Hi All…What an amazing year it has been so far; full of fashion shoots, gorgeous dresses, stunning models, exotic locations and bridal trials, not to mention, weddings. Lots and lots of happy brides have had their makeup and hair done by our incredibly talented team and myself this season. So, if you are wondering why I haven’t posted a blog lately, it’s simply because of this whirlwind adventure of makeup artistry, color and style I have been on, wooh! But, I am happy to say that I am back and fully focused on writing about some of my favorite subjects – Bridal Fashion, Style and Beauty.
Makeup Lessons On Skype
Alongside my bridal, editorial, fashion and beauty work, I also offer personalized makeup lessons on a one-to-one basis. This week I am preparing for makeup lessons via SKYPE. You can now have an Art of Beauty signature makeup lesson by Aradia no matter where you live. I can teach you all tricks of the trade and create your complete beauty routine that’s right for you. The lessons will be catered to meet the client’s individual requirements. The lessons can be focused on one area you feel you would like to learn more about or on several areas you feel you would like to improve on. Join me on Skype for a private makeup lesson in the privacy of your home or office. I am limiting this special offer to 3 makeup lessons per week so contact me soon to book your lesson. One and two hour slots are available. Call me 305-851-2515 or send me a message for more details.
Knowing which brushes to use for each application, you will be amazed at just how different your make up will look when the right tools are used.
Brides, if you are avoiding that frosted/metallic/iridescent look and want to add depth, dimension and a flattering cast to your eyes, you’ll need a collection of shadows that are truly matte. I love a neutral palette with shades ranging from light to dark. For a photo-ready look, every bride needs an essential palette of a selection of subtle and smoky shades browns.
Start by blending an ivory shade on the brow bone. Follow with a light taupe or caramel; remember to blend it well on the lid. A muted golden brown is a typical crease color for neutral looks. A deeper brown in the crease to make it look more defined and dramatic. A chocolate brown color is a must, the trick to this shadow is layering the amount you put on your lid. A light layer can give you a subtle daytime look. If you pack on the color, you will get a sultry smoky eye . You can come up with lots of great natural or dramatic combos with these colors! A dark brown-blackish matte eyeshadow is great for smudging along the lash-line to make your lashes look thicker. It turns any daytime look into a night look, and if you blend it in with a matte jet black it adds dimension to eyes. A sultry chocolate palette of dramatic shades, perfect for creating any smoky eye look. Look for shades with velvety/suede finish with amazing color pay-off.
A very pigmented matte dark brown eyeshadow and a creamy bisque shade should be a staple in everyone’s collection (in my opinion).
Random Musings & Bridal Beauty Tips from Professional Makeup Artist – Aradia
“I absolutely love what I do and translate this into my work each and every day. I feel honored to be selected by so many amazing brides to be a part of the most special day in their lives. I created this blog as a journal of my experiences as a bridal makeup artist. I feel this is a great way for my brides to get a better feel as to what I can do, as well as the type of artist I am.”
Another Awards show has come and gone, and The Grammy’s did not disappoint! Though music’s biggest night usually brings out celebrities’ most wild styles, the 2013 Grammys produced more traditional fashion moments. I found myself loving so many hair and makeup red carpet looks. Here are the favorites of the night that are perfect for bridal. . . Whether or not they walked home with a statue, they’re winners in our book for highlighting their best features and inspiring our brides with these gorgeous makeup looks and hairstyles.
Beyoncé – Grammy Awards 2013: Red Carpet Makeup & Hair
Beyoncé rocked one of this spring’s most chic and simple hair trends: showing off a picture-perfect ponytail on stage at the Grammys. Minimal make-up of bright red lipstick, flirty liner let her natural beauty shine through… All very sleek, sophisticated and influential to brides seeking a more polished feel for their wedding day look.
Katy Perry – Grammy Awards 2013: Red Carpet Makeup & Hair
Katy Perry offered one of the best beauty looks of the night! She was truly a showstopper with her voluminous, bouffant blown-out hair, strong eyebrows, look-at-me lashes and nude lips. Very inspiring for brides searching for a vintage, bridal bombshell look!
Taylor Swift – Grammy Awards 2013: Red Carpet Makeup & Hair
Taylor Swift showed just how thrilled she was to take home another Gramophone trophy on Sunday as she graced the stage in her ethereal braided bun. Love the soft wisps framing her face, so feminine and romantic. Add the high-shine bronzed cheeks and a perfect pink pout, and brides too can look ethereal and goddess-like with this braided style. Continue Reading…
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
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…
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
Lashes! Should I or shouldn’t I wear false eyelashes on my wedding day?
Accentuate Those Big Beautiful Eyes On Your Big Day!
Long and lush lashes will always be in. So yes, using them to accentuate those big beautiful eyes on your big day will make the big difference of night and day in your photos! The best part is if they are put on correctly you’ll still have them for your honeymoon. After all, eyelashes are an infallible, eternal method of seduction and they can never be long enough.
I know that in most cases, looking “fake” is a bad thing, but as many of you brides know, an exception to this golden rule are your eyelashes. With lashes, the bigger the better. False eyelashes provide a dramatic way to add length and volume to your natural lashes and enhance the entire look of your eye makeup.
Add Length And Volume To Your Natural Lashes
I love to apply lashes on my brides. The individuals (clusters), half lash or wispy lashes are perfect for my brides who want to look like themselves but, with a little extra something. False eyelashes always complete the whole look on your wedding day even for brides that want look very soft and natural. You should know that even my most beautifully blended smokey eyes would look somewhat incomplete if they were created without adding those long, gorgeous lashes. Therefore dear brides, wearing false eye lashes will definitely make your eyes look more beautiful. There are so many styles out there in the world of lashes – if applied correctly they can look natural and stay in place. I have never had a bride cry so much that her lashes come off.
I’ve never had a bride cry so much that her lashes come off!
False eyelashes have gained popularity not only among the celebrities but also among brides. Available in various styles, colors, and sizes, false eyelashes instantly give a mysterious and alluring look to your eyes by making the eyelashes look longer, thicker and fuller. Continue Reading…
Photo Shoots For Brides – High-Fashion Bridal Photography
Although there are several types of photo shoots for brides - high-fashion bridal photography, bridal portraits, wedding day photo shoots, engagement shoots, etc., our favorites are the High Fashion Bridal Portraits, which are a lot of fun because they allow us to channel our fashion background and apply it toward bridal. These types of photo shoots have become really popular with our brides at Bridal Makeovers. We are strong believers in brides having a bridal portrait session. For those of you who are unfamiliar with a Bridal Photo Shoot Session, it’s one of those time-honored traditions that have regained popularity in recent years. Formal bridal portraits were treated as an heirloom to be treasured for generations to come. These carefully crafted portraits of the bride in her wedding gown were considered to be works of art.
Not only is it one of the few times that a regular woman gets to be treated like a celebrity while she is primped up and polished to take gorgeous photos of herself, which in itself makes the whole experience worthwhile but, it’s also a great trial run for the wedding day. This is your no-pressure practice time in front of my camera! The “model” face is always a foreign concept and posing doesn’t always come naturally. This is why this type of photo session is awesome! A Bridal Photo Shoot Session allows my brides to get super comfortable in front of the camera without the pressure of the wedding day timeline and the nerves that come along with a wedding day! By the time the wedding rolls around, they have mastered their poses and they feel confident in front of the camera, instead of timid. I always emphasize that it is important to add a bit of ‘fashion flair’ to your portraiture. You don’t want to be boring or typical. For the record, we love how all our real brides look so much more beautiful in their dresses than most of our professional models from our fashion shoots! I feel it’s because our brides have real bodies – curvy or not-so-curvy. And the glow on the face of the real brides beats any air-brushed model any day!
That being said, if you utilize the concepts behind fashion photography, you will be able to create striking images. If you’re considering having a bridal portrait taken with a high fashion twist, please contact us and let us know. Just like some of the editors from the bridal magazines that have contacted Bridal Makeovers for studio and location shoots, now you can too. With our high fashion, fine art touch you are bound to feel like a model on an editorial shoot. Just like a fashion shoot, Bridal Makeovers works on-location to create your unforgettable bridal look. Get gorgeous hair, flawless makeup and red carpet treatment! It’s your day to shine!
Book your high fashion photo shoot makeup & hair session today at www.bridalmakeovers.com
TIPS to make the most of your Bridal Portrait/Fashion Shoot
To eliminate blinking in all your beautiful wedding photos, use this tip: relax your eyes before the shot by looking down. Then, when the photographer says “cheese”, look up just as the picture is being taken.
To create a thinner line in your photos, angle your body slightly toward the camera. Never stand facing the camera straight on.
Don’t be afraid to glam it up. It’s your bridal portrait! It’s your day to be spectacularly glamorous! Add a little bling to your style like eye lash extensions and hair extensions. Remember, all eyes will be on you and you want to look gorgeous!
Aradia is a 20-year veteran of the fashion industry. A former fashion illustrator whose work has graced the pages of elite magazines, as well as a professional makeup artist and creative director, Aradia is now one of the top bridal makeup artists in the United States. Aradia travels across the country to provide on-location hair and makeup services to brides on their wedding day. She also owns and operates Bridal Makeovers.
Time To Delineate! – Fashion Runway Black Eyeliner Looks
The transformative power of makeup never ceases to amaze me. For the upcoming season, the makeup looks are drizzled in sexiness as a myriad of hot and fabulous cosmetics in an array of intense hues. Makeup trends are more unconventional and imaginative than ever. I love how the makeup is an integral piece of any runway show; it adds to the aesthetic of the show and helps to showcase the clothes.
Favorite looks from best fashion shows of Spring/Summer 2012
Black-lined, sultry, smoky and sexy cat eyes are more relevant than ever for spring/summer 2012
Winged liner has added a sexy feline vibe to spring 2012 fashion – Cat Eyes
Perfect, highlighted skin was a great canvas for this dramatic, graphic liner. Black Liner was used to create a technical line on the top lash and under the bottom lash, in order to elongate the eyes. Continue Reading…
Welcome to part 2 of my blog coverage of Barcelona Bridal Week 2012. Let’s take a look at what’s hot in bridal hair for 2012/2013.
Bridal Gown, Laced Full Veil by Oscar de la Renta
Top Bridal Hair Trends from the world’s capital for brides-Barcelona Fashion Week Spring 2012. Always inspiring, our imagination ran wild when we saw these designs, romantic veils.
Romantic Bridal Veils
With their dramatic bustles and lace corsets, some of the gowns looked like they were snatched straight from the 18th century. Of course, they were accompanied by these gorgeous bun-chignon hybrids—the volume and slightly undone feel added some modern drama to the looks.
Raimon Bundo Bridal Collection
Conjuring 1930′s Cecil Beaton portraits while creating her wispy, imperfect buns… Embellishments in the form of feathers lent ethereal beauty to the gowns. Oh so ornate and opulent! Continue Reading…
To all my Beautiful Brides… Happy Summer Solstice! I have something very exciting to share with you today… A divine blog post dedicated to the effortlessly chic looks from the 2012 Barcelona Bridal Week!
Last month’s blissful, three day wedding event is the source of my inspiration today. Barcelona Bridal Week 2012 drew worldwide attention to both Spanish and international fashion designers who were invited to reveal their new bridal collections. Dear brides, this is the world’s largest wedding fashion event!
Elie Saab – Barcelona Bridal Week 2012
This season we’re doing away with excess coverage and colors that mask your natural skin tone, and going for glow and transparent shimmer!
Wedding Dress by Jesus Peiro
This season’s bridal collection featured brilliant fashion creations from the simplest of gowns to those who supplemented with voluminous skirts with impeccable details. Glamour, prestige and high end bridal designs are the identity of Barcelona Bridal Week. Check out the cool beauty trends we spotted on the runways of the Barcelona Bridal Fashion Week 2012—now you can take elements of the very prettiest, wedding-worthy version of natural looks and make them into your own.
Barcelona 2012 Fashion Makeup
That bridal glow… Radiance depends on your complexion, your mood and the weather… But that’s not all! Targeted skincare products, the right techniques and makeup can help you achieve a glow. Continue Reading…
