The Magic's In The Make-up: Working with Melissa Gaglio

"I am a creator of alter ego's, weekend aliases,

bad girls, and good girls.

The question is...

If the magic's in the make-up, then who am I?"

-Melissa Gaglio

After having the amazing opportunity to collaborate with Melissa, a full time make-up artist, and the Owner & Founder of The Magic Is In The Make-Up, I think I have the answer to Melissa's question. I would have to say you are the all-mighty and powerful Oz!

 The Wizard of Oz...

  ...and all things MAC!

This past Monday Melissa, Jenna (a super talented photography) and I came together for one amazing shoot! I was lucky enough to have my face transformed by Melissa who made me look like the offspring of Lady Gaga on her Applause album cover and a Jackson Pollock... if they were to have mated...and ya know...produced more iconic art.  During our collaboration I was able to sit down and ask Melissa a few questions about her style, her love of all things make-up, and which products she suggests.



Danielle: So let's talk your own style, because you have an awesome look. What inspires you?

Melissa: Thank you! Old Hollywood glamour. I am in love with Lucille Ball, her look is probably my number one inspiration. More modern takes on her look that also inspire me are like Gwen Stephani, and Christina Hendricks from Madmen.

Danielle: I never thought about the connection between Gwen Stephani's look and Lucille Ball but I can completely see that. Speaking of looks, what is your favorite look that you have either experimented with or created for someone else?

Melissa: Usually when I get the chance to do some out of the box work, like we're doing right now; that's what I really like. I really like doing zipper eyes, Halloween gore make-up; the non-traditional stuff. I can appreciate good gore make-up...my boyfriend and I (smiles) were watching an episode of Dexter, and a girl was killed in a bathtub and I turned to him and was like, "that gore make up is terrible!" (laughing)  He was like, "It looks pretty good to me."

Danielle: (laughing) Not something someone, other than a make-up artist, would pick up. It is awesome though, you have an entirely different perspective then my own when watching a show. You're looking purely at the magic of the make-up.

Danielle: People, women in general, always want to know which products are the best, and obviously everyone will have a different opinion, but today you used a plethora of make-up on me, probably more make-up was put on my face than I have ever had in my entire life, and yet it feels like there is nothing there. My skin feels like it can breathe! Which products do you recommend, and which products can you not live without?

Melissa: Of course Mac, Hourglass is great if you're looking for an all-natural alternative, or you have sensitive skin. Mehron. I cannot live without my Inglot gel liner, and Hourglass icon lip stain!

Danielle: What about favorite make-up artists? You have to have a few you aspire to, are inspired by...

Melissa: Yes, I love Joyce Bonelli who does Kim Kardashian, and Nikki Minaj. And, Max Factor because he is just a pioneer.

Photo taken by: Ashley Victoria Makeup: Melissa Gaglio Magics In The Make-up

I loved having my make-up done by Melissa, not only is she personable, and full of energy but also meditative, capable, and precise all without losing her spur of the moment artistic edge. A true enigma, like most amazing artists. While sitting and having my alias for the photo shoot put on I kept thinking:

This must be what the stars, and celebrities feel like when they are getting ready for there red carpets, and photo ops.

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How To Make Your Wedding Day Memorable

Being at that age where wedding invites start piling up like junk mail, and receptions start reminding you of glamorized sweet 16s, and dare we say this- one reception starts blending into another we can start to understand a new meaning behind that idiom, "the old ball and chain".

 

I know this sounds like the worst possible fate for both the guests and the bride and groom to be. Well, I am ready to intervene on fate's terrifying plans with today's post: How to make your wedding day memorable. Forget those fears ladies and gents, because I have recently attended a wedding that left all of its guests inspired by the magic that is true love, and showed us exactly how to create the perfect memorable event.

 

Venue: Crooked Willow Farms
Larkspur, CO

 

Tip #1: Do Go Venue Voyaging:

When close friends of mine created the most perfect moment in time I knew I had to share it with my readers. Behold Crooked Willow Farm the perfect backdrop for any wedding, but most importantly it is the perfect venue for this couple. A great venue does a couple of things for your wedding: firstly, the perfect venue is reflective of the couple themselves. It makes the guests feel at home to party and have a good time! Secondly, a great venue allows party goers their space to dance and socialize while also space to relax and drink their cocktails. And finally, your venue will serve as the perfect backdrop, or canvas for your event. In the case of Crooked Willow Farms, this venue achieved all three. Take a look below:

 

 

 

 

 

Tip #2: Do Sweat The Small Stuff

The bride and groom were very hands on with every minuscule detail from designing their invitations, (they're artists), to hand writing each and every place card, and from using their calligraphy skills to write a pristine yet funky looking jumbo chalk board dinner menu, to putting their expertise to work with creating paper folders for wooden utensils. As a guest, and good friend I felt everywhere I looked there was something to see, and something created with love by the couple for their friends and family. This helped their event feel personable and warm just like this couple.

 

 

Tip #3: Do Have A Theme



Having a theme or a reoccurring motif really makes a wedding memorable for its guests, and it also allows for the wedding to have a cohesive feel. Colors, fabrics, designs, decor,  and even a well-planned menu and bar menu can help to create a theme. Whether you want your wedding to give off vibes of old school elegance, or inspire your guests with the vibrancy of your Indian heritage have the confidence to set this theme in motion.

 

If the guests didn't know by the horse shoe crested cake, the mason jar water glasses, or the bar menu which included specialty beers such as The Reverend that smelled of sweet molasses and brown sugar, then they had to piece it all together the moment the bride showed up riding side saddle on her champion black stallion. Yes, we were in for a beautiful home & country kind of wedding.

 

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Keeping these three tips in mind will definitely aid you in crafting a memorable night, but don't forget the most important tip which is to have fun while planning your event. If you're having fun, then it guarantees that your excitement will pass on to your guests. Remember your wedding is your special day to spend with family and friends.

Have you been to a memorable wedding? We would love to hear from you! E-mail us pictures, descriptions, or anything else to get us in the wedding spirit  and we may post it to our blog.

Like always Stay Lovely,

 

D.R

 

Editor and Curator of

 

Dusk & Rubies  

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What To Wear To: A Wedding

If you're in that age range of 24-30 you know that these years mark the busiest time for weddings. My boyfriend and I have committed to three weddings of the five we were invited to this summer. If you are like us, then you know that weddings can be not only fun,  but also expensive. There is the gift, the transportation (airfare, bus fare, gas prices, tolls), the possible block of hotel rooms for you and other guests to purchase, and of course what you are going to wear!

Every time I go to a wedding I probably put in too much thought into what I am going to wear. I question:

- Does this dress reflect the type of wedding, and personal style of the bride and groom?

- Is this dress on trend for the time of year? Weather?

- Do I have to match my date?

- Which type of shoes? Which type of accessories? Hairstyle? Mani/ Pedi color?

...yes, it is truly a massive overload of information circulating throughout my brain. But, I realize that my questions may also be your questions, and lucky for us all I have figured out some of the answers.

Thanks to all of my friends for indulging me in this round of "let's take nice couple photos" I have a slew of what to wear to a wedding options for every type of person! Let us take a look:

1. Classic Elegance:

Couple number 1 shows us how to look like wedding perfection with their classic elegance. Men you can't go wrong with the right shade of blue and steel slacks. And ladies, a classic black A-line dress with a strand of pearls and strappy black shoes is the right look for just about any wedding.

2. Trendy Elegance:

 I was so excited to see trendy done right for a wedding. My beautiful friend Sarah is wearing a floor length gown in an on trend color this summer: coral. The bright sherbet colored stripes draw attention to her slender middle making this dress perfect for those with an hourglass figure, and who love to play with color. She is also wearing a nude shoe, which is right on target. When you wear a bright colored dress you want to wear a muted nude shoe. What else do I love about this look? Sarah told me that with her tattoos it is hard to wear patterns because  it is easy for her look to become too busy. So if you, like Sarah, have beautiful tattoos, then let them too be your best accessory.

Now let us give some attention to her fiancé. He chose to wear white on white and dress sneakers. He had asked me earlier in the night if white on white was a faux pas. I explained that actually the look worked rather well! First off the white tie and white button down were of two different textures, and not exactly the same shade of white. What made the look work was that the tie was the darker shade of white, therefore, working as an accent to his entire look.

Together their looks worked perfectly. Think of it as Sarah bringing the color into a black and white movie! This couple took a fashion risk and we say it was worth it. We give it an A+ in its art perfection!

3. From Under Dressed to Perfectly Dressed Elegance:

What is great about certain dresses is that with the right accessories you can transform it to fit any need. This is the case with the dress I chose to wore. I bought this dress from a boutique near Bryant park for a fabulous fee of $24.99 and had worn it out to a friend's birthday party in Manhattan prior to the wedding. To make this dress appropriate for a night of nuptials I added a touch of elegance in the form of jewelry. I added diamond drop earrings, and a vintage diamond and sapphire pendant I purchased from an antique store, proving that a little jewelry can go a long way! I also painted both my nails and toes in a deep, sparkling navy blue by O.P.I (Yoga-Ta Get This Blue).

Purple is a universal color, and looks great on everyone. Brian is wearing a lilac button down which accentuates his olive skin tone, and dark brown hair. He too has worn this shirt before, and an easy way for guys to change up their look is to choose a different tie, which Brian has done here!

4. Sweet & Southern Elegance

What I love about Megan's look is it is perfectly paired from head to toe. She is wearing a soft, pale yellow, eyelet, tiered dress, added a belt to cinch her middle from Anthropology, which matched her strappy heels, and wore her hair in soft curls. This look is super sweet, feminine, and fun. What is great about Dylan's look is his suit is one which will match any ladies' ensemble. His shade of cobalt blue button down is one that will match a plethora of dresses, and pairs well with Megan's dress. Here we have a couple who matches without looking like they tried too hard to match. Well done!

 5. City Chic Elegance

Watch out for this power couple! I was in love with Rob's use of a pop of color! Ladies, am I right? It was a perfect shade for the summertime. A tie clip, and pinstripes also helps this look reach dapper status. Jamie too looks divine, and is on trend with her ankle strap stilettos, and a-symmetrical one shoulder strap dress. What is great about both of these looks is they would be perfect for any wedding.

I hope you found this What To Wear helpful, and insightful. Have any pictures of what you wore to a wedding? Help our fellow readers, and e-mail us your looks!

Stay Lovely,

D.R

Editor and Curator of

Dusk & Rubies

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What To Wear To: A Bridal/ Wedding Shower

It's that time of year again, wedding season.

Picture from designsponge.com

Weddings are similar to the timely tradition of stringing multiple cans from the back bumper of the newlyweds' Rolls-Royce luxury rental. How? Well, when you're invited to a wedding you're also invited to the string of parties that celebrate the couple's love and marriage before the big day. These may or may not include the following: engagement parties, bridal showers, bachelorette parties,  rehearsal dinners, and bridal luncheons. So, what does this mean for a lovely guest like yourself? Well it means you're going to need clothes, dresses in particular...and lots of em'.

I just recently attended a fabulous bridal shower thrown for my longtime friend Kait, who is all about practicality, anything Kate Spade, obsessed with Gone With The Wind, lover of anything nautical themed, and fancies wearing red nail polish like from The Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood (I still remember you telling me that) Oh, and did I mention she is absolutely adorable? (Ladies take note: If it's your bridal party, and you're not sure what to wear, then you'll see pictures of Kait's fashion sense at work and be able to emulate it on your own!) 

Some of her lovely guests were kind enough to pose for the fashion cam, and show off their perfected wedding shower style. Each look is easy to achieve, and the links to the items they are wearing will be listed below the picture. Happy viewing.

1. Look 1: Charming Chic

Model: Griffin
Dress: LC Lauren Conrad Dot Mesh Dress
Shoes: (not exact) Juicy Couture Dakota Cork Wedge Sandals
Accessories: Gold Studs with Blue Gemstones, Michael Kors Square Face Watch, and Gold Cuff
 

Look 2: Trendy Chic

Model: Nicole
Dress and Cardigan: Old Navy Eyelet Tube Dress
Earrings: Envy
Ring: Modcloth My Pet Octopus Ring
Shoes: Payless Konstellation Strappy Wedge
 

Look 3: Sophisticated & Playful Chic

Model: Kait (Bride!)
Dress: From Rue La La-Completely playful and fun!
Shoes: Nude pumps- sophisticated and classic they'll go with so many other dresses in your closet.
 

Other fashionable lovelies:

And some more fashionable lovelies...

As you can see the dress code, was well, dresses! We did see a lot of nude colored: flats,  pumps, and wedges. Remember nude colored shoes are very versatile; they can match every color, and they can replace your black or brown shoes quite easily. I hope you found this "What To Wear" helpful, and when in doubt: scroll back up, and check out the lovely models and their perfected styles.

Thanks to all who participated in posing for the fashion cam!

Stay Lovely,

D.R

Editor and Curator

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