Is Your Skin Ready For A Photo Closeup?

A question I’m often asked by my brides is… “Should I use an oil-free moisturizer the day of my wedding? I normally wear a sunblock moisturizer but I read that the SPF messes up the picture.”

On your wedding day you are probably going to have more photographs taken of you then any other day of your life! Trust me… You do not want your skin to be shiny, dewy or glowy. You want to keep it as matte as possible. Shiny skin on camera doesn’t look that great.

To properly prep your skin for photos, start out by using an oil-free, mattefying moisturizer with no SPF. You also want to skip the sunblock on the day of your photo shoot. The “titanium dioxide” that’s in your sunblock tends to reflect a lot of white light.

When SPF creams are applied over moisturizer or under foundation, they will cause white casts on your face that will be visible on your photos. Also, be careful with moisturizers that have a shimmer. They do not translate well to the camera and tend to photograph like snow. They provide light reflection in order for you to shine or shimmer on your big day but, when a flash bulb hits, it’s all reflected back with the result of pores being amplified! Look for matte products with no SPF instead.

Some moisturizers  that I love – La Roche Posay – Effaclar Active Matt moisturizer.

Keep in mind that the flash from the camera and the lights will also rob some tint from your makeup. This is the reason why you look paler and your makeup looks less on a photo. I remedy this common photo shoot problem by applying a bit more color.

Today we have Bridal Makeovers’ Master Hairstylist Extraordinaire, Kei Pucci, sharing her professional advice with all the brides-to-be out there that truly want gorgeous hair for the Big Day.

Kei Pucci’s effortless ability to create fashion diverse looks has establish her reputation as one of the nation’s top bridal hair stylists. An award winning stylist and platform artist, Kei has proven to be a master at creating exclusive, formal hair looks. The creative innovations of this experienced stylist will capture the essence of your special day. However, you MUST do your part for optimum results…

Have you ever had a professional formal hairstyle done and ended up with with a look that is more frizzy or flat than fabulous?

Hair Mess

Flat Hair

Before you go blaming the hairstylist for your less than perfect styling experience, there are few things you can do that will guarantee top notch results – providing that you are working with a specialist in formal styling, not just the person who cuts and colors your hair. So, if you’re determined to get that dream bridal up-do, half up/half down, etc… hairstyle, then read on because we’ve got some easy tips that should help you get there. All it takes is a little hair preparation. Ladies, grab a pen and paper and take some notes…

Preparation Will Lead to Better Results

The fewer variables the hairstylist has to deal with, the better the outcome will be. If a bridal client comes in and her hair is completely unprepared for a formal hair styling, the process can be longer and there is a smaller chance that the result will be as fabulous as it would otherwise be.

Wet Hair

Unprepped Hair

It is smart to take a few extra steps to prepare for your appointment before the trial run/wedding. Your professional stylist will appreciate it and you’re much more likely to love the outcome. So basically, a client with hair “style ready” and in the proper condition… equals a happy hairstylist… equals kick-ass hair… equals a happy you!!!

Kei Pucci’s Bridal Hair Tips

How to prepare your Hair for your Wedding Day

Unprepared Hair

Every bride wants to look her best for her special day. The proper hairstyle is essential to creating the perfect wedding look and it can add that touch of elegance that a lot of brides yearn for. This is as much the stylist’s job as it is the bride’s job.

Hair Treatment

Regular conditioning treatments… These can be done once to twice a week, using any type of deep conditioner. Shampoo and rinse then apply mask from mid shaft through the ends, leave in up to ten minutes and rinse w/cool water. This helps seal the cuticle, and leave the hair feeling smoother. Nothing is worse than damaged, over processed, lifeless hair… EW! Unless your stylist has the power to turn back time, they cannot go back and make up for all the treatments that haven’t been done prior!

Crazy Hair

Flat Hair

Get regular trims… Even if your hair is long… Longer isn’t always better! After the hair is split and grows through those split ends, the hair appears thinner and broken. Just because you have preserved a bit of length, those broken ends will stick out and appear frizzy and messy. It is crucial to get regular trims every six to eight weeks, especially leading up to your wedding day. So Ladies, go and find that non “scissor happy” stylist to give you a nice trim, preferably with layers since that always helps with all types of formal styles.

Messy Hair

Frizzed Out Hair

Don’t make any drastic changes to your hair color. For example: If you highlight your hair regularly, DO NOT decide a few weeks before your wedding to go back to your “natural’’ hair color. This is very shocking to your system, even if you think it won’t be! You will end up highlighting it again, which puts the condition at risk. Remember to stay in the same color family. (eg., redheads can decide to go a bit deeper, or a bit more copper red, etc.) So, NO, it is not the time to decide to “take a risk, or “live on the edge” and go from brown to flaming orange!  Also, these are pictures you will look at forever, you do not want any regrets when it is something that can be simply prevented.

Drastic Bangs

Frizzy Hair

Do not wash your hair everyday, even if you normally do You will notice if you go every other day, your hair will be less dry and dull looking. It is much healthier to maintain some natural oils in the hair. This is great preparation for your upcoming wedding hair. If you work out, embrace that little bit of sweat around the hairline! It will dry, and is better than clean hair… Please believe me!!

Stay hydrated, take multi-vitamins and sleep! This will help in all aspects of your wedding.  These are not the times to stay up all night watching “say yes to the dress” marathons, 4 weddings, David Tutera and all the other 100 wedding shows, while drinking wine. You can do that after the wedding. The shows are just as addicting after you are married! Water, proper nutrients and sleep are the best remedy to keep skin, hair and nails looking their best. So relax, breathe deeply, and rest up

Healthy Hair

At Bridal Makeovers, we pride ourselves on being the best in wedding hair styling while recognizing its role in the broader wedding experience. Allow us to elevate your wedding with bride hairstyles that make you feel beautiful in ways you never knew possible. We know wedding hairstyles. Let us have the privilege of showing you our renowned expertise.

Super Curly Hair

Contact Kei Pucci to help you decide on the perfect wedding hairstyle.

Kei has extreme passion for bridal hair and focuses solely on making a bride feel her true best on that special day. She combines her skill and artistry to create this perfected look while capturing the bride’s best features, face shape and style.

Kei Pucci
Freelance Master Hairstylist for Bridal Makeovers
www.keipucci.com
(305) 968-1164

Bridal Makeovers by Aradia
www.bridalmakeovers.com
(305) 331-9682

Check out our Beauty Spotlight predictions based on the style highlights from this year’s most notable hair and makeup looks. From shiny waves and sleek buns to glam ponytails and undone chignons, the Oscars always inspire the hottest hair looks for brides and 2012 was no exception. While most of the stars opted for up-dos, a few went with half-up dos.

Here, the red carpet styles we love:

Celebrity Beauty Trends Inspired By The 84th Academy Awards

Just like our brides this year’s Oscars top bridal muses Milla Jovovich, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Cameron Diaz were all in white. The winning recipe: glowing skin, effortless elegant hairstyles paired with subtle smoky eyes in shimmery nude shades are the timeless choices that displayed the level of sophistication that predict the requests from this year’s brides to be.

Milla Jovovich

Milla Jovovich’s subtly styled chic bob will inspire brides to add tousled waves to create texture and  volume to their bridal hairdos.

Berenice Bejo - French braided Chignon

Berenice Bejo’s lovely French braided Chignon… Braided hairstyles will make a serious impact on brides everywhere.

Shailene Woodley's Oversized Chignon

Another notable trend was the polished and sophisticated up-swept hairstyles-like Shailene Woodley’s Oversized Chignon.

Rooney Mara's Vintage Hollywood Look

Rooney Mara’s Vintage Hollywood look.

Penelope Cruz - Ultra Glamorous Retro-Inspired Style

Penelope Cruz’s ultra-glamorous retro-inspired style will be a big hit with brides all over.

Jessica Chastain - Half-up, Half-down Do

Jessica Chastain’s sweet half-up half down do.

Jennifer Lopez - Shadowed, Elongated Cat Eyes, High Bun

Jennifer Lopez’s gorgeous shadowed, elongated cat eyes and high bun.

Emma Stone - Up-Do - Super Sleek in Front, Pretty Twist in Back

Emma Stone’s up-do that was super-sleek in the front with a pretty twist in back.

Angelina Jolie - Red lips

Angelina Jolie’s Red lips, flawless skin, and signature wavy, silky hair will always be chic.

Bridal Makeovers can duplicate the styles of your favorite stars. From the hairstyles to the au courant makeup, we adapt and personalize these upscale looks for our brides as we custom design them to meet their individual tastes.

www.BridalMakeovers.com

I have some answers to questions that you may have, including some helpful beauty tips that will help you to prepare yourself for your wedding day. You’ll be surprised at the impact that following these tips will make, not just for your own personal image, but for your pictures as well.

Bridal Beauty & Skin Care Tips 1

Be sure to eat healthy and drink plenty of water in the days before your trial run and your wedding. Yes, it really does make a difference. Water hydrates skin, flushes toxins from your body, aids in digestion and helps keep body systems moving in the right direction. Don’t overlook this crucial step to healthy skin.

Get plenty of rest and consider a vitamin supplement. Rest and nutrition are keys to keeping your body at it’s best, and in turn, your hair, nails and  skin as well. You not only want to look good, but FEEL good too. Vitamins will help make you feel more energized and make up for things your body may be lacking during such stressful times and sleep is essential to keeping the body rested  and reducing stress breakouts.

Limit caffeine, alcohol and stress as MUCH as much as possible. Find your zen. Nothing is ever perfect , but following basic rules of skincare and common sense will surely make it close enough.

Q – How do I prepare my skin for the makeup application?

Bridal Beauty & Skin Care Tips 2

Before application of the makeup you must have a clean and exfoliated face.  Never underestimate the importance of skin care preparation to ensure a clean, fresh, natural looking makeup canvas. Thorough skin prepping will ensure your foundation (the makeup base) glides on smoothly for what should result in a flawless coverage…Beautiful, glowing skin represents this radiant light of happiness like nothing else.Try using a gentle cleanser along with a soft, battery-operated facial brush from the drugstore to exfoliate, followed by a mask to hydrate on these days before the wedding. In the morning of your wedding rinse face well with warm water  and follow up with a very cold washcloth to tighten large pores and wake up your face. Follow up with your regular moisturizer. Avoid one with a high SPF as SPF products tend to have an adverse effect of flash photography. Remember to use only good quality products with less irritating chemicals and no strong perfumes or very heavy consistency. Treat your skin and body kindly and you will be the most beautiful and the happiest bride in the world. And the most radiant!

Q – Facial?

Bridal Beauty & Skin Care Tips 3 - Facial

Do not have a traditional facial with extraction, peel, or any other spa or dermatologist treatment within 2 weeks of your wedding especially if you have not had such procedures performed in the past. The last thing you want to deal with is the complications that could result. Only gentle microdermabrasion or hydrating/relaxing facial should be done at this point.  Hopefully you already started with a deep cleaning facial that helped illuminate impurities, excess oil and control the blemishes. I would not recommend doing a deep cleaning facial right before the wedding. It would be too risky and might aggravate acne or stimulate excessive redness. At this point I only recommend masks, exfoliating or polishing treatments to create that glowing, luminous skin and help makeup go on smoothly.

Q – Blemishes?
Don’t be tempted to squeeze or pick. Wash your face normally and do not apply a topical acne treatment (it causes flakiness). A little ice should also help reduce inflammation. Your best bet is to get a cortisone injection from a dermatologist if you have time. I will use a green concealer before applying your makeup to help combat the redness. To try to avoid blemishes as much as possible leading up to Saturday, drink plenty of water and get eight hours of sleep every night.

Q – Cold sores?
If you feel a cold sore coming on right before your trial run or wedding, the best bet is Abreva This topical treatment is available at drug stores and online retailers. And though it’s a little more expensive than other brands, it is well worth it. It helps to heal cold sores and reduce swelling very quickly.  On the morning of your shoot, apply ice to the cold sore to reduce swelling.

Q – Eyes?

Bridal Beauty & Skin Care Tips 4 - Eyes

On the morning of your wedding check you eyes for any signs of redness. If there is any redness in your eyes, it should be eliminated: red eyes do not photograph well. I use Rohto Japanese eye drops (can be found at Walgreens) to clear the redness instantly. Your eyes will be bright and shiny and look good in photos!

Puffy eyes are a problem for many brides. The rehearsal dinner the night before, coupled with the associated stresses makes puffy eyes much the norm for the morning of the wedding day. There’s a sure-fire cure, albeit a fairly “shocking” one. Fill it your sink with cold water. Add lots of ice. Splash the ice cold water onto your face for at least 25 minutes (longer if you can stand it). The less-radical solution is to lie down with two slices of cold cucumber, placed one on each eye. There are also, on the market, eye masks which can be frozen and placed over your eyes to reduce puffiness.

Q – Lips?
If the lips are dry and flaky, the lipstick will never go smoothly, your makeup will not look perfect and it will show in photos. Prepare your lips by using a vitamin E lip balm before the wedding 3 times a day and overnight, including the morning of your wedding, when you should keep re-applying it until I am ready to apply your lip color.

Q – Teeth?
Having a perfect, healthy looking smile will help you to feel a million dollars on your wedding day. One thing a bride wants on her wedding day is a picture perfect smile. Teeth whitening can help to boost your self-esteem, as well as making you look more attractive. There is a large variety of different whitening treatments available, ranging from whitening toothpastes to cosmetic treatments. Cosmetic whitening treatments are highly effective and can lighten your teeth considerably. A whiter, brighter smile will make you look and feel gorgeous on your big day and treatments are now available at a very reasonable price.

For instant stain removal (like if you had coffee or tea the morning of your wedding and want to get rid of it) mix a little over the counter hydrogen peroxide with baking soda and brush immediately. The oxygenation will remove stains!!! It tastes awful so you can do a mouth wash after, but it really works!

I also suggest that you start looking at pictures that you like of yourself and see how you are smiling in them.  Then practice it in front of the mirror! That way you will have mastered you favorite smile and will be able to pose on cue flashing that great smile!

Q – Eyebrow Waxing?

Bridal Beauty & Skin Care Tips 5 - Eyebrow Waxing

To have well-defined eyebrows is CRUCIAL to looking good in photos. You have to decide if you are going to have your eyebrows plucked, waxed or threaded.

All facial waxing (including brow waxing) should be done at least 2 days prior to the trial run and the wedding: keep in mind that unexpected skin irritation might occur, and it might not heal in less than 2 days.

You may want to opt for plucking or threading your eyebrows instead. Consult a licensed professional about your eyebrows.

Q – Wedding Manicure?
Don’t forget your hands when it comes to beauty preparation. Ragged cuticles or chipped polish are unattractive. If your nails are in generally good condition, a French manicure is most becoming. It’s a lovely way to draw attention to your hands and to match your wedding gown, be white, off-white or ivory. If your nails are not in terrific shape there are other options. Today, temporary nails are made to look very natural. Because they really don’t last more than seven to ten days, its best to have them done as close to the wedding day as possible. Artificial nails can be applied a month or to before the wedding and shaped as your wedding day approaches. It’s a good idea for you to take along a nail repair kit, just in case. Go easy on hand lotion on the day of your wedding, because of its oily nature, stains are very difficult to remove from satin or silk.

Q – Photo ready?
As you know  on your wedding day you will be photographed a lot, so take into account the lighting. Outdoor wedding photos demand different makeup than indoor photos. Outdoor lighting is most flattering in late afternoon as the sun begins to set.  Less makeup is preferred for outdoor weddings. Use a sheer, satin-matte products.

Q – Pre Wedding Relaxation?
Again,  please make sure you get plenty of sleep and drink plenty of water for a relaxed, stress free feel and look on your wedding day! Your skin will thank you and you will receive the optimal results from your professional bridal makeover application.  I’ll take care of the rest!

If a trip to the spa is part of your bridal bliss, use the time to get a stress-relieving massage. A full-body massage the morning of your ceremony is a delightful way to prepare for the coming day. No one will debate the calming and relaxing effect that a massage will bring. This can be your ultimate treat yourself. Its always a good idea on the morning of your wedding to float away into a spiritual harmony of well being and tranquility with a healing body treatment that rejuvenates your spirit and prepares you for your big day!

Of all the enhancements tips you use and no matter what makeup you apply, your true beauty will come from the radiance of your inner glow and happiness shining through. Enjoy the planning so you can enjoy the day. Make every aspect of planning your wedding day joyful. That is by far the best beauty trick!

Bridal Makeovers team is committed to providing brides with the highest level of professional makeup artistry and hair styling services. Our goal is to give brides the look that they have always dreamed of. A look that reflects their unique personality and style.

“There is nothing that makes its way more directly to the soul than beauty”

2011 has been a very exciting year in bridal beauty and fashion. In anticipation of 2012, I am happy to share some of the beauty and makeup trends that I am loving right now.

The Long Awaited Return of Colored Mascara and Eyeshadow. 

Add extra “OOMPH” to your glimpse with these funky and fresh shades.

Colored lashes and lids may remind you of those fierce punk songstresses of the 80′s, but smart makeup mavens know that, when color is used correctly, it subtly boosts your natural eye color. Do you want to get noticed? Want a fun twist to your makeup look?

These trendy, intense hues can be incorporated into your makeup routine in subtle ways for some pop by using an aqua blue, teal or purple shadow.

Siouxsie Sioux wearing bold and amazing makeup

The popularity of the smokey eye continues and it is a must-have makeup look this season because now its more colorful than ever. These wild party eye makeup ideas scream for an ‘all eyes on me’ attitude.

The high-drama version of the 80’s eye

I have always been incredibly inspired by the extravagant, artistic and bold makeup looks sashaying down the catwalks, and though I love experimenting with striking looks I wanted you to feel comfortable in creating something that would be completely wearable, even if you’re not a super model.

Whether your eyes are baby blue or emerald green, the key is to contrast them with your colored shadows and mascara.

You’ll want to work with a rich hue palette to have all the must have shades that help you rock an exquisite look. Use the shade that suits your eye makeup best and get ready to shine.

You’ll also want to use a black kohl or deep hue eye pencil liner on the lower and upper rim to accentuate your eyes.

Christian Dior Green Eyeshadow Look

OR…

You can go all out and work with a wider color palette to create a fabulously done up eye in violets, blues and green together incorporating light, dark, and every hue in between.

The trick is to apply one coat of black mascara first, and then use the colored mascara to highlight the lash tips but, remember to blend your colored shadow first over a good lid primer to avoid streaks.

This allows you to enhance the shape of the eye and define the lashes — without looking too bright. The light will pick up the subtle color, similarly to highlights in hair.

If you choose vibrant shadow colors with vibrant mascara, your eye color will look less intense, the trick is to line the the eyes with black.

If not… All you will notice is the makeup and not the eye.

Inspiring Fashion Makeup

Here’s the rundown of what works best:

• If you have brown eyes: Dark gray, brown or plum will highlight the different shades in the iris.

• If you have blue eyes: Yellow-based hues — like warm metallic brown, copper, gold or bronze shades — will brighten baby blues.

• If you have green eyes: Anything in the plum family, including shades of purple or burgundy, will make green eyes look their greenest.

• If you have hazel eyes: Hazel eyes allow you to choose which shade to contrast. They can be made to look greener with plum shades, or bluer with gold or amber tones.

Remember to use a fluffy crease brush to blend your colored shadow across the entire crease. Intensify the crease color by using a smudge brush to blend a combination of  black and color  into the outer corner of the eye and part of the crease.

Here are some of my  palettes favorites:

YSL’s Ombre 5 Lumieres Palette – Just gorgeous baby blue, light green, soft pink, bright yellow and purple with shimmer

YSL's Ombre 5 Lumieres Palette

Make Up For Ever’s Smoky Couleur Collection – It contains a complete color range of 8 smoldering shades in Matte Black, Deep Plum Shimmer, Metallic Navy Blue, Peacock Green, Metallic Copper, Metallic Taupe, Yellow Beige and White Shimmer.

Make Up For Ever's Smoky Couleur Collection

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About Me

I continue to enjoy an amazing career as a makeup artist in the world of fashion and beauty where I work with both models and brides. Today my main focus is working with brides and making them look beautiful and feel their best!

My 20 year background in television runway, print and bridal makeup has sharpened my skills to create a clean, modern aesthetic that highlights natural beauty. I’m all about using the right products in the right places to highlight a woman’s best features. My signature strength is a smokey, sensual eye paired with natural-looking skin — a simple and elegant look, that when done right, can morph the features.

Peacock Eye Makeup by Aradia

Need proof? Visit and take a tour of my website… www.bridalmakeovers.com

I am so excited to share this wedding for many reasons!

Emma & Mark enjoying the sweeping staircases, uplifting arches of the 1926 landmark Biltmore Hotel

I love this wedding! The colors, the decor, the rich traditions of the combined Hindu/Catholic ceremony, and the grandeur of Biltmore Hotel’s iconic architecture. The spectacular location in the exclusive neighborhood of Coral Gables, Florida, was the perfect backdrop for Emma and Mark’s multi-cultural wedding. Inspired by the venue’s old world charm and beauty I created a  a “no makeup look” for the bride. Graced with natural elegance and sophistication, Emma loved how her skin glowed and did not appear to be wearing any makeup at all.

One of the greatest opportunities afforded to me is my being able to sit with a bride and help her to create the look that she has imagined for her wedding day. Whether she is going for timeless classic, modern sophisticate, retro-chic, romantic or easy elegance, I love being able to help make her wedding day everything she has dreamed it to be. The bride and groom from this wedding came from different cultural backgrounds. I wanted to incorporate their individual traditions into the wedding day look. Fusing traditions of old with modern adaptations enhanced and enriched an already beautiful bride.

The Makeup

The main function of “nude look” or natural makeup is to emphasize a bride’s natural beauty creating the look of a flawless bride, who is pure and irresistibly beautiful. But it is not so easy to get the “nude look” that would create the effect of a clean washed face; radiating health and beauty, especially if complexion leaves much to be desired. Thus it is very important to take excellent care of your skin months before your wedding.

For this look, I wanted to keep everything very soft….

Women of Indian descent have some of the most beautiful features. The almond shaped eyes are gorgeous and they should be the main focus when applying makeup. I started with a shimmery golden brown eye shadow and pumped up her lashes with a few false individual ones and plenty of mascara. I also defined her brows to further enhance her eyes. Indian women, like women of every ethnicity, vary in complexion tones; from golden complexions to darker, richer tones. By choosing the right makeup color for your specific skin tone, I can create an absolutely flawless look.

The Hair

Bride & Groom Emma & Mark

Indian hair is known to be thick, long, and lustrous. Long hair lends itself to a lot of flexibility with the style and cut. Emma’s hair , like so many Indian brides, was slightly wavy. This inspired the hairstylist to create soft, loose curls with just a bit up on the side, respecting the contours of her lovely face.

Women from a South-Asian heritage, like India, have very thick and dark hair that tends to frizz out. It’s common for Indian women to keep their hair long, which can lead to split ends because of regular brushing and combing as well as twisting up or clamping in place. To start preparing their hair for the wedding, a moisturizing conditioner should be regularly applied to their hair ends, and deep conditioned weekly.

The Bridal Makeovers Team

Lead Makeup Artist: Aradia is a highly experienced bridal makeup artist. Aradia recognizes that each bride is unique and as such adapts her bridal makeup application for various skin types and occasions including Indian bridal makeup. Aradia has experience with all ethnic backgrounds and has a wealth of cosmetics and makeup colors appropriate for them. Women of Indian descent have some of the most beautiful features.  This bride shows that true beauty is diverse and comes in many shades of brown.

Lead Hair Stylist: Jacquelyn understands that on your wedding day you want everything to be perfect. She will will fulfill all your dreams while making you feel glamorous and look stunning. Jacquelyn is a licensed master stylist specializing in advanced up-do styling techniques.

Testimonial

“Thank you for the fantastic job doing the makeup and hair – everyone said it looked amazing and that I looked beautiful! It lasted through the reception and still looked fresh. Our wedding was super fun and everyone had a great time. If my sister gets married in South Florida, she will definitely be contacting you. I believe that makeup and hair styling should be used to enhance the natural beauty of a bride, but should not be overwhelming. I was able to tell the Bridal Makeovers team what I wanted in terms of my look. I was very confident that they would do a good job from the trial run, which both Aradia and Jacquie did. Thank you for making me look great on my special day!”
Emma

Bride & Groom Emma & Mark - Multi-Cultural Hindu/Catholic Wedding

CREDITS

Wedding: Emma & Mark

Makeup by Aradia
www.bridalmakeovers.com
305-331-9682

Hair by Jacquelyn for Bridal Makeovers
www.reyesbeauty.webs.com
305-890-7774

Photography by Jason Diaz Photography
www.jasondiazphotography.com
305-262-7766

Venue: The Biltmore Hotel
www.biltmorehotel.com

I decided to blog about this topic based on experiences from the hundreds of brides I have had the pleasure of doing their wedding makeup for. It never fails, every time a bride gets too stressed out it seems like everything goes wrong. Besides having a bad day, they sometimes have total meltdowns!

Planning a wedding can be so much fun yet sooo stressful at the same time! So many details are involved and I’ve realized, as brides, we sweat the small stuff! Take note of these tips:

During the wedding planning process and the day itself, remember the big picture and take a deep breath. After all, no one will remember the lopsided cake or miss the parting gift that the reception staff forgot to put out. No one will know if you fudged your vows or forgot your earrings. They’ll be too busy remembering what a great time they had sharing the start of your marriage with you!But let’s face it, wedding planning is stressful! With all of the coordination, timing and numerous things to prepare for (not to mention family politics!), it’s no wonder that nice, normal ladies turn into bridezillas. However, you don’t have to become a stressed-out stereotype on your big day. In fact, it is possible to plan a wedding and keep your healthy cool—no matter the situation.

Already feeling frazzled? When you’re stressed out about your wedding, who has the time or the money to go to a spa? You need stress relief and you need it NOW. Here are three easy things you and your honey can do together to chill out.

Deep Breathing – Lie down on the floor or a quiet place and close your eyes. Inhale deeply through your nose, letting air flow into your stomach area. Picture your body filling with peace as you inhale and the stress flowing out of you as you exhale deeply. Let your mind clear, as you focus on your body filling with air. Repeat until your breathing is slow and relaxed.

Stretching – You’ve probably noticed your body getting crunched up. Perhaps you have aches, or tension headaches. These are all signs of your body holding onto that stress. Take time to stretch, breathing deeply as you do so. Yoga is a great way to stretch, de-stress, and clear your mind. An easy one is the “child’s pose” – Sit on your feet and bend forward, trying to stretch your spine, and bringing your forehead as close to the floor as possible. Lay your arms at your side as you close your eyes and breath deeply.

Adjust Your Diet – When you’re stressed out, you’ll want to avoid caffeine, chocolate and alcohol – those foods that are easy to reach for, but only increase your stress level. Make sure to drink lots of water and try to eat more vegetables which will help keep your system clear.

Take Time To Enjoy Peaceful Surroundings – Go on a ten minute walk in the middle of your day to appreciate nature and architecture. Avoid thinking about anything wedding related, and instead focus on what you’re seeing and how nice it feels to be outside. You’ll come back in far more able to deal with what’s going on.

Just remember that stress is a part of the wedding-planning process, because your emotions are so attached to special day. By minimizing the pressure and trusting others, you’ll make it easier for yourself to have fun planning your big event.

I am looking forward to your big day!

Best wishes,
Aradia

Bridal Makeover Trial Run by Aradia

As a professional makeup artist that specializes in brides, I highly recommend a trial run before the wedding. This is the time to choose the exact look you want, so that on your wedding day, it can be mastered and applied efficiently. A trial run also gives you the chance to photograph yourself in the makeup look and see how you feel! When I do a bridal trial, I suggest the bride look at herself in both natural and artificial lighting and take photos of herself, both with and without flash.

Here are some answers to questions that you may have:

What should I expect during my consultation?

We will look at your inspiration pictures, and to discuss colors and style. We’ll map out one or more specific “looks” on face-charts, based on your plans for engagement/bridal photos in addition to the wedding. Please share with me what details are most important to you, or any concerns you may have. My goal for this meeting is to let you get to know me and my work, & to begin to earn your trust, so you can make the decision if I am the right artist for Your Big Day!

This is a one-hour to two hour appointment. During our time together, we’ll discuss all the details and I’ll also apply your photo-ready wedding day look makeup, so you can see a sampling of my work and feel what it’s like to sit in my makeup chair.

Can you duplicate a makeup look from pictures in a magazine?

Absolutely! In fact, I prefer to see two kinds of pictures — of makeup that you love, as well as makeup that you don’t! This helps cut through differences in our vocabulary and lets me see plainly what it is you’ve got your heart set on.

One request: For makeup styles that you like, please select pictures of women with similar bone structure as yourself, so that the look “translates” well to your face without too much adjustment. For instance, eye makeup styles that are beautiful on large eyes like Madonna’s will not have the same impact on small eyes like Renee Zellweger.

What kinds/brands of products do you use? Is this makeup good for pictures or photography?

Looking in my kit, you’ll find quite a variety of brands, some you’ll probably recognize (NARS, MAC, Makeup Forever, Chanel, YSL, DIOR) and others you may not (Ben Nye, Smash-box, Cinema Secrets). I will use only tried-and-true products made for professional makeup artists, or of professional quality. From this large selection, I will choose the right products for YOU, your skin type & desired makeup style.

Can you work with skin allergies/severe acne/surgical scars?

Of course! If you have a skin issue that is of concern for you, please do share with me. What can seem like a HUGE problem to you will likely be common in my world.

How do I prepare my skin for the makeup trial run?

Never underestimate the importance of skin care preparation to ensure a clean, fresh, natural looking makeup canvas. Thorough skin prepping will ensure your foundation (the makeup base) glides on smoothly for what should result in a flawless coverage.

Your wedding make-up only looks as good as your underlying skin. Even if you have a perfect complexion , the few days before your wedding are not a good time for a facial. Even good complexions may flare up under the pressures of wedding planning. Deep facial massage and manipulation can cause redness and bumps that may not go away in time for your wedding day. If it’s in your budget, ideally it would be wonderful to plan several facials beginning at least 6 weeks before your wedding and up to 5 days before the special day. This kind of scheduling will allow your skin a chance to recover and minimize stress-related eruptions.

I highly recommend that you have MICRODERMABRASION before your trial run to make the most of your makeup look. You can do this type of facial as late as the day before your wedding because there is no redness or inflammation.

Micro-Exfoliation is a technique for removing the topmost layer of skin, by gently exfoliating the skin with natural diamond chips, while at the same time vacuuming the dead skin cells away in a sterile and controlled manner. Removing this outer layer of dead skin cells leaves a smoother texture and promotes the growth of healthy new skin cells.

What about eye brow contouring?

Even though they may seem very insignificant, the shape of your eyebrows can actually change your entire face. The most important thing to remember is that well-groomed natural looking eyebrows tend to be the best option for weddings, especially if you want to try to maintain your natural appearance.

Don’t over pluck or over wax eyebrows! Avoid very thin, too sharply arched, or a rounded shaped brows. This can look very dated in the wedding photos, much like a too trendy hairstyle. It is not natural looking at all and makes the face look too harsh.

Keep the brow shape classic, and as close to your natural growth pattern as possible to create a classic, yet elegant look on your wedding day. A thicker brow is fashion forward and healthier. You should probably have them done professionally, but it’s okay if you are a pro with the tweezers or you want to try out an eyebrow stencil.

No matter what the case is, you should allow your eyebrows enough to regrow before the wedding actually comes, just in case you don’t like the basic shape that you choose or they don’t end up coming out right.

How do I prepare my hair for the hairstylist to do her best work?

Please remember that formal hairstyles work better if hair is a “bit” oily.

Please make sure that  hair is not freshly washed squeaky clean hair, as a rule, is not the easiest to work with. Regardless of what type of curl you are going for it is a general rule of thumb that hair washed the day before and slept on or “dirty hair” is more manageable to work with and will hold any type of curl for a longer period of time. Please do not flat iron your hair.

The idea is that your hair not be “dirty” but that the moisture and oil in your hair should be properly balanced so that your hair will hold a style.

So here’s my advice…

• If you don’t wash your hair everyday, then I recommend that you wash your hair the day before your event. Overnight should give you plenty of time for the moisture in your hair to balance.
• Please, do not sit in your stylist’s hair with 3 day old, unwashed hair. Please!

Here are some other tips to ensure you get a great up-do:

• It’s best not to add products to your hair after you wash it. The stylist will prepare your hair. Mousse or gel will help prepare your hair to hold a curl and the style.
• If you know where you want your hair parted for your up-do, place your part before it dries all the way. It can sometimes be hard to “replace” your part once it dries.
• If your hair is straight, it can be helpful to blow dry your hair with your head tipped upside down to add body and volume.
• If your hair is curly and you want to wear it curly, allow your hair to air dry or blow dry with a diffuser to preserve your curl. Use curl friendly hair products to ensure that your curl behaves itself and does not become frizzy.

Book your Trial Run Today! Call Aradia at 305-851-2515

Aradia, of Bridal Makeovers, is South Florida’s leading bridal makeup artist; well known for her style and excellence. Renowned as pioneer of make up, Aradia offers an extensive portfolio of cutting edge makeup services. Aradia is known to be an excellent communicator with a professional attitude and has a very confident approach to her work. Having very successfully built a bridal client base she has renowned herself as a highly professional makeup artist and offers a red carpet, professional stress free service for the bride’s needs.

www.BridalMakeovers.com

If you are on the cutting edge of makeup and bridal fashion, this is so up your alley or down your aisle, whichever you prefer.

The hottest trends from the runway in the Spring/Summer 2011 fashion shows are all about the details. This season there is a special emphasis on unique fabrications and couture details. Organza ruffles, sensuous silks, and creamy satins dominate, whether artfully draped, elaborately beaded, or delicately trimmed with Swarovski crystals. I just love the artful bridal makeup and hair that encapsulates the essence of these collections.

Here are my favorite Summer makeup collections. The looks created by these fashionable houses are inspired by the runway, yet very wearable for a bride.

Summer 2011 Hottest Bridal Beauty Trends

These ready-to-wear collections combine warm and vibrant catwalk-led hues with sensual tones of blush to more intense corals; all designed to create elegant bridal looks.

Spotted on all the runways were “defined brows” paired with gel-lined eyes, a soft creamy complexion and that sought after bridal glow.

Summer 2011 Hottest Bridal Beauty Trends II

Soft shimmer on the eyes, and a bold lip seem to be the common trends. Don’t let the bright color scare you. This season, pouts are sweet and tropical! Be bold this Summer by rocking hues with an unexpected elegance. Dab on a creamy coral, fuchsia pink, tomato red lipstick with fingers for a soft look or apply with a lip brush for precision application. To prevent color from bleeding, outline lips with a matching lip-liner. For super staying power, apply a long-lasting lip stain and then liven it up with an accompanying clear gloss.

For me, bridal beauty is not just about accentuating my subjects’ outer beauty… I bring forth the spiritual inner beauty as well. But when the final countdown to the aisle is on and little time is left for healing your chakras, I use brightening products. There is nothing like artificial light to achieve that natural glow. To get this look, mix a drop or two of luminizing lotion into your foundation and you will have a refreshing glow to your skin. To use as a highlighter, dab a tiny bit on the back of your hand and use a fingertip to tap a little onto your cheekbones and under your eyebrows and inner corners of your eyes. Remember brides-to-be, it’s all about letting your spirit shine, not your nose. Keep the nose matte with a mattifying or oil control face primer on just your nose; apply base and use a matte pressed finishing powder on your nose. I highly recommend oil blotting papers as well to soak up oil without disturbing the make-up.

Summer 2011 Hottest Bridal Beauty Trends III

There are two ways to approach the daring ways to wear this season’s bright palette; on your body or on your face – not both please. Since the vibrant colors give instant impact, only minimal make-up and accessories are required.

SHEAR + BOLD = POLISHED

I am receiving a lot of requests by my brides this Summer for some of the runway looks seen at the Monique Lhuillier and Alma Novia shows. Brides want what is on the cat walk, the duality of bold and sheer make-up matched with sleek hair which equates with the polished look of the classic Summer bride getting married on a yacht on Biscayne Bay or the on sandy shores of Miami Beach. I love it!

Summer 2011 Hottest Bridal Beauty Trends IV

Tousled, Beachy Hair this Summer? Or Polished, Retro-Glam Hair?

Just as I am contemplating which look I love the most, along comes the most amazing top-bun/braid spotted on the hottest bridal models. It’s like a reverse French braid that begins at the nape of the neck and ends in a messy-yet-sexy topknot, resulting in the ultimate light-hearted hairstyle for Summer brides.

Summer 2011 Hottest Bridal Beauty Trends V - Bridal Hair Styles

Whether traditional or trendy, sophisticated or sexy, you’ll want to complete your wedding day look this Summer with the right hair and makeup. Choosing the right makeup colors as well as adapting the style of the makeup to suit your facial features is a must if you want the look adopted to enhance your natural beauty perfectly.

“There is nothing that makes its way more directly to the soul than beauty”

Art of Beauty – Bridal Makeovers by Aradia

Aradia is an artist. Her make-up techniques involve studying your facial features, finding the correct colors and contrasts and products that magically transform your face into a masterpiece. Ultimate femininity combined with Bridal Makeover’s signature brand of sexy, opulent, unapologetic glamour is what you can expect when working with Aradia and the Bridal Makeovers team.

Today I would like to offer all you some tips on choosing the right makeup artist for your special day. I understand how finding a makeup artist for you’re wedding can definitely be one of the most strenuous tasks there is in planning for your wedding! What a stressful process since their work will determine how you look in your wedding photos.

• It’s important to hire a makeup artist that specializes in bridal makeup, and that has been trained in how to create a long-lasting application that will look not only amazing in person, but on film. Since your wedding day makeup is critical for being camera ready for your photographs. It’s easy to overlook or assume that your “everyday makeup” applied a little heavier will do the trick.

• Review several makeup artist websites. Look at their portfolio of work and decide if their style of makeup is similar to your own. When looking over the images, check for things such as skin tone matching, attention to detail and if they include any current bridal makeup trend pictures in their portfolio of work

• Contact the makeup artists from your list and choose the one you like best. A top makeup artist should demonstrate an open and friendly manner on the phone. Be sure you have a calm and confident feeling when you’re speaking with them. If they exude a calm and natural manner over the phone they will likely be this way in person and will keep you calm on your wedding day. Its important to make sure you really get along with the makeup artist and that the artist is listening to your needs, as this is going to be your very special day, but also be open to suggestions from your artist.
  

• Make an appointment for a bride makeup trial run with your favorite makeup artist and be specific on how you would like to look on your big day. Collect clippings from magazines to show the makeup artist what your preferred style is and be sure they listen to what you really want. After each look, remember to take a picture.

• What qualifications should you be looking for? Since you are probably booking videographers as well , and are having photos done in many different color shades,  you will need someone who is experienced both and has verifiable credits in some sort of video or television productions and with portrait/bridal photography. The camera will add 10-20 pounds .It will also show every flaw so it is vital that the facial contouring and foundation coverage is perfect as well as the application.Those looking at it face to face will not see these flaws where as the camera will show all of them. The makeup should compliment you and look natural against your skin.

• Once you have found an artist that you think you would like to hire, get a sense of the their credentials before you meet with them in person for a consultation. Ask to see their portfolio. Don’t be afraid to ask questions and get a sense of the artist’s personality. You will want to work with someone that is interested in creating a makeup that works with your comfort level, and will offer professional advice and tips.

• Once your makeup trial is complete, the makeup artist should ask you if you’re happy with the results. If you are not, they should re-do the look until you are satisfied.

• Take a girlfriend or sister who is very honest with you during your consultation.  Ask their opinion on how the makeup looks.

• A good makeup artist will ensure everyone in the party coordinated with the wedding scheme and keeps you the one who is being noticed.

• Its important to make sure you really get along with the makeup artist and that the artist is listening to your needs, as this is going to be your very special day, but also be open to suggestions from your artist.

• Book them immediately if you’re happy with your results as very good makeup artists are often booked months in advance. If you are not happy with your results, go back to your trusty list and start again.

• When you have agreed on the makeup application and decide that you would like to schedule the artist for your wedding day, negotiate the price for you and your attendants and sign a contract.  Just like any other vendor that you hire for your wedding, put all of the terms of your agreement in writing and pay a deposit.  Be sure to include details in your contract such as your time-line, when the makeup artist should arrive on your wedding day to set-up, when they will start makeup, a schedule of each person receiving makeup and when the makeup applications will all be complete.  Be sure to schedule everything accordingly with your hair stylist so that the hair and makeup runs smoothly and effortlessly and once all is complete, all you will have to do is put on your dress.

• If you have multiple people getting their makeup, ask the artist how long each makeup application can take – most artist can do a makeup between half hour to 45min.

• Ask what brand makeup does the artist use.

• Ask about airbrush makeup if you are interested.

• Personally, I believe you should have a separate makeup and hair person because it is very rare that someone can be good at both.

• Receipts should be obtained for all deposits which are normally non-refundable.

• Make sure when you sign the contract that the makeup artist who did this consultation is actually the one coming on the wedding day!!!!

• Finally, make sure to purchase the lipstick, gloss, and pressed powder that you will be using so you can carry it with you throughout the day for touch ups.

By following these guidelines you should be able to book your makeup professional with having to worry about any unwanted surprises. Everything will get hectic in making your wedding day the perfect one! Choosing a makeup artist can be easy if you know what to look for.

Happy Wedding Planning!

Best wishes,
Aradia