blog – Page 5

February Favorites – Featuring the Ouai, Davines and Niod

Even though February seems like it flew by we still managed to pick a few of our favorite products to give a review on. Check out our February favorites below! Ouai Dry Shampoo Foam – You may be wondering what a dry shampoo foam is and I am here to tell you it is a new product created by the hair genius Jen Atkin to solve your greasy hair woes. It is a foam that you rub into your hair and it absorbs the oils and makes your hair look just washed. There is no color residue so even dark haired mavens can use this product and it gives you some serious volume as well! We have discovered the key to this product is to use it when your hair is greasy and not wet from sweat or anything. It works amazingly well to refresh your hair and take away the greasy look. The smell of the product is also a winner in my books. (Review by Janna) Davines Your Hair Assistant Duopack – The volume powder is an all natural product that has mattifying and moisture repelling properties that keep your locks looking consistent and voluminous. This dry texturizing powder should be applied using the volume creator applicator brush, on roots or even throughout mid shafts and ends for more texture. I use this right after blow drying or heat styling, and have even been known to use in place of a dry shampoo. A definite favorite of mine for personal use as well as on clients for both daily do’s and special event styling. The best trifecta on the market- volume, texture and consistency. The possibilities really are limitless! (Review by Stef) NIOD Flavanone Mud – If you have ever been on the market for a mask that deeply cleanses your skin and leaves it looking younger and tighter than ever before then look no further. This mud mask is a three-phase rinse-off system that uses science I don’t even understand so you will just have to click on the link to read more about this miracle product. It has worked for my oily problematic skin in a way that no other mask has. I also enjoy the fact that I can order it off of the Deciem site with free shipping in Canada. Word of warning though: when you take the mask off your face feels like it is…

January Favorites – Featuring Davines, Marc Jacobs and Nars

Janna •

We know we haven’t done any product reviews recently, so for 2017 we decided to make a goal of reviewing several products each month in monthly round up. Here are the products we’ve been loving this month! Davines Oi All in One Milk – The Davines Oi line has to be an all time favorite hair line from Davines. The Oi line consists of a shampoo, conditioner, oil, and the milk: a leave in conditioning spray that will change your life AND is perfect for any hair type, so we all win! This spray has to be one of the best leave in conditioners and detanglers on the market. Pros: detangles, it can be used on wet or dry hair, heat protecting, moisturizing and conditioning, also adds softness and a silky shine. This product is both Stef and Janna approved as we both use it and it’s even used on Stefanie’s two little girls to help comb through any unruly tangles. Bonus: Stef sells this wonder product at her salon! (Review by Stef) Marc Jacobs Beauty Le Marc Liquid Lip Creme – If you have been living under a rock you may not have noticed that the liquid lipstick tread has taken over the beauty industry with every brand from high end to drug store having a variation on the product. That’s why we wanted to do reviews of products to introduce people to new trends or products out there! Some liquid lipsticks are super drying on the lips (for example the Kat Von D ones) and require a lot of prep to make them look good. Marc Jacobs Beauty changed the game with their recent release of their Liquid Lip Creme. It goes on with more of a satin finish that eventually dries down but it doesn’t feel tight or drying on the lips at all. I bought the shade Slow Burn and have been wearing it almost daily. I would recommend this product for someone wanting to dip their toes in the liquid lipstick trend but want their lips to feel hydrated throughout the day. (review by Janna) Nars Soft Matte Complete Concealer – I was always a fan of the Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer so when I saw that Nars was going to release a new pot concealer to the family I knew I had to try it. I love the color selection of the Nars concealers as they…

Our 2016 in Review

Janna •

With the beginning of a new year we decided to start it off with a fresh new website! We don’t want to forget about 2016 so lets look back at a year of changes and adventures for us. Stefanie moved into her new house and built her in-home salon (she also just announced new full time hours and that she is taking on new clients!). We loved working with each and every client we had this year and getting to be a part of their big days. From engagement sessions, maternity sessions, elopements, weddings and styled shoots we could not have asked for more amazing clients to take us on their journey. We are so looking forward to what 2017 has in store for us!! What better way to celebrate the beginning of a new year than to look back on what made 2016 so special for us. Thank you to everyone who has supported us, our families, friends and clients have made 2016 an incredible year! We had no shortage of magical winter weddings this year and we loved how each bride styled their wedding for the winter season. This was our first wedding of the season! Makeup & Hair: Stefanie Carlson | Hair: Caitlyn Steinbrenner | Photography: Erin Walker Photography | Florals: Tickled Floral Makeup: Janna Huget | Photography: Tricia Victoria Photography | Florals: faBLOOMosity Hair: Stefanie Carlson | Makeup: Kristina Susnjara | Photography: Nicole Ashley Photography Who doesn’t love a Valentines Day wedding?? Hair and Makeup: Stefanie Carlson | Photography: Tulle and Tweed Photography We hosted our first Makeup Class of 2016 at the brand new faBLOOMosity location Lake Louise! Hair: Stefanie Carlson | Makeup: Janna Huget | Photography: Nicole Ashley Photography Here are some behind the scene photos from our trip to Lake Louise for their wedding Winter engagement session shot by Nicole Ashley. Hair and Makeup: Stefanie Carlson We sponsored Jada Hong for her Miss Universe competition by doing her hair and makeup for her photos for the Miss Universe website. Hair: Stefanie Carlson | Makeup: Janna Huget | Photography: ENV Photography Stef did Rachel’s hair and makeup for her amazing portrait session with Ampersand Grey We worked with an amazing team on this styled shoot called Love her but Keep her Wild. Check out the full shoot and credits here. Stefanie worked with Alyssa Lau on transforming her hair to the most amazing yellow color which she blogged…

why you need a hair/makeup team for your elopement or destination wedding

Janna •

You just got engaged and you’ve decided to elope or plan a destination wedding, congratulations!! The next thing you think about is do you really need professional hair and makeup? I am here to tell you how we are worthwhile bringing along on your trip! When we travel with you we are there to do your bridal hair and makeup as well following you throughout the day while you are getting photos taken. We make sure that every hair is in place and that any shiny skin is blotted. Working with the photographer to ensure that we are creating the most amazing images and memories for your wedding day. Typically we have done these types of trips with Nicole Ashley and we work with her so often that we know what style she shoots and what she is looking for in photos. We have traveled to Cuba, San Francisco, Iceland, and various Canadian mountain destinations. We love to step in to help with little details like steaming your dress or taking out your veil, and also with the big things like being the witness or the stand in officiant (see our Iceland post) and to pour that champagne for you! Janna even located the florist for our Iceland bride’s bouquet when she was on a trip to Iceland months prior to the couples wedding. We don’t have set pricing or packages for elopements or destination weddings as each couple needs different services from us based on what they are doing. Please contact us and we can work with you to help create the most magical day possible! *all photos by Nicole Ashley!

dyson supersonic hairdryer review

Janna •

It’s been a month since the new Dyson supersonic hairdryer came in the mail so I figured that I could do a review on it! I am a product junky and you can ask any one of my friends and they will agree with that statement. When I read about Dyson coming out with a hairdryer I knew it had to be mine, even if the price tag at $525 CAD seemed a bit excessive. At least with that price tag it comes with a non-slip mat, storage hanger and three magnetic attachments: smoothing nozzle, styling concentrator and a diffuser. The hardest choice was to get the white or the grey hairdryer. In the end I picked white even though it could possibly be stained in the future. So far it hasn’t changed color and is still pristine in condition. The only con to buying this hairdryer is that it is very expensive so I’d suggest waiting until your current hair dryer conks out before shelling out for this hairdryer. The pros are that it is super light and small in size. Another pro is that it is much quieter than a traditional hairdryer and the heat is regulated so that it never seems to burn the scalp. The best part of it to me is that it is much harder to get hair stuck in the fan as it is at the very bottom of the handle instead of the back of the head of a traditional hair dryer. The promise of shorter blowdry times does seam true to me as well. Personally I blowdry my hair more often than I vacuum my carpets so I’d rather have a Dyson hairdryer than a Dyson vacuum cleaner! The other product featured in the photo is the newer Blowdry Primer by Davines that has also made my blowdry life easier. It has anti-humidity properties and also is supposed to speed up your blowdry. With both of these new products/tools in my life I have enjoyed blow-drying my hair more than ever!

Defenseless Book Cover

Janna •

We had the amazing opportunity to do hair and makeup for a the Defenseless book by Corinne Michaels and it was shot by Nicole Ashley. Jewelry was provided by Hunt Amor and the styling for the shoot was done by Anton Atienzia. Our lovely models were Dan Johnson and Heather Prato. Check out some behind the scenes photos taken by Janine and Nicole from our shoot here! Hair: Stefanie Carlson Makeup: Janna Huget

summer daze – new classics editorial

Janna •

After working with Alyssa Lau and transforming her hair to the most amazing yellow color I was excited to work with her and the team on an editorial shoot for her New Classics site. Check out the photos, shot by Zach Ayotte, in action here and see the behind the scenes video below! Photographer: Zach Ayotte Model: Anica Neiman from Mode Models Styling: Alyssa Lau Video: Eric Yun Hair/Makeup: Stefanie Carlson

Blush Magazine Feature: Madison + Shay – Fairmont Hotel Macdonald Wedding

Janna •

We are so thrilled that Madison and Shay’s wedding has been featured in the latest Blush Magazine issue. You can purchase the magazine at stores across Canada as well as view the feature online! They also had an amazing wedding video created by DC Brandon Films if you want to check it out here. Hair/Makeup: Stefanie Carlson. Bridesmaid hair: Caitlyn Steinbrenner. Credits: Fairmont Hotel Macdonald, Eternal Reflections Photography, A Chair to Remember Inc., Cake Couture – Edible Art, DC Brandon Films, Pure Bridal,Pronovias, Moores Clothing Thanks again Madison and Shay for having us as part of your big day!

Our 2015 in Review

Stef •

2015 was such an amazing year! We are so blessed looking back at all of our clients, and friends. So many memories shared, and experiences. Here are some of our weddings from the year, it really was an extraordinary wedding season ❤️ Kelly Redinger Photography Nicole Ashley PhotographyGabe McClintock PhotographyEarl Grey Images Nicole Ashley PhotographyAmy Oligny photography Eternal Reflections Photography Nicole Ashley Photography Styled shoot with Aeris Photography Sharon Litchfield Photography July was a busy month with us heading to Iceland for Schimine and Stephen’s wedding. Check out our posts here and all the photos on Nicole Ashley’s site as well as our feature on June Bug weddings. The same week we got back from Iceland our best friend Kristina of Inspired by Lynne married her love Ryan and we had the amazing privilege and honor of being bridesmaids. We also did hair and makeup for her and the bridal party along side of Sarah from Cazoo Artistry. Kelly Redinger Photography We love love and we really loved being part of so many boudoir, couples boudoir and engagement sessions this year Nicole Ashley Photography Tricia Victoria Photography Jessica Leanne PhotographyTulle and Tweed Photography Nicole Ashley Photography Tricia Victoria Photography Nicole Ashley Photography In 2015 we got involved more in the “Local Edmonton Scene” with attending events for 204 park and Poppy Barley and several with Kit and Ace. One of the highlights was winning time slot to use in Project Loft which we used to celebrate Kristina’s 30th birthday and later collaborated with some amazing girls to shoot some winter content. Another highlight was attending the opening of the new faBLOOMosity space in Edmonton. We also taught a few classes in our busy year and we loved sharing our knowledge with our amazing students. This years Halloween was eventful with working the Haunting at River Lane Ranch at Carmel Baird’s house and also doing our clients makeup as well. Here are some of our favorite looks of the year. Carmel Joy Baird is a greatly loved psychic medium in our amazing city, and someone who I am lucky enough to call a friend! Laughing Dog Photography Charleen Raschke is Stefanie’s mom!! So so proud of her, for writing her very first book, ‘A Season of Ashes’. Should be released early 2016, and can be found on Amazon! Way to go mom! Nicole Ashley Photography Janna and I had the pleasure of working with some of…

Junebug Weddings Feature-Boldly Romantic Icelandic Elopement

Janna •

If you asked us what wedding was one of the most memorable for us in 2015 it would have to be Schimine and Stephen’s elopement in Iceland. We wrote about it here with some behind the scenes photos and Nicole Ashley posted about it and now we are so thrilled that the highly acclaimed wedding blog Junebug Weddings feature their wedding as a Boldly Romantic Icelandic Elopement in the Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon. Click on the link to see the full feature and thank you again to Schimine and Stephen for taking us on an adventure of a lifetime.