BlushPretty: Make-up Artistry Weblog

Hellllllo September!

Princess Party from Justin Borja on Vimeo.

Makeup and Hair by Stephanie Daga
Video by Justin Borja
Kids made by Cherry, Barb and Rachel

September has never looked better!

I can't believe it's September.  My goodness.

I'm really excited about September actually.  As you know I just launched a new service - "Princess Parties" - and funny enough, big princesses want parties too - many have been asking about it.  So guess what - it's not just for little girls! :)  For more information, click on our Princesses page.

Also, September means we are just under two months away from the 2nd Beauty Board event.  Tickets are on sale now for $20 per ticket and you can sign up at Eventbrite.  Spaces are limited, so reserve your spot sooner rather than later!  Olay, COVERGIRL, dermaglow, Cake Beauty and DaLish Cosmetics will all be there - so you should be there too!


What else about September? Ah yes - bookings for 2010 weddings and events are in full throttle so be sure to book your wedding date or at least a trial run with me when you can. 

Last but not least: new month = new sidebars for your reading pleasure! ENJOY!

-bp-

Beauty Board Event: October 25, 2009

Makeup by Stephanie Daga
Photo by Alvin Gozum

I'm getting super excited.

Why?  Because the next Beauty Board event is under way.

As the last Beauty Board was such a success, this time we are going a little bit bigger, a little bit better, and a little bit prettier.  More product, a prettier space, and more makeovers.

I definitely am extending an invite to you, my devoted readers, subscribers and brides past, present and future, to join in on the fun.  The event is being held on October 25, 2009 in downtown Toronto.

We have COVERGIRL, Pantene Pro-V, dermaglow, Olay, Cake Beauty AND Dalish Cosmetics joining us for Round 2.  This time around, not only will you be able to smooth, slather and smear ... but Melanie Cruickshank from Dalish will be giving mini makeovers and dermaglow will be present to share some tips on their skincare lines.

So let's recap: food and drink - that's always good; beauty product to play with - what could be more fun; and tips and tricks from beauty insiders ... hhhhmmmmm  - how could you say no?

Register and save your spot for the event here: http://blushprettybeautyboard.eventbrite.com/

Check out the press release here: Download Try Before You Buy Beauty

And I will see you there ... looking forward to it!

-bp-

Christina, James and WedLuxe Magazine ...

Christina D., Wed Luxe Magazine
Hair and Makeup by Stephanie Daga

christina + james forever.

I came to know Christina through my bff, but I have to say, when my bff gets us all together for a "Girl's Night", Christina is one cool chick to chill with!

Check out the details of their wonderful wedding in WedLuxe Magazine!

I was very honoured when Christina asked me to be her hair and makeup artist for her wedding day.  I'm always a little bit more nervous when doing makeup and hair for a friend (or a friend of a friend of a friend) because you always want to do your absolute best for every bride ... but for someone in your circle of friends ... the pressure is always high!

But I had nothing to worry about!  Christina was a gracious and totally laidback bride.  Everything about her big day fell in step with her personal style - chic, stylish, cool.

Now, I don't know James as well as Christina, but I do know he's a good guy - a solid guy.  I wish them all the best as they are about to hit their one year anniversary as Mr. and Mrs.  They've been together for over thirteen years before getting married ... that really says it all ...

james + christina forever.

-bp-

Being Beautiful On the Outside ... And On the Inside!

Makeup and Hair by Stephanie Daga
Photo by Jonathan Ponce
Model: Kristin Kerr

Do something beautiful!

I am really happy to share some great news with you.

Every time you (whether you are a bride, a party girl, or a girl who just wants to get pretty) book with BlushPretty, I will donate a small portion of the fees to a wonderful organization that provides education and awareness about breast cancer to young girls across Toronto, namely, the Pink Tulip Foundation.

To get started on this initiative, I have started up a website outlining my goals for BlushPretty.com.  Please check out my Giving Page, courtesy of Canada Helps. They will help send all donations via BlushPretty to the Pink Tulip Foundation, track the donations being made, and help me monitor my goal!

So, let's get started!  If you are a bride hoping to book their wedding day with BlushPretty for 2010, book now  and mention this post!  If you do, not only will a portion of your wedding day fees go to the Pink Tulip Foundation, but I will take 5% off your final fees as well!

By the way, you don't have to book with BlushPretty to donate ... maybe you're an avid reader, a fan (do I have fans?!?!?!), or someone who is just genuinely pretty and wants to give.

Here's to a wonderful beginning of something really, REALLY beautiful.

-bp-

Beauty Board Says Lose It: Maybelline Pulse Perfection Mascara

Maybelline Pulse Perfection Mascara

Well, not everything can be a hit!

I was very lucky to be asked by Matchstick (a marketing company) and Maybelline to test out Maybelline's latest mascara: Pulse Perfection.  As part of their marketing campaign, they provided me with several tubes of the mascara, which natch, I shared with the Beauty Board.

Here's the scoop: Pulse Perfection boasts a vibrating brush which promises a clump free and shiny application.  The tint is waterproof and builds volume and length.  The vibrating motion is said to remove the whole zigzag movement you would normally make with your mascara making your routine easier - but also - better.

The verdict: They all said LOSE IT!  None of the Beauty Board felt that this mascara and its vibrating capabilities were worth it.  The vibration itself isn't very strong, and upon application it actually came on very wet causing clumps and marks underneath the eye.  Here's what they had to say.

"Didn't dry fast enough compared to other products on the market. It's cool that the tip vibrates - but I'd rather do the zigzag application"
-Jessica W.

"Lose It. Vibrating is POINTLESS" -Lori S.

"Cool idea.  But unecessary" -Barbara M.

"I don't think it is necessary to vibrate with mascara" -Jinny H.

"Lose it!  Vibrating didn't do much or help." - Kyana N.

"No benefit to the pulsing action - very unusual product." -Anny S.

"Vibrating doesn't seem to work for me and it made my eyelashes stick together." -Joy K.

"Not sure why it needs to vibrate; doesn't dry quickly enough, would not use it." -Pauline L.

What's my review: I didn't like it. While the idea is cool and I get why Maybelline would create a vibrating brush (because really - we do DO the zigzag motion to get the best mascara application we can), the product didn't WOW me. It does go on wet, it does clump a bit, and really, the vibrating doesn't zigzag - it just shakes.

I rather do the zigzag motion ... and the awkward blinking with an open mouth application ... with a regular mascara.

-bp-

Beauty Board Stats: Love it - 1        Lose It - 1        Like It - 0        Lust It - 0

So ... What's this Beauty Board Thingy All About?

The Olay Table - one of three set ups at Beauty Board

Before I begin ... let me explain!

If you've been following along, you know that I hosted the very first BlushPretty Beauty Board night yesterday, July 12, 2009.  I blogged, I tweeted, and I f-booked about it ... but maybe I didn't explain EXACTLY what it was about.  So here goes:

Imagine beauty products were candy.  Say that you LOVE candy.  Maybe you aren't able to try certain candies (due to tricky packaging) or are just unsure if you would like them or not.  What if someone placed said candies on a table and said "go ahead - taste all the candy you want".  You WOULD want to eat the candy right?  You could pick which candies you like or not like without feeling like you wasted a bite.  Well that's Beauty Board - a whole bunch of beauty candy on the table waiting for you to try it out without feeling like you wasted your money. Make sense? (i know I could have said this without the candy analogy ... but I really like candy - the real stuff or the beauty stuff).

I invited several ladies to join me for some food and drink, and of course - beauty candy.  They walked back and forth from table to table, from bathroom mirror to hallway mirror, testing lipstains, concealers, and lotions.  There were demos (the fake eyelashes were a hit - strips or individuals - false lashes are HOT); there were giveaways (love random giveaways), there was fun (and a lot of eating).

This particular Beauty Board was about "The Recessionista" and finding great products at the local drugstore.  CoverGirl, Olay, Pantene and Dermaglow  - the best of the best brands you would find at Shoppers or Wal-Mart, were all part of the event. By the end of the night, the ladies of the very first Beauty Board all told me what they thought: love it, lust it, or lose it.

Follow along for the next two weeks as I report back to you what is hot from the Drugstore.  After reading the reviews, the Beauty Board definitely proves that beauty doesn't have to be expensive!

Stay tuned!

-bp-

BlushPretty at a TV Near You!

Photo by David Cyr

Actually ... that is not entirely true.   I'll be at a TV near you ... if you live in the Durham Region!

Catch me on Rogers TV's Midday with Kasia Bodurka on Monday, May 25, 2009.  I'll be talking about cleaning out your makeup bag, products for spring, and most importantly my collaboration with The City of Pickering and their Free Teen program!  I'll be hosting their Makeover Madness event on May 25, 2009!

So - am I nervous about being on live television?  Sh-yeah!  So nervous that I've got about eight potential outfits picked out and sketched about a kajillion hair and makeup looks ... though chances are I will still wear my hair like I always do, and do my makeup like I always do. Ha!

In prep, I've collected a whole bunch of budget-friendly beauty products to showcase from Cover Girl, Olay and Liplicious.  I'm making notes everywhere and of course - practising my smile.  Lol.

I'm excited about both the TV appearance and the Makeover Madness Event.  If you are a teen and live in Pickering, come out and see me!  All you need is your City ID card - which is free to get!

Alright ... well, I have to go ... I have to get my beauty rest!

(What a great way to start the week ... thanks to Rogers TV for asking me to do this!)

-bp-