Yes we love makeup, and there are always different makeup trends to follow but who doesn’t love a pair of beautiful smoky eyes?

We love having them with metallic hues and sometimes we love to experiment different makeup tricks and colors for our smoky eyes. But having smoky eyes for daytime makeup and wear can be tricky unless done the right way. While it is often tempting to reach out for the black eyeliner and silver eye shadow, there are always better and highly recommended eye makeup options.

Here’s an easy approach to get that daytime appropriate sultry smoky eye makeup.

1. Groom your brows to frame your face before applying eye makeup. This is important to make your eyes standout and your eye makeup looks beautifully finished.

2. With makeup, always start with light tone eye shadows, continue with medium and leave darker shades at the end.

3. Apply a slightly velvety texture eye shadow, light taupe color using a large brush into the center of the lid. Soften the shadow at the crease by flipping the brush. Press the color into the lower lash line.

4. Apply a darker brown shadow using a blending brush in small circular motions into the outer corner. Blend it up into the crease to create an illusion of depth. Always follow your natural eye shape. Tip: Begin with less eye shadow and build up as necessary.

Some of my favorite eye shadows are from NARS, I highly recommend them.

5.  For smoky eyes, one thing to remember is that the liner is meant to define the eyes but is not meant to be seen. Apply the liner starting at the outer corner using short strokes at the base of the lash line. Using a flat brush to smudge the liner in. You have the option to define both lash lines or just choose to define the upper or lower lash lines. Tip: Skip the waterline to make it appropriate for day wear.

Extra tip: If you feel it’s too dark or too much eye makeup, the solution is to blend or use medium eye shadow tones instead of dark. Doing so will create a soft and hazy finish which is perfect for daytime smoky eye look. That is exactly why we call it “Smokey”, because it is not defined nor with sharp definitions.

Do not ever forget!!!

If you don’t want to look like a “Panda Bear” or the tragic “Raccoon Eye” look, never use black and white eye shadows by itself. You will always need to use a hint or accent color.

Follow these steps and tips to get that smoky eye look with just the right amount of sexiness for daytime makeup wear. This beautiful eye makeup look is perfect for all four seasons.

Have fun and practice!

The post 5 Easy Steps and Tips to Create The Perfect Daytime Smoky Eye Look appeared first on Audrey Bethards..

Hello Everyone!

As the law of the land finally begins to acknowledge the love of everyone in the land, I am absolutely elated to work with Same Sex Couples on their wedding day.

What a joyous occasion weddings are, and it is certainly everyone’s right to experience the enchantment of a wedding day and the joyous of celebration of love.

 
Photos by, Ethan Yang Photography!
My personal experience of serving as a professional hair stylist and makeup artist on many Same Sex Weddings has been a privilege and honor.

I wanted to share some wisdom with potential hair and makeup artists and anyone else who is curious about the specific needs of Same Sex Couples on their wedding day.

The following advice is some basic expectations couples have of their bridal/wedding hair and makeup artists.

1. No Judgment

Personally, I believe a weddings and bridal events should be a unique and extremely amazing opportunity to celebrate Love and everything that this may represent. Unfortunately, not everyone feels the same way. Like most people, Same Sex Couples want to be treated like everyone else who will be celebrating their love in nuptials in this very special day. For a hair stylist and makeup artist, this will mean to provide the absolute best of services. Working for wedding clients is indeed one of the most gratifying jobs to have. Because yes, it will require that the hair and makeup artist will deliver excellent quality service on someone’s most important day of their life. But the opportunity of making these brides look and feel like the most beautiful women in the world will be treasured and gratifying experiences in your career!

2. Understanding

Unfortunately, like in any other weddings. Same Sex Weddings could have uniquely sensitive issues that can put a little bit of damper on the day. Specifically sometimes family members will not show or not be happy to be there, but like I mentioned before, this can happen in any other wedding. Knowing to perhaps expect some familial tension will help you know how to handle any situations that may pop up. As a hair and makeup artist it is not your job to fix these issues, but it is important to be understanding, supportive and sensitive.

3. Expertise in the Area

Most of the Same Sex Couples prefer artists with experience in these types of Same Sex Weddings events. It is just comforting to know someone has specific experience and understanding. Obviously, if you are just starting to serve Same Sex Couples (or even weddings in general) you are not quite the expert yet. What you can do is offer to assist experienced artist on Same Sex Weddings to gain invaluable experience in the area. There is no better teacher than experience, so jump on any chance you get to help out as a hair and makeup artist’s assistant at a Same Sex Weddings .You may also want to consider Hair and Makeup Training to learn about these and other types of events and services.

4. Individuality

This should be essential skills for you to have as someone who is or who wants to be in the professional beauty field, but let’s take this opportunity to just get it out in the open:

Every single bride wants to look their best on their wedding day! And every single bride has their own unique styles. The brides are going to want a look specifically tailored to their own personality, wants and needs. It would be catastrophic to have two brides to look the same and not like themselves. Make sure you have a clear communication and openness with the brides to be, and design a very personal bridal look that will be suited to each of their needs, likes and personalities.

5. Bridal Trials / Groom Trials

Often brides- and sometimes even grooms will want to do their bridal trial at the same time, but of course they will not want to know how each other are going to look on their wedding day. As a hair and makeup artist, it will be your job to accommodate this desire to help save them time and money. It would be recommended to schedule their bridal hair and makeup trial on the same day of a Pre-Bridal photo shoot session. This will diminish the issue of knowing how each other are going to look on their wedding day.

P.S. It is wonderful to do these types of trials, so you get to see the excitement of each individual!

6. To Feel Like They’re in Good Hands

For any bride, picking out a hair stylist and makeup artist for their wedding is often a nerve wracking experience. Just like in any wedding, it will not only be your job to deliver your services above expectations, but also do a little reassuring along the way to let the couple they are indeed in good hands. It will be a big plus for you and for the brides to be, if you make your Same Sex Couples know and feel they are in the best hands, and that you are indeed happy, grateful and honored to be a part of their Amazing Wedding Day!

Conclusion

Just like any wedding, it is our job as a bridal hair and makeup artists to make the client feel beautiful, confident and happy! Working in weddings is not something that every Hair Stylist and Makeup Artist in DC or any other state of our nation is cut out for, and that is why it is a difficult field to succeed in. In my advanced beauty training courses, bridal beauty and Same Sex Weddings is something we go into depth in, so if you think you are interested in going into this field read more about my advanced training classes here.

The post Hair and Makeup for Same Sex Weddings in Washington DC – Professional Advice. appeared first on Audrey Bethards..

I am so excited for the beginning of spring! One of my favorite parts about spring is all the cherry blossom themed weddings, and I’m so lucky that I get to do the Cherry Blossom themed hair and makeup for weddings in D.C.!!!
 
To get the best looks for your cherry blossom makeup, especially if you are a bride, I recommend consulting with yours truly. But if for any reason this is not an option, here are some tips and inspirations for a perfect cherry blossom bride look. These tips also work if you are just a guest at the cherry blossom wedding too! Check out the following hair and makeup tips to create the perfect cherry blossom look for weddings or any other springtime occasion.

Hair Tip #1, Use the Cherry Blossoms

Cherry blossoms are only around for a short time, so we should take advantage of their presence in every aspect of the wedding- including your hair. Cherry blossom embellishments add a delicate touch of beauty to any bridal hair style. If you are worried about cherry blossoms wilting or a petal falling off during the ceremony, you could always get fake cherry blossoms to decorate your hair. Michael’s Crafts Stores have some amazing realistic stuff! I personally think there is nothing like the real thing though!

Hair Tip #2, Go Care Free

It is the beginning of spring! There is so much to celebrate! Leave formal hairdos for more serious events. A spring wedding hair style should reflect the celebration of the day. Avoid hair styles that are too complicated, lifeless or stiff, because it will sharply contrast with the delicate nature of cherry blossoms.

Hair Tip #3, Get a little bit on the prairie with it

 There is nothing wrong with going for a more rural chic look for your bridal hair. I’m not talking about pig tails or anything silly like that. Just hair that is carefree and simple in style.

This shows off the natural beauty of your hair, and it helps you fit into the natural beauty of the cherry blossoms.

Makeup Tip #1, Go Natural with Your Foundation

To match the natural beauty of the cherry blossom make sure to choose a foundation that does not add too much bronze, orange or any of that fake tan business. Create a base for your skin that is the soft in hue or even better yet, white porcelain. Only a tiny bit of shimmer should be used! Don’t overdo it, we are doing a delicate cherry blossom theme, NOT Vegas!

Makeup Tip #2, Use the Hues of the Cherry Blossom and Branches for a Diverse Color Palette

The soft pinks, deep and light browns, purples and white of the cherry blossoms tree should be utilized in your wedding makeup palette. Pick out cool, soft tones for the eye shadow, lipstick and blush that enhance your features, but that also blends with the lovely colors of the cherry blossom trees. Try to blend in with the cherry blossoms rather than trying to fight against them!

Makeup Tip #3, Avoid Too Much Makeup

The theme of cherry blossoms is by definition ‘natural’. You don’t want any looks that may look too artificial. Remember that any beauty routine, even a bridal one, enhances YOU. We are not trying to create a different version of you with a pound of makeup, but enhance the YOU that everyone is coming to your wedding to celebrate!

Conclusion,
 
Remember the best look for any bride is a beautiful, smiling and happy one. The beauty of spring can give us some beautiful inspiration to theme our weddings. And with the amazingly beautiful influence of our Cherry Blossoms here in DC, we could just transform any wedding into a total magical event! What a gift to be alive and getting married under the Cherry Blossoms Tree!

“What a strange thing! To be alive beneath cherry blossoms.”  – Kobayashi Issa (Japanese Poet).

Photo Credits, Jen-Fuj-Photography, ElizabethMessina.com, WallPaperWide.com, Victoria Souza Photography.

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