My Week In Photos

Where did I go right? I made all these changes and then just disappeared. I tend to bounce around from one thing to another and it's quite possible I should have been diagnosed with ADD as a kid. My kids keep me busy and when I'm not being a mom, I'm working at my career always trying to better myself and exercise my creativity.

Here's what this Makeup Junkie has been up to over the last two weeks and it's only going to get busier with more photo shoots (including a BIG one that I have to keep on the DL for now), weddings and events like the Toronto International Film Fest! It's the last week of summer - boohoo - so get out there and enjoy it!

My beautiful client and hair stylist, Eva Therese! I did her makeup for her uber sexy shoot! Photo taken by the talented Cynthia Bugala.

This gorgeous bride was once a Maid-of-Honor for one of my past brides!

One of my clients and high school classmates at her bridal trial. Grace Kelly inspired!

I wrangled up my boys and went on a makeup shopping trip with my makeup artist friends, Donna Marie and Lelo, to attend Yaby Cosmetics first pop-up shop in Toronto! I got a few shadows, highlighter in Light, a freestyle palette, and a few packages of their empties and one pack of grippies. The grippies came in handy for my Shu Uemura blushes and the empties were just perfect for my lipsticks. I put them in a small Aveda freestyle palette I've had for a while. If you didn't attend, you missed out on some really great discounts! 

I'm excited to get back into doing photo shoots - my portfolio certainly needs an update! Something magical happens when you work with other creative people who share the same vision. I'm looking forward to a couple of big shoots coming up so stay tuned! I shot with up and coming photographer, Camille Rojas, and Donna Marie did the hair. I can't wait to see the finished shots! 

New On The Joy of Makeup: Bridal Trial Inspiration - Megan Fox!

I recently did a bridal trial and her inspiration was this stunning makeup on Megan Fox! Click here to see my version of this look on the beautiful Carla and for a list of products used!

Makeup Junkie & Dior Canada Present: Bridal Makeup Workshop With Dior Canada's Senior Artist Fredis V.

What: Bridal Makeup Workshop With Dior Canada's Senior Artist Fredis V.

When: February 5, 2012 

Time: 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm

Where: 550 Queensquay W., Toronto, ON

Main Floor Party Room (See concierge)

Advance Tickets (until January 25): $100

After January 25 Ticket Price: $120 

(If you wish to pay via Money Email Transfer please contact me at joy[at]makeupjunkie[dot]ca.)
*Tickets are NON-REFUNDABLE unless canceled by host. If you are unable to attend all of a sudden, you may sell your ticket to someone else. 

Bring: Your kit, notepad/pen, and a model. Cameras and video recording are welcomed. 

To Purchase Tickets: http://fredisvbridalworkshop.eventbrite.ca/

Makeup Junkie is proud to host alongside Dior Canada, a bridal makeup workshop for makeup extraordinaire and Dior Canada's Senior Artist, Fredis V.! Attendees will be in for a treat! With wedding season just around the corner, it's the perfect workshop to refresh your bridal skills or to learn some new ones.

The workshop is not only for makeup artists though. If you are a bride getting married this year and thinking about doing your own makeup, this workshop will help you learn the techniques needed in creating a look that is right for you. As a bonus, each attendee will receive a little gift bag with some amazing Dior products!

Working for one of the world's top beauty brands, Fredis knows the hottest trends in bridal makeup. You'll learn how to execute a flawless canvas, how to create the picture-perfect look for your bride, and what techniques are the most efficient and effective. You'll also learn the top bridal makeup trends for 2012! 

About Fredis V.: 

Based in Toronto, Fredis Velasquez is widely known around Canada, as the go-to professional makeup artist among the industry's best. He is one of the most sought after make-up artists in Toronto, who aims to achieve a flawless face, lush lashes, and the perfect brow for his clientele. His exceptional artistry skills allow him to create a luminous glow that is seen on the red-carpets of Hollywood’s elite. Fredis specializes in Editorial, Red Carpet Events, Commercials, Music Videos, and High Profile Weddings. He has more than 14 years of experience as a professional makeup artist and has worked with the most innovative, standard setting, skincare and cosmetics enterprises in the industry.

Fredis' distinct style allows his work to stand out from other makeup artist; making stops at various work venues along the way such as MAKE UP FOR EVER, FRESH, NARS, AVEDA, MAC, Bobbi Brown, Laura Mercier, GIORGIO ARMANI, YSL, Shu Uemura and DIOR Canada including many more! Fredis is currently the Lead Consulting Artist for Dior in Canada. He is dedicated in fulfilling his client’s vision as he pays close attention to detail and enhances natural beauty. His down to earth demeanour makes everyone feel comfortable in his hands, illustrating a contemporary and pure expression that produces an astounding outcome.

www.fredisvelasquez.com

'Like' Fredis on Facebook and follow him on Twitter!

Behind-the-Scenes: Eco-Chic Bride Winner Photo Shoot!

See behind-the-scene shots of our Eco-Chic Bride winner taken a couple of days ago with fellow beauty blogger and bride-to-be Monica from Beauty Parler! The shoot was sponsored by Revolution Organics, Schwartzkopf Essensity, Glam by Brianne, and Carey Ann Photography. To read about our fun shoot, click here.

Photo Credit: Carey Ann Photography

The Joy of Makeup Contest: Are You An Eco-Chic Bride?

Makeup Junkie's sister site, The Joy of Makeup, is hosting its first contest giveaway and it's a BIG one! This is for all you brides getting married in Toronto and the GTA. I'm sure you're in the midst of planning your wedding and finding the right vendors to work with can be a little frustrating. By entering our contest, you'll have the chance to try out vendors that will help beautify you and capture those special moments all for free! 

To celebrate Earth Day, we've teamed up with eco-chic beauty brands, Revolution Organics and Schwartzkopf Essensity, to find our Eco-Chic bride! We'll not only be using these products on you, but you'll get to take home a fabulous prize pack of all these products. And that's not all, the lucky bride-to-be will receive a free makeup trial with me and a free hair trial with Brianne from Glam by Brianne. There's more! Carey Ann, a professional wedding photographer, will be capturing the trial and doing a mini photo shoot. The bride will take home one free digital photo and one print as a keepsake.

If you're a bride, don't pass up this awesome opportunity! And if you're not, but know someone who is getting married pass this contest on! Winner will be announced on Earth Day, April 22nd, at 12 pm. Good luck!

For full contest details visit www.joyofmakeup.ca.

Bridal Beauty Fix: The Joy of Makeup

If you're getting married in the Toronto/GTA area this year and are still looking for a Toronto/GTA bridal makeup artist check out The Joy of Makeup to view my services, rates, contact info and portfolio. For any brides getting married I also have some great beauty tips, Joy Approved beauty product reviews, and some hair and makeup inspirations! Visit the official blog to read up on the latest posts: 

Joy Approved: M.A.C. White Frost Eye Shadow

Joy Approved: Embryolisse 24 Hour Miracle Cream

The Romantic

Prince William & Kate Middleton: Wedding of the Decade!

Bridal Beauty Trends 2011

Makeup 101: Flirty Plum Eyes With Bride-to-Be Erica!

I love that we're going into the second week of October and bridal season is still going strong! Meet Erica, one of my gorgeous brides-to-be! She's a natural beauty with lovely green eyes and long lushes lashes. I instantly wanted to play up her green eyes so we decided to go with a neutral base and plum accents in the crease. Plum, being one of the big trends for Fall, is a perfect palette for this November bride! (Quick shout-out to Naomi for inspiring me to do this post! Thank you!)

Here are the star products: 

Skin: 

Cargo blu_ray High Definition Mattifier Primer (t-zone)

Make Up For Ever HD Primer (rest of face)

Face Atelier Ultra Pro Foundation #2/#3 mixed (all over and under eyes)

YSL Touche Eclat #1 (under eyes)

Make Up For Ever HD Powder

Bailey Cosmetics Foundation Duo in Tan (contour)

Eyes:

CoverFX EyePrep FX

Bobbi Brown Caviar Eye Shadow (brows)

M.A.C. Vanilla and White Frost (brow bone)

the fake lashes were not glued on for the trial which explains why it is falling off the left eye!

1. NARS Rajasthan Duo Eye Shadow ($32 USD):  I love this duo. For this look I only used this metallic almond shade as her lid colour. I also applied this on the lower lash line. Even though we were using plum shades, we still wanted the overall look to be fairly neutral. I have used the metallic almond colour on just about every skin tone and every result is beautiful. I will definitely do another feature using both the shades because the navy-grey is a sexy alternative for a black smokey eye. 

2. M.A.C. Sketch Shadow ($17.50) Sketch is an oldie but a goodie! This burgundy-plum shadow with red shimmer is deep and gives the eye a real sultriness to it. I added this shade in the outer crease to middle of the lid and over top of UD 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil in Crush. This shade was also applied on the lower lash line.

3. Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil in Crush ($17 USD): I've had a love affair with these eye pencils for a few years. This is actually from last Fall's collection. Crush is a deep plum with teeny silver glitter. I love using cream bases like an eye pencil to bring out the hue of a powder shadow. Plus, it helps enhance the staying power of a powder shadow. Thankfully the glitter does not fall off onto the skin and gives the hint of sparkle appropriate for a grown woman. I also used UD's Zero black liner to line the top lash line. She didn't want a heavy line so I smudged it into her lash line and dipped an angled brush in black shadow to help lock it in. 

L'Oreal Black Mascara (bride's own)

4. Quo #803 Lashes Shopper's Drug Mart Brand ($7.99): I adore Quo lashes. I do not love the glue but their line of fake lashes has never disappointed me. There are a variety of styles to choose from and all are made with 100% natural human hair. One of my favourite styles from the line is the #803. The hair is longest at the center and shorter on the sides which makes the eyes really pop. The feathery quality also gives it a flirty quality and looks very natural against her own lashes. Erica already has long lashes but these falsies just enhanced them even more. Tip: I don't always like to add an obvious line with liquid liner to hide the band. Since she doesn't want the liner to look thick, I will use a flat synthetic brush dipped in black liquid liner and smudge it right onto the band of the fake lashes.

Cheeks:

5. Benefit PosieTint Cheek and Lip Stain ($28 USD): Another beauty crush. When it first came out I tried it on in the store and wasn't too impressed. A month ago, one of my bride's asked me to use it on her underneath a powder blush. I fell in love! I finally decided to pick one up and can't get enough of it. I love cheek and lip stains especially since I wear minimal makeup for everyday. I love it on its own or layered underneath a pink or coral-pink blush which is what I did with Erica. It's creamier than the original, Benetint, and gives a true girly flush. On my skin tone, I need about 2 layers on my cheeks and 3 layers on my lips but once it's on it stays on. I applied this first then dusted a translucent powder to set it.

NARS Douceur Blush (dusted over top of PosieTint)

M.A.C. Mineralize Skinfinish in Shimpagne (cheekbones)

Lips:

M.A.C. Dervish Lip Liner (all over)

Beaute Cosmetics Luminous Volume Gloss in Paramour

6. YSL Rouge Volupte Perle Lipstick SPF 15 in Stellar Pink ($34 USD): This bride is a gloss junkie but I think I've made a lipstick convert out of her! Stellar Pink is a soft pink-beige from the Fall collection and is a shade that is "your-lips-but-better". This luxurious, creamy lipstick is packed with pigment but the glossy finish keeps your lips ultra moisturized. It's not a long-lasting lipstick but if you don't mind reapplying you'll love how it just cushions your lips!

What do you think of Erica's bridal look? Have you tried any of these products? Love 'em? Hate 'em? Want 'em?

Most products with the exception of Benetint PosieTint, Quo #803, and M.A.C. Sketch Eye Shadow were sent for editorial consideration.

Beauty Review: Makeup Makeovers: Weddings by Robert Jones

Makeup Makeovers: Weddings by Robert Jones ($24.95 USD) is a must-have beauty guide whether you're a bride or a makeup artist - or both! This beauty gem offers in-depth tips on how to create a multitude of looks with step-by-step guides, beautiful photos, and makeup essentials for creating a picture-perfect wedding look. It covers beauty for a range of skin tones and tells you techniques for achieving the right look for different times of the day (morning, mid-day, evening etc). It's an excellent guide for women doing their own makeup or for the makeup artist that needs a little inspiration! 

This book had been on my want-list for a long time. I love popping this out during bridal trials! It really helps when narrowing down a look for the big day. Lighting plays a big key in how your makeup looks so you'll appreciate all the tips. I'm a very visual person and LOVE all the beautiful photos in this book! 

Have you read this book? Love it? Hate it? Want it? 

Visit www.lecosmetique.com for all your beauty and makeup artistry essentials!

Product was sent for editorial consideration.

Makeup 101: Bridal Beauty Prep Checklist

If you're wondering why Makeup Junkie is featuring bridal beauty posts lately it's because my bridal season has begun! Some of you readers may be getting married or know someone that is and we want to help make your day a special one! 

Up until the last minute brides are running around making sure the last few details are in order. By that time, most of you are ready to pull your hair out and wishing you were on the honeymoon. In the midst of the madness, the bride tends to forget about herself. Check out Makeup 'n The Bride to read our Beauty Prep Checklist to help you get ready for the big day physically and most importantly mentally!

http://makeupandthebride.com

In My Kit: Bridal Beauty Must-Haves

Want to know what my kit essentials are when getting the bride ready for her special day? I like to carry a few primers with me for different skin types. Since most weddings happen in the summer, a must-have primer for me is CARGO blu_ray High Definition Mattifier! 

Check out Makeup 'n The Bride to see why this is a must-have in my kit!

www.makeupandthebride.com

Makeup 101: Bridal Beauty

Photo credit: www.kevinlamphoto.com

MU: Joy David-Tilberg

Wedding season has begun! My bridal beauty philosophy has always been radiant, flawless, timeless and naturally you but better. You don't want to look back at your wedding photos ten years from now and think, "What was I thinking?". 

Trying to decide on the right look for you can be difficult. Many look at the celebs for inspiration, but in the end you want to decide on a look that will suit you. You also want makeup that isn't fussy and will need multiple touch-ups throughout the day. Keep in mind, your wedding makeup will be a bit stronger to compensate for lighting in the photographs. So, don't be alarmed if you're wearing more blush than usual. A skilled makeup artist will know how to make those cheeks pop while making it appear like you're glowing from within. 

Check out my sister site, Makeup 'n The Bride, for different bridal looks. Learn how to achieve a glowing, blushing bride look in my latest post featuring the lovely Lauren from LIFT Beauty Boutique!  

To view my complete bridal portfolio click here. Don't forget to join the official Makeup 'n The Bride Facebook Group for tips and beauty updates!