Prep, Primp, Pamper

Every woman that sits in my make up chair on any given wedding day, the first thing they do is tell me what they perceive to be wrong with them. “Can you do anything about these wrinkles?” “Will you make me look like I have slept 12 hours?” “ I wish I didn’t have these acne scars.” “I lost all my brows in the 90’s.” “Of course, I get a huge pimple today!” We are our own worst critics and we all have things we don’t like about ourselves. Often, it’s not as bad as you may think it is. That being said, if it bothers you, why not fix it? Here’s where I wish I had a time machine. I think to myself, if we had met six months ago, you wouldn’t have these concerns today. So, that’s my mission - I want to meet with clients six months to a year before a big event (and hopefully after that too!)

I’ve often felt like I was at an unfair advantage as a makeup artist. I’ve got about 45 minutes to erase, correct, and change what you don’t like about yourself and make you feel beautiful for your special occasion. 99.99 percent of the time, I’m successful at this, (we all are, that is why we are one of the top rated bridal teams in NJ), but I want more for my clients. Taking engagement photos - you look beautiful. Attending your bridal shower - beautiful. When you wash the makeup off, you still feel beautiful. Lying on the beach honeymooning next to your new husband - still beautiful. Hey, even 6 months pregnant and feeling like crap - you still look beautiful. This is why we have to hook up well before your big day and stay in touch afterwards. Enter the prep - primp - pamper program. 

Prep

They say your skin is 90% of your selfie. Well, I’d say that great skin is the key to a great look any day. Really though, hair in a messy bun, sweatpants on - glowing skin - you still look fabulous. Besides, you can change your clothes and your hair but you wear your skin everyday. Good skin takes time. Just like diet and exercise lead to a healthy and fit body, regular treatments and proper home care lead to great skin. Clearing up acne, erasing scars, slowing and reversing the aging process and creating overall healthy skin takes time. Invest in this prep program and you won’t be sorry. I will use all my knowledge as a skin expert to get you where you need to be for your big day and beyond. 

Primp

Once your skin is looking great, next up is the brows and lashes. I’ve often said to clients, all you need is a good brow and a great lash and you’re looking fabulous. I think this ties into my love of Pin up Girls - always a nice strong brow and a sexy lash. Come to think of it...I’ve never seen a pin up girl with bad skin either. Anyway, back to the grooming. Brows frame the eyes as well as bring color and structure to the face. Lashes that are darkened and lifted help to open the eyes so you appear more awake and fresh.  Brow shaping, lamination, tint or henna and lash lifting and tinting are services you definitely want to do before your wedding. If you are working towards a new brow shape or are unsure if you will like the tinting - you should start way in advance and get on a maintenance schedule leading up to a big event. There are proper timelines for these services and we will make sure you are ready. Besides, who doesn’t love waking up to great brows and lashes everyday? If you’re more committed and want lash extensions we have the girl for you and of course, we offer strip lashes with all of our makeup applications day of. 

Pamper

Wedding planning can be stressful. Life these days is stressful on a regular basis. Stress plays a huge part in how you look and feel about yourself. Carving out time for self care is always important, even more so leading up to a big event. All of our prep and primp services come with a healthy dose of pampering as well. Yes, the services will leave you looking great but you will also leave here feeling great. Most of my clients tell me that coming in for facial services is their “me time”. It’s a block of time set apart from any distractions where you can relax and let someone else focus on you. I use my training as a reiki practitioner and offer a healing touch with all my services. The calming space is set with relaxation in mind. You’ll smell essential oils in the air, feel the warmth of the cozy table and see the glow of the salt lamp. You may even feel me pop a crystal onto you somewhere for adding healing properties. Beauty comes from within and I’m here to pamper you while you get more beautiful. 

So there you have it - an introduction into our new services. You can expect the same time, attention to detail, and great service The Pin Up Girl is known for. Be sure to check other blog posts about individual treatments offered and follow us on social media to see before and afters as well as snapshots and videos of our signature experiences. 

Peace. Love and Beauty - Allison 

*Allison is a licensed cosmetologist and esthetician for over 20 years. She is a certified medical esthetician, an acne specialist, and a holistic skin specialist. She has taught cosmetology and esthetics for over 15 years. She has been the owner and lead operator of The Pin Up Girl for 6 years, serving an average of thirty brides and their parties each year.