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Cathleen Jia is an up and coming designer who creates beautiful cocktail and evening dresses. I had the privileged of working with Cathleen Tan, the founder of this fashion house, in my Garden Vintage Photoshoot where her purple dress “Moonlight Kiss” was featured. I then was lucky enough to shoot her second collection “Premiere” as well – I did the hair and make up for the model wearing all her amazing designs. All her dresses are hand made from exquisite silk and carefully selected lace. It really looks like old hollywood come to life! To top it off, she’s just a lovely girl who is living her dream and wants t make every girl feel beautiful. I sent her some questions to get a better insight into her life and hopefully her words will inspire you to go and make your dreams a reality!  1. Cathleen Jia Designs has launched! Can...

Malee and David are such a fun loving couple. I met them both when Malee did her trial and they seemed like there were not only comfortable in each others presence but extremely happy. Their home reflects the lovely personalities and it looked like i was walking through an amazing display home! Malee knew exactly how she wanted to look like on her wedding day. She opted for a brown smokey eye with lashes and a nude pink lip. She wanted a side bun so that it was out of her face and a little hight so that it wasn’t brushing against her shoulder. Malee also decided to have her trial on a day where she was going for her dress fitting which i thought was such a brillian idea. It gives you the full picture of what you’ll look like on your wedding day. Also, if you were to...

I love these pictures as each time I look through them it transports me to the day again where I felt so much love, support and joy from everyone involved. As in my previous post, I mention that I could never do this photoshoot without each of these amazing businesses who are so amazingly selfless and so talented in their areas of expertise. Thank you again! Many thanks to our amazing Creative Team: Creative Director: Thom Wilton from Couturing Photographer: Karen Woo from Finessence Photography Technical Assistant: Alan Woo from Finessence Photography Models: Penny Hagekyriakou, Julie Wynn and Andrew Davis Assistants: Phillip Pham, April Conde and Suzanna Zhang Wedding Gowns, Jewelry and Furniture: Rosa Mak from Violetta Bridal Evening Gowns: Gwendolynne (Cream Gown) & Cathleen Jia Designs (Purple Gown) Head Pieces and Beaded Violet Sash: Stephanie Mizzi from In2twine Location: Eynesbury Golf Course Flowers: Domain Flowers Models: Penny Hagekyriakou and Julie Wynn Assistants: Phillip Pham, April Conde and Suzanna Zhang Sometimes when you don’t...

My vision for a bride on her wedding day is always something that enhances her natural beauty. I believe that make up and hair for your special day shouldn’t overshadow your natural beauty but instead make you feel at your most beautiful by enhancing your best features and allowing your happiness to shine through. I wanted to recreate a photoshoot that matched the emotions that a bride goes through the morning of her wedding. It’s always such a fun, nerve wracking and exciting period before she walks down the aisle. Every bride that I’ve had the pleasure of working with has been such a delight and I just wanted to portray that in this shoot as I’m so excited for 2012 and all the brides I will be lucky enough to meet. As soon at the idea popped into my mind, the first people...

        Chi & Nga are one of those couples that you know instantly when you see them together that they belong. Their relaxed nature and loving personalities with one another is absolutely infectious and it really does make you feel lucky to be part of such important step in their lives together. Chi’s wedding dress is vintage inspired so I decide to have her make up look both classic  but glamorous. However, Chi was also having a traditional Vietnamese tea ceremony so the look had to fit both outfits.  I decided to apply a neutral palette for her eyes with lashes for the day as well as simple red lips to complete the look. I have her hair in a messy bun as she wants it to be soft and whimsical with a very pretty flower head piece she got to match her amazing dress. At night when I come back to do her...

When ever I’m feeling tierd I feel the need to make sure my eyes look bigger and brighter. This helps me conceal tell tail signs that I’ve only had a few hours sleep and my mind probably won’t function without at least 2 more cups of nespresso coffee. This look also helps to open up eyes and make them appear bigger. So, next time you want to do something a little more fresh, try this look and let me know how you go! Note*** Apply an eye primer to your eyes. (You can see how i do this in my earlier post here) 1. Apply your favourite base colour, that is, the colour that will be close to your skin tone and has also has a little sparkle to help highlight your eyes. (Gorgeous Cosmetics Charity Shadow, GC Brush 027)   2. Using a slight silvery brown that will help contour your eyes, apply it...

Happy New year! Wow! It’s been a long time between posts! I thought I’d start off the year encouring everyone to follow their dreams in 2012. That is one of my only resolutions for 2012; to dedicate more of my time motivating and encouraging others to follow their hearts. I know that sometimes life doesn’t seem like it’s going in the direction that you want it to, and it may appear like your goals aren’t attaintable, but I am proof that anything is possible. The first step in my dream was to write down my goals. It is the first time that they become visual to you and they give you something to work towards. Once you write these down you can start making plans. The more specific they are, the more likely you’ll know how to go about achieving them. Write a date that you’d like...

Hello lovelies! Some hair inspiration for the week… Hope this puts a smile on your face once you realise that you can bring a little Bridgette Bardot to you life. She has always been my style icon. LOVE. Tippy Time: ***Best done with second day hair, I’ve spritzed mine with some dry shampoo. ***When teasing hair only do it to 1/4 of the hair length from the root so that it can’t really be seen. You want lift, not a bird’s nest! Sprits with hairspray afterwards as if you spray first and then tease, it will leave you much of that white residue that resembles dandruff, and no one wants to see that! 1. Curl hair with a large tong. I’m using Remington 1.5 inch barrell curler for a loose wave look. 2. Should look something like this… 3. Tease the top of you hair at the back, I’ve taken about 1/3rd of my hair around the...

Purple is one of my very fave colours to use on anyone. I love it because it suits so many different skin tones and looks great on anyone! More and more brides are requesting for a shade of plum on their eyes as it’s different but adds warmth to their eyes.  However, a lot of girls steer clear of it because if not applied correctly, you can end up looking like you’re a panda. So, here is my quick and simple version of how you can wear this to glam up a look or just to wear when you’re feeling a little bored of your everyday colours. 1. Apply primer. This is such an important step as it is going to have your eyeshadows true colours come through and for the eyeshadow not smudge and stay put all day! You really don’t want all your hard work to be gone after only a couple of...

GHD, flat irons, straightener, whatever you want to call it, it’s probably one of the most versatile and best investments you’ll ever make for your hair and overall image. So I use my straightener sometimes when I’m short on time and can’t curl my hair with an actual curler or i just want some waves through it. It can be done with either long or short hair. I find with the GHD curls, they give me a smother finish sometimes because the flat iron smooths out the hair cuticles and so it doesn’t’ look as frizzy as when i use a curler. They seem to hold much better than curler curls and ofcourse it’s super quick. At first it will seem a little clumsy but just keep trying and you’ll get there. What you will need: – Your GHD/Straightner/Flat iron -Hair spary (optional) One. Separate your hair so that you have 3/4’s of your...