BRIDEface/FACEing

BRIDEface makeup artistry/Catie and Whitney, engaged!

2012-02-02T07:13:00.000-08:00

These beautiful images are By Steph Carson
Caitlin booked me several months ago and i have done her makeup several times since then-she me to see me for a Mercier event at Saks, attended one of my charity brow events, and was my "guinea pig" when i did some airbrush makeup training. So I was really excited to meeting Whitney, who had been deployed for several months. Lucky me, getting to prettify TWO brides!

Richmond Makeup Artist Aaron of Brideface Richmond/Allison Married

2012-02-01T12:17:00.000-08:00

I am so pleased to have been a part of Allison's wedding day a few weeks ago. The photos you see are courtesy of Erik Leise of E.Leise Photo Design. (He is a super nice guy and a great dresser...we had on the same sweater!!) Allison decided, sort of last minute, to hire a makeup artist and hair stylist for her big day. She felt pretty comfortable in doing her own makeup but just did not want the added stress of having to take that on herself.

Allison and her husband had been a couple for many years before the ceremony but felt the time was now right to make it "official". Some times I have brides who have been in a long term relationship and then choose to downplay the wedding day. Allison was not one of those gals.

She had the beautiful dress, and amazing venue, a bevy of bridesmaids that stunned in red dresses...the whole nine yards. I know she is glad that she decided to go full out.

We used many of the products you will find in our blog reviews including Rock N Rose Lip Liner by Jordana, available at Walgreens; Maybelline's Dream Bouncy Blush in Plum Wine, available at most drug stores; Benefit's Creaseless Cream Eye Shadow in Get Figgy and Smashbox's Jet Set Waterproof Eye Liner in Midnight Black, both of which are available at Sephora.

Congratulations to Allison...a beautiful lady on a beautiful day! Thanks Allison!

BRIDEface makeup artists/Red lips + Cincy Bloggers=Ooo la la!

2012-02-01T06:43:00.001-08:00

A bevy of beauties descended on The Bridal Studio last night! Katy Crossen, Amy Scalia, Tamia Stinson, Julie Gosdin, Marsha Ashley, and Brock Maitland. April Smithwas on hand to take these gorgeous images, and Mollie Elliott was my partner in crime to help me get all the girls camera-ready.

Do you have a favorite shade of red? Now is your chance to show it off, and in return, you could win a pair of tickets to the sold-out Lady in Red event this Friday night (at a secret location to soon to be revealed!).

All you have to do is "Go Red" on Facebook - post a photo of you wearing your favorite red lip to Cincy Chic's wall. You'll be entered to win twice if you make that photo your profile pic, too.

One participant will be selected to win two sold-out swag bag tickets, a $50 gift certificate to Stone Creek Dining Company, and a personalized FACEing makeup class gift certificate with BRIDEface.

Photo must be posted on Cincy Chic's Facebook page by 5 pm EST Thursday, February 2, and the profile photo must remain participant's featured profile photo until 5 pm EST February 2.

BRIDEface makeup artistry/Go Red lips!

2012-01-25T12:13:00.001-08:00

Anyone who follows BRIDEface/FACEing on facebook or my Pinterest knows that I have been a bit obsessed with red lipstick lately.

We are approaching Go Red month, which when we promote awareness of heart disease in women, a cause very near and dear to me. So there's that. And there's my lovely friend Amy of Cincy Chic, who had the brilliant idea to tie in red lipstick to the event.
When you talk about red lipstick, you open up a huge can of worms.

"I can't wear red lipstick; I feel like a clown."
"I'm just not a red lipstick person."
"I can't ever find the right shade."
Did you know that it is a proven fact that women who wear red lipstick smile more? I know I have a different attitude when I wear red, and people respond to me differently.
It's best not to overthink picking out a lipstick. Back when I worked at Saks for Mercier, there was a woman who we called Red Lipstick Lady. She came in almost every single week and tried on every red lipstick in the cosmetics department. You know that after you try a couple, your lips are just stained and it's useless to try any more, right? It's like trying on too many fragrances. Well, she'd never heed my advice on that, so she hardly ever bought one. And when she did, she'd always return it the very next day. Wonder if she's still searching for that Holy Grail of Red Lipstick-?

But I digress.

If you google "picking the perfect red lipstick" you will get hundreds of articles, all with conflicting advice. Most insist you have to wear a cool color if you are a fair skintone. Not necessarily true; I know a porcelain skinned brunette who absolutely rocks the brighty orangey reds. I take everything into account; haircolor, skin undertones, and eye color. The right orange-red can bring out gorgeous little flecks of gold in a brown eye, whereas a berry red can pop blue eyes tremendously. Sometimes it really comes down to good old trial and error. The right one will let you know.

Tuesday night i will be meeting with six prominent Cincinnati bloggers to help them get their own signature red lip. I can't wait to post their beautiful headshots here!

Choosing Bridal Makeup/BRIDEface Richmond VA Makeup Artist

2012-01-23T07:31:00.000-08:00

Makeup! We play with it, we buy it, we wear it, we love it!But sometimes we hate it too, don’t we? Why is it that the products that lookso pretty in the store or in the magazine don’t look as pretty on us when weget home?

On average women spend $100 per month on beauty and cosmeticproducts. That certainly adds up! Above and beyond anything else, the numberone reason I hear as to why so many women end up not liking what they buy is ALACK OF EDUCATION!!! And guess what ladies…that is not your fault! It is thefault of the person selling you that makeup. Now, I understand that if you arepicking something up from a drug store you may not have a beauty advisor there tohelp you, but if you are shopping at ANY department store, there are people therethat are paid to do just that. The problem that comes up is that they are alsorequired to sell a certain dollar amount each day (and yes girls, I did thatfor years) and so sometimes the sale of a product becomes more important thanhow to put it on.

Make sure you take the time to ask questions like: What isthe best applicator for this product? How heavy do I want to apply? Show meexactly where on the eye this goes to contour? Do I need anything to maximizethe wearablility of this product? Hundreds of dollars a year can be saved if you have the advisor give youthe proper education on that product. We actually teach FACEing classes wherewe come to client’s homes and she brings up to five friends and we do justthat. We go through the makeup bags, not with the purpose of cleaning them out(although if I find a mascara that is older than 5 months I will do my best topry it away from you) but to show how you can get the most out of your productsand make them work for you!

Now when it comes to wedding makeup there are a few thingsto keep in mind. I firmly believe that you can be very confident with makeup,but should probably not take on the pressure of doing your own. The nerves andexcitement of the day can add stress to the bride who is trying to do itherself. If you must do your own; for example a destination wedding; take a DIYclass first. Second, be careful what foundation your chose. You want to becertain what you are wearing is enough coverage so that your photographer doesnot have to work overtime editing the photos. But conversely, you don’t want aheavy foundation that will weigh the skin down and make you look older. Cheeksare very complicated. Brides like to have the glow, but stay away from the“sparkle powder”. That ends up reflecting your photographers flash back at himand you end up “whited” out. Create a great cheek by the use of cream blush anda perfectly placed highlight. When it comes to eyes you typically need to gowith a little more drama. That does not mean if you are used to wearing alittle liner and mascara for everyday that you have to have a full blown smokylook. You can still get the drama with a nude allover shadow, a bit of contourfor the outer crease and then a dramatic liner with lash enhancements. That waywhen you look at your photos in 20 years you will look like you, not somestranger. One last tip to remember is to make sure you have a great sealer theday of the wedding. If it is warm, or you are someone who gets teary-eyed, asealer can save the day.

Makeup can be your best friend. It is something that shouldboost your confidence, not make your more stressed. Take time before the bigday to research what is going to be best for you. Remember there areprofessionals out there that want to hear a register ring, but there are somany more who want you to feel like the beautiful and confident woman you are.

BRIDEface Cincinnati makeup artistry/Brooke's portfolio

2012-01-21T15:37:00.000-08:00

I just realized I never blogged these modeling shots from several months back. I think they illustrate perfectly how different you can make someone look with makeup. Brooke is such an incredible canvas, I could've painted her all day.

Images, Robin McKerrell

BRIDEface makeup artist/How to repair cracked makeup brush handles

2012-01-20T05:22:00.000-08:00

(pictured above: "before", "after", and Plasti-Dip.)
Makeup brushes can really be a significant investment. Some of my large powder brushes are around $55 and the smaller ones are in the $20-$35 range. A few of mine are nearly 15 years old; I even have a couple that have the original Laura Mercier logo on them,. which was a girly script. The brush hair are all still in wonderful shape. I really baby my brushes, because I have to wash them so often. I use brush guards on them after washing so the hairs won't fray and they keep their original shape. Every so often I put jojoba oil on them before shampooing to condition them.
But the handles were really showing signs of wear. The paint was cracking and peeling and a couple were down to bare wood. (one thing that contributes to this is tapping your brush against hard surfaces; I always train my clients to tap the brush against your other hand to get rid of excess pigment) I found tons of tutorials online to save bristles, and alter brush shape, but no one addressed distressed handles. Rather than pitch them I thought I would search around for a solution to salvage them, especially since one of my favorites is a MAC brush that is no longer manufactured.
A google search took me to Plasti Dip. It coats a piece in liquid rubber, giving the effect of a pair of pliers with rubber handles. The website had a ton of colors but at my Home Depot I was only able to find black.
It was about 7 bucks and comes in a small can. The first thing is, this stuff is stinky. You need to have wire or string handy to hang up your item to dry, as well as newspaper underneath to catch the drips. I wrapped the ferrule (metal part) with wire and dipped it right in and then hung them from my chandelier. I could not be more pleased with how they look now! The handles feel very nice in my hand too; as if Good Grips pimped them out.

I am tempted to hunt down a neon lime green shade-maybe that would keep my brushes from "walking" out of my kit?

BRIDEface Cincinnati makeup artist/Maybelline Eye Studio Color Tattoo

2012-01-18T04:12:00.000-08:00

I am what you would call a rabid fan of cream eyeshadows. I have all of Laura Mercier's metallics that come in a squeeze tube, nearly all of Benefit's, and many of MAC's paint pots. I love how creams give a dewier texture, give excellent saturation of color and intensity, and applied properly, good longevity. I generally keep these on the lid only, but if I take them up to the brow, I always add a powder shadow into the crease to contour and to prevent the creamy texture from creasing up. Cream shadows make an excellent base on which to build a smoky eye as well, especially if it's a pewter or deep bronze shade.

When I spied this new product I was pretty excited about the prospect of finding a less expensive alternative to the ones I normally buy, particularly for my FACEing classes; I like to be able to recommend a high end option as well as a mass market if possible.

It did take a bit of searching to find ample stock in these; many stores are already all out! (which only heightens the sense of the chase for me)

I ended up purchasing Tough as Taupe, Bad to the Bronze, and Fierce & Tangy (the orange one).

On Day 1 I put on Fierce & Tangy but it was such a hideous shade on me, I took it off immediately. I do think this will be very pretty on a deeper skintone. I then put the bronze on with a brush, from my lash up to just onto my brow bone, without adding any powder on top whatsoever. Ten hours later I found no signs of creasing or fading at all. The application was smooth, the pigmentation was truly impressive, and the texture was like that of a pricey shadow. I actually preferred the texture somewhat to Benefit's because it is a slightly more powdery feel. The bronze is really fairly shimmery; I would probably confine this to the ball of the lid only if I were to wear it for "real life". It is more sparkly than Benefit's RSVP, my go-to for a quick, one step polished eye.

I was really surprised by the taupe; it's completely matte, which is very hard to come by in a cream eye color. Sometimes they can look a bit chalky but not this one. It's really more a light grey than taupe though, which can be a hard color to wear.

I need to use up quite a bit of what I already own, but I'd love to go back and get the pomegranate, the gold, the asphalt, and even the white. (The brights are fun but I don't get enough cause to use them and I have tons of loose pigments to suit that type of thing.)

Overall, I would definitely recommend these to a client looking to save a little money. really a ton of bang for your buck here and outstanding wear. The shade range is a little odd-too many "out there" colors and not a lot of universal neutrals. A peachy nude is sorely needed, as is a beigy champagne, and I would add a slight sheen to both.

BRIDEface makeup artists/Sigma brushes rave

2012-01-18T00:24:00.000-08:00

If you's ever worked with me, you know that I own a ton of makeup brushes. I have been weeding out some of the brushes that look shopworn (some are 15 years old!) and shapes I just don't use, and investing in some new ones for my kit and for a dedicated kit for my FACEing classesI recently made several purchases from Sigma Beauty and was so impressed by the quality of their products.

My favorite brushes in my kit are MAC, Laura Mercier, and Trish McEvoy. But when I experienced the quality of Sigma at a fraction of the price of the other brands, I was hooked. For example, that entire set above is only $59!
I now have their Dry n Shape roll, which you put your brushes into after you have washed them, and it shapes them like the day you bought them. Absolutely love it. I also got a traditional roll, but I admit I am not using it because I have a huge one my friend custom made for me. I have the two piece brush cup pictured above, only in black. And I have an assortment of the brushes. I am looking forward to trying their new Bunny line, which is all Vegan and uses HD fibers. My only beef is that they don't make my beloved flat liner brush. (Are you listening, Sigma?)

Richmond Wedding Expo as seen by BRIDEface Richmond Makeup Artist

2012-01-17T07:07:00.000-08:00

I had a great time at the Richmond Wedding Expo on Sunday, which is the creation of Richmond Weddings. Now, since I got married in the stone age, when shows like this were not as popular or as grand, I was not quite sure what to expect. From the moment I walked in until the time I left I could not have been made to feel more welcome or pampered. Whether it was the delicious food from the many caterers, the crazy fun photo session with Virginia Photobooths and More, or the decadent desserts of which I may have sampled a few, the day was so much fun!

For anyone who may be getting married I would highly recommend that if you get the opportunity, you should check out a show like the one I attended. The reason I say this is because it gives you the opportunity to see a lot of things you may not have considered. The number of interesting vendors and designers and themes that I encountered that day was quite impressive. When you attend a show it allows the bride AND the groom to begin brainstorming what they want their day to look like.

Now a bridal show is not like the grocery store. You can't just pick up a photographer or a florist and throw them in your cart (that would be kind of odd...wouldn't it?). But it does give you the opportunity to meet vendors and start getting ideas of how your day will plan out. However, my one word of caution is that a bridal show is a good starting point, but it should not take the place of reseach on your own. Just because you might like a cake at the show does not mean that is who you should use. That wedding cake designer may be out of your budget or unable to deliver on the theme you want. You still need to "get out there" and do your research, look at reviews, get testimonials, meet with people. Make sure you take the time to really investigate the vendors with whom you would like to work. With that being said, a bridal show is a great launching platform. Having been in this industry for so long I have come across many brides and grooms who feel quite overwhelemed with the planning stages and just want to crawl under the table with a bottle of vodka! A show can ease that tension, offer some insight, and if nothing else you get to play in the chocolate fountain!!

For our Richmond fan base I wanted to share with you some great vendors that I met this weekend. If you are getting married make sure to check them out!

Jenny at FMS Events and Reunions. She was the first person I met and was so sweet and outgoing. Their table was absolutely stunning and the colors they used really did stop people in their tracks. She could not say enough about the owners and how much she enjoyed working there. I would never have thought to look at FMS because their web address says "reunions" not "weddings". Another reason why a bridal show can help.

Next came Don Mears of Don Mears Photography. I already "liked" his work on Facebook but I got to see it up close. It is even more beautiful in person and he is quite charming. Don was easy to talk with and his set-up at the show was top notch. You could tell he is on top of his craft.

I then had the chance to meet Dave Miller and Shaun of Dementi Studio. I had not had the pleasure of looking at their work until Sunday and it was gorgeous. This studio has been around a very long time in Richmond and is quite well know by locals. They have a range of prices and Richmond Magazine loves them.

Then it was off to meet a wonderful lady, Honeylyn Armstrong (Honey) of Honeydew Events. She is just as cute as the name of her company! She was quite helpful to me (with this being the first show I have attended in sometime) and made me feel very comfortable. That is an important trait for someone who is offering coordination to possess. She has a fresh take on events and I loved the "warm" vibe she has.

Another photographer was next on my list to meet; Bridget Hazel of Bridget Hazel Photography. I adore her. She has a lot of knowledge about the indusrty and the bridal shows in general. Of course her work is amazing too! There was one shot of a wedding cake in front of some plate glass that was outstanding. She was easy to talk with and seems to have a good knack for understanding her clients needs.

The final person I met that day was Melissa from Nicole Vance Photography. I fell in love with the wedding books they had on display. So many to choose from! There were some photos that had this beautiful metallic finish and they do some very interesting things with reflections.

Give them a look if you have a need. Now for those of you that have made it this far in today's blog I will also tell you there were some vendors that had some very interesting edible treats as well as some boudoir lotions and potions.....they were set up downstairs in the corner. Hhhmmmmmmm....

Cincinnati makeup artists/meet Honour!

2012-01-16T06:42:00.001-08:00

I am repeating our Meet the Artist series on the blog since some of you may have missed it in our monthly newsletters!

Allow me to introduce Honour Pillow. I have know Honour for many years and in fact I was responsible for getting her her very first job in cosmetics many moons ago. She is our fourth team member to have studied personally under Laura Mercier!

Where did you learn to do Makeup? I started my makeup career assisting an artist I met while living in NYC in 1996. While attending design school in Cincinnati the following year I was fortunate enough to work for Trish McEvoy Cosmetics which had recently launched at Saks Fifth Ave. After a few years of honing my skill and building my personal kit, I decided I would work independently. I started working for Wings Model MGMT as a lead artist for photo shoots and runway shows. Our team traveled the midwest scouting new talent and developing them for worldwide placement. In 2001 I moved to Chicago to launch NARS Cosmetics for Saks Fifth Ave. Working with famed NARS makeup Artists such as Ayako was a dream come true. I spent 4 years with the NARS team before moving to Las Vegas in 2004. This is where I fell in love and truly learned the art of "natural beauty" while working for brands Bobbi Brown and Laura Mercier. I have worked side by side on numerous occations with both Bobbi and Laura and have been through extensive training in artistry and application. For the past 3 years I have traveled the southwest as a Regional Account Manager for Laura Mercier Cosmetics.
What looks are you loving right now? I will forever be a fan of beautiful, natural glowing skin and flushing pops of sheer color. I am also guilty of the undoubtably timeless smokey eye and pale lip. One of my favorite signature looks is mixing cools and warms in the same look. I love a peach cheek and a cool pink lip, or even a violet lipstick with a bright orange lipgloss popped on top.
What is your specialty as a makeup artist? Complexion. There is no need to fuss about fabulous makeup without fabulous skin. With the right products and techniques, anyone can have a flawless looking complexion. As Laura Mercier would say "skin looks like it's glowing from within." And the beautiful part, no one needs to know your wearing makeup. What are your 3 products you couldn't live without? Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer, Bobbi Brown Pale Pink Blush, Exfolikate by Kate Somerville What is your favorite drug store product? Hmmmmm...(it's been a while, lol!) Revlon Color Stay Lipstick What are your 3 most tried and true makeup tips & tricks? Tightline the upper lashline for eyes that Pop! Use 2 blush colors to create contour and shape without a "contoured'' look. Spend time on the complexion and you can never go wrong. Also, beware of powder...it can be a great product for many purposes but if used incorrectly it can make the skin look textured and mature, even if it's not.
What would people be surprised to know about you? I spent 6 years performing as a stand up comedian in Chicago and on the Las Vegas strip. Which celeb's makeup do you covet the most? As much as I don't want to admit it...Kim Kardashian's makeup always looks incredible! If you had to only use one beauty brand, which would you choose? Laura Mercier What’s on your beauty wish list right now? I'm still trying to get my hands on the Naked Palette from Urban Decay. It's 12 shades of neutrals all the way from ultra soft to deep smokey. It's been sold out for 6 months.
Favorite perfume? Flowerbomb....I don't normally go for florals but this one is sexy, striking, yet feminine. Natural Or Dramatic? I would say I am 80% in favor of natural, but 20% all for dramatic, we all have to make a statement with out look every once in a while.
If you had to go out in public only having used one product, what woud it be? Blush!!
Most embarrassing beauty moment? Really, just one....Would have to be doing Holly Madison's makeup at Planet Hollywood and only noticing the red lipstick all over my teeth in the car on my way home from the shoot!

BRIDEface/Makeup Bag Monday

2012-01-16T06:09:00.000-08:00

from Nicki:Make up is base (prefer no powder), light bronzer or blusher, tend to lean towards brown eyeshadow, with black liner (pencil liner under eye, liquid lid), black or black/brown mascara and as neutral lipstick or gloss as possible. Wear make-up almost every day but find that foundation/base wears off very easily. Lipstick always looks very "false" on me.Be sure you are prepping your skin properly before you apply your foundation.If your skin is dehydrated, makeup will apply unevenly and wear very poorly. Moisturize well and use primer first, and you foundation will go on smoother, look more natural, and stay on longer. A lot of people avoid powder like the plague, but you will also find that if you do set your makeup with a translucent powder and a puff(just a little, so as not to appear dry!) your makeup will be sealed in and look so much more polished.I really work the powder into the puff and then roll it into the skin. This way you don't have a dry, powdery look.I love the fact that you are using a liquid liner on top but I would love to see a bit more softness on your lower lashline; sometimes pencil can be way too harsh and drag you down. Try using a dense smudge brush to press a shadow into the lower lashes-something brightening like the shimmery shade in the bottom right corner of this Sonia Kashuk palette.it would really brighten you up.Be sure you are always wearing blush; a lot of people wear bronzer in lieu of blush, and it can give a flat, muddy look. A pop of color on the cheeks can take years off and give you a healthy glow. NARS Orgasm is a bestseller because it simply makes you look radiant and youthful.

Nicki makeup by nannobanan on polyvore.com

NARS Blush Orgasm
$27 - sephora.com

Korres Face Primer 1.01 oz
$28 - sephora.com

Sponges & Puffs | Laura Mercier
$12 - lauramercier.com

Powder | Laura Mercier
$34 - lauramercier.com

2012-01-15T15:09:00.000-08:00

To Have, To Hold and To Win!Viva Bella Events has teamed up with four other of Cincinnati’s BEST wedding vendors to provide you with an opportunity of a lifetime for your big day! Beginning Monday, January 16th, viva bella events, European Bridal, The BonBonerie, Neysa Ruhl Photography and BRIDEface will start running a 1 month contest, giving you the opportunity to win daily prizes and be entered to win a Grand Prize Giveaway valued at over $5,000! The entire contest is taking place on Facebook, making it easy for you to enter and win!How does it work?There are essentially three simple steps you need to follow in order to participate in this contest.1. Head over to Facebook and make sure you have LIKED of ALL 5 PAGES.2. Correctly answer the daily questions that will be posted.3. Enter to win the GRAND PRIZE!We want to make it easy for you.Need a little help navigating to the 5 pages on Facebook? Here are the direct links for you!European Bridal viva bella events Neysa Ruhl Photography BRIDEface The BonBonerie Once you have LIKED all 5 of the pages, be on the lookout for the daily questions! Each morning, around 9am, one of the 5 pages will post what time the question of the day will be posted. Once the question has been posted, you will have 1 hour to correctly answer it in the comment of the post.At the end of the hour, one winner will be chosen at random from all the correct answers, EVERY SINGLE DAY, to win a fabulous prize from one of the 5 participating wedding vendors. You won’t know what the prize is until after the hour is up, but we can assure you, we have some amazing prizes that you are going to love!What about the Grand Prize?The more you participate and answer the daily questions correctly, the better your chance of winning our GRAND PRIZE VALUED AT OVER $5000!!! Each time you answer the daily question correct, you will have the opportunity to fill out a quick form online entering you to win. You don’t have to win the daily prize to enter – you just have to have the correct answer. The winner will be chosen at random out of all the entries.On Valentine’s Day, February 14th, we will announce who the lucky lady is that has won our Wedding Package.This is an awesome Grand Prize!• Lilly Pulitzer Wedding Dress from European Bridal• A pair of Jimmy Choo Sparkle Shoes from viva bella events• An engagement and day-after photography session from Neysa Ruhl Photography• A wedding cake from The BonBonerie*• The 28-Day Peau Magnifique Skin Treatment System from BRIDEfaceAdd it all up and you could be taking home a prize worth OVER $5000!Here’s the fine print:You must be 18 years or older to win and your prizes must be redeemed within 18 months of 2/14/12. Any portion of the prize not redeemed within 18 months shall be forfeited. You do not have to be engaged at the time of the promo, but you will need to be in order to claim your prizes.In order to win a daily award, you must be fan of the page posting the question, and submit a correct answer to the question within the one hour allotted. Any answers posted after the cut-off message will not be considered for prizes. After you’ve answered a question correctly, you will be directed to a form where you can give us your contact info and you will then be entered into the grand prize drawing.The grand prize winner will sign a consent form to allow all participating vendors to use photography and the winner’s name in press materials, including but limited to Facebook, Twitter, Blog, Website, Press Release, marketing materials, etc. Neither daily prizes nor grand prize may be transferred to any other party, and may not be redeemed for cash or any other product.

BRIDEface Thrifty Thursday/ Maybelline Dream Bouncy blush

2012-01-12T06:07:00.000-08:00

I am so obsessed with cream blushes, it's almost sick. Every time I see a new formulation, I just gotta have it, whether it's $5 or $55.I am picky about texture though; I hate a greasy, gooey feel that slides off the face. You want the cheeks dewy, not oily.So I was thrilled when I spied these new goodies from Maybelline. Firstly, the texture is just too much fun. Gimmicky? Perhaps, but I'm cool with it. You almost feel like you're squishing a stamp pad, but it's a dome of spongy product. The feel is like a powdery gel, and you can build the color as needed. I initially bought two rather light, bridal-y shades, but quickly realized you have to go a bit darker with these than you might think. Aaron and I went back the next day and got four of the more intense shades and were much more pleased. I prefer to apply these with my fingers than with a synthetic brush. The color range is great if you steer clear from the pale ones-even on my super fair skin, I saw very little payoff in those.(Walgreens had them for $7; buy one get one 50% off)

BRIDEface makeup artists/Pore Pitiful Me

2012-01-11T04:46:00.000-08:00

I put out a plea on Facebook the other day to have my friends give me their most pressing makeup questions. At least three people complained about large pores and minimizing their appearance.
Firstly, large pores can appear larger when they are clogged, so this issue begins with skincare. Regular facials will keep pores clear, as will cleansing daily with a Clarisonic. Pores also can appear larger as we age; due to diminishing collagen the pores appear "stretched".
I swear by primers to fill in any textural irregularities; think of it as your spackle. The primer prevents your foundation from sitting in those crevices, and instead it will glide over the top.
My favorites are Laura Mercier (try her oil free since large pores can go hand in hand with oily skin), Avon Majix, Hard Candy, and Porefessional by Benefit.
On the areas of my face that have large pores and/or acne scarring, I use more of a "stippling" or "pouncing" technique with my sponge to apply my foundation. I then follow with Laura Mercier Secret Camouflage with a small brush to fill any imperfections still visible. Lastly, I use a powder puff with translucent powder-this will set the makeup, and make the texture appear smoother. When I am going for even more perfection, I dust Laura Mercier invisible powder on top; it blurs imperfections like you wouldn't believe.

pore perfectors by nannobanan on polyvore.com

Laura Mercier Secret Camouflage SC-2
$28 - sephora.com

Laura Mercier Invisible Loose Setting Powder
$34 - bloomingdales.com

Laura Mercier Foundation Primer
$30 - bergdorfgoodman.com

Walmart.com: Search Results for "hard candy"
$8 - walmart.com

Sponges & Puffs | Laura Mercier
$12 - lauramercier.com

Powder | Laura Mercier
$34 - lauramercier.com

the porefessional : Benefit Cosmetics
£24 - benefitcosmetics.co.uk

Richmond VA makeup artist/Meet Aaron

2012-01-09T15:06:00.001-08:00

Hello to all the BRIDEface followers! My name is Aaron Ellerbrock and I am the owner of BRIDEface Richmond. BRIDEface Richmond is the newest off-shoot of the BRIDEface that you all know and love. BRIDEface Richmond services the VA/DC area and we are so excited to have the opportunity to share tips, techniques, and style with a whole new group of people. Just so you know nothing changes with BRIDEface, we just get to expand!!!

BRIDEface will continue to have its facebook page and we have added a second page, BRIDEface Richmond. You will find that some posts can be found on both pages, but they will also show regional specific material.

Nancy and I have made it a mission to make sure we blog with more frequency so we can keep you up to date on all the happenings and latest trends. We are going to continue with fun topics like Makeup Bag Monday and will be adding new features like Thrifty Thursdays and Treat Yourself Tuesdays just to name a few.

I hope that over the coming months you will get to know me, my style, and my "interesting" sense of humor (I say "interesting" because Nancy and I think we are some of the funniest people around but our spouses just seem to bend and shake their heads when we are together for any period of time). Conversely, I hope that I get to know you and your interests to better serve you through this blog.

Today's blog is going to a little different than usual and we are not going to talk about specific tips or makeup styles. I just wanted to take a minute to introduce myself and thank you for letting me be a part of your day.

You may be looking at the above photos and wondering why I included them in this blog. No matter anything else, these women are very influential. Today we are going to take a minute to reflect and think back on the women in our lives take have influenced us to do great things.

I started in the cosmetic world about 14 years ago when I was in graduate school. I was working on my MA in Clinical Psychology as well as performing in dinner theaters and national tours. When I wasn't on the road I needed to bring in some money to pay the bills. I had a friend that was in the industry and she suggested that I learn a little more about makeup and start doing some freelancing work. She took me under her wing and taught me all the basics I needed to know. I started freelancing for many companies and eventually thought, "Hey, why not make this a career?"

I went back to my friend and told her what I was thinking and she thought I would be great at it. She continued to encourage me and actually introduced me to her Account Executive for Laura Mercier and Department Manager at Saks. After several interviews and trial periods I got hired!!!! This one tiny step was the start of the most rewarding career I could ever have. I moved through many positions in the world or luxury cosmetics including Regional Artist, National Artist, Global Artist, Regional Trainer, and finally becoming the National Training Executive for Gurwitch Products, the company that owns Laura Mercier and ReVive Skincare. I had the opportunity to travel the world, sharing with clients exactly what they needed to do to feel and look their best.

Had my friend not trained and encouraged me I would never have been able to have such an amazing career. BUT, not only did I have those great opportunities, I also met my spouse, bought my first house,
and we started our family. With all the travel I was never home and my friend came to the rescue again. She asked me if I ever thought about working for myself? I really had never given it much thought and was concerned that it would be just too much. She promised to hold my hand and help me reach another milestone in my life....starting BRIDEface Richmond.

So today, take a minute to reflect and remember one influential woman who helped you along the way. Give them a call, shoot them an email, drop a letter in the mail, or do what I am doing...write a blog to say THANKYOU. So THANKYOU Nancy!!!! I would not be who or where I am today if it were not for you. You are one of the most influential women in my life!!!

(PS...Thanks to you mom...you are right up there too!!!)

Thanks for indulging me and I can't until it is my turn to blog again about all the fun new items that are coming our way!!

Cheers!

N Ky airbrush makeup/Anna, married

2012-01-08T06:05:00.001-08:00

I am so in love with these images. Anna looks so elegant and gorgeous! They got ready in the library room at the Embassy Suites in Covington, which made for a very sophisticated backdrop.(Much more interesting that a typical hotel room)
images, Leah Robbins
hair, Jen Nally

Cincinnati makeup/Jodi, engaged

2012-01-04T06:24:00.000-08:00

I love, love, love, Neysa Ruhl's engagement sessions! They never look contrived or forced or posed. It looks like she's spying on an actual hot date. I cannot wait to do Jodi's wedding in February!

Urban Decay Naked I v. Naked 2

2012-01-03T04:28:00.000-08:00

If you are in the know about makeup brands, you have probably heard that the original Naked palette by Urban Decay was nearly impossible to get your hands on for several months last year. women went nuts for the sleek velour case and the range of colors in the all-neutral collection. In fact, every time I take it out of my kit and a client is unfamiliar with it, she always swoons.

I heard grumblings from my makeup artist friends that they were too shimmery, but when I finally got mine last fall, I was in love. The complexity of the shades was what won me over-these are not just boring browns. I think the reason there was so much hype over this product was the value ($230 if you bought everything separately; it retailed for $48), the gorgeous packaging, and the fact that the shades work on the vast majority of people. It also came with a really great eyeshadow brush and a mini primer potion, a shadow base that has quite the cult following.
I just recently purchased the Naked 2 palette (as soon as Sephora messaged me that it was in!) and this one comes with a fabulous double ended brush and a mini lipgloss that is my current favorite. The packaging once again is irresistable; in fact I like it better because the metal will hold up better than the flocked velvet stuff.
There are a few shades that are repeated from the first palette, but they have included more matte shades this time, and fewer intimidating-looking dark colors. I broke it in yesterday on a large wedding party and found it to be very versatile; the only times I had to stray from it was to reach for pops of my beloved purples. I always like a nude eye to have a bit of a surprise inside.
Bottom line is, I am not sure an average person "needs" both palettes...if you only wanted to buy one I would say get the first one if you prefer options to do a rather dramatic eye and the second one if you are tamer.

Cincinnati wedding makeup/Alison of Aviva Events, married!!

2012-01-02T08:42:00.000-08:00

Alison of Aviva Events is a dear friend and a partner in The Bridal studio with me. Not only have I done her makeup numerous times (headshots, engagement photos, etc) but I also did her sister Ryan's wedding and the weddings of her best friends Kate and Holly
Alie also helped plan my wedding and we've endured three Bitter Bridesmaids Bashes together. There is HISTORY, girl.
So there's always a little extra excitement when I prettify a friend for her Big Day. Isn't she gorge??
I so rarely get to attend weddings, and hers at the Contemporary Art Center, was amazing!
Images by my OTHER good friends, Kortnee Kate
florals, Katie Elfers
music, DJ Toad
custom invites and papers, Kristen Folzenlogen, Poeme

the only lipliner you'll ever need.

2012-01-01T09:17:00.000-08:00

I always, always use lipliner on my brides. It ensures longevity and gives a cleaner edge to the lipline, lending more definition to the shape of the lip. I can even out any asymmetry and even subtly build a bit of volume. It will keep lipgloss from bleeding over the edges too.

However i have challenged myself to use my very favorite liner every time i wear anything on my lips. Anyone who has taken my FACEing class knows i only really use ONE liner in my entire kit, and that is Jordana rock n rose. $1.99 at Walgreens, girl. Kid you not. It's a roll-up, it's a perfect consistency, and the color is flawless; not too pink, not too brown, not too orange. Everybody goes nuts for it. It can even be used to fill in the entire lip for a great pinky nude lipstick. You don't even have to sharpen it!
I like to lightly sketch with the side of the pencil so the liner doesn't look too obvious.

Cincinnati makeup/Regan, married!

2011-12-30T04:14:00.000-08:00

I couldn't be happier with these images by Sherri Barber. They perfectly capture Regan's radiance and ease. Isn't she gorgeous? And I am partial to the shot of Me and Jen Nally fussing over her as well!

Makeup Bag Monday!

2011-12-27T05:43:00.000-08:00

The rundown..
Bare minerals fairly light and warmth.
Maybelline falsies flared mascara
Ulta cream shadow in '108'
Maybelline expert wear eyeshadow quad in natural smoke
Estée Lauder double wear in pink blush
Covergirl exact eye lights eyeliner in vibrant pearl
Bare minerals eye color in soul

from Jessica: "No, I dont wear all the eyeshadow at once. :) I'm a personal trainer/group fitness instructor by day, so I need a very natural, not 'done' look that'll last through sweat. While I have time most days, sometimes I have to be at the gym by 6, yikes! My other 'job' is dancing for a local sports team, so I need something more dramatic but still sweatproof! I moisturize daily, a neutrogena face lotion with SPF and benefit hope in a tube for my eye area. "

My suggestion is to wear something lightweight, with spf-it's no secret that I love Mercier's tinted moisturizer. It will even you out but be sheer. I always think people should wear the least amount of coverage they can get away with. L'oreal beauty tubes are even better than waterproof mascara-they don't come off until you douse them with warm water, so it will stay on perfectly through your workouts. For your cheeks, Smashbox o glow is so pretty and just plain fun. It goes on clear and morphs into a pretty pink with the warmth of your skin! It also wears forever.
Moving on to eyes= for when you are dancing and need a lil drama-start with a Pixi waterproof liner. (Use a brush; these go on pretty gooey but once you are used to them they are the bomb) smudge upwards from the lashline. Follow with a deep shade from the Kat von D palette. You will get a lot more bang for your buck with these highly pigmented shadows.

Jessica's bag by nannobanan on polyvore.com

Kat Von D Tattoo Chronicles Candelabra Edition ($146 Value) Tattoo...
$32 - sephora.com

MAC Lip Glass Lip Gloss - No. 13 Pink Poodle; Premium price due to...
$19 - makemeheal.com

Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer Spf 20 - Bonus Size
$58 - lordandtaylor.com

pixi beauty - Endless Silky Eye Pen
$14 - pixibeauty.com

L'Oreal Double Extend Beauty Tubes : Target
$8.99 - target.com

Laura Mercier new radiance primer RAVE

2011-12-20T13:31:00.000-08:00

It is certainly no secret that I am madly in love with All Things Mercier. Though it has been seven years since I left the company, I still remain loyal to her products, particularly her "flawless face" series; primer, foundation, secret camouflage, and translucent powder.
There is an addition to her family of primers and I have to say I am rather obsessed with it. Unlike her other primers, it does have a sheer tint to it, but it is by no means as much coverage as her tinted moisturizers. Worn under any foundation (I am especially fond of her creme smooth and silk creme) it imparts that "lit from within" effect (think J Lo) that so often eludes us. I felt like I had a healthy glow to my skin. Every client i have used it on, no matter their age or skin type, has looked just incredible in it.
the tricky part is finding it-it's been out of stock everywhere! i ordered mine through Nordstrom and it only took a few days.

The Mascara Diaries, by Rachel

2011-12-20T04:05:00.000-08:00

mascaras by nannobanan on polyvore.com

Benefit Cosmetics They're Real! Mascara Black
$22 - sephora.com

Maybelline Great Lash Mascara - Best Price
$6.09 - soap.com

CoverGirl Lashblast Mascara - Best Price
$5.19 - soap.com

Diorshow Iconic Extreme Black Mascara
$28 - bloomingdales.com

Let's face it, we all spend a ton of money on mascara. It's probably the number one makeup commercial you'll see on TV on a daily basis. It's like a small little treat you can buy yourself on a whim without breaking your bank, and the makeup companies know this and inundate us with ads constantly. (Drew Barrymore in orange foundation for Cover Girl Lash Blast anyone?) But in all reality, these ads always feature models wearing false lashes. Sometimes over the top, sometimes more natural looking. As a makeup artist, this really makes me mad. It's false advertisement, and I always wonder if Jane Q. Public knows that they're wearing falsies. I myself had recently stopped wearing lash extensions, and was feeling a little inferior in that department after having such long dramatic ones every day when I rolled out of bed. So I decided to go on a mission to find the best mascaras out there. It was expensive. it was messy, and sometimes not pretty. I put down my Cover Girl Lash Blast that I have been using since it came out and went out of my comfort zone, and tried several new ones. The following are my notes and thoughts, totally unbiased.
For a really great basic everyday natural mascara, you still can't beat Maybelline Great Lash in the pink and green tube. It has been around for over 40 years, and is still a staple in many households, as well as pro makeup artist kits everywhere. It won't really lengthen or thicken, but you'll get great dark lashes with no clumping or stiffness. The formula has been tweaked here and there over the years, but it's still a great product that always delivers, and is very affordable at drugstores everywhere. If you just want to swipe on a little bit of color before running errands, this is your girl.
Speaking of drugstore mascara, let's go back to my old standby, Cover Girl Lash Blast in the fat orange tube. This stuff is pretty darn good, especially for the price- I often find that Target has a package of 2 for around $10. STEAL! I keep this in my kit and use it on all of my clients. It really makes your lashes look nice and thick, especially after 2 coats. I love the rubber brush in it...makes for very sleek non-clumping lashes. Not a whole lot of lengthening ,though, and who doesn't want that? But I knew I could do better, and I wanted to experiment a little.
So I went high-dollar. I got the cult fave, Dior Show ($24.50 at Nordstrom). I was so not impressed. It didn't do anything my Lash Blast didn't do. In fact, it wasn't even as good as the drugstore one I had been using. It made them nice and dark, but barely thickened, didn't do much for the length, and definitely didn't curl them. It claim to do all three. Also, it's REALLY hard to get off...not just your lashes, but your skin as well.I felt like I was sloughing off skin I had had from the Clinton Administration trying to remove it. Fail.
Onto the one I was REALLY excited to try...the new mascara from Benefit, called "They're Real!". ($22 at sephora.com) After the first coat, I thought it was so-so. But holy moley, I put that second coat on, and I'm a believer! My lashes looked so stinking LONG! And it's so black, it actually almost does double duty as an eyeliner when you get it all the way down to the base of your lashes. I love this stuff. The only thing that' a bit of a downer is that it does make your lashes feel stiff, but I shouldn't rub them anyway and just shut up. The brush is great,too. It's rubber, so no clumping, but it also has this little spiky ball at the end for getting those unruly lashes on the outer corner of your eyes to behave and join the party. If you're a friend of mine, you just might be getting this for Christmas.
So even though I was loving my Benefit mascara, I saw one more I wanted to try, so I gave the Dior 'Iconic' mascara a day in court ($28, Nordstrom). Simply because it promised to curl my lashes, which is important to me. Curling your lashes actually makes them look twice as long. My lashes are indeed decent, but very straight, so that makes them almost unnoticeable. And as I'm the laziest makeup artist when it comes to doing my own makeup, I never want to curl them manually. I'm always afraid they'll break. Probably not true, but hey, we all have our fears in life. So when I read the reviews on the Iconic, I knew I had to try it. I was not disappointed! This medium rubber wand actually has the bristles on the bias, so it really does lift your lashes sky-high! And they stay! No real thickening or lengthening to get excited about, but hey, those bad boys were curly! So impressed, which I was happy about after my disappointment with the Dior Show. So I am now using one coat of the Dior Iconic, followed by two coats of Benefit's "They're Real!" mascara. They are long, thick,dark as John Mayer's heart, and uber curled. And $92 later I love my lashes.
Keep in mind, this is some work, and if you're just running around during the day or just want a natural look, stick with the Maybelline or Cover Girl. But if you want some awesomely glam lashes, go for it. Layer different mascaras. Mix and match. Makeup artists have been doing it forever, plus it's fun to have a mascara 'wardrobe' to suit your mood. Whatever mascara you use, just be sure to use a pretty heavy duty eye makeup remover...even if you're stumbling in from a long day at work or a night out with the girls. Take it off, sister! I find the ones that are the dual-layered that you have to shake work the best, getting all the makeup off with minimal pulling on your eye area. I personally am a big fan of MAC's Gently Off Eye and Lip Remover ($19, and MAC store or Nordstrom). It get's the gunk off without tearing your eyes apart.
Here's looking at you, kid!

two amazing drugstore finds...

2011-12-15T04:32:00.000-08:00

I swear, I can do some damage at a Walgreen's. I go in to pick up one thing but those cosmetic displays draw me in every time.
I have been absolutely loving Revlon glosses lately, so I couldn't resist these two cute palettes. at 6.99 a pop, why should I?
The top one is a collection that celebrity makeup artist Gucci Westman did, and all 5 shades are for lips.Really great mix and matching possibilities there, and impressive pigments to boot.
But the multi-use one on the bottom really made me swoon. I have such a weakness for pops of coral; nothing brightens up a blonde like a peachy lip. And to see such an interesting color combo-the two top products are a cream blush and highlighter, the two bottom ones are cream eye colors, and the bottom red one is for lips.
Those who know me are aware of my deep love for cream cheek and lip-you get a dewier, more modern look, and if you layer coordinating powders on top, you can achieve a more matte, but very long lasting effect.
Now, the question is, do I stuff these in my own stocking, or put them in my kit-?

N Ky makeup artistry/Brittney, married

2011-12-11T22:32:00.001-08:00

What an incredible vendor team!
Sam Hills, hair
i do weddings, coordinator
Essenza photography
florals, Ford Ellington

Cincinnati bridal makeup/a photographer gets married

2011-12-08T03:31:00.000-08:00

I don't normally put detail images in, but the look of this wedding is so personal and gorgeous I just couldn't resist! I went to Louisville to do Amanda and her attendants' makeup. Being someone who is not a fan of the car, I wouldn't make that drive for just anyone; Amanda is an amazing photographer who I work with frequently and I just knew I had to be a part of her big day. And looking at these images i know I made the right decision!
Images, Geri Ciulla

Makeup Bag Monday!

2011-12-01T04:11:00.000-08:00

from Sarah:
"Well, I am very lazy in the morning so I don't spend much time on makeup. probably 5 minutes. I like the products I use at home, especially the mascara and eyeshadow, but find in other light it doesn't look the same. I have trouble covering dark circles under my eyes and my face is always a little red, so I'm afraid to use any blush. I don't think what I use moisturizes enough and it seems like foundation settles into what are the beginning of smile lines but I tell myself are delayed-onset dimples. I'd like to look a bit more polished for work but not overdone. God, are you sorry you asked yet? You probably feel like part makeup expert/ part psychiatrist getting such detailed responses about makeup routines..."

Firstly, let's address skincare. Be certain you are exfoliating a couple times a week (throw a gentle face scrub in your shower so you won't forget) You may also wanna amp up your moisturizer during the winter to something more emollient. Clinique's redness solutions line is fantastic for your ruddiness.
If your foundation is settling you should definitely use a primer; it gives you a layer before your foundation and makes it wear so much better.

sara's makeup bag by nannobanan on polyvore.com

Walmart.com: Search Results for "hard candy"
$8 - walmart.com

Bobbi Brown Concealer Brush
$25 - sephora.com

MAKE UP FOR EVER Lift Concealer Brown 5
$22 - sephora.com

Urban Decay The Revolution High-Performance Lash Curler
$20 - sephora.com

Sephora: Clinique Redness Solutions Kit ($66 Value): Gift Ideas & Sets
$66 - sephora.com

St. Ives Elements Microdermabrasion in Facial Cleansers & Exfoliators...
$7.99 - chickadvisor.com

I adore the Benefit rsvp cream shadow you are using-be sure to apply with a brush and very sheerly so it doesn't look too "chunky" or too shiny. Add in a lash curl before your mascara so your eyes will really pop. The concealer you have is not one of my faves; it always seems to look a little chalky and dry and the pigment probably isn't sufficient for you. Switch to a fuller coverage.

Sarah, by Sarah!

2011-12-01T03:48:00.000-08:00

from Sarah:
"It was such a pleasure working with Emily on her wedding day! Emily is from Tennessee and her entire family of course came up to Cincinnati for the wedding. I loved being surrounded by so much southern charm! Emily's reception was in a barn (awesome!) and instead of a hotel room, her family members from out of town opted to rent a house, which I thought was brilliant! I met up with everyone there and had a blast beautifying Emily, her mother, and her lovely bridal party!"

images, Laura Leppert

Cincinnati bridal makeup/Alyssa, married!

2011-10-31T03:49:00.000-07:00

I absolutely LOVE this wedding and Alyssa's Old Hollywood look. I feel like I am looking at photos from a moviestar's wedding in the 50's!
hair, Jen Nally
images, Michael Bambino

meet Sarah, Temptalia blogger!

2011-10-27T03:44:00.000-07:00

Hello! This is Sarah Cormier, one of BRIDEface’s newest members! I am super excited to announce that I have recently been selected to be a contributing writer for Temptalia.com, one of the most popular beauty blogs on the web. I will contribute 1-2 posts per month within my designated category of “Industry Insider – Makeup Artist” and my first post will appear sometime in November.

Temptalia was founded in October of 2006 and is a resource for beauty fans around the world. As of May, 2011, it reached it’s 10 millionth unique user; with little ‘ole me being just one of them! After stumbling on it by accident a few years ago, I quickly became a HUGE fan. It’s kind of like my morning paper; I read it every single day. The in-depth product reviews are the most impartial, honest, and informative that I have found online. Temptalia has been a very useful tool for when I’ve had to research a beauty product either for my personal use or kit. If a new product, collection, or trend is on the horizon, either a review, or at the very least a product overview, is pretty much guaranteed to on Temptalia almost immediately.

Temptalia reaches 600,000 unique visitors each month who visit 1.7 million times and view an average of 5 million pages. It consists of content written by it’s founder, Christine, and has delighted readers the world over with features such as The Dupe List, Foundation Matrix, Makeup Recommendations List, and The Swatch Gallery. The name “Temptalia” was invented by Christine and is meant to portray today’s modern woman; “smart, sexy, confident, and totally amazing.” (Source: http://www.temptalia.com/about-us)

Temptalia’s goal is to create a community of beauty enthusiasts who support and uplift each other, and Christine has been very successful so far in achieving this endeavor. It is a very positive environment that welcomes makeup fanatics, novices, and everyone in between. Even if you are just getting into makeup, Temptalia has something for you. Please go www.Temptalia.com to learn more, and watch for my first post in the coming weeks! In the meantime, please click here to check out the official post announcing me as part of the contributing writer team!

bridal makeup Cincinnati/Krystal, married!

2011-10-13T00:01:00.000-07:00

images, Glass 29

Cincy bridal makeup/Amanda, married

2011-10-12T23:57:00.000-07:00

images, White Photography

N Ky airbrushed makeup/Julie, by Penny

2011-10-12T23:11:00.000-07:00

images, Jessica Strickland

Cincinnati bridal makeup/Alison, engaged!

2011-10-12T23:07:00.000-07:00

One of my dearest friends is getting hitched next week; I can hardly wait! I love this engagement session.
images, Kortnee Kate

N Ky makeup artists/Jasmine, hitched!!

2011-10-12T15:55:00.000-07:00

Our own Jasmine Parker had her absolutely gorgeous wedding at Oneonta in August. As you can see, she couldn't resist the urge to do some makeup on her own wedding day! (At least she let me do hers)Tine Hofmann took these beautiful images.

November 3rd BRIDEface/Dr Donath Mashup Open House!

2011-10-11T05:58:00.000-07:00

Due to the rousing success of our party with Face It Spa, we invite you to spend another evening with a talented beauty pro!

Cincinnati Facial Plastic Surgery
7763 Montgomery Rd suite A

Meet with the beauty experts...Learn about the most advanced skin treatments, Latisse, injectibles, resurfacing, and more!
We will be offering to all new clients who come:

20% off all in house procedures including injectables valid for 4 months from the open house date ( 2/29/12) for new patients

$50.00 off coupon off those who are existing patients

10% off facial peels (for new patients)

$100.00 off any surgery bookings

$20.00 off Latisse, $30.00 off total price when 2 are purchased

All specials above will be valid for 4 months from the open house date ( 2/29/12)

Come and meet Dr. Donath, staff, our Medicis representative, and Jane Iredale consultants!

image, Robin McKerrell

Cincinnati makeup artist/Rosanne, by Mollie for BRIDEface

2011-10-10T15:36:00.001-07:00

images, Coily photography
from Mollie:
"Rosanne was wonderful to work with--I am so looking forward to her May '12 wedding!!! She "owns" the color orchid as far as I am concerned. She was so excited to have her makeup done and shoot her engagement pictures, her bubbly personality left me in a great mood the rest of the day!"

Cold weather skin tips from Rachel!

2011-10-07T04:43:00.000-07:00

Well ladies, it's that time of year again...the leaves are changing, it's getting colder out, and most of you may be noticing a change in your skin. Cincinnati weather is notorious for drying out even the most glowing of faces. Not only can this be uncomfortable, but it also highlights more wrinkles and imperfections (egads!). Time to shake up your skincare routine!

First and foremost, make sure you are exfoliating on a daily basis. This will allow any product you use to get more fully absorbed, and you'll truly get more bang for your buck out of your skincare routine. I, along with many a dermatologist, recommend the Clarisonic, an electronic brush that will do all of the heavy lifting for you. When choosing one for their huge selection, go for the Mia...it's a little bit smaller than the original, but has the same purpose as the original, and is much cheaper. You can find a huge array of colors at www.sephora.com. , and they have free shipping on any order over $50.

Next, consider a serum. This is great for anyone who has concerns about aging (and that's almost everyone I know). Using a serum before you moisturize will allow you to use less of your precious moisturizer with the same results. Imagine this: your skin is a sponge. If you try to use a dry sponge to soak up water, it won't grab nearly as much as an already moist sponge. Plus, a good serum will help reduce fine lines and wrinkles, and who doesn't like that? I have been using and LOVE the Clinique Repairwear Laser Focus Wrinkle & UV Damage Corrector with amazing results. It has literally staved me off from Botox, it's that good, and they actually guarantee it. It's not your teenage daughter's skincare anymore, ladies, they have really stepped up their game. It retails for $44.50, which is a steal considering how long a bottle will last you, and what comparable products cost. Available anywhere Clinique is sold.

For your moisturizer, thing get a little trickier, depending on your skin type and your budget. If you have dry/very dry skin, my favorite moisturizer in the universe is Creme de La Mer. It is thick, creamy and soothing, full of all-natural ingredients, and Jennifer Lopez is rumored to use it as a full body moisturizer to give her skin that glow that seems to come from within. If I had her money, I would,too! Once you use it, you'll be sold, but all of this yummy goodness comes at a price- LaMer reatails for $135, available at Nordstrom. For a more wallet-friendly option, try L'oreal's Golden Balm, available at drugstores everywhere, for around $20. It's fortified with calcium and 10 different oils to nourish dryer, more mature skin.

For normal skin, I have a few options that I love to use on my makeup clients. I personally love the Embryolisse 23000 Lait-Creme Concentrate. This is a great medium-weight moisturizer that also pulls double duty as a makeup primer, and makeup artists everywhere swear by it for almost all skin types. It is also frangrance-free, which I like. Who wants a face that smells like flowers,especially when added fragrances can actually be drying to the skin. Your face will drink it in! Find it at www.camerareadycosmetics.com, prices vary by size. My second pick is Old Faithful, Clinique's Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion. There's really nothing dramatic or different about it, but it does exactly what it says. It moisturizes and plumps up skin without leaving a greasy feel or residue and the price is great! $13 for a good moisturizer? I'm sold!

Now, if you have oily skin, don't think you're off the hook here. Did you know that neglecting to moisturize oily skin can actually cause you skin to freak out and over-produce MORE oil? Probably the last thing you want. Try the Neutrogena Oil-Free Moisturizer for combination skin. It's lightweight formula will give you good oil-control, while moisturizing normal to dry areas. $10 at drugstores everywhere.

Lastly, and possibly the most important component of all- Sunscreen! Just because it may seem dark and dreary, don't ever leave your house without it, unless you're just dying for some dark spots and wrinkles to compliment your new winter wardrobe. I like the Murad Oil-Free Sunblock SPF 30 for all skin types..it's oil free and fragrance free, and from the masters of great skincare. $31 at sephora.com. Also if you want a product that will pull double duty, try the MAC Prep and Prime SPF 50. It blocks out the sun's nasty rays while filling in fine lines and wrinkles to make your skin a smooth canvas before applying any makeup. $30 wherever you find MAC cosmetics.

There you are, your winter skincare breakdown....remember, your face is the first thing that people will notice about you, so make the effort and investment that it deserves. As your makeup artists, we beg you, please take care of your skin- after all, we can only cover color, not texture!

-Rachel Lisa

--image, Steph Carson

this is why I love my job.

2011-10-06T05:03:00.000-07:00

THIS will get me through my crazy wedding sesson; a facebook message from a bride of mine who got married about five years ago brought tears to my eyes:

"Hey Nancy! Bear with me for a second...I feel like this might be a bit of a ramble, but I have a point, I swear!

So I've been pretty stressed lately and my face is pretty much as broken out as it ever has been. I don't wear make up often and I've been using Bare Minerals for the last year or so, mostly just because it's what my friends use. I feel pretty uncomfortable and out of my element in Sephora and other make up places, so I always find myself a bit overwhelmed and not sure where to go or what to grab. Needless to say, my self-esteem has been a little bit down because of my broken out face and I'm out of the Bear Minerals I was using anyway.

Last night, Nick (my husband) convinced me I should really go get some new make up. We're on a really tight budget because we're in the process of adopting, so I have been saving $12.50 per month putting it in a category called cosmetics. I had a really important interview today so I figured what the heck, I've been saving up for it anyway. I checked out your blog and recently someone asked you about foundation and you recommended Laura Mercier creme smooth foundation. You also recommended Laura Mercier's Secret Camouflage concealer in another post; both of those recommendations came from questions that I felt somewhat applied to me.

SO...I took the plunge last night and bought both those products. As I was getting ready for my interview, I applied the new make up and I felt AMAZING. Honestly, I feel more confident about my face than I have in a long time. I'm typically the kind of person that takes her make up off immediately upon entering the door home, but I'm leaving it on until Nick gets home so I can show him- that's how much I love it.
Okay, I said I had a point, and I meant it! When I used you for my wedding, I felt great. I loved my make up and didn't have to think twice about it all night. I understood the importance of having a great make up artist for such an important event. Otherwise, make up didn't really play a big role in my life. What I learned in the last 24 hours (which I'm sure you already know, but I just wanted to tell you!) is that what you do can honestly create such great change in a woman's self esteem and self image. I want you to know how much I appreciate those blog posts and what you do. THANK YOU!!!!! (and thanks for sticking with me through the babble!)"

-Kelly

Cincinnati makeup artistry/Daria's portfolio

2011-10-05T00:55:00.001-07:00

Lately I have been doing a ton of non-bridal work with Robin McKerrell, Mainly working with models looking to either build their portfolio or update it with newer and better images. The challenge is to show a lot of versatility in the model's look so she can get as much work as possible. I am frankly amazed at how different we gor Daria to look in these images, just with styling and makeup...

Cincinnati makeup artist, catalog/print: New Standard shoot

2011-10-04T14:12:00.000-07:00

Several weeks ago I worked on a shoot at Ripple Junction for Moxie Magazine. It was a steamy day to be in a t shirt factory, but we prevailed!
photography, Robin McKerrell

N Ky makeup artist team/Lane, married!

2011-10-03T18:05:00.000-07:00

This one had special meaning for me because Lane is the assistant of one of my favorite photographers, Amanda Donaho
from Amanda's blog:
"So, I am such a firm believer in having a pro do your wedding day make-up, that my gift to Lane was having the best around (Nancy at Brideface) come gorg her up. Take note, brides to be!"

Cincinnati airbrushed makeup/Kelly, engaged!

2011-10-03T06:23:00.000-07:00

makeup, Nancy Dawson
gorgeous images, Neysa Ruhl

N Ky makeup artist/Simona, married

2011-09-29T06:55:00.001-07:00

these GORGEOUS images, JMM Photography
makeup by Nancy Dawson for BRIDEface

Everything you ever wanted to ask a Plastic Surgeon, part 2

2011-09-19T15:13:00.000-07:00

If you read my interview with Dr Donath a few weeks back, this is part 2. You may wonder why a makeup artist interviews a plastic surgeon, or a facialist. My clients expect me to be an expert on all things beauty and want to know where to turn when concealer just isn't enough anymore. I firmly believe in aging gracefully, but that doesn't mean I am anti-procedure. These hands have touched many an over-surgerized face, and I feel very strongly that Dr Donath's work is tasteful, subtle, and not overdone. See for yourself!
(We plan to do an open house with his office in November; details to follow)

Cincinnati makeup artist/Lelia, by Penny

2011-09-08T10:22:00.000-07:00

Nancy,

I cannot believe that it has been three months since Alex and I got married, and I just wanted to take some time and individually thank our amazing vendors! I just wanted to express to you how amazing Penny and Jane were on our wedding day! I had absolutely no worries or stress about how great I was going to look and feel on my wedding day because Brideface was going to take care of me and all of my girls! They were incredibly fun and energetic but maintained their professionalism! Every single one of my bridesmaids and both of the moms were ecstatic about how amazing they looked and I still am obsessed with the pictures of those beautiful lashes of mine! I have told every bride that no bride should be without their Brideface, and I truly mean that! Now I'm looking forward to having Brideface make me feel beautiful when I have maternity pictures taken (not for a while though haha) Will that be called Babyface then? I thank you from the bottom of my heart, and cannot wait to use Brideface in the future! Have a wonderful day!

fabulous photography by Amanda Egan

Lelia Shipp Wendel (and all the other girls)

Cincinnati makeup artists/Julie, by Penny

2011-08-31T14:21:00.000-07:00

Dear Nancy,

I wanted to write to you and tell you how absolutely AMAZING, TERRIFIC and WONDERFUL Penny is! She is such a talented make-up artist and was such a pleasure to work with!
Penny and Gerri (also fantastic!) did our make-up on August 13th for my wedding and she could not have been more accommodating, patient and just simply great to be around. They listened to each bridesmaids vision and then executed perfectly! I live in NYC and had very limited time while in Cincinnati, Penny made herself available so we could do a trials, came to our hotel which made it so much easier on us and I absolutely loved her work. I felt like a million dollars!!!

Penny was very relaxed and patient with our group, so down to earth and such fun to chat with that took our minds off the anxiety of the wedding!
We could not have asked for anyone better to be apart of our day! Everyone was raving and absolutely loved their make-up.

Just wanted to let you know how much our entire group LOVED Penny!
You can see her AWESOME work on our photographers blog.
Thanks so much!
Best,
Julie Badertscher (and now Katrus :)

I was absolutely agog when I saw Jessica Strickland's images!

BRIDEface/Everything you ever wanted to ask a plastic surgeon

2011-08-18T04:43:00.000-07:00

One of our lead makeup artists here at BRIDEface, Penny Curtis, also works at Cincinnati Facial Plastic Surgery for Dr Alex Donath. I recently had the enviable opportunity to pick his brain and ask many of the questions my clients and I frequently discuss in our consultations. I love his honesty and straightforward approach!

Q: I see a fair number of sun-worshipping brides with hyperpigmentation and sunspots. What can she do to minimize this, and typically how many treatments will she need?

A: We see quite a few sun worshipers as well! Fortunately there are several types of treatment that can be used to reduce sun spots. The most efficient way to reduce them is with either a peel, such as a TCA peel, or with our state-of-the-art Fraxel Dual laser. The Fraxel Dual laser can have as little as 2 days' downtime, while the TCA peel can result in a few days to a week of downtime for sun spots. Also, if the bride only has a few spots, the TCA can be used for just spot peels, and this can mean essentially zero downtime as long as the areas are small! The Fraxel Dual has the additional advantage of improving fine lines, for brides with slightly more sun damage. Another treatment many brides opt for is IPL, or a 'photofacial.' As opposed to the other methods above, IPL typically requires 2-3 treatments to get the same results as a single round of the others, but aside from darkening of the sun spots for several days before they flake off, there is really no downtime. One caveat about IPL: you must avoid significant sun exposure for a 1-2 weeks before and 2-3 weeks afterward, to prevent burning or post-treatment darkening of the skin, and this means it isn't the best treatment for summertime. Lastly, if the bride has several months before the wedding and is looking for a low cost, albeit prolonged alternative, she could use hydroquinone cream--this lightening or "bleaching" cream can lighten the spots but requires patience. So, with multiple treatments available, we are able to find one that's just right for every bride!

Q. What are you thoughts about younger women (under 35) using Botox as a preventative measure? I seem to be hearing this more and more.

A: Great question, and one we are frequently asked in the office. I typically tell patients that the best bang for their buck is to wait until they see fine lines at rest, in the areas of movement we typically treat with Botox and Dysport, such as between the brows, the forehead, and around the eyes. Age is less of a factor than sun damage, as I see quite a few women in their late 20s and early 30s who have more fine lines than some women in their early 40s who have avoided the sun more or have worn good sunscreen. On the other end of the spectrum, it's best not to wait too long to begin treatment with Botox or Dysport once you begin seeing fine lines, as they will only deepen with time and then require dermal fillers such as Restylane or Juvederm in addition to Botox or Dysport, to give similar results.

Q. What are some of the best strategies for acne scarring; pitting, dark spots?

A: I have found that the best treatment for acne scarring is a combination of laser resurfacing with our state-of-the-art Total FX laser (fractional CO2 laser), as well as fat grafting beneath the scars just after using a special instrument to break up the attachments of the scar to the deeper tissues (which causes the 'pitting' look). Either of these techniques can be done by themselves of course, with reasonably good results, but if there is availability for approximately a week of downtime, the combination will usually give the best results. For just one or two scars, however, we might simply recommend excising them and suturing the edges closed, or even filling the depressions with a dermal filler like Restylane or Juvederm; filling is best for those who have very limited downtime available and/or are getting close to their big day (1-2 weeks).

Q. What are some procedures Mothers of the Bride might have to look fresher and brighter for the wedding?

A: We see a large number of Mothers of the Bride, and it's always very gratifying to help with this stressful time for them. The number one area I'm asked to refresh is around the eyes, where we perform upper and lower eyelid lifts (blepharoplasty) to greatly improve the tired or aged appearance. I do a large amount of volume restoration in my practice, having been trained by leaders in the field, and so I strongly feel that the most natural way to rejuvenate the eyes is to combine blepharoplasty with fat transfer (or fillers) around the eyes. We do this as part of our VolumeLiftSM,
which prevents the hollowed-out appearance that we see all too often in women (and men) who have had too much skin and volume taken away. Some mothers really only want volume around the eyes and in the cheeks, to help reduce 'dark circles' and give more flattering cheekbones, and then we will perform our VolumeLiftSM as a single procedure. With your body's own fat as the filler or volume restorer, the real advantage is that it is long lasting--compared to synthetic fillers like Restylane and Juvederm which last 9 months to a year, you should get many years of compliments from a well performed fat transfer. In fact, I tell patients that fat is at least a 5-10 times better value than synthetic fillers because of the difference in longevity.

A close second to the eyes in terms of requests for refreshing is the jawline and neck area. Mothers in their 50s and up can usually benefit from either a minilift or a facelift, and the best result really just depends on the degree of aging and sun damage. For as little as a few days of downtime, we can perform a minilift on someone with little excess skin and get a beautiful, lasting result, and for those with a heavier neck and jawline, a more specialized lift is usually going to get the most "Oohs and Ahhs." But the best thing is that, if done well, people won't know any surgery was done at all--we routinely have mothers come back after the wedding to tell us how great everyone thought they looked but that all others could guess was that the hair style was changed! It's truly one of the happiest parts of my job.

As far as nonsurgical treatments, in addition to the treatments mentioned above for sun spots, the Total FX laser is a wonderful treatment for refreshing the skin, removing fine lines and wrinkles more quickly and with longer term results than Botox and fillers. But for those with only a couple of weeks to go before the wedding, Botox or Dysport and fillers like Restylane and Juvederm are wonderful for improving lines, folds and sunken cheeks, and aside from a small chance of bruising and a little swelling, there really is no social downtime.

Q. What can be done for a client who has inherited very dark circles, or has prominent "bags" under her eyes?

A: One of the most surprising things for our patients is the fact that "dark circles" are mostly caused by volume loss under the eyes, not skin pigment! The way to demonstrate this on someone, and something I frequently do in the office, is to shine a light (I use a flashlight) from overhead and look for the shadow ("dark circle") beneath the eye, in the area called the "tear trough." If this goes away when you then move the flashlight down in front of them to shine directly at the "dark circle" area, they are a candidate for filling that area. On the other hand, any pigment that you see when the light is shining directly into the area is unlikely to improve with filling, but as I mentioned, this is really the exception rather than the rule.

This volume loss in the "dark circle" area occurs in most people before they actually need a lower eyelift to reduce puffiness, and we can actually treat this area using your body's own fat, for a long lasting result, or with a synthetic filler like Restylane. I have treated people as young as 27 with this technique, with very high levels of patient satisfaction. For those with a little more puffiness, typically not seen until at least the mid to late forties, our lower eyelift can greatly reduce the tired appearance that this creates, with minimal discomfort and downtime.

Q. Are there any "new" products or procedures that you can share with us?

A: Two of the biggest advances in my practice have been the use of a bruise-busting laser after procedures and the use of fillers that are premixed with numbing medicine. The laser that we use is fantastic for speeding up the clearing of bruising after both surgical and nonsurgical procedures, working in as little as 24 hours to change a dark bruise into a light orange one that is much more easily concealed with makeup. We offer this as part of all of our procedures, and do not charge extra for it. Our patients are much happier when they can shave a few days or more off of their social downtime or time off from work. We combine this laser treatment with several other methods as part of our RapidRecoverySM Technique, which has truly transformed our patients' post-treatment recovery period.

The other new technique our patients love is the premixed numbing medicine in our fillers. Previously we would have to perform uncomfortable numbing injections before using Restylane, Juvederm, and Radiesse, somewhat like at the dentist's office, but now we simply apply a special numbing cream (compounded just for us by a pharmacy on the East coast) for a few minutes, then go straight to filling with the lidocaine-mixed fillers, which numb as they go in. I actually was skeptical that this could be more comfortable than the strength of the numbing injections themselves, but my patients have uniformly loved the change--they are more comfortable and it takes less time to do the treatment because there are only half as many injections. And when my patients are happy, I'm happy.
Thanks so much for taking the time to ask these questions and I'd be happy to answer any follow-up questions your readers might have!

Dr. Donath is a double-board certified Facial Plastic Surgeon whose practice is exclusively dedicated to the face and neck areas. His office is located in Kenwood, one block west of Kenwood Towne Centre, at 7763 Montgomery Road. For a complimentary consultation, please call 891-LIFT (5438), or click: www.cincyfacialplastics.com. Be sure to mention this blog posting for 20% off your first in-office procedure.

Buxom smoky eye stick: product rave!

2011-08-11T16:29:00.000-07:00

Meet my new favorite product-perfect pigmentation, terrific texture, and wonderfully waterproof. (take THAT, alliteration.) Gives you plenty of "play" time for smudging, but once it's dry, it's bulletproof.
I only purchased two shades (so far!), "two by four"(a black/brown) and "smokin' pistol" (black). I recommend applying with a small, dense,smudge brush, dragging in upward strokes from the upper lashline.You can wear alone or top with contrasting or matching powder eyeshadow.
Smokin' hot!

Ask Nancy: foundation recommendations

2011-08-02T12:15:00.000-07:00

This question comes from Julie, via facebook:
I have a quick question, and I'm asking you because you know your stuff, and I trust you. I am in need of some good foundation. But my 42-year-old skin is hard to shop for. Are there any brands/lines that you recommend?
Plus I'm on a budget...;)
I need fuller coverage (wrinkles, pores, etc...all the things I've "earned" over the years, lol). And I'm both dry and oily! yay me!

In my opinion, foundation is the very last beauty product you should scrimp on. Drugstore foundations aren't even all that cheap anymore anyway, and you can't sample the shades or formula first.
A higher end foundation will have more pigment, which means you use less product, get better coverage, and don't look like you slathered it on.
My current favorite for your concerns is Laura Mercier creme smooth foundation. It comes in a glass jar and i like to apply it with a foundation brush. You only need a little. It won't make your oily parts look greasy or make your dry parts look flaky. It gives that youthful glow and the coverage is amazing. This is what I wear when I need to look my best.
Another favorite is Jane Iredale Dream Tint - SPF 15 Tinted Moisturizer (available at Cincinnati Facial Plastic Surgery in Kenwood)It is a little less coverage so you could wear it on casual days.

Skin tips from Giovanni!

2011-08-01T06:14:00.000-07:00

I recently made a new friend who opened an absolutely fabulous spa downtown called Face It Spa

I asked him many burning questions that my clients are constantly concerned with.
-what are some things a bride to be can do to make sure her skin is clear and radiant?

The bride to be needs to use well formulated skincare products based on her skin’s specific needs. I would recommend using a good skincare system at home as well as going in for regular treatments with an esthetician. It’s important to work hand in hand with your esthetician to achieve the best results.

How soon before the wedding should she start treatments?

The last thing a bride needs to be worrying about is her skin. No matter how gorgeous her dress or hair may look, if her skin is not looking the best then the bride will not feel her best. The sooner the bride to be can meet with an esthetician the better.

-what can a mother of the bride do to look fresh for the wedding?

Any type of exfoliation (chemical or physical) removes dead skin cells to give us that healthy glow. I would recommend a resurfacing peel or microdermabrasion to see the best results. You should consult with your esthetician to see what would be the best for your skin and give you the most benefits.

-what other tips can you share to a bride wanting to look her very best; day to day care and treatments?

Whether it be for a bride, mother of the bride, or bridesmaids everyone wants great skin. No matter what your concern may be there is always room for improvement. It is very important to use quality, science backed skincare products. Think about it, you are putting products on your face everyday. Most the time you will meet with your esthetician once a month. You are working with your skin a lot more than the esthetician is. That is why it is so important to work hand in hand. If you only get professional treatments and don’t use a great home care, you won’t see the full results.
Great home care and professional treatments go hand in hand! I cannot stress the importance of good skincare enough! ☺ Also, please do NOT tan for your wedding! I see this all the time and the amount of damage done is NOT worth it. There are some wonderful sunless tanners today. Try them out before your wedding to find a perfect one.
Think about this…I highly doubt a person will say when they are in there 40’s, 50’s, 60’s …..”Wow, I wish I would have tanned more!” But what I hear all the time is “I wish I wouldn’t have been in the sun so much!” Remember that!

Stay tuned for news about my new partnership with Face it Spa-a match made in heaven, dontcha think???

Cincinnati airbrushed makeup/Julie, engaged

2011-07-21T04:09:00.000-07:00

images, Kortnee Kate

Cincy makeup artist/ Simona, married

2011-07-18T17:25:00.000-07:00

JMM photography is amazing!

K Ky makeup artists BRIDEface/Julie, by Penny

2011-07-10T17:53:00.000-07:00

Consistently one of my very favorite photography teams, Loft 3

Cincy airbrush bridal/Rebecca, by Penny

2011-06-28T08:22:00.000-07:00

images, Jeff Schaefer

Covington makeup artist/Katie, married

2011-06-28T04:20:00.000-07:00

images, Mark Garber

hair, Liz Carter

N KY makeup artistry/Ashley, married

2011-06-26T04:37:00.000-07:00

Ashley has exquisite taste. From the headband, amaaazing cuff, and all the girls's jewelry she found on etsy, to her gorgeous home in Clifton overlooking the city. (Plus her dress kinda reminded me of my own wedding dress.)I actually spied that turquoise pickup truck as I was leaving her place and thought, "How gorgeous would that be for wedding photos?" Great minds!

images, Soda Fountain Photography

N Ky airbrush bridal makeup/Betsy, married

2011-06-24T05:51:00.000-07:00

images, Nathan Peel

hair, Jen Nally

videography, Studio Z

florals, Courtenay Lambert

I am just in love with these shots. Betsy is so radiant!

Cincinnati makeup artists/Jenny,married

2011-06-20T16:30:00.001-07:00

images, Neysa Ruhl

I always love the cameraderie of a gang of women watching the bride get dolled up; sharing memories, gossip, private jokes. It's like there's a whole ritual in primping together. Jenny's maids were a lot of fun and were so excited about getting made up. I love that!

ask Nancy; advice for dark circles

2011-06-20T04:59:00.001-07:00

Former BRIDEface Jessica Skaggs asks from Facebook:

" I have dark circles (genetic) and I'm always looking for a way to camouflage them. What product and/or technique do you recommend?"

Firstly, please use an eye cream. so many women wait to see their first fine line, but dehydration can cause darkness under the eye. Eye cream will also help your concealer look more natural and blend better. Getting the right shade can be very tricky. On very dark circles I prefer Laura Mercier secret camouflage. My favorite shade for a medium to medium/tan skintone is #4, because it has a lot of orange in it to tone out the blueness in most olive-toned skins. If you are more fair, I love Makeup Forever lifting concealer in either #2 or 3. Always apply in very thin, stippling strokes with a synthetic brush. Fingers can overapply and cause a sloppy look. I always set with a bit of Laura Mercier brightening powder to set, prevent creasing, and add life to the skin under the eyes. It bounces away darkness. Genius product!!

concealer essentials by nannobanan on Polyvore.com

Laura Mercier Secret Brightening Powder
$22 - nordstrom.com

MAKE UP FOR EVER Lift Concealer Dark Beige 2
$22 - sephora.com

Bobbi Brown Concealer Brush
$25 - sephora.com

Secret Camouflage - # SC1 ( For Very Fair Skin Tones ) - LAURA MERCIER...
$36 - strawberrynet.com

N Ky bridal makeup/Jill, engaged!

2011-06-15T07:54:00.000-07:00

images, Tracy Doyle

Jill is the sister of one of my favorite former brides. She loooooooves makeup and is so fun to paint because she literally wriggles with excitement. These pics make me smile!!

"ask Nancy" is back!

2011-06-15T07:50:00.001-07:00

This question comes via our facebook page from one of my former brides, Jayne:

What kind of bronzer brush would you suggest? Nothing too pricey though :)

I personally don't care for a traditional bronzer brush-the dense, Kabuki style tends to pick up too much pigment and I don't feel it distributes it well-(which is probably why you see so many bronzer abusers out there!)

I prefer a fluffy tapered powder brush-even better if it has flat sides. This is because I like to use bronzer as contour-slim down a round face, define jawlines, shrink a larger forehead, shorten a longer face...

A good inexpensive pick is from Sonia Kashuk and runs in the twenty dollar range. it won't give you any harsh, obvious contour lines, just give you a healthy glow. Apply a number 3 shape from your forehead to your chin, as a general rule.

N Ky airbrush bridal makeup/Kristin, by Penny

2011-05-30T18:05:00.001-07:00

images, Jenna Davis

Cincinnati wedding makeup/Jenna, married

2011-05-24T06:05:00.000-07:00

images, JMM Photography

N Ky airbrush makeup/Regan, engaged

2011-05-24T05:45:00.001-07:00

images, Sherri Barber

Cincinnati makeup artist/Taryn,married!

2011-05-20T16:42:00.000-07:00

images, Loft3pd

I love everything about this wedding. I adore Oneonta, I adore the bright pops of color in the flowers against the gray dresses (yay,Katie Elfers!!!)the bride's earrings, the bridesmaids' jewelry...sigh. Taryn has exquisite taste!

Our own Penny-married!

2011-05-15T06:36:00.001-07:00

I have known Penny for about ten years. We first met when she did freelance work for me when I managed the Laura Mercier counter at Saks, and she has been with BRIDEface for four years. So I was incredibly honored when she asked me to do her makeup for her wedding. as makeup artists, we can tend to be control freaks about our makeup! But Penny gave me free reign and let me do my thing. Isn't she gorge? (incidentally, this wedding was way back last November and I suddenly realized I never blogged it!)

images, Tine Hofmann

Cincinnati makeup artist/Mukti, engaged!

2011-05-09T04:24:00.001-07:00

images, Kim Long

Cincinnati makeup artist/Jenny, married

2011-05-08T04:33:00.000-07:00

images, Shelby St Photography
from the bride:

"Nancy- it goes without saying as I have told you before but I LOVED MY
MAKEUP! The pictures all coming in are amazing and the hair/makeup
combo is awesome. I know everyone loved having their makeup done and
were so impressed as many had not seen airbrushed makeup and
individual fake lashes!"

N Ky airbrush makeup/Ashley, by Penny

2011-04-30T10:07:00.000-07:00

images, JMM Photography

Cincinnati photoshoot makeup/Erin and Lana, fitness shoot

2011-04-25T16:54:00.001-07:00

images, Tine Hofmann

Sometimes I can hardly believe how many amazing people I have met through facebook. Lana had just been in a fitness competition a few days before this session, and Erin was about a week away from competing in another, so they wanted to capture themselves at their peak condition. Such strong and gorgeous women!!

Cincinnati makeup/The Garage photoshoot

2011-04-24T08:03:00.000-07:00

A few weeks ago my friend Onalda asked my studio mate, April Rentz, to take some headshots for her fabulous massage company, The Garage. I provided makeup...now, these are very non-makeup women, so I made sure to just bring out their very best without making them look overdone. I love how April captured their personalities!

If you are looking for massage, these are your girls; they absolutely rock. And they will even do onsite work if you are looking to have some wedding day stress relief!

Cincinnati wedding makeup/Lauren, by Jasmine

2011-04-22T05:14:00.000-07:00

images, Tine Hofmann

I love rainy engagement shoots!

Cincinnati wedding makeup/Katrina, engaged

2011-04-21T16:34:00.000-07:00

images by Alex Hunt

I love working with Alex and I love the moody intimacy of these shots.

Cincinnati makeup artists/Taryn, engaged!

2011-04-05T06:26:00.000-07:00

images, loft 3

aside from how ridiculously good looking this couple is, how bout those doggies? I wanna eat them up.

I am selfishly partial to the "money shots" that highlight how gorgeous Taryn's (enhanced) lashes look!

maternity photos/Kelly

2011-04-04T05:08:00.000-07:00

images, Tine Hofmann

You may remember Kelly's wedding? I have been very fortunate to have had the opportunity to paint this gorgeous face several times since. Always the epitome of style, Kelly adores makeup and does a gorgeous job on her own hair. These photos took my breath away. Kelly and Mark are so excited to meet their first child in just a few weeks!

N KY bridal makeup/Stephanie, by Jasmine

2011-04-03T16:56:00.000-07:00

images, Varland Photography
Jasmine,

I just wanted to thank you again for everything you did on Saturday. You did an absolutely perfect job, I couldn't have asked for anything better. Let me know if there is any additional survey or if I can write to the owner to reinforce how thrilled I was with your work. Thank you soo much!! Let me know if you want to see pictures!!

Stephanie

FACEing makeup instruction/two quick retro looks

2011-04-02T20:40:00.000-07:00

A few weeks ago, my good friends (and, incidentally, both amazing photographers) Sherri and April stopped by the shop before heading to a Krewe party. they had amaaaazing hair by Philip Nathaniel Saunders. I was immediately inspired. April was scared initially of the violet lip, but she came around in the end. I strove for a "pin up inspired" feel without being a slave to the look; I hate pin up looks that look like Betty Boop. the goal is to take elements from the genre but still look very pretty, not halloween costume-y. I think these looks would work well for boudoir or even an evening wedding.

Ny Ky bridal beauty/Christy, married

2011-03-27T05:37:00.001-07:00

images, Mark Garber

Cincinnati engagement photo makeup/Lisa, by Penny

2011-03-26T03:45:00.000-07:00

images, Michael Bambino