To makeup or not to makeup, that is the question. Somehow, women find themselves in these situations where they’re having a personal debate whether or not to hire a professional for makeup and hair. We’ve actually had a few brides in the past say to us “I can’t believe that I was actually considering doing my own hair & makeup for my wedding day”. That’s a HUGE no-no. Now, I’m not saying that you don’t know how to do your own hair & makeup. That’s not what this is about. Whether it’s your wedding day or you’re just having professional head shots taken, we firmly believe that you should just step back and leave it to the pros. Now, why is that? Well, here are a few reasons as to why you should consider hiring the professionals and reconsider putting down the $5 foundation for that special event.
It’s an art form, not a chore.
Women are constantly on-the-go. We rush out of the house, we work, we have meetings, we have kids, we have to get stuff for dinner AND we barely have any time for ourselves. So many of our past clients have consistently said to us “I wish I knew how to do my makeup like yours”. The reason we know how to do our makeup like this is for two reasons: 1.) years of honing our craft, and 2.) we’re not looking at doing our makeup or hair as a chore. If you wake up and only give yourself 5 minutes in the car to do your makeup and hair, you’re never going to change the way you do your makeup, because it’s routine. As artists, you’re forced to step outside of your normal routine or comfort zone and step into honing your craft. By creating new looks as well as making huge mistakes, it’s all a part of the craftsmanship involved in being an artist.
This is our profession, not a hobby.
It’s my funniest pet-pieve when a client puts a professional makeup artist or hair artist in the same category as their best friend who ‘does her own makeup well’. Speaking on behalf of all of the professional mua (makeup up artists) and hair artists out there, there’s a HUGE difference. Here’s a mini cheat sheet that will help you determine the difference between the two :
Professional Hobby
PRO kit for clients only Uses their personal makeup on clients
Has foundation for ALL skintones only has selected few
Knowledge of ALL skin types only familiar w/ own’s skin type
Confident with ALL eye shapes confident w/ eyeshape like own’s eyes
Knows timing and efficiency may not be aware of timing or efficiency
Acts ALL hygienic/safe work codes may know hygienic/safe work
These are just some of the most common differences between a professional artist and someone who just does it ‘on the side’. Now, that’s not to say that someone doing this as a hobby will NEVER become a professional. That crossover happens all the time. However, we’ve been in the industry for almost 11 years now and it takes some serious dedication, determination, and education to achieve the title of being a ‘pro’ in this profession.
Lighting.
Oh, the lighting. The beauty and the beast, quite frankly. Lighting and cameras can either be on your side or against you completely, when it comes to makeup. To someone who may not be used to doing makeup in different light settings, they’ll soon understand that not doing someone’s makeup in the right lighting can be your biggest downfall. For makeup artists, lighting is everything. It tells you the mood, it tells you what will look the best, and it tells you whether you did the job perfectly or not. For example, if my client is getting married outdoors and she’ll be in natural sunlight majority of the time, I’m going to do her makeup completely different than if she was getting married in the late evening indoors. For example, blush is one of the hardest concepts for some brides to understand. Some don’t like blush or bronzer because they feel a little overdone. However, the moment you move from the indoor/studio lighting, to outside on a sandy, white beach, you’ll soon understand how big a difference the lighting has on the overall look of the makeup. We’ve also had situations where we show up to do the makeup and we’re in the darkest room in the house. As an artist, having your own source of lighting is crucial, regardless of the setting. Ashley has a professional lighting system from a company called Glamcor, which is specifically designed for the makeup artist in mind. Their lighting mimics natural-outdoor lighting which has a blue cast vs. indoor lighting which is naturally yellow. Genius! You can even try this at home. Do your makeup in the mirror at home and then go to a store or public restroom where there’s florescent lighting. Believe us, you’ll be able to tell the difference right away.
We know what you NEED over what you WANT.
As we’re gearing up and rapidly booking for 2013, it’s definitely trial time! A trial is when a client comes into our studio, shows us the look their wanting for their big day, and then we try it out.
We have them bring images of what they would like to encompass for their ideal look and then we try it out. But sometimes what a client wants may not necessarily be what they need. Let me explain. Recently, we had a client that was absolutely stunning and in her early 20s, request a makeup and hairstyle that was completely outdated. Now, I’m all for bringing back a style from another decade and making it your own. For example, this year was all about the 1920s finger wave hairstyle and old Hollywood glamour look. I love it ! However, when a bride shows you a picture of a crispy, crunchy 80s updo and a makeup picture to match, I have to give my honest and best professional opinion. You want to be able to look back at your wedding/special event pictures years from now and look “timeless”. You never want to look back at your pictures and say “what the hell is my hair doing in these pictures” or “why did I let that artist do a blue smokey eye with pink lips?”. As professionals, it’s our do-diligence to bring out the best in our clients inside and out. So, you sometimes just have to trust your artist that they know what they’re doing and we know what you need over what you want.
In conclusion, the choice is ultimately yours. We’ve seen images of brides that have done their own makeup and hair on their wedding day, and they look naturally great. Actually, if you do decide to do your own hair and makeup, you may want to consider getting professional advice before the big day. Otherwise, put your trust in the best artists you’ve researched and have fun. That’s what it’s all about. Your special day should be fun, excited, and reassuring that you’ve made the right choice in choosing your professional vendors. There are a lot of blogs out there today that list vendors information, even listing the professionals that they recommend. Some of our favorite sites such as “Style Me Pretty”, “The Wedding Chicks”, “the Knot” and plenty others showcase helpful information that will be sure to relieve the stress of what a lot of brides go through in the planning phase. Be sure to check out Style Me Pretty and the Wedding Chicks to view some of our most recent weddings. And remember, a picture is worth a lifetime, so do it right the first time. XOXO
FINALLY, the wait is over! If you’re into Style Me Pretty like the majority of our clients, then you better get ready. SMP is coming out with it’s first ever BOOK, which is hitting the stands in December 2012. We had the honor of being the hair & makeup artists for this amazing COVER SHOOT with the ever-so-talented wedding photographer Jose Villa and the brainchild behind it all was Joy Proctor from Joy de Vivre.
You can order your book right now for pre-sale online or you’re just gonna have to wait until X-mas. Or you can cheat a bit and wait until Style Me Pretty releases a sneak-peek on http://www.stylemepretty.com. XOXO
makeup & hair : Ashley & Christin of LunaBella
photography: Jose Villa
coordination/set: Joy de Vivre
By Jen Rodriguez
Though I love a big wedding celebration, sometimes it’s the intimate affairs that really speak to my heart. They’re just so cozy and comfy and pared down to the most meaningful of details. And with a backdrop like San Ysidro Ranch, there’s no going wrong. This Santa Barbara gem has seen many a couple tie the knot, and ALWAYS, ALWAYS delivers on the romantic ambiance. Now add to that the gorgeous images captured by Jen Rodriguez Photography and we’re all in for quite the pretty ride. See more of this sweet day in the gallery!
Photography by Jen Rodriguez Photography
Photography by Jen Rodriguez Photography
Click here for the FULL wedding!
From Jen Rodriguez Photography… Alicia and Matt had an intimate Santa Barbara wedding with just close family and friends. The couple is from Los Angeles and wanted a semi-destination wedding for the family that would be traveling from states away. The wedding day started at the Fess Parker DoubleTree hotel in Santa Barbara, CA. The bride and groom both got ready at the hotel and opted to do a “first look” before leaving together to the courthouse. After arriving at the courthouse they tied the knot with 34 people in attendance. One request the bride did have was for one picture with every guest in attendance which was easy to do on the courthouse steps. Everyone then made there way over to the amazingly beautiful San Ysidro Ranch. The guests were able to sit in an intimate private dining area and enjoyed a beautiful dinner.
Photographer: Jen Rodriguez Photography / Wedding Coordinator: Sophie Spiers at Amazing Days Events / Ceremony Officiant: Rich Tobin / Ceremony Site: Santa Barbara Courthouse / Reception Site: San Ysidro Ranch / Musician: Teahouse Company / Flowers: Anita Krissel / Makeup + Hair: Leah Herzberg of Luna Bella / Here comes the Bride Sign + Love Birds Cake Toppers: Bragging Bags / Favors: Burlap Bag with Wildflowers Seeds, Logo from Wedding Chicks / Bride’s Dress: Nicole Miller / Shoes: Badgley Mischka / Groom’s Suit: Dolce & Gabbana / Groom’s Shoes: Prada
Check out Amber & Nick’s Wedding featured on the Style Me Pretty blog by way of the outstandingly creative photographer, Braedon Flynn of Braedon Flynn Photography. Amber and her bridal party were awesome ! Wanna see more of our hair & make-up at Amber’s wedding? Click through the FULL GALLERY on Style Me Pretty .
There is just something special about, simply put, a wedding in a barn. They can be rustic, they can be chic, they can be totally homegrown, and so often they are a fab combination of all three. The proof is in the big, wooden building of this Santa Barbara vineyard wedding. Braedon Photography captured a brilliant day of love, cupcakes (from Enjoy Cupcakes, no less), and farm eye-candy, tied it up in a pretty little twine bow and sent it our way. Ready for a peek? Don’t forget to check out the whole fantastic affair in the gallery!
Venue: Tres Hermanas Winery & Vineyard / Wedding Dress: Modern Trousseau, from The White Dress / Hair and Makeup: Luna Bella Makeup / Shoes: Calvin Klein / Hairpiece: The White Dress / Groom Suit: Hugo Boss / Photography: Braedon Photography / Invitations & Paper Goods: DIY / Cupcakes: Enjoy Cupcakes / Band: Wayward Sons
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This wedding has my heart. And yes, I realize weddings grab at my heart all the time, but this one just does casual chic so well it REALLY has a hold on my ticker. With a dash of casual, a whole lotta elegant, and a smidgen of fun (hello airstream dessert table with treats from Enjoy Cupcakes!), my heart rate is off the charts. Jen Rodriguez Photography and Joy De Vivre are fully responsible for my increased heart rate, and I love them for it. The full gallery of images is just that – FULL – so don’t forget to stop on by!
Click here to see the entire gallery of images!
Any day that involves a gorgeous wedding by Jose Villa is a great day in our book so it looks like one of those really, really great days is in the forecast for Style Me Pretty. Go ahead, we’ll give you a moment to dance a little jig. This Santa Ynez wedding is definitely worth a little dancing, a little quickening of the heartbeat and yes, even a few squeals. We have a whopping three parter coming your way and each part is even more out of control beautiful than the last if you can believe it. Of course, with a genius like Jose Villa behind the camera, we just know every single image is going to be complete and total perfection. And pair that with some breathtaking Fall-icious florals from Modern Day Design and you have the makings of pure wedding insanity.
Photography by Jose Villa
Photography by Jose Villa
see all of the gorgeous details in the gallery!
From the beautiful bride Jill…
Sam and I met our freshman year of collage, became friends, then became very good friends. It took us eight years before we started dating and just two to get married. When we finally stood across from each other at the altar to say our “I do’s,” we couldn’t wait to start the rest of our lives together as husband and wife. Having a shared love for the outdoors and getting a little dirty, we chose to get married at a vineyard outside of Santa Barbara where I grew up as a child. The setting could not have been more beautiful with all its rustic elegance and charm – and when filled with our friends, family, and boot-stompin’ bluegrass, it was everything we had dreamed about.
We both agreed the ceremony was the most important aspect of our wedding, but beyond that, we really wanted to have an awesome party for our family and friends. Sam wanted a banjo and plenty of booze, I wanted, well, what every girl dreams of. But, if I had to prioritize, I wanted pretty paper, natural flowers, and creative photography.
The ceremony: The ceremony itself was our favorite part of the day. It was personal, meaningful, and felt really intimate. Standing under an oak tree, we were accompanied by Sam’s sisters and brothers, my “bro-of-honor” and three of my cousins. I just remember laughing and smiling and feeling like I was floating! To look out and see so many faces of so many special people! Amazing. My cousins sang an acoustic version of our favorite hymn, setting the tone for the entire evening.
The pretty paper: I love paper. As a designer, I had always been so excited by the prospect of creating my own invitations. I wanted the invites to set the mood and relay the feeling of casual, rustic elegance… and be a bit eclectic. I got to combine different paper types, letterpress, manila tags, book binding ribbon, calligraphy, and vintage postage from a local stamp collector! Inside our reception barn was a mural of the vineyard that I adapted into vintage postcards for our RSVP cards and table numbers. (I even had guest calling me to RSVP because they did not want to part with the postcard.)
Of course, we have so much more to share with you. We’ll be back in just a bit with even more from this beautiful day.
Photography: Jose Villa / Venue: Crossroads Estate, Firestone Vineyard, Santa Ynez, California / Videographer: Lola Video / Floral Design: Modern Day Design / Wedding Gown: Vera Wang / Bride’s Shoes: Campbell / Groom’s Suit: Banana Republic / Bridesmaid’s Dresses: J. Crew / Hair and Makeup: Luna Bella / Invitations and Programs: Designed by Bride – Pulp & Pixel, printed by AccuColor / Calligraphy: Write by Mike / Ceremony Music: Jason Sulkin / Reception Band: The Clumsy Lovers / Caterer: Duo Events / Wedding Cake: Solvang Bakery / Coordinator: Robin Sonner (no website) / Officiant: Jono Shaffer
Firestone Winery, Jose Villa Photography, Lola Film & Video and LunaBella Make-up and Hair are members of our Little Black Book.
Welcome to the official LunaBella Make-up & Hair Blog 2012. We’re excited for two reasons : 1) that you followed us from Blogspot and you’re continuing to show us support, or 2) that you’re new to following us and we have so much to show you. If you haven’t heard of us yet, allow me to introduce who we are. We’re LunaBella, an on-location make-up & hair company that specializes in production & photoshoots, weddings, & body art. Our work has been featured on popular wedding blogs such as “Style Me Pretty”, “Wedding Chicks” and “Bitchy Bride”, as well publications such as Santa Barbara Magazine, Select Magazine & the amazingly gorgeous book on elegant event design by Nico Cervantes, ” L is for Love”.
We’ll be featuring a lot of our older work….like our work when we just started our business (ahhhhh!!!) , and we’ll keep you up to date on what we’re currently doing. Whether we’re working an editorial photoshoot, a vineyard wedding , or a fashion show, you’ll be right there every step of the way.
Wanna know a little more about us ? Check out our “Who is LunaBella ?” Page on the blog. Also, please visit our website to view our Full Gallery of our past clients & work. http://www.lunabellaartists.com or call us at 1 (888) 985-1112 .
LunaBella Makeup & Hair 