The Most Common Questions Brides Ask Makeup Artists

If you’ve never had your makeup professionally done before, you probably feel really overwhelmed by the process of searching for an artist you love and figuring out what questions to ask before booking your date. Here are the questions brides ask us most frequently!

What is airbrush makeup and why is it best for weddings?

If you haven’t tried airbrush makeup before, you’ve probably at least heard of it. What is airbrush and why is it BETTER? It is foundation sprayed through a handheld airbrush gun and applied to your face in tiny dots, which results in a beautiful effect. Airbrush foundation is not thick or heavy like traditional makeup can be and you won’t have any brush lines or cakeyness whatsoever. The formula feels virtually weightless and holds up well in heat and humidity with little to no touch ups for up to 18 hours, which is why our brides love it.

It’s important to know that not all airbrush makeup is created equal. There are different formulas, brands, equipment and techniques - so the quality and results can vary from artist to artist. For over 6 years, we’ve used a silicone-based formula that is water-resistant, tear-resistant, and sweat-resistant. The finish looks just like skin, so if you prefer more of a matte look with no shine whatsoever, it may not be best choice for you (don’t worry, we offer traditional makeup as well). Most of our clients choose airbrush makeup due to how long it lasts and how natural it looks both in person and on camera. Plus it feels really lovely when it gets sprayed on!

I don’t wear much makeup. can you still work with me?

We completely understand that you probably aren’t used to wearing makeup on a daily basis and might be a little anxious about choosing a look for your wedding. I personally don’t wear a lot of makeup myself but I know I need it for pictures, so what I like to do is create makeup looks that are fresh and polished but not too “done-up”. We will tailor the look to your own personal style by building light layers and soft tones. The goal is the bring out the best version of you, highlighting your best features while still letting YOU shine through - nothing too over the top. We want you to feel comfortable and confident!

How long does it take to do everyone’s makeup? 

Every artist is different, but we typically like to plan 30-45 minutes for each bridesmaid or mother and 1 hour with the bride for makeup. Timing could change based on the party’s makeup style, but very rarely do we ever run overtime. We also build in 15 minutes for setup and 15 minutes for tear down. Depending on the size of your bridal party and what time you need to be ready by, you may want several artists working at the same time. There is an additional fee to add a second artist or assistant, but this will expedite your service time significantly which is perfect for brides with larger bridal parties or only a short amount of time to get ready.

Do you travel onsite? 

One of the main benefits of hiring a makeup artist is the luxury of having them travel to you. You’ll save yourself and your bridal party so much time and stress by having a beauty team come to you instead of rushing all over town the morning of. Especially if it’s raining on your day (we sure hope not!)

When should I book you for my wedding?

Wedding dates are first come first serve and we tend to book out as early as 8-12 months in advance, especially during popular months of May through November. Dates can only be secured with a signed contract and 50% retainer. We recommend booking as soon as possible to have the best opportunity to secure your date.

What if some of my bridesmaids may not want their makeup done? 

We’re going to be 100% real with you - it’s YOUR day and they’re YOUR photos that you will share with your family years from now. If all of your bridesmaids have similar dresses and bouquets, doesn’t it make sense that their makeup and hair should look similar as well? What it usually comes down to is not that someone doesn’t want their makeup done (because who doesn’t want to look #flawless?) - there’s usually a budget issue involved. Alternatively, there may be someone in your party who thinks they’re great at makeup and doesn’t need a pro artist. The fact is, even if someone is very good at doing their own makeup on a daily basis, it may not photograph and last the way that it should throughout such a long emotional day. Plus, it’s a fun experience getting all dolled up with a group of girls!

The goal is for all eyes to be on YOU - not your cousin who decided today was the perfect day to wear her favorite dark purple lipstick. Makeup for photography has different requirements that makeup artists are trained to understand and manipulate. If the bridesmaids budget is the main issue for them sitting out on makeup, perhaps you might wish to gift them a portion of their makeup service? Many brides do this instead of giving a physical bridesmaids gift, and end up very happy with their photos.

We hope we’ve helped answer some of your questions! If there’s anything we missed, feel free to let us know in the comments or better yet- schedule a quick phone call with us. We’d love to hear about your vision and discuss how we can help create the perfect wedding look just for you.

XOXO,

Makeup by Amy Lewis & Co.

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Photo: Beth Joy Photography

Skin Goals: How To Get Pretty Skin For Your Event

Photo: Laur Nash

You want to look your best for a wedding or special event. That’s understandable! A lot of eyes will be on you, and you want to look incredible and feel confident. Of course makeup plays a big part in that, but makeup can only do so much. It all starts with great skin. The better your skin looks and feels, the better your makeup will look and wear. 

So how do you get the best skin ever in time for your event? Like most things in life, getting gorgeous, glowing skin takes some time and effort. I had the pleasure of sitting down with one of the top skincare professionals in Toledo, Jody Light, who is a licensed esthetician and owner of the Skin Studio. She allowed me to experience derma planing and an O2 lift treatment and I’ve got to say- my skin has never looked better! 

Here are some of the questions I asked Jody and my takeaways from our time together. 

1. How soon should I start a skincare routine before my event? The sooner the better. 9 months to a year in advance would be the best case scenario. But if you don’t have that much time, it’s okay. Just start good skincare habits as soon as possible and make an appointment with an esthetician (a skincare pro that will assess your personalized skin needs). 

2. What do you wish more people knew about taking care of their skin? Three things. First, the little steps you do now will make a big difference in how your skin ages. Prevention is much easier than correction. What you do at home accounts for 75% of your skin health. Second, starting a skincare routine doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive! Third, SPF is a must. The sun is the #1 thing that ages our skin. Use SPF daily mixed into your moisturizer to protect your skin.

3. What is dermaplaning and why do I need it? Dermaplaning is a treatment where a small scalpel is used to gently remove dead skin cells and facial hair (I call it peach fuzz!). I got to experience this myself in Jody’s studio and was really surprised by how much of a difference it made! The result is instant and I saw smoother skin texture and tone right away. I also noticed the fine lines on my forehead diminished. After dermaplaning, my skincare products and makeup went on much smoother too! If you’ve never had dermaplaning done before, you should try it about a week before your event. If you have tried it before, the ideal time to get it done before your event is 1-2 days. 

4. What if I don’t have a skincare routine? What products do I need? Four basic things: a cleanser (use it for 60 seconds rubbing your face with your fingers), a serum (customized for your skin type - ask your esthetician what your skin needs), a daily moisturizer with SPF, and an eye cream. 

5. What are your best skincare tips? Use SPF. Drink a lot of water. Never go to bed with makeup on - even one time will make a difference. Get a treatment 2-3 days before your event. Use a sheet mask the night before your event to wake up with fresh, hydrated skin. 

There you have it! Some of the best ways to get flawless skin and help your makeup look extra gorgeous for a wedding, prom, gala, party, etc.

For more information on how to reach your skin goals, reach out to Jody Light for an appointment as soon as possible- her calendar fills up fast! To make an appointment, call or text 567-225-0216 or visit theskinstudiotoledo.com . 

Setting A Realistic Bridal Beauty Budget

Photo: Heather & Sarah Photography  Model: Marilyn Manchell  Makeup: Amy Lewis Jewelry: Belle Amour Bridal 

So you found a fantastic venue, hired a brilliant photographer, sent out save the dates, and found The Perfect Dress! Congrats! You’re off to a great start. 

If you’re like most brides, you've probably spent a pretty penny on your wedding so far. You’re overwhelmed by how much things actually cost and your plan is to save as much money possible on the rest of the planning. Which means you may have to go without a few things or decide to cheap out on others. 

Unfortunately, professional makeup & hair are often the first things to go, mostly because you didn’t budget for them originally. So perhaps you resort to letting a friend or family member do it for you, or you hire the most affordable makeup artist/hairstylist you can find to save some cash. What most brides don’t realize is, you’re selling yourself short here. While it seems saving money is the way to go, its actually quite the opposite when it comes to beauty. When you have your friend, family member, or cheap hair/makeup artist do your trial and you look in the mirror, 9 times out of 10 you will be unpleasantly surprised... maybe even horrified. Makeup/hair tends to be an afterthought expense and many brides try to book their stylists 2-3 months before the wedding. To put things in perspective, most veteran makeup pros book weddings 10-12 months out or more. Which leaves you desperately scrambling to find someone because all the top artists are likely booked at this point. 

How does this happen? Who’s to blame for you not including beauty in your budget? Well, most likely whatever budget planner or tool you’re using! Most brides find helpful planning resources from The Knot and Wedding Wire. Surprisingly, The Knot doesn’t even list a hair/makeup category on their budget percentage chart. So we’re assuming it’s supposed to get lumped into the Attire category. Let's break it down...

The average Toledo wedding cost is between $15,000-25,000 (according to costofwedding.com). The Knot suggests you set aside 8-10% of your total budget for Attire, that means you only have around $1200 minimum (8%) to work with. That’s the total amount you can spend on your dress, veil, shoes, tuxes, undergarments, and hair and makeup. Are you kidding me? That’s just not a realistic number for all of those things in today’s market. No wonder nearly every couple goes over their wedding budget! 

We’d like to suggest a more realistic approach - not just because we’re makeup artists, but because we’ve done thorough research in the Toledo area on average rates for onsite hair and makeup. Setting aside at least 3% of your total for the bride’s hair/makeup is a much more practical strategy. It may seem like an unnecessary expense since you didn’t originally plan for an extra $450-750 in your budget, but hear us out!

Think about how much you’re paying your photographer. If they’re a really talented professional, you’re spending a minimum of $2000 or more on amazing photography for this super important day. If you've listened to your married friends' advice, you will happily pay that price because after the knot is tied and the wedding is over, the most valuable thing that will remain as a reminder of the best day ever is, of course, your photos! You’ll look back through your wedding album fondly and smile because your photographer captured so many great memories. You can see the value in that expense now, right? Good, then we're on the same page!

So if you’re spending thousands on your wedding photography, don’t you think it would be a silly risk to have a non-professional do your makeup/hair to save a couple hundred bucks? Or even worse....attempt to do your own makeup. You probably hadn’t previously considered how cold, shaky and nervous your hands will be on the big day. Trust us when we say we have been in the wedding industry long enough to have witnessed some real beauty catastrophes on the day of. Orange foundations, crusty long lashes, thick black eyeliner, way too much blush, etc. It’s not something we enjoy. We really want to arm brides with accurate information so as to avoid such future catastrophes! Why waste your money on hair/makeup trials with cheap artists when you could save that money (and time) and put it toward hiring an experienced professional that you can trust? The alternative is not liking the way you look in your wedding photos and there is not much you can do about that after the fact. In the grand scheme of things, 3% of your wedding budget isn’t much after all. 

Our bottom line here is this: The wedding planning tools and websites don’t have all the right answers. Like most things in life-you get what you pay for. If you pay bottom-of-the-barrel prices for your makeup artist or hairstylist, then that is exactly the result you can expect to receive. Why take unnecessary risks on the way you look? Especially on a day where your every move will be photographed and/or filmed in front of lots of people! 

In all the wedding days we’ve had the pleasure of being a part of, we’ve learned a thing or two about beauty. Beauty comes from within. It comes from a talented makeup artist showing you that you can feel as beautiful as you look. When you feel truly beautiful, you’re confident, happy, and comfortable in your own skin- ready to take on the world. Professional makeup artists & hair stylists bring out the best version of you so that you can thoroughly enjoy one of the most memorable days of your life and look amazing doing it. Doesn't every bride deserve that?

If you designate a realistic beauty budget now, that’s one less thing you’ll be stressing out over as the wedding day gets closer. So why not take the steps to make it happen!

We came up with a few ideas on how to save up for your Bridal Beauty Budget:

1. Cut down on your Starbucks visits. Instead of 4-5 coffees a week, trim it down to 2-3. Or order a regular coffee instead of a specialty drink. At $3-5 a pop, those savings can add up quickly!

2.  Meal planning. Most people don’t realize how much of their money is spent on food. It’s         super convenient to eat out for lunch, or grab some fast food on the way home from work. But those bills add up! You will save a surprising amount of money by sitting down once a week to map out which days you’ll pack a lunch and what to make at home for dinner. You can still eat out, just go half as much as you usually do. (Sidenote: by doing this in our own household and switching grocery stores from Kroger to Aldi, we managed to save $250+/month! Crazy, right?)

3. Girls night out could take place at a bar with happy hour specials instead of one with regular prices. Or, you can all pitch in for a few bottles of wine and stay in! Get creative with wine pairings and snacks. 

By incorporating a few of these savings strategies into your lifestyle, you will be able to build up a realistic beauty budget in no time. Then you will be able to afford the makeup and hair professionals you deserve on your wedding day so you can look and feel your best! 

Product Review: YSL Vinyl Cream Lip Stain

As a professional makeup artist, you can probably guess how picky I am about my lip products. I have tested a lot of them and yet there are still new ones launching every day. In fact, for my own wedding I must have tried at least 40 lipsticks, glosses, and liners! For the big day, everything has to be PERFECT. Brides want a great lip color that won’t disappear after a few smooches. The old favorite I settled on 3 years ago was one of YSL’s glossy lip stains in a peachy shade. The texture was absolutely divine, and I was obsessed. So when I found out that YSL was sending me their new Vinyl Cream lip stain to test out, my heart did a happy dance! 

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The lip stain comes in a gold box and when I pulled the lip stain out, I noticed that the packaging is a bit different from their other lip stains. The others typically have a gold top and black bottom with a clear strip showing the color inside and of course the iconic YSL logo on one side. This particular stain is entirely black with a clear strip and the YSL logo which I think is very sleek and sexy. 

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Application: 

When I first applied the lip stain, I noticed how creamy it is. As with YSL’s other formulas, it is a very wet application so I had to be careful not to accidentally overdraw my lip line. I loved how saturated the lip color was though! The stain is buildable, but you really don’t need more than 1 coat because it is so pigmented. 

Experience On Lips: 

The thing I love most about this lip stain is the way it makes my lips feel! The texture is decadent. Hydrated and bouncy. Tacky, not sticky. Since its called Vinyl, I expected more of a high-shine finish but this is just a regular glossy finish not unlike the YSL Glossy Stains. Since I love those, I’m not complaining. 

Wear: 

I was pleasantly surprised by the durability of this stuff! While it is not advertised as kiss-proof, it certainly is. I tested it out on my husband and while he did get just a little bit of clear “gloss” on him, absolutely no color transferred to him whatsoever. I wore this for 6 hours and it didn’t budge. When I went to remove it with a makeup wipe before bed, it left a little bit of color stained on my lips which I actually enjoyed. Long wear that doesn’t dry out lips? Vinyl Cream Lip Stain rocks!

(excuse my sad, fuzzy cell phone photos- they don't do this color justice)

Overall I give this product TWO THUMBS UP! The price point is kinda high at $36 a pop, but considering how decadent YSL’s lip products are and how long they last, it’s worth it to me. I will probably go buy a couple more of them for my kit. Plus the packaging itself just makes you feel fancy putting it on :)

I received this product complimentary for testing purposes. I assure you that my opinion is honest and was not influenced by the free gift. 

Until next time beauties!

XOXO,

-A.L.

Romantic Makeup for A Styled Shoot at the Toledo Museum of Art

We had so much fun at this romantic styled bridal shoot with some of our favorite wedding vendor friends! Photographers: Adore Wedding Photography, Bridal Gown & Accessories Boutique: Belle Amour Bridal, Florals: Ann Strickland for Bartz Viviano, Model Raynisha Nicole, and hairstylist Candy Summerskill all rounded out a rockstar creative team. All photos are from Adore Wedding Photography unless otherwise noted. 

So what happens at a styled shoot you ask? 

First, the team met in downtown Toledo, Ohio at Belle Amour Bridal. The owner, Michelle McCaulla expertly chose a stunning Allure Romance gown for our model Raynisha Nicole. Then, the makeup process began (because it does take some time to look effortlessly beautiful of course). 

Photo: Amy Lewis. A pretty mess. Toledo Bridal Makeup courtesy of Makeup by Amy Lewis & Company (Amy, assisted by Emily). 

Amy started with a rose water toner, and lots of moisturizer to hydrate Raynisha's skin. Then she applied some shimmery cream shadows in various mocha and gold tones, followed by smudging some deeper brown shadows in the crease and blending the edges to create a seamless effect. She ran a black liquid liner along the waterline to define the eyes, and added a full wispy false lash to really bring out Raynisha's eyes. Amy then moved on to some color correction, and custom blended the perfect concealer and foundation for her skin tone. A vibrant pink blush and just a touch of the ultra indulgent Pat McGrath Skin Fetish highlighter stick in gold on the cheek bones helped achieve a pretty, dewy finish. Amy selectively powdered as needed and touched up Raynisha's brows with a brow powder and pencil. She pressed a pink lipstick into the lips, added a swipe of mascara and sprayed the entire face with a setting spray. Emily helped keep everything organized and clean throughout the beauty process. 

Raynisha was ready to get her hair done by hairstylist Candy Summerskill. Candy carefully weaved in a gorgeous hairpiece from Belle Amour Bridal, and braided the rest of the hair into a lovely fishtail braid. We loved how great Candy's Oribe hair products smelled as they filled the room! 

Not to mention the intoxicating aroma from the bouquet Ann Strickland of Bartz Viviano designed for us! Those flowers smelled SO good, and they looked even more amazing. The anemones stole our hearts. 

Our blushing "bride" was ready for her close up with the expertly talented duo of Adore Wedding Photography (Loren & Mary Beth). We started shooting after a rainstorm had passed through the area, so everything around the museum was very wet and lush looking as the sun started to set. The light was absolutely dreamy! 

There you have it! We hope you enjoyed these photos as much as we did. Another big thanks to everyone who contributed to this shoot! If you like what you see here, please go show them some love. Until next time!

- XOXO Amy

Fall 2016 Makeup Trends You Can Actually Wear

Our clients always want to know what’s currently “on trend.” We all know about the contouring and strobing crazes that plagued 2015 and early 2016. That’s ALL over now! (...makeup artists everywhere breathe a sigh of relief). So what’s next?? Well, the New York Fashion Week runways featured many art-forward trends for fall. We picked the most wearable looks for everyday women and we want to share them with you! You can try one or all of them- who knows, you might just find your new favorite beauty routine. 

#1. Black Eyeliner all the way around the eye.

The more worn-in looking the eyeliner is, the better! But it MUST be black. Preferably in the waterline, all around the eye on top and bottom (you can skip your inner corners if you’d like). We love L’Oreal Infallible’s 16 Hour Eyeliner in Carbon Black because it stays put, has a smudger tool on the opposite end, and is SUPER black. You can also use a cotton swab to smudge out your liner or clean up any mistakes. 

Credit: http://stylecaster.com/beauty/givenchy-khol-couture-waterproof-eye-liner-review/

#2. Almost-Black Berry Lipstick paired with a Bare Eye Look for a Modern- Gothic Vibe

This trend isn’t for the makeup shy gals out there! It’s a bold look with a lot of attitude. But if you think you can pull it off we say own it! Just make sure you look for very dark colors close to black with a hint of purple or red in them. If you close your mouth and smile as big as you can, you’ll get the cleanest, sharpest lip line possible. This lip look is so fierce, we recommend leaving the rest of your face as natural as possible (foundation, powder, mascara, and brows should do it). 

peaceloveshea.com

#3. Glitter. Eyeshadow, liner, lips, wherever you want to sparkle!

Glitter isn’t just for fabulous five year olds. And if you apply it correctly, your face won’t look like a disco ball at the end of the night either. Here’s how to work this trend like a pro…

1- It’s very important you don’t use just ANY glitter - if its going on your eye region it MUST be a cosmetic-grade glitter, such as the kind from our friends at Lit Cosmetics (they’re like the Swarovski crystals of the glitter makeup department). Using craft store glitter or other cheap glitters can result in damage and irritation to your eye, so don’t slack- look for the good stuff! 

2- You gotta glue it. Start with a glitter glue as your primer. Lit Cosmetics has a great one, or Glitter Glue from TooFaced is fantastic as well. Apply with your finger. Fill a brush with glitter, and carefully pat it on top of the primer. It will stick and stay put! For added insurance, spray a setting spray over your face like Urban Decay All Nighter. 

Credit: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/519743613218398043/

#4. Peach colors in the Fall!

Normally peach is considered a spring color, but this year we are mixing it up! Peach tones create a fresh, unexpected monochromatic tone for autumn. Pairing a peachy shadow with a peach lip and cheek makes for an effortlessly pretty look that goes with just about anything. And it shouldn’t take you longer than five minutes. Bonus points if you can find a multitasking product (lipsticks can double as cream blushes)!

Credit: http://www.prettydesigns.com/peach-makeup-ideas-spring/

#5. Stained, stamped on red lips.

Don't use a brush, put it on with your ring finger and it will look much cooler. It shouldn't look too perfect either. Deep, rich colors look best. While you can achieve this look best with an actual lipstick, you can get a similar effect with Revlon's ColorStay Kissable Balm Stains (a staple in our personal makeup bags for years!). 

There you have it - the hottest makeup trends for Fall 2016. Which one is your favorite? Drop us a comment below and tell us what you think! We bet you want to go shop for new makeup now. (P.S. We heart makeup shopping. Want to bring us with you on your next trip to Sephora or another beauty counter? Contact us for our personal consulting rates!)

Until next time. 

XOXO,

Amy

The Mystery Behind Airbrush Makeup

Airbrushing in action! Photo courtesy of Viridian Ivy Images ( http://www.viridianivy.com/ )

What is airbrush makeup and why does almost everyone say it's the best makeup for an important event? Simply put: it feels nearly weightless and it's built to LAST! 

Airbrush makeup refers to a very thin liquid foundation that goes into the chamber of an airbrush gun. Once the air compressor is turned on and air is flowing through the gun, the trigger gets pulled to release the foundation in a fine mist. Airbrushing creates a flawless finish by spraying out the tiniest droplets of makeup in an even layer to give great natural coverage. It is ideal for most skin types. Some artists even airbrush eyeshadows, brows, blush and lips in addition to airbrushing the foundation. Our team loves airbrush, but we only airbrush foundation-  we feel hand-applying the rest of the makeup gives a more desirable effect. 

Not all airbrush foundation formulas are created equal. There are many different types of coverages and finishes on the market. Our favorite kind is silicone-based airbrush foundation because it mimics skin's natural texture with a slightly dewy, radiant finish. Often times our clients are intimidated by airbrush if they've never experienced it before. It's actually very relaxing! It feels just like a soft mist sweeping over your face and once even medium-full coverage is achieved, it is virtually weightless. This is a major perk especially to women who don't like the feeling of heavy makeup! Not to mention it looks incredibly natural. 

Makeup by Amy Lewis & Company uses Temptu's silicone-based foundation which is known for its soft-focus effect that blurs fine lines and lasts up to 24 hours. The formula is sweat-proof, tear-resistant, and a favorite of professional makeup artists for over 15 years which speaks volumes. 

If you want to feel ultra-glam and pampered, and you also want your makeup to be essentially bullet-proof, then airbrush makeup may right for your next event! If you have any questions about airbrush makeup feel free to drop us a comment below or email us directly: makeupbyamylewis@gmail.com