If you follow me on Facebook, you know that I was giving away a pair of tickets to the J’adore Wedding Gala back in March as I was showcasing at it.
It was definitely a hectic day with an early start. We had to arrive on location at 8am to do the hair and makeup for all the models walking the fashion show. I even got to do makeup for Carmelina, the CEO of The Wedding Planner Magazine GTA & co-organizer of the wedding show.
Working at the Beauty Bar
I didn’t realize this until I started doing the makeup and talking to Maria…but she was one of the finalist for Miss Universe 2012 Canada. How can I have not known? She was absolutely stunning, has great bone structure, a killer body, and such a warm person to talk to.
Maria Nahri – Miss Universe Canada 2012 Finalist
One of the more “creative” makeup that I got to do in the morning was on my friend, Eloise. She was one of the Marie Antoniette servers. I actually got to pop Eloise’s false eyelashes cherry! It was her first time wearing false eyelashes, but she loved the effect it gave! This was definitely innovative as I’ve never seen someone stand inside a round table and walking around serving hors d’oeuvres.
Marie Antoniette Severs
The rest of the day was spent working at the Beauty Bar. We were offering future brides, 20 minute makeovers with a 5 minute consultation on how they envisioned their look. This was not only a great time to promote our businesses, but also challenged ourselves in being quick while providing great customer service.
We survived standing for 9 hours with 3 hours working on the fashion show and the remainder working at the Beauty Bar. Let me introduce you to the dream team at the Beauty Bar:
Donna Marie & Laura: The coolest makeup & hair sister duo ever! I actually met Donna & Laura when I started out my social media life on YouTube. I announced that I was going to the MAC Warehouse sale and Donna messaged me and gave me a plethora of tips and said we should meet up. When I showed up at the sale, Donna introduced me to Laura. From that point on, my friendship with Donna blossomed. She was one of the first people to really help me out with starting my kit when I got into makeup artistry. She even got me to assist her & Laura on some wedding gigs and brought me onto a photoshoot! Fun Fact: Donna and I were messaging one another on the night before the show, to discuss what were and weren’t bringing so we could consolidate our kits.
Andrea: See below.
Kyana: See below.
Monica: Oddly enough, Monica and I met when neither of us were doing hair or makeup. We met back in 2006 in University while prepping for a residence wide formal. Since Facebook was still new and exclusive to only university students, you wanted to have as many friends as possible. So that’s when Monica and I became “friends”. From that point on, we would stalk socialize with one another. Two years ago, I noticed that she started to get into hair styling and asked if she would like to join BlushPretty. She agreed and since then, we got to work on some weddings together!
J’Adore Beauty Bar Team
(From Left to Right) Donna Maria, Laura, Me, Andrea, Kyana, & Monica
Kyana is a very gifted hair artist and I found that out during the first time I met her. My first ever bridal trial where I was the lead artist, was spent with Kyana. When the trial was finished, I realized that Kyana did hair in the exact style I loved. Soft, romantic, loose, with finesse so it doesn’t look too disheveled or structured. Every curl that is pinned has a purpose. Let’s just say that if I were lucky enough to get married, Kyana would be one of the first vendors I would call.
One of my Favourite Hair Artists – Kyana Ngo
Oh Andrea…my dear Andrea! This girl is not only my best friend, but she’s also the VP Marketing & professional taste tester at MANcarons Inc. At the show, she washed brushes for me, helped coordinate the brides at the Beauty Bar, and promoted by business. I honestly don’t know anyone else that knows my business and me as well as Andrea does. She’s been there from the start as my guinea pig model from practicing bridal makeup on her to photoshoots to YouTube tutorial videos. When all of us were extremely busy and didn’t get a chance to eat, she grabbed pizza for us. For her to give up her entire Sunday, meant a lot to me and I truly love her for that!
My Best Friend & VP Marketing
The entire experience at the show was tiring but fun. Adrenaline was pumping, especially with the dance music going on. It was so much fun meeting all the brides, and hearing how they met their partners, engagement story, & what they have envisioned for their wedding! Plus, I got to work alongside some amazing artists!
Side note: Good thing I didn’t have a chance to change into my flats and wore my makeshift sneaker wedges. Definitely made standing on my feet for 9 hours more tolerable.