My monthly blog shining a light on what’s going on at Laura-Louise Makeup Artist

Sometimes, sitting down to write a blog is difficult, knowing what to write on a specific topic, coming across natural, hoping it doesn’t sound cheesy or fake.

With this in mind, I thought I would write a blog as if we were sitting down in a cafe, enjoying a cup or glass of whatever-you-like and having a catch up session (albeit, one sided). It might work, it might be something that people like. It might give you the excuse you need to take 5 minutes to stop and take a breather.

So…January Arrived

Most people feel like January lasts 200 days and each one of those days is grey and dismal. I have to say that I am the absolute opposite. However, I’m also told by friends and colleagues that I am “the most positive person they know” and see the silver lining in every situation. Perhaps, I am positive (annoyingly for some, I guess) but I’d rather be positive than negative.

Website Updates & My New Blog

So whilst my friends were busy adopting veganism and committing to dry January and telling E.V.E.R.Y.O.N.E about how desperate they are for a drink, I threw myself into work. I updated my website, put together a new pricing structure for 2019/20/21 and networked like crazy, making connections with new wedding venues & suppliers with whom I have not work with before. It paid off! I’ve booked into four wedding events and two bridal photoshoots.

Being self employed, you put your head down and being busy creating makeup looks doesn’t always mean I have the time to upload new images to my website gallery as often as I should. Seeing as it’s January, I’ll add that to my “could do better list”….

2020 & 2021 Diary Filling Up Fast

So here are some stats….during the month of January I’ve received 48 makeup enquiries and received 18 bookings spanning 2019, 2020 and 2021. Sadly, many of the enquiries I had to inform the Brides that I could not offer my services because I was already booked.

My go-to response is ” I’m afraid I am already booked for your date, but I wish you a fabulous wedding day when it comes”. However many times you write it, it still doesn’t get any easier. I always feel sad. The lesson here is ladies, don’t wait too long to book someone you really, really like. On your wedding day, when every camera is the land is pointing at you, you should have the pick of the best, rather than pick of who is left.

Styled Photo Shoot at the Gaddum

Before being selected to take part in this shoot, I’d not heard of The Gaddum despite hailing from the Lake District. As soon as you arrive at the Gaddum you know you’ve found somewhere special. Its impressive hilltop location overlooking Windermere and with a breathtaking backdrop of lakeland hills….and that’s just the outside!

The Gaddum boasts a collection of fabulous rooms including the lounge, the orangery and the garden room taking in the stunning lake views.

The photoshoot started at 8.45am and had to finish at 1pm as they had guests booked in for lunch and afternoon tea, so quite a tight timescale to be creative!

Sarah from Olive Owl Flowers was the creative director and florist, basically the entire shoot was down to her. Using the power of social media, she handpicked all the suppliers to create a bridal look for our model Heather at this gorgeous venue. Our photographer Emma Ryan captured the images. Fingers crossed we could even get some additional publicity in a wedding magazine.

As the makeup artist, I created Heather’s makeup using soft coral and bronze on her eyelids, used fabulously fluffy lashes, Charlotte Tilbury Duo bronze and highlight and NYX lip colour Sierra. The flawless skin was created using Estee Lauder double wear. The second lip colour was a bolder plum, created using Arbonne lip colour Hibiscus.

The chosen hairdresser was the super talented Charlotte from Charlotte Elizabeth Hair and Beauty Room and she was inspired by the 1920’s feel of the venue and its’ decor and created soft waves with a side parting and used a stunning diamonte hair slide. For the second look, she created a loose up do. The soft waves added a touch of elegance and the delicate pearls finished the look perfectly.

The photo shoot was a fabulous success and it was a pleasure to meet and work with such a talented bunch of wedding suppliers. I’d love to work with you all again!

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Surprise Magazine Feature

I found out that images featuring a photoshoot which took place at The Florist in central Liverpool in late 2018 was featured in this months Your Cheshire and Merseyside Wedding Magazine. I created the makeup for this shoot and a team of suppliers captured this eclectic venue brilliantly. The Florist is combines stunning floral displays and neon lights. You can take a look at the online magazine here: Jan/Feb Issue 43

It’s All About Being Seen

There are two wedding fair seasons each year, one from Jan-April then September-November. Wedding Events are known as “wedding fairs” and these events give wedding suppliers the opportunity to show you who they are and what they do. Wedding Fayres and Bridal open evenings are great for inspiration and to meet suppliers face to face.

During January, I attended two wedding fairs, the first was the Wedding Open Evening at the Doubletree by Hilton, Chester where there was oodles of newly engaged couples looking for wedding suppliers for their big day. It was lovely to receive two bookings on the night.

The second event was the Wrexham Wedding Trail at St Giles Church in Wrexham town centre. It was so busy, probably the busiest I have ever seen it and 8 Brides booked me for their weddings spanning 2019 and 2020.

If you want to see me at my next events…

I’ll be at the Doubletree by Hilton Chester Wedding Fair
Sunday 17th March 2019
Find out more here

the I’ll be at the Soughton Hall Wedding Fair
Sunday 24th March 2019
Find out more here

Details of events can be seen on the bottom left corner of my Home Page 

Join Laura-Louise Academy Facebook Group TODAY

I’ve launched Laura-Louise Academy for Brides, models and wedding suppliers…basically for all things wedding! Here I’ll be putting calls out for models for makeup practise sessions, photoshoots and general pampering. If you would consider being pampered for a few hours, having some photographs taken whilst modelling a new makeup look, or if you wish to develop your portfolio with a wedding photoshoot, simply complete the questions and join the Laura-Louise Academy page here.

Monthly Inspiration

I’m definitely inspired by visual things. This postcard “spoke” to me when I was in a card shop in Manchester and it now sits on my wall in my office. I said yes to the shoot at the Gaddum, that’s how much it inspired me! What inspires you to chase your dreams and achieve bigger and better things?

Well, my cuppa is almost empty and I’m off on the school run. I’d love you to join me for another catch up soon.

Love,
Laura-Louise x

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