Spring has Sprung!

We hope everyone has had a fabulous week so far...over here in the land of make up, we have been so busy filming and shooting, we didn't realize we stumbled right into one of our busiest wedding seasons.

We are so fortunate to be surrounded by the best of the best, it keeps us inspired to continue to raise the bar in our industry. Make Up in Charleston is pretty diverse...you can go from shooting a fitness video one day, to filming a documentary, then off to one of the most gorgeous weddings you have ever seen (where you might have 14 girls in 4 hours!). That is a typical week around here and we LOVE it! We write and post about some of our adventures, but I still prefer to write about the people we love and the products we find.

This week, my favorite project was being a part of a documentary on an Affordable Housing Initiative. If it sounds ho-hum, let me tell you...I learned more on this shoot, than on any other shoot. I got to work with the most amazing Jack Alterman, Mark McKinney, and Cindy Tew and along the way got to shoot with some of the most well respected power players in our community and political world.

Between the talent of these pros and the passion of these advocates...I was blown away and soaking it all in.

It was a lesson in humility for me and I was honored to be traveling in this pack!

In the meantime, I FINALLY got my new kit-whahooooo!! I LOVE it and it will make life so much easier. The other served me well, but bye bye bye!

I also ordered a boat ton of newbie products and I thought I would share some of my favorite less expensive drug store finds!! They are great, stand up to the test, and are all under $10.00 dollars...holla!!!

Love this entire sensitive skin line...crazy good product and a crazy good price point.

LOVE LOVE all these mascaras! I love the dual ended Provocateur for upper and lower lashes...oh la la!

 This gel-powder packs a real punch and I am obsessed! I can't get enough of Pink Frosting, it is perfect from gym, to beach, to running around...it is light weight and doesn't budge-even in the heat and water (perfect for fitness videos as well!).

 Adore this entire line, so when they came out with lotion and I was thrilled. Feels like a $50.00 body lotion for less than $10.00-wowza!!

Never fails me, we use these all the time for lip conditioning and a hint of pop-fav=GUAVA!!

B B Babies!!

 All the rage...Beauty Balms or Blemish Balms aka BB Cremes have finally hit our market and in FULL force. Although they have been in the Asian market for some time, we finally have these wonder creams right in our own back yard. Many are asking what are these creams and how are they different..the short answer, think-ALL in ONE. Most are skin brightening, tone balancing, and treatment. The perfect hybrid of coverage and skin care. I think of it as a tinted moisturizer on steriods!

These are some of our favorites from Sephora, all ranging from $30.00 to about $40.00. Our favorite budget friendly BB Cream is from Garnier for under $20.00! These are light weight and have an airy feel...treating the skin and perfecting your skin tone.

Less products, less work, better results....who doesn't like that?

Spring is in the air...well, at least in my kit it is!

 With our weather here in the South, we are swinging temps ranging from 45 degrees to 75 degrees. Between the teasing of Spring and my vacation just off a cruise-I am craving everything SPRING!

 Make Up along with fashion is created several seasons ahead and typically rolls out in stores a few months before the actual "season" begins. I was thrilled to see a few lines debute some of their spring goodies...a few things are out now (like this gorgeous Chanel 2012 Spring line) and a few (lux new perfume by Jimmy Choo), we will have to wait until late March.

Love this new Lingerie Palette by Laura Mercier. The best bang for your buck- $60.00 for a spring wardrobe? Sign me up! (Notice the warmer colors on one side, cooler on the other-oh, and the 2 gorgeous blushes in the middle-this is foolproof!)

This mini bottle set of polishes has the perfect brights to jazz up toes and the greatest neutrals to keep fingers polished and on point.

Is there anything Jimmy Choo that is NOT fabulous? We don't think so! They can't launch this product fast enough (late March). It will be worth the wait!

This is the first season in a while where I feel color inspired. I have been mixing and using multiple products to get the exact color I want, especially for cheek and lip. If this is what is in store this season, I am excited for us all!!

Ciao~ take care and stay warm!

Golden Globe Goddesses!

 I love a good Award Ceremony and with Award Season in full swing-I am thrilled to seeing not who, but what goes down the Red Carpet. I love watching the machine at work and studying the looks that tooks months to prepare. From the hair to the make up, to the dress to the jewels, to the handbags to the shoes...I enjoy looking at seperate details, but am always surprised that few people (in my eyes)...seem to get it ALL right. I love when stylists take a risk with color or blur the lines with dresses that show skin with a surprise cut out...however, it is the more glamorous, put together total package that catches my eye. Like a perfect symphony-everything gets orchestrated right on key.

Here, I love Debra Messings total look. Her make up balanced out her hair that played beautifully with this brown (yes, I said brown) Monique Lhuillier gown!

 Love Emma Stone in this drapy, flowing feminine, yet risky,edgy Lanvin gown-wowza!

 Salma Hayek in Gucci...need we say more??

Even though I thought the make up took a little bit of a back seat compared to the rest of the elements this year-it was all so well put together, that it looked intentionally understated. Here is where it worked...Charlize Theron looked like a dream when she stepped out in this Dior gown. VISION!

All in all, I love the elegant look and casual vibe of the Golden Globes...I think it is a perfect dress rehearsal for the Oscars-can't wait!!

Winter WOW!

 We hope you are staying snug as a bug this winter! As the season changes, so does our skin, and it's needs. We need to be more gentle with our cleansers, more emollient with our moistuizers, brighter under our eyes, and creamier with our blushes and lips.

 We have included a few of our winter favorites, that will take your skin from whoa to GLOW! Philosophy's Purity has been a best selling product for a reason. It is gentle on all skin types and it WORKS-removing any trace of  make up. It cleanses without stripping the skin. We also love love Josie Maran's Argan Oil! This is an amazing multi-purpose produt that can be used on the face, hair,  and even nails. Don't let the word "oil" fool you-this is light weight and soaks directly into the skin. You won't even know how dehydrated you were until you use this. A little goes a long way and your skin and hair will thank you!

 We also love a simple, clean, healthy look-even in the dead of winter. This Bobbi Brown Rouge Pot has been a staple in my kit for years because, it's FABULOUS! Dab a bit on the apples of your cheek and use the rest on your lips. It will give you just the right amount of color and that lit within glow.

Last, but certainly not least- a jam up, jelly tight concealer! You want something that has some density to it (since we tend to be lighter in skin tone this time of year) and something that will cover the circles but not get cakey. I love this product from LORAC because the stick concealer is creamy (which I usually pat gently underneath the eye area) and the highlighter gives just the right amount of "glow"-feel free to be more liberal for evening. The rollerball applicator ROCKS, pushing the product seamlessly into the skin.

All in all, taking just a few simple steps-adding just a few changes into your routine will take you from Winter to WOW!

Stay warm...until next time-xo

RED HOTT!

Tis the season to be red, hot, and fabulous!

Nothing dresses up or polishes up a look faster than a red lip. Go classic or sultry with this easy go to...

The main tip to know is whether you should wear a "cool" (blue red) or "warm" (more orange or yellow based) red. There are a million gorgeous reds from chocolate cherry to maple, but as promised- here are a few of our favorite true red hot reds.

MAC Red

Nars in Jungle Red

L'Oreal Infallible Lip Gloss in Rebel Red

*PS- Check out a newbie fav...Revlon's Color Burst Lip Butter. In select drugstores, so stash up! 2 we grabbed-Cherry Tart and Red Velvet-yummy!

Next week, smokey eye favorites!! xo

Best of the Brush Sets!

We love love a great brush set. It can make or break your make up application and as professionals-using the "right" brush can save us time, while still getting the perfect look.

My pro brush collection looks like my personal one...it is a mix of very expensive high end brushes and also many I bought and hand cut from our local craft store. Just like the make up in our kit, we use whatever it takes.

Often we get brush collections and bust them up, using what we love and giving away the ones that don't often get used. We were on the hunt (especially around Holiday time) for fabulous brush sets that rocked our world a bit. All at different price points. We posted pics of our top 3 favs, with a nod to 2 other goodie sets (on opposite ends of the price point). You can't go wrong with any of these sets. My advice is to invest in a top of the line set for your vanity at home and buy a more budget friendly set for travel (that way, you won't go into a panic if something happens to them).

The 1st is a fabulous 6 piece brush set from Bobbi Brown @$175.00-luxury worth every penny.

The 2nd is a sweet double sided brush set from Laura Mercier @ $85.00...this is my travel set and I love it-talk about bang for your buck!

The 3rd is a fantastic value brush set from Sonia Kashuk (found online and at Target)...@ $19.99, you can't find better brushes and the case is too cute (all about the wrap and the case it comes in-usually you have to pay extra for that!).

A nod and shout out to 2 other favs we have...the luxury set from Trish McEvoy $245.00. We love love love (did we say love?) these...take good care of them and you will have them forever!

Eco Tools Brush sets by Alicia Silverstone...get the green nod and are adorable while actually "working" as fabu tools. Check online or at Ulta, Walgreens, and CVS for the latest with Eco brushes-they rock and the price point rocks right along with the product.

Next week...our favorite holiday reds!! xo

Pretty Palettes!

Tis the season to be trollin'...trollin' for the best Holiday Deals!

This is a wonderful time to pick up holiday collections, deals, and specials on all of your favorite brands. Amazing palette collections and kits at bargain prices.

This week, we were on the hunt for favorite COLOR collections and these are our favorite palettes...all at 3 different price point, perfect for any of Santa's "helpers"...

Stila-$39.00

Tarte-$52.00

Laura Mercier-$98.00 (includes travel brushes)

Next week, on the hunt for the best holiday brush sets...xo

10 Year Anniversary

Is it really OCTOBER? Mid-October at that??Wowza, time is flying...

First of all, we have been so blessed to be so busy (which is the reason for the delay in blog and site update)...but all in all- a wonderful "problem" to have. We have had a wonderful season with amazing projects and weddings and the last quarter of the year, only gets better.

So much to catch up on, but for this post I wanted to show off my beautiful family and the surprise vow renewal my sweet hubs and I had to celebrate our first 10 years together!(This October also marks our 10 year anniversary for Moore Make Up!). We have been through a lot together-infertility, miscarriages, and my own breast cancer battle. We have become so much stronger... and even more in love than the first day we got married. I thought about how it was to be a "bride" again-this time with even more meaning behind those vows. I was nervous, excited, and flat out giddy. It allowed me perspective on how my girls must feel every time I do a wedding. I love my "job" and never get tired of sharing in the excitement of a heart felt wedding, especially when it's my own! I would highly recommend renewing your vows, we are still talking about it and the kids think we are ALL married. Here's to love, weddings, and of course my beautiful Bride's!

Until next time...xo

Dream Bride!

 

 

http://joshuadrakephotography.wordpress.com/2011/06/20/ashley-and-the-red-room

I had the pleasure of working with the fabulous Hannah Alexander of WED and the amazing photographer Joshua Drake for Ashley Cross and her dream wedding.

Truly one of the most beautiful Brides inside and out...check it out here for a little preview of this stunning gal!

More to come on the new updated site!! xo

Dr. Feelgood!

Nope, and I don't mean the song either-although that one is on my ipod!

We have been swamped! Shoots, weddings, and traveling-cannot believe it has been over a month since the last post. I really don't know where the time is going. I have to say, this has been the best season with the best Brides...ever! I am so happy that my girls are beautiful inside and out. I develop lasting relationships with most of my girls and often get holiday photos and pictures of their babies and growing families. I love it! They say, "If you enjoy what you 'do', you will never work a day in your life...". I truly believe that, and I am most grateful.

We are in the process of updating and freshening up our site and blog...so hang in there. We have a few weeks in August to get to some "biz"ness done and we are getting our pretty little ducks in a row to showcase some of these gorgeous people.

In the meantime, we are getting a lot of calls and email about what products work for this heat and humidity. I have found that proper skin prep, make up, and finishers are key...so is the actual application. In my search of alternative products, I found an oldie but goodie and reintroduced it to my kit.

It's Benefit's Dr Feelgood Balm...

This can be worn by itself, under make up, over make up, and even for touch ups. It's an alternative to powder and great if you have oily skin. I prefer to use this instead of powder. It closes pores, keeps shine at bay, and locks in the make up. For touch ups, I would blot first, then tap this product on gently with your favorite sponge applicator.

Next time you are in an Ulta or Sephora...give a try and see what you think!

Channel CHANEL

Does Chanel really make anything bad anyway?

Ummmm, that would be a NO!

I love everything Chanel to the point where I could give Rachel Zoe a run for her pink tweed money (happy for a sister now that she is a momma-she wins cutest bump award!).

Seriously, I really do love Chanel and of course that includes the make up line.

There is something special about opening anything with a double "C" on it, but my latest favorite is the lipstick line...

Rouge Allure-Luminous Satin Lip Color!

The texture is perfection and the shades are GORGEOUS! Like the brighest rainbow out of the brighest sky.

I know, I know...$32.00 might be a little much on the purse for a lip stick, but I promise...it will be worth have that little bit of luxury all summer long.

Favorite shade... Coquette!

Neutrogena Naturals...New Fav!

I am always looking for ways to go greener (by nature) and less green (by money!)...

I found this line at my local Target and LOVE it...once again Neutrogena did not let me down!

I can always count on them for an affordable option on skin care and make up.

This line is light in feel, but heavy on the delivery...it does the job and doesn't break the bank!

My top 2 picks...the cleanser and the scrub!

Gooooo Neutrogena Naturals!!

Turn Around Bright Eyes...

I may be showing my age (haha), but remember that song from Bonnie Tyler?

I loved that song and would stand on my "stage" aka bed with my "microphone" aka brush and sing my guts out to that song! I think I was 8 at the time.:)

Things have been hopping over here at the home office and even more so on location. For a month that was supposed to slow down a tad bit, I believe we ended up doing over 27 runthroughs and 2 weddings in January! It was a fun month and I have some amazing Brides this season...it's going to be a great year! We have a couple of weeks left before we hit the official "season" so we have been making our list, checking it twice, looking for new goodies, and replenishing our standbys.

In the midst of our search, I came across this kit by one of my favs-Laura Mercier!

It is her Eye Brightening Kit Vol. II and it's worth every pretty penny!

It has her fab concealer, 2 eye bases, a secret highlighting pen, a multi-purpose brush, a cute little pouch, and more importantly...one of my all time favorite products Secret Brightening Powder!!

I don't say this often, but I love this products, panic when I run out, and trust me when I have seen it change lives (chuckle). Really, I have used it on new Moms running on NO sleep, hung over models, and people that have tried everything for their dark circles! This works on most people and I use it about 90% of the time. From my Brides to HD shoots.

This little goody bag will not disappoint and they won't last forever.

Check on the Sephora site and get yours for an instant lift...just in time for your Spring Awakening!

2011, Up and Open

We hope everyone had a wonderful, warm, and safe Holiday and New Years Eve!

I can't believe it is 2011! We are so grateful and blessed to still be doing what we love...allowing people to see how beautiful they are and teaching them how they can achieve that on their own.

We have had many amazing events take place this year and we are extremely honored and blessed. I don't write about too many of the experiences because I would never want to sound self-indulgent. At the end of the day (in this case a year) we close the door to one fascinating year and open the door to a year that holds...change, transition (both in a good way), inspiration and creativity. 2011 marks our 10th year in the biz and we remain as grateful as we ever have.

Some of you know, but many of you do not know that June 1, 2009 I was diagnosed with breast cancer. What started out as stage 2, taking the summer "off"...turned out to be stage 3 and a year and a half full of aggressive treatment. I am a warrior and survivor, and as tough as the fight was, I was tougher and today...all is well.Thank you Lord.

I want to pass along the biggest, most heart felt "thank you" you have ever received. Every single one of my clients and vendors were beyond amazing. The support system I had with my girls was unbelievable and simply put...couldn't have done it without ya!

Over that year in an half- I did not miss one appointment, not one shoot, not one wedding, not one commercial...my bookings were solid and they kept coming...two weeks ago was the first time I have ever had get a stand in and that was because my daughter and I had a virus. You can imagine, standing face to face with someone how that's not ideal.

My work was and continues to be my therapy. It relaxes me and the connection with the people I "work" with puts me in the best state of mind.

2011 is going to hold many things and I am excited about the future and what's in store.

I thank you again, for making a gal like me feel so blessed. I am happy, healthy....I love what I do and who I do it with.

Above is a photo of my girl, shot by one of my all time favorite Brides. She is now an amazingly talented photographer (CharlotteElizabethPhoto.com)

I am so proud and excited for her and am lucky to call her my friend.She captured this shot of Lexi and to me it illustrates what I believe this year can and will hold.

Looking up...arms, head, and heart wide open baby!!

Here is to 2011...may your year be a moving and magical one!

A Few of My Favorite Things...

Love the holidays and what they bring in the cosmetic world!

Lots of great value, fun kits, multi-purposeful palettes....everything is colorful, everything shines!

It is a fab time to stock pile on limited editions, luxury size products, and sets-where you often get a group of products for the price of 1!

I love a good kit or mini set...especially when they are packaged right (meaning eye shadow powders don't fall into the glosses-you get my drift).

These are 2 of my favs right now by Smashbox ($59.00) and Laura Mercier ($98.00).

These brands never let me down and with these you get alot of bang for your buck.

They won't last long...hurry and "right click" on yours before they are gone baby gone.

Seeing RED!!

But in a good way!

I am always on the hunt for a gorgeous, sultry but classic red.

Not too orange, not too blue...but definitely traffic stopping!

Well, look no further-drum roll please.............

Bobbi Brown's new metallic lip color in Jewel Red. Love love love this shade.

It is the perfect what I call "middle" red.

It is a blue red, so it's a bit on the cool side but has gold fleck tones to warm the shade, making it the perfect holiday pout. Many reds are matte or creamy but in this jewel,the warm metallic tone also allows for it to shine like the prettiest star.

I also wanted to blog about the best lip conditioner ever!

It's a new product from one of my favorite companies-AQUAPHOR.

Everyone knows I use this product by the tub and have tubes of it everywhere.Now they have a product especially for the lips-whahooooo!

So here's the scoop...after you brush your snaggles (teeth), brush over your lips to exfoliate them, apply a coat of aquaphor. Blot the remaining aquaphor and then apply your new perfect, stunning, glamorous Jewel Red lip color!

Orglamic Indeed!

Yikes...has it really been a month since our last post?

Well, October has shown to be the busiest month of the year yet.

I can't believe we made it out of there alive...but we did!

It was an amazing month for many reasons, and my girls were just simply some of the best!

I am slowly but surely trying to make more switches to natural and organic make up, especially for everyday instructionals. I feel like it still doesn't photograph as well as I would like for shoots, but it has come a loooong way baby for everyday use. I am not just talking about mineral make up (which is not my fav) but true blue or "green" make up.

We have a baby Sephora here in Charleston, but they do not carry every brand that the major stores carry. I will be traveling to the ATL next week and cannot wait to get my hands on this little goodie package from Josie Maran...it has all the glam essentials and happens to be natural and organic or Orglamic...check it out for yourself and see how much your skin will be thanking you.

I am slowly understanding that if I wouldn't eat it, I shouldn't be willing to put it on my skin.

Now I am still preaching to the choir here because I am certainly not all the way there- with my clothes, my house, my cars, and definitely not my make up...personally or professionally. But I am trying and making more of an effort.

I do believe a little well know woman named Oprah said, "When you know better, you do better". That's all I am trying to do.

In the meantime, I will check it out and give you all the 411 on this kit, looks fab!!

PS-It's only $52.00....can we say perfect stockin' stuffer??

xo

Super Sonic

No, not the old skool song- but the new school product!

I was just preachin' to the choir about how everyone is a bit sun damaged from the summer

(yes, people still refuse to wear sunblock in some neck of the woods)...from the beach, the pool, the boats-you name it...we are coming off of a fun filled summer in the sun and I think it's time for a little extra TLC.

There are so many products like this out on the market, but I thought I would try something similar with a much lower price point (lower than I was seeing anyway) with a company that rarely lets me down (especially for the price point) and boy did they NOT disappoint!

Neutrogena has several versions of this, but I grabbed the Sonic Wave for under $15.00 and I am in love. It is gentle enough to use every day and I can see and feel a difference within the first week. This one is designed to spin a removable cleansing pad on your face to gently exfoliate the dry dead skin. They have other versions, some vibrate, some spin...whatever you prefer. The prices range from 7.99 to 24.99 and they sell multiple types of cleansing pods that fit each device...brilliant if you ask me. I am in buffer heaven.

Next time you are in your local drugstore, check it out and go ahead...pick one up, I know you won't regret it and your face will thank you!

New Look, New Sound...

Hooray for the new site update! Dan the Man, did his magic and added some great new goodies to the site! I LOVE the new song, Michael Buble' and the Dap Kings...

"You've Got...What it Takes"

and I had so many beautiful Brides for the cover home page, but I had to pick my Stunning Sierra! She was one of my favorite gals this past season. She was just as beautiful on the inside as she was on the out! Their entire crew was from South Africa, which is one of my favorite places in the world. I almost moved to Port Elizabeth or Cape Town back in the early 90's...it's that amazing there. It actually reminds me of Charleston a bit...

Check her out on the video, linked on our facebook page...it will take your breath away and make you cry all in 3.5 minutes!

Thank you Sierra for sharing.

Hope you enjoy our newest update, we will keep plugging away on the blog and of course see you on good old Facebook-be sure to "like" us!

See you soon-xo!