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Dana Karlov

Founder, Bagable Gifts

With Summer wedding season about to go full throttle, it’s Dana Karlov’s time to shine! Five years ago, she launched Bagable Gifts, a service that creates completely custom gift bags for brides and grooms to give to guests at their wedding. Dana got some experience while helping her friends pull together wedding gifts and now uses her creative mind and love for all things bridal to think up the perfect combinations that match a wedding’s theme and location and —more importantly—the personalities of the bride and groom. As for Dana’s own personality, she’s energetic and passionate and oh-so-adorable (attribute that to diligent makeup removal before bed and a healthy addiction to customized hour-and-a-half facials at Jane Skin Care Studio in the Gold Coast). Dana gives Glossed & Found her Bagable bests in this week’s spotlight.

SPOTLIGHT BEAUTY DANA KARLOVBEAUTY MUST-HAVES>> scent: CHANEL COCO MADEMOISELLE // moisturizer: YONKA VITAL DEFENSE // concealer: YVES SAINT LAURENT TOUCHE ECLAT in SHADE 2 // foundation: HOURGLASS VEIL in IVORY // mascara: DIORSHOW BLACK OUT WATERPROOF // lips: LAURA MERCIER LIP GLACE in SPARKLING GLACE with LIP SLIP by SARA HAPP // nails: OPI’S THE SPY WHO LOVED ME

Q: Pop Quiz! Can you remember what was in the gift bag at your wedding—before Bagable Gifts was even born?
A:  Of course!  My wedding colors were merlot, orange and yellow and so we did merlot and orange hat boxes full of amazing Chicago treats, water, a map and more, and then wrapped them in white tulle with a huge oversized grosgrain bow.  They were fabulous!

Q: Sounds like it! Now that you’ve been in the business for awhile, what are your top three favorite items to include in bridal bags?
A: Sofia Blanc de Blanc Champagne Cans—these are so fun and just adorable, and they come with a straw so you don’t ruin your lipstick. Terry’s Toffee—hands down, the best toffee around.  It is in the Oscar swag bags every year and is a Chicago staple. Frango Mint Chocolates—classic.

Q: Throw price out the window and put together your ultimate fashion and beauty bag for us. What’s included?
A: It kind of makes my head want to explode just thinking about the possibilities. Gucci aviator sunglasses and a classic Chanel crossbody flap bag—these items have been on my list for years. Shoes—some sort of fabulous pumps or boots, the higher the heel, the better—Lululemon gear and the entire Sephora store.  I can seriously spend hours in that place.  I love to play with all the products and try new things.

Q: Us too! What’s your philosophy when it comes to beauty?
A: I guess my philosophy would be to use make up to create an “enhanced” version of who you really are.  I always want to look like myself when I wear makeup, just a little better.  I know people that wear so much that they are barely recognizable without it, and I would never want to be that person. I try to pick one feature to play up and leave the rest as is.

Q: But dish it: do you have any beauty quirks?
A: This is so embarrassing, but I use chap stick on my eye brows to keep them in place and darken them just a touch.  It works great!

It’s all in the bag at BagableGifts.com.

PHOTO: DANIEL KELLEGHAN