Authentic Beauty

Champagne & Shadows

Alyson — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 08:22:11 +0000

Title: Champagne & Shadows
Location: Authentic Beauty Studio
Link out: Click here
Description: Join us for the first Champagne and Shadows of 2012!
Preview our brand new Spring collection, “Beautiful Escapes”.
Sip champagne, mingle with other Authentic Beauties, and sit in an artists chair to try on a fresh new look.
All are welcome- bring your girls!

Complimentary Hair Consultation, styling, with that receive a $25.00 gift certificate for hair services only with Charles Farlow
Start Time: 18:00
Date: 2012-02-24
End Time: 21:00

Spring (Makeup) Fever

Alyson — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 20:11:45 +0000

Spring is almost upon us once again, and we at Authentic Beauty are gearing up for another season of gorgeous makeup looks.

Spring 2012 is all about embellishment, from clothes and hair accessories to makeup. Extra little touches add layers of interest, creating looks that are multidimensional and striking. Glowing skin, shimmery highlighted tear ducts, flushed rosy cheeks, smoky metallic eyes, and boldly colored lips flooded the runways of New York, Paris, and Milan.

One recurrent trend we are seeing a lot of is the bold red lip. Designers like Jason Wu, Zac Posen, Christian Dior, and Anna Sui all showed variations of this classic look. Our version for Spring 2012 pairs a sheer, juicy poppy lip ( most similar to the lips at Zac Posen, see left), with a softly gilded lid.

The eternal catwalk classic, the smoky eye was also in full force. This season’s versions played with rich metallic tones- either tempered by a nude lip (Armani, Pucci, Rodarte) , or done in a 1980s style with a bold red lip. At the Rodarte show, makeup artists crafted a shimmering navy smoky eye, citing inspiration from Van Gogh’s “A Starry Night” (see right). Our version of this trend? A navy lid, tempered by a warm peach below the brow, paired with a cleanly contoured cheek and cafe au lait lip.

A look that seems to pop up again, year after year, is that of minimalist makeup. This year’s versions showcased a couple of different takes on minimal makeup; ethereal, glowy skin with flushed cheeks (Louis Vuitton, Versace, Tracy Reese, Viktor & Rolf, Elie Saab). or velvety perfected skin with LOTS of bronzer, a la Michael Kors and Bottega Veneta.

Our take for spring pairs radiant skin with a flushed pink cheek and rosebud lip. It is inspired not only by the runways, but also the quietly elegant beauty of Kate Middleton.

The winged liner also had quite a bit of representation on the runways this season- designers like Dolce & Gabana, Betsey Johnson, and The Blondes, showed versions of this 1960s-inspired modern classic. Our version pairs velvety skin with a winged black eyeliner, chiseled cheekbones, and a pale nude lip. While Brigitte Bardot did it first, this look has become Adele’s signature look, and is beautiful on any and all skin/eye/hair colors.

For the first look at Authentic Beauty’s Spring 2012 collection, “A Beautiful Escape”, come to Champagne & Shadows Friday February 24, from 6-9PM. All are welcome, so grab your friends and join us for champagne, bites, complimentary makeup touchups, and lots of fun!

Authentic Boudoir

Alyson — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 19:49:25 +0000

Boudoir photography has its roots in the early heyday of Hollywood. Glamorous stills of Jean Harlow, Marilyn Monroe, Sophia Loren, and the like were used by the big studios to promote their films, and solidify their big ticket actresses as certified starlets.

While Boudoir photography is certainly not new, lately there has been a flood of “Boudoir” photographers popping up all over the country. This trend has become particularly popular for brides-to-be, as well as women seeking to spice up their love lives, or to show off a newly slimmed and toned physique.

However, by focusing on giving the pictures away to someone else, they may be missing the point. While a steamy hot boudoir session will surely amp up your love life, it also has the power to empower. Seeing yourself at your sexiest and most confident can be a huge self esteem boost, for those days when you’re feeling not-so-hot.

What you will take away from your Authentic Boudoir session is a reminder of your own beauty, sexiness, and confidence- to admire when you are feeling less than sexy.

Whether you have recently had a child, gotten in shape- or are learning to love and accept your body exactly as it is (remember: we are all perfect in our imperfections)- a boudoir session may be exactly what the doctor ordered.

We at Authentic Beauty take pride in always listening to our clients- we strive to make you look like the best possible version of your self- and not succumb to some false ideal of beauty. Whether your authentic self is more on the demure sex kitten side, or more of a fearless vixen- we have got you covered.

Let our team of industry professionals create a shoot that expresses your authentic self.

All- inclusive packages begin at $395.

Call the studio at (404) 849-0443 to schedule today, or email Crystal at authenticbeautycrystal@gmail.com for more information.

Looking for a last minute Valentine’s gift??

There is still time to give your special someone (or yourself!) something to hold on to…call the studio to reserve your time today!

Photography by www.michaelmordler.com

Valentine’s Day Make-up

jthomas — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 22:22:33 +0000

Kissable Red Lips!

Valentine’s Day Make-up

It will soon be Valentine’s Day, the day of love! So… let’s be honest. You want to look smokin’ hot for V-Day. The key is to strike that balance between sultry sex kitten & sweet girl next door.

There are basically two sure-fire options: sultry, smoky eyes and soft, barely-there lips, or softly defined eyes and bold lips. Choosing to focus on either eyes or lips will help strike a balance and will not overwhelm your features.

As with every look, you need to start out with a completely smooth canvas, so pick a foundation that matches your skin tone perfectly and add a touch a shimmer and warmth with the Beauty For Real Cream Bronzer. This has a slight golden glow that makes your face look softly candlelit. This is always sexy. If you want to go more natural with your skin, just dab our 3 in 1 magic foundation over any blemishes and even out skin tone. This allows your skin to show through, for a naturally flawless finish. For a bit of an “afterglow”, smile and apply a peachy pink blush to the cheeks, such as Blushing.

So, for sexy smoky eyes, I like to use a pencil liner on the upper and lower lash lines, and blend it out with our Squirrel Precision Blender. Apply your favorite shadow on the lid and below the lower lash line- my favorite color to use for a smoky eye is Moondust- then add a black pencil on the waterline for a little extra sultriness. Curl your lashes & add lots of mascara; I love the Blinc we have here at the studio. For this occasion, I do suggest a strong lash to really up the drama or have a full set of glamorous lash extensions with Tatiana.

If bold red or bright pink lips are more your V-day style, I always recommend applying your lips first, after foundation/concealer. You may be surprised at how much less you will need to use on the eyes when rocking a bold lip. For a classic eye look, mix eyeliner sealer and black shadow together to create a liquid liner and draw a thin black line along the top of the lash line. For more of a retro, Mad Men feel, thicken the line as you go and wing it out slightly at the corner. This look is just like The Starlet, one of our popular looks from last Spring.

Now for some kissable lips. If you want to stick with nude, glossy lips, try our plumper in Get Lippy Peach. If soft pink lips are more your Valentine’s style, try Must Have, a fleshy pink, or Make a Statement, a shimmery baby pink.

If it’s bright pink lips you’re after, line and fill in the lip with either Soft Pink or Berry pencil, and then top with our new favorite gloss for Spring 2011, Love Potion #9, a honeysuckle pink. If only an attention-grabbing red will do, line lips with a red liner and fill them in completely. This will give much more staying power and will avoid the dreaded “ring-around-the mouth” effect. Our Ginger liner is an orangey-red, Terracotta liner is a warm, earthy red, Espresso is more brownish red and, obviously, our Ravishing Red is just that-a ravishing bright true red. For the matte look, just top with Racy Red lipstick & go. But if you want to add some high wattage shine to your kisser, add Ring of Fire gloss. Ideally, lips should look full & kissable, so I like putting a lip gloss on top for maximum poutiness.

We are going to be doing a Style & Shine on Valentine’s Day to help you get V-Day ready in a flash , so stop by & see me or any other of my incredibly talented artists & hairstylists or book an appointment online, or call Stephanie at 404-849-0443 or info@authenticbeautyllc.com.

Get Glowing: Party-Perfect Airbrush Tan with Shimmer!

Alyson — Sat, 10 Dec 2011 18:38:11 +0000

As the holidays draw ever closer, the holiday party season is upon us once again!

Unless you were one of the lucky few who spent Thanksgiving on a private beach, like the vast majority of us of us, your summer tan has gone the way of the summer weather. When cocktail party attire calls for showing a little skin, what is an Authentic Beauty to do?

Come on in and try out our fantastic Organic Airbrush tan! Our customized tanning solution features Eco-cert DHA, is cruelty free, and is designed for all skin tones; from the fairest shades of ivory to the deepest mocha tones. Our solution is also vitamin and antioxidant enriched, leaving your skinhealthy and glowing from the inside out!

Want to really turn up your glow an extra notch for an evening out?? We offer a dazzling shimmer coat- in your choice of golden or opalescent. We recommend that light to medium skin tones choose the opal, and medium to dark tones choose gold- but both shimmer colors are truly beautiful on all skin tones. To be clear, we are talking about the most finely milled shimmer- NOT disco ball worthy glitter! It leaves the skin with a soft incandescence which diffuses light and softens any skin concerns: uneven skin tone, spider veins, stretch marks, etc.

Leave the stockings at home by the chimney and show a little leg with confidence this holiday season! No one but you will know your afterglow came from 10 minutes at Authentic Beauty Studio and Salon- and not a week in St. Bart’s.

To book your private session, call the salon at 404-849-0443, or you can self-book online via www.schedulicity.com.

Simple Abundance: Connect with your Authentic Self

Alyson — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 03:05:39 +0000

Join Us on January 7th to Discover the AMAZING work of

Sarah Ban Breathnach and connect to your Authentic Self in 2012

When: Saturday January 7th 10-4

Where: Authentic Beauty

Cost $200 plus cost of book/workbook (lunch included)

Register by December 10th to receive a $50 discount.

Please email info@authenticbeautyllc.com for more information.

The Six Principles of Simple Abundance

simple, adj. 1: without embellishment;

2: clarity of form and thought;

3: fundamental

abundance, n. 1: an ample quantity, profusion;

2: wealth;

3: plentifulness

simple abundance, 1: an inner journey

2: a spiritual path;

3: a creative and practical approach to life;

4: a tapestry of contentment

Gratitude: The Awakening of the Heart

“The eyes of my eyes are opened.” — E.E. Cummings

Has this happened to you? “One ordinary morning I realized I was emotionally and physically exhausted form concentrating on things I wanted to buy but couldn’t afford. I felt trapped in a vicious circle. The more I focused on lack and what I couldn’t have, the more depressed I became. The more depressed I became, the more I focused on lack. My soul whispered that what I really yearned for was not financial security but financial serenity. I was still – quiet enough to listen. At that moment I acknowledged the deep longing in my heart. What I hungered for was an inner peace that the world could not take way. For the first time in my life I discarded my five-year goals and became a seeker, a pilgrim, a sojourner.” Excerpt from Simple Abundance.

When you delve into and embrace the principle of Gratitude as a lifestyle and not an intellectual concept, your life lakes on a new energy.

Simple Gifts: Embracing Simplicity

Once we take stock of our lives and let gratitude begin its’ transformative work, the next step on the path unfolds naturally. When we appreciate now much we have, we feel the urge to pare down, get back to basics, and learn what is essential for our happiness. We long to realize what’s really important.

A Sense of Order; Cultivating Contentment

If you feel constantly adrift, but don’t know why, be willing to explore the role that order – or lack of it – plays in your life. No woman can think clearly when constantly surrounded by clutter, chaos, and confusion, no matter who is responsible for it. In this session you will being to think of order not as a straight jacket of “shoulds” (make the bed) but as a shape – the foundation – for the beautiful new life you are creating. Invite divine order into your life today and a more serene tomorrow will unfold.

Harmony: Achieving Balance In Our Lives

Harmony is the inner cadence of contentment we feel when the melody of life is in tune. When somehow we’re able to strike the right chord – to balance the expectation of our families and our responsibilities in the world on the one hand with our inner need for spiritual growth and personal expression on the other. This is one of the most difficult challenges any woman faces because it requires that we make choices everyday. In this session, you will explore those choices that bring more Harmony into your life.

Beauty: Opening Our Eyes to the Beauty That Surrounds Us

Going at your own pace, learning to recognize our limitations, appreciating our progress, we weave the lessons of Simple Abundance into the fabric of our daily moments until they become part of us. Suddenly one day we feel very much alive and desire more beauty in our personal quest. We come to a deep awareness that creating a beautiful life is our highest calling. In this session you will explore how beauty lives in your life.

Joy: Learning Life’s Lessons with a Light Heart

Seeing into the life of things that engages us at this point in the tranformative process. From deep within there comes a longing to give up the path of struggle as a way to learn life’s lessons. Finally we are ready to embrace the path of joy. What if you began to expect the best from any situation? In this segment you will be encouraged to suspend your disbelief, after all what do you have to lose but misery and lack. You’ll quickly discover your blessings are waiting to be claimed.

Blink your way through the holidays with semi-permanent eyelash extensions at Authentic Beauty.

Alyson — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 04:42:39 +0000

Before

Blink your way through the holidays with semi-permanent eyelash extensions at Authentic Beauty. While running all of your holiday errands don’t forget to stop and treat yourself to a gift that will last. Semi-permanent eyelash extensions are absolutely essential for any and every woman who wants to add just a dash more fabulousness and convenience to her holiday lifestyle and every day look.

After

Amp up your winter flare and style this holiday season with semi-permanent eyelash extensions. Let’s face it! With the holidays coming up, more things to do and less time to do them in followed by public and festive soirees abound. The holidays are the seasons where you have even less time than your already little time to tend to your makeup and such although it’s one of those times of the year that you want to look your best and for many women, mascara is an absolute must have for everyday wear. Most women love mascara because it gives them that “awake” look or it “opens” their eyes up but who has time to apply and take off mascara, let alone worry about runny mascara and raccoon eyes. That is what makes semi-permanent eyelash extensions at Authentic Beauty the perfect necessity for your holiday look. Semi-permanent eyelash extensions will give you bolder, yet natural looking and feeling volume and length without the need for mascara. The eyelash extensions are applied one single eyelash at a time and lasts 6 to 8 weeks or indefinitely with fills every 2 to 4 weeks. They are perfect for day to day wear or for special occasions because either way you’ll be looking absolutely fabulous wherever you may blink. At Authentic Beauty, semi-permanent lash stylist, Tatiana Jones provides each client with a look that is specifically customized for their eyes and face. The eyelash extensions come in different lengths, thicknesses, colors, and curvatures which allows Tatiana to create a look that is personal, unique, and perfect for you. Treat yourself this season and indulge in a full set of semi-permanent eyelash extensions to experience how such a delicate change can create strikingly dramatic results that you will love all the way through the holidays.

We are currently running a special offering gift certificates for the

Fully Modest Set for $100 (valued at $150).

Limit two per person with the maximum number of gift certificates available being 20 so don’t miss out on this seasonally savvy deal!

Holiday One Day Sale event

Alyson — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 04:28:44 +0000

Last year’s holiday sale was so popular we’re doing it again! This year, we’ll have plenty of new items and a special selection of stocking stuffers all for $40 or less!

Stop by the salon on Thursday December 15th from 10:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. for some preseason shopping, and stick around to sip some eggnog and spiced cider or nibble on some holiday treats.

This year’s lineup:

Clarisonic Pro for superior skin cleansing and rejuvenation
sale $189 reg $225 (our pro version has features you can’t get at many other retailers)

Clarisonic Opal Sonic technology for your delicate eye area to smooth and hydrate dramatically.
sale $185 reg $245

Ansr Beam effective personal light therapy device for acne and skin rejuvenation
sale $125 reg $148

Custom 6 color makeup palette
sale $75 reg $105

Full set of lash extensions
sale $100 reg $150
*Only 20 available at this price. Limit 2 per person.

$10 off Amala kits

$49 Facials reg $75
Limit 3 per person

Year of brow services with Alyson (based on 5 week schedule)
sale $360 reg $400
Plus, one visit free! (expires 12/12)

Authentic Beauty gift cards
$60 gets you $75 of services (not valid on hair, lashes or aesthetics)

Specials from Buckhead Plastic Surgery are for Authentic Beauty clients only. Get your gift cards for:

A microderm session and chemical peel combo for $75 – regularly $150

$500 worth of laser hair removal for $250. The number of sessions will depend on areas selected. eg. this will include six sessions of brow, upper lip and chin or 2 sessions for full bikini, chest or lower legs.

Stocking stuffers $40 and under!
Authentic beauty lip glosses in gift pouch
2 for $28.50 reg $33

Lip or eye pencils in gift pouch
3 pencils for $30 reg $39

The perfect brow card
$35
Limit 3 per person

Spray tan gift card
sale $25 reg $35

Soleil hand poured soy holiday scented candles $10 each

Headshot and Holiday Photo Day

Alyson — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 04:21:10 +0000

Holiday Photo and Professional Headshot Day

December 3, 2011 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

You’ve been asking for it and we’ve listened! Join us for this special event!

Photography by our super accomplished shooter Sara Hanna (www.SaraHanna.com). She’s renowned for her work of celebrities, lifestyle, fashion and beauty.

Choose your personalized session at our studio to receive 2 shots to use for print or your web site at a reduced rate of only $75 (PHOTOSHOOT ONLY).

We are additionally offering discounted rates on a perfect pairing of photo-ready hair and makeup by our team of talented artists to make your photos really shine:

Adults:
Makeup: $60 reg, $75-100
Hair dry style or blowout: $45, reg $55 and up

Teens:
Makeup: $40, reg $65
Hair dry style or blowout: $45, reg $55 and up

Children 12 and under (being shot with adult)
Makeup: $15, reg $35
Hair dry style or blowout: $35, reg $45

Contact Stephanie today to reserve your time slot!

404-849-0443

Fall Trends Class at Tootsies

Alyson — Tue, 04 Oct 2011 15:45:44 +0000

Fall Trends Class at Tootsies with Authentic Beauty’s Alyson Hoag this Thursday!

You’ve seen Authentic Beauty’s cheery makeup counter at Tootsies Shops Around Lenox location, now see for yourself why Atlanta women love Authentic Beauty’s unique brand of beauty artistry next Thursday, October 6 from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m.

Authentic Beauty founder Alyson Hoag is widely touted as the ‘brow guru of Atlanta’ and recently was named Best of Brows by Allure Magazine for the second year in a row. Each year, Hoag’s team of expert makeup artists scour the high fashion catwalks to discover the hottest trends and interpret them into custom looks every woman can wear. We’d like to invite you to join us at Tootsies next Thursday to learn how to make this season’s most popular runway looks work for you!

Hoag and the Authentic Beauty team will be teaching you step-by-step how to create custom looks from the Fall 2011 Romancing the Stones collection, and all your favorite Tootsies stylists will be on hand to show you what this season has in store for fashion too.

Join Tootsies and the Authentic Beauty makeup artists next Thursday, October 6 from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. for a fashion, fun and the low down on each of the four fall looks in the collection. All of this for only $25!

Just the 411:

What: Fall 2011 Trends Class

When: Thursday, October 6 from 6:30 – 9:30 p.m.

Where: Tootsies, Shops Around Lenox, Atlanta, GA

Cost: $25 per person

We are looking forward to a night of beauty, fashion and all things fall! Grab your girlfriends for this unique night to discover your best look!