Polished Bridal Make-up:- Before and After Shots

 I love Bridal make-up. It is the type of make-up that really pushed me to hone my skills and learn how to use make-up like a pro. Being a lover of all colours bright and beautiful, keeping a bride looking polished without her looking like she's wearing a stack of make-up is not a feat that many accomplish. Some brides look like completely different people on their wedding days and sometimes future hubby's get a shock when the moment comes to "kiss the bride"!. This bride wanted to keep herself looking natural so her hubby could recognize her at the alter. She has beautiful eyes and so we played on those a bit to bring a touch of glamour to her look. 

She wasn't keen on any sort of lip products so we used a clear gloss and to be honest her lips were already pigmented so it worked well for her. Her mom was also having her trial that day. I love working with mature skin. I feel that they are some of the best faces to work with. Why? Just cause some older ladies give up after a while with makeup and are very surprised when they see themselves. Makes me smile when they light up afterwards.

Again we were keeping everything very clean and neutral. She has few pigmentation spots she wanted to tone down and so we sheered down her foundation to make it look natural. A good lashing of mascara brought her eyes out and she was even adventurous with the lipstick. Overall she was very happy with the look. 

I've put myself on maternity leave now. I'm going to see how I recover after little man arrives. But I do have bookings for summer of this year. It's already turning out to be a busy year! Should be fun!

P.s. If you had the privilege of seeing the half done post that went up a few days ago, apologys! Baby brain meant I published it instead of saved it in drafts! It will be up later this week :) 

Sho Sho.

Sho sho aka Shona is from Singapore. She's my first oriental model. And Praise God she allowed me to do her make-up. I learnt so much. It can be difficult to get differing eyeshapes where I live. So she was a very steep learning curve for me. I used Yaby foundations on her which work very well. Kryolan eyeshadow (which I LOVE) and some other random bits and pieces that I cannot remember at the moment. I like how it turned out. Forgot to take a before picture.

This was my second foray into Bridal hair. I think God is trying to tell me something because it keeps coming up. So I've decided to learn how to do "light hair" ie be able to do some decent Bridal hair styling if needed. Doesn't hurt to have the extra skill I guess.

Okay. I'm typing with one eye open. Let me know what think :) Na'Night!

Artist Spotlight: Kemi Kings Imevbore-Uwaga

As a make-up artist there are many artists in the industry that I admire. Some simply for their style and others for who they are and how they work. Today I want to tell you about one of my favorite UK based make-up artists, Kemi Kings Imevbore-Uwaga.

Now to be honest I can't quite remember how I originally got to know Kemi. I do know that it was through Facebook. I think I saw a picture of her work and kinda got hooked from there. Kemi does everything. Bridal, editorial, fashion shoots, the lot! And I have learnt a lot from her.

Stunning!!!

We met in real life at IMATS after almost missing each other and spent ages talking make-up (As you would!) Honestly twas the best time ever. Exchanging tips and tricks on what works in the industry, awkward clients, wish lists etc....! 

Kemi has an amazing ability of turning stressed out brides into beautiful glowing creatures! See for yourself...

I am very fussy about eyebrows (unless unruly brows are called for) and I love how Kemi understands and has mastered the importance of how to shape eyebrows. She loves colour too! Honestly she feels like my long lost sister and she is one of the few make-up artists I know that uses colour on a bride but keeps it good. I hate it when people (and some artists) think that bridal means just plain boring non-descript colours. It's OKAY to have colour on your wedding day! As long as you do it properly!

Recently Kemi started teaching women who want to learn more about make-up. Her classes have  been extremely popular and I am going to attend one soon. Within her class she teaches the art of Gele wrapping. Gele's are a head dress that a lot of African women wear. For Nigerian women it's part of their traditional dress and they are THE experts in their field for it. An example...

Stunning isn't it?  I'm going to attend her next session just so I can learn this art!

Kemi is very patient. We text all the time. In fact I worry that one day she'll block my number with all the questions I ask her! But honestly she is lovely and has been a great working example and mentor to me. Kemi's a hard worker. She's a mom and yet she finds time to keep up to date with the industry whilst maintaining a healthy balanced life style. She's a prolific artist and she always has something new going on. I love that I am forever learning from her. I suspect one day she'll call me up and say, "Guess what?! I'm working on Beyonce today!" and to be honest if she did, I wouldn't be surprised! I would leave a link to her website but that is currently under construction. If you're on facebook, check her out here. Kemi I love you!

Hope you ladies are having a fabulous weekend

Stay Blessed xxx

uMakoti.

uMakoti:- a zulu term that means young Bride; newly married woman.

This lady was definitely a lovely Makoti. Ladies I present to you my lovely friend Catherine. She got married last december to a lovely Scot and her dress was gorgeous. Custom made fabulousness!

Makoti was very happy on her day. Very relaxed and a natural in front of the camera.

She has this lovely thick hair which she styled herself! She wanted to keep her look as natual as possible and keep her freckles showing through which I thought was totally fabulous!

I'll be honest I do not remember everything we used but I do know that we did use a Berry coloured lipstick. I suspect her blush was Myfacecosmetics and her eyeshadow was a combination of Barry M gold and dark brown somewhere. Her eyeliner was GOSH dark brown which did not move! Praise God! The rest? I forget. Forgive me!

Her photographer was very good. A gentleman called Peter Adamson. If you're a bride based in Scotland, especially near St Andrews, drop this guy an email [peter.g.adamson@btinternet.com.] I'm sure he could certainly help you out.

And there you have it! A beautiful Scottish Makoti :)

Stay Blessed lovlies
xxx

A Wedding Trial for a Pretty Bride.

Hi Lovlies,

I didn't realise until the other day that I have not updated this here blog of mine for a while. I think I went through a burn out these last two weeks and I'm only just coming out of it now! I've been busy with work and weddings and just trying to get my life back in order. Not exactly sure where it all went kaput but yes I think I'm back to regular programming!

So wedding season is coming to an end. Kinda. Sorta. There just won't be as many wedding through winter as they are in summer. I was busy with a few this year and I wanted to share the trial pictures of a particularly lovely bride I did last weekend. This lovely young lady is a stunner. Her dress was GORGEOUS, everything about her individual style just left such an impression with me. I wanted to show you her trial pictures. I'm making arrangements to get a hold of some professional pictures soon.

She wanted to look like "a more glamourous version of her natural self". I think we achieved that goal and I, for one, was happy with the outcome. Now I know someone is going to want to know what I used on her....I confess I can't remember it all but but I'll do my best to remember!

*pictures are clickable.*

RCMA foundation
Myfacecosmetics Blush in her name is Rio
GOSH lipgloss in 104
Barry M eyeshadow in Bronze and Gold [not the actual names...]
MAC Rose Gold pigment
MAC Vanilla Pigment
Eyelure eyelashes
GOSH Black waterproof eyepencil
Natural Cosmetics Brow powder
Ben Nye concealer wheel

She was a great bride to work with. She knew exactly what she wanted [which is always a good thing] and I reckon her day was pretty as perfect as they could come! Congratulations my love! You looked smashing!!

COMING UP...
*Style Black Haul and FOTD [are you sick of it yet? if not...stick around!]
*Alternative mixing mediums
*Fong Kong MAC brushes...and lots more!!!

Be blessed lovelies!!!

xxxx