The roaring decade of the 1920’s not only embodied a period of glamour and drama, it also represented the rise of the “Flapper”, the “new women” who pushed the boundaries of gender identity and represented sexual and economic freedom, something that is still appealing to young women today.

The Flapper Bride epitomizes the hedonistic subculture that made the Roaring Twenties roar!
1920′s flappers were at the forefront of the revolution that challenged Victorian attitudes towards women. They demanded the freedom to live their own lives and had a lot of fun doing it. These women wore obvious make-up, showed their knees and flung themselves into the hedonistic rhythms of Jazz and the Charleston. They threw away their restrictive corsets, cut their hair, smoked, wore trousers and drove fast cars. Life was fun and meant for living!

Louise Brooks plays a bride in 1929′s Pandora’s Box
That era began with the look called “comme le garcon” (or, “like the boy”) – short hair was a big deal – nice girls kept their hair long, as a metaphor for maidenhood. For a woman to chop her hair short was to practically admit she was no longer a virgin. Moreover, they began smoking in public – something no “lady” did.

An Iconic Decade’s Beauty Look
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Welcome all South Florida Destination Brides. One the most favored styles or themes in the wedding industry now is vintage, primarily Art Deco and the Roaring Twenties, with all its flappers, feathers, crystal and lace.

Art Deco Wedding Glamour – Vintage Miami Beach – Compact Vanities by ERTE
So, this week I wanted to highlight this retro glam wedding trend through the years. This blog takes you to Miami Beach during the Jazz Era, and to the fashionable bridal flapper beauty of dazzling dresses with exquisite embellishments and gorgeous head pieces.

Celebrate your own epic romance on the shores of Miami Beach
The Roaring 1920’s era is not only in vogue right now. Its sensational style, swank and sound is sure to leave your guests wanting more. The Roaring 1920’s era is stylish, feminine and bold, while at the same time, nonchalant and glamorous.

A history of 20′s love and romance
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Dear Brides… It’s Time To Get Glowing!

Bridal beauty is all about gorgeous glowing skin.
Becoming a makeup connoisseur comes with acquired knowledge and patience! I try (and love) plenty of beauty products but only a select few earn a permanent spot in my already crowded makeup kit. I cannot tell you how many cosmetics I went through until I found my favorites, and I am still trying to find some perfect products. However, in my work as a bridal makeup artist, I have found some gems that every bride probably didn’t think they needed in their makeup collection, but trust me you do.
I find that a more radiant and even skin tone is immediately attainable through a unique combination of products. It’s all about revealing a luminous complexion and youthful glow. Bridal makeup tip #1: Choose timeless over trendy when it comes to your wedding day look. Ever wondered how celebrities always seem to have such wonderful glowing skin? Well, you can enjoy that glow as well for upcoming big day. Here is my breakdown of the beauty tips and tricks to getting this “lit-from-within” glow for your wedding without having that greasy, shiny or sweaty look.

Create glossy and ethereal highlights.
Being a total highlighter-fanatic, I’m very familiar with how a topnotch luminizer can simultaneously spotlight our best features and downplay beauty blemishes. So, the first thing you need to do for your skin is brighten up. But, remember to avoid using too much shimmer as it can make your skin appear too shiny in your wedding photos. Instead, use it to highlight certain areas like the cheekbones or brow bones. I always tell my brides to remember when they look back on their wedding photos five, 10 or 20 years from now that they want to still love how they looked on their wedding day and not look at the photos and say ‘What was I thinking?
To create a dewy glow you need to lighten your look while maintaining full coverage, add a highlighting liquid to your foundation to create a flawless base that is still very sheer and youthful. There are many products geared towards adding the highlighting dimension to your face such as loose powders, shimmers, sticks, etc. Add them anywhere you want a pop in the face.
The pièce de résistance in my makeup kit is NARS’ Brightening Serum – A beautiful product that provides an opalescent, soft glow and balances the skin tone. I apply it over the foundation to make it more uniform and light. It can be mixed with foundation or just used as a highlighter. Not as much shimmer as an illuminator, but a more subtle effect rather than in a makeup product. Adding a bit of luminizer to your daily moisturizer will also offer you a glowy effect. For a naturally opulent glow, layer a tinted moisturizer over the top. Also opt for luminous foundations that have a pearlescent formula. These types of foundation will have properties that will help brighten the complexion with very little effort. One of my favorites are Dior’s Hydra Life Pro Youth Skin Tint and Dior Nude Fluid Foundation.

Natalie Portman for Diorskin Nude Skin-Glowing collection
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On your wedding day, radiant skin translates into wedding-day photos that reflect a bride’s glow inside. Although I believe inner beauty is the most important quality a bride can have, I see enhancing outer beauty as an outlet for creativity and boosting confidence.

Give Your Skin a Foundation for Bridal Beauty
Natural beauty remains the most timeless and sought after look of all. Brides often tell me how they want their wedding makeup to enhance their own beauty, without looking overdone. The fact is that stunning transformations are made possible by healthy and nourishing skin care products that prime the skin. Incorporating a skin care regimen as part of your daily routine is critical to achieving your aesthetic ideal for a flawless canvas for your bridal makeup look.
Skincare Musts
It all begins with moisture balance and regaining the skin’s natural hydration.

Start with Moisture Balance & Regaining of Skin’s Natural Hydration
Hydration and Exfoliation
I highly recommend cleaning your face twice a day with a cleanser or cream matched to your skin type. Pat your face dry and then follow up with a toner and a moisturizer. Layers of makeup applied to dry skin can add years to your appearance and create a cakey look. Improving the skin’s moisture level is a daily ritual, but regular weekly exfoliation will contribute to flawless bridal makeup application. Similar to when one has dehydrated skin and slowed cell turnover, applying makeup over the resulting layer of dead skin cells can cause creases to look more pronounced. Properly executed mechanical and chemical exfoliation can be effective and non-irritating. Improving cell turnover will brighten and even out complexions, enhance hydration and smooth skin so that a luminous finish can be achieved from foundation application.

Complexion – free of flakes, shine and the threat of fine lines.
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Marilyn Monroe is the epitome of glamour. The screen siren, who taught all of my brides-to-be that diamonds are a girl’s best friend, is getting my creative ideas flowing.

Bridal Inspiration: The Enduring Influence of Marilyn Monroe
Today, a half-century later, this 1950s bombshell is a source of inspiration for a new generation of brides.

Bridal Inspiration: Marilyn Monroe in Tulle Tutu Dress
2012 is the 50th anniversary of the late great blonde bombshell Marilyn Monroe’s passing. I’ve been doing professional makeup for over 20 years and I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been asked to do the “Marilyn Monroe look” since she represents glamour, style, and elegance – qualities that most brides look to embody on their wedding day.
This blog is dedicated to the beautiful, wonderful, and talented Marilyn Monroe. This is the first in my Hollywood Icon series and it was inspired by Marilyn Monroe. After 50 years her legacy seems to be bigger than ever, and her memory will never die. She has left a huge impact on this world. From smoldering to demure, Marilyn Monroe channeled every facet of femininity, often using makeup to express herself.

Tender Photo Of Marilyn Monroe Looking Like A Glowing Bride
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Your wedding day is going to be an emotional day so your eyes need to be especially tear-proof, as should the rest of your face.

Don’t Let Tears Of Joy Ruin Your Bridal Makeup
I always try to choose cosmetics that will go the distance. A base that remains flawless, no matter how many salty tears may flow, is essential. It is important to choose the correct foundation and concealer when you anticipate that you will be crying to prevent problems such as streaking. Unfortunately, the truth is that there really aren’t any cosmetics out there that are 100% guaranteed to withstand streaking. Consequently, I would recommend focusing on making sure you have the proper repair tools for afterwards.
Simply fold a tissue several times and gently blot your face below your lash line, particularly in that leaky inner corner. My advice is to not wipe away tears, but to “brush up” to prevent streaking. Bend your index finger, brushing up along with tissue where the tear is. You’ll need a powder puff to touch up and fix any streaks as long as you pat it dry and don’t wipe it so that the makeup won’t rub off.
The first rule of crying in your makeup is DO NOT RUB YOUR EYES.
No worries… I always use a waterproof sealer for added staying power. The sealers I use are designed for underwater use on special effects makeup and photo shoots. Deiso and Benefit’s “She Laq” with their tear-proof formulas, help keep eye makeup, liners, mascara, even lipstick, from smearing and streaking from tears. These clear, liquid makeup sealers will completely seal your look so your face stays put no matter how many tissues you go through.
I also always use a strong, professional grade makeup sealer on top of my brides’ finished faces for added durability. My personal preference is Skindinavia for the most advanced technology that is designed to make your makeup stay put, with a unique streak and fade-proof formula, which means that should you wish, you can uncontrollably sob and wail your way through your most important event with no danger of ‘tear-tracks’ spoiling your look.
Myth: Brides don’t sweat, they glisten and glow.
Reality: Unwanted shiny spots on your bridal face can ruin your portrait.

Face Powder Power for Beautiful Bridal Portraits
A beautiful portrait shot captures the essence of who the bride is. Sometimes however, the lights being used on brides are too harsh, or the bride’s face is not powdered enough so shiny spots on the face seep in. Shiny spots on your face are unsightly, but despite all I do in prepping you, sometimes they are hard to prevent on brides that have oily skin. However they are avoidable.
Whether you are saying “I do” or wrapping up your last dance, you don’t want to be thinking about how the professional makeup application (that was applied hours ago) is holding up on your big day. But how do you touch-up your bridal look in order for it maintain beautiful from the beginning to end of your wedding? Here are my bride-tested techniques for a flawless face.

Face Powder Power for Beautiful Bridal Portraits
Brides sometimes make the mistake of toning down shine with powder puff and face powder, which can be problematic. Before you pull out your compact you’ll want to use blotting papers first. If you are getting married in South Florida you will probably end up at some point a little hot, sweaty and shiny, you don’t want to add powder onto oil and perspiration – you’ll get a floury, chalky mess! Instead, blot forehead, nose, upper chin and the area above the eyebrows with blotting papers to absorb oils without disturbing makeup. Shiseido Pureness Oil-Control Blotting Papers are great at soaking up excess oil.

High Definition Loose Powder with a Light Brush
Once you blot, then what?
Powder sets make-up, reduces shine and evens the skin tone – in other words it’s an essential make-up basic for your photo-ready touch-ups for your big day! But finding the right color and texture for oily skin can be tricky. I’ve experimented with a lot of them and here are my favorites. Continue Reading…
We are coming off of one of the biggest weekends for the wedding industry: Bridal Fashion Week. Taking place in New York bi-annually, it attracts buyers, editors, bloggers, event designers and planners and showcases the most glamorous designs the bridal world has to offer. From the catwalk to the altar. It seems as couture fashion this season is all about “white lace and promises!” I love to see the hot trends on the runway and how they inspire real brides!

2013 New York International Fashion Bridal Week – Hair & Makeup Trends
The bridal industry is all about innovation, and Bridal Fashion Week highlights the trendsetting positioning and cutting-edge details that Bridal Makeovers exemplifies. Aradia of Bridal Makeovers takes trends that she sees on the runway, combines them with her imagination and then has her team replicate them for bridal clients. This season, designers unanimously returned to tradition with elegant lace, long sleeves, and classic silhouettes. There were fresh silhouettes, billowy ball gowns, and couture details. Here is the preview of next season’s hottest bridal hair and makeup trends—straight from the runway. And it doesn’t take much imagination to see these ethereal white creations walking down the aisle…
Bridal Market was this past weekend, and here are a few trends we’re seeing:

Sparkle down the aisle with an all-over sequined gown.
A memorable Bridal Fashion Week is winding down. The models have sashayed down the catwalks in the most exquisite gowns and the wedding industry collectively ‘ooed’ at the clouds of tulle, glamorous silks, satins, ruffles and intricate lace that graced the shows. Bridal beauty trends this year from the top designers – Monique Lhuillier, Oscar de la Renta, and Vera Wang included. When these couturiers recently hit New York to reveal their collections I not only became obsessed with what I saw on the runways (soft colors, dramatic ruffles, and sheer everything), I couldn’t wait to share with my brides the elements that will inspire their bridal looks. So take a peek at my favorite new looks from the hottest names in bridal, and check out the wedding beauty trends I am spotting now.

Monique Lhuillier “dream-like” collection
The Look: The fashion world was all aflutter last week as designer Monique Lhuillier presented her frothy confections of white lace, tulle, and satin floating down the runway. The models makeup looks were very dreamlike, ultra-feminine and sensual with different textures, ranging from shimmer to matte with sparse shimmer to pearly in shades of pretty peach with iridescence and taupes with coppery shimmers. I am enamored by these luscious looks. Continue Reading…
Nutrition – Key To Reduce Stress, Detox, Promote Beautiful Skin, Increase Energy & Sense of Well-being

Bridal Health Tips – Reduce Stress, Detox, Promote Beautiful Skin
It’s no secret that planning a wedding is stressful. There are so many details, deadlines, and (whether you want them or not) opinions involved. That is especially true when it comes down to your bridal look. Sadly, your skin usually pays the price for all this added stress. So brides, if you’re looking for beautiful skin, the first place to start is to help yourself with your nutrition, specifically with the food supplements you take. Make sure they are of the highest qualitythat you can afford and treat them as part of your beauty regime.

Nutritionally support your skin, hair, nails
Holistic experts agree that vitamins, minerals and super-star supplements can improve your skin (and mind). It’s all about natural ways to boost energy, bring a glow to the skin and fine-tune the system. They strengthen the skin’s natural support structure and therefore help to prevent premature aging and environmental skin damage, leaving skin looking and feeling strong and healthy. They also help to detoxify the skin by keeping it supple and soft. A targeted food supplement will nutritionally support your skin, you hair and nail condition as well.

Consider taking a good multi-vitamin for a nutritional boost.
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THE BIG TRESSES TREND
Natural bridal makeup looks outranked the bolder beauty looks that I have created so far this season. As far as hair, it seems that we’re experiencing an 80′s hair revival. Monumental manes in general are back but, this latest tidal wave is coming in a rich, deep brunette hue. The blonde-centric editorials and ads have been infiltrated with dark-coiffed models like Cheryl Cole, who is probably most recognized for her luscious, dark chocolate brown hair locks. She looks radiantly gorgeous in this pic (I can only imagine how many cans of L’Oreal hairspray this hairstyle took!) and now you too can have luscious brunette tresses. Because our brides are definitely worth it, we would like to show you too how you can show off your sultry side.

Today’s hottest bridal hair is very brunette and very big bombshell beauty.
Are ready to unleash your inner bombshell, but are still mystified by the smoky eye and how to plump up those lips?
We know you want that ‘Va Va Voom’ Hair! Bridal Makeovers reveals how in a personalized consultation focusing on ‘hair + makeup’ for the engagement shoot, the bridal portrait shoot, the bridal shower, the Girls Night Out Makeup lesson for you + your girlfriends, the bachelorette party and/or the rehearsal dinner.
It’s not just celebrities who get our “good-girl-gone-vamp” treatment. Aradia heads a “Glam Squad” which makes house calls to anyone in the South Florida area who desires a full-blown vixen makeover. So, if you want to unleash your inner sensual goddess (and who wouldn’t?), it’s all about amplifying your assets. Pump up the volume with showstopping hair, major lashes, and an attitude to match. Call us for details today to show you how to design and create your own personalized show-stopping style.
Ciao bella!
Aradia
To ensure stunning results contact:
Art of Beauty / Bridal Makeovers by Aradia
Specializing in Formal Hairstyling & Bridal Artistry
305-851-2515 (studio)
305-331-9682 (mobile)
aradia@bridalmakeovers.com