Lo & Co. Blog

Lo Asks - Dana Faith, Jewelery Designer

I recently met Dana Faith and instantly fell in love with her jewelry. I like to wear a large/bold piece of jewelry but with my hands-on job I don't want jewelry that is heavy or loud.  Can you image having your makeup done and constantly hearing the thunk and jingle of a big bracelet in your ear?   Dana was kind enough to let me "pick her brain" about her entrepreneurial journey. 

How did you start your business and what inspired you?

I was designing for Vera Wang for years and was very inspired by Vera and what a perfectionist she is, how much passion she has for her designs and how much work she puts into her collections.  After years on my own I have been practicing Buddhism and while chanting I thought of designing jewelry and it just took off from there. My grandfather was a jeweler and I was also very inspired by him as well.

I love how you make strong pieces that are also delicate and super feminine – can you tell me how you chose the materials, styles, and what have been some jewelry mentors of yours?

Well I always choose materials that can be worn by all women, so I like to keep it simple yet strong.  I am very inspired by antique jewelry, nature and my Buddhist practice. Fred Leighton has an amazing collection of antique and estate jewelry, I have always been very inspired by their pieces.

What is a “normal” day for you?

A normal day for me starts with my morning chant which just opens me up to so many different ideas. I will then either make pieces for customers or come up with new designs which is always so much fun! You can usually find me in the jewelry district picking out all of the fabulous jewels and metals, wow there is so much to choose from.

 Where do you do your work?

I actually do my work right in my living room  at home, it is very peaceful and an easy commute! haha

What is the most stressful or toughest part of your job?

The most stressful part is when I have a deadline and I am up at all hours getting all of my pieces done, whether it is for customers, stores or for photo shoots.

What is your favorite part of your job?

 My favorite part of my job is when I create new pieces and get inspired!!ahhhh!! Also when a customer writes how happy she is with her piece.

What advice would you give someone who is looking for jewelry for the wedding day?

 I would definitely stick to staying as simple as possible, sometimes brides get a little carried away and it can take away from their beautiful wedding dress. I would also say to please stay true to yourself and choosing jewelry that really says who they are.

Also I just want you to know that I am now making jewelry headbands-it is like wearing jewelry in the hair, really great idea for bridesmaids, very simple and pretty!!

Thanks, Dana!!

Engagment Session Giveaway!

I wanted you all to know that one of my favorite photographers, Wayne Yuan has a great contest running.  I love his work and I always get gorgeous photos from him.  Check it out:

Good luck!!

Ask Lo - Concealer and Getting Ready

Here are two questions that I recently received from readers:

 Just a silly question -- what should I wear to get ready in?  Something I can unbutton or easily take off my head so I don't mess anything up?  ~Paige

Sweetheart, there are no silly questions!  You are right about a button up or something with a loose neck.  Not really an issue for me, but for hair.  If you have a festive or cute tank this is a great opportunity to wear it and you will look adorable in photos.

 I have small wrinkles underneath my eyes, I guess I would say mild crows feet? I am paranoid about them showing in wedding pics and I read in a magazine, to ask your make up artist to not put powder over this area because it would bring out the wrinkles. Is this true? Any tips on how to de emphasize that area? I am thinking I might not have any choice in the matter. Thank you Lo! ~Victoria

Great question, Victoria.  I have had to explain this to hundreds of women throughout my career.  Everyone has wrinkles around or under their eyes, but it is important to brighten or lighten the under eye area.  If you look really closely in the mirror you may notice the wrinkles more b/c of the concealer, but no one else sees this.  If they are that close - tell them to back off!  It is well worth the trade off of lightning the area. This is what I suggest when applying concealer:

1. Start with an eye cream to hydrate and prime the area.
2. Apply concealer lightly with a brush on the areas that are dark.  This is generally right under the lash line and towards the inner eye and nose area.
3. Blend out towards the outer and lower eye area with little or no concealer on crinkly parts. 
4. Allow for the concealer to settle. Press the concealer into the skin instead of rubbing. It is natural for concealer to crease because that skin has a lot of movement - just press it in.
5. Set with light powder.  Dust powder over concealer with a ponytail brush or sponge. Only a smidgen of powder to set and blend.

Take a look at Charlize Theron, arguably one of the most women in the world, in close-up photo versus a one from a few feet away.  Yes, even goddesses have wrinkles!  And, if you saw her without the flash in her face you could see even more.  Please back away from the mirror and look at yourself as people see you.
 
 

evilbeetgossip.film.com

 

Stephen Shugerman / Getty Images

Engagement Photos

I am a big fan of engagement photos and I often do the bride's makeup for the shoot. Engagement photos are fantastic for many reasons.

1. Helps you become more comfortable in front of the camera.  The more times you are photographed, the more at ease you will be.  The best photos are when people are comfortable, happy and authentic.  For all of those people who hate "posing" for photos or think they aren't photogenic - a professional shoot can be completely different.  Most photographers don't want you to pose, they want you to be in the moment and interact with your partner. When you take a couple hundred photos with a pro you are likely to get a few good ones - so relax.
2. Builds a bond with the photographer.  You will spend a good portion of your wedding day with your photographer and this is a great opportunity to get to know how  you work best together.
3. See how you photograph with makeup.  While it isn't necessary to wear the exact same makeup as you will on your wedding day, you can get a sense of how much the camera diffuses makeup. I recommend putting on more blush than you normally would, go for a slightly brighter lip and apply a thicker darker eyeliner (on top lash line). Since the makeup is just for a photo shoot you don't need to worry about what it looks like in real life.  I guarantee you will be amazed how little makeup reads in photos.
4. You get to have fun with your honey!  Wedding day photos are done on a tight schedule, in confining clothing, and a lot of people watching you. This is just about the two of you enjoying each other and showing why you feel in love in the first place. Make it a fun part of preparation! 

This is my cutie pa tootie bride, Randi.  We did the same makeup that we will do for her wedding and you can see how natural it looks. BTW, this "natural" look took an hour and it includes, foundation, blush, bronzer, under eye concealer, false eyelashes, lip pencil, lip gloss, eyeshadow, eyeliner, brow pencil, mascara, and powder.  Natural makeup doesn't necessarily mean very little makeup. To me, it means applying products in a way that highlight the person's natural beauty, not overshadow it.

Duet Photography

Boudoir Photos - 1940s Inspiration

I think that every woman should do a boudoir session at least once a decade. We can do it for boyfriends and husbands but why not just for ourselves? Who doesn't want a beautiful photo of themselves?   I recently had a boudoir session with Lauren Slusher and I had an absolute blast. I have had other pro shoots throughout my career, but this was by far the most fun. I did the makeup for four other women at the shoot and it was amazing to see each one find their inner diva/siren/pinup girl in front of the camera.  Most were a little timid at first, but once they got into it (and had a shot of borbon!) they didn't want to stop.  It is a very liberating experience and I bet that they all had a new found respect for their beauty.  All of the women were different shapes and sizes yet each photographed beautifully. When we start to celebrate our bodies instead of constantly critiquing them we are on our way to a much healthier self image.  I also think it will be fun to have these photos to remind me in my old age how my body looked before gravity kicked in:-)

I recently did the hair and makeup for another boudoir shoot. Arlene wanted a 1940s retro look and I just loved how she turned out. I did my classic eye with a black liquid eyeliner, false lashes and a pretty red lip.  Arlene's hair is naturally curly so I had to smooth and straighten the hair with a curling iron and then set it in loose pin curls.  Then we just shaped the waves with bobbi pins to achieve the desired look. Arlene told me that she had a blast during her photo shoot and that she was very happy with the photos.  On a side note, doesn't she look exactly like the actress Madolyn Smith from the movie Funny Farm?

 

Rainy Day Weddings

I have witnessed over a hundred brides get ready on their wedding day and one of the things that can break even the most stable bride, is rain.  I am a makeup artist, but I also feel like a therapist/best friend/wedding planner when I work with a bride on her wedding day.  I love this part of my job because you really get to know someone during stressful times and I feel forever bonded to my brides.  I had a bride a few weeks ago who was extremely stressed by the rain and there was no consoling her. This is when I wish that I could give my clients the perspective that I have.  I wish that I could convince them that a rainy day wedding can be lovely and any attempts to control the weather or most things is futile.  People will be late, earrings will break, the dress will get dirty, the table settings may be wrong but none of those things matter.  Enjoy your day without trying to control it, because with time and perspective you will realize how insignificant those things are.  I guarantee that when you look back at your wedding photos in a few years all you will notice is how young and beautiful you looked and what a shame you didn't see that then!

Here is the wedding video of my beautiful bride, Carolina on her rainy wedding day.  Carolina wasn't stressed at all by the rain and I think that shows.  I love her exotic beauty and even though she looks like she barely has makeup on - she is wearing false lashes, eyeliner, eyeshadow, foundation, blush and lip gloss.  I love how "natural" someone can look after an hour of makeup!!

The fabulous work of Rockmelon!

Life with Lo - Mother's Day

I decided to surprise my mom for Mother's Day and flew to Hampton, VA on Sunday morning to take her and my sister, Michele out to brunch.  Michele and I love to push my mom's buttons and a surprise was just the thing to do it!  I jumped out of the side room when my mom arrived at my sister's home and the look on her face was priceless.  I think it was surprise mixed with the fear of seeing a 5'9 (6 feet in heels) jumping up and down, screaming and lunging towards you!. Maybe I should be cautious when surprising people over 60. I must admit that my motives weren't purely altruistic.  My birthday was on Monday and I wanted to be with my mom since she is the only person who really cares about my birthday!  I turned 41 on Monday and while I am fine with my age, my mother kept mumbling "I can't believe I have a daughter that is that old!". Thanks, Mom!!

There wasn't much to do on Monday in Hampton, so I treated myself to a mani/pedi.  I decided to create my own little party by pouring champagne into my niece's pretty princess sippy cup before heading off to the nail salon.  It is always better with bubbly!

My sis, Michele, me and my mom at brunch.  I think you can see the "champagne" theme of my weekend!

Cheers to all of the moms out there!  And remember, under eye concealer and blush are a mom's best friend!

Dancing With Brides Event!

Whether you are a Dancing With Stars fanatic (like me!) or just want to have an excuse to hang on to your sweetie and get some swag, Brides Magazine has an event for you this Saturday.  I have worked with Brides Mag on other events and I always had a fun time.  Check it out and register on their website.

 

Do you want to add pep to your step and sizzle to your salsa for your upcoming wedding? Join Brides for our first-ever instructional dance series where we’ll help you master your first dance together as husband and wife!

One lucky fancy-footed couple will win a $10,000 grand prize towards their wedding and the chance to appear both on TV and in the pages of the magazine!

You don’t need to know how to dance, we will teach you! Enjoy interactive all-day events where you’ll learn from professional instructors with hands-on training. Pickup the steps and dance your way into the competition. Besides scoring some new moves, all attendees can win fabulous prizes, experience the best in bridal from our partners and take home a sweet swag bag!

Saturday, May 16th 583 Park Avenue
63rd Street & Park Ave
New York, New York 10021

 

Lo and Amy - Spring Fling

We threatened to do it and here it is, the first Lo and Amy post!  We are combining our powers of fashion, style, and beauty to cover spring from head to toe!

Don't forget to check out Amy's blog.

Amy Says: Spring may be here, but that certainly does not mean that mother nature knows it! With changing temperatures from day to day, this may be the most difficult time of the year to get dressed. Even for a seasoned stylist like me, it can get really annoying.... So why not have some tried and true looks that will always keep you stylish and weather proof!?!

Cameron Diaz has done a fabulous job of rocking a look that can go anywhere from sixty to eighty  degrees. It is all about the layering folks! Her light spring scarf and chic blazer make this a realistic outfit for the vast range of temperatures that this time of year can bestow upon us. Nothing about this outfit is too far off range that any person could feel comfortable in it. Truthfully, look at the foundation of the ensemble: Jeans and a t-shirt. Seriously folks, that is it! She punches up the look and makes it appropriate for spring by adding in pops of color. The purple scarf and yellow flats make the basics of the outfit really sing. The simplicity of her bobbles, her necklace and layered bracelets, keep the look fun and flirty.By piling on or peeling off any of these sassy layers, you to can weather the storm of mother natures ups and downs!

Lo Says: As we throw off our socks, hats and gloves it can be a little frightening to see what we have had covered up for the last six months! Fear not, as I have a few simple tricks to help transition to warmer weather.

Skin

It can be frightening to bare your limbs after a long winter so one of my tricks is to use Jergens Natural Glow Daily Moisturizer. This is a great multi-tasking product which hydrates your skin and gives you a little glow.  We don’t want a “fake tan” we just want to take the glare off!  The subtle self tanner will warm up your skin gradually and is great for dry skin. Don’t forget to step up you SPF now that the sun is out – you will thank me in a few years!

Hair

Time for cut and color ladies! Nothing puts a spring in your step like a fresh cut and why not add some subtle highlights or color those pesky grays. Think fresh, not fake.

Nails

Don’t you dare bare your toes in flip flops without a little spring pedicure.  A fabulous pedicure can lift your spirits and make your skin tone look gorgeous.  I always wear a red tone, but I also love a great pink, coral or French manicure.  Heck, go with blue as long as you add a little pep in your step.

Lips and Cheeks

As you stroll through the department store every sales person is trying to sell you the new spring colors!  Guess what, you probably already have them because they are basically the same as last year’s spring colors!  Your neutral eye shadows and eyeliners can carry you through every season, but you want to change up your cheek and lip color.  Spring colors are cooler in tone and tend to be sheerer than winter makeup. Take a clue from the pinks and purples that we wear for spring clothing.  The colors may look too bright but because they are sheer, they can look more like your natural pigment than the duller looking colors.

Lo’s Recommends for Lip and Cheek colors:

Stila Papaya Lip Glaze
Laura Mercier Peony Stick Gloss
Bobbi Brown Brightening Lip Gloss in Lilac

Prescriptives Nectar Matte Blush
Bobbi Brown Pale Pink Blush

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Lo Loves Flirt! Cosmetics

I want to introduce you all to another affordable makeup line called Flirt!  Flirt! is an Estee Lauder brand that was developed for Kohl's stores.  I was hired to launch this product at Bergdorf Goodman's for an introductory period and fell in love with some of the products. 

If you like the Nars Multiple Stick then try the $12 lip tint in Sheer Genius for a little glow on your cheekbone and Tiny Bikini on the apples of your cheeks. 

The great thing about Flirt! is that you can try on the colors at your local Kohl's stores.  I really like the quality of their lipsticks and the $12 price tag!

If you don't like sticky gloss then Lip Plushious is for you!  It is a lip color that is applied like a gloss.  I really love Nude Envy and Sexy.

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They have nice eye shadow and cheek colors as well, so please check it out and let me know what you think!