Here are a few modern examples of this timeless accessory:
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Trend - GLOVES
Currently a huge trend, gloves have been popular throughout fashion history. Since before Audrey Hepburn wore them in Breakfast at Tiffany's, gloves have added style and elegance to formal outfits.
Here are a few modern examples of this timeless accessory:
Here are a few modern examples of this timeless accessory:
Friday, February 26, 2010
Sunday, February 21, 2010
Gown Trend - BALLGOWNS
This classic, timeless style is still going strong. Since the 1940's prom girls have worn full skirts, and although the details have changed, the basic look remains the same.
Here are some examples of ballgowns from 1940 - Present:
Here are some examples of ballgowns from 1940 - Present:
Monday, February 15, 2010
TERANI Trunk Show FEBRUARY 19th, 20th & 21st
St Cloud location ONLY. Stop in and see these beautiful dresses. You can save 20% on Terani gowns off the rack and you can have 10% off any Terani special orders.
Saturday, February 13, 2010
HOW TO - Have a Bella Swan Prom Look
Want to look like Bella for your big night? Here's how!
Start with the dress! Here are two that are available at Mestads!
These videos show you how to have her hair and makeup look!
Start with the dress! Here are two that are available at Mestads!
These videos show you how to have her hair and makeup look!
Friday, February 12, 2010
Your Look - Classic or Edgy?
Here are two of this season's hottest ballgowns, each accessorized two different ways. Classic on the left, edgy on the right! Which do you prefer?
Dresses from Mestad's, Accessories from Forever21.
Dresses from Mestad's, Accessories from Forever21.
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Make Up at the Mall - What to Expect
I’ve had 5 years experience working at a retail makeup counter, and I know all of the frustrations and woes that a makeup artist can go through when customers are clueless. I am creating this guide using my experiences to help you, the customer, plan a better trip to the makeup counter.. it will help both you and the makeup artist create a better environment for each other. =)
1. Research! What are your specific needs?
It’s best to get an idea of what you are going in for. Do you need a new foundation? A new shade of lipstick for spring? Or perhaps you are hoping to look like a flawless celebrity… we can dream, right?? Magazines and the internet are great tools for “shopping” for new looks. There is a 99.9% chance that the cosmetic brands you will encounter have a website that lists all available products, new products, and ideas for the upcoming seasons. Don’t be afraid to print out a photo of a celebrity or look that you admire and want to go for. I really loved it when customers brought me photos from magazines and said, “I want to look like this!” It gave me a clear idea of what the client wanted and it was fun. Now, I am no plastic surgeon, but I am sure with common sense, you will know that a makeup artist isn’t going to totally transform you into Megan Fox, right? I can most definitely match the lovely coral lipstick that Miss Fox is wearing and see if it’s a good match for you.
Research the store’s policy. Some makeup counters require a minimum purchase for makeovers.
Also, if you have sensitive skin or have special needs where your face is concerned, please research the brand’s ingredients. If they don’t list anything, then go ahead and shoot them an email to customer service and ask them about their products. I spent hours and hours with clients who would talk about their sensitive skin and would freak out anytime my makeup brush touched their face. After the client had purchased hundreds of dollars worth of makeup, they returned it the next day, saying they itched all over… if you know you are allergic to something, please do check out product ingredients beforehand. It will save you both so much time and hassle.
So once you have a plan, it’s time to get your wallet and head down to Makeupland!
2. What can I expect once I get to my appointment?
You can choose to come with a clean face or not. If you are wearing makeup, it’s okay. Just be prepared to remove your own makeup with either makeup removers that are provided by the artist or soaps and cleansers given to you by the artist. I was lucky enough to work near a bathroom with a good sink so that customers could wash everything off before we started.
You better expect to get what YOU want but also be open to the makeup artist’s suggestions. Don’t be bossy or talk about your life stories, we are not your personal shrink. A makeup artist’s worst nightmare is the scary customer that comes just to talk about their son’s horrific wife, or ex wife, or any kind of drama. We are there to make money, and time is money. Normally, a makeup artist is only supposed to spend about 30 minutes or less on a client, unless it’s a wedding makeover, then they may be allowed more time with the bride (or an entire bridal party!). I can’t say it enough, be courteous to your artist and don’t take up too much of their time. They have specific daily goals to meet! Don’t be scared to ask,” How are we doing on time?” just to check in with your artist to let them know you are aware of time restrictions. If it’s a super slow day, you might get lucky and get to spend a little more time.
As far as what the makeup artist will do, it all depends on the counter. Some counters focus on their color line, like MAC, for instance. Some places focus on their skincare, like Clinique. The artist may use a primer before they apply a foundation, or they may use a moisturizer. Remember to let your artist know ahead of time if you are allergic to something. A total DON’T at a makeup counter is to try a foundation on your hand. What good will that do unless you are a hand model? You must try foundations on the face, or you will not know what it will look like. If you can, try to take a mirror outside to look at it in natural light. This rule also goes for any other makeup; you are not going to see the true color of the eye shadow, lipstick, etc. if it’s on your hand. If you absolutely need to test eye shadow on your hand, make sure to put an eye shadow primer on your hand to see what the true pigment will look like. Your hand is dry and produces very little or no oil, so everything will look different than if it was on your face.
3. Do I have to buy everything that the makeup artist shows me?
Only you can be the judge of that. If you already have a foundation that you are happy with at home, then stick with it until you are through using it and come back to purchase the new foundation if you want to try it. There’s no use doubling up on stuff you already have at home. Ask if any of the products that you like are limited edition, because chances are, if the lip-gloss you are totally swooning over is limited edition, it will be unavailable for purchase in a few months. Of course, the goal of the makeup associate is for you to buy as much as you possibly can, so be smart and make sure you buy only the things that you NEED and possibly only one or two “I have to have this or I will die” products. I’ve been in many situations where I know that I don’t need a lip-gloss, but it just made me feel like a million bucks, so as long as you can still pay your cable bill, you should be okay. Do not even go near the makeup counter if you are totally low on cash or can only use a credit card. I made the mistake of putting a lot of cosmetics on credit and I am still paying for those mistakes.
TIP: You want it all? You can have it all, but it will take time. Let’s say you loved everything the artist put on you, but there is no way in hell you could afford it. Buying ONE product per week, or every two weeks is the way to collect makeup safely. Eventually, you will get everything you want, but you will have to be patient. Spreading your purchases out is the best way to go if you are hurtin’ for the cash money.
4. What should I do if I don’t like the product?
Sometimes at the makeup counter the customer just nodded “yes” to everything the makeup artist says because they either trusted them too much or they didn’t want to be mean and say that they hated everything. Please, please speak up if you don’t like the brown lipstick or the overly glittery eye shadow. The worst thing that happened was a customer who I caught in the bathroom freaking out and crying because they didn’t like the makeup job that I did. Yeah, my feelings were hurt and I felt like I totally wanted to get defensive, but I did not know that the customer didn’t like shimmery products. If the customer told me that they hated shimmer or didn’t like the look, they should have spoken up. They ended up returning all of the products at another counter, even though the rules at my counter was that you had to purchase $50 in cosmetics to get a makeover in the first place. So not only was the customer not satisfied, but I also lost money that day due to lack of communication. When I do makeup, I normally show the customer what I am doing every step of the way and even ask them if they are sure they want shimmer or matte products. If the artist applies an eye shadow that you aren’t too crazy about, you can ask to try a different shade or to possibly play up the shade with a contour color in the crease. It can be quite difficult to remove an eye shadow quickly, so sometimes the artist will put a color over the top of the unwanted color and everything gets muddy looking. Normally, I would wipe away as much shadow color as I could, then re-apply the eye shadow base or a concealer before continuing on with a new color.
If you must return the product, try to return it to the counter where you bought it and maybe look for replacement products. You can try to reschedule a complimentary makeover with the artist or try a different artist. Please let them know you weren’t too crazy about the look and would like to try something else. Always be nice!! If the makeup artist is being bitchy about the situation, then I advise trying a whole different person or counter, you don’t want to deal with a negative Nancy when trying to update your appearance!!!
5. What if I just didn’t like getting my makeup done by another person and I want to try to learn how to do it on my own?
If all else fails, there’s YouTube. There are many extremely talented makeup artists on YouTube; you will just need to find the one that has a style that best suits your own. A lot of these artist show you how to apply the makeup, but of course, they will not really discuss what colors will suit you or what their suggestions are for you. You will have to experiment with that on your own. Check out magazines and pictures of people with similar coloring to your own. I also would suggest purchasing makeup palettes with various colors you can play with.
6. Once you get the look you want, perfect it!!
Once you figure out what looks good on you, you can practice, practice and perfect your look. Don’t be afraid to branch out and experiment with things like face shimmer, bronzers and various types of highlighters. I recommend that you try to get facials done regularly so that your makeup will look great on flawless skin. I also use an eye cream on a daily and I also use an eye de-puffer in the mornings. Have fun with it, it’s just makeup!!
Adapted from an article by Krista Dior, http://kristadior.kristardesign.com
1. Research! What are your specific needs?
It’s best to get an idea of what you are going in for. Do you need a new foundation? A new shade of lipstick for spring? Or perhaps you are hoping to look like a flawless celebrity… we can dream, right?? Magazines and the internet are great tools for “shopping” for new looks. There is a 99.9% chance that the cosmetic brands you will encounter have a website that lists all available products, new products, and ideas for the upcoming seasons. Don’t be afraid to print out a photo of a celebrity or look that you admire and want to go for. I really loved it when customers brought me photos from magazines and said, “I want to look like this!” It gave me a clear idea of what the client wanted and it was fun. Now, I am no plastic surgeon, but I am sure with common sense, you will know that a makeup artist isn’t going to totally transform you into Megan Fox, right? I can most definitely match the lovely coral lipstick that Miss Fox is wearing and see if it’s a good match for you.
Research the store’s policy. Some makeup counters require a minimum purchase for makeovers.
Also, if you have sensitive skin or have special needs where your face is concerned, please research the brand’s ingredients. If they don’t list anything, then go ahead and shoot them an email to customer service and ask them about their products. I spent hours and hours with clients who would talk about their sensitive skin and would freak out anytime my makeup brush touched their face. After the client had purchased hundreds of dollars worth of makeup, they returned it the next day, saying they itched all over… if you know you are allergic to something, please do check out product ingredients beforehand. It will save you both so much time and hassle.
So once you have a plan, it’s time to get your wallet and head down to Makeupland!
2. What can I expect once I get to my appointment?
You can choose to come with a clean face or not. If you are wearing makeup, it’s okay. Just be prepared to remove your own makeup with either makeup removers that are provided by the artist or soaps and cleansers given to you by the artist. I was lucky enough to work near a bathroom with a good sink so that customers could wash everything off before we started.
You better expect to get what YOU want but also be open to the makeup artist’s suggestions. Don’t be bossy or talk about your life stories, we are not your personal shrink. A makeup artist’s worst nightmare is the scary customer that comes just to talk about their son’s horrific wife, or ex wife, or any kind of drama. We are there to make money, and time is money. Normally, a makeup artist is only supposed to spend about 30 minutes or less on a client, unless it’s a wedding makeover, then they may be allowed more time with the bride (or an entire bridal party!). I can’t say it enough, be courteous to your artist and don’t take up too much of their time. They have specific daily goals to meet! Don’t be scared to ask,” How are we doing on time?” just to check in with your artist to let them know you are aware of time restrictions. If it’s a super slow day, you might get lucky and get to spend a little more time.
As far as what the makeup artist will do, it all depends on the counter. Some counters focus on their color line, like MAC, for instance. Some places focus on their skincare, like Clinique. The artist may use a primer before they apply a foundation, or they may use a moisturizer. Remember to let your artist know ahead of time if you are allergic to something. A total DON’T at a makeup counter is to try a foundation on your hand. What good will that do unless you are a hand model? You must try foundations on the face, or you will not know what it will look like. If you can, try to take a mirror outside to look at it in natural light. This rule also goes for any other makeup; you are not going to see the true color of the eye shadow, lipstick, etc. if it’s on your hand. If you absolutely need to test eye shadow on your hand, make sure to put an eye shadow primer on your hand to see what the true pigment will look like. Your hand is dry and produces very little or no oil, so everything will look different than if it was on your face.
3. Do I have to buy everything that the makeup artist shows me?
Only you can be the judge of that. If you already have a foundation that you are happy with at home, then stick with it until you are through using it and come back to purchase the new foundation if you want to try it. There’s no use doubling up on stuff you already have at home. Ask if any of the products that you like are limited edition, because chances are, if the lip-gloss you are totally swooning over is limited edition, it will be unavailable for purchase in a few months. Of course, the goal of the makeup associate is for you to buy as much as you possibly can, so be smart and make sure you buy only the things that you NEED and possibly only one or two “I have to have this or I will die” products. I’ve been in many situations where I know that I don’t need a lip-gloss, but it just made me feel like a million bucks, so as long as you can still pay your cable bill, you should be okay. Do not even go near the makeup counter if you are totally low on cash or can only use a credit card. I made the mistake of putting a lot of cosmetics on credit and I am still paying for those mistakes.
TIP: You want it all? You can have it all, but it will take time. Let’s say you loved everything the artist put on you, but there is no way in hell you could afford it. Buying ONE product per week, or every two weeks is the way to collect makeup safely. Eventually, you will get everything you want, but you will have to be patient. Spreading your purchases out is the best way to go if you are hurtin’ for the cash money.
4. What should I do if I don’t like the product?
Sometimes at the makeup counter the customer just nodded “yes” to everything the makeup artist says because they either trusted them too much or they didn’t want to be mean and say that they hated everything. Please, please speak up if you don’t like the brown lipstick or the overly glittery eye shadow. The worst thing that happened was a customer who I caught in the bathroom freaking out and crying because they didn’t like the makeup job that I did. Yeah, my feelings were hurt and I felt like I totally wanted to get defensive, but I did not know that the customer didn’t like shimmery products. If the customer told me that they hated shimmer or didn’t like the look, they should have spoken up. They ended up returning all of the products at another counter, even though the rules at my counter was that you had to purchase $50 in cosmetics to get a makeover in the first place. So not only was the customer not satisfied, but I also lost money that day due to lack of communication. When I do makeup, I normally show the customer what I am doing every step of the way and even ask them if they are sure they want shimmer or matte products. If the artist applies an eye shadow that you aren’t too crazy about, you can ask to try a different shade or to possibly play up the shade with a contour color in the crease. It can be quite difficult to remove an eye shadow quickly, so sometimes the artist will put a color over the top of the unwanted color and everything gets muddy looking. Normally, I would wipe away as much shadow color as I could, then re-apply the eye shadow base or a concealer before continuing on with a new color.
If you must return the product, try to return it to the counter where you bought it and maybe look for replacement products. You can try to reschedule a complimentary makeover with the artist or try a different artist. Please let them know you weren’t too crazy about the look and would like to try something else. Always be nice!! If the makeup artist is being bitchy about the situation, then I advise trying a whole different person or counter, you don’t want to deal with a negative Nancy when trying to update your appearance!!!
5. What if I just didn’t like getting my makeup done by another person and I want to try to learn how to do it on my own?
If all else fails, there’s YouTube. There are many extremely talented makeup artists on YouTube; you will just need to find the one that has a style that best suits your own. A lot of these artist show you how to apply the makeup, but of course, they will not really discuss what colors will suit you or what their suggestions are for you. You will have to experiment with that on your own. Check out magazines and pictures of people with similar coloring to your own. I also would suggest purchasing makeup palettes with various colors you can play with.
6. Once you get the look you want, perfect it!!
Once you figure out what looks good on you, you can practice, practice and perfect your look. Don’t be afraid to branch out and experiment with things like face shimmer, bronzers and various types of highlighters. I recommend that you try to get facials done regularly so that your makeup will look great on flawless skin. I also use an eye cream on a daily and I also use an eye de-puffer in the mornings. Have fun with it, it’s just makeup!!
Adapted from an article by Krista Dior, http://kristadior.kristardesign.com
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Money Saving Prom Tips
We all know prom is expensive, but it doesn’t have to break the bank! In a lot of families, parents have lost their jobs and finances are tight. That’s no reason you can’t have a memorable, fabulous prom!
1. Get a part time job! Helping your parents defray the high costs of prom will be greatly appreciated by mom and dad.
2. If you know that you or your date have a tight budget, maybe you can each pay for your own ticket. This will take pressure off of your evening, because you’ve split costs evenly.
3. Organize a “prom practice” party, and have your friends pool their cosmetics and make up application skills! You can:
a. Apply each other’s big night make up.
b. Do each other’s hair
c. Help each other with mani/pedi’s.
d. See if anyone’s mom is good at any of the above, maybe she’d like to help out!
4. Instead of an expensive limo consider:
a. Hiring a Town Car to take two couples together. Depending on who you book through, the cost might be less than a limo, but will still be stylish. Plus, it’s more exclusive!
b. Borrow a car from family. Does grandpa drive a Beamer? Does Uncle Leo have a classic? Maybe they’d lend it to you, or play chauffeur for the evening!
c. Spend a little time cleaning and detailing your own ride! There isn’t any shame in taking your regular car to prom, but do make sure that it’s CLEAN! You wouldn’t want your date’s dress to get dirty. As a last resort, you could lay a clean sheet or towel on the floor to protect her dress.
d. At my high school, a group of prom-goers drove one of their parent’s motor homes to prom. It was free AND hilarious!
5. For dinner, consider a few money saving options:
a. Will your parents host a dinner party for you and your friends? They can “play” waiter and waitresses, and maybe a few parents can bring other dishes to share, so it doesn’t burden one family?
b. Find a restaurant where groups can share dishes, like Buca Di Beppo.
c. Ask your parents to keep their eyes out for restaurant coupons. Any money saved can help your budget’s bottom line.
d. Head out of town. The farther you get from the city, the lower prices are! Consider a little scenic drive on your way to the dance!
6. Organize an after prom event at your house (with parents permission). Everyone can pitch in and bring something to share, have a bonfire, dance, whatever you want! You’ll save a lot by hosting at home!
Monday, February 8, 2010
TERANI Trunk Show FEBRUARY 12th, 13th & 14th
Rochester and Southdale locations ONLY. Stop in and see these beautiful dresses. You can save 20% on Terani gowns off the rack and you can have 10% off any Terani special orders.
Sunday, February 7, 2010
Prom Trend - Flashy Jewelry
Huge earrings, necklaces, bracelets and rings are hot right now, but be sure to pick only one or two ultra-glamorous accessories. You want to wear the jewelry, not have IT wear YOU!
Some advice from Coco Chanel, "Get dressed, look in the mirror and remove one item." Her statement is simple, but the meaning is true here - don't pile on too many large pieces at once.
Here are some examples from Heidi Klum, Rihanna, and Hilary Duff:
Some advice from Coco Chanel, "Get dressed, look in the mirror and remove one item." Her statement is simple, but the meaning is true here - don't pile on too many large pieces at once.
Here are some examples from Heidi Klum, Rihanna, and Hilary Duff:
Friday, February 5, 2010
Thursday, February 4, 2010
New Gowns In Stock!
New styles from Mestad's COOL BOOK and from our favorite designers are still rolling in weekly! Here are a few of our newest styles! Remember - when you buy at Mestad's, we register your gown, so no one at prom will have the same one as you!
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Mestads Wants to Help Pay for Your Prom
Come in to receive $25 off tux coupons to hand out to your friends. Each sheet has 8 coupons all marked with your personal identification number. For each coupon turned in and tuxedo paid, you will receive $10 cash back.
One coupon credit and discount per tuxedo rented. Must be a complete tuxedo rental, including shoes. Not valid with other coupons or discounts. Coupon MUST be presented at the time you book your tuxedo. Your cash back will be issued via rebate check no later than June 15, 2010. Tuxedo must be paid for and used for Prom 2010. Coupon holds no cash value and may only be redeemed for merchandise. No purchase necessary to earn cash back! Offer expires May 30, 2010.
One coupon credit and discount per tuxedo rented. Must be a complete tuxedo rental, including shoes. Not valid with other coupons or discounts. Coupon MUST be presented at the time you book your tuxedo. Your cash back will be issued via rebate check no later than June 15, 2010. Tuxedo must be paid for and used for Prom 2010. Coupon holds no cash value and may only be redeemed for merchandise. No purchase necessary to earn cash back! Offer expires May 30, 2010.
Monday, February 1, 2010
FLIRT Trunk Show FEBRUARY 6th & 7th
St Cloud location ONLY. Save 20% on all in-stock Flirt Prom Dresses and 10% on any Flirt special orders.
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