Recent Work: Balanced Eyes, Lips, and Cheeks

Here are some of my favourite makeup looks that I have done over the last couple of months.  I chose these looks specifically because each one of these looks demonstrates balance between the eyes, lips, and cheeks.  When doing a heavier eye, it's usually most flattering if you pair it with a more muted tone on the lips so that it does not compete with the eye.  When doing bright or dark lips, it's best to apply a softer eye so that all the attention remains focused on the lip.  When trying to achieve a soft, natural look, I find the best way to accomplish this is by using a palette of soft shades on both eyes and lips.  The impact comes from applying a set of fluttery full lashes so that the eyes still manage to stand out without using any dark or heavy shades.  

Balanced Face: Soft Shades: 

As you can see Amber's face is well-balanced with a palette of soft shades of pink, plum, and taupe.  She wanted a really glowy look so I used a pale peach high lighter on her cheekbones.  Face: MAC Matchmaster Foundation, Select Cover Up, and Mineralize Skinfinish Natural.  Cheeks: MAC Bronzing Powder in Golden, MAC Blush in Well Dressed, MAC Mineralize Skinfinish in Soft and Gentle buffed in to the tops of her cheekbones Lips: MAC Lustreglass in Love Nectar 

Eyes: MAC Paint Pot in Bare Study, MAC Eyeshadows in Et Tu Bouquet, Patina, Glamour Check, Shroom, MAC Kohl Power in Raven, Ardell Demi Luvies False Eyelashes

Sabrina wanted a natural look, but wanted her eyes to stand out.  Her bridesmaid dress was a soft, celadon green so I wanted to use a similar palette without making it too matchy-matchy.  Face: MAC Matchmaster Foundation, MAC Select Cover Up, MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Natural, Cheeks: NARS Bronzing Powder in Laguna, MAC Blush in Well Dressed and Instant Chic, MAC Mineralize Skinfinish in Soft and Gentle to highlight.  Lips: MAC Lipstick in Angel, MAC Lipglass in C-Thru

Eyes: MAC Paint Pot in Bare Study, MAC Eyeshadows in Shroom, Vex, Patina, Mulch, MAC Chromaline in Black Black, Ardell Demi Luvies False Eyelashes

Balanced Face: Bright Lips, Soft Eyes

Kate was planning on wearing a gorgeous bright pink dress to a wedding.  As soon as she said that I knew I wanted to do an updated take on a retro-glam look.  Instead of doing red lips, I chose to do a bright coral-pink and it looked stunning on her.  Since the lips were the focus here, I chose to do a soft, neutral eye.  Face: MAC Matchmaster Foundation, MAC Select Cover Up, MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Natural, Cheeks: MAC Bronzing Powder in Golden, MAC Blush in Fleur Power, MAC Mineralize Skinfinish in Soft and Gentle to highlight.  Lips: MAC Lip Pencil in Lasting Sensation, MAC Lipstick in Party Parrot

Eyes: MAC Paint Pot in Bare Study, MAC Eyeshadows in Naked Lunch, All that Glitters, Omega, Soft Brown, Charcoal Brown, and Shroom, Revlon Colorstay Liquid Eye Pen, Ardell 136 False Eyelashes

Balanced Face: Strong Eyes, Muted Lips

Catia was standing in a wedding and wanted dramatic eyes to be the focus of her look.  She showed me a picture of a really defined, contoured smoky eye and I was pretty excited to re-create it for her.  Strong eyes call for subdued lips and that's exactly what I did here.  Face: MAC Matchmaster Foundation, MAC Select Cover Up, MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Natural, Cheeks: NARS Bronzing Powder in Laguna, MAC Blush in Melba, MAC Mineralize Skinfinish in Semi-Precious Goldstone to highlight.  Lips: MAC Subculture Lip Pencil, MAC Shy Girl Lipstick, MAC Love Nectar Lipglass

Eyes: MAC Paint Pot in Nubile, MAC Eyeshadows in Naked Lunch, Dazzlelight, Shroom, Soft Brown, Patina, Typgraphic, and Carbon, MAC Kohl Power in Feline, MAC Chromaline in Black Black, MAC #36 lashes. 

Lisa wanted a really dramatic smoky eye with pinks and greys so I knew the rest of her face had to kept a bit softer.  Soft pink cheeks and a soft pink lip complemented her eye makeup beautifully.  Face: MAC Matchmaster Foundation, MAC Select Cover Up, MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Natural, Cheeks: MAC Bronzing Powder in Golden, MAC Blush in Well Dressed, MAC Mineralize Skinfinish in Porcelain Pink to highlight. Lips: Sheer pink lip gloss by Quo (shade name not known).

 

Eyes: MAC Paint Pot in Nubile, MAC Eye Shadows in Pink Freeze, Shroom, Star Violet, Perky, Print, Typographic, MAC Chromaline in Black Black, MAC Kohl Power in Feline, Ardell Demi Wispies False Lashes

 I hope you enjoyed reading all about balancing your look!  Hopefully this has inspired you to try something new - whether it's a bold lip or adding some false lashes for some drama.  Just remember to have fun!

x
Annemarie

I'm Back!!

Summertime is usually the busiest time of the year for me due to having weddings booked almost every weekend.  Not to mention my social calendar seems to fill up quicker than in the winter months - yes I am THAT big of a deal (just kidding).  So with that said, I'm sorry I've been MIA for the last few weeks!  Things have been pretty busy but I promise to update the blog with some new reviews, beauty breakdowns, and tutorials.  If you have any specific requests I'd be happy to feature them on the blog!  Let me know in the comments below. 
Until then, here are some professional photos from one of my past brides Tegan. The photos were taken by Eryn Shea Photography.  Eryn was also my wedding photographer and she takes amazing photos!  If any of you are looking to book a wedding photographer I highly recommend her.  Check out my work on some of my past brides on her blog:
Jessica & Derek
Elisa & Anthony
Carrie & Chris
Monika & Chris

Enjoy!

x
Annemarie

Favourite Looks of the Month: May 2012

I have been pretty busy on Saturday mornings now that wedding season is in full swing.  I've decided to show you a few of my favourite looks for the month instead of doing a break down of each face.  I hope you enjoy these looks and that they inspire you to try something new!

Face: MAC Mineralize Skin Finish Natural Medium Dark, MAC Stuio Sculpt Concealer NW25, Nars Laguna Bronzer, MAC Well Dressed and Peachykeen blush, MAC Mineralize Skin Finish in Porcelain Pink
Lips: MAC Subculture Pencil, Lise Watier Stylista Lip Gloss

Eyes: MAC Nubile Paint Pot, MAC Hush, Mylar, Patina, and Soft Brown eye shadow, MAC Pink Opal Pigment, MAC Kohl Power Eye Pencil in Feline, Ardell 136 lashes

Face: MAC Matchmaster Foundation 1.5 and 3, MAC Pro Longwear Concealer NW20, MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Natural Light Plus, MAC Golden Bronzing Powder, MAC Instant Chic and Well Dressed Blush
Lips: MAC Subculture Lip Pencil, MAC Pro Longwear Lip Creme in To the Future!, MAC Instant Gold Lustreglass

Eyes: MAC Nubile Paint Pot, MAC Kohl Power Eye Pencil in Feline  MAC Club, Satin Taupe, Shroom, Soft Brown, Woodwinked, and Smut eyeshadows, Ardell Demi Wispies False Lashes

Face: MAC Matchmaster Foundation in 3 and 5, MAC Select Cover Up in NW25, MAC Mineralize Skin Finish Natural in Medium Dark, Nars Laguna Bronzer, MAC Peachykeen and Melba Blush, MAC Mineralize Skin Finish in Soft & Gentle
Lips: MAC Subculture Lip Pencil, MAC Pro Longwear Lip Creme in To the Future! MAC Love Nectar Lustreglass

Eyes: MAC Bare Study Paint Pot, MAC Eye Kohl in Teddy, MAC Kohl Power Eye Pencil in Feline, MAC Eyeshadows in Bronze, Mulch, All that Glitters, Shroom, and Smut, Ardell 109 False Lashes

Face: MAC Matchmaster Foundation 1.5 and 3, MAC Pro Longwear Concealer NW20, MAC Mineralize Skin Finish Natural in Light Plus, MAC Golden Bronzing Powder, MAC Peachykeen Blush, MAC Mineralize Skin Finish in Soft & Gentle
Lips: MAC Pro Longwear Lip Pencil in Etcetera, MAC Lipstick in Shy Girl, MAC Plushglass in Wildly Lush

Eyes: MAC Bare Study Paint Pot, MAC Powerpoint Eye Pencil in Prussian, MAC Contrast, Vex, Soft Brown, and Mylar eye shadows, MAC False Lashes Mascara

Face: MAC Mineralize Skin Finish in Medium & Medium Plus, MAC Pro Longwear concealer NW20, MAC Golden Bronzing Powder, MAC Pinch O Peach blush
Lips: MAC Pro Longwear Lip Pencil in Etcetera, MAC Sheen Supreme Lipstick in Supreme Style

Eyes: MAC Nubile Paint Pot, MAC Orb, Shale, Trax, Patina eye shadows, MAC Dark Diversion Fluidline, MAC Kohl Power in Raven, Ardell 136 lashes (trimmed)

x

Annemarie

Bridal Beauty: Sarah's Makeup Trial

Today I had a makeup trial with one of my 2012 brides, Sarah.  Sarah and I took piano lessons together when we were kids for a number of years.  She was the pianist at my wedding and did such a beautiful job!  I was so happy to hear from her last year when she was looking for a makeup artist for her upcoming wedding. 

Sarah said she wanted a very natural look so I used a very soft palette of shades for her eyes, lips, and cheeks.

Face:
I prepped her skin and blended MAC Matchmaster foundation in shades 1.5 and 3 all over her face.  I used MAC Pro Longwear concealer in NW20 underneath her eyes and on her eye lids.  I set the foundation with MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Natural Powder in Medium.  I contoured her cheeks with a bit of MAC Golden Bronzing Powder and I applied a combination of MAC Stunner & Fleur Power blush on the apples of her cheeks.  As a final touch, I applied MAC Mineralize Skinfinish in Porcelain Pink on the tops of her cheek bones and down the bridge of her nose. 

Eyes:
I started by applying MAC Paint Pot in Bare Study very lightly all over the lid, from her lash line to brow bone.  I applied MAC Vapour eye shadow on her lid and highlighted her brow bone with MAC Mylar eye shadow.  I mixed a bit of MAC Soft Brown, Charcoal Brown, and Patina eye shadows and swept them into the crease using a window-wiper motion so that it was very soft and sheer.  I defined the outer corner with a bit of MAC Handwritten eye shadow and blended into the crease.  I used MAC Chromaline in Black Black and traced a thin-to-medium line across her upper lash line.  I applied a bit of MAC Feline Eye Kohl pencil along her bottom lashes and set the look with a bit of MAC Antiqued shadow to soften it up a bit. To finish off the eye shadow, I applied Make Up For Ever Star Powder in #947 on her lids and inner corner.  I used a bit of MAC Charcoal Brown eye shadow to fill in her brows, curled her lashes, and applied two coats of mascara.  (Yes, those are her natural lashes!)

Lips:
I applied MAC Pro Longwear Lip Pencil in Etcetera and filled in her lips with MAC Sheen Supreme Lipstick in Blossom Culture.  I finished the look off with a dab of MAC Prrr Lipglass. 

This look is a very classic bridal look that would work on just about anyone.  I look forward to seeing Sarah at her wedding later on this year!

x
Annemarie

Latest Work: Beauty Breakdowns on Olivia, Martina, and Diane

Today I had a pleasure of spending my afternoon beautifying three lovely women.  This group of girls has played such a huge part in spreading the word about my freelance work.  They have such a big group of friends and  they all happened to get married in the last few years.  Lucky for me, they hired me as their makeup artist.  I really appreciate all of the call backs and referrals that they have given me over the years.  I was so happy to spend time with them today, and as an added bonus, I got do their makeup!  Keep reading for photos and a breakdown of their looks.

OLIVIA:
Olivia wanted a smoky eye, but instead of doing a traditional black or grey, we decided on a metallic look instead.

SKIN:
I prepped her skin with a bit of toner and moisturized with an oil-free moisturizer.  I then applied one pump each of MAC Matchmaster Foundation in 3 and 5.  I used a flat foundation brush and buffed the foundation into her skin.  I always start with a little product and add as I need it.  I used MAC Studio Sculpt concealer in NW25 under her eyes and on her eyelids.  I dusted a bit of MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Natural in Medium Plus underneath her eyes and in the T-zone and Medium Dark all over the rest her face.

EYES:
I started by using MAC Paint Pot in Nubile all over her lids as a base.  I then smudged MAC Eye Kohl in Teddy along her lash line and all over her lid and blended it out with a smudge brush.  I took a combination of MAC eyshadows in Satin Taupe and Sumptuous Olive all over her lid into the crease.  I highlighted her brow bone with a bit of MAC Shroom eyeshadow.  Lastly, I defined her outer corner of the lid (the V) with a bit of MAC Typgraphic eyshadow.  Using MAC Chromaline in Black Black, I traced a medium-thick line along her upper lash line.   I lined her bottom lashes with a bit of Satin Taupe and Typgraphic eye shadows.  I applied mascara and MAC #7 lashes. 

CHEEKS: 
I contoured with NARS Laguna Bronzing Powder and blended NARS Orgasm blush on the apples of her cheeks.

LIPS:
I lined her lips with MAC Subculture Lip Pencil and filled in the centre of her lips with MAC Naked Lip Pencil.  I applied MAC Viva Glam V lipstick and dabbed a bit of MAC Lustreglass in Instant Gold on top. 

MARTINA:
Martina had picture of a what she wanted for her eye makeup.  It was a really cool winged black eyeliner and shadow look and when I took a look at it I was pretty excited to try it out.  I always like the challenge of trying to recreate a look. 

SKIN:
I prepped and moisturized her skin and applied a combination of MAC Matchmaster Foundation in 3 and 5.  I used MAC Pro Longwear concealer in NW20 under her eyes and on her eyelids. I dusted a bit of MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Natural in Medium Plus underneath her eyes and in the T-zone and Medium Dark all over the rest her face.

EYES:
I started by priming her lids with MAC Paint Pot in Bare Study.  I applied MAC Grand Entrance eyeshadow to the inner 2/3 of her lids.  I then took a fine-pointed eyeliner brush and using MAC Chromaline in Black Black, traced a defined V in the outer corners of her eyes.  I then applied MAC Carbon eye shadow on top of the V and blended very well with a pencil brush.  With this look blending is so important.  I kept going back and forth between applying the black shadow and blending it out until the desired depth and shape was achieved.  I warmed up the space above her crease and just below the brow bone with a bit of MAC Soft Brown shadow.  I highlighted the brow bone with MAC Shroom.  I then applied the Chromaline liner to her upper lashes and applied MAC Kohl Power in Feline to the inner rims of her lower lash line.  I set the lower liner with Carbon shadow.  I applied mascara and Ardell's 110 lash for volume. 

CHEEKS:
I used NARS Laguna to contour and a combination of MAC Melba and NARS Orgasm on the apples of her cheeks.  I highlighted the tops of her cheek bones and the bridge of her nose with MAC Beauty Powder in Snowglobe & MAC Mineralize Skinfinish in Stereo Rose. 

LIPS:
I applied the same lip colours as Olivia to keep the focus on her eyes. 

DIANE:
Diane had this gorgeous dress with silver sequins on it so we decided to keep her makeup on the more subtle side.  I ended up doing a defined smoky eye on her with a bit of shimmering taupe, grey, and black. 

SKIN:
I prepped and moisturized her skin and applied MAC Matchmaster Foundation in 3 all over her face.  I concealed under her eyes with MAC Pro Longwear concealer in NW20.  I set the look with a bit of MAC Select Sheer Pressed Powder in NC30.  I used a bit of Benefit Powderflage to set and highlight under her eyes. 

EYES:
I primed her lids with MAC Paint Pot in Bare Study and applied MAC Grand Entrance eye shadow on her lids.  I then defined her outer V with a bit of Chromaline liner and blended well with MAC Typographic eye shadow.  I then applied MAC Satin Taupe shadow on her lids to blend the Typographic eyeshadow and to soften the look a bit.  I then took MAC Bronze eyeshadow and applied in into the crease to further warm up and soften the grey eyeshadow.  I highlighted her brow bone with MAC Shroom.  I applied Chromaline  on her upper lash line and winged out the liner a bit.  I used MAC Kohl Power in Feline on the inner rims of her lower lash line.  I applied mascara and Ardell 102 lashes.

CHEEKS:
I used Guerlain Bronzing powder #2 on her cheeks mixed with NARS Deep Throat blush.  I highlighted the tops of her cheek bones and down the bridge of her nose with MAC Mineralize Skin Finish in Soft & Gentle. 

LIPS:
I applied the same lip colours as Olivia & Martina to keep the focus on her eyes.

Sorry for the long post!  I hope these looks have inspired you to try something new for your next big night out!

x
Annemarie