Lo & Co. Blog

Welcome to Lo's Blog

Last Minute Gifts!

OMG!  Only 4 shopping days left and you still need a great gift for your mom, sister, friend?  Don't despair, I have some great gift ideas for any woman.

ShoeDazzle.com - The World's Premiere Shoe Society and any woman will be thrilled with the gift of shoes. Women can join the club and receive a great pair of designer shoes for $39.95/month or you can purchase a gift card online as a gift.  You don't have to be a member to purchase or use the giftcards.

Laura Mercier - Deluxe Mini Brush Kit $85.  I bought this a few weeks ago for travel and these are the   brushes that I use everyday now.  Every brush you need is in this kit and the case is gorgeous. They call it a mini kit, but the brush heads are full size and the double ended design is perfect.  I love these brushes!

Bath and Body Works - I love their hand lotion (2 for $20) and their Slatkin candles (14.5 oz),  also 2 for $20.  These are great hostess gifts and stocking stuffers.  Candles are a great gift but if the recipient has young children an aroma diffuser is a safer more practical gift.  

Happy Holidays!

Holiday Glamour

This week I was in Grand Rapids, Milwaukee and Nashville spreading my love of all things shiny!  Holiday Glamour was the theme of this media tour and I had a blast meeting with my favorite anchors.  It is truly like visiting old friends only it is smashed into a 5 minute segment. Molly Fay in Milwaukee welcomed me with a big smile and hug and Kelly Sutton in Tennessee insisted on showing me her new favorite website about shoes after we quickly discussed how much we love our dogs.  Women can bond quickly and nothing brings us together like the universal language of beauty and shoes!  I showcased the season's trends in a purple ruffle t-strap shoe (Nine West) and all of the women at the stations were dying to know where to buy them.  At the end of one segment,the anchor told me that she was getting asked by the producer through her earpiece about the shoes!

Here is where you can find the products in the segment.  These are great gift ideas and make sure to check on line for coupons before going to the store.  

Oral B Pulsonic Toothbrush

Lumene Excellent Future Deep Repairing Cream ($30)

What to Wear on Facebook (Free)

Trish Mcevoy scented shimmer lotion #9 ($45 for lotion or $58 for cream)

Nine West t-strap purple shoes ($79 on line but I paid $55 on sale in store)

Ann Taylor Loft and Banana Republic - Jewelry

Express - sequin tanks

OPI  Nail Polish - Colors - I'm not really a waitress and Eiffel for this color

E.L.F lip glosses $1.00 each

Andrea #53 false lashes.  How-to Video

Lo on TV!

No, I didn't drop off the face of the earth - I was on TV!  I traveled around the U.S. doing segments about autumn weddings on morning shows from Milwaukee to Albuquerque. I spent most of my time in airports and hotels, but I had a fun getting out and seeing how the rest of the country looks.  I am always surprised by the amount of tan people out there as people in the Northeast are quite a pasty bunch!

Below is a clip from Milwaukee's Morning Blend with Molly Fox and Matthew Blades.  There were so easy to work with and Molly was nice enough to give me some great advice about working in front of the camera after the show. I love people in the Midwest - they are crazy friendly and there accents crack me up.  I was also happy to have anchors that are my height or taller.  Most female anchors are much shorter than me and one even had to stand on an apple box so I didn't look so Amazonian.  You never know what you are walking into with each station, so I was thrilled by the great energy that I received in Milwaukee.

All of the items that are on my table had to be transported in my carry on luggage.  I was surprised that I was only stopped once going through security considering I had a huge toaster in my suitcase!  

My sponsors were JCPenny Registry and Dove Clinical Protection deodorant and let me tell you that I really stand by both of them.  One of my first jobs was at JCPenny and I have liked their products ever since and I swear by DCP deodorant - it really works. 

Expert Advice - Willi Wong Photography

I enjoy talking about weddings with other vendors and I love getting the inside scoop from photographers.  I am always fascinated by how photographers play with light and how they work with the bride.  I worked with Willi Wong for Marni's wedding (see below photo) and just last week when I posed for a portraiture session with him.  We had a ton of fun and I can't wait to show some of the great photos. Willi is a storyteller and ultimately a great story is what we all want to hear or see.  I highly recommend reading Willi's blog which is full of thoughtful insight as well as see great photography. I always come away with a positive outlook after I read his blog. - Lo

Willi was kind enough to let me interview him:

What questions should a couple ask the photographer during their consultation?

There are more wedding photographers out there than the amount of time you have to find out about them before your big day so choose wisely. A consultation should not be the first time you try to find out about your photographer’s work. Sometimes it is not about what questions to ask, but the vibes that you get from the photographer. 

This may sound obvious, but if his/her work does not stir strong emotions in you don’t even bother to setup a consultation!  Try to find out more about the photographer on a professional and personal level.

By the time you are ready to commit an hour or two to meet with the photographer; you should already have seen much of his/her work through the website and blog and know about the detail pricing. If you have not done the above, you are wasting valuable time from your wedding planning and that of the photographer’s.

On a personal level you would want to find out if this person would be good addition to your wedding day. Would he/she be the kind of person that makes you and everyone feel at ease and comfortable on the day no matter what happened? Does your personality match?

On a professional level you would want to find out about this person’s work ethic. Why did he/she choose this profession? Has he/she ever missed a wedding? Is photography his/her fulltime or weekend hobby job?

 It’s also a time for the photographer to find out more about you; be frank about your likes and dislikes. Talk to him/her about your dream wedding images and what you like to capture on the day of, the day before and after the day. (Engagement session and Day after shoot).

What are some key things to look for when choosing a photographer?

•    Look for consistency in the quality of work. Make sure you see a few full wedding portfolios and not just the selected one or two images from different weddings.
•    Read reviews from former brides and ask references.
•    Look through individual wedding albums to see if the photographer’s work holds up from wedding to wedding.

What are some big warning signs to be aware of when looking at a portfolio and choosing a photographer.

•    The inconsistent quality of the images from one wedding to another.
•    Incomplete portfolio with images from here and there.
•    You don’t feel at ease with the photographer.

What advice do you give for the bride who feels that she doesn't photograph well?

First hire a great artist like Laura to do your hair and make up; second hire the photographer whose images touch your heart. You and your images will be beautiful when you enjoy every moment of your wedding day. I have photographed close to a thousand brides and have yet to see one that is not photogenic. Trust in your photographer to “see” you in the best of light and to capture the beauty in you and of your day.

Digital vs. film? Should a bride be concerned about this?

That should not even be a question anymore because digital has definitely matured into a complete professional and artistic medium. It’s a question of personal preference. If you decide to go with film, make sure you have all your images scan at the highest resolution possible because the labs may not be able to print from negatives in the future.

Do you feel that getting ready photos are important?

Yes, they are very important. It allows the photographer to build a rhythm with the bride and the groom so they are comfortable with his or her presence. This comfort level makes for great candid photos and relaxed portraits.

This early opportunity to see the bride, the groom and the wedding party makes me almost invisible to them and thus on several occasions I was asked by the brides where I was when she walked down the isle! They have gotten so used to my presence when they were getting ready, they stopped noticing my presence!

Do you like to have a shot list for any posed shots?

When you hired your photographer chances are you love his/her work; so don’t hamper the creativity by handing him/her with a shot list. If you must, keep it short so he/she doesn’t waste time looking through a list and misses the beautiful images of the moment.

A shot list would be very helpful when it’s time for the family photos. Make sure you entrust the list of must have family photos with names of the family members to someone who knows the family, so the list can be checked off.

What is the biggest mistake that brides make with timing on their wedding day?

Not giving enough time to hair and make up. My experience tells me that 3 hours are a must for the bride to get her hair, make-up, and dressed. The second costly mistake is getting ready too far from the ceremony site which can lead to delay because of traffic. I have seen my shares of wedding day delays and still live to tell beautiful stories; so just stay cool if it should happen to you and let the professionals save the day. That’s what we are hired to do, to handle any situation and still come away with great images.

What would your perfect client be like?

Someone who truly appreciates my work and believes in my ability to deliver to her the best wedding story ever! The perfect clients are the ones who book me as their photographer.

Thanks, Willi!

Simple & Sassy - Get The Look

I did a post on Jen's video a few weeks ago and here is the "Get the Look" that I promised. Jen's look is actually quite simple and classic and I didn't even use false lashes because her natural lashes are so long. I have included a close up photo of Jen that I took during the trial so you can see how it would look if you were looking at yourself in a mirror.  I feel that this perspective is so important since most photos are in brighter light and the makeup is very diffused.  Jen looks as if she doesn't have on much makeup except for lip color but in reality she has a strong eyeliner, foundation, concealer, filled in brows, and tons of mascara. I have a face chart and detailed product list on my Get The Look page. How adorable/pretty/cute is she?? I just love her.

Mariano Delgado- photography
JCrew - dress and shoes
Jennie Brent from Lo and Co. - Hair

Jen at her makeup trial

Foundation:  Era Face by Classified Cosmetics color R2.
Eye Shadow:  Stila Kitten and Heather in the crease
Eye Liner:  Bobbi Brown Granite Eyeliner
Lip:  M.A.C Retro topped with Bobbi Brown Cranberry Lip Sheer
Cheek:  Nars Mulitple Stick - Orgasm on cheekbones and Bobbi Brown Nectar on the apples of the cheeks.

Inglourious Basterds - Beauty Inspiration

I can find beauty inspiration in the most unusual situations, and this fall I have found it in the much ballyhooed movie, Inglourious Basterds. Quentin Tarantino's chewy dialogue and impeccable direction made this fantasy of a marauding nazi killers in German occupied France seem like it could have and should have happened.  The film was also so incredibly acted that I found myself holding my breath during certain scenes as if I was alongside the actors on screen.

So how does this gruesome part of history inspire me?    It reminds me that beauty isn't in designer clothing, bags, shoes and the newest trends.  Beauty lies first in strength of character and conviction. Beauty can be as simple as holding your head up high even during great diversity.  Great style can be seen anywhere - even on people that live in horrific times. The main character, Shoshanna was dressed in baggy grey clothes, but she still looked stylish.  There was something about the way she held her cigarette and the perfect messiness of her hair under her hat. 

So, you are thinking "great, now Lo expects us to go sans makeup and smoke cigarettes!"  Heck no,  that is the inspiration for my fall look which I will call the "less is more" look.  The french are great at creating an effortless look that screams confidence.

Sans makeup, but oodles of attitude.

Applying the war paint (cream blush)

The look is quite easy and below are my picks for products:

Cream Blush
M.A.C  Bobbi Brown, Nars, Revlon

Matte Lipstick
Check out previous post on how to apply a red lip

Nail Polish
Dark red/plum I love O.P.I's Mrs. O'Leary's BBQ and Vampire State Builiding
Classic red - O.P.I's Big Apple Red, and Essie's Fish Net Stockings

Style Workshop - Sept 24th

In a fashion rut? Do you feel like you have nothing to wear?  Confused about how to wear that shirt in your closet?  What you need is a little style help from Amy Salinger.  Amy and I have collaborated many times and I can't recommend her enough.  Amy is very talented and extremely funny so this is a perfect opportunity to step up your style and have a fun evening!

Eyelash Extension Offer - $199!

If you have ever wanted to try eyelash extensions, this is a great offer.  Yoshie is one of the best and she is at the wonderful Tres Belle Spa. 

105 Bond Street, Boerum Hill

Brooklyn, New York 11217

718.797.0033

www.tresbellespa.com

Our Technician Yoshie was featured on

Tyra Banks because she is THE BEST.

September 10-12 get GORGEOUS semi-permanent lashes

 that last through exercising, swimming and sweating.  

We are happy to offer our most popular service 

at the very special price of just $199

*usual fee for this service $350.

*by appointment ONLY.

*non-refundable fee must be paid at time of reservation

Finding a Flaw Mentor

I am asked by my clients to disguise their flaws daily and it has inspired me to add a new category to my blog called "Flaw Mentors". Women constantly pick apart their photographs and obsess about a flaw even though most people have slight facial abnormalities. A photograph is not a true representation of how one looks.  It is a frozen two dimensional image of a face that is three dimensional and fluid.  Some people are very photogenic and others are not.  I am not that photogenic as my right eye is lower than my left and when I face the camera straight on this is obvious. This used to bother me until I noticed that many celebrities - Shannon Daugherty for one - have the same flaw and they still look great.  From that point on whenever I disliked something about my face, hair or body shape I would search for a celebrity who had the same issue and they would become my Flaw Mentor. I encourage all of you to try this out. It is surprising how many gorgeous women have "flaws".   Heidi Klum admittedly has a lazy eye and I think that she is doing okay with her face.

source

Angie sent me an email about her perceived flaws.

Lo,

 As you can see, my eyes are kind of different in that the bottom lid sort of

slants up whenever I smile, or do anything. It makes me look like I\'m kind

of mean or glaring or something. Also, from certain sides, my face looks

really fat and my cheekbones big. Is there anyway to get rid of that or make

my face look smaller? 

Angie,

You have high cheekbones, full lips and beautifully shaped eyes.  These are all admirable physical traits that you need to embrace.  Your face isn't fat it is round and your cheeks may be on the fuller side right now, but they will keep you looking youthful.  I had huge cheeks in my twenties and then around my mid thirties, I finally had some cheekbones. You may not like looking younger now, but you will soon. Remember, photos flatten out your face, so please keep in mind that your face is more angular in person. Your eyes may turn up when you smile, but that isn't a bad thing.  Take a look at Lucy Liu. Her eyes get much smaller and turned up when she smiles and you can see that her eyes don't exactly match.  Regardless, she is stunning.  She has also has high and broad cheekbones which enhance her overall beauty.

source

Angie, I want you to find your own Flaw Mentors and start working your beautiful face.  When you appreciate your beauty others will as well - trust me.  Nothing is more beautiful than a confident woman who is comfortable in her own skin.  I would suggest the following to enhance your natural beauty:

• Have your eyebrows shaped:  Groomed brows will give you a more sophisticated look and enhance your eye shape.
• Wear blush:  Blush will add dimension to your face and give an overall boost to your skin
• Wear eye liner on your top lash line:  Eye liner will pull focus to your eyes and give you a more polished look.  Choose a gel liner that won't smudge.  See my favorite products post.

Real Brides - Jen in Brooklyn

Jen came to see me and my hair diva, Jennie B for a trial and the three of us had so much fun it hardly seemed like work.  Jen is a cutie patootie and I think she looks like the love child of Isla Fisher and Lindsay Lohan.  We rocked out her look with a stained red lip, false eyelashes, and a catted out black eyeliner.  I will have a follow up post this week with her photos and a break down of all of the products that I used to "get the look".  Jennie B did an amazing job on the hair for Jen and her sister and videographer,  Michael DiChiaro put together this cool highlights reel. Also, check out this hilarious save-the-date (I refuse to use the acronym).  I looove Jen and Brian's sense of humor!

www.CreativeVideoEditing.com