PLATINUM IMAGINATION

Well its been quite a while since I blogged last... aww....trying hard to get back on track..haha
I received this thank you note below awhile back and it was so awesome, I just felt like I should share it. People do not write thank you notes much anymore due to the electronic age so it is special to me when I receive a handwritten note. I save them all!  Stacy was an absolutely fun bride and had a great sense of what she wanted on her wedding day. I loved working with her.. I did both her hair and makeup for the wedding. Stacy's hair was an interesting challenge. You see her hair was almost to her waist and thick. The day she came in for the trial hair run and took her hair out of her wrapped bun, my jaw nearly hit the floor.. hahaha I love love long hair and her's was definitely going to be on my top 10 list of the longest hair that I have ever worked on. :) With hair this long and thick, it presents it's own set of issues and limited styles on how to contain and get the hair to stay in its form all night. I love challenges and I was more than willing to see what I could do with her hair and give her what she was looking for her wedding look. So we decided on a swept over bang with the rest of the hair gently pulled back into formed smooth loops centered on the back of her head. After the trial run, I felt that Stacy's hair was going to be absolutely beautiful for her wedding day. Stacy is a natrually pretty gal and doing her makeup was just an accent to bring out her best features.
       Wedding day came and it took me a good 2 hours for both hair, makeup and lashes. It was definitely well worth it! She looked fabulous and most importantly she was happy with what she saw in the mirror. I provided my Red Carpet Service that day for her and it was a blast! Their photographer was Bonnie's Impressions and they did a great job for Stacy. If you go to their website here.. http://www.bonniesimpressions.com/index2.php  click on weddings, you will see some of Stacy's photos from her wedding. She wore this beautiful long white coat with a fur hood and then for other photos, she had a triple veil catherdral length. It was a great time and one wedding that will remain in my memories.. Thank you Stacy for having me there with you to share in your wedding day....

HER THANK YOU NOTE-
Angelique,
  I can't thank you enough for the spectacular work you provided on my wedding day. What you delivered far exceeded my expectations as well as the bridal party& our family who witnessed your attention to detail. The hair, the makeup, it was like you performed magic.
  I felt absolutely beautiful that day! (you sold me on false eyelashes) I loved how my makeup was visible, but not overwhelming. The colors and application were exactly what I wanted. I am always a little nervous when it comes to updo's with my hair since the length can often prove challenging. I loved my hair& it didn't fall! Matter-of-fact- I left it in for 3 days following the wedding & it held up to sleepingon it , a plane ride, & humid Mexico weather :).
 Thank you for making me feel like a star. You pampered & touched up. You followed us around the city & were so helpful. Both my mother and I agree that you and the photographers were the best investments for the wedding & would not consider using anyone else. I will definitely be back for your perfect job when my next formal event comes around. If you need references or ever need volunteers for demonstration for shows, please consider using me to help you!
Thank you again!
Stacy (R) W.

It has been a very busy last couple of weeks.. I try to be good about blogging but it ends up slipping my mind when I am working on some really cool things.. Facebook yes, Blogging not so much.. hahaha okay so I am getting back on track..

A couple of weeks ago, I worked with an absolutely wonderful young lady named Wylie. She was competing in the Miss SD Teen USA Pageant. We met during the summer to work on getting her hair and makeup ready for the pageant. During this time, I learned that Wylie is not only a beautiful young lady on the outside but on the inside as well. My favorite way to describe her is "a ray of sunshine". I guess maybe she reminds me alot of my oldest daughter and that is why I really enjoyed working with her on this project. I felt that she had many qualities that would make a great Miss Teen and I was so excited for the pageant to arrive. I did her hair and makeup for her Headshots in July, her photography by Dan Elliott.
      October 15, 16 and 17th was the date of Miss Teen USA. We did her hair and makeup for her Meet and Greet the first night. I added in some hair pieces to give thickness to her hair but not to add length. Wylie's hair was perfect for her personality and I didn't want to change that. I believed that it was setting her apart in a good way from the others. She looked great. I arrived the next morning to get her ready for her Interview later on that day. We did her hair in a more relaxed straight but full style and softer makeup. I came back in the evening to get her hair and makeup changed over for her swimsuit and evening gown prelims. We did a half up half down mod hair and strong makeup with eyelashes for that night. It was awesome. She did a great job with her prelims. The next day, I returned to do her hair and makeup in the morning for her day of rehersal and fun and then back in the afternoon for the actual pageant. For the actual pageant, we did her hair down similar to her interview look but with stronger makeup for stage. In the end, Wylie placed Top 15 and also received the Miss Photogenic award. Great job Wylie!!! I am so proud and very hononed to have worked with her on this.. see her photos at Dan Elliott's photography blog.. http://danelliottphotography.blogspot.com/2009/07/wylie-miss-teen-south-dakota.html

I received a lovely surprise note in the mail today from a Mom of a Bride that I worked on a few weeks ago. It wa so nice of her to take the time to write to me and say thank you. Alot of times, we are happy with something but in the course of being busy and such, we forget how much a simple thank you means to someone. It can really make a huge change for them or just brighten their day. Whenever a client has taken the time to say thank you or send a note, it means so much to me. To me, I felt like I have made a positive impact and really done my job well. We can't ever know how we are really affecting people until we receive feedback from them. Feedback is the only way we can learn to grow as an individual, change a negative output or know that we are doing well. Today her note gave me the chance to know that I gave them quality work and that is so awesome. Her note is below...

"Angelique,

I just want to send a personal note to say thanks for your work at Catherine and Drew's wedding. You are an absolute artist and did an excellent job! I thought Catherine's hair was absolutely stunning! Very, very well done- Thank you... Donna R."

Catherine's wedding was a magical day and I am getting ready to hopefully post some photos. Dan and Kari Elliot of Dan Elliot Photography was her photographer and did a fabulous job. Wait till you see them!
This weekend i have 2 more lovely Brides. One InSalon and One Red Carpet OnSite. I look forward to fun times and showcasing some more beautiful ladies.. 
=)

Well it seems I have some time to write now as my client's "Trash the Dress" session got cancelled. Ugh! The rain is messing with my work.. This weekend was interesting as I had 2 lovely brides. Saturday's bride was a cute gal with natrually curly hair. It was beautiful. She wanted it up and thank goodness because the humidity and rain is not helping. She decided upon a soft curly updo with pieces pulled softly back from her face. It looked so princess-like on her and worked well with her face shape and hair. I loved that I got to work with her..Congratulations Sarah!

Sunday's bride was a joy to work with also. I got her prepared for her wedding day with hilites and a good shaping cut. This gave me the ability to make sure it looked healthy, brighten her face and make sure that it worked with her style she had chosen. She requested a soft curled, gently pulled back half up half down to match with her empire waist floating flowing wedding dress....we wanted her hair and makeup to reflect her personality.. soft, natrual, a little bohemian all mixed in. Jody doesn't normally wear makeup much at all so we wanted to make sure she still looked like herself but a with a little more punch. I did a champagne shimmer with a bit of definiton in her outside corners to really bring out her green eyes. A it of brown black mascara and warm brown liner to give that extra pop. Beautiful creme blush in rose with a warm rose liner and lipstick to match. She just glowed. After we put her veil and headband in, she was complete. Her photographer, Chris Reistroffer, has posted some of her photos on his blog from yesterday. http://blog.reistrofferdesign.com/ I just love instant gratfication sometimes. It is so hard to wait for the photos to be ready...

Today we were set to do her "Trash the Dress" session today but as you know now it got rescheduled due to the rain. We are trying to find a day now to get her back in.. I am so thankful that I got to work with Jody as she is a neat lady. Congratulations Jody!!

This past weekend I was honored to be a part of 2 unique weddings. Each wedding had it's own flavor and great fun! It is never easy to plan anything from out of town much less a wedding but these ladies did it with style and grace.

   The first wedding was a combination of a traditional Vietnamese wedding and then an American ceremony. The Bride, Yvonne T, was so much fun!! I met with her for the first time on Friday afternoon. I had been talking with her for a few months preparing for her day and now I finally got to meet her in person! Her and her fiance had just come from Virginia to Sioux Falls for thier wedding ceremonies. That evening they were going to the Japenese Gardens to take photos with in her traditional pink and gold Vietnamese gown with a beautiful hat to match and him in a very handsome tuxedo. Being that her hat was a circle that slide down on top of her head, we had to customize a hairstyle that would look beatuiful and fit with the hat. Yvonne liked lots of heigth on top so we did a full bump in the crown with the rest of her long hair twisted together and pinned into the back. Her bangs were a full sweep over ala Nicole Richie look. Once the hat was on, it gave her a beautiful profile from the side and back. The next day, she came back in and transitioned her hair form her American Reception. She was dressed in her wedding dress and ready to go have some fun! We did large barrel curls all over and gave her a bump on top for height and then side swept her hair over to the left to cascade over her shoulder. So pretty and fun! I added her veil and she was ready to go meet her guests! Chris Reistroffer her photographer and he did a beatuiful job capturing the beauty of her wedding... Check out her pics at http://blog.reistrofferdesign.com/wedding/double-happieness/  Congratulations Yvonne and Le!!

The next wedding was another beautiful wedding out at the Japanese Gardens here in Sioux Falls. Catherine R contacted me also quite a few months ago to book her hair and makeup for her mom, mom-in-law and a few of her bridesmaids. She is currently living in Minneapolis so we did alot of discussion by email. Catherine arrived about a week before her wedding and we did her trial run for her hair and makeup. It was a fabulous trial. Catherine reminds me so much of Anne Hathaway. Similar bone structure and coloring. We did soft natrual glowing makeup with an etherial, roman goddess uplook for her hair. I knew, as soon as I finished, that she would look magical for her wedding. Catherine had chosen my Red Carpet Service so I met with all the ladies early on Sat morning and took care of them all. When she put on her dress, WOW! She was spectacular! Her gown was a Vera Wang and one of a kind. It fit perfectly with her hair, makeup and accessories. Her photographers, Dan and Kari Elliott of Dan Elliott Photography, were there to capture the beauty and spirit of the day. Catherine had chosen perfect photographers for her wedding.. I love them =) I have just peeked at one pic from her wedding on thier site and it was breathtaking... Her hair and makeup turned out magazine quality and we all agreed Catherine looked regal and fit to be a queen.. Her Bridemaids were great ladies and also looked fantastic themselves. I enjoyed working with them all... Congratulations to Catherine and her Husband!!

Yesterday morning I got up and started to get ready for my day. Upon checking my emails, I dicovered a most wonderful email from a bride that I did makeup for back in May. She was a lovely gal and it was so much fun working with her! I was happy to hear that she felt as beautiful as she looked all day... Best wishes to her and her new husband and I look forward to working with her again....=)

"I just wanted to say THANK YOU SOOO MUCH!! You did such an amazing job on my make up that I can't thank you enough. I have just gotten back all my 1,600 photos from Festive studios and have some I will be bringing out to you. I also want to thank you for allowing me to bring my little sister with me the day of my wedding. It really ment so much to her and I to share that special time together before we added everyone else to the stress of the big day! She was only 6 but it left a lasting impression on her for ever. I also want to see about hiring you for my "trash the dress" bridal shoot. I am a bride that has a pink "princess" wedding dress and we didn't get engagement pictures and are doing non-traditional pictures sometime with my new husband and I. It's going to be so much fun to get dressed up again. Thanks Again for everything!!"

Until next time... be beautiful inside and out...

Today I received a lovely and gracious thank you from a Bride that I worked on a few weeks ago. It was so much fun to work with Heidi. She was looking for a soft natrual glow for her wedding look. The natrual makeup complimented the ivory gown and colors that were part of her wedding. We also went with a MAC longlasting lipcolor to make sure that her lips continued to look perfect all night long... Thank you Heidi for allowing me to be a part of your special day and Many Blessings to you and your new husband!

"Hi Angelique!

 I just wanted to say thank you so much for the amazing job you did on my make-up!  It held up through the entire day/night and looked so natural (exactly how I wanted it)!  I got alot of compliments on it and the day was absolutely perfect.  Thanks again and I will definitely give you a call the next time I need my make-up done!"

 Heidi H.

Until next time.. Have a great day!!

Welcome to the new Platinum Imagination Blog! I finally had to give up on my last blog as somehow it got hosed. Ahh! After trying unsuccesfully, I had to just restart a new one. So with that, I am excited to have a new one to post through!

  This summer has been an exciting one! Filled with many fantastic brides and other fun work. I have also been working with many great photographers out there! I am always in amazement to see the art they produce when the pictures come back. I can hardly stand to wait for all the editing and work to be done to finally see them. =) I have also seen so many new ideas and trends for the weddings this year. Hair has gone softer with more texture and heigth. I defintely see some 1940's influence with pincurls, waves and glamour. Makeup has been beautiful with soft smokey eyes and lush lashes ala false lash additions. It will defintely turn up a notch with Fall's strong jewel colors in motion. Amethyst, Cherry and Plum lips, with some retro Red in there too! The 80's are having a strong influence but we hope that the mullett and major blue eye shadown stays away!! haha Navy liner and shadow are certainly a beautiful accent if applied in the modern way.

I am still working on many weddings still through Fall and have some interesting ones on the books. I have a couple of Traditional ethnic ceremonies that I will be doing hair and makeup for. Can't wait till you see the photos for those...

Until next time....Have a great day!