2014 - Reflections on the Past Year's Goals & Resolutions

Every year at this time I like to look back and reflect on the goals I set for myself for 2014.  I find it really interesting to look back and see if I overall achieved what I set out to do that year.  This is usually one of my fav blog posts every year and typically I find that I've done a pretty good job at nailing my goals.

Well I'll admit this year wasn't always an easy one for me in a lot of ways.  I actually kind of chuckled to myself at some of the goals I wrote for myself at the beginning of the year b/c I definitely know there's more work to be done lol!

First though I guess like any good teacher I should touch on the positive and talk about the Goals & Resolutions I do think I did "right"!

Exercise More - Although I've been a little off the bandwagon since my trip I'd definitely give myself a gold star for this one.  I ran a half marathon so right there I'm saying "Good Job, Jessica".  I may have kind of thrown the idea out there a bit before but I don't know if I ever thought I'd actually do it and I'm so happy I did.  Can't wait to beat my time next year!  And I can't believe I just started running a year ago pretty much!

Live a Healthier and More Balanced Lifestyle - Again overall I'm pretty happy with this one.  I did a juice cleanse back in March and since then I've reached a weight and size I don't know if I ever thought I'd see...again been a little off track since my trip but I'm confident I'll get back to that weight again - too many nice dresses and skinny jeans to fit into again ;)  This combined w/ the exercise has really been good for me this year!

Read More - I've definitely found the reading bug again and I'm happy about that.  Having my Kobo really does make a difference and it was great on my trip where I must have read at least 3 books.  I tend to go through phases where I read a ton and then go a couple of mths where I read nothing.  I really should try to read 1 book a month or something b/c truth is once I start reading a book I'll typically finish it in less than a wk.

 Travel More - Well even though I didn't do any small trips like I was hoping I did do a big 3 wk adventure to Central America and did 5 countries while there so I guess I'll give myself a pass on this one. Although I was definitely cutting it close since I only did the trip in late Nov/early Dec.

Network More Within The Bridal Industry - Well I didn't hit the 80 wedding mark like I was hoping for...only came in at 76 but I can tell from my sales that the weddings I was doing were definitely bigger than years past.  Plus I grew my team a little bit more and had more weddings for said team.  And as I mentioned yesterday I've been working on rebranding my wedding business to make it grow even bigger for everyone involved.  I've even networked a bit more w/ some of the other sections/industries in my biz and did a wedding creative so that's good.

So next I'll touch on some of the things I did okay on but definitely could have done better with.

Be More Productive - Most ppl who know me don't believe me when I say this...and maybe I am being too hard on myself but I think I'm actually incredibly lazy and waste a huge amount of time.  I definitely think I've been getting better at being productive.  Especially these past few mths since I got rid of a couple of the toxic things that were holding me back and stopping me from concentrating.  I really need to make lists for myself on a daily basis b/c I think that would help me do more and be more productive.

Stop Concerning Myself So Much With Other People - Not gonna lie this is still something I struggle with.  I've definitely found it helpful to actually just delete or block the feed of certain ppl on my facebook or instagram if I found them to be doing more harm than good to my well being. Although it may not be the most mature thing sometimes the best way for me to not get jealous or compare myself is just to delete and forget about them...although I do need to work on just living w/ it and being happy for everyone else and their success.  Typically I am happy for others success just sometimes when I'm in a down mood it's a bit much for me.

Stop Living In The Past - In some ways I've definitely been a lot better about this and than in other aspects of my life, specifically my last relationship I constantly keep running through "what if" scenarios in my head and that doesn't help anyone...especially me because it played out the way it did and I have to remind myself even if certain things didn't go down there would have probably been other issues at other points anyway.  Although, I'm not going to lie this one has been a hard one...especially during the holidays.

Cut Out Toxic Influences or People - Well even though I would have never put my ex into the "toxic people" category at this time last year b/c we were still together I guess how everything played out he kind of would be there now so I guess it's good we're not together.  Like I've said before I wish things had worked out differently in a lot of ways but they didn't and he was making me miserable, lonely, isolated and sad...and I didn't even realize it until everything was done.  I probably should have realized it sooner so there was definitely some toxicity in my life for several mths this year. And I know for a fact that toxicity definitely affected my productivity in every part of my life unfortunately.

The rest of the list is honestly things I think I failed at achieving pretty miserably lol.

Blog More - Yeah well I blogged less this year than any other year....like A LOT less...so yeah definitely failed at that one.  I think I was just going through so much I just didn't feel I had anything interesting to write about or share.  Hopefully that will change this year and I'll be re-inspired and reinvigorated!

Get More Commercial Work & Do More Creatives - Yeah was definitely not focusing on these things enough last year.  I think I only did 1 creative that got published.  It was a beautiful story but seriously I use to be doing that stuff all the time.  I did also do a wedding creative but I wasn't counting that one.  Commercial work...did a bit but again I really need to focus on this!  I was so busy in the Spring/Summer w/ the wedding stuff that it all got kind of sidetracked.  This is why I really want to start making lists so that I can check things off and be more productive!

Overall I guess I did okay.  Unlike last year I think I didn't necessarily start that strong but I definitely finished strong by time September hit...hopefully I can carry that momentum into next year!

Tomorrow I'll write my Goals & Resolutions for 2015!  Hope Everyone has a Wonderful New Year!

Toronto Beauty Group

As 2014 closes out and 2015 is literally just a couple of days away I thought this would be a good time to share with everyone the changes I have in store for my wedding business!  Which in just a few short years has really taken off and I couldn't be happier or more proud about that fact.  It's so funny to think that originally I started doing weddings as a "side thing" to my fashion and commercial work and it just sort of took off and ended up becoming more my focus..especially these past couple of years.

I think one of my strengths and a big reason I've seen such growth in a few short years is b/c of my anal, organizational, business personality when it comes to things like emailing, scheduling, following up on things etc.  A lot of artists just don't have this as a strength and I'll openly admit I'm a bit crazy about it all lol.

So being that this is a strength of mine and with me getting solidly booked every weekend it only made sense to expand my business and develop a team to work with me and that I can outsource on weddings on their own.  I've been doing this for a couple of years now under Jessica Jean Myers & Associates and overall I've seen growth but like usual I want more lol!

I realized the only way to make "my team" busier was actually to take my name out of the mix...had to put my ego aside on this one but the thing is people of course only wanted to hire me so getting them to use my team has not always been the easiest even though I know I only bring on artists that I feel do work that is comparable to quality and talent as my own.

With that idea and a A LOT of brainstorming of names I came up with Toronto Beauty Group - I actually came up with the name during a bus ride in Nicaragua during my Central America backpacking adventure!  I wanted something that wasn't too fluffy or frilly b/c that's not my clientele or me but I wanted it to be self explanatory as to what it was but still sound professional and classy. Such a simple name really but I think it's strong and I'm surprised actually it wasn't taken lol!


With the name decided I've taken the past couple of weeks to change up my site a bit, buy new domains and email addresses and add Bios for my team.  I even got new business cards and made a new Instagram Account just for the Wedding Business.  I really want to separate it from myself and really build something that is it's own entity so that I can outsource weddings to my team more and build the business that way.

This year the company closed out at just under 100 weddings (98 to be exact) and next year I'm really hoping to smash that and do at least 100 weddings!  I did notice this year the weddings were definitely bigger than previous years which is also a good thing!

I'm always looking for new and talented Makeup & Hair artists or assistants to add to my roster so any artists that have experience in Bridal and have a style they would classify as "Soft, Romantic, Natural" should definitely reach out to me.

With engagement season in full effect I'm really excited to see what this year has in store for the business...I'm already starting to book into 2016 so that's exciting!

Why I'm Okay With Getting Older

A couple of wks ago I turned 33...for a lot of people (especially women...even more so single unmarried women lol) I think this could be considered a pretty scary time.  I mean I think this is officially the last year I can claim to be in my "early 30s"...after this I think I enter mid 30s...(who knows next year how I'm going to feel about that one lol).

A lot of people have told me I look young for my age which of course I'll take as a compliment.  I believe this in part is due to good genetics and a healthy lifestyle...but I can't deny being a makeup artist doesn't hurt the cause ;)  I've even had a lot of guys tell me I should start lying about my age because I'm going to start limiting my dating options...I personally think this is fucking bullshit for a couple of reasons.  1. Why is being 33 a detractor - I'm established in my career, have a good sense of myself and a good amount of life experience to make me a valuable partner among other things 2. I'm way more confident and comfortable in my skin than I have been at any age in my life so why would I lie about my age 3. I'd really rather look like a smoking hot, young 33 year old than a "27 yr old" who looks her age lol!

I'm actually okay w/ the fact that I turned 33.  I've pretty much always been okay every year w/ getting a little bit older.  I've realized I think a lot of this comes down to where I am in my life at that point in time.  Am I happy w/ my life? Do I feel like I'm moving forward, achieving my goals, making the most of things?...if the answers to these questions are overall positive then I guess I'm okay w/ adding another year on to things.

I've also realized it's better to not look at "what you thought your life would be like"...I can definitely tell you that no part of my life is "what I thought it would be" if you would have asked me when I was a teenager...hell I don't think I thought my life would be like this 10 years ago...or even 5 years ago so who knows lol!  That's not to say my ideas of my future were better or worse...they were just different.  I mean in high school if someone had told me I'd moved to Shanghai, China and work as a makeup artist there for 8 mths I probably would have laughed or backpacked through India or done have half the things I've done...and that's what's so cool.  As we get older we keep experiencing new things and using those experiences to enrich and enlighten our lives now.  I know for a fact my 18 yr old self would not recognize my 33 yr old self...but I'd like to think she'd think she's pretty fucking cool lol!

Now it's not always been sunshine and rainbows with regards to getting older for me.  I remember one birthday in particular I was not happy....when I turned 28.  This to me was when I officially entered my "late 20s" and to be perfectly honest I was not at all happy w/ the direction my life was taking at that point.  I was broke, gathering debt, in a relationship I wasn't very happy to be in and my career was not going in the direction I wanted it to go...I think when I was younger I just imagined my life would be so different at 28...I'm pretty sure I thought I'd at least have my shit together enough to have a decent job or be married or something lol.  When in fact in that particular year I think I felt like I was regressing more than any other point in my life and actually felt pretty trapped to be perfectly honest...and it was pretty scary b/c I didn't know how I was going to get myself out of it.

Thankfully I did get out of it and I think a big turning point was leaving the relationship I was in at that time b/c after that everything seemed to get a little more possible and I started to see things in a different light.  It's so funny how relationships have a way of doing that to us.  I mean they really don't just affect our personal lives they infiltrate every part of our lives whether we want them to or not!

This past year I sort of had a situation like that w/ another relationship I was in.  It was NOTHING like that other relationship and I loved and cared for this person a lot but it was just not working for various reasons no matter how much I tried or how many nice things I tried to do I couldn't overcome this person's issues and it was actually making me miserable (I didn't even realize how miserable until after).  It was holding me back in life and I wasn't doing anything I wanted to do because I was living my life for them and making every decision w/ them in mind, trying to make them happy and change their mind/opinion about certain situations.  You'd think by 32 (almost 33 lol) I'd have learned better but matters of the heart are tricky lol.

It really sucks when I look back b/c I think it was literally paralyzing me and my ability to get shit done.  I couldn't concentrate, move forward, do things for my business etc.  That's not to say my business was failing but I wasn't taking the necessary steps to move it forward like I had wanted b/c all of my attention was on this person and our relationship.  I also wasn't going out, being social or doing things hoping to prove my devotion, accountability and trustworthiness.  I wasn't taking trips b/c I was waiting for them to go on trips with me...I also felt like me taking a trip alone or w/ a friend would be some sort of violation or example of how I wasn't trying anymore to make it work....yes...this all sounds pretty stupid and pathetic to me now as it's not really the person I aspire to be but it's funny how you don't really see it all going on until you're outside of the situation. I just kept thinking if I tried a little more and gave it a bit more time it would go back to the way it was...but eventually I realized that wasn't true.

It's been a couple mths since that realization and even though I'll admit 32 might not have been the best of years for me (although it started out pretty awesome w/ a lot of optimism, love and hope) I'm definitely trying to make the most of these last couple of mths of 2014!

The last couple of mths I feel like I've actually made up a lot of ground for the year!  I've been getting

in shape and I'd have to say I'm probably in the best shape I've been in since Shanghai, China (if not better)...and yes you know what I might be a little vain and boastful and put a few too many selfies on instagram but you know what FUCK IT..I'm proud of my accomplishments so why can't I share them w/ others.  I've not always been proud or happy w/ the way I've looked...for years in fact I've usually had a lot of self doubt and been pretty uncomfortable or unhappy w/ things so to be happy now why shouldn't I celebrate Goddammit!  And yes, maybe I am looking for attention and adoration from others but really is that the worst thing in the world...doesn't everyone like a bit of attention or to be told good job?I actually found a picture of myself from my 24th b-day on Facebook and I was just so thrilled w/ the fact that I looked BETTER now than then...trust me there are a lot of 33 year olds that cannot claim this to be true.  I am in fact getting better with age ;)

But it's not just about looks of course.  I actually just accomplished another one of my goals a couple of wks ago too!  I ran a half marathon!  It's crazy to think that my first run ever was literally my 32 b-day - it was 5 km and I thought I was going to die lol!  Literally a year later I was running a half marathon.  I wanted to be under 2 hours but came in at 2:02 which isn't bad of course and there's always next year ;)  I've been having some bad knee issues and I would have been under 2 hrs but at 17 k my knee just couldn't take any more and I had to slow down a lot unfortunately.  But still at 31 if you had told me I'd run a half marathon at one point I'd probably have laughed!

Plus I've booked another trip - 3 wks backpacking in Central America!  It's been way too long since my last trip - Singapore/Malaysia in Feb/Mar 2013 so I'm very excited to get out there and start experiencing and seeing the world again!  I'm excited too to be taking back my life and
not waiting anymore for the "right person" to travel with.  Would I love to actually travel with someone - yes, of course...but I can't just keep waiting on someone.  I feel in a lot of ways women tend to do this sort of thing a lot more than men and it's really a shame.

And even though I might not have felt like I was pushing my career enough this year (I totally could have done more).  I'm happy to say that it is surpassing last years goals.  I've booked more weddings this year than last and my sales are up from last year too...I've actually already surpassed last years sales so it's all gravy now lol...well not really...I am kind of wondering where a lot of that gravy has gone this year lol!

It's funny I've had it in my mind to do this blog post for a couple of wks now and like many things I kept putting it off...I really do need to work on my procrastination.  But it's actually rewarding and somewhat uplifting to see things written done in front of me and to really realize even if it's not everything I wanted I have made progress this year and I should be proud to be another year older b/c it's allowed me to gain another year of experiences and therefore be another year wiser...and I am optimistic as to what this next year will bring!

Cocolush Natural Skin Care

I LOVE Coconut...basically anything that coconuts make or smell like I'm all over it...seriously - if a body wash, scrub, cream etc. smells like coconut or a tropical vacation I'm probably adding it to my shopping cart!  So when Cocolush Natural Skin Care contacted me offering to send me a sample of their Cocolush Body Scrub you better believe I was like "Hell Yeah"!

What I love about ALL of their products is how natural they are...no fillers or artificial ingredients! Vegan, Gluten & Paraben Free plus no preservatives.  They don't test on animals and their products smell so good I actually want to eat them...and I probably could (although the argan oil might not be the best lol)!

All the ingredients in their products have a purpose...they aren't just put there for no reason.  For moisture they have coconut oil and argan oil plus Vitamin E oil which is a strong antioxidant which helps fight against premature aging and wrinkles.  Sea Salt for exfoliation and Epsom Salt a natural detoxifier and reduces inflammation.  Cocoa Powder increases blood flow to the skin and is also full of antioxidants.  And Cinnamon (another personal fav of mine) which is actually great for acne and eczema.  So basically these products are full of stuff that's good for your skin...and smells so freaking yummy!

The skin care line is small but I like that...just keep it simple w/ a few good, quality products.  I tested out the Cocolush body scrub and it was so moisturizing on the skin...and as I've mentioned several times before already smelled so good!  My only small gripe is a wish there was a bit more salt or grit to the scrub...I felt like it broke down on the skin a little too soon before I really got the scrubbing effect in...but this would be great for sensitive skin!  And I did like how moisturized it left me feeling.

They also have a lip scrub which I imagine would be hard not to just lick right off your lips and Chocolate Peppermint Facial Teas for steaming, detoxifying and moisturizing of the skin (not drinking ;))  The whole line is super affordable ranging anywhere from $6 CAN for the Lip Scrub to $14.00 for the Body Scrub.  Plus the body scrub comes in a resealable waterproof bag making it great for the shower!  There's Free Shipping Across Canada so definitely worth checking out if you're looking for a really yummy, natural product for your skin!

Clean Bandit - Canada AM

Almost a mth ago I had the pleasure of working w/ the UK group Clean Bandit on their EARLY morning appearance on Canada AM while they were doing their North American tour.  I totally forgot to blog about this but after I got my cheque in the mail this wk from Warner Music it reminded me I really should have hahaha ;)

They were a really great group of ppl and I'm totally in love w/ their hit "Rather Be" which is on repeat on my running playlist right now!  Cool thing was I also got to go to their concert at Mod Club that night...it was totally packed and the crowd loved the show!  What was really awesome for the concert was their violinist (who couldn't make the Canada AM performance b/c of a Visa issue) came onto the stage about 3 songs into their act!  He came straight from the airport, into a cab and then up on the stage...of course the crowd went wild over this lol!

Anyway, here's their performance :)

http://canadaam.ctvnews.ca/video?clipId=440102&playlistId=1.2007151&binId=1.815913&playlistPageNum=1&binPageNum=1

Also, here's a couple of pics I took from the video and me w/ the band...it was very early so excuse my appearance lol

Brittany - My Barbie Bride

Whenever I'm talking about my wedding w/ Brittany this past Summer to friends or clients I always refer to her as my "Barbie Bride".  I, in no way mean this as a derogatory term.  I LOVED Barbie growing up and I still think Barbie is awesome.  Basically I just think Brittany looked so blonde, gorgeous and glamorous on her wedding that it was like Barbie getting married!  In fact I basically made her swear on her life that she would send me pictures after the wedding lol!  I just thought it would be such a shame if I didn't have a bride like her on my site!

One of the things I really loved about Brittany and the look we created for her wedding day is that she actually let me put makeup on her!  She wasn't afraid to be a little glamorous and smokey eyed. That doesn't mean it was super heavy but it was definitely a level up from what a lot of my brides let me do.  The funny thing is I KNOW future brides are going to be telling me they want to look like her but they won't want the style of makeup she has one b/c they will think it's "too much".  Truth is when you look at her pictures it doesn't look "too much" at all.  In fact, it reads pretty natural w/ glowing skin and a soft lip but the eye was a decent level Brown/Black/Gold smokey eye plus there was full black liner all around the eye.  I will totally admit though not every bride can pull off this look - for some it would be too much.  It all depends on your features, skin tone and comfort level of course.

I think one of the most exciting things about the wedding for me was the fact that Brittany's mom was a glamour girl just like Brittany.  I could definitely see where Brittany got her looks from.  I only wish I had pictures of her mom too b/c I don't think I've had a mom that let me do such a dramatic look on them before...and the thing is she totally pulled it off!  She looked great and I loved the full dramatic lashes on her!

Brittany was also another bride that had clip-in hair extensions for her wedding day.  She wanted her hair BIG w/ big, soft curls and we did just that.  The funny thing is like the makeup when you look at the hair it looks perfectly in line w/ the dress, her face, everything and yet I know there was volume! It's so important for brides to remember everything looks less dramatic (or more appropriately dramatic) once you have a big white gown on!  Plus I LOVE her hair piece...still one of the nicest ones I've seen to date...so different and unique!

More pics of this beautiful bride! Photography Courtesy of Stephanie Amoroso

Can you tell she's a dental hygienist - Perfect Smile!

Update...Brittany and her mom read the blog post and they sent me a pic of her mom...doesn't she look amazing!

Adrianna - Bridal Updo with Extensions

 I had the pleasure of working w/ Adrianna back in June for her gorgeous wedding.  I also got to fancy her up for not 1 but 2 different bridal showers (one her sister in law and one was her own) before her wedding so I definitely got a good chance to work w/ her hair and face before the day and learn the tips and tricks to make her look her absolute best!

After the first makeup and hair appt. (about a yr before her wedding) we both agreed to get the style she wanted for her hair she was going to need some clip-in hair extensions.  I've talked on here and to my clients quite a bit about the importance of hair extensions for when clients want to wear their hair down...pretty much every girl needs them to get that luscious "pinterest worthy" voluminous, long, big curl look but I haven't really talked that much about their importance and how much they can help a style when a bride wants an updo but has less than thick hair to fill it out.

Let me just say that Adrianna's updo on her wedding day has to be one of my fav updos that I've ever done on a bride!  And let's be real we all know how many updos I do EVERY wedding season so that means a lot!  It also helps that Adrianna hired an amazing photographer Azure Blue Photography and they took some gorgeous pics to capture my work.  Sometimes it's so sad when you know you've done amazing work and yet when the bride sends you pics you're disappointed b/c the photographer just didn't capture it...definitely not the case here!  There's also a video if you want to see a bit of my work in action...I always love videos b/c there is no hiding behind retouching in them - your work is on full display whether it's good or bad!

If I didn't know better I'd never know that there were extensions in Adrianna's hairstyle...sometimes brides and their fiances get a little freaked out about the idea of "fake hair" and not looking "like yourself" but anyone who knows me and my work knows that above all I strive to make my clients look and feel like the best versions of themselves.  And the truth is not all of us are blessed w/ thick, gorgeous hair so what's wrong w/ supplementing it to get the style you want on your wedding day!  Yes, it will cost extra but when you think of all the money you're spending on the day anyway isn't it worth it if it's going to bring your hairstyle from a 6 to a 10!  I just love the texture and tousled curls in this style!

Another great thing that Adrianna invested in on her wedding day was a return visit for her and her girls.  If it's in your budget and you're starting early in the morning w/ an early church ceremony before pics and the reception a return visit can be very beneficial to your wedding day look!  Yes, I do always give my clients an extensive touch up kit but at a return visit I touch up all the bridesmaids makeup/hair (if they got services in the morning) plus I touch up or adjust/change the bride's makeup and hair look.  Often times I darken the makeup a bit for night - or in Adrianna's case added a gorgeous bold red lip and a smokier eye.  Plus sometimes I'll change the hair going from an updo to down.  Plus after pictures...especially in the Summer when it's hot touching up the hairstyles and makeup can be a real lifesaver!

So here's some more of Adrianna's beautiful wedding look...there's even a couple of me looking serious as usual ;)

Adrianna and her girls

 Teaching how to take out the veil

Great shot of the back!  So often photographers don't take nice shots of the back of the hair :(

Digital In The City - Digital Marketing Classes for Freelancers

Having a social media presence and being online and in touch w/ various social media platforms is a really important aspect of every freelancers career these days (whether they want to admit it or not).  For a lot of us self-employed freelancers this can be a very daunting and difficult part of our business.  

It's hard to figure out what social media platforms are best for you.  How to best utilize them for your business.  Sometimes we become resentful and overwhelmed by the fact that it seems we "must be online" in order to see our careers grow and get new clients.  Plus we already have so many other priorities and tasks to do w/ our business it's frustrating to feel like we have to add another thing on to the list...plus it's one that we have to nurture and keep up w/ constantly if we want it to work!

A few wks ago I had the pleasure of doing headshot hair and makeup for a digital marketing expert Wahida Lakhani who has just branched out on her own w/ her start up Digitial In the City!  Her main focus is to help freelancers and self-employed business owners learn about digital marketing and develop strategies for success that best fit their business!

After learning a bit about her company while doing her hair and makeup I thought this could definitely be of interest to myself (as I would never claim to be a digital marketing pro) as well as many others that are in a similar field or work lifestyle as myself.  

Right now she has a 1 Day to Social Media Pro Class that is definitely worth checking out!  I'm sure there will be more classes announced shortly!  Also just an FYI any reader of mine who signs up for a class can use the Discount Code - ILOVEDIGITALINTHECITY and get $10 off your class (even the early bird price)...which is an awesome deal!  Personally I think the cost of the classes is an amazing deal even without the code!

As anyone who knows me knows I think it's VERY IMPORTANT to constantly keep learning and developing your skills for your business.  As a freelance makeup/hair artist that doesn't always mean makeup or hair classes...sometimes it's about marketing or other things that affect a business.  So definitely worth checking out if you're looking to master social media platforms and have them work for your business!  

Wow What A Deal! Rhythm Spa Downtown Toronto

 I love a good deal!  I also love going to the spa!  So when those two things can come together I'm totally game!  If you're a looking to get pampered for a couple of hours and not break the bank I definitely have a great deal for you if you live or work in Downtown Toronto!

Rhythm Spa located at 199 Church St. (Just South of Dundas St. E) is having an amazing special right now! 

For $120 (including tax) you get:

30 Min Massage

30 Min Facial

Mani/Pedi

30 Min Exfoliation

Eyebrow Shaping 

Brazilian Waxing or Full Leg or Full Arm...and it can be used over multiple visits!

We can't all afford to have spa days at The Ritz...but that doesn't mean we don't deserve to be pampered too!

I think this would be really fun to do as an afternoon w/ a girlfriend...go to lunch, go to the spa, hit a patio for some cocktails...you know all that fancy fun stuff ;)

I've been to Rhythm Spa before and I can say the staff are really nice and friendly.  It's a clean place and they've done quite a few renovations over the past couple of years to expand the business.  It's not the fanciest place in town but you're also not paying the highest prices in town either.

I should mention they also have some great deals for Spa Parties - Great idea for Bachelorettes or Birthdays!  Plus they also have some Monthly Membership spa services definitely worth checking out!

So if you're looking for some pampering...or a gift for someone that is in need of some pampering definitely a deal worth checking out!

Softlips Cubes & Giveaway!!!

I'm doing another Giveaway on my blog - YEAH!  This one is from the wonderful people over at Softlips Canada.  You may remember I had a really popular giveaway w/ them a couple of mths ago and they've been nice enough to set up another one with me!

Softlips Canada is launching their new 5-in-1 Lip Balm Cubes and I got to try out the Vanilla Bean and Berry Bliss cubes myself and I gotta say I'm definitely a fan!  Small, sleek cube design, easy twist off lid and very moisturizing on the lips!  I have some other lips balms that I have to go over my lips several times before I feel like there is any product on them but these just glide right on and leave my lips smooth and hydrated.

I personally like to keep one in my purse and one near my bed b/c I think it's always important to moisturize your lips before bed.  I find for myself at least that's one of the biggest things that prevent me from getting dry, chapped lips b/c we tend to dry out our lips a lot while we sleep if we sleep w/ our mouths open...plus if you sleep w/ the air conditioner on in these Summer mths that can be super drying to your lips too!

They are also totally affordable at $4.99 a piece and available Walmart, Rexall, Lawtons and Shoppers Drug Mart...so pretty much everywhere lol!

Btw if you're curious what the 5-in-1 stands for:

Hydrates - forumlated w/ Shea Butter to restore moisture
Replenishes - with antioxidant Vitamins A, C & E
Smoothes - rich emollients leave lips silky and soft
Protects - long lasting moisture to protect against dryness
Adds Shine - for a perfect radiant finish

So now on to the GIVEAWAY!!!  What exactly is in the prize pack you ask?

1 WINNER

1 Softlips CUBE lip moisturizer Berry Bliss

1 Softlips CUBE lip moisturizer Vanilla Bean

1 Clutch Purse with Zipper Chain Wristlet

1 Purse Mirror

Open To CANADA ONLY (sorry everywhere else) 

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a Rafflecopter giveaway

Good Luck!

Fantasy Farms Wedding

Back in May I had the pleasure of working w/ a pastry chef named Kadie on her wedding at Fantasy Farms in Toronto. I've never actually done at wedding at Fantasy Farms before...it's a cool venue and "bridal suite" is definitely one of the more "interesting" places I've gotten a bride and her party ready.  It's full on 70s style in the suite which is weird and sort of cool all at the same time.  

For her wedding day Kadie wanted a really soft makeup look w/ a flushed cheek, soft nude pink lip and neutral soft smokey eye.  Kadie has some of the biggest and bluest eyes ever...seriously they make her look like a doll and once I put the false lashes on them the look was really complete!  For her hair, Kadie like many modern brides opted to not have a veil.  I did a really textured side bun and I worked her beautiful applique headband into the style.

I think one of the coolest things about Kadie's wedding is that she designed her own wedding cake (being a pastry chef I wouldn't expect less of course).  She didn't actually make the cake which I think was a good thing b/c let's be real regular brides have enough to worry about before their wedding day let alone making their own wedding cake!  Instead she hired Bobbette & Belle to bring her vision to life!

I think one of the sweetest things about this wedding was the really touching and thoughtful email Kadie sent after the wedding expressing her gratitude for the day...I know it's corny but I'm such a softy when it comes to that stuff lol!

Kadie and her younger sister - who I also did hair and makeup for!

Skindinavia - Great Products from Beginning To End!

A few mths back I heard about Skindinavia on a makeup artist forum.  Many artists were raving about their setting spray and w/ wedding season right there I thought why not give them a try!

Often times one of the biggest compliments I can get as an artist is when a bride comes back to me and says my makeup looked amazing even at the end of the night!  In fact some of my favourite pictures are the ones where I see the bride at the reception dancing it up looking as flawless and beautiful as she did 10 or 12 hrs earlier when I first applied the makeup.  Having the makeup last through the heat, tears and kisses of a wedding is also one of the biggest concerns for brides so having a good setting spray to give it that extra bit of hold is always a good thing.  I always tell brides - It's like hairspray for the face (except a lot less sticky) ;) and in fact sometimes I think just the idea of using a setting spray at the end of the makeup applications helps the bride feel more secure and confident that her makeup is going to last...and when I'm doing it it always does ;)

But Skindinavia doesn't just have a setting spray - they also have a Primer too!  Basically, they are hitting your face w/ their Temperature Control Technology in the beginning and end of the makeup application. For those that are wondering what exactly "Temperature Control Technology" is and how it works follow this link.

The benefits of this technology include:  Oil Control, Diminished Shine, Skin retains moisture longer, Keeps makeup fresh throughout the day and prevents colour loss.  Plus all of their products are formulated w/out Parabens and they are Hypoallergenic, Non-Comedogenic, Oil-Free, Breathable and Lightweight on the skin.  Pretty much every person I use the primer and setting spray on comments on how refreshing and nice the mist feels on their skin at the beginning and end of the makeup appt.

The Primer is their newest product and I should also mention it's silicone free which is a major bonus for a lot of people and I know personally I sometimes find silicone primers have too much slip or can ball up on the skin.  It also helps to minimize redness, uneven skin and large pores.

One of my favourite things about Skindinavia has got to be their Pro Program!  Not only do they often have awesome Deals and Makeup Artist Kits but if you are a Pro and sign up for their Pro program and email them after you've made your order they will DOUBLE your order for FREE - YES you read that correct!!! Even if you aren't a Pro you can take advantage of their Makeup Artist Kits and great shipping rates for both USA and Canada!  I love when companies don't charge an arm and a leg to ship to Canada - I've literally not ordered from some companies b/c their shipping was ridiculous!

Another great plus is the little travel size bottles of the setting spray and/or primer that come w/ the order. I'm all about condensing my kit so I just refill those little bottles from the big bottle!

So w/ all these great benefits and the hot weather upon us I definitely think Skindinavia is a company worth checking out!

Hart House Wedding

We are officially right in the thick of wedding season right now which is of course exciting and busy!  But this also means I'm starting to get some photos from brides from weddings in May!  As you all know there's pretty much nothing I love more than receiving photos from my brides after the wedding!  I'm always trying to update my wedding site and keep it current and fresh...and it's even surprising to me sometimes just how far my work has come in the past few seasons!

Back in May I got to work w/ Jasmine and her wonderful group of family and friends at Hart House which is located at the University of Toronto.  What's funny is the weekend before I actually had a wedding job there too!  It's a gorgeous location and I love doing weddings there not only b/c I love old historic building but also b/c it's literally walking distance from my apt. lol!  Love any job I can walk to and from ;)

I met Jasmine a few mths before her wedding when I did her makeup trial.  Originally I was only going to do makeup at the wedding but when we started discussing logistics w/ her traveling to and from her hair salon to the wedding venue we agreed it might be a bit of unnecessary stress so at another date we did a hair trial. I'm so glad I got to do both Jasmine's makeup and hair b/c I really loved the updo I created for her!  It's funny actually b/c there have been multiple occasions in the past couple of years where I've actually received more credit or praise for my hair work than makeup lol!  Who ever would have thought that would have happened!!

In fact after the wedding Jasmine's wedding coordinator Events by Bridal Solutions actually contacted me a couple of wks later about another client they had b/c they loved the hair work I did so much w/ Jasmine. Even funnier we realized once we were talking that we also shared another client already who's wedding was in June :)  Wedding business is always such a small world!

Here are some photos from Jasmine's wedding courtesy of  We Do Photography

Also thought I'd share the really kind words Jasmine wrote on Wedding Wire for me after the wedding :)

I had such a wonderful experience with Jessica and her team. In addition to doing my wedding hair and make-up, she also did my two bridesmaids and my mom. The fact that Jessica will travel to you is a HUGE advantage and saved so much time for the morning prep. I would also highly recommend doing a trial. At the trial, Jessica was able read through my nervousness (because I have very thin hair) and knew what hairstyle I actually wanted, but didn't think I could get and was able to do it. On the morning of the wedding, Jessica was on time, prepared and her easy going attitude helped calm any morning jitters. Overall, Jessica is professional and talented and my hair and make-up were absolutely perfect for my wedding and it lasted from 8 am to the wee hours of the morning the next day.

GIVEAWAY!!! FREE 60 min Facial at Saul's Beauty Shop - $100 Value

I'm hosting another giveaway and let me tell you I'm SO EXCITED about this one!  Why you ask? Well it's a really awesome prize!  I'm giving away 1 60 min facial at Saul's Beauty Shop in Toronto - Value $100.  Contest open to anyone in Toronto or GTA (if you're willing to come to Toronto for the facial) - open to Men & Women - Saul's is a gender neutral joint and they actually really really want the boys out there to start taking better care of their skin ;)

Never heard of Saul's?  Well that's probably b/c it's pretty new but can I just say it's also pretty awesome!  I personally had the pleasure of getting my own facial at Saul's last week and it was probably one of the best facials I've had..no lie!  The spot itself is located right on Dundas West near Bellwoods Ave.  It also has a totally different vibe than most spas too...almost like you're stepping into someone's cute apt...not sterile or all white...that's b/c owner Eliss wanted to create a warm and friendly environment that would appeal to both men and women...reg. spa goers as well as newbies.

Eliss has been in the aesthetics biz for years and funny enough I've actually had the pleasure of receiving her services before once or twice at Aroma Wellness Clinic.  Eliss even recognized me when I came in for my facial which was surprising b/c I'm sure she saw A LOT of ppl at Aroma so kinda nice that she remembered me even though we only met once or twice before.

What makes her place different from a lot of other spas out there is as I mentioned she's really trying to make an inviting gender neutral, unpretentious environment and in fact not only does she carry a wide range of shave products for the boys out there but she also has a conditioning mask for facial hair during the male facials...facial hair and the skin underneath it need love to you know ;)

She also only carries products that are SLS and petrochemical free...she even writes up about it here on her site.

Also...and this is probably the biggest one compared to most places I've received facials from before.  Her facials are booked in time increments instead of the type of facial.  Basically when you go in you speak to Eliss about your concerns, sensitivities and the things you want most out of a facial ie. mask, extractions, peels etc. and from there she customizes your facial based on your skin type, needs, concerns and the time increment you've paid for.

So why did I enjoy my facial so much you might be asking.  Well to start off I just really liked the vibe...I actually always liked Eliss the once or twice I had her at Aroma so I knew I was off to a good start there.  Unlike most spas she doesn't play typical waterfall or meditating music but instead it's more of an old school classic slow r&b & jazz sort of thing.  Plus using the Aromatherapy Associates spa line she customizes the masks based on what she thinks you need...maybe a bit extra oatmeal or guava etc.  I had the Rose face mask.  And this was probably the best part...during the facial a lot of times the esthetician will leave the room during the steam or mask but Eliss actually gave a hand massage, shoulder massage and finally a scalp massage all during the facial...definitely aided in my relaxation!

Eliss also offers waxing services and spray tans...I'm actually going back next week for a spray tan to get my healthy "Summer glow" on ;)  I'll be sure to tell you guys about that too!

So here's how to ENTER!  Please allow a few moments for the widget to open.  Open to Men & Women.  Toronto or GTA area ONLY!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Phyt-Age Anti-Wrinkle Cream

Whenever I'm given any sort of skincare creams to use and review I really like to take some time and use them for awhile to see if they really work...I hate when I see bloggers writing about creams and serums that they've used once :P

I was sent Phyt-Age Anti-Wrinkle Cream several weeks ago and I've definitely had a chance to use it.  One thing I can definitely say is that it's a very thick cream and a little goes a long way so you definitely get your money's worth w/ it!  I've been using it for probably 6-8 wks and there's still well over half a jar and that's w/ use once or twice a day!

As I mentioned before it is a thicker cream which is great for older more mature skin which tends to be more dry and dehydrated (which the product is targeted at...it is anti-wrinkle after all).  When the skin is dry and dehydrated wrinkles are accentuated so hydrating the skin properly is definitely the first step to smoother, younger skin.

As someone w/ minimal wrinkles and oily skin I can say even though this cream is thicker I didn't feel like it was heavy on my skin or that it made it feel greasy in anyway...it absorbed nicely into my skin.  A little does go a long way though and if you put too much you'll have some trouble rubbing it in as it is rather thick...if that happens just take the excess and rub in down to your chest area...that needs moisture too ;)

The company definitely stands behind their product and they advertise it's a risk free 30 day trial...if you don't like it send it back for a full refund!  I like when a company stands behind their product like that.

I also like that Phyt-Age is formulated w/out sulfates, parabens, gluten, mineral oil, DEA, synthetic fragrance, PABA, synthetic colour, phthalates and propylene glycol.  I also know this is important to a lot of other people too as the trend seems to be finding products w/ these least amount of harmful chemicals or additives possible.

Phyt-Age also says that it's active ingredients that rival botox, brighten the skin, provide UV protection and promote collagen stimulation.  Like I said before I don't really have many wrinkles but I will say I have been getting a lot of compliments on my skin lately.  A lot of people have said it's glowing...I don't know if I owe all the results to this cream as I've definitely been eating healthier and living a more active lifestyle which also has a big impact...but the cream definitely isn't hurting the situation.

I really suggest people check out the website to learn more about the benefits and active ingredients in Phyt-Age cream.

A Look Back At Some Of My Winter Weddings!

As Spring is FINALLY here and I'm officially full force into wedding season I thought it might be fun to share w/ you all a collection of some of my weddings from the Winter mths.  People who aren't in the business always find it surprising how many weddings I actually do during the "off season".  Of course it's not as busy as the Summer mths but I do still average about 3 weddings a mth even in the "off season".

So here's a collection of a few weddings and brides I had the pleasure of working w/ during these colder months!

Noeline

I did this wedding right in the beginning of Nov.  In fact it was suppose to be a sort of Gothic/Halloween type theme without it being "too Halloween" or "tacky".  The bride made the hair fascinators and bouquets herself!  I loved the old hollywood glam look we created which I thought was perfect not only for her personality but also the complete look of the day! 

Chelsea

Chelsea actually got married the day after Noeline.  Definitely a change in style but that's what I love about my job...getting to work w/ so many different people and different ideas for what they want on their wedding day!  Chelsea had very long, straight hair so I was very happy to see how well the curls held for the side pony style!

Photographer Joanna Balcerak

Rebecca

Like Chelsea, Rebecca had very heavy, long, straight hair and one of the big concerns and worries with a Winter wedding is the wind and cold ruining the hair (unlike the Summer when the big concern is the heat and humidity).  I remember it was definitely a chilly, windy day in Dec. so I was so happy to see how well her hair held up and I love the added volume through the top that we decided on the day which I think made it a bit more dramatic and bridal!

Anna

Anna and her husband Mark live in Japan (where they met) and were actually already married over there.  They decided to do another wedding here for all the guests from Mark's family that couldn't make it to the Japanese wedding.  They got married on New Year's Eve...I wonder which wedding they count as their "anniversary" lol!  One of the biggest compliments I got was when Mark emailed me after the wedding to tell me how thrilled Anna (and her mother) were w/ the hair and makeup and they never thought they could find someone here in Canada (and I'm sure not a white girl lol) that could do an updo w/ the Japanese aesthetic and style in mind (b/c it definitely is different than a lot of Canadian styles).  

Photographer Jessica Li

Carol

Carol is another example of the "typical" Jessica Jean Myers bridal client - clean, fresh and pretty!  She wanted an updo that was sort of like smooth ribbons to show off the beautiful back of her dress.  She got married in January and believe it or not my company actually had 2 weddings on this day!

Photographer Tara McMullen

Kyla

Kyla got married on a Sunday on the long weekend in February.  She's actually American so her and her then fiance wanted a weekend that was holiday weekend for both countries for all the guests coming in.  It was a traditional Jewish wedding so it had to be held on a Sunday.  Kyla has a very girly aesthetic and I love the soft pink smokey eye I did and those lashes just look amazing on her.  It was such a fun and relaxing afternoon w/ both her and her mother.

Can't wait to see all the beautiful pics from all my brides this upcoming season!  It's going to be another busy one!