Niagara Wedding Makeup by Before & After

Wow it's been a while...

2011-11-15T13:29:00.000-08:00

Well, it seems that life and work..the fun stuff, has finally slowed down to a reality check point for me. If you are wondering that is good. Means I can breathe in a good way and take care of everything, like ALL the stuff us crazy working mom's do. So lots has happened in my wonderful journey professional over the last year. (lots of not so wonderful in my family with sickness, but we'll chat about that at another time). Aug. 2011 I started working at Niagara College, took on the part-time position of Spa Manager. As anticipated it started slow...naturally it was August and really it was the calm before the storm. Now we are in full swing and I am certainly learning the ropes and jumping the hoops! I guess the hardest part was to figure out how to effectively maintain my makeup business which is so important to me and be out there as a career woman. Finally I am making progress which has allowed me these few moments to write. I think in the past I really struggled with the art of perfection which is great when you are applying makeup, perfection is great, but really trying to blog and say hey here I am doing what I love and loving what I am doing...is it critical to strive for perfection. I suppose to some it is...but life is busy and I'd rather spend my time enjoying it and living it than worrying about how perfect it sounds in print. That being said, I believe I am back; back to talk and link and just ramble. I hope that's okay, and I hope that you find it fun. This weekend my goal is to spruce up my daughter with some "Katy Perry" makeup and see how it goes. Looking forward to blogging it! Chat soon...Sandra!

Doing the Dance

2010-05-05T18:12:00.000-07:00

Before and After Professional Makeup - Niagara Wedding Makeup For some strange reason today while I was vacuuming I thought of my first dance at my wedding? Huh? OH, I rem'ber why! I was listening to my ipod and they played it. "Faithfully" by Journey. Funny, there are certain things you never seem to forget. What was your first dance? I rem'ber also looking at the clock in the delivery room when my first daughter was born. 5:27am., the nurse saw me look, then she thought of it and recorded the time. :) It's amazing that these memories still move me. :)

2010-05-02T18:05:00.000-07:00

It is certainly clear that sometimes things really get complicated fast. It's time to sit back take a deep breath and realize you really wanted this. You are the one that really wanted this. So maybe it's not that you don't want it anymore, but you're scared because it's all coming together so quickly. Sometimes it's easier just to want and to wish than to have??? Like how instant millionaires lose their fortunes because they never thought they would have it...just how to play for it. They never change their mind set. Time to change your mind set. You have to rem'ber how much you wanted this that you had decided this was good for you. Appreciate you wanted it and why. Love and marriage isn't a "COMMITMENT" like people stamp on you, it's a glorified friendship. It is companionship, it's fun and it's entertaining. And, like every relationship will have it's share of tears and challenges. But that doesn't make it something to dread, if it did we wouldn't connect with anyone in our lives, ever. Stop thinking of it as GETTING MARRIED...think of it as getting to enjoy your ultimate friend as room-mates. :)

Autumn Wedding-Jen

2010-04-29T04:45:00.000-07:00

Great colours you picked Jen for your Autumn wedding! Love the burnt oranges and yellows! With those gorgeous brown eyes it's the perfect compliment. It was a lot of fun to incorporate these fabulous autumn shades in with your makeup for an all around perfect glow. I'm on the hunt for the perfect complimentary lip shade now!!

2010-04-26T19:03:00.001-07:00

EXTREMELY IMPORTANT Letting all my favourite up-coming brides know....If you have me booked for your wedding via the Konica Minolta Tower in Niagara Falls, you will need to email or phone me DIRECTLY in order to keep your booking for your wedding makeup! Also, please, if you know someone booked in Niagara Falls at this location, have them contact me directly www.beforeandaftermakeup.com

2010-04-13T19:37:00.000-07:00

This is a great time of year. Busy, busy, busy! Not sure if I'm being sarcastic or not yet. Seems like there should be at least 10 to 20 extra hours a day once you have children. I spent an hour to myself yesterday...seemed like a lifetime! Now, I'm behind again. I keep trying to be supermom but my cape always seems to be on back order. Seriously, there really should be a way of cloning yourself once you get married and have children. Maybe that's why people have Assistants!!! Should we have Assistants for our children and husbands? Really, is that wise? I guess people may think that's what school & daycare is about. I don't think so. What I'm saying is how do you do it all, do it well, and actually be the one doing it? I love my kids, my husband and my career....just wish everyone could have 100% all the time. Sure, they get 100% when it's one on one, but the second one thing goes on the back burner, GUILT the other isn't getting your undivided attention. Today for instance I wanted to respond to a quick email while I was sitting outside watching my youngest daughter (9yrs old) shoot some basketballs. I think I must have been typing for 20 minutes and accomplished 3 or 4 lines! That child talked non-stop at me the entire time. (Not sure who she gets that from!!!!) Anyway, at some point I realized that there was no way the fact I was typing was going to stop this little jabberjaw, so off went the laptop, it would just have to wait I guess. :)

2010-03-29T18:35:00.000-07:00

I'm so excited! Just got some great new airbrush foundation, blush & highlighter from OCC out of NYC (Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics). Was just too disappointed with MAC's stuff, couldn't in good faith feel good about putting it on. It seemed to just "sit" in every little nook & cranny....scary stuff! So, just got the first batch. My fabulous sister was kind enough to stop into the trendy funky little Rouge Makeup Studio in NYC and pick up my first order. Thanks Charles for all your over the phone help! :) you were a doll...oh and I called David and he fixed me up with the second half of my order so I should be receiving it any day...can't wait! I think I may have to rustle up a airbrush volunteer...Cara? Kathy? My usual fashionista guineas are you up for the challenge? Lemme know! Smiles!!

Good Times for 25!

2010-03-21T15:21:00.000-07:00

It's funny how fast you forget what it's like to have carefree fun. Seriously! I want to thank Shelley from Toronto for being a really great (& beautiful) client to work on. Celebrating her 25th birthday she decided to have fun fun fun in Niagara Falls with her husband and friends. A girl who knows what she wants, she decided to book a hotel room, dining reservations, party times at Dragonfly, a hairstylist and makeup extraordinaire...moi!
From the minute she walked into the room I knew this gorgeous gal had a head on her shoulders and a flare for style. Looking to knock the town on it's be-hind, she had a kick-"a" dress and killer heals picked out which sported her legs that seem to go for miles...unlike the somewhat miniature version which I was propped up on :). It's no wonder that what she had in mind to match this glam ensemble, was a hot and sexy smokey eye with MAC lashes to match her legs....going on for miles...no subtlety here!
This girl was a whole lot of fun, laughing, joking and having a good time. I think I smiled all the way home. I'm pretty sure I rem'ber my 25th...well maybe some of it... but I'm sure it wasn't as well planned and as much fun as she had. I'm just glad I got to be a part of this one. The girl was a riot with a good head on her shoulders, surrounded with an awesome husband and some pretty great friends, I'd have to say the she's already earned all her birthday wishes!
Happy Birthday Shelley...thanks for the good times! Looking forward to seeing some of those photos...I'm sure your makeup looked stunning!!!

What to do?

2009-03-27T19:09:00.000-07:00

Just yesterday I had a cancellation that left an effect on me. Not because I was canceled, but because the bride was canceled....the groom-to-be decided to cancel the wedding. The girl's email was polite & brief, though she was obviously upset. Well I saw the Sex in the City movie & was moved and heart broken when Big left Carrie at the alter, I sobbed at the scene when the two met on the road and she collapsed into Charlotte's arms. Heck, I myself have been there, though without the wedding gown on. Haven't most of us at one point or another? But isn't there something to be said for what comes next?
Okay, in the movie Big & Carrie end up tying the knot with the local J-O-P., but let's be honest, that only happens in movies. Maybe it was you, maybe it was him who said, "I can't do this," but it was said, & it wasn't easy, in fact is, it was heart-wrenching. You can be bitter, and dwell on it over many tears and countless Margaritas. But instead, take a deep breath and.....

NIAGARA BOUND

2009-03-24T11:36:00.001-07:00

Niagara Falls is one of the beautiful natural wonders of the world. Lucky for us it is a destination that can be easily reached, and even driven to without an enormous undertaking or expense.
I must confess that having grown up in Niagara Falls, Ontario, I took the view of the Falls for granted for many years. Though, now as an adult I can't help but realize the beauty, magnificence and lure of it. To consider having your wedding here really is an ideal way to celebrate your love, and I can't help but think, symbolic of "lasting the test of time."
There are beautiful gardens, quaint & hospitable Inns, B&B's, and gracious & spacious elaborate hotels. Essentially, whatever it is you want to experience, you want to "get out of" your wedding day can be yours for the asking.

You're Engaged! Now What?

2009-03-24T10:51:00.000-07:00

Thinking about your wedding? Maybe it's been in the works for a while now, maybe it's a recent engagement. I guess however it happens or happened the important thing now is that you are getting married. So now what?
Well, I suppose things are about to get busy, so start making plans. First and foremost, I suggest that you begin by doing some listening. Listen to people that you may know that already did the walk. Make some notes & think sincerely about what it is that YOU want. Lots of people will lend thoughts and advice, but it is YOUR day so make it something special.