Some Blogger Love

Ok I am TOTALLY late to getting around to making this post, so apologies to all. Things have been super crazy what with the kick off to wedding season madness, but I wanted to let you all know that moi was featured a couple times over at The Thirty Something Bride.

It was a happy accident how I ended up meeting blogger Louise, who also has an online boutique of some really gorgeous veils and headpieces over at TruLu Couture. I stumbled upon a post of hers on a modeling networking site that I frequent. She was looking to vamp up her website for a relaunch, and I had a bridal themed shoot coming up with the fabulous Marie Killen and Scott Russell. So I invited her to come participate in our shoot and bring her collection of pieces and we would shoot them on our models.

Louise ended up writing a blog post about it before we'd done the shoot, and it was so flattering. Louise is truly hilarious, and I love her sense of humor. And how awesome was she to say all those nice things about our work before we'd even met?!

The second post was made about 10 days after the first, after we'd done the shoot. And can I just say, the shoot turned out AMAZING. We were originally supposed to have a couple different models, but one backed out due to the flu the night before, and I'm actually happy it happened that way. Because our model Zoe did fantastic! Not only is she extremely lovely, but she was super professional and very easy to work with.

Here's a little taste of the shoot:

Hair and Makeup by yours truly.

So if you're looking for the perfect headpiece for your wedding, be sure to check out Louise at TruLu Couture. And if you're in need of makeup for your special day, call me! Haha!

See you next post.
Love, b.b.

Congratulations are in Order!

With all the magic and anticipation that hangs in the air this time of year, is it any wonder that the holidays are the most popular time for couples to become engaged? Maybe it's the twinkling lights at night that inspire romance, or perhaps it's the sweetness of being able to share it with the gathered family members that are sure to be in town. Whatever the reason, more couples become engaged over the holiday season than any other time of the year.

As a newlywed myself, I can appreciate all the love and excitement they are feeling right now as they begin planning their special event. Planning a wedding can be a fun process, but it can also feel pretty overwhelming at times. It seems like there are endless decisions to be made, and with the stress of self-imposed perfection even the smallest and simplest details can suddenly become life-or-death in your mind.

So, let me be the first to say congratulations, AND....breathe! Because it's all going to be ok. There are tons of professionals out there (including myself) who are prepared to make your day as easy going and relaxing as possible. Whether you find your vendors online, in magazines, bridal shows, or through the recommendations of friends and family, it's important to meet with a number of experts in each field so that you can find the vendor who best fits your wedding and personality. Just remember to do your research. If you find a vendor whose work you love, don't forget to ask them for a list of vendors in other fields that they'd recommend...and a list of vendors you should probably skip.

Second, don't forget to take care of yourself. It's already the season for colds and the flu, and with the added stress of wedding planning your immune system can take a dive and leave you feeling poorly. Be sure to take your vitamins and get plenty of rest. There will be TONS of people grabbing your hand to look at your ring, so remember to wash your hands often and carry a small bottle of hand sanitizer in your purse. This will save you from any sniffles being passed around.

Once again, congratulations, and good luck with your planning! And if you are interested in bridal makeup services, don't forget to take a look at my website Makeup By b.b. for my rates. I'm also happy to recommend a variety of vendors in the area, so don't hesitate to ask!

See you next post!

Love, b.b.

Merry Christmas!

Yesterday I got to work with the AH-MAZE-ING Marie Killen, photographer and human being extraordinaire. This was my first time working with Marie, and I was so happy because I've been admiring her work for awhile. To top it off, the model was Rebecca Gatta, who I had worked with before. Not only is she gorgeous and photographs beautifully, but she is just about the nicest young woman around. Needless to say, I was in heaven. It was such an easy and fun job. And take a look at THESE:

Like I said...IN HEAVEN!

I hope you all have the merriest Christmas, and a very happy New Year. See you all next post.

Love, b.b.

So Excited...

To announce the launch of my website! Please take a moment to check it out, hope you enjoy :)

Makeup By b.b.

See you next post!

Love, b.b.

It's Just Like Christmas...

In my line of work, I get to meet some pretty talented people. Collaborating with these wonderful photographers, wardrobe stylists, hair stylists, and models is one of the best things about my job. It's so exciting to watch an idea come together. Sometimes waiting to get proofs and files can be agony when I'm particularly excited about a project and I'm dying to see how the final images turned out. It really is just like Christmas when I open my email and I have something lovely like this waiting for me:

Photographers: Joey + Jessica Seawell

Model: Madison McKenna

Makeup and Hair: Makeup By b.b.

Or, perhaps I have something deliciously different waiting for me, like this:

Photographer: Rusty McDonald

Model: Grace Brennan

Makeup and Hair: Makeup By b.b.

Thank you Santa, for filling up my Inbox! See you next post.

Love, b.b.

Look Linger Love

Today on my lovely friend Chassity's fabulous blog Look Linger Love is a guest post by yours truly all about how to achieve that perfect sparkle with your holiday makeup. I hope you take a look, and enjoy! Also, Chassity is a fantastic blogger with incredible taste & style, so if you don't already follow her blog, you should!

Love, b.b.

Five Things In My Kit That I Cannot Live Without:

Hi All! Things have been crazy with work lately, which is a very good thing because it means I have been BUSY! Lots of test shoots, a magazine shoot, and I was also working as an assistant makeup artist on the set of the Hallmark Channel movie 'The Shunning', which will be premiering around Mother's Day in 2011. I've been very lucky to get to work with some wonderful and talented people.

As a makeup artist, the most important thing I own is my kit. It needs constant attention, as I'm always updating, adding to, and restocking it with all the essentials I need on a regular basis, plus a few odds and ends that may (ok almost ALWAYS) come in handy on a job. Since I've spent so much time lately reaching into my kit and handling all my favorite goodies, I thought I'd share with you my top five favorite things in my kit that I just can't live without right now.

 

1. Sephora Daily Brush Cleaner. This is possibly the most important thing in my kit, along with my hand sanitizer. I cannot stress how important cleanliness is in my line of work. I sanitize everything. Keeping my brushes clean is not only sanitary, but it prolongs the life of my brushes too. This cleaner is great because it's anti-bacterial and dries quickly, so I can use it in between applications. It also keeps the makeup buildup low so when I wash all my brushes at the end of the week it doesn't take forever to get all the makeup out.

2. Smashbox Contour Kit. This palette is just gorgeous. The colors look great on most skin tones, so it's a great palette for my kit. The dark contour color can sculpt amazing cheekbones and a beautiful jawline in no time. The bronzer gives a gorgeous all-over glow, while the highlighter really makes your cheeks and eyes pop. One of the best things about this kit is that it comes with a little cheat sheet inside that tells you exactly where to place each color, so it's perfect for everyone from pro to someone who is trying contouring for the first time. The contour color can also double as an eyeshadow in a pinch, so this is really a must-have for everyone.

 

3. Make Up For Ever 12 Flash Color Case. Ok, this thing is just amazing. This case has some seriously gorgeous, highly pigmented colors in it. The colors can be used anywhere on the face, including the eyes and lips. They are incredibly creamy and go on so smoothly, and dry to a nice even finish. You can do basically anything with this palette; your imagination is your only limit! While it's not necessarily a product I'd recommend for my clients to buy, it's definitely something that I'd tell any professional makeup artist to get for their kit - if they don't already have it! It is indispensable!

4. Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion. I love this product. I cannot live without it! The wand makes application a breeze, and it dries to complete invisibility. It allows shadow to go on smoother, and it WILL NOT CREASE! The primer also keeps your shadow in place for all-day wear. It really is magic in a bottle. If you do not already own this product, seriously, run out and buy it RIGHT NOW...no, seriously...I'll wait!

5. Temptu Pro Concealer Wheel. This is another professional product that I use everyday. It's a silicone based concealer, so the product spreads very easily. It goes on as light or as heavy as you'd like, without ever looking cakey. There are five shades in the wheel, so you can really custom match most people. The only drawback is that this is the only wheel they have, so it's not ideal for darker complexions. However, I'm hoping sometime down the line they will correct this, because it is such a fantastic product.

There you have it! I have so many products in my kit that I absolutely love, but these are definitely my top favorite right now. I hope you enjoyed reading about them, and maybe you'll even pick up a few for yourself to try. While the Flash case might be a bit much for most of you, the rest of the products I talked about would make a fantastic addition to anyone's home makeup bag, as well as any professional kit.

If you have any questions, don't hesitate to write me and ask! Comments are always welcome, and I look forward to seeing you next post.

Love, b.b.