All Made Up
October 24th, 2007 @ 9:30 am by Mrs. Peony
When Mrs Caramel wrote about the amazing Jessica Lee, I couldn’t help but turn green with envy. I even (briefly) had a vision of myself being filthy rich so that I could fly her out to NY for my wedding. 
Like Mrs Caramel, I don’t want a natural look for my wedding day makeup. For one, I look like I’m 12 years old sans makeup, so I wear it almost every day for professional reasons. I want to look at least a bit different for my wedding…more glamorous, more polished, more vavavoom!
I also tend to look very washed out in photos. Take a look at my profile picture - it was taken at a wedding and I was wearing full makeup that day. I tried to go heavy on the application and colors but I still look like I’m barely wearing anything! I want to look ravishing in my pictures. I want to evoke old Hollywood glamour. I want to look like I’m wearing makeup!
There’s also the fact that I’m spending all this money on a photographer and makeup/hair stylists…I want to milk it for all it’s worth!
So bring on the flawless look. The full lipstick and smoky eyes. Let there be contouring, and lots of it!
I set out looking for good hair and makeup artists a few months ago. I actually had a couple of trials, both of which did not turn out too well. After one trial, I looked like a drag queen and at another, I walked out feeling like a geisha. In addition, they would not listen to me when I told them I wanted a downdo! They insisted that a bride must have her hair up and elegant on her wedding day, when I want my hair down in loose curls.
I found some great makeup and hair stylists via The Knot and Long Island Weddings message boards. There are some wonderful before-and-after photos as well. After a while, the same names keep popping up. Specifically, those with experience with Asian brides. Sachiko Yanese. Jacqueline Nicole. Oksana. Ai Sakai. Sissi Chan. Reiko Utsugi.
However, while their work is beautiful and brides would not stop raving about them, I did find that the majority of their work has been with brides who want the natural look. Which is entirely fine for others, but not for me. Although I would love to book trials with all of them, my wallet just can’t handle it at the moment.
Then I considered the Pedala sisters, whom I had ruled out before because of their high prices. Maureen is the makeup artist and Claudia is the hair stylist. Just take a look at the before-and-after pictures on Maureen’s website. Amazing! I especially love how she made each person’s eyes really pop. Just in case the pictures from the website are flukes, I researched them even more and found real brides who were transformed by them. I could not find one negative review.
Since they do not charge for trials, I figured “why not?” and shot Maureen an email. My trial with them is scheduled for November 5, which is also Mr Peony and my 4-year anniversary. 
I will meet him for our anniversary date right after the trial. Wish me luck!
Just in case the Pedala sisters don’t work out, who would you recommend (in the NYC area) for someone like me?
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8 Responses to “All Made Up”
I totally know what you mean! There is no such thing as the “natural” look for Indian brides. We want dramatic– dark, smoky eyes and red lips. I had a hard time finding a makeup artist who knew how to bring the drama!
Since there are so many other things we sorta have in common for our wedding planning, try my makeup artist.
Naomi Martinez
http://www.naomimartinez.com/gallery1.html
(I’m on this page from a friend’s wedding).
She’s really talented and such a sweety. She does airbrush and traditional makeup, and really tries to give you a look that you’re comfortable with, that will show up nicely in photos. I’ve seen her give people a heavy look and others a natural look.
Her studio is in CT, but she travels for weddings, and I think she’s totally worth it. I mean, if she’s good enough for Iman, she’s good enough for me! 
Hi Jen,
Both Maureen and Claudia charge the same rate, which is $350 for the bride (so $700 total if I were to book them) and $150 additional person. Maureen also has a $1,250 all-inclusive package which includes all applications and staying for 8 hours for touch-ups.
Wow, Naomi’s work is great! Thanks for the reco, MJ! I’ll definitely check her out if it doesn’t work out with the Pedala sisters.
I know you have doubts about Jacqueline Nicole, but you may want to check her out. When I told her I wanted a natural look, the trial came out a little more dramatic than I wanted and apparently that’s happened to a couple other girls as well. She takes direction very well, and it’s my fault that the trial was too much for me because I wasn’t vocal enough. She’s a great lady though and so much fun!
Miss Peony - I just remembered something (sorry for the late post)…but Miss Eggplant’s makeup artist, Nam Vo, is moving to NY in June 2008 so you might want to give her a try!
[...] had my hair & makeup trial with the Pedala sisters: Maureen (hair) and Claudia (makeup). I had written earlier that unlike many brides these days, I’m not going for the natural look on my wedding day. I want [...]
Mrs. Peony, New York
Age and Occupation: 27, Marketing Coordinator
Fiance's Age and Occupation: 30, QA Engineer
Engagement Date: June 28, 2007
Wedding Date: April 18, 2008
Venue: The Fountainhead
Blogging Since: August 7, 2007
About Me: Both Mr. Peony and I are huge computer nerds, and our conversations usually consist of the latest gadgets, programming languages, and video games. At the same time, I can also be very girly with an obsession with handbags, makeup, and high heels. And art! I've studied studio art extensively, almost majored in art history, and freelance as a web and graphics designer. Mr. Peony and I are having a ball of a time planning a wedding for 250(!) guests, doing our best to infuse our personalities (geeky chic) with the wishes of our very traditional Asian parents.
Good to know the Pedala sis’ dont’ charge for trials - do you know how much they charge for day of for bride and BM?