Wedding Photographer - Nikki Bezel

In this business you meet some very talented and creative people and on the odd occassion someone just stands out from the crowd.  

At a recent wedding in Noosa, on the beautiful Sunshine Coast, I was introduced to Nikki Bezel, a local photographer who had moved from Sydney to spend more time with his family. To my surprise, he told me he had been inconspicuously capturing memories of the bride and groom enjoying their final hours of 'freedom' all morning and he planned to be with the wedding party until the end of the night; something that is unheard of.

Nikki was so lovely to have around, his ability to capture emotional moments is truly beautiful.

To see what I mean, follow the link to a slideshow of the wedding  http://nikkibezel.com/Cara&MaeaSlideshow/

If you are looking for a well priced wedding photographer with creativity than let me commend to you Nikki Bezel, you will not be disappointed.

EzyGreen Photo Shoot

Kate recently had the pleasure of working on the EzyGreen Campaign with our good friends Fullframe Photography and was pleasently surprised to be working with one of Brisbane's favourite Broncos, Corey Parker. 

For more information about Ezygreen or to look at Corey's makeup, go to www.ezygreen.com.au

For more information about how Kate can help make your next photo shoot a success, please click here or give her a call on 0410 49 49 74

How to Get That Flawless Look

Selecting a makeup artist can be a big decision for many brides but selecting the right makeup application is just as important. With a growing number of brides wanting the ‘flawless, front cover of the latest bridal magazine look’, it is important to do your research into whether airbrushing or traditional makeup application is best for your skin type, and, more importantly, your special day.

To help you get the best makeup results for your wedding day, the following review, will analyse the advantages and disadvantages of both application methods and in doing so, help you make the right decision for you and your brides on your wedding day.
   
Airbrush
Airbrushed makeup is a light weight makeup applied through an air gun machine that produces a thin, even layer of makeup and, when applied correctly, can create an almost ‘flawless look’.

It has risen to popularity largely due to the supermodels you see on front covers of magazines with blemish free complexions using it to sell the “perfect” wedding look -- the look that many brides are searching for on their special day. But, what is right for my situation and skin tone?

Airbrushed makeup is typically only used to provide a foundation and contouring with lip and eye color added in a traditional way. Therefore, with this in mind, let’s take a closer look at the pros and cons of airbrushed makeup:

Pros:

• It can cover freckles, fine lines to scars, spider veins and tattoos
• It is non-transferable, meaning that slight ‘dry’ rubbing or brushing against something or someone will not cause the makeup to come off
• Airbrushing is more hygienic
• If your attending an event where you’re positive you will not cry and remain dry from moisture,  airbrush makeup can offer that red-carpet finish you have always wanted
• Air brushing is often faster than a traditional application

Cons:

• If airbrushed makeup gets wet through crying or perspiration, you can run the risk of it streaking.  A useful analogy is a dusty table. If you ran your finger across a dusty table, you could clearly see a line from the surface underneath, even if the colors are the same. Once that line is there, you can do nothing to blend it back. The table must be wiped entirely clean. The same thing applies with airbrush makeup. If the makeup, for any reason, gets wet and leaves a streak, there is not much that can be done to blend it back without reapplying the makeup.
• Most of the face or body paints used for airbrush makeup are water based, these paints can be washed off or sometimes wear off with perspiration. To make them perspiration resistant, polymer additives or alcohol-based additives have to be used and are somewhat drying to a person’s skin. 
• Some of the waterproof airbrush products are silicon based which tend to have more of a glow, as opposed to a matte finish, so if you have oily skin it may not be best for your skin type
• Some people can be allergic to the silicon
• Because airbrushed makeup is applied with very light evenly applied layers, it does not have as much "give" or flexibility that liquid foundations offer. Therefore, separating can develop in the creases, smile lines or eyebrow furrows of the face
• It is not advised for pregnant women due to the micro fine particles that might be inhaled
• Its very important to exfoliate before airbrushing because sometimes it will show dead skin. If you have a lot of fine hairs on your cheeks and jawline, airbrush probably isn’t the best option.
• Airbrushing is not something you want to layer on thick. If you want fuller coverage for imperfections then traditional may be more suitable

Traditional:
Traditional makeup is composed of a variety of formulas and includes pancake, liquid, cream, or pressed powder that is usually applied with a sponge, brush or fingers. Similar to airbrushing, traditional makeup, if applied correctly, can create an almost flawless look. 

Traditional makeup comes in the widest variety of any other makeup, with every shade and formula available.  It’s also the most versatile of all the makeup; it can be as basic as a sheer tint of coverage, or combined with other properties to create a makeup that targets specific problems.

Traditional makeup is the only makeup that, when the appropriate formula is chosen, can be used in any situation at any given time. But, is it right for you? Let’s take a closer look:

Pros: 

• Women with dry or mature skin benefit most from the more traditional foundation selections. Dry skin types typically need large amounts of hydration and the oils that compose a cream based foundation formula lend kindly to their skin to create a smoother looking finish. 
• Traditional application provides sheer to full coverage. This type of makeup is waterproof and works with all skin types and comes in a wide color range.
• If the makeup artist is using a high quality photographic product, no matter what type of lighting or lens your photographer uses, you can achieve that flawless look.
• Easily blended if you do get emotional on your special day, perspire or it wipes off at any time.

Cons:

• It may rub off or fade (transferable)
• It will last only 6-10 hours as opposed to up to 24 hours
• Less hygienic than airbrushing if the brushes or sponges are not cleaned properly

Conclusion:
Makeup can be ‘flawless’ or disastrous depending on what application is used, how it’s applied and who is applying it. When you are considering a makeup artist for your wedding day, always pay for a trial and don’t be shy to request referrals from previous brides. A trial will help you build rapport with the artist, experiment with colours and application methods. A quality makeup artist should also respectfully exude confidence through their work whilst instilling a calmness -- something that is critical in a stressful environment.

Want incredible skin for your Wedding?

I recently had the pleasure of a 'skin rejuvenation' treatment at Tri Rhosen House in Greenslopes. I will add before and after photos as soon as the 'after' has caught up. 

This is not your typical facial so don't go expecting a relaxing hour. Its quite uncomfortable but the results that I have noticed so far are truly amazing and they're permanant! 

The lines around my eyes and in general have been smoothed out and pigmentation is clearing (this is what takes about 2wks to clear).

I have to say that these days it's not very often that I'm surprised by getting more than I expected but this has been one of those times.

If you're wanting something more than a bit of moisturiser for your big day I highly recommend this treatment.

Cost is $300, in saying that though you'd pay about $150 for a facial with non-lasting results.

Go to trirhosen.com.au for more information.

What Are You Looking For?

Hi Ladies,

This is an opportunity for you to tell me what you are looking for in a professional makeup artist.

Whether it be for your wedding, school formal, fashion shoot, or your next runway project, let me know what is important to you so I can either accomodate or improve my services to meet current market needs and trends.

Please post your comments.

Thanks

Kate :)

Photoshoot for RosalindGraceDesigns

I recently did a photoshoot with a very talented designer specialising in couture hair pieces. Her vintage inspired style is born from an initial career in Floristry.  Each petal in her flowers are hand-cut and sewn to make beautiful unique blossoms. Approximately 60% of her designs are made from gorgeous re-purposed bridal fabric off cuts. 

Her favorite materials are Swarovski, crystals, pearls, silk, satin, silk organza and linen. 

Rosalind’s work is a wonder to behold. Take a look, you may find yourself building your entire wedding based around a hair piece!

         RosalindGraceDesigns     

Concealing a Tattoo

Tattoos have become a part of most cultures around the world and they are a good way of communicating individuality. Even those of you who love your body art occasionally ask me how to cover it up, whether for work purposes, a formal function, your wedding day or a visit to family who might not approve. If clothing won't meet your cover-up needs, then it's time to learn how to artfully apply makeup to disguise your ink.
The Right Product

Normal concealers and foundations will work to hide under eye circles and small blemishes, but they won't provide the full and lasting coverage of a specialty product.

Look for a product that is completely opaque, heavy, and creamy, not one of the "liquid-to-powder" foundations. Any product with the phrases "sheer" or "light" in the description will not do the trick for this cover-up job! Most tattoos use a blue-based ink, so a yellow concealer will help to counteract the blue tones. Also, make sure that the concealer matches your skin tone exactly. When applying body makeup, even the slightest variation between the makeup and your skin tone is just as obvious as the tattoo itself. If necessary, purchase several shades and mix to match your skin tone.

From my research, there are numerous heavy-duty concealers on the market, but I have found that Kryolan does the job nicely.  It is available in a wide range of skin colours so it is suitable for all skin types and it contains several emollients to help moisturise and condition the skin. It delivers professional looking results that meet the exacting standards of beauty photography and is ideal for perfecting the face and body.

Application

With body makeup, long-lasting coverage is vital. Many cream concealers and foundations will leave traces of makeup on your clothes, or worse, on other people's clothes! The last thing you want after carefully disguising your tattoo is to have the makeup smudge or disappear, revealing your ink. Practice with your makeup ahead of time to make sure that it lives up to its promises.

Step 1:

For lasting results, you must first begin with a clean and dry surface. Cleanse your skin as usual, and then use a toner to wipe away any traces of dirt, oil, and makeup. Rinse the area and pat dry.

Step 2:

Apply the makeup. If you happen to have two shades, use them both. Apply the colour that counteracts the colour in the tattoo. For example: If the colour is green you need to choose the opposite on the colour wheel, so it has to have red in it to neutralize the tone. Apply the second colour, this one should match your skin tone exactly. Blend the outer lines perfectly to completely disguise the tattoo and makeup.

Step 3:

Apply powder on the tattoos. Although a brush will work, a pad is much better. Press the pad firmly into the compact before dabbing evenly and gently across the concealer. Powder seals the makeup making it more long lasting.

Television Commercial (Fathers Day 2010)

Just prior to Fathers Day 2010, much to the envy of my father-in-law, I ventured out to Craig Lowndes' (V8 Supercar Driver) home west of Brisbane to spend the day powdering his nose.

The end result, a 15 second commercial promoting the Might D Light and some manly makeup!!  

If you are having trouble viewing this, please log onto:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JIC8oW-_Cys

Makeup Advice For Your Special Day

1. Book your makeup artist well in advance. Some makeup artists are booked 10 weeks in advance and you want the best makeup artist for your special day.
2. Stop waxing your face six weeks before the wedding. I’ve seen bad things happen with skin being burned or ripped off and facial scabs are not what you want on your wedding!
3. Be careful with spray tans. If you have never had a spray tan before,  I recommend a trial spray tan six weeks before the wedding day. This way you will see how your skin reacts to the solution and if you are happy with the depth of colour. I also recommend you have a light tan.  You only want to have a 'glow'.
4. Be careful with applying bleach to your skin or having too many deep facials too close to the wedding. They can cause bad breakouts.
5. You want to be sure that your makeup artist knows what your hairstyle is like. If it is up, they will know that they may need to do some makeup on the back of your neck or down around the side of your jaw line, etc. You want them to know what the parameters are going to be.
6. Trial bridal makeup consultations are essential. They are essential to design and finalise the wedding day look and personalise the timings to ensure your wedding preparations run smoothly with relaxed confidence. A trial is normally carried out 4-6 weeks before your wedding day but if you wish to have a trial sooner, than that's fine too. 

Pre-Wedding Wellness Tips

Every bride should look like herself on her wedding day and love how she looks in the pictures ten years from now.

Beauty starts on the inside and following these tips will help any bride prepare for her wedding day.

Eat smart: Choose whole grains, fresh greens and fruits, and clean proteins such as chicken, fish, and beans.

Hydrate: Drink lots of water daily to hydrate the skin and flush out toxins.

Move your body: Regular exercise will help to strengthen your body and calm your mind.

Take relaxing baths: Add skin softening powder milk to your bathwater

Be present: Slow down and appreciate what's around you rather than rushing to get from start to finish.

Secrets for Luscious Lips

What you'll need:

* Soft tipped lip pencil

* Flat lip brush

* Vibrant Lipstick

* Lip gloss, either clear or the same colour as the lipstick

Step 1: Exfoliate & Even Out

Like your skin, your lips need to rid itself of dead cells from time to time. Choose a very soft facial exfoliant and gently clean away with a soft, supple toothbrush (reserved exclusively for this purpose) for silky lips.

Step 2: Nourish

Generously apply an ultra-rich creamy lip balm (or even Vaseline) for several minutes, then wipe away with a cotton swab.

Step 3: Contours

Think of your lip liner as your lips' guardrails. It should be the same colour as your lipstick, but one shade lighter. Nude tones will suit paler complexions and will yield a flattering effect of increased volume.

Step 4: Lush Brush

Coat both sides of the brush with lipstick and start applying from inside of your lips, moving upwards in small strokes until you reach the outer edges.

Step 5: Let it Shine!

Lip gloss will help bring it all together: a simple dollop in the middle of your lips will create a dynamic three-dimensional effect. Of course you can also spread it across your whole lip for a full-on shine.

Applying Eye Shadow

STEP 1:

Eyelids are one of the most oiliest parts of the face and oil is the number one killer of applying eye shadow makeup. Therefore, it is important that you cleanse your eyelids with either a:

- Water based cleanser;

- Alcohol free wipes; or

- Perfume free wipes.

STEP 2:

If you look closely at your eyelids you will notice that you have blue and red tones and tinges. Therefore, it is critical that you apply a foundation. This will give you a neutral canvas to start with and allow your eye shadows to be true to their colour.

STEP 3:

Lightly powder the eyelids with a translucent powder. You can do this with a cotton pad. Powder will go cakey (not what you want) if you have too much oil or moisturiser on your lids.

All the best with your makeup,  Kate xxx

Women are 'making up' lost time

LONDON: It will come as no great surprise to men that the time the average women spends perfecting her look in front of the mirror amounts to five days a year, researchers have revealed.

Between them, British women use enough lipstick each day to draw a line from London to New York, on top of 4,000 litres of foundation and more than 16 million sweeps of the mascara wand.

Almost 40% said they wouldn't consider leaving the house without makeup, while 19% said they would rather spend less on food than slash their beauty budget.

DAILY MAIL

Brushes

It constantly amazes me that women attempt to do their makeup with one brush. I also recently saw a television infomercial that promoted a 'wonder' brush that allowed women to apply their makeup with one brush. 

The truth is, you are going to need many brushes and it may cost you a bit but it will be a good investment. 

How to choose the good-quality - not necessarily expensive - brushes

A simple technique to help you buy a quality makeup brush is balance it on its very tip. Hold the brush vertically on the back of your hand, bristles down, and lightly bounce the brush to test the bristles. The bristles should only have a slight bend. If they splay, or flatten completely, then the brush will be too difficult to use, and the makeup will go everywhere except where you want it to go.

Where to source your brushes

You can find good quality makeup brushes at discount makeup stores, art and craft shops, manchester stores and makeup counters.

How to clean your brushes

The best way to clean your brushes is with brush cleaner once a week. However, if you don't have brush cleaner, try hot, soapy water or detergent. Shampoo is not probably strong enough.

Whatever product you use, rub your brush on a white plate. This way, when you clean your brush, you can see the colour on the plate. When the plate is clean and the water runs clear, you know the brush is washed.

Let it dry overnight.

bridal

I have been using Bare Study eye paint pot by MAC and Syrup lipstick also by MAC, these both are beautiful bridal colours.