BlushPretty: Make-up Artistry Weblog

What's New at BlushPretty!

... It's Already July 2009?? ...

Well, you know what that means!

The sidebars have been updated so check out what's new and hot with BlushPretty.com.

Also, we are at peak wedding season!!  I'm all over the place prettying up blushing brides and it's go, go, go.  A special shoutout to all my brides for  July 2009 - I can't wait to work with you on your big day.  It's the final countdown!

And special congratulations to all my recent brides who are now "MRS": Sylvia, Queenie, Gina, Christina, Tanya, Blessy, Amy, Irene, Sanya, Wendy, Tasha, Jennifer, Adrienne, Kristy, Daniella, Beth, Tiffany,  Freda and Andrea.  Congrats ladies and all the best.

Foundation Brush or Sponge?

Photo by David Cyr

If you wear foundation, you may have been told to apply it with a brush.  Or a sponge.  Or maybe you fingers.

Let me start by saying that none of the above methods are wrong.  Depending on the coverage you are looking for any of the three tools can help you out.

Try using your foundation brush when you want to reach in and around all the nooks and crannies of your face.  It also helps to blend the product quite well. It usually works best with liquid foundations and for when you want light to medium coverage.

If you want heavier coverage, opt for a sponge.  You can stipple on the product over problem areas applying layer over layer until you've muted the problem.  A sponge can soak up a lot of product, so be careful.  Try using a damp sponge before dipping it in your product.

For the lightest effect, and the most natural use your fingers.  You can dot it on and smooth it out.  This would be your best bet when you want to even the skin tone but not cake it on.  Pat and dab away with your ring finger - it is the weakest of your fingers so you won't tug at the skin as you are blending!

-bp-

It Gets Better and Better

Makeup by Stephanie Daga
Photo by David Cyr

I like a challenge.

I'm lucky to be blessed with a particular personal client who contacts me every couple of months or so to come out and do her makeup and hair for special events, concerts, and evenings out.

And my favourite part about her is she is f-e-a-r-l-e-s-s.

She makes me step up my game.  I absolutely love how one night she will one to go rockstar chic a la heavy liner and smokey grey with punked out hair (this past Tuesday to be exact), and then four days later (which was yesterday. Saturday) she will want a "fresh.beautiful." look which is natural, clean and sleek.

She never leaves me hanging - she always has ideas for her looks.  They match the style of the event she attends.  They evoke her favourite characters or icons.  She loves to talk about product and she lets me get creative.  She is certainly the type of personal client every makeup artist should hold close and have in her rolodex of clients.

C.P. - every appointment with you is more like a great date with a friend. Thanks for choosing me to be your makeup artist!

-bp-

Yummy Mummies and their Little Princesses

Hair and Makeup by Stephanie Daga
Photo by Jocelyn Lopez

I need some Yummy Mummies.

I'm looking for a couple of mom's who have some little princesses of their own.  Whether they are six or sixteen, and if you are looking for a fun way to spend some time together, I might just have the answer. 

There will be some beauty, some fun, and some quality time.  All the while, I'll be picking your brain about some questions I have for a new service from BlushPretty.

If you are interested in learning more, please send an email to stephanie@blushpretty.com!

Thank you!

-bp-

Pencil Me In

Only half of what I normally carry in my makeup kit ... and normally, my station doesn't stay THAT neat.
Photo of David Cyr

I carry a big purse.

Because I love big purses.  I may only need my wallet and a notepad for the day, but you bet it's going in the biggest purse in my closet.  I don't know why I carry big bags ... but as a friend of mine told a friend of his that I was going to meet for the first time (mike, thanks for the intro to meredith) "look for a girl with a big purse ... that's steph's thing".

Anyway, despite carrying a big bag, I still love really small and portable products.  Just this past Wednesday, I picked up three portable items that I can stow away in the small pockets of my big bag.  They just happen to be in pencil form.

Smashbox Untamed Collection, Double Ended Eye Brightener: a chubby pencil with a soft pink on one end and a soft gold on the other.  I'll use this to add highlight under the brow and inner corner of my eyes.  I can also use it to add a bit of last-minute gleam to the cheekbone and down the centre of the nose. 

Benefit Cupid's Bow: This is actually a pretty neat deal as it comes with the dual sided pencil  (the pout shaper on one side, the bow maker on the other) and the smudging tool which yes, you can use for the lips BUT also looks like you can use it to line and smudge your eyes with powder liner. I like the colour of the pout shaper, very neutral and nice under a clear gloss.

DuWop Reverse Eyeliner: I ran out of this product and needed to get more.  I'm obsessed with lining the waterline these days (on brides, clients, and myself) and this pencil creates a barrier from everything sliding south! Similar to its Reverse Lipliner, this pencil also fills in and smooths the finelines around the eyes.

Happy Shopping!

-bp-

MAC Brush 109

MAC Brush 109

You can never have too many brushes ... but if you could only have one ...

A set of really good brushes can make a huge difference on how you apply your makeup and how natural you can make your look.  If you love makeup, you should consider investing in a set of quality brushes.  With proper care they can last you a lifetime.

Once of my favourite brushes out there is my MAC Brush 109 - Small Contour brush.  It is actually made for the application and blending of powder products.  Made with natural hair, it blends colours smoothly - really good for blush application.

That said, I use my MAC Brush 109 to apply and buff foundation.  Yes ... foundation.  Liquid foundation to be exact.  After applying foundation with a foundation brush, I will take a clean 109 and swirl it in a circular motion all over the face.  I find that doing this blurs and demarcation lines, softens the products and helps to distribute the product evenly over the skin while removing excess.

The result is a nice layer of foundation that is neither heavy nor noticeable!

This brush is available at all MAC stores for $38.50.

- bp-

Happy Canada Day!

Hair and Makeup by Stephanie Daga
Photography by Jocelyn Lopez
Styling and Accessories by Dara Frydman
Model: Kristin Kerr, Elite

It's Canada Day today!

That means us Canadians have a mid-week holiday.  No one has to go to work (alright, some do - but not everyone) today and its all about spending time with your family and friends.  Barbecques, fireworks, picnics (thought there is a bit of an overcast today).  Happy Canada Day!

My good friends Cherry C. and Barbara M. tell me that  Shoppers Drug Mart is offering a 20x the Optimum points today ... so beauty junkies hit Shoppers Drug Mart!

I already know my shopping list: Smashbox Double Ended Eye Brightener, bareMInerals Foundation in Light and Golden Medium, and probably, if they have some left still, I will stock up on more Goody Hair Accessories which have been on sale for awhile.

I will also pick up some Aveeno Baby Products and Diapers ... that's an easy $50 to spend.

I'm so jealous ... Cherry has already redeemed $150 worth in points ... and still has another $150 to go ... oooooohhhh the product you can buy when you redeem!!!!!

-bp-

BlushTube Video: Je Sais D'elle, Part 2

Je sais d'elle 2 of 2 from Justin Borja on Vimeo.

Makeup and Hair by Stephanie Daga
Film cut and shot by Justin Borja
Photography by Jocelyn Lopez and Jonathan Ponce
Lighting direction by Ronald Ponce
Styling and Accessories by Dara Frydman
Model: Kristin Kerr, Elite

It looks the same ... but is it the same ...

Same uber-talented photographers, same hot accessories designer, same reliable assistant, same chick who does makeup and hair, same super pretty model, and same ridiculously amazing videographer ... just a different look!

Hope you enjoy Je Sais D'elle Part 2.

To purchase the rockstar scarves the model wears so well, check out dara dot designs Etsy shop!

-bp-