A Very Special Wedding!

A few weeks ago I had the pleasure of doing Makeup & Hair for a very special wedding.  All of my weddings are special of course but this one was just a bit different.  It was the wedding day of literally one of my oldest and closest friends Svetlana.

She is the first of my close friends to get married (although I expect the ball to start rolling very soon w/ other weddings).  She is also pretty much the only close friend that I have known since I was a teenager.  We met in grade 9 when we were both 14 so yes we go WAY  BACK!  We were best friends and pretty much inseparable in grade 10 and had a falling out in grade 11 and like stupid young girls we were both too stubborn to make amends w/ the other and therefore didn't see each other for years...which now I think is so sad that we lost that many years...seriously ppl stubbornness is such a waste when in comes to friendships and you'll regret it years later.

We got back into contact probably around 6-7 years ago when Svetlana moved up to Toronto for work and it's amazing how quickly we were able to pick up where we left off all those years ago.  As someone who has moved around A LOT in her life and had a lot of ppl come and go it's really nice to have someone around that knew you "back then".  That you can reminisce about your crazy high school crushes and antics with and still remembers you during a simpler time before life got so "complicated" lol.

So this wedding was a little bittersweet to me...of course I was happy for my friend who was marrying the man she loved (and boy does their "courtship" have it's own story lol) but I was sad b/c it also meant I was "losing" a friend again.  Svetlana has moved back to our hometown Windsor, ON b/c that's where her now husband lives (they were doing a long distance thing) and housing and living costs are just much more affordable...plus a lot of other reasons.  So of course her and I will remain friends but it's just a little sad b/c I can't just call her to go for our Sunday walks to get a coffee and just talk about things and we can't meet up for dinner on a Tues b/c we both don't have plans...and stuff like that.

But anyway, on to the happy stuff the wedding!  It was a beautiful but HOT day and Svetlana and Jeff wanted something simple but still reflected them as a couple and I think they did a great job at that.  They did this whole "movie" theme and I have to admit I haven't seen a groom so influential in the decision making process of the wedding...if he's half as attentive as a husband Svetlana will be set lol!  They had a little red carpet and backdrop like at the movie premieres for taking pictures in front of, the dinner menu was printed on a film strip, popcorn machine to collect the cards, their engagement picture was blown up on to a movie poster...just lots of really unique details that showed the couple's (or more Jeff's actually) personality lol!  Another detail I absolutely LOVED was the fact that the day before the wedding Jeff went to his Nonna's house and made Italian Butter Cakes.  One for each table (8 in total) and they were cut and served to us for dessert instead of the typical wedding cake.  I thought this was a really lovely idea and was just another really thoughtful detail.

Svetlana wanted to keep her hair very simple w/ just soft curls and a few delicate pieces pinned out of her face.  I also incorporated the hair extensions I had made her for her b-day the previous year just for fullness and volume.  For makeup we went w/ a really pretty smokey purple eye and a soft pink lip and cheek.  I also did her MOH Maya and her mom's Hair & Makeup.  Overall it was a really relaxed morning and just a fun day!

Here's some pics of the beautiful day and the beautiful bride!  I was really impressed w/ the photographer Toan Lam for not only doing an amazing job on the wedding pictures but for taking amazing engagement photos too!  Seriously, if you're getting married in Windsor, ON you should check this guy out!

Doing some Final Touches on the Bride 

Svetlana & Her Mom...They look So Good!

What a Good Looking Couple!

Here's just a couple of photos I took at the wedding

Me Before the Ceremony...If I do say so myself...I'm Looking Good ;)

On the "Red Carpet" w/ Svetlana & Jen (work friend & fellow Windsorite).  Love standing next to these two b/c they always make me feel so tall lol!

 Engagement Poster...Too Cute...This Whole Shoot was Pretty Awesome!

They even gave me a credit ;)

 They had a firework display - very cool!

Red Bull Update...Finally!

So I know the Red Bull event was like a wk and a half ago but I wanted to wait until I had pics of the event before I wrote about it. Plus I've been super busy since I've been back...hello wedding business YEAH...and even a male model testing gig w/ Mckenzie James whom I've wanted to work w/ for awhile...he's so much fun (hopefully we'll work together again ;) )!

So yeah back to the Red Bull event! It went wonderfully...like it couldn't have gone better! The girls were a HUGE success and there's a very good chance that we'll be asked back next year - $$$. Plus one of the guests really took a liking to the girls and we might be booked for a private party in July :)

So as I believe I mentioned before I had to drive the girls down to Windsor in a minivan...I don't think I mentioned - I haven't driven in quite awhile! Well the driving went really well...even through huge thunderstorms on the first day. GPS actually makes me a confident and much better driver.

The girls were really nice and a pleasure to work w/. Unfortunately, the one was sick almost the entire weekend but all were really sweet. I roomed w/ Mika (the redhead) and she was totally awesome. We got along wonderfully.

So as many of you know Windsor is my hometown but I literally didn't have 1 minute to visit my family. I got up at like 5:30 am to get ready and get the girls ready and went to bed at midnight or later w/ every minute scheduled but it was worth it. The days and nights were filled w/ lots of schmoozing w/ all the guests at the conference. Friday night there was an amazing fine dining dinner and Saturday night there was a great boat cruise w/ dinner and dancing that was so much fun. What was funny w/ the boat cruise was how much responsibility I was given. I was basically in charge of the buses and everyone on them getting to and from Detroit to the boat cruise. The bus drivers were even coming up to me at the end of the night for instructions on what to do next which I found amusing since after all I am just the makeup artist lol. A few of us went out later that night in the Caesars Casino Windsor for a few drinks and some more dancing ;) Both Sat. and Sun. were filled w/ great BBQs and Air Racing. So as you can see in between the working and long hours there as also time for a lot of fun.

Even got to meet (very briefly) the Canadian Red Bull Pilot - Pete McLeod. There was a door prize the first night that included for the winner a limo ride w/ 2 of the girls (Air Champions as we called them) and Bjarni Tryggvason (keynote speaker and one of the first 6 Canadian Astronauts in Space) to the Red Bull Plane Hanger where the winner got to meet Pete McLeod and take a few pictures plus go up in one of the planes and do some tricks and flying w/ a pilot. What an amazing prize!

So w/out dragging on and on here are some pics from the event. You can see how elaborate the costumes and makeup were...not your typical promo model look that's for sure! People everywhere were stopping the girls for pics. Plus the plane pics are pretty cool too!

The Air Champions posing w/ Sandra Pupatello (originally from Windsor). She's the Minister of Economic Development and Trade

The girls w/ our boss - Susan. Amazing woman who really did an amazing job!

Door Prize Winner Jimmy w/ Mika and Danielle in the Limo. I think he likes them lol!
The Air Champions w/ Bjarni, Jimmy and Pete McLeod (Canadian Red Bull Pilot)

Guess What I Bought Yesterday!!!

It's that time of year again! That's right IN Beauty - my FAVOURITE magazine for keeping me up to date on all the latest and future hair and makeup trends has just hit stores! For those out of the loop it's basically a magazine that shows in details ALL of the major Hair & Makeup looks for ALL of the major Fashion Shows for Fall/Winter 10. I found it yesterday and apparently it was the FIRST day it was released lol. I got an email earlier in the week from Frank the guy I've been in contact w/ to get the mag consistently over the past yr or so telling me it was coming out this week.

And guess what Torontonians...it's easier to find now. Complections Makeup School is now carrying it! The back of this issue also gives a full listing of International Distributors.

All my American friends never fear here's the info:

Around The World Inc.
28 West. 40th St.
NYC, NY
10018
USA
amijayinc@hotmail.com
http://www.atwnyc.com

Canadians - contact Frank he's the nicest and even started a mailing list to let us know when the mag is expected in stores!
fursino@speedimpex.ca

Here's the cover so you know what to look for...you won't be disappointed!!!!
P.S. I promise to write about my amazing weekend working at the Red Bull Air Race as well...it's just been a crazy week...good though - got booked for ANOTHER wedding :)

Red Bull Air Race

So a couple of wks ago I got a call for a really unique work opportunity. An opportunity that would take me to my hometown of Windsor, ON for PAID work...that's something I NEVER thought would happen lol! I was contacted to be the Key Artist for the Promo Models for the Ontario Aerospace Commission (OAC) for the Red Bull Air Race.

For those that don't know the Red Bull Air Race is this HUGE international event that happens all over the world in places like New York, Germany, Hungary and Portugal. So the fact that Windsor was chosen for the SECOND year to host this event is a really big deal for the city! In fact they've actually been approved to get it for a THIRD year next yr...totally unheard of (hopefully if the job goes well that means I'll get asked back again too!)

So being that this event is such a huge deal on an International scale I'm pretty excited to be a part of it! I even get my name and bio in the program. I leave on Thurs and come back on Sunday and it's all expenses paid. Get to stay in the Ceasars Casino Windsor which is a really nice hotel, all food and activities are covered plus I get reimbursed for supplies bought...always nice to get some more makeup for the kit ;) Plus I've actually been given more responsibility in coordinating the models for the trip and I'm actually in charge of driving them to and from Windsor (which means more $$$). I'm really hoping this will be a good networking opportunity as there will be a lot of businesses from all over Ontario there and hopefully some wives...you know who might need makeup for special events or weddings lol ;)

The costumes and makeup for this event are really quite elaborate and I'll make sure to update you guys on the event w/ pics and details when I get back. These are your traditional promo model outfits and makeup. The concept is Futuristic Flight Attendants and the costumes are these amazing teal body suits w/ these navy jackets and there are boots and little hats too. The outfits have even been fitted w/ lights so they light up. I've only seen sketches so far so I'm super excited to see the finished product tomorrow b/c the sketches were awesome!

For the makeup I got my inspiration from designer Ana Locking's Spring/Summer 09 Runway Show. I wanted to do something that felt futuristic but still made the girls look hot...after they are promo models lol! Plus it needs to be something that I can replicate somewhat quickly b/c I have 5 girls to do. I bought some Make Up For Ever Aqua Liners that I'm dying to try and will hopefully be long lasting for the event b/c it lasts all day plus some amazing false lashes.

Here's some pics of my inspiration!