Weddingbee PRO

How would you prefer a potential client let you know they decided to go with someone else?

I spend 1-2 hours a day handling with emails, and a lot of that time is tracking who has responded to my emails and who hasn’t.  If I haven’t heard back from a client, I always double check to be certain that my client received the email and it wasn’t sent to a junk box.  A simple email that says, “I received your email and will get back to you”  is fantastic.  If you have met with me for a trial, I expect an email letting me know whether or not you ar going to book me.  I want your honest feedback.  Don’t worry about hurting my feelings. Honest feedback has helped me grow my business.  It also saves me so much time and energy.  Most weddings are on a Saturday, and we can’t hold a date without a deposit. So please, just be tactful and honest - I think every vendor will appreciate that.

What if I don’t like the way my makeup looks?

Tell the artist!  The more specific the better.  The most tactful way is to say something along the lines of  “I like this, but can we change that.”  I expect to fine tune a face no matter how great I think a client looks.  I would be more upset if you didn’t tell me and left feeling unhappy.  This is about you feeling gorgeous, not about my ego.

My mother reads my blog faithfully and often comments on posts. I love that instead of phoning me, she knows the fastest way to reach me is through my website! After my previous blog on recession proof makeup my mom sent me an email stating: “Yes, this is an overdue column! Your cheap (economical) mother just bought her favorite blond/beige brow pencil by Physician's Formula! I'm trying out Almay's Bright Eyes eye base and concealer for light skin tones…will let you know what I think of it. ”

Okay mom, I am getting on it and I apologize for the delay!

I want to invite all of you (not just my mom!) to contact me with any products that you have found and loved as well as blog ideas. Your reviews are very important in scrutinizing a product.

As a makeup artist, I am always asked about skincare recommendations. I see the eagerness in my clients' eyes as they wait to hear that I have the secret to fixing wrinkles, big pores, dry skin, rosacea and dark circles. I wish I had an easy cure, just like we all wish there was an easy way to get skinny and rich, but there ain't! My standard answer is wear sunblock, eat well and exercise. I have gone to 10 different dermatologists over the years for acne and dermatitis, and they all told me to use a gentle cleanser (like Cetaphil) and a moisturizer. Not one of them ever told me to spend a lot of money on department store brands. The only doctors I have ever seen recommending pricey products were actually selling them (hmm???).

I have combed through what many derms and experts recommend and they all seem to look for products with the following ingredients:

Exfoliants: salicylic acid, AHA (Alpha-Hydroxy Acid) such as glycolic and lactic acid
Moisturizers: antioxidants and vitamins C (Ascorbic Acid), E (Tocopherol), A(Retin), and niacin
Acne prone skin : salicylic acid

Before buying skincare products, it is crucial for you to analyze your skin. Most of my younger clients (under 30) would be just fine with a light moisturizer such as Olay Complete with SPF 15. This is what I use during the day in the summer. I am a little older than 25 and my skin has gotten much drier so I use a more hydrating night creme and eye cream, which I apply religiously day and night. The under eye area doesn't have oil glands so it needs more hydration. This is the item to splurge on if you are experiencing dryness. When I deal with dry skin I use M.A.C.'s Moisturelush line, Arbonne's RE9 skincare line or Bobbi Brown's Extra line. Don't use unless you have dry skin. All of the moisture in the world does not prevent wrinkles. Moisturizers plump up the skin creating younger looking skin, which is a great canvas for makeup.

I love simplicity, so I always look for multi-tasking items. I would recommend the following as good everyday moisturizers:

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This is a much overdue post, especially in this economic climate. There are so many wonderful drugstore products that are nearly identical to the department store brands. The downside is that you can't try them on in the drugstore, so my advice is to check out your drugstore's return policy. CVS has been know to return used and opened cosmetics, but I would double check each store before buying. Also, you save big moola on drugstore skincare. The key is too look at the ingredient list for vitamins A,C,E. I have a post coming up soon with drugstore skin care recommendations.

Here are some of the products that you will find in my makeup kit: (all products except the lip liner can be found at drugstore.com)

Neutrogena Make-up Remover Cleansing Towelettes

I use these on the face and to clean my hands and brushes off quickly when working with a client. I love these, and they are mild yet take off waterproof mascara.
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I'm always so thrilled to learn that a woman is inspired by one of my bride's looks. I contacted Carissa, the bride of the “get-the-look” mentioned below, and she was tickled pink since she was about to give birth and not feeling like a beauty inspiration!

Lo,

Hello! So I just stumbled upon this entry recently on Weddingbee PRO, and I am just beyond in love with that look! My hair is darker, and my skin a bit more olive/tan. So I was wondering if you could suggest an alternate lip color but in the same realm? Maybe just a little deeper? During the day I normally just wear Burt's Bees, because I hate reapplying color. For going out I usually just wear sheer dark pink lip glosses. Origin's Once Upon A Shine in sheer raspberry is what I have right now.

~ Amanda
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I am very excited to be a part of New York Magazine's Bridal Hairstyles Shop-A-Matic! I have to give props to my hair diva, Jennie Brent and to fab photographer Danny Weiss. Gorgeous Melissa is the bride, and Jennie did a two-in-one hairstyle. It started out as a sophisticated updo, and then after the ceremony all Melissa had to do was loosen a few pins and voila - sexy waves for dancing.

The Shop-A-Matic feature is really great for the bride and has about 100 photos of real bride hairdo's and many other categories geared toward the bride. Check it out for great wedding inspiration!

Okay, one of my goals (besides world domination) is to be on the New York Magazine’s Best of Wedding List. I have tried to crack the code of how to get on this list but I have had no luck.  I am now one step closer to this goal!

Dear Lo,

This question isn't for me, but for my fiance. He gets red cheeks really easily (I don't think I have a photo without them there). Is there anything we can do to tone them down? I think I've made him paranoid with all my make-up attempts for our wedding day! He's fair skinned, blond, and blue-eyed if that helps. Thanks!

~ Jane

Jane, thanks for such a great question! I have covered pimples, sunburn and even added a little bronzer to my grooms. I even ambushed a father of the bride and trimmed his unruly eye brows (bride and mother were ecstatic!). However, it ultimately depends on how comfortable the guy is with grooming. I would tell him that every man on TV (including the big, bulky sports guys) have on makeup to look good on camera. I have applied foundation, concealer and bronzer on very masculine models. There is nothing weird about it, but if your man feels uncomfortable than let him be. I have seen many handsome grooms with pink cheeks and it’s just part of their charm. Being perfect doesn't make for good photographs. Focus on being in the moment and connecting with your man and family. That is what makes good photos and good times.

However, if he is up for a little “smoothing out” then I suggest the following -tinted moisturizer applied from under his eyes down toward the beard line. This will even out skin tone slightly and also disappear into the skin, so there is no sign of makeup. Make sure he is freshly shaved and lightly apply with your fingers. You can then set this with a little translucent powder. Use a sponge and apply a little over his cheeks and t-zone area which will also eliminate shine. I love Laura Mercier’s Tinted Moisturizer because it comes in a variety of tones for a perfect match and contains SPF 20. There are many other great brands as well, but check out the label carefully to be certain that there the product contains no illumination or shimmer. That could be bad.

An awful lot of fair skinned people flush easily. I always tell them that the benefit is that they can save a lot of money on blush and they never look pasty! Best of luck to you and your healthy-looking groom!

xoxo,
Lo

Disclaimer: I am dead against beauty pageants and making little girls look like mini Barbies! I encourage my nieces to read, learn, explore, play sports and get dirty. However, playing with makeup, hair and clothes can be a fun part of being a girl (not the only part!).

I love to put a little shimmer and gloss on the little girls and I wanted to show you all a way to do it without spending more than $10. I know that some people may not be a fan of any makeup for young girls, and I completely respect that. I apply makeup to include the flower girl in the pampering process and to make her feel extra special. She gets to be part of the “big girl” ritual and who doesn't like a little gloss and sparkle?

For girls 10 and below, it is completely age appropriate to dust a little shimmer shadow on their eye lids and cheeks in a sheer pink or champagne. Top their lips with a pink sheer gloss and they are all “princessed” up! For older girls, you may want to apply a little mascara and a blush with a little more pigment. Painting their nails can also be a fun part of the process. Here are some great products from e.l.f. that are super duper affordable:

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Carol from North Carolina emailed me with the following question:

Dear Lo,

As a mother of a bride, I viewed your web site for my daughter who is getting married, but I have a question for 52-year old me. I quit wearing eye shadow because it accentuates the crinkles in my upper lids. How can I get cover these crinkles so I can wear shadow? I have med/fair skin color and my hair is medium brown. The skin on my eye lids is normal/oily.

-Carol

Carol,

I believe you have a common problem that can be easily resolved. Mature makeup is something that I love, because it is more about finesse than sparkle! 52 is quite young in the “mature makeup” category, as I deal with women from 40 -90 with the same problem.

We all know that light colors emphasize and dark colors minimize. If you thought your thighs were large you probably would not wear white, tight pants. Therefore, avoid light shadows on your lids if they are accentuating crinkles. And, avoid any shimmer in eye shadows – matte is your best friend. The best thing that you can do to emphasize your eyes is to use a dark brown or dark gray liner on your top lashes, and then blend this into a medium brown or gray shadow. This will pull the focus up to the top of your eye and will provide a nice background for your eye color.
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After finishing my previous post Under Eye Dilemma, Linda asked me to recommend a blush color for her. Well, it is pretty impossible for me to give a short answer (especially after too much caffeine), so I decided to do another post on the wonders of Trish McEvoy products!

TM is a little pricier, but is perfect for the minimalist who loves everything in one place, and is a must have if you travel a lot. I love her eye shadows, blush, powder, and her No. 9. Blackberry & Vanilla fragrance and creams.

I recommended the following products for Linda:
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