January Jaunts, Endeavours & Achievements

2019-02-07 By Laura-Louise Leave a Comment

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!

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

Laura-Louise Makeup Artist blog - January 2019

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

Huge Wedding Blog Success for Cheshire Makeup Artist Laura-Louise

2017-06-14 By Laura-Louise Leave a Comment

Photoshoot Success leads to National Wedding Blog Exposure

In April 2017, I was lucky enough to take part in a wedding photoshoot at Park House Hotel, Shifnal. I am super excited to reveal to you that since the shoot, the photographs have been chosen to be in the prestigious wedding directory website, Hitched.co.uk wedding blog and here is that link!

I’m so excited, I think I could burst! Photoshoots are often kept under wraps by those who have taken part in the shoot but here is a unique insight into the day from makeup artists’ viewpoint.

Wedding Makeup Styling to Meet the Brief

I arrived at Park House Hotel to a warm welcome from the Hotel Manager, Ross and his fabulous team. I was promptly shown up to the bridal suite to set up my makeup table, chair and products ready to start soon after. Next to arrive was Sarah, from Sarah’s Mobile Hair, the chosen hairdresser for the shoot. We hadn’t worked together before. Once we had set up, we took time to discuss the requested bridal “looks” that we had been asked to create and discussed the style ideas we had for hair and makeup. As a makeup artist, I have to work quite quickly on the day and establish some basic facts when it comes to styling and expectations to ensure I am meeting the photoshoot brief.

At 8.45am our first model, Jess arrived along with her partner and fellow model, Josh. We also saw the wedding dresses for the first time and Julieann from Julieann Bird Designs showed us the range of hair accessories/jewellery to ensure that they fitted with the overall “look”. It was time to start! To ensure we captured all the images required, the schedule was tight; keeping to time was crucial. Having worked in the wedding industry for 13 years, I’m used to timescales.

Elegant Wedding Makeup for Blue-eyed Jess

I started with Jess’ eyeshadow and individual lashes, which when completed, looked elegant and glamorous. I chose warm colours which complimented her blue eyes, the classic look gave her a warm glow. Sarah prepped her hair whilst her eyes were being completed, giving Jess a real feeling of VIP pampering, she said she would love this attention when it comes to her wedding day…she just needs to secure the date with her fiancé Josh!

The off-the-shoulder style of wedding gown meant that I had to ensure her makeup didn’t stop at her neck/chin but was blended perfectly. As with every client, I ensured her makeup looked flawless, so that it could be photographed from every angle. I even added some highlighter to her collar bone to accentuate the neckline perfectly.

Makeup Artists Constantly Check the Fine Details

Once dressed, I applied a little bit of finishing powder and setting spray before models Jess and Josh headed off downstairs to the photoshoot. As a makeup artist, it was my role to ensure that the models’ makeup was looking flawless at all times including lipsticks topped up and ready for the camera at all times. All suppliers at the photoshoot, we were also to be on hand to help change “scenes” and tidy up where needed, which gives us perfect behind the scene experience of all aspects of the photoshoot from start to finish. We were even allowed to share images from behind the scenes using the hashtag #BTS .

On Location Around the Wedding Venue

The first wedding photoshoot scenes were located on the stunning staircase which wraps around the main hallway in the original part of the building. With several landings, there was perfect opportunity for photographs to be taken with the Bride and then with the Groom. We then moved to capture some fabulous images of the Bride on the LOVE letters in the hallway before we made our way into the civil ceremony room for some wedding ceremony shots. The models laughed and smiled for the camera, whilst Caroline and James from JOL Photography worked hard to capture the all important photographs.

Changing Colour Creates A Different “Look”

I was asked to change the Bride’s lip colour for the second half of her shoot and chose a rich plum lip colour and magenta cheek colour. Being dark haired, Jess looked stunning with this new colour and rocked it brilliantly!

Ethereal Look for Model Bride Sophie

After a short break, our second model arrived. Sophie is a beautiful blonde with long hair and the hairdresser, Sarah decided to create an ethereal half up/half down “do”. Makeup wise, the brief was english rose with a pink lip. I blended the eyeshadow colour to compliment Sophie’s sea blue eyes before applying individual lashes, some rose blusher and a rose pink lip. Sophie looked so beautiful…mission accomplished!

We headed down to yet another ceremony room which had be beautifully decorated with blossom trees by Perfectly Unique Occasions. The room looked like a scene from a movie and provided the perfect backdrop for the photographs. My makeup artist role complete with topping up the lip colour, Sophie was handed her beautiful hand tied bouquet, the look was complete. I’m sure you will agree that she looks breathtaking!

Action Shots of Laura-Louise Makeup Artist

Photographers James and Caroline led Sophie into a room at the front of the venue and set up this gorgeous scene on the beautiful Chesterfield sofa located in front of a window. Whilst in situ, the Brides’ makeup needing touching up and so James captured this action shot of me doing what I do best, ensuring the Bride shone from each and every direction! I love these action shots… thank you James!

That’s a Wrap…

The photo shoot and the high energy levels continued until 9pm that night and right up until the last moment, the models were looking fabulous thanks to the long lasting makeup, professional application and lip touch ups throughout the day. All the suppliers who could, stayed behind to help pack away at the end and by the end of the day we really felt like #TeamBride.

It was hard work but totally and utterly worth the early start and the late finish, I’m sure you will agree that the Brides look AMAZING. Thank you Jess and Sophia for writing such fabulous testimonials about my service on the day. You can read the testimonials from Jess HERE and from Sophie HERE

I hope you love the photographs as much as I do,