APPLIED COSMETIC SERVICES

Don't leave your picture perfect look for your wedding day to the girl behind the cosmetic counter or your local hair dresser that squeezes you into her busy saturday schedule.  Instead, choose a professional make-up artist and hair stylist that will travel to your wedding location and make sure your picture perfect look lasts from the first picture until the last dance.

 Meet Ana Crane-Simpson with Applied Cosmetic Services.  Ana resides in Lexington but because of her popularity you can find her in Louisville almost as much as Lexington.  Ana meets with clients before the big day to discuss their desired look and does a trial run to ensure the bride is satisfied.  When your wedding day arrives you can be assured that you will look fabulous!!

 Before watching Ana's Something Blue Collective video, meet Ana in the following brief SBC interview.

 SBC:  What are the current trends in make-up and hair for weddings for this upcoming spring and summer? 

Ana:  Here are the beauty trends for brides in 2010: BOLD and BRIGHT colors. A perfect pouty pink lip partnered up with a bold black lined eye is for a modern bride. A more traditional bride may opt for a brown/coppery eye with a muted glossy pink lip. A huge trend this season is a vintage look... you can go for soft and dewy, or bold and matte. A glamour look is just as popular on the runways! Long dark lashes, a winged eye, and matte red lips.

SBC:  What make-up do you use on your brides?Ana:  I really love using MAC cosmetics on brides. The foundation, eye shadows, and eye lashes photograph beautifully and are not heavy looking. There primers are amazing and really keep the eye shadows and foundation looking fresh and bright. For those brides that are concerned about their oily skin type, MAC has an amazing blot powder! I leave all my brides with blot powder and a touch-up lip pallette to use throughout the wedding, when needed.

 SBC:  Where do you find inspiration for the different looks that you create?

Ana:  I find inspiration in everything! From my conversation with the bride I really get a visual of what she can look like. I love hearing about the special details, flower combos, bridesmaid dresses, hair pieces, and of course- the dress! I feel my fashion design background really helps me listen to the bride and execute the perfect look for her. Every wedding is different and so is every bride... that is why I love what I do!! The bride really needs someone that will understand what she is trying to convey on the most photographed day of her life!!

 SBC:  What is your favorite color of lipstick in your purse right now?

Ana:  My favorite lipstick color right now is MAC: Viva Glam 5. It is a gorgeous nude pink that works with every skin tone and shadow color(s). The best part is that 100% of sale price goes to the MAC AIDS Fund, it goes directly to adults and children living with AIDS. As of 2009, there are 6 shades of Viva Glam lipsticks.

 SBC:  How do you prevent the bride’s make-up from fading on her wedding day?

Ana:  The best way to keep the bridal make-up from fading is by preparing the skin with a primer. This helps even out the skin tone, reduces redness, fills in any fine lines and enlarged pores. It also helps reduce the oils in the skin from breaking down the foundation. No foundation is 100% waterproof, so a blot powder is ideal to remove shine hours after initial makeup application.

 SBC:  Do you have any advice for brides on how to prep their skin for their wedding day?

Ana:  The best advice I can give to brides about prepping the skin before the wedding is: DO NOT spray-tan your face or expose your face in a tanning bed!!! You will pay for it later! If you moisturize and exfoliate with a scrub 4 to 7 days prior to the BIG day, your skin will be glowing! If you happen to get a few pimples or small breakout, that is common, do not touch the area and see a dermatologist (in extreme cases a steroid creme can reduce the breakout). Most topical cremes help and of course a good make-up artist can cover anything up.

SBC:  What is the one must have for every bride to become picture perfect for their wedding day?

Ana:  A must have for a bride to be picture perfect: SMILE ALOT and always have a blot powder and the perfect lipgloss color handy!! It is amazing what a great color can do for ones confidence.

 SBC:  What is the biggest difference between hiring a professional make-up artist that specializes in working with photographers and a make-up artist found in a local salon or at a make-up counter?

Ana:  The biggest difference between hiring a professional makeup artist and going to your local makeup counter is the application time, travel on the day of and the attention to detail. I firmly believe you get what you pay for. If you go to a counter, you may not get a trial and if you do... then there is a chance the artist that did your trial may not be the same person that applies it on the wedding day. Also most counters set aside only 1/2hour for the entire appointment. And let's not forget you have to travel to the mall and hope there are no delays.

When you hire a professional makeup artist, you are ensuring you are going to look exactly as you envisioned on your wedding day. I travel on-location and bring everything with me. I use makeup that is photo-friendly. I do all of my bridal trials and can accomidate bridesmaids and/or mom's. I really get to know my clients and do anything I can to exceed their expectations. When you consider the grand investment a wedding can be, why would you not invest in a "beauty" expert for your BIG day!

 SBC:  Any quick do’s and don’ts of make-up our brides reading?

Ana:  Do's and Don'ts of hiring makeup/hair professional:    Do- Research on line,get references, see portfolio of work, set up a trial, ask for touch up kit. Don't- skip an opportunity to see what a professional can offer!

Do's and Don'ts in makeup: Do- moisturize, research what colors work with your skin tone, set up a private makeup class, throw out old makeup, design a day and evening look, clean your brushes regularly. Don't- share makeup with anyone, use sponges, use colors that wash you out, go to sleep without washing your face, use foundation containing mica (reflects light in photography), and don't  underestimate the power of beautiful makeup!

SBC:  What is the first thing that pops into your mind when I say “false eyelashes”?

Ana:  When I hear "false eyelashes", the first thing that pops in my mind is .... a blushing bride!! Eye lashes can look amazing if applied correctly. They can add that extra something to a simple, natural look. Or they can take a dramatic look over the top.

Thanks Ana for all the great tips and advice.  Please visit her website www.appliedcosmeticservices.com 

to view more of her portfolio and learn about what services she can provide for your wedding day.