Marie-Pierre Studio

June 1st, 2010

We love to hear from our brides. 

Lindsay and Justin got married at the Southermost on the Beach in Key West a couple of weeks ago and I knew right off the back that we were going to get along. Lindsay was totally into hair and makeup and loved feathers.  My kinda girl.  For SURE.

Lindsay had incredible eyes, the kind that make you wanna stare. To make them stand out even more we opted for a combination of deep purple, gray and vanilla eyeshadows and false eyelashes.  The result was stunning!  On the lips I used a nude liner and a peachy pink shimmery gloss.  I should also mention that her foundation and blush were airbrushed to achieve a super long lasting, very natural looking, flawless skin.

CONTINUE READING…

Saturday May 29, 2010

Mac To The Beach Collection Lustre drops ($18.50) make a reappearance here from the Style Warrior collection, and after totally missing out the first time (They were sold out before I had a chance to grab my CC)  I got my hands on these pronto and I’m thrilled. 

The bottles are tiny but the product goes a long way and is meant to be used sparingly.  I love them on the face.  They look divine along the cheekbones, above the brows, layered with your favorite blush and they even look beautiful as a base on eyelids. You can also add the drops to your foundation for a sun kissed glow, but go easy or else you may end up looking like a light bulb, like I say a little is all that’s needed.  These can be used on the body as well mixed in with your moisturizer for a sexy subtle shimmer on legs, shoulder or wherever else your little heart desire.  They have become my favorite highlighter and since they are part of a limited collection (sniff) I went back and purchased 2 more bottles of each color.

Photos and swatches

CLICK FOR PHOTOS AND SWATCHES

Wednesday May 26, 2010

Reviewing anti aging creme and serums always makes me a little uncomfortable.  See it’s not like a lip gloss where you can see immediate results and decide whether you like it or not.  Most products with anti aging property are meant to be used long term.  You know prevention!

Apparently one company thinks differently … I was at Sephora a few weeks ago and forked up $150 (complete impulse buy BTW) on Claudalie latest SUPER DUPER anti aging cream, Premier Crue.   The company’s claims are bold but not unusual: firming, anti wrinkles, anti dark spots and brightening.  What really caught my attention were the ingredients and the fact that Premier Cru is meant to be cream an all in one moisturizer-treatment cream.

Does it all

I always wished for ONE facial anti aging cream that would cover it all — Face, eyes and neck and be used day and night. Claudalie has done just that (Genius!) eliminating the need for so many different products.  I love a little simplification!  They still recommend the use a serums but that’s another story.

Power packed active ingredients

Premier Cue has a powerful list of ingredients with Resveratrol as the gold medal winner.  Revveratrol is found in the skin of red grapes and is a constituent of red wine.  Scientist across the country and Europe have praised Resveratrol for its anti aging property.   Caudalie was the first brand to patent it for topical use.  This cream produced impressive results on a small consumer trial conducted by the French Ministry of Health.  The majority of women noticed  improvements in skin firmness, elasticity, clarity, and smoothness and a visible increase in collagen after 10days.  I’m all over that!

The results:
• Natural lifting: -2,2 mm on average on the contour of the face (1)
• Skin is more smooth: 90% (2)
• More luminous and radiant skin: 80% (2)
• More supple and nourished skin: 90% (2)
• Free radicals are reduced: -155% on average (3)
• Increase cell life span thanks to sirtuins multiplying by 4 (proteins of longevity) (4)

The packaging

Premier Cru is housed in an opaque pump bottle that doesn’t let air or light in.  Active ingredients can go inactive pretty quickly when exposed to light or air, this is why clear jar packaging is never good. Vive la pompe!

Pricey yes but…

At $150 it’s pricey, but nowhere near as out-of-control as for instance “Cle de peau La Creme” that sells for a whoopin $500 a jar.  And considering that you end up only needing one product you may actually com e out even.

Overall

So while, reporting on the results a week or two into cracking open a new bottle seems insubstantial. “Hey, I’ve been using this for two weeks, and guess what?  No new fine lines! OMG BEST PRODUCT EVER, TOTALLY HG!!” Ha.  I can say that I’ve really loved the way my skin feels moisturized and supple, and combined with my Clarisonic my skin has never looked better.

Studio Marie-Pierre rating: A

Jessica got Married last Friday in Key West and what a pleasure she was!  In addition to being gorgeous she was incredibly kind with the greatest family.  All so close and full of love towards each other and Jessica it was amazing to watch.  Jessica’s Dad really touched my heartwhen he became emotional at the sight of his stunning daughter.  You know it was all coming back to him… First step, story times, family vacations, first day of school.  So sweet.

Jessica decided to wear her hair half up half down with loose waves and these 2 stunning flowers made out of feathers.  LOVE.   Prior to curling I added hair extensions to create fullness and length.  It looked picture perfect! Congratulations Jessica.

It’s Monday and guess what???  DAY OFF!  Totally excited at the thought of doing nothing, well almost nothing.

What a fabulous weekend, feathers everywhere! Jessica wore them in her hair and so did Lindsey (she’ll be on the blog in a few days) who also had them all over her dress, wow!

We are so grateful to meet so many wonderful brides, grooms, families and bridal parties, and are honored to be a part of your lives!

Believe in your dreams and they may come true, believe in yourself and they will come true.  Have a marvelous Monday!!!

Saturday May 22, 2010

I received from Julie Brewer a wonderful email along with Lindsay and Blake pro photos.  These images are beautiful, thank you so much Julie for sharing.

Lindsay and I at the studio first thing in the morning.

All done, looking gorgeous!  I love it when I make a bride smile.

Click HERE to view the entire gallery.

Congratulations Lindsay and Blake!

Good morning lovelies!  I went to bed at 9 last night and slept a whole 8 hours, I FEEL SO GOOD! We have a full day ahead and are very excited to make everyone look their very best.  Congrats to all our brides!

NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE…  IF YOU BELIEVE. Go out today and make a difference. HAVE AN AMAZING DAY!!!!!!!

Thursday May 20, 2010

I wasn’t going to do a post about MAC & Disney Venomous Villains, but since the blogosphere AND my girlfriend can’t stop talking about it, it’s time for a post.   While the release of limited collections kinda drive me crazy in general (I get attached to my colors and I hate when they get discontinued!) I am beyond stoked to see what the Venomous Villains packaging is going to look like.  I’m a sucker for artsy anything, and this MAC Disney collaboration is looking promising!

Here’s a link to the teaser video…  Can you tell who the villains are?  Are you excited about this  collection?

How’s you’re Thursday shaping up?  My to do’s list is out of control!

Monday May 17, 2010

Kristina and Andrew tied the knot in Key West at the Casa Marina last Saturday! — Woohoo!

Kristina first contacted the studio in 2008 to book our services.  I knew right away I was going to adore her when she said her goal was to look like Heidi (Gotta love that), and when later on she send me some hair tutorials on how to How To Create Sexy Supermodel Curls from none other than Johnny Lavoy (I would die to meet him!) I knew Kristina and I would get along just fine.  That really made me giggle BTW.

We arrived at 10 am at the Casa Marina to get everyone ready.  What a fun, loving group of women and all so excited for Kristina.  The playlists were rockin, mimosas were being served and we had a blast getting everyone gorgeous.  Oh and let me you, I got to meet Kristina’s Grand Mother from Lithuania, who was so cute and funny and spoke 6 or 7 languages if you can believe that!

Check out the fabulously unique necklaces Kristina gave her bridal party.  These were all specially designed for Kristina by a vendor on etsy.com.  I WANT ONE.

Non professional photos taken with my camera.

Kristina was all about being glammed up and loved makeup.  We decided on a smokey eyes in the rich gold and cooper family, lots of lashes and bronzed skin.  That combo made her gorgeous eyes pop… Her smile was incredible too!

She wore her hair down and wavy (just like Heidi) with the top pulled back.  To hide the pins we decide impromptu to use her Grand Mother’s pearl bracelet — It was so perfectly pretty!

Kristina had hire me for touch ups.  Here she is right before dinner being freshened up after returning from doing sunset shoot with Julie.  It’s a great service, you’ll look flawless the whole night! Thanks David for the photo.

Check out our Facebook page.

Thank you Kristin and Megan from swankeyevents for making this event a great one and studiojulie I can’t wait for your photos.  Cheers!

Saturday May 15, 2010

I had so much fun meeting Lindsay and her Mom during the hair and makeup trial, and I couldn’t wait to see them again on the BIG day.
The morning of the wedding they both came to the studio to get all dolled up, and I mean ALL dolled up.  The hair and makeup turned out fabuloso.

A few weeks before her arrival Lindsay wanted me to help her choose the right hairpins, and emailed me a slide show of the wedding (so that I could get a feel of it all) as well as photos of her dress, shoes, jewelry and hair accessories. I was very impressed!
I JUST LOVE it when my brides entrust so fully my professional opinion.

Towards the end Lindsay could hardly wait to see Blake, there was so much love every time she mentioned his name.  She even said that she misses him when he goes out to get some milk….  Awwwww. 

The ceremony took place at the pristine Key West Saint Mary Star of the Sea Church.  The pro photos are going to be stunning, I can wait!!!!!!

Non professional photos taken with my Nikkon
Hair & Makeup: Marie-Pierre

We have a very busy day ahead and are so looking forward to make eveyone gorgeous!  Thank you to my wonderful staff, Shawn, Amanda and Luiza for making it happened.

Wish it…  Dream it…  Do it!!!  HAVE A FANTASTIC DAY.

Thursday May 12, 2010

The contest is now closed. Thanks to all of you who played!

There is something curiously gratifying about efficacious hair removal isn’t there?  I love everything about it.  The texture of the wax when melted, its smell and color, the way it feels on skin and the best part… Ripping it off!  Nothing like fuzz free body parts.

I tried MOOM the other day and really like it.  So here’s a chance for you to win a mini waxing MOOM kit just in time for the summer.

The prize

Effective, easy to use and trouble-free, this organic hair remover has embraced ESSENTIAL OILS for their endless benefits in order to offer a real solution to the hair removal problem. MOOM® is founded on the premise that the skin is a receptive organ that absorbs what you put on it including the harmful substances found in certain hair removers (resins, alcohol, wax, and chemicals).

MOOM waxing kit with:

- 6 oz MOOM sugaring blend
- 18 reusable fabric strips
- 4 wooden applicators
- Instruction booklet

Here’s the deal

Two ways to win and you can do both to increase your chances. First way, become a Fan of Studio Marie-Pierre on Facebook.

Second, tell me: “WHAT ARE YOUR FONDEST CHILDHOOD MEMORIES?”
Here’s mine.

Spending time with my beloved maternal Grand Pa who has always been such a role model.  I love the Summers in Giens, France where I fondly recall our daily walks to the beach singing on the top of our lungs carrying fake fish poles made out a local bamboo and wool strings.

Remember…

1. Become a Fan of Studio Marie-Pierre on Facebook

2. Tell me, in the comment at the bottom of this post: “What are your fondest childhood memories?”

I’ll choose the winner at random from among the people who enter by 11:59 PM EST on Friday May 21, 2010. Please don’t forget to use a valid email address so I can reach you if you win.

Lykke til!

The contest is now closed. Thanks to all of you who played!

New way overdue haircut

Good morning lovelies!  How’s your day so far?  I had a blast yesterday in Miami.  Got a fabulous haircut (thank God cuz I looked like the wild man of Borneo, ask Audra she can vouch) and did a hella shopping.  Hola Sephora, Victoria Secrets, Steve Madden, Quick silver (Father’s day present for El Genio), MAC and Anthropology.  I am ready to tackle the rest of a very busy week.

Everyday is an opportunity to do something great, be somebody better, do AMAZING things. Go out and make a difference.