JUST FOR FUN...........

I love the Kardashians!! What i like most is the family ambition..........they are hard workers w/ 3 stores: Dash, Dash-Miami, Smooch not to mention the fact that they are spokeswomen for several different products, from dietary to skincare!

They inspire me to do big things :)

DASH/MIAMI

**these pics were taken and sent to me from Miami this week!!! I wish i was there but am planning a trip real soon--stay tuned for my Miami pics :)**

Lata!

THE WEDDING DRESS: MERMAID STYLE

I am really loving the mermaid style wedding dress! It is elegant, sexy, simple yet CLASSIC!!! Todays bride is simple, not really wanting a "fussy" dress you know one doing too much--yet she wants her dress to reveal her personal style and character!

I have selected a few dresses that caught my eye............

white taffeta trumpet gown finished with back buttons and a sweep train. Dress, about $499; sash, about $29, David’s Bridal, davidsbridal.com.

Dazzle your guests in this diamond-white, Italian silk-satin wedding dress featuring a drop waist and buttons down the back, about $7,500, by Romona Keveza, romonakeveza.com.

Show off your figure in this mermaid-style wedding dress, about $7,700, by Ines Di Santo, inesdisanto.com.

Gown by Kenneth Pool

With these classic dresses hair & makeup should also be classic not "dated"! Keep that in mind when selecting your wedding day look

TIPS FOR LONG LASTING MAKEUP ON YOUR WEDDING DAY

It is very important to be CAMERA READY the entire day of your wedding! The ideal makeup application would be airbrush because it lasts up to 18hrs without needing any touch-ups! When researching qualified makeup artists make sure they offer this application so you can try it and decide which application, Airbrush / Traditional, works best for you.

In the event you are not choosing to hire a makeup artist and will be doing your own makeup or allowing a "family friend" to do it as a gift, here are a few tips to help ensure you look great all day!

** FOUNDATION PRIMER**

this is a very important product to have on hand to make sure your foundation blends evenly & stays put!

My fav primer is Smashbox Photofinish Foundation Primer

**EYESHADOW PRIMER**

to make sure your eyeshadow doesn't fade or crease apply the primer before your desired eyeshadow color(s)

My fav primer is Urban Decay Primer Potion

**EYELASH EXTENSIONS**

I recommend adding lashes to your look to bring out your eyes! if you are not comfortable with this and prefer mascara, use a waterproof mascara in case of tears! You dont want black tear streaks down your face!

I dont have a fav lash brand.........you can go to CVS, Walmart or Sallys Beauty Supply to find some!

My fav mascara is L'Oreal Voluminous (Waterproof) (Black)

**EYE KOHL**

You want to line your eyes with a liner that is waterproof as well. So i recommend an eye kohl for easy blending and staying power

As far as brands: MAC; Makeup Forever; Urban Decay (try these brands-they have great waterproof eye pencils)

**LIPS**

I love for lips to be natural with a hint of gloss!

Brands I love are: NARS; IMAN; L'Oreal; Laura Mercier

Primers play a very important role in your makeup application! Without them your makeup will NOT last! So if a professional makeup artist is not in your wedding budget please keep these simple tips in mind!

HIDING BLEMISHES

The wedding day is one of the most important, yet stressful days in a womans life! So of course a blemish will appear out of nowhere.......but no worries, they can be covered and never to be seen again (or at least on the wedding day) LOL

With alittle concealer that ugly pimple will be gone to ensure a "flawless" appearance........

My concealer of choice for this is MAC Full Coverage Concealer.....you want to make sure it matches your skin so when blended out you cannot tell you have anything on!

I recommend putting on your foundation first then going over the blemish(es) with concealer where needed that way your foundation doesn't look cakey and doesn't feel thick/heavy!

Lata!

SIMPLY GORGEOUS

Today i met w/ my bride Desiree.....her wedding is this saturday and today she took her Bridal photos.

I met in her hotel room for hair & makeup (airbrush)

we both got to the valet of the hotel @ the same time and it was a downpore of rain!!! ARG.......but by the time I was done the rain had cleared and she was beautiful :)

the look she is going for is "sultry smokey eye"......so saturday we will go alittle darker on the eye and a more neutral cheek & lip!

here are a few pics of the final look

Lata!

I HAVE A NEW EMAIL!!

My new email address is:

andrea@makeupbyandrea.com

so if you need to book my services please contact me at that address of contact me by phone: 832.483.1994

thanks so much!!

ALWAYS FLORAL

In need of beautifully designed floral arrangements? Sabrina with Always Floral can certainly help with that!

Sabrina will consult with her clients customizing a package meeting the needs down to the most minut detail.

Always Floral offers bridal bouquets, centerpieces, ceremony florals, reception florals and much more! You can view a full menu of products, services and rates below:

http://www.alwaysfloral.com/Home.html

Here are some pictures of some arrangements:

If you or anyone you know needs breathtaking florals contact Sabrina directly: 832.452.8175 (don't forget to tell her Andrea sent you!!)

Stay tuned more great vendor recommendations to come :)

Lata!

PRODUCT OF THE WEEK

Makeup Forever HD Invisible Cover Foundation

This is my favorite foundation at the moment! I use it on myself daily (or when I wear full makeup)...it is very light, yet provides excellent flawless coverage

It is oil-free and can cover any imperfection that you may have on your face!

You can get the foundation from Sephora:

http://www.sephora.com/browse/product.jhtml?id=P217905&categoryId=C13402

The perfect brush to apply this with is the Sigma Flat Top Synthetic Kabuki F80 brush! this is the perfect brush to blend liquid foundation evenly and effortlessly!

You can purchase this brush from me!! just click the Sigma Makeup link (top right-hand corner):

Stay tuned for more product recommendations (cosmetic & hair)

Lata!

HIDING DARK CIRCLES

Dark Circles!!! most women have them bc they are handed down to them by their moms, grandmothers, greatgrandmothers, etc.!

Lack of sleep can cause us to look tired the next day (dark undereye circles) and puffiness.........all things we women hate and us makeup artists are constantly asked to cover or direct clients to products/remedies that can take this issue away

Below is my "take" on tackling those pesky DARK CIRCLES!!

Skin Care Regimen:

Make sure you are using an eye creme w/ a brightning agent in it (2x a day)

(the product should say its treating dark circles)

Products Lines:

Shiseido

L'Oreal

Makeup Product:

My favorite concealer is MAKEUP FOREVER lifting concealer -- it is very light while providing great coverage

(with this product a little goes a long way--so it will last a long time!)

you want to get a concealer that is very close to your skin tone, that way if all you want to do is cover under eye circles without wearing foundation you can!

hope you found this helpful! for more makeup tips make sure you are a fan of this blog--more tips and information to come!

Lata!

WISH UPON A WEDDING

I am so excited about the opportunity to volunteer with a new nonprofit organization launching in Houston. Wish Upon a Wedding is a nonprofit organization that provides weddings and vow renewals to couples facing terminal illness. This is such a worthy cause and I am happy to be a part of it! I’ll keep you posted about all the cool things I know they will be doing soon!

Check out their site and volunteer or donate: www.wishuponawedding.org

5 THINGS EVERY BRIDE SHOULD KNOW WHEN CHOOSING A MAKEUP ARTIST

When a bride is in the process of choosing a makeup artist there are important things she needs to look for to make sure the makeup artist is suitable for her. Every makeup artist is unique and brings different things to the table!

1. Skill--while most artists have great skill every client has different tastes

a makeup trial is ideal before booking your artist; make sure your artist provides this service (which in most cases is an additional fee)

2. Professionalism--makeup artistry is an "artform" so you will find a lot of flakely artists out there! make sure your artist works with contracts to protect themselves as well as the client and runs their business like a business! they should have business cards, a website, resume, portfolio and logo!

3. Testimonials/Reviews (from past clients)-- your artist should allow you to read reviews from past satisfied clients

4. Pictures from past work--your artist should have a portfolio of their work so you can see if their style is your style!

5. Acceptable Rates--one of the most important things (for todays bride) when looking for a makeup artist is finding an affordable one! you don't want to go too cheap (bc you get what you pay for) and in most cases overly expensive doesn't mean the better! in this case check around compare rates/portfolios/resumes and you will be able to tell the going rate for a highly sought after professional makeup artist!

i hope these tips are helpful in the search for a good makeup artist! your wedding day comes ONCE do your research and be prepared bc your makeup is as important as the dress!

Lata!

TKO-3 PHOTOSHOOT

I had a pretty cool photoshoot yesterday morning and the pics are filtering in.........i will post them here as they come in!

Enjoy!

Model: Taylor Thomas

MUA: Me

Photog: Stender Photography

Model: Taylor Thomas

MUA: Me

Photog: M Bradley

Lata!

FOUR SEASONS OPEN HOUSE HAEVP MEMBERS SHOWCASE - DEMERS BANQUET HALL

Today i am at the Demers Banquet Hall promoting MAKEUP BY ANDREA!!!! I am a member of HAEVP (Houston Area Event Vendors & Professionals Organization) and today the Demers Banquet Hall is having an open house to promote our organization!! Cool right?? I will be here until 4pm giving all attendees a discounted rate on bridal services.........so exciting :))

anyway thought i'd share!

Lata!

BRIDAL BEFORE & AFTER

I met with a new client today and she was a "natural beauty"! she wanted a clean look and brought her hair pics for me to copy (which i did).............she was very easy to work with!

HAIR OPTION 1 W/ AIRBRUSH MAKEUP

HAIR OPTION 2 W/ AIRBRUSH MAKEUP

LATA!

MAKEOVER EMERGENCY!!

Today i did a makeover emergency on my mom! she needed her hair done and i threw in a makeup session! she needed to get spruced up even though she had nowhere to go!!

Lata!