As I get older and rack up the years in this business, my views on beauty are changing. I am learning to feel more comfortable in my own skin. I have invested time and money in advanced training to learn how best my body can serve me and how that has a direct effect on how I look.
I have been switching my focus to proper skin care instead of piling on makeup to cover myself up. I have moved to a more holistic lifestyle, swapping chemicals for natural choices in my household. Realizing the connection between inner health and outer beauty and having a firm understanding of how skin functions is key.
I have created a philosophy for myself when it comes to health and beauty that combines the best of all of my training, both in the medical and holistic world. These two ideologies can be polar opposites at times, so I have developed a plan of action to deal with that issue for myself and my clients. I have to analyze how important an issue is, and then decide what the best course of action is, pulling from wherever is necessary to achieve the desired results. There’s no way I’m giving up my hair dye and moving to a hut in the jungle to live with a shaman so I can commune with nature. I’m also not going to ablate my face off with a high powered laser so I look like some melted face horror movie character for two weeks in the name of beauty. If I feel a headache coming on, I’m not going to take three oxycontin and check out for the night. I’m going to maybe apply some essential oil, grab an ice pack and rest for twenty minutes then see if I want to take an Advil. You catch my drift? Analyze then act. The same approach goes for beauty.
If you had acne as a teen and you want that scarring gone before your wedding, take charge early. There are many options out there that can help, but my vote is to start a year before the big day and stimulate your skin to heal itself from within using our ProCell treatments. The bonuses here - no downtime, great results and costs less in the long run.
If you’re still dealing with acne as an adult, come to a pro to learn the root cause and what you can do to clear it up. Get on the right home care regimen and pre book your treatments so you are clear and glowing for the big day.
If your eyebrows are a hot mess (thank you 90’s), then get on a regimen of shaping, lamination and tinting in advance. That way you can be sure you like them by your wedding day and you won’t have to draw them on heavy with makeup. The big bonus is when you dive into the ocean on your honeymoon, your brows don’t go missing.
If you love the look of a great eyelash but are not down with extensions, try a lift and tint in advance to see how you like it. The big bonus here is the keratin boost step we use in our exclusive Italian process. Your lashes will be 24% thicker and healthier by the third treatment. Extra bonus - when you come out of the water on your honeymoon not only will your brows still be there if you did the brow services, your lashes will look great as well.
Conversely, if you are in need of major scar revision or have concerns that would require the help of a doctor or cosmetic surgeon, I would refer you that way right off the bat. I will always make the recommendation that makes the most sense and lay out all the options for you to make the best decision for yourself.
These are things that take time. Healing skin and rebuilding brows aren’t things that happen overnight. Many brides will embark on a weight loss or fitness journey a year or two before the big day because they realize they’re not going to drop 25 pounds in a day. I want everyone to start considering skin and hair the same way. During the time when you’re “sweating for the wedding”, you should also be well into your skin treatments and beauty regimen.
This benefits me greatly as a make up artist of course because it makes my job easy on the day of a special event. More importantly, how a woman looks on the outside affects how she feels on the inside. I often find myself thinking “if we had only met six months ago” when I’m doing someone’s makeup. I know I could have helped them to be their best them, and feel great even after the makeup comes off. Long lasting health, wellness, beauty and confidence is what it’s all about.
So, as life has given me the opportunity to make it happen, I’m going for it. Here at The Pin Up Girl we are going to take this beautiful approach with our prep, primp and pamper program. We want our brides, their girls, their moms and anyone who wants to look and feel beautiful for the big day and beyond to come see us now. Let’s do less covering and more fixing at the source. Let’s allow our natural beauty to shine through. Be sure to follow us in social media and follow along with our blog to learn all about the exciting new services we will be offering!
Peace, Love & 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.