Nurse Lindsey's Lipstick Looks

Nurse Lindsey’s 3 Days of Lipstick

With all the focus on our frontline workers during these challenging times, we wanted to give nurses and healthcare workers everywhere some simple makeup inspiration. So we reached out to our friend Lindsey Kuehl, who is a Minneapolis healthcare worker and also a Minneapolis model.

Now, you don’t have to be a model to wear these lipsticks or achieve these simple looks. But Lindsey loves her Instagram and knows how to take a great natural light photo.

She did these looks for us in her home.

Lindsey’s Lipstick Day 1

The first lipstick look, in blue scrubs, is done with Elixery Cosmetics “Lakshmi”. Lakshmi, named after The Hindu Goddess of Beauty and Wealth, was born atop a glittering lotus flower. To Her devotees, she grants prosperity.

Bright cool-toned fuchsia pink with subtle violet micro-shimmer. Beautiful on all skin tones – it even makes your teeth appear whiter! Lakshmi is for flirting and dancing all night; she’s not for the faint of heart. Be bold. Creamy satin finish. Lightly vanilla scented.

COLOR: Fuchsia (hot pink lipstick with violet iridescence)
FINISH: Satin/Pearl

Buy Elixery Lipsticks online from WPI.

Nurse Lindsey Kuehl wearing Lakshmi by Elixery Cosmetics

Lindsey’s Lipstick Day 2

The second lipstick look, in light blue scrubs, is Tempest - also from Elixery Cosmetics. Tempest is a hard lipstick color to describe. Brown? Pink? A faint bluish shimmer? Some would call this "mauve" but Elixery tries to avoid that description (because mauve is technically purple - and Tempest is definitely not purple.)

It is a sheer color, nude on deeper skin tones and neutral on paler complexions. It's a gorgeous everyday color, perfect for the board room, and sexy enough for the bedroom, as they say. A perennial favorite.

COLOR: Brownish Pink Lipstick
FINISH: Sheer

Buy Elixery Lipsticks online from WPI.

Nurse Lindsey Kuehl wearing Tempest by Elixery Cosmetics

Lindsey’s Lipstick Day 3

The third lipstick look, in black scrubs is Color Intense in “Girls Night” from Beautycounter. An industry-leading standard of safety. The creamy formula moisturizes so lips feel soft and smooth, never dry, and uncomfortable. Natural peppermint oil delivers a subtly refreshing flavor. There are eight all-new shades in the Color Intense line ranging from naturally nude to intense red deliver the rich color payoff and luxe satin finish you want, with the safety you deserve.

WPI Founder, Jessica Mae, belives in Beautycounter and is a Beautycounter consultant. You can shop for Beautycounter products on her site.

Nurse Lindsey Kuehl wearing Color Intense Girl's Night by Beautycounter

Nurse Lindsey Kuehl wearing Color Intense Girl's Night by Beautycounter

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How To Tell If Your Freelance Artist Has Sanitary Practices

Onsite Beauty. Whenever, Wherever.

In a time where we are being asked to social distance, stay at home and wear a mask when we go out - we have become ultra-aware of how easily and quickly disease can spread. As the country begins to open back up, I felt it was important to take some time to educate you on what you should and need to look for when working with freelance makeup artists and hairstylists for your events, photoshoots, and special occasions. In addition what you can expect to see from WPI going forward.

“Now more than ever it is important for you to be educated about beauty sanitation in order to protect yourself and ensure you’re working with a professional.”

— Jessica Mae

With services like instacart, amazon, and all the instant gratification apps we have now, the trend and demand for onsite beauty services has been on the rise. Getting your makeup and/or hair done in your home, office or at your event venue has become rather mainstream. It’s no longer something reserved only for the uber-rich or celebrities. As such, there are some things you need to consider before hiring an artist to come to your home. Or even when getting a service at a beauty counter. Now more than ever it is important for you to be educated about beauty sanitation in order to protect yourself and ensure you’re working with a professional.

Education

First and foremost you need to ask about education. What type of sanitation training, if any, has the artist or company had? Do your research to ensure you’re hiring a professional that has sanitation practices and procedures in place. Ask questions like “Can you explain what your safety and sanitation practices are?”.

Photo Credit: White Peach Photography.
Makeup Artist Jessica Mae

What to expect during a service

An artist arrives at your doorstep, you are eager and excited to soon be looking your best for your special event. Here are some of the most important things to expect/look for sanitation wise before, during and after your service.

1. Arrival. The artist should ask where you’d like them to set up and then immediately wash their hands.

2. Set up. The artist should spray the table or set up area with 70% alcohol or an EPA registered hospital grade disinfectant. Next they should lay down clean paper towels to set up on. Hair artists should lay down a clean heat protector mat (in lieu of paper towels). Once they have set out the product they will need for the service, powders, eyeshadows, tweezers, palette knife, palette and any tool that will be used throughout the service should be sprayed with the EPA disinfectant and let dry prior to beginning. **Take a peak at their kit, is it clean and organized?

3. Disposables. The artist should have disposable makeup applicators such as mascara wands, lip wands, sponges, q-tips etc. The disposables should be kept in a clean, organized container or bag.

4. Bobby pins and clips. The artist should have clean, unused bobby pins stored in a clean, organized container or bag. Clips that are reuse-able should be stored in a clean, organized container or bag. **Bobby pins should NEVER be placed in the artists mouth and then applied to the client’s head.

5. Palette and Palette Knife. Some artists will use disposable palettes and palette knifes and some will have stainless steel. Either are fine so long as they are using one or the other and they are properly sanitized (or new if using disposable).

6. Brushes. All makeup and hair brushes/combs should be visibly clean.

7. Capes. If a cape is used, it should be clean.

8. Application. Once set up, the artist should use hand sanitizer or wash their hands again. During the application you should see the artist scooping out cream and gel products with the palette knife and putting onto the palette. The artist should NEVER apply cream or gel product directly from the container onto you. Mascara must be applied with a disposable mascara wand, and should only be dipped into the tube once. Lipstick or lipgloss must be applied with a disposable wand, the product should be de-potted onto the palette and applied with the wand from there. Dirty brushes/combs/clips should be kept in a separate area away from the clean ones and off of the work area. Disposables and any other trash created during the application should promptly be discarded in a zip lock or clean bag the artist brought with them. The work area should be kept clean and free of dirty utensils at all times.

9. Post-service. The artist should spray down all tools and product used with the EPA disinfectant. Makeup brushes should be cleaned with a brush cleaner. Hair brushes and combs should be cleaned with barbicide.

Red Flags.

Ok, so now you know some of the most important sanitation elements that need to be in place in order to remain safe. So now I’ll share a few red flags to look for. If ANY of these happen you should immediately ask the artist to stop the service and either use your product or discontinue the service entirely.

1. The artist doesn’t wash their hands or use hand sanitizer.

2. The artist doesn’t have disposables.

3. The artist’s kit is dirty on the inside.

4. The artist double dips product. An example would be, they use a disposable mascara wand. They dip it into the mascara tube, apply to your lashes and then dip the wand back into the tube. If they do this with you, you can bet they’ve done it on dozens of other clients. Gross!

5. The artist does not have 70% alcohol, EPA disinfectant or brush cleaner. Some artists won’t carry alcohol if they have the EPA disinfectant - this is ok. Also, some artists will have enough brushes for multiple applications and therefore won’t need to use brush cleaner onsite as they will clean them at home - this is ok - so long as they are not using dirty brushes on you or anyone else.

6. The artist’s brushes are dirty.

What is WPI doing to keep you safe post COVID-19.

1. All of our artisans will be required to wear a mask when working with clients.

2. All of our artisans will be required to take additional sanitation training through Barbicide and Bactronix (or equivalent) before returning to work from the shut down.

3. All work areas will be set up a minimum of 6 feet a part from one another.

I hope you found this information helpful. WPI is committed to your safety in addition to providing high level services. We look forward to getting back to work and Preparing you for Battle!

Are you seeking the best in the beauty industry? WPI specializes in bridal beauty, corporate/commercial beauty, editorial applications, celebrity applications, on-site consumer applications and “The Beauty Membership”.

Why Engaged Couples Should Secure Their Wedding Vendors Right Now

Hero image: Laura Robinson Photography.

For newly engaged couples just getting started or couples with wedding dates from May 2020 and beyond…

The current pandemic has hit us all in multiple ways. Finances, emotions, summer plans, wedding plans and so much more have become collateral damage in the wake of COVID-19. One of the hardest hit industries is without a doubt weddings/events. Pre COVID-19, businesses were ramping up for the beginning of wedding and event season, but suddenly those plans and preparations came to a screeching halt.

“COVID-19 has changed the wedding and event planning game.”

— Jessica Mae

An important tip is to take a step back, breathe, and to not let these events scare you. Exercise patience, understanding and faith. There are a lot of unknowns right now and all of the answers may not be available. You have plenty of time before your big day, but with the current state of things, wedding vendors are shifting dates and contractual promises nearly ever day.

WPI Bride Emily. Makeup by Artisan Laura. Hair by Artisan Keely

That being said, anticipate that availabilities are going to be slim across the board as dates are quickly filling up for 2020 and also into 2021. At WPI, we have rescheduled dozens of Spring/Summer 2020 weddings and events to late 2020 and 2021. So what does this mean for couples who already planned on a late 2020 or 2021 date?

Seriously… Book your wedding vendors now

If you haven’t secured all of your vendors for your 2020 or 2021 wedding or event you need to get on it! Especially if you have your eye on a specific vendor, and have been waiting until the date is a bit closer. Don’t wait any longer! Availability is growing limited due to Spring and Summer weddings and events getting rescheduled. Vendors book on a first come first serve basis and depending on the size/capacity of the company they may only book one wedding or event client per day or weekend. Also, during a time where we have little to no control over the events taking place in the world, it will put your mind at ease knowing your vendors are secured.

What if I’m considering postponing my date due to COVID-19?

Communication is key. Even if you are only considering postponement get in touch with your vendors as soon as possible. Don’t wait. Your vendors want to help support you through this and make any rescheduling as stress-free as possible. This will also aid the vendors in having a realistic snapshot of what their availability looks like in order to book other clients. As stated many times over the past few weeks, we are all in this together.

COVID-19 has changed the wedding and event planning game.

For the time being, throw traditional timelines for when to book vendors out the window. As a beauty vendor we typically see clients book 6-8 months in advance, but honestly - the sooner you book the better. Especially when you find a vendor you love. For us, there is no such thing as booking “too” early.

According to many wedding planning services like The Knot and Wedding Wire, you should book your vendors as far out as a year or more. According to some wedding industry blogs, hair and makeup should be the 5th or 6th vendor your book after securing your wedding planner, your venue, your band/DJ, Photographer, and your dress. In all honestly, WarPaint International has brides that book their wedding day beauty services as far as 3 years out.

Yes. For real.

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Celebrate anyway

Remember this important piece of advice - if you allow something out of your control to damage your vision of your wedding day, then your life’s biggest event will be consumed with mounting stress. Planning your wedding and special events is fun and exciting and though it can cause undue stress even without COVID-19, finding ways to embrace reality will help make lasting memories for years to come.

A few tips from WPI

Since we all have a little extra time on our hands at the moment, use it to your advantage. Here are a few tips that just might help.

1. Turn off the news, put down social media and immerse yourself in planning your special day!

2. Find a great book to help remind you of the important things in life and why you are on the journey that you are on. Might we recommend “Slow Down, Wake Up: 150 Short Meditations For A More Present Life” by Nicolas Cole and Dr. Matthew Jones.

3. Consider another meditative addition to your wedding day or in the week leading up to it with Bridal Yoga classes. WarPaint International offers Bridal Yoga Flow for our bridal parties in Minneapolis / St. Paul.

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Looking for an award-winning beauty agency to perfect your wedding day hair and makeup? Book WarPaint International today.

Prince Inspired "Purple Rain" Makeup Look by Minneapolis Beauty Agency

The “Purple Rain” Makeup Look

The First Annual “Purple Rain Makeup Look” by WPI 2020

It’s the anniversary of the passing of Minneapolis’s Purple Highness - Prince Rogers Nelson. Prince moved from the terrestrial to the celestial realm on April 21st, 2016; just four short years ago today. As Minnesotans, we celebrate the Purple One’s achievements more every year. Being a Minneapolis-based company (and residents), living the Lake Minnetonka area, just minutes from Prince’s Paisley Park home, we feel his loss even still today.

“I wanted the eyes to be the main focal point of this look, so I began there.”

— Misfit Mia

Prince Inspired Makeup

2020 marks our first annual edition of “The Purple Rain Makeup Look” by WPI. Since we are currently experiencing this unprecedented and historic time, these images are taken at home under The Makeup Light, on an iPhone. You can expect to see a new edition of Prince Inspired makeup looks every year going forward. We guarantee 2021 will be off the hook with live footage from a professional photo studio. So we tasked one of our WPI Artisans, Mia Pietruszewski, with curating a glamorous and sexy look that pays appropriate tribute to his purple highness while also being a look that anyone can wear - and rock it!

As it turns out, purple is the color of Mia’s soul, so this project was as natural as it was special for her.

Beauty Products Used

• Moisturizer: Sei Bella 

• Foundation: Hourglass Vanish Stick , shade is Porcelain 

• Concealer: Tarte Shape Tape, shade is Fair Neutral 

• Setting Powder: Ben Nye Fair translucent powder 

• Blush: Seraphine Botanicals, Shade is Lychee + Gold 

• Brows: Anastasia Beverly Hills Dip Brow Pomade, Shade is Dark Brown. 

• Highlighter: Estate, shade is Lit 

• Lips: Maybelline Super Stay Matte Ink, shade is Loyalist 

• Gloss: Ofra, shade is Smiley for Ryleigh 

  • Anastasia Beverly Hills Contour palette for highlight and contour on the whole face

For The Eyes

• Lime Crime Venus III Palette, shades Rapture, Dreamy, Paradise and Bliss 

• Lime Crime Immortals Palette, shade unseen 

• Graftobian eyeliner pencil in shade Black 

• NYX “That’s the point” felt tip liquid liner in shade Hella Fine 

• L’Oréal Telescopic mascara in Carbon Black 

• Sei Bella Volume Extreme Length and Lift mascara in Black 

Mia’s Inspiration

I wanted the eyes to be the main focal point of this look, so I began there. It took a lot of building to create the dimension I wanted. I started using the lighter shades in my palette to build shape, and really fine tuned the cat like shape with various shades of purple and black. I have Blue eyes, so knowing that purple is complimentary to that, I wanted to create a way for my eye color to pop even more. Lining all around the eye is a great way to make any eye look FIERCE!! 

Of course I had to finish with my signature winged liner- you’ll rarely see me without 😉. A seriously purple hazey-smokey shade with ice cold blue eyes, and skin like glass. Fresh, dewy skin with a pop of blush is always my favorite.

Pro Tips from Misfit Mia:

1. Don’t ever skip the blush! 

2. My highlighter could always stop traffic, and that’s the way I like it! 

3. A look is never complete without lips- even if it’s just gloss! 

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About The Artisan

Mia has been a WPI Artisan since July of 2016. She’s a talented multi-media makeup artist who thrives on curating Avant-Garde, high-fashion looks, all the while deeply skilled in natural looks for bridal and everyday beauty that can be worn by any woman.

She attended and was certified by Faces, Etc of Minnesota (a multi-media makeup school) and was named the WPI Artisan of the Year in 2017. She lives the values of WPI by helping her clients “Prepare For Battle”.

Work With Mia

You can work with Mia when new health artisan safety practices are put into place and the stay at home order is lifted. You can support her now but purchasing makeup applications at 50% OFF. Just drop us a note when you buy them that you’d like to work with Mia.

You can also book onsite hair at half off too! We’ll send a WPI hair artisan along to finish the look.

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2 For 1 Future Services

You can support us by taking advantage of 50% off of our signature onsite beauty services - Onsite Beauty. Whenever, Wherever. (excludes bridal services). This equates to 2 For 1, 4 For 2, 6 For 3 and so on.

• There NO LIMITS on number of services bought.

• There are NO restrictions on when you can use your services in the future.

• Just add as many to cart as you’d like. When this is all over, we’ll contact you to begin scheduling services for your events, date nights or special evenings.

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Prince’s music fills establishments and homes more now than ever. And with the Minnesota Vikings also sporting purple pride, the reminder and symbolism of what a sole color represents to people in Minnesota is literally everywhere - let alone to those whom he touched across the globe.

Photo Credit: Paisleypark.com

“Paisley Park is a place where art, music, fashion, and culture are celebrated, energized, and inspired by the visionary creative spirit of Prince. Once his home and studio, Paisley Park now draws people from around the world to attend tours, concerts, and events, and feel the love, awe, and wonder that is expressed in Prince’s emotional words: “Paisley Park is in your heart.”

2020 Spring/Summer Makeup Trends To Consider During Quarantine

Spring is here! This is one of my favorite times of the year. The snow is melting, the birds are singing and the tulips are beginning to pop through the soil. And though we are currently in this uncertain time of COVID-19 quarantine, this means it’s time to think about changing up your makeup routine and products! I’m truly excited for the 2020 spring/summer season.

“Ditch your neutral shades and dare to give your look a pop of color!”

— Jessica Mae

As I often say, trends aren't for everyone but they are definitely fun to try out. This spring and summer you will notice the common theme of colorful eyeshadow, pops of glitter, lots of blush, dewy skin and stained lips.

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Colorful Eyeshadow

This season, step outside the box of your usual neutral tones and dare to try some color! Start off on the lighter side and work your way to getting bolder the more comfortable you get! I love to use the Romantic Palette from Beauty Counter. It’s really versatile, allowing you to create an array of different colorful looks!

Colorful lids take the runway.

Photo courtesy of Harper’s Bazaar.

All that Glitters

Glitter has made a big comeback in recent years and 2020 is no exception! Summer is a great time to add a little glimmer to your look. I’m loving the idea of using glitter as an inner eye highlight or on the tops of your cheekbones. Play around with it! Images courtesy of Pinterest and Harper’s Bazaar.

• Pro Tip: find a glitter specific primer to help reduce fall out and use biodegradable glitter when possible.

Blush, blush and more blush!

Let’s be honest, coming out of winter our skin could use a little extra color. Am I right? I am loving that blush is a predominant product in this year’s summer trend. My go-to for this season is Melon from BeautyCounter. Don’t be afraid to apply a little more than you normally would, pile it on sister!

• Pro Tip: blend your blush out with a CLEAN blush brush for a flawless, effortless appearance.

Dewy skin is still in!

This is trend that is never going to go out of style - in my opinion any way! There are a few tricks to achieving a dewy skin look. It first starts with your skincare routine. One of my favorite products is Dew Skin from BeautyCounter. I love it because you get a light, dewy coverage with SPF protection as well. It’s just the right amount of moisture.

• Pro Tip: for some extra “dewiness” apply your favorite skin oil first, let it set for a minute or two the apply Dew Skin on top.

Dew Skin

“Sheer coverage, super-charged with SPF protection”

Stained, glossy lips.

I am loving the effortless “just bitten” glossy lip looks this season! Perhaps the thing I love the most about it is that it’s a very easy look to achieve. Just sweep on your favorite gloss and you are ready to go! If you’re typically a nude lip gloss gal, I’d encourage you to try one with a bit more color like Bright Pink from BeautyCounter. You can also easily gloss up your favorite matte lipstick by applying a clear gloss on top.

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Interested in Beautycounter products? Shop the Beautycounter website below. We are a Beautycounter partner, so feel free to ask us questions. 

Has Your Onsite Beauty Service Provider Had A Criminal Background Check?

Your Safety First

How safe is your freelance makeup artist or hairstylist? If they don’t provide a background check or your beauty agency doesn’t criminally check contractors for your safety - move on.

We believe in safe services. One massive oversight in the beauty industry, specifically the freelance or onsite beauty industry, is the lack of barriers to entry into the field. Every year, hundreds of thousands of brides seek vendors for various categories on their checklist of “to-do’s” when it comes to wedding planning. One of those very popular services to book is wedding day hair and makeup artistry - onsite. Not just brides employ these Artisans - consumers hire makeup artists and hairstylists in their homes for special dates, celebrities, and media companies book them almost weekly, event planners bring them into galas and corporate events. Onsite beauticians work with kids, the elderly and others.

WPI Artisan Wendy, working with children at the “My Little Pony” event at Mall of America

Who is checking?

Sadly, no one is checking. At WarPaint International, one of our first priorities is providing a level of conscious safety, to not only our Artisans as they enter your home, event venue or space but also to our clients. In a day and age of on-demand services and app technology, more and more strangers are infiltrating our space. But do you ever ask about the backgrounds of these individuals?

You should.

“Criminal background checks on freelance beauticians are nearly non-existent in the wedding industry. ”

When interviewing beauty service providers or beauty agencies, the most important thing you should fact-check is not whether a certain artist can achieve that winged eyeliner or special braid. A reputable company has tenured Artisans and a hiring process that takes the guessing games out of the selection process for you (though we understand that is part of the fun…). No… your first question should be “do you criminally background check your team?”

Criminal background checks on freelance beauticians are nearly non-existent in the wedding industry. We have found that very few companies, if any, do regular background checks on their Artists. Sadly, we know of very few that do any at all. In our own investigation, we find that many do a social media spot check at best; an alarming due-diligence when considering someone you’ve never met will be entering your home, hotel room, event space or church. Often times, purses, private belongings or sensitive information are out in the open and it does get stolen. Worst case scenario, you may be in physical danger or future danger. Most freelancers that work solo are not really interested in being business owners either, so they likely will not have a background check run on themselves often to provide to clients and in most cases do not carry insurance or liability.

Insist on process

When speaking to onsite beauty companies, ask important questions, such as:

• How do you hire your team?

• What does your interview process look like?

• Do you technically test them?

• Who approves or rejects them?

• Do you do background checks on your Artists?

• What system are you using to provide that data?

• Have you ever had an issue with security or personal threats?

• Do you carry liability insurance in the event of an accident?

• Do you have a professional bridal/corporate contract that serves to protect all parties?

“We have not contracted Artists due to criminal backgrounds. ”

Safe Hiring Practices at WPI

Our motto is often confusing for people. It reads “Luxury and Excellence in Hair & Makeup Artistry”. Some clients don’t book us or never even inquire because the word luxury means expensive to them. But we don’t define luxury as a price tag; in fact our prices are very competitive.

Luxury is a feeling, an experience, and expectation in customer service and overall satisfaction that is met through your very first interaction until the last. That’s luxury. Inside the definition of luxury, that feeling that one has also beckoned safety. There’s no point in paying top dollar for the “Best Makeup Artist” or “top stylist” if they have a track record of misdemeanors, felonies or habitual convictions.

How we ensure your safety

WarPaint International runs full national background checks that include criminal, sex offender, national employment, credit, and education status. We do also do the typical spot check to ensure they carry themselves professionally online. No one can guarantee against crimes of opportunity, but we can take steps to ensure a high probability that our team is seasoned, community-driven professionals.

We do this by partnering nationally with Trusted Employees. Trusted Employees offers a wide range of criminal record search capabilities. We are firmly committed to contracting Artisans with complete and accurate criminal data in which all the facts are aligned and verified. Every single individual in the WarPaint International family of Artisans and supporting team members undergoes this diligence.

Wedding planning companies still missing the boat

Even the big wedding planning advertising platforms, which are a vendor on many, rarely address the issue of safety. They offer up hundreds or even thousands of options in your area depending on the city without a hint or tip on how to ensure your safety. One of the largest, The Knot Wedding Network, does case studies and provides information for couples-to-be, but even in this very informative article “Everything, You Need To Know About Getting Married in Minnesota”, safety is not an element of education.

The reality is that it’s not their duty to assume liability for your safety. So when sourcing your wedding vendors, always keep your personal safety top of mind. You can rest-assured with WPI that we will not send someone into your home, hotel room, venue or private space without knowing what their background looks like.

Book a WPI Artisan

Maybe you are done with your search or perhaps have just started. Either way, check the availability of our team by reviewing our wedding makeup and hair page and submitting your request to speak to a bridal consultant today. Many of our brides book 8 - 10 months in advance. We have beauty services secured as far as three years into the future.

Treating A Breakout Weeks Before Your Wedding

Treating a breakout weeks before your wedding

It's a couple of weeks before the big day, and months upon months of planning are finally coming to fruition. Unfortunately, the planning has understandably taken a toll and has completely stressed you out. You're not alone, as ‘The Worst Things About Wedding Planning’ by Insider reveals that 96% of couples find wedding planning stressful, with 40% even going as far as to say that it was "extremely" stressful for them. While this is bad enough as it is, stress can cause some adverse effects on your body, including your skin. Time Magazine's feature on stress and acne explains that while stress isn't the sole reason for a breakout, it's certainly a major factor that can trigger or make existing skin issues much worse.

So what is a bride-to-be to do if you find yourself having a breakout a couple of weeks before your wedding? Read on for some useful tips to treat those zits just in time for your wedding.

“Dairy is a common culprit when it comes to breakouts. ”

Avoid Dairy

Dairy is a common culprit when it comes to breakouts. And while there are many theories as to why this happens – a popular one being about the artificial hormones that dairy cows are treated with – the most substantial reason is the hormones that naturally exist in cow's milk. ‘Here’s How to Get Rid of Hormonal Ace’ by Parsley Health details how dairy can throw off your hormonal balance leading to bad breakouts. Reducing dairy intake before your big day is a small sacrifice that will lead to your breakout clearing up in no time. Avoid food such as milk, cheese, chocolate, and butter as your wedding day approaches.

Hands-off

It may be tempting to pop the zits that have surfaced, but this would only prove to be counterproductive, as it could lead to bacteria getting deeper into your skin. A dermatologist on CNBC emphasizes how this is especially true for the area around your nose and upper lip. Instead of picking at your acne, go consult a dermatologist, so you can be prescribed with antibiotics and topical cream geared towards dealing with your breakout.

Replace your makeup

Another thing you can do to manage your breakout is to buy a new batch of makeup. Makeup, especially products that haven't been used in the last six months, can become a breeding ground for bacteria. Huffington Post points out that using bad makeup can worsen your skin condition and lead to infections, so toss the old stock out and buy a fresh set. Be wary of changing brands during this time, as they could lead to some unexpected results that may worsen your acne situation. Stick to brands that you know and trust, as you shouldn't be taking risks so close to your big day.

Cover it up

If you've followed all the previous tips, then your acne problem should be reduced to a minor nuisance. But it's understandable if you don't want to settle for anything less than perfect on your wedding. A quick fix for this is to treat zits a day before and on the day of your wedding, or just simply conceal the blemish with makeup. One way to ensure success is by hiring a WarPaint International Makeup Artist on the day of your wedding, as our years of professional experience guarantees the perfection and beauty you deserve on your big day.

Or just click below for wedding beauty services and locations.

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How to Properly Prep Your Skin Before Applying Makeup

Contrary to popular belief, achieving flawless looking makeup isn’t only about the concealer, eye shadows, and mascaras you use, it’s also about how you prep your skin beforehand. Figuring out the right skincare products for your skin type and applying them in the correct order is crucial for your makeup look. Properly prepping your skin helps to ensure even application of beauty products and maintain the overall health of your complexion.

So, instead of reaching for your foundation right away, consider following these six easy steps to properly prep your skin before applying any makeup.

Step 1: Start with clean skin

Before you do anything, you’ll first need to remove your makeup and cleanse your skin. For your skin to be free of blemishes and dead skin, it needs to be clean of any grime and oils. However, you must choose a cleanser that isn’t too harsh on your skin. If you don’t it’ll end up stripping it of its natural oils, causing it to become dry and/or inflamed. For this reason, it’s best to opt for a cleanser that comes in the form of a cream, gel, or oil as these tend to be more gentle on the skin. This will reduce the chances of skin irritation but still adequately cleanse it. When you’re finished, gently pat your skin dry with a towel.

“Prepping your pout can make for a smooth canvas before putting on your favorite bold colors. ”

Step 2: Tone it up

Next, you’ll want to apply a balancing toner as a final step to your cleansing process. This will allow you to remove any additional impurities and dead skin cells that your cleanser may have missed. Along with this, toners also serve as a base for the rest of your skincare products. Whether you apply your toner by spritzing it on your face, or by saturating a cotton pad and wiping it onto your skin, is completely up to you. Although either method is okay, most dermatologists will recommend using a cotton pad because it’s more effective in getting rid of any cleanser residue and diluted water chemicals that occurred from step one.

Step 3: Treat with care

After you cleanse and tone your skin, it's best to apply any skincare treatments at this time. When your skin is free of oil, dirt, and other pore-clogging buildup, treatment products like an anti-aging cream or acne spot patches, for instance, have a better chance to penetrate the skin. Keep in mind that the type of products you use will be dependent on both your skin type and needs. For some people, preventing fine lines and wrinkles may be their biggest skincare concern, whereas other people may be more concerned with fighting off their unwanted blemishes. Whatever your focus is, remember to be selective when choosing your treatment as these products are designed to be rich with highly concentrated ingredients so that you can attain optimal results quickly.

Step 4: Boost skin hydration

Natural makeup looks for women in business by WarPaint International.

Regardless of the skin type you have, moisturizing is a must. In addition to enhancing your natural glow, using a moisturizer can promote an even application of foundation or concealer and help your makeup stay on longer. There are a variety of ways you can add moisture to your complexion. Between face serums, oils, and moisturizers, it’s easy to boost skin hydration. While all of these skincare products can pair well with each other, you should still be mindful of your skin type before deciding which of these products you’d like to incorporate in your skin regimen. Those of you with dry skin, for example, may benefit most from using a hyaluronic acid serum first, followed by a moisturizer with a heavy-cream based formula. Depending on how flakey your skin is, you may also want to apply one or two drops of face oil to lock in the moisture. For those of you with oily skin, on the other hand, you’ll want to avoid pairing these types of products together as they may cause excess shine and clogged pores. Instead, stick with using an oil-free moisturizer so you can condition and hydrate your skin without leaving it feeling greasy.

Step 5: Prep your pout

As you wait for your skin to absorb the added moisture, it’s time to move onto your lips. For all you lipstick lovers out there, this is an especially important step for you to follow. Prepping your pout can make for a smooth canvas before putting on your favorite bold colors. To achieve this, try using a lip scrub! Lip scrubs are an efficient way to exfoliate the dead skin cell buildup on the surface of your lips, making for desirable soft lips. All you have to do is apply a little bit of the scrub onto your lips and massage in a circular motion and leave on for two to three minutes. Despite the fact that you can purchase a lip scrub from many makeup brands, you can also try creating your own using a few common household ingredients, such as raw honey and brown sugar. To learn about different DIY lip scrub recipes, check out this link!

Step 6: Prime your base

Now that you’ve cleansed, toned, treated, and hydrated your skin, you’re ready to prime your base. Primer is the last and arguably one of the most essential steps to prepping your skin before applying your makeup. This product serves to support a polished, long-lasting make-up look because it’s designed to smooth fine lines, wrinkles, and large pores. Primers can come in the form of mists, gels, or powders, so make sure you pick one that aligns with your skin type and suits the overall look you’re going for. For a seamless finish, apply a small amount of primer to your fingers and massage onto face. For liquid primers, wait a couple of minutes to ensure your skin is dry before you start putting on other makeup products. Or, if you’re using a powder-based primer, you’ll want to begin by tipping a small amount of powder into the lid of its jar first. Then, grab a makeup brush and tap off any excess powder and apply it to your face in a circular motion.

For great tips and advice on how to prep your skin, check out Skincare Routine 101 For Every Skin Type by Natural Acne Clinic.

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Mobile Concierge Service in Minneapolis Focused on Families

Mobile Concierge Service - at your service.

In the world of many parents, there are numerous moving parts that contribute to how busy life can get. From daily household chores to school activities, to planning for birthday parties and beyond, there is a lot on the mind of a typical parent. Often times Moms feel like “coming up for air” is a tricky concept considering all that goes into a single day. Sometimes it seems too overwhelming to manage it all. Until, Twin Cities Mobile Mommy!

Twin Cities Mobile Mommy

Enter Twin Cities Mobile Mommy; a WarPaint international partner business. A concierge service for families offering guilt-free services to lend a hand from home organizing, tidying, and upkeep, running errands, home administrative tasks, planning an event or simply keeping the little ones entertained while Mom or Dad makes an important phone call. 

“We strive to build trust and value within our community by providing our services, hosting events and supporting diverse families”

— Anahita

Anahita Champion

Stemmed from a local mom’s perspective, Anahita Champion started the company because she can relate to the overflowing plate of “To-Dos.” While juggling a newborn in one hand, and trying to type at her desk with her other hand, this MomBoss quickly felt overwhelmed by trying to define her new role as a Mother, being an entrepreneur, and seeing her home environment around her in piles of clutter due to the lack to time to get to her long To-Do list.

Anahita founded the company as a solution for parents that could use a second version, a clone, of themselves to help handle the essential aspects of family life.

The five core pillars

TC Mobile Mommy is passionate about growing with families and businesses by leaning on its 5 core pillars:

Service

You can find a full list of services available on their website from home upkeep, to task helper, to errands and shopping, outdoor events and more.

Team

With the #TCMomSquad, Digital Content Team, and soon-to-be contractors, Twin Cities Mobile Mommy’s team works dynamically to cover all the bases for local families.

Partnership

TCMM partners with local businesses and brands to co-host events, offer discounts on services and merchandise for Twin Cities families as well as supporting local businesses.

Events

TCMM hosts its own events as well we co-hosts events with other fellow business owners to provide in-person interactive experiences and to build camaraderie. Events surrounding Self-Care & Mental Health, Couple’s Date Night, Fitness, Yoga & Wine, and others in the works.

Give Back

In late 2019, TCMM will be rolling out its Give-Back pillar to help families in need. Whether the support is in form of scholarships for families needing TCMM services, or packing kits for the homeless, meal packing for underserved communities, charitable event support, or supporting local schools - the options are endless, and the team is thrilled to roll this out.

Family resources

Twin Cities Mobile Mommy is a great sounding board for families. From having so much that needs to be done but not quite knowing what to focus on first, Anahita Champion helps prospective clients by chatting with them on a call to hear about their unique family, listen to what’s on their plate, and suggest options on where the services can be of assistance or the best possible package for a family.

Projects and milestones

Whether a family is looking for help in a particular project or during a specific milestone, Twin Cities Mobile Mommy offers options for their clients. Monthly Memberships are ideal for families that are looking for recurring sessions. Members receive 3 hours of TCMM services each month at a slightly discounted rate, access to a private log-in portal, access to 20+ local business partnership perks, discounts on events, and much more.

One of the fabulous partnership perks TC Mobile Mommy offers their members includes 15% off on-demand Hair/Makeup services by WarPaint International!

Bundles of joy

Families looking for help during specific occasions, packaged services are also available. The Bundles of Joy are customized 4-hour sessions to help parents with a number of projects from prepping for a move (or unpacking the house), decluttering & organizing, helping prepare/settle in with a new baby, and more available on the website. 

The perfect gift

TC Mobile Mommy is a wonderful gift idea for parents or parents-to-be. GIFT Certificates are available to anyone who’d like to add us to their registry or gift a family the joy of helping hands.

To learn more about how Twin Cities Mobile Mommy can help your family, or a family you know, visit their website: www.twincitiesmobilemommy.com. Twin Cities Mobile Mommy was also featured on Twin Cities Live!

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5 Bachelorette Party Ideas 2019

For the bride to be, the perfect bachelorette party doesn’t always have to involve a night out on the town. Whether you actually prefer beer over wine or are in need of a short getaway, there are plenty of fantastic options to tailor a bachelorette party for you and your friends.

Here are our favorite creative ideas for a bachelorette weekend getaway.

There’s something for everyone with these fun bachelorette ideas!

Glamping

For those who want a relaxing getaway in the outdoors, glamping is the perfect option for you! Grab your girls for a luxe weekend retreat and book your ticket to the great outdoors. At Soap Lake Resort decked-out cabins and hotel rooms are situated near a mineral lake. Known for its holistic wellness properties, this natural spa is the perfect place for some fun bachelorette party games and charming restaurants. Soap Lake Resort’s bridal packages and room offerings make it the perfect place to make some memories. To book your reservation, make sure to check out their website.

(Image via Soap Lake Resort Flickr)

Distillery

Instead of opting for a vineyard or winery, try hosting your bachelorette weekend at a distillery! While most vineyard parties require travel to a different state, a great distillery is always a great in-state opportunity to drink and have a great time. Your bachelorette party can get tipsy during their bar crawl, then opt for mani-pedis and great food afterward. This affordable yet memorable bachelorette party will create memories for years to come.

Staycation

Does your bachelorette party need to be short and sweet? A staycation is an amazing opportunity to have a vacation away from home. Plan a fun night or two for you and your gals at a local nearby hotel, and let your inner child embrace the ultimate sleepover! The opportunities are endless with matching pajamas, themed games, and slumber party snacks.

Tea Party

Host your very own tea party! A low key but still celebratory event, a tea party can be a great last-minute option for guests who won’t be in town until a couple of days before the wedding. From customized napkins and tea favors, a tea party can still be customized to your needs for a personalized feel. Cousins and college friends can break the ice over scones, petit fours, and tea for an untraditional yet memorable time. This easy to execute idea makes it one of the best bachelorette party ideas for 2019.

City Stay

You don’t have to go to Sin City for your bachelorette weekend! While Vegas is the perfect destination for some, consider traveling to other cities for a more intimate experience. A fun weekend trip to Nashville or Portland might be the ideal bachelorette party, packed with tons of cool restaurants, shopping, and bar crawls. In addition, choosing a city in between old college friends makes it easier for everyone to gather together. Get your itineraries ready and book your next trip. And while hitting a night on the town, don’t forget your on-site hair and makeup!

Plan the Perfect Bachelorette Party Today

So what are you waiting for? With plenty of options to choose from, start brainstorming your perfect bachelorette weekend now.

** (Hero mage via https://www.winemag.com)

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Summer Beauty Trends to Try at Home

On hot summer days, you might feel like throwing your beauty routine right out the window. Through the sweating and the swimming, it can be hard to keep anything on your face. On top of that, humid summer temps can wreak havoc on your hair. Don’t worry, though– the summer heat isn’t impossible to beat! We’re sharing some of the latest at-home trends to help keep your beauty game on point this summer.

Photo by Jesse Schoff on Unsplash

At-Home Glow

Summer is all about being outside and enjoying the warm weather, but with sun exposure sometimes comes sunburns. So, if you plan on basking in the warm rays for hours at a time, it’s probably a good idea to update your skin care routine to include products that contain SPF.

While you’re at it, take a look at the ingredients in all of the beauty products you use daily. Recycle old or toxic items and replace them with safe beauty products that can improve your health. If you update your collection before summer, you can protect your skin, prevent sunburns, and live a healthier lifestyle.

Do you want healthy, glowing skin, without the harmful rays? Research sunless self-tanners and choose a product that works best for your skin type. If you have dry, sensitive skin, look for a  moisturizing sunless tanner to nourish and improve skin texture. Some organic products contain antioxidants and vitamins (like A, B, and E,) which help fight signs of aging–and who doesn’t want that?

Sunless tanners allow you to develop gorgeous color without putting your skin’s health at risk. Plus, the at-home application process is easy and convenient–just make sure you read the labels and follow the directions before using the product.

Photo by GreenBlender.com

At-Home Sip

Forget ‘rise and shine,’ this summer is all about ‘rise and glow!’ Kick your morning routine off with a healthy smoothie that’s good for both you and your skin. Blend this latest trend right into your favorite smoothie recipe: Beauty Dust. What is it? Good question. Beauty dust is an edible, powdered blend of plant-derived herbs and vitamins that help improve the appearance of your skin and hair.

A trend like this seems too good to be true, but beauty dust is a tasty and easy way to improve the look of your skin. GreenBlender’s Purple Beauty Dust Delight smoothie recipe is full of natural ingredients that help boost your immune system and energy level. For people who don’t get enough vitamin-C, this recipe provides a healthy dose to improve your health. You can also thank this recipe in advance for improving collagen production and giving your skin a gorgeous, summer glow!

Photo by Miguel Del Sol on Unsplash

At-Home Spa

No, you’re not dreaming. According to reputable doctors, feeling stressed out really does affect the appearance of your skin. There are multiple ways stress upsets your skin, but a common culprit is the release of inflammatory chemicals that cause inflammation. Manage your stress with this relaxing trend: an at-home spa.

Do yourself a favor and set aside some time each day to practice self-care. One soothing way to do this is creating a spa-like oasis right at home. Summer is one of the best seasons for large-scale remodeling projects, so think about how you can modify your bathroom (or even an outdoor area) to feel more relaxing. A jetted tub or steam shower are excellent options for relieving pain and creating a spa-like atmosphere to help you de-stress. 

If you’re like most people, installing a new bathtub probably isn’t something you know how to do–or at the very least, not something you can accomplish as safely, quickly, and correctly as an experienced pro can. So, save yourself even more stress from potential DIY-related errors, and find a licensed plumber to complete your tub or shower installation.

Once your project is complete, you can enjoy all the mental and physical benefits that accompany soaking in a jetted tub. Aromatherapy can help reduce inflammation and stress; which can help improve the health of your skin and hair. Don’t just dump oils into your bath–educate yourself on how to safely add essential oils to your bath so you don’t end up irritating your skin. Summer is a difficult time of year to maintain a fresh, hydrated glow. While you soak, give your face some love with a natural, hydrating face mask. An at-home spa can relax your body and mind, leave your skin soft and hydrated, and allow you to relax anytime you need, right at home.  

If you want to unwind and take care of yourself (especially in the heat) incorporate these trends, as well as any other ones you enjoy, into your routine this summer!

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Taking The Mystery Out Of Myths: Dispelling Old Wives’ Tales About Beauty Rituals

Dispelling Old Wives’ Tales About Beauty Rituals

“Beauty is pain” is an age-old expression used to rationalize the great lengths women endure to uphold or bolster their appearance. Beliefs like this can come at a cost and send conflicting messages that make it difficult to navigate the realm of beauty. 

Consider some of the old wives’ tales regarding beauty that have been passed down through generations, like: “If you pluck grey hairs, more will grow back,” or, “You can shrink your pores by splashing cold water on your face.” Combine those with the proclaimed “top tips” from magazines, and the overwhelming amount of cosmetic advertisements that continuously surface, and the beauty realm quickly turns into a game of Two Truths and a Lie — where a player tells two truths and one lie, and we’re left to determine which statement is, in fact, the false one.

So to help preserve your well-being (and sanity), we’re unraveling widespread beauty myths to help you find the best approaches to your beauty regimen and to know which ones to avoid.

Perpetual misconceptions about makeup

Makeup is a form of art that serves as an outlet for self-expression and creativity at any age. For many, the first experience with makeup can feel like a rite of passage or transition into womanhood. From this moment on, we are given endless pointers on the “shoulds” and “should nots” of choosing and applying makeup, which follow us throughout adulthood. But there comes the point where advice turns illusory.

Did you know that many believe women over a certain age should not use glittery or shimmery makeup like eyeshadow? Previous studies show a significant shift in makeup usage as a woman ages, noting that women start using less eyeshadow as they approach the age of 45, due to the belief that sparkles draw attention to fine lines and wrinkles. 

However, shimmery shades can breathe life into the eyes of any age! The key to making your makeup look just as good at 40 as it did at 20 is using a moisturizer prior to applying makeup. Moisturizer hydrates the skin which smooths the appearance of fine lines. Not to mention moisturizers that contain SPF can protect against wrinkle-causing sun damage. Regardless, beauty is in the eye of the beholder, so don’t be afraid to experiment with your look and express yourself with colors and shades that represent your unique personality, no matter your age.

Image via Pixabay

Influencer impact on beauty trends and myths

Much of our beauty inspiration and beloved products come from social media marketing by today’s top beauty influencers. It’s no surprise then, that Kylie Jenner, one of the most influential faces of the makeup industry, attributes her success of becoming the youngest self-made billionaire to her online presence and 175 million-plus followers. Unfortunately, social media can backfire, and in this instance, unintentionally spark a dangerous beauty trend that further supported the myth that lip plumpers work.

Seeing as Kylie Jenner’s claim to fame is undoubtedly her luscious lips, followers were quick to jump on the Kylie Jenner Lip Challenge in pursuit of a perfect pout. The idea behind the challenge is to place a small cup over the lips while sucking out air in a vacuum effect to achieve fuller looking lips. But experts warn against DIY lip plumping. Not only does the KJLC pose a significant risk of swelling, bruising and scarring, but even glosses advertised as “lip plumpers” are also harmful as they contain ingredients that irritate the lips inducing temporarily swelling. “The only products that can plump your lips are injectable fillers containing hyaluronic acid, like Juvéderm’s Volbella,” according to world-renowned cosmetic dermatologist Michele Green, MD.

Image by Getty via People

Homemade hacks and natural remedies

Rumor has it that a dab of toothpaste on a pesky pimple will banish the blemish. While there is some method to this madness, it can actually do more harm than good. The idea behind this beauty myth? Certain ingredients in toothpaste have a drying effect which may decrease inflammation and appear to shrink the size of a pimple. However, toothpaste is more of a foe than friend to our skin. Toothpaste has a high probability of irritating the skin through burning or over-drying. Additionally, dry skin triggers oil production leading to further breakouts. If breakouts are becoming a burden, or you want to prevent pimples from forming in the first place, you’re better off seeking out a prescription acne treatment or medication. But the rumor mill doesn’t stop at our skin — it extends to our hair and nails too.

They say the only time a woman is helpless is when her nail polish is drying, and if one thing is for sure, it’s just that. There’s nothing more frustrating than ruining a perfectly polished pedicure or manicure. Amid the quest to minimize nail polish drying time stems the myth that ice-cold water will dry your nail polisher faster. But patience is a virtue, which is why you won’t find yourself soaking your nails in ice water at a salon. “Getting polish to dry requires evaporation of solvents, which can’t happen when your nails are submerged in water,” affirms nail expert Lauren B. of luxury polish brand Lauren B. Beauty. “Ice water may only harden the top layer of your polish, which will leave the underlying layers wet and prone to dents.”

Speaking of luxury... high-end products and beauty industry professionals provide greater peace of mind and a better bang for your buck than the majority of DIY remedies. Which is why hair stylists and experts have remarked on the hair hack that lemon juice is effective for lightening hair, which turns out to be a half-truth at best. Rachel Bodt, a senior colorist at Cutler/Redken salon, maintains “natural lightening really only works if you have fair hair with a fine texture to begin with.” Bodt goes on to explain that if you have dark brown or black hair, lemon juice and other DIY natural recipes won't lighten your hair. Even worse, the acidity of lemon juice can damage hair. So if you’re thinking of going blonde for the summer, or more importantly, for a big event like your wedding, hire a trusted stylist.

Image by Lucas Tomaszewski via Creoflick

It’s hard to resist the temptation to jump on the bandwagon when it comes to beauty trends and tips. After all, we love shortcuts and anything else that appears to make our lives easier. But if we readily believe and rely on hearsay, we can wind up sabotaging our wellbeing by damaging our skin, hair, and nails. Above all, our health should be our number one priority, so stay informed before trying any beauty hacks by researching ingredients and talking with a medical or beauty industry professional.

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Inside the Exciting New World of Plus-Size Beauty and Makeup

Inside the Exciting New World of Plus-Size Beauty and Makeup

Beauty comes in all shapes and sizes, but you’d never be able to tell that from flipping through the pages of your typical fashion magazine. Up until recently, beauty campaigns fronted by plus-size models were a rarity. And although plus-size models in fashion have been thriving as of late, it’s been a slower climb for their makeup industry counterparts. 

Indeed, most beauty diversity movements have been centered around race, gender, and age. We’ve got transgender models walking runways, and models of color like Nyakim Gatwetch making headlines. However, the same can’t be said for size inclusivity in the world of makeup. It’s alarming to think that this is all despite the fact that 68% of women in America are in the plus-size range. But what exactly has kept the industry from evolving for so long? 

A long time coming

In fashion and beauty, brands have profited from telling people what they should do, feel, or look like. Unfortunately, not everyone can force themselves into a mold, and what happens is they end up underserved and under-represented. Body positive fashion company Woman Within emphasizes the importance of helping women love what they wear — a gap that is being addressed by more and more clothing brands today. In the past, plus-size consumers have struggled finding stylish clothes outside the realm of billowy shirts and baggy pants. But although it’s been a welcome change, size inclusivity feels even more revolutionary for beauty. While fashion companies get standing ovations for extending their range or featuring curvy models, beauty brands don’t. And when bodies aren’t involved in advertising imagery, why bother? 

Plus-size model Philomena Kwao states that a lot of it has to do with make-up brands refusing to challenge norms. “I’ve never been [casted] for commercial work,” she told The New York Times. “People are scared to try something new. It’s like, ‘I have a formula, why change it?’” But every person has a body, and every person has a face. Each one should be represented when it comes to any product.

Breaking barriers, one brand at a time

Fortunately, there are some make-up brands that are redefining beauty. Last year, Sephora released its most progressive campaign yet, featuring a diverse roster of their own employees of different sizes, races, and ages. 

Sephora Diversity Campaign.
Credit: Racked

Wet n Wild's Breaking Beauty campaign is another one worth an honorable mention. Their line-up of personalities includes a model with albinism, a transgender model, and weightlifter/plus-size model Brianna Marquez. 

#BreakingBeauty by Wet n Wild.
Credit: Art-Dept.com

Prior to that, cult beauty brand Glossier broke the internet with their Body Hero campaign, fronted by plus-size model Paloma Elsesser. According to Elsesser, it was a milestone both for the industry and herself, having grown up without a role model to identify with. “I didn’t even know plus-sized modeling was a thing,” she told People. “Growing up, people would say, ‘You have such a pretty face.’ It’s backhanded, but we have to stomach it.”

Caption: Paloma Elsesser for Glossier
Credit: Glossier

Small steps towards progress

At the moment, size inclusivity and diversity are having their moment. But in truth, these movements mean more to people than just being the next hottest trend or marketing ploy. While there are risks like tokenism, Elsesser feels that the end more than justifies the means. “We have to tokenize in order to normalize,” she argues. “The more that we see one Asian model, one black model, one plus-size model, it’s like people are dipping their toes, and the other foot goes in and then we’re neck deep and we just have to continue until it’s just not a ‘thing.’”

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Beauty Services for Professional Headshots

Professional Headshots in 2024

For many companies, updating their headshots is a monthly or quarterly recurrence. When you think about all of the platforms in which we are required to be on stage, such as Linkedin, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, professional online forums and more - it’s no wonder we are constantly striving to be our best.

Maybe you think this isn’t for you or that you’ve never had a headshot done. It’s possible you think that no one is looking or you’ll never need a headshot in your professional career. If so, you may be making a mistake. As mentioned above, you can point to countless social media profiles which often times feature blurry or inappropriate profile pictures (or worse, no photo at all!). This certainly affects whether you’ll even engage with an individual or collaborate with them. After all, if someone can’t take a decent photo, how can I trust them with my budget?

A nice headshot can also be useful in these situations

• Your email account

• Your email signature

• Your personal website or portfolio

• Your guest posts or bylines

• Your company bio that is internal or in welcome information to the rest of the company.

• Your entire professional life.

Corporate Beauty Services

WarPaint International offers hair and makeup artistry services for corporate and small business photography needs. We even have photographer relationships to incorporate a package into our solutions for your business. A sample of the type of businesses we work with to provide corporate hair and makeup services in conjunction with photography or photo-driven events are:

• Real estate firms/brokerages

• Mortgage & insurance companies

• Hotels & resorts

• Magazines & media

• Retail brands & store/company bio projects

• Sales conventions

• Travel agencies

• Downtown councils, private organizations, & more.

Corporate Beauty Membership

WarPaint International also offers beauty membership to business and corporate clients. When your business has the need for professional hair stylists and makeup artists on location, on a regular basis, we can offer a team of Artisans every month or quarter to help your business look the part at our best possible pricing packages.

Why?

Business class service at preferred pricing. Schedule Hair & Makeup Artists, on demand, for corporate projects, office parties, events, galas, or even to gift to employees. Your yearly membership ensures value and world-class service. Save up to 20% with a corporate membership.

Who?

Membership is designed for independent business owners, agencies, media companies, firms, large corporations - even photographers and models and need our team often. Or anyone who’s business puts headshots on business cards, benches and more.

Valerie Doleman | Sherman & Associates.

Corporate Membership Cost

Corporate Beauty Members tend to use us for for headshots, Friday office parties (demos or beauty bars), gifts to their out-of-town superiors, esteemed hotel guests, celebrities, and more.

Annual contracts are customized to your business, so inquire today.

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Are You Thinking about headshots for your business? Have You been to an event that offers lipstick touch-ups or beauty bars? View our corporate beauty services.

A Personal Journey Towards Safe Beauty Products

Jennifer’s story: Beautycounter

When it comes to beauty, you’ve likely heard buzz words like: natural, organic, cleaner, safer, green, and non-toxic. But what does this really mean, and why would someone who has built a career in the health and wellness industry get involved? 

As the co-creator of the top-performing class format and Teacher Training program at one of the largest yoga and fitness company’s in the world, I’m grateful to be the Director of Programming and Teacher Training at a Twin Cities-based company where I create class formats and develop accredited teacher training programs and workshops that allow movement enthusiasts to take their teaching and practices to the next level. When I first stepped onto a yoga mat, I instantly connected with the physical and mental benefits of the practice, as well as the extraordinary teachers and students. The Twin Cities yoga community inspired me to leave corporate cube life and dive into a full-time health and wellness gig.

So, you’d think I’m “healthy”, right? Me too. 

Childhood symptoms

Since the age of 10 or 11, I’ve suffered from debilitating migraines, which 85% of women suffer from. There was a point in my life where I was in and out of the hospital every other week and wondered how I’d finish high school or go to college. After visiting countless doctors, and mostly due to my personal research, I was able to pinpoint the role hormones played in my sickness - 80% of women suffer from hormonal imbalance.

At my wits end, and at the encouragement of a natural doctor, I started to learn the severe impact the products I slather on my body everyday could be having on my hormones – and my overall health. To put it lightly, I was furious! As human beings, we’re taught to believe that if we workout and eat well, we’re healthy, so when I learned that the last notable law regarding the safety of what I use on my largest organ every single day was passed over 80 years ago and bans a measly 30 ingredients out of the hundreds of thousands on the market, I had to take action. It’s 2019 in the US. This is a common-sense issue like no smoking on airplanes and seatbelts in cars! 

 Beautycounter. A safer way to beauty

Simply put, I joined a company that’s fighting every single day to regulate those buzz words. Enter Beautycounter - it changed my life. They are advocating for more health-protective laws in the largest consumer industry and that are providing safe, high-performing product options.

Some other organizations tried to blaze the way. Since 2004, there has been a movement called “Campaign for Safe Cosmetics” which has used smarts and sass to pressure the cosmetics industry to make safer products.

The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics coalition, a project of Breast Cancer Prevention Partners (formerly the Breast Cancer Fund), works to protect the health of consumers, workers and the environment through public education and engagement, corporate accountability and sustainability campaigns and legislative advocacy designed to eliminate dangerous chemicals linked to adverse health impacts from cosmetics and personal care products.

The Campaign has educated millions of people about the problem of toxic chemicals in cosmetics, which has led to an increased demand for safer products in the marketplace. Now hundreds of cosmetic companies fully disclose ingredients and avoid the use of cancer-causing chemicals, reproductive toxicants and other unsafe chemicals, demonstrating these practices are not only possible, but profitable. Retailers, too, are becoming part of the solution by requiring the national brands they sell to eliminate chemicals of concern and practice a higher level of ingredient transparency.

It’s progress, but we have a very long way to go in the United States with our journey towards safe beauty products…

Change was imminent

I had no choice. I did my research and changed this one simple aspect of my life to help carve the way for healthier living. My journey to safe beauty products pointed to Beautycounter for a few reasons. I crave connection with passionate, like-minded women, I saw an opportunity to work to pay off my pricey private school degree while making a significant social impact, and because I haven’t been this passionate about anything since becoming a fitness and yoga teacher.

BUT, change also happened because of these daunting and debilitating reasons.

• I’ve suffered from unexplained debilitating migraines for almost two decades.

• I care about my body and take care of myself by exercising and eating in moderation.

• I’ve been lucky enough to make a career in the fitness industry and had NO clue the garbage I was slathering on my body every single day.

• My hormones are already crazy enough without using products that could disrupt them even more.

• Infertility is way too close to me and could be me (because…I was to control the controllable).

• Everyone has someone close to them who died way too young from the C word (big love, sweet Allie).

• Our government has not passed a meaningful federal law regulating personal care products since 1938.

• The current legislation is less than two pages long and has sizable loopholes.

• This legislation bans a measly 30 ingredients (compared to 1500+ in the EU), allowing products that contain potentially harmful toxins onto our counters and into our cabinets.

• I can be a voice in this crucial mission.

• We ALL deserve better.

• When we know better, we do better.

Because Beautycounter was the #1 trending beauty brand of 2018.

To see what chemicals the products that you use every day may contain, try the EWG’s Skin Deep Cosmetic Database.

Jennifer Wieck

Supporting the mission to get safe products in the hands of everyone.

Safe Beauty

The Never List™

Beautycounter produces “The Never List” on their website. I’ve dropped those items below here so you can see some of the things we allow to be consumed in our daily routines that have long-term health affects for you and your family. The list is about 1500 products deep globally; the United States only bans 30 of them. Many of these product are cancer-causing and we let our skin soak them in every day of our lives. In an un-related article, you may find it interesting that dogs can detect cancer.

Just say no. Support the journey towards safe beauty products.

Benzalkonium Chloride
A disinfectant used as a preservative and surfactant associated with severe skin, eye, and respiratory irritation and allergies. Found in: sunscreens, moisturizers.

Butylatedhydroxy Anisole and Butylated Hydroxytoluene
Synthetic antioxidants used to extend shelf life. They are likely carcinogens and hormone disruptors and may cause liver damage. Found in: lipsticks, moisturizers, diaper creams, and other cosmetics.

Coal tar hair dyes and other coal tar ingredients
A byproduct of coal processing that is a known carcinogen. It is used as a colorant and an anti-dandruff agent. Found in: hair dye, shampoo.

Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA)
A chelating (binding) agent added to cosmetics to improve stability. May be toxic to organs. Found in: hair color, moisturizers.

Ethanolamines (MEA/DEA/TEA)
Surfactants and pH adjuster linked to allergies, skin toxicity, hormone disruption, and inhibited fetal brain development. Found in: hair dyes, mascara, foundation, fragrances, sunscreens, dry cleaning solvents, paint, pharmaceuticals.

Formaldehyde
Used as a preservative in cosmetics. A known carcinogen that is also linked to asthma, neurotoxicity, and developmental toxicity. Present where quaternium-15, DMDM hydantoin, imidazolidinyl urea, diazolidinyl urea, sodium hydroxymethylglycinate, 2-bromo-2-nitropropane-1,3 diol (Bronopol), and several other preservatives are listed. Found in: shampoo, body wash, bubble bath.

Hydroquinone
A skin-lightening chemical that inhibits the production of melanin and is linked to cancer, organ toxicity, and skin irritation. Found in: skin-lightening creams.

Methylisothiazolinone and methylchloroisothiazolinone
Chemical preservatives that are among the most common irritants, sensitizers, and causes of contact skin allergies. Found in: shampoo, conditioner, body wash.

Oxybenzone
Sunscreen agent and ultraviolet light absorber linked to irritation, sensitization and allergies, and possible hormone disruption. Found in: sunscreen, moisturizer.

Parabens (methyl-, isobutyl-, propyl- and others)
A class of preservatives commonly used to prevent the growth of bacteria and mold. Parabens are endocrine (or hormone) disruptors, which may alter important hormone mechanisms in our bodies. Found in: shampoo, face cleanser, body wash, body lotion, foundation.

Phthalates (DBP, DEHP, DEP and others)
A class of plasticizing chemicals used to make products more pliable or to make fragrances stick to skin. Phthalates disrupt the endocrine system and may cause birth defects. Found in: synthetic fragrance, nail polish, hairspray, and plastic materials.

Polyethylene glycol (PEG compounds)
PEGs are widely used in cosmetics as thickeners, solvents, softeners, and moisture-carriers. Depending on manufacturing processes, PEGs may be contaminated with measurable amounts of ethylene oxide and 1,4-dioxane, which are both carcinogens. Found in: creams, sunscreen, shampoo.

Retinyl palmitate and Retinol (Vitamin A)
A nutrient that may damage DNA and speed the growth of skin tumors when used topically. Found in: moisturizer, anti-aging skincare.

Sodium Lauryl Sulfate and Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLS and SLES)
SLS and SLES are surfactants that can cause skin irritation or trigger allergies. SLES is often contaminated with 1,4-dioxane, a byproduct of a petrochemical process called ethoxylation, which is used to process other chemicals in order to make them less harsh. Found in: shampoo, body wash, bubble bath.

Synthetic flavor or fragrance
An engineered scent or flavoring agent that may contain any combination of 3,000-plus stock chemical ingredients, including hormone disruptors and allergens. Fragrance formulas are protected under federal law’s classification of trade secrets and therefore can remain undisclosed. Found in: all types of cosmetics.

Toluene
A volatile petrochemical solvent that is toxic to the immune system and can cause birth defects. Found in: nail polish.

Triclosan and Triclocarban
Antimicrobial pesticides toxic to the aquatic environment; may also impact human reproductive systems. Found in: liquid soap, soap bars, toothpaste.

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5 Essential Products for Makeup Beginners

5 Essential Products for Makeup Beginners

Whether you’ve just entered the world of beauty products or you’re looking to brush up on your makeup skills, knowing what to include in your essentials kit is the first step in becoming a makeup pro. Once you have the basics sorted, you can move on to finding more unique variations of your favorite makeup and create your own style.

In this post, we’ll take a look at some of the basic items that you can pick up from the beginning. We’ve also included a bit of information on each product, as well as a few recommendations to help you get started. So, without further ado, here are the essentials that you should have on hand for your daily routine.

Foundation and Concealer

When it comes to achieving a tone and level of concealment that you like, these two important ingredients should be number one on your shopping list. Starting off, your foundation should be light and natural. The last thing you want to do as a beginner is cake your face with too much makeup.

CC Cream is a great option that provides sufficient coverage. Maybelline and IT Cosmetics are two affordable and reliable brands to check out for your foundation and concealer needs. Be sure to apply a light amount starting off and don’t forget to cover around your eyes and below your jawline.

Eyelash Extensions

Unlike mascara and fake lashes, extensions last for up to a month with good maintenance and can help you achieve a fuller, longer and more versatile look without much fuss. The Lash Professional offers a comprehensive range of high quality, affordable eyelash extension supplies to help you get started. They also have a professional guide on everything you need to know about eyelash extensions.

Primer

If you want to achieve a smoother skin texture and fill in any lines or blemishes before applying foundation, pick up some primer. Application is simple and easy, requiring nothing more than a good brush. Here are some tips to help you apply primer like a pro.

Brushes

Leave your fingers for the moisturizer and pick up a good set of brushes for all your makeup applications. A brush makes applying and blending makeup a much more efficient, effective and hygienic process. It’s also easier to mix and match different tones and colors. BH Cosmetics has a pretty solid range of brushes for you to get started with. Sigma Beauty also has a great line up with something for everyone.

Sigma Beauty Dimensional Brush Set

An Eyebrow Kit

Natural brows are awesome but still require some maintenance. A simple set including tweezers, scissors, brushes and a pencil is all you need if you’re blessed with great looking eyebrows. Unfortunately, this isn’t the case for all of us and a bit of help from a more advanced brow kit is often necessary. Here’s a list with some great eyebrow kits for beginners.

Now that you have the essentials, it’s time to dive into the rabbit hole of makeup kits. The countless variety of products will inevitably be a little overwhelming at first, but with enough experience and know-how, you’ll eventually get the hang of it. Just don’t get too carried away - makeup can be expensive!

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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! Happy New Year! 

2019 Makeup Trends

Makeup Trends for 2019

Happy 2019! I am so excited to share some of my favorite makeup trends that you’ll be seeing a lot of this year. 

“When this year’s Pantone color of the year was announced I was really excited as coral is a great way to give yourself a fresh pick me up!”

— Jessica Mae

Before we dive in, I encourage you to keep an open mind and know that trends aren’t for everyone. I’m a huge proponent to taking something mainstream and making it your own, so as you read through these trends think about fun ways to incorporate them that are authentic to who YOU are. This year you will notice the common theme of pops of color, some fun with glitter and neutral tones on the eyes. So let's do this! But first, follow me on Facebook for my live tutorials and product reviews. 

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The Power Lip

For me, nothing turns my day around or puts me into state quite like a power lip! One of my ultimate favs to rock is Nevermore from Elixery. If you’re new to a bold lip and feel intimidated… try sheering out the color with some clear gloss to make it a bit more translucent and less of a pow when you’re getting a feel for what works for you with this look. Another tip … when rocking a power lip the intention is that our lips are the statement piece, honor that by making the rest of your makeup more subdued.

Power Lip!

Bring out your inner boss babe in 2019!

Purchase Nevermore HERE

Pantone Color of the Year: Living Coral.

When this year’s Pantone color of the year was announced I was really excited as coral is a great way to give yourself a fresh pick me up! I’ve found the easiest way to do this is to pop some coral onto the lips and cheeks. My favorite product is Ingenue lipstick from Elixery Cosmetics in Minneapolis. It’s the perfect coral shade for most skin tones and bonus…it doubles as a cheek stain! Who doesn’t love that? If your’e feeling a little extra, find your favorite coral shadow and pop some on your lids too! Tip: if you’re new to using a lipstick as a cheek stain start by putting a little on your finger tips and patting it onto the apples of your cheeks. Then blend blend blend. A little goes a long way.

All. The. Glitter.

I know what you’re thinking…”glitter? really?”. Yes, really! Glitter is a super fun way to add a little pop of glam to your look. It can get out of hand so that’s why I recommend practicing in a controlled environment preferably away from fans and small children…haha I’m kidding. But really, glitter can get crazy so I do recommend the Statement Palette from Beauty Counter. This is an awesome palette that has a mixture of matte and shimmer shadows, but it also has an awesome glitter shadow that is pretty much fool proof.

Tip: Sweep a little of Beauty Counter’s Crown on your lids alone for a fun glitter look that’s appropriate for the office or anywhere you plan to be!

No Makeup, Makeup

This trend has been gaining popularity for the last couple of years and 2019 will be no exception. I personally love this look for everything, it lets the world see the true beauty that you are! My favorite 3 products to create this look are:

• Tint Skin from Beauty Counter

• Volumizing Mascara from Beauty Counter

• Collagen Lip Boost from Skin Savvy (bonus, it has SPF 30!)

Beautiful You

Showcase your natural beauty!

Purchase Product

Taupe Smokey Eyes.

You’ll be seeing a lot of neutral tones on the eyes in 2019. My favorite is this new take on an oldie but goodie, the smokey eye. Typically a smokey eye includes tones of greys, charcoals and black, but this year we are seeing taupe as the the smokey element to this look. I personally feel this makes a smokey eye look way more versatile because neutral taupe tones are a lot softer and can be worn at work but also works for night on the town. You can keep the smoke nice and light or deepen it for a more dramatic effect as well. To perfect this look I love the Classic Palette from Beauty Counter.

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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! Happy New Year! 

How To Keep Your Makeup From Running When You're Sweaty

How to keep makeup from running

Any woman who’s performed in front of a crowd knows how stressful it can be. The human body is a marvelous, powerful thing, but it tends to react in the extreme when we’re faced with any stress of our own. This leads to one of makeup’s biggest enemies: sweat.

When makeup is up against so many odds from bright, hot lights to sweaty skin, how do you keep your makeup looking it’s best? How do celebrities preserve their perfect looks on the red carpets and when it’s heating up on sets? What about the performers and dancers of the world who break a sweat during their time on stage? Here are tips from the experts for keeping your makeup from running when you’re sweaty.

Start with a primer

If your makeup doesn’t have the right base, it’ll be more likely to slide right off your face. Just like when you paint a wall in your house, you have to start with a fresh coat of primer. While your face isn’t exactly a wall, the same principle applies. If you’re prone to oily skin or excessive sweat, you especially should consider using a primer.

When selecting a face primer, opt for one built for your skin type. If you’re prone to oil, choose a mattifying or smoothing primer which will keep your face from getting that shiny look. If you have a lot of redness, opt for a color correcting primer with green undertones.

Choose your foundation wisely

You don’t want to overdo it with your foundation when you’re likely to be sweating. For example, if it’s the height of summer on your wedding day, don’t go for the heaviest coverage you can find. These will only bleed down your face throughout the day. Instead, opt for powder or airbrush makeup. Powder makeup is lighter and stays put much more effectively than liquid foundation.

Additionally, airbrush makeup provides consistent, moderate coverage without appearing heavy. Because it’s applied in a very fine mist, it has a stronger staying power. Airbrushed makeup lasts longer and feels lighter. Because it allows your pores to breath, you’re less likely to feel overheated throughout the day.

Don’t listen to makeup that claims to be sweat-proof. Natural, high-quality makeup is naturally sweat-proof. Because it contains talc as a binding agent, it has natural abilities to stick to your skin without sliding throughout the day. This is yet another reason to be meticulous when selecting the right foundation for your needs.

Set your makeup

Finally, your makeup needs to be set after application to guarantee it stays where you want it. Using a setting powder will help absorb any excess oil and sweat, so it’s a great first layer. Aside from setting powder, a setting spray will add another barrier between your makeup and the outside world.

Look for a setting spray that doesn’t have any alcohol on the ingredients list. Using a setting spray with alcohol is drying to the face which can cause cracks in your foundation. You wouldn’t risk driving without insurance, would you? Why would you waste your makeup without setting it with powder and spray?

Be prepared to blot

No matter what you do, some sweat might still sneak through. This is okay if you’re prepared with the right tools for touching up your look. It might be tempting to jump right to re-applying your makeup when you see signs of it slipping, but don’t start there. It’s smarter to blot with oil blotting paper or a paper towel to get rid of excessive oil before you touch up your look. If you skip this step, there won’t be much for your makeup to stick to.

Look to the pros

Finally, take a hint from the professionals. Dancers, for example, rock their full-faces of makeup despite harsh lights and high stress. They use professional-level makeup to make sure they have perfect performances every time. Alexandra has the perfect dance shoes just as professional dancers use high-quality makeup and professional application.

If you’re planning for your big day, whether it’s a performance or even your wedding day, you might consider professional help. A qualified makeup artist can help you establish a sweat-proof beauty routine. In the meantime, use the tips above to keep your face looking fresh all day long.

The Bachelor's Emily Simms Real Wedding Story

The Bachelor's Emily Simms And Pierre Ghougassian's Get Married

Wedding Date: August 17th, 2018
Guests: 100
Wedding Budget: $55,000, with a number of collaborations.

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The Love Story

How did you and your partner meet?

Pierre and I first met at Pontoon, a trendy bar on St Kilda beach (the old Riva). I went there with my friend Anna (one of my bridesmaids), and as soon as we walked in, she said, “oh there’s my friend Pierre at the bar!”.  Turns out she used to be very good friends with a girl that dated Pierre for 2 years, about 9 years ago.

How did he propose?

Pierre’s birthday is the 14th of February, Valentine’s Day, and I had arranged to take him out for dinner at The George on Collins.  He suggested we get a nice photo out the front before we go in.  So, we asked a nice passerby if they could please take a photo for us.  He then turned to me and proposed.  The lady taking our photo, switched it to video mode, so we have both photos and videos of the gorgeous moment.

ATEIA Photography & Video.

The wedding

How did you find the experience of planning a wedding? From where did you take your inspiration?

I was always very clear about what I wanted, and Pierre likes my taste, so he trusted me in choosing everything.  As we only got engaged in February, and our wedding was August, we decided on things very quickly.  The style I went with, was glamorous and a sort of antique feel.  The George Ballroom where our reception was, is simply stunning, so not much needed to be done to the room.  We had simple garlands down the centre of the long tables, and arrangements around the welcome sign, seating chart, bar and wedding cake.  I did find all of the planning incredibly stressful at times, as I was doing everything by myself.  It is like a full-time job!  So much coordinating, and of course every bride wants it to all go perfectly, so the stress of that all adds up.

Please describe your wedding ceremony: Where was it?

Our ceremony was on the balcony of the Melbourne Town Hall.  I loved the columns, and I found it in keeping with the style of The George Ballroom.  I really wanted everything to flow nicely. 

How many guests were there? 

We had exactly 100 guests. We wanted only our closest friends and family there.

Did it involve anything unusual? 

I suppose the only thing considered unusual was that our wedding was very bitter sweet for us.  My beautiful older brother had taken his own life only 3 weeks prior to our wedding, so it was incredibly difficult, and when it first happened, I couldn’t even comprehend the thought of a wedding.  But I like to think he was there, shining down on us.  It was also the only day that week of really beautiful weather (for the middle of August!), and I like to think that was Michael’s doing.

Where was your reception held?

Our reception was at The George Ballroom in St Kilda, with 100 guests. The George is simply amazing.  It is by far the most beautiful venue I think I have seen in Melbourne.  The way they have restored it is so divine, it was the perfect setting for our wedding day.

Did you employ a certain style or theme for the day?

I tried to stick with a glamorous, old world sort of theme.  I was adamant about there being no black, and there wasn’t any at all.  Everything was white, cream, soft pinks and rich, deep pinks.  The florist really outdid herself!  The cutlery, the napkins, everything just worked exactly the way I had hoped it would.

Please describe your bridal gown, your husband’s suit and your bridesmaids’ dresses:

My gown was designed and made by Tanya Didenko Bridal Couture. I have dealt with Tanya for 3 years now.  She has made me some stunning dresses to wear to various events over the past few years, so it was a no brainer that I would go to her for my wedding dress.  I never tried on any wedding dress at all.  I went to her with photos of different designs that I liked, and took inspiration from each of them.  She knows me quite well now, knows my body shape and knows my style, so it all worked really well. The groomsmen’s suits were made by Remy, who is actually Pierre’s youngest brother.  He owns a bespoke tailoring business, situated in Sydney.  The bridesmaids’ dresses were all designed by Love Honor.  I sent them through a number of inspiration shots, and they made them exactly as we had discussed, and they fit the girls perfectly.

Please describe your flowers (colour, variety, type of bouquet):

I told the lovely Nat from Foxy Evergreen, that I didn’t want standard flowers.  I can’t stand your average old rose.  I was quite specific about that.  The one flower I told her I absolutely wanted, was phalaenopsis orchids in a magenta sort of colour.  And no Australian natives!  All whites, soft pinks, deep pinks and lots of greenery.  I also told her I didn’t like a posy of flowers.  I like the cascading sort of look.  We couldn’t have been happier with her work.

Please describe your photographer’s services. Did you choose a certain style of photography (i.e. b&w, nostalgic, candid, photojournalism)?

Ramy from Ateia was amazing.  He was so easy to deal with, from start to end.  I think may words to him when we first met were, no 90’s style glamour shots please!  I’ve seen so many bridal shots that seem to go for this look, and that is definitely not our style.  I wanted it romantic, glamorous and fashionable, without looking dated.

Who did your make up?

I did my own. (Emily Simms makeup), my maid of honour did her own (though she isn’t actually a MUA).  Amelia Webb did Anna’s and Bec’s makeup.

ATEIA Photography & Video

What music or entertainment did you use/provide?

We chose Main Entertainment for all of our music.  We found Isaac via a Google search, and he was outstanding.  He has a beautiful voice, and sung live acoustics for our ceremony and during different parts of our reception. He then turned into a DJ later on in the night.  I can’t recommend him highly enough.  Not only is he incredibly talented, he is also a fantastic guy and great to deal with.

What cake did you choose and what did it look like?

We chose a cake from Nikos Cakes.  We went for 2 different layers, one vanilla citrus and one vanilla berry.  We opted against chocolate cakes, as we had some chocolate and coffee dessert canapés.  We chose the 3-tier cake, mostly because Nikos suggested that because both Pierre and I are quite tall.  I wasn’t sure what difference it made, but it did look great!  We had a white rendered cake, with gold foil on the bottom and top tier. 

Please describe your honeymoon:

We have just left arrived in Bali for our honeymoon, for 10 days. 4 nights in Ubud, the rest in Seminyak. Last month we went to LA, NYC and Toronto as a pre-honeymoon holiday, so we could only take a short trip after the wedding, due to work commitments.

What was the highlight of the day?

The highlight of the day, was definitely when we first saw each other down the aisle, and walking down the aisle with my dear old dad.  It was a beautiful moment, and one I will never forget.

Please share your best wedding advice:

My best advice is to make sure you know what you want, before you go talking to suppliers.  Scour the net, Pinterest etc, for inspo.  If you don’t know exactly what you are after, then I feel this is where confusion can start to creep in, and you become unsure if you’ve chosen the right thing or not.  You need to be clear and concise, so that you don’t feel disappointed on your big day.  Think about yours and your partner’s taste, and try your best to emulate that on your wedding day.

Congratulations!

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Wedding Vendor List

Hair: Rachel Vitullo
Makeup on Bec & Anna: Amelia Webb
Makeup on Emily: Emily Simms
Lashes on Emily: Melb Lashes
Skin Prep For Emily: Clinicalase
Tan on Emily: Le Tan
Bridesmaid Dresses: Love Honor
Shoes: Jeanette Maree
Headpiece: Jeanette Maree
Earrings: Shannakian Fine Jewellry
Cars: Tripple R
Cutlery: Gold Cutlery Hire
Napkins: Di Simmons
Suits: Remy

Emily’s Dress & Veil: Tanya Didenko
Photography: Ateia
Videography: C2 Films
Welcome Sign Printing: Inktank Printing
Sylting: Giant Invitations
Singer/Entertainment: Main Entertainment
Florist: Foxy Evergreen
Cake: Nikos Cakes
Graphic Design: Catsy Creative
Wedding Invitations: Bwedding Invitations
On The Day Stationary: Adorn Invitations
Emily’s Robe: Home Bodii

More Women Are Bringing Hair & Makeup To The Delivery Room

Birthing Center Beauty Services

More and more women are hiring beauty services on-site, in one place you might not have thought of - the delivery room. 

You might not think of yourself as a celebrity, or rather one who needs to be camera-ready 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, but whether you realize it or not we have all celebritized ourselves in some small way by living out our lives on social media. So when celebrity stars are booking beauty professionals to come into the birthing center to have their hair and makeup done, it might seem to be "too much" or not for you. The truth is, the trend took off quite some time ago and WarPaint International has been beautifying new moms for their after-delivery photo sessions for a couple of years now. And though we've worked with the wives of professional athletes from the Minnesota Vikings and Minnesota Wild, there are certainly women without A-list status booking WarPaint Artisans in the delivery room too. 

WPI Founder, Jessica Mae, started her mission with this beauty agency with the idea that Life is a stage - "Prepare For Battle". This growing trend of delivery room beauty services couldn't be more grounded in our tagline. 

When to book

Today we will always see new mothers sharing photos of their newborn baby in the delivery room, whether it be on social media, their photo albums on their phone or in their home. What image would you like your friends and family to see? There's simply no reason to LOOK like you just went through labor when you don't have to. 

“Hair is not the only focus - many moms are now also reporting calling in on-site makeup artists to finish the look in the delivery room. ”

Many women look back at their memories from the hospital and wish they would have looked a bit more put together, as they'll be sharing and reminiscing about those memories for the rest of their life. Maybe you'd like to hang it on your bedroom wall or in the baby's room. 

Media outlets across the United States have reported on the growing trend of stylists arriving at hospitals with their kits of curling irons, hair sprays, etc to style a new mom's hair after labor, but before photos. Hair is not the only focus though - many moms are now also reporting calling in on-site makeup artists to finish the look. Presumably you don't want to do it yourself...

Photo Credit: makeupbyalaha via US Magazine

So when is the time to call on these beauty professionals? Some women have their beauty team glam them up during labor because their focus is that moment directly after birth with their newborn baby. Some have hired a professional photographer to come into the delivery room sometime after birth to get newborn photos after they've decompressed from this major life event. The later seems like a less stressful plan, but it's entirely up to you and your baby.  

Look like yourself

If you follow the stars, you probably haven't forgotten Kate Middleton stepping out in high heels and with perfectly bouncy hair after delivering newborn Charlotte?  Other stars such as Beyonce emerged form childbirth with a head of voluminous, shiny curls while holding baby Blue Ivy years back.

PHOTO VIA ED BURKE FOR BEYONCE.COM

So let's be clear - you don't need to keep up with the Jones's. Celebrity personalities are followed by the media everywhere they go. Whether they look good or shabby, it's never quite right and always news-worthy. So they opt to be fabulous and drive the standard - whether they like it or not. It's just part of the job.

You're not a celebrity. So we've identified you're not a celebrity, therefore, it's not about waving at the cameras as you leave the birthing center. You want to look like you, but with a fresh face and nice hair. That's really the focus of what we're talking about here and as a professional beauty agency catering to these growing needs, this is where we come in. So what are our tips and advice for bringing on-site beauty services into the delivery room?

No lashes and bold colors

If your focus is to capture the memory than keep it all about you. You will already have a natural glow and smile that surfaces only once or twice in a lifetime. We would never prescribe a red carpet look or something you might do for a night on the town. That's not you - that's a version of you that isn't having a baby. Most of the clients that we work with in birthing centers keep it simple with a fresh, natural face and nicely manicured hairstyle.

Embrace the comfort 

It's true, some clients report that there is comfort in having beauty services done either during their delivery or directly after. Women that can't comprehend having this done often have the comment that they wouldn't want people in their face and it's too excessive, but for some the opposite is true. Some moms report feeling reduced nerves and actually being able to focus on the pampering vs the labor. For those that hire beauty-on-demand services to come in after childbirth with their photographer, there seems to be a whole new level of luxury and relaxation in the beautifying process. It's really all about making mom comfortable. 

Trust in your team

Should you opt for delivery room beauty services, you have to put trust in your team. You've sourced a professional or two.. you've hired them for the job. Now, just relax and let them take care of you - trust me when I tell you that they are having a memorable life experience alongside you that can not be replicated the same way again with anyone else. Memories and relationships are all that you have. 

Keep it about feeling your best

Ultimately, labor is a grueling experience, even with painkillers. It's no secret that women feel better when they look better and that is our goal with delivering hair and makeup services to new mothers. Because although looking and feeling better is a key element for your photo memories, feeling really good about yourself and how you reflect on your memories is what it's all about.

Why Should You Hire a Beauty Agency

Well, not all beauty agencies are built the same. In fact, many are not agencies - they are freelance artists who contract a few other people. Whether you are a new mom, a bride-to-be or hiring on-site services in your home or office, there are many factors to consider outside the skillset or reputation of a particular artist. 

How about your safety? How about the safety of your family and loved ones? At WarPaint International, our team goes through an onboarding process that we believe to be unique. At first, we interview our Artisans, we then technically test them for skillsets, customer service and hygiene practices with products, brushes, etc. From there, our Hair Stylists and Makeup Artists go through national criminal background checks. We look for everything and we do turn people down because we hold a very high standard when it comes to trust and safety in our client's homes, hotel rooms, delivery rooms and offices. 

Are you looking for trusted beauty professionals? You can learn more about us and the benefit of an agency at Why WarPaint International. 

Photo: Amore Lux Studios. The Leadership Team at WarPaint International.

Download WPI's media kit to view our beauty services. From delivery rooms, to weddings, to a simple night out and all of life's events - WarPaint International Artisans are focused on making your memories as vibrant as possible.