Lisa Zomer - Makeup Artist

Imagine this...four days before the wedding I dyed my hair myself (my fiance is still surprised that I didn't go to a salon). Biggest mistake ever! I wasn't too careful and their were splotches all over my face and neck. I was so depressed and worried. Luckily, I booked Lisa and opted for airbrushing a month before. She covered everything, and my co-workers who first saw the splotches said they couldn't tell. I got my pics and it looked fabulous. Also, she has a great personality and my hair and makeup time was the most relaxing time I spent that day. She even managed to fit in my mom who wanted to get her hair done. She really knows how to ease everyone during the wedding tension.

Hiring Lisa was a splurge for me. Even though her pricing was comparable with other artists who came to you, for me it was a lot to spend. But now after my wedding day has come and gone, I cannot stress it enough, she was worth every penny! Not only did I ever feel the prettiest I ever have felt, but she also helped me through a stressful morning.

After one horrible experience with someone less expensive, I decided to give her a try. (That first trial, I looked like I was going to go out to the clubs! GAH!)

Upon meeting Lisa for the trial, what struck me, besides being very relaxed in her lovely garden home, was that she listened to me and really looked at the pictures I brought. We chatted and chatted while she worked and I was so happy with the results. I did opt for the airbrushing and it was a great choice to even out my skin tone.

After the trial was over, and she did the small tweaks I asked for, we said goodbye. She never pressured me to sign, but rather I left with her contract and on the drive home I decided I would find the money in the budget to hire her. I had been warned by friends of mine who had been brides before me: “Choose your day-of people carefully, you will be sending the biggest day of your life with them, so make sure you like them.” I knew she would be nice to have around on that Big Day.

After booking, we exchanged a few emails, four of my bridesmaids wanted to use her as well, so we worked out the schedule and details. Day of, she arrived right on time and got straight to work. She was so skilled and she worked and worked making each of my dearest friends and sisters look absolutely gorgeous, one-by-one. All of my friends have different styles and coloring and she matched each one as if she knew them like I did!

When it was my turn to sit in the chair, it was just at the perfect moment. The mornings To-Do’s had been coming to a fever pitch and I was feeling a bit overwhelmed, tears were coming and I was trying not to snap at people who were just trying to help. Lisa was like a Godsend at that moment. She reminded me that I had to sit and they would all figure it out without me (she even got me to hand my phone off), which was exactly what I needed to do. And she was right; they did figure it out! That time having my hair and make up done was the time I used to center myself again. So besides just my hair and make up, she also helped me calm down during a critical time, which although is not in her ‘job description’ I deeply appreciated. (You may not need that from her on your day of, but I relay it because it was important to me that she was really paying attention to me as a person.)

My makeup and hair were perfect and just what I wanted. She styled it so I could have all of my hair up for the ceremony and then took down the back for the reception. She gave me a little container with some lipstick so I could touch up my lips, which was all I needed. I never felt as beautiful as I did that day, and that’s how it’s supposed to be on your wedding day, right?

Lisa was one of my favorite vendors. She and her assistant Robert handled hair and make-up for my four bridesmaids, my mom and myself. Since our wedding had a full day of activities they came over at 6 AM to get us ready. Lisa said that they would be over a little early to set-up and she was true to her word. Everyone was done at about 10 AM, give or take 10 minutes which was pretty much on schedule.

Lisa is extremely easy-going and a great personality. She does good work too! My sister had a sudden breakout the week of the wedding and Lisa was able to cover it all up and still make it look natural. (Gotta love the airbrush!) She definitely helped ease my sister's worries and made her feel pretty.

My hair and make-up was done around 9:30 AM. My day did not end until almost midnight and my hair and make-up still looked great after 14 hours! I only needed a little touch-up of lip gloss (Lisa provided me with a little case of the color she used.) here and there and I was fine. My hair stayed in place the entire night which is saying a lot especially since I stood in some pretty strong winds up in the Berkeley hills and then out along the bay. (My veil was flying all over the place.)

Also, as an Asian bride there is always a concern about having stylists and make-up artists who know how to handle the Asian look and hair. I got compliments the entire day from family, friends and complete strangers! My maids looked great too. I highly recommend Lisa. My only word of caution is that she does do non-wedding work during the week so she can only book 3 months in advance. She may also not be super quick to respond to e-mails since her jobs may keep her from accessing her computer as easily. Just be patient. :)

I enjoyed Lisa's work so much I asked her to do my hair and make-up for a special photo session my photographer had for us on the Monday after the wedding. My only regret was that my hair and make-up was done in the afternoon so I didn't have as many hours to show it off like on my wedding day.

Lisa is so talented and sweet. She made me feel incredibly comfortable and handled my indecisiveness well.

Lisa was amazing! She did my hair and makeup, and that of my three bridesmaids along with that of the two moms. She was so professional, flexible with scheduling, and produced beautiful results.

I had a trial with Lisa in early March for my May 31 wedding. I loved the makeup she did - very natural and discreet. She applied false eyelashes that blended with mine and nobody could tell I had them on. The airbrushed makeup felt natural, lightweight, and soon I forgot I had any makeup (let alone lashes) on! I was not absolutely sure about the hair, but talking to Lisa, and taking some time to think about how I want my hair gave me a better idea and Lisa and I managed to find the best looking style for me. I loved my hair on the wedding day! My bridesmaids looked stunning and she did an incredible job! Our makeup and hair stayed on throughout the day and well into the night (at least until midnight!!!).

Lisa was punctual and managed to do hair and makeup for six people in five hours! We were very disciplined and our concentration and discipline helped Lisa get her job done. Thank you, Lisa!

Bride was $300, hair and makeup for bridesmaids and moms, $145 each. $50 fee for airbrush makeup.

Lisa did a phenomenol job on both my hair and make-up. All my facial flaws disappeared and my hair stayed put all night. She arrived on-time and had me finished on-time. She was also very generous, allowing my bridesmaids to borrow products that they’d left at home, and leaving me with touch-up products, mints, and lots of packets of Darphin products (and eye drops!) for the a.m. I must also say that hhe’s also super sweet, and I definitely recommend her :)

$250 bride, $135 extra people, trial $150

This was the second time I had Lisa do my hair and makeup for myself and my sister and I loved her results each time. It was originally hard to get a hold of her because she does work on movie sets and only books 3 months in advance, but I’m so glad I waited along for her.

She does her trial in her house in Oakland, and you may get the chance to meet her equally nice boyfriend and her “baby” – an overly friendly dog. She listened to what I wanted, I showed her pictures of updos I liked, and told her that I didn’t want to look too made over. Lisa is very honest about what would look good which I truly appreciated. She hit the mark the first time, but was very willing to play around with other styles until I found something I was comfortable with.

For this reception, she showed up at my hotel on time and also planned everything so my photographer could get some “getting ready” shots when he showed up later. I was her third job for that day, but I was her first booked job so she made sure I was ok with her doing another job in the morning. I thought that was really considerate of her and I’m positive she wouldn’t have taken the earlier job if I told her I was uncomfortable of the times being too close together.

My hair turned out exactly as it did during the trial, and we were able to add a flower pin also. She’s totally at ease, very easy to talk to, and got along great with my sister, sister’s friend and myself. I think we could have done the entire makeup session in a bar together because we were laughing and having such a good time. She’s amazing. So, book her, now!

My hair did eventually droop near the end of the night, but it had been styled 8 hours before. I don’t think even plaster would have held my hair any longer because my hair is long and straight (asian straight).

Meaganne did an awesome job on my bridesmaids and I. She brought along Lisa Holt to help with hair and she was great too. Both of them were super accomodating, friendly, and great to have around on the morning of our wedding.

touch up kit which got stolen at the B Room later that day but I did not feel the need to touch up anyway. Airbrush makeup worked great on the three of us (none of us wear make up regularly). I changed my mind on how I wanted my hair to look many times after the trial and she patiently corresponded with me and gave me great suggestions.

Dislike: She arrived 15 min early but ended up being 1.5 hour behind schedule. It didn't cause us too much trouble because I have figured in some cushion time, but of course it would be better if she finished on time.