A Quick Survey

Please take a few moments to think about and answer these questions. I want your feedback to be able to provide satisfactory service in the future. Your opinion is important to me.

1. How much would you pay to have a make up lesson? (Private and group)
2. What would you expect to take home from the lesson? (ie a sheet with what was covered)
3. How long would you want the lesson to be? (Minimum and maximum time, use this to consider how much you would pay)
4. How would you expect the lesson to be set up?
5. What would you like to learn?
6. If you were happy with your lesson would you take more?

Please comment with your answers to the questions. Also feel free to email me at karleigh@karleighjohnstone.com or find me on facebook (Karleigh Johnstone, I am the only one). Also follow me on Twitter @Karleigh_J. I look forward to reading your responses and building an excellent service for you!

Creating the Perfect Cat Eye with Liquid Eye Liner

It is difficult to apply a flawless cat eye style eye liner. To make it easier, I have broken down step-by-step how I apply eye liner. Follow these steps and practice and you will have the technique perfected in no time! I have used liquid eye liner, if you have mature skin try using an eye shadow instead.

I have ask Lydia to be my model for this post. This is her before photo without any eye liner on. 

     
     1. Make a thin even line across the lid.

      2. At the edge of the lid draw a thin line outwards to where you want the tip to end. This will be the bottom portion of the liner's tail.

     3.Connect the liner from mid-lid to the tip.

     4. Fill in the center of the tail. Touch up any imperfections paying close attention to symmetry and that the liner's tail is a sharp point.

Here is Lydia's after photo now that the eye liner is complete.

Did you find this post helpful? Questions, comments, feedback? I would love to hear them! Please comment or email me for more specific questions at karleigh@karleighjohnstone.com, or find me on facebook (Karleigh Johnstone, I am the only one).

Wedding Planning: Looking Your Best for the Wedding Day Part 1

It is almost springtime, which means wedding season is fast approaching. This post will help all the blushing brides plan the beauty regimens for their wedding day. I'm posting this information now so you have time for the prep work. You have a lot to think about, wedding planning is not easy. Consider me your wedding beauty planner. I am going to give you all the information I can to perfect your look from head to toe. Let's get started!

The first step is to sit down and brainstorm exactly what you want. The sooner you get this done the more time you will have to find it. Here are some things to think about:

• What time is the wedding? This is important for scheduling (dressing, pictures, travel time etc).
• Where are you getting ready? Do you want your hair and make up done on location or in a salon?
• What is your budget for hair and make up? Are you paying for the bridal party?
• Do you want the make up artist to stay for touch ups during the wedding? If so be sure to inquire about their day rates.
• Is your bridal party getting their hair and make up done by the people you hire, or are they taking care of their own grooming needs?

Now for the details:

• What effect are you hoping your make up will create? How do you want to look?
• Do you have a theme?
• What are your colours?
• Do you want the bridal party to coordinate with each other?
• Who is included in your bridal party (mother of the bride, bride’s maids, additional family members, etc)

Having a specific idea of what you want makes it easier to find the right person for the job.

Have consultations with make up artists. Consultations are conversations to express what you want and to provide the details of the wedding. The make up artist will explain how they can accommodate your requests. The consultation is similar to an interview. I encourage you to talk to a number of different make up artists to determine which artists you will book trails with. You have tried on more than one dress, why wouldn't you try more that one make up artist?

Be prepared for your make up trial. The more you can communicate what you want, the easier the make up artist can provide your desired result:

·        Tear pages from magazines of make up looks you like.

·        Bring lipstick, eye shadow or blush you wear.

·        Come to the trial with a clean moisturized face.

·        It is a good idea to book a trial on a day you have plans to go out. This way you can see how your friends react to the application.

·        The trial is your time to become comfortable with the person you rely on to make you look your best on your wedding day. You want know that person will make you feel calm and confident.

·        Also discuss what services you will require for your bridal party.

When booking final details ask for a contract, this is a written agreement that protects both you and the professional. Confirm every detail; date, time for make up (both start and finish times), location, rates, number of people and any other specifications. If you decide not to have a contract I suggest saving all email correspondence as confirmation of an agreement. (Have something in writing). Determine if there is a deposit required and what the cancellation policy is. Finalize the payment details- who is paying? What payment methods are available? When is balance of payment due? Pass on the payment information to anyone who requires it.

Here are some suggestions for the wedding day:

• Try to eat something prior to getting your make up done.
• Brush your teeth beforehand.
• Be ready for the make up artist with your face clean and moisturized.
• Wear a button up shirt to make it easier to change and avoid smudging.

Did you find this post helpful? Questions, comments, feedback? I would love to hear them! Please comment or email me for more specific questions at karleigh@karleighjohnstone.com, or find me on facebook (Karleigh Johnstone, I am the only one).

Wedding Planning: Looking Your Best for the Wedding Day Part 2

Now that you have the make up details for the wedding day set in stone, consider your other beauty needs. Here are other things to think about:

Hair

Your hair is important on your wedding day. It completes the overall look. Consider the following:

• Colour. Do you want to change the colour of your hair? If so, have a couple treatments well before the wedding day. Allow time to perfect the colour and make any adjustments necessary. Have your final colour treatment done one or two days before the wedding (your stylist will determine the timing of your last colour treatment before the wedding).  ALWAYS GO TO A PROFESSIONAL, they are trained to know the science of hair dye and how it will affect your hair.
• Cut. Do you want to change the cut? I suggested you figure this out and get you hair cut about 3 months before the wedding, giving enough time for any adjustments, to get used to the cut and to see how it grows out. Have your hair trimmed with the final colour treatment before the wedding.
• Style. Decide whether you want your hair up or down, straight or curly. Find pictures you like and have consultations and trails with hairstylists.
• On the day. Do you want the hairstylist on location, or will you have your hair done at a salon. Consider cost vs. time. Talk to your hairstylist about how to prep you hair for them (washing it the night before or in the morning, air dry or blow dry, etc.)

Spa Treatments

Look on websites like Way Spa, Spa Finder, or Spa Wish for deals on spa packages and services. If you are in the city of Toronto why not book a spa day outside of the city for a daylong get away. Try somewhere like Body Revival in Brampton, it is my spa of choice.

• Facial. Have a facial 2-3 weeks prior to the wedding day. Your skin will need some time after the facial to complete the cleansing/detoxifying process.
• Manicure and Pedicure. Avoid booking these on your wedding day (24-48 hours works well). Make sure you book enough time to allow your nails dry thoroughly.
• Hair removal. If you choose to wax, doing so about 4 days before the wedding will ensure your skin has recovered. If you chose to shave I suggest using Nair or Veet instead, this way you wont have to worry about razor cuts.
• Brows. Ideally, the shaping process should begin 8-12 weeks in advance of the “big day”. Arrange for a final “clean up” the day before the wedding activities begin.
• Tanning. Visit the tanning booth 3 days before the wedding date, after you have gone for your waxing. This allows a few days for any burning to fade. If you are using a self-tanning cream try it at least a month before the wedding to see how the product reacts with your body chemistry. Tan at you own discretion. If you are looking for a tanning salon try Bask Tanning Salon & Boutique.

Health and Nutrition

Confidence is beauty. Nothing enhances your beauty more than the healthy glow that comes from good nutrition, regular activity and plenty of sleep. As you wedding day approaches you will get busy attending pre-wedding parties and tending to last minute details. In the rush, you may be tempted to substitute convenience for nutrition, remove the gym from you to-do list and ignore your body’s cry for sleep. Instead, make your physical well being a priority. Remember to fuel your body regularly. Eat well-balanced meals and try to choose healthy snacks. Don't put yourself on a restricted diet by focusing on what you can't have, instead focus on healthy foods you enjoy. Drink water throughout the day to stay hydrated.

Include regular physical activity in your schedule. My favourite work out is a Body Conditioning By Dancers class. BCBD classes are a full body work out structured to use you own body weight instead of depending on gym equipment. Visit the website to learn more and sign up for an eight week session. When you sign up for a BCBD class you are committing to a set scheduled class. If you cannot commit to a set schedule try drop-in classes at places like Aradia Fitness or Flirty Girl Fitness. These are women's only classes that are fun and sassy. It is an excellent way to find your sexy side and build confidence. To shy to go alone, encourage your bridal party to come with you. If you are looking more for stress relief and relaxation try yoga classes. I like hot yoga classes because the warmth of the room helps me clear my mind and lets my body relax into the stretches and poses.

Last and most important make sure you get enough sleep. Planning a wedding takes a lot of energy. By following these simple suggestions you will not only look fabulous but you will also have the confidence and energy to enjoy the day you so carefully planned.

*For help planning the other aspects of the wedding check out Exclusively Weddings or the Wedding Channel Store. For bride just starting the planning process you may want to consider a wedding planner.

Did you find this post helpful? Questions, comments, feedback? I would love to hear them! Please comment or email me for more specific questions at karleigh@karleighjohnstone.com, or find me on facebook (Karleigh Johnstone, I am the only one).

Presenting my Website!

I have been spending a lot of time working on my website and am proud to be able to have it online. There is still a lot of work I plan to put into it, but it is ready for the public to see! Take a look at it for yourself. You can get a better idea of exactly what I do and more about who I am.


Take a look: www.karleighjohnstone.com

Creating Perfect Cheekbones

One of my favourite parts of make up application is sculpting the cheekbones. I like to start with contour, add blush and finish with highlight. I also like to exaggerate the highlight quite a bit.


Here is how I define the cheek bone step by step:


     1. Contour

Use a powder about 2 shades darker than your skin tone and an angled contour brush to apply in a triangular shape under the cheek bone. It will look like this:

     2. Blush 

Using a powder blush start at the apple of the cheek and follow the cheek bone to the hair line. Try using a colour that mimics your skins natural blush, or for a bolder look try a brighter blush colour (I like to use bright pink). Here is how it will look:

     3. Highlight

Finish by adding your highlight to the top of the cheekbone. I like to use a lot of highlight and make it obvious. This is what the finished cheekbone will look like:

Sculpting the cheekbone can create an instant face lift. Look at the difference between Carling's cheeks with and without contour, blush and highlight:

To your left: without contour, blush and highlight.
To you right: with contour, blush and highlight.
You can see that she looks more awake on the right side.

Did you find this post helpful? Questions, comments, feedback? I would love to hear them! Please comment or email me for more specific questions at karleigh@karleighjohnstone.com, or find me on facebook (Karleigh Johnstone, I am the only one).

Make Up Kit Essentials: Building a Fabulous Make Up Kit *Part Four: Last Additions to Create a Perfectly Flawless Face

The next step to the perfect make up kit will consists of the last items you need to create a perfectly flawless natural look. Once you have gone shopping for these items, add them to the ones I have already suggested and set aside 15-30 minutes of play time. Practice makes perfect, you will be able to apply your make up more quickly when you get used to the application process. Before you know it, you will be ready for your close up.


Here are the final items I recommend:

1. A Liquid or cream foundation

I have already suggested adding a powder foundation to your kit. Powders are a good start because they provide light coverage, and require minimal application time. When you want that "flawless face" it is best to invest in a heavier coverage foundation. Make sure you give yourself plenty of time - a "flawless face" should be rushed. Please refer to my foundation post series for light coverage, medium coverage, or full coverage foundation suggestions. Also, try products from my favourite brands:

• NARS
• MAC
• Smashbox
• Bobbi Brown *excellent for darker skin tones!

If you have an obviously uneven skin tone I highly recommend a full coverage foundation. Foundation can be applied with a brush, a sponge, or your fingers. I find a sponge easiest to use.

     2. Setting Powder

I feel setting powder is a must when using a cream based foundation. It prevents foundation from moving and creasing throughout the day and allows eyeshadow, blush or other powders to blend easily. Setting powders can be colourless or tinted. The colourless powders are white and tend to slightly lighten the skintone, so I recommend a tinted powder. I use loose powder to set foundation, then a pressed powder through out the day if I start to glow.

Here are some loose powders I suggest:

• NARS Loose Powder
• MAC Set Powder
• MAC Select Sheer/Loose
• MAC Iridescent Powder/Loose *excellent if you want to keep a shimmer to the skin
• SMASHBOX Photo Set Finishing Powder SPF 15
• BOBBI BROWN Face Powder
• BOBBI BROWN Sheer Finish Loose Powder *Excellent for oily skin types

Loose powder should be applied with a powder puff, then the excess removed with a powder brush.


     3. Blush


Figure out what your natural blush colour is (the colour your cheeks glow when you are embarrassed). Try to find a blush colour that is similar. Generally warmer skin tones should go for a orange or peachy blush, while cooler skin tones should go for a pink blush. Gold tones work well with darker skin tones, it will create a glow rather than a blushing effect.
I would recommend any of the following products:

• NARS Blush (powder) 
• MAC Powder Blush
• SMASHBOX Blush Rush
• BOBBI BROWN Blush award winning blush! Matte finish
• BOBBI BROWN Shimmer Blush award winning blush!

I really like to emphasize the cheek bones. Apply blush starting at the apple of the cheek blending outward towards the hairline.

     4. Contour

Choose a contour colour that is about 2 shades darker than your skin tone. Contour is used to create shadows on low points of the face, this is explained further is my past blog post Explaining Highlight and Contour. When defining cheek bones I like to contour first, add blush and finish with highlight.

I do not have specific product suggestion for a contour, I usually use a tanned colour blush, a pressed powder or a bronzer (bronzer is my last choice, but many people quite like using bronzer). Refer to my list of four brands under the foundations part of the post for look for products you like.

AVEDA's Petal Essence Face Accents plays the part of a highlight, blush and contour all in one. Use AVEDA's Inner Light Foundation Brush to apply smoothly over cheek bone (it is angled which is perfect, use the highest point of the brush for the highlight).

Now that you have an exceptional basic kit built, I am going to spend the next few posts showing you how to get the best use out of the products I have suggested. After that, I will suggest items to enhance your kit, compose an extremely useful set of make up brushes, as well as suggest mini kits for travel, a night out and everyday items to carry in your purse.

Always remember, make up is an expression of who you are, the inner beauty people don't always have the ability to see. You are beautiful, show that off by taking time to look your best.

Did you find this post helpful? Questions, comments, feedback? I would love to hear them! Please comment or email me for more specific questions at karleigh@karleighjohnstone.com, or find me on facebook (Karleigh Johnstone, I am the only one).