Checklist for your Makeup Trial

Wedding season is just around the corner and trials are key in making sure you are confident and look your best on the wedding day!


Shepard wanted a healthy glow with pale pink lip. makeupbyamykennison.com
Her look was timeless and soft...perfect for a summer wedding.
I used MAC Angel lipstick and Becca Opal hilite to creat the glow.
Photo -Theo Milo  theomilophotography.com

Hair- Steven ward
Venue- Airlie gardens  airliegardens.org

1. Book a makeup artist 6 months to a year in advance. Do your research...word of mouth is always wonderful! Make sure you check the artist website, does their work reflect your personal style?
Read the bio....how many years have they been a makeup artist.
More importantly read customer reviews...this is the tell all regarding service, artistry skills and communication.
Its important your artist respond promptly to emails and follows up after the trial.

2. Schedule your trial at least 3 weeks out, but no earlier than 6 months prior to the wedding.
Your artist should be happy to modify the look if you decide on something more natural or dramatic. Make sure you have a mirror in hand during the trial. Be sure to check the makeup in natural daylight in addition to indoor lighting.

3. Bring photos to your makeup trial. Start by looking at images you like...make sure you have a similar skin tone to the image.

4.Take photos after the trail. The artist should be happy to change the look to make sure you feel
confident!

Don't leave unhappy...speak up! You are the one who has to wear the look so it has to be perfect!

5.Preparing your skin for the big day...you want a healthy glow when you walk down the isle.
I recommend scheduling a series facials 6 months prior to the wedding. Avoids treatments, peels, laser or micro derm too close to the wedding day.

6. Makeup doesn't have to be caked on in order for it to show up in photos. ...most wedding photos are taken in natural light so if you choose a heavy matte base it will be obvious.

7.Prepare for touch ups on the wedding day.
You will need a lip stick and translucent powder. Have the artist recommend a shade similar to the one used at your trial. I love MAC Blot powder for shine control.

Ashley Spivey of the Bachelor Wedding

I had the opportunity to work with Ashley Spivey, 9 bridesmaids and her lovely mom on her wedding day.
She chose a Natural Glam look with soft winged (slightly diffused) eye liner .
I used Mac Prolonger foundation to ensure she looked fresh all day!
In 80 degree temps its important to make sure your foundation stays put!
Her bronzer is Too faced Chocolate bronzer and blush MAC Fluer power.

Ashley likes a bold lash so I used Cherry lashes # 523.

Ashley and her sister Alexa

Please see link below to read more about Ashleys wedding day!

Event Planning kickstandevents.com

Venue airliegardens.org

makeupbyamykennison.com

http://www.brides.com/blogs/aisle-say/2016/05/bachelor-contestant-ashley-spivey-wedding-photos.html

2016 Spring/ Summer Lipsticks

Spring Focus for Lips are soft pastels, Sheer bold pops of color and peachy nudes.
Here are few looks I created for spring with my top 5 lipstick shades for this season!

MAC Saint Germain is a soft bubblegum pink, pair with a nude gloss to create this soft pastel lip!

Doir Addict Lip Glow in coral is a sheer pink coral, for this look I layered it with MAC Love Nectar lustreglass.

MAC Creme cup lipstick is a mid tone nude pink, perfect for day or evening with soft smokey eyes.

Dior Coco Rouge in Dimitri is a sheer blue red lipstick. Apply with no liner then and blend with your finger for a sexy effortless look.

MAC Orange You Haute is a sheer bright orange coral! This look was seen in spring/summer trend at fashion week. I love the simplicity of using bright color to make a statement! 

Beauty has no time clock

                    

 Beauty is a feeling on the inside, however that radiance is not always reflected on the outside. 

Stress, illness, just the world we live in can take its toll on our appearance. Looking good isn't about trying to look 20 years younger, its about being comfortable right where you are in the skin you are in. As a makeup artist Ive picked up a few tricks I would like to share...

Start with a well hydrated canvas. 

Drink plenty of water....its a good idea to drink a full glass of water as soon as your feet hit the floor every morning. While you sleep your body temperature rises and you can become dehydrated so rehydrate first thing!

Cleanse with a gentle cleanser, look for ingredients like glycerine and hyaluronic acid to help lock in moisture. I love to do a light facial massage to stimulate blood flow and plump my skin before  applying makeup!

Apply foundation, CC cream or tinted moisturizer. I recommend CC cream with anti aging benefits along with sunscreen built in. It really speeds up the process! The goal is to even out your skin using a sheer layer of makeup. This means applying makeup to areas of discoloration or redness. 

Apply a creamy concealer under the eyes, eyelids, around the nose, anywhere you have redness. Use your ring finger in a light patting motion....no pulling around the eye area. 

If you prefer to set makeup with powder go for a light mineral powder with less talc. Some Mineral powders have a line blurring effect which creates a soft glow. 

Apply blush a little higher than usual, right on the apples about 2 inches under the eye and a little closer to the nose. This is a mini face lift! If your skin is dry try a cream blush.

Eyes should be quick and easy. Use an off white shadow to brighten and a light taupe or beige in the crease. Cream shadows are quick, easy and more forgiving than powder shadows.

Apply a soft brown, gray or black kohl pencil to the upper lash line and smudge with a soft pencil brush. Fill in brows with a pencil or powder, use upward brush strokes then brush through the brow to soften and blend. 

Curl your lashes, apply a lash primer and mascara. Lash primer thickens and lengthens. As we age our lashes become thin, the primer has been a game changer for me and my clients. When your lashes look good you can wear less makeup.

Add a soft peach or coral lipstick or gloss and you are ready to go!

Model Betty Morrow Cocker

                                                          Makeup by makeupbyamykennison.com

                                                          Photos by miraadwell.com

Product Recommendations:

All Cereve cleansng products...can be purchased at drug stores

IT Cosmetics Illuminating CC Cream ulta.com

Clarins Instant Concealer clarins.com

MAC mineralize skin finish natural ( mineral powder) maccosmetics.com

Bobbi Brown cream eye shadows bobbibrown.com

Cream blush Petunia by stilacosmetics.com

Crosswise and lychee luxe lips maccosmetics.com

Lash primer and Sumptuous mascara esteelauder.com

Brow wiz pencil anastasiabeverlyhills.com

Style me Pretty Engagement Session with Christine

I had an amazing time getting to know Christine!
She was easy going and a pleasure to work with....the moment she walked in for her trial I knew I had someone special in my chair:) She is the perfect combination of humility, beauty and grace with a little sassy humor!
She stayed in touch with me in months leading up to the wedding and even booked a makeup lesson. She also referred her mother in law to me for a lesson. I know we will stay in touch...and who knows maybe I will do her makeup for her baby shower!


Click on the link below to see her engagement session published in Style Me Pretty.
  http://www.stylemepretty.com/?p=485897

Garden Inspired Wedding

I am always excited to share published work...It takes lots of planning and amazing vendors for a successful wedding day!

Thank you for choosing me to be a part of your special day!
Congratulations Elizabeth and Tim.

Please Click  the Link below to view "Garden Inspired Wedding" in The Knot Bridal magazine!

https://www.theknot.com/real-weddings/a-garden-inspired-wedding-at-saint-thomas-preservation-hall-in-wilmington-north-carolina-album

Wedding Makeup Tips for your Special Day

Your wedding day is one of the most photographed days of your life.
You want to look and feel your best on this day and for the rest of your life, in images captured through photos and video.
The best makeup will reflect that inner beauty...You want to look like yourself only better!

With these wedding day makeup tips, getting ready for your wedding day will be fun and stress free.

1. Book a professional make artist 6 months to a year in advance. Do your research…word of mouth is always wonderful. Make sure you check out the artist website…does the makeup reflect your personal style? Read the Bio…how many years experience does the artist have?

More importantly read customer reviews….this is the tell all in regards to service, artistry skills and communication. It is crucial your artist responds to all emails quickly…the last thing you need to worry about is if they are going  to show up on the wedding day!

2. Make sure you have your trial at least 3 weeks but no earlier than 3 months before your wedding. Your makeup artist should be happy to modify the look if you decide on something more dramatic or natural. During the makeup application make sure to have a mirror in hand…you want ensure things are going in the right direction. 

3. Bring photos to your makeup trial. Start by looking at images of makeup you like… make sure you have a similar skin tone to the image. If you have the skin color of Katy Perry then the makeup of Jlo won't translate very well on you.

4. Remember the makeup has to look good against the pale color of your dress. A neutral look may be washed out in photos so don't be afraid to add a pop of color to the cheeks and lips. It doesn't have to be bright. Try a lip shade that is 2 shades brighter than your lips, if you wear a dark shade then apply  2 shades lighter.  Soft peachy pinks and plums are perfect for the wedding day. 

 Take photos after the trial to see how it looks before you leave….the makeup artist should be happy to change the look and make sure you feel confident before leaving the trial. Don't leave unhappy…speak up! You are the one who has to wear the makeup so it needs to be perfect!

5. Preparing your skin will pay off on the big day…you will have a healthy natural glow when you walk down the isle. I recommend scheduling monthly facials  6 months prior to the wedding. Avoid treatments, peels, laser or micro-derm too close to the wedding day. You don't want to wait 2 weeks before just incase you have a reaction. Make sure brows are shaped nicely and well groomed.

6. Makeup doesn't have to be caked on in order for it to show up in photos…most wedding photos are taken in natural light so if you choose heavy matte base it will look obvious. Just make sure your skin is even tone and your t zone is matte. A little shimmer is beautiful on the cheek bones and inner corners of the eyes…Never in the Tzone. Don't just apply make to the face, Apply to the neck and over your shoulders. Add a shimmer or bronze lotion to the shoulders for a glow.

7. Prepare for touch ups on the wedding day. A lot of brides assume once the makeup is finished it will miraculously stay perfect all night. Not true…you will need to touch up in order to look your best.

You will need a lipstick and translucent powder. You want to look good for the reception and through out the evening so make sure to check in the mirror after the ceremony for a quick touch up. Most artists use a long wear or air brush makeup to ensure your skin looks radiant…..its in the brides best interest to maintain the gorgeous look they paid an artist to create. 

Photos above: Lara and Eric Trump on their wedding day.

Makeup by Amy Kennison