If you are having photos taken then make sure you book a professional makeup artist to do your makeup.

Leah Hall chose Finesse Makeup for her head-shots and here’s the result…

Products are the most important consideration when applying makeup.

Have you found that no matter how well you apply your foundation it makes you look white in photographs when a camera flash is used? Want to know why? Visit our Products Page to find out.

At Finesse Makeup we use professional camera finish products so you have lifelong memories to cherish.

What is the point of paying for the services of a professional photographer if your makeup spoils the images?

The professional Arbonne foundations that we use are water-proof and designed to resist heat, humidity, tears and perspiration, which means they are ideal for the tropical Far North Queensland climate.

Even better for you, they are available online so you can continue using these professional products at home. Email me if you’d like to know more or to book a FREE consultation.

Arbonne make a highly regarded, ultra-premium range of Swiss Skincare, cosmetics and body products. These products are all botanically based (plant based), inspired by nature and enhanced by science. Vegan Certified, they don’t contain any nasty chemicals and the Swiss herbs are all Certified Organic. Explore my website for more information.

Finesse Makeup offers a completely mobile hair and makeup service for all occasions:

Weddings   *    Commercial Photoshoots    *    School Formals     *    Special Occasions      *      Film and Television

Contact us today for an obligation free quote.

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I can tell you that Arbonne’s Swiss formulated cosmetics are hands down better than any other product on the market and better for you because of their botanically based ingredients. I can tell you that the perfecting liquid foundation with SPF 15 is waterproof, sweat proof and smudge proof. I can tell you that a little goes a long way, it glides on with a glowing finish and it feels incredibly light on the skin.

But first, I’d like to share a story with you…

I had a client who was a bridesmaid for a wedding. I don’t like to use real names so let’s call her Sue.

Sue had terrible skin, the worst case of pigmentation I’ve seen and she told me she was plagued by rashes and burning breakouts on her face. So I asked Sue what she was using and discovered it was a mineral makeup brand from the supermarket. Sue had no idea about the ingredients in the products she was using so we had a look. It’s no wonder she was having problems. Clearly her skin was sensitive and she was doing herself no favours by smothering it in a cheap product full of chemicals and skin irritants. Sue was paying me for a full face of makeup that day and she was having professional photographs taken but because of her painful experiences with previous foundations she was really frightened about the foundation, so I started by doing her eye makeup and lips. I’d already done Sue’s sister’s makeup and her mother and grandmother’s makeup. Ninety-year-old Ada only wanted foundation and mascara and her skin absolutely loved the Arbonne perfecting liquid foundation – which did just that. If only I’d taken a before and after shot! The lines on Ada’s face vanished as the foundation took years off and gave her skin a beautiful youthful glow – she said she couldn’t believe the transformation and she wasn’t the only one! Ada honestly looked 20 years younger. But I digress.

As I finished Sue’s eyes and lips I was happy with the result, but disappointed that she hadn’t reached her full potential. I knew no matter how good her eye makeup, her skin was just so bad that it would draw attention and detract from her true beauty in the photographs. As Sue looked at herself in the mirror, I reassured her that there was no need to be afraid of the Arbonne foundation, that she wouldn’t experience the rashes and irritation caused by other brands, and finally she trusted me. In less than two minutes, Sue was a new woman. Again I should have taken a before and after photo. Gone was the awful pigmentation, the dry patches and uneven blemishes. Replaced by a beautiful, glowing, even complexion. The way Sue’s face lit up the second time she looked in the mirror, I’ll never forget it.

I gave Sue a call a few days after the wedding to see whether her skin had reacted to the products. It hadn’t.

So let’s talk shop and I promise I’ll keep it simple. From an industry perspective, the fact that the Arbonne cosmetic range includes a primer proves it’s a professional range.

As a professional makeup artist working on fashion shoots, weddings and photo-shoots under hot bright lights, a primer is normally an absolute must if you want the makeup to last. Arbonne is the only exception to that rule. Yes, they make a primer, proving they’re a professional range, but their perfecting liquid foundation is that good, it lasts for 12 hours with no touch-ups and no primer.

I work in a very humid, tropical climate and I enjoy putting products to the test in 31 degree heat and 90 percent humidity. Where other brands sweat off, Arbonne’s perfecting liquid foundation just doesn’t budge.

Another great test is to jump in a pool with a full face of foundation. I can’t name names but leading brands streak and run with the water. Do the same with Arbonne’s perfecting liquid foundation and it’s water off a duck’s back. Tears, perspiration, humidity no sweat.

By the way, I’ve never been a liquid foundation fan, I have always found them to be too heavy and really clogging. That was before I discovered Arbonne’s perfecting liquid foundation. As for application, it’s as easy as applying suncream – you don’t need a brush, just use your fingers. Blending? What blending? There are 15 different shades so you don’t have to mix colours. Smooth it on and you’re out the door.

I’ve recently discovered the Arbonne sheer pressed powders – I could write another thousand words! They give fantastic coverage, there’s no itching like other brands and the finish is absolutely flawless. You don’t even look like you’re wearing makeup, let alone powder!

It’s just too easy to look fabulous with Arbonne and here are some of the things my clients are saying:

“It doesn’t even feel like I’m wearing makeup.” Sue, bridesmaid from Melbourne.

“What was that foundation you used on me, it was amazing.” Kristy, bride from Perth.

“Wow it looks so natural.” Sarah, bride-to-be from Cairns.

Abigail Stanbridge is a professional Cairns wedding makeup artist and the owner of Finesse Makeup, a completely mobile hair and makeup service. Contact Abigail today to learn more about the Arbonne range and book your complimentary skin consultation.

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Stacey was married on the beach in front of the Sea Temple at Palm Cove, just north of Cairns.

Fittingly, we went for a natural beach look when doing Stacey’s hair and makeup.

It was a small wedding with just the bride and flowergirl in need of our beauty services.

The Melbourne family enjoying their relaxing tropical getaway!

Finesse Makeup for all your hair and makeup needs for Weddings * School Formals * Fashion Shoots * Engagement Photoshoots and Special Occasions.

We offer a completely mobile service from Cairns to the Daintree, Mission Beach and the Atherton Tablelands, taking the stress out of your special day.

Contact Abigail for an obligation free quote.

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Let me introduce you to a brand which I discovered two years ago and have been using ever since because I absolutely love the products.

The company is called Arbonne and they make ultra-premium Swiss skincare, haircare and cosmetics.

The products are all completely botanically based and vegan certified. They don’t contain any of the harmful ingredients found in many other ranges.

I use the Arbonne Perfecting Liquid Foundation on all my brides, bridesmaids and mothers because I can honestly say it’s absolutely brilliant. It is water-proof, has great build-able coverage, excellent pigmentation, it’s easy to spread and a little goes a very long way. Even better than that, there are 15 different shades and each one has SPF15 broad spectrum sun protection, skin-firming properties and clinical trials have shown it increases the moisture content of the skin. And that’s just the foundation!

I’m also using Arbonne’s RE9 Anti-ageing skincare daily luxury routine and my face is glowing. You only have to use the tiniest amount of each product and it smells and feels beautiful. The moisturisers don’t leave any oily residue or film on your skin, they soak right in and they’re great in the tropics.

Did you know that only 10% of ageing is genetic. The other 90% is caused by environmental factors like the sun, stress, smoking, diet, the list goes on. But that’s great news because it means we can control 90% of the visible signs of ageing!

So if you are ready to outgrow ageing start using Arbonne’s beautiful ultra-premium Swiss skincare range, you will absolutely love it.

Email me if you’d like to know more.

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Carissa and James were married at Rydges Esplanade Resort in Cairns.

During Carissa’s makeup trial we went for a very natural bridal look with a real focus on the eyes. On the day of her wedding though Carissa had a change of heart and decided she wanted a bold look. She chose a black and silver smokey eye and blood red lips. To ensure the colour didn’t bleed I applied foundation to Carissa’s lips then lined them before applying the lipstick.

Here’s the result…

Take a look at more Cairns, Port Douglas, Palm Cove and Mission Beach wedding makeup photos by Cairns makeup artist Abigail Stanbridge of Finesse Makeup.

Professional mobile hair and makeup service for weddings, photo-shoots, commercials, school formals and special occasions.

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When Kerri booked me to do her wedding makeup she was looking for a product that would give results. In the past she had tried to wear eyeliner on her waterline (the inner rim of your lower eyelid) but found every product she used irritated her eyes and left them bloodshot and watering.

Enter MAC fluidline. This waterproof creme eyeliner worked a treat and there was no irritation.

Kerri just sent me this lovely email with photos from her wedding day which I thought I would share…

Hi Abigail! How are you? Hope you have been busy! Thanks so much for your awesome talent. If I ever need makeup done again there is no doubt you will be the person I call.

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We love seeing amazing results but sadly we don’t always get to see our beautiful bridal parties just before they walk down the aisle.

That’s why it’s so exciting to receive a copy of the stunning wedding photos and videos that our extremely talented local photographers take!

I just got these professional bridal hair and makeup photos through from Adele and Ivan’s wedding at the Novotel Oasis in Cairns.

Adele’s hair is naturally curly but on the day of her wedding we put some hot rollers in and also used a GHD iron to really define her curls and place them so that they perfectly frame her face. Don’t her highlights look amazing!

It’s all about using makeup and styling techniques to accentuate your best features, like Adele’s beautiful almond eyes.

www.finessemakeup.com

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Hannah has sent me some beautiful photos of the makeup from her wedding in Port Douglas last month.

There were a few tears in the morning as I was doing makeup for the bride, her bridesmaids and the mother of the bride but it was no problem because I always use a waterproof foundation which is designed to resist tears, heat and humidity. Waterproof mascara is also a must!

MAC, Makeup Store and Napoleon Perdis are my favourite eyeshadows along with MAC fluidline eyeliner for a really clean finish.

Making the eyes the focus we went with a soft pink lip gloss to complete Hannah’s bridal look.

Subtle contouring and highlighting are really important skills because they bring her face to life. Without these professional techniques the features look dull and flat.

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Finesse Make Up