MAKEUP ARTIST MELBOURNE | HAIR STYLIST MELBOURNE | Melbourne, Yarra Valley, Dandenong Ranges, Mornington PeninsulaBridal Trials
Posted on May 24, 2019
What are they and do I need one?
You’ve chosen your artist for a reason…because you love the look of their work. Out of all the businesses listed on Google, the multitude of makeup artists on social media, the recommendations from family and friends, you’ve narrowed down your choice and you believe they are the right artist for you.
Here’s a few things to consider if you’re thinking about having a trial:
- Getting to know each other – Trials are a great way for the artist and bride to get to know each other face to face. Are these the people and personalities that you want with you on your wedding day?
- The finer details – An opportunity to discuss your wedding in detail. The dress, location, timings, photographer, celebrant, flowers and just generally how the bride should expect the morning to run.
- Putting your hair and/or skin to the test – As artists, we can only choose products based on the information you provide us. It’s a way for us to trial the best products on your hair and skin and ultimately get the absolute best result on your wedding day. When we use the word trial, it’s not about our skills being put to the test, it’s actually seeing what will suit you best and how it performs over the course of the day.
- Understanding what you want – make sure you have a clear idea of what look you’d like to achieve. If you really have no idea, then let your artists best advise you. If you have pale skin, then don’t choose inspiration images that portray a highly bronzed look. Don’t choose images of beautiful blonde up-styles if you have dark brown hair – all that beautiful detail is not as present in darker hair. Don’t choose a model with huge big eyes and loads of lid space, when your eyes are hooded. You will not get the same effect.
- You never wear makeup – if you are an absolute non-wearer of makeup, then it’s probably a good idea to have a trial. Whilst the most natural of looks can be created, having dimension and colour added to your face can still be a little overwhelming. I often find that once people continue to look at themselves in the mirror, the more and more they love their new look.
- Valuing others opinions –if you are someone who really values your mums or best friend’s opinion, then discuss your choices with them and bring them to the trial with you. My studio is small; however, I can accommodate two additional guests.
- When – we generally suggest you contact us 12 months in advance to check availability for your wedding day. Don’t wait to the last minute. Wedding plans for some are commencing 2 years prior. The actual trial can then take place between 3-6 months prior to your big day.
Whilst we do our absolute best to ensure everything is perfect at your trial, you may not walk away with the look that will be created on your wedding day.
Details can be changed. So, if you specifically asked for a winged liner and hate it, don’t be afraid to say “I’d like that changed on my wedding day”. Don’t rush off and have a trial with another artist because of one minor detail.
And lastly, please remember whilst you are ‘trialling’ our service, you are not putting our skills ‘on trial’. We are industry professionals and have been working with brides for many years. So just sit back, relax, try not to keep looking in the mirror and let us create your perfect look.
Feel free to read all of our wonderful reviews from the “Real Melbourne Brides” we’ve worked with.
Until next time…
Jane xo
Creating Flawless Foundation
Posted on May 14, 2019
The secret to creating a flawless foundation base firstly consists of perfect skin preparation.
Yep there I go again, talking about skin. But its 100% truth. The better the skin and the better
Skimming over your skin prep will give you an uneven foundation that won’t last, will require multiple touch-ups and will end up looking cakey. Imagine the Mona Lisa was painted on some rough dodgy surface, do you think it would still be here today?.
All of my clients must arrive with cleansed, moisturised skin. I then prepare the skin for skincare. I start with using micellar water. Micellar is a gentle non-washable cleanser.
Micellar is not your daily cleanser and it shouldn’t replace anything in your skincare regime, but that’s another blog entirely…
I analyse the skin, firstly checking to see if any gentle exfoliating gels are required, then apply toner, serums and moisturiser to suit my
I then assess the skin to see if the primer is needed. Contrary to what advertising campaign’s make you believe, not everyone’s skin needs a primer. Your
Next is the foundation. My absolute favourite method is to use a combination of brush and sponge. The foundation brush I love is the Designer Makeup Tools Rounded Synthetic Buffer Brush. This brush has a rounded top and is dense in bristle mass. Synthetic brushes are best for wet products. I like to apply a light veil of foundation with my brush all over the face using a stippling motion. Next using a damp beauty sponge, I like to pick up a little more product and bounce and roll the foundation over the entire face. By starting out light, you can build your foundation to the desired coverage.
Remember, more foundation does not mean it’s going to last longer.
Using a combination of the two techniques, gives a beautiful flawless finish, without looking thick and cakey.
Finish by concealing areas only as needed and set with your favourite powder. I love powders that are colourless or have minimal colour. Powders full of colour can change the colour of your beautiful laid foundation. I love the Nars Light Reflecting Setting Powder, RCMA & Ben Nye Colourless Powder and the Inglot Sport Stage & Studio Powder.
To lash or not to lash, that’s the question!
Posted on March 6, 2019
Over the last 5-10 years the craze of false lashes has reached new heights. Long gone are the days you’d just wear mascara on your wedding day. With so many options available, it can get confusing as to which lashes you should choose. If you are a barely there person when it comes to makeup, then don’t feel the pressure to get lash extensions just because your BFF did.
Here are some lash options to consider for your big day:
Individual Lashes
These are my absolute favourite lashes. Applied in individual clumps, they are super light on the eyes, and can be built up to give the desired fullness. They give a natural and beautiful look and are so elegant for brides. There are different lengths and fullness to suit everybody. Individual lashes are my most used lashes. The lashes I have used in my feature image are double flare knot free individuals.
Strip Lashes
From natural to full glam, the styles are endless and can really create that extra wow factor without looking over the top. Full strip lashes can sometimes feel a little heavy on the eyes to start with and generally take about 20minutes to get used to the feeling. On the rare occasion, full strip lashes can lift in the inner and outer corners. If the lashes are a fuller heavier style then the artist should cut these into sections to avoid any lifting. You can also double stack these lashes to create extra wow factor. Strip lashes can be reused up to 5 times if they are removed with care.
Lash Lift
If you’re not into false lashes then a lash lift is a beautiful way of making your natural lashes appear longer, without applying anything false on top. Done by an experienced lash technician these can look amazing. A lash lift won’t necessarily give you fullness but will definitely make your lashes appear longer. Make sure you always test this method 6 months before your wedding day and see an experienced technician like Zoe at Tan by Zoe. I’ve had a few clients who’ve seen inexperienced technicians and had their lashes so tightly curled it’s been impossible to apply mascara and absolutely no way of applying anything false over the top. Lash lifts can last up to 12 weeks.
Lash Extensions
A costly exercise and an added expense to your wedding day as they require upkeep. Lash extensions last for approximately three weeks before needing a refill (a bit like acrylic nails). This type of lash look is definitely full. If truth be told, I’m not a fan, but each to their own. Out of the hundreds of lash extensions I’ve seen on clients, there would be less than a handful I actually like. I can generally see lash extensions coming towards me before I even see the person. They can appear very top heavy on the eyes. If you love waking up feeling like your eyes are front and centre, then these babies are for you!
Note: My wedding and special event prices include complimentary supply & application of individual or full strip lashes. Beware some artists can charge up to $30 extra for these on top of the makeup application.
Jane xo
Main Image by Phenomena Photography
Lash lift by Tan by Zoe
Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge
Posted on July 22, 2015
I’ve recently succumbed to the pressure and have finally purchased a makeup sponge, or known in the beauty world as a Beauty Blender.
I can’t really tell you what’s taken me so long, maybe the fact that I love my brushes, and sometimes it’s a case of if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it…
Well I was wrong…yes shock horror!
I decided to go against the grain a little, not purchasing the popular branded “Beauty Blender”, and opting for the “Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge”. I chose this brand for a few reasons, one that it was substantially cheaper than its competitor $16.99AUD, compared to $26AUD, and the fact the two ladies behind the Real Technique’s brand Sam & Nic Chapman, are very respected makeup artists and have a very successful makeup brush line that is adored among the makeup pros and the home enthusiasts alike.
The sponge is made from polyurethane and is latex free, so great for people who suffer from latex allergies.
This 3 in one sponge has rounded sides great for applying foundation to the larger areas of your face, a pointed tip, which is used for covering blemishes and a flat edge for under the eyes and around the nose.
So how does it work? It’s pretty simple; you need to get this thing wet! I run my sponge under water until the sponge is totally water logged, and then I squeeze all of the excess water until I’m left with a damp sponge.
Squeeze out a small amount of your favourite foundation on the back of your hand or onto your mixing palette, pick up a small amount of product on your sponge, and then apply it to your face in a stippling or wiping motion. Once your foundation is applied, apply your favourite under eye concealer and blend it out using the flat side of the sponge.
What I love about this sponge is that it applies foundation like an absolute dream, if you’re one of those people who love liquid foundation but can’t stand the heavier look your makeup brush or fingers can give you, then this sponge is perfect, as it builds foundation beautifully, allowing you to have a sheerer natural look or more of a fuller coverage look that is seamlessly blended and streak free. As you can really push the product into your skin and pores, it gives your skin an airbrushed appearance. I also love the way this sponge blends out my under eye concealer and its ease to cover those nasty little devil blemishes.
The sponge can also be used dry to apply powder compact foundations or damp to apply cream blush like a dream.
Now I have this sponge, I think I’m going to buy a million more and definitely give its competitor a go too. It’s now my go to tool for foundation application.
To view a tutorial check out the Real Techniques website https://realtechniques.com/videos/miracle-complexion-sponge-wet-dry-tutorial
Until next time…
Jane xoxo
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