Tis' the Season for Engagements! Advice for your Engagement Photos!

You may have noticed, while christmas shopping through the malls, the looping of jewelry and diamond ads on TV and the radio (you know, that Shane Co. guy who sounds like Ben Stein), & those pretty little (blue!) boxes in the storefront windows! This, my friend, is known as "engagement season"! According to Wedding Wire, 33 percent of engagements happen between Thanksgiving and New Year's Day! 

So now he has asked & you said YES! Congratulations! Being engaged is such an exciting time, but what comes next? After you tell friends & family, one of the more important things you may do is professional engagement photos!

Just having nice photos of you and your new fiancé is a great way to commemorate the occasion but they also have many other uses as well! For example you can use them in your save the date cards, use them at your engagement party, be creative with them in your wedding decor, or give framed photos as gifts to close friends and family. It's also a fantastic opportunity to test-drive your wedding photographer! 

Here are some fantastic ideas and engagement photoshoot basics via The Knot!

Don't forget about your beauty needs for your engagement shoot as well! While engagements are about you and your fiancé in your everyday loving selves, it's still important to have proper makeup for photography! Not all cosmetics are meant for use with photography, some have ingredients in it that can create flashback. Flashback is when the lighting and/or flash reflects off of makeup creating the look of a much lighter complexion. Getting your makeup professionally done doesn't mean it needs to be dramatic, but it does ensure that you feel confident and look naturally beautiful in your photos!

Just like engagement shoots are great for test-driving your photographer, it can be an equally great opportunity to test out a makeup artist! However, keep in mind that an engagement session with your makeup artist doesn't replace a makeup trial or preview! Your engagement makeup is a completely different look then your wedding day makeup, even if you don't wear a lot of makeup normally. Makeup for your engagement shoot will be much more natural and clean. While your wedding day makeup look will take into account the theme, venue/location, your dress, your hairstyle, wedding colors, and overall feeling of your wedding and look a bit more done up!

So cheers to the holidays & all of the engagements! Here's to a happy New Year & 2014 weddings! 

XOXO,

Lisa Teller | Makeup Artist

Lisa Teller is a professional makeup artist specializing in airbrush makeup and luxury makeup services for bridal in the San Francisco Bay Area. She is extremely passionate about each of her bridal clients and is currently booking for 2016!

For more information, services, bridal portfolio, or to book her for a session, www.lisateller.com

Stay connected:

FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/lisatellermakeup

PINTEREST: http://pinterest.com/lisatellermua/

INSTAGRAM: @lisatellermua

TSA to Lift Regulations on Flying with Liquids!

Beauty Junkies rejoice! TSA administrator John Pistole just told the Chicago Tribune that we’ll all soon be able to fly with all of the liquids our hearts could desire!

The moment I book a flight for a job in LA or a weekend getaway my first thought is "How will I fly with my makeup kit? Or How am I going to narrow down (and down sizing to 3.4 ounces!) my beauty products?" The agony of having to check my liquids while carrying on the rest of my makeup kit on board or scrutinizing my favorite beauty products and WAY over stuffing that clear plastic bag will soon end!

While we don’t know an exact date for when the change will take place, we know that only those enrolled in TSA Pre-Check will reap the benefits first. For now, we’ll be waiting on pins and needles until we can carry on as much hairspray as our hair desires!

DIY: Pumpkin Inspired Beauty/Spa Recipes

I don't know about you, but Fall is one of my favorite seasons! The weather is perfect for comfy oversized sweaters and pumpkin spice lattes! On those particularly chilly nights I love to whip up some fresh pumpkin spa recipes and treat myself to a night in of pampering! Pumpkins actually contain therapeutic properties and is already a key ingredient in many of our favorite beauty products!

Did you know that pumpkins contain natural UV protectors, anti-inflammatory benefits, and is a great exfoliant for those with sensitive skin? Pumpkin is rich in beta-carotene, vitamin A, vitamin C, Zinc and natural enzymes, all great things for your skin!


In honor of Pumpkin season try out these DIY beauty recipes inspired by pumpkins!

Pumpkin Sugar Scrub: Combine 6 Tbsp of pumpkin pulp, 3 Tbsp of sugar, and a 1/2 Tsp of pumpkin seed oil to make a thick paste. Apply to your face and relax for a few minutes to let things kinda soak in. Then gentle use your fingers to massage the scrub on your face as it gentle sloughs away dead skin!

Papaya Pumpkin Facial Mask: For this you will need some sort of mixer or blender! Combine 2/3 cup of mashed papaya(be sure to scoop out the seeds first and mash it pretty well), 1 pre-beaten egg(the egg should be beaten until frothy), then add a 15oz can of pure pumpkin and mix well in the blender! Apply to clean face except the eye area and let it sit for 10 mins. For best results rinse and follow with toner and moisturizer!

Pumpkin Body Butter: Combine 1/2 cup of cooked pumpkin puree, 1/2 cup of solid creme(the solid creme that forms at the top of a can of coconut milk), and a 1/2 tsp of cinnamon. Massage gently into skin and after 15 mins rinse with warm water. Pumpkin Spice latte optional :)

Happy Fall!

XOXO,

Lisa Teller | Makeup + Hair

Lisa Teller is a professional makeup artist specializing in airbrush makeup and high-end makeup & hair experiences for bridal in the San Francisco Bay Area, throughout California, and destination weddings. She is extremely passionate about each of her bridal clients and is currently booking for 2015!

For more information, services, bridal portfolio, or to book her for a session, www.lisateller.com

Stay connected:

FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/lisatellermakeup

PINTEREST: http://pinterest.com/lisatellermua/

INSTAGRAM: @lisatellermua

Weekend Get-Away Beauty Essentials

Whether you're headed out for a road-trip or gearing up for a weekend get-away with your girls - packing a light overnight bag can be no easy task, especially if you're like me when it comes to beauty products! I've narrowed down my versatile beauty essentials I'll be packing - take a look at what's in my bag:

This Le Mieux Vita-C serum is packed with brightening powers for hydrated & radiant skin! Use at night before bed for soft skin in the morning or a little under makeup. For extra hydration, you can swap it out for Le Mieux's hyaluronic serum for super dry skin!

Kiehl's Ultra Face Moisturizer is light and hydrating that absorbs into the skin and doesn't leave behind an oily feeling.

Georgio Armani Luxurious Silk Foundation has a beautiful glowing, silky finish! You skin will look brighter and more even toned without feeling heavy or cakey.

Yves Saint Laurent Touché Eclat (Radiant Touch) - This magic wand is amazing for under eye concealing and light effortless highlighting! Use under eyes for an instant brightening effect or on the cheek bones and down the bridge of your nose for subtle highlighting!

Ilia dual lip & cheek stain - this multi-tasking product gives the perfect flush of color to the cheeks and lips!

Smith's Rosebud Salve will keep your lips hydrated and add a little sheen to any lip color!

Makeup Forever Aqua Eyes eye liner can be used with your favorite mascara to create a number of looks! Tight line your eyes for subtle lining and make your lashes appear fuller and thicker, or smudge across the top lash line for a more smokey night out!

Philip B's dry shampoo will revive your hair in a pinch absorbing extra oils and giving hair some lift and volume!

Essie's nail polish in a bright color will kick off your fun filled weekend - I love this bright coral color!

"Like" our Facebook Fan Page and comment on the post telling us what you have planned for the weekend for a chance to win one of these products for yourself! 

*Contest is open to residents of the US (13 years or older with parents permission) and ends 11:59pm Monday September 1st.

Have a great weekend beauties!

XOXO,

Lisa Teller | Makeup + Hair

Lisa Teller is a professional makeup artist specializing in airbrush makeup and luxury makeup services for bridal in the San Francisco Bay Area, throughout California, and destination weddings. She is extremely passionate about each of her bridal clients and is currently booking for 2014/2015!

For more information, services, bridal portfolio, or to book her for a session, www.lisateller.com

Stay connected:

FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/lisatellermakeup

PINTEREST: http://pinterest.com/lisatellermua/

INSTAGRAM: @lisatellermua

Wed in the Redwoods! UC Berkeley Botanical Gardens/Sequoia Country Club

LeAnne had contacted me a few weeks before her wedding and luckily I had an opening! She was really easy to work with and I enjoyed creating her makeup look to compliment the rest of her wedding! She looked beautiful and the redwood back drop at the UC Botanical Gardens was truly magical!

LeAnne + Chin

May 31st, 2014

UC Botanical Gardens & Sequoia Country Club

Michelle Damas Photography did an amazing job of capturing all of the special moments at this wedding! For more information on Michelle Damas' wedding photography visit, www.michelledamas.com

Want to look amazing in your wedding photos like LeAnne does? Let's collaborate together on your bridal makeup & hair!

XOXO,

Lisa Teller | Makeup + Hair

Lisa Teller is a professional makeup artist specializing in airbrush makeup and luxury makeup services for bridal in the San Francisco Bay Area, throughout California, and destination weddings. She is extremely passionate about each of her bridal clients and is currently booking for 2014/2015!

For more information, services, bridal portfolio, or to book her for a session, www.lisateller.com

Stay connected:

FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/lisatellermakeup

PINTEREST: http://pinterest.com/lisatellermua/

INSTAGRAM: @lisatellermua

Beat the Heat: Prevent a Makeup Meltdown!

Skin Prep

Preparing your canvas (your skin) is extremely important for the longevity of your makeup application!

Moisturize: Don't skip on the moisturizer just because it's hot or you are in a humid climate!

Use a Face/Eye Primer: Using a primer is the key to evening out skin texture, fine lines, and long-lasting makeup! Use a facial primer to keep your foundation looking fresh and an eye primer to prevent creasing eyeshadow!

The Right Products in the Right Amount

During summer and dealing with hot/humid clients remember that less is more! Wearing heavy, full coverage makeup is going to be harder to maintain (& in my opinion uncomfortable!). Instead, try opting for something more sheer and spot concealing any problem areas. Try switching to a BB cream or tinted moisturizer during warmer months - I love Balm Shelter tinted moisturizer from The Balm! Not only does it have SPF (bonus for summer!) but I always find that other BB creams and tinted moisturizers don't have a wide enough range of skin colors, but The Balm makes it in 7 shades that meld beautifully into skin!

Use long wear or waterproof products! Most cosmetics make an "aqua", waterproof, or long-wear line of everything from eyeliners, mascaras, and eye shadows, to lipsticks and lip stains. Use those types of products and you'll be less likely to end up wearing your eyeliner on your cheeks!

Setting & Maintaining

Lastly, you'll want to set your makeup well! I love Skindinavia's setting spray, give yourself a generous spritz and let it dry.

Avoid powder if you can - it's another layer and you'll want to keep it as sheer as possible! If you want to keep the shine away throughout the day, try blotting sheets instead! They will absorb oil without adding layers upon layers as you touch up throughout the day!

Life hack trick: if you're ever in a pinch you can use a toilet seat cover (use a clean, fresh one please!) or tissue paper to absorb extra oils like a blotting sheet does! While blotting sheets are less obvious and you'll get less weird looks in the bathroom they basically do the same thing!

XOXO,

Lisa Teller | Makeup Artist

Lisa Teller is a professional makeup artist specializing in airbrush makeup for bridal in the San Francisco Bay Area. She is extremely passionate about each of her bridal clients and is currently booking for 2013/2014.

For more information, services, bridal portfolio, or to book her for a session, www.lisateller.com

Stay connected:

FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/lisatellermakeup

PINTEREST: http://pinterest.com/lisatellermua/
INSTAGRAM: @lisatellermua

Maleficent Makeup: A Dark Bridal Beauty

I had already shared the Maleficent editorial that was posted on the Green Wedding Shoes blog, but I though I would share some of my favorite shots and explain the choices I made in interpreting our version of Maleficent as a love story.

For our Maleficent, I wanted it to still have a wedding/bridal feel. Maleficent is such a fantasy character that I wanted to not be cartoonish and humanizer her a bit more. Her ultimate goal was to be beautiful - a dark beauty - so I still wanted her to be beautiful. Rick Baker had a similar idea when he was creating the makeup look for Angelina Jolie's role as Maleficent. In the original animated film Maleficent's face is green but Rick wanted her less cartoonish and more realistic. So ultimately I wanted my interpretation of her to still be very beautiful, an edgier but wearable bridal look that could be worn to perhaps, a fall wedding!

I had pictured her as a scorned lover - someone who had struggled with many failed love relationships, low self-esteem and vain. I imagined that's why she was "crashing" Prince Philip & Princess Aurora's wedding.

For Aurora, I wanted to create a soft, warm, romantic look. Very fresh, effortless and bohemian-esque but classically beautiful. I imagined her to be young, pretty, and a little naive. 

photography: Meg Sexton // venue: Castillo Hillside Shire Winery Morgan Hill, California // florals: The Petal Company // rentals: Milk Glass Vintage Rentals // cakes: Sweet Tooth Confections // hair + makeup: Lisa Teller | Makeup + Hair  // paper goods: Paper Bloom Studio // jewelry: Haute Bride // wedding dress: Aurora dress by Jinza, Maleficent dress by Matthew Christopher

XOXO,

Lisa Teller | Makeup Artist

Lisa Teller is a professional makeup artist specializing in airbrush makeup and luxury makeup services for bridal in the San Francisco Bay Area, throughout California, and destination weddings. She is extremely passionate about each of her bridal clients and is currently booking for 2014/2015!

For more information, services, bridal portfolio, or to book her for a session, www.lisateller.com

Stay connected:

FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/lisatellermakeup

PINTEREST: http://pinterest.com/lisatellermua/

INSTAGRAM: @lisatellermua