How to hire a MUA for your Wedding

Having someone you can trust to do your makeup is one thing, and having someone to do a great job is another.  In the grand scheme of things, you will only know this if a consultation is booked.
Part of making your special day come to life, is to look at how hiring a reputable makeup artist with ample experience, can ensure you that you're getting the best result for your special day. 

Makeup by Trends by Louise using Make Up For Ever (pre-lash application)

We suggest the following tips to help you prepare:

• Check the makeup scene in your area by utalyzing social media in your area.  For example, if you live in Calgary then you could look up the hashtags #YYC #YYCMUA #MUA
• When looking up a makeup artist look for their online presence as a whole, what is the vibe, experience, and overall does their makeup align with your style.  This way it helps you narrow down your options.  
• Makeup Artists these days don't all have websites, they may just use social media, so that is why this approach will get you results faster.
• Once you've found your list of MUAs and you've checked out their work, start sending them an email for a quote on how many people, hair and makeup, extra costs and availability.  
• Allow the artist to get back to you within 3 business days, usually makeup artists do not work hours that others may work.  Especially if they work odd movie set hours, or they are out on location for a makeup job.  Be patient and send out mass emails as one or two are bound to  get back to you, sooner than later.
• If you hire someone then you may need to be prepared to pay a 30-50% deposit for services.  It takes time out of the artists schedule to make this happen, and if no shows or cancellations happen, it's a business and it is not uncommon to sign an agreement with the artist. 
• You will be asked to book a consultation that can help you decide what is needed for the day of to prepare, and a trial to try the makeup on.  Some artists charge separately for that, and others do it all in one sitting.  Be prepared to set aside at least a couple hours preparing and trying on colors. 
• Be prepared to have to try a few different artists especially if you are not satisfied with one of your options.  As it turns out these things do happen.
• Once you have found that artist, the best way to prepare for meeting up with him or her, is to have pictures galore of what inspires you.  We are visual artists, and we really need to see what you are inspired by and where your mind is at in terms of theme. 
• When you arrive for your appointment, please ensure you've had a lot of water for at least 2 days straight before your appointment.  This way your skin is at it's best.  
• Please avoid waterproof makeup when going to your appointment, as we want to be able to easily remove what you put on.  It takes at least 10 minutes or more to remove that.  Also please do come with makeup on, it gives us an understanding of how you usually wear it.
• Be prepared to know that makeup for weddings, is also considered as makeup for photography, which means more definition is required to look amazing in post photography.  
• Stay focused on classic and away from trends for makeup ideas.
• Make sure you purchase whatever your artist recommends for you to touch up with on the day of your wedding, so you can be on point all day and night! 
• Be prepared to be given a specific skin and hair regime to followup on in preparation for the big day. 

Valentine

"Who said nights are for sleep" - Marilyn Monroe

To Celebrate or not to Celebrate?

St. Valentine according to rescources comes from Catholic mythology. Back in the third century the Roman Saint was commemorated on February, 14th.  St Valentine was known in the middle ages to be associated with the tradition of courtly love.

The Saint Valentine was also a feast celebration for those within the Lutheran Church, and the Anglican Communion.  In the Eastern Orthodox Church, St Valentine the Presbyter of Rome is celebrated on July 6th.  

In Japan Valentines day is celebrated, however traditions show that women actually gift men, and their traditions are similar to the American way in that we give chocolates. 

In British Traditions, there were traditions in the middle ages where wooden spoons were carved into popular shapes like keyholes, keys and hearts.  The token of love was to show it meant that you were unlocking someones heart.

Love is Sweet

No matter where we are, love is being celebrated.

So why is it so different around the world?  Because love is universal and it doesn't matter when Valentines Day is.  Folklore or not, humans like to pick a day to make things special.  For that it's understandable that it's a way to nudge us into remembering to tell our loved ones we love them.
Love is real, it's not a holiday or a person.  Love comes in all shapes and forms so to speak.  So why let a Holiday tell us how and when to celebrate something so personal?  Love is unique and individual.  Tell someone you care that you love them everyday, now that is a holiday I can get behind.

Here is the question that gets conversation going; tokens of love on Valentines Day or on the random?  I asked this to my friends on social media and they sure had a lot to say.  Some said that they do like to celebrate, they like to be able to be reminded, to show those they care about, that they love them.  Others said they don't need a holiday to show their love as they prefer a spontaneous approach, in that love can be celebrated anytime.  While others said it's fun for the kids.  So who is this holiday for again?  It's universal no matter the age, sex or race love is all around us.  Is how we celebrate important? No. 

Belief in something like Valentines is not love, believing in something is a frame of mind.  So if love is there, then show it.  Men and women like that, not just women.  It's about how we treat the one(s) we love, not about when we treat them.

Written By Louise Croce

 Makeup by: Trends by Louise

Photographs by: Kisses for Kaitlyn Photography