Yorkville Engagement Shoot

About a mth ago I did a trial w/ my one upcoming bride Katherine for her May wedding.  She had decided to schedule her engagement shoot the same day as the trial which I find can be a good thing as long as you don't mind having the same look for your shoot as your wedding.

Katherine wanted a grey black smokey eye and a fancy Kate Middleton inspired updo so I wanted to make sure it was okay for the shoot but she explained she was doing a fancy shoot in Yorkville so it actually all complimented itself perfectly.

Engagement shoots are the perfect time for couple's to get comfortable and practice in front of the camera as well as get to know their photographer.  It's also a great chance to see how makeup reads differently on camera than it does in real life.  The look you might have thought was super dramatic in person actually reads fairly natural on camera.

That's actually what Katherine decided after the shoot,  She realized she wanted the eye more intense and the lips brighter which I'm more than happy to accommodate on the day.  At the trial Katherine wasn't even sure she wanted to wear the fancy blue dress she had picked out for the shoot b/c she thought it might be a bit too much but I said you have fancy hair and makeup you have to have a fancy outfit...plus it's Yorkville!

I'm so glad she went w/ the dress b/c the pics are just gorgeous thanks to the awesome photography of Jessilynn Wong!  Very excited to work w/ her on Katherine's wedding in May b/c if these pics are any indication of things I know the wedding pics will be amazing!

Wedding Hair - Why Using Your "Usual" Stylist May Not Be The Best Choice

So as anyone who reads this blog knows I do A LOT of weddings.  Sometimes I do just makeup, sometimes it's just the hair and sometimes it's both makeup and hair.  The more I do weddings and the more confident I get w/ both bridal makeup and hair I will be honest the more I enjoy having complete control over the entire look...that means being in charge of both the makeup and hair (at least for the bride).

Of course that is not always the case and I'm totally cool with that but I will say there has been more than one occasion where I have thought "Oh she would have looked better if she just let me do her makeup or her hair" when I haven't been in charge of both services.  

A lot of times when I'm not booked for hair it's because the bride has opted to use her "Usual Stylist" for her wedding day hair.  Now I'm not going to say that this is always a bad decision because it's not - there are plenty of salon hairstylists that are good at wedding updos and styling...but there are also a lot that aren't!

I think a lot of times brides feel "guilty" if they don't hire their regular hairstylist for their wedding day or they just assume they are a hair stylist and they cut/colour my hair great therefore they'll do my wedding hair great...but that's not always the case.  Do not feel like you are "cheating" on your usual stylist if you don't use them on your wedding day.  

So this isn't to say you shouldn't hire the person that cuts/colours your hair it's just important to ask some questions and make sure they'll be the right artist to achieve you wedding hair dream.

Here's some questions to ask or things to think about:

Do they do weddings often/Have they done a lot of weddings in the past? Ask your stylist this don't just assume they do.  There are a lot of hairstylists nowadays that don't want to do weddings or almost never do weddings.  Either because they don't like them or their specialty isn't updos or wedding styling.

How comfortable are they with Wedding Hairstyles? Some salon stylists are amazing and cut and/or colour but you ask them to do an updo or half updo and it's just not their forte.  This doesn't make them a bad stylist it just means it's not one of their strengths.  If they aren't strong in updos do you really want to risk their skills on your wedding day.

Are they willing to come to you on your Wedding Day? Weddings typically happen on Saturdays which of course is the busiest day in the salon.  Are they willing to leave the salon for several hours to work your wedding w/ you and your bridal party or do you have to go to the salon? 

 If you have to go to the salon how will this effect your timing for your wedding day?  Is this going to cause more stress or anxiety for you having to travel to and from the salon vs. getting your services in your home or a hotel where the artist comes to you?  More and more brides are opting to have mobile services for this reason.  It's just so much more stress free to have an artist or team come to you and your girls where you are!

If the stylist comes to you or you go to the salon what's the timing like? I've also seen several times where b/c the bride wants her usual stylist to do her hair she's had to get it done HOURS before the ceremony or pictures b/c that's the only time the stylist could fit her in.  Either the stylist came to her and did it super early before their Saturday salon hours or the bride went to the salon super early in the morning.  If you have an updo this might not be the end of the world as they are typically pretty sturdy if done properly but if you are wearing your hair down and you get it done hours before pictures or the ceremony you have a much stronger chance that they hair is going to fall and not look like you had hoped by time the ceremony comes around. 

Remember to ALWAYS do a trial with your usual stylist! If you do want to use your usual stylist make sure to book a hair trial with them...don't just chance it and think they will do exactly what you want on the day b/c they are use to cutting/colouring your hair.  I personally find even with my own work I do a better job on the hair the second time around.  I figure out little adjustments and things I want to fix for the wedding day.  The trial is as much a practice round for me as it is for the bride so it's VERY important!

If you aren't happy with the trial DON'T feel obligated to still use your regular stylist!  I've seen and heard this time and time again.  A bride does a trial w/ their stylist and they leave unhappy but then somehow magically hope/expect that their wedding day will turn out better.  Speak up at your trial.  If the stylist isn't getting your vision let them know so they can try to fix things they aren't mind readers lol!  If they still don't get it and you are doubting they'll get it on the wedding day FIND ANOTHER STYLIST FOR THAT DAY!!!  It's one of the most important days of your life and you're spending so much money on every detail you HAVE to hopefully LOVE...at least LIKE your hair!  DO NOT stick w/ a stylist if you are judging their wedding hair skills.  It will cause more stress for you and you'll actually resent them later if you hate your wedding hair.

Like I said above just b/c a stylist is amazing at cutting and colouring doesn't mean they understand or can execute wedding hairstyles.  It's a VERY different skill set for a stylist and truthfully a lot of stylists don't get that much practice at it and it's not heavily taught in school.

I don't cut or colour hair but I specialize in wedding hair...you wouldn't want me to cut or colour your hair b/c it would be a disaster but I feel pretty confident doing your wedding updo lol!

I've had it happen multiple times where a bride who I was doing makeup for contact me after and ask to do a hair trial b/c her regular stylist just didn't seem to get her vision.  I've also seen brides cry b/c they had their regular stylist do their hair while myself or my team has done their bridesmaids' hair and it's looked better.  And of course I've seen salon hairstylists do work that's amazed me where I've wanted their card lol!

All I'm saying is think about what's right for you on your wedding day and don't feel obligated to make a choice b/c you feel pressure or a sense of loyalty if it's not what's right or convenient on your wedding day.  

Theatrical Wedding - Young People's Theatre

Last November I had the pleasure of working with Rebecca...probably one of the kindest and sweetest brides I had last season.  Right away during the trial we hit it off and actually had a few hidden connections!  We actually both studied Theatre at York University but didn't know each other b/c we were in different sections of the program and she was a year younger than me plus my friend Victoria actually stayed w/ her mom when Victoria was touring her one woman show this past Summer in London!  Not only that but when Rebecca spoke of her fiance Stephen she mentioned he was a Dramaturg at Young People's Theatre and I nodded my head...she asked if I knew what that was and I did (b/c of my theatre background...this was before we realized we both went to York lol)...I'm probably one of the only makeup artists (or non theatre ppl) to know what a dramaturg is so we definitely had a chuckle over that and she joked her fiance would want her to hire me just on that face alone lol!  Btw a dramaturg is someone who deals mainly with the research and development of plays and operas.  

So right off the top we obviously got along great...plus the trial went superbly (of course) so she locked down the day right away!  Which was actually great for her as I had a few brides interested in the date (and I actually ended up doing two weddings that day)...yes even in November ppl are getting married in Toronto!

Rebecca and Stephen's whole weddings was so unique and perfect for them and I really loved that aspect of it!  They actually met while working at Young People's Theatre and even though Rebecca no longer works there Stephen still does so they actually got to use the space for some of their wedding pictures and ceremony which they got to do on the stage!  How perfect is that for two people working in the theatre world!  I believe the show that season was To Kill A Mocking Bird so the courtroom stage set up was pretty perfect for a wedding ceremony lol!

For Rebecca's look I created a really beautiful side updo w/ a few small accent braids and overall I was really happy w/ how full I made her hair look b/c it was actually pretty fine in reality.  For her makeup we did a gorgeous natural champagne/brown eye w/ a winged liner and flared false lash and made the look really pop w/ a nice bold vibrant magenta lip!

I really love these pics that Mike Pochwat took b/c I felt he did a great job capturing some wonderful behind the scenes moments as well as the uniqueness of Rebecca and Stephen as a couple!  Can't wait to add these to my site!

 Love the eyes here!

Yeah...my station is usually a disaster after a wedding...I'm hygienic but not neat lol!

 Really wish my hand wasn't in the way of this shot as it's really beautiful lol!

 My usual "work face" aka "bitch face" lol

In the workshop of Young People's Theatre

On a final note I should add that Rebecca also wrote one of the kindest and most detailed reviews I've ever read...seriously!...how nice is that!?!

Short Version: Jessica is amazingly talented , and I think everyone should hire her!

Long Version:

I booked her for hair and make-up services for myself and my bridal party for my November 1, 2014 wedding. She was absolutely amazing, and I am so glad she was able to work my wedding. She made my wedding party and me look absolutely stunning. She created a look for me that was both natural and dramatic/vintage glam, which was exactly what I wanted and perfectly fit with the look and feel of my wedding.

My bridal party was completely composed of people who never ever wear make-up, and Jessica ensured that everyone had a natural look. She was also able to calm their fears of looking overly made-up (fears which were completely alleviated when they looked in the mirror). My make-up artist cousin raved about how everyone looked.

Beyond the looks, Jessica is utterly professional. She was always quick to respond to emails and provided me with thorough, detailed information. Jessica and her assistant were also amazing presences to have around on the wedding day. In addition to raving about their skill, my bridal party raved about what awesome people they were and what a great energy the added to the day. Honestly, it was like adding two more friends to the room. I really feel that Jessica and Amber helped me relax as I was getting ready.

Not only would I recommend Jessica to a friend, I loved her work (and her) so much, I plan to treat myself to future stylings when I have a special event. Why should my wedding day be the only day I look that good?

Perfect "Canadian" Engagement Shoot

I've mentioned before I think engagement shoots are a really important part of the whole wedding process.  I know a lot of couples don't see the value or importance of the added cost but I often explain it as a "practice run" before the wedding day.

Most ppl aren't comfortable or "naturals" in front of the camera so it allows them to practice and get a feel for what it's going to be like on the wedding day...and it's typically a lot more intimate and less chaotic than the wedding day so that can be good too!

Plus it allows the couple to get to know the photographer and vice versa.  You guys get to feel comfortable w/ each others styles/personalities and you (as the couple) get to see what works for you in posing and what you might what to talk to your photographer about or change up for the wedding day.

I also think it's really important when planning an engagement shoot to try to capture the essence of you as a couple.  If you like the outdoors incorporate that into the shoot, if you're big on city life and that sort of thing do a cityscape shoot...whatever it is it should try to capture your personalities.

Hair and makeup are of course an important element of the shoot too.  Now that doesn't mean every bride should get their hair and makeup done for the shoot but if it's within their budget I'd definitely recommend it as I find it really worth it.

For my one bride Kim who did her engagement shoot in the Fall she was able to do her makeup trial before her engagement shoot.  Now this doesn't always work out b/c of scheduling but it did on this day.  I'm really glad it did too b/c she really got to put the trial to good use and I in turn got some gorgeous engagement shoot pics to show you guys!

Just like getting use to the photographer and how you look in front of the camera seeing the makeup in person and seeing the makeup on camera can often take some getting use to.  Kim was a NO MAKEUP person so any makeup pretty much felt like a lot to her.  She actually thought the makeup in her engagement photos was too much...I'm pretty sure you'll disagree but this often happens with brides who aren't use to makeup.  I think brides that don't normally wear makeup will find it even more useful to hire a makeup artist for their engagement shoots than brides that do wear makeup b/c they'll make sure they look fresh and polished for their pics at a level they probably wouldn't be able to do on their own since they don't know how to do makeup at all lol...let alone for professional pictures!

As mentioned before Kim is a very "natural" girl so it only made sense for her and her (now husband) Kyle to get back to nature for the engagement shoot.  They did their shoot in the woods and on a lake in a canoe and the pictures by Caitlin Free are just gorgeous!

As mentioned before for Kim's makeup I kept it super natural and soft w/ a very natural brown/cream shadow combination, a flushed cheek and a soft nude lip.  I used airbrush foundation which was great for evening out Kim's naturally reddish complexion but still keeping it looking flawless and lightweight!

I think you'll agree with me kind of impossible to say this is "too much makeup" lol...I love these pics and I think they look natural and gorgeous and really capture the couple beautifully!

Love this shot!

Fav Wedding Makeup Looks From Last Year!

I thought since I did blogs about some of my fav hairstyles I created for last year's brides it only right to do a blog post about some of my favourite makeup looks! Especially considering I am a makeup artist first, hairstylist second...although sometimes you wouldn't know that by the amount of brides I have contacting me to just do hair sometimes lol!

One thing that has always been a constant in my bridal business is brides hire me b/c they are looking for that "Natural, Soft, Glowing" look.  Very clean and very pretty!  For the most part my brides DO NOT want to wear or look like they are wearing a lot of makeup!  The thing is that to create those looks I often have to educate brides about the face that they do in fact STILL NEED TO WEAR MAKEUP!!! More makeup then they are probably use to lol...especially considering it seems like about 75% of my clientele were minimal to no makeup for the most part lol!  When I'm interviewing staff it's actually one of the things I have to stress to them is that my clientele for the most part wants a "NATURAL LOOK"...even if they are showing me Kim K. pictures I gotta ask them questions and determine what in fact they are actually looking for (99% of the time it's not Kim K let me tell you lol)!

It's actually funny/frustrating (depends on my mood lol) how much convincing I sometimes I have to do w/ clients to make them realize they are in fact not wearing that much makeup and it's not "too much".  My day look is often more than they will let me put on them for their wedding lol (and I don't get glam day to day fyi).  I actually don't know a bridal artist who has a lighter hand than I do when it comes to understanding the approach of  less is more...a lot of times I do actually think my clients could use a bit more "drama" but I do have to respect their wishes and comfort level of course.

With that said I do still get to create some beautiful makeup looks and I do really have some beautiful clients.  I think one of things that really helps when doing a natural look is that I pretty much insist on some sort of false lash whether it be strip or individual lashes.  I've mentioned this before but I include this not only for the bride but anyone getting makeup services (and my staff do too).  I think when you are doing a "natural look" it really is one of the best ways to make the eyes pop w/out the use of a lot of shadow and if I do get the chance to do a "glam look" it's of course necessary otherwise to me the look just seems unfinished!

I definitely see a rise in the amount of airbrush foundation I'm doing on brides this past season!  I got a new airbrush compressor/gun this year and I have to say I'm actually really loving airbrush a lot more than I use to!  I don't know if it's the new machine or just me getting more skilled but I'm loving the finish, the lightness on the skin and the coverage it provides...plus my makeup phobic brides are really loving the fact that it still feels like "there is nothing on the skin" even though it gives them that flawless finish!

Adrianna is a classic example of "Pretty & Soft" Wedding Makeup! I used airbrush foundation on her and I'm still obsessed w/ her updo lol!  Photos courtesy of Azure Blue Photography

I did a return visit for Adrianna which is getting more popular with brides.  I changed up her lip to a bold red lip and smoked out the eyes a bit more!  It was the perfect addition for the evening look.  Making it a bit more "glam" but not over the top or "too much"

 Of course I have to mention Brittany when I'm talking about some of my fav makeup looks for last season!  She actually let me do a bronzy/brown/black smokey eye on her and give her a little drama.  The funny thing is that I'm always trying to explain to brides is it doesn't look that much in the pictures at all!  In fact it looks like the perfect amount...in person it didn't look "too much" either btw...but it's all about comfort level.

Airbrush foundation was used.

Diane was fun to work with!  She sent me dramatic pictures and she actually wanted dramatic makeup!  We did a full smokey eye and deep berry lip for her.  She was getting married in Nov. so it definitely worked w/ her Fall/Winter wedding.  Photos courtesy of Jennifer Moher

I love how glowy and soft Jasmine's makeup looks!  She's Eurasian and I loved working with her unique features and look.

Kadie was one of those girls that actually surprised me when I put the makeup on her!  She's a baker by trade and doesn't wear any makeup day to day but wow just a little bit of makeup on those blue eyes and porcelain skin and wow do her eyes ever pop!  I  kept commenting how she looked like a doll w/ her big blue eyes lol!

Katie and her entire group were so awesome to work with!  I knew I had to get pictures from Katie b/c I not only loved the hair I created for her but she's so pretty and I loved her makeup too!  Airbrush foundation was used.  Photographer Jennifer Ballard

Really loved the soft pink eyes, lips and cheek combo for Kyla's wedding.  Really suited her complexion and style well.

Lori was another one that let me put a bit more makeup on her!  You really can tell in the photos when everything just seems to "pop" a bit more!  Her and her entire group were so pretty!  So many great pictures from this wedding.  Renaissance Studios did a great job here! Airbrush foundation used.

Martha was so pretty!  A natural beauty, so of course we kept the makeup natural too!  Glowing cheek, soft pink lip and a neutral smokey eye!  I loved the textured updo for her so much!  Photo courtesy of Reid Lampshead

There probably isn't a bride I was more happy w/ how the makeup turned out on than Melanie.Though the look is natural Melanie had a lot of skin concerns and issues in the form of acne, scarring, redness and dry patches.As someone who has/still does suffer from acne and other skin issues I understand the stress and confidence issues it can cause.  I'm so happy I was able to create such a beautiful canvas for her so that her beautiful features and blue eyes could be the focus that day!  Her wedding photographer - Yuki Noda actually said it was some of the best wedding makeup she had seen - Big compliment indeed!  Airbrush foundation used! 

Of course I have to include my friend Sophia on the list!  She's gorgeous this was an easy one lol!  Her brother kept saying how beautiful her makeup was all night!  I took that as a huge compliment as he's in the fashion industry so he knows makeup!  Photo courtesy of Diane at DNA Phtography.  Airbrush Foundation used.

Okay well this wasn't actually a wedding I did but it was for a mock wedding photo shoot.  What was great about this is both I and the photographer understand the level of makeup necessary to create a good photo so of course I got to up it a bit more than a lot of my brides will let me do.  The results are gorgeous and I really love this copper/bronze/brown smokey eye!  Airbrush foundation used.  Photos courtesy of Lisa Mark Photography

 Tammy was such a pleasure to work with! We did a soft grey smokey eye and with a lot of Asian brides less is more and the real drama comes from the lashes and creating a nice brow to shape the eye.  Photo courtesy of Avenue Photography

To close it out here's a couple of brides I never did get photos from but I still REALLY love their makeup looks...sad I don't I have good pics of them :(  I'm thinking of adding a section on my website for snapshots b/c I don't like to mix non professional pics w/ the professional pics but it's disappointing to not share work you love or if the photographer didn't take any beauty shots of the bride (gasp...NEVER understand this one!!!)