Just Bitten

It is still cold outside but it’s time to look forward to the top makeup trends for Spring and Summer of 2015. With the temperatures rising, it’s time to try out something new and update your Fall/Winter colors. My absolute favorite of the upcoming trends is the Just Bitten lip. I have always been a huge fan of this look and think that it is beautiful on every woman regardless of age, color, skin tone, etc. The Just Bitten lip is so versatile that when it is done correctly, it looks fantastic on everyone.

The main reason I am enamored with the Just Bitten lip is because it is super sexy! This look will give your lips the effect of being just bitten, as the name suggests. It can also look like you just kissed off all your lipstick in passionate make-out session and all that is left is a little stain from the pigment. Either way, the Just Bitten lip is a no fail look for your boudoir shoot.

To create the Just Bitten lip, I follow the steps below:

1. Ditch your lip liner!

2. Apply concealer all the way around the lip area and slightly onto the lips concealing any undesired redness.

3. I prefer to use a lip stain but your favorite lipstick will work as well.

4. Using your middle finger, place a small amount of lip-color on your finger tip and gently pat it into your lips beginning in the center and working your way out.

5. Focus most of the color toward the center of your lips and allow it to get softer as you moves toward your lip line and build to the intensity that you desire.

6. If you want a matte lip, you are finished. Otherwise, apply a small amount of clear gloss and Viola!

xo,

Nikoma Souza (Makeup Artist and Hair Stylist)

seattle boudoir makeup(pp w768 h512) Just Bitten

02.09.15

Look Stunning, But Natural

The majority of women who sit in my chair at the Belle Boudoir studio ask me for makeup that will “look natural” but also be slightly more than what they would wear on a daily basis. The fear that most women have is that if they do a natural makeup look, they won’t look dolled up or any different than they do everyday at work. I want to take this opportunity to explain how a natural look will still look stunning. Even in boudoir photos.

The way that a professional makeup artist does makeup is very different from the way you do your makeup on a daily basis. We do makeup for the CAMERA. The camera has a very different set of eyes than we do and therefore reads makeup very differently than our eyes. While your makeup probably looks beautiful on a daily basis, the chances are that it will appear as though you aren’t wearing any in front of the camera. How many times have you gotten ready for a night on the town, spent an extra 20 min doing your makeup, and teased your hair extra high – thinking you look fantastic, if not slightly overdone. Your BFF takes a selfie of the two of you before walking into your final destination and when you look at the shot, your makeup has disappeared? It has happened to ALL of us! That is because, as aforementioned, the camera reads it differently – more softly.

The makeup artists at Belle Boudoir have studied makeup and the way that the camera will see it and are well versed in making a natural look that will “pop.” Just because you want to look natural, does not mean that you won’t look absolutely stunning. Use the photo below as an example of a very natural but incredibly beautiful look. She looks polished, natural, and most importantly -SEXY! So trust in your makeup artist and know that you will be wearing MUCH more makeup than you are used to but it will look great on CAMERA. And lets be honest, that is what really matters when it is for your boudoir photoshoot. So don’t be afraid to go natural – we guarantee that you will look sexy!

xo,
Nikoma Souza

01.31.15

Inside Our Dressing Room

It’s time to introduce you to our new and expanded studio dressing room!

In the past year, we have vastly expanded our studio wardrobe by adding more nighties, chemises, robes, bustiers, corsets, sweaters, tank tops, pinup dresses, vintage clothing, accessories and jewelry to our already full studio wardrobe selection!

Talk about a lingerie addiction.

Q) What clothing do you have?

A) We have hundreds babydoll nighties, chemises, bustiers and corsets in sizes XS-3/4XL. We also have sheer and lace robes, fishnet and glitter tops, button down shirts from solid to sheer, white tank tops, off shoulder sweaters and t-shirts, and high heel shoes sizes 6-10. We also have a loads of accessories to compliment outfits from lace gloves to a sheer American Flag. It would take pages to list everything we have. So if you’re wondering about something, just ask us!

And that’s not all, we have two full wardrobe closets with vintage tops, pinup dresses, fur coats, wraps and other accessories for you to use. We also have tons of pinup props (not shown) such as a pink vintage vacuum, vintage luggage, old typewriter, and more!

A pair of thigh high stockings is included with your session so you don’t need to buy any for the photo shoot.

We even have jewelry for you to use.

Q) What DON’T you have??

A) We don’t stock bras & panties for you to borrow (for obvious reasons!). If you forget to bring a panty, we do have a dresser full of brand new panties in multiple colors and sizes that you can purchase.

Q) What should I bring?

A) At the very least bring one or two cute matching bra and panty sets as well as any items of personal significance (i.e. jewelry given as a gift). If you want to bring more stuff, then bring it! You don’t need to use a single thing of ours or you can dress entirely from our collection — it’s up to you! For ideas on what to bring, read this article: https://www.boudoirphotographyseattle.com/boudoir-what-to-wear.

2 comments

sandiJanuary 11, 2014 - 11:55 pm

Are your outfits brand new or has someone else wore them before??ReplyCancel
- cheryl@belleboudoirphoto.comJanuary 12, 2014 - 4:01 pm
  
  Perfect question! We have a bulk supply of assorted lace panties and thigh high stockings which are BRAND-spanking-new in their original packaging and they’re yours to keep after the session. We don’t reuse bottoms for obvious reasons. All of the corsets, nighties and robes are cleaned between uses. That said, we have such a HUGE assortment of clothing that, in reality, most have never been worn before. And we’re always adding more new stuff!
  
  You’re also welcome to bring your own lingerie if you have it or want an excuse to go shopping. Our clothing is available to wear if you want it but by no means do you need to if you have your own!ReplyCancel

01.26.15

Makeup intensity and The Camera

Allow me to paint you a picture: You are having a big night out with your girlfriends and have all decided to get dolled up for the occasion. You bought a new lipgloss and some false lashes to help you feel a little more glamorous than on other nights out. You spent an hour doing your makeup, taking into consideration all of the new tips and tricks you’ve learned while watching the latest and greatest youtube tutorials. You look amazing with your sky high heels, sky high hair, and extra long eyelashes. How could you not? When you finally meet up with your girlfriends, you all start taking selfies to memorialize the occasion and you love it because you know you look good. And then you look at the pictures and wonder “where did all my makeup go?”

Doing makeup for the camera is significantly different from the makeup that most of us wear on a daily basis. We use more foundation, more powder, heavier eyeshadow, and a more severe contour that would ever look natural in person. The reason is that the camera will actually tone your makeup down a full 25% – a lot more than most people think it does. When you look in the mirror, you may feel as though it is too dark or that it makes the texture in their skin more noticeable – something no one wants to show in their images. However, it is more important to get the coverage and contour that we are looking for and then leave the rest up to the camera, the lighting, and of course, retouching. You will literally end up with flawless skin from head to toe — even if you have severe acne. So don’t be afraid of the concealer, don’t shy away from the powder, and have faith that we at Belle Boudoir are in the business of making you both LOOK and FEEL amazing!

xo,

Nikoma (Hair & Makeup Artist)

01.19.15

Facial Oil is for ALL Skin Types

As a long time makeup artist and lover of all things skin, I have always had a deep love for facial oils. They help to minimize the appearance of pores, break down makeup on the skin like nothing else, reduce inflammation, and penetrate deep into the skin to give it the moisture that it craves. Facial oils help your skin to look fresh, youthful, and dewy (the good kind of dewy!). Today’s facial oils are not the mineral oils of the past, they are made from essential oils and therefore, there is one out there for every type of skin. Most of my clients with a more oily skin type, consider facial oil to be their nemesis. What they don’t know is that facial oil, is in fact, one of the best things for their skin because oil attracts oil and therefore it is able to penetrate deeper into your pores to clean and moisturize better. Below I will explain how to properly use both cleansing oils and moisturizing oils:

Cleansing Oil: Pour a nickel sized amount of product into your palm and massage into your skin without adding water. You can use facial cleansing oils to remove your makeup as well to make cleansing a one step process. Remove using a warm, wet washcloth. Once your skin is clean and dry, you can move on to apply any toners, serums, and moisturizers to finish your routine.

Moisturizing Oil: One to three drops of oil is all you need to get the proper amount of moisture. A little bit goes a long way! Warm the drops of oil between your fingers and gently massage into your skin working in a downward and outward direction. Allow the oil to absorb into the skin before applying makeup or laying down for bed so that you get the full benefit of the product.

To find out the best kind of cleansing or moisturizing oil for your skin type, talk to your local beauty consultant. The Nordstrom Beauty Stylist is always a great person to consult if you don’t work with someone already. 🙂

xo,

Nikoma (Hair & Makeup Artist)