2018 In Review

Year 4 of Sweet Cherry. Another strong year with a jump in more services, weddings, clients and movies.

In February I took a nail art techniques course from Nadja Beauty learning different nail art techniques and updating myself on basic skills. This was a very low low for me and a very high high. Low because while I was in the class I was the oldest tech who had been doing it the longest. The new techniques for nail foils and fitting shapes are so much more advanced now, especially the Russian styles. But after my first day of just feeling old, I really enjoyed learning the new art techniques. Above you can see my 3D acrylic pieces that I made of a dragon eye and a raven skull.

In March I  had a wonderful warrioress set with Silver Cedar Studio/ Depress Metal Artwork fashion house at Derelicte with all new pieces than before. Each piece was a specific idea with woad warrior celtic makeup to go along with it. See above photo of model Diane with her buster sword.

In April I worked on “Where the Poppies Grow” as the head of makeup and special effects. This was a very close to the heart job for me, coming from a strong military family. The movie is set during WWI and focuses on the real life letters between a brother and sister from Thunder Bay as he is shipped off to war. Realism was the goal and with help from the CATSIM kit the military loaned me: I made great use of their  prostheses and made some great effects. The movie premiered on the start of Vetrans week along with a military parade and has gone on to win numerous awards.  See above to the wounder solider on a stretcher.

Another movie “The Discarded“: I had worked on a few years ago has also been winning awards at different festivals and its been nice to see that come up all year.

Halloween was extra busy this year as it was also the same day as Thundercon! So I had to give up my annual space for my Thundercon Workshop to stay at work. My Client Grimace the Butler definitely amped up our halloween collaboration game this year. He went as MGK and I was tasked with making custom rub on tattoos to match the famous rappers ink. Unfortunately I ran out of paper and ended up hand painting as much as I could of his back piece which is a portrait of Salvador Dali’s “Horses”. One of my rev-up to Halloween looks which was a quick piece I did in my bathroom at home turned out to be my most popular ever look, making friends and family think it was real. See above to the middle photo of me.

I graced the pages of The Walleye yet again with a piece about me as a makeup artist written by my beautiful friend Lea Morningstar. (Top right corner of photos) Lea has started writing now monthly for the magazine and I wish her all the luck to keep going with interesting pieces of “What’s Inside of…?”

This year at The Wedding Show: Fall Edition I was asked to do a presentation. I chose to do a talk about makeup looks and how trends can date you. With the wonderful help from Unveiled Bridal Boutique who lent me the dresses for my models and Bunnydeer hatbox for the hair pieces, and to all my models who helped out. I was able to talk about the reason why we call them “Blushing brides” I am not dissing any trends or those who want the instagram brow, sparkle lids with dark smokey eyes or dark or nude lips. I love those looks but also weddings aren’t the time to take risks with new trends. See top middle of me and my brides.

Thank you everyone for all your support and I will continue to look for new opportunity to better myself and my craft!

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Makeup and Skin Care Orders

I am now taking online and in shop orders for Derma e and MUD makeup. If you want to order online you can click the links below to save your own copy and either fill out online and email back to scotiamua@shaw.ca or print bring it into the shop( I also have copies already printed in the shop). Orders are processed within 1-2 business days and takes about a week to come in. Orders must be paid for upfront.

ORDER MUD MAKEUP

ORDER DERMA E SKIN CARE

 

 

Don`t forget that I have lots in stock at the shop too! But I can always order what I don`t have in stock for you!

 

Cruelty-Free is More than Not Testing on Animals

We all have the same types of images that go through our head when we hear “Cruelty-free cosmetics”; the pig with lipstick on it, the monkey wearing nail polish, rats dyed with different hair colours and more.

There has been a big swing in the right direction as cosmetic companies have been switching to more ethically based testing and becoming cruelty-free. Many countries are banning testing on animals at all (Canada is one of them!) “43% of consumers are even willing to pay more for products that are not tested on animals.” – businessoffashion.com Though I do find many companies (such as Dermae available for order and sale in spa) still keep their prices reasonable, because being nice shouldn’t come at a price.

click to enlarge to get the facts
But did you know that there are lots of other ways for estheticians, nail techs and hair stylists to be cruelty-free?

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“Lakehead At War” Screening: November 4 + 11 2018

via Save the Date(s): November2-4 2018

 

A fantastic WW1 docu-dramma that I was head of makeup this spring will be screening November 4th at the Community Auditorium and November 11th at Trinity hall.

Please come check it out and honor the brave real life stories we tell of our local heroes.

News: New Bridal Contract and Price

After a really busy summer of bridal bookings I have had time to reflect on how I book clients. I still have openings for the fall and winter!

I have had to update my bridal contract and prices to reflect the current market and how clients have been booking their weddings.  All pre-paid and signed contract holders are grandfathered to their original contract they have signed, this is only for new clients.

Did you know the national average for bridal makeup is 100$-170$? Do you think that is reflective for Thunder Bay? I am still keeping mine lower because it is Thunder Bay 🙂

Here is the sample of my new contract:

wedding contract sample.jpg

 

Some important changes:

  • New services are available! Such as me staying to touch up after your photos, tattoo cover ups, and children’s makeup for under 12 (consists of eye shadow, blush and lipstick/gloss).
  • Price change of retainer and overall pricing.
  • If you are last minute(2 weeks or less) canceling services for Bride, bridal party and/or guest makeup, you will be required to cover 50% of the total quoted fee for those canceling. If its less than 48 hours notice: you will be required to cover 100% of the quote. This is to cover the fact that I will not be able to make up the same amount of revenue in spa when the date has been booked for a long time.
  • Travel outside of Thunder Bay city limits has been more thoroughly explained.
  • Quote will now cover all party members not just bride.
  • A promise if I have a unforeseen emergency and can not make it, that I will try my best to find a replacement artist otherwise your money back. (This has never actually happened to me but I have been hearing more and more artists in town having to last minute cancel on their brides and I want you to feel protected against this.)

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Thank you for all your understanding in the changes and look forward to continue bringing a elegant, beautiful, sweet look to top off your wedding look! I am still taking new brides for Fall/Winter 2018 and booking into 2019 you can book your trial here!

 

See me at this fall’s Wedding Show Sunday October 21st at the Victoria Inn where I will be presenting a small seminar: “Makeup Wedding Trends That WILL Date Your Look”.

Watch Out for Job Offer Scams -UPDATE

2 Years ago I wrote about my experience with getting what seemed a too good to be true makeup job offer with Instyle magazine.

What  it turned into was a big let down to start with, then a very scary realization: that in the least my credit card and identity could of been stolen…to the extreme of I could of been caught up in human trafficking or dead.

Since then I get weekly comments (136), phone calls, emails and DMs from other makeup artists all over the world who are getting the same emails.

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What’s Inside Sweet Cherry?

Since Sweet Cherry Spa opened in its new location a year ago I have been striving to bring new local gifts in to add to supporting the small businesses of Thunder Bay.

I wanted to share with you the newest line to come in from Dianea Creates

Diane takes custom orders, has also now just started making rings too! She also has DEALS! Buy any 2 items and at 10$ off! and an additional 5$ off after per item.

All items are handmade and the amethyst is local.

 

Next up is our good friend The Bunnydeer Hatbox! Another amazing local artist bringing in unique mini top hats, bows(can be used as hair bows, pins or bowties), fascinators and, custom wedding headbands, fascinators, top hats and other hair pieces.

Candice has been creating for many years and has been featured at Sweet Cherry Spa since the beginning. She also takes custom orders.

Last of our custom order handmade products is Nerdy Nails (made by myself).

Custom made, hand painted nails all in different Nerdy themes: Star Trek, Loki, Dragons, Lord of the Rings, Last Airbender, Sailor Moon, Kawaii Spring, Goth Queen, The Simpsons, Princess Monoke and more!

ON SALE right now 10$ a set! Comes with file and glue for perfect fit. Lasts up to a week. New Custom sets by order only (currently not taking orders until July 2018) for 30$.

 

New Derma E Skin care! The new packaging is out and they have come out with a new line and fun new products like 1 time Mask Packs! Grab a bunch bring them over for your next ladies spa night! Derma E has also come out with some great skin oils to prime and prep for a lighter moisturizer and for pre-makeup applications!

 

 

 

 

 

2017 in Review

Happy New years everyone! I hope everyone had a safe and fun time! I finally was able relax because it was so cold, I was forced to stay in and cuddle with family and watch movies.. how horrible I know!

2017 was crazy amazing for me: I started my year off moving into the new shop in downtown Fort William in Victoriaville mall. This has been such a awesome expansion and I love you all for your support.

With the move came hiring staff and getting my coop student, Troy, Shae, Nadine and Jess! Some of you have been short lived other with me longer but I have to give my biggest thanks to Troy! He has helped me move in, set up, get everything together, been my great assistant of learning my way of answering the phones, doing laundry, setting up for clients and has great customer service! He even bares going out into the cold for me to get supplies from the store!

My nail art game in watercolour and protrait was pushed to awesome levels thanks to all your requests. I was also awarded top 3 nail salons in Thunder Bay.

I was able to work on 2 films this year Mercy and another that is still in post production and hasn’t been released yet.

I was able to do my yearly workshop at Thundercon, this year I premade half a prosthetic and then live demonstrated how to do the rest. You can watch the live demo here.

I worked on a beautiful set with acrobats with Apple wagon productions, styling the scene 1920’s.

Westfort Productions and I have now teamed up as well for marketing campaigns for Tbaytel and McKellar Confectionery.

I was invited to speak at the HUB’s Lunch and Learn for small business talking about my experience in applying for grants and opening my own small business (this one 😛 ). Also spoke at Confederation College’s film students about makeup artistry and DIY special effects.

I was the busiest year so far with weddings! Irma’s Bridal was awesome in getting me to do all the makeup for their fashion show at the Fall Wedding show.

Once again I helped Katie of Silver Cedar Studios rock out her runway fur fashions for Derelict.

Lea from Eating Dirt and I did more awesome and fun photo shoots, goth girls, grim and reapers. Scott Hobbs photography and I got messy with a gallon of blood and also did a lot of fun boudoir, theater and family shoots.

Alot of people at the Thunder Pride Parade were happy, scared and confused by me and Veronkia’s Babadok. As well I was able to do Portia’s makeup again and talk to young teens and drag queens about makeup with Paloma Marquez.

Halloween is always big for me and this year my biggest was a anatomy cartoon body paint along with another fully booked halloween weekend full of scary and awesome costumes.

 
Thank you guys again for bringing me all your amazing weddings, fashion, costumes, nails, skin care needs, lashes and more!!! Lets create some more sweetness in 2018!

Xoxo Scotia

Happy 3 years

3 years owning Sweet Cherry Spa today!

It’s grown so much in such a small amount of time. I have made some wonderful clients and friends, expanded into my own place, my blog has taken off quite a bit and now starting to get nominated for new upcoming business awards!

I’m not doing anything special for this anniversary because I feel for the new space I want to start over with it until Feb when it will be 1 year since I reopened in my new location.

I’ll have a party and cake then  Thank you to my staff Dade Murphy and Jessica Engelen for all your love and support I can’t do this without you!