The Power of Accessories: How to Elevate Your Makeup Look
Makeup is an art. Whether you’re preparing for a personal or professional event, upping your makeup game can certainly help you stand out from the crowd. But what if there was a way to enhance your makeup look further?
Introduction: Elevate Your Makeup Look
Makeup is an art. Whether you’re preparing for a personal or professional event, upping your makeup game can certainly help you stand out from the crowd. But what if there was a way to enhance your makeup look further?
Different types of accessories have the power to elevate your makeup look. Think of them as the cherry on top, when your flawless makeup application is the cake of the occasion. If you know your makeup game is on point and are looking for ways to enhance your style with the right accessories, here are some quick tips on how to use the power of accessories to make heads turn:
Define Your Personal Style
Makeup, accessories, clothes, and everything else that defines fashion for you is influenced by your personal preferences and style. So before deciding on what to wear and where to wear it, find things that work for you. For instance, you may have facial piercings such as septum jewelry or gauges that help you define your personal style and make you feel confident.
Then, you can use this as a guiding point for defining your makeup choices. Based on how you want your makeup and accessories to look and stand out, you can keep switching between different kinds of makeup styles and piercing jewelry to elevate your makeup look with perfectly paired piercing accessories.
Create A Timeless Look
If you want your accessories to elevate the look of your makeup, you must have at least a few statement jewelry pieces such as a bold necklace, bracelet, earrings or even a big chunky belt. When you carry a statement piece with you, you can easily elevate your makeup look and create a whole ensemble with the help of it.
The best example of a must-have accessory is when a chunky belt can turn your simple day outfit into a ready-to-party attire. Just touching up your makeup, and adjusting it according to the need of the hour, you can significantly enhance your overall look. While picking out accessories that you plan to wear often, choose something that matches your style but is also able to work with many different types of makeup looks. It’ll help you create more options without spending too much time or money on it.
Understand The Hues
Accessories have the power to turn even a simple outfit into something unique. By playing along with the colors of your accessories and matching them to the hues of your outfit, you can add a pop of color to the overall look as well as your makeup. Bright-colored outfits go well with nude makeup palettes and dainty accessories. But for dark-colored dresses or even bold makeup, you can go for a bright-colored neckpiece or even add a hair accessory or two to the mix.
It’s also important to know different skin types and use the right accessories accordingly. For instance, a warmer skin tone can be adorned with warm-toned makeup and accessories made of gold and rose gold. On the other hand, people with cool skin tones look best in platinum and white gold accessories.
Dress According To the Occasion
While your personal style will play the most important role in elevating your makeup look with accessories, another thing to keep in mind is the kind of occasion that you’re dressing up for. For example, if you want to rock a gorgeous set of chandelier earrings at a friend’s wedding, you must complement it with the correct makeup palette and attire that suits the richness of your choice of accessories.
Alternatively, for a corporate event, it might be a better idea to tone down the jewelry and wear accessories that are more elegant for the affair at hand. While it is more than okay to wear rings, earrings, and even a pendant of your choice, keep it simple and don’t wear too much jewelry. Try to complement your look with accessories such as sunglasses, handbags, footwear, belts, and scarves.
This will help you look fashionable and work-appropriate at the same time. If you’re going to be outside, try to keep your makeup more natural and low coverage. But if it is a late-night soiree, then you can elevate your look with brighter makeup such as a classic red lip and eyeliner.
Southeast Asian/Indian Brides always have the most beautiful makeup look accessories.
Wedding Beauty by WarPaint International Beauty Agency
Layer It Up
There’s something special about an ensemble that’s carefully curated, especially when it features a beautiful symphony of multiple accessories coming together to form a single entity. Whether you’re aiming for a boho chic look or want to create an elegant assortment of accessories on your wedding day, layering up your accessories can certainly elevate your natural features.
You can experiment with chunky bracelets, layered necklaces, or even wearing 2 to 3 rings on one finger to add a touch of style to your outfit. It adds a touch of personality to your ensemble along with your on-point makeup game for a seamless finish.
Over To You
While beauty lies in the eye of the beholder, you can use accessories along with your perfect makeup to elevate your overall appearance. These are just some of the quick tips that you can use to make yourself look and feel confident. Apart from this, you can also experiment with hair clips and claws to make some heads turn, follow a great skincare routine so that your makeup applications looks flawless, and learn more about your personal style, body type, and facial features to keep upgrading your look.
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!
Behind Every Amazing Makeup Application Is Great Skin Care
Ladies, I am here to tell you that if you do not take good care of your skin your makeup will not look good either. Think of your skin like the foundation of your home. If the foundation is solid, then a beautiful home can be built on it.
Skin Care, AHHH!
As a child growing up, we're told "Wash your face!", "Put sunscreen on!" from our parents. A task that as kids, we most likely had a sassy comment back or at least rolled our eyes. Now, through years of experience and self-education, I've learned how important a good skincare regimen is. I'd put myself in the skincare enthusiast category.
Enter Adulthood... I've been working as a professional makeup artist for 10 years, you could say that I've seen it all {or almost all}. With that in mind, what shocks me the most is when I ask a client about their skincare and they tell me "Oh I just use bar soap." or "Does splashing water on my face before bed count?" or the worst of them all "I don't wash my makeup off ever.". (<--- if this is you stop it right now! For every day you don't wash you makeup off your skin will age by 7 days!!)
Before and after shots above: Experts said Anna's skin aged by ten years as a result of not removing her make-up for an entire month. Original Article from DailyMail.co.UK. Read More.
Why Don't You Wash Your Face?
I hear these comments more often than not these days. It's left me asking...WHY? I don't think it's due to lack of resources or education. There are more skincare products out in the market than we can count. I also don't think it's due to the lack of being able to find products that are affordable. I do, however, believe that two things are happening:
- We are relying too much on the facade that makeup will make everything perfect. I know this because I've had women say to me "Why would I waste money on skincare when makeup can make me look perfect?".
- Social media has given a false sense of reality. This is not a new epiphany. We know that social media often is "smoke and mirrors" especially when it comes to images of beauty. With tons of filter & editing options, we're able to hide any flaw on our face in an image, and in an instant.
LADIES..., I am here to tell you that if you do not take good care of your skin your makeup will not look good either. Sure, you might not see the effects right away, but over time this will absolutely be the case. Think of your skin like the foundation of your home. If the foundation is solid, then a beautiful home can be built on it. If your skin is well taken care of, a beautiful makeup application can be applied and you'll look amazing! It's that simple. Now, I know that skincare products can be costly but they don't have to be. I also know that mother nature has a funny way of intervening and sometimes it's a challenge to get our skin to cooperate. What I'm talking about here is simply the need for us to take better care of our skin and ourselves. Here are a few tips for an easy, effective and affordable skincare routine.
STEP 1
Cleanse both morning and night. I really like the Gentle Daily Cleanser from Arbonne. For $28 it's a high-quality product that won't break the bank. For those that are acne-prone, I'd recommend Neutrogena's Oil-Free Acne Wash ($5). Start off by using it once a day (and your other cleanser for the second wash) then increase to twice a day, but if you get dry or flakey back it down to just once a day. Make sure you are getting all of your makeup off - especially mascara. Use an eye makeup remover to ensure it's gone for the day.
STEP 2
Exfoliate 2 to 3 times per week. Exfoliating can help improve your skin's overall tone & texture as it removes dead skin cells. This also allows your skincare products to penetrate deeper into the skin. If you like to use a granular exfoliant, make sure that you are really gentle and don't rub your skin harshly. Using gentle circular motions - polish your skin.
STEP 3
Moisturize Day and Night. This is a crucial step. Properly moisturizing your skin will help with anti-aging and also help your makeup application go on smoothly and last throughout the day. My two favorites moisturizing products right now are Ultra Sheer from Skin Medica ($58) and Water Balm from Sonia Roselli ($48). Both are a little spendier but so worth it. Water Balm is a multi-use product as well, so there's lots of bang for your buck! Don't forget a good night cream. I like No 7's Beautiful Skin Night Cream ($15).
STEP 4
SPF! The sun is one of the leading causes of aging and not to mention the risk of skin cancer. Apply after your serum / moisturizer / eye cream. I really like Skin Medica's Tinted SPF ($68), I use that one as a foundation replacement in the summer. Neutrogena's Age Shield Face Lotion ($13) is also a great affordable option.
STEP 5
Go to see an esthetician. Regular facials can make a huge difference. An esthetician will treat your skin based on its needs. This is especially helpful for those pesky blackheads. He or she will do extractions to clean out the pores and leave your skin soft & supple. A good facial will run you around $80, but look for deals on places like Groupon if you're sticking to a budget.
BONUS: To REALLY make a difference in your skin (do all of the above of course) invest in a Clarisonic. Seriously. They are a bit expensive, but so worth it. I've had mine for 2 years now and I can't speak highly enough about how it has changed my skin. I now have the confidence to go sans-makeup and still feel beautiful. I attribute a lot that to using my Clarisonic every day along with great skincare products. Save your pennies and get one. You won't regret it!
Me, no makeup - no filter!
Those are the basics. Start with those 5 steps and your skin will thank you, as well as your makeup artist. If you come to a makeup appointment with skin that hasn't been cleaned in a week, your makeup will not be all that it can be and you can't blame your artist if the makeup lacks the level of perfection you were expecting - there's only so much we can do. Take the extra few minutes a day and invest in your skin, invest in YOU!
Lastly, none of the above really matters unless you are well-rested and in good health. Starting with good sleeping habits can not only change your life but accelerate great skin care (among many other things). To learn more, read this article about:
Top Tips To Help You Get Your Beauty Sleep.
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
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.