Weddings 2012 Planning Guide: Makeup

Weddings 2012 Planning Guide: Makeup

Weddings 2012 Planning Guide: Makeup

Weddings 2012 Planning Guide: Makeup (Faces by Carla)

ALISA LYONS
With training from MAC and Shiseido, Alisa Lyons has a strong interest in trends. “I won’t put a look that is two years old on someone,” she says. Lately she’s been working a red carpet theme. She is an expert on different skin tones, using mostly MAC products, but also relying on allergy-tested Clinique. For extra-large bridal parties (she can accommodate as many as 20), Lyons brings in two assistants. Trials are at her Bayview and Steeles studio, but she will go to the venue for the wedding day. Hair services are also available. From $65 per person for makeup, including the bride. By appointment. 15 Aneta Cir. (at Newton Dr.), 416-590-0147.


COLETTE CORMIER
Her experience in television has made Colette Cormier a pro with airbrush makeup, which ensures a flawless finish. She is also an expert at what she calls corrective makeup, which erases imperfections and can even enhance facial symmetry. “A lot of brides break out on their wedding days, or want to camouflage scars,” she says. She can create faces both natural and dramatic, including smoky eyes and the perennially popular ’50s Hollywood–style looks. Cormier comes to the bride’s home to do a trial, and then does day-of makeup on-site, providing lipsticks for wedding party touch-ups. From $115 per person. By appointment. 869 Lockwood Cir., Newmarket, 905-841-5250.


CREATIVELY BEAUTIFUL
Although this stable of makeup artists can travel to the wedding to do the bride’s makeup, many parties trek to the Brampton-area salon for the full treatment, which includes breakfast and champagne. Makeup styles tend toward bolder looks (think peacock colours or glam metallics). In-salon makeup from $60 per person, services outside the salon from $85 per person, trials $55. Hairstyling and accessories also available. By appointment. Closed Monday. 505A Guelph St., Norval, 905-877-8497.


DANNY MORROW
Makeup artist Danny Morrow prefers to spend the whole day with the bride—it allows him to coordinate her style with the rest of the bridal party and do touch-ups. Though versatile, Morrow is particularly well versed in traditional South Asian weddings, and is an expert in the Bollywood look: he creates dramatic, smoky, colourful eyes while giving the skin a no-makeup appearance. After 25 years of experience working with celebrities, Morrow knows to use nothing but the best: high-end Chanel products. Trial $100, bride’s makeup $200; more to do the wedding party and to spend the day with the bride. Will travel between Toronto and Montreal. By appointment. 416-825-9218.


DOROTA BUCZEL: THE ALCHEMY CENTER
Buczel and her five-person team are experts at long-lasting, photo-friendly airbrush makeup, which is ideal for oily, uneven or blemished skin. In-studio trials ($55) include a personalized face chart, full makeup, digital photo, skin-care techniques and makeup advice. Clients say Buczel emphasizes their best features without piling on gunk. Bride’s makeup from $75 plus travel costs; for five people or more, prices start at $70 per person for normal makeup and $75 for airbrush. Hair services also available. Will travel throughout the GTA; no extra charge for early starts or holidays. By appointment. 1636 Dundas St. W. (at Brock Ave.), 416-838-9837.


FACES BY CARLA
Weddings 2012 Planning Guide: Makeup (Faces by Carla)When Elle throws an anniversary party, or Toronto’s LG Fashion Week needs a makeup artist for its runway models, Carla Naylor gets a phone call. Off the runway, though, this straight-talking blonde is known for making any girl next door ready for the aisle. Brides request Carla for both fashion-shoot makeup that makes eyes pop and for barely-there romantic looks. Her team of 30 hair and makeup artists has worked on bridal parties of up to 25. Bridal makeup costs $250 per person, plus $50 for lashes and $250 for hair. Prices can be discounted for large parties. Travel outside the GTA (including international destinations) costs extra. By appointment. 25 The Esplanade (at Scott St.), 416-356-6004.


GILLIS MAKEUP ARTISTRY
With many years of experience in wedding and fashion makeup, sisters Melanie and Rebecca Gillis are pros at both nude styles and dramatic makeup—Melanie gave one bride a ’40s Hollywood treatment, with pearlescent skin and deep red lipstick. Most important for them is adapting the makeup to the bride: “If the bride doesn’t normally wear makeup, I’ll give her a lighter, natural look,” says Melanie. Gillis offers packages that include a trial session and makeup for the bride, plus three people on the big day, for $425 for the group. By appointment. 7 King St. E. (at Colborne St.), 416-648-5936.


MANKIND GROOMING STUDIO FOR MEN
The bride-to-be might be the one to book her betrothed and his groomsmen in for their pre-wedding make-overs (sadly, most guys don’t consider cuticles a priority, even on the big day), but at Noel Naguiat’s two-year-old salon, man pampering feels so natural that many grooms keep coming back long after the wedding is over. The space, which brings together weathered barnboard walls, a mounted moose head (dubbed Manny the Moose), black-and-white checkerboard floors and a red, white and blue barber’s pole, is like classic barbershop meets Kawartha cabin (albeit one modernized with a 65-inch TV and a Sony PlayStation 3). It makes for an offbeat but fun backdrop for getting-ready photos. Grooms and groomsmen customize their own pre-wedding make-over packages from a list of service options, which can be as in and out as a simple haircut ($45) or as over the top as head-to-toe treatments, such as mankini waxing, facials, hot stone massages and hot-lather shaves. From $45 per person for up to eight people, Groups can be as large as eight people. Closed Sunday. 477 Richmond St. W. (at Spadina), Ste. 103, 416-551-1113.


THE MEN’S POWER SPA
Nestled underground in the Entertainment District, this male-only spa is like some secret bastion of macho vanity. Two big-screen TVs blare, and comely attendants provide a full complement of services, from massages to hair removal (starting at $15 for a brow wax), in one of three treatment rooms. Four wedding day packages help grooms get camera ready. The time-crunched will appreciate the 30-minute Express ($40–$45), which provides a hot-towel shave and mini-facial; guys who want to slow down and savour their few final moments of the single life should get the VIP ($240–$275), which includes a full facial, manicure, pedicure, hour-long massage and jitter-calming bottle of champagne for groups of four or more (beer, it seems, is still reserved for the type of man who wouldn’t be caught dead at a spa). Because risking a blemish on the big day would be criminal, technicians use only oil-free products from Biocosmética Exel Argentina. 14 Duncan St. (at Adelaide St. W.), lower level, 416-850-0981.


MOBILE MAKEOVERS
Alexandra Colella offers more than just cosmetics; she does hair, too. As part of a wedding makeup session, Colella gives the bride-to-be a tutorial on touch-ups. She uses MAC and Smashbox products, but prices are budget friendly: $70 for brides and bridesmaids, $35 for a trial—all on location, anywhere in the GTA. 647-228-1199.


MONICA MAKEUP ARTIST
Monica De Las Casas will do a trial ($45) at the bride’s home, working with her to achieve her desired appearance, then recreate it on the wedding day. She specializes in natural makeup, with less eyeshadow and a neutral lip, because she says that’s what most brides want. “Some ask for the smoky-eye look, but then I do it and they realize it’s too dramatic for walking down the aisle,” she says. Makeup is $100 per person; from $55 per person for parties of seven or more; no charge for flower girls. By appointment. 416-908-6664.


PEONY ROOM
Providing makeup services for any budget, Peony Room artist Amanda Cheng works on location to achieve the right effect. She strives to help brides appear “like themselves, but enhanced,” which means going easy on the foundation and eyeshadow and opting for lighter lip shades. In-studio trial $25; on-location bride’s makeup $75; mothers and bridesmaids $35. Cheng will do an evening touch-up for $50. Hair services also available. By appointment. Centerpoint Mall, 6464 Yonge St. (at Steeles Ave. W.), 647-232-9494.


PRIMPD
Dianne Acri offers both bridal makeup and aesthetics (brows, waxing, mani-pedis). The former Aveda artist has fluffed up Anna Wallner, Kristina Matisic and other W Network hosts. When it comes to settling on the perfect look, she stresses the importance of a trial: “It’s a chance to really get to know the bride. I start with something simple and then carefully add on. Maybe do a smoky eye on half the face and something more classic on the other, so the bride can get a feel for what she thinks looks good.” To get the most value out of the trial, Acri advises brides to book the appointments for the day of their engagement pictures or bridal showers. She can handle parties of up to eight, and will call in hair stylists on request. Makeup starts at $75. By appointment. 647-280-5049.

(Images: Emma McIntyre)