Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Hope you all have been having a wonderful time with family and friends this holiday! It's been a busy month, and I'm so looking forward to the New Year. :)

Great News! I will be featured in a series of segments on Good Day Oregon, Fox12 - highlighting different Makeup and Hair techniques and tips, hot trends, how to save money and still have the best beauty products around! Watch Mon-Friday, 9-10am on channel 12! I do a short segment every few weeks, and I'll announce which mornings they will air on my facebook and twitter! Feel free to email me with thoughts or suggestions on what YOU want to hear about.

Here's a quick clip of a segment that aired today!

Commercial Videos!

Yes, the commercial spots are finally coming to life! I'm so happy to share these and there's even a couple more to come.

The first is the Behind the Scenes video of our fashion shoot that will be used in part for the actual advertisement. That day was such an incredible gift. So many talented people (about 25 people!) came together with me to create this production. Choosing the models, the designer, the location, the music, the hair and makeup design - it was ALOT of work :) But SO worth it. It was about a 12 hour day there at the Aurora Airport and couldn't have been possible with every single person there!

At one point I was just standing there, watching everyone, looking at this beautiful set that we created, and I felt so humbled that every single person was there because they wanted to be a part of my vision. I was completely blown away. And I can't thank everyone enough.



The next videos are the advertisements for two of the speciality services I offer at the salon. These are for Eyelash Extensions and for the Keratin Smoothing treatment, the Brazilian Blowout. The filming day at the salon was a good 8-10 hours or so, thanks again to everyone who made this possible. The patient models, Vanessa and Helen, photographers Levy and Chris, and videographer Norm for watching hours of (I'm sure) boring footage to make something eye-catching and wonderful!

What's been up!

It's been a crazy summer, and now a non-stop fall! :) I've tried to update when I can, but it's just so ridiculously sad. I apologize. :)

A little opener clip - the rest coming soon!

The last two months (not the ENTIRE two months, just days in between of all the regular work :))were spent working on a filmed commercial that will show the different services I offer. Thanks to the Synergy Film Group, this commercial is going to be really awesome! Alot of people don't realize I do many different things, and I love them all! Makeup and Hair for Bridal, Fashion and Runway, Print, Editorial - you name it! I specialize in Hair Extensions, Lash Extensions and Brazilian Blowouts. I also do specialized Model Photography, where I am photographing beautiful headshots for models and specific projects. Haircuts and Colors are now offered in my beautiful salon space too! On the side, I also do a Mentor Makeup Artist program and Model Coaching. So yeah, it's alot to take in!

We finally finished wrapping up the entire set about a week ago - think about setting up all those different services to be filmed. Sheesh! It was alot of work :) But I do believe it was well worth it. Now I will be able to have a quick and easy to see commercial for everyone to see what I can do for you!

Along with that, I've been settling into my new salon and I love it. It's great to be able to have a place to meet all my clients in! I still go on location for weddings and photoshoots, but for all the rest, I'm in the salon :) Booking weddings now for 2011-2012!

Speaking of weddings - whew what a year! I recently counted up my weddings to date - I've had 68 weddings so far. :) Wow. When I look at that number, I think, how did I do that? Well, I know I've had one wedding (at least) every weekend since March, a few from Jan and Feb, but in the spring/summer/fall it was usually 2-4 weddings a weekend. Phew! Sometimes it was 3 weddings in one day! And normally my average wedding party is 4 ladies. Very rarely have I had just the bride to do! So honestly, I don't even know many brides, bridesmaids, mothers and flower girls is! :) Honestly, I loved every single one!! I feel so special to be such an important part of someone's perfect day. It is a huge gift to me! <3 A huge THANK YOU to all my brides who trusted me for their special day. I love you all!

Also in the last few months, I've been working on my own private label for my own makeup line "Aimee J'Adore Makeup" Yes! It's been so much fun and such an amazing thing to see the products and decide what is best. The makeup is beautiful, flawless and easy to use. I'm happily offering private makeup lessons to anyone who wants to "get to know" makeup all over again, and get some new tips and tricks!

I've been very blessed to have worked with alot of incredible photographers, models and designers - as well as other super talented Makeup Artists and Hair Stylists!

I'm so pleased to say that my work will be featured in the Portland Bride and Groom magazine coming soon! I was so excited to hear it, as well as see another set of mine featured in a prominent designer wedding blog! It's been such a wild ride!

Lastly, feel free to find me on Facebook! My professional page is under "Aimee J'Adore Makeup"! I try to keep up on Twitter too since it seems to be so popular, but I'm not as nifty with it :) Hope you are all well, and I hope to see you soon!

xoxox

Aimee

Brazilian Blowout Controversy - Important Information

To all my clients and friends!

Thank you for reading:


As a Hair dresser, a Makeup Artist, an Esthetician, and your friend, I'm writing this note to address the latest news about the smoothing treatment from the Brazilian Blowout Company. I have been hearing so much uneducated information amd sensationalized reports from the news channels, that I want to put forth the facts as I have read them and had actual reports.


This investigation into the contents of the Brazilian Blowout smoothing treatment began when a stylist, Molly Scutton of Platform Artistic Salon in Portland, Oregon, claimed she was experiencing physical reactions, such as coughing and water eyes, from preforming the hair treatment on clients. It should be noted that Molly is NOT a certified Brazilian Blowout Stylist and if she was preforming the treatment, she was doing so untrained. Molly's salon submitted a sample of the product that they claim is Brazilian Blowout's "Acai Professional Smoothing Solution". Brazilian Blowout has checked their files and according to their records, "the last bottle of solution purchased from this salon was back on January 18th, 2010 (Shipped to Platform Artistic Salon but billed to a different stylist). Certainly nowhere near the August 12th 2010 date that OHSU claims a bottle was shipped to Platform Artistic Salon". It appears there are some unanswered questions regarding the sample submitted to the Oregon branch of OSHA.



That being said, personally, I'm disappointed by the reports coming out of Oregon Health and Safety University. Last week it was reported that an older formula from Brazil was found to have formaldehyde. Fellow hairstylists were not too disturbed by the results because we knew that the older formula contained formaldehyde, and that was it was reformulated for the US. We were anxiously awaiting test results of the newest formula, which according to the company is formaldehyde-free. In fact, the official statement from the company's PR is that the formula is "hyde-free meaning that none of the formaldehyde cousins are present in the formula. Today the story changes.



According to the newest test done by an Oregon OSHA laboratory it does indeed contain formaldehyde from the sample sent in by Molly. OSHA will be testing the smoothing solution sent in by the Brazilian Blowout Company to ensure the validity of the claims. In the meantime, Brazilian Blowout has posted this:




"At Brazilian Blowout, the safety of our products, stylists and consumers is our number one priority. We stand behind the integrity of our product, and affirm that our professional solution is indeed formaldehyde-free.

As a result of the Oregon division of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration's (OSHA) recent claim, Brazilian Blowout is conducting a thorough investigation of these allegations to ensure that accurate data is released to the public.

With regards to OSHA's claim, the actual source of the formulation tested has not been identified, and was not submitted by the Brazilian Blowout company itself. Because OSHA did not request a sample from the company directly, there is no reason to believe that the formulation tested and found positive for traces of formaldehyde was indeed Brazilian Blowout product. This represents a clear violation of proper testing protocol, and this gross negligence on the part of OSHA invalidates all findings that have been released as a result of OSHA's testing."


While I'm disappointed that the company is standing more on a wobbly leg of a technicality, I will hope that we will hear more good news in the very near future after a more thorough investigation. One of the major points too, is that the exposure to any of the product is very limited to the clients! These warnings are very much for the worry of too much exposure to the stylist who preforms this service regularly.



The majority of keratin treatments actually DO contain formaldehyde. Due to the popularity of this type of hair treatment, it’s time for brands, salons and stylists to take action for the healthy of everyone involved:

■Salons who opt to continue to use keratin treatments, including the brand name Brazilian Blowout that contain formaldehyde should install an air filtration system, and offer eye shields and masks to the stylists and clients for their protection. Jordana Lorraine uses a filtration system designed to be used with formulas that contain formaldehyde and similar ingredients to protect her clients and herself.
■Keratin hair treatment brands should be upfront with stylists and increase their training and suggested safety precautions.

■Stylists should be upfront with clients and the potential risks, as well as making the salon environment as safe


A note from Jordana Lorraine:

Please note that while this may have exposed a big untruth, which people have a right to be upset about, it does not say that these treatments should be banned, just labeled accurately and handled more carefully. I believe that service providers and consumers deserve to be informed and educated on the topic, and provided with protective measures while working with any chemical. Just as we wear gloves when bleaching, and manicurists wear masks when working with acrylic, guidelines should be imposed on how to use this product safely.

I am grateful that my curious and concerned mind has already led me to set up a 3-part air filtration system to protect my clients and myself from potential harm. More on this, coming soon! For now, you can learn a bit about it at www.SafeBrazilian.com“


So all in all, what we are taking from this is that the treatment is not banned, will not be, and is safe for clients with the OSHA approved precautions in place. Air filters, eyewear, and proper ventilation - as well as being properly trained and certified - will ensure a safe and protected environment for both the client and the stylist.

When one door closes - hey there's an open window!

Hi everyone, it's been too long since my last blog - but I actually have a reason besides the usual "I'm busy non-stop and haven't had a moment to spare!!" My computer got a virus (very much my fault I will add. Don't click on things you think MIGHT be sketchy! bad aimee!), and ended up killing my hard drive. I KNOW. Talk about a nightmare. But about 3 weeks ago I had backed up my computer to an external drive (some sort of strange premonition?? I don't know), and so it just took me a bit to get a new drive, install it and get things all up and running again. I know, yay for me lol :) Guess I learned a trick or two all those years...

So I wanted to at least show you some new pretty things I've been doing fashion makueup-wise. Besides it being full on wedding season and having one, sometimes even two or three weddings booked every weekend until October, I've been busy working with Koin6, Fox12 and CBS. It's so much fun being the stylist for their news anchors. They are all great people, and I'm such a geek - I love being on set! Now if we could just get those Twilight movies back in town I would be in my own little heaven.... ;)

I had my 27th birthday ealier this month and it was so much fun :) I can't believe how time is flying by! My boyfriend, Paul surprised me with all these wonderful gifts and the cutest one of all was a new baby kitten! He's such a sweetheart! I really feel so lucky to be in love with my best friend. <3 <3 <3 And to all my friends who sent birthday wishes, thank you!!! I got over 300 emails, texts and phone calls wishing me a happy day, I was completely blown away. Thank you to all my friends, clients and loved ones!!!

Here's a couple images from some fashion shoots -

Lots to update...

The past few months have been non-stop, and I don't see it ending anytime soon! I'm certified for Hair Extensions, and Lash Extensions and that with all of my usual photoshoots and weddings have left me little time to get online! :) I wanted to post some pictures, these are so fun!

Hair Extensions are so much fun to me - every woman wants long hair in her life, and sometimes our hair just doesn't want to cooperate! Nicki called me and wanted to talk about getting some hair extensions for her wavy shoulder length curls. She said she's always wanted to have long hair, but it never seemed to get past her shoulders. So we put in some gorgeous fusion extensions on her, and she's been loving them these past few months!!



Sometimes I have clients that just want a pop of color to their hair without the chemical damage, or the fading that is so normal for vibrant colored hair. Leslie was one as such! Loved it!!!



April came to me after a tramautic experience when dyeing her hair from brunette to blond. Her hair was ravaged from the process, and she had to have 14 inches cut off of her beautiful long hair! She decided to nourish her hair by staying brunette, and came to me to add her length back in. I love being able to give back to people!



And as for lashes - who doesn't love long, lush, lashes!! No false lashes here!







They are weightless, feel like your own, and can be tailored to your own style. I really love my job! When ladies look in the mirror and say "wow!", that's when I'm happy that THEY are happy! :)

Libby Boggs

I had the opportunity a few weeks ago to head up by own photoshoot with one of Portland's best fashion models - Libby Boggs. She's so beautiful, and such an incredible young woman! I was asked by a photographer if I would mind spending some time at the studio, showing him how I style a shoot for a fashion set. This photographer is well known for his impeccable glamour work, but he felt that he couldn't grasp the fashion side of things. I didn't feel that I was the best person to teach him how to shoot fashion, but he insisted that when I get behind the camera, I see things that he feels he doesn't! So I invited Libby out, and she graciously gave me her time. We just had fun with it - changed outfits a few times, just put some creative flow out there. It was hard to choose, there were so many great shots! I deliberately gave them a muted, dreamlike feel - Here were some of my favorites -

Weddings!

Wedding season is definitely upon us, and I love it! Doing bridal makeup and hair styling is one of my favorite things - I love meeting each bride, hearing the details of their flowers, their dresses and the excitement surrounding the big day. For me, it's such an honor to play such a close and intimate part for each of these wonderful women. Each of these ladies puts their trust me that I will make them look their most beautiful, their most perfect for one of the most important days of their lives! Sharing the day with loved ones and to be photographed and have those pictures stay with them forever, to show their families and friends, and later on their children and grandchildren. I look on it as a great honor and a great privilege to be the stylist that they choose be there for them! For this ladies, I thank you all from the bottom of my heart.

Although I do so many weddings, the hardest part is actually just getting some photos after the wedding to show! :) But Karen made such a point to get me some pictures, I so appreciate that Karen! Here I wanted to show Karen's beautiful day!



Karen was such a wonderful bride, so lovely inside and out! At her consultation, we went over all the details and she wanted a soft, romantic bridal look for her day. On the wedding day at the beautiful Governer Hotel, the day was a full of sunshine for the happy couple. All morning I got the ladies ready, her two bridesmaids, the mothers and the bride - what struck me about these ladies was the profound love in the room. At every wedding, I am warmed by the happiness and love that is shared between the ladies as they prepare the bride to be married. So much care, so much thought. And with Karen's family around her, I felt it so strongly that I even teared up as they helped her into her gown! Such a beautiful family and a beautiful day....thank you my dear, for letting me be a part of it. xoxo

Below is a link to the photographers blog with lots of lovely pictures of Karen and Jason's day! Thank you!!

http://youlooknicetodayphoto.com/?p=1129

Miss Oregon Teen USA

I am so backlogged with new images from shoots, that I'm just beside myself. I really need to make it a resolution to update at least once a week! :) The most fresh images in my mind are these - I did a shoot with iBeauty Photography for Cara Nardini, the most recent pagaent winner for Miss Oregon Teen USA. She was so sweet, and incredibly mature for just 17! We talked a long time about the different things the pageants support and all the wonderful causes she can help with her title. Here's a couple from the shoot!

Cara the Peacock Lady!

It was several weeks ago that Cara got in touch with me and said she wanted to hire me to do a peacock theme for a gorgeous new headshot. I definitely liked the idea, so I thought about lots of lovely ways to create the look for her. We really wanted to incorporate some feathers in there, but how to make it all pull together?

I put Cara's large soft eyes as the focal point, and used layers of royal blue, green and the tiniest hint of yellow. Using the blackest eyeliner, I carved a beautiful shape around her eyes to give her an animal feel. With glowing skin, her lips stayed a soft nude so as not to detract from her eyes, and then I swept her hair back into a high bang with some texture. We tried several different poses and angles and these struck me the most. Each so different, with different emotions. Beautiful job Cara! And as always, iBeauty really captured each shot!

MA Photography

I've had a blast working several shoots with Michael Andrus this past month, and I really wanted to sit down today and show some of the final work! :) He's a wonderful photographer, with great sense of humor. He is great if you need some special rates for starting up your modeling portfolio, or taking those gorgeous senior pictures. Check these out!

Several weeks ago, Michael called me in for a shoot and I met Teddi - she's such a lovely lady inside and out. Teddi was wanting to update her business cards and profile with new professional images. She still wanted to keep a feminine feel to her look, so I left her hair softly curled and her makeup enhancing her beautiful features.





A few weeks later, Michael called again, and I got to meet the fun Daniella!! She wanted to build up her modeling portfolio here in the states. She's from Venezuala and although she kept saying she was JUST taught English only this last December - she spoke more clearly and fluently that some american's I know!! :) We did something a little smokier for her look, bringing out her amazing eyes...



Last week, I got to meet the beautiful Haley - oh my what a doll! Gorgeous skin, luminous eyes! And yes, she is just 14! Her Mom was there as I applied her makeup, telling me how an agent had scouted Haley and wanted to sign a modeling contract. So smart Mom made a few inquiries and found Michael's well deserved reviews leading her to set up a Modeling Portrait session with him to build her book. I kept her makeup clean and fresh and her hair I tousled up into a lovely romantic 'do.



Later we brought it down for a more casual feel!

The Better Living Fashion Show Weekend

Happy Easter everyone! I'm sorry, it's been so insane these past few weeks. I know I'm always saying that, but it's so true. I finally have time to sit down and write a bit about the shows last weekend.

Put on by Semper Fashion productions, the fashion shows at the Better Living show were a huge success. The show featured pieces from over seven prominent designers in the Portland area and all highlighted the use of sustainable fabrics and accesories. My favorites were the dresses made from cocoon silk! Gorgeous!

There were about 35-40 models in the shows, so each day all these guys and gals had to be made up! Myself, I did over 25 models each day, trust me, I was tuckered out by the end. :) Jamie from Rumours Salon brought in the mineral makeup line we used for the show, YoungBlood. It gave a natural, and lovely look to everyone. I fell in love with the "LunarDust", such a beautiful highlighter for the cheeks!

Hopefully I'll get some time to post up the previous pics from the tv commercial segments and all that fun. Enjoy these pics from the show! From Merc Photography and random snapshots :)

Fashion Shows at the BETTER LIVING Show this weekend!

Hey you guys! I'll be heading up the Makeup for the Fashion shows at the Expo Center this weekend - come out and say hello! :) It's been a super crazy couple weeks, I'm sorry I haven't been able to update at all. If you're on my facebook, you'll have seen all the tv spots, behind the scenes pics, and everything in between! It's free admission for the Better Living Show, and there will be walking fashion shows all day, all weekend, with the Runway Shows at 8pm Friday, 8pm Saturday and 2pm Sunday. There will also be a huge VIP party at the Benson Hotel Saturday night - dress to impress!

See you on the runway! hugs!

Holly and Nicki Part I

A few weeks ago, I had a double shoot with Holly and Nicki and iBeauty Photography. The girls had long been wanting to emulate this rocker-edgy look from the 80's! The second set of the day, you'll have to wait and see... :) Hair and Makeup design by me of course :)

Here's Holly rockin her big hair!!



And this headshot of Nicki just took my breath away - wow!! Reminds me of some sort of vampire, Twilight-esque feel :)


Editing by J'Adore

Chinese Culture Fashion Show

A few weeks ago there was a fashion show at the Chinese Cultural Fair at the Convention Center and I was asked to be a key MUA for the show. The wonderful and talented Carrie Hamm (Makeup Artist) contacted me and I'm so glad she did! It was a gorgeous preview of designer clothes for all those visiting the Fair to see. There were 14 models for the show, and I was happy to know many of them. There are so many lovely ladies here in Portland! Model Kate Sson, one of my favorite girls, really wowed the crowd, and model Jillian Rabe was there, effortlessly and so elegantly showcasing the sweeping designs for the finale of the show. Beautiful!!! It was my honor and pleasure to make these ladies up, and everything went so wonderfully :) Here are a few random pics - wish I had more!! :)

Caitlyn

Forgive me! I've had no time to post - and now I have such a backlog of images oh dear. :)

This image was from a shoot with Jim of JTO Photo and he did such a lovely job with the lighting and beauty of this shot. It was such a pleasure to work with Caitlyn! She is only 19 years old, but after we had settled into makeup and were chatting, I was amazed by her maturity and the wisdom beyond her years. This beautiful headshot is one of my new favorites of my collection.

Maksim Take Two

Hope you all are doing well; I just wanted to show you some new images I got back from a shoot with the wonderful Maksim. As a model, Maksim is so refreshing because he comes to his shoots with loads of ideas and samples of high fashion commercial ads from magazines such as VOGUE and INTERVIEW. All of these images were Maksim's ideas with myself doing the hair styling and makeup, Tom from iBeauty capturing the photos and creating killer lighting to set the mood. Wonderful job everyone!