MAKEUP ARTIST MELBOURNE | HAIR STYLIST MELBOURNE | Melbourne, Yarra Valley, Dandenong Ranges, Mornington PeninsulaBridal Beauty Timeline
Posted on March 25, 2019
With the average engagement lasting up to 2 years there’s plenty of time to get started with a solid beauty regime, and have your skin looking nothing short of amazing for your big day.
As a makeup artist, one of the biggest reasons I advise clients to book in a pre-wedding makeup trial, is to not only create their perfect look and to feel relaxed on their big day, but to also assess their skin, which skincare products are going to work best, which cosmetics are going to last the longest and if need be advising on a beauty regime to give their skin a reboot.
Remember your makeup will only look as good as the skin its sitting on.
THE TIME IS NOW!
Skincare
Now if you tell me you’re just loving your ‘supermarket skincare’ line, we can no longer be friends! Let’s face it, cosmeceutical grade skincare is a bit more pricey because it works and gives outstanding results! This doesn’t mean you’ll be using products packed with chemicals, in-fact it’s the opposite, they are loaded with antioxidants, pure natural botanicals, free from nasties and are backed by years of science. I personally love brands like CosMedix, Aspect, Skin Matrix and PCA. Everyone should be using a cleanser, toner and moisturiser at an absolute minimum. You’ll also need to throw in your vitamins – A, B & C which you’ll find in your serums, and wear a SPF daily. And when you’re a skin pro add your AHA & retinol. The best authorised skincare stockist I’ve ever come across is Skin Matrix. They are an Australian company and stock all the best brands. Skin Matrix have developed their own range of skincare, have a great loyalty program and are also up to 25% cheaper than retail.
Sign up to the newsletter and you’ll get $20 off your first order!
Hydration
Keeping your skin hydrated through water intake and skincare is key. For those working in office environments, the dry air conditioning can suck the life out of your skin. If you’re an oily skinned lass like myself, you still need hydration. DO NOT skip the moisturiser. The less hydrated your skin is the more oil it will produce to compensate. A great way to add extra hydration to your skin care regime especially if you have dry skin is to add a hyaluronic acid serum. Don’t be scared by the word acid, it’s not going to burn your face off, in fact it’s the exact opposite, a powerful moisture binding ingredient that keeps skin plump and hydrated, yes that means looking younger! H.A is super gentle and can hold 1000 times its weight in moisture. A cheaper highly effective alternative is The Ordinary, sold at Priceline. I suggest toning first, applying a layer of H.A serum, apply serums, then your moisturiser/spf.
Eat Well
Not only is eating a well-balanced healthy diet great for your general well-being, it’s great for your skin. Avoid fatty foods, excessive carbs and alcohol. Think fresh! If it’s pre-packaged how much nutrition is actually there? Probably close to zero. Skin issues can be stemmed from bad gut health.
WEEKLY
Masks & Exfoliation
At home masks (choose one for your skin type), light exfoliation, along with a collagen gold eye mask is not only beneficial but a huge stress reliever. I love a gold eye mask. They can literally transform your under-eye area in 15 minutes. Gentle, cooling and packed with goodness to visibly reduces fine lines and reduce puffiness. So sit back on the sofa, put your feet up and drink a beautiful cup of your favourite herbal tea.
6 – 12 MONTHS OUT
Professional Treatment
Skin treatments should start at least 6 months prior. Peels, micros and LEDs are amazing and can literally turn your skin around in a very short time frame. Whether you’re dehydrated, oily or prone to breakouts, I will guarantee you won’t know yourself once you start. Don’t have any peels or micros applied at least 2 – 4 weeks before the wedding day, however you can still continue with LED light treatments. Just make sure you tell your therapist you’ll be getting married.
So, what are you waiting for? Find yourself a qualified beauty therapist and get started.
Jane xo
*** Professional skincare available through my favourite online authorised stockist – click the link Skin Matrix
Wedding Day – Where should I get ready?
Posted on February 20, 2019
When you live in a beautiful city like Melbourne your option for locations are endless.
Some brides chose their own home, some the traditional location of their parents house and others a lovely Airbnb or Hotel Suite.
There’s lots of pros and cons to consider when choosing your perfect location, so I’ve compiled a list, some food for thought if you’re really unsure of the best location.
Your own home
- There’s nothing like the comfort of your own bed and that familiar place you call home. Everything you need is here. If you’re a nervous person then having your creature comforts surrounding you might help calm those nerves.
- Think about your décor, garden and general appearance indoors and out. Will your home be a good location for any bridal party photos?
- If you’re looking for a fun night, and having all your bridesmaids together the night before, will there be enough room for sleeping, and general getting ready space?
Parents home
- Some people love traditions and getting ready at your parents home, which may still be your childhood home is the perfect idea of a wedding morning. Again, another familiar place.
- A bit like your own home, think about the décor and whether there’s plenty of photo opportunities. Are your parent’s hoarders? Is the furniture looking like you’ve stepped into a 70’s nightmare?
- Unfortunately for some they may not get along with their parents like happy families. If you think your mum or dad are going to put any undue stress into the morning, or you’ll feel uncomfortable in their home then maybe rethink this location.
- Lots of parents love to take care of their kids, and will always make sure everyone is well fed and hydrated on the day. One less thing to think about…you may also score breakfast in bed.
Airbnb or Hotel Suite
- There’s so many beautiful locations in Melbourne that we truly are spoilt for choice. Opting for this type of accommodation means you can select a spacious modern location and you’ll have beautiful pre-wedding shots.
- If choosing a hotel, make sure the room is big enough to house everyone – bridal party, hair & makeup team and photographer. Those amazing internet pictures can be deceiving and rooms are generally a lot smaller in real life.
- Just remember, you’ll need a thorough checklist of what to take with you and a big list of “just in case items”. You don’t want to be in a mad panic as you’ve forgotten something important.
- Select a location within 15mins travel to your ceremony. The closer you are, the bigger the sleep in and less rushing you have. And no fear of being caught in busy Melbourne traffic!
- Consider the lighting, some secluded BnB’s and hotel rooms are designed for romance, and unfortunately can be quite dark and not ideal for hair, makeup or photography.
Any don’t forget wherever you decide to get ready just consider how far away it is from your ceremony? If its 45mins or more, that’s just extra time in your “getting ready schedule” and potentially sitting in crazy Melbourne traffic.
No one wants to see the Groom sweating…
Jane xo
Image | Clarte Photography
Makeup | Ava Jane Makeup Artistry
Makeup is NOT photoshop!
Posted on January 30, 2019
Don’t be fooled into thinking that everyone on social media has amazing flawless skin!
Unfortunately, it’s becoming ‘the norm’ to edit photos. From removing wrinkles, smoothing skin texture, changing eye colour, the list is endless.
Have you ever seen a before and after photo where the clients scars, raised acne, wrinkles and fine lines have miraculously disappeared in the after shot? Believe me, this is not the work of a makeup brush or the artists mad skills, but more like “ALAKAZAM’ some great iPhone app skills.
The constant editing of images is building unrealistic expectations from our clients (of all ages) and it saddens me that there are so many artists heavily editing their work and misleading potential clients into what is achievable.
Dark under eyes, pigmentation, non- raised skin marks and discolouration can be corrected and disguised, but any texture on the skin will not just disappear into thin air. Skin texture cannot be removed.
Whilst makeup can still create amazing before and after results, I tell all of my clients that your makeup will only be as good as the skin its sitting on top of. If you struggle to even wash your face, remove your makeup at night, and use supermarket grade skin care, then please don’t expect that the makeup artists brush will have some crazy Harry Potter wizardry.
If you want to see real unedited work, then follow makeup artists who don’t use these filtering tools on their photos. Once you’ve seen the editing you won’t be able to unsee it! Signs of edited work are ultra-smooth skin with zero pores, no lines, insanely good before & after photos, fuzziness or shadowing, areas of the face blending into others, blurriness in the eyeshadow and brows, and every single person’s face looking exactly like the last one posted!
If you want your makeup to look amazing then please do yourself a favour, invest in quality professional skincare with active ingredients. Have regular skin treatments, use SPF daily and stay out of the sun. AND always take your selfies in great light, it really does work!
Please don’t put crazy high expectations upon your makeup artist. We go into every job with the very best of intentions, and that’s to make our clients look and feel beautiful.
Have you ever heard anyone say “I really regret looking after my skin”?…
Why Hire a Makeup Artist for your Wedding Day?
Posted on April 4, 2017
So you’ve probably spent close to a year busily planning your wedding. You have the most amazing dress, the venue is booked, you’ve perfectly seated every guest and your cake is something Adriano Zumbo would be proud of.
Now don’t forget about yourself…after all, what’s a wedding without a beautiful bride.
You contemplate (only for a nano second) if you are good enough to perform this task yourself. You decide you need a professional; this is the biggest day of your life.
Here are my top tips on hiring the perfect makeup artist:
- Make sure the artist you are considering has an extensive bridal portfolio to view either online or in person. Bridal makeup and Fashion/Editorial makeup is very different. Editorial makeup is often not worn every day and can be quite bold and generally seen on the runway or in print. Your makeup will be put to the test; it won’t just be worn in a perfectly lit studio space, or worn for a quick photoshoot. It needs to last from sometimes very early (yes 4am) in the morning, right through to midnight; it also needs to look good in daylight, under flash photography, and sometimes on video.
- Find out what products your Makeup Artist uses, especially if you have any skin concerns. You don’t need a kit full of supermarket makeup! Makeup Artists don’t just stock one brand in their kits, nor do we just stock makeup that is targeted directly at the consumer. Whilst we still stock many well-known brands, we also stock brands you’ll have never heard of. Makeup Artists are always rigorously testing products, to make sure we are putting only the best cosmetics and skincare on our client’s faces. We stock specific products for all skin types, tones and problems, and have perfected our techniques to make sure all of your best features stand out.
- Make sure there is a selection of professional photographer images, as well as up-close makeup images taken by the makeup artist themselves. You’ll probably find the more candid shots are listed on their Facebook and Instagram pages. If you can only see models and no real brides in the portfolio, then think twice. Let’s face it; a model would look fabulous in just about anything. Most people are not blessed with flawless skin, perfect bone structure and zero pores. Look for real brides!
- Decide what look are you trying to achieve? If you are after a natural look that shows off your best features, then don’t choose an artist who specialises in the latest Instagram makeup trend of heavy foundation, over contoured faces and big bold brows. Makeup Artists are adaptable to most makeup styles, however each artists definitely has their own style. If you like their style, then make an enquiry.
- Ring the artist. Generally hearing the artist voice will give you a pretty quick indication of whether you are going to click with this person and if you want them around on your wedding day.
- Read their reviews and testimonials from their website, Facebook or online wedding directories the artist may be listed on. Reading reviews from other brides may help make your decision.
- Book a trial. Although this is an added expense, it’s the best way to make sure you will feel comfortable and relaxed on your wedding day. It’s also a great way to get to know your artist and discuss the finer details. Take inspiration pictures to your trial. Tell the artist exactly what you like and what you don’t.
- Steer clear of cheap pricing/cheap package deals, as they are often too good to be true. Choose experience and expertise over a cheap deal, as don’t forget once your wedding day is over, all you’ll have left is your memories and wedding photos. And you want to look good in those photos!
I hope you’ve enjoyed reading this blog and that you’ll now feel confident in finding the right makeup artist for your wedding day.
Jane xo
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