Miss Aimmey

 Aimmey from Miss Aimmey Makeup & Hair has the lovely job of making a bride and her bridesmaids look their most glowingly beautiful selves on the wedding day. To ‘live and breathe makeup’ is to live and breathe her passion for enhancing a person’s natural beauty through creating makeup and hair styles that are bring out your very best on one of the most important days of your life. A romantic at heart, Aimmey loves weddings and hearing the bride’s story, so who better to spend the hours before the ceremony with, being pampered and building anticipation for that big leap into married life. Here’s Aimmey’s story.

Have you always loved makeup, even as a little girl?

When I was a little girl, my mumma used to apply her make up at a vanity table and I used to watch her apply eyeliner, blush and lipstick. She never left the house without makeup. I used to sneak into her room when she wasn’t around and try and apply it just like her. I felt so glamorous whenever I put makeup on and it made me feel so grown up. Not much has changed except that I love applying it on others because I have always loved making others feel good about themselves and although make up is applied on the outside, it can really affect how you feel on the inside.

Joseph Koprek PhotographyRS

Image by Joseph Koprek Photography

How did you decide on makeup/beauty as a career?

I never thought that I would be lucky enough to be a makeup artist and do it as a career. I went to university and did a graduate role in an office 9-5 role, but always felt like something was missing. I wanted more and I wanted to explore my creative side as well as do something I was passionate about because I honestly believe life is too short to not do what it is that you want to do and love. So, I thought that I would just do a makeup course for myself not thinking it would go anywhere but I think that it was meant to be because when I finished my course I was asked to work for a cosmetics company and I guess with some long hours, hard work and dedication, I made makeup my career. It really is worth doing all those early starts and long days because the reward that you receive from making someone feels so beautiful means so much to me.

 Kristen CookRS

Image by Kristen Cook Photographer

How long have you worked in the beauty industry?

I have been in the beauty industry for 5 years. I worked for 2 years for Gorgeous cosmetics, and managed two stores, when I finally took the leap to start my own business and have been doing it for almost 3 years! Time really does fly when you’re having fun.

Where are you based?

I am based in Melbourne but travel all around Victoria. I am completely willing to travel interstate and overseas to do a wedding too of course. I was lucky enough to do a wedding in Thailand for a great friend’s wedding. It was such an amazing experience.

What do you love about creating a beautiful face for your bride on her wedding day?

I love that I get to work so closely with the bride to create a look that she has always envisaged for her special day. I love the smile that she gives every time she realizes that it’s her wedding day and that not only does she look her very best but also feels her very best. I help enhance her features and the natural glow that every bride has, really makes my job so easy. I love that every look that I’ve created for a bride is as individual as the bride herself. It is an honor and an absolutely blessing.

Finessence Photography 2RS

Image by Finessence Photography

How do you approach creating the look for each bride? Do you plan the look before the wedding day, with each bride?

Each time a bride contacts me and asks me to be a part of her special day I always try and organize a trial so I can meet the bride face to face. Before I meet them, I send each bride a list of questions to answer in regards to what look she is after and ask her to send a selection of photos of what looks she likes and what she imagines she will look like on her wedding day. When I meet the bride I ask her about her wedding and to tell me everything about it, what she likes about the images that she has selected, and what her wedding dress is like, what her favorite features are and what her makeup and hair style is like on a daily basis. These questions help me design a look that is uniquely that of the bride. I apply the makeup and style the hair as it will look on the wedding day so that she is confident about how she will look. I then make sure before the wedding the bride has got a good skin and hair care regime in place so she is looking her very best on the wedding day.

Do you draw on influences from around the globe to keep your makeup looks fresh?

I draw on influences from all other makeup artists. I believe that every makeup artist has something new to teach me. I don’t think I can ever stop learning about makeup and just learning and watching so that I can improve myself. I think it’s important to broaden your knowledge so that you can provide your clients with the best service possible confidently. I do love Youtube artists as they are constantly updating their looks and techniques. They are also very much about motivating others to live their dreams as well. My favourite Youtuber is Kandee Johnson. I, of course, love Rae Morris and Bobbi Brown who just do amazing work and have worked from the very bottom up and are such inspirations to all make up artists around the world.

My favourite beauty secret for brides is….

My favourite beauty secret for brides is to have a skin care regime at least 6 months before your wedding. Amazing skin will help your makeup stay on all day and also allow you to wear less so your natural glow can shine through on the big day. A beauty therapist will examine skin and get you using the right products to suit you. The best part is that great skin will be after the special day is over too.

Do you have some products you couldn’t live without?

I can’t live without bronzer, concealer, blush and mascara!

Bronzer – NARS Laguna

Concealer – Ben Nye concealer wheel

Blush  – Gorgeous Cosmetics Apples

Mascara – Lancome Hynose or Maybelline Falsies

Finessence Photography

Image by Finessence Photography

We all used to slap a bit of foundation on and if we were really trendy, some lippy and eyeliner. How has makeup changed for the better and what is your ‘hero product’ of the moment?

Makeup has evolved so much and had really tried to cater for every woman. For the women who are no fuss, want to wear less and look natural there are so many products on the shelf that are multi-purpose so that no time is really needed. For example, BB cream is a very light foundation/corrector in one and there are also lip tints that can be used for the cheeks which are amazing and long lasting. For those who love to wear makeup there are just so many options of the same type of makeup such as eyeliner, you can buy liquid, gel and pencil. This is just means that it gives us girls so many options and I find that it just allows us to experiment with different looks depending on how we’re feeling that day.

Do you have any tips for ‘emergencies’ such as a pimple or a rash that might appear in the week before the wedding day?

If you face an emergency such as a pimple, don’t squeeze! If you get a rash, don’t scratch! It’s best not to touch them as they may spread or multiply. They have probably appeared because of stress which is completely understandable the week leading up to the wedding but the best thing you can do is sleep and drink lots of water. It will go away by your wedding day, otherwise makeup will cover it right up!

My most treasured item is…..

My wedding rings. I am not a materialistic person and I don’t love ‘items’ as such, but I hold my engagement ring and my wedding band very close to my heart. Every time I look down at my hands when I’m on the laptop or applying makeup I get a quick glimpse and it really brings back such wonderful memories. My beautiful husband chose my yellow diamond ring as a symbol of how he sees me – bright and sunny. My ring really does represent the love I have for someone who holds my heart and soul and makes me happier than I could have ever imagined.

Kristen Cook PhotographyRS

Image by Kristen Cook Photographer

When not working I love to have a coffee with….

When not working I love to have a coffee at Koko Black (so I can eat dessert too) with my friends and hubby. They make me so happy and really are the driving force behind Miss Aimmey. Without them, I wouldn’t have the courage that I do and the belief that I have to pursue my dream and live it each and every day. The also make me so happy and laugh so much which is absolutely my favorite past time next to makeup.

 Thank you Aimmey for sharing your story with us today. To find out more about Miss Aimmey please visit her website.

 Headshot by Kristen Cook Photographer