Changes for 2011

Hello lovely ladies!


With 2011 come big changes in my services for Studio Sila. I will now service only 5 brides in North America a year- all the rest of the brides will be serviced in Islamabad, New Delhi and then in the UAE.


So why the change? Well for the past 14 years I have been offering my signature style to lovely desi brides all over North America. Travelling to various states, cities, islands and destinations, and while the journey has been enjoyable, I am now moving my expertise as a master makeup artist to the next level. 


Despite all the resources in North America, most desi brides here are fixated on certain things, e.g Smokey eyes, nude lips, french manicures, side parts with a centre mang tikka and oh yes, with an obsession of trial makeup sessions. While some artists would gladly reproduce the look over and over again, it is causing my artistic abilities to stagnate, which is not where I would like them to be.


Thus, from now on, a consultation with brides-to-be will not only help them decide on whether they would like to retain my services, but also if I wish to work with them based on what they desire for their wedding day makeup and hair design.


The east, is a canvas ready to absorb a multitude of colors, textures and styles and thus, I shall be focusing my time and talent working with the clients in South Asia.
Much love and wishes for a fantastic 2011.
XOXO
Saman


Currently booking weddings in Islamabad for Feb 2011-

The most gratifying session!!!

Thanksgiving 2010 was energized with weddings for Saffron Affairs, me playing hostess for a feast for some of my dearest friends, the better half coming down with a nasty cold, getting gifted with the Dyson of my dreams (yes I dream in cleanliness!) but most importantly, was the highlight- the most gratifying styling session of the year!


My dear friend and International Cinematographer extraordinaire' Mili Ghosh (http://www.memoinmotion.com) was visiting Austin from her windy city home town- and to mark her anniversary she had a themed photo-shoot in mind (what a delightful idea for all couples!!!). I got the unbelievable opportunity to style her hair (which my goodness is any hair artist's dream come true, trust me, it curls in 5 secs and holds the curl & shines without any products!!!) and to do her makeup for her 40's vintage inspired shoot!


Undoubtedly her skin was flawless, doe eyes that could melt or pierce your heart with the slightest change in glance and oh did I mention the amazing hair already?
:)


So we worked together, amongst a lot of laughter and chit chat, catching up in person after almost 3 years and Mili trusted every stroke of my brushes, every dab of pigments.... and about 2 hours later, here stepped out Mili exquisite from head to toe, from her meticulous selection of her dress, to the shoes (jaw on the floor alert), her perfect accessories and oh yes the perfectly defined RED matte lips to offset her winged carbon eyeliner, wispy falsies and the undone bun!


A little nudge here for her darling and partner in art Sid for a bit of gel to take his upward sculpted hair style to a 40's sleek one and the couple was all set for a fun shoot in Austin with Nessa K Photography.


Here is a classic memory of Mili & I from that most artistically precious session for me just as they were ready to head out the door for their shoot.

Thank you my dearest friends and I cannot wait to work with you soon at some exotic location, half way around the world~


To all my readers- Stay Beautiful!
XOXO
Saman

Product Review

For those of you who emailed me regarding the super oil I used while styling the last blog for Maharani Weddings 


http://www.maharaniweddings.com/maharani/2010/11/studio-sila-thanksgiving-maharani.html


here are details!


So the amazing dry oil is called Moroccan Oil and it is primarily created from Agave Oil. Being a dry oil, it leaves no heavy, sticky, oily feel to the hair when used properly.


So what is proper, well, you are to use a drop (literally no bigger than the size of a penny) in damp hair and focus more on the length of the strand and the ends. If your hair is bleached, highlighted, chemically relaxed, permed or very curly you will need a tad bit more. Hair that is virgin to all chemical processes will need less. Remember it looks like a drop but it goes a long way and after the first use, you will know if you need to go up or down with the amount applied. You rub the drop of oil between your palms and smooth it down the shaft of the hair, remember the inside area also near the nape of the neck :)


It works both to naturally smooth the hair and is amazing for styling too. I use it prior to applying curlers for the softest large curls, its amazing as a serum prior to using the flat iron and if you make loose braids in almost dry hair after applying the oil 10 minutes later you have the perfect finger waves!


Here is the product- worth every penny and it is available online at Amazon!

Stay Beautiful!

XOXO

Saman Ansari

A recap of some beauty this summer

Hello gorgeous people!
Its been an artistically fulfilling yet hectic summer as I took on the role of Aesthetic Director for Saffron Affairs. My passion of makeup has not been neglected I assure you :) and here are some of the faces I worked with- Each hair and makeup look was custom created to best suit their desire and compliment not only their outfit but the theme of their event too.
Enjoy!

Diwali Makeup!

http://www.maharaniweddings.com/maharani/2010/10/indian-make-up-trends.html

Tips, trends buzz on the grapevine

Google the term Indian bridal makeup or Pakistani bridal makeup and you will see a gazillion listings of discussions and forums where young females talk about how much they love certain images and tutorials they see on line.

In the same theme, you will read them cringing about how Indian or Pakistani bridal makeup is too heavy, too intense etc etc. Makes you wonder, at one end they are ooohing and aaahing about the exotic colors, dramatic contours and over all glamor and the next second they say its over done. So where is the happy middle ground?

As a professional bridal makeup artist with expertise in Indian and Pakistani bridal makeup I know one thing for a fact- its all about create a sense of balance, harmony and flow. You cannot itemize a look by focusing just on the eyes and not on the lips, just on the foundation and not on what goes on top of it. DO you follow me?

Lets say you are one of those many ladies whose opening line is ' I don't wear much makeup every day'. So lets start from there- what is the color of your outfit. Red, intense pink, maroon, turquoise? Does it have gold or silver, bead or crystal detailing all over? Are you wearing jewelry that has gemstones and will it frame your face (earrings and necklace?). Will you have a veil, dupatta or chunni on your head for the wedding ceremony? If you have answered YES to more than one of the above, you are a South Asian Bride.

Okay, so do your 'Not much every day makeup' and put on your outfit, jewelry and drape the chunni. Now, step back from the mirror at least 6 feet back and look at your face. What do you see? Has your face been engulfed in the glitz and detail of the outfit and jewelry? Has the reflection of the gems, jewels and colors of your over all dressing made your face look washed out and almost ' I just recovered from a long illness' look? Remember we haven't even put you in the elaborate setting of a wedding mandap or reception stage yet, with all that exquisite beauty surrounding you, it will only amplify how lack luster your face looks!!!

This is because this look lacks a sense of balance. And this is why South Asian Brides need to have a makeup look, custom created to bring the feel of flow and harmony from their outfit, to their jewelry to their makeup and hair.

So the grapevine has buzzed about intense eyes and nude lips for a time frame longer than comfortable for me. Talk about completely throwing things off balance! Look at your lips without any makeup, chap stick or gloss on them. What color are they? Certainly not beige, nude or taupe! So why would you want them to be a color of pale earth when you are incorporating so much drama to your eyes??? It makes the face look top heavy and oh Im sure ive mentioned this before, your lips disappear in photographs once the flash goes off! Is that really what you want to do? 

'I hate red lipstick' is another term I keep hearing over and over again. I know the reason may be watching the generation before ours wear creamy red lipstick sans liner making it shift and bleed into maturing skin crevices creating a horror in your mind for a lifetime. But come to the modern day red- look at Gwen S, my goodness talk about a goddess in red lips. It just has to be done right and there is a perfect red out there for every one. Of course you wont wear red lipstick with a maroon or pink outfit but trust me, try it on with a red outfit, there is an elegance and sensuality with it that is unmatched by any other color or lack of (nudes).

'I like glowing skin' another favorite! SO do I, but your photographer wont!!! Because uber shine,glow comes out as harsh hot spots on the face when the flash goes off and trust me (again) you don't want to see bright yellow halos on your cheeks, forehead or nose in all your wedding pictures. Matte is the way to go, dewy must be done in a controlled manner or you will look like you had a role to play in the BP oil disaster clean up and are shimmering due to the oil residue....

I would never discount the importance of any of the components that together create a memorable wedding, but would emphasize that at the end of it all, when the food is all gone & the flowers have wilted, all that you have left is the capture of those remarkable details and moments in your photographs and video, and you need to look exquisite in those... thus invest the time and money to work with a professional makeup artist who will show you the options that will work and be honest about those that won't- there is no replay of the wedding day, so please, be flexible in what you want and let the pro's make it perfect for you.

XOXO

Saman

Get Pampered!!!

http://www.weddingwire.com/wedding-deals/collaboration-with-saffron-affairs-round-rock/dd23674a4809a124.html

Exciting weddings this long weekend

http://austinshaadi.blogspot.com/2010/05/saffron-affairs-in-full-swing-with.html

A Platinum Guide Recognition!

My first blog (of a list of many to come- trust me) has been featured on Maharani Weddings, and oh yes, Studio Sila Makeup by Saman Ansari is now featured in the Platinum Guide on Maharani Weddings!

So, princesses, rani's and my darling diva's- here is to looking exquisite on your wedding events with Saman!

http://www.maharaniweddings.com/maharani/2010/05/bridal-makeup-trends-from-the-glossies.html

XOXO

Saman

Tradition & Celebration- A Sri Lankan wedding

The Friday on Mother's day weekend was a day long affair at the Four Season's in Austin. Thanks to the phenomenal ladies at CLINK events, my last minute bride was introduced to my services and I had the pleasure to work with her for the three celebrations on her wedding day.

Celebrity sightings at the Four Season's made it exciting for the bridal party with a quick stop by Magic Johnson and an elevator ride with Jeff Bridges!

My bride's first look was for her Buddhist Ceremony. She wore a traditional Kandyan wedding outfit which is a sari worn with a very exclusive drape and ruffle. Layered in multiple pieces of gold jewelry on an ivory outfit with gold and silver detailing we created a traditional look on her lush cinnamon skin with golds, bronzes & copper. The outdoor ceremony was in the afternoon so I took into account the heat and humidity (it was next to the lake) and the skin was finished to create a soft dewy look without looking oily or sweaty. The hair was centre parted for a traditional look but instead of a bun I gave her a low updo to create a signature look for her.

Look number two was for the Hindu Ceremony. We had just 10 minutes to change her into a saffron and red sari and just enough time for me to help her change, redo her hair to accomodate a garland of flowers around it and touch up the lips to reflect the red from the sari.

The Hindu Ceremony took a bit longer than anticipation which left me with only 20 minutes to change her look completely for the Reception! Her champagne and crystal lehnga outfit was given the red carpet look by adding deep reds, maroons and black to her eyes (loads of eyeliner), sculpted cheeks in deep copper and a glossy pout in a crystallized deep cranberry. The hair was taken down and parted to the side into a half up style with lots of large, soft curls.

What a gorgeous face indeed!

XOXO

Saman