We’re THRILLED to announce our new beauty series BEAUTY BOOK hosted by celebrated makeup artist and beauty expert Heidi Evora-Santiago of damali nyc.

A makeup artist for close to two decades, Heidi is the Founder and Creative Director of luxury beauty agency damali nyc. She’s done everything from print to fashion to television and calls many celebrities clients, such as Katherine Heigl, Eva Longoria, Shonda Rimes, and Estelle to name a few. But what brings Heidi the most gratification is helping brides look and, more importantly, FEEL beautiful on their wedding day. Which is why she launched her on-location and bridal beauty agency, damali nyc, which offers hair styling and makeup artistry in New York, Palm Beach and Miami.

Introducing the first of many beauty posts on hair and makeup by Heidi Evora-Santiago…

Trends in beauty change by the season, by the year and by the decade. Many are trends that have been seen before but resurface with a fresh little twist. For my brides, the beauty trend that seems to have lasting power these past few years is that brides want to showcase more than one beauty look on their wedding day.  A soft romantic ethereal look for their wedding ceremony and more dramatic, sultry look for their reception and after-party.

Although it has been many moons since I was betrothed to my love, I still remember the indecisive torment of choosing how I wanted to look on my wedding day. I wanted a traditional look for my walk down the aisle but, on the other hand, I also wanted a look that represented my “party style”. Our brides today still have those same conflicted thoughts!

Our collective response is “why choose when you can have them all?!” I would say more than half of our brides are opting to change their look after the ceremony. For some, it’s a complete transformation from wardrobe and accessories to hair and makeup. But for others, it could be as simple as putting their hair up in a bun or possibly a smokey eye and a lipstick change.

We once had a bride who changed throughout the night into five different dresses with several corresponding beauty changes. A bit extravagant…but soooo much fun for both her and us. My feeling is this, your wedding day should be a representation of who you are and we are all multidimensional creatures. For most, the wedding day is the one day that you will have a professional photographer, makeup artist and hair stylist at your disposal. And, for some , a personal stylist/dresser, whose only purpose is to ensure you have beautiful memories in print and that you look equally stunning in every image.
So why not take advantage and showcase all facets of FABULOUS you!?

Best of Regards,

{Photography by Elisabeth Millay; Wedding dresses designed by Randi Rahm; Styling by Julie Sabatino: Makeup and hair by Heidi Evora-Santiago and Nikki Avanzino for damali nyc.}

Read More About Heidi Evora-Santiago of Damali NYC.

Heidi’s career in cosmetics began by joining the beauty team of , the at the time, new and upcoming brand Bobbi Brown Cosmetics which lead to a position as a beauty consultant with Saks Fifth Avenue.  Her experience there, working with women of all ages, ethnicites, and preferences she has said was “the best training she could have ever had in knowing how to personalize a look for her clients”.  After a decade of service she left to nurture her entrepreneurial spirit, which led to the creation of the luxury beauty agency damali nyc, which specializes in Bridal and Mobile services. A Certified Advanced Lash Stylist representing Xtreme Lashes she has built up an impressive eyelash extension following. Mentored and trained by  L.A. based “Celebrity Eyebrow King” Damone Roberts, Heidi is also New York State Certified and is a noted eyebrow specialist. Heidi’s work can be seen on campaign ads for Polo by Ralph Lauren, Showtime’s “Californication”, Sprite, Jim Bean, Pantene, and Prudential Insurance.  Her advice and artistry have been quoted and feautured in numerous publications and media outlets, such as Russian Vogue, Teen Vogue, Latina Magazine, Grammy.com, NY1, Seventeen Magazine, The Knot, Martha Stewart Weddings, Inside Weddings and AVENUE Magazine.  She has also created looks for designers Randi Rahm, Ines di Santo and  Pnina Tourneu and Mark Zunino for Kleinfeld Bridal. Highly sought after by brides and a favorite among socialites and fashionistas, Heidi continues to provide services for her private, corporate and bridal clientele while striving to direct damali nyc to new heights.