Bridal Beauty. Budge-Proof | DC Makeup Artist

It's the summer and as a makeup artist it is my busiest season. Why? Because my Brides keep me busy. Weddings are one of my favorite things to do, and I must always ensure that my brides are budge-proof and beautiful. There are alot of staples I don't leave home without when creating bridal beauty...so check out some products I use for a Budge-Proof Bride! (Kelley for Second City Style)

I'm Wanting... Nars Bridal Palette | Makeup Artist

Okay, I have to say..I have missed the past Bridal Palettes, but every time a new one comes out I am inclined to buy.. Why you say? I love that Nars creates palettes especially for Brides. Meaning it will include some of the most flattering, universal color for Brides.

I love that this palette comes with the ever so popular NARS Orgasm Blush. That is one of my staple blushes for Brides.

This versatile palatte has it all. Some of the most beautiful shadows ranging from beige to dark violet (can you see that violet in the crease! oh boy)... Three gorgeous pink lip colors, face highlighter, and our beloved Nars Orgasm blush.

I want to say this is a great palette for everyday as well. You can go neutral or go glam all in one palette..

I must go out and pick this up.. and you can too at NARS Bridal Palette $65 www.narscosmetics.com

DC Wedding Makeup Artist | Bridal Beauty: Before and After 101

I had the honor and pleasure of working with a beautiful Bride this weekend in Arlington! It's amazing how just 5 months can make you feel as if you have known them forever. Bridal makeup gives a personal peek into the lives of the Bride, because doing some one's face is often a 'private' space. This is someone that is trusting you with their face, and most times your judgement. So, I take so much pride in building relationships with my Brides, as well as giving them the ultimate treatment in makeup.

Here are a few pictures of my Bride this weekend (her before and after). I will also give you a rundown of the products I used

FACE

Foundation/Powder:

Black Opal Foundation Sticks

(I can never go wrong with these sticks, I always find my shade)

MAC Blot Powder

MAC Mineralize Skinfinish for contouring

EYES

Eyebrows; 3 different MAC eyeshadows and Cappacino and Medium Brown pencil

(set with MAC Clear Eyebrow Gel)

Eyeshadow; Face Atelier eyeshadow in peach color and bone, Yaby Cosmetics eyeshadows in crease

Lined with Bobbi Brown Eye Gel in Black; lashes, and tons of Waterproof Mascara

CHEEKS

My favorite go-to's MAC Blush in Slave-to-Love, and Raizen, and MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Blush for highlight

LIPS

MAC Lip Pencil in Whirl, and a cappacino penicl, Sheer burgandy lip gloss on top

(the key was to make her lips neutral so touchups could be a breeze)

When I tell you she was flawless. She was flawless, the pictures doesn't do justice.. She said she had been getting microdermabrasionso her skin was very smooth. It made a huge difference with the application, and the foundation went on ultra smooth.She had the most beautiful weather I have seen for a Bride, and I know her Wedding Day was spectacular!

Kelley Epps-Woods, Beauty Writer

'Design My Wedding'.. Calling all DC/MD/VA Planners and Brides! ..and Giveaway!

You don't want to miss 'Design My Wedding": Wedding Innovator's Challenge!

Decor Challenge Competition*Vendors*Fashion Show*Auction*VIP Reception

Whose Wedding Is It Anyway? featured planner Vicky Johnson will kick off the first leg of a spectacular journey at the Liaison Capitol Hill in her home city of Washington, DC. The “Design My Wedding”: Wedding Innovator’s Challenge is a bridal event that will push the envelope on creativity, philanthropy and showmanship. The event will feature six designer showcases created by teams of the country’s finest special event industry professionals.

These showcases will push the envelope on today’s trends and be voted upon by Washington, DC brides and a panel of Industry Leaders. Informal models will be on hand previewing the season’s newest bridal fashion, musical entertainment as well as food and cake tastings. The blogging brides of DCNearlyweds are the sponsors of our event directory. The wildly savvy bloggettes will be on tap signing copies of the directory and providing their firsthand planning experiences to our visiting brides.

Los Angeles based celebrity wedding and event producer Diann Valentine will be leading the panel of judges, along with Andre Wells of Events by Andre Wells, DC's hottest event producer and Sherry Moeller editor in chief of Capitol File Magazine.

Lastly and most exciting there will be a silent auction to benefit our National charity, Brides Against Breast Cancer. There will be loads of wedding related products and services all up for AUCTION! All bids are starting 50% off of the stated retail value!! And all the proceeds will benefit a fantastic charity. Tickets are on sale NOW only $20 each.

**There will be a ticketed VIP reception happening after the show. Meet and Greet with the Judges and other Industry Who's Who's. Tickets for that are available online as well.

February 21, 2009

The Liason Capitol Hill,

And Affina Hotel

15 New Jersey Ave NW

Washington, DC 10-5pm

**Brides you can register for tickets on the website (www.WeddingInnovators.com)and take off $5 off your ticket by using the promo code, FACEMODE!**

Here is the Giveaway! I am giving away (2) tickets for the General Show! The readers who are Brides or know of a deserving Bride, who responds by email (kelleyepps@gmail.com), guess, and come closest to the the number of Weddings I have done in the past 4 years, will get a ticket to the Wedding Innovators Challenge!(You have 2 picks)

Deadline is: Monday, January 12th, 2009...

Good luck!!!

Dc Wedding Makeup Artist | Weddings are in the Air! Makeup Essentials..

Weddings are in the air, and engagements are fresh from the Holidays, and I am sure getting ready for Wedding Season. I'm gearing up all of my essentials for the season, as well as get my schedule in gear..

Speaking of essentials, there are a few products I shared with you before, that I love for Weddings, and I did want to highlight a few more...

One of my favorites for Brides is the Bobbi Brown Gel Liners. They are absolutely wonderful. They are ultra smooth to apply, and has great staying power. Yes, it is enough for the nonstop crying Bride! I have had one... lol
Do you have favorites you like to use on Brides? What are you favorites?... I have more coming!..
Next would be my Ardell Lashes.. Love them! I sometimes double up to give extra glam.. but they never let me down.

For Cheeks I love Nars Blushes. They are very pigmented, but can be sheered out nicely. Some of my favorite colors are Taj Mahal, and Nars Orgasm.




Next would be my Makeup Forever Aqua Lip Liners! I use these as the liner, and blend all the way into the lip. I then would put a light lipgloss or color, just for shine. This has staying power like no other liners!

Picture source: esteelauder.com and bobbibrown.com

I used Nars Orgasm on this Bride... the perfect peach pink, to tone down the pink in her cheeks but still give her naturally flushed glow..

What are you some of your favorite products for Brides? Are there some you can't live without? Share your comments.

Kelley Epps-Woods

Make Up For Ever High Definition Foundation and Powder

I'm wayyy overdue in mentioning to you the best thing since 'my mama's cake'! For the women who have shied away from the mirror in hopes that you don't see what was once the best foundation you bought, to only realize that it really doesn't match your complexion....

Well, I am pleased to let you know about Make up For Ever's HD Invisible Cover Foundation, and HD Micro finish Powder. These wonderful products were made to meet the need of digital imagery. HD gives us a picture that’s 6X clearer than the average tv. Meaning that every pore, wrinkle, smear, non blended foundation, would be magnified. Cosmetic technologies created for use on HD broadcasts are trickling down to over-the-counter products. What does that mean for you? It doesn't mean your gonna be live on Regis and Kelly, but it does mean that there is hope for those of you who would like to be flawless and concealed a little more discretely.

I have heard stories from many of my Brides, who complained about their foundation in the past and the poor results. So, it was of great pleasure that I was able to let them know about Make Up For Ever's new HD product line. If you are one of those ladies who are not satisfied with your latest foundation, give the HD products a try. It’s an oil-free formulation that gives a lovely soft-focus finish which diffuses the light, thus minimising imperfections. I'm sure you won't be disappointed!

Make Up For Ever, HD Foundation and Powder ($30-40)

....Weddings; Congrats Tsedey and Ijeoma!

So I'm recovering from a long weekend of Weddings. Not only did Hurrican Hanna threaten to throw me into a couple of walls from getting splashed from the cars beside me, but riding through about a foot of water was no fun either. That's what it was like for me heading to my Saturday Weddings.

My first Wedding washed me up at Hotel Monaco for the beautiful Tsedey's Wedding. Looking out the window as her makeup was done, she couldn't help but to wonder., 'Why Today ?'. However, surprisingly she remained in the best of mood, and really excited. It showed that no matter what the day was like, she was getting married, and she was very happy.

My second Wedding took me out to Burtonsville, Maryland where I was greeted by the lovely Ijeoma. Ijeoma and I met 3 years ago, at a Photo Shoot with JLamont (as we called him); real name Jeff.
Her contacting me after 3 years makes me think of what an impression people have of you.  I haven't heard from her in 3 years, but for her to think of me for one of the most important days, her Wedding, was really special. ---

She had a very pleasant, calming presence on her Wedding day... Even though it was clearly raining, I let her know it was slowing down to a drizzle and actually clearing up. She thanked me for being hopeful...but really it was. It did clear. As she walked out her front door to the limo, there was not a raindrop coming from the sky ;-). Yeah!

As I got in my car and headed home, I just thought about... Faith... Faith.. that's the name of the game.. Anything is possible...

Congratulations to Tsedey, and Ijeoma on your Wedding!

Picture Capture: Ijeoma after her FMB Consultation

DC Wedding Makeup Artist | ..some of my favorite Brides..

I just received an email from one of my previous Brides mother, and it sparked memories of the some of my favorite Brides, and their Wedding Day. So, I was compelled to dedicate this post to a few of my favorite Brides. Now, I have had hundreds and I remember every last one of them, but some I have gained great relationships with as well as good times... 


Mareesa and Marlon: Seen in THE KNOTS Real Weddings

Mrs. Melanie had a beautiful Wedding in Annapolis at the new Harbor~

Sherrese and Mom! Sherrese had a beautiful Wedding

at Women's in the Arts Museum in Washington, DC,