It's not too often that I splurge on getting my makeup done. Actually, professional makeup application is usually reserved only for weddings. And intended to match some frothy, overdone bridesmaid dress. As in some derivative of plum on my lips to match my eggplant dress. As in overdrawn lip liner which results in a Pamela Anderson-esque look. I flip through magazines and study the page when I see a M.A.C. cosmetics ad. Bright pink eye shadow, feathers, glittery eyelashes... scary stuff. Haute couture makeup has its place, but not parked on my face. Ladies, you saw SATC the movie, right? Think Carrie on her wedding day with the crazy dark lipstick and the bird-thing on her head. Not.for.me. So, I felt like looking pretty one night for no particular reason. Makeup artiste extraordinaire Laura Black and her big back of tricks made a house call to my apartment! Even though I cringe at the thought of someone being so close to my eyes with sharp tools such as tweezers and eyelash curlers, Laura put me at ease. She has a soft, fluttery touch. Really, I was so relaxed I almost fell asleep! Laura is professional and friendly, and talks just enough. Everyone knows a stylist that talks so much that you feel tired when it's all said and done. Beauty treatments should be relaxing, and my makeup application was exactly that. Please don't take this as vain-- but when I saw the girl in the mirror looking back at me, I was impressed. Slightly awestruck, I kept looking... this was a much better version of the usual me, but still me. I like that. I never wear base, but Laura's expert application was so feather light and natural that I just ended up with a flawless canvas. I had somehow developed cheekbones I didn't know existed. My lips were tinted a glossy, sexy, nude-ish shade--a shade which I previously believed I was unable to wear. My eyes, however, were my favorite part. Smoky, sparkly and sexy without the vamp. The sparkle? Courtesy of a super-cool M.A.C. pigment powder. My green eyes popped! I took the show to the road that evening. Upon seeing me, one of my male friends immediately remarked "Oh--I'm so casual, and look at you!" I was only wearing jeans and a tank, but he knew something was different. Then I ran into another acquaintance, one that I had not seen for over a year. His take? "Wow, Jelena... I don't know how to say this, but you look amazing... not that you don't usually [insert foot in the mouth], but, um... you look really different... hot!" The makeup lasted all night, alas a "bombshell" for only an evening. I was even a little sad to scrub the beauty from my face when I got home. As I kept telling Laura... thank you, you're a goddess. What else would you call someone with such incredible transformative powers? Whether you're getting done-up for a wedding or just a night on the town, Laura's your girl. read more

I always walk away from makeup counters with a teeny bag full of overpriced crayons that I never intended on buying and a lump in my throat imaging the credit card receipt that I just shoved to the bottom of my purse. But hey, at least I got that free gift. The bright lights that make my skin look terrible and the gay guy at the counter that has better makeup on then I could ever dream of, make me feel like there is so much more that I could be doing with my face. I was beginning to feel especially inept with a makeup brush and guilty about all of the great products I had purchased over the years that barley made it out of the packaging. I decided to take action and I booked a makeup lesson. Enter Laura Black. Laura came to my house with her makeup case (which was about the size of a trunk you might pack for a month long voyage) and a fierce looking apron with every beauty do-hickey known to woman kind tucked away in its rightful pocket. With patience and excellent explanations Laura went to work on my face. She talked me though everything she was doing, from the motion in her wrist when applying color to the crease in the eye, to the reasoning behind dotting concealer on my lips. Now, I don't want to give away all of Laura's beauty tips here.....but you can be sure that she has plenty of them. From the colors to use for my face tone, to the sure-fire way to perfect blush.......I learned more from Laura in one hour then I have from reading thousands of makeup articles in Cosmo. And the best part? Laura used almost all of my own makeup and I didn't walk away from the lesson with a long list of "must buy's." When Laura was finished I hardly believed the reflection in the mirror. I didn't see makeup or colors, what I saw was a fresh-faced gorgeous version of myself. In my own best daydreams about my wedding, my sold our concert, and my Oscar acceptance speech, I've never looked that good. Since my makeup lesson, I have added a few minutes to my routine in the morning and I leave the house feeling more put together then before. But the best part is that now, when I am getting ready for a big night out, I actually look forward to spending time doing my makeup. What a difference it makes when you know what you're doing! Just the other night a friend told me how great my eye makeup looked. I started to tell her how I'd perfected the technique, then I thought better of it and just referred her to Laura Black. read more

Highest praise for Laura Black! Laura did make up for me and my bridesmaids for my wedding and she was absolutely fantastic. Her make up was very natural--flawless airbrushing and the best false lash application imaginable!--but still very striking. Laura is simply a master of her craft and you could not find someone more qualified for your big day (or other glam event). She was extremely patient (I did 2 trials before my wedding) and worked with me so that the make up on my wedding day was exactly how I wanted it. Laura is also a total doll and so great to work with. read more

Laura did my makeup for my wedding day, along with my bridal party and Mom. Everyone was blown away- all of the girls looked flawless. Guests even commented on how beautiful everyone's makeup looked. I couldn't be happier with my wedding day makeup and it stayed in place too, despite a warm rainy day and hours of dancing. She showed up on time, is sweet, professional, and pleasant to have the the room on your big day, too. read more

Laura Black is amazing! Three times Laura Black did my makeup (airbrush foundation and false lash application), and each time I was more impressed. The second and third times were for my engagement and wedding photos, and I could not have been more pleased! Honestly, I want to fly back to Chicago just to have Laura do my makeup again so that I can feel like pretty again. Also, she did the makeup of my mother, my husband's mother and my four bridesmaids, and everyone looked beautiful. Plus, the airbrushed makeup photographed so well. It really blew me away with what a difference that it made! Also, I must add that Laura is a sweetheart. She has a laidback and kind personality. She was the perfect calming presence to have in the bridal suite on a very hectic wedding morning. I completely recommend Laura Black for makeup! read more

5 years ago, she signed a contract and had been paid to do my wedding makeup. 2 days before my wedding I got an email saying she was going to stay out of town to finish up another job and she couldn't get any flights back in time (an enormous lie) . It still makes me cringe- unprofessional and cruel move! Also, resisted even giving us back our deposit. GRRR. If I could give less than 1 star I would read more

NO NO NO. I had Laura booked many months before my wedding, paid a large deposit and all. Two days before my wedding, I was emailed saying she was out of town and suddenly cant do my wedding makeup (a BS story over email). She has yet to return my deposit or given me the courtesy of a phone call. It was such a terrible and unprofessional thing to do to a bride a few days before her big day. Had to share... I sincerely hope no other bride has to go through that. read more

Laura Black did a phenomenal job for my 7-24-10 wedding. She was professional, timely, & fun to work with from my trial through the wedding day. She provided full make-up services for me & my entire bridal party...and managed to do it all well in a cramped hotel suite bathroom (the best lighting). Her pricing was very reasonable. Not inexpensive, but you don't want to go cheap when your talking about your face on your wedding day. It was a hot July day, and my make-up lasted well into the night. I couldn't have been happier! My wedding pictures look amazing. My skin looked flawless (which it is not), and I've never received so many compliments on how beautiful I look in my life. I know it was my wedding day and all, but seriously, a lot of it had to do with the make-up. Book Laura for your wedding, or if you just want to look your best one night. And say YES to the false eyelashes!. read more

Does her trials at her condo which take place in the kitchen. Not very professional... If u ask me. Makes you pay for your own parking which is in a building next door to her. Has a nice upbeat personality but it turned out that at the last minute had to pull out of a wedding. Just two weeks before the big day. Prices weren't bad but as a bride, that's the last thing you need to worry about. read more

Laura was so great to work with! After two make up trials elsewhere, one that made me look like I had a black eye and the other that made me look like I had run away from the circus, Laura came to my rescue. My friend used her for make up years back and she did my make up as a bridesmaid. I had no idea it was so difficult to find someone to do my make up until I started going for trials. As an Asian woman with monolids, it's hard to find someone to do your eye make up right, and Laura was phenomenal. Laura accommodated every request and made my bridal party, mother and mother in law look phenomenal. We were getting compliments all night! The airbrushing was fantastic and held up to the July heat and humidity. Despite the fact that we were a little late to the hotel, she never rushed us and showed us how to keep our make up looking great all night. When my hair started to fall a bit, she even took the time to reposition and spray it! I absolutely had a great experience with Laura and wish I could have her do my make up every day. If I could give her 10 stars I would because I was beginning to lose hope that I could find anyone to do my make up well! read more

Laura is awesome!! In every other aspect of my wedding I looked at several vendors, but not make up. Luckily I found exactly what I was looking for in a make up artist the first time around! My trial was amazing. I wouldn't have changed a single thing. She got exactly what I was looking for right away and it showed in the results. My trial was at 10am and even after running around all day, it still looked FLAWLESS ....ALL DAY. I finally forced myself to wash my face at 10pm but I didn't want to because of how great I looked. Book her... you won't regret it. read more

Laura was an absolute pleasure! I was referred to her by a friend of mine. I was very particular about how heavy/light I wanted my makeup to be for my wedding day. I wanted to look glamorous while still looking like myself. Laura was very patient and made sure I was happy with my looks for both the wedding and reception. Laura became apart of the family for the entire wedding week! I had her work on both my mother and sister's makeup as well. I will be using Laura's services for years to come! read more

I am so happy I chose Laura Black for my wedding make-up! I first and foremost wanted to look like myself at my wedding (I realized this after having disastrous make-up done for my engagement party) - Laura completely understood me! She did my make-up for our engagement photo shoot (at my place! so convenient!), which totally sold me on having her do my wedding day make up! I felt like a beauty queen without looking like I had much make-up on at all. I am so thrilled I went with her, and would recommend her to anyone! read more

I would highly recommend using Laura Black for wedding/professional makeup. Laura is extrememly talented, and professional. She uses the latest top of the line products, and even provides touch-up kits for brides on their wedding day. When doing my trial Laura and I chose a more "evening" look and then I decided later that I wanted my wedding makeup to be more "natural". Without even having to do another trial, Laura perfected the natural look on my wedding day, and I could not have been happier. She was an absolute pleasure to work with, and would absoultely use her for all my future makeup needs! read more

I worked with Laura for my May 30, 2009, wedding. She's incredibly professional, responds quickly, and will make you look absolutely beautiful for your wedding day. She came to my house for a trial about five months before the wedding, and she really listed to what I wanted (not too much, to look like myself, etc). On the wedding day she came to our get-ready location and did makeup for my mom, my two MOHs, and myself, and we were all so, so happy with her work. And one of the best parts is that on the wedding day she gives you a touch-up bag, so you don't have to worry about buying extra lip gloss and blush. Laura is such a nice person and will really help you to be beautiful and relaxed on your wedding day. I'd highly recommend her!!! read more

Laura is amazing! Great to talk to, easy to work with. She did my engagement-shoot make up and I've been very, very happy with the results. She listened to all of my issues with makeup and is very patient -- she made sure I was happy and comfortable with what she had done. You won't be disappointed! read more

I hired Laura to do makeup for my bridesmaids, my mom, and me on my wedding day, after finding out that Laura did makeup for my friend's wedding. She was AWESOME! I have never felt as pretty as I did on my wedding day, thanks Laura! Laura came to my condo in the West Loop for a trial a few months before the wedding--It was great to see her work and decide what exactly I wanted for the wedding. On the wedding day, Laura came to my hotel room to do makeup for my whole bridal party. Some of my bridesmaids had specific requests (e.g. one girl recently had eyelash extensions, so she wanted to do her own mascara) and Laura made sure each girl had exactly what she wanted--They all looked gorgeous and loved Laura's work. Laura uses airbrush foundation, which felt really light yet covered any skin imperfections I had, and applies individual fake eyelashes, which looked really natural and made my eyes pop. She even gave me blush that I could use for touch ups throughout the night. My makeup stayed put and didn't require many touch ups over a 12 hour period--It was awesome. She was extremely professional and very nice. I would highly recommend Laura for any wedding makeup application. read more

Laura did my makeup for my May 2011 wedding and I can honestly say that I have never felt prettier in my life. We ended up doing two trials, the second complimentary, because we didn't quite get it perfect the first time. On the day of the wedding it was perfect. It held up beautifully all day even after having been outside for two hours downtown taking pictures in the wind and the rain. The photographer said I didn't even look like I had been outside. She is professional, easy-going, and great to work with. read more

Laura did my makeup and my bridal party's makeup for my wedding. She did such an outstanding job on all of us. We all had different skin tones and for all of us she got the makeup just right !!! She knows what colors to use and adjusts based on your complexion, eye and hair color. If you have problematic skin that is acne prone or has been scarred by acne you'll still look great once Laura is done with you. That was the case for a number of us. The extra bonus you'll get with Laura is a funny outgoing personality combined with the utmost professionalism. The little touch up makeup bag she gives you to help keep you beautiful all night is something I really valued. However, the makeup she uses really stays on so I didn't have a need to do any touching up. She knew exactly how much makeup to apply to look stunning and not tacky not only in person but in pictures too. We all got so many compliments on makeup that evening. Laura played a big part in my special day, I would definitely recommend having her do your makeup!!! read more