Rachael & Steve's Wedding

Here is some lovely fall wedding inspiration for you! Rachael had the most beautiful big, blue doe-eyes that I enhanced with neutral matte shadows and lots of lashes. I added a hint of shimmer in the center of her eyes and finished the look with a soft rose lip. If you love these wedding images you can see more here, and make sure to scroll to the bottom of the post for all makeup & vendor details!

... Makeup Details ...

EYES

Mac 'Painterly' Paint Pot

Smashbox Full Exposure Palette

Bobbi Brown Black Gel Liner

Sephora 'Taupe' Liner

Ardell Demi Wispies

Anastasia Beverly Hills 'Ash Blonde' Brow Powder

FACE 

Make Up For Ever Face & Body

Illamasqua Skinbase

Temptu s/b airbrush foundation

Mac Pro-Longwear concealer

Ben Nye 'Cameo' powder 

Hourglass 'Ethereal' Ambient Lighting Powder 

Nars 'Laguna'

Smashbox rose-colored blush

Laura Mercier Baked Highlight #01

LIPS

Sephora 'Royal Rose' liner

Mac 'Craving' lipstick

Laura Mercier 'Rose' gloss

 ***

Venue: EOLIA MANSION

Photography: ALICIA ANN PHOTOGRAPHERS

Dress: ALLURE BRIDALS

Bridesmaids' Dresses: BILL LEVKOFF

Beauty: NICOLE MARIE MAKEUP

Hair: BLADES HAIR AND NAIL STUDIO

Florals: FLEURESCENT

Catering: GOURMET GALLEY

Cake: J CAKES

DJ: AFTER HOURS

Natural Glam on Fitness Expert Lacy Dononvan

Lacy and I met on instagram after she started following my makeup work, and I loved that she was a Connecticut small business owner like myself! We teamed up for a collaborative photo shoot in her gym space in Waterford, called Lion Fitness. Check out Lacy's bio below to learn more about what she does; and insider tip, sign up for her meal plan if you've been thinking of becoming more health-conscious, everything Lacy prepares looks deliciously amazing! 

Lacy Donovan is an ACE Certified Personal Trainer and a proud mother of two. She fell into this new career through her love of exercise and commitment to healthy living. She runs a private studio gym from her home in Waterford, CT. In the short year she has been in business she has helped countless people achieve there weight loss and fitness goals. Through her personal training she also started meal prepping for clients, which turned into another home-based business for Lacy called, G.E.T. Guiltless Eating To-Go. She prepares healthy, gluten-free, low carb, high protein individually packaged meals for anyone looking to eat clean and healthy. It is her mission to show clients it doesn't have to be depriving to live a healthy lifestyle. You can workout, eat delicious foods and still achieve all your physical fitness goals!

Eyes
1. Benefit Stay Don't Stray Primer
2. Urban Decay Naked Basics Palette for shadow and lower lashline
3. Winged liner with black shadow on an angled brush
4. Ardell Demi Wispies
5. Anastasia Brow Wiz
 
Face
Foundation: Make Up For Ever Face & Body
Concealer: Mac Pro-Longwear & Kryolan Dermacolor
Powder: Hourglass Ambient Powder in 'Diffussed' & Kett Sett
Bronzer: Chanel Tan de Soleil
Blush: Nars Goulue
Highlight: Becca Moonstone & Opal

Lips
Lipstick: Mac 'Modesty'
Lipgloss: Laura Mercier 'Sparkling'

WEBSITE: www.lionfitnessllc.com

INSTAGRAM: @lacydonovan

Purple and Gold Smoked Eyes

This look is based around a smokey gold lid with a pop of color for the lower lashline. You can change the bottom to any bright color that you would like, blues, emeralds and even deep pinks will look great! The trick to this kind of look is to make sure you heavily blend out the lower lashline to prevent it from looking harsh; the smokier, the better! Keep everything else on the face simple for a balanced aesthetic.

1. Prime your eyelids to prevent creasing and ensure long lasting color payoff. I used Benefit Stay Don't Stray.
2. Blend a matte light orange shadow through the entire length of the crease as your transition shade.
3. Pack a small, flat brush with gold shadow and press it into the lid. You can also top this section with gold glitter. My shadow was from a discontinued Too Faced palette.
4. Blend a dark brown shadow into the outer third of the lid and take a little bit of the color into the crease.
5. Use a purple pencil and smudge the color along the waterline and lower lashline before blending it out and setting with a matching eyeshadow. I used 'Vice' by Urban Decay.
6. Highlight the inner corner with a bright, shimmery champagne color of your choice.
7. Draw a thin line on the top lid using black liquid liner to hide the false lash band. Then apply lashes; I used Kiss Demi Wispies.
8. Highlight the brow bone for separation with a matte cream colored eyeshadow.
9. Fill in and set the brows to finish the look. I used the Too Faced Bulletproof Brows in 'Brunette' and the Anastasia Tinted Brow Gel in 'Caramel'.

How would you try this smokey look?

Professional Makeup Artist Interview - Kristina Gasperas

Fluent in three languages and national 'bridal makeup' winner  of The 2013 Wedding Industry Awards, Kristina Gasperas doesn't mess around. She and her team are based in London, UK and travel to the surrounding areas. 

I first found Kristina's work on instagram and was instantly drawn to it, especially because she is also a photographer like myself! Read on to hear her interview and make sure to visit her links!

Q: How long have you been a working artist and how did you get started in your career? 

A: I have been working as a makeup artist for 7 years and started my career after being inspired by my bridal makeover on my own wedding day. Shortly after my wedding I arranged a course with the same makeup artist who was in charge of my bridal makeup and have never looked back! It’s been the best decision I ever made.

Q: When did you know that you wanted to be a makeup artist? 

A: Having a great experience and makeover on my own wedding day planted the seed. I knew very soon after that this career was perfect for me instead of the corporate role that I was in at the time. I wanted to be able to make women feel and look amazing - just like my bridal makeup artist had done for me.

Q: What was your first memorable work as an artist?

A: You always remember your first paying client. I still remember receiving that first phone call about a week after my website went live. My hands were trembling with excitement! It was a bride with a small wedding party. I had the biggest sense of relief when the makeup trial went well and she booked me for her wedding day.

Q: What do you love most about makeup and about your job?

A: I love that the right makeup application can make women feel younger, more radiant and glow not just with beauty from the outside but also within. I like making my clients feel better about themselves and believe there is always a way all of them can look incredible! I really enjoy it when they look in the mirror and tell me they look the best they ever have, some even that they look 10 years younger! I know then that they’ll feel super-confident at whatever occasion they’re to attend.

Q: What is your signature makeup style and what trends/looks have you been loving?

A: The whole makeup world is into sculpting and strobing - shaping and reshaping the face with highlighters and sculpting products. Using light and dark sculpting tones can enhance, lift, give someone cheekbones, a temporary eyelift, reshape the nose and give a sharper jawline. Women love these makeup tricks and when applied well nobody needs to know that they are actually wearing corrective/enhancing products and application techniques. I also love using individual lashes to add instant but discreet glamour.

Q: What are some of your go to, must have, all-time favorite kit products?

A: MAC Paint Pot in “Painterly” for eye-base - makes powder eyeshadows stay put all day long!
Sublime de Chanel mascara - a perfect all-rounder with an incredible brush for smooth and easy application.
Shu Uemura eyelash curlers - nothing beats curled lashes, they take 5 years off the eyes and create an illusion of gently lifted outer corners and bigger eyes.
Charlotte Tilbury lip pencil Lip Cheat in “Pillow Talk” - the most perfect nude pink that works for most skin types.

Q: What products have you recently discovered and can’t live without?

A: Cosmetics à la Carte Silk Radiance Super-Fine Powder - it’s a perfect setting powder that doesn’t cake and makes the skin glow with radiance and health.
Charlotte Tilbury lip gloss Lip Lustre in “Seduction” - my brides absolutely love this colour, it’s a perfect nude tone and so beautifully glossy. It makes the lips look super-seductive.

Q: Where do you draw your inspiration from?

A: I follow lots of makeup artists whose work I enjoy in magazines and on social media; I subscribe to Vogue and Harper’s Bazaar; I check out the latest trends at red carpet events; I go to makeup masterclasses run by celebrity makeup artists to get the latest news and application tips; and I read lots of beauty blogs and product reviews. I have a small team of makeup artists - the K-Team - and we’re always experimenting with new looks and drawing inspiration from them.

 
Q: Who are some people that have inspired or influenced you throughout your career?

A: My makeup and photography teacher/mentor in Lithuania: Viktorija Vaišvilaitė-Skirutienė. She helped me change my life.

Q: How do you continue to grow your career as an artist?

A: I work hard, continue to improve my skills and keep it current. I treat each and every one of my clients with the love and attention they deserve, I want them to have the best experience at my hands and not just look amazing at the end. If they enjoy their time with me they’ll recommend me to their friends and the demand keeps growing. My small team keeps growing too because I’m lucky enough to have more work come my way than I would be able to deal with on my own.

Q: Where would you like to see yourself as an artist in the next 5-10 years?

A: I have started an academy of makeup and hairstyling which provides professional training and would like this to flourish and become a renowned institution in the industry. I would like to continue producing quality makeup artists and hairstylists who will raise the standards in the industry.

Q: What is your most important piece of beauty advice and/or makeup tip for women?

A: A good skincare regime will ensure that the skin is looking great and great looking skin is always more attractive than having to use lots of foundation to cover imperfections. Regular facial massages improve skin elasticity, get the blood flowing and give a younger, more radiant look.
Also have your eyebrows nicely shaped - it’ll enhance your eyes and make your overall makeup look flawless and clean.

Q: What is your most important piece of advice for aspiring professionals?

A: You should only choose this career if you are prepared to invest every spare moment into practicing and perfecting your skills as the room to grow is endless! Only the most determined and devoted makeup artists make it through to become someone special.

 
Q: What is one thing you wish you had known starting out?

A: That it takes time to achieve results and to be patient and not beat myself up when the going gets tough. Don’t expect perfection from the start.
People wrongly expect to become great at what they do in too short a space of time. Give yourself time to learn from your mistakes and to perfect your skills by practicing the same things over and over again, you’ll eventually become a master in what you do!

Q: If you weren’t a makeup artist what would you be doing instead?

A: I’d be a photographer. I’m a professionally trained portrait photographer and just love it! Photography is a key part of my makeup service - I send my clients professionally finished photographs of their completed look, so not only do they get a great makeover but also a nice memento. I’d be a beauty photographer as it gives me so much joy capturing women in the most flattering ways.

Website: www.kristinagasperas.com
Blog: www.kristinagasperas.com/blog
Facebook: www.facebook.com/KristinaGasperasmakeup
Instagram: www.instagram.com/kristinagasperasmua
YouTube: www.youtube.com/user/krismal123
Twitter: www.twitter.com/Kristina_GaGa
Pinterest: uk.pinterest.com/KristinaGaGa

Romantic Bridal Makeup

Wedding season is in full swing! Here is a classic bridal look that is always super flattering and popular. It is also perfect for any special occasion due to it's soft elegance and ability to suit anyone.
 

Eyes
1. Prime the eyes to prevent creasing and ensure long lasting color payoff, I used Mac paintpot in 'painterly'.
2. Dust a cream or nude colored shadow all over the lid and up to the brow bone.
3. With a fluffy brush, blend a soft neutral brown into the crease and outer corner of the eyes.
4. Apply black liquid liner in a wing to the eyelid, then trace over it with a tiny bit of black eyeshadow to blur out and soften the edges of the line for a romantic effect.
5. Smudge brown liner along the lower lashline and set it with a warm brown shadow.
6. Line the lower waterline (inner rim) with a nude pencil, I used a flesh toned twist up one from Rimmel.
7. Fill in the brows to add definition, I used an eyeshadow around the same tone as Hannah's natural brow color.

Face
Foundation: Illamasqua Skinbase
Concealer: Mac Pro-Longwear
Powder: Hourglass Ambient Powders
Bronzer: Too Faced Chocolate Soleil
Blush: Make Up For Ever HD Blush #210
Highlight: Laura Mercier Baked Radiance #01

Lips
Liner: Palladio Herbal Lipliner 'Raspberry'
Lipstick: Buxom 'Mistress' & Mac 'Angel'
Gloss: Laura Mercier Lip Glace 'Bare Pink' 

Hair by Rachel Toussaint

The Best Longwear & Dewy Blush

Today I wanted to share my favorite way to get long-wearing blush! This technique allows you to achieve a dewy and skin-like finish for the perfect, natural, flushed look. This is the only way that I wear blush now, and it lasts me up to 10 hours! This technique is suitable for dry, normal and slightly combination skin; (if you get very oily on your cheeks I would recommend setting it with a powder blush). Make sure to watch the video tutorial at the end!

I use the Yves Saint Laurent Rouge Volupte Shine lipsticks for this technique, as I find that they work the best. They were already my absolute favorite lipsticks, and were pretty much the only formula that I used on myself (besides the amazing Dior LipGlow). At $37 for a tube, they are a little easier to swallow when used as a lipstick and a blush, plus they'll last you forever! They are by far the best and longest lasting 'cream blush' that I've ever tried and don't break out my sensitive skin like many other cream blushes do. 

Step 1: Run a few strokes of the lipstick onto the back of your hand. You want this to serve as your palette to warm up the product.
Step 2: Use fluffy brush and work the lipstick into the bristles by running over the stroke marks on the back of your hand. You want to create a stain inside the bristles, not just have the lipstick sitting on top. The pink brush in this Real Techniques trio is my favorite for applying cream blush and you get 3 brushes for $18!
Step 3: Use circular motions to lightly stamp and buff the color onto your cheeks. Build it up slowly because it will stain your cheeks wherever you place it. Now you have fresh, long lasting blush!

 Watch the tutorial!

Here are a few drugstore alternatives, I haven't tested the 'blush wear time' on these, but they have a similar texture and formula!

Maybelline Baby Lips
Maybelline Color Whisper
L'Oreal Color Caresse
Burt's Bees Tinted Lip Balm
Revlon Color Burst Lip Butter 

Would you ever wear lipstick as blush? Comment with your favorites!
 

Heat-Free & Effortless Summer Hair

Today I partnered with the talented Deanna Mackenzie of Asanda Spa in Manhattan to bring you this super cute and easy-to-achieve hair tutorial. 

Deanna is a Senior Stylist at Asanda and has been in the hair industry for eleven years! She specializes in coloring, styling and cutting, and if you're looking for a fresh & modern short style, there is no one else you should turn to! Deanna says: "Being greatly influenced by both my mom and my sister, I had a love for hair at an early age. Lucky for me, I was able to pursue it as a career that I absolutely love. Doing hair for me is one of the many outlets that I'm able to express creativity."

Read on for the instructions, and follow Deanna on instagram: @colorcreatedesign

 

1. Create an ear to ear headband parting & clip away back center hair.

2. Grab hair from front sides, pull back and tie into a knot.

3. Let clipped hair down

4. Grab hair from sides and tie another knot on top of the hair just let down.

5. Tuck and secure ends underneath with a Bobby pin or hair pin.

6. Finish with Aveda Air Control for light to moderate hold or Aveda Control Force for a strong hold and humidity defense. 

What are your favorite effortless summer hairstyles?