The lovely Courtney came to the studio with her two awesome sisters to get ready for her wedding day.  I enjoyed meeting these ladies immensely and had such a wonderful time getting everyone ready and all glammed up. Courtney smile was absolutely mesmerizing and her excitement contagious!

Oh weddings are so much fun!

She had some ideas on how she wanted her hair styled and had brought in a few photos. I loved that, as it gave me an idea of her personal style and the direction she wanted to go.

 The outcome turned how pretty beautiful. A lot of glam with a hint of vintage. Love , love  love!

I really wanted to keep Courtney’s look natural while  emphasizing her beautiful eyes. Airbrush makeup, champagne highlighter on her cheekbones, Nars orgasm blush gave her a radiant glow. On her eyes I used a combo of blackberry and brown eyeshadow. The single false lashes are so sexy. And on her lips I used Nars Orgasm lipgloss. One of my favorite color!

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Thank you Courtney for letting me be a part of your day. I loved meeting you and your awesome sisters! Wishing you and your husband for a long and happy life together.XO

Mascara ads fall into the grossly exaggerated claims like no other beauty products. Do you really expect me to believe the model with the mile long, perfectly curled, DRAMATICALLY thick eyelashes is ONLY wearing mascara?? How do the manufacturers get away with that?!?  Consequently it becomes difficult to pick up a new mascara not really knowing what the end results will be. They all sound like miracle in a tube don’t  they?

Mac False lashes is the newest addition to MAC permanent line of mascara. It come it one shade only: False Black and cost $18. For those of you who know me, I’m a lash girl and will try just about anything. So here ya go.

From MAC: “False Lashes Mascara adds dramatic volume, the rich, creamy, volumizing formula magnifies and multiplies the look of each lash, creating dramatically thick, long, curled, exaggerated lashes. The lush brush applies a deluxe dose of heavy pigment to the lashes and works in combination with the product to create incredible volume, length and density. The pigments in the formula are treated to allow for maximum colour payoff that remains true, deep, uniform and wears all day long. It’s flake- and smudge-resistant, ophthamologist-tested and safe for contact-wearers.”

The Brush

I tend to like smaller mascara wand and this one,  in my opinion, is just the perfect size. With shorter and firm bristles I can get to the lash line easily. The brush gabs the lashes nicely enabling me to them coat them all evenly. I really like it.

The Formula

Nekkid lashes:)

With False Lashes

False Lashes excelled in delivering great length with a sweet lift to my lashes. The photo were taken without prior curling. My lashes didn’t clump despite the many layers applied in hope of achieving THE volume. The formula doesn’t dry instantly and allows for rearranging easily and I didn’t end up in spider land either.

The formula is very light and this is where I thought it failed. In no way form or shape did the mascara give me: dramatic volume, nor did  it magnifies and multiplies the look of each lash dramatically thick, long, curled, exaggerated lashes. NO WAY!

Overall

This mascara may suit someone looking for length and a little lift. If you’re looking for volume as well I just don’t see it. There are better, less expensive alternative, Voluminous by L’oreal comse immediately to mind.

Studio Marie-Pierre rating: B-

Hope your day is filled with lots of hugs and kisses and chocolates. HAPPY VALENTINE’S day to all. Smooches! 

The video submission round started on January 1st and will go until March 15 and the winner will be announced shortly thereafter. The final deadline was extended because I quickly realized how busy the first of the year is and how much effort goes into making these videos. I certainly don’t want to add any undo stress to these gorgeous girls while they’re wedding planning, so I made certain to give everyone plenty of time to complete the task.

Amy whipped her video together in no time, a playful riff on Key West’s official song “Margaritaville.” Her video “Gettin’ Hitched Gorgeously in Margaritaville” is so creative, funny, and her fun-loving character truly to shines.

A few weeks later Michelle had her video ready, a tender fairy tale of her love story with Keith. It’s such a sweet video and she truly expresses her love for her best friends, her bridesmaids, and especially her sister.

I am honored to be a part of your wedding day, ladies, and I’m truly humbled by your enthusiasm and creativity. Great job to both of you! Amy and Michelle have expressed to me that they’ve truly enjoyed making the videos. That makes me so happy. It’s like another little memento of your wedding.

I am anxiously awaiting the rest of the entries. There’s still plenty of time! I can’t wait to see all the different ways that my gorgeous finalists express their love and creativity. Remember, all of my finalists have already won a free spray tan or free false eyelashes application and one lucky winner will be rewarded with free hair and makeup for her and her entire bridal party.

To vote for your favorite videos, visit our tab on Facebook.

Good luck girls and have a gorgeous day!

Good morning lovelies. I have been meaning to post these gorgeous images from Aubrey Joy Photography a while back and got completely side tracked! So here they are.
This awesome couple tied the knot at the Casa Marina in Key West. The bride, Dorothy was stunning and wanted to keep her look natural with a touch a drama on her eyes. The hair was left down with  loose waves. The images speak for thewmselves. ENJOY!

Paige got the married at the Casa Marina in Key West on New Year’s Eve. This group was lively and a lot of fun!

I met Paige in her suite and got her ready for a wonderful evening of  loving celebration. She had very beautiful hair and skin and a stunning headband as her hairpiece. She looks classically gorgeous a little like a princess. I love it!
 

A classic bun is always in style!

 
Loved being a part of your day Paige! Congratulations!!!

“Something old, something new, something borrowed, and something blue…”

It’s a saying that brides everywhere consider when putting together their wedding day wardrobe. What family heirloom will be given to you as your “something old?” What fabulous sparkly new item can you pick out for your “something new?” Perhaps your “something borrowed” represents an inside joke with your bridesmaids! And what about “something blue?”

The saying actually goes back to the late 1880s and “something blue” represents a sign of fidelity in your marriage union. What better way to represent this in 2012 than with a sparkly blue glitter tattoo with your hubby-to-be’s name scrawled on it?

A recent bride requested this very thing! And I said, of course! I just adore everything fun and creative with weddings! I used blue cosmetic grade body glitter and body glue and created a handmade stencil out of sticker paper. Such a sweet idea!

First, I applied the sticker on the skin and covered it with a light coat a body glue.

Second, I sprinkled a good amount of body glitter on the sticker then peeled it off carefully

VOILA!

She opted to place the tattoo near her hip, right above her bikini line as a hidden little surprise. I think it would be super sweet on your ankle or even your shoulder, too.

What’s your something blue?

Here are a couple of photos of Jessica’s hair and makeup who got recently married in Key West. I Loved Jessica’s style and personality especially her beautiful big brown eyes!

Congratulations Jessica! Wishing and your husband nothing but the best.

I had the pleasure to style Sarah & Alycia just recently. 2 separate weddings in beautiful Key West with 2 completely different hairstyles. It was such an honor to be chosen by these ladies for their special day!

Sarah really loved braids and wanted it somehow incorporated in a half up half down style.  She had gorgeous hair, and a stunning hairpiece. We were both thrilled with the outcome!

Alycia wanted her hair up and very soft. She had brought with her 3 dainty, very sweet pink flowers that she had purchased on Etsy. These little floral clips were the inspiration behind her hair. A touch of vintage for Alycia was so perfect with her style.

Have a beautiful day and don’t forget to join us on Facebook!

Make sure to check out our semi finalists video entry for our “Live Gorgeously!” contest. The ladies are doing such a fabulous job and have impressed all of us at SMP. And don’t forget to vote for your fave!

After the HUGE success of Urban Decay Original Naked Palette, the company launched the highly anticipated Naked2. Just like Naked 1, this palette  is of great value.  Comprised with a combination of neutral & warm toned shades, a travel-size Lip Junkie Lipgloss in Naked, AND a double-ended, cruelty-free Good Karma Shadow/Crease Brush.

This palette would have been a huge success in my book if  the shades weren’t so similar to the original.  And my biggest complaint: why even bother including Half Baked Again??.

The packaging

The palette comes encased in a sleek metal compact that closes tight at the corners and a large mirror. I love it and feel it’s a great improvement over the original palette made out of cardboard.  It’s heavier than Naked 1 but the same size in length and width.

The Eyeshadows

The eyeshadows are of beautiful quality.  Smooth, highly pigmented and blend like butta’ in typical Urban Decay fashion.  The only fall out I experienced was with chopper.

• Foxy: cream yellowish bisque with matte finish. Good as a base but go lightly may look a tad chalky.
• Half Baked: Golden-bronze with high shimmering finish.
• Booty Call: Pale, frosted, pink-tinted. Wonderful for a base color or highlight.
• Chopper:  coppery hue with silver flecks of microglitter. This is a gorgeous shade but I would do without the glittery fall out.
• Tease: Matte finish brown with mauve undertone. This color will be great for subtle crease contouring or as a base a for a no-makeup look. I’ve read many complaints about the formula lacks of pigment but I’m thinking this might have been intentional.
• Snake Bite: Shimmering dark bronze with a strong metallic base. Another one of my fave. Rock on smokey eye!
• Suspect: Pale golden beige with shimmering finish.
• Pistol: Light gray-brown with shimmering finish and green undertone. Very interesting color.  One of the cooler shade.
• Verve: Oyster with shimmering finish. pretty but not that exciting. I have lots a sheds similar to this.
• YDK: Red toned brown with a metallic base one of the best selling UD shades.
• Busted: Deep brown golden undertones with a purple hint. Frosted finish. This one will rock the ladies out there with blue or green eyes.
• Blackout: intense blackest black with matte finish. Love!

The Brush

The palette comes with a double-ended Good Karma Shadow/Crease brush made out of synthetic bristles. One side is flat, perfect for applying applying eyeshadows to the lid and brow bone, and the other is fluffy and tapered contours and blends like a dream.

The Lipgloss

The color is gorgeous and nicely pigmented. Sadly, the smell was a complete turn off.  And once applied, the strong minty flavor even worse. I wiped it off immediatly. My 9 year old Jasmine on the other hand, couldn’t believe I hated it.  She grabbed it and put it in her stash. 

Final thoughts

Without a doubt, Naked 2 is of great value. $50 for twelve full-sized eyeshadows, a brush and a travel lipgloss makes is totally worth taking a look at.

If you’re more into traditional warm browns, the original Naked will be perfect for you. If you prefer medium, taupier colors then try Naked 2.

Like I said, I so wish this palette would have been mostly filled with cool matte shades (hint, hint UD) so as to avoid such high similarity with the original Naked.  That makes me think most gals won’t need both. Unless you’re crazy about makeup as much as I am!

Studio MP rating: A

Shannon got Married in December. We had done a trial earlier in the year and I absolutely adored her! I was so excited to see her again on her big day.

We arrived at the Southernmost on The Beach Resort on a typical, sunny, gorgeous Key West day, and were greeted not only by Shannon’s gorgeous smile, but also her awesome bridal party. We had a lot of fun chatting, laughing and glamming all these fun ladies up. I managed to snap a couple of shots of the lovely Shannon. Hopefully I’ll have the pro photos to show you all.

For her makeup we decided on a medium smokey eye done in shades of blackberry and champagne with a hint of brown.  Check out the false lashes!

Thank you so much Shannon for all the love It was so fun  being a part of your day!!!