Give Your Wedding Make-up Staying Powder!

How-to: Give your Wedding Make-up Staying Power

It’s finally your wedding day! The centerpieces are perfect; the dress is altered and ready to go. You begin to apply your make-up in the bridal suite while toasting mimosas with your bridesmaids when a brief flash of panic sets in. You think, “I have to keep this look lasting for the next 12-15 hours and haven’t the slightest idea how to do it!”  If you’re on a budget, and hiring a professional make-up artist is out of the question, we’ve got the quickest and easiest ways to keep your wedding day make-up fresh and worry free for the entire day!

Prep your skin: Use a gentle exfoliant to free any trapped dirt, oil, or dead skin. A clean canvas is essential for an even make-up application.  Follow that with a lightweight moisturizer.  Try something oil-free, or gel based to help extend the wear of your make-up.

Start with the eyes: This is a great little trick! Most make-up artists prep the skin, and go directly to working on the eyes. This way when eye shadow residue falls under the eyes, simply wipe it clean. No redoing or fixing foundation or concealer!

Eye Primer: Using a primer on the eye (we love MAC’s Paintpot in ‘Painterly’) will completely alleviate any fear of creasing, and anchors the shadow for a look that will last all day and night.

Waterproof Mascara/Eyeliner: Sounds obvious, but is easily overlooked. When applying mascara and eyeliner, be sure to use waterproof! We love Maybelline’s ‘Great Lash’ waterproof mascara, and MAC’s ‘Blacktrack’ gel based liquid liner. Set creamy liners with matching shadow color.

Flawless Foundation: To make your foundation last, a primer is a must! (Are you noticing a trend here? Primers rock!) We love NARS Pro-Prime Pore Refining primer because it’s oil-free.  A great way to achieve an airbrushed look without spending hundreds on an airbrush machine is to choose a lightweight foundation and buff it into the skin with a foundation brush. Start in the center of your face and blend outward and down to the neck.

Conceal: We know we’re throwing off your regular every-day make-up routine here, but trust us. The order is important! Only use concealer after you’ve applied foundation.  Your foundation will cover most flaws; only use concealer to cover what needs a little extra attention.  Using too much product is going to make your look cakey. Dot a bit under the eyes with your finger, and camouflage blemishes using a pointy brush.

Setting Powder: This is crucial for staying powder… er… power. Set foundation and blush with a light dusting of a translucent powder. Take this with you for touch ups throughout the day!

Luscious Lips: Let’s face it; on a day where eating, drinking, and kissing will be pretty prevalent; it’s going to be difficult to find a lipstick that lasts. Matte formula lipsticks have the most staying power.  Find your shade and a matching liner. Use the liner to fill in your lips. Apply lipstick on top of the liner, and blot with a tissue. Layer the look 2 or 3 times. Then add a small touch of gloss for shine.  Carry the lipstick and gloss with you. Sorry ladies, there’s no magic formula. Touch ups will be necessary.

Don’t forget to carry a small bag, or appoint a bridesmaid to carry your translucent powder, concealer and lipstick/gloss with you. It’s always a good idea to have a few Q-tips on hand as well. Use them to clean up fall out under the eye, or to apply concealer to a blemish.

Enjoy your beautifully long lasting look!

Boudoir Sessions for Christmas Gifts!

Okay sexy ladies, listen up!

Looking for the perfect Christmas gift for your hubby/fiance/boyfriend/partner? Boudoir photo sessions are SO hot right now (pardon the pun ;) they will have him drooling in his stocking! 

Erica Tait will be in town (Northern VA and Baltimore) late November all the way through early December to shoot Boudoir Sessions for the Christmas season (check the website for availability)! These photo sessions are a classically sexy way to celebrate how simply gorgeous you are!


Also hugely popular for brides-to-be (groom's gifts), birthday's, anniversaries, sending off your military man, or just because you work hard, you're gorgeous, and you deserve to be pampered!


The Blend ladies will be there to get you glam before the big shoot! What are you waiting for? Check it out!*Book with Erica and receive $5 toward any Blend Couture product or session!*http://www.taitboudoir.com/

Blend Couture- Custom Lipstick, Gloss, Foundation, Concealers!

“Love of beauty is Taste. The creation of beauty is Art.” ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

Welcome to a whole new world of cosmetics!

After years of working for major cosmetic companies, trying to help women find that “perfect” lipstick and foundation, Blend has come to a bold conclusion: One size does not fit all.

Think about it: we all customize our clothing, jewelry and hairstyles.

Why not customize cosmetics?

Get ready to think outside the make-up counter! 

Blend Make-up Artistry is proud to announce . . . Blend Couture

 At your Blend Couture session, your personal make-up artist works with you, while YOU choose your colors, base, toners, and coverage.  Even add a touch of glam with frost or glitter pigment! Take advantage of our skin-care additives like SPF, Anti-Aging, Botanical Extract, Oil Control, or Ultra-Hydrating Formulas.  All can be added to your products to suit your specific skin-care needs!

Imagine, creating your own go-to lip-gloss, or lip color for your special event. Oh, and the best part… YOU get to name it!

It’s uniquely yours. It’s Couture.

Blend Couture grants you the freedom to express your mood, recreate a favorite discontinued product, and follow the most current beauty trends before they hit the stores. Steering clear of mineral oil, petroleum, animal by-products and parabens, our products are mineral and botanically based for healthy, flawless skin. 

Blend Couture’s services include any or all of the following products:

Custom lipstick, gloss, foundation, and concealer. 

Don’t waste another minute in the department store!

Contact us to begin for your Blend Couture experience.

Here's how it works: Lipstick/Gloss

Choose your color pigment! From sexy red to a muted nude and everything in between, we can help you mix and match to achieve your look!

Next we measure your pigment based on the color you're going for! Want more red? Brown? Neutral? Just let us know!

After you choose your colors, we pick a base color that suits your needs. If you prefer more coverage and a longer lasting finish, matte base would be your best bet! More sheer, almost gloss-like consistency kind of gal? You'll love our butter base!

Add a touch of frost or glitter pigment for high-glam!

Add your choice of delicious smelling scents, and skin-care additives! SPF, Anti-Aging, and Hydrators can all be added to your lipstick to suit your specific needs!

Time to make a mess! Mix, mix, mix!

Now that you love your color, we pour the product into our mold.

Choose your lipstick casing!

Voila! Your brand new lipstick! 

Don't forget to name your gorgeous new lipstick! 

How it works: Foundation/Concealer

First we choose your base color. Select from Oil-Free (for oily skin), and Enriched Formulas (for dry skin) based on your skin-type. 

Next we select your toner. Have excess redness? We balance that with a green toner. Very olive skin? You could benefit from a bit of pink toner. Working on a tan? Yellow-brown could be for you!

Prefer lots of coverage? We can add thickener to give you a matte, full-coverage effect. Alternatively, we can thin out the product for a more sheer result. 

Don't forget the amazing skin-care additives! SPF, Pearlized Pigment, Anti-Aging, Botanical Extract, Oil Control, or Ultra-Hydrating Formulas can all be added to your products to suit your every wish!

We are SO excited to share this new venture with our clients. Now offering discounts for girls nights! Grab a group of girlfriends and let's talk make-up! Can't wait to hear from you.

www.blendevent.com

Halloween Make-up!

It's our favorite time of year.... HALLOWEEN!!!! (Insert creepy ghost music here)

We are taking appointments from October 28th-31st for creepy, crawly, sexy, bloody Halloween looks! Just shoot us an e-mail with your costume idea, and we will complete your look with AMAZING make-up! 

Wearing a super sexy costume? Also a GREAT time to take advantage of our Mobile Airbrush Tanning services! Remember, get 4 of your girlfriends (or boyfriends) together and get your tan for FREE!

Pricing based on products needed.

Limited availability! Contact us to reserve your spot!

blendeventdc@gmail.com

Blend Bride, Chantel in the Washingtonian!

Gorgeous Bride Alert: Chantel

We spotted this stunning bride and got the inside scoop on how she got her look—can you believe she just had a baby six weeks before her wedding day?

By Kim Forrest

To keep her skin looking radiant, Chantel drank lots of water in the weeks leading up to her wedding day. All photographs by Susan Hornyak

New mom Chantel wanted to look “classic and elegant” for her recent wedding to Stephen at Oxon Hill Manor, photographed by Susan Hornyak.

“I wanted to look like a million bucks without spending a million bucks,” she said.

Here’s how she got the look:

Gown: David’s Bridal in Bowie

“I was very hesitant to try on a lace gown because I felt like lace was too old-fashioned,” says Chantel. “But once I tried it on, I instantly fell in love! I knew it would look perfect at in the gardens at the manor. To top it all off, the gown was in my price range! I saved enough money to buy a veil, bra, and mermaid slip.”

Shoes: Max Studio from DSW.com

“I wore a satin sandal with five-inch heels,” Chantel says. “I’ve never worn five-inch heels in my life but they were so comfortable. Definitely a shoe I will wear again.”

Jewelry: “I had the honor of wearing my mother’s pearl earrings, necklace, and bracelet,” says Chantel. “She purchased them years ago in China.”

Hair Stylist: Alonda Butler of Anointed Hands Hair Salon in Upper Marlboro (301-856-0007)

“I selected an elegant bun that could easily be taken down into a long ponytail for my reception,” Chantel says.

Makeup Artist: Marquia Kinard of Blend Make-Up Artistry

“I wanted the focus to be on my eyes,” says Chantel.

Reception Dress: Betsy & Adam from Nordstrom

“I was told wearing a reception dress was a good way to wow the guests a second time—and that was so true!” says Chantel. “I also switched into adorable lace ballet slippers from DSW.”

Nails: Fancy Nails in Mitchelville

Something Old: Mother’s pearl necklace

Something New: Wedding gown

Something Borrowed: Mother-in-law’s wedding band

Something Blue: Garter

How-to: Create Perfect Smokey Eye!

Ahhh the smokey eye. Is there anything more glamorous? This sexy look will transform even the most modest woman into smoldering diva! From huge name celebrities like Kim Kardashian and Cameron Diaz, to soccer moms and prom queens, everyone wants to know how to achieve a smokey eye.

There are many different variations of “smokey” so we’ve created a more classic bridal version of this sultry stunner. Follow the steps for your own personal transformation!

For this look we are going to start with the eyes. Do not apply your foundation or concealer yet. We know it sounds a little backwards, but inevitably, there will be fall out from the dark shadows, and dark pigment smudged into under-eye circles is not the look we’re going for!

Step 1: Start by priming the lid from the base of the lash line, into the crease and up onto the brow bone. Blend until the surface is smooth and all one color.

Product Tip: Our favorite primers are Urban Decay, Eyeshadow Potion and MAC, Paint Pots.

Step 2: Using a small eyeshadow brush and soft vanilla shadow, blend product onto lower part of eyelid stopping just below the crease.

Tip: Apply shadow in a patting potion to get more opaque coverage.

Step 3: Then, using a blending brush, start from outer corner of crease in a rainbow shape back and forth motion throughout the crease. Be sure to use a taupe or neutral color, just a couple of shades darker than your skin tone. This contours the eye crease and gives it shape and definition.

Step 4: Using the same blending brush take a smokey grey color and apply it to the outer corner of the eyelid in a “V” shape.

Tip: For more depth or pop try this! Using a separate blending brush (or clean the previous brush), dip into a deep brown or deep plum shadow and blend from outer corner in the same area as the grey.

Step 5: Now, go back to your neutral color used in #3 and soften the crease. There should be no obvious color change. Think: smooth transitions.

Step 6: With a clean brush apply a shimmery cream color to the brow bone. Blend!

Step 7: Use a kohl black (kohl liners are softer and easier to smudge!) or grey eyeliner pencil to line the top lash line. Be sure to get far into the inner corner lash line!

Product Tip: We like Urban Decay liner in Zero.

Step 8: For a super fabulous smokey look use a smudge brush (or Q-tip) to soften the eyeliner line.

Tip: It’s okay if the liner smudges out below the waterline and looks a bit messy. This adds to the smokey effect.

Step 9: Use same liner on bottom water line and work all the way from corner to corner. Once again take smudge brush (or Q tip) and repeat smudging step on bottom water line.

Tip: Whenever using a creamy liner, be sure to use a translucent or matching powder right on top of it to set the look and keep it lasting all night!

Step 10: Finish with 2 coats of black mascara on both upper and lower lashes to finish your amazing smokey eye!

Feeling sexy already? Now wipe away any fall out with make-up remover or a wipe and continue with concealer and foundation. Don’t forget to keep the lip and blush neutral. We want to let the eyes be the focus!

Enjoy!