Boudoir Photographer Kansas City

I’m 42 years old and have never, until last night, applied makeup to best suit my features.  No.  Really.  I did a fairly decent job of putting on makeup, but I had no idea that I was doing it all wrong.

I grew up an only child, no big sisters to show me the ropes.  You-tube or even the in-ter-net ((what?)) was not around during my teens or even halfway through my twenties.

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I learned from my mom.  Sorry Mom, you can’t be good at everything, ya know.

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My sessions include the services of a professional hair and makeup artist.  It’s part of the experience, the day of pampering, dress up and play.  I get to watch my makeup artists work their magic and I find it fascinating to watch the transformations happen right before my very eyes.  Through observation or osmosis my own makeup techniques have markedly improved, but I knew it was still lacking.

I didn’t realize just how *lacking* it was until I had my very own makeup lesson last night.  It was an eye opener.  Literally and figuratively.  My studio-mate saw me this morning and did a double-take… asked “You look different.  You look refreshed.”

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HALLELUJAH!!

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Trust me, I was NOT refreshed, 6 hours of sleep seems to be my limit these days otherwise I toss and turn.  I looked refreshed because my makeup lesson taught me that for *MY* eye shape, eye size and how my eye is set in my face I should not wear eyeliner on the top – which is what I’ve done my entirely life, eyeliner on or in the lower lid has been avoided for the past 20 years because – well.  I don’t know.. because that’s how everybody else was doing it?  Someone told me I should?  Even recently, I went to a higher end cosmetics store and was sold products that did not flatter my features, or rather it did nothing to bring my features out…. I didn’t know.  They were pretty colors, they sparkled a little – I like sparkle :)

The lesson:  I wore a full face of Petra’s best-applied makeup to the lesson and Terra, one of my very talented makeup artists, removed the makeup from only one eye and started her magic.  I was taught that there is a lid, a crease:  including an outer crease and inner crease, and the brow line.  The first thing Terra applied was an eye cream, this both moisturized and gave the pigment shadow something to hang onto.   After the cream she applied a very light matte shadow called ‘vanilla’ … yep…think vanilla ice cream..it’s THAT light… after the lid she worked her magic on the crease… crease shadowing was something I’d very recently mastered so I thought this would be same’ol, same’ol…. HA!  because my eye is small, she stopped short of tracing the entire semi-circle shape.. immediately the eye she’d worked appeared larger than the other… more awake, brighter.   Terra then applied  a very neutral cool toned brown matte to my crease..this is pretty!  She blended and now I had the perfect day look.

Woah.  

Who knew that going light on the lid, only working the outer crease and putting liner on the outer bottom edge would make me look “refreshed”!??!  To take day look into night Terra then applied BLACK, yes, BLACK to my outer crease and lid with a detail brush and blended that to perfection.  I now looked vampy and ready for a night on the town!

To say the least, I’m impressed and I want to share this experience with all of clients, current and past.  So stay tuned, soon I’ll be announcing this little soiree!

Last year I was treated to facial at my favorite salon.  Rostik Salon and Spa in Overland Park is owned and operated by Rosty and Shannon Besfamilny. Rosty has been my stylist for over eleven years. ((pronounced Rusty, short for Rostislav. He has the most amazing Russian accent!))  I first met Rosty when he was fresh out of his apprenticeship and just starting to build his own clientele. Me? I looked as though I’d gotten in a tumble with a weed whacker. Looking back I’m not sure how Rosty got through our first appointment without laughing hysterically.  It had to be a challenge.  Since then I’ve been a loyal client of Rosty’s and have been blessed to bear witness his successes, both personally and in business.

Allie Summers is a licensed esthetician at Rostik Salon and Spa.   Allie has graciously agreed to give us a few recommendations on skin care.

In thinking about preparing for a boudoir session can you give your thoughts about…..
Q:  What do you consider to be essential in skin care to renew and refresh the complexion?

A:   Exfoliation and Hydration are key to creating a healthy glow. Exfoliation accelerates the cell turn over rate to reveal healthier younger looking skin. Hydrating freshly exfoliated skin plumps fine line and wrinkles.  My favorite treatment is Rostik’s AlphaBlend Chemical peel followed by BioElements Gel Therapy mask.

Q:  Wax on. Wax off. In comparison to the average everyday shave, what are the benefits to having unwanted hair professionally removed. How long before a portrait session would you recommend having the hair removal done?

A: Waxing trumps shaving every time. With waxing you are weakening the hair follicles so results not only last much longer than shaving, but also have long term benefits by reducing the amount of regrowth. With waxing you’re also avoiding the ingrown hairs and razor bumps that you get with shaving. After I wax my clients I generally use our high frequency machine to further reduce the risk of post hair removal bumps. Ideally facial and body waxing should be done about 5-7 days prior to a portrait session.

Q:  What are the benefits to having makeup professionally applied as opposed to a d.i.y. application?

A:   For a professional photo shoot, your make up is going to need to be different than your everyday make up application. A professional knows tips and techniques that will highlight and accentuate your best features, and factor in lighting and coloring. Makeup artists are also up to date on current trends and products. Its always best to leave it to the professionals!

Thank you Allie~!!

-Petra

P.S. Allie has given me facial that she referenced in her answer and it was amazing.

P.S.S. Allie has also helped prepare for my own boudoir session, she was very gentle :)~~

I’ve been chained to my desk lately coming up with fun and creative topics to blog about.  Tonight, I sent off a list of questions to the owner of the hottest lingerie e-boutique in all of interwebz!  Next week I meet with the owners of a very upscale salon and day spa to talk about the services they would recommend to anyone wanting to look their very best for an intimate portrait session.  Want tips and tricks from the pros?  Stay tuned!  I promise you won’t be disappointed!

Shakin my booty, doin the happy dance,

Petra

Bella Boudoir model

Sessions with Bella Boudoir of Kansas City are packaged to pamper. Read more about the experience.

I really don’t know how to put on makeup.  Forty years old and I’m bad at it.  It’s certainly not for lack of trying but, even when I give it my all, I always feel a little like a clown.   I’ve come to terms with my lack of cosmetic skill and now I enlist the help of a professional for special occasions.