Q&A

Q: My skin is almost always red and flushed around my cheeks and neck. Especially if I am hot, nervous, emotional. Pretty much anything by sleeping. How can I minimize this or make it go away completely without pounds of makeup?  -Kim

A: Many people, just like yourself, have to deal with unwanted redness on their face and neck due to capillaries close to the skin's surface and rosacea. Generally speaking, there is little you can do to eliminate the condition, however there are wonderful products you can use to minimize the appearance.

Overall, you want to look for a yellow or green tinted product to reduce the appearance of red in your skin.

Clinique makes a great product, Redness Solutions Instant Relief Mineral Powder to not only help reduce the redness but also to "cool" the skin. Clinique also makes other creams to help reduce redness. The great thing about this product is that you can layer it to your desired coverage.

Other products that work well (and don't add "pounds" to your makeup) are skincare products such as Dr. Dennis Gross Hydra-Pure Redness Soothing Serum and Murad Redness Therapy Recovery Treatment Gel to help soothe your skin and prevent your blood vessels from dilating too much (which is one cause of redness).

Other than that, you can use Dermablend products, which are fairly lightweight and meant to cover imperfections such as rosacea, tattoos and port wine stains. There is even a Smooth Indulgence Redness Concealer you could use as well. 

Make Up For Ever also makes a great, lightweight Full Cover Concealer if you wanted to use that as your foundation.

I would suggest going into Sephora and trying out some of the creams and serums to see how much they reduce your skin's natural flush. Then you can determine how much makeup you would need or want to cover any remaining redness.

Product Test: Mixer by Geri G. Cosmetics

One of the new products I tried from The Makeup Show was by Geri G. Cosmetics.  It's called "Mixer", and it is one makeup product to enhance all of your other makeup products.

It can be used before or mixed with your foundation, blush, eyeshadow, powder--anything and produces a dewy yet matte finish that is water-resistant with titanium dioxide sun protection.  It is hypo-allergenic and also has Vitamins A, C and E antioxidants and natural botanicals in it.  Plastic surgeons and medical doctors as well as celebrities and professional makeup artists have all endorsed this product.  There is also a secret ingredient called Nanomarine-5 that is patent pending so no other product has it.

So with all of that, I decided to give it a go.  I tried it as a makeup primer after moisturizing.  I didn't use a concealer or foundation but instead used a powder foundation and applied it with a brush.  The powder definitely "stuck" or mixed with the product and created the dewy yet matte finish described on the website.  Despite my sweating from being on the packed subway, the makeup stayed quite well throughout the day--definitely better than if I would have just used the makeup alone.

The Makeup Show NYC

We just finished out The Makeup Show NYC 2010! We have been a part of this from the beginning, so it is great to see the growth and development of the show from then to now.

Amazing pro products, seminars/workshops, and tons of industry friends to see and new ones to meet.

Makeup is such a vast wonderland with products and tools for every corner of the industry: beauty, fashion, editorial, bridal, special fx, and more.

We will be reviewing some new products we learned about in the coming days, so stay tuned for the inside scoop!

You've Got Questions...We've Got Answers

Every bride has questions...and every bride deserves an answer.  On our website you can ask your beauty questions--even if they aren't related to your wedding.  We are here to give you an unbiased answer (a.k.a. we are not trying to sell you any specific brand of makeup, skincare or haircare). 

So ask away--either via email: info@bridalbeautyartists.com
or via our website: www.bridalbeautyartists.com/AskTheExpert.html

Check back on our blog as new questions will be posted regularly!


: : How do I choose an artist? What questions should I ask before booking?

Choosing an artist/stylist can be a daunting task.  Every artist is a little different than the next, each artist has a different portfolio or website, and most have a signature style or look they specialize in.  There are lots of things to consider when choosing an artist--cost, personality, level of expertise, efficiency, etc.  So where do you start?

First, decide if you want a natural "nothing" look for your wedding day makeup or if you want dramatic "wow, is that me?" change from your no makeup face.  Deciding this will help you as you sift through websites and portfolios.  If you want a natural look and all the pictures you see for a particular artist are dramatic, then perhaps that artist is not the right one for you.  That said, the only way you are going to know if an artist is truly able to do your makeup or hair the way you want it is to have a trial run through with him/her.

When you are inquiring about hair and/or makeup services via email or phone, be sure to specify your wedding date, what time you need to be ready by, what services you are looking for, how many services you are looking for, where you will be getting ready, and any special concerns you might have.

Besides pricing, ask about availability, services offered, experience, how long it normally takes, what forms of payment the artist takes, when deposits/balances are due, if there are contracts, cancellation policies, travel fees, other additional fees, if the trial run through is one look or multiple looks, etc.

Generally via email or phone, you are able to gain a good sense of if you like the personality, professionalism and demeanor of the artist.  This is important to note because this person will be a part of your pre-wedding experience and can make or break the energy and mood of you and the others before you walk down the aisle.


: : I don't normally wear makeup, do I really need to for my wedding day?

There are no laws or rules that will prevent you from being married without makeup, however, if you want to look your best in person and in pictures, a little makeup will only enhance your beauty.  There are plenty of products out on the market that are extremely lightweight, tinted moisturizers instead of foundations, cheek or lip stains that are virtually weightless and stay on all night, cream eyeshadows and non-clumping waterproof mascaras--all that feel quite close to nothing on your skin.

Makeup will help correct blemishes or complexion imperfections and make your skin look smooth and flawless.  It will also help you look more "alive" or "awake" -- both to your guests and in your pictures.

In the end, the most beautiful bride is one who is happy, so if wearing makeup will prevent you from truly enjoying your wedding day, don't do it.  But if you can handle it, you'll probably be happy you did.


: : What should I expect at the trial run through?

This is different for every artist/stylist.  Be sure to ask your artist/stylist what to expect.  Ask if you can try more than one look, how many you can try, how long it takes, where it is held (do you go there or he/she come to you), if the artist comes to you--what space/lighting requirements are needed, how to prepare your skin/hair, if you need your hairpiece/veil, etc.  Regardless, it is important to have an idea of what you want.  Gather pictures of examples for hair/makeup that you like and don't like.  If you have pictures of when you had your makeup/hair done previously and you loved/hated it--bring those also.  The more examples you have the more concrete references you can give about what you want and don't want to look like on your wedding day.


: : Can I do my own makeup for my wedding day?

That all depends on you.  Even the most highly-skilled makeup artists will often call on the talent of others to take care of them for their own wedding day because it is a highly emotional day.  Things that would normally be fine on a regular day are on a different level when it is your wedding day.  At that point, drawing a straight line on your eyelids or lips becomes a frustrating and impossible task.  If you are the type of person who is always calm, cool and collected, perhaps you would be fine doing it yourself.  Just remember that if you want to do your own makeup to save money, it is not always less expensive to "DIY" versus hiring a professional artist as you will often end up purchasing a ton of makeup to "DIY" which can cost the same or more than if you would have hired a professional to do it.


: : Is it okay to make all my bridal party members have the same hairstyle?

It's your wedding and you can do what you want to!  If you truly want the bridesmaids to all have the same hairstyle, go right ahead.  There is no law that says you have to or don't have to do anything at your wedding.  That said, there are some hairstyles that are not as flattering as others on certain face shapes.  Some bridesmaids may not have hair long enough to do what you want.  To consider those things, you can also choose a general style (i.e. half-up or all up) and then let each choose their own variation of it.  But in the end, it is your call--you are the bride.


: : When should I schedule my trial run through?

For some brides, scheduling and completing their trial run through sooner than later is another item checked off their list and provides them a better sense of calm.  For other brides, the trial run through shouldn't be scheduled until their hair is long enough to do the style they want, or their skin is finished with a particular skin treatment.  If you need to see the way it will look on the wedding day, you will want to schedule the trial run through closer to your wedding day.  Just be sure that this does not interfere with reserving an artist for your day as most all artists can be booked up for your date if you wait too long.  Talk with your artist about his/her policies for booking the wedding day versus having the trial run through.  You also want to be sure you have enough time to find other options if you end up not booking that artist after the trial run through.


: : How soon should I book an artist?

This is a popular question.  Our sister company, MG Hair and Makeup, accepts bookings up to 25 months in advance of the wedding date.  And there are brides who book that far in advance when they know what they want.  It is the same as any other vendor you choose for your wedding.  If you know who you want to work with, you want to be sure they are available for your date.  If you don't have a particular artist in mind, the general rule is sooner than later.  Most brides book their artist between 12 months to 6 months prior to their wedding date.  There are a few that squeeze in their booking during the the 6 months to 3 months prior.  Waiting longer than that is usually when a bride starts to get stressed.  Planning your wedding should be as fun as it can possibly be, and cramming last minute bookings into the final weeks or months limits the choices for artists, schedules, and ultimately your happiness with your choice.


: : How should I prepare my skin for the wedding day?

You want to be sure your skin is ready to look its best.  Exfoliate--get rid of the dry flakes on your skin.  Use a scrub or a washcloth and get your skin to a fresh layer so the makeup will set nicely on it.  When your skin is too dry or you have flakes, the makeup sets differently on the dry layers of skin versus the fresh layers and you end up with a blotchy, sandpaper-like effect.  Be sure to do the same for your lips as well!

After exfoliating, moisturize according to your skin type.  The best overall moisturizers are from the Olay brand--the Regenerist and ProX lines are excellent for almost every skin type and available at your local drugstore or supermarket.


: : Is it wrong to make my bridesmaids get their hair/makeup professionally done?

These are your pictures you will look at for the rest of your life, so no one can blame you if you want them to look good!  However, it is important to be sensitive to your bridal party members' budget--weddings are expensive.  One of the best ways to remedy this is to give the hair and/or makeup as a gift to your bridal party.  Let's be honest, few if any will actually wear the matching necklace and earrings again.  The gift of hair and/or makeup is a great way to show your bridal party that you want them to enjoy themselves (and look their best!) on your wedding day, too.


: : I am doing my own makeup, how should I choose what foundation to use?

There are so many options out there to accommodate every skin tone, skin type, desired coverage and budget.  If going to a makeup counter, be sure to try the foundation and wear it outside of the store in natural light before purchasing--those department store lights are not natural and cast a tone on your face which can be deceiving until you walk outside.

And there are great options for different levels of coverage that still can feel lightweight on the skin.  To explore the most options with the least amount of pressure, go to your local Sephora store and test out different types of foundation.


: : Do I need to use false lashes for my wedding day?

Of course not!  There are plenty of women who have natural lashes that would beat out any false lashes I've ever seen.  The best thing to do is to curl your lashes and apply a volumizing and/or lengthening mascara.  This is plenty for most brides, however if you have sparse or extremely short lashes, false lashes can add the extra drama you may be looking for.  Just be sure to try them out before the wedding day and see if they are something you like.  Also be aware that though they are light, on your eyelid, they may seem heavy given that your eyelid is not used to lifting the extra weight every time it opens and closes.  Many women get used to this easily while others are bothered by it.  Try it out to see if you can get used to it or if it will distract and bother you on your wedding day.


: : Should my eyeshadow and lip color match my flowers or wedding colors?

You need to match your eyeshadow and lip color to you, your preferences and your skin tone.  When you look beautiful, it doesn't matter if you match outside colors, such as your flowers or bridesmaids' dresses.  If the colors you prefer for your makeup happen to coordinate with your flowers or wedding colors, that's great, but you should not feel like you need to wear teal eyeshadow because your bridesmaids are dressed in it.

The Today Show's No Makeup Day

So it is the hottest thing right now for celebs to bare all (on their face that is).  Every major magazine is showing off the makeup-less mugs of Heidi Klum, Jessica Simpson, and the list goes on.  The KLG and Hoda also did a special episode all without makeup.

It was great--definitely worth seeing to remember that they don't wake up looking like that--no one does.  So it is best to stop loathing yourself without makeup and "love the skin you're in".

http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/37130121/ns/today-today_fashion_and_beauty/

Up, Down or Something In-Between?

We understand that it can be overwhelming and a bit frustrating making a choice for your hairstyle when many different ones look so great.

You want to start by looking through your huge stack of bridal magazines and also online for pictures of hairstyles you like. Look for things you like and also things you do not like. Gather examples of pictures where you like the front or the side and maybe nothing else about the style. While in your gathering stage, more is better than fewer as you can always weed out similar pictures later. Looking online for images at places like theKnot.com and celebrity gossip websites are generally the best places to find examples of hair and also makeup looks for your wedding day. And don't forget to grab magazines or look through photo galleries of the stars on the red carpet after major events such as the Oscars and other movie and music awards shows.

Once you have your stack of photos, go through and weed out similar ones. This will also hopefully force you to narrow down what type of chignon or romantic half-up style you want. Think about whether you like the height or volume of one style over another, whether you like the tightness or the looseness of a curl or wave over another. Also think about your own hair type and the amount of hair you have to work with to create your desired style. Understand that though in pictures, these styles may look natural and gorgeous, there may be a ton of extensions used along with multiple other products, and while the picture may look like the hair is touchable, in person it was actually quite sprayed down with product. However, if you are interested in having that particular style, be sure to be open to having extensions and a decent amount of product in your hair. It is important to have realistic expectations walking into your trial run through.

As you have your hair trial run through and try multiple styles, you may find that you like your hair in a couple different styles that you never thought of before--such as all down or half-up. Generally after we set a bride's hair to curl and then take the rollers out, the bride will be amazed at how she looks and start to consider having her hair all down or half-up.

Our advice in choosing a style amidst the many styles that look beautiful on you is that you want to be practical. Unless you want your stylist to stay and change your hairstyle after the pictures or ceremony and have two different hairstyles--which some brides do as it is a big day--you will have to choose one hairstyle. If you do choose to have one hairstyle, think of the point in the evening when you will be dancing (and probably sweaty) on the dance floor. Are you the type of person that throws her hair up in a ponytail or can you have your hair down all day long? If you generally wear your hair up on a long day at work, you will most likely want to do it up in some way. Many brides who do not decide to do this end up throwing their hair back in a ponytail on the dance floor. Also, if you sweat on your neck/back when you get warm, if your hair is down and your back is exposed/open, your hair has nowhere to go but there--and unfortunately, no amount of product/spray will hold a curl when it is being drenched in sweat/water.

Another difficult decision brides often face when deciding on their hairstyle (and this applies to deciding on your makeup look as well) is choosing between how they see themselves every day when they do their own hair and makeup or choosing to do something totally different. Most brides are past the "prom" stage of their life where the standard slicked-back-helmet-of-curls look is not an option, however, many brides get to their wedding day and also have no other event that they really had their hair professionally styled for and therefore have no other reference point as to seeing themselves "done up".

Many brides end of having this thought that their hair has to be a certain way because their wedding is a "formal" event, when in fact, you can wear your hair down to a formal event and still be just as formal. Remember that you will be the one wearing the white gown carrying the flowers in a gorgeous venue. Unless you decide on blue jeans, you will be looking quite formal--whether your hair is up or down.

The most important thing to remember is that you choose something that you love the way it looks. It may be that this look is just a little more polished than what you do for yourself on a regular day--and that is just fine. The same applies to your hair as to your makeup--a bride who feels beautiful is always going to be the most beautiful. The genuine smile and glow you will have feeling gorgeous is going to stand out much more than how you wear your hair.

Photo credits: Dietrich Gesk, Solvara, George Delgado

Brighten Your Face with Color

Makeup and color seem to go together like hand and glove. Most makeup seems rather boring until you see that sleek, shiny packaging of a gorgeous eyeshadow palette with a rainbow of different colors. It changes makeup as a product into makeup as an art. But then, after you purchase the beautifully packaged makeup, take it home and put it in your makeup bag to be used in the morning, it ends up sitting there waiting to be used. You might open it up and look at it, but it is nowhere near as appealing as it once was under the store's spotlights.

And every time you open it and think about trying out a color, you decide against it, put it away and use the same colors you already had in your makeup bag. Or when you do try it, you decide to be adventurous and try the teal shade (because you read in a magazine somewhere that it was the new "it" color of the season), look at yourself in the mirror, and then wash it off as quickly as you put it on because you ended up looking like a child playing in her mother's makeup.

We've all been there. We've all wasted money (and product), and yet, we continue to do it again and again. So if you are just so drawn to the array of colors in the pretty packaging but have no idea how to make it work on your face, here are some tips for how to use a pop of color without letting it be all you see when you look at your face.

Eyeshadow

- Try using a lighter shade of the color (such as teal) and sweep it on the lid from the lashline to the crease. Then take a mauve or taupe colored shadow and use this in the crease. Finish with a black or dark brown eyeliner and mascara.

- If you want to use a bright and pigmented color, make sure you have already lined your eyes with a fairly thick line of black eyeliner. The black will contrast the brightness of the shadow and give you an effect similar to like when you see the shadow in the shiny black case it comes in.

 

- Don't pair a bright eyeshadow color, a bright blush and a bright lip color if you are trying to go for a more natural look. If you do, you will end up looking like a clown.

- Try using a shimmer (not glitter) shadow in a brighter color than you would normally use. This is a great way to incorporate color without making it obvious. The shimmer will offset the color and make it more subdued.

- Use a dark shade of a color (purple, blue, green, etc.) and do a smokey eye with it. Blend it into your eyeliner near your lashline up to your crease to give it more dimension.

 

 

Blush

- If you decide to try a bright blush, place it on the underside of the apples of your cheeks and extend up towards your temples. Use this sparingly as too much will make you look like a doll--not in a good way.

- Blend in a bronzer to the cheek area, both in the hollows of your cheek under the cheekbone and also onto the apples of your cheek. This will help to offset the stark contrast of the blush color and your skin. It will also help correct any stripe-like blush application.

- After lightly dusting your cheeks with the blush color, take the brush and gently pass it over your brow bone/eye area. This will give you more of a sunkissed look and tie in the blush color making it seem more natural on your cheeks.

 

 

Lips

- Using a bright lip color is probably the safest and easiest way to integrate color into your makeup routine. A bright pink or red lip--even a subdued shade--with a natural, almost nothing makeup look works for everyone.

- Be sure to either take care in lining your lips and apply the color precisely or else dab it onto your lips and blend with your finger. If you want a more matte look, dab the color and blend it with a dry finger. For a dewier look, use a little Aquaphor or petroleum jelly when blending it.

 

- If you try a color on your lips and it seems too bright, blot your lips with a tissue. You can then either leave it like that or apply your normal lip color over it.

- And if you really want to use a bright color but are really uncomfortable with the way it looks on your face, use a sheer lip gloss. It will give your lips a little boost and no one will be able to detect exactly why your face looks a little brighter.

Makeup Looks That Look Like You

"I want to look like me, only better."

That is the general mantra of most brides. The trick is communicating what the baseline "you" is to the artist so that the "you only better" is not so far off that you end up looking like someone else. The last thing you want is for your groom to look down the aisle at the bride coming towards him as he wonders, "Who is that person?"
 

If you are the type of person who wears chapstick on a special night out and occasionally wears moisturizer in the winter, a natural glow is a good goal to aim for when choosing your makeup look. A little shimmer (not glitter!) will give you a nice glow to your skin. Make sure you don't put it all over your face or you will just look greasy. Put it along the tops of your cheekbones and on your eyelids if you don't have oily lids.

Use a tinted moisturizer instead of a full coverage foundation to even out your skin tone without the heavy feel or look of foundation. Set this with a powder brush and translucent powder if you want to stay on the lighter side or with a powder foundation if you need a little more coverage.

Choose a light blush to dust on the apples of your cheeks. NARS Orgasm is always a favorite. In place of blush, you can also use a light multi-colored bronzer. Bobbi Brown makes a couple different colored compacts for their shimmer brick. The advantage to using a multi-colored bronzer or blush is that no one color will stand out and the color will blend nicer into your skin, leaving you with a natural glow instead of a bright streak.

 

To make your eyes stand out, use a dark brown waterproof eyeliner in a thin line on the top lashline. Make Up For Ever makes a great product called Aqua Eyes. The colors 2L and 19L are both great browns that will not only stay put but are smudgeable before they set so you can soften the line to make it more natural looking. Using your pinky finger or a Q-tip work well to smudge the line so you can have definition without a harsh line. A couple coats of mascara add the finishing touch to your eyes.

 

For lip glosses, one of the best out there is Tarte's lip gloss. It has natural ingredients and feels great on your lips--no matter how dry they are. They come is great colors that lightly add enough color to enhance your lips as if the color were just how your lips are everyday. If you want some color on your lips under the gloss, use Make Up For Ever’s Aqua Lips lip liner and color in your lips with the liner before applying the gloss.

Now for those who wear makeup on a regular basis and love the smokey eye effect, having a professional do your eyes will help others see your eyes more and your smokey eyeshadow less. The great thing about smokey eyes is that it can work with any color palette: browns, blacks, grays, purples, taupes, greens, blues, and the list goes on. Shimmer or matte, a smokey eye can add depth and also change your natural eye shape making it appear bigger or more open.

Generally you want to choose to either have a smokey eye or a bold lip. Having both can be too overpowering on most people. A glossy nude or mauve lip balances out a dark smokey eye. A neutral eye balances out a statement-making bright red or pink lip.

It is most important to remember that no matter what you choose as your look, it should be some version of you. Look at pictures in magazines and on the internet but remember that those pictures are not what those people look like when they wake up in the morning before all that makeup is put on their faces and their pictures are taken.
 

At your trial run through, try different looks starting with the most natural look first and then increasing the intensity or changing the color palette to a more dramatic one. Have a trusted friend or family member there to help you decide if you have trouble making that call on your own. And don't be swayed by a makeup artist saying you "have to" do anything because it is your wedding. It's your day, not anyone else's, and you know best what you should look like.

Whatever you choose, just be sure that you feel beautiful. It’s not every day that you get married, wear a white dress and have a fabulous party with your closest friends and family--and you want to make sure you can enjoy yourself and not worry about how you look. We always say a happy bride is the most gorgeous.

They Did It Again!

The Wedding Guys® honored with three prestigious BSPi Star Awards!

Since 2003, MG Hair and Makeup and our sister company, Bridal Beauty Artists Network, have been working with The Wedding Guys creating the gorgeous hair and makeup for the models of their main stage and couture runway shows.

The Unveiled Wedding Event produced by The Wedding Guys, Matthew Trettel and Bruce Vassar, received three Bridal Show Producers International STAR Awards for Best Show Marketing, Best Show Program and Best Show Television Commercial at the 2010 BSPI Annual Conference in Las Vegas, Nevada on May 1, 2010. The BSPI - STAR Awards are designed to acknowledge the extraordinary efforts, performance, and outstanding contributions in the bridal show industry.

The BSPi STAR Awards were presented to The Wedding Guys, in recognition of a mark of global distinction and the highest level of professional acknowledgement within the bridal show industry today with their national show tour of the Unveiled Wedding Event in Dallas, TX and Atlanta, GA. To date the work of The Wedding Guys has been honored with a total of eight (8) BSPi Star Awards.

The Unveiled Wedding Event is a national show tour created by The Wedding Guys redefining the typical bridal trade shows. "People communicate and interact differently in today's social networking world," said The Wedding Guys, "and the market needs to respond in the same way". No longer do brides want to walk down rows and rows of exhibits, they want a fun and exciting shopping experience. They want an experience of interacting with their wedding service providers. "As much as technology has changed how people communicate today, perhaps some traditional events such as weddings still require that face to face experience that only a bridal show can offer."

"Unveiled is the best bridal experience we've ever participated in! From the very beginning to the very end the Unveiled Team created a modern chic "New" approach to the way a bride should view their wedding experience. RSVP Special Events & Design will be there every year, to support this incredible show! Thanks Unveiled for staying true to the essence of the modern bride! - Mrs. Randi Moore, Owner, RSVP Special Events & Design

The Wedding Guys® looking to redefine by design the state of weddings, have found themselves launched into the international wedding scene more then they have ever been before. 'Each year the bar has been raised, but now it's been raised even higher," said Trettel. Partnering with local wedding service providers, The Wedding Guys created the Unveiled Wedding Event - a wedding trunk show experience with everything a bride could need for her wedding. As one bride said who recently attended their show in Atlanta, GA, "I loved the wide assortment of vendors. I have been planning my wedding for 18 months and didn't expect to find anything new, but I found a lot! I have completely changed many elements of my wedding based on what I found at your show. "

Upcoming Unveiled events are October 10, 2010, at the Hilton Anatole Hotel in Dallas, TX and November 14, 2010, at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta, GA. Show information is available at UnveiledWeddingEvent.com

Photo credits: Solvara

Hair Accessories to Accent Your Style

It is a never-ending search sometimes. The hair jewelry is the missing link between the earrings/necklace, the dress and the hairstyle. You want to make sure it complements everything, doesn't outshine anything and yet adds that extra "oomph" to give you the wow-factor you are looking for.

There are so many things to consider when choosing a headpiece. First of all, you want to decide if your hairstyle will determine the hair jewelry (and veil) you choose or vice versa. This is one of the most important and yet most forgotten/ignored criteria in choose a piece. Generally, the bride is at the bridal salon trying on dresses, she finds one she likes, the salesperson puts a veil on her head (and/or a jeweled comb/tiara) and the bride, overcome with the emotion of "I'm getting married! I am a bride!", says "yes" to everything--the dress, veil, and headpiece. Only later when she has her trial run through does she realize that the veil and/or hair jewelry may or may not go with the style she wants for her day.

There are headpieces (and veils) to complement every hairstyle--a low bun/chignon, a high mound of curls on top of your head, slicked back, loose, elegant and simple, romantic and artistic, half-up or all down, straight or curly, gold or silver--so don't be discouraged if the piece you chose isn't working with your hairstyle vision you had in mind. Be sure to check with the bridal salon (before removing the tags!) to see what their return policy is on headpieces and veils. You may be able to exchange or return it if you decide differently. Check out one of my favorites, Tigerlilly, for some great headpieces. And don't forget about the beauty and versatility of flowers (fresh or fake) in the hair!

The other important thing you want to decide is regarding your veil. Do you want to keep it in all night long or do you want to take it out? Do you want a blusher or no blusher? Do you want it above the style, below the style, on the top of your head or near the back/crown of your head? The reason you need to be aware of these things before choosing a veil is because veils are made differently and not every veil is able to be placed just anywhere.

For instance, if there are sequins, jewels, pearls, etc. on one side of the veil, that is the "up" or "out" side. Depending on how the veil is attached to the comb, this will determine whether the veil can be worn under the hairstyle with the "out" side facing out so you can see the embellishment.

The same goes for blushers. If you have a shorter blusher on your veil (note that blushers can be purchased separately from the longer veil if you so desire), wearing the veil under the hairstyle will cause the shorter blusher layer to be underneath the longer layer. You can still do it this way and wear the longer layer as your "blusher", however it will be a long blusher and may look awkward depending on where it ends on the front part of you and your dress.

Whatever you decide, try to do your best in restraining the giddy, emotional purchases before determining the return/exchange policy, your hairstyle and what components of your bridal accessories are important to you.

Photo credits: Jenn Barnett, Perspective Studio, Lina Jang, Jennifer Pottheiser, Life on Prints, Natural Expressions NY, Gene Higa, Solvara

The Dangers of Testing Makeup at Counters

Ok, I can only preach so much, but you don't have to take my word for it...it's all over Yahoo's Shine pages...read it for yourself...and be careful out there!

Yikes! Testing makeup at counters can give you herpes and pink eye

by Joanna Douglas, Shine Staff, on Tue Apr 20, 2010

You've read it and heard it a million times—do not share your makeup with a friend. But it's your best friend, and you can't go out without lipstick or mascara, so how bad can it be to give yourself one quick swipe? According to a new article in the LA Times, pretty darn bad. And you can just forget about testing makeup at a department store or your local Sephora. That's like sharing makeup with thousands of people you know nothing about.

"If a woman has a cut on her lip and borrows lipstick from someone who has a cold sore, she'll get a cold sore," Beverly Hills dermatologist Dr. Zein Obagi tells the LA Times. "You can pass herpes [the cold sore virus], conjunctivitis [pink eye] and all sorts of things through sharing makeup." The FDA stresses the importance of keeping makeup—particularly eye products—to yourself. They caution that, "the risk of contamination may be even greater with ‘testers' at retail stores, where a number of people are using the same sample product."

Whether you're tempted to get a mini makeover by one of the makeup counter cosmeticians, or dying to try a new shade of lip gloss or eyeshadow, you might want to think twice. While displays are set up for you to test products, the makeup items are loaded with bacteria and germs. Dr. Elizabeth Brooks, a biological sciences professor at Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia, conducted a two-year study on the makeup testers and applicators in department stores, drugstores and specialty shops in New Jersey five years ago and discovered some disappointing and scary results. Staph, strep, and E. coli bacteria were all present. "Wherever you see E. coli, you should just think 'E. coli equals feces,'" said Brooks. "That means someone went to the bathroom, didn't wash their hands and then stuck their fingers in that moisturizer." Grossed out yet? According to Brooks, when they tested products on Saturdays—the busiest day at makeup counters—100 percent of the makeup was contaminated.

If you're looking for a safe way to try products, some methods are safer than others. Ask the salesperson for a clean tester, or single-use sample—many stores keep these stocked behind the counter. Wiping off a lipstick, or even disinfecting it in alcohol is not enough to definitely kill all viruses (herpes, for one), so disposable applicators are a must. If you don't see them on display, just ask, because the wand that comes with a mascara or gloss is a breeding ground for ickiness. Lotions that you can squeeze out, as opposed to sticking your fingers in, are tougher to be contaminated.

Brooks says although this information is scary, you shouldn't be discouraged to try items as long as you're smart about it. "Even doing all of this research, I'm not afraid or afraid to send my daughters to the mall," she said. "I just tell them not to put anything near their eyes, nose or mouth and you'll be OK. I want women to be happy that they're women and enjoy makeup, but just be careful." Consider yourselves warned.

Happy Belated Earth Day

Ok, so I know I am late, but in honor of Earth Day, I cannot go without posting my LOVE-LOVE-LOVE-LOVE of Tarte's lipgloss...it's natural, it's shiny, it's sticky-but-not-too-sticky, it's sheer (certain colors), it's opaque (other colors), and it's green. Tarte is such a great company outside of being green, the fact that they are green just makes them that much more cool.

AND -- did we mention that because we love Tarte and Tarte loves brides, upon checkout, all you have to enter is "BRIDE" in the promo code to get 20% off your purchase.

But through Sunday, April 25th, you get 30% off in honor of Earth Day--so stock up at Tarte!  Lipgloss, cheekstain, lipgloss, eyeshadow palettes, lipgloss...uh, did we mention lipgloss?


Here's a post from our sister company's blog about Tarte and how much we love them:

Don't Underestimate the Power of Natural Makeup

Now, I am going to be honest...I love the idea and concept of natural makeup--especially for women who are not able to wear most makeup due to chemical sensitivities, allergies, etc. However, that said, I am one to still love my tried and true chemical makeup products that do the job. My skin is pretty tough--both in terms of being able to handle chemicals as well as tough to find things that work on it the way they're suppose to work. And I have tried some natural/mineral makeup products in the past that were an absolute waste of time/money, so before trying these, I was a little skeptical...although these were from Tarte, which I loved before I knew it was natural makeup.

So I first lined my eyes upper and lower inner rims with the emphasEYES liner in plum. I loved the very thin, no-need-to-sharpen tip that glided on the skin without a tug. It was fairly light on the first application, so I added a couple more layers which intensified the look. This seems like it would be a great choice for those who are afraid of eyeliners, can't draw a straight line, don't like the harsh look of a liner, and those who hate sharpening their eyeliner. I really loved that it went on so nicely without the thick line.


I also used Tarte's Lights, Camera, Splashes 4-in-1 Natural Waterproof Mascara. Ok, this is seriously one cool mascara. Not only is it waterproof and give you added volume and length, it has beeswax and carnauba wax (from a plant) and the packaging is biodegradable and recyclable. And did it mention the super cute anchor/marina theme?



And then around my midday shine, I used their T-Zone Travel Natural Shine Control To-Go Kit. I first used the blotting papers (yes, I did have to use multiple sheets being that my face contains more oil than the Middle East), and then I used the super cute brush to dust my face with the shine control powder. I was seriously impressed that the powder did not make me look like I had flour on my face and it kept my natural glow (a.k.a. didn't interfere with my bronzer too much). I will definitely be using this on a regular basis--not to mention, again--how gorgeous is the packaging? I feel like I want to take this and the mascara out to use in public just so I can show off how cute the packaging is. And did I mention that the powder has a ton of good-for-you natural extracts in it? No wonder Kristen Bell and Rachel Bilson love this so much!

The Knot Live (Season 2, Episode 10)

The Knot Live (Season 2, Episode 10)

See our sister company, MG Hair and Makeup, on the "Sprays for your Day" segment where I talk about the best hairsprays and methods to use them.

To read more about the segment, visit the page featuring the details:

http://wedding.theknot.com/special-wedding-features/the-knot-live/articles/the-knot-live-season-2-episode-10.aspx?MsdVisit=1

Tools of the Trade

The Twissor...is it a scissors? Or a tweezers? Or some type of hybrid? Whatever it is, it one of the best tools ever.

Not only does it get right next to the skin, but it also helps with trimming eyebrow hairs to an exact length without having to balance your entire hand in mid-air. The angle allows you to rest it on the skin right next to the hair(s) you want to cut. Ingenious! Thank you, Alcone!

Unveiled Wedding Event in Dallas

We are very excited to be providing the hair and makeup for the models on the runways of the national tour of the Unveiled Wedding Event at the Dallas Convention Center on March 6th 2010 from 11AM -5PM!

This will be a great event because unveiled is the definitive source for all things weddings! Designed and produced by The Wedding Guys®, Unveiled is a personalized bridal experience unlike any other with a philosophy, to make magic for attending brides, grooms and guests. It's the ultimate wedding trunk show. Unveiled offers you an unprecedented resource, placing you in direct contact with wedding specialists who are professional, talented and creative, showcasing the latest trends in all things weddings!

You can still buy tickets at http://unveiledweddingevent.com/#content=shows.html or you can get them at the door. This is one wedding event you don't want to miss! See you there!

Top 10 Beauty Mistakes to Avoid Surrounding Your Wedding Day

We are excited to announce that we were interviewed for The Knot's Beauty Week coming up February 15th - 21st!  They asked for our Top 10 Beauty Mistakes to Avoid Surrounding Your Wedding Day.

As a special preview, we thought we would share our Top 10 with you:

1. Make sure that you schedule your trial run through at the right time for you.  There is no right or wrong time to schedule a trial run.  If you are incorporating your mother's veil or a specific headpiece into your hairstyle, make sure you have it for your trial run through as the hairstyle needs to be worked around it.  If you are growing your hair out, make sure you wait until it is long enough or else the trial will be a waste of time and money.  But make sure that you schedule your trial run through well in advance so you can schedule out haircuts, color/highlights, etc. up to your wedding day.  This way there's no last-minute panic that your stylist is on vacation so you have to get in with someone else resulting in your hair being cut too short for your style, with too many layers, and the wrong color.

2. Don't be afraid to speak up.  Your trial run through is not the time to pull the "Yes, it's fine" card that we've all pulled at a salon or makeup counter, got up and left, and then drove home in tears.  If you don't like it, tell the artist/stylist what you do like about it (if anything), and what you want to change.  It's okay if you change your mind about liking the style/look once you see it on you versus when you saw it in the picture.  Just make sure you have some ideas of other things you want to try or suggestions/pictures of other types of styles you like.  This will give your artist/stylist something to start with.

3. Don't become frustrated or overwhelmed with the multitude of choices for your makeup.  Contact your wedding planner, venue, friends/family or bridal associations in your area to get referrals for professional makeup artists with a good reputation.  Having someone else to take care of doing your makeup (and not having to purchase it all yourself) will often times lighten your to-do list before and on your wedding day.  Remember that though they may be the professional, this is your wedding—not theirs.  And if the artist doesn't listen or try what you would like, look for another artist—there are wonderful makeup artists out there who can make you feel and look your best.

4. If you are going to do your own makeup, make sure you choose your type of foundation based on the type of coverage you want.  If you have troubled skin, a lot of discoloration or acne, you may want to choose a full coverage foundation.  Many full coverage foundations now come more in lightweight formulas than in the past so the makeup won't feel as heavy on the skin. Always make sure you try out the foundation first and wear it throughout the day before purchasing it so you can experience the wear of the foundation on your skin and the color in different types of light (outdoor/natural light, florescent, dim/candlelight, etc.).  If you feel like it is too heavy feeling on your skin though, try a different lighter coverage foundation.  There is bound to be one that is just right for you.

5. Don't wear a skin luminizer or shimmer all over your face as it will reflect the light of the flash and make your skin look a lot lighter than the rest of your body.  If you want to wear some shimmer on the brow bone or a little on the cheekbone to highlight, go ahead and do so as it generally gives a bit of glow to the skin.

6. Be aware if your foundation or moisturizer has SPF in it as it can reflect the light from a flash and make your face look like it doesn't match the rest of your body.  Also be aware of your face powder if talc is a main ingredient as it will also make your face look mask-like in photos.  Yellow-based powders are usually best as they tone down redness and also look natural in pictures.

7. Try to get enough rest the night before your wedding as well as the week of your wedding if possible.  You will most likely have a lot of other last-minute details to finish, however the more rest you get, the less stressed you will be, which will in turn reduce the chance of stress-related breakouts on your wedding day and also hopefully help you deal with family and friend personalities with greater ease.  Emotions run high surrounding a wedding and you don't want to be upset and crying as the artist is trying to apply your makeup because everyone has you on your last nerve.

8. Exercise and healthy eating go hand-in-hand with your wedding day beauty routine.  Remember that your skin is an organ and shows signs of stress.  Exercise will also help with your stress reduction, make you feel better overall and even look better in your dress.  Reducing or eliminating smoking, alcohol, and foods with high sugar and fat contents will change the luminosity of your skin.  Remember that makeup can only do so much and that it does sit on top of your skin—it is not a real mask.

9. If you are on the fence about what style or look to choose, take pictures.  If possible, try to take them in natural light versus inside with a flash as it will make the picture look differently than how you look in real life.  Take pictures from the front, sides, and back and then write down on a piece of paper what you think about it when you look in the mirror.  Then go on to style #2 and do the same thing.  Your artist/stylist shouldn't make you decide on the spot what style you want for your wedding day hairstyle or makeup look (unless it is your wedding day that day).  Let the decision marinate a bit, look back at the pictures and at your notes.  If there is someone who helps you make good decisions, make sure they are there at your trial run through to give you honest feedback.  Pictures are great but there is nothing like seeing it in person.

10. Don't leave booking your artist/stylist until the last-minute.  Finding out that you've waited too long to book the artist/stylist you wanted for your wedding day can leave you in a panic.  Generally you want to book between 1 year to 6 months in advance to make sure that you not only have someone for your wedding day but also so that if you have your trial run through and decide that artist/stylist is not for you, then you have enough time to search for another one.  Regardless of when you book your artist/stylist, you want to get a contract—your vendor for hair and makeup should be no different than your vendor for your flowers, caterer, venue, etc.