Every bride wants her wedding to be perfect. She expects only the best from every aspect of her special day, from the venue right down to the polish on her toes. It's only fair that she get the very best in beauty on her wedding day. Aradia, owner and lead makeup artist of The Art of Bridal Makeovers, has over two decades of experience in making hundreds of brides look their best. She uses some of the very best makeup and skin care products available on the market and promises to ensure that each of her bridal clients are as stunning on their wedding day as they are in their dreams.
Based in Miami, Aradia provides first class and affordable mobile pampering services to all South Florida brides. Her work has been featured in magazines such as Elegant Bride Magazine, Bridal Guide, Modern Bride, Premier Bride - South Florida, and other prominent media and fashion publications. Be sure to check out the slideshow for pictures of her work. If you're itching to see more pictures of beautiful brides who trusted their faces to Aradia you can also check out www.bridalmakeovers.com
Aradia was gracious enough to answer several questions for us...
Q: Tell us a little about yourself personally, and if you attended school or were self taught?
I was originally a painter and fashion illustrator in New York City before I created of The Art of Bridal Beauty. I love fashion illustration much like I love makeup artistry because it is filtered through an individual vision. I ultimately found my inspiration in the organic application of color: the living, moving, three-dimensional canvas of the bride's face. It was my passion for this type of artistry that altered my course, taking me from fine artist to a makeup artist that values the love and beauty of the bride's face. And yes, after "teaching myself" I did go go school. In fact, I continue to update my skills to this day. I am a big believer in education and the power it has to motivate, inspire and sow the seeds of creativity.
Q: Did you always want to be a makeup artist? Who or what inspired you?
Fashion and beauty have been a constant form of inspiration for me from the time I could hold my first crayola crayon. I came of age in the 80's when makeup was makeup. Punk and high fashion styles made a huge impression on me. My canvas, being my own face, made me realize I had an artistic talent. I first learned how to do makeup in an era that fully supported self expression through color and fashion. Boy George was my inspiration during this time! It was all about celebrating drama, color and individual creativity. Later I became inspired by fine artists such as Miro, Pascin and Franz Kline. Fashion designers like Schiaparelli, Chanel and Romeo Gigli.
Q: What did you do prior to your current profession?
I have done nothing but create art and beauty for the past 25 years. I was fortunate enough to know what my passion was from an early age and I have been following my bliss ever since.
Q: What's your favorite/most exciting part about what you do?
I love working with women that appreciate the power of makeup. There is nothing superficial or vain about understanding your own power. A woman who wears makeup is a woman who cares how she would like to be perceived. We all have different sides to our personality and certain knowledge of makeup can allow us to express these different sides so we may change our makeup depending on how we feel. After all; it is our prerogative as women to change our minds!
Q: What are you top 3 favorite products of the moment?
- Nothing compares to Yves Saint Laurent Touche ECLAT. This is one of my favorite beauty products and a must for my makeup box. This ultimate illuminator gives radiance to the undereye without looking heavy.
- My favorite eyeliner is MAC Fluidline Eye-Liner Gel in Blacktrack. I recommend this to anyone who wants an eyeliner that has great staying power.
- I just love the lipsticks from Illamasque. They are matte and highly-pigmented, inspired from the dark glamour of 1920s cabaret and the decadence of Studio54.
Q: What are your steps to a perfect, flawless, natural look?
My philosophy is simply to create a beautiful, timeless image which enhances the client's own natural beauty. My goal is that the finished look reflect her individual style and allow her to be her true self. There are a few cult tools (must-have essentials) and tricks for ensuring the perfect base on which to put expertly applied make up.
There is a lot I can do to create a flawless, airbrushed finish without the help of Photoshop but, taking very good care of your skin is essential for beautiful skin. I am a big fan of facials. Your skin will never look better and feel cleaner once blackheads have significantly improved and enlarged pores are less visible. The smoother the skin, the better the application of the makeup. I am also a fan of facial rollers made of pure Jade, a cleansing stone used in Chinese medicine for centuries to aid the body's filtration organs and lymph system to expel toxins. They eliminate puffiness, tone facial muscles and plump out wrinkles.
Once I get the skin looking its best I use an elliptical-shaped cosmetic sponge to apply the primer and base because it gives a flawless airbrushed finish to the complexion. I then set it with a fine translucent powder and seal it with the best makeup sealant on the planet: Skindinavia - A finishing spray that provides picture perfect makeup all day long.
Q: Do you have any words of wisdom for aspiring makeup artists that are just starting out?
Take every opportunity to do makeup on everyone around you so that you get as much practical experience as possible. When you can make up all different types of women well, and make them feel like a top model, that you will truly be a makeup artist. Above all, maintain high standards and always do your best work. The best way to have success in this business is to cultivate an image as a professional and the rest is a combination of talent, technique and personality.
Aradia's list of credentials are impressive:
- A license in Esthetic Arts, license in Cosmetology Arts, Beginning and Advanced Make-Up from The Christine Valmy International School in New York City
- BS Degree in Applied Art Science, as well as a credentialed Certified Instructor High Fashion Makeup Artistry. Fashion and Art History, Fashion Styling and Makeup Artistry Certificate Program from the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York
- Fashion Make up for Professional Artists in Maquillage. Professionnel Make Up Forever Academy in Paris
And these are only mentioning a few. If you'd like to look your best on your wedding day, contact the best:
Aradia - The Art of Bridal Makeovers
(305) 851-2515 Office - (305) 331-9682 Cell
Comments