Old Hollywood Starlet - A Dash of Light

I was recently given the opportunity to work with the most talented photographer, Erin L. Hubbs of Greendoor Imaging, on a new project she's started - Dash of Light. Erin is getting back to her roots and coming home to the basics of simplicity and beautiful lighting, inspired by the great photographers from the 1930's and 40's. I've noticed in the most stunning portraits, the sets are simple, and the lighting is more natural.

With so much technology today, anything can be changed in a picture. The lighting, colors of outfits, makeup smudges, stray hairs - all of these things can be changed by computer programs, resulting in a completely different look than what you started with. In Hollywood’s Golden Age, however, photographers, makeup artists, and hair stylists did not have the luxury of photoshop – they had to take their time and get it right from the beginning. The team of professionals would choose a set, lighting and poses for their subject that would benefit and balance her features. This is what Erin and I set out to do with our shoot.

It was very refreshing to find a simple and elegant set for the models. It proves the point, that sometimes, all you need is to keep it simple - have a beautiful person on a beautiful set, with a team of professionals who take their time to get it right. I'm a perfectionist by nature, and I take too much pride to let someone sit in front of a camera without being perfect - not if I can fix it first! It was wonderful working with Erin, who had such a good eye for lighting and non-forced poses, and was able to bring out the best in our models (who happen to be real women!). We made a great team, and our work proved that if you do it right the first time, the organic end result is so much better than a strained, unnatural one.

Working with Lori, a talented Musician, and Molly, a Real Estate Broker, was so much fun. I loved watching them get into the character of an Old Hollywood Actress - the glamour really suited them both!

All people would benefit from the type of portraiture that Dash of Light provides. What better way to treat yourself in this economy than to transform into a glamorous and beautiful person, and have a glorious portrait of yourself on your wall - one that you will cherish for years to come.

Photography: Erin L. Hubbs, Greendoor ImagingModels: Molly Prince and Lori Wertz

Hairstylist for Ms. Wertz: Laura Washington

Makeup Artist, and Hairstylist for Ms. Prince: Adrian Howe, Beauty Sophisticate

Bridal Beauty: Should you hire a Professional?

I have to say, Wedding Season really inspires me! I absolutely love meeting new Brides, so in love and happy, and looking forward to their future with their new husbands! This season, I wanted to discuss how a bride should decide if she should hire a Makeup Artist for her Wedding Day.

Most of my brides hire me for one of three reasons:
1. She does not know all that much about makeup, and doesn't own a lot of makeup of her own. She's realized it will cost more money to buy quality products for her wedding day look (that she will never use again) than it would to hire a Professional.
2. She's good with makeup, and enjoys getting herself ready to go out. But...on her wedding day, she will be consumed about the last minute details, and does not want to bother with remembering which product to use where, and does not want to plan out extra time in her day to get out all her products, put them on (sometimes with nervous shaky hands!), and clean up before heading out to her wedding.
3. The best reason - The bride just wants to be pampered and relax on her Big Day!!

If you fall into one of these categories, please consider hiring a Professional Makeup Artist for your Wedding Day. Your Makeup Artist will come to your location, complete with makeup kit and a chair for you to sit in, apply your makeup with quality products that are proven to be long wearing and appropriate for photography, clean up, and go home. You may retain her services for your Bridal Party members, and even have her stay for touchups throughout your ceremony and reception.

Now, let's talk about the bottom line. Makeup Artists' rates vary depending on experience, products used, and the size of your Bridal Party. Contact a few for rates and availability, and be aware that some makeup artists book several months to a year out, particularly if your event is in the middle of Wedding Season! You may find that it is much less expensive to hire a Professional Makeup Artist than it is to buy your own products. When I got married, I spent around $250 on new high quality Primer, Foundation, Eye Shadows, Lipstick, and Lip Gloss, and this only encompassed about half the products I used to make my Wedding Day Look last all day! Now to me, this was an investment, as I knew I would wear these products again and again, and I find it very relaxing to apply my own makeup - it's how I unwind. However, I will say, that looking back on it now, I would have preferred to have a Makeup Artist and a Hair Stylist come to me and pamper me on my Big Day, allowing me to relax. I found it a bit stressful having to plan out travel times to the salon, how long it would take me to do my own makeup, how long it would take to get dressed, how long it would take to travel to the church, etc. It would have been much easier if all I had to do was wake up and have my "entourage" come to me!

I encourage all Brides to consider whether or not they should hire a Professional for their Big Day. You must take into consideration that your Wedding Day lasts a full 8-12 hours, and your makeup will need to hold up accordingly. After the day is over (and it goes by fast!), all you will have is your memories and your pictures - make sure you look your best in your photos by using only high quality cosmetics that are formulated for the purposes of flash photography and HD video, and will stay fresh all day.
Above all, enjoy your Wedding! It is the start of your new life as Husband and Wife!

Think Positive...an Introduction

Hello Everyone! I thought it fitting that my first blog would be an introduction. My name is Adrian Howe, and I am a Professional Makeup Artist in the Charlotte, NC region.

People ask me how I got interested in cosmetics, and I have hard time answering that question. To be honest, it's something I've always loved doing. All women should have those moments when she looks in the mirror and says, "Wow, I look good!" Yes, you know you've had those moments, and you should be proud of them! Too many women walk past a mirror and only see the bad things, and completely glaze over the unique qualities that make them beautiful! We as women need to learn that having confidence in yourself does not make you concieted! Embrace the fact that you have glowing skin, bright teeth, and shiny hair! Embrace the small freckles on your cheeks, the adorable cupid's bow of your mouth, the tiny lines around your eyes that crinkle when you're happy! They are what make you unique and lovely!

And so, this week, I put out a challenge to all women. Everytime you find something negative about yourself in the mirror, immediately say (out loud!) 3 things you like about yourself. Come on, it's not that hard. I'm sure you can find 3 things you like about the woman you see walking down the street, or 3 things you like about your best friend, or your sister. Why can't you find 3 things you like about yourself?! So for this week, I want you to focus on 3 positive aspects about your appearance, and ignore the negative.
It's time to start thinking positively, and see yourself for the beautiful, strong women you are!