EAST MEETS WEST....on Wedding Chicks!

So excited that a photo shoot I was involved in last summer was featured on the super popular blog Wedding Chicks!  They cover all things Wedding, so it's a fantastic resource for any bride to be, or anyone who just LOVES weddings.

This shoot was created by my girls at Gold Dust Vintage, Megan and Rachel....love them!  They wanted to show how vintage doesn't always have to mean "shabby chic"...but can actually be translated into many types of décor.  They used colorful sofas, lanterns, vases, tableware....all sorts of goodies and created a fantasy setting for an East meets West style photo shoot that was just chock full of ideas for brides to consider!  They gathered up a team of local wedding professionals to help, and I was thrilled to be asked to do hair and makeup for the shoot.  I normally don't do wedding hair, but I was happy to create two simple looks for this shoot...a twisted side pony and then a classic side-parted updo for the second look.  The makeup was FUN....the first look was a very dramatic dress and we wanted dramatic makeup to go with it!  Several colors of blue and turquoise, MAJOR lashes and a bold hot pink lip.....

 

This look was more of a traditional, colorful Indian-inspired look, but yet with modern and edgy twists...I just loved it!  Our model Shaina, was a dream to work with....she's so gorgeous.

 

Oh, did I mention it was WELL over a hundred degrees that day?!?!  It was in August and it was HOT.  So glad my stuff was set up in air conditioning!  The photographer was shooting away and capturing dreamy images like the one above, but then we realized it was starting to get dark....we had to REALLY hurry to do the second look!  I quickly scrubbed Shaina's face and created look #2, a buffed out smoky eye, flushed pink cheeks with a bit of shimmer and a subtle, warm pink lip.  And....more traditional lashes!  This look is more of a glamorous bridal look and one I actually create pretty often on real brides...it photographs well and looks fabulous in person too, it's a most requested look.  With makeup in 15 minutes flat, I pinned up her hair, she changed dresses and put on some truly fabulous jewelry and look #2 was complete!

 

 

 

 

Check out this link from Wedding Chicks for more pictures and details about the shoot, including fabulous paper goods by The Bee's Knee's Custom Design, Dresses and jewelry by De Ma Fille Bridal an amazing cake by Sugar Bee Sweets, Florals by We + You, Photography by Nine Photography, and the lovely venue, Weston Gardens.   Don't forget to check out this fun behind the scenes video from Turquoise Video!

Texas Beauty and Grace - Loma Linda

Hi Everyone!
I recently did an amazing styled shoot with Melissa Shook Photography out at Loma Linda Events, in Rocket, TX.  Although it's been cold cold cold lately and the trees were definitely still starkly winter barren, we lucked out and the day of the shoot itself was warm and really nice!  I crafted a mostly natural and sweet look for Grace, but when I saw the aquamarine color of her eyes AND the fabulous shoes stylist Sally Schnitzius had lined up for the shoot, I decided to add a little pop of unexpected shadow around her lashline.  I loved the ethereal effect it created...very cool!  For her hair, I did soft, natural waves that were first adorned with a floral crown (created by Teresa Choate with Loma Linda), then just down and loose for the 2nd look.  For the final group of sunset shots, I pinned up a quick twisted topknot PLUS added a vibrant raspberry lip for a more bold and electric look that perfectly played off the colors in her bouquet...gorgeous!  Sally and I collaborated our massive jewelry collections to find some perfect vintage additions to adorn Grace's gorgeous dress.  Did I mention Grace and Matt are engaged in real life?  They had such great chemistry and Melissa captured some sweet moments and dreamy imagery while rushing to get that last little bit of sunlight.  LOTS of pics, but what the heck....check out "Texas Beauty and Grace"!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Photography - Melissa Shook Photography 

 Venue, Floral, backdrops - Teresa Choate/Loma Linda Events 

 Styling/Jewelry - Sally Schnitzius 

Dress - Pence and Panache

Makeup/Hair/Jewelry/Additional Styling - Lip Service Makeup

Models - Grace Schnitzius and Matt Chapman

Vendor Showcase at the Fort Worth Club!

Had a GREAT night last night...Vendor Showcase at The Fort Worth Club!  I love this venue and do weddings here often...last one was just 2 weeks ago.  I'm honored to be on their preferred vendor's list....I mean, it's The Fort Worth Club!  Traditional elegance at it's finest...if you've never been for an event, you're missing out.  Last night, the FWC was in especially fine form as every corner of the place was spectacularly turned out by amazing wedding professionals with drapery, lighting, lush florals and basically dream settings that any bride (or non-bride) would swoon over!  Gorgeousness around every corner...seriously impressive.

I was set up in the Bellevue room with my peeps from Bliss Bridal and my #1 hair gal, Renn Traylor!  Renn and I got set up and then got to work transforming Taylor into a bride.

 

I met tons of new brides, as well as several who have already booked me who just stopped by to say hello!  Love that.  I always feel sorry for the grooms and dads...talking about makeup usually makes their eyes glaze over a bit, but even guys can appreciate the before/afters in my portfolios...PLUS we were right next to a large cake ball display.  I think that helped....

 

After the vendor showcase was over, the club had a little vendor appreciation party and we had a chance to socialize, sample some amazing food and even do a little Cupid Shuffle on the dance floor!

 

A really fun night!  Thanks again to Meghan and Melissa from the Fort Worth Club for including me!  PS, if you don't live in Fort Worth, you may not know that we had an ice storm and temps in the low teens yesterday....so glad that didn't stop the festivities.  If it's cold where you are, stay warm! 

PS, the Cupid Shuffle helps with that.....; )

I'm a sucker for a great drugstore find....and a catchy name!

I've got TONS of new photos to share, but my computer is being difficult and won't upload, so I'll throw in a quick product review...check back for more before/afters!



Ever heard of Hard Candy?  They used to be part of Urban Decay....the packaging is similar, catchy product names, bold color cosmetics.  The big difference?  Hard Candy is sold at Wal-Mart, that's right WAL-MART.  That means it's CHEAP, people.  Aha, so I've got your attention?  I can't say it enough...I am more than willing to pay big bucks for the right product that delivers the results I want for my clients, but a great product is a great product,  I'm not too snobby to work in some drugstore finds.



I tested a few Hard Candy items recently....including the cleverly titled "Eye'm Tired"....serum to de-puff and brighten your underye area.  Price?  $5.00....so why not?

 It comes in a tube with three little metal roller balls.....you massage the product in and let it dry.  I tried it after cleansing and after eye cream on a morning when my allergies were kicking up.  It felt GREAT....very cool, very refreshing...would be fab in the fridge! (Note for the upcoming Texas summer.....)

I really saw a reduction in puffiness....it was noticeable!  This is now my go to after late nights and allergy mornings...it makes my eyes feel more awake.  I just wait about 10 minutes and then start my makeup routine....easy.

 

What makes it work is a combo of the rollers and the light serum that contains vitamin B5, caffeine, cassava and algae extract. This isn't taking the place of anything in my skin care routine, just an addition for puffy eye days.  Again, for the price, it was worth the risk....great product with a catchy, clever name that makes me like it even more. Bring on the weepy chick flicks, I'm ready!

 

Sneak Peek of Loma Linda Photo Shoot!

I was asked to do a styled shoot at Loma Linda today...a lovely outdoor wedding facility/ranch in Rockett, TX (near Waxahachie).  The stark, bare trees were a cool backdrop for the vintage feel of the shoot....and, you can't see it in these shots, but she's wearing the most gorgeous aquamarine shoes!  Love!  For hair I went with soft waves...first with a floral headpiece, then down with a side part...

For makeup, the look was flushed and rosy, but with a pop of aquamarine that really brought out Grace's eyes.  Gorgeous!

More to follow once I have all the images back...but here's a sneak peek....
(PS, Grace and Matt are getting married for real in about a month...best wishes!)

(Hair and makeup by LipService Makeup, Photography by Melissa Shook Photography)