Tips When You Don't Like Your Pro Makeup

Natural Wedding Makeup in Galveston, TX

Happy Newlyweds

This blog post is late in posting.  It is not for lack of excitement, but lack of time and technology is not kind to me every time I try to combine travel and blog updating.  I wanted to give this lovely bride's photos special attention, since the talented His & Hers Foto so generously shared them with me!  I hope you enjoy reviewing this fabulous wedding as much as I did!

My most recent bridal client, Ashley, was a very detailed planner.  She wanted to book engagement portrait and wedding makeup before I usually begin committing to clients, but I am so glad I met her and came to around to meeting her terms!

I was honored to work with such a precious mother & daughter

I must say, the suite at Moody Gardens was one of the the best suites to host a bridal party I have had the opportunity to work in.  It was generously spacious and had lots of natural light.

Ashley has a natural glow and love for life - especially life with her furry, and feathered, friends.  You must see her unique feathered friend that made a grand entrance!  

Penguins are not normally allowed to participate at weddings at Moody Gardens.  

This was a rare event.

While I did not get to stay to enjoy the wedding festivities, I am so glad I was able to see how this lovely bride looked on her most memorable day and her meticulous wedding planning turned out!

This wedding took place in November.
Moody Gardens was fully decorated for Christmas and it was lovely!

Grooms deserve some of the spotlight too!

That staircase!

That sunset!!!

Enjoy the rest of the wedding day photos captured, and generously shared by His & Hers Foto below.  Scroll to the end for a complete list of wedding vendors! I love seeing the events as they unfolded that day AND how my cilents' makeup did throughout the night.

Ceremony time! Wedding Heart Cereomonies Officient, Janice

The dress had pockets!!! Modern Affinity gown

It's all in the details! Cakes by Julia sculptures pets too!

Black and white photos are always a treat!

What a great idea instant memory photo book! DJS Entertainment

Oscar is in the top photo and Kristi is showing off an image to a guest.
This dynamic duo of photographers love what they do!

Cake time!

This wedding party appeared to have danced the night away!

I was so honored to be a part of this this wedding! 

Ashley's vendor team:

Photography - His & Hers Foto

Venue - Moody Gardens Hotel

Dress - Modern Affinity

Makeup - Makeup by KeriAnn

DJ, Mirror booth, uplighting - DJS Entertainment

Cake - Cakes by Jula

Officiant - Wedding Heart Ceremonies (Janice)

Catering - Moody Gardens

How can I help you makeup?

Email me at Info@MakeupbyKeriAnn.com

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Women Are Fabulous Over 40!

 In January of this year I started working with the talented Hallie Keller of Hallie Keller Photography, doing makeup for her gorgeous clients.

Not only is makeup included in these fun photo sessions, but you can pick out some amazing gowns from Kary King Boutique!

Women over 40 are more confident in their own skin.  They are usually in the process of learning what life is like living with an empty nest.  They are enjoying getting to know their children as adults and they may be trying new things are accelerating their careers.  Documenting these years in a photo session to make you feel glamorous and fashionable is a gift to yourself, and/or your closest loved one(s)!

This session was so much fun and the fascinator added high fashion glam!

Enjoy these photos shared with me by Hallie Keller.  Makeup of course, is by yours truly, Makeup by Keri Ann!

This white dress was stunning!
Photo Courtesy of Hallie Keller Photography

Naturally Beautiful Over 40!
Photo courtesy of Hallie Keller Photography

This dress was so much fun and provided by Kary King Boutique
Photo by Hallie Keller Photography

Strike a Pose!  Being over 40 has never looked so good!
Photo courtesy of Hallie Keller Photography

This is one of my favorites showing off Makeup by Keri Ann's Makeup!
Photo courtesy of Hallie Keller Photography

Every woman should feel glamorous!  I love giving clients a celebrity makeup experience!
Photo courtesy of Hallie Keller Photography
Dress and Fascinator provided by Kary King

Email me at Info@MakeupbyKeriAnn.com

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Makeup by Keri Ann is Celebrating 5 Years of Beauty!

Five years ago I took a huge leap of faith and launched this website and business, Makeup by Keri Ann.

Even though I had retailed makeup for over fifteen years, I was not confident that I was ready to be a freelance makeup artist.  I was not convinced I had enough training.  I wasn't sure I could be successful building my own brand.  I didn't know how I was going to make a name for myself in the fourth largest city in the United States.

I felt strongly that The Lord was guiding me in this direction.  Every person in my path seemed to mention freelance makeup artistry to me.  Even though I had a huge list of every doubt and fear,  the Biblical story of Moses kept coming back to me.  Moses felt insecure in his abilities to lead the Hebrew people out of Egypt, but God continued to call Moses to the task.

The phrase "God does not call the equipped, He equips the called" resonated with me.  So, I purchased a domain, created a logo and wrote my very first blog post.

I will never forget my very first photo shoot.  We spent 10-12 hours putting 2 young models in 3 different hair and makeup looks.  The photographer I was working with really wanted to get creative, out-of-the-box, looks by the end of the day.  I was so nervous half-way through the shoot, I desperately wanted to walk away, but I faced my fears head-on and kept working.  I felt like I was too slow, too unprepared, and not talented enough, but the photos proved otherwise.  The models' makeups were beautiful and I was shocked that I was the artist who created those looks!

The negative doubt and self-talk still played in between my ears while I was working on my first few clients and weddings.  Half-way through an appointment, I would feel the same nervousness and desire to walk away I had felt at my first photo shoot.

I've since learned that many of my insecurities also plague many other creative people.  Perfectionism tends to be a trait many artists battle too and I am my own worst critique.  However, I've also learned that I am so successful with my clients because I take plenty of time to get to understand what they want and need - good listening skills are a must when you a corporate chaplain (my former career).  While I've  never worked backstage at NYC's Fashion Week or prepared a celebrity for the big screen [yet], I create makeup looks that women are comfortable wearing.

In fact, in these short 5 years, I've been blessed with over 500 organic FB page likes.  I've also had the opportunity to:

• meet and work with over 400 women
• be invited into the most prestigious law firms, hotels and wedding venues
• teach makeup lessons to a variety of women
• witness the most intimate mother/daughter and father/daughter moments in the bridal suite
• see the most breathtaking brides
• work with the sweetest and most generous clients
• do makeup for 2 book authors
• speak about professional image and offer makeup advice to busy professionals
• write guest blog posts
• write a few articles for a local boutique magazine
• collaborate with the most amazing creative professionals in the weddings/events industry
• have my makeup artistry published on several national blog posts
• have my makeup artistry printed on the cover of 3 different local magazines 
• have my makeup artistry printed inside 4 local magazines
• serve the most beautiful women in the great state of Texas

Thank you so much for celebrating this milestone with me!

Here's to 5 more years of beautiful!

Email me at Info@MakeupbyKeriAnn.com

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Makeup & Hair Inspiration for an English Garden Party Wedding

I have always been a fan of British humor, but I have also recently become a fan of British drama - especially the popular Downton Abbey series.  While I was a bit late joining the Downton Abbey train, I quickly got on board after several marathon viewings of the entire 4 seasons.

If you're anything like me, I am anxiously awaiting the beginning of Season 5 and I wanted to share some photos of a recently styled photo shoot that may inspire you to plan your own enchanting English Garden Party or Wedding!

Please note that ALL of these images belong to Lacey Peyton Photography, who so graciously shared them with me.

The fabulous Carolyn Mills, from Sweet Tea & Linen, assembled the Houston, TX area / Montgomery County wedding vendors and did all of the wedding styling.  Sweet Tea & Linen provided the vintage rentals too.

Hodge Podge Lodge in Montgomery, TX opened their doors and beautiful English style garden for us, which created the perfect backdrop for our party!

As a Houston makeup artist, I was thrilled to be asked to do the makeup for these beautiful models!    I just love the very natural and fresh faces on Downton Abbey and wanted to keep the bride's makeup very light and natural.  I wanted to contrast our maid of honor a bit and went with a little more dramatic look, but one that did not compete with our bride.

Why yes, that's a real dove, provided by Magic & Miracles*!

The wedding dress and the bridesmaid dress was provided by Princess Bridal.

Photo Courtesy of: Lacey Peyton  /Makeup by: Makeup by Keri Ann Reardon

Jessica Nelson, who works with me on many of my Houston area weddings,  did a great job styling the hair for these lovelies ….

Photos Courtesy of : Lacey Peyton / Hair by Jessica Nelson

And for this little cutie:

Photo courtesy of Lacey Peyton/ Hair by Jessica Nelson

We all know the perfect party begins with the perfect invitation and Jo's Paper Kitchen made the most beautiful ones!  The envelope is so inviting, I think I would clear my calendar for any event that may be enclosed.  Wouldn't you?!?

Photo Courtesy of: Lacey Peyton / Invitations by Jo's Paper Kitchen

The flowers from A Different Bloom were AMAZING.  The little details make a big difference - look closely...

Photo courtesy of: Lacey Peyton / Florals by A Different Bloom

Photos Courtesy of:  Lacey Peyton / Wedding Styling & Vintage Rental by Sweet Tea & Linen

Photo Courtesy of: Lacey Peyton  / Florals by  A Different Bloom

Photo Courtesy of: Lacey Peyton  / Florals by A Different Bloom

Photo Courtesy of: Lacey Peyton / Florals by A Different Bloom

Photos Courtesy of:  Lacey Peyton / Wedding Styling & Vintage Rental by Sweet Tea & Linen

This couple had a great time being the center of attention for all of us!

Photo Courtesy of:  Lacey Peyton / Makeup by:  Makeup by Keri Ann Reardon

Photos courtesy of: Lacey Peyton / Wedding Styling by Sweet Tea & Linen

  OR….

CAKE!

Photo Courtesy of:  Lacey Peyton / Cake by Deborah Abrego

I was determined to stay until the very end to get a piece of this most beautiful cake! Deborah Abrego Valdez brought an old family recipe to life and included florals from A Different Bloom.  This is not your typical American wedding cake, but it is a very English wedding cake and looks so very amazing!  It was not too sweet and would compliment a cup of tea nicely….

And speaking of tea...

Tea is a wonderful way to wrap up the end of your English Garden Party Wedding, don't you think?

Photo Courtesy of: Lacey Peyton / Sweet Tea & Linen Styling & Vintage Rentals

I hope these pictures inspire you.

You can find more inspirational ideas from this same photo shoot.  This styled session was featured in The Woodlands Bride Fall 2014 issue.   The article is entitled Secret Garden and it's on page 14. 

Please let me know what you think by leaving a comment below!

*To get more information about the rental of doves & pigeons from Magic & Miracles in Montgomery.

Many thanks to our models, who spent more time than they expected, posing in front of the camera:  Michelle & Todd Hammons, Destinee Williams, Aleena Burns and Declan Kenney!

Thank you again to Hodge Podge Lodge for the hospitality - your Montgomery, TX B&B is a little piece of heaven right outside of Houston, TX!

High School Senior Portrait Makeup Looks in Houston, Spring, Woodlands, Tomball and Conroe area

This summer I had the privilege to work with Brent Shucker Photography - a Senior Portrait Photographer in The Woodlands/Conroe/Spring, TX area - and his High School Senior models.

I have the pleasure of meeting beautiful and fascinating women every day in my career, but working with High School Seniors is one of my favorite things to do!  The joy, enthusiasm and optimism they bring is contagious!  I always feel a little bit younger and a little more care free after working with teens!

I wanted to share some of the makeup looks I've done for High School Seniors and to remind my readers that I do makeup "for All of life's special events!", including Senior portraits and Senior prom in Houston, TX and the surrounding Spring, Woodlands, Tomball and Conroe area!

Photo Courtesy of Brent Shumaker Photography / Makeup by Keri Ann Reardon

I like getting to know my clients and their interests.

This young lady has her eye on NYC and wants to have a career in fashion!  These pictures capture her softer side, but she definitely has a creative & edgy side, so watch out NYC!

Photo Courtesy of Brent Shumaker Photography / Makeup by Keri Ann Reardon

Photo Courtesy of Brent Shucker Photography  / Makeup by Keri Ann Reardon

This beautiful lady has her sights set in the business world.  I believe she just might be an entrepreneur one day!

Photo Courtesy of Brent Shumaker Photography / Makeup by Keri Ann Reardon

Photo Courtesy of Brent Shucker Photography / Makeup by Keri Ann Reardon

This talented dancer has mastered the art of precision with the drill team.  At the time I worked with her, she wasn't sure exactly what career path she was going to take, but I believe she has a very bright future ahead of her!

Photo Courtesy of Brent Shucker Photography / Makeup by Keri Ann Reardon

Brent Shumaker and his wife, Martha, make a great team.  The Shumakers really care about getting to know their clients and personalizing each session to match the personality and style of each High School Senior.

Brent's photography is stunning and I am beyond thrilled that I was able to play a small role in each of these portrait sessions.

If you would like information on how to book makeup for your Senior Portrait Session or Senior prom, please email me at info@makeupbykeriann.com