HeartsApart.org

HeartsApart.org was created by our amazingly talented and generous photographic community. Founded in Wilmington, NC, its mission is to keep our military families at the forefront of our consciousness for all they sacrifice on a daily basis.  It's a way to keep deployed families within an arm's reach of each other, even while serving overseas.  At the crux is a set of bi-fold photos, taken by some of the most well-respected, highly sought-after photographers in our nation.  These bi-folds fit neatly in the deployed serviceperson's uniform pocket. The photos are of immediate family: children, and spouses.  The inside of the bi-fold is an intimate, "for their eyes only" shot of the other spouse.  The wallet-sized, plastic-coated set of folded photos means the world to the  person carrying it.  It means s/he has family at their fingertips when they are half-way across the globe.

I'll never forget the day that Charleston photographer, Diana Deaver, asked me to be involved with this project.  She was the local photographer who was asked to photograph a Charleston Air Force family before the husband/dad's deployment.  Although I did not know much about this organization at the time, I did know Diana.  She possesses one of the most giving, generous hearts of any one I've ever met.  There was no "let me check my calendar. . ." it was only, "tell me where and when, D. . ."  As you can see from the resulting photographs, she got what she was aiming for with this young military family.

The icing on the cake came in the form of a Brownie.  Harris, that is.  I was set up in the kitchen of our studio for the day, and I heard a voice I'll always have locked in.  That mellifluous, genteel voice of Brownie Harris.  I had no idea he'd be popping in during the day, nor that he was involved in this at all.  But as a matter of fact, Brownie is one of the visionaries of this organization.  He has helped grow HeartsApart.org into something so much more far-reaching than was ever imagined.  He spoke glowingly of Diana and said what a gifted photographer of women she was; that she had an especially sensitive way of helping women let their guard down, and then REALLY capturing them with her camera.  I found this to be the highest of compliments, but having seen Diana work previously, I already knew it to be true.  It was simply phenomenal to hear Brownie articulate it.

This is one of the most worthwhile projects I've ever been involved in.  Thank you, Universe, for allowing me to see this first hand.  And thanks to the following:

The Kihn-Hurt family. . . for letting your family's light shine on us all, and for the sacrifice you make every day.
HeartsApart.org, for such a magnificent undertaking.
Diana Deaver, photographer of souls.
Brownie Harris, for your insight, direction, and worldly experience.
Collette Mruk, for your supreme organizational skills and kind heart.
Mike K., for the use of your home and space.
And to anyone else whom I've unwittingly left out. . . thank you.

Karma. Katie. Southern Weddings Magazine.

http://iloveswmag.com/southern-bride-of-the-month-katie/

I have a love affair with Southern Weddings Magazine.  As its website says, "ILoveSWMag."  My love of this magazine began last year when I was a participant in a photo shoot for its Volume 3 cover finalist (see previous post).  This magazine manages to capture the essence of weddings in the South.  From the most spectacular venues to, Mason jars filled with Fire Fly concoctions (and lightning bugs, too;) to the finest regional cuisine and all things Southern in between.  You simply need to put your hands on it to understand how it oozes Southern magnificence.  But if you can't get your hands on a copy, check out their website.

Now, meet Katie.  My May 1st bride.  Also a Southern Protocol bride.  I don't usually write about clients before their wedding day, but this is a first.  Katie is the first featured Bride of the Month for SW magazine.  Please be sure to read her story on the SW blog, as well as her own personal blog at Koala Chique.  

Congrats, Katie and Southern Weddings Mag (for your excellent choice of inaugural BOM).

That Last Little Somethin'-Somethin'

Brides, brides, brides!  I love them, and I adore doing their makeup on Wedding Day!

Because it's high bridal season here in Charleston, I'm in a groove, and I've been thinking about my process when I apply a bride's makeup.  It comes down to those final touches that put a makeup application over the top.  Once their "face" is on, right down to the lashes, I find that I go back and add 2 to 3 more products that ALWAYS put on the finishing touch.  Here are my tricks of choice:

1.  Clean up any stray "fall" from powder shadows, and reapply a little more concealer over the darkest areas of the under-eye (usually the areas closest to the nose).  My clean-up product of choice (and previous blog-worthy item): Make Up For Ever's Full Cover waterproof concealer.  The tiniest bit goes a long way.

2.  Highlight the tippy-tops of cheekbones with MAC's Mineralize SkinFinish in either Light Flush or Petticoat, making sure to stay away from the apples of the cheeks.

3.  If I still need a little something-something, MAC's Eye Kohl in Powersurge (a metallic gold color) on the waterline (or rim) of the lower eyelid.  This makes eyes POP without making them appear smaller.

And speaking of Pink Ladies. . .

Be sure to check out MAC's newest incarnation of Pink Ladies . . . its newest additions to the VIVA GLAM lipstick lines.

Named for celebrity spokesperson Cyndi Lauper, "VIVA GLAM Cyndi" is a limited edition coral-red lipstick with a high-lustre finish.

"VIVA GLAM Gaga" is the blue-pink, high-lustre lipstick named for Lady Gaga. This one looks to be a best-seller, so be sure to visit your local MAC counter or www.maccosmetics.com to find yours.

As with all VIVA GLAM products, 100% of the selling price goes to the MAC AIDS Fund to support the fight against HIV/AIDS.

And a poet said, Speak to us of Beauty. . .

And he answered:

Where shall you seek beauty, and how shall you find her unless she herself be your way and your guide?

And how shall you speak of her except she be the weaver of your speech?

The weaver of my speech? I am the first one to want to look good during this festive time of holidays, family, friends, food, and all other things Good. My prayer / meditation this year is for my speech, demeanor, and deeds, to be the beauty that is noticed first and foremost.

I love a good beauty product. . . both giving and receiving them. But this year, I want my actions to belie my "beauty."

Merry Christmas, y'all.

Pamela

The Prophet by Kahlil Gibran

Let's Talk Airbrush. . . MAC Pro Airbrush!!!!

Years ago, when I first heard the term "airbrush" as it relates to makeup, images of supermodels on the covers of all the top fashion magazines came to mind. Cindy Crawford, Linda Evangelista, and Elle Macpherson on Vogue, Glamour, and Sports Illustrated. "Airbrushing" also carried connotations of a post-photo shoot computer correction of flaws. I never could understand why the supermodels needed to be "airbrushed" in that way.

Today airbrush makeup, riding on the coattails of all the aforementioned, implies the best in makeup for photography. With the advent of digital photography and high definition television and film, this is, in my humble opinion, the best way to apply foundation makeup. I'll save the equipment/tech-talk for another blog, but suffice it to say, MAC's Micronized Airbrush Formula foundation is at once sheer, providing wonderful coverage, and supremely matched to every skin tone. It is applied with an air compressor that disperses the foundation into tiny particles.

I'd like to thank my lovely model/bride Kate for allowing me to use her photos; and I'd also like to send a shout-out to Karen Julian-Smith of Simply Life Photography in Bluffton, SC. Although I'm posting only a few of her photos, I was awestruck by the way she captured the entire airbrush process. Check out her website because the same can be said of all her work!

The first photographs show some unevenness and redness in Kate's skin tone. By the end of the application, redness and pores are minimized, and Kate's overall appearance is even and natural. It's all about making the skin healthy and radiant.

www.SimplyLifePhoto.com

Luscious Lashes via MAC #4s, #7s, and #32s

I love lashes. Maybe it's because I don't have many of them, but mostly because it just puts a look "over the top."

In order to round out our discussion of lashes (see previous blog on Latisse), I must give equal time to false lashes. The pro's are many; the con's are few.

Pros: they provide POP immediately; they finish a look wonderfully; there are so many styles, sizes, and shapes available, that you can choose how much (or little) drama you want; they come off easily, and if treated gently, can be used 4 or 5 times. If you wear contacts, you're accustomed to having fingers near your eyes, so you, especially are able to wear them without much fuss.

Cons: gosh, I can't think of any. Some people say it's difficult to put them on themselves. There is truth in this. . . the first time I tried wearing them, it took me two times applying them before I felt comfortable with the process.

I try to talk all my brides into wearing them. Even if they are just "baby" lashes, that usually provides much more volume to a lash line. And mothers-of-the-bride, whose lashes may have thinned considerably, need them as well. For me, lashes are a must for any kind of photography.

I've attached some photos of the kinds of MAC lashes I use most. #4s are wispy and usually need to be trimmed, but I save those trimmings and use those for corner lashes at a later date. #7s are the spiky going-out lashes. . .people with a substantial distance between their lash line and eye brow wear these beautifully. #32s I use on many ladies who are on the fence about lashes or don't think they can pull it off. . . they are so very delicate and simply provide a little more oomph on thinning lashes. You can see from the first two photos the difference they make in my photos: one picture, I have nothing on my lashes, not even mascara. The other one I'm wearing MAC #7s. . . a little more drama than I'm accustomed to, but fun nonetheless. These two pics are a stark contrast, but included to show the difference between some and none.

I love my lashes. . . fake ones, real ones, or Latisse'd ones.

Thanks to the Lady at P.F. Chang's in Charlotte, NC ("Sushi Love!") and my MAC mate, Terrell.

www.maccosmetics.com (Eyes, Lashes)

Luscious Lashes via LATISSE !!!

LATISSE. . . I've tried it, and I love what it's done for me. . . long, luscious lashes that I've grown myself.

Latisse is the brand name for a pharmaceutical by Allergan called bimatoprost ophthalmic solution. It contains the same ingredient found in a medication for glaucoma patients whose side effect is growth of darker, longer lashes. It touts the ability to grow your lashes longer in 12 weeks of consistent use. Well, I'm here to testify!

It definitely worked, growing longer, fuller lashes, but I did encounter a couple of the side effects. Mainly eye dryness and darkening of my upper lash line. However, I feel the trade-off has been worth it. I use eye drops to keep my eyes moisturized and I use a little more eyeliner to conceal the darkness at my lashline. Coincidentally, an ophthalmologist recommend I not use Visine, which is a vaso-constrictor, meaning in order to "get the red out" all it does is shrink capillaries in your eyes. The redness comes right back, and therefore I use eye re-wetting drops.

As a makeup artist and a person with "insufficient" lashes, much of my work goes toward enhancing that feature. . . not only on myself, but my clients, too. When I'm dealing with a client, model, or bride the quickest route to long, luscious, stand-out lashes is a strip of false ones. However, it's impractical for me to apply false lashes to myself every day. That's where, for me, the beauty of Latisse lies. Every night after removing my makeup and washing my face, I brush on one drop of this product along my upper lash line. If you are a bride and have several weeks or months to go before your wedding, I'd highly recommend this product. If you are a consumer like me who wants to have your own "natural" lashes, this is a great way to go. Don't get me wrong, I love my false lashes! There's a time and place for them, especially in photography or for a special occasion.

I've spoken to some other Latisse users who have had hyper-growth. . . they responded very quickly and with an abundance of eyelash growth. When I began my treatment, the doctor's office was running a special where I got two bottles of Latisse for the price of one. My first bottle lasted me about 16 weeks. I saw maximum results at about 10-12 weeks. That was over the summer, and I decided to give it a break for a few weeks, mainly because of the eye dryness. True to all the literture, my lashes went back to their normal volume and length, so I'm currently on round two. This product is available by prescription only, so do the research, talk to other users, and find out if this is something that you could benefit from.

A real moment of validation came when I saw one of my sisters over the summer, and she commented on my "false lashes." She honestly thought I had put on my "Vegas Lashes." It was a Lash Moment that Brooke Shields (an endorser of Latisse) would've approved of.

I've included some candid shots of myself and my sister, Jenny, without any makeup on. Compare our lashes. . . (she's the blonde). Hers are a little longer than my normal (non-Latisse) lashes. Mine in the photo are without mascara. Thank you, Jenny, for allowing me to use your au naturel face!

The fine folks at Lowcountry Plastic Surgery set me up with my Latisse. This is a wonderful group of people who are well-trained, extremely knowledgeable, and offer a plethora of products and services. Michele Hensel is the office manager and a proud Latisse user. Check out their website below, or call Michele or Kirsten at 843.971-2860. There will be future blogs about them. . . awesome people who do wonderful things for our community while making this world a more beautiful place!

www.LowcountryPlasticSurgery.com

www.Latisse.com

Please Pardon a Proud Mama. . .Part One

Can a Mama brag for just a minute? We've had a very kid-centered week or two here in the Lesch household, all revolving around music. It's been a state of grace, actually.

Son #2, Culley, has embarked on an adventure his freshman year of high school known as The Wando Warrior Marching Band. The WHS band is a magnificent organization headed up by the most amazing director, Scott Rush and his assistant directors, Sean McGrew and Lanie Radecke, drill master Tim Cole, and art director/visual coordinator Michael Gray. Jessica Crum and Bobby Bethea direct the WHS Color Guard.

Band rehearsals started in mid-July. These kids gave up a solid month of their summer break for 13-hour days in the hot South Carolina sun in order to begin preparing for the prize: a trip to Indianapolis for Grand Nationals. . . the "Holy Grail" of marching band competitions here in the United States. Wando has a proud tradition of being among the best, if not THE best high school marching band in SC. However, this would be its first showing at the national level. Excitement throughout the marching season was palpable with the running countdown to the regional competition in Atlanta, the state competition in Orangeburg, and then to November 14 for Grand Nationals.

Weeks were consumed with 3 days of after-school rehearsals, plus football games on Friday nights, and weekend exhibits or competitions. Of course, this is in addition to the kids' academic classes and it has been Culley's life since July. He's loved every minute of it. This band has provided so much more than music. It's been a refuge in a school with over 3,300 students; it's been a place to bond with other kids who love the same things he does; it's been food for his brain and nourishment for his body; it's been more physically taxing than any P.E. class would request of him. We have truly learned the meaning of the "Wando Band Family."

As a freshman band parent, I was on the periphery looking in; I was a bit overwhelmed by the scope and magnitude of this operation. It's daunting. But what I learned was, like a colony of ants, there's a job for everyone. . .there's room for everyone. These people get things done! As a novice band parent, I'd like to make a disclaimer here. . . if I've gotten any names wrong or left any one out, please accept my apologies and chalk it up to my newness :)

I'd like to publicly thank all those other parents who treated and fed and nursed my son as if he were their own. All the parents who gave him water in the sweltering heat; nurses and physician parents who answered the calls of help when needed, all the merchants who donated food, water, and Stuff; the uniform committee who saw to it that my son had a stunning uniform that fit his exponentially-growing legs; the moms and dads who helped check luggage for field trips and went on the trips so my son could feel safe and secure. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

To Mr. Rush and staff. . . my gratitude runs deep for the life lessons you've taught these students: Graciousness and humility go so far in life; it builds character. All band students from all high schools are out there doing their best, too . . . they deserve our utmost respect and courtesy. Discipline is a means to improvement but self-discipline is a means to true understanding. And the list goes on. The WHS marching band is a microcosm of the best of humanity.

Fast forward to Sunday, November 15, as I'm waiting for Culley's bus to pull into the Wando parking lot, along with 300 other parents and family members with signs, noise-makers, sparklers, bull-horns, and posters, I'm thinking about the goals that were met. The first place win in the 5A South Carolina band competition; the 4th place win at the Bands of America regional competition in Atlanta; and now, (drumroll please) the 11th place win at the Grand Nationals. The goal from the outset. . . and I understand it was a lofty one since this was Wando's first trip to "Grand Nats". . . was to place in the top 12. And by golly, they did it!

All this hard work and dedication paid off. It was a wonderfully proud moment, when those 5 motor coaches pulled in, with a Mount Pleasant police escort. That's when the tears poured out. . . seeing my son come off that bus with a large medal around his neck and the exhaustion over his body. That's when I knew this was more than worth all the work, trips, expense, time, and energy. Not only was it worth it, it was a moment of rededication to next year!

Go Wando!

www.WandoBands.org

Featured Photographer: Ashley Brokop

Photography by Ashley Brokop

Makeup by Pamela Lesch

As I think about Ashley Brokop and her photography, one word recurs: moments. She's about them, she catches them, she's in them.

I've worked with Ashley twice, but with someone like her who wears her heart on her sleeve, it feels like I've known her much, much longer. Maybe it's the mommy-factor we have in common; maybe it's the yearning to be here in Chucktown (I live here, and I yearn for it!). But she falls into that inexplicable category of Kindred Spirit.

Ashley's photography has a distinct, photojournalist feel to it. Her military photography background has a unique ambience; when you look at her work and see someone with a wide smile or head tilted back with eyes closed or some other small movement, you just know she immortalized a moment.

One of the first things I noticed about her is that she kneels a lot and gets shots from angles that would never occur to me. I also love that she likes to shoot my makeup and the process of getting a bride ready. There's something of a mess that I make when I'm in the zone and doing my thing . . . brushes, eyeshadows, pencils, all askew. She considers that a moment and clicks away.

The hour or so before a bride puts on her dress are some of the most intimate, closely-knit moments in a woman's life. Usually, only those in her innermost circle are around her, readying her for this occasion. It's one of the things that draws me to the bridal aspect of my line of work. That's a special time, and I get to be a part of it. Ashley's work actually captures those fleeting moments. They are precious, she knows it, and she gets it.

Ashley is based out of Sumter, SC, but she travels extensively. Please check out her website at www.AshleyBrokop.com

Thanks also to lovely bride, Kimberly Mrachek :)

A Walk Down Memory Lane

Every now and then, someone will ask me how I came into this line of work . . . makeup. For those people who've known me for any length of time, they will attest to the fact that I've been a product junkie as long as they could remember. It doesn't matter if it's makeup or hairspray or shampoo or lotions. I've always had an affinity for all things cosmetic.

But today, I really started thinking back to the roots of it. My earliest cosmetic memory was when I was three. I was standing in the bathroom with my mother, watching her get ready to go out with my dad, and studying her routine. Curlers, hair pins, hairspray, powder, red lipstick. I was fascinated with the lips. She sat down and I crawled onto her lap, and I have a very sensory memory of taking my little finger, wiping it across her lips, and transferring some of her red lipstick onto my lips. For some reason, that tickled her and that's where my love affair with makeup began.

Then there are my memories of my grandmothers' cosmetics. Mostly, for them, they were perfumes and hair products. Small bottles with scripty writing like "Lanvin" or anything Avon (To a Wild Rose, Topaz). There were aerosol cans of hair lacquer, Final Net, jars of Dippity-Do, and a stray compact or two. Their lips were usually a taupe or plum color. They had reached an age where they felt they were past their "red lip days." They'd leave that to my mother.

Speaking of Avon, what an icon that was. Growing up in rural Georgia, the Avon Lady calling was a BFD (big freakin' deal)! They were the first to cater to people my age. . .the 'tweeners. Who remembers the solid perfumes that came on a lapel pin (ginger bread man or ice cream cone)? What about those tiny tubes of lipstick samples that were inherited from our moms? Sweet Honesty was one of the first perfumes targeted directly to teenagers in love! I wasn't quite a teenager, but I sure wanted to be. . . and I definitely wanted to be IN LOVE. Great advertising. All from the Avon catalog and a couple of well-placed television commercials. One of my all-time Avon faves were a couple of kitschy lip glosses. . . the pair of Red Lips (go figure;) and the hamburger. . .both you opened to reveal a duo of frosty and shiny glosses. And the smells were divine.

The Avon days gave way to the Maybelline days. . . specifically the Kissing Potion days. Those clear, roll-on lip glosses were a hot commodity. If you had one (or two!) of those, you had Street Cred. I can remember waiting for my bus to pick me up at school and people passing around the Kissing Potions (now, I shudder to think we were all sharing so freely). Cola and Cherry were my favorites, but there was every flavor imaginable. We had the shiniest, wettest lips ever!

As memory serves, after the Kissing Potion days waned, Bonne Bell made an appearance on the lip scene with their Lip Smackers. Who remembers those gigantic lip balms in every soft drink flavor there was? Dr. Pepper ruled. About this time, the roller skating craze was taking hold and any well-presented young lady at a skating rink wouldn't be caught dead without her Lip Smacker and large comb for her Jordache jeans back pocket. I digress. . . fashion is a whole 'nother story.

Can I get a shout out for Love's Baby Soft cologne? How about Gee, Your Hair Smells Terriffic! or Body on Tap or Faberge (And So On, And So On. . .) shampoos?

Gosh, I'm only up to about 8th grade. But I'll save some other old-school talk for later. In the immortal words of Led Zep, I could "Ramble On" about this stuff forever.

Tea? Deep Steep!!!

I first became acquainted with the Deep Steep line of products in 2006. My Gurl Lil and I decided this line of body care products would be a great addition to our retail inventory at our day spa, Whole Woman Wellness. This line never left my radar, because once I've fallen, I'll always have a soft spot for it. Flash forward a couple of years, and while perusing the "beauty aisle" at Whole Foods, I see Deep Steep has a prominent placement at the entrance of this section. As well, it should.

This is one of those rare gems. . .locally made on Johns Island (yay! love Love, LOVE patronizing locally), organic, cruelty-free, and the most AMAZING scents I've ever smelled in body care. This line consists of foaming hand washes, bath teas, body butters, moisturizing sticks, body washes, and bubble baths. And I can't stress how delicious the scents are!

The bath teas are what hooked me. . .this was a new concept to me, and I bought it hook, line, and sinker. You run your warm bath, toss one of the bath tea bags into the running water, and let it steep as you would a regular cup of tea. Only you are going to let your body steep in it, too. The aromas are heavenly and your bathroom will smell delish for hours.

If you leave one of the foaming hand washes at your sink, people WILL ask you about it, where you got it. My dry skin loves the body butters, especially after a bath tea soak. And for problem dry-skin areas (heels, cuticles, pregger bellies), be sure to check out the moisturizing sticks.

Grapefruit-Bergamot and Honeydew-Spearmint are my favorites, but you could never go wrong with any of the others: Lavender-Camomile, Rosemary-Mint, or Tangerine-Melon.

Check out the entire line: www.DeepSteep.com

MAC Paint Pots

As I was driving to meet my bride today, I was thinking about the eye products I use consistently, almost always: MAC Paint Pots.

A Paint Pot is a highly pigmented eye color that goes on creamy but dries to an intense, vibrant finish. It's long-wearing, without creasing or caking. It is an excellent primer for building color, and making powder shadows and eye liners last longer.

There are 16+ shades, but the two I use most are Painterly and Groundwork. I like these colors because both are matte, which looks good on every skin texture. . . smooth or not-so-smooth :) Paint Pots dry fairly fast. There's not a lot of play-time so I swirl it on quickly, in small, circular motions, from lash line into the crease. My favorite MAC brush for this application is a #224. It's soft and fluffy and gives a buffed finish.

If you've ever experienced oil-production on your eyelids that cause your shadows and liner to crease, this is the product for you. And when I say "long-wearing," I mean 12-14-16 hour wear. You'll need an eye makeup remover to take it off.

If you have blue eyes, Groundwork (a mid-tone neutral taupe), will instantly make your eyes "pop." Nearly every eye color can wear Painterly (a nude beige), and you can either keep the look light and soft, or build a smokey eye from there.

Any Paint Pot may be worn alone or used as a base/primer for layering powder shadows.

Featured Photographer: Brownie Harris

How fortunate I am to have worked with this man. Brownie is a combination of creative genius, gentleman, proud father and husband, and fascinating Man with a Story.

I met Brownie when he shot the Polley-Cutler wedding at the Market Pavilion Hotel in Charleston (AMAZING, no detail was spared). Brownie had done the hotel's marketing photography, so he knew most of the people on staff. This knowledge of people behind the scenes, I would eventually learn, is pivotal in his work.

This summer, he brought me on board for a photo shoot of the Kiawah Island Development Partners. Downtown at the KDP office, as well as out on Kiawah, I was able to see a more sustained version of what he does. It entails so much more than pointing and clicking.

Brownie takes the time to get to know his subjects, clients, the landscape, whatever he's shooting. He talks and asks questions and has this way of putting people at ease; making them laugh, finding common threads. It was really something to see all these interactions unfold. Just when I thought I couldn't be more impressed, I got to see the finished product. . . the proofs.

That's where you see the transformation between two people who are essentially strangers and an obvious connection that has been made, expressed through art.

Please check out his website, and I'm sure you'll understand why I feel so lucky to have crossed paths with this man. I think it will always be a thrill to check my e-mail and see a note that says "from Brownie Harris."

www.BrownieHarris.com