I don't want to Wear Foundation!!!! September 2012 As Summer looms and the heat and humidity intensifies, I know that I a less inclined to want to wear foundation if I can help it. I don't know about you, but if you were to look in my bathroom cabinet, you would find at least 10 different Tinted Moisturisers and BB Creams – ranging from being quite cheap to expensive. They live in that cabinet and do not ever make an appearance on my face – WHY??? They all either seem to be the wrong colour – seriously, are the shades "light", "medium" and "dark" going to suit all different skins? Definitely NOT! Or, they are loaded so much with Sunscreen, that I feel like may have well just applied a thick layer of zinc to my face, and you could see yourself in the shiny reflection of my face, or they are simply too thick or thin in consistency to achieve that "natural look" that we all strive to achieve. My solution :) There are two options here. The 1st being, wear a really light, thin layer of mineral powder foundation over the skin, just brushing it on the areas that really need it to even out the skin tone – it will feel natural & non-existent – but the downfall is that you will still need to moisturise prior to the application…. Or……. My personal favourite:- - Invest in a small container
- Combine EQUAL PORTIONS of your LIQUID FOUNDATION and your DAILY MOISTURISER into the container and mix………(and if you are like me – blessed with a beautifully OILY skin type, also add some of your OIL CONTROLLER solution, if you have one, into this mix, to control the shine in your Tzone)
- Then, using a spatula, scoop a small amount out and apply as you would your normal moisturiser.
AND….. You have just created your own TINTED MOISTURISER that will be perfectly colour matched to your skin tone, and will have the moisturising/SPF benefits that you need for your skin type! I have been doing this for years, and it always gives a very Natural look, yet just evens out the redness and blemishes that pop up, but is brilliant for the days, that you don't want to wear "foundation" as such! Enjoy creating your OWN Tinted Moisturiser!! xxx Are we CRAZY for giving you that Makeup Start Time? June 2012 When it comes to Weddings, TIMING is the key to success. When we tell you what time that we need to start the Make-Up, you may think we are crazy! But you should trust us when we tell you how much time we will need. You would much rather have too much time with them than not enough. Please bear in mind that we need the time to do our job, but we are also very conscious of the jobs of your other wedding suppliers – for example, if we are not finished the makeup in time for the photographer, our delay cuts into their timing, and you may not get the photographs that you were hoping for – and the photographer is not going to be impressed with us either! Another great way to relieve some of the stress associated with your special day is to hire a mobile Hair Stylist as well, so there are no delays associated with going to a hair salon. From experience, your normal “hairdresser” may not be the best option on your wedding day, as they are not doing “upstyles” or intricate hair styles all the time, and often they can take longer than a mobile wedding hair stylist to perfect the look you are after, which in turn affects our timing – we were at a hair salon once waiting to the do the makeup, and we were delayed by 1.5hrs – a MAJOR delay for a wedding day! Over the years we have seen many unfortunate things happen to a bride on a wedding day – many of these have been unexpected things that have not been forseen prior to the day, but have then caused delays on the wedding day – we never want to be the cause of any delays, and if a delay does occur, we always have the time up our sleeve for these. So to summarize – we know what we are doing, and do it over and over and over again every weekend – so please, when you are given a “start time” for makeup, please trust our judgment and decision on this, as we have taken all the factors of your wedding (ceremony time, photographer time, No. of ladies etc) into account before making this decision. Vintage Themed Makeup April 2012 By KJ Artistry With vintage themes taking over this year in wedding trends, Id like to touch on the topic of Vintage wedding makeup. The Vintage look for Brides is a combination of flawless foundation in pale shades, very neutral eye makeup and blush, the classic black liquid eyeliner applied smoothly, topped off with Bright Red lips. To create and keep this look flawless for the duration of your wedding (at least 12 hours) you need to invest in a colour stay lipstick with a 10-12 hour guarantee against wear and fading. The Bright red lips are the cornerstone to this look. Some lip colours that have been proven to withstand the kissing, drinking, eating and remain on the lips are: Mac Pro, Long wear lipcolour. l'oreal Paris: Infallible and Estee lauder – Double wear lipstick 12hr. Are My Woolies Cosmetics Good Enough for my Wedding Day March 2012 By KJ Artistry Professional Make-Up Artists generally only use the Best Brands and Products when it comes to cosmetics (or at least they should!). Quality cosmetics that can be used in a professional manner, are often out of the general consumers price range for everyday use, however these cosmetics are made to be more durable, and are made with the highest quality ingredients. They also have better long term wear than the ‘over the counter’ varieties that many women use on a daily basis. Your Wedding or special event, is something to be remembered with joy & incredible memories. And a Make-Up Artist can take the best quality cosmetics and tools (brushes) and apply them Professionally for a flawless, stunning finish on the best blank canvas there is; your own natural beauty. Your beauty will be enhanced by these superior cosmetics and professional application, and the results should leave you feeling nothing less than Spectacular on your special day. The Pros & Cons of Hiring a Makeup Artist, as Opposed to Doing Your Own Wedding Makeup February 2012 By KJ Artistry Your Wedding is the most organised, beautiful and treasured day of your life. It is your new beginning with your Soul mate. We spend a small fortune getting this one day absolutely perfect. Photographers and Videographers capture every moment of this special day, and every Bride wants to look the very the very best version of themself! There are pros & cons to doing your own wedding makeup, but let’s start with the pros for having a makeup artist make you look amazing... Having a Make-Up Artist ensures that there is one less thing for you to worry about. You won’t have to rush around, because most artists will come to you at your hotel, home or Hair salon. Makeup artists know what colours to use, to match the style of your wedding and still leave you looking like YOU at the altar. Makeup artist’s undergo specialized training and know [and should] use the best products on the market; these are professional grade products and are far superior to the standardised makeup’s you get at a supermarket. Makeup artists will make you look amazing and after all, this is a time to be pampered; put your feet up, relax and enjoy the experience. Another great reason to hire a Make-Up artist is for possibly the first time ever you will have a foundation that 100% matches your skin tone and eyes that truly ‘pop’ in photos. Makeup artists also know all the tricks to hiding those pesky blemishes that often show up when least wanted, like pimples. Many also have specialized skills in applying false lashes. As with everything there are cons to hiring a Make-Up artist too; and they are: that they do cost money- and this can be stretching your already exhausted budget. When doing your own makeup for your wedding you know exactly what the end result will be - especially if you apply makeup on a daily basis. You do need to be confident in your make up skills and unfortunately doing your own makeup can result in not enough coverage in photos; Or too much powder which can actually age your skin. Photos and Video are extremely sensitive to skin blemishes, if there are any there; you can guarantee the photo will show it! After spending all that money on your Wedding memories, you would want to be sure to look your absolute best in them! Regardless of whether you choose to hire a makeup artist or apply your own, you should definitely invest the time and money in having a trial first. 2012 Bridal Makeup Trends 11th January 2012 By KJ Artistry 2012 is set to kick off with another year of STUNNING bridal makeup, as with last year we are set to see natural makeup that creates a gorgeous glowing complexion with soft definition on the eyes and a natural looking lip. The trend for 2012 has eyes that are defined, brows are groomed, lashes are long and fluttery, and cheeks and lips that look kissable and glamorous. World-renowned hair and make-up artist Christabel Draffin has these tips for bridal makeup “Bridal make-up should look like the best version of yourself, so you feel confident, radiant and glowing. I like as little foundation as you can get away with – many brides mistakenly think they need more – but extra definition on the eyes, a slightly deeper lip colour and more blush is good as you are being photographed.” Once again Smokey eyes and false eyelashes will be continuing to make an appearance at weddings this year; however expect to see some softer colours used on the eyes. Shades of grey, purple , green, silver, bronze and creams will be matched with a natural makeup colour pallet and accompanied by false lashes, resulting in eyes that really pop in your wedding photos. Uzo Lead Stylist from NARS International had this to say when asked his predictions for the 2012 makup trends ” We will continue to see a bold eyebrow but this season, it is well-groomed and accentuated with just enough eyebrow shadow or pencil to make a statement without overdoing it. Radiant skin that is healthy-looking, glowing and very pretty.” Kylie-Jane x KJ Artistry - 2011 WINNER Best Makeup Artist in QLD (ABIA) Why We Are Mad About Mineral Makeup!! 24th October 2011 By KJ Artistry Some people LOVE Mineral Make-Up, other people HATE Mineral Make-Up, lets take an objective look at both Mineral & Liquid Foundations - PRO'S OF LIQUID MAKEUP •Good coverage •Wide range of colors to choose from •Often less expensive than mineral makeup •A wide variety of brands and prices CONS OF LIQUID MAKEUP •If you apply with your fingers, it's very messy, and it's sometimes difficult to wash off •Can feel greasy and heavy on your face •I've heard some ladies explain that it's like wearing a "mask" •If you have large pores, they can be more noticable with the wrong type of liquid foundation PRO'S OF MINERAL MAKEUP •Very easy to apply •You can't even tell you have it on. Nice and lightweight •You can blend or layer colors to suit your skin tone •Covers redness well CONS OF MINERAL MAKEUP •Can be expensive, depending on what brand you purchase •Can leave a mess behind after application (if using a Loose Mineral Powder) •Can feel slightly dry at first, and then the skin settles in approx 20mins after application. At KJ Artistry – we use Jane Iredale's Pure Pressed Foundations (rrp $83), and here's why - •The look is sheer and semi-matte. The feel is weightless. •UVA/UVB SPF 20 broad-spectrum sun protection •A foundation, powder, concealer and sunscreen all in one •Very water-resistant and highly pigmented •Applies evenly and easily, providing long-lasting, gorgeous coverage •Light diffusing properties make skin look flawless, healthy and younger •Minimizes pores and fine lines •No oil, talc, dyes and parabens •Gentle, safe for sensitive eyes and formulated with good-for-the-skin ingredients •Crease-resistant and long-lasting •May be applied wet or dry to complement any look •Great for shading, highlighting, contouring and lining We carry both Liquid foundations and Mineral Foundations within our Kits. Whilst our preference is to use our Mineral range (based on why they are so great, as above), we use the foundation that we feel is best suited to each individual client that we meet. Perhaps a happy medium if you are not sure which you would prefer- why not try a Liquid Mineral Foundation :) Contact us at KJ Artistry, if you would like more info on Foundations, and what would be best for you & your skin! Kylie-Jane x KJ Artistry – 2011 WINNER, QLD ABIA Awards (Best Make-Up Artist) It Pays To Pay a Professional 10th October 2011 By KJ Artistry I can't stress enough that it "Pays to Pay a Professional". When it comes to your wedding day, you want it to be perfect! Perfect does not mean that you need to get a personal loan out just to afford the day, but there will be certain things that you won't want to skimp on. Once your wedding day is over, you are left with memories and photos – and in those photos you will forever see your hair and make-up! Do you really want to look back in years to come and regret that you chose to do your own makeup, or that you let your bridesmaids do their own, and they look uncannily like a character from the movie, Priscilla Queen of the Desert? I often am at weddings, where the Bride has given the Bridesmaids the option to pay to have their makeup done, or to just do it themselves. And without fail, when they are doing it themselves, I find myself in the position of having to let them know the "do's" and "don'ts" of what to do with their makeup. It is not just a simple as applying your "everyday makeup" - I wish it were, but NO! As a Make-Up Artist doing the makeup for a wedding, my job is to make sure that your makeup not only looks flawless, when you are face to face with your husband and guests, but also, that your makeup is perfect for the photography, as if we don't do our job properly, your poor photographer is left to photoshop all your pics…. I am sure they "won't be happy Jan!". Your normal every day makeup just won't cut it! Whilst, yes you will save money, you may regret your decision forever more, when you gaze at your wedding pics hanging on the wall, for many many many years to come! The moral of this Blog – IT PAYS TO PAY A PROFESSIONAL (and I am not just talking about Make-Up :) ) Kylie-Jane x KJ Artistry - 2011 WINNER Best Make-Up Artist in QLD (ABIA Awards) Don’t Be Afraid to Say – I Love It, but Can We Change This……. 9th September 2011 By KJ Artistry As a Professional Wedding Makeup Artist, we have been honoured to "glam" up hundreds of Brides over the years. Now I would be kidding myself, if I were to think that EVERY BRIDE was going to LOVE their makeup the minute they saw it at the Trial, and not want any changes – that would obviously be the ultimate dream for any makeup artist, but seriously, I would be kidding myself if that were the case. At KJ Artistry, we LISTEN TO OUR BRIDES – we chat at the start of our trials about all the little details of your wedding. Everything from your dress colours, to flowers to jewellery etc etc. WHY? Because we want to feel the passion that you do for your wedding, and get the "feeling" & "style" of your wedding, so we can create the perfect makeup look that will link the the theme. We encourage you to bring pictures of makeup "looks" that you like, and from there we chat about all your makeup preferences, sesitivities and dislikes. From Listening to you, we then begin the FUN PART – the MAKEOVER!!! Once we have completed the "look", from the info that we have gathered from our discussions with you, you are then encouraged to "check yourself out" (yes we give you permission to do so!!! Haha!). We like to make it very clear at our trials, that if you have any changes that need to be made – please SAY SO!! As daunting as it might be for you to say, we need to know. And it can be the smallest thing that we have to change to make it PERFECT FOR YOU! I know in numerous instances, I have changed a lipstick colour, or added/subtracted eyeliner, and it has made the makeup PERFECT for that bride – and guess what… it only took me less than a minute to do, and the bride leaves 100% happy! I also encourage you to "check yourself out" all through the day after having your makeup trial, so you can see if there are any changes to be made that you didn't think of at the trial…. We are always more than happy to alter a planned "look" on a wedding day, to suit a Brides thoughts. So the moral of this article is - Don't be afraid to talk to your makeup artist and be honest!!! If your makeup artist is a professional, she won't break down crying, or throw a lipstick at you in anger (although that would be funny to see!!). NO… she should smile, take your thoughts on board and happily make the changes – after all, it is YOUR SPECIAL DAY and she should want you to look amazing, and to be 100% happy! Just also bear in mind, that sometimes a makeup artist will do certain things to your makeup to make it "wedding makeup" as such and so it is durable for distance of a wedding day…. It will be different to your "everyday makeup", so you will need to keep that thought in the back of your mind. If you want your makeup to look exactly how you do every day my advice for you is – DO IT YOURSELF :) we will never exactly match your makeup, as we are not you :) The only other piece of advice I would like to impart to Brides, is to please remember that you are paying us to stress for you :) You just need to book us, and we will do the rest for you. We often will liase with your other wedding suppliers to find out necessary details that we need, or to coordinate dates for trials, and we will give you start times & advice that we feel is appropriate for YOUR WEDDING. Please do not compare your wedding with "a friends wedding" because we are providing an individual service for YOUR WEDDING! Weddings are our job & passion, and we do them every weekend… we want you to look SPECTACULAR and would do nothing to jeopardise that, in our planning for your wedding! Kylie-Jane x KJ Artistry – 2011 Best Makeup Artist in QLD (ABIA Awards) Your Make-Up Trial - Tips on Getting the Most for Your Money! 24th July 2011 By KJ Artistry Learn from QLD's Number 1 Bridal Make-Up Artist - Kylie-Jane (from KJ Artistry), about how to get the most for your $$$$ with your Wedding Make-Up! Your wedding day is looming, and it is now time to book in with your Make-Up Artist for a Wedding Trial. Trials are fantastic for spending time with your make-up artist and really sussing out the exact "look" that you are after for your wedding day. A trial will normally take approx 60-90mins, and this is the time where various eye/lip colours/techniques can be tried. For those brides who are thinking that a trial is unnecessary and they can "play around with the makeup" on the day, this may not be the case, if time does not allow. We meet with our Brides at our Studio, where we have loads of pictures & ideas to get the creative juices flowing! I have popped some tips below for you to get the most out of your Trial & your $$$!!! •Wear a zip up or button up shirt to your appointment if possible, so as not to mess up your hair or make-up. Also, make sure your shirt is a similar colour to your wedding dress, as various bright colours will reflect onto the face, and you wont get a "true" look at the finished product. •Be vocal. Don't be shy about what you want! Bring pictures from a magazine of a look that you might want to try. •Be honest! Let us know your likes and disklikes. We are able to offer ideas and alternatives to suit your look. We encourage our brides to let us know if there are any changes to be made, so that we can PERFECT the look you are after! It can be something as minor as adding gloss over a lipstick that will make you look in the mirror and say "THAT'S IT!! ITS PERFECT!! I LOVE IT!" (I know, because lots of our brides use that phrase often...haha!!). •Be alert! Let your us know in advance about any skin allergies you may have, so precautions are taken, and the appropriate products are used. •Facials and waxing should be done no later than 1-2 weeks before the "big day" to avoid adverse skin reactions (we have seen some very nasty skin reactions on some of our Brides wedding days, and it is not pretty!). •Bring along your earrings (if you have them) to the trial, as they can often help you visualise what you will look like on your wedding day. (Same goes for the wedding veil or fascinator too). •I encourage our Brides to have their hair trial on the same day, so you can see how both the hair and makeup work together to create the look that you are visualising. Sandi from Rolling Scissors is the 2011 ABIA Winner for Best Hair Stylist in QLD - we work with her regularly and are constantly amazed by the fabulous hair styles she creates - We recommend you contact her for any hair queries you might have. •Enjoy being pampered! This is a great opportunity for you to learn about what type of make-up and skin care works for you - it is not often that you get a fantastic chance to spend time with a professional who wants to see you looking your best, and can offer some real guidance about what products would be best of your skin. I personally am a Cosmetologist as well as Make-Up Artist, so I encourage my brides to meet with me for a Skin Care Consultation, so we can check that your current skin care regime is suited to your skin type and skin needs - or if you dont know what a skin care regime is - I can suggest one for you :) I'm happy to answer any other questions you might have about your Wedding Make-Up - contact me at KJ Artistry! Kylie-Jane xx KJ Artistry 2011 ABIA WINNER - QLD Number 1 Make-Up Artist | 
