Couture Makeup Blog – Makeup Artist Serving San Diego and Orange County.

There is a magical place, where true sophistication and beauty abounds, poetry is written, couture fashion is created and for many – dreams become reality. It is like no place on earth.  It was once suggested, that one can not know true sophistication without spending some time in Paris. . . Although it was put a bit more bluntly… “Whoever does not visit Paris regularly will never really be elegant.” -Honoré de Balzac.  Now, of course I don’t believe that, but I will say… You can’t escape its beauty or its past, and yet what’s so wonderful about Paris is that the past and present intermingle so intangibly that it creates this juxtaposition of style that is gorgeously unique.   And while the city can be overly romanticized by us Americans (guilty,) there is still no question… it is a breathtaking place, frozen in time, capturing the essence of glamour and romance.

I spent some time there years ago, but don’t think that I fully took it all in, perhaps, that is why I write about it so often… Paris and I have some unfinished business!  So, for today – Tuesday, take a walk with me…. leave any stressful thoughts on a shelf and lets enjoy some time in the magical city of lights.

“But Paris was a very old city and we were young and nothing was simple there, not even poverty, nor sudden money, nor the moonlight, nor right and wrong nor the breathing of someone who lay beside you in the moonlight.”

-Ernest Hemingway

We are weaned from our timidity
In the flush of love’s light
we dare be brave
And suddenly we see
that love costs all we are
and will ever be.
Yet it is only love
which sets us free.

Maya Angelou

As I step out this year, ready to make it an unforgettable one, I’m stoping to take in all of the beauty around me, often taken for granted. To stop, pause…. even while looking though my closet and getting dressed. Romance. Beauty. Life. Love. It’s all around us, all the time.

Magic and merriment, mistletoe, beloved friends and family, warm nights by the fire and love, LOVE, love are a few things that I wish for you this holiday season.  May discouragement and saddness be left behind

And the rest be stardust  . . .

If you don’t know by now, I’m quite the crafty girl.  With a little imagination you can transform pieces into one of a kind items that look like they would be purchased at Pottery Barn!  Each year, Christmas decorating can be expensive and overwhelming, but it truly does make your home feel so beautiful and festive which is therefore, worth the hassle. While some of it can be expensive, I’m here to tell you that this is NOT always the case. And there are so many different styles and ideas!! Head on over to Michaels or your nearest craft store and you can buy what you need for a great price (be sure to use that 50% off coupon they offer to buy the actual wreath, especially if you are buying a plain green one that you plan to spruce up). It’s all in how elaborate you want it to look.  And the really great thing is that you can use it every year!  So, let’s get inspired with some of my favorite pictures and then I’ll show you a simple step by step guide to making a festive ornament wreath! 🙂

I hope that was inspiring!  I love all different kinds of decorations.  We will learn how to make a new style each holiday season.  For today, let’s zip through a quick tutorial on how to make a simple ornament wreath (the one pictured at the very top) for *dramatic pause* less than $20! Not only will you feel a sense of pride sharing that you made it, but you can also reuse it year after year! Now lets get started . . .

WHAT YOU WILL NEED: 

1) Start by using a simple wooden wreath form.This wreath form was found at the Dollar Tree, but you can use all sorts of other wreath forms with great results (styrofoam or grapevine wreaths work too.) So, go forth and pick the wreath form of your choice.  Just be sure that your wreath form has a big center opening.  Usually the bigger the form, the prettier the wreath.  So, once you have your wreath form…

 

2) First things first, you’re going to need a lot of ornaments. More than a hundred on this wreath. Go to the dollar store and get 6 tubes of ornaments (which gives about 75 ornaments in varying colors and that’s only $6).  If you want, spray paint them whatever color scheme you want or simply use the colors as they come. Make this your own! If you love a certain color scheme, glitter, metallic, neutrals . . . whatever!! Make it fit you! Also, watch for after Christmas sales and get ones for dirt cheap for next year that can really be some pop pieces!!

3) Glue gun or super glue

4) Ribbon, to tie a beautiful bow on the top and hang it from a mirror or door (or you can purchase the pre-tied bows that are already perfect and gorgeous)

LET’S GET STARTED: 

Step 1: Hot glue the ornaments around the inside of the wreath, with the tops of the ornaments facing up.

Step 2: Glue ornaments around the outside of the wreath, still with the tops facing up.

Step 3: Flip the entire thing over. You’re now looking at the front side of your wreath.

Step 4: Fill in the gaps, beginning with some of your large to medium ornaments.

Step 5: Finish filling in any gaps with your smallest ornaments.

At the end, I also glue a few small ornaments around the outer edge, which I think makes it look more unique and less like a bulbous donut.  

After all of the ornaments were glued on, I attached a simple metal wreath hanger and tied a big bow at the top. I love all wreaths when hung in front of a pretty mirror, it looks so elegant and chic!

And that’s all there is to it, it’s truly so easy and it turns out SO pretty!

special thank you to LiveLove ❤

From bridal to Vogue, the past two weeks have been a flurry of photo shoots. Each day was filled to the brim with beauty; gorgeous models, rainbows of makeup colors, hair tools strewn about, stunning wardrobe and accessories that would make any fashionista jealous! The fun, down to earth, humble and extraordinarily talented team, each an expert in their field, worked together so that everything ran smoothly and was a real collaboration.

I had the great pleasure of working with one of the most talented and amazing photographers ever, Josh Green, the crazy talented guy responsible for all of the incredible images pictured here. And Mish Mucho — the queen of style, who not only styled every single look at each shoot, but also did all of the model’s hair — she is a miracle worker, beautiful soul, and the best hair stylist around. Lastly, the amazing makeup artist, 😉 Couture Makeup, (yes, that’s me!!) Don’t worry my head has not swelled up, I simply felt lucky to be there contributing my skills and passion for the art of makeup by beautifying the girls for each look. With such an incredible team at my side, I truly had the time of my life. (insert Dirty Dancing song) 😉

There is another shoot to come that is stocked FULL of amazing pictures with a totally different vibe, but I can’t post those until the magazine goes to print, so until then, consider this your teaser!

I had such an amazing time working with this team, from each beautiful model, to our “dream team” of professionals that truly joined forces and worked together to make each shoot a success. There was even a moment when we were losing the sun so Mish and I lighted the shot with our iPhones! And the picture turned out amazing! Haha! Cheers to team work and the absolute pleasure of creating art.

Photography: Josh Green http://www.joshuaallengreen.com/ IG: @iamjoshgreen
Styling and Hair: Mish Mucho http://www.mishmucho.com/ IG: @ms_mucho
Makeup: http://www.couturemakeup.com / IG: @couturemakeupca and @mskatylynn
Models: IG: @nicolekayclark, @kaylenalyssa, @elighmoon

It’s rainy and cold outside today and we’re cosy by the Christmas tree with steaming coffee in hand and scented candles a glow throughout our workspace.  Dressed in cable knits and soft mohair sweaters of different styles, I thought that today’s style inspiration should be the knitwear variety. Whether styled with ankle boots or leather skirts, wavy locks or a chignon bun, here are a few gorgeously chic ideas and images for those impossibly cold December nights  . . .

Cozy up in this season’s hottest fashions and stay warm while . . . naturally, looking fabulous!

😉

Its that time of year again. My favorite time.  When even the most ordinary places transform into a magical wonderland where the scents of vanilla, nutmeg and cinnamon fill the air and sparkling chandeliers hang everywhere. This place comes only once a year, and this year, I have already taken a moment to stop and sip champagne under the millions of twinkling lights. This weekend, was tree-decorating & baked goods, champagne, and candlelight.  Cheers, to the hope of being caught under the mistletoe with that special someone, who makes your heart skip a beat…

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to you all 🙂