Alexis, Christine & Ashley) our commercial was a success.
Behind the Scenes at Professional Photo Shoots
In preparation for our New York City launch party in February; Creative Director Jessica Mae and & Artistic Directors Carla & Benjamin put their heads together to concept the first ever WarPaint International commercial. With the help of WarPaint artisan Mariah, the talented team at Akalika Creative, Haythem Photography, Posh Bridal Couture, Atmosfere and our amazing models (Alexis, Christine & Ashley) our commercial was a success.
WarPaint International Artistic Director for Hair, Benjamin Rodich with model Ashley.
The WarPaint Artistic team, Jessica Mae, Mariah, Benjamin, & Carla putting finishing touches on bridal model Alexis. Gown courtesy of Posh Bridal.
We are proud to present WarPaint International Beauty Agency and tell a story of the stage of life, where in an instant gratification world of social media, smart phones, and life events - we believe all men and women should "Prepare For Battle". We hope that our video is found to be inspiring not only for our potential clients, but for our team and other makeup artists and hair stylists as well. We're excited to share our global commercial with not only those who attended our New York City launch party, but in our other markets; Los Angeles, San Diego, Minneapolis/St. Paul and the world. Enjoy!
Hair & Makeup. Luxury redefined.
This is WarPaint International. The Ultimate Symbol of Luxury and Excellence in Hair & Makeup Artistry. Blowouts, up dos, and makeup - on location and on-demand in Minneapolis, San Diego, LA, and New York City. Bridal, editorial, corporate, celebrity, and "night on the town".
Photography courtesy of Haythem Photography.
Follow us on Pinterest for Hair, Makeup, & Weddings.
Should I Hire a Makeup Artist or Hair Stylist for my Wedding?
So you're getting married. Details and planning galore for the day you've been waiting for and somebody asks you... are you having your hair and makeup done?
Are you having your hair and makeup done?
So you're getting married. Details and planning galore for the day you've been waiting for and somebody asks you... are you having your hair and makeup done?
Bridal Hair & Makeup. WarPaint International.
Wedding Day Makeup. Jessica Mae of WarPaint International.
This question comes up every day. Do you ask the advice of your friends? Do your friends do it for you? Do you hit the internet? Do you need these services? The answer largely depends on you and you alone, but I do have a story to tell. This story is for both brides-to-be and beauty service providers. There are many pitfalls to arranging the day of your wedding. My story and advice on how to master the beauty aspect of it is in these following paragraphs.
I am a makeup artist. I also operate a beauty agency called WarPaint International, so my team is full of professional hair and makeup artisans. We help our clients "Prepare For Battle", in that life is a stage and everyday is a showcase to the world. We focus on special evenings (nights on the town), life events (such as weddings), print / editorial and corporate jobs. These are all special occasions that require 100% attention and talent from myself and my team. But in all my years of working in the beauty industry I have been taught the best (and hardest) lessons from my bridal clients.
I have been a bride and I know what my own expectations of that day were. But it wasn't my expectations alone that weighed heavy on the decision process; it's the mother of the bride, the best friend, the mother-in-law's best friend, the groom. Everyone will have their opinions and directives on how your day is supposed to go. So let's answer a few questions from the point of view of an artist, a bride, and a perfectionist.
1. Do I need to have my hair and makeup professionally done? I mentioned above that it's entirely up to you, but you have expectations of your day. Chances are you've hired a photographer to capture these moments and quite honestly they have expectations of you. I work with many photographers and though many of their styles are different, they all hope and ask for one simple thing. Makeup.
The beauty of being a bride is the ability to focus on the essence of your natural beauty. Often times, we work with brides that are seeking a flawless, natural look to simply enhance their own features. Even the slightest bit of high quality foundation, applied by a professional that is analyzing your jaw line and looking for your natural curves, can create a photographer's heaven. The time they {the photographers} will spend cleaning your photos up will be significantly reduced, possibly saving you money and certainly short cuts on your photos. Time is money in all service industries and every photographer will only deliver the photos to you that they feel exemplify their skills. High definition pores, redness and shiny spots are their least favorite thing in the world. If you're talking to a makeup artist that is selling you on the fact that you need a lot of makeup to be in front of a camera on your wedding, you should keep looking. If you're seeking advice from a family member or friend telling you that you're beautiful the way you are... keep looking. Not that you aren't beautiful just as you are, but I think you get my point. Minimally hire a pro to help enhance your natural features, you'll still look like you we promise. A little mascara and foundation {applied correctly} makes all the difference ladies!
That "ah ha" moment when a bride first looks in the mirror... It's what drives me to keep going.
2. Where do I find quality makeup and hair artists? This is a tough one. As I've grown in this industry, I've come to realize there are so many "artists" out there that are simply selling something that they are not. I started at ground zero too, but my credentials and skill sets (along with my team) have built along the way. Many times we have brides that come to us after having hired other company's or independent artists whom have willingly lost their down payments (if not more) to walk away because they came out of the trial completely orange, unfinished, or looking like they were going to the club. When your livelihood depends on listening skills and mastering your craft, you simply can't deliver poor service. Do your research, ask your friends, read online reviews, ask other vendors you've hired (tip: your photographer and wedding planner should have a few great recs for you!).
Your makeup & hair artists should make you feel cared for, confident and beautiful. They should offer suggestions of what will look great on you, but also respect your input and redirect the vision if you're not feeling it. A true professional will ask you lots of questions to find out what your personal style is so they can mesh it together with their artistic vision.
So where do you find great talent? I think it requires diligence on your part. WarPaint International advertises on the Theknot.com, amongst other avenues. There is a lot of great talent there, but there are also some that lack the necessary qualifications. Here are my recommendations for selecting a great Artisan to knock your day out of the park.
A. Communication. It starts with you. Provide your phone number when filling out an inquiry; don't passive aggressively price shop through email. It hurts you and it hurts the service provider. There is no harm in having a good conversation to feel out the other person, listen to their mannerisms, and ask detailed questions. Get on the phone or meet in person.
B. Product. Do they use quality products that stand up to heat, time, different skin types, etc, etc. Ask your artists what products they use! Professionals use a variety of products so if you're not familiar with a line that someone is using, give yourself time to check into it. Are they cutting corners? Also knowing what products you will need to have on hand for touch ups later in your day is good information to have too. Ask your artist.
C. Trials. You must have one. I do not waiver on this topic. The trial is the perfect time to test out your vision for your wedding day hair and makeup, not only to see how it will look on you and if your artist can execute it to your liking, but also to see how your look stands the test of time. Knowing if your beachy waves and nude lip will last 12+ hours is a necessity. Some people's hair just doesn't hold a curl well, so perhaps trying a different hair product or opting for a half up half down style will better suit your needs. These are all things {and more} that you will go over and try out. Never skip a trial, specifically if you're a makeup artist. Skin allergies, acne, sensitivities and other unknowns can destroy a wedding day and cause a lot of un-necessary friction. Don't do it. For out of town brides; find some time even if it's only 30mins for a "mini" trial. You will be thankful in the end, because who wants to try to pick out what eye shadow shades they want on the morning of your wedding? You will most likely have no clue what you want and it will cause undue stress on you. Have a trial done so you know exactly what to expect from your hair & makeup on the day of the wedding.
D. Presentation. In my opinion branding is everything. Does your artist show up on time? Do they have a makeup trunk or organizer? Are they organized & clean inside? Are their tools clean? Do they conduct themselves professionally, balancing chit chat with completing their mission? Do your personalities mesh well? Do you have fun with your artist? Getting ready for your wedding should be and is the pre-party and these are the details that can make or break your day.
E. Skin & Hair recommendations. Talk to your artist. A good beauty professional understands skin and hair and the products that help it. When WarPaint is hired by a bride we ask specific questions about her skin, hair and other details of her day. This ensures that myself and my team are prepared with necessary products prior to the trial taking place. We also have tons of pre-wedding day and day of skin care tips. It helps our brides get through stress related breakouts and makes our job that much easier by arriving to a clean palette. Also, finding out how close to the big day you should have your color & cut done or if any other hair treatments are needed to get your hair in shape are essential steps for a successful style. Ask your beauty professional what preparation they want you to do before your day arrives.
F. Contracts. If you're a bride or a service provider, a contract will save you in the end. Think of this as a legal relationship. Everything that you agree upon should be in writing; the cost of the service, how many people are having services done, is there travel? If so, how far and what does that cost? Are there extra add-ons? Are there special needs? When discussing these items and and signing off on them, you are freeing yourself from ambiguity, poor customer service, and disappointment or unrealistic expectations. Furthermore contracts protect you as the client. Over the years we have had brides call us in tears because the artist they hired months ago bailed on them and even worse - they DIDN'T SHOW UP on the day of the wedding! Contracts, they are an absolute must and a professional will require it.
G. Deposits. A true professional should require one to secure your date during a busy wedding season. Brides should be happy to pay a deposit to their beauty professional. There is a lot of room for error on both ends and tying the date to a financial amount up front makes things more seamless for both parties. I worked with a couple of brides this year that "hired" a makeup artist and just days before their wedding they cancelled on the bride to travel or engage in some personal endeavor. These are not professionals working in the industry; rather a side gig artist that does not take your special day for the urgency that you require them to.
F. Price. This is one area where price often equals quality. As many artists grow in their career, they develop skills and experiences that can only be gained through hard work and time. A bride or any other client should expect to pay for this. If you are seeking a rockstar to deliver incredible results that were exactly what you had hoped for, you will most likely pay rockstar prices. Price points in the $150 - $350+ range for a bridal makeup package (including the trial) are not uncommon, hair packages (including the trial) can range from $190-$400+ and can be dependent upon the city/location. Remember you're not just paying your beauty pro(s) for the 45-60 minutes of service time for your trial and day of wedding service. You are paying for their expertise, time, their undivided attention for your wedding day, the days leading up to it and everything in-between. On average WarPaint International will spend 12-18+ hours on one wedding from the time the bride first inquires to when we send her a thank you note. There are a lot of things that happen behind the scenes that most brides don't realize. So before you go thinking that you're going to pay $50 for your wedding makeup and have service like a queen, think again.
G. Day of appointment schedule. This is another key element for a successful wedding day beauty experience. We provide all of our brides with a day of appointment schedule. This ensures you, the bride, that you and your wedding party will finish on time. It also keeps the beauty team focused and on point. A good rule of thumb is to allow an additional 30 minutes on the back end in case someone needs a touch up, runs late or for any other reason- a wedding day is a day to expect the unexpected so be prepared. And to be quite frank; brides if the beauty pro that you are looking into doesn't offer to do this for you as part of their package...keep looking.
H. Reviews. Does the artist/company you're looking into have any online reviews or testimonials? How many do they have? Do the reviews give you a clear idea of what to expect with this artist? This can help you narrow down your search.
I. Website. Important! Does the artist/company have a professional presence online? This is another piece that can give you a clear picture of what to expect if you hire this artist/company. A website, in my opinion, is a first impression. It should be treated as though you're on a first date. Obviously we can't always judge a book by it's cover, but part of being a professional is setting a professional image.
J. Portfolio. This is an important tool to see the artist's experience and style. However, I don't believe this should be the end all be all. Professional artists are able to create any desired look a client requests {within reason of course}. It's important to remember that the images you see are looks that were requested by the client. **Disclaimer: Pinterest & Instagram...while these are great places to source inspiration please keep in mind that these images have been "doctored" up. Keeping a realistic vision of your look is really important. We all want to look like Kim K, but if you've got blonde hair and blue eyes the chances you'll be her twin are slim to none. ;-)
3. How far in advance should I hire my beauty team? Don't wait until the last minute! We recommend booking your beauty team 8-12 months in advance. Not only will this give you piece of mind and the ability to check this off your list - but many high end, professional teams/companies book out that far in advance. If you want the best, you need to plan for it girl!
Above all else, remember - this is your wedding day! Your beauty choices are critical, not only so you look great for one day, but so that you can look back on the memories of getting ready that morning and feel happy about who you spent the morning with. Furthermore your makeup & hair will live on forever in your images. Pamper yourself. Do it right. Set aside the money to relax and "Prepare For Battle".
Here are some guidelines for professionals in the beauty industry to help maintain your brand, integrity & reputation.
1. Always require a trial for bridal hair & makeup. Even for out of state brides. The trial (also known as consultation or preview) is meant to not only "test" out the brides look, but to get to know her and work out any kinks. In the event your bride is out of town insist that you get some face time with her even if it's only 30 mins the night before the wedding. If you don't do a trial you are only setting yourself up for a mess the day of. That's not good for you or the client.
2. Having a client contract signed along with a deposit should be required to book/secure a wedding date. Just do it. Trust me. For many reasons this is important, one is that your client will take you more seriously. Two, it protects you as the artist. Your time is valuable, weddings are a lot of work and the last thing you want is your bride canceling on you at the last minute because her cousin is now going to do her hair and makeup for free. A contract and a deposit makes the client less apt to cancel at the last minute.
3. Ask your clients several questions. For example "What is your skin health like?', "Do you have any tattoos that need to be covered?", "What is your daily makeup routine like?". That way you will come prepared to the trial and also the wedding. If you need to purchase additional tools to cover a tattoo you will have ample time to do so and also try it out.
4. Be prompt in responding to your client. Remember- this is one of the most important days of her life. If she emails you asking a question it's because she needs an answer. I discourage text message communication unless it's the morning of the wedding and you are shooting the bride (or member of the wedding party) a message to find out what room number they are in etc.
5. Communication. The second time I've listed this because it's so important. Be clear in your expectations of your client(s). Provide them with all and any information they need to know about pricing and billing. No one likes sudden changes in what is expected, so be clear with her/him.