It was beginning to look like the once-in-a-lifetime date, 11/11/11, would go unbooked… until Lisa contacted me in the month before her wedding. Huzzah! I’d hate to miss working on a cool date like that. But I had no idea just how cool it would be until Lisa told me that her wedding falls on “National Heavy Metal Day.” (My inner high school headbanger was so pleased!)

And when Lisa said that she’s a black smoky eye, “Kim Kardashian eye makeup” kinda gal, and I saw her big beautiful eyes in person, I knew there was no way I was going to try to talk this rock n’ roll bride into a softer, traditional bridal look. The dark eyes were perfect on her.

I did makeup for Lisa, retro glam-inspired makeup for her sister, a natural plummy look for her mother, and a little touch for the flower girl (who was DETERMINED to get into my chair and fought hard for the opportunity, desperately trying to edge out everyone else – hilarious!) And according to Lisa’s review, the makeup lasted through “an emotional ceremony, sweaty Greek dancing, all of it.” It was such a pleasure to work with this fabulous family.

(Oh – and the story behind the boxing gloves? Lisa met Keegan at the gym, where he taught cardio kickboxing and mixed martial arts. Lisa has been a huge boxing fan since watching Rocky as a kid, so, as she put it, “It was kind of kismet that we would meet because of boxing!”)

Photos: Lynne Graves

Venue: The Garden House at Look Park