Kaarin Boyd Designs

Wedding Preview Event Spotlight

2011-08-18T14:16:00.000-07:00

So a few months ago I was asked to fill out this questionnaire for the ladies at the Wedding Preview Event to use in a blog spotlight. So here is the post, and as you can see, I tried to get as creative as I could with my answers :) They even posted it on my birthday!!!!

WPE Spotlight: Kaarin Boyd Designs, July 18

Each week we will spotlight one of the incredibly cool wedding experts who will be a part of the Wedding Preview Event. These aren’t just your average businesses. They are unique and they offer something different from the norm. Each expert has been hand-picked to participate and has completely blown us away by their talents. We’ve decided to ask them questions that we assume won’t come up in a first-meeting.

Meet Kaarin Boyd, Makeup Artist
Kaarin Boyd Designs

1. One quirk of mine is: Over-accessorizing, but in a very charming way of course :)

2. I don’t know how to: Be away from my iPhone…hey, someone might need to get a hold of me!

3. I collect: Heart shaped rocks. I found my first one camping when I was 6 years old, and ever since then, they show up when I am least expecting them. The most special one I have found was right after my grandmother passed away (whom I was incredibly close to). I was standing in the middle of the church parking lot where her service was being held, and looked down because I felt something cold touching my toe. Sitting there was a perfectly heart shaped rock. I knew it was a gift from my grandma.

4. I have 2 tattoos. And they HURT!

5. One thing you’ll always find in my purse/wallet is: My camera! You’ll never know when there will be a photo-op!

6. I wish I could: Run out onto the field with the Seahawks at the start of a football game!

7. My favorite song of all time is: There are too many awesome songs out there to limit myself to just one… But this week? Because of the final scene in the movie Bridesmaids I am rocking out to Wilson Philips, “Hold On”! It’s an early 90’s classic!!! And who doesn’t love a great drum solo? Next week I bet it will be something totally summertime, like the Beach Boys or hopefully something to get me motivated to get to the gym!

8. Favorite quote: You can NEVER wear enough mascara, well, unless you are Tammy Fay Baker. -Me

9. I am a make-up artist for a living because: I love, more than anything, making someone feel as beautiful on the outside as they do on the inside on their wedding day. There is something so special about the time I get to spend with a bride, right before she is about to put on her dress and walk down the aisle…. It’s magical really.

10. My fear is: loud chewers and losing my eyelashes in a freak scissor accident.

11. I was named after: No one, my parents liked the name Karen, but put a twist on it so I would have a unique name…Yet no one seems to remember how to pronounce it, so I use the fun little reminder my third grade teacher came up with.. you pronounce it like “Car in the garage, Car-in,” easy, right?

12. I am a middle of the day person because: I hate getting up early and once 10pm hits my eyes WILL NOT stay open. Even when I’m in the middle of an action movie in the theater. It’s so annoying!

Ok, Kaarin, tell us more…

I have been lucky enough to see the faces of a few brides grace the pages in features on various wedding blogs! It is so fun to see your hard work being admired by others!

My specialty is makeup that looks glamorous yet somehow effortless and completely natural. I want a bride’s natural beauty to show through, not be hidden! I like to perfect the skin and make the eyes stand out, and lashes are ALWAYS a must (they add that extra oomph!! It doesn’t hurt that someone’s wedding day is one of the most exciting days in their life, so the “bridal glow” is a real thing and totally works in my favor!

Doing makeup is a side job for me (I work at a software company full time, random, I know!); I like to keep it this way so that I can devote my time and energy to each bride because I, no matter what, want them to feel well taken care of on their wedding day. I take great pride and care in my interactions. It is not uncommon for me to become friends with the bride or someone in the bridal party and keep in touch long after the big day! I always wanted my business to reflect who I am as a person, and embody the experience I would want if I were a bride or a bridesmaid in a wedding. Each wedding I am a part of is so important to me, I am so thankful to be a part of someone’s big day!

How Did You Get Started?

I stumbled upon a career in makeup while at the NorthWest Women’s show in Seattle. I was getting my makeup done by who turned out to be the national director for Two Faced Cosmetics. She and I hit it off and she flat out asked me if I had ever considered a job in makeup. Well, being the girl that I am, had always thought how amazing that would be, but never thought my playing around with color and fashion and my obsession with red lipstick would become anything. I was introduced to a manager for the Downtown Seattle Nordstrom, submitted a resume, and was hired the next day! Working retail took its toll on me, so I switched gears in a BIG way and started a job at a software company in sales.

Makeup fell off the radar for about a year and a half until in November of 2008 when I received a very interesting email from a wedding planner in the Seattle area. She had seen my work in my best friend’s wedding photos and wanted to know more about me… long story short, she saw something different and gave me the chance of a lifetime, a HUGE wedding that January another in February, then another 10 throughout the summer. And things started rolling from there! I could not be more elated with how things have worked out. I do makeup in my free time allowing me to merge my “day job” and my passion. How lucky am I?

Here is the link the the entire blog, there are some amazing vendors being highlighted!
Wedding Preview Event Blog

Tess Day

2011-07-08T15:35:00.000-07:00

May 7, 2011 I received an email about 3 weeks before Tess was getting married, not much notice, right? But it was one of my only available weekends... Can we say meant to be? So Tess had gone through 3 prior run throughs that were horrible (Someone actually wanted to put ORANGE eye shadow on her... ORANGE?) and she was depserately seeking a makeup artist. Lucky for me, a bridesmaid in another wedding I did makeup for sent her my way! Anyway, the minute that Tess and I talked on the phone I knew we would be a good match, and when we sat down at her kitchen table amidst gifts (my favorite and I think hers, the donut maker) and beautiful freshly cut tulips (that her husband planted for her in their yard!!) we had an instant connection. I have always felt very strongly that certain brides are brought my way for a reason, and I absolutely feel this way about Tess. I am SO happy to have been a part of her day. Thank you Tess!

From the Bride:

I can’t say enough good things about Kaarin. I first met her when she came to my house to give me a complimentary trial. Her confidence and friendly smile instantly put me at ease and she listened patiently as I described how I envisioned myself the day of the wedding. As she applied my make-up, she expertly curled my eyelashes, worked magic with her brushes, and smoothed the most amazing non-smudge lipstick on my lips. When I looked in the mirror, I knew I had found my fairy godmother – she made me look like a bride without looking overly made up. In fact, I was so impressed by her work that I hired her on the spot to do my sister and mother’s make-up as well. The day of the wedding, Kaarin arrived at the hotel where we were getting ready and was so calm and together. She did my mom and sister’s make-up first and I was blown away by how gorgeous they looked. They were extremely happy with their make-up as I knew they’d be! She put my make-up on me by the window so it could look flawless in natural light. The end result was amazing and looked perfect with my dress and hairstyle. She also had purchased my lip color for touch ups and included blotting papers for me to keep in my purse. She had thought of everything! I wish I could hire Kaarin to do my make-up every day. She was truly a joy to work with: creative, fun, and professional.

I finally got a LOGO!!

2011-07-08T14:39:00.000-07:00

I feel so official now :)

VERY exciting news!!!

2011-05-19T14:38:00.000-07:00

Hey all! I am VERY PROUD to announce that I was chosen to be a part of a very unique, very intimate wedding event. It's called Wedding Preview Event, and it's a boutique showcase where couple's and brides-to-be can come and "expereince" a wedding, everything from the photography to the makeup (me!!), hair, favors, food, flowers. It's a whole mock wedding! There are teams that create a gorgeous wedding and attendees get to ask questions and observe different vendors work. I feel SO honored to be a part of this cool experience!

If you click the badge above, it takes you directly to the Wedding Preview Event page where you can check out ALL the details!!

Southern Weddings Daily Blog

2010-09-01T10:14:00.000-07:00

September 1, 2010

VERY EXCITING NEWS!!!

I received an email this morning from one of my brides that her wedding is featured on Southern Weddings' Blog!!! I can't wait to add my post from this wedding... there are few words with how breathtakingly beautiful everything was.

I feel honored to have been a part of something so spectacular!

Take a peek at the link below :)
http://www.stumbleupon.com/su/1KCieD/www.swsmag.net/blog/2010/9/1/details-michelle-ken-part-i.html

Elena Burt

2010-08-28T13:44:00.000-07:00

August 28, 2010: Juntunen Gardens, Mt. Vernon, WA. What a gorgeous Northwest wedding and an even more beautiful bride!

A very special thank you for the gorgeous photos to the lovely and ever so talented Michele Waite! http://photography.michelemwaite.com/

Mary and Mugs

2010-08-22T12:52:00.000-07:00

August 22, 2010 Bainbridge Island, WA. I hopped on a ferry bright and early to head over to Bainbridge to the rustic, private waterfront Kiana Lodge. Mary and Mugs were celebrating their love with a gorgeous Northwest commitment ceremony. Mary was glowing with excitement that day, and what a wonderful, special event for me to be a part of! I feel blessed they involved me in such a perfect, love filled day. I just got exciting news that they are expecting a little one! Congrats Mary and Mugs, and wishes for a life filled with love, laughter, happiness, and the pitter-patter of little feet!

There always seems to be makeup everywhere!

From the Bride:

Kaarin was so genuinely enthusiastic about our process from our first meeting. She was an amazing listener when we discussed the look I wanted, complimenting my vision with her expert advice, providing me with suggestions that ended up making me a very happy bride. It also needs to be said that she worked wonders with the entire bridal party helping everyone look their best in a way that perfectly straddled the natural, organic, and fresh look we wanted with the elegance and extra 'umph' befitting a summer evening wedding. Thank you so much Kaarin!

-and thank YOU Mary for a wonderful day :)

Michelle Markus Tozer

2010-07-17T14:12:00.000-07:00

July 17, 2010: Semiahmoo Resort, Blaine, WA. The first time Michelle and I connected on the phone a prior to her wedding, we knew immediately that we were a match for wedding makeup! We hit it off instantly, which I think is SO important. Being invited to be a part of something as special as someone's wedding day, as well as spending time with their family and friends, is an honor really. Michelle had a large wedding party (I did 12 people's makeup that day!). I instantly felt like a part of the family and had SUCH a wonderful time. It was the day before my birthday and they all sang to me! I am so happy to have been a part of such a beautiful day :) Thank you Michelle for having me. I loved every part of it.

Could these photos be any more stunning?? Thank you Michele Waite for the lovely shots!
http://photography.michelemwaite.com/

From the Bride:
The last thing any bride wants to worry about on her wedding day is her make-up. From the first time I met Kaarin, I knew I had nothing to worry about! Kaarin makes you look flawless and most importantly, she makes you look like you. One of my favorite memories from our wedding day was looking at all of the lovely ladies and not just seeing how beautiful they all looked, but seeing that they felt beautiful. I had one girlfriend who shared that she had never felt so beautiful before. There is no other way to put it -- Kaarin is the essential ingredient to adding that sparkle to how you feel. And by the way, definitely go for the lashes!"

Carrie Crump

2010-07-10T09:46:00.000-07:00

July 10, 2010 Bellingham, WA. I was thrilled when I received an email from a friend asking me to do her wedding makeup, of COURSE I said yes!! Carrie looked like a princess and I was SO happy to be a part of her day :) Congrats Carrie and Evan!

Thank you to Joe+Jill Studios for the amazing photos!!
http://www.blogger.com/www.joeplusjill.com

From the Bride:

"I feel so blessed to have had the pleasure of working with my friend Kaarin on my wedding day. Kaarin truly made me feel beautiful (inside and out) with her positivity and makeup artistry skills. I was able to relax and enjoy my morning getting ready thanks to her. She has such a beautiful personality; was so much fun to be around and I truly enjoyed her presence that day.
As a bride, I wanted my makeup to look natural but still “pop” in photos and Kaarin accomplished just that. My makeup looked flawless in our wedding pictures thanks to her expertise. Kaarin is an amazing woman who loves what she does. I would recommend her to any bride or friend. Thanks Kaarin for making me feel so gorgeous and comfortable on my wedding day, I can’t wait to work with you again!"

Love,
Mrs. Crump : )

Rae Solomon: Country-Fied Chick

2010-06-23T10:36:00.000-07:00

I had the MAJOR honor of recently working with Rae Solomon on her music video shoot for her latest single, "Country-Fied Chick." What an amazing experience!! Rae is not only beautiful, but she's down to earth, easy to work with, charasmatic, and probably the most talented person I have ever met. I am blessed to be able to call her a close friend :) Check out her video below!!

Here is the cover of her new album, The Long Road From the Emerald City

And I have to brag a LITTLE, I have credits in her album!!!!

www.raesolomonmusic.com

Chrissie Jimenez

2010-05-22T11:28:00.000-07:00

May 22, 2010 DAR, Capitol Hill. Seattle, WA. If there is ONE thing I love the most when it comes to makeup, well, besides mascara...it is hands down a red lip. Any shade, depth, as long as it's red :) Chrissie and I, during her run through, came up with the perfect color to compliment her traditional wedding look. Check out how gorgeous she looks!!

A very special thank you to Jerome Tso Photography for the amazing photots!!

www.jerometsophotography.com/

Amanda Ursino

2010-03-20T10:51:00.000-07:00

March 20, 2010 Seattle, WA. Amanda stumbled across my site and upon talking for the first time, we realized that she had recently run a half marathon with my best friend in Las Vegas! Upon laughing about how small this world we live in is, she decided that I was the makeup artist for her!! We had a blast doing makeup, and she looked gorgeous on her big day!

A BIG thank you to Jenn Repp Photography for the gorgeous photos!

www.jennrepp-photography.com

Rae Solomon Music Photoshoot

2010-02-23T10:51:00.000-08:00

January 30, 2010 I was approached by my friend Gabe Rodriguez, from GabrielBoone Photography, to assist him on an awesome project he was working on. Rae Solomon is a VERY talented country singer that had hired Gabe to shoot photos for her soon to be released album. I was SO excited to work with them on this fun project. I LOVE branching out with other avenues of makeup, so when the opportunity to do not only makeup, but also hair and styling came up, I was game! Rae has an upcoming shoot for a music video, I can't wait to be a part of that too!

Check out Rae's music here:

http://raesolomonmusic.com/

Hard at work on set!

I just LOVE LOVE LOVE this picture!!!

A very special thanks to Gabe from GabrielBoone photography for the great photos!http://www.gabrielboone.com/

From Rae:

"After deciding to work with Gabriel Rodriguez from Gabriel Boone photography for my album photo shoot Gabe recommended that we bring in Kaarin Boyd to assist with hair and makeup. I was a little apprehensive at first, always am when I'm working with someone new, especially on a project this close to my heart. However, when the day came I was more than pleasantly surprised! Not only did Kaarin do absolutely beautiful work on my makeup and hair but she was such a pleasure to work with. She has such a bubbly and vivacious personality that added so much life to the shoot as a whole. If you need to look gorgeous for a special occasion Kaarin is definitely the woman to call! Thanks girl!!!"

Pixel-Pro Shoot

2010-02-02T08:30:00.000-08:00

January 10, 2010

I was asked to help a friend do hair/makeup/styling for a shoot where he was updating his portfolio with some fashion and glamour shots. We got some AMAZING photos and I even got to do a little work in front of the camera myself! It was a very fun day!

(click on the photos to enlarge!)

From the models
"I worked with Kaarin on a photo shoot and had such a great time! Not only is she knowledgeable about makeup, but her fun and bubbly personality make the time you spend with her enjoyable and memorable. I have already recommended Kaarin to a couple of girlfriends who are newly engaged for their weddings as well. I can't wait to work with Kaarin again. She is a top notch make up artist and has an extremely bright future!! Anyone who works with her is a lucky lady!"

~Jamie Toll

"I have had the pleasure of working with Kaarin on many occasions and every time she brings her expertise and personality to the shoot. She makes your face come alive with her creative ideas and steady hand. I always feel confident with her by my side and know I will love what I see every time. She’s got my vote!"

~Lisa Iverson

Ally Nichol

2009-10-10T11:18:00.000-07:00

October 10, 2009 Willow's Lodge, Woodinville, WA. Ally was SUCH a doll to work with. She was so calm and excited on her big day. I enjoyed meeting all her friends and family members as we laughed and spent the morning getting glamorous!

A VERY special thanks to Wallflower Photography for the gorgeous pictures!
http://www.wallflowerphoto.com/

Rebecca Piatz

2009-09-19T11:28:00.000-07:00

September 19, 2009 Ray's Boathouse, Seattle, WA. The first time Rebecca and I met, I was amazed at her unique sense of style (peacock feathers in the bouquets! I absolutely LOVED how different everything was!). She was so easy and fun to work with. I remember during the run through, all the makeup came together flawlessly, thinking, WOW, she looks AMAZING!! I had a blast with Rebecca, her mom, and her fabulous bridesmaids!!

From the Bride:
"I knew I wanted friends around me the day of my wedding and not a bunch of vendors. I had friends help with pictures, our cake, our flowers, and even our officiant was a good friend. Unfortunately none of my friends are that great with make up so I had to find someone I could trust to make me look my best. Luckily Kaarin was recommended to me by her mom (her best advertiser!) and she made the entire look of my bridal party come together. We all looked amazing on the day of the wedding thanks to her work. The make up didn't feel heavy, but it came across flawless in the pictures. She even made sure she had false eyelashes that would work with my hair color and skin tone. I had such an easy, relaxed time getting ready for my wedding and Kaarin is definitely to thank for that!"

Morgan Ennis

2009-09-12T08:58:00.000-07:00

September 12, 2009 Semiahmoo Golf Resort, Blaine, WA. I couldn't WAIT for this fun wedding. Morgan was working with one of my favorite wedding planners, Steven Moore Designs, and I knew it would be a knockout! Morgan and I met at her run through and hit it off right away. She is an architect, so she had an eye for what she wanted. We did two looks for varitey and hit the nail on the head! Morgan looked soft, romantic and whimsical on her wedding day. It was so fun being with the family and friends, laughing and getting gorgeous!!

A very special thanks for the amazing photos to Joe and Jill of Joe Photography!!
www.joejill.com

Jen Puetz

2009-08-29T15:14:00.000-07:00

August 29, 2009 Fairmont Olympic, Seattle WA. One word: Princess. Jen LOVED the idea of looking like a gorgeous princess on her big day. Surrounded by glamour and pink she married her prince. What a fun day to be a part of!!

The bridesmaids

The flower girl/Jen's adorable daughter!

Working hard

Amber Pelham

2009-08-23T10:57:00.000-07:00

August 23, 2009 From the instant I started email correspondance with Amber I knew we would have an amazing time working together. She was so well prepared and knew exactly what she wanted. During the run through she told me the story of how she and her husband first met, and she just knew he was the one, it was so sweet!!She looked absolutely GORGEOUS on her wedding day! Congrats Amber!!

From the Bride:
(This made me cry)
When I was planning my wedding I didn't think that I would have my makeup professionally done. The last thing that I wanted was to not look like myself or feel that the makeup was too heavy. As I thought about how I wanted to feel on my wedding day, I knew that I wanted my makeup to look flawless, light and natural. I had found Kaarin through a Craigslist ad and after speaking with her over the phone and looking at her blog, I knew that Kaarin was the right makeup artist for me. From our first point of contact Kaarin was upbeat and fun but made me feel calm at the same time. Kaarin is amazing at what she does and she knows what she is doing! When we did the final unveiling on the wedding day there was that "Awww" moment of feeling that everything is as it should be. The makeup was so light, it felt like I was not wearing anything at all. It stayed on all day and throughout the evening. I have never looked or felt more beautiful than on my wedding day. I know that I made the perfect decision in having Kaarin do my makeup and I would highly recommend her to anyone. She will rock your socks and beautify your face!!

Kaarin, I wanted to start by thanking you for being who you are. You are a gift to brides and to me! As you know I was hesitant about the typical "wedding makeup" and you ensured me that it would be light, natural and enhance my beauty. I am so glad that I chose you to be my makeup artist on such an important day in my life. I felt like a stunning, flawless bride. It was truly the most beautiful I have EVER felt in my life!!!! Whether in heat or through tears of joy the makeup stayed on. It was perfect! Having you there gave me peace and kept me at ease! Thank you for your ability to make anyone feel and look beautiful! You are amazing and your gift is a treasure!!! Love, Amber

Special thanks to Corey Hage for the beautiful pictures!
http://www.blogger.com/www.hagecreative.com

Trinity Shinn

2009-08-22T13:16:00.000-07:00

August 22, 2009 Woodmark Hotel, Kirkland, WA. Trinity and her bridesmaids/little sisters were so much fun to work with. Trinity is such a genuine woman, I was so happy to be with her on her big day!! She was absolutely relaxed and glowing.

I couldn't help but peek!!

A very special thanks once again to Joshua Gene Photography!!

www.joshuagenephotography.com

Kimber Woods

2009-08-21T11:34:00.000-07:00

August 21, 2009 Edgewater Hotel, Seattle, WA. I was approached by Kimber very last minute to see if I was available for her wedding day. She had decided that she didn't want to brave the unknown of the makeup counters at the mall, and shot me an email. I was already doing two weddings that weekend, but instantly clicked with Kimber and wanted to be a part of her big day! The instant I arrived at the Edgewater, I felt like I was part of the family. We had a blast getting ready :) Congrats to Kimber and Brian!!

A special thanks to Kip Beelman for the great photos!!
www.kipbeelmanphotography.com

Christy Skeens

2009-08-08T15:52:00.000-07:00

August 8, 2009 Bastyr Chapel, Seattle, WA. I had the honor of doing makeup for a coworker's bride to be (talk about pressure! ;) ). From the moment I met Christy I couldn't help but feel the excitement radiating from her and rubbing off on me! She was such a joy to spend time with!! Christy, her mom and sister really made my job easy :)

A SPECIAL thanks to Corey Hage from HageCreative!!

http://www.hagecreative.com/

From the bride:
Kaarin did an amazing job with my makeup, as well as my mom's and sister's. She was fun and energetic and understood exactly what I wanted my makeup to look like. She even did my makeup trial with a broken foot and never complained! Kaarin was easy to work with, she always responded to my emails quickly and fully answered all of my questions. It was great to have her come to my house the morning of my wedding, so that I didn't have to worry about going somewhere else to get ready. Most important of all, my makeup looked fantastic and it stayed looking that way all day long. The product she used on my lips lasted through kissing, pictures, cake, and dinner. I would highly recommend Kaarin to other brides. I am very glad that I got to work with her!

Amy Reed

2009-08-01T11:09:00.000-07:00

August 1, 2009 Woodmark Hotel, Kirkland, WA. Amy was one of the most creative, sweet brides I have been blessed to work with. I felt so blessed to be a part of her big day!!

A special thanks to J & J Photographers:
http://www.blogger.com/www.jandjphotography.com

Lindsay Grenier

2009-07-17T14:09:00.000-07:00

July 4, 2009. Semiahmoo Golf Resort. Lindsay and PJ came down from Vancouver, BC for this gorgeous wedding. Lindsay had decided to surprise her mom, soon to be mother-in-law and step mother-in-law with makeup; they were thrilled to say the least! Who doesn't LOVE to be pampered? I have to say, yet another hit out of the park by Steven Moore Designs. Lindsay was absolutely stunning and I was SO happy to be a part of her big 4th of July wedding!!

This picture is so stunning!

Special thanks to the talented team of Bebb Studios. I am in AWE of their work.
www.bebbblog.com

Gorgeous planning and details by Steven Moore Designs
www.stevenmooredesigns.com/

Miranda Warder

2009-07-12T13:57:00.000-07:00

July 12, 2009. Arctic Club Hotel. The second I met Miranda, I felt as though I had know her for a lifetime. At our run through, she told me the story of how she and her beau met... it gave me goose bumps! They are truly meant to be. Miranda is SO in love, which shines through her eyes and soul. She really made my job easy that day. I had such an amazing time working on this wedding. Thank you Miranda for letting me be a part of your big day!!

♥ ♥

She's stunning isn't she??

I LOVE LOVE this photo!!

Some images of she and I, as you can see, we were having a blast!!

A SPECIAL thanks to Gabriel and Boone, from GabrielBoone Photoghraphy. They are two truly talented brothers!!
www.gabrielboone.com

From the bride:
"I love Kaarin! She is professional, hilarious and sharp. From the pre-do makeup session to our wedding day, I knew I was in good hands. Kaarin is up to date on the latest makeup techniques and has a keen eye for the colors and tones that will make you feel and look your absolute best. You will look naturally stunning - never over-done. Her ability to step in and smoothly take charge on my big day let me be relaxed, laugh and really enjoy the prep time. I 100% recommend Kaarin to anyone looking to feel their very best on their wedding day, prom or any special occasion."

Deanna Tegeler

2009-07-11T10:17:00.000-07:00

July 11, 2009. Novelty Hill-Januik Winery, Woodinville, WA. I met Deanna through a good friend of mine and also her sister. I was SO excited to be a part of her big day!! Deanna is such a wonderful person, and what a relaxed bride she was!! We had such a fun day, chatting, drinking wine (them, not me) and getting gorgeous!! Congrats to Deanna!

Kerry, Deanna's sister

Getting ready

Kelly, bridesmaid

Hanging out :)

Hard at work!

From the bride:
I met Kaarin through a mutual friend and my sister. I felt like we were old friends right away. I was thrilled that she was available on my wedding day. She made me feel very comfortable through the whole process and it's clear she loves what she does. She was very easy and professional to work with. I didn't want to look too "made up" and Kaarin made sure to choose a color palette that was well suited for my style. I felt so glamorous! She also did the makeup for most of my bridesmaids as well as my mom. We had a wonderful time getting all dolled up. I recommend her to anyone looking for makeup for a wedding or any other event. Thanks Kaarin!

Krystle Alvarez

2009-06-28T10:27:00.000-07:00

June 28, 2009 Golden Gardens. Krystle and her family/friends were so much fun to work with! I instantly felt right at home with them while they were getting ready. Krystle was so excited for her big day! When we did her run-through, I had her take a mirror outside to see the makeup in natural light and she started crying. "I look like a bride!!" I was so happy to be a part of her special day. :)

Special thanks to Voir Photography for the great images!
http://www.voirphotography.com/index2.php?v=v1

From the bride:
Words cannot express what amazing work Kaarin has done for my wedding. In my search for a makeup artist, it was essential for me to have someone on location and someone who specializes in MAC makeup. Upon endless searches online, I came across her elegant blog. Her pictures were worth a thousand words! Kaarin was right on time at our initial meeting, so upbeat, enthusiastic..I felt like I've known her forever. She made me feel comfortable especially since I'm not much of a makeup person. I wanted to have that bridal glow, but wanted it to look as natural as possible. She asked if I wanted to see the process along the way, but I decided to be surprised at the end. My heart jumped as I saw myself in the mirror, but that wasn't even the half of it. She suggested seeing it in the sunshine, as she artistically blended the colors uniquely for the atmosphere.. my jaw dropped as I saw myself in the mirror with the sun rays across my face. My heart pounded, and I wanted to hug her a million times. I felt a rush of emotion.. on the verge of tears. I was going to look amazing on my wedding day, and she made me look as beautiful as I felt inside. This woman works wonders, and she's an absolute joy to work with. She also made up my mom and my bridesmaids. Everyone until this day couldn't stop talking about how stunning everyone looked the day of and how dreamy the pictures were. As you can see.. it was one of the best decisions I've made in my life. THANK YOU KAARIN for everything!

Danielle Adams: PROM!!!

2009-06-06T13:41:00.000-07:00

June 6, 2009. Gig Harbor, WA. This is an especially touching story that I was able to be a part of.

Months ago I received an email from Jessica, Danielle's older sister, telling me the story of Danielle's battle with hodgkin's lymphoma. Below is the email she sent me.
Dear Kaarin,
I am writing to you on behalf of an absolutely amazing girl, my younger sister Danielle. Danielle is a senior at Peninsula High School in Gig Harbor. After finding a lump in her neck about 6 months ago, her final year of school was brought to a screeching halt when she was diagnosed with Hodgkins Lymphoma, a lymphatic cancer. All of her plans for senior year were suddenly put on hold so that we could proceed with treatment. Unfortunately, this meant that she had to give up cheerleading midway through her final season as well as any job that would help her save for a car, college, and a senior trip. Despite the curve ball life threw at her, Danielle has been an amazing source of inspiration to the rest of the family. She is always positive, no matter what is going on at the time. She even kept a smile on her face when her hair fell out and she had to start wearing a wig. I am so proud to be her sister and to see her get through this difficult ordeal with the knowledge that it's just another obstacle in life. Now that prom season is near, Danielle is more excited than ever to be done with treatment (scheduled for May 15th) and to move on with her life. Unfortunately, like so many families, we have been hit hard by the economy. With my dad out of work for the past year and massive medical bills looming it has become nearly impossible to fund the prom or graduation celebration that she deserves. I would love for Danielle to have to same opportunities I had my senior year by having the chance to be pampered on her prom night. Tony Bowls has generously donated the prom dress of her dreams and what I would ask of you is to donate glamorous makeup application for the day of her prom so she can relax, have fun, and have the chance to be the young fun girl who is finally cancer free. I know that it would mean the world to her and it would take her prom night to a well-deserved degree of special.

-Jessica

So, as you can imagine, this really struck a chord with me. A friend of mine passed away from the same cancer a few years ago and many people in my life were rocked really hard by it. I said YES before I even knew the date!! I wanted to share the story and photos with you all, as I feel SO blessed to be a part of Danielle's perfect prom story.

Don't you just LOVE that dress???

From Danielle:

"Kaarin,
Thank you so much for the beautiful job you did on my makeup :) My Prom turned out to be an amazing night, and I will always be grateful for your kindness."

Nicole Pearce

2009-06-05T10:07:00.000-07:00

June 5, 2009 Hotel 1000 and Seattle's Court in the Square. Nicole was a modern and sophisticated, yet classic bride. All her details were amazingly creative. I was in awe of it all! Enjoy!

Special thanks to Joshua Gene Photography for the amazing images!!!
http://www.joshuagene.com/

Jordan is a Jensen!!!

2009-05-20T14:23:00.000-07:00

May 20, 2009

Maui, Hawaii. One of my dearest friends, Jordan Jensen, and her husband got married in Maui. Though I did not actually do the application of the makeup (I did her engagement photo makeup, which you can find in the archives), we spent time together designing the exact look and taking countless pictures to show the artist on the island that was doing her makeup on the actual day. I'm so proud of her and Ty and wanted to share with you how GORGEOUS she looked on her wedding day!!!

Love you Jordan!

http://www.geraldpope.com/

Courtney Clark Podolski

2009-04-23T08:36:00.000-07:00

April 4, 2009 This morning started with smiles all around... Courtney was absolutely glowing with excitement for her big day. With her wedding colors being dark purple, we opted for a smoky purple look, which really brought out her gorgeous uniquely colored eyes. Everyone was in high spirits as they sipped champagne and got all glammed up! I had a blast on this one!

From the Bride:
"I am not even sure there are words to describe how amazing Kaarin and her skills are!! She did an amazing job! I was pretty desperate to find someone and so I looked on craigslist, crossing my fingers that I would be able to find someone! And I guess I was lucky that day because I found Kaarin! She was flexible and willing to meet on my schedule, she even did my make-up for my bachelorette! I loved the fact that Kaarin instantly felt like a friend, not someone who was just trying to make money! I have never looked more beautiful than I did on my wedding day and I owe it all to Kaarin! She kept me looking natural but at the same time she enhanced all my best features. I guess the only thing I can really say is that she is fabulous and I would recommend her to anyone! "

A special thanks to Bon and Jon Regala from Regala Photography!!
http://regalaphotography.bigfolioblog.com/

Megan Nelson

2009-02-14T12:18:00.000-08:00

♥February 14, 2009♥. Happy Valentine's Day! The morning of V-day led me to the Seattle Tennis Club; a beautiful, classic setting. Megan was such a gorgeous bride and so easy to work with. She wanted a glamorous, old hollywood look with daring lipstick and a dramatically lined eye. I love that look, so I was game! Everyone in the bridal party were a dream!! Megan was radiant that day, as you can see from the pictures! And isn't that necklace amazing??? Enjoy!

Hamming it up!

Lashes for days!

Special thanks to the talented photographers, Gabriel and Boone.
http://www.gabrielboone.com/

Laurel Trautmann

2009-01-17T12:09:00.000-08:00

January 17, 2009 What a gorgeous wedding this was. It took place at the beautiful Arctic Club Hotel in the heart of Seattle. Laurel was SO much fun to work with! She was absolutely glowing that day, and made my job easy :) There were 11 total ladies that got their makeup done that day, so we were busy to say the least. What a wonderful group to work with!

I also found out that this amazing wedding was recently featured on Elizabeth Anne Designs blogpage about Real Weddings. I even got a shout out for the makeup! Here is the link:
http://www.elizabethannedesigns.com/blog/2009/03/02/real-weddings-laurel-darren-part-i/#more-6642

Group shot of 6 of the bridesmaids (there were 8 total)

Hard at work!

From the bride:
"Kaarin was amazing. The moment she walked it she took charge calmly and from there on out, everthing was a great success. Many of my bridesmaids said they have never felt so beautiful and the pictures reflect that! She kept everyone natural looking, as I requested, but added a glamourous look to us all. Darren, the groom, loved the way I looked and loved that I totally looked like myself but "fancier", in his words :). Not only did Kaarin do an amazing job on our makeup, but she also made it a fun and relaxed environment. I would highly reccomend her to anyone looking for a makeup artist, bride or not! "

Special thanks to Michele M Waite, the WONDERFUL photographer that day.
http://www.michelemwaite.com/

and also Taylor Slater, for helping me out that busy morning!

Lisa Michele Photo Shoot

2008-11-25T14:26:00.000-08:00

Nov 22, 2008. Worked with Lisa Michele Iverson, a very talented aspiring musician, and did all the makeup, hair and clothing styling for this. She is also a close friend, so this shoot was especially fun for me to work on. Lisa and I, prior to the shoot, spent some time going over looks and ideas around the vibe she was going for. These pictures are for her new website, so it was incredibly important to capture her natural beauty and amazing personality. We chose five different looks and adjusted colors during our run through. What a fun and fabulous day this was!!!!! Please visit her site to see additional photos: www.myspace.com/misslisamichele

From the Musician:

"I have had the pleasure of working with Kaarin on more than one occasion and she is absolutely fabulous. She was able to interpret what I wanted and executes it while still adding her own twist and creating an original look that fits with who I am. Kaarin always puts you at ease and has a professional attitude and you find yourself smiling throughout your whole experience with her. Kaarin is a woman you can trust immediately and she knows how to get you the perfect look. This girl has got what it takes to take you to the top!"- Lisa Iverson

My Makeup Must Haves

2008-11-20T10:09:00.000-08:00

Here are some things that I don't think any woman should live without!

Skin Care: Why? Great makeup starts with the bare skin. Take extra care to wash your face morning and night, and always remember to moisturize. Many woman have oily skin, what they don't realize is that by NOT moisturizing, your skin works overtime and is actually more oily than before.

Eye Care: The skin around our eyes is the most sensitive on our entire body. When removing your makeup, be as gentle as possible. I like to use Lancome BiFacil. It is a double-action eye makeup remover that activates when shaken and gentlty removes even waterproof makeup. I then follow with washing my face, moisturizing, and never forgetting my eye cream. I like to use another Lancome product. it is called High Resolution Eye, this eye serum contains ingredients that promote anti-wrinkle, help with puffiness and those pesky dark circles!

Brushes: Would Picasso have painted his masterpieces with his fingers? Probably not. Buying brushes is an investment. I have used MAC brushes since I was 15. If you care for them, they will last you for years and years. I make sure to store them in a brush roll, so they stay separate, and clean them once a week with MAC Brush Cleaner. If you do not have brush cleaner, a mild shampoo will work as well, but make sure to never use conditioner!! I simply add one part MAC brush cleaner to 2 parts water in a cup. I let the brushes soak for 10 minutes, and in warm water, rinse out the hair till the water runs clean. I then squeeze out the excess water, reshape the brush, and lay it over the bathroom counter to dry. Using the right tools on your face can help you and your makeup look flawless :)

Brows: Your eyebrows frame your face, so it is important to keep them in good shape. I suggest letting them grow out and seeing a professional eyebrow waxer to give them a great shape for your face. I am loyal to the Anastasia waxers at Nordstrom. See them once every 3 months, and just tweeze the strays with your Tweezerman in between. Another very important aspect of brows are filling them in. Many women shy away from this in fear of looking too "overdone" or their brows being too dark. I prefer to use a MAC matte eye shadow in a color 2 shades lighter than your hair color, this along with the #208 small angled brow brush. Using a small amount of shadow, use the brush like you are drawing in little hairs, or "filling" in your brows. Set with some MAC Clear Brow set and you will be amazed at what the difference will be!

MAC Prep and Prime Face: Why? By applying a small amount of this primer under your makeup, it will not only last longer, it will look fresher, and your skin will look smoother in texture. This is also a life saver if you have oily skin. Prep + Prime helps to curb sebum (oil) production.

Lip Gloss: Adding a little bit of shine to your lips can brighten your face and create a more youthful look on the mouth. My absolute favorite are MAC Lipglass, in any shade!
MAC Paint Pot: Why? Apply this creamy textured base on your eyelide and bye bye creased shadow! They work well alone or layered under shadow.

Bronzer: Why? Adding warmth to your skin can work wonders. I like to use NARS Laguna, it is made of pure pigment, so a little goes a long way. If you are looking for a more matte look, Bobbi Brown makes a wonderful sheer bronzer. I use a fluffy brush and sweep a small amount on the forehead, nose, and cheek bones. Anywhere the sun naturally hits is where you will want to apply this. Add a bit of your favorite blush to the cheeks and you'll look like you just got back from vacation. For evening, add a little more blush than you usually would for a more glamorous look. I love to add a bit of NARS Orgasm blush, a soft sheer powder blush that makes the cheek the perfect pinky-peach flush. It is a truly universally flattering shade that is a favorite of anyone that tries is.

Mascara: What woman doesn't love mascara? When you are in a rush, there is nothing like the quick fix of a little mascara to brighten up your eyes. The best combination is a good eye lash curler ( I swear by Trish McEvoy) and a volumizing mascara in black, or brown for you more fair haired ladies. If you want to pump up the volume, I suggest Hypnose by Lancome. Add a few extra coats for evening, and voila, fabulous lashes!

Halloween!!!

2008-10-31T15:19:00.000-07:00

Just a fun picture from Halloween of myself. I was the Queen of Hearts... Off with their HEADS!

Jordan Marshall

2008-09-13T17:51:00.000-07:00

September 13, 2008 Jordan Marshall and Ty Jensen Engagement photos/engagement party. Jordan is a close college friend of mine that was blessed to have found her soulmate in Ty. When she asked me if I could do her makeup for their engagement photos and also for their engagement party at the Blue Water Bistro, I was BEYOND elated. She was absolutely glowing both days, so it made it beyond easy to make her look like a million dollars!!

Myself with the happy couple!

www.geraldpope.com

Taylor Slater

2007-09-16T18:30:00.000-07:00

September 16, 2007 Ryan and Taylor Slater Wedding, Newcastle Golf Club. Taylor and I only had one run through for her wedding makeup. I put together a simple, elegant look for her, and she instatly knew she loved it. There were 7 bridesmaids plus Taylor getting makeup done. All the bridesmaids opted to do their own base makeup, and leave the blush, eye makeup, and false lashes to me. Makeup started bright and early at 6:30 am, but what a fun, easy going group of ladies it was! Didn't hurt that the Bride was my best friend too!! I was so blessed to be there to help Taylor on one of the most important days of her life.

From the Bride:
"Kaarin did my makeup on one of the most important days of my life – my wedding! She made myself and my seven bridesmaids look and feel absolutely fabulous. The whole process felt effortless; it was such a fun, easy going, non-stressful day. It might have also helped that she’s my best friend and knows me and my face/make up well. ;) Kaarin did my seven bridesmaids eye make-up and they all loved the work she did, some who had never had her do their make-up before. I felt so comfortable with Kaarin and I would definitely have her do my make up again for any future events!" -Taylor Slater