Bridal Makeup Artist Vancouver, BC Michelle Wong Wedding Make-up & Hairstyling Service

Blackberry Bistro at Steveston of Richmond

2009-06-11T14:42:00.000-07:00

Wedding Day is a hectic day, yet being a Bridal Makeup Artist and Hairstylist, I often get to spend a lot of one-on-one face time with the Bride. Through all the Weddings in Vancouver that I've worked on these years, I have made friends and kept in touch with many Brides and Bridesmaids.

I met Eva two years ago when she was in my client's Bridal party. I did Eva's own Wedding Makeup last year. Recently I visited her at the restaurant owned by her hubby's family, and felt compelled to spread the word about this really neat eatery.

The restaurant is called "Blackberry Bistro", located in the beautiful neighbourhood of Steveston, Richmond. The cuisine that they serve is "a fusion of South-East Asian food (Pan-Asian) presented in a Western style (except you still eat it with chopsticks)." From my own experience, the food there is delicious, well-prepared and well-presented. The atmosphere is relaxed and the place is chic and clean. The prices are surprisingly reasonable!

Here's their website for a view of the menu and more information: www.blackberrybistro.ca

Michelle Wong
Vancouver Wedding Makeup Specialist
www.michellemakeup.com

Vancouver Makeup and Hair Shows 2009

2009-05-02T12:56:00.000-07:00

Makeup Artists and Hairstylists in Vancouver are busy with beauty shows these days!

Early last month I attended the first Canadian Makeup Show held in Vancouver. The Agrodome at PNE hosted over 30 exhibitors, while a dozen seminars were scheduled daily to educate local Makeup Artists on various topics related to our exciting industry, including HD Makeup, techniques for long-lasting Wedding Makeup and TV shows, latest trends in Fashion Makeup etc. Apart from enjoying these seminars, I loved browsing around the exhibition booths. I already have a very equipped and top-quality Makeup and Hair kit, but am always on the look-out for newer, better tools and products.

Then there was the Allied Beauty Association (ABA) Hair Show last week, held at BC Place Stadium. Unfortunately I was not able to attend because of prior commitments. Hopefully I wouldn't have to miss it next year!

If you are interested in Health and Beauty, do check out the Health & Beauty Expo 2009, scheduled to take place at the new Convention Centre at Canada Place on May 8-10, 2009. Here are the "Event Highlights:

* Fashion Shows for 3 days - co-ordinated by Vancouver Fashion Week Organization

* Miss Vancouver 2009 Pageant - the very first Health and Beauty contest in the entire country!

* Over 250 booths from national and international businesses

* A Speaker's Corner that will provide high quality information as well as educational material on various products and services related to health, beauty and lifestyles

* A Healthy and Smart Cooking Corner - demonstrations of oriental and ethnic dishes that will be cooked right in front of you!

* The Pampering Zone - a mini spa created just for your tired feet and more..."

Tickets for this show are priced at $5 and up. Please refer to the official website, http://www.jamexpo.ca/, for further details.

Michelle Wong
Bridal Makeup Artist - Vancouver, BC, Canada
www.michellemakeup.com

Story of a Vancouver Bride: The C-Word

2009-04-06T14:27:00.000-07:00

About a year ago, I had recommended The Quickie, a play produced by TF Productions.

This year, TF Productions presents another intriguing story about relationships of the modern generation - The C-Word. It is, again, written by Grace Chin, who also plays "Kelly Cho", a young woman planning for her Wedding in Vancouver.

"The C-Word, a contemporary dramedy directed by Mel Tuck (founder, Austin-Tuck Studios, Gastown Actors' Studio), invites an intimate in-and-out of the bedroom view of four friends' lives when infidelity and unforeseen consequences force them to choose to whom, and to what, they must commit."

Here are what critics have said about The C-Word:

"The new face of Canadian society is here. This play reflects what Canadians are today..." - Ed Farolan, reviewvancouver.org

"The The C-Word is an engaging play... even before you sit down in the seats... From the beginning, the characters are all interesting and engaging. The topics are easily relateable to the audience... The pacing is good, and the diaglogue never flags." - Todd Wong, gunghaggisfatchoy.com

For the upcoming long weekend, this play is guaranteed a great night out for all Brides, Grooms, bridesmaids and pals. The story is sure to spark lots of interesting conversations afterwards.

When I watched The Quickie last year, there was a long line-up at the box office and some were unable to get a ticket on the spot, so do purchase your tickets online in advance... !

Dates and Time
Thursday, April 9, 2009
Friday, April 10, 2009
Saturday, April 11, 2009
All shows commence at 8 p.m.

Venue
Playwrights Theatre Centre (1398 Cartwright Street), Granville Island (Map)

Tickets
$20 at the door
$18 online via PayPal at www.scriptingaloud.ca/cword
"2 for $30 Thursday" April 9, 2009

www.scriptingaloud.ca/cword

Michelle Wong
Wedding Makeup Artist - Vancouver, BC, Canada
www.michellemakeup.com

Indie I Do - Vancouver's First Alternative Wedding Show

2009-01-07T22:55:00.000-08:00

Bringing together local independent, edgy, and innovative exhibitors, Indie I Do Wedding Show provides alternatives to express your unique personalities and style. Whether you're going for totally off-beat or traditional with a touch of personality, this will be the place to find it.

Taking place at the Heritage Hall, the all-day Wedding event will showcase over 30 local and independent designers, retailers and vendors, all prepared to give Weddings a memorable twist! Pre-purchased ticket holders will receive a free, reusable swag bag full of goodies from vendors and there will be a number of prize giveaways throughout the show. Fashion shows and live DJ will also be featured throughout the day.

Saturday, January 17th, 2009
11am - 6pm
Heritage Hall
3102 Main Street
Vancouver BC

www.indieido.com

Tickets are available online and selling quickly. To all Brides, Grooms, Bridesmaids, Mothers of the Brides... Grab your tickets before they are gone!

Michelle Wong
Bridal Makeup Artist and Hairstylist - Vancouver, BC, Canada
www.michellemakeup.com

Bridal Makeup and Hair Trial

2008-11-17T10:41:00.000-08:00

Makeup and Hair are important items on many Brides' to-do lists. Most of my clients start looking into Bridal Makeup and Hair service around a year prior to their Wedding dates. Even though there are many Makeup Artists in Vancouver, it might take a bit of time or work to find a good and experienced one who offers a style that suits you, and is available for your Wedding.

During the process of searching, some Brides will choose to arrange Trial sessions on Makeup and Hair in order to assist them in deciding which artist to use. On the other hand, I have worked with many Brides who happened to know my previous clients, or are really fond of my portfolio, that they do not need to try out the Makeup and Hair prior to confirmation of their bookings. Some of these clients will do their Trials closer to their Weddings, so that the skin tone and the length or volume of the hair is closer to the final look. By that time, they might even have their veils, and all the hair accessories and Bridal jewellery ready.

I have also assisted a number of Brides who do not require a Trial at all, and we've never had a problem. However, if you are concerned, a Trial is still highly recommended for your peace of mind.

Whether a Makeup and Hair Trial is done or not, the most important thing is that you and your Makeup Artist have good communication about your expectation on your Bridal look. Your Wedding day is your day, so the style must be one that you are happy with, and it's your Makeup Artist's job to help you achieve that style. Over the many years that I've worked as a Bridal Makeup Artist and Hairstylist, I have come across preferences that range from minimalistic to dramatic. I cannot assume or impose. I always discuss with my clients extensively to ensure that they are entirely comfortable with the final Bridal image for their Wedding days.

If you would like more information on my Bridal Makeup and Hair service for your Wedding Party, or would like to make an appointment for a Hair and Makeup Trial, please do not hesitate to email me at info@michellemakeup.com

Michelle Wong
Wedding Makeup Artist in Vancouver, BC, Canada
www.michellemakeup.com

Makeup for Warner Bros. Vancouver Media Event - The Joker & Two Face Harvey Dent from "The Dark Knight"

2008-10-22T22:51:00.000-07:00

Earlier this month, I was hired by Warner Brothers to do some interesting Special Effects makeup (Special FX) for their publicity event in Vancouver (previously held in other cities).

It was a media function attended by TV news anchors, radio talk show hosts, and entertainment journalists from various magazines, newspapers and websites.

My job was to apply makeup onto Chris Lewchuk, PR Specialist of Warner Bros., who would host the presentation as the Joker. I also needed to transform Vancouver's top magician Rick Mearns into Two Face Harvey Dent. The requirements from Warner Bros. was that both of them had to look as close as possible to the actual characters in their latest Batman movie "The Dark Knight". In addition, since both gentlemen would be mingling with the guests, the makeup needed to be realistic while allowing them to converse and interact freely with everyone throughout the evening.

It was a challenging assignment. However, with the meticulous liaison by Rachael at Media Profile, and the support of my wonderful assistant, the makeup was successfully completed. Both The Joker and Harvery Dent were extremely popular amongst the attending guests!

This is the unsolicited testimonial that I received after the event:

" For a recent Warner Bros Dark Knight themed event, we hired Michelle to re-create the face of Harvey Two-Face and the Joker. From the initial planning stages, Michelle responded to phone/email requests in a timely manner and was a pleasure to work with. She understood our needs and was able to replicate exactly what we were looking for.

On the night of the event, she blew everyone away with her extraordinary make-up artistry. She re-created the face of Harvey Two-Face to the smallest detail and many in attendance at the event commented on the excellent job the artist had done. She re-created The Joker face so well, the Joker claimed that it was his best Joker face yet. The same event had been done in two other cities (Toronto & Montreal). We would highly recommend Michelle as a special FX make-up artist to any project and look forward to working with her again. "

Thanks again to Warner Bros. and Media Profile for letting me be the Makeup Artist for this Vancouver event. I had lots of fun..! Thanks also to my dear hubby for letting me try the makeup on him!

Video of Two Face Harvey Dent makeup:

Photos of The Joker makeup:

Michelle Wong
Makeup Artist in Vancouver, BC, Canada
www.michellemakeup.com

Wedding Day Big Breakfast

2008-09-28T23:32:00.000-07:00

Wedding Days are long days for everyone involved... the Bride, the Groom, the Bridesmaids, helpers, Wedding Photographers and me - the Makeup Artist and Hairstylist.

All Brides know that they need to eat a good breakfast on their Wedding Day. However, the most common breakfast items which I have seen on Bridal locations include toasts, Chinese buns, Danish pastries, noodles etc. Such high-carb choices - and the resulting sudden increase in blood sugar level - will guarantee that the Bride or Bridesmaids be hungry within a very short time!

I often get up at 4 or 5 am for Bridal Makeup and Hair assignments. I start my day with a big and nutritious breakfast, because it will usually be another six or seven hours before I have the chance to eat again (I don't feel professional or elegant to be chewing food when I'm doing Makeup...).

Anyway, I eat almost the same breakfast on such days, and it has worked very well in sustaining my energy hour after hour. Here I would like to share the power breakfast which I'll highly recommend to any member of the bridal party!

What you see in the above photo include:
- 1 boiled Egg (complete protein)
- 1 Apple (vitamins, minerals and fibres)
- 1 cup of Grapes (vitamins, minerals, fibres, healthy fats)
- 3 tablespoonful of Walnuts (omega-3 oil)
- 3 tablespoonful of lightly salted roasted Peas (protein, fibre)
- Light drizzle of extra virgin Olive Oil
- 2 cups of Green Tea (mild caffeine and lots of anti-oxidants)

Michelle Wong
Makeup Artist in Vancouver, BC, Canada
www.michellemakeup.com

Vancouver's Mighty Asian MovieMaking Marathon 2008

2008-08-27T15:48:00.000-07:00

Summer is the peak season for Weddings in Vancouver. Usually around this time of the year, I'm mainly pre-occupied with Bridal Makeup and Hair work.

These past two weeks, however, I've devoted a number of days on the set of a short film "Egg Drop Soup", as Chief Makeup Artist and Hairstylist. This film is a comedy directed by Victor Khong for the Mighty Asian MovieMaking Marathon 2008 hosted by Vancouver Asian Film Festival.

Here are two photos taken during production:

Michelle Wong
Vancouver Makeup Artist
www.michellemakeup.com

Vancouver Wedding: Clarisa & Justin

2008-08-19T23:14:00.000-07:00

This past weekend I had the pleasure working with Wedding Planner Genève McNally of DreamGroup Productions Inc. on the Wedding of a very sweet couple - Clarisa and Justin.

It was an early call time for me and my two assistants, as we needed to do the Hair and Makeup for the Bridal Party of 10 ladies, including the Bride, Mother of the Bride, Maid of Honour, bridesmaids, Bride's sister, cousins and sister-in-law etc. Interesting that even though Clarisa was a Chinese Bride, she and her sister/cousins all conversed in fluent Spanish. I couldn't understand a word, but knew that the Groom and groomsmen were up for some serious games before they could enter the Bride's house (a Chinese Wedding tradition).

Heat and Tears are two of the toughest challenges for Bridal Makeup Artists and Hairstylists, and we definitely had plenty of both last Saturday. Clarisa shed multiple rounds of happy tears all day long, so I was greatly relieved to see her face still gorgeous and makeup still intact at 6pm, when I returned to touch up for the evening. After the Wedding, I was happy to hear from Genève that "their hair and make-up held up beautifully into the night..." Yay..!

Here is a snapshot I took of Clarisa in her Chinese dress ( a.k.a. qi-bao or cheong-sam ). Can't wait to see the other photos taken by her Wedding photographers - Cindy and Dre from Doubletake Photography!

Michelle Wong
Bridal Makeup - Vancouver, BC
www.michellemakeup.com

My Wedding Makeup Featured in Vancouver's WedLuxe Magazine

2008-08-10T02:12:00.000-07:00

The Bridal Makeup that I did for Seekwan and Aaron's Wedding in Vancouver is featured in the Summer/Fall 2008 issue of WedLuxe Magazine for British Columbia (P.48-51).

This beautiful and fun Wedding was captured by Jonetsu Photography. I had the pleasure handling the Makeup for the entire Bridal Party, and was able to witness the most spectacular games in "receiving the Bride (a Chinese Wedding tradition), with about 50 excited friends and relatives cheering inside that spacious suite at Pan Pacific Hotel !

Michelle Wong
Makeup Artist - Vancouver, BC
www.michellemakeup.com

An Amazing Professional for Vancouver Wedding Receptions: Diane Dillon

2008-08-02T22:38:00.000-07:00

As a Bridal Makeup Artist and Hairstylist, I would travel to clients' locations on their Wedding Days. This includes residences, hair salons and hotels etc.

The list of hotels that I work at most often are Sutton Place Hotel and Pan Pacific Hotel, followed by Hotel Vancouver and Westin Bayshore... This past weekend I was at Sutton Place Hotel again, and it was nice to run into a familiar face: Diane Dillon.

Diane oversaw my Wedding Banquet in Vancouver years ago when she was working at Four Seasons Hotel. Now she is Director of Catering and Conference Services for Sutton Place Hotel.

Diane has an impressive career in the upscale hospitality industry for over 20 years. Her hotel operations background includes an array of assignments such as Chief Concierge at Le Meridien Vancouver, opening Director of Operations at the Pan Pacific Lodge Whistler and the Director of Social Catering at the Four Seasons Hotel in Washington, DC. She is also a founder of the Vancouver chapter of Les Clefs d’Or and honorary lifetime member of the parent international organization. In addition, Diane has worked for many years as a volunteer with BC’s Children’s Hospital including 6 years as Chair of the Tourism and Hospitality Annual Charity Golf Tournament, which helped raise over $180,000.00 for the children of B.C.

From my personal experience and that of my many clients, I must say that Diane Dillon is an amazing Catering professional whom any Bride would love for her Wedding. She is always helpful, efficient, warm and responsive -- a genuine asset to the AAA Five-Diamond rated properties that she has represented.

It's been many years... but thanks again, Diane, for your wonderful assistance in looking after every detail of my Wedding reception. You're the best..!

Michelle Wong
Makeup Artist and Hairstylist for Weddings in Vancouver, BC
www.michellemakeup.com

"Growing" Your Own Real Eye Lashes and Eye Brows

2008-07-22T14:20:00.000-07:00

Almost every Bride wants more eye lashes – longer, thicker, darker lashes. While that can be acheived through Makeup with mascara and fake eye lashes on the Wedding Day, the following miracle products have made it possible to "grow" your own real lashes!

The Original Talika eyelash cream

This cream was made from plant extracts and originally formulated as an anti-bacterial cream to heal eye contour injuries. Its amazing side effect – visible growth and thickening of the eyelashes – was discovered by chance by Ms Danielle Roches, a Medical Doctor during World War II. TALIKA became the secret of many movie stars and other glamorous women. Its formula, never divulgated, remains the only product for more beautiful eyelashes.

Talika Eyelash Lipocils Gel

This is an oil-free gel formula of the eyelash cream. It comes in a slim bottle with an applicator shaped like a mascara wand.

Talika Eyebrow Lipocils Gel

This is exactly the same product as the Eyelash Lipocils Gel, except that the applicator has a spongy tip (similar to a lip gloss applicator). I personally prefer this applicator for both the eyelashes and eyebrows, as the mascara wand applicator of the Eyelash Gel tend to poke the skin when I tried to apply it close the base of my lashes.

All of the above Talika products are made in France.

Many years ago I had purchased another product which made a similar claim for longer, thicker lashes (I've forgotten the brand name, only remember that it was made in Switzerland). Unfortunately that one did not do anything for my lashes, even after extended use. Because of that experience, when I first heard about Talika, I was rather skeptical, and, therefore, went on to read all the consumer reviews I could find. Eventually I had read reviews from over 300 users before buying the above products. From those reviews, about 90% of the users had found them effective.

I started using Talika at the beginning of this year, and am happy to report that, Yes, it does work!

If you are interested to try, please be patient and give it 3 to 4 weeks. Over a period of time you will notice that your existing eye lashes look stronger and longer, and some "baby" new lashes will be sprouting from where there used to be none.

As a Makeup Artist, I have also encountered many clients who have sparse or "broken" eye brows. These ladies need to colour their eyebrows daily in order to look "normal". Lot of work indeed. The Talika Eyebrow Lipocils Gel is an excellent remedy for such sparse or over-plugged eye brows.

Full-size Talika products are retailed at $47-$51 each. However, you can order them at 35-40% cheaper from Fabov Canada. They ship to Canada and USA. Free shipping is available for orders over $100 and free local pick-up is also available for Vancouver customers.

Michelle Wong
Vancouver Makeup Artist - BC, Canada
www.michellemakeup.com

Credit Card Fraud

2008-06-20T13:36:00.000-07:00

I received this two days ago and thought I should blog it as a headsup for my friends and Makeup clients. Hope this will be helpful to all of you who use credit cards:

SCENE 1

A friend went to the local gym and placed his belongings in the locker. After the workout and a shower, he came out, saw the locker open, and thought to himself, "Funny, I thought I locked the locker. Hmm, "He dressed and just flipped the wallet to make sure all was in order.

Everything looked okay - all cards were in place.

A few weeks later his credit card bill came - $14,000!

He called the credit card company and started yelling at them, saying that he did not make the transactions.

Customer care personnel verified that there was no Mistake in the system and asked if his card had been stolen.

"No," he said, but then took out his wallet, pulled out the credit card, and yep - you guessed it - a switch had been made.

An expired similar credit card from the same bank was in the wallet.

The thief broke into his locker at the gym and switched cards.

Verdict: The credit card issuer said since he did not report the card missing earlier, he would have to pay the amount owed to them.

How much did he have to pay for items he did not buy?

$9,000! Why were there no calls made to verify the amount swiped?

Small amounts rarely trigger a "warning bell" with some credit card companies.

It just so happens that all the small amounts added up to big one!

SCENE 2

A man at a local restaurant paid for his meal with his credit card. The bill for the meal came, he signed it,and the waitress folded the receipt and passed the credit card along.

Usually, he would just take it and place it i n his wallet or pocket. Funny enough, though, he actually took a look at the card and, lo and behold, it was the expired card of another person.

He called the waitress and she looked perplexed.

She took it back, apologized, and hurried back to the counter under the watchful eye of the man. All the waitress did while walking to the counter was wave the wrong expired card to the counter cashier, and the counter cashier immediately looked down and took out the real card.

No exchange of words --- nothing! She took it and came back to the man with an apology.

Verdict:
Make sure the credit cards in your wallet are yours. Check the name on the card every time you sign for something and/or the card is taken away for even a short period of time.

Many people just take back the credit card without even looking at it, "assuming" that it has to be theirs.

* Do develop the habit of checking your credit card each time it is returned to you after a transaction.

SCENE 3

Yesterday I went into a pizza restaurant to pick up an order that I had called in. I paid by using my Visa Check Card which, of course, is linked directly to my checking account.

The young man behind the counter took my card, swiped it, then laid it on the counter as he waited for the approval, which is pretty standard procedure. While he waited, he picked up his cell phone and started dialing. I noticed the phone because it is the same model I have, but nothing seemed out of the ordinary. Then I heard a click that sounded like my phone sounds when I take a picture.

He then gave me back my card but kept the phone in his hand as if he was still pressing buttons. Meanwhile, I'm thinking: I wonder what he is taking a picture of, oblivious to what was really going on. It then dawned on me: the only thing there was my credit card, so now I'm paying close attention to what he is doing. He set his phone on the counter, leaving it open. About five seconds later, I heard the chime that tells you that the picture has been saved. Now I'm standing there struggling with the fact that this boy just took a picture of my credit card.

Yes, he played it off well, because had we not had the same kind of phone, I probably would never have known what happened. Needless to say, I immediately canceled that card as I was walking out of the pizza parlor.

All I am saying is, be aware of your surroundings at all times. Whenever you are using your credit card take caution and don't be careless.

Notice who is standing near you and what they are doing when you use your card. Be aware of phones, because many have a camera phone these days. When you are in a restaurant and the waiter/waitress brings your card and receipt for you to sign, make sure you scratch the number off.

Some restaurants are using only the last four digits, but a lot of them are still putting the whole thing on there. I have already been a victim of credit card fraud and, believe me, it is not fun. The truth is that they can get you even when you are careful, but don't make it easy for them.

Michelle Wong

Bridal Makeup Artist in Vancouver, BC, Canada

www.michellemakeup.com

Hairstyling Essentials for Every “Good Hair Day”

2008-05-26T10:26:00.000-07:00

I have long and thick Asian Hair with some waves and frizzes which used to take ages to dry and style.

That is... until I found my new essential Hair gadgets.

Here are the three tools that have greatly simplified my Hairstyling routine, giving me salon-quality silky Hair every time, whether straight or curly.

1) Babyliss Pro Ionic Tourmaline Hairdryer, BTM2850C

This is the fastest-drying Hair Dryer I’ve ever used... even more powerful than my last 2000W one which was also a professional model with ceramic grill. The tourmaline-infused front grill of the Babyliss Pro Ionic Tourmaline Hairdryer radiates far infrared heat, which dries hair from the inside out while preserving moisture. The ceramic component emits negative ions to break down bacteria buildup and enhance hair vitality. It also evens out the heat distribution to eliminate damaging hot spots, resulting in smooth, silky hair with exceptional luster. This dryer has a a strong and durable industrial motor, but is surprisingly light-weight and quiet. The long AC cord and concentrator nozzle are really handy as well. This is the Hair Dryer that I use daily and would highly recommend.

2) NP Ceramic Hair Styling Iron

The modern iron that straightens, curls and flips! The NP Ceramic Hair Styling Iron provides quick heat-up in five seconds, with dual heating elements and adjustable temperature settings. The high temperature of the iron (up to 410 °F ) enables me to create any style I want in a flash, while the high-quality ceramic plates emit far infrared rays and negative ions to make my hair shiny and healthy. Now it literally takes only minutes to get a Glamorous Hair Day! I have recommended this iron to many friends and they all absolutely love it.

3) Isinis Hair Brush, Boar Bristles

This is my favourite Hair Brush of all. The boar bristles have just the appropriate firmness and density to distribute the body’s natural oil as they polish the hair shafts to keep them healthy. They also massage the scalp nicely and never snag tangled hair. This is the miracle tool that brushes away the frizz in my hair. I love it so much that I have one for myself, one for my kit, and even a small one for my little daughter! This well-crafted hair brush (made in France) will last for years and years.

The above tools are available in selected hair salons, or online at Fabao Canada, a Canadian company which ships worldwide and offers local pick-up in Vancouver. BC.

Michelle Wong
Vancouver Wedding Makeup Artist & Hairstylist
www.michellemakeup.com

Wedding Favours

2008-05-11T12:22:00.000-07:00

Wedding Season is Here! As Summer approaches, many of my Bridal Makeup clients are busy completing the final steps of their Wedding Planning.

While a Wedding is essentially an experience to cherish, Wedding Favours are what your guests can literally "take away" with them to remember the occasion always. Wedding Favour is also a wonderful way to dress up your reception and reflect your personal style and creativity.

I recenlty came across " My Wedding Favours", an online store that carries an extensive selection of classy, unique, and interesting Wedding Favours, all at excellent prices. They have beautiful personalized, seasonal, themed or colour-coordinated Wedding Favours, as well as a variety of Wedding reception accessories, place card holders, Bridesmaids gifts, jewelry and bags, Groomsmen gifts, Ring Bearer and Flower Girl Accessories etc. They ship to Canada & USA.

Here are a few of my favourites items from their collection:

Photo Coasters in Various Designs
Mini Wedding Cake Candles (so cute!)
Padded Silk Travel Mirror in Matching Silk Pouch
"Cut Out for Each Other" Heart Cookie Cutters
Tons of Asian Wedding Favours
"It's a Shoe Thing!" Shoe Bottle Opener
"Apple of My Eye" Mini-Candle
Be my Bridesmaid/Maid of Honor Dress Cookie

They have Lots more....Happy Shopping!

Michelle Wong
Vancouver Wedding Makeup Artist and Hairstylist
www.michellemakeup.com

My Skin Care Favourites

2008-05-04T22:45:00.000-07:00

Through these years being a Makeup Artist in Vancouver, this is one question that I have been asked again and again – "What do you use for YOUR skin?"

I do read a lot about beauty and skin care, and love to try new lines and products, so the answer to that question will change from time to time, but I am happy to share what I’m using these days:

Suki - Lemongrass Cleanser w/ Chamomile & Vitamin C
Suki - Complexion Brightening Cream
Suki - Facial Toner w/ Shitake, Burdock & Olive Leaf

Suki is a complete line of 100% natural skin care products, made with "the highest quality clean ingredients, harvested and processed to sustain their dynamic, living elements, ensuring the highest potency and optimum results". I have been using this line for 3 months and LOVE the way my skin feels... clean, soft and healthy! I have recommended Suki products to my sister, too, and these are her favourites:

Suki - Blue Chamomile & Echinacea Facial Moisture Serum
Suki - Facial Clay w/ Green Tea, Roses & White Willow

Before I purchased their products in full sizes, I tried them in their sample kit first. They have one for normal to oily skin type, and one for normal to dry skin:

Suki - Mini Anti-Inflammatory Skin Care Kit
Suki - Mini Antioxidant Skin Care Kit

I never go out without sunscreen and I’ve been enjoying this all-natural sunscreen lately: Kimberly Sayer - Ultra Light Facial Moisturizer-SPF25. It is hydrating but not sticky, perfect for daily use and under Makeup. Another of my morning favourites is Suki Active Tinted Moisturizer SPF 15. It’s silky smooth and gives just enough colour to even out my skin tone.

Some of the above items are available at Choices and Capers. However, I prefer to order mine from Upurea Makeup (a Canadian website) - the prices are up to 40% cheaper, with free samples and free shipping!

Michelle Wong
Vancouver Makeup Artist and Hairstylist
www.michellemakeup.com/

Carolyn Urgently needs a Stem Cell Donor

2008-04-27T19:50:00.000-07:00

My friend Carolyn Tam in Toronto has been diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia 16 months ago. After her first treatment of chemotherapy, she was in remission for only a year. The Leukemia has relapsed. She will need a Stem Cell transplant to survive this time, and we are desperately looking for a matching donor.

Her brother has been tested negative already as a potential donor. According to her tissue type, anyone can be a possibility, related or unrelated.

Please visit http://www.SaveCarolyn.com
ONLY A SIMPLE BLOOD TEST IS NEEDED to determine your stem cell profile. Nothing more.

Please register as a stem cell donor at your local registry - I have already registered! Information can be found HERE.

Thank you and God Bless.

Michelle Wong
Makeup Artist - Vancouver, BC, Canada

www.michellemakeup.com

Self-Defense Tips for All Women - Through a Rapist's Eyes

2008-04-20T10:56:00.000-07:00

My job as a Mobile Makeup Artist requires that I travel to different locations for work (sometimes in wee hours), so I have to be very safety-conscious. Was glad to come across this article which gives great self-defense tips for all women. I am not sure who is the original author. Not sure whether it’s a genuine report from studying real-life rapists, either. However, many of the ideas make good sense. Just read with a grain of salt and stay Safe!

This is important information for females of ALL ages. When this was sent to me, I was told to forward it to my lady friends, but I forwarded it to most everyone in my address book. My men friends have female friends and this information is too important to miss someone. Please pass it along.

A group of rapists and date rapists in prison were interviewed on what they look for in a potential victim and here are some interesting facts:

1) The first thing men look for in a potential victim is hairstyle. They are most likely to go after a woman with a ponytail, bun, braid or other hairstyle that can easily be grabbed. They are also likely to go after a woman with long hair. Women with short hair are not common targets.

2) The second thing men look for is clothing. They will look for women whose clothing is easy to remove quickly. Many of them carry scissors around specifically to cut clothing.

3) They also look for women on their cell phone, searching through their purse, or doing other activities while walking because they are off-guard and can be easily overpowered.

4) Men are most likely to attack & rape in the early morning, between 5:00 a.m. and 8:30 a.m.

5) The number one place women are abducted from/attacked is grocery store parking lots. Number two: Are office parking lots/garages. Number three: Are public restrooms.

6) The thing about these men is that they are looking to grab a woman and quickly move her to another location where they don't have to worry about getting caught.

7) Only 2% said they carried weapons because rape carries a 3-5 year sentence but rape with a weapon is 15-20 years.

8) If you put up any kind of a fight at all, they get discouraged because it only takes a minute or two for them to realize that going after you isn't worth it because it will be time-consuming.

9) These men said they would not pick on women who have umbrellas, or other similar objects that can be used from a distance, in their hands. Keys are not a deterrent because you have to get really close to the attacker to use them as a weapon. So, the idea is to convince these guys you're not worth it.

10) Several defense mechanisms he taught us are: If someone is following behind you on a street or in a garage or with you in an elevator or stairwell, look them in the face and ask them a question, like what time is it, or make general small talk: "I can't believe it is so cold out here," "we're in for a bad winter." Now you've seen their face and could identify them in a line-up; you lose appeal as a target.

11) If someone is coming toward you, hold out your hands in front of you and yell STOP or STAY BACK! Most of the rapists this man talked to said they'd leave a woman alone if she yelled or showed that she would not be afraid to fight back. Again, they are looking for an EASY target.

12) If you carry pepper spray (this instructor was a huge advocate of it and carries it with him wherever he goes), yell I HAVE PEPPER SPRAY and holding it out will be a deterrent.

13) If someone grabs you, you can't beat them with strength but you can by outsmarting them. If you are grabbed around the waist from behind, pinch the attacker either under the arm (between the elbow and armpit) OR in the upper inner thigh VERY VERY HARD. One woman in a class this guy taught told him she used the underarm pinch on a guy who was trying to date rape her and was so upset she broke through the skin and tore out muscle strands - the guy needed stitches. Try pinching yourself in those places as hard as you can stand it - it hurts.

14) After the initial hit, always GO for the GROIN. I know from a particularly unfortunate experience that if you slap a guy's parts it is extremely painful. You might think that you'll anger the guy and make him want to hurt you more, but the thing these rapists told our instructor is that they want a woman who will not cause a lot of trouble. Start causing trouble and he's out of there.

15) When the guy puts his hands up to you, grab his first two fingers and bend them back as far as possible with as much pressure pushing down on them as possible. The instructor did it to me without using much pressure, and I ended up on my knees and both knuckles cracked audibly.

16) Of course the things we always hear still apply. Always be aware of your surroundings, take someone with you if you can and if you see any odd behavior, don't dismiss it, go with your
instincts!!!

You may feel a little silly at the time, but you'd feel much worse if the guy really was trouble.

1. Tip from Tae Kwon Do: The elbow is the strongest point on your body. If you are close enough to use it, do!

2. Learned this from a tourist guide in New Orleans . If a robber asks for your wallet and/or purse, DO NOT HAND IT TO HIM. Toss it away from you....chances are that he is more interested in
your wallet and/or purse than you, and he will go for the wallet/purse. RUN LIKE MAD IN THE OTHER DIRECTION!

3. If you are ever thrown into the trunk of a car, kick out the back tail lights and stick your arm out the hole and start waving like crazy. The driver won't see you, but everybody else will. This has saved lives.

4. Women have a tendency to get into their cars after shopping, eating, working, etc., and just sit (doing their checkbook, or making a list, etc.) DON'T DO THIS! The predator will be watching you, and this is the perfect opportunity for him to get in on the passenger side, put a gun to your head, and tell you where to go. AS SOON AS YOU GET INTO YOUR CAR, LOCK THE DOORS AND LEAVE.

* If someone is in the car with a gun to your head DO NOT DRIVE OFF, repeat: DO NOT DRIVE OFF! Instead gun the engine and speed into anything, wrecking the car. Your Air Bag will save you. If the person is in the back seat they will get the worst of it. As soon as the car crashes bail out and run. It is better than having them find your body in a remote location.

5. A few notes about getting into your car in a parking
lot or parking garage:

A.) Be aware: look around you, look into your car, at the passenger side floor, and in the back seat.

B.) If you are parked next to a big van, enter your car from the passenger door. Most serial killers attack their victims by pulling them into their vans while the women are attempting to get into their cars.

C.) Look at the car parked on the driver's side of your vehicle, and the passenger side. If a male is sitting alone in the seat nearest your car, you may want to walk back into the mall, or work, and get a guard/policeman to walk you back out. IT IS ALWAYS BETTER TO BE SAFE THAN SORRY. (And better paranoid than dead.)

6. ALWAYS take the elevator instead of the stairs. (Stairwells are horrible places to be alone and the perfect crime spot. This is especially true at NIGHT!)

7. If the predator has a gun and you are not under his control, ALWAYS RUN! The predator will only hit you (a running target) 4 in 100 times. And even then, it most likely WILL NOT be a vital organ. RUN, preferably in a zigzag pattern!

8. As women, we are always trying to be sympathetic: STOP! It may get you raped or killed. Ted Bundy, the serial killer, was a good-looking (he looks like Rob Lowe!), well-educated man, who ALWAYS played on the sympathies of unsuspecting women. He walked with a cane, or a limp, and often asked "for help" into his vehicle or with his vehicle, which is when he abducted his next victim.

9. Another Safety Point: Someone just told me that her friend heard a crying baby on her porch the night before last, and she called the police because it was late and she thought it was weird. The police told her "Whatever you do, DO NOT open the door." The lady then said that it sounded like the baby had crawled near a window, and she was worried that it would crawl to the street and get run over. The policeman said, "We already have a unit on the way, whatever you do, DO NOT open the door." He told her that they think a serial killer has a baby's cry recorded and uses it to coax women out of their homes thinking that someone dropped off a baby. He said they have not verified it, but have had several calls by women saying that they hear baby's cries outside their doors when they're home alone at night. Please pass this on and DO NOT open the door for a crying baby ----This should be taken seriously because the Crying Baby theory was mentioned on America's Most Wanted this past Saturday when they profiled the serial killer in Louisiana

P.S. If you have any concern at all about burglars or rapists breaking into your house, do consider subscribing to security monitoring service, and make sure that all the signs and stickers from the monitoring company are conspicuously displayed on your doors and windows. The burglars/rapists will probably move to the next house -- an EASIER target -- when they see that an alarm could be triggered at yours.

Here are some other useful links:
http://www.met.police.uk/sapphire/docs/womenssafety.pdf
http://www.met.police.uk/sapphire/staying_safe.htm

Michelle Wong

Speicalist in Bridal Makeup - Vancouver, BC, Canada

www.michellemakeup.com

Eye Makeup Removal

2008-04-05T14:19:00.000-07:00

During my Spring vacation last week, I was spending time with my friend's family and their two teenage daughters. Knowing that I'm a Makeup Artist, they had many questions to ask. One night, we were talking about removing eye Makeup. I was appalled to see how hard they were rubbing their eye Makeup off. At a young age, the effects of such pulling and tugging may not be apparent. However, once you are a little older, it's definitely not advisable to add more wrinkles to the eye area by stretching the skin there unnecessarily.

My favourite eye makeup remover is Sweet Almond Oil. It's available in most health food stores or supermarkets, at very reasonable prices.

So here's how I would do it:

1) Wet a cotton pad. Squeeze out the water, so that it is damp but not dripping wet.

2) Pour a little Sweet Almond Oil on the cotton pad. Fold the cotton pad once, press gently to mix the oil and water. Open the cotton pad again.

3) Upper eyelid: Wipe the cotton pad with Sweet Almond Oil from the inner eye corner to the outer eye corner. Repeat if necessary. Rotate the cotton pad so that you don't keep wiping with a part that's already dirty.

4) Undereye: Press the outer eye corner with your ring finger (gently!), use the other hand to wipe from the outer eye corner to the inner eye corner.

5) Mascara on eye lashes: Wipe from the roots to the tips, then sideways a few times until all mascara is gone.

The water in the cotton pad helps to remove the water-soluble Makeup, while the Sweet Almond Oil removes the oil-soluble Makeup. This method works well even if you are wearing waterproof mascara, except that it might take a few more wipes.

Use the other side of the cotton pad when necessary. Just add more Sweet Almond Oil on that side.

The Sweet Almond Oil nourishes your eye lashes and the skin around your eyes!

Note: Sweet Almond Oil is good for bedtime Makeup removal. If you are planning to re-apply Makeup immediately after the removal, then you should use an oil-free Makeup remover.

Michelle Wong

Vancouver Bridal Makeup Artist

www.michellemakeup.com

Valentine Stories

2008-02-08T21:37:00.000-08:00

Through these years working in bridal makeup and hair, I have met hundreds of wedding couples from Vancouver, Hong Kong, US, England and many places in between. I’ve seen high-school sweethearts tying the knot after 12 years of dating, or courageous “newly mets” having 2-3 month long engagements, long-distance relationships, good friends turned lovers, lost and found second chances etc..... I enjoy hearing how the Brides met their Grooms, and what brought them to the path of marriage.

Lately I’ve noticed that internet-dating or speed-dating could be part of the story, and have known a few Brides who found their better halves through such services. If you are intrigued, like I am, by this modern phenomenon, you might be interested in a new play that I just purchased tickets for -- The Quickie. “A Vancouver-based, contemporary romantic comedy that rips a strip out of speed dating, making whoopee, and cultural collision.”

Here' s a review by Susan Peake at http://reviewvancouver.org/

To the dating couples, engaged couples, married couples, or anyone else who is still looking... if you would like to watch something fun and cool during this Valentine’s week, check this out...

Six Performances:
Thu-Sat, Feb 7-9 at 8pm

Sun, Feb 10 at 2pm
Fri-Sat, Feb 15-16 at 8pm

Venue: Playwrights Theatre Centre (1398 Cartwright Street), Granville Island
Tickets: $15 at the door, $13 online via PayPal at www.scriptingaloud.ca/quickie

Michelle Wong
Bridal Makeup Artist in Vancouver, BC, Canada
www.michellemakeup.com

Fabulous Lashes for the Holiday Glamour

2007-12-22T18:39:00.000-08:00

With all the Christmas parties and New Year celebrations coming up, Fake Eye Lashes is a great way to dress up your look.

While I personally prefer individual lashes for the ease of blending them with the natural lashes and the comfort while wearing them, it could be tricky for you (without professional help) to put them on, especially when in a hurry.

Strip lashes are less comfortable to wear, but easier to apply. These lashes come in all shapes, styles and price pionts. Some are made of synthetic hair and some made of human hair. Ardell (available widely in drug stores) makes decent ones that go for only a few dollars a pair. If you are planning to re-use yours and prefer better quality or fancier designs, check out Shu Uemura (at Holt Renfrew) and Make Up Forever (at Sears).

Here is a 1-minute video tutorial provided by Make Up Forever Paris:
http://www.makeupforever.fr/

Since fake lashes are made in uniform width to fit different sizes of eyes, it is extremely important to trim the lashes prior to application, in order to fit the width of your own eye lids perfectly. Lashes which are too wide look silly and tend to come off more easily. If you are Asian, even just taking the inner halves of the standard lashes and putting them on the outer halves of your eyes could give a gorgeous look.

As with everything, practice makes perfect. If you are planning to wear fake eye lashes for the first time for an important occasion, do practise the application in advance and wear them for a few hours to make sure that your eyes are comfortable with them.

Michelle Wong
Makeup Artist for Bridal and Special Occasions – Vancouver, BC, Canada
www.michellemakeup.com

Crème de la Crème The Grand Wedding Showcase

2007-10-31T01:06:00.000-07:00

I have been invited to do Makeup at Crème de la Crème The Grand Wedding Showcase this coming Sunday, November 4, 2007.

As described by the organizer (Countdown Events), this is a luxe event, catering directly to the discerning bride with a taste for exquisite style... a singularly unique event with a tone unlike that of a normal trade show. The crème de la crème of the wedding industry have been hand selected individuals who have demonstrated passion for style in their respective fields.

As a Bridal Makeup Artist and Hairstylist in Vancouver, BC, I am certainly excited and proud to be part of this distinguished Wedding Showcase in town. On a personal level, the show will take place in the Ballroom of Four Seasons Hotel at 791 West Georgia Street, Downtown Vancouver. This is where my own Wedding Banquet was held, and I am just thrilled to see the venue get "all dressed up" again!

If you'd like to meet the finest professionals in the Vancouver Wedding industry, hurry up and call 604 288-1691 or visit http://grandweddingshowcase.com . Admission tickets are $45 each.

Look forward to seeing you there!

Michelle Wong
Vancouver Bridal Makeup Artist and Hairstylist
www.michellemakeup.com

Another kind of Makeover ( I )

2007-10-19T13:00:00.000-07:00

This post is not to do with Makeup and the face. However, I am so pleased with these two Makeover jobs for our home that I would love to share my experience with you.

Two of our favourite pieces of furniture bought at the time of our Wedding were a Chair-and-a-half and it’s matching ottoman. Both are large enough for two persons sitting side-by-side but smaller than a love seat, great for snuggling in front of the TV. They were on our Bridal Registry, purchased by our thoughful friends, and have been enjoyed for 6 long years.

After moving house twice, the colour became a problem. They were green. It matched the setting of our first house, but not our current one. The chair itself is structurally sound, the fabric is still holding up with only a tad of fading. We looked all over for a chair of this size for replacement, but they were hard to find. On the recommendation of my sister-in-law, we phoned Canadaupholstery.com for a price-quote. We have seen their store in Vancouver before, but dared not use their service until we had seen what a marvellous job they did re-upholstering my sis-in-law’s sofa.

The process was smooth and hassle-free thoughout. Dennis showed up with all of his fabric samples, gave us advice on what might work better, offered a very reasonable quote right away and picked up the chair and the ottoman. Five days later, the two pieces came back in stunning suedie new-look. The workmanship was great and the material looked even better than the sample. They also added stuffing and threw in a couple of new cushions. Pick-up and delivery were free. No deposit was required and we paid by cheque. We were so happy that we decided to re-upholster our 10-year-old sofa bed as well. Dennis took it as he left, and after three days, we got our sofa bed in the new matching fabric!

Dennis of Canada Upholstery was courteous, professional, and a real delight to work with. We never thought our sofas could look not just new again, but better than when they were new.

Here is their contact info:

Canada Uphostery

www.canadaupholstery.com
2153 Kingsway

Vancouver, BC, Canada

(604) 437-5402

canadaupholstery@shaw.ca

If you are having trouble "merging" your furniture after your Wedding.... give this a try..!!

Michelle Wong
Vancouver Makeup Artist – BC Canada
www.michellemakeup.com

P.S. Please note that the above recommendation is entire voluntary. I am not requested, paid or remunerated in any way by this vendor -- they don't even know I am writing about them!

Makeup on the Eye Brows

2007-10-02T23:02:00.000-07:00

Among Professional Makeup Artists, the Eye Brow is one of the most common beauty obsession, yet for most people, it's one the most neglected area of beauty.

I LOVE doing eyebrows... shaping... tweezing... colouring... grooming. Done correctly, they can instantly brighten the eyes and perfectly frame the face. Done the wrong way, your expressions will not look right no matter how you smile.

If you are not confident about shaping your brows, leave the job to the professional ( I offer free brow-shaping during my Bridal Makeup Trials, Makeup Lessons and Photography Makeup Sessions ). After the inital shape is created, the rest is on you. Keep a tweezer handy near your bedroom or bathroom mirror. Pluck out new growth of hair as soon as you see them, usually only a few at a time. If you get lazy and skip this for a few days or more, you will lose the "good" shape before you know it...

If your eye brows are very thick, getting them waxed or threaded may be a better solution. Brow hairs that are long can be kept in place with a grooming gel. I do not recommend cutting brow hairs, unless being really pressed for time, or for a specific look at a professional shoot. Cut brow hairs lose the natural soft tapered ends and often grow out in varied lengths and directions, making the shape harder to manage in the long run.

There are different products available in the market for colouring the brows: powder, pencils, gels and creams. If your face gets oily or sweats easily, or if your bangs are at a length that touches the brows often, make sure that the medium you use is relatively smudge-proof.

Again, the tools matter. A sharp tweezer gets every tiny hair out painlessly (pull at the base..!). A Makeup Brush with a slant angle and stiffer bristles enables you to draw with more precision. And if you are super sensitive to pain, a little Ambasol on the area prior to plucking should prevent most irritation.

Michelle Wong
Wedding Makeup Artist & Hairstylist – Vancouver, BC
www.michellemakeup.com

Makeup Artist Laura Mercier's Personal Appearance in Vancouver BC

2007-09-13T20:22:00.000-07:00

I felt honoured to be on Laura Mercier’s Makeup Team for her first Personal Appearance in Vancouver (2001), and am delighted to work along side this legend again in two weeks' time!

Laura Mercier is one of the most respected Makeup Artists in the world today. Her artistic talent has graced the covers of countless magazines. Her signature Flawless Face can be seen on top celebrities like Madonna, Oprah, Julia Roberts and more. Her line of cosmetics is loved by fans in America, Europe and Asia. Laura personally created the colours to satisfy the needs of her clients, based on a classic and always-current palette, rather than just seasonal trends. The line, established in 1996, is now available in 400 stores in 21 countries and has expanded to include skincare, bath and body and fragrance products.

If you wish to meet this world-class Makeup Maestro, please call the Laura Mercier counter at Holt Renfrew to book an appointment (604) 681-3121.

Laura Mercier’s Personal Appearance is on Friday, September 28, 2007. Her National Makeup Artist Jerry Johnson and Makeup Team will be available from Thursday, September 27 to Saturday, September 29, 10am-6pm.

Hope to see you there…. !

Michelle Wong
Vancouver Makeup Artist
www.michellemakeup.com