HOW-TO Prep
Once your appointment or wedding is booked, it's highly recommended to follow these guidelines to ensure the longevity of your hair and/or makeup, a more flawless makeup application, and time efficiency. Please help us to be prepared so we can provide you with the best results!
MAKEUP
A flawless makeup application starts from having a healthy and well-balanced skin. For better results, try getting a facial done a few days before your appointment (as long as you know your skin will heal without having any reaction). I recommend a 'Microdermabrasion Facial' -- to renew overall skin tone and texture, and overtime improve the appearance of sun damage, wrinkles, fine lines, age spots, acne scars, melasma, and other skin-related concerns and conditions. Listed below is a skincare regimen you can follow to help ensure your skin stays healthy -- ready for a flawless makeup application!
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CLEANSE (day & night) : Wash your face with a gentle cleanser to remove any oil debris or left over makeup residue.
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EXFOLIATE (2 times per week) : If you have dry (cracked/flakey) skin try exfoliating with a gentle facial scrub that will not irritate your skin. Even if you have normal to oily skin, exfoliating will help remove any dead skin laying on the skin's surface. This will ensure that your foundation will not look cakey or cause excess oil to produce from dehydrated skin.
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FACE MASK (Optional 1-2 times per week)) : Using at-home face masks (gel/cream/clay/sheet) is another quick way to help your skin achieve better makeup results. Choose one that you feel will help benefit you skin of what it's lacking -- brightness/hydration/firmness/etc.
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TONER (day & night) : Apply a gentle toner as this will help prep your skin prior to moisturizing as well as removing any left over dirt or debris on your skin.
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EYE CREAM (day & night) : For those who have fine lines or dryness under the eyes, this is highly recommended as you do not want the makeup to settle in those lines -- making them appear more noticeable.
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SERUM (Optional day/night) : These are great boosters if you're looking for something richer/heavier to target a specific issue -- acne, anti-aging, dehydration, dullness, etc.
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MOISTURIZE (day & night) : Apply your favorite hydrating moisturizer specifically for your skin type. If you plan on taking photos for an event that will go into the night, avoid all moisturizers with SPF that contains titanium dioxide -- it will cause flash back (white cast) with flash photography. However, you should definitely apply sunscreen on a daily basis to protect your skin from sun damage/pigmentation.
If you do not have the proper skincare products, please arrive to your appointment with pre-cleansed face and I will prep the skin for you. However, how you maintain your skin for the days leading up to your appointment, will have an effect on the makeup results. If you are in need of skincare recommendations prior to your appointment day, please don't hesitate to reach out to me! I want to help you achieve the best possible results.
HAIR
Long-lasting curls starts from a dry base. This does not mean having dirty hair (1+ day old of unwashed hair). In fact, I prefer clean hair that is 100% dry because an oily scalp will deflate the natural body in your hair, and may also look greasy -- not a cute look!
You may wash your hair the night before (not the day-of) your appointment, but make sure to blow dry your hair completely through. I style with only hot tools (no hair dryer) so it needs to be completely dried to avoid the hair from sizzling and damaging. To ensure the appointment runs on a timely manner, please do not come with damp or wet hair since this will consume extra time for blow drying.
PHOTOS
Providing visual references is the best way to communicate to your artist how you want your look. Your artist responds faster and have a better understanding when there are photos provided. It is very important that you have this ready for your artist to avoid any confusion and time delay. For example, a smoky eye can mean different for everyone, and having a visual reference would solve this issue.
On the day-of your appointment/event, please provide hair and/or makeup photos (on electronic device/print out) inspirations for your desired look. If you are not sure what style or look you want, Pinterest and Instagram are great tools to find inspiration. Even if the styles are completely opposite (updo, half-up, down-do), bring this to your appointment and your artist will help point you in the right direction.
ATTIRE
TRIAL OR APPOINTMENT : I recommend wearing top with a neckline that with resemble what you will be wearing for the occasion. (ie. Tube top, tank top, spaghetti strap, off-shoulder etc.) This will help give you a better visual of how the hair specifically will wear with the upper-cut of your attire.
DAY-OF-WEDDING : Wearing either a button-down shirt or robe is highly recommending to get ready in to avoid messing up the hair and makeup when it's time to get dressed.
ON-LOCATION SET UP
If your artist is traveling to you for either an appointment or day-of wedding, please have the following set-up ready for your artist to work efficiently.
MAKEUP : Depending on how many artists will be arriving to your location, a table (about 3 ft wide) is needed for each artist. The tables should be cleared off with no personal belongings that will interfere with limited space. Table(s) should be set up near windows with the most natural lighting. The artist can see the most accurate color and tone under natural lighting -- to ensure that the makeup will look even and match to the color of your skin tone.
HAIR : A table (about 2 ft wide) is needed for each stylist, as well as a mirror (big enough for the stylist to see you while you're sitting down) with outlets near by. Usually the restroom would be a good set-up area for hair styling if there is enough room for 2 people to sit and stand. If this is the case, counter tops must be cleared and cleaned to prevent any accidental burning, and make sure that the sink is dried to prevent electrical issues.