Lana

The first thing that grabs you about Lana is her turquoise eyes. You then notice her long lashes, her full lips and black ‘Pocahontas’ hair. Is she real? Lana is softly spoken and would never harm a fly. I was also booked to do her mom’s makeup, who was nicknamed “Bergie” as she was always on tops of things, super organised! The two made quite a team.

Schantel was the photographer, I am not to sure how many times I can say this but I love her work. She captures awesome shots and I love how my work looks. We did go very dark on Lana’s eyes. It was the best way to bring out her eyes. Her eyes are her best asset and we chose a soft pink for the lips (no, it wasn't Pout! It was Fame from Smashbox)

I still recall Lana telling me that her dress was from Stuttafords. Yes ladies, you heard me. Stutterfords Rosebank, she then had the dress tailored and had more diamantes sewn to the dress. It was exquisite!  

Well, another beautiful wedding for you to enjoy from Morrells.

Michelle

I met Michelle through Bride&co. Michelle was referred to me through Phern (now at Morrells) who at the time worked there as one of the Wedding Planners. I was also one of Bride&co’s service providers.

Michelle had told me her venue was in Northcliff. I had never heard of Morrells. Well, neither had Phern. All that mattered to me was how was I going to get there! Northcliff was a long drive from the East rand (I was living with mom and dad at the time..)

I did a smoky liner for Michelle and individual lashes for that ‘wispy’ look. Her makeup was warm which suited her pictures. Schantel from Kiekie Photography was the photographer. Her pictures are vibrant and seem to have these warm hues (excuse my photo lingo, perhaps need to ask what the real terms are) Schantel is able to bring such brightness and color to her pictures. She captures moments, I love her work!

Anyway, Phern booked me for Michelle.  Phern then left Bride&co and I was very sorry to see her go. The twinkle in Phern’s eye told me that I will hear from her soon. Little did I know that I would start a new love for weddings, brides and bridal makeup.

Michelle’s Wedding was the first wedding I had done at Morrells. I was in love, Lata Mangeshkar sang through the venue’s speakers, tricking me into thinking I was in France.  And there was Phern, Morrells head wedding planners. We had good fun that afternoon. As we did Michelle’s makeup, Phern would pop in to check on the bride (and to top up the champagne glasses) Schantel was in the corner snapping like mad as Michelle and her bridesmaid giggled away.

My next bride to post, the beautiful Alana. Also got married at Morrells and Schantel was her photographer. Will post soon!

Tammie @ Morrells

6am and I am sitting in my kitchen eating a warm bowel of comforting oats with honey and milk. My little radio softly sings tunes from the Buena Vista Social Club. Despite the impressive storm we had last night, the sun is up and no sign of clouds.

You probably already know what I am going to be blogging about this morning. Ok, a bride of course, venue.. The one and only, Morrells. I have about four weddings already booked at Morrells this year. Every time I go there I am reminded of the romance of getting married and how special a wedding day is.

I had such a lovely time doing Tammie’s makeup. No elements of a ‘bridezilla’ here. Tammie was cheerful and super excited. I remember it was a hot October afternoon. We were sitting on the patio, Mat was doing Tammie’s hair while I did the makeup.  A true pamper session. We had done your traditional sort of makeup at Tammie’s trial (well I suppose my ‘take’ on bridal makeup). However, on the wedding day we changed our minds. We decided to do a flawless foundation, thick liner and lashes and finished with… hmmm ok, maybe I need to get a new gloss as yet again I have used ‘Pout’ from Smashbox. You must be thinking I have shares in the ‘pout’ lipsticks and glosses. Ps I wear the pout lipstick. There is moments where Tammie has a slight resemblance of Christina Aguilera, though she has softer features. Btw Tammie also had a spray tan.

Well I wish you all a lovely 2012. Let it be romantic, positive and always remember to laugh out loud so everyone can hear you.

Sherilee @ The Westcliff

Sherilee was one of the first brides that I had seen sporting a side pony. I did her makeup a few years back and up-styles pretty much dominated the bridal industry. Since then it has become fashionable amongst brides and I am always happy to see something new and different.

I loved how Sherilee looked. She has beautiful skin (which I spray tanned a lovely bronze colour), blue eyes and fantastic features to do makeup on.  She also has a cheeky grin, as though she knows something that you don't. Got to love it! Her wedding dress was tight at the waist and showed off her figure beautifully.

You cannot see it but I had done a purple pencil on her bottom lash line. It made Sherilee’s eyes pop (not that she needed it). On the odd occasion, I do a khaki green or navy blue pencil liner for something different. Try mixing different eye liners with your natural eye shadow colours.

Well lovely ladies, I am looking forward to 2012. I hope all of my brides, future brides and readers have an adventurous year ahead. One of my New Year resolutions is to blog more often than not.  

All the best, lots of love

Candice

Francoise @ House Higgo

I adore these photographs. When I received them from Francoise, I was absolutely in love.  Funny, I had been doing makeup for about two years and when I saw these pictures I suddenly felt like a Makeup Artist. It is some of my favourite work even to this day.

Francoise had her wedding at House Higgo in Northcliff. The venue had suited her vintage taste as as well as her French theme. There was so much excitement in the air, House Higgo was buzzing. I recall Francoise having black stone hearts on her table settings as gifts for the ladies. Only in the last year or so has hearts become fashionable and already back then did Francoise have fun shabby chic ideas.

I also did the makeup for her two bridesmaids. We obviously went for red lips and liquid liner, luckily the girls were game for the red lips. Each bridesmaid had on a different shift dress and head band. We had actually decided to change the makeup on the wedding day. We had made it darker and smokier. I think it suited her dress and as well as her beauty. Francoise has eyes that are very caring (as she is a doctor) and you cannot help but smile back.

I still see Francoise for a spray tan once in a blue moon. We always have a laugh and I get to steal interior decorating ideas from her home. Anyway, please enjoy!

Jodene

Jodene’s hair is pin straight and wears her fringe just below her eyebrows. She is as tall and as graceful as a catwalk model. I was in awe of her beauty. Jodene’s mother reminded me of Kris, Kim Kardashian’s mother. A woman who has a powerful presence and who also can cook up a storm in the kitchen.

I had two trials with Jodene. I normally only have one but being very particular about what she wanted we thought we will have two. Options can sometimes be a good thing. One point I must bring up, Jodene is a beauty therapist. She has awesome skin. I used a light weight gel foundation from Makeup Forever to enhance her flawless beauty.

The first trial we did a ‘Smokey Eye’ and the look was rather dramatic. Jodene resembled a young Cleopatra. At the second trial  we did a much softer look with soft pearl pinks and browns. We finished the look with liquid liner and thick mascara. Bronzer was applied on the cheeks to define her bone structure. Smashbox has an awesome gloss called ‘Pout’. It is a bubble-gum pink. I love it! So did Jodene and most of my brides.

We I hope you enjoy Jodene as much I did. Don’t you just love her pony tail, You rarely see brides sporting a pony tail.

Emma Burton not Bunton

Last year I did make-up for a lovely girl by the name of Sherilee. I will share her wedding with you soon. When I did Sherilee’s wedding make-up, I also did her retinue. Part of the retinue was her brother’s fiancée, Emma. Emma is English and looks exactly like Emma Bunton. She is friendly and inviting. Her skin is like milk and perfectly healthy and I have got to mention her posh little accent.

I did Emma’s makeup as she was part of the retinue for Sherilee’s wedding.  She then requested that I do her makeup for her wedding. Needless to say, I was only too happy to do her makeup.

We had a trial three days before the wedding. I believe you will begin to notice that a last minute trial will always make me nervous. (Though luckily we had done her makeup at Sherilee’s wedding) The real reason for her trial just before the wedding was because Emma and her fiancé had relocated to Switzerland earlier in the year. Ps I also did Emma’s spray tan and you will notice how natural it was.

Emma’s wedding was at Avianto (Little Italy). The venue is charming and as you walk through the village hotel towards the bridal suite, one cannot help  feel that you are on holiday. It was a sunny Thursday morning, a few of the girls and moms that were in Sherilee’s retinue were in Emma’s, so it was smooth sailing.

The photographer was Adam Hilton. I remember the Adam, myself and Emma having a good laugh. If Emma was at all nervous about the wedding, I am sure these sort of moments put her at ease.
I loved the pictures Adam had taken of my kit. He has taken pics that I use regularly on my twitter account and Facebook. I hope you enjoy the pictures and Emma as much as I did.