stylish – Weddinc

INTERVIEW with Tara Dowburd from Make-Up Therapy

Taryn Henry-Latham — Tue, 08 Nov 2016 19:52:57 +0000

Today we are meeting with sought after Make-up Artist Tara Dowburd, the owner of Make-Up Therapy. Tara and her Beauty Team specialize in Make-up application and hairstyling for celebrity and high-end weddings, the red carpet, TV appearances, special events and photo-shoots. They are known for creating styles that are both effortless, chic and trendsetting elegance, however natural or glamourous. We are very honored to present our latest interview with Tara...

WEDDINC: To get things rolling today, we’d love to know…How did you get started in the business?

TARA: Well, I’ve been enamored with beauty and fashion since I was 7 years old. During those early years, my father would buy me magazines such as Vogue and Bazaar, and as soon as I would get them, I would tear out my favorite looks and then create folders for each of them. In addition, my mother would have a professional Make-up artist come to our house to help her get ready for a galas or events. Every time the artist would come, I would run down the hallway, plant myself on the sink area and watch with excitement and curiosity. I would always ask the artist many questions, as I loved the beauty she created with the brush strokes and colors she used. As a child, I was never really into wearing make-up, however, I absolutely loved watching the application and transformation.

WEDDINC: In your opinion how has make-up style changed over the last decade?

TARA: In the past 5 years, both celebrity personalities and Pinterest images have had a huge influence on the styles of make-up and the way my clients want to look. With so many avenues of social media, it gives us access to so many options, which has actually made our clients more savvy as to the products and details they want. Often times, they share several images with us, more than ever before. For instance, someone may find a current celebrity they like on Pinterest and newly discover the affect of contouring and hi-lighting the face and then specifically ask us for just that. Ironically we always use some form of a contour method in all of our applications, no matter how subtle or dramatic, whatever is best to enhance our client’s features. Having the various avenues of social media are wonderful, however, they can often confuse or overwhelm our clients with too many options, so we are always sure to help them focus and guide them on what look will suit them the best.

WEDDINC: What gives you the most joy about your job?

TARA: I genuinely love every aspect of my job, it is truly rewarding, fun and unique. What gives me the most joy is creating amazing relationships with our clients and all of the fantastic people that we are fortunate to work with. In addition, there is nothing better than giving my client the mirror when I finish taking care of them and see their reaction. I see the light in their eyes, this heir of confidence comes over them and they smile. To know that I had something to do with helping them feel their most beautiful self is everything.

WEDDINC: What is your favorite makeup product?

TARA: The Bobbi Brown Foundation Stick. I absolutely love love it. It’s the perfect consistency, as it is held together with beeswax and when it’s applied on well primed skin, it doesn’t look heavy and gives the face a gorgeous, even, glowing finish the looks both flawless in person and on camera. Great face make-up is about matching the skin-tone (try to match your decollate and then apply a bronzer if needed to give you a perfect match) and Bobbi Brown offers such a wide variety of skin-tone correct shades. Because the Stick contains skin-tone correct pigments, your face is left with a skin-like finish no matter how little or how much you use, as the consistency is build-able.

WEDDINC: What is your favorite brand of cleanser?

TARA: I actually have two. Kate Sommerville Daily Wash or Murad Daily Cleansing Foam. I find that neither of these cleansers strip the skin of it’s natural moisture, they clean the face and remove make-up very well, leaving your face feeling refreshed.

WEDDINC: What is your favorite makeup tool?.

TARA: I actually have two brushes that I love. First, the Chanel Blending Foundation Brush #7. I use this brush to help give the foundation application an airbrush type finish without looking heavy or mask-like. My 2nd favorite brush is the Shu Uemura Kolinsky #11 eyeshadow brush, it truly applies and blends eyeshadow beautifully.

WEDDINC: In your opinion, how important is it to have a facial prior to having your services and how many days/hours before?

TARA: If you’ve never had a facial, I feel that it’s best for you to not doing anything too invasive (i.e.. extractions, intense skin peels, etc) the week of your wedding in case you have any bad reactions and need healing time. I am however a huge fan of having an oxygen facial that week, even the day of, for your skin to have a gorgeous glow. In addition, I recommend facial waxing to be done at least 3-5 days before your wedding day, again, just in case you have any reaction and Make-up tends to not adhere well as well on freshly waxed skin. Make-up can help even out redness or dark pigment on the face, however, it’s difficult to cover texture.

TARA: We are like a family. I absolutely love my beauty team and I wouldn’t be where I am today without them, I am so grateful for each and every one of them. I tend to gravitate to old souls and they for sure have that nature. They are genuinely very loyal, kind, talented, professional and are calming yet have a great sense of humor. They are likable and easy and fun to work with.

WEDDINC: What does a day in the life of Tara Dowburd look like?

TARA: Every day is generally so different, I can be working with a bride on her wedding day or with an art director on a photo shoot. I could be taking my clients shopping for make-up/skincare/brushes or getting clients ready for a special event or a television appearance. That said, I’m all about balance in life so I try to do as few make-up jobs on Mondays and Tuesdays, so that I can meet with my Studio Manager to work on “behind the scenes” and also spend quality time with my friends and family.

WEDDINC: Make-Up Therapy is such a great name. How do you introduce the therapy element into your service?

TARA: Thank you, I chose that name for my company Make-Up Therapy, because it’s truly therapeutic for me when I am applying Make-up on my clients, it’s my “Zen” and clients have always told me that it’s a therapeutic experience to sit in my chair, saying things like: “I didn’t realize I was this pretty” or “you put me at such ease”. They would give me this heartfelt feedback and I would get choked up. The additional therapeutic benefit for our clients is that we always listen to them. It’s not about us it’s about them. The “listen” part is so important because we care what they think about what they feel, what they like and what they don’t like before we begin doing their Make-up and/or Hair. When our clients feel heard, they are then comfortable and relaxed and happy to be taken care of.

WEDDINC: Having makeup applied is such a relaxing experience in and of itself. Do you find that people open up to you and tell you interesting stories or secrets that you can tell us without giving names?

TARA: I’ll have to say that I have to keep professionalism, and loyalty to my clients and not really answer it directly out of respect to my clients but they need to trust me and I will say that they can and do maybe tell me TMI but I’ll always protect their privacy.

WEDDINC: Are there any beauty product launches this year that you are super excited about?

TARA: I love that Charlotte Tilbury is now available at Bergdorf’s and Nordstrom’s and will be going into Bloomingdale’s in Century City. I discovered her in Bergdorf’s this year in New York City. She has amazing products.

WEDDINC: What is the one product every woman should have in her bag?

TARA: I feel like it has to be two, if that’s ok. I couldn’t just pick one, the first one is a good pressed powder because it removes the shine and leaves a smooth finish on the skin and the second one is a good lip color.

WEDDINC: What do you currently have in your beauty bag?

TARA: Some of my favorites that I’m using now are…

– Bobbi Brown Bronzing Powder

– Christian Dior Diorshow Brow Styler

– Bobbi Brown Foundation Stick

– MAC Lip Pencil

– MAC Lip Color

– Bobbi Brown Blush Brush

– Bobbi Brown Lip Gloss

– Smashbox Limitless Eye Liner Pencil

– Bobbi Brown Long-Wear Gel Eyeliner

– Cover FX Pressed Powder

– Bdellium Smudge Eyeliner Brush

– Bobbi Brown Long-Wear Gel Eyeliner

– Cover FX Pressed Powder

– Bdellium Smudge Eyeliner Brush

WEDDINC: What are some of the most common beauty mistakes women make?

TARA: Not putting on enough blush, using too much shimmer all over the face, going to heavy filling in the eyebrows and not using lip liner correctly (over-lining and under lining).

WEDDINC: How do you prep your client’s skin?

TARA: I make sure it’s hydrated properly and primed properly. Also that they are using the correct product for their skin. I tone their skin, moisturize it and use eye cream. The un-primed skin won’t last no matter what the brand. If the skin is not hydrated, even the best makeup will sit on the surface rather than the skin. It’s like priming a canvas for a painting. The art of makeup is really not much different than the art of painting is to a fine artist.

WEDDINC: What would be the one best piece of advice you would give to someone who would like to get started in the business?

TARA: I would say go work for a Make-up Artist brand, such as: Bobbi Brown, Laura Mercier, NARS, Smashbox or Charlotte Tilbury to get hands-on training- there is nothing like it. When you work for an Artistry brand it gives you the exposure to work with all skin types, all skin tones, all ages and all ethnicities and that is a priceless experience to help you feel confident and comfortable no matter who you are taking care of in your chair.

WEDDINC: What are some of the personality traits you need to be a makeup artist?

TARA: That’s a good question. You always want to like your vendors but you should be very comfortable with your make-up artist. She needs to be someone you could also go get a cocktail with too. She must listen to her client and be patient. If she’s not patient, everyone has a bad time. Someone confident, without an ego and calm at the same time, professional and not dramatic. Someone who wouldn’t put red lipstick on someone who doesn’t like red lipstick just because she like it. Someone who has a positive upbeat personality who is able to create an amazing experience for each and every client.

WEDDINC: You have an extensive portfolio of work – it includes bridal, celebrity, red carpet events, etc – which one is your favorite and why?

TARA: That’s a tricky one. Honestly, I personally LOVE doing all of the above! I will say, however, when I do weddings I still get butterflies of excitement and as a company, weddings is the largest part of our business.

Tara Dowburd or any of her team members can be reached under “contact” at Make-Up Therapy – Home OR by calling 323 536-1389 OR by emailing them at studiomanager@makeuptherapy.com

Breaking Down Bridesmaid Dresses: Symmetry vs. Deconstruct

wedwpadmin — Sun, 24 Apr 2016 17:25:14 +0000

Photo Credit Jennifer Jeanne Events

The evolution of bridesmaid dresses has been rapidly changing since the beginning of the 21st century. Bridesmaid’s have now taken center stage and are sharing the spotlight with the entire bridal party. We can all remember the time we were asked to be a bridesmaid for one of our friends and our first thought was “here we go again with the matchy-matchy dresses”. Today, that may no longer the case for some brides.

Although the symmetrical look is here to stay many brides are choosing the slightly-rebellious deconstructed look, giving their bridesmaids carte blanche as far as dress style and design goes.

A symmetrical look is achieved when the basic silhouette or shape remains consistent, like the girls on the left. For example the fabric such as chiffon and the color or hue will remain the same but perhaps just the shoulder strap or the waistline may change slightly.

A deconstruct look is the opposite of symmetry as shown in the photo on the right.. If we compare the look to an English Garden where all the lovely flowers are different, yet they all blend together achieving a variegated and colorful look. This trend screams confidence and trust in one’s bridesmaid’s giving them full control of their choice and can result in very dramatic effects.

We have put together our favorite Symmetry vs Deconstruct looks. Please tell us which bridesmaid dress style is your favorite in the comments below.

Photo credit-meet-your-match.info

There are many ways a bride can create a symmetrical look when it comes to her bridesmaid dresses, the image on the left is the perfect example. Our favorite part about this look is the fact that the bride kept everyone, even the flower girl in almost identical dresses and in a beautiful shade of mint. However, she gave everyone their very own unique twist by slightly changing the top structure of the dresses. Just imagine this look at a vineyard or a beautiful garden wedding.

Our favorite part about the look on the right is the fact that all the dresses are different. However, all the hems hit perfectly symmetrical above the knee and the way they are lined up creates a perfect arrow pointing directly to the bride. This look would be perfect in a country setting, such as a rustic barn.

Photo credit-vowslove.wordpress.com

The blush dresses above create a symmetry between the bridesmaid’s and the bride and is our favorite part about the look on the dresses on the left. The bride and bridesmaid’s are all wearing very similar dresses but a stylish cut that looks great on everyone. It’s the perfect detail for an enchanted forest look or country estate.

The look on the right is for the bride who breaks all the rules and wishes to be more creative on her wedding day which is what we love. A wedding in the garden at a 5 star hotel? No problem, this look is slightly laid-back but with a touch of class.

Photo credit-us-exchange.info

Grey is a color that has quickly become a bride’s favorite, it comes in various shades, styles and finishes. The bride and bridesmaids on the left showcases the perfect example of symmetry. Every detail is exactly like the last and played out to a tee, the bridesmaid’s are all dressed identical from head to toe and even the placement of their flowers is on point. This makes us love the look even more. This look would work great at a mansion or private estate.

The bride on the right is the whimsical bride. She chose a flowy style of dress for her bridesmaid’s and for herself. This look is enchanting and whimsical from the colors to the style it all screams enchanted forest. This look would be perfect for a enchanting forest or magical garden wedding.

Photo credit-www.dressedupgirl.com

Yellow is the perfect color for a spring-time wedding. It is ideal for the bride that wants to bring pops of color to her wedding color palette. The bride on the left is a lover of all things bright and beautiful. She chose a symmetrical bright yellow look for her bridesmaid’s to wear while she kept it simple. We love the symmetry in this look as everyone is cohesive and simple at the same time. This look would fit well at a 5 star hotel where everything is elegant and put together just like the bride.

The bride on the right is the edgy bride, the bride that is creative and into art. We love the creative look that this bride has given her bridesmaid’s. It is the perfect look for the bride that is edgy and likes to have fun. This look would be amazing for a city wedding or even in a library. They do say the greatest love stories are stored there.

When it comes down to planning a wedding it can be difficult finding the exact look that you are going for. However, we have broken down our favorite symmetrical and deconstructed looks for you. Which look has caught your attention the most? Which look would you use on your special day.

Sitting Pretty -18 Stylish Bridal Sittings

wedwpadmin — Thu, 31 Mar 2016 22:51:38 +0000

These elegantly seated brides invite us to view a moment of captured thoughtfulness, seduction, poise, and playfulness. The three elements that create this iconic photograph are the solo bride, the unique choice of chair, and the way in which the bride is sitting. With a simple mix of the trio of components, an entirely new environment is created. We have found the following collection of brides to have mastered the pose of Sitting Pretty.

Photo via JLM Couture

1. Wonderland Couture

Though this bride is seated in a shabby chic room with chipping paint and wild vines, the topsy-turvy blue chair draws your eyes immediately to the stunning lace and silk of her gown. The vines are bursting with soft blooms and hints at a jaunt through WonderlanPerhaps she’s looking for the White Rabbit?

Photo by Archetype Studio Inc.

2. Vintage Peekaboo

A fun and flirty alternative chair pose, this vintage bride takes advantage of a backwards-facing chair with a peekaboo pose, swinging her legs over the armrest, placing her chin on her hand and slyly making eyes past the photographer.

Photo by Stephanie Williams of This Modern Romance

3. Roaring Romantic

An early 20th century love-seat, a coy pose, and a 1920s-inspired lace veil headdress has us dreaming of a wedding influenced by the Jazz Age, complete with flowing fringe accents and guests dancing the Charleston.

Photo by Alexandra Wallace Photography

4. A Quiet Moment

The blue velvet bench and rich red and pink bouquet draw just enough attention away from the backward-facing bride so that you feel you’ve captured a private thought. This pose is a brilliant way to show off a wedding gown’s decorative back.

Photo via Allure Bridals

5. Powerfully Chic

The combination of dusty pink and dark grey has always been a chic favorite, but pairing this beautiful bride’s silk and lace dress with a pink French Louis XVI style canapé is simply stunning. She almost seems to be caught off-guard by her slightly slouching pose, but her gaze is powerfully on point.

Photo via Skyla Arts

6. Posh French Provincial

Taking advantage of an empty corner adds the contrast one needs to capture this classic photograph. From the red tufted love-seat placed away from the wall, to the white tulle of the bride’s dress, and from the pale mint-green molding of the great wall, to the polished wood floors, each contrasting color and pattern plays an integral role in highlighting her beauty.

Photo by Apryl Ann Photography

7. Over-the- Shoulder

Not every bride is the spitting image of Grace Kelly, but any bride can emulate that poise and sophistication with this pose. A subtle adjustment of a signature seat, a long, elegant back, and a glance over the shoulder creates the balance of romance and refinement.

Photo by Jennifer Hejna

8. Luxury by the Sea

With a handcrafted love-seat and layers of luxurious cream and beige-colored fur, silk, and lace fabrics, this beautiful bride brings warmth into a cool shoreside photo.

Photo via Carol Hannah

9. Modern Marilyn

This image may look familiar to you. The wide expanse of mussed tulle fabric, the bride casually leaning forward, and the white and teal color pairing are all reminiscent of a classic Marilyn Monroe “ballerina” photo shoot, shot by Milton Greene in the 1950s. This look is classic and casual, but stunning.

Photo by True Photography Weddings

10. Kick Up Your Feet

A sweet and joyful memory, this bride exudes an obvious joie de vivre in this playful lounge pose. With an opportunity like this, what bride wouldn’t want to kick up her feet and celebrate!

Photo by Heart Box Weddings

11. Have It All

With a gorgeously tufted french love-seat as her main backdrop, her cocktail-style dress, and her sophisticated floral accents, this bride combines the best of the Victorian Era, the 1950s, and the modern bohemian movement with beauty and grace.

Photo by Keri Doolittle Photography

12. A Jewel in the Sea

Look at the field as rippling waves of grass and greenery for a moment. There in the middle is our beautiful pearl of a bride, seated casually in her ruby red oyster shell style settee, the focal point of the photograph with color, focus, and pose.

Photo via Sonas Couture

13. Gilded and Gorgeous

The sitting pretty pose isn’t just for stealing a moment with a bride to capture her excitement alone – it’s also about showing off! We adore this bride (and photographer) for finding the beautiful hand carved, giltwood table and chair that perfectly compliment the ornate embroidery and turquoise color of her gorgeous gown. Wow!

Photo by Tara West Photography via Blair Nadeau Millinery

14. Flower Child

Channeling her inner flower child, this bride’s effortlessly stunning pose in the center of a dirt road seems to say, “going my way?” Her wild locks, oversized floral headdress, and natural-colored cloth dress add a sense of whimsical 1960s wonder.

Photo by Moore Than Photography

15. Country Class

No need for plush, tufted velvet, this relaxed bride takes her seat to a field of wild yellow daisies creating the perfect chic country portrait.

Photo by Eric Kelley Photography

16. Caught in a Moment

One of the ways this pose works is by removing the bride from the excitement and allowing her to breathe. This thoughtful bride, who is (seemingly) candidly resting shoeless and curled up in her dress on a soft sofa overlooking the land is just divine.

Photo by Stephanie Williams of This Modern Romance

17. A Soft, Elegant Sit

This contemporary version of a 19th century wingback chair creates an organically flowing form, ideal for this bride’s pose and environment. The soft velvet of the seat compliments the soft lighting of the sunset, while the colors match the tones of the field during her elegant sit.

Photo via Joanna August

18. Bohemian Peacock

A bohemian bride in a hand-carved Victorian love-seat may look unusual, but place the barefoot beauty in a rattan peacock chair dripping with greenery and blossoming white and yellow blooms and her playfulness is captured!