Snow White Photo Shoot/Pulbication on Little Black Book

Check out my recent published photo shoot on Little Black Book and Style Me Pretty!

Like many, I love a good fairy tale. For those of you who know me well, you know I have a deep affection for everything Alice in Wonderland. My mom can contest that the "made for TV movie" Alice in Wonderland was my absolute favorite as a child. I watched it several times a week from beginning to end...it was a short (ha, ha, sorry mom) three and half hours. And if you visit me in NYC we must have brunch at Alice's Tea Cup on the Upper West Side. So when my colleague (wedding planner extraordinaire/owner of Private Receptions) and good friend Lauren Cooper Ricciardelli asked if I would do makeup and hair for a Snow White inspired photo shoot I was thrilled. True, Snow White did not venture through the looking glass into a magical world to defeat the Queen of Hearts and meet some fun and interesting friends along the way. Nonetheless, she was and is a beauty inspiration from her flawless pale skin and her long flowing black hair to her scarlet lips.

Style Me Pretty and Little Black Book publication.  Hope these beautiful images by the talented Ron Soliman and Edwin Ochoa help inspire a new winter makeup look or a winter wonderland wedding for you!  Enjoy!! Here are a few of my favorites from the shoot including some behind-the-scenes ones. 

Photography: Ron Soliman Photojournalism / Second Shooter: Edwin Ochoa / Coordination, styling and design: Private Receptions / Venue: Top of the Garden, New York / Floral design: Violet and Verde / Make-up and hair: CLM Makeup / Stationery design, Lucite design accents & lamps: Astrid Mueller / Bridal Gowns: Marchesa (ballgown) and Anna Maier (fitted gown) via Gabriella New York Bridal Salon / Fine Jewelry: Tejani / Lucite Jewelry and hairpieces: Possibility / Stationery printing and laser-cut lamp production: Printicon New York

Style Me Pretty New York

 

One thing I absolutely love about my job is helping a woman feel beautiful! For many women, our wedding day is one of the most photographed days of our lives. So that is where I come in with my photo shoot experience and makeup tips for creating a makeup and hair look that will not only last all day, but make you feel like the most beautiful woman ever.

I loved meeting Annette. She was a bride that knew what she wanted. When I asked her wedding style she described it as modern/vintage. And her desired makeup look as natural. With her beautiful lace Monique Lhuillier dress and vintage details she certainly achieved just that. As for her bridesmaids, she told them they could have their hair and makeup done as they wanted. So some went with modern and playful braided up-dos and other went all down with big waves. The makeup varied from dramatic smokey eyes with big feathery lashes to natural baby false lashes (a favorite for many who want a little something special but want to still look natural) and nude pink lips. In the end they all looked beautiful! What a fun day.

Check out more images and details on the recent publication on Style Me Pretty New York!

 Prep time...with final touches on the hair.

http://www.stylemepretty.com/new-york-weddings/2012/10/02/long-island-wedding-at-bailey-arboretum-from-tory-williams-photography/

Summer "Glow"

Summer Glow

I am constantly having clients ask how to create a faux face glow to help match their summer tans. I highly recommend to all my clients, friends and family to use SPF daily under their makeup. It is so important to protect your face from sun damage, which leads to wrinkles, sunspots, etc. But that typically leaves us with a face that is a shade or two lighter than our chest. Here are three of my summer “glow” favs.

A favorite of mine for years has been Natural Born Cosmetics Face and Body Bronzer rightfully called Brazilian Tan. It gives the perfect amount natural looking color to the entire face in seconds. I use just one small dab on my forehead, checks and chin and blend it in after applying my moisturizer and sun block.

http://www.paintandpowderstore.com/proddetail.php?prod=PPS-0201&cat=211

My new summer-go-to, the new NARS blush Taj Mahal blush. It gives a beautiful golden summer “Jo Lo” glow on the apples of the check. It’s certainly a win when teamed with the Laguana bronzer. Since wearing this combo I’ve gotten multiple compliments on my “glow” and my face has not seen the sun without sun block in over a decade.

http://www.narscosmetics.com/color/cheeks/blush/taj-mahal

After applying the bronzer and blush I love the way Laura Mercier’s Limited Edition Face Illuminator completes the look. It gives skin the perfect amount of iridescent glow.

http://www.lauramercier.com/store/shop/Illuminator---Shimmer_Shimmer-Bloc_prod220025#ColorSampleLink_sku120047

…and there you have it, you are now ready to sport your own summer "J Lo" glow.

Where have you been all my life?...

Where have you been all my life?...

The last two days have been a swirl wind of testing new products and tools and meeting other MUA while at The Makeup Show in New York.

Have you ever discovered a new product and thought, “How did I ever live with you?” My thoughts exactly when I discovered some makeup brushes by MUD. If you are not familiar, MUD stands for Make-up Designory. They have any amazing makeup school right here in NYC.

Oh, how do I love the #810 (crease/smudger brush), #300 (small detail brush) and #350 (larger flat brush) makeup brushes by MUD. Not only do they have beautiful application, but they hold the pigment of the eye shadow like no other. No longer do I have to stress about extra pigment ending up under the eye when doing a dark smokey eye or getting a light iridescent accent color into the small corner of the eye. These brushes do it with ease. Needless to say I’m in-love. Let’s just say I not only bought them for my makeup kit, but also for my personal brush collection as well.

Feel free to try these for yourself. I would love to hear your feedback.

http://shop.mudshop.com/brushes

Family Portraits

I want to share some beautiful images of my family (husband and baby Maui, our 8 year old Maltese) captured by the wonderful and award winning photographer Lisa Marie, owner of Sweet Tea Photography.






















































































Here is also a link to Sweet Tea Photography's Blog! Please check it out.

Urban Southwestern Inspired Photo Shoot

Check out one of my latest published photo shoots on Style Me Pretty New York! Click HERE to see the inspiration and creative team behind the shoot. Love seeing a same sex couple being represented.

I am so looking forward to being a part of our good friends, Lindsay and Taylor, wedding. They will be getting married late March in Cabo, Mexico. Nothing like having two beautiful brides to work with!!

Swag Me

Transformational Beauty symposium

I had the pleasure of attending the Transformational Beauty symposium held on April 28, 2011 at the New York Hilton.

Beginning with a presentation by Laura McEwen, Vice President and Publisher, and Elaine D'Farley, Beauty Director, of SELF, the luncheon included a panel discussion moderated by Karen Young, CEO, The Young Group with panelists Caroline Pieper-Vogt, CEO, Fusion Brands, Inc., Marc Speichert, CMO, L'Oreal USA, Kathleen McNeill, President, Beauty.com and Maureen Case, President, Specialty Brands, The Estee Lauder Companies. Sponsored by: The Estee Lauder Companies, SELF, Fusion Brands, Inc, P&G Prestige, and Bobcar.

And the best part of the event was the wonderful SWAG. Always love free beauty products. The beautiful eye palette from Bobbi Brown is perfect for Fall, with it’s gorgeous dark purple and two light iridescent highlighters…may I say the perfect purple smokey eye!

Check out the Video with the amazing speakers!