Bridal Feature : Buks

Hey Pretties,

Trust you've all been splendid?A lot's been going on with me & will let you in on things soon. I was blackmailed to do this post by the Bride in spotlight,Buks. Ha!! You have 'wahalad' me much on this post, Happy now? ;-)

Unashamed

Bukola got married a few weeks back to another dear friend,Sam(who i'm told looks like me) & she made it clear to me months prior that i was gonna be her makeup artist, whether i liked it or not & so i made sure she kept me posted on every development as well as dates picked, so i could keep my diary open. Happy we went about it that way.

Me,hard at Work

Buks doesn't wear much makeup,probably because she doesn't need it / doesn't know how to apply it,lol. But i had every mind of making her a very beautiful & polished version of her pre-madeup self. Her wedding to me had the feel of a Fairytale wedding & so, she needed to look every inch a princess. I hope i did her some justice.

Photo Credit - GreenShot Photography

For the Traditional Engagement Ceremony, i wanted her glowing & opposed to what i see people do - Highlights of Matching Red with the bride's Attire(which sometimes seems too much to me), i decided to give her something 'Safer' yet flattering & tie her gele in a similar light.

I must quickly add that she planned every detail of her wedding(she owns a company called WEDDINGS 'UR' WAY) & honestly every aspect was beautiful. All vendors she employed were very much on point & i should say i was impressed.

Fastforward to Saturday, it was time to solemnize the marriage in the presence of God & because she lives on the outskirts of Lagos while church was in Marina, we all had to get her ready 3hrs before Church was to start which meant we were all awake by 4am,Phew!!

Photo Credit : GreenShot Photography

 I went for a Pop of Colour this time around & she looked sooo beautiful, if i were to say so myself

Her Big Bow,lol

And off she went to Become Mrs Sam, I wish you Both a Lifetime of Love,Friendship,Commitment & Beautiful God-Loving Kids,Mwah!!!!

Photographer : Greenshot Photography - https://www.facebook.com/GreenshotPhotography

xoxo
PrettyK

Makeup For Mature Skin!!

Hey Pretties,

This is a topic that concerns makeup artists as sometimes you are given the task of making up a Bride's Mum or a client who's above 40.

Notice how happy & confident my clients look above. I want to give a few pointers i believe should be helpful for anyone who hasn't mastered this aspect of makeup. This post refers to women of colour, but is applicable with other skin tones

- Ensure your skin prep includes products that help plump & improve the appearance of the client's skin & features(eye creams,line fillers come into play here)

- Less is always more. You can use any color whatsoever, but a little goes a long way

- Avoid as much shimmer as you can,as shimmer tends to highlight & throw more light on problem areas(crow's feet, wrinkles & sagging skin)

- Keep shimmer/frost shadows awayyyyyyy from the crease,as this doesn't flatter & may emphasize crow's feet/wrinkles your client is most willing to hide

- Keep away from Loud lipcolors. This can't be emphasized enough!! If you are even going to use loud lipcolors,be sure you have a light hand & are very skilled at blending

- Lipglosses should be kept to the minimum, 'Ororo' - looking glosses are enemies. Limit the lipgloss application to the centre of the lips & that's it.

- Avoid the heavy use of blush on the cheeks or cheekbones, a mature client wants to look refined & not a comedian's scapegoat.

- Brows should be as subtle & natural looking as possible. It shouldn't take attention away from the eyes.

- Avoid thin brows, fuller looking brows give the client a much younger appearance. Don't be discouraged if your client has sparse brows, use a stencil if you don't have steady hands.

- Most mature clients are sensitive in the eye area, avoid using liners in the lower eye, if they tell you they have sensitive eyes.

- Ensure eyeshadow doesn't get into their eyes during application, learn how to do sufficient TAP-OFF

- Make your clients feel good about themselves as they are at a more self-conscious age & they need to look & feel comfortable

- Tryyyyyyy (i had to emphasize) to keep the application time between 10-15minutes as most mature women don't have the leisure or patience to sit for too long

Hopefully, i've helped answer questions a few people have struggled with. Please send any more questions you might have to : sitpretty412@yahoo.com

xoxo
PrettyK

Bridal Feature : Kenken

Hey Pretties,

The story behind this makeover is one that is truly humbling & it helped open my eyes to a lot of things. Kenken (better known as Kehinde) got married sometime in June & this required me travelling to Abuja (I'm Lagos-based) to carry out my duties.

Now the real story is that Kehinde contacted me almost 2years prior & for 1second, never changed her mind about I being her makeup artist, which has never happened to me before. For cogent reasons, the wedding date kept changing & she made sure i was duly informed as progress was made.

It's impossible not to have ended up being friends with her & she's a woman of great faith & wisdom, i couldn't help but Love her. I was looking forward to this trip & finally meeting her in person, obviously no bridal trial was done,she had too much confidence in me & i was determined not to let her down.

And then Tragedy struck, the DANA crash that took the lives of some hardworking & truely inspirational youths, my cousin & another prospective bride were aboard (RIP 'Kunbi Adebiyi & Ayoola Somolu). May the Souls of the Departed continue to rest in the bosom of the Lord. I broke down, i couldn't imagine their last thoughts & i realised it could have been anyone.I broke down some more :-(

Kehinde's wedding was exactly 3weeks after, my dear hubby would not have a word of it : You're Going to Abuja :-((((((((( ? No You can't Go. By Air? Certainly Not!!!  Then i became really worried, I couldn't disappoint Kehinde now. What was i to do? I began to pray. All manners of thoughts crossed my mind & when hubby gave the go-ahead, i gathered my wits & courage about me looking forward to my return trip to Abuja.

I got to MMA2(Local Airport) & missed my flight. Gosh,i booked this flight. To get on the next one would cost me some money i hadn't planned on spending :-( While lamenting on the phone to hubby & Kehinde, i 'jejely' brought out my ATM, prepared to pay the extra charges & an angel in the form of Eniola saved me the trouble. ENIOLA, YOU ARE A HUGE PART OF THIS STORY, GOD BLESS YOU.

I would leave out the terrible thoughts i had aboard the plane to & fro, but i saw life in another light & i realised that we had to live a life pleasing unto God,no matter how he chooses to call us home. But one word Kehinde said that will never leave me is : I HAVE COMMITTED ALL WHO WILL TRAVEL DOWN FOR THIS CEREMONY INTO GOD'S HANDS. ON ACCOUNT OF MY HUBBY & I, THEY WILL ARRIVE THEIR DESTINATIONS SAFELY.

In Full Traditional Wear

Hard at work

Off to Church she went

ME in Full Groove Mode

 I had an awesome time in Abuja, kehinde & her Family treated me like the CELEB that i am,lol & i met so many wonderful people, you just can't imagine.

Off she went for her thanksgiving, while i headed to the airport

Kehinde, it was a huge honor working for you. Thanks for Choosing SITPRETTY

xoxo
PrettyK

Your Makeup Artist & You!

Hey Pretties,

It's been a pretty busy couple of days attending to brides and other clients & mehn, have i missed you all soo much. Now this post is intended as a guide to help all intending brides who read it know what to look for in their makeup artist & help makeup artists know what intending brides expect of them. Hopefully,i'll do a good job with this post.

My Bride & I (Photo Credit : Bayo Omoboriowo)

 This post is mostly targeted at Nigerian-based Makeup artists but may apply in other countries.

WHAT A BRIDE EXPECTS FROM HER ARTIST :

- She expects you to be punctual, you have no reason to be late. She's the STAR of this particular day & the last thing she needs to be doing is calling you over & over asking : Where are you?
If i in Pregnancy can get on an OKADA(motorcycle) just in an attempt to avoid disappointing a bride/client. Please tell me,what's your excuse?????

- Most brides have no idea how they want to look on their big-day, all they want is : TO LOOK FINE (lol,i hear this a lot) & so they expect their artist is going to be able to do just that. Understanding Color Theory goes a long way,so artists get reading & practicing.

- Brides expect their artists to know the difference between Bridal & Fashion Makeup, if you don't know that, please make sure you do. Avoid making your bride look a ghost of her pre-transformed self.

- Brides will never book an artist without at least viewing a few pictures of work you've done. Please for no reason should you then use another artist's hardwork & claim the credits. If you've been doing that, SHAME ON YOU!!! Some day,that action will catch up with you & can do harm to your reputation as an artist.

- Except you completely trust the skills of your artist, please request a Trial-session. This is beneficial for both Bride & Artist. But i beg of you,be sure you are going to be employing that artist's service if that trial session is free, otherwise, be ready to pay for that service.


WHAT A MAKEUP ARTIST SHOULD KNOW & DO :

- Every Bride/Client is a potential link to 2 more clients, be nice & accommodating even when the bride isn't sure of what she wants.

- If you have been chosen over another makeup artist to do a job & your client/bride tells you who they wanted to use. Never EVER bad-mouth a colleague, tables may turn one day & it could be you.

- To a certain degree,be friends with your bride. Some makeup artists may not agree with me on this one, but the truth of the matter is that it never hurts. Infact, it helps you do a better job when you understand your client to a degree.

- If you have no idea how to mix colors, ask for the colors of her Trad wear / bouquet ahead of time. This should be a guide in getting you COLOR_READY. That day isn't the time to start experimenting,despite having done a trial.

- Except you are PICASSO, please agree to a trial session with your bride. This shortens the time of application on the D-day because you have discussed the various looks the bride is hoping to go for.

- If you somehow aren't familiar with the location your bride is dressing up from, please ask for directions inclusive of landmarks. If that still isn't helpful, ask people you know. That day is certainly not the kind of day to get LOST.

- If Blackberry is the ONLY contact link between you & your bride, please bridge the gap of communication by asking the bride for her phone number as well as that of her sibling / maid of honor. BB users should understand that having just one phone or means of contact is Silly. If you fall into this category, please do something about it FAST!

WHAT A MAKEUP ARTIST EXPECTS FROM HER BRIDE :

- Please keep to the schedule of that day! If your event is to start at a certain time & you & your artist have discussed timing, please keep to your end of the deal. This allows you get the very best from your artist & this ensures nothing is left out.

- No artist loves surprises!! If you have discussed the number of faces you want your artist to handle & then on that day,an aunt or two want that service as well. Please plan to reward your artist for the trouble / politely tell your aunt/s the service fee. Trust me,it means a lot to your artist when you do so.

- If for some reason, you change your mind about your artist OR your wedding date has changed, pls give your artist due notice. This is because that artist may have turned down numerous assignments for that day & informing them of the change in plans, helps a great deal.

I purposely left out mode of payment & contract terms, as artists have their various ways of conducting their business, but please be as transparent as possible.


Hopefully,i didn't say too much & in some way i have made the world a better place :-D

xoxo
PrettyK

LOTD : Walking on the Dark Side

Hey Pretties,

Are you daring? Would you like to wear this look often? Don't know how to go about it? 

To further buttress the point of how black & pigmented the 'Mabrook' Eyeshadow i reviewed in my last post is,i decided to do this look for you.

I'm a firm believer in Smokey eyes blended beautifully & as much as i love the look,i've never tried it in Black before.I Love My Purple anyday anytime.

I chose this lipcolor as i had bought it for over a year & hadn't come close to trying it on anyone.Plus,i really haven't rocked dark eyes & dark lips before.

Products Used - 

Face 
 MaryKay Medium-coverage Liquid Foundation in 507 & 607
Milani Mineral Powder in Medium
MAC Mineralise Skinfinish Natural in Dark
Sleek Contour Kit in Medium (To contour my cheeks & nose slightly & i used the highlighter on the bulb of my nose)


Eyes
Mabrook Matt Eyeshadow in Black
MAC Matte Eyeshadow in Carbon
BmPro Matte Eyeshadow in Moccassin

Lips
Jordana Lippencil in Cherry
MAC Creme Lipstick in Dark Side

Love the Look?? I hope the pictures guide you on how best to rock it.


xoxo
PrettyK

Product Review : Mabrook Matte Eyeshadow

Hey Pretties,

As promised,this is my 1st review from my Bm Pro Purchase. A year ago,my dear friend Moji of MoMakeovers who happens to be a very devoted Bm Pro customer, brought my attention to this particular product & called it the Blackest Matte Shadow she's ever come across.

And my search for the blackest black over the years led me to MAC's 'Carbon' Eyeshadow & Urban Decay's 'Blackout' Eyeshadow. So,when i got the chance to get some at the BmPro Sale Event at 1/2 Price,i didn't hesitate and from the pictures below, you might not have come across anything this black.

Ingredients : Talc, Titanium Dioxide, Mica, Kaoline, Propyl Paraben, Mineral Oil, Lanolin & Iron Oxide

R - Blended Swatch

Verdict :
- If you have a challenge blending eyeshadows, this eyeshadow isn't for you.
- It's severely pigmented (i mean, it's like, you can't imagine) & it took more than soap and water to get it off my hand. This means a little goes a veryyyyyyy long way.
- Like most eyeshadows, it leaves some fall-out. So ensure you tap your brush off before applying / ensure you have some form of security so it doesn't ruin your makeup.

Have you used any product darker & more pigmented than this? Pls share with me

xoxo
PrettyK

BM PRO SALE HAUL!!

Hey Pretties,

Don't you just love the word SALEEEEEE?!! I DO. So, last Sunday, a makeup artist cum friend,Osamu of Beauty Matters, informed me of the BM Pro Sale Event where most items were 50% off. I wasn't too keen on dropping by because i had attended one and honestly most of what i wanted had been bought off the shelves & some were a little pricey(hides face).

For those who haven't heard of Bm Pro, it's a Company owned by an Uber-Talented & Highly sought after Nigerian-based Bridal & Fashion Makeup Artist, Mrs Banke Meshida-Lawal.

My Haul

So in the aim of getting Osamu's order(she's based in Benin),i decided to go there as early as 11am,which was when the event was expected to start & i still didn't get most of what i wanted :-(

Long story short,i came across some shadows that were sold at a very unbelievable deal (500naira a pop :-D). If you've been using Bm Pro makeup in your kit,you'll know that was the best deal ever.

I also reached for some Longlasting glosses that dry matte as well as my 'Auburn' Brow Powder which i have absolutely come to love. And finally,my favorite wine lipstick i had searched for for the last 3years eventually was found.

I got to take a picture with Banke, take a peek at samples of her new product line & the food served was delicious. Thank You Banke for taking care of us *wink*

Expect a review of the products soon as i have to have used them a couple of times before telling you about them.

xoxo
PrettyK

Product Review : Zaron Lipliner pencils in 'Cappuccino' & 'Prune Juice'

Hey Pretties,

Its been pretty busy the last couple of weeks & in between Bridal assignments, i spend my days of late resting. I'll share why soon ;-)

So when i visited the Zaron studio a few months ago to check out the products they had to offer,i decided to go for colors i knew i didn't have in my already bulky pencil organizer. Hence, my settling for these 2 colors.

'Cappuccino' is your regular medium brown color, while 'Prune Juice' is  a lovely medium purple shade (By now,i'm sure you're aware that i love purple). Prune Juice is what i used in this post : Clean Beauty 
 & Cappuccino is what i used in this post : Keeping It Simple .

 They both apply easily and are easy to blend in with your fingers or a lip brush. They can be topped with any light or dark color of your choice as you can see in both posts,where i applied the same lipstick over them.

Verdict : They are both great products & i definitely will repurchase.

xoxo
PrettyK