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