Tell us about you:

Hi!!!!  I'm Yisell and I do hair and makeup for a living.  I've been doing this for about 13 years and have loved every second of it.  When I was a child, I knew I always wanted to help people.  I thought I had to do that by being some sort of doctor or nurse.  I even went to school for nursing but quickly changed my mind when I realized that it wasn't for me.  Helping women feel beautiful and see themselves in a different light is what I was born to do.  Nothing feeds my soul more than when a woman looks at herself in the mirror and loves the way she looks.

Are you in full glam mode everyday?

Oh gosh, no!  While I do have a daily (not at all glam) makeup routine, I've perfected doing this in 10 minutes or less.  It's more of a ritual at this point and it makes me feel put together and puts a pep in my step.

What is your "go to" look for your own hair and makeup routine?

I don't feel complete if I don't have some winged liner and mascara on.  Those are a must for me.  Anything else depends on the day...concealer, blush, eyebrows and a statement lip.  As for hair, I have a pixie cut so hair for me is pretty simple.  Some hair paste and I'm out the door.

What is your favorite boudoir makeup look?

I'm a fan of statement lip colors, long lashes and glowy skin.  Those just scream "sexy" to me.

Working with a wide variety of clients, how do you manage different skin tones and hair textures?

As a hair and makeup professional, it is important to me that I know and understand all hair and skin no matter the color or texture so that my clients always feel included.  I keep up to date with all hair and makeup products especially for Women of Color.  The question always arises if I'm able to accomodate a certain skin color/hair texture.  The answer is always yes!

What are your top 3 favorite products?

This changes from time to time.  There's so much makeup out there and I love a lot of it!  Currently, my favorite things are JULEP "Skip the Brush Blush" Cream to Powder Blush, BECCA Highlighters and the LimeLife by Alcone Enduring Lip Colors.

If you could tell your clients anything before their boudoir session, what would it be?

Do this for yourself and never mind what anyone thinks.  You are worth it and deserve this FOR YOU!  We, as women, are so hard on ourselves and our bodies.  Doing a boudoir shoot really lets you see yourself how others see you.  As a powerful and confident woman who can take on anything. You are worthy.

Where can someone find you for services other than boudoir?

Website: www.yisellsantosmakeup.com
Instagram: www.instagram.com/yisellsmakeup
FB Page: www.facebook.com/yisellsmakeup
Email: yisell@yisellsantosmakeup.com

Ready to book?! Drop me a note!

Makeup for everyday

The alarm goes off in the morning, and usually the around the third alarm, I finally get out of bed and go through my getting ready routine. Typically consisting of:  shower, dry hair, face, get dressed and then I’m out the door to the Washington DC boudoir studio. And I’d say that routine is a whopping 45 minutes, sometimes 30 if I don’t dry my hair. I’m all about maximizing my sleep time. I need all the sleep, y’all!

For my face, it’s literally just enough CC cream to even out my skin tone, filling and shaping my brows with brow powder and pencil and mascara and lip stuff – gloss if I’m feelin’ fancy. 

While this is “made up” for me, it’s not a face that’s ready for camera. Mostly because the camera needs a little more contrast and color to make a “made up” face look like I actually even did anything so I would have to apply it heavier and hopefully with a bit more technique, or just have a makeup pro do it for me instead.

And this is the very reason I include hair and makeup in all boudoir sessions!

Pro makeup for camera

If you’re like me and most clients coming in for their boudoir session, I’d much rather have a pro apply it as they know exactly how to apply for boudoir photography shoots , specifically for my face shape, and they know what colors will look best with my skin tone and outfits. But it’s also apparent that they just do a much better job and I often hear “can I just hire you to do my hair and makeup every day?” Livin’ that Kardashian life, girl!

Pro makeup artists are knowledgeable in the techniques, products, tools and just the artistry of it and that is why I include pro makeup application with faux lashes for every boudoir client. Not to mention, they make my retouching workflow a breeze!

The levels of makeup intensity for boudoir

We all have our preferences when it comes to makeup application and more often than not, most clients want to look like a more glammed version of themselves. So to make sure we’re all on the same page as far as your expectations go, I’ve created a handy guide you will see on the day of your session for you to let the MUA know your comfort level when it comes to makeup application.

Why does it matter?

Because it does! Ha!

No, really, because the work you see in the website, Instagram and the blog all have a specific look that I work closely on with my artist, as I do have a certain way I like for makeup to photograph and also so you feel absolutely amazing with the results. 

I want your boudoir experience to be stress free, so having hair and makeup applied before your shoot leaves out that stress of having to find a makeup artist yourself or you applying your own. Your job is to sit back, relax and enjoy yourself.

So leave the makeup part to us, we got you!

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Kristen Stewart Artistry

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