Monday 17 December 2012

BEHIND THE SCENES...A VINTAGE AFFAIR

I AM EXCITED TO ANNOUNCE A NEW COLLECTIVE FROM SOME OF MY FAVOURITE COLLEAGUES IN THE BRIDAL INDUSTRY...
TO REFER BACK TO MY RECENT POST OF A VINTAGE AFFAIR I CANT SPEAK HIGHLY ENOUGH OF THE TEAM THAT COLLABORATED THAT DAY....

WELL, A GROUP OF THEM HAVE BRAIN STORMED AND "LAUNCHED" A NEW COLLECTIVE FOR BRIDES THAT ARE LOOKING FOR ALL THINGS VINTAGE...
HERE ARE SOME LINKS THAT MIGHT BE OF INTEREST: way to go Tara




 HERES SOME BEHIND THE SCENES FROM OUR SHOOT ...

holy tense face!

us artists at work



all in the family
      





what a poser my daughter is

bonnie and theresa fine tuning



MODEL BREAK TIME


tara hard at it

THE EYES HAVE IT

WELL IT HAPPENED ....i was finally "pinned" down long enough to have one of our darling new lash techs chelsea, practise this magical thing called "lash extensions" on me....
just to clarify my resistance..it was certainly not opposed to having fuller luscious looking eyes, that would be craziness...it is my inability to SLOW DOWN.. i  mean really slow, like totally horizontal....yikes..that is not something im comfortable with, unless of course it is bedtime and thats a whole 'nother story
anyone who's been around me long enough knows i dont stay still long, i move fast, walk fast, talk fast, keep moving, and get really restless when none of the above is happening
further more, the complete and utter control freak in me internally screams when someone else is taking over and doing the work...
but i am professional and taking 15minutes in the bathroom in between clients to do my own lashes would be.....well unprofessional
so...i caved, laid down, relaxed(mostly) and the next thing you know...i have these fantastic eyes! like- cant stop staring at myself eyes.....great- one more thing i have to fit in ...but
TOTALLY WORTH IT
THANKS CHELSEA
no makeup baby!


Eyelash Extensions
 The Inglewood Beauty Bar in Calgary our Certified Lash Stylists are trained to apply Xtreme eyelash extensions in a clinical setting using approved techniques and materials. Their credentials are not the product of a simple DVD or online training course. This is expertise resulting from on site, hands on, trainer directed, intensive sessions that qualify our Stylists to apply long lasting, professional grade eyelash extensions




 Only XTREME LASHES trained and certified stylists are qualifed to apply this product, and  Inglewood Beauty Bar Eyelash Extension Stylists have obtained the credentials required to be included in the Xtreme Lash International Salon Listings.
 
 
Xtreme Lash Advanced Technician Bev Kuran 

xtreme lashes advanced technician Bev KuranBorn and raised in Calgary, I love the culture and the atmosphere this city has to offer. It's influenced me to be the person I am today, and I feel lucky to be a part of it.

This industry is very exciting to me, in fact my involvement with the cachet of makeup started when I was little, mixing face creams, lotions and beauty potions in my bathroom sink. While growing up, beauty was always a hobby for me. I bought every new book and product possible, absorbing all the knowledge on esthetics I could.
 
 
                                        Xtreme Lash Technician Elaine Chang
 calgary-xtreme-lash-technician-elaine-changWith over ten years experience with some of cosmetics elite, Elaine Chang has honed her enthusiasm into a career. Her unprecedented flair for the female form and meticulous craftsmanship takes aesthetics to a new height.Elaine’s work with a wide range of applications such as advertising, the music industry, weddings and ready to wear makeup showcases her versatility and range. Combining classic beauty and the latest advances lash technology, Elaine can transform and enhance from ordinary to the extraordinary.
 

A VINTAGE AFFAIR

okay okay..i must sound like im five when im always saying "this is my favourite, no this is my favourite..no really THIS IS MY FAVOURITE"...
this particular shoot was extraordinary...the universe was aligned for great things...
great sunny fall day. great people. great models. great photographer, great vintage attire and accessories. great make up. and great hair (insert humble cough)
 it was a real treat for me as I got to collaborate with my fave ladies as well meet  a new duo-thank you bonnnie and theresa- owners of  A Vintage Affair, on this fashion shoot.
 They have an exquisite collection of vintage bridal gowns and will be serving brides by appointment only. Watch for a big announcement from them. Here’s a taste of great things to come from this team of vintage collaborators.
nothing short of spectacular...thank you everyone :)

FEAST YOU EYES ON A "SPOONFUL OF VINTAGE".....














Our gorgeous models… Samantha, Clare and Shannon
Hair styling: Tara Watts
Make-up styling: Shea Brown
photogragraphy: Tara Whittaker
Cakes: Cakeworks
Florals: Sarah Mayerson Design
Thanks to Bo Concept for allowing us to shoot in their beautiful store
 

Saturday 1 December 2012

FINGERWAVE... DIY TUTORIAL

its all about glamour these days....old style hollywood is in magazines runways television..and its party season to boot
heres a quick DIYon finger waves for your holiday party season...
the following photos would be representative of 1920's glamour, and is a combination wingerwave and pincurl set to help guide you and give a visual

first, start with freshly washed wet hair...if working with longer lengths make sure that hair is more dry than wet,towel dry really well. in case of my model she had quite long hair(past shoulder) so unless she was okay sitting under dryer for a day, start the blo dry process(on longer lengths) or go do laundry while air drying  
 u will need a firm holding sculpting lotion or gel....but nothing sticky or your fingers will stick to your set. start "fingering" the goal is to create an "S" shape working  from top of head to ears
if possible use metallic or plastic clips used for rollers sets..improvise with bobby pins as most people have those at home. the gel at this point is your friend - helping mold hair into place. be creative with those "S" shapes.
 continue working those waves until it feels and looks like you have that finger wave shape. if your hair is longer like in photo, this is where you can opt for alternating pin curls which is another technique used for the old hollywood glamour styles we are seeing.i sectioned the back portion of her hair and pincurled from behind the ears down to nape(neck) 
 easy pincurl technique is grapping lengths of hair in sections, i use my pinky finger to randomly grabbing hair-keep in mind the larger the section the larger the wave-and with your gel smoothing hair towards you then wrapping around pointer and middle fingers until most of the length has been tucked. remove fingers. gently roll hair towards head and pin.you will get a different look depending on whether you pin the "PINCURL" down or up..have fun with it. look at those pretty clips ..   
 now..drying time..its all relative: if you have one of these hood dryers, lets call this plan A-yes they exist, check kijiji or vintage stores for table top ones as they are very useful..mine at home is a sweet robins egg blue, and is used regularly(plop it on a chair, sit on the floor, watch tv for 30min) plan B is to use your blow dryer.again remember we talked about air drying/towel drying as much as possible ..this is why. plan C- plan on not leaving the house until party time, and  take the opportunity while hair is air drying nicely..albeit slowly....to catch up on whatever it is you put off in your home..rearranging all the sock drawers, removing dust from all your hard to reach artwork, arranging clothes in closets by color...i could go on and on but you get the idea    
 ahhh time to finish...gently brush hair out, following the shape of those waves you created
and voila! your creation is complete and you are wearing a vintage inspired do.... timeless




ps....another rendition of fingerwave/pincurl application...my daughter and I....hair done similiar to above for a photoshoot at a very cool museum in didsbury, alberta....
 i smile all the time i was just doing as i was told....HONEST!

DOWNTOWN ABBY..PART DUEX

HERITAGE PARK: A CREATIVE SHOOT






 




 
PRETTY AWSOME IF I DO SAY SO MYSELF!
 
 

NO NEED FOR MUCH TEXT -  I BABBLED ABOUT HOW GREAT THE SHOOT WAS THAT DAY AT HERITAGE PARK IN MY ORIGINAL POST. JUST DIDNT POST ANY  PHOTOS...SILLY ME?

SHORT VERSION:
FANTASTIC COLLABERATION: WITH TARA WHITTAKER
LOCATION: HERITAGE PARK
MODELS: HUSBAND AND WIFE TEAM  REBECCA AND WARREN
HAIR MAKE UP: TARA WATTS ME
PHOTOGRAPHY: TARA WHITTAKER (NOT ME)
MODEL CANINE: MONTY

ENJOY!