How to get prepped for your Prom

Have a month to prep for prom? Or maybe just a week? Or only hours??

Getting ready for prom is a big deal! So to help you out, I’ve decided to put together a to-do list to make things a little easier on you.

Makeup by Savannah Belsher-MacLean; Photo by Katelyn Fraser Photo

ONE MONTH BEFORE PROM:

– Haven’t got your dress yet? Visit vintage shops and thrift stores to find something fun, affordable, and different from everyone else’s.

Book your makeup and hair appointments. Depending on where you live/how big your school is, it is probably a good idea to do this about two-three months before prom…but if it’s already one month away, book it now to avoid being disappointed! Remember that these appointments often run behind on busy days, so make sure you allow for ample time between point A, point B, and everywhere in between.

– Choose your shoes and break ’em in! Trust me, you do not want to be worrying about blisters on prom night when you and your friends are all dress up and ready to boogie.

– Find some fun and pretty accessories to go with your dress. Don’t forget any possible hair accessories, too!

Makeup by Savannah Belsher-MacLean; Photo by Katelyn Fraser Photo

ONE WEEK BEFORE PROM:

– Communication is key, but visuals are much easier under pressure. Do some Google searches online of makeup looks and hair styles that you’re drawn to, and print off your favourites to take with you to your appointments, or email them to your makeup artist and hair stylist.

– Confirm all reservations and appointments. Have your dress? Shoes? Accessories? Date? Prom tickets? Dinner reservations? Transportation? Make sure you and your date are on the same page for meeting time and location, etc.

– WEAR SUNSCREEN EVERYDAY and DO NOT GET BURNED. You do not want to be the red lobster girl in all the photos. You don’t want to be the flakey snakey, either.

– Order a boutonniere for your date. And maybe gently remind him to order you a corsage…

– Try on your dress to be sure it still fits. If it’s a little tight or big, do not stress. Remember: it fit only a month ago, so a week of healthy eating should do the trick.

Makeup by Savannah Belsher-MacLean; Photo by Kimberly Rashed Photography

FOUR DAYS BEFORE PROM:

– Hair removal (shaving or waxing) should be removed a few days in advance to avoid red bumps, skin irritations, and (for facial waxing) allow for a smoother surface .

Makeup by Savannah Belsher-MacLean; Photo by Kimberly Rashed Photography

THREE DAYS BEFORE PROM:

– Drink lots of water for the next three days to give your skin an extra healthy glow.

– Make sure you know where you’re going…GoogleMaps is your friend when it comes to arriving to your hair and makeup appointments on time. Print off the directions if need-be.

Makeup by Savannah Belsher-MacLean; Photo by Kimberly Rashed Photography

TWO DAYS BEFORE PROM:

– Any tweezing that needs to be done can be done today.

– If your dress has gotten wrinkled in the closet, have it steamed at the dry cleaners.

Makeup by Savannah Belsher-MacLean; Photo by Kimberly Rashed Photography

ONE DAY BEFORE PROM:

– Get a manicure and/or pedicure, if you like. Since nail polish can take hours to dry and smudged is not such a great look, you’ll want to take your time with it. *Tip: bring your own nail lacquer with you so you can touch up any little nicks in the polish tomorrow.

– Wash your hair. Styling second-day-hair is much easier for your hair stylist, and it will work with the styling products to last longer into the evening.

– Recharge your cell phone and camera batteries. You don’t want to miss one photo op tomorrow!

– Recharge YOU. Go to bed early – they call it beauty sleep for a reason!

Makeup by Savannah Belsher-MacLean; Photo by Kimberly Rashed Photography

DAY OF PROM:

– Stay away from smelly foods or anything greasy or carbonated that might leave you bloated and feeling yucky. But make sure to eat something good! Fruit, veggies, and a little bit of protein (chicken, eggs, nut butter, etc.) are great options to keep you dancing all night long. And don’t forget to drink lots of water to stay hydrated!

– So, you feel like you’ve just got to wash your hair? Then ignore my second-day-hair tip – use shampoo but don’t use any conditioner as it may cause your style to go limp before you’ve even hit the dance floor. Whatever you do, make sure you arrive to your hair appointment with dry hair! Remember to bring those photos of the hair styles you like to the appointment.

– Wash and moisturize your face. If you’re getting your makeup professionally done, your makeup artist will love you for not having a trace of makeup on before your appointment. Don’t forget to bring your makeup looks that you printed off!

– Moisturize your whole body with special care to your driest areas: elbows, knees, and feet.

– Touch up any nicks in your nail polish.

– Relax! This is a fun day, right? Don’t get upset or become argumentative in preparation for the prom. Breathe, take it easy, and enjoy every minute of it.

Makeup by Savannah Belsher-MacLean

30 MINUTES TO GO!:

– Last-minute touch-ups of lip colour.

– Prepare your own emergency kit. Blotting papers, lipstick, mints, Q-tips, powder, and concealer are good things to consider packing. Make sure you pack your camera and cell phone!

– Double check with your parents about your curfew and post-prom plans. If you are going to be staying at a friend’s house, you’ll need to pack an overnight bag. If you’re the hostess, make sure you’ve got lots of snacks, extra pillows, and blankets.

– …on your mark. Ready, Set, PROM!

Makeup by Savannah Belsher-MacLean; Photo by Kimberly Rashed Photography

All dressed up and time to spare before prom? Book a photo shoot with your friends! Contact me for more info.


Makeover Monday

A few weeks ago I had the pleasure of working with Louise Vessey of Light & Vision Photography on this beauty session with sisters Catherine and Mary-Carla. Both sisters are caring mothers with their own large careers, and hardly have enough time to get quality fun-time together let alone pamper themselves. As a makeup artist, I know this when my client starts to tear up with excitement the second I start brushing her hair!

These beautiful sisters definitely deserved to take this time for themselves!


They say memories are forever . . . but so are photos.

I’m almost ready to believe that spring is coming, despite the snow storm we got hit with recently.  Mother Nature and I wouldn’t even be on speaking terms right now if it weren’t for those two days of 20+ degree days we had last week. You gotta love March in Atlantic Canada (okay, you don’t, but you gotta live with it).

So, while sneaky Miss Mother Nature plays Make Up Her Mind, make up season is on its way (hey! Make Up/makeup . . . that’s pretty neat). The calendar doesn’t play tricks. April will be here soon and with April comes Easter and flowers and all things warm and good!

April also reminds us that special event season is right around the corner in Prince Edward Island.

Spring and summer are packed with joy and celebration. Prom. Graduation. Weddings. It really is a happy time of the year!

If you’re involved in something special this summer, there’s a good chance that you know exactly what dress you’ll be wearing, which shoes you’ll wear with it, and what you’ll do with your hair. Perhaps you’ve even booked your tanning and nail appointments.

You’re super organized making sure that every detail is perfect for your special occasion, right?

But how much thought have you given to your face?

While it’s all well and good to take care of your own face on most days, it deserves some extra attention on special occasions, doesn’t it?

Think about it. How many people will be there watching you? How many cameras will you be smiling for? How many photos are going to capture this moment in time? How many times will your face be shared around on Facebook?

It would be awfully sad if these photos showed a beautiful dress, hair, and even shoes  . . . only to show a pale, washed-out complexion, wouldn’t it?

A lot of people don’t realize there’s a difference between every day makeup and makeup for camera.

I’ve been trained to do makeup that looks best on film. 

I promise to make you look beautiful for the camera, which will make you feel amazing both on your special day and every time you see yourself in those photos that last an awfully long time. 


Inspired by Robin Fredriksz

Inspired by Robin Fredriksz – Celebrity Makeup Artist

 


Inspired by Leslie Lopez

Inspired by Leslie Lopez – Celebrity Makeup Artist


Inspired by Eileen Kastner Delago

Eileen Kastner Delago – Professional Makeup Artist & Personal Makeup Artist to Natalie Portman



Craving the Tropics

February on PEI can definitely put you in a fowl mood fast. And when, at this time last year, I was laying on a beach in Jamaica, I now get more sour with every snow flake.

So instead of wallowing, I took out some of my most bright and fun coloured polishes and started playing! Here’s what I came up with:


Colours used: Revlon Nail Enamel in Minted, Sally Hansen Xtreme Wear in Lacey Lilac, Gosh Nail Lacquer in Peachy, Kiss Nail Art Paint in White (not shown).


After the first coat.


Voila!



Inspired by Stephen Sollitto

Stephen Sollitto – Professional Makeup Artist


Valentine’s Day Delights

I have a love/hate relationship with Valentine’s Day.

The girly-girl in me LOVES all the red, pink, purple, hearts, Xs and Ox and poems everywhere. But every once in a while the cynic in me gives me a guilt-trip about falling into the traps of consumerism.

It’s times like these that I have to take off the internal boxing gloves and ask myself the real question:

“How do I want to celebrate Valentine’s Day? How do I want to show the people in my life that Love them?”

Generally, I find, it all boils down to the little things. The simple ways that we can express our abundant Love.

For instance, today, I decided to surprise my husband with a grilled cheese sandwich. But not just any grilled cheese sandwich! It was a deluxe grilled cheese sandwich. Thinly-sliced Granny Smith apples melted together with Balderston Farm’s cheddar cheese on fresh pumpernickel bread, pressed in a panini press and cut on a diagonal so I could shape it into a heart.

A few other simple ways to make the hearts around you beat a little faster:

Using a heart-shaped cookie cutter, cut a piece out of a Red Delicious apple and Granny Smith. Insert the red piece into the hole in the green, and voila!


Heart-shaped sandwiches are even cuter with heart-shaped strawberries and candies!

    
Making use of that cookie cutter again…


A favourite from my Valentine’s Day post last year!


My Mini MAC & Sephora Haul

First things first: I Love me the prices and value of products from Shoppers Drug Mart and other local retailers on PEI. I’m 100% all about supporting the local economy and promoting the great things that this Island has to offer – my businesses all centre around that. But as a makeup artist of 8+ years, I’ve tried, tested and adored some products that simply aren’t available here on the Island. And sometimes, a girl’s gotta do what a girl’s gotta do!

So, a quick working weekend visit to Halifax for the ACTS and Gift Show at the Halifax Forum allowed me to have the excuse of ‘picking up a few things’ at MAC and Sephora. I can order from MAC over the phone and the staff at the Halifax Shopping Centre location are always so friendly and excited to hear about my upcoming projects and makeup adventures. But nothing compares to getting into the store to see everything for yourself. Touch the product and try it. In person. Not on a website.

MAC Haul – Clockwise from top left: Eye Shadow in Knight Divine; Lashes #44 (top) and #6; Loose Pigment Powder in Melon; Powder Blush in Plum Foolery; Brushes #150 (top), #129, #130, #239, #242, #209; 2oz Travel Bottles; Luxury Powder Puff duo (that look like macaroons! So cute!)


Sephora items – Top: Sugar Kisses Mini Lip Duo by fresh = My early birthday gift! As a member of Sephora, I get info about their special events and deals, as well as a gift if I visit the store on my birthday. When the cashier reminded me of this during my last visit, I explained that I lived out of province and would rarely get to enjoy this benefit. She thought this was a very sad story and gave me my gift early! Right: Sephora Instant Depuffing Roll-on Gel. Bottom: Sample of Betsey Johnson’s NEW Too Too Eau de Parfum.