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Tag Archives: Carla White NC makeup artist

Bare Face and Not (too) Ashamed

Posted on June 11, 2012 by graceandlipgloss.com

My husband has so gotten used to me with a full face of makeup on, I don’t think he would even be able to pick me out in a police line up bare faced. I’m serious! Last year my little family and I were at the beach (and Im sorry but if I’m at the beach with just my family I am NOT going to put on a full face of makeup) and for three days my glorious face shown in it’s true glory..completely product free. So for three days straight, my husband asked me are you putting on makeup today? Umm.. no honey. We are at the beach, who is going to see me?And hubby would just shrug his shoulders. Well, by the third day of him asking me if I was going to put on makeup, I turned to him and said what is your deal with the makeup thing? Hubby replied (and I will never forget this) “Well, I mean you are just such a talented makeup artist..” My face lit up and he continued “BECAUSE you look sooo different without any makeup on.” Well, he must have noticed my crushed expression because he immediately said “I’m trying to compliment you!” Well, his definition and my definition of a compliment must be taken out of two different books. Now before you start muttering to yourself of what an insensitive jerk my husband is, please know that in his head he wasn’t really insulting me. I know his heart, and that was not his intention. However, his comment lives on with me today. It made me think of how people view me…

I am a professional makeup artist, I HAVE to wear makeup every day. I am selling my craft by using my face as advertisement.  Future clients really do judge me based on my looks. If I were in their shoes I would do the same thing. Who would hire a makeup artist that can’t even apply straight eyeliner on herself? Not many people.  Would you go to a hairdresser who’s hair you hated? Probably not. It is not easy being in the beauty industry because I feel the need to be up to date on all things beauty related, often times my own outer looks laying on the forefront of my mind.

So this got me thinking….who am I without all the makeup and perfectly flat ironed hair?  I painstakingly apply 20+ makeup products each day (given I can do it in less than 5 minutes, but still…)  IF I did a reality check in my heart, I really feel that the “made up” version of myself has more value than the girl who first wakes up in the morning void of all the products.

*SIGH* I really am that vain.

And with my 30th birthday approaching in two weeks, I’ve come to the realization that one day my looks will fade, and what will I be left with? It’s hard when your head says one thing and your heart says another. Because truly on the inside I want to be know for a kind heart; a true beauty that shines from the inside out. But so many times throughout the day I fail at achieving even the most basic kindness towards others. How many times have I walked into a store, taken a look at the closest female and judge her based on her appearance…too many to count. I am so much better than her because I know how to apply eyeliner…or I can’t believe she went out the house looking like that, did she even look in a mirror? Yes, I’ve thought that, and yes I’ve judged others. Or I think to myself how much better I do XY or Z in comparison to some of my friends. OUCH! Even writing this I’m cringing. And really when it boils down to it, I really am just looking for some acceptance from myself. “Ok, Im not the ugly. I do have some worth.”

What does God say about outward beauty?  That “man looks at the outward appearance, but God looks at his heart.” 1 Samuel 16:7 and in Proverbs 31:3 “beauty is fleeting, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.”

I look forward to completely loving who God created me to be inside and out.  Am I there yet? no. Maybe by the time I reach my 40th birthday in ten years…  All I can do is take one day at a time, and hopefully extend love and grace to those I come into contact with on a daily basis.  I pray for a heart that seeks to do the right thing in all circumstances, and to be someone who truly love others. And judging others is not something I want to actively participate in, but the first person I need to practice on is myself. 

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Product Review: Moroccan Oil

Posted on April 18, 2012 by graceandlipgloss.com

I’ve been a licensed cosmetologist for just under 8 years, and in that time I have never really been blown away by any particular hair product. I’m serious! Let me re-phrase…I’ve never been blown away by any hair product for MY hair. My hair type is thick, wavy, and some what coarse, so hair products for me never really made a difference. Ya ya, there are products that help with frizz etc etc. I just never LOVED a product. You know, the kind of beauty product love where you grab the nearest phone and call all your girlfriends to tell them about your find. Or you find yourself in a store, and grab the nearest stranger, force her to run her fingers through your hair and insist she MUST try this product! That’s this type of love for me. I cannot live without it! Pass me some what?…MOROCCAN OIL!!!

I happen to stumble upon this when a hairstylist friend of mine cut my hair and applied Moroccan Oil before styling. I wasn’t even paying attention, paid and left, and did what everyone does after they get a haircut..ran my fingers through my hair. HALLELUJAH! What the heck happened to my hair? Gone was the bird’s nest, straw horse hair and in it’s place was the most silky and shiny head of hair that has EVER been attached to my neck! I freaked out, called my friend and demanded she tell me what she put on my hair. Love at first felt!

I use Moroccan Oil Treatment, which they (moroccanoilproducts.com) call a “serum with instant absorption into hair that creates a beautiful shine and long term conditioning,” made with argan oil. A 3.4 oz size bottle retails for $40, but let me tell you, I have long hair and my bottle has lasted me for almost a year. The treatment is so concentrated that you barely use any, making it totally worth the $$ spent. I have used this product on an array of different types of hair, and believe me it’s great for even fine, thin hair. It doesn’t weigh it down at all, you just use for little (about a pea size amount.) I have found that the best use of this product is to apply it to towel dried hair (not soaking wet,)  focusing on the ends and style with heat. Applying too much near the scalp may leave you feeling oily.

The company has expanded their line to include a lighter version of the original oil, as well as shampoos and conditioners, and oil sprays. Moroccan Oil is only sold (as of right now) in certain salons or on their website, and Amazon. I think they are kinda picky of who distributes it. You cannot currently find it in Ulta or Sephora. Be aware of other “argan oils who claim to be Moroccan Oil” TRUST ME, the original is the one you want! Try it and leave a comment, let me know what you think!

~Carla

 

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Help My Fried Hair! {NC hair stylist}

Posted on April 11, 2012 by graceandlipgloss.com

Sure, everyone likes a good Fried piece of something once in a while. I however, do not want the word “fried” associated to my hair!  Which is exactly how I would describe my dried out, over textured ends at this very moment. UGH!!

The over use of blow dryers, flat irons and over processed color applications can cause havoc on our delicate locks, or in my case it’s a combination of post pregnancy, a bad haircut, and too much flat ironing. I think most of us at some point can identify with unhealthy, dried out or crispy hair, and the question is what can you do about them ?  JUST HAND ME A PAIR OF SCISSORS! Before we all take the drastic measure of cutting our hair up to our ears, what can I do to try to repair my fried chicken hair?

  • DRINK WATER don’t shower!   Say what?? Drinking water not only is good for our insides is GREAT for our outsides. The more water you drink, the better your hair and skin will look and feel. Frequent showering, on the other hand, can dry out your skin and hair, stripping you of vital oils that nourish and moisturize. Try to wash your hair every 2-3 days, instead of every day. Dry shampoos are a life saver! My favorite is KMS Makeover Spray.
  • Deep Condition! Invest in a deep conditioner product that says it’s for dry and damaged hair. One of my favorite is Pureology Hydracure Intense Moisture Mask $51 (Leave on for 2-3 minutes and rinse out.)
  • Lay off the heat! Since you no longer will be washing your hair every day, you also will not be using heat (i.e.. blow dryer or flat irons) saving your hair from the damaging heat day after day.
  • Get a trim! You don’t have to take drastic measures by cutting your hair all the way off. Sometimes I basic trim can do the trick, and will help eliminate split ends from traveling further up the hair shaft. Really emphasize to a hairdresser exactly how much you want cut off.
  • Watch the bleach! Frequent highlighting can really damage the individual hair strands. Make sure you are going to a hairdresser that emphasizes healthy hair. Leaving bleach or lightener on too long can leave lasting damage that no amount of conditioning can fix.

I know first hand how dry and damaged hair can make you feel bad about your overall appearance, but the good thing about hair is that it grows back! Want to grow it faster? An overall healthy diet full of fresh fruits and veggies will help restore hair and make it grow faster. The more nutrients in your body, the healthier your hair and skin will shine. I’m off to get a trim and I’m drinking a spinach shake on the way out the door, GOODBYE fried chicken hair!

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Beauty Store Meltdown {NC Makeup Artist}

Posted on March 23, 2012 by graceandlipgloss.com

 

“Shoot me now!” one of my friends said to me about a recent trip to Ulta in search of a new foundation. The hundreds of different brands in the store completely overwhelmed her, with little help from a sales associate, and she walked out empty handed and discouraged. Raise your hand if you’ve ever felt like my friend!! You are not alone in feeling overwhelmed. We as the consumer, are bombarded with thousands of new beauty products every year. Each one making claims that their products is the new fountain of youth, while emptying our pockets at the same time. Go look in your closet and count how many hair, skin or makeup products are sitting there, both used and un-opened.  My count was in the hundreds…*cough* (don’t tell my hubby.)

Obviously, I love me some makeup! But even I, who is a professional makeup artist, can get overwhelmed at the sure volume of beauty products out there in the stores. The commercials and advertisements in magazines don’t help, and somehow I find myself shelling out $$$ for the newest items out there, when I have plenty of lovely products in my closet. Maybe I should start using them (I can hear my hubby saying that to me now.)

But what about the girl who doesn’t have hundreds of products hoarded in her closet?  (I think “hoarder” is an accurate term to described my addiction to beauty products….I admit I have a problem :) ) And what about the girl who doesn’t know all the terminology, and gets confused by all the options? Eyeshadow with primer, eyeshadow without, cream eyeshadow, liquid eyeshadow, powder eyeshadow, matte eyeshadow, glitter eyeshadow etc, etc, etc. And that’s just one product! IT’S ENOUGH TO MAKE YOU PULL OUT YOUR HAIR!

Here are a few tips to not only leave the store with the product you went in looking for, but to enjoy the process.

  1. Do some internet research BEFORE heading out the store. There is a ton of great information on the web on every product out there! This will help eliminate sales associate pushing products on you that you don’t really need or want.
  2. Narrow down the choices, again BEFORE you go to the store. In your researching, pick three choices MAX.  People tend to get more overwhelmed, and paralyzed into making a decision, with countless options.
  3. Choose a store that’s helpful. If you love department store counters, then go there. If you love Ulta or Sephora, than go there. Do be careful of sales associates that are trying to meet sales goals. Sometimes it’s hard to tell, but if you are being coerced into buying something, most likely they are trying to make a goal.
  4. Bring a friend who will tell you the truth about how a product looks on you..again don’t rely solely on the opinion of the sales associate.
  5. Ask for samples! Try before you buy for liquids and creams. Obviously certain products it’s impossible to take home a sample. But testers in stores are great to try on your hands. (if applying testers to the face watch the associate clean and sterilize the item before you try it!) I personally love Sephora because they will give you loads of samples to try products before you buy.
  6. Have fun! Makeup especially, is suppose to be fun, and to help us put our best face forward! Don’t think of it like a chore, but a way to give yourself a pick me up!

I hope this list will make beauty store shopping a little less stressful, and more enjoyable. Leave a comment or a question on any beauty product, and I will do my best to answer!

XO

~Carla

 

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Forget the Updo!

Posted on March 13, 2012 by graceandlipgloss.com

(Pasha Belman Photography)

Often brides approach me to do their hair for their upcoming wedding, and in meeting me,  I am always asked  ”is the investment of getting my makeup done really necessary?” And the answer is always yes!  Ummm..I actually have said “Forget the Updo!” if needing to stay in a beauty budget for their upcoming wedding, choose makeup instead.  For years women have seen the importance of finding that perfect hair style, but it is only until recently that makeup has made it’s way up the totum pole of importance for special events.   Getting your makeup done by a professional is often viewed as a luxury, something that really isn’t necessary, and thought of, well… as an after thought.  In my opinion, a well done makeup application for any special event, especially your wedding, is MORE important than the up do or hair style. Say what? Yup, professional makeup application is that necessary!

Carisa Chee Photography

Carisa Chee Photography

When a bride walks into a room, what are people looking at first? Her smiling face! A flawless face has more impact than any intricate updo. Think of it this way…if you have a girl who has an amazing hair style, but with no attention to her face than she looks half done, but a girl with a flawless face and a simple hair style will still look completely polished and radiant. And that radiance is captured and preserved in the photographs.

Memories from your event will fade over time. I honestly can barely remember anything from my wedding that happened a little over six years ago. What is the new Mrs. left with after all the months and months of planning? THE PHOTOS! (oh ya and a new hubby to snuggle up to every night :) ) The photographs and what you look like in those photos, become the cornerstone to cementing a bride’s wedding day in her memory to hold and treasure.

A professional makeup artist who understands how makeup photographs is essential to loving the pictures from your most memorable day. (And picking a photographer who has “your vision” of how to tell your story is vital.) And not all makeup photographs well. Have you ever seen a picture of a bride who’s face is two shades lighter than the rest of there body? Makeup in person, and face to face, can look amazing, but when the makeup artist does not recognize how to spot how it will look on film…Houston we have a problem!

As a makeup artist, I know the power makeup has to transform someone from ordinary to extraordinary! Don’t we all want to look like the best versions of ourselves? I know I do! My hubby has told me on more than one occasion how different I look when I skip my morning makeup routine. I think it truly amazes him how quickly I can transform myself with a little bit (or in my case a lot!) of makeup.

Check out the before and after pictures of me.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Also check out the before and after of this bride….

Alexa's Photography

 

 

 

 

 

 

Check out these, along with more before                           and after pictures on my website carlawhite.net

I remember in high school getting my hair and makeup done for prom, and leaving feeling uglier than I did on a daily basis. That “feeling” of not looking your best is then transferred into your pictures.  Most of us have been subject to bad hair and makeup experiences, but finding the right artist and stylist can make or break your special event. Pick someone that you mesh well with on a personal level, and always be honest with the results! Not feeling the eyeliner? then say so! Allow the artist to make recommendations, but always stay within your comfort level. Begin to think of your makeup “look” as an accessory to your dress and shoes, highlighting your best features. Don’t underestimate the power of a flawless face in turning your dream day into a lasting memory.

xo~Carla White

*I highly recommend these great photographers in the NC/SC area….top photo by Pasha Belman Photography, middle photo by Carisa Chee Photography and bottom bride photo by Alexa’s Photography

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