Everything a Bride-To-Be Needs From the Sephora

###Beauty Amplifier Mattifying H2O Gel Primer On the biggest day of your life, you'll want to look picture perfect in every way. Sephora's Beauty Amplifier Mattifying H2O Gel Primer is a cooling, water-based primer that gives skin at matte look and helps to reduce shine and the appearance of pores, so even those close-up wedding shots will look flawless. *Beauty Amplifier Mattifying H2O Gel Primer, $8, [Sephora Collection available at Sephora](https://www.sephora.com/product/beauty-amplifier-mattifying-h2o-gel-primer-P417987)* — Beauty Amplifier Mattifying H2O Gel Primer

On the biggest day of your life, you’ll want to look picture perfect in every way. Sephora’s Beauty Amplifier Mattifying H2O Gel Primer is a cooling, water-based primer that gives skin at matte look and helps to reduce shine and the appearance of pores, so even those close-up wedding shots will look flawless.

*Beauty Amplifier Mattifying H2O Gel Primer, $8, Sephora Collection available at Sephora*

Après Ski Glow Face Palette

A winter bride will love this gorgeous contour kit from Becca. The Après Ski Glow Face Palette features stunning shades that will give a bride that dewey, fresh-from-the-slopes glow. The rosy blush and shimmery highlighter in this palette is perfect for that snow-bunny look, even if you’re staying indoors.

*Après Ski Glow Face Palette, $46, Becca available at Sephora*

BECCA

Lit From Within: Prime & Highlight Travel Duo

ITEM 2025286

A travel duo of BECCA’s iconic, bestselling primer and highlighter.

JO MALONE LONDON

Peony & Blush Suede Cologne

SIZE 3.4 oz/ 100 mL • ITEM 1946672

C$175.00

December 28, 2017 December 28, 2017 Lifestyle , make up , People , wedding Leave a comment

Alistbeauty agrees with Alyssa Greenberg

Alyssa Greenberg

On your wedding day, you’re already wearing the most gorgeous dress of your life, carrying the most beautiful flowers , and rocking the prettiest, glossiest hair your head’s ever seen. The final step? Making sure you’re not partaking in any common wedding makeup mistakes ahead of the big day. Even if you’ve had a skincare and beauty routine down pat since 2008, it’s time to step up your game before you say I Do. Because chances are, you’ve been making some major makeup faux pas without even realizing it.

Before you walk down the aisle, take an extra minute in front of the bathroom mirror and see if you’re guilty of any of these top eight wedding makeup mistakes. Reversing them is the easiest way to a flawless wedding look—even in the unretouched photos!

1. You forget to prep your lips.

A great longwear lipstick can stay put for hours, but it’s no match for champagne toasts and wedding cake —unless you give it a little help. Before you swipe on lip color, create a smooth surface with lip primer we love MAC’s version ($17.50, available at Nordstrom ) ; it makes for easier application and keeps lipstick on way longer.

2. You’re using the wrong foundation shade.

If your base makeup makes you look chalky, it’s time to switch out your shade for summer. Even if you’re planning to go the drugstore, head to a department store first to find your shade. Swipe three options on your jawline, then go to a mirror near a window to see how it looks in natural light. The shade that blends most closely to your skin tone is the winner.

3. Your concealer’s doing double duty.

Wondering why your concealer is settling into the creases under your eyes? It could be because you’re using the same all-purpose pot you use to cover up breakouts. While blemishes usually call for thick, full-coverage concealers , under-eyes benefit more from smoother formulas with light-catching pigments. Try a liquid formula, like Maybelline Dream Lumi Touch Highlighting Concealer ($6.44, available on Amazon ) .

4. You’re not applying primer.

For makeup coverage that lasts all day, from your first look photos all the way to the reception, primer needs to be a regular in your beauty bag . Primer can also come in handy if you have certain skin conditions, like a dry or oily complexion. Start your makeup regimen with this beauty must-have, and then apply foundation.

5. You’re using a dry makeup sponge.

The invention of the BeautyBlender has been a saving grace for makeup aficionados, but only when used properly. Using a dry makeup sponge to blend your makeup means the beauty tool will absorb more of the product, putting your beloved (and most likely expensive) foundation to waste. Splash a little water on your sponge for a streak-free, photo-ready result. Make sure you’re also storing the damp makeup sponge in an open environment after use to prevent mold (the last thing you want on your face).

6. You’re contouring too much.

While Kim K. can rock the contoured look like nobody’s business, this beauty trend seems to be a thing of the past. Plus, too much contour can create a noticeably heavy contrast between your face and the rest of your body, according to makeup expert Sonia Kashuk . For a more natural sculpted look, she recommends applying sheer products under the cheekbones for extra depth.

7. You’re depriving your lashes of maximum lift potential.

Goopy, clumpy eyelashes aren’t the best look on your wedding day. But chances are, you’re weighing your lashes down with every swipe of the mascara wand. If you usually swipe from underneath your lashes upward, try reversing it: Apply mascara from the top of your lashes, sweeping down and out, which makes for the most separation.

8. You’re not refreshing your makeup bag every few months.

Just uncovered your favorite lipstick from 2015 at the bottom of your makeup bag? Toss it before your wedding day. Left in a makeup bag at room temperature, makeup grows bacteria fast—most after six months to a year, but some after just a few months. Check the expiration date at the bottom of each tube (it looks like a jar of face cream with a number in it; that number shows how many months until it’s donezo) and stick to it.

December 28, 2017 December 28, 2017 Make Up Artist , Photo Shoot , wedding Leave a comment

Wedding Photos

Given the amount of photo manipulation we see everywhere from ads to Instagram, it might be natural to think that your wedding pics can be tweaked the same way. I mean, after all, almost anything you dislike in your final gallery can be edited out with Photoshop, right? Not exactly. Photographers caution against assuming that everything can be retouched in the final snaps. Here’s what can and can’t be done.

First Things First

Before actually signing a contract with a photographer, you need to make sure that their style matches what you are actually looking for. “I think the critical first step for clients is to choose the right sort of photographer from the start: people who like a heavily retouched look should pick a photographer who clearly leans toward that style, with lots of computer effects and ‘perfect’ airbrushed-looking subjects,” says Al Fortier, creative director at Alistbeauty. “A reportage or documentary style photographer is going to be less inclined to do major retouching, favoring the natural and organic look they captured in-camera.” The best way to make sure someone will be able to deliver what you want is take a good look at their website and see if their images fit what you have in mind.

Set Clear Expectations

There is hardly one blanket approach, so it’s important to find out what your photographer’s view and policy is on retouching before getting started. “It definitely varies from photographer to photographer, so it’s good to ask from the start what kind of photo retouching, if anything, a wedding photographer provides,” says Al. I generally want to provide a near perfect gallery, so I ask to retouch anything that drives me nuts [like stray hairs or weird things in the background] before I put them on my website. When it’s something beyond my capabilities and it’s bothering me, I’ll send it out to a retoucher.” Someone on Fiverr.com

Small ‘Flaws’

If there’s something about your appearance that you’re insecure about, it’s best to give your photographer a heads up before your big day, as many things can be tweaked for your final images. The important thing is to speak up, because what stands out to you may not for your photographer. “[It’s important] that my clients tell me what they’re self conscious about before we shoot so I can be aware of it and share what retouching may be possible for them,” says Al. “For instance, a client who is insecure about yellowed teeth: I won’t insult anyone by automatically whitening their teeth on my own, but if they request it ahead of time, it’s an easy fix. If someone has bad acne scars and they ask me to fix it, I can also address that in photos that need it. However, I never ‘fix’ anyone’s flaws unless they ask me to. [It’s] sort of rude to assume!”

I love this picture but it is retouched a lot. You can tell the modles eyes are not this blue skin is too flawless and Emma had a necklace I did not love with this dress.

November 27, 2017 November 27, 2017 Make Up Artist , Personal , wedding , Wedding hairstylist Leave a comment

Things to Do After Getting Engaged

Your partner popped the question, you said yes, and now you’re engaged ! Congratulations! It’s a big moment, and you’re kicking off a totally special time in your lives. But what should you do after you get engaged? The first steps you take after your engagement will really set you up for a successful wedding planning process. From the fun and exciting to the nitty-gritty, we have a few tasks to get you on your way.

Spread the News

Of course the first thing you’ll want to do after your engagement is tell people about it! Start with your VIPs (think parents, siblings, and grandparents), either sharing the news in person or getting on the phone to tell them what’s just happened. Then, once your inner circle is up to date, you can head to social media with the perfect engagement post.

Get Insurance

Romantic? No. Totally necessary? Yes. Whether a stone gets loose or your ring falls down the garbage disposal, having it properly protected is key. Your partner may have already looked into ring insurance with the jeweler, but if he or she hasn’t yet purchased a policy, you’ll want to do that right away.

Get a Manicure

Now that you’re engaged, all eyes will be on your left hand, so pamper your fingers with a professional mani. Clean cuticles and soft skin will make your newest accessory really pop!

Enjoy the Moment

It’s hard to resist the urge to start planning, but try to take a few days—or a few weeks—to simply be engaged. Embrace the romance with regular date nights, an engagement trip, or even an engagement party. Practice introducing your partner as your fiancé, and enjoy all of the congratulations you’ll get!

Dream Big

Before you get into the details, give yourselves time to dream. Write down what you’d love to have at your wedding, whether it’s a barefoot ceremony in the sand or a bourbon bar at the reception, and start putting together a Pinterest board with your vision. Keep an eye out for common themes, which will help you narrow things down later, and start to define your biggest priorities for the event.

Talk Numbers

Don’t book a single thing before you know how much you’ll have to spend on your wedding. Talk to your parents about what they might be comfortable contributing, and start setting aside savings if you’ll be paying for the event yourselves. Another number to consider? Your guest list! Create a draft guest list to get an idea of how many guests you’ll have, which will play a major role in how far your budget can go and which venues you can look at.

Hire A Pro

If you’re going to work with a wedding planner, hire him or her before you book your venue. Go to your planner with the range of dates you’ve specified, then bring him or her along while you’re doing your venue tours. A planner will be able to give you invaluable insight into spaces, and might be able to recommend something you’d never considered before.

Narrow Down the Date

Before you tour venues or interview majors vendors (like your planner or photographer), you’ll want to have a range of dates in mind. Think about what you’re envisioning for your celebration, from a garden wedding in the spring to a snowy mountaintop fête, then look to your calendars to see when you’re both free. Don’t forget to check in with your VIPs to make sure they’re available, too!

Book Your Venue

With your planner secured, it’s time to sign that venue contract! The space you choose will influence everything from your final guest count to the color palette to the design of your dress, so get this locked in early.

Book Other Major Players

After your planner and venue, your next big bookings should be the photographer, alistbeauty and band or DJ—those professionals who can only take on one event per date. The best might get scooped up quickly, so send out inquiries early! This will give you time to browse portfolios and conduct interviews to help you find exactly what you’re looking for—and your planner will be able to help narrow it down and offer invaluable guidance!

Stay Organized

Whether it’s an online planning tool, a printed wedding planning binder, documents from your wedding planner, or templates from Google Drive, keeping on top of the details is key. Create a comprehensive timeline, track your budget, and scan contracts and receipts to keep all of the details in one place.

November 22, 2017 November 27, 2017 Business , Make Up Artist , Professional Hair Care , wedding , Wedding hairstylist Leave a comment

More About Us!

Wedding Hair and Makeup

Al Fortier-Parker owner of alistbeauty is a professionally trained hair and makeup artist and one of Toronto’s elite artists specializing in luxury bridal hair and makeup. He has more than 25 years experience in bridal hair and makeup and 30 the hair industry . Al’s skills have allowed him to work with some of Toronto’s leading commercial photographers as well as the Miss Universe Canada Pageant, Wedluxe Magazine, TV, and many others.

Al is a trained esthetician, which gives him a unique and deep understanding of skin and skincare. With his extensive knowledge of skin, hair and make up, Al is able to incorporate all his training for each of his clients and deliver high end results that you would naturally expect from a true professional.

Bridal Makeup and Hair in Toronto

Over the past 25 years, Al has dedicated much of his time training and honing skills primarily for the bridal industry and his clients. Along with a great team of artists, he has helped create hundreds of happy brides and their bridal parties – all with unique and different flairs. Alistbeauty’s bridal hair and makeup has been featured in the pages of Wedluxe, Elegant Weddings, The Knot, Vanity Fair and many more.

Al understands each client will have different needs. As such, alistbeauty takes a truly customized approach to ensure the expectations of all are met. Alistbeauty suggests you book trial for your hair and make-up, during this session we meet and talk about your requirements, concerns and answer any questions you may have. During this trial Al and his artists give you a preview of your hair and make-up style, it is all documented so it is easy to reproduce on the day of your wedding. After this initial meeting with alistbeauty , it is easy to enlist alistbeauty’s wedding hair and make up service on location in Toronto or anywhere. just fill out and the sign the contrast and put your deposit and your day is booked for you.

Alistbeauty strongly believes in no pressure sales as you already have enough stress, anxiety, and other things to take care of before you wedding day. Alistbeauty does not charge extra for travel fees within the Greater Toronto Area or for early morning weddings. There mat be travel fee depending on your location outside of the GTA.

For more information or to schedule your trial hair and makeup session, contact www.alistbeauty.ca today at 416- 5264580.

October 25, 2017 October 25, 2017 Make Up Artist , Photo Shoot , wedding , Wedding hairstylist Leave a comment

Toronto Wedding Show

http://www.alistbeauty.ca

October 23, 2017 November 3, 2017 Make Up Artist , Personal , wedding , Wedding hairstylist Leave a comment

Things to Remember to Do the Night Before Your Wedding

http://www.alistbeauty.ca

You’ve crossed off one thing after another on your wedding to-do lists. Now, less than 24 hours before you climb into your wedding dress and let out a confident “I Do” to your very own prince charming is a list of 19 things you need to do.

1. Eat a healthy meal.

Although that greasy fast food might be screaming your name, you should stick to the fresh fruit and the whole grains. They won’t have you waking up on your big with a food hangover like a Big Mac and a poutine will on your wedding day.

2. Pack a bag or clutch of personal items.

Put together your reception clutch and your post-reception bag and hand it off to your wedding point person, who can help make sure it’s waiting for you in the bridal suite or in your hotel room.

3. Drink a lot of water.

Keep a cold glass of water nearby and make sure you spend some quality time with it. This will help you avoid any dehydration that stress and running around can often cause.

4. Get a good night’s sleep.

Or at least try to tuck yourself underneath those covers at a decent hour.

5. Turn your phone on silent.

Say goodbye to checking your social media accounts and answering text messages. Turn your device on silent or hand it over to your maid-of-honor.

6. Put any boxes, suitcases, bags to bring to the ceremony or reception in the car.

Pack the car with all the items you’ll need for your wedding day so that you can wake up in the morning and not have to worry about doing any heavy lifting before getting out of the door.

7. Make sure you have cash on hand.

Have a couple of 20 dollar bills nearby in case you need to tip any of your vendors or in case of any last-minute emergencies.

8. Double-check payment for vendors.

Have them sorted out — whether that means your payments are via E- transfer, gathering checks or cash and put them in clearly marked enveloped and hand them off to your point person for the wedding day (whether that’s your wedding planner, bridesmaid, or family member).

9. Gather a survival kit.

Toss a bunch of must-have items into a small tote bag in case anyone needs them. Grab a handful of Band-Aids, safety pins, packets of Advil, and a Tide stick.

10. Print out a list of vendor details.

Be sure to include vendor info . like their phone number, arrival time, and name. Then, pass this list on to your point person so they can check up on them.

11. Write a love note to your groom.

Something short and sweet. A note to tell the man in the tux who will be waiting for you that he is the one you will love forever!

12. Grab a pair of flip flops.

Keep these close by, you’ll want to change into them throughout your wedding day — whether after the morning photos are taken or in the middle of the reception. Your feet are going to need a time-out before you do!

13. Watch something that’ll make you laugh.

In the spirit of putting yourself in a happy and enlightened mood, plop yourself down in front of the TV and watch some funny on Netflix.

14. Enjoy a mani and pedi.

While you’re getting a fresh coat of polish , say “I do” when they ask you if you’d like to add on a 10-minute massage. Pamper yourself — you deserve it!

15. Assign someone to be your morning-after person.

This person’s role will be to collect all the gifts at the end of the wedding and do one final sweep of the venue when the party is over to make sure you didn’t leave anything behind.

16. Say a big “thank you.”

Before the wedding-day chaos kicks in, be sure to thank people in advance for sticking by your side through this adventure. Give an extra hug to your bridesmaids and pop a kiss on the cheeks of your family members.

17. Make sure the shoe fits.

Even better, make sure you practice walking a straight line in them. After that, turn the volume up on your favorite Taylor Swift song and bust out some dance moves. This will help you not only relieve some stress, but it’ll make you see your threshold for when your shoes are going to start throwing a temper tantrum on your feet.

18. Confirm with vendors.

There’s a time and a place for everything. Make sure your outside vendors know when and where to show up. Now’s the time to also let them know the name and phone number of your “point person” that day.

19. Practice deep yoga-like breaths.

End the day before your wedding with 5-minutes of meditation and deep breaths. This will help calm you down before you hop into bed for the last time as a Miss.

Our on location hair and make up professionals specialize in creating exquisite looks tailored to you and your dream!

We are offering touch ups as our gift to you after your ceremony

Valued at $600.00

October 23, 2017 October 23, 2017 make up , Personal , wedding , Wedding hairstylist Leave a comment

The 6 Costs You Should Cover for Your Bridesmaids

It’s no secret that being a bridesmaid is an expensive role for your friends to take on. They will find themselves paying for pre-wedding events, transportation costs, and of course the dress you’d like them to wear on the big day. So if you’re looking for a way to pick up some of the expenses your bridesmaids may incur , here are 6 things you should pay for, if you can, for your bridal party.

1. A Wedding Survival Kit

Whether it’s a bowl filled with travel-sized toiletries from the drug store or a personalized tote bag filled with emergency items for the day , be sure to equip your bridesmaids with any last-minute must-have items.

2. Their Transportation Home

Since the average wedding day for a bridal party is 10+ hours, be sure to provide your wedding party with transportation home or back to the hotel. You can do this through a taxi service or a scheduled shuttle for all of the guests.

3. Hair and Makeup

If it’s in your budget, a great treat (and gift!) for your bridal party is to pick up the tab on the glam squad, paying for them to get both their hair and makeup done on the wedding day. If you can’t manage to pay for both beauty fees, opt for one or the other. They’ll definitely appreciate the gesture.

4. Bridesmaid Accessories

Any and all items you’d like your bridesmaids to wear on the wedding day to accentuate the dress can be items that you buy for each bridesmaid as the ultimate thank you gift.

5. A Mani/Pedi

There’s no better way to before the wedding than with a group outing to get a mani/pedi, especially when you’re paying for it! Treat your girls to a fun day at the spa, and get wedding-ready while doing so.

6. Alterations

If you’re asking your bridesmaids to buy their dresses themselves, one thing you can do to help keep the costs down is offer to pay for any alterations that they might need. That way, you can be sure the dresses fit optimally and look stunning in photos on your big day.

October 18, 2017 October 18, 2017 make up , Make Up Artist , Personal , Professional Make Up Products , wedding Leave a comment

7 Secrets For The Perfect Eyeliner

Alistbeauty helps with 7 Secrets for the Perfect Eyeliner

There are certain skills in life that you could probably get by without (like learning how to poach an egg or knowing how to do a waterfall braid). But getting your eyeliner straight and even is pretty essential to daily life if you ask us—and also pretty damn tricky. So we polled the women we know who always have impeccably lined eyes for their best tips.

They Use Primer
If smudgy or runny liner is a constant issue for you, try starting off with a little primer . Not only will it create a smoother surface for application, but it will also keep things in place as it wears.

They Know Which Formulas Work Best for Them
Generally speaking, pencils and gel liners are easier to apply than liquids. So if you’re feeling a bit uncertain about your skills, reach for a more forgiving pencil first, and then you can work your way up to liquid liners.

PHOTOS POWER/GETTY IMAGES

They Steady Their Elbows
Before you go in with your liner, find a flat surface to steady your elbows against and then draw. Stable arms equal steady lines.

They Rely on More Than One Shade
Use a darker shade (like black or brown) along the upper lash line and don’t worry about making it perfect. Next, take a slightly lighter shade (like gray or bronze) and blend it along the top edge of the line you just drew to hide any unevenness. Note: You can also do this with eye shadow.

They Work Backward
Instead of lining your eyes from the inner corners out, start with the end point and work your way in for better symmetry. This is especially key if you’re rocking a cat-eye look.

They Use Concealer to Clean Up
Though we instinctively reach for remover to fix mistakes, it tends to bleed into the surrounding makeup (which sometimes means having to start all over again). Use your concealer to do the job instead.

They Replace Their Liners Regularly
Most pros recommend swapping out your liners every two months (if it’s a gel pot, as they tend to trap moisture and bacteria the easiest) or four to six months (if it’s liquid because they tend to dry out faster) and every year (if it’s pencil). Again, perhaps we should all just be using pencils.

October 17, 2017 November 2, 2017 make up , Photo Shoot , wedding , Wedding hairstylist Leave a comment

WEDDING INSPIRATION

VINTAGE LAVENDER WEDDING INSPIRATION

Vintage ● Outdoor ● Spring ● Purple, Yellow

Written by Christina Rowan

Modern motifs meet vintage flair at this lavender wedding

Love the trendiness of mixed metals but know your an old soul? Look no further than this dreamy lavender wedding theme! Pulling inspiration from the historic gadgets and machinery that drive steampunk fashion, the elegant scene contains copper and gold table decor as well as a vintage camera. Leading the colour palette are creamy hues of lavender and yellow in the floral, vintage chair, appliquéd tablecloth, sparkly Jimmy Choo shoes and even stationery suite. Between the baroque dining chairs and the four-tier paper crepe cake, we can’t decide which detail is our favorite!