Toronto Bridal Makeup and Hair- Cultural Differences

Being a makeup artist and hairstylist anywhere in the world would be a fantastic gig to have, but in the city of Toronto, working in the bridal industry is especially wonderful because of the intense multiculturalism of the city. When you provide wedding makeup and hair services for brides in the Greater Toronto Area, you are constantly enriched by diversity and beautiful traditions. And the result is that you become well versed in requirements and specific requests that different cultures make.

When working with South Asian brides, makeup and hair services are often required for multiple occasions, such as the Sangeet (a large pre-wedding party with filled music and dancing), the traditional wedding ceremony, and the reception- all regarded as separate events. The colors worn are bright, bold and rich- with a new outfit for each event. Jewellery is heavy and eye-catching. Makeup is often dramatic and glamorous- skin is kept as fair as possible. For the traditional ceremony, hair is worn up in a high bun with lots of volume for the ceremonial dupatta setting to drape over. Lips are often red or a shade that is close to it. For the reception, the bride has free reign over her look and often feels as though this is the event that is a best reflection of her personality. As of late, for most receptions many brides op for hair down with some variation of curls and volume.

Chinese weddings are more conservative but equally as beautiful. There are two parts- the wedding ceremony, and the tea ceremony. The tea ceremony is very important and is where the bride is formally introduced to the grooms family. Often the traditional Chinese red dress is worn along with hair up to show off the beautiful high collar on the neck. Hair typically is adorned with flowers. For the wedding ceremony, a white dress is often worn and the bride may or may not change her hair and/or makeup. The makeup for each is soft but pretty. Eyes are softened and made to look as big as possible (a frequent request from East Asian women). False lashes are almost a definite. Lips range from red to soft pinks and peaches.

Western brides (typically of Caucasian and African-American backgrounds) are generally the most played down in makeup and hair wedding looks. The trend has been towards a natural but uncontrived look. So soft, romantic, tousled hair that looks slightly unfinished and effortless, whether that be swept up or left down. Makeup is simple and typically plays into the natural beauty of the client. The aim is simply to enhance and polish the everyday look. The most common goal for Western brides is, “to look like themselves but on their best day”.

The beauty of working as a Toronto Bridal Makeup artist and hairstylist is that the vast cultural diversity keeps you on your toes and forces you to become an expert in various cultural expectations. It is a wonderful way to stay educated on the differences that exist between different cultures, but more importantly, it highlights that across any culture- a wedding day is important, and all women aim to look their best and truly feel beautiful. Which is exactly where I come in.

The Life Of A Toronto Makeup Artist

Being a makeup artist in a big, exciting city like Toronto is both thrilling and challenging. The city is large, and the buzz around makeup and it's various techniques is hot right now- and so expectations are high and competition is fierce. As an artist of over 10 years in the business, I've never experienced such an intense interest in makeup by not only makeup lovers, but also non-makeup lovers alike. It seems that the possibilities that makeup presents for change and confidence is appealing to all women across the board.

Many women are taking it upon themselves to learn makeup art through social media- Snapchat, Instagram, and mainly video tutorials on Youtube. This is great for the overall appreciation of makeup in general as a true art. The drawback is that every Tom, Dick and Harry is toting makeup wisdom without a true knowledgeable foundation of why some techniques work and when they work. Every face is not suited for the extreme contouring that is now in practice and praised at every turn. Not every eye shape takes a cat eye liner well. Not every complexion should sport a dark, Kylie Jenner lip. Youtube has made the do-it-yourself makeup artist out of every 3 girls you meet. The trouble is that techniques are divulged without an explanation of why it works.

As a Toronto makeup artist in present times, my job has evolved from simply doing makeup for clients, but to also teaching and un-teaching some techniques that are appropriate for the face I'm working on- for the client who has entrusted me with her beauty. The goal is to provide every woman who comes to me looking for a makeup job that makes her feel radiant, and like a better version of herself with excellent execution of her desired look as well as a crash course in what she can do when I'm not around. I now provide a game-plan for women that will lead them to feel wonderful at their own hands, all day every day. Nowadays, this is the life of a Toronto Makeup Artist!

The Toronto Wedding Makeup Boom

The wedding industry in the past 10 years has experienced a huge boom. Toronto, being a large metropolitan city is one area that is benefiting largely from the increased interest in both low-key and high-end weddings. This, in conjunction with the hyper-focus on make-up and the Youtube generation of MUA's has forced a convergence that puts wedding make-up right into the spotlight. There has never been a more exciting time to be a bridal make-up artist in Toronto. Once a service often cut from a tight budget, wedding make-up is now considered a necessity. As a Toronto Wedding Makeup artist, the importance placed on bridal makeup has pushed the level of artistry into another realm. For all artists, the demands for better work is high. There is tons of competition, but of course, the cream always rises to the top.

The professionals who are in demand are those who pay special attention to detail and to the needs of their clients. AMR: Amanda Reid Makeup is one of the top wedding makeup teams in Toronto and boasts a consistent referral base perpetuated by more than satisfied clients all around the city. Amanda Reid and her team have experience with both high-end and low-key weddings where the demands for each vary greatly. However, with the sheer volume of weddings that AMR services, Amanda Reid and her team have mastered the requirements for each. As well, the team at AMR is highly versatile in the types of wedding makeup applications they administer. Because this team has had experience with multiple cultures and racial backgrounds, all clients interested in AMR services rest assured that their requirements will be aptly accommodated.

Bridal makeup is a hot topic and has a pool of artists swimming in the rippling effects of its popularity. However, when selecting a Bridal Make-up artist in Toronto, always choose quality visible in the work demonstrated by the artist themselves, and the feedback given by past clientèle. These two factors speak volumes for whether or not one's wedding makeup will be flawless or forgettable.

Bridal Make up and False Lashes- the Icing on the Cake!

Eyes are the window to the soul- especially for a bride on her wedding day!   The eyes of a bride are often the focus of her bridal make up, and nothing finishes a bridal look like a set of false lashes.  Often, low maintenance brides may shy away from the idea of false lashes, as they envision epic drag-queen like caterpillars on their lids.  But not all lashes are created equal- there are many types of lashes to accommodate different looks and preferences.  Falsies come in 3 forms:

1) Strip Lashes (the most commonly used)
2) Clusters
3) Individuals

Strip lashes are the easiest types of lashes to apply and have the most visual impact.  They vary in length from very long to very short, in thickness from full to sparse, and consequently from glamorous to natural looking.  The options in the strip format are endless.  Mascara on strip lashes is optional.

Clusters are just a fraction of a strip lash, grouping together 5 or 6 individual hairs in one cluster.  These types of lashes are great for thickening the lash bed without the weight of the strip format, and they make a viable visual statement but are more comfortable to wear than the strips.  With these, one also has the option of filling in the entire lash line or to just emphasize the outer half of the eye which is one way to create a beautifully feminine look.  No mascara needed.

Individuals are single hairs that are added one by one.  They add the lightest enhancement to natural lashes and feel almost invisible.  They are often seamless and make for the most natural finish.  The downside to these is that they are time consuming to apply, so if you choose this type of false lashes add extra time to your morning.  No mascara needed here either!

Whether you like drama, or an understated look, false lashes are a great finish to any bridal look.  It adds femininity, softness, and warmth that is sure to melt the heart of the man waiting at the end of the aisle!

The author is very passionate about hair and make up and is also one of the most sought after bridal make up artists in Toronto. 

Toronto Makeup Artists for Corporate and Commercial Work

For corporate and commercial projects, it is important to have basic hair and makeup done to achieve a polished and professional look. Head shots, although they should also be professional, should look more natural and be a realistic representation of the client. Both situations raise the need to hire professional hair and makeup services. Toronto Commercial makeup artists are well experienced in hair and makeup tailored for both head shots, and for corporate and commercial work. The hair and makeup professionals are well-versed with the knowledge and experience required to deliver the results needed for a great final product. The makeup professionals work on both a full day and half day basis.

Following are some of the hair and makeup tips that these experts follow to make you look like the best version of yourself

• Headshot hair and make-up should be kept very natural and basic. The colors used for the makeup should be soft and complimentary to your skin tone. The makeup should not be too bold so as to distract attention from your eyes or expression.

• Foundation should have enough coverage to hide imperfections while looking natural. Those with very clear skin with few skin imperfections, may only need a foundation with minimal coverage and a proper concealer.

• Lip color should be one shade lighter or darker than your own lip color, so as to keep it natural. The color also depends on the outfit or the look you are planning on wearing. Lip gloss should be kept at a minimum

• For head shots, eye makeup should be given the most attention. Use enough eyeshadow and liner in natural tones to make your eyes pop.

While above mentioned were few of the common tips, what works on you completely depends upon your skin type, skin tone and facial features. There are several advantages to hiring professional Toronto makeup artists. These experts have lots of experience and skill to discern the specific products, colors and placement that will make you stand out during head shots. They help ensure that everything looks as good as possible in front of the camera by taking into account your skin tone, lighting, the setting, etc. Most importantly, a makeup artist will make you feel confident because you know that you are looking your best and are wearing makeup applied in a way that is conducive to photographic needs.

So, if you have made the final decision to hire someone to do your makeup for a photo shoot, the best place to start searching is on the web. Makeup artists also work in conjunction with photographers and agencies to make their models look beautiful and photogenic.