Jaycie has a knack for making client’s feel instantly comfortable. She is kind, down-to-earth, and also happens to be wildly talented. She also has a talent for transformative looks that leave clients feeling super amped for sessions.
Her love of makeup dates all the way back to childhood when she first fell in love with painting. Experienced in bridal, corporate, and editorial makeup, she’s a multifaceted gem, not to mention an absolute sweetheart.
When Jaycie is not working, her favorite thing to do is spend quality time with her husband and close friends. She is guilty of starting awkward conversations with strangers, watching marathons of SVU, eating the last cookie in a box and taking an excessive amount selfies with her dog, Roy.
Q. What do you love about doing makeup- I love that my job allows me to meet new people every day and hear their stories. It really opens your eyes to other walks of life and other experiences. Being able to be a working artist is just icing on the cake. I get create art while making someone feel beautiful all at the same time.
Q. Why do you like working with Revealed?
A: Well first, the environment at Revealed is really like no other. As soon as you walk in studio you are overwhelmed with calm positive energy. The ladies are all so uplifting and inspiring. I’ve worked with them for over 6 years now and I’m still in awe with how kind they are and how welcoming they are, you never feel out of place. As a friend, co-worker of client. Ive worked at other studios that feel like assembly lines, Revealed allows you to have a very personal intimate experience.
Q. Where do you draw inspiration from?
A. I draw inspiration from everywhere. Mostly my clients though. Every client brings out a slightly different art form just by the mere fact that everyone has a new canvas for me to work on or a different vision of what they want to look like, which in turn gets my creativity going a new direction.
Q. Craziest thing you’ve ever done?
A. Im THE most boring person ever. I totally live by the rules and plan by days almost by the hours. I rarely do anything spontaneous…. probably something I should work on!
5. Guilty pleasure?
Oh lordy- so many… A big one is chocolate (like addict) or anything sweet for that matter. Franks hot sauce… literally put that on EVERYTHING. Watching terrible tv shows like Teen Mom, Real Housewives and marathons of SVU.
Makeup artist Tanya Renelt brings a light and tasteful touch to makeup.
You know those people who have some sort of voodoo calming power? Well, makeup artist Tanya Renelt is one such lady. With a background in the healing arts, her gentle spirit puts anyone sitting in her makeup stool at ease. Tanya has a soft touch, creating flawless, effortless looks. If her smiling eyes and sense of presence aren’t pleasant enough, her transformative makeup will take your breath away.
When she’s not doing makeup, Tanya’s busy being a mamma to her three children, spending time with friends, and learning about natural healing methods.
Get to know Tanya better with this Q&A:
1. Why do you love being a makeup artist? I love doing makeup because I love helping people to look their best and to feel confident and beautiful. I also love the opportunity to meet and get to know so many wonderful people.
2. What do you like about Revealed? It’s a female empowering environment. It’s a safe space for women to embrace their sensuality. Maggie and Kelly are so amazing at what they do, the end result is always so beautiful and I’m honored to be a part of it.
3. Where do you find inspiration? I draw inspiration from nature, the seasons, fashion, and different time periods like the 20’s and 70’s. I’m a self-confessed Francophile, so I’m definitely influenced by effortless French style. Inspiration is all around. Someone walking down the street can inspire me.
4. How do you recharge? A good life/work balance is important to me. I recharge with yoga, meditation, spending time in nature, hanging out with my kids, and in the winter I love a hot bath with salts and essential oils.
5. Can you tell us about a favorite memory? I feel blessed to say, I have so many beautiful memories throughout my life. It’s hard to choose a favorite, but one that stands out is my travels through India. It was really a life changing experience. I loved getting to know Indian culture and finding myself on a deeper level, and I hope to return some day.
Check out more of Tanya’s work here Chicago makeup artist and make sure to follow her on Instagram here.
MAKEUP ARTIST SPOTLIGHT, we’d like to introduce you to Emily Wolf.
We first met Emily years ago when she came in to model. We fell in love and started stalking her on facebook, where we saw her journey into the world of makeup. A talented artist, Emily took her love of painting and put it to good use creating transformations from boudoir to halloween looks. Sarah Michelle Gellar and Chicago Blackhawks captain Jonathon Toews are just two of her better known clients, but she approaches all subjects with the same passion and eagerness.
Below are some of our favorite looks created by Emily. Take a peek then head over to Emily’s makeup, fashion, design blog, Artjunki.com and follow her on instagram here.
THE DECISION TO LEAVE WAS A HARD ONE, BUT HEALTHY ONE
In our latest feature for our Real Women of Revealed Series, Courtney S. shares how walking away from her marriage was one of the hardest things she’s ever done, but also the healthiest, leading to freedom after a controlling relationship.
The first thing you notice about Courtney is her vibrant red hair, followed closely by her raspy, unbridled laugh. Spend just ten minutes with her, and you’ll feel like you’re old friends. She is uninhibited, spunky, and the perfect amount of inappropriate.
It’s hard to picture, but less than two years ago, this ball of fire felt trapped in an unhealthy relationship, yearning to get out.
Back then she was like a faded version of herself, self-conscious of every action, filtering what she said and how she moved for fear of critique from her husband.
When I finally stepped outside of it, I realized, this is not me and I’m becoming a part of something that I don’t believe in.
Her breaking point came when during a trip they took with friends, someone asked, ‘how can you be with someone so verbally and mentally abusive?”
At the time, so used to living with her every move questioned, hearing an outsider make note of his controlling behavior struck like an ember to her skin.
I thought, “Oh my God, other people know? I’m not the one creating these problems, the anger, the unpleasantness. And then when I finally stepped outside of it, I realized this is not me. I’m becoming part of something I don’t believe in.”
Courtney says, it’s like this experience, “When you see yourself from a different view. I didn’t even realize what had happened in that relationship until other people had said them to me.”
“I was going to be 30 and in my head, I kept saying, I’m not going to be 30 and still doing this. I can’t. Thirty is going to be for me. I can’t let this person run my life and tell me what I’m gonna be.”
HOW SHE SURVIVED THE DIVORCE
When Courtney told her husband she was leaving, she said she felt relief and a sense of freedom. Still, there were days she was weepy and emotional, and others where she thought she could climb a mountain. It was a roller coaster of emotions. All of a sudden she was on her own again. She felt fear about the unknown, but when it came down to it, she knew she’d figure it out. “You have to.”
THE AFTERMATH
Over the last year and a half, she slowly reconnected with herself. While with her ex-husband, they lived in a dark, garden apartment that felt like a dungeon to her. Now she has a third floor unit with lots of windows. “I’m obsessed with light. [The lack of light] is very signifying of our relationship.”
After feeling like everything was held over her, being able to say, “this is me ,” was a significant change. “My whole wall was all Ani Difranco posters and the girliest shi*t I could have.”
She did a lot of journaling and focused on letting go of the guilt she carried with her after leaving.
My mom said, I never realized how unhappy you were until I saw how happy you are now.
Slowly but eventually, the vibrant Courtney you see in these pictures began to take shape. She came to realize “that I’ma lot stronger than I thought I was. Just to be myself is freeing in a lot of ways. I’m going to be sensitive, I’m going to cry, and that’s ok. It’s very freeing to just be able to be you.”
For any other woman struggling in an unhealthy relationship, Courtney says the best thing you can do is “go with your gut. If it’s telling you something’s not right, there’s a reason. The other side of your brain might be saying ‘no, it’s ok…’ and sometimes things are good on paper, but if you’re feeling it, there’s a reason.”
She knows other women might feel like they’re letting themselves or other people down by leaving, but “They’re gonna love you no matter what you do.”
When asked what the experience of being photographed was like, “it’s symbolic that you start fully clothed, and slowly you take off a little more and become a little more comfortable. You shed a little of your outer shell, protective barrier and by the end you feel like you.”
We’re so happy to feature Courtney as part of our on-going series, Real Women of Revealed -a collection of photos and stories of inspirational women we feel exemplify beauty beyond appearance. Click here to see more from this series.
One of the best things about a boudoir shoot is the makeover at the beginning of their sessions. Hello transformation! With a glass of champagne, your favorite playlist, and some of the best makeup artists in Chicago on the scene, what’s not to love? But at the end of the day, taking off all that makeup, especially removing false eyelashes, can be a bit tricky. Don’t worry though, we’ve got you.
To help with that process, look no further than this great video from makeup and beauty guru, Lisa Eldridge. She goes through a step-by-step tutorial showing how to remove false eyelashes without the tugging, rubbing, or pulling. As an added bonus, continue watching to see her full makeup removal routine. As bitter-sweet as washing away the artistry may be, her practice is a safe, gentle, and effective way to cleanse your skin.
Our first makeup class “Natural Glow,” was a huge hit. I’m around our makeup artists every week during shoots, and even I learned so many new tricks! Having direct access to the artists and a clear step-by-step process to follow was so helpful.
Stand out at this year’s holiday party…
If you missed the first class, don’t worry, next week on Dec. 10th from 6:30-8:30 p.m. we’ll host a Holiday Glam Makeup Class. Participants will learn how to create a stand out look for this holiday season. If you’re anything like me, each time I try a red lip, I wind up with half of it smeared on my chin. This class will help you perfect the bold application as well as a gorgeous winged liner, all topped off with a little sparkle to really dazzle.
One-on-one teaching to help you master the techniques.
The best thing about this intimate class is having direct access to the experts. Our instructors will not only demonstrate the techniques live in front of the audience, but will happily answer all your questions too.
Spots are limited, get your ticket today.
Secure your spot today by emailing [email protected]. General Admission includes the lesson, complimentary champagne and wine, snacks, and a goodie bag for $35. VIP tickets are $85, and come with bonus full size MAC red lipstick custom selected for your coloring and the Veluxe PearlFusion Shadow Palette (a $60 value).
For amateurs and product lovers alike.
Feel clueless about what to do to change up your every day makeup routine or love playing with new techniques. This class is perfect for both types! It’s a laid back evening of girly fun and learning. You may even make a new friend or two!
Last week we posted a series of fine art nude photos from Real Woman of Revealed, Sherhara’s early morning shoot along Lake Michigan. This week, we’re featuring her again along with her second set of images from the morning.
Finding Confidence Within
Sherhara is a great example of a Real Woman of Revealed because her confidence comes from much more than her outward beauty. She is a motivational speaker, host, and philanthropist–helping individuals and brands recognize and communicate their message. Her success in this work comes from her own ability to be truthful with herself. When asked about this work, she said, “be honest with yourself, about who you are… your flaws, vices, weaknesses, challenges, imperfections, and mess ups. It’s easy to be honest about your strengths and positive attributes, but you’ll liberate yourself by having the courage to be your full self–flaws and all.”
We did a post-shoot interview with Sherhara to find out what it was like to strip down for the camera, and much more.
1. Describe the day of shoot in your own words:
The shoot was peaceful! Yet I knew something awesome was happening. I felt valued from the beginning to the end. Time went by quickly, but it’s probably because I felt I was being catered to. Without the photos I felt beautiful.
2. What do you attribute to your confidence in not only modeling for these images but also sharing them?
Everyone has titties!! I’m not showing anything that someone hasn’t gotten up in the morning and seen for themselves! Whether those boobs are someone else’s or their own. I’m not bashful about my body because everyone has one, just a different one. And the only way people can get over the taboo of being naked is to be naked. Who makes it a big deal? It’s not, if you don’t.
3. What inspired you to do this shoot?
My husband inspire me to do the shoot! He already wanted me to do some type of sexy photo shoot and it was perfect timing when I met the lovely ladies of Revealed!
4. How did you feel during and after?
I felt confident before the shoot and I felt accomplished afterwards. I was proud that I did something few have the courage to do. It’s great to know I knocked something off of my bucket list (even though it wasn’t on the list to begin with! Lol)
5. Any significance in your tattoos?
My tattoos are a symbol of a moment in time. I can reflect on each one and it takes me back to where I was in life. A photo album on my body instead of on my coffee table.
6. Can you talk about your dance/movement background?
I haven’t practiced dance in forever! It’s been enough time for me to say, “I’m a former dancer.” But movement comes naturally for me and the photo shoot is where I could use it again.
7. What advice do you have for our audience?
I ask that everyone challenge themselves to step outside of their comfort zone. Do something as least weekly that you wouldn’t normally have done! Surprise yourself with your own courage!
8.What lesson have you learned in your adult life that you value most?
Be honest with yourself about who you are i.e. your flaws, vices, weaknesses, challenges, imperfections, and mess ups. It’s easy to be honest about your strengths and positive attributes, but you’ll liberate yourself by having the courage to be your full self, flaws and all!
9. What advice to you have for other clients struggling with image confidence?
So many people have left this earth without truly loving and embracing themselves. Don’t be that person that dies without ever loving yourself. You have a body that’s a vessel for your life! To celebrate that vessel is to celebrate life!
In part one and part two of our series on boudoir styling ideas, we shared images from makeup artist Emily Wolf’s recent model shoot along with tips for future clients in need of expert advice for arranging their outfits.
The key take away from those two posts–be true to yourself. If you’re a down-home, tomboy, a body suit, five inch heels, and Beyonce styling extensions may not be right for you. In that case, we suggest trying boy shorts and a sexy sheer tank top, or a classic bra and underwear set. On the other hand, for those comfortable with stilettos and glamour makeup, this is your chance to embrace your inner diva and try the amazing new line of bustiers and silk stockings from La Perla.
Once you’ve selected your wardrobe pieces with confidence, it’s time to add the accessories. A friend of the studio’s once said, “curtains finish a room.” Just like curtains, jewelry, heels, and even hair pieces can add that little extra pop that polish off a look. We’ve created a specialized pinterest board dedicated to this very topic. It covers everything from your head to your toes, and then some. Check it out here and enjoy more of Emily’s boudoir shoot at this urban, loft location.
Could Ms. K be any more adorable in her mini pinup inspired photo shoot. In these boudoir marathon session photos, we love her retro styling, from the red handkerchief to her polka dot bikini. She’s too cute!
We’re thrilled to feature the lovely Alicia Roman, meteorologist for NBC Chicago today on our blog. Besides being gorgeous and talented, Alicia is kind, funny, and a giver. She doesn’t take life too seriously and manages to stay grounded in an industry where that can be tough to maintain.
What inspired you to pursue meteorology?
I’ve always been fascinated with weather. When I was little (4 years old) – my dad was working construction and depended on the weather to “cooperate” or his job would be canceled. I would wake up early in the morning with him at 5 am to watch the weather channel (which was in its infancy then).
Also, he loved watching thunderstorms on our front porch. We would watch together – he would explain things to me and then we would run inside, turn on the weather channel and watch the radar for our area. After that, I had a meteorologist come to my school when I was in fourth grade and I was sold by then!
You were on the host committee for Tickled Pink, can you tell us a little about the organization and why you choose to support the cause?
My mother is a two-time cancer survivor – breast and colon cancer. She is amazing, such a strong woman. I am so motivated by her strength and perseverance during that time. Its very important to me to help and be an advocate for these organizations such as Tickled Pink.
What’s a day off like for you?
Hah! Well now a days – my days off are consumed with wedding planning ( getting married at the end of the year). But really, other than that, I like to wake up, watch the news, do a little work on the internet (emails and such), go to the gym, then come home to make a wonderful dinner followed by either binge watching netflix or tv with my fiancé! That is a perfect day off for me!
What makes you feel confident?
Knowing myself and what I stand for and believe in. Over the years it has been very hard to find that confidence. For me, I think it came later in life. Once I was confident in myself – my confidence at work came next, then with friends and etc.
What makes you feel beautiful?
Knowing that I am loved and I am happy with myself and what I am doing in this life, makes me feel beautiful. I have a wonderful family, network of friends and an AMAZING fiancé, all of whom would do anything to help me & I to help them.
Who are some women who have inspired you throughout your life and why?
My mother of course for her courage and strength.
Work related: Ever since the Weather Channel first aired – I LOVED Vivian Brown, and still do. She is still working at the station today. She has such elegance and grace when she gives her forecast, I’ve always tried to model myself after her.
In an industry where there’s so much focus on appearance, how do you stay grounded?
For me, I grew up in a humble household. I was taught to be grateful for everything you have, even if that includes beauty.
I’ve never been really comfortable being in the spotlight, so I have no problems staying grounded in that way, however, I work in a business that allows me to teach people about weather and protect them in times when the weather can be dangerous.
Do you have any words of advice for younger women struggling with their confidence?
In this day in age with, social media, magazines, photoshop etc… it is extremely hard for us to focus on what really matters, which is looking inward and realizing that we are so much more than what we see in the mirror. Be yourself and be happy – that is the real beauty in life!
Nothing tickles us more than when clients turn into friends, which is exactly what happened with Zurina Ketola. She came through our doors two year ago when we were still in our early stages. During the “getting ready” process, we learned that Zurina was an incredibly talented jewelry designer. A few weeks after her session, we reached out to her, inviting her to collaborate with us on a stylized photo shoot. The only catch, the start time was 4 am! Zurina jumped at the opportunity, arriving bright eyed and bushy tailed, with a collection of unique, handmade pieces that accented our shooting style perfectly.
She’s been our go-to jewelry guru ever since. We have an amazing set of accessories on consignment for studio use, designed specifically with boudoir in mind. We love her work so much, we’re often can’t part from shoots without taking a pair of earrings or new necklace home with us.
Zurina has been creating chic handcrafted jewelry for over a decade. With a design philosophy rooted in quality and timeless versatility, her inspiration is often drawn from her interest in historical art and cultures, as well as global travel. Her jewelry designs can be found online at www.zurinaketoladesigns.etsy.com, or right here in Chicago at her fabulous new spot in the Andersonville Galleria. In her free time, you can find Zurina working on her tumbling and acrobatics skills training in the circus arts or singing and playing guitar.
Introducing the uber talented Makeup Artist Anjelica Bannos
Before Makeup Artist Anjelica Bannos began working with us, she got her start brightening up the tired morning anchors and weather people at NBC Chicago. Maggie’s husband Anthony was one of the lucky ones she touched up in the morning. He sang her praises for months, dropping hints that she’d be a great addition to the Revealed Studios team.
We’re so glad we took his advice! Anjelica has a down-to-earth nature and a knack for knowing just how to bring a client’s look to the next level. A genuine spirit, it’s not uncommon for clients to feel like they’ve known her for years by the time they leave her chair.
When she’s not busy doing makeup, she enjoys anything food related (did we mention her family is in the restaurant business? Be sure to visit the Purple Pig!), catching a live concert, seeing new places and returning to old. A couple of her favorites include sunsets in San Diego and the hustle and bustle of New York City. But nothing compares to the feeling of home in Chicago. She loves traveling near and far and cultivating creative spirit. See more of her work at her Chicago makeup artist website.
You know those people who have some sort of voodoo calming power? Well, makeup artist Tanya Renelt is one such lady. With a background in the healing arts, her gentle spirit puts anyone sitting in her makeup stool at ease. Tanya has a soft touch, creating flawless, effortless looks. If her smiling eyes and sense of presence aren’t pleasant enough, her transformative makeup will take your breath away.
When she’s not doing makeup, Tanya’s busy being a mamma to her three children, spending time with friends, and learning about natural healing methods.
At the time, so used to living with her every move questioned, hearing an outsider make note of his controlling behavior struck like an ember to her skin.
HOW SHE SURVIVED THE DIVORCE
She did a lot of journaling and focused on letting go of the guilt she carried with her after leaving.
Finding Confidence Within
6. Can you talk about your dance/movement background?
