A recent bride-to-be wrote this in an email after we met for a makeup trial-run: “You do a great job, and I love what you do, but I really didn’t feel comfortable with it, and as it’s a daytime wedding I’d like something lighter and more natural.  Had a look through your portfolio and this is more along what I’d prefer…” She had emailed through some photos from my portfolio of brides wearing darker makeup than I applied on her…How did this happen?  Here’s my reply: “You’ll be interested to know the makeup on these ladies was – in person – slightly darker/more than the makeup we did in your trial.  This is the beauty of good photography!  And makeup looks softer and more natural on camera, partly because we’re not looking as close-up as you would have been at your own photos.  If we took a photo of your after your trial like these photos, you might look the same – all creamy and natural and gorgeous.” I then explained how I could lighten the makeup for her…Bride’s response: “Ahaha.  Isn’t it funny how we never think we look as good as somebody else.” The problem with using photos […]

On facebook and wedding forums, I often see bride-to-be’s discussing their beauty routines before the big day, which often include them planning to book a series of ‘facials’ leading up to their wedding… Though we’ve been taught having a facial will benefit our skin, that’s not always the case. At best, a facial can temporarily plump and moisturise the skin for a day…at worst, a facial can irritate skin, clog pores, encourage excessive oiliness on already oily or combination skin and cause break outs. So what is a facial? Most facials are just the application and removal of skin care products. I think when a facial simply consists of the application of skin care products – no matter how expensive – I think it’s a waste of time, money and hope. Somehow the beauty industry has convinced us we need their help for the most basic of skin care. But it’s what you do every day that makes a difference, not once a week or month! Getting a facial once a month and expecting improved skin – without a daily skin care routine – is like doing a juice-cleanse one day a month and expecting long-term weight-loss while eating normally […]

Most people make the mistake of thinking design is what it looks like. People think it’s this veneer – that the designers are handed this box and told, ‘Make it look good!’ That’s not what we think design is. It’s not just what it looks like and feels like. Design is how it works.