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Bridal, Makeup

Bridal Makeup Trends for 2014 Spring

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Carolina Herrera Bridal Spring Fashion Show 2014 (Photo Credit: Brides.com)
Carolina Herrera Bridal Spring Fashion Show 2014 (Photo Credit: Brides.com)

Bridal Makeup Trends always come from a number of factors,  Fashion Week, Celebrities, Red Carpet and the “it” colors.  Based off of these categories there are some certain trends that you will see on the bridal magazine covers and in photos trending.

Bridal Fashion Week had three of the most notable trends.

Cat Eye:  While this is not a new trend it is one that is here to stay.   A vintage retro look that works with many styles of brides looks and the cat eye can be subtle or dramatic based on the preference.

Pink Lips:  Carolina Herrera Bridal Show showcased the pink lip and rosy cheeks.  A romantic and fresh look that are flattering, easy to wear, and reapplying is super easy when it comes to touch ups.

Luminous Skin:  Diane Von Furstenburg‘s runway show had the best example of flawless luminous skin.  Gorgeous skin is always on trend and it looks like perfection in photos.  While everyone is not blessed with amazing skin, there are ways to achieve luminous skin using products.

Jessica Alba People Choice Awards 2014 (Photo Credit: Getty Images)
Jessica Alba People Choice Awards 2014 (Photo Credit: Getty Images)

Celebrities can create a trend with just one photo.  Think Jennifer Lopez and her amazing sun kissed Glow.

Jessica Alba set a trend when she walked the red carpet of the People Choice Awards this year.  A silver and grey smokey eye with a pink lip.

Taylor Swift is one gal that really does show a great face.  Her typical style is a red lip, matte foundation and a lighter eye so as not to compete with that lip.  A classic Hollywood glamour look that is gorgeous.

The ‘it” color of the year is chosen and for 2014 it is Radiant Orchid.  The color of the year will be used in bridesmaids gowns, color and decor themes and covers of the magazines.  The way you can translate it into bridal makeup is by purple hues of eye shadows.  It is a great color shadow for many, which makes this years “it” color a great makeup option.

While it is all about your style and what you feel comfortable wearing.  We all want gorgeous photos and you may need to wear a little more makeup than you are used to it is a balance.  A great makeup artist can help you find that balance and achieve a stunning look for your big day.

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Z Palette Review

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Photo Credit: Z Palette)
Photo Credit: Z Palette)

As a professional makeup artist, we carry a lot of products around with us.  The clients see us coming with our big wheelie’s full of goodies and products that help with all of our beauty tricks.  I am constantly trying to get my kit to be efficient as I fly with it as a carry on, no way is this girl going to check a bag and worry the entire flight, that I will arrive for the job without a bag of goodies.

I came across Z Palette at a trade show and thought this could be something in my quest for less containers.  Of everything my eye shadows are taking over, tons of MAC containers.  Z Palette is a customizable makeup palette that is magnetized on the bottom of the rectangular container and a clear window on top.  You can take apart your makeup containers, de-pot, and then put them into a palette.  There are several sizes and of course styles, I went for the leopard print.

I took home my palette’s and went to work on depotting and mixing the brands of products to make neat palettes.  The powders were very exciting as now I have all of the shades in one easy palette and when I am on a job, no more individual containers.  However, even better is the eye shadow’s.  I was able to place 20 eye shadows both circular and square in one palette.  First goal met, less containers and more efficient.

The second and final test, going thru TSA from Miami to DC roundtrip with my cosmetic wheelie and Z palette’s in tow.  Placed them in the container and thru they went with not one question.  I really am a huge fan and purchased a small one for my personal makeup, easy to put in a purse.

If you have not heard of them, you should definitely give it a look, I think that you will find it can de-clutter your makeup bag.

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Red Lipstick: What Shade is Right for You?

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With the holidays around the corner and one of the fiercest makeup trends seen on the runways, television, movies and award shows here are some tips to help you find the perfect shade of red lipstick to rock.

Everyone can wear a red lip it is all about the shade that will compliment your skin tone.

If you have a warm skin tone with brown or hazel eyes, golden or reddish hair tones, golden skin the shade of red that is best for you would be a wine red.  Celebrities that are in this category are: Charlize Thereon and Lindsay Lohan.

If you have a cool skin tone with  rosy or olive skin, blue, green, brown or hazel eyes, and your hair does not have any golden or red tones.   The red lip shade that would look best is a blue based red.  A celebrity that is in this category is: Angelina Jolie.  A  great choice is MAC Russian Red or MAC Ruby Woo.


 If you are fair skin or often describe yourself as being pale, then your choice of red is a  Wine Red.  A celebrity that you relate to is Nicole Kidman. A great choice is NARS Tamango.

If you have olive  skin, then your choice of red is a Coral Red.  Celebrities that are in this category are Kim Kardashian and Penelope Cruz.

If you have medium skin then your choice of red is a Scarlet Red.  Both Jessica Alba and Paris Hilton have medium skin tone.  A great lipstick choice is NARS Afghan Red.

If you have a darker complexion burgundy shades and bright red look great.  Jennifer Hudson is a celebrity that wears both these colors well.

No matter what your skin tone or coloring everyone can wear a true red or a brick tone red.  Clarins Joli Rouge or Chanel Passion are two great choices for everyone.

Makeup

How long should you keep your makeup?

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I get asked quite frequently how and when should you discard your old products, or if lipstick has a shelf life. While I understand not wasting products and the money that you spend, your makeup can breed bacteria if you keep it past the expiration date.

Whether you buy top of the line makeup or hit the local drugstore for your products, they all have the same shelf life. Here are the universal guidelines of expiration on your favorite products. However, keep in mind if your product starts to look or smell off, then it is time to toss and have fun shopping.

Face Time: Cream or gel clensers (12 months); Concealer (12 months); Water Based Foundation (12 months); Oil Based Foundation (18 months); Loose Powder (3 years); Pressed Powder (2 years).

The Eyes Have It: Eyeshadow (3 years); Pencil Eyeliner (3 years – sharpen regularly); Liquid Eyeliner (2 years); Mascara (4 months).

Kiss Me: Lip Liner (3 years – sharpen regularly); Lipstick (1 to 2 years – if you notice that it is starting to smell off, then it’s time to toss).

Finishing Touches: Brushes (years with proper care – clean them weekly and the better the brush set, the longer it will last for you); Sponges (wash weekly, discard monthly); Nail Polish (18 months – shake regularly).

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Summertime and the makeup is flawless

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As the Summer shows no signs of cooling and a warm Fall is on the way, there are products and tricks that can be used to help brides and bridesmaids keep their makeup looking flawless.

Anna was a bridesmaid for a wedding in Key West this summer. While I did not travel with her to the sunny – and humid – Keys, we had a makeup consultation and practice session so that she could apply her own makeup.

The bridesmaids were dressed in aquamarine color gowns, and the wedding took place on the beach. Anna wears minimal makeup on a daily basis and while she wanted to look great in pictures, she also wanted to go with a softer, natural look. I decided that we should go with a sun kissed look that would complement her coloring and fit the style of the wedding.

In order to begin the combat against the humidity, I used Smashbox anti-shine primer. This product helps keeps oil under control and foundation from running. It should be applied after moisturizer and before makeup.

I used a liquid foundation to match Anna’s skin and then opted for a bronzer – instead of a blush – to highlight her cheekbones and give her a sun kissed glow. The eye makeup featured a lighter smokey eye, only lining the top lid and not the bottom. I used several coats of mascara so the lashes would stand out. By going with a lighter eye, we could highlight her skin. The lip color was a combination of brownish pink that looks great and is more of a neutral tone. To finish the look (and my last step in making sure that her makeup would hold up), I used MAC’s Fix+ which is an aqua spritz that helps finish and set makeup.

After Anna came back from Key West, she sent me a note: “I was concerned about the heat and my makeup coming off, however the products were amazing! I just received the album and was pleased that my makeup stayed on all day and night. They are definitely products worth purchasing for any upcoming event you may be attending. Thanks, Tracie, for the tips!”

While this wedding took place outside of Virginia, the products are perfect for the HOT steamy weather of  Northern Virginia.

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Bridal Beauty from Makeup Artistry by Tracie

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“Christine’s wedding theme was elegant but casual, set outdoors in the late afternoon. Her dress was a cocktail length summer style with a red ribbon accent. The only makeup request she had was that she wanted to have flawless skin for pictures. I decided that for Christine’s look to complement the dress, the accessories and her hairstyle was to go with the “Luscious Red Lip” and highlight the red details in her wedding. I wanted to give her a dramatic look without overpowering the casual, elegant atmosphere she was creating.”

“Since I decided to make the lips her focal point, I went with a trendy version of the Marilyn Monroe style eye – a white shimmer eyeshadow, lining it with liquid black eyeliner on top and bottom, and tons of mascara. In the corners of her eyes I added silver white eyeliner to draw the brightness in, as well as making sure that the eyebrows were shaped and clean to keep the brightness of the eye.”

“As for Christine’s skin, I went with a touch of concealer one shade lighter than her skin tone and a liquid foundation. I did use a liquid under eye brightener to help conceal dark circles, making sure that underneath her eyes it was light enough to complement the brightness of the eyeshadow.”

“I lined her lips with a red pencil and used a strawberry shade of red lipstick to complement her fair skin tone. I then added a high intensity gloss to make her lips look full and pouty.”

To learn more about Makeup Artistry by Tracie,  call 571.201.5942 to schedule your consultation. (Photos courtesy of Kelli Expressions.)