Friday, February 24, 2012

Are Bridal Hair and Makeup Trials REALLY Important?

When planning a wedding, brides usually make sure to schedule all of the important things like cake and food tasting, viewing of your venue, meeting your photographer, and things of that nature. For some reason, though, it sometimes seems like hair and makeup are overlooked. In addition to scheduling all of the other important activities when planning your wedding, its also super important for a bride to schedule a hair and makeup trial with her stylist prior to the wedding date.

Why is it so important? Well, the purpose of a trial is to work out all of the details of how you will look on your wedding day. Trials make things easier for both the bride and the stylist because everything is totally spelled out. Trials for the stylist allow us to determine exactly what products we will be using for your look, how much or how little we need, and also we figure out exactly what look you are hoping to achieve, and work with you to create your vision. For the bride, trials are important because they allow you to rest assured that you will look exactly how you imagined on your wedding day.

Generally, for a hair trial, I like for my clients to arrive with clean, dry hair. This way, the hair isnt too oily, and if I need to add product to make the hair a little more "dirty", I can do that without worrying about product buildup. It is also important that when having a hair trial done, the bride should bring any hair accessories such as a veil, tiara, clips, or pins. This will give you a clearer idea of what your hair will look like on the day of your wedding. Also, if you have any pictures that will help you describe your dream hair-do, bring those along too.

For your makeup trial, it is always necessary to start with a clean face. You should also bring pictures that may help you best describe how you'd like your makeup to look, then your makeup artist will offer advice and opinions on what might be best for you. During your makeup trial, you can determine whether or not traditional foundation or airbrush foundation is right for you. Also, colors will be chosen that will compliment your skin tone and makeup you look your absolute best.

Trials are also SOOO important because not only do they show you how you will look on your wedding day, but you are also able to find out how long your look will last. You will figure out any hair and makeup weaks that need to be made, and also find out the staying power of your look. So, do you see the importance of having a trial? Bridal beauty trials are nothing to be skipped!! Remeber, a photo can last forever! Now that we are in the digital age, your entire wedding album may end up on FaceBook, and can be shared through the internet for years to come. So its important to make sure that your look is on point for your big day. By booking a trial, you will save yourself a lot of stress on your wedding day!

Wednesday, February 22, 2012

Get Your Glow On

One of my favorite beauty trends for the upcoming Spring season is gorgeous glowing skin. I'm really loving this trend because it is just a natural, simple look that is so easy to get. Here are a few tips and products that will help you achieve the look of fabulous, fresh, glowing skin!

TIP #1: Exfoliate. In order for your skin to shine through, it is necessary to remove any dead skin cells that may be causing your skin to look dull. When you expose new skin cells, your skin LOOKS renewed and it will glow. I love Arbonne's FC5 Exfoliating New Cell Scrub, which gently exfoliates dead skin in order to produce a more radiant, youthful glow. Another product that I love, also from Arbonne, is the RE9 Cellular Renewal Masque. This product is genious. Enzymes help this product to provide an immediate, radiant glow, and also improve your skin tone, help with any discoloration, and create a poreless surface on the skin. This trend is wonderful, and these products are holy grail.

TIP #2: Moisturize. Just do it dog gone it! After all this exfoliation, and even without it, its so important to replace moisture into your skin. My favorite way to hydrate right now is with Arbonne's RE9 Advanced Intensive Renewal Serum and RE9 Advanced Restorative Day Creme. These products keep your skin hydrated, contain ingredients that make your skin very radiant and glowing, and are lightweight so that you dont feel like you have layers on your skin.

TIP #3: Highlight. My personal favorite highlighter is Arbonne's Sheer Glow Highlighter. This creamy liquid highlighter is wonderful because it can be used alone, or mixed into your moisturizer or foundation for an all over glow. By using it this way, your entire face will have a beautiful, healthy glow. You can also just use it in targeted areas of the face, such as cheekbones, browbones, bridge of the nose, and cupid's bow. Either way, whether using a powder highlighter or a liquid, make sure that you're using one! Your skin will look fabulous!

Bridal Beauty Trends

This bridal season, there are quite a few fabulous beauty trends that I'm excited to see. When it comes to bridal, I have a very classic and natural style, however, I also love the vintage 1950's look as well. I'm so happy to see that both of my favorite styles are becoming more popular and will be seen on brides all season!

Here are my top 3 bridal trends for the upcoming 2012 Bridal Season:

1. Bold Lips.
I think this may be my favorite. Brides will be wearing more of a "stand-out" lip this season, which is think is great. Faces will be kept very natural and dewy looking, but the lip will be more of a "pop" color. Tangerine, corals, pinks, plums, and reds will be seen, however, even with a bolder lip, the total look will still look natural, classy, and put together.

2. Buns.
Messy buns. Structured buns. Top buns. Low buns. Side buns. Do you get it?? Actually, THIS may be my favorite trend of the season! I'm such a low maintenance girl, and I can very often be found with my hair in a bun. Any variation of a bun is something I love. Buns are classic, classy, and simply gorgeous. You can create so many different looks with a bun, and you can dress it up in so many different ways. I cant express my love for hair that is in a bun, so I'm extremely excited to see all the brides this season with a bun of their own!

3. Metallics and Peaches.
So, I combined 2 trends into one because I love both of them so much. This season, beautiful golds and bronzes are going to be seen a lot. Accents of these colors in your makeup will bring your skin a beautiful, warm glow. Golden bronzers and eyeshadows will be very popular, and peachy, coral colored, glossy lips will be all the rage. I'm super excited for this trend because I love golden and peach colors! Something about them just screams SUMMER to me! They bring a beautiful warmth to the skin, show off blue eyes, and make you feel and looks glamourously natural!


I cant wait to see (and do!!) all of these trends this year! What are some of your favorite bridal trends for 2012?!

Sunday, February 12, 2012

Interview With Melissa Wilson

Hey guys! I know a lot of people may wonder who I am, and what qualifies me to provide hair and makeup services for them. So, I thought I'd do a quick self interview for you all! Hopefully, this will help you to get to know me a little better, and will answer some of your questions about me prior to booking or requesting more information about me and my services! Enjoy!

How long have you been doing hair and makeup, and how did you get started?
I've always loved hair and makeup, but never considered it as a career. Then in 2004, after crying to my sister about how much I disliked the classes I was taking at the local community college, she suggested that I go to school to do hair. I attended Arthur Angelo School of Cosmetology in 2004, and have been a licensed cosmetologist since 2005. I've worked in salons throughout the Providence area and have gained expertise in all hair types, specializing in ethnic hair care. I have been professionally been doing makeup since 2007. I have experiece with all different product lines ranging from French department store brands, mass drugstore brands, and ultra premium Swiss skincare and cosmetics. I have done work not only in the salon environment, but also as a cosmetic counter makeup artist as well as freelance. I've worked fashion shows, photoshoots, and weddings. My specialty falls within bridal, as my passion is makeup artistry and updo's. I continue my education by constantly practicing, attending classes, seminars, and workshops, and reading industry books and publications. Although I have been in the industry for 7 years, I feel that this is just the beginning of my career!

What do you love most about hair and makeup artistry?
As far as makeup artistry, I love to enhance my client's natural appearance. I love to show people how to make their favorite features stand out, and even how to downplay the features that they aren't as comfortable with. I love working with different colors and textures, and working on a wide variety of skin tones. I believe that beautiful skin is the foundation for beautiful makeup, and I love being able to help clients and educate them about their specific skin types and concerns, ultimately helping them find solutions to their issues. And as far as hair artistry, I love being able to create the perfect hair style to fit someone's personality, lifestyle, and features. I love having the ability to enhance someone's self confidence by creating a style that makes them feel like a million bucks. I love hair and makeup artistry because not only is it creative and fun, but it is truly rewarding.

What sets you apart from other hair and makeup artists?
I'm different from other artists because of my diverse background. I've worked in a varitey of salons ranging from a mostly caucasian clientele to an all ethnic client base. I've been trained on techniques that enable me to service any client that sits in my chair. Kinky hair doesn't scare me, and neither does fine, straight hair. In addition, while I'm trained to provide hair color and chemical services, my focus in on blowouts, special occasion hair styling, and makeup artistry. If you have an event to go to where you'd like a sleek blowout or and updo, I'm your girl. If you are a bride, in a wedding, or going someplace where you need a fabulous, professional makeup application, you should call me for that as well. I dont claim to be a "Jill of all trades". I simply do what I'm best at, and what I'm passionate at.
In addition, my services are fully mobile. If you are crunched for time, and would like a makeup application or style where you are at, I will come to you prepared to provide whatever service you request.
Lastly, I love to write and host events. I am working to turn that passion into something that I can share with my clients by blogging more about beauty topics that may be of interest to them. I love teaching, so blogging and hosting in-studio and in-home beauty classes allows me to do so.

Who do you work best with?
I love working with fun, energetic individuals who are not afraid express what they are looking for. I love working with people who are creative, and have a unique personality and style. My ideal hair and/or makeup client, whether in-studio or for bridal, would be:
-someone who wants to look like the best version of themselves.
-someone who actually wants to enjoy their wedding day or special event, or wants to take time to relax and get pampered, and doesnt want to have to worry about how they are going to make time for themselves.
-someone who needs to look their best for photography, and wants to make the most out of their investment in their photography or videography.
-someone who is unsure of how to appoach their hair or makeup, and is looking for someone who can teach them basic skills to use for daily styling and maintenance.
-someone who is environmentally conscious, and appreciates "clean", toxin free products, as well as products of luxury.

Where do you primarily work, and how far are you willing to travel?
I'm the Owner and Principle Artist at M.A.W.Beauty Hair & Makeup Studio, which is based in Pawtucket, Rhode Island. Generally, for most salon services, I work out of the studio. Clients can visit the studio location for color and chemicals, hair cuts, blowouts, makeup applications and lessons, manicures, and waxing. If you are a bridal client, I usually will preform your hair and makeup trial at my studio location, but for the day of your wedding, I will come to wherever you are. I'm extremely mobile! I am willing to travel wherever I need to go to get the job done, and make your wedding day as easy for you as possible. I travel all thoughout New England, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, and even parts of D.C. and Maryland. Bottom line is this: If you need me, I will go! And if you need more of me, I will bring my team of artists!

Do you offer trials and consultations?
I sure do! Consultations are complimentary. I generally require a consultation prior to any bridal service. This allows myself and the bride to sit down and work out any detail of her wedding that I need to know. I'm able to find out about the needs of your bridal party as well. I also require a consultation prior to any chemical service including relaxers, color, and highlights. I dont stock a lot of color in my studio, and prefer to sit with my client beforehand, and determine exactly what look we will be achieving (and also determine if your hair is in the proper condition to receive the service), and then follow up with another appointment to do the actual service. As I said, consultations are complimentary, and I charge a very affordable rate for bridal trials, which can be found on my website: http://www.mawbeautystudio.com

Are you able to provide on-location touch-ups for weddings and other speical events?
Absolutely! I charge an hourly rate for bridal ceremony and reception touch-ups. For photography, I will stay for the duration of your shoot!

What kind of hair and makeup products do you use?
I use professional quality hair and makeup products. Most of what I use is vegan friendly, gluten free, dermatologist tested, hypoallergenic, botanically based, free of mineral oil, chemical dyes and fragrances. Using products with these standards allows me to service a wide variety of clients with all different needs and requirements. I also provide airbrush makeup services. All of my tools are kept sanitary, disinfected, and ready for each client!

Do you apply false eyelashes?
Sure do! I prefer individual lashes because they look so natural, however, I also offer strip lashes as well. False lashes are available for an additional fee.

My schedule wont allow for me to have your professional hair and makeup service on the day of my event. Are you able to teach me how to style my own hair and apply my own makeup?
You bet! I love teaching people how to style themselves up. I would be honored to share my knowledge with you. Please view my lesson rates online at my website: http://www.mawbeautystudio.com/studio_services.cfm?serviceid=1

Will you work with my other vendors?
Of course! I play well with others, plus I love getting to know other industry professionals. I will work with your other vendors in order to ensure that scheduling is where it should be, and that my services are provided in a timely manner, in agreement with the services that they will be providing.

What happens if you get sick, and cant preform in-studio hair and makeup services, or for my wedding or special event?
If you hire me to provide services, you can be assured that they will be provided for you. In the very rare, extreme occasion that I, myself, cannot physically preform your services, I do have a team of licensed, professional, in-house trained artists that I work with who will be able to accomodate you. I hope that there is never an occasion where I have to take backup measures, but just in case, they are in place!

Your work is great, and the services sound great too! BUT--this also sounds a bit expensive! What are your rates?
I understand your concerns about price! This economy is tough, and I know that people are strongly considering where they are directing their money. I can assure you though, that my rates are incredibly competative with what other industry professionals are charging. I am confident in my rates, and stand by them because I provide you with a top quality service, using nothing but top quality products. But, just in case you were wondering, you can view my in-studio and bridal rates right at my website! http://www.mawbeautystudio.com

How do I book in advance for an in-studio service, wedding, special event, or party?
To book for an in-studio service, simply contact me via email or cell. We will work together to schedule a mutually beneficial time and date for you to come to the studio for your service. For weddings and other special events, after conducting our initial complimentary consultation, a signed contract and $75 retainer will secure your requested time and date. I do recommend that brides book well in advance (3-6 months), as I work on a first come, first serve basis.

Will you be blogging about my wedding or posting pictures on your website or social media sights?
I love to share my work with other clients and potential clients. However, if you are not comfortable and wish for me not to share any details or pictures, you can be assured that I will totally respect that. It is 110% voluntary. Just say the word ;)

I still have a few more questions. Can we set up a time to talk?
Of course! Just shoot me and email at melissa@mawbeautystudio.com and let me know your availability so that we can either set up a phone consultation, or a time for you to stop by my studio!




I really hope that this self interview was thorough for you guys! I hope that this may have answered any questions that you may have been wondering. If there was something that I didnt touch upon, feel free to ask away!

I'm looking forward to servicing those of you who are interested, and providing you with an amazing service and experience!

Rob Roy Academy Makeup Demo

Hey there beauties.


As you know, I've been in the beauty industry since 2005 ( 7 years going strong! ), and my experience is very diverse. I've worked in salons, behind the department store makeup counter, for pro beauty suppliers, drugstore cosmetics sales, direct sales with a cosmetics company, and as the owner of my own salon. Over the years, I've acquired quite a bit of knowledge about hair care, skin care, and makeup artistry. One of the things that I love to do most is share my knowledge with others. Thats why I was so excited to be able to go in to the Rob Roy Academy in Woonsocket, RI and do a makeup demo for the cosmetology and esthetics student.


I was invited to do the demo by one of my interns who is a cosmetology student at the school. I've been working with her to teach her more about makeup artistry, so she asked if I would be interested in doing a demonstration for the students in her class. So, on February 1st, I was invited to do my demo. What really made me happy about this was that the students actually got a chance to ask questions and get them answered. I've found over the years that so many cosmetology students go through their program, and are only equipped with basic knowlege of hair care. Even though cosmetology is the study of hair, skin, and nails, the focus in on hair, and students leave school without ever having done a makeup application, or having their questions about makeup artistry answered. I was so happy to be able to offer them the opportunity to ask and get those answers.


My Intern, Lisa, was my model (since she gets private training from me at any given time). On Lisa, I showed the students how I prep my clients by using the proper skin care on them, and by askin clients questions about their skin and the look that they want to achieve. Then I went into a basic makeup application for them. I showed them a very simple daytime makeup look that could easily be translated into an evening look. I taught the students basics about contouring, highlighlighting, and face shapes. I gave them an overview about different types of makeup from traditional liquid foundation to tinted moisturizer to minerals, and also taught them how to choose which one based on occasion, coverage, and skin type. Lastly, I gave them a very quick airbrush tutorial.


I was so happy to do the demo for this group of students. I really hope that I was able to inspire some of them to explore makeup artistry a little more! Now ladies, I dont only do this for students! If you'd like your very own makeup demo/lesson, let me know!

Check out some of the pics from the class:






You can view the rest of the pictures on my facebook: http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.342164715814154.82183.142997905730837&type=3


Hope you guys enjoy! And remember, if you'd like a personalized makeup class, let me know! I'd love to share my knowledge with you.









Saturday, February 11, 2012

M.A.W.Beauty Hair &Makeup Studio In the Providence American

Hey there guys and girls! I'm so excited to share this with you! I was aware that there would be a write-up about my new salon, M.A.W.Beauty Hair & Makeup Studio, in the Providence American Newspaper, but it was such an amazing thing to acutally SEE the write-up.

I was in a nail salon close by the studio, waiting for my mani/pedi, when I noticed a stack of the free publication sitting on the window sill next to me! I quickly grabbed a copy and turned through the pages until I found the article that I had been looking for! It was such a great write up! You get to learn a little bit about myself and my experience as a stylist, and also my vision for the salon. I feel so blessed that you guys get to know me in a little way through this.

Please check out the article for yourself! Its online at the Providence American website!

http://www.theprovidenceamerican.com/article_detail.cfm?article_id=910


Hope you all enjoy! Thanks for reading!!