5 Juicy Tips For Buying Lipgloss ~ Bridal Beauty Tip #30

5 Tips For Buying Lip Gloss For Your Wedding

image via designsnext.com

Are you planning on wearing a colored lip gloss on your wedding day? A shimmery, juicy lip always looks fresh and inviting.

The problem is not all lip glosses are created equal - even major brand, expensive lip glosses can be troublesome, so I recommend test driving your lip gloss for a day before committing to it for your wedding. You will find that almost all lip glosses look great for the first few minutes, but after a while plenty of them can look or feel awful.

So in the interest of keeping your lips looking luscious all day and night, here are 5 things to look for when choosing a lip gloss for your wedding:

1. Does It Turn Tacky?

Most lipglosses will glide on super smooth and look gorgeous. In the beginning. But after they've worn in for a while many often get sticky and tacky and ball up on the lip. This is not a winning look for your wedding!

2. Is It Too Slippery?

Is your lip gloss slip sliding around the outsides of your lips? A lip gloss that has migrated outside the lip line can make you look like you just finished eating a plate of chicken wings. Light reflects off the shiny surface making it look even worse in pictures!

3.  Is It Super Drying?

Some lip glosses really dry the lips out, leading to painful cracking and chapping.  As your lips start to feel dry you add more gloss thinking it will soothe them, which ends up making the problem worse and keeping it in a perpetual cycle of dry, sore lips.

4. Is It Too Glossy?

image via designsnext.com

If your lip gloss has too high of a shine you can wind up looking like a porn star, especially in your photos. 

Your groom is not going to want to smooch a super glossy lip either - he doesn't want that slippery slime all over him.

5. How Is The Color Pay Off?

Most glosses look somewhat even as they go on, but the color often gets patchy after a while. Look for a gloss that has a good color pay off - true color that applies and holds evenly

3 Makeup Tips For A Blusher Veil ~ Bridal Beauty Tip #25

I have a wedding coming up where the bride is wearing a floor length blusher veil. That is, a veil that will cover her face and drape down to the floor as she walks down the aisle.
Doesn't that just sound fabulous??

I love the idea of that frisson of mystery that everyone will feel the moment the cathedral doors open and she is standing there, all back-lit and enigmatic. I love that she will float down the aisle in a diaphanous mist of glamour, and no one will know quite how she looks until the veil is lifted.

Bridal perfection at Oscar de la Renta

Ah - the drama!

Blusher veils and especially floor length blusher veils require a little extra thought and planning on the part of your beauty team.
Your hairstylist has to factor in the weight of the veil and how it will pull or weigh down the front of your hairstyle. He also has to think about the products he is using. They can't be even slightly sticky in case they grab or adhere to the veil, and shine products can't be too oily or have any residue that can attach to it.

image via DHGate.com

For makeup (my department) there are several considerations to keep in mind as well. Here are 3 of them:

1. Accentuate The Positive.

A blusher veil puts a soft focus diffusion on the face, so the facial features need to be a little more accentuated to make sure they don't completely disappear. This doesn't mean makeup overkill, or even big, dark makeup, instead have your makeup artist gently bring out your eyebrows, shape your cheekbones, and fill out your mouth.

image via veiltrends.blogspot.com

2. Set The Shine.

You want you skin to look luminous and glowing, but you have to stay on top of any excess sheen on your forehead and nose that can come in contact with the veil, leaving a foundation colored smudge to precede you down the aisle. Be sure to use a mattifying primer underneath your foundation through your T Zone, and apply an extra layer of translucent setting powder to your forehead and nose before heading to the church.
If you tend to get oily/shiny across your forehead and nose, use blotting papers before you get out of the car.
I give my brides Tatcha Aburatorigami blotting papers. They are beautiful and luxurious and work brilliantly.

3. Be Aware Of The Lip.

You can glossy-up your lip after the ceremony, but for the time the veil will be over your face stay away from a high sheen lip. Opt instead for something in a matte or soft satin finish that won't grab onto the veil and make a mess both on the veil, and as a consequence, on your mouth. If you've ever dealt with wind whipping strands of your hair onto your lip and then onto your face you will know what I'm talking about! 
As you walk your veil will move and flutter a little, so you need to make sure you wont have a problem if it does touch your mouth as you move.
One lip trick that I love when my bride is wearing a blusher veil is to use a deeper toned stain on the lip. It makes a beautiful statement and looks looks stunning though the veil, and it's safe for him to kiss without worrying that he will end up wearing it.

10 Fantastic Lipsticks For Fall Weddings ~ Bridal beauty Tip #24

Is your fall wedding fast approaching, and you haven't figured out your lip game yet?

original image via bridalmakeovers.com

Check out these gorgeous options for luscious looking lips on your big day:

10 Fantastic Lipsticks For Fall Weddings

The Corals

Charlotte Tilbury K.I.S.S.I.N.G Lipstick in Coachella Coral.
Charlotte's K.I.S.S.I.N.G lipsticks come in 10 modern and chic shades, and make your lips look absolutely luscious. This shade is perfect when your wedding has autumnal orange accents, but you don't want a full orangey mouth. Corals are also wonderful against pinks when you don't want a blue based shade, giving you a little color pop without being overwhelming.

Another great coral lip choice for your wedding day is 
MAC Cremesheen Coral Bliss

The Nudes

One of the easiest lips to wear on your wedding day is a nude lip.

The rules are: don't go paler than your own lip color, and balance the nude lip with a bolder eye so that you don't look washed out.

My favorite nude lips for fall are

Christian Dior 'Nude Rouge' in Charnelle 459

Chanel Rouge Allure Luminous Lip Color in Pensive

Winter Pinks

Pink lips are lovely, but for a fall wedding you need to step away from the perky, summery pinks and choose instead a pink with more depth and resonance.

Try Lipstick Queen Sinner lipstick in Pink

Nars Satin Lip Pencil in Yu or in Hyde Park

The Reds

A red mouth can be incredibly alluring. Winter reds have extra depth and magic. They can make your complexion look like it is glowing, can make your eye color spark, and are incredibly beautiful and sexy.

For your wedding day avoid glossy reds, opting instead for matte reds and longwear reds that your groom isn't scared to kiss!

My favorite red lipstick at the moment is Charlotte Tilbury's

Matte Revolution in Red Carpet Red. 

Charlotte's matte lips aren't that heavy, flat, dull finish that you find in so many red lipsticks, instead they have a luminous vibrancy that makes the lip look alive and exciting.

Lipstick Queen Sinner Lipstick in Scarlet Red

MAC Matte Lipstick in Chili

Giorgio Armani Rouge Ecstasy Lipstick in 404 Spice

What are your favorite lipsticks for fall? Tell me about them in the comment section below.

xo

8 Bridal Beauty Blunders

Your wedding day is one of the most important days of your life.
It is also one of the most photographed days of your life. Make sure that you can enjoy those pictures forever by avoiding the following 8 Bridal Beauty Blunders.

1. Getting Caught Up In Trends.
Trends and fads come and go. The biggest look of the moment will be out of fashion in 3 months. Your wedding look should be timeless and beautiful, and not look dated next year, or in 10 years time.

2. Contouring And Highlighting Like A You Tuber.
Following on from avoiding trends, understand that the excessive highlight and contour you see on you tube is perfect for drag queens, but can be an absolute nightmare for brides.
Most wedding photography happens outdoors in natural light, which is the absolute worst light possible for an over-contoured face. Rather than making you look beautiful, heavy contour and highlight can make you look like a caricature of yourself.
Save your big contour for nightclubs, where it's perpetually dark, and everyone is drunk anyway!

3. Trying Something New.
Your wedding day isn't the day to try something new. Don't break out a big red lip for the first time ever, or suddenly convert to an intense smokey eye or giant strip lash.
Your groom needs to recognize you as you walk down the aisle. You need to look like your very best version of you, not like a stranger to him. 

4. Skipping The Makeup Trial.
The trial is not only important for setting up the look for the day, but it gives you a chance to observe the makeup artist, their skills, products, hygiene. It also gives you a chance to see if their energy matches yours. Some artists are technically brilliant but their energy is just toxic. You need to make sure the vendors who will be around you on your big day bring good energy and a pleasant vibe.

Bring pictures to your trial, both of makeup you love and makeup you hate. It's the best way to make sure you are both on the same page.

5. Shimmer And Shine In The Wrong Places.
I always advise scaling way back on the shimmer, or even skipping it altogether. Shimmer can translate to sparkle in sunlight, and look terribly wrong, especially high on the cheeks and under the brows.
Glowing, dewy skin is lovely, but can make you look oily/sweaty in the wrong light, so don't go overboard on the shine. Adding shine to the center forehead and along the bridge of the nose can be fabulous on a fashion shoot, where everything is controlled, but on a bride can often look like greasy skin.
Avoid glitter completely.

6. Too Much Dark Drama On The Eyes.
Black liner and black shadow are a no-no for brides. Black liner grabs the light and makes you look like you are squinting in all your pictures. If it doesn't shut your eye down in the outdoor light it becomes the main focus on your face, and you see the liner before you see the girl. Opt for dark expresso browns and deep moody purples instead. They will give you the accent you are looking for without closing your eye down.
Even if you can make black shadow look fabulous in the makeup chair, wedding makeup has to last 10 to 12 hours at least, and black shadow as it wears in can make you look heavy and tired under the eye, and can make your eyes look like they have sucked in to the back of your skull.

7. Lashes That Are Too Big.
Back to the outdoor light - lashes can act like awnings hanging over your under eye, creating big shadows that make you look tired and haunted. They can also be too dense at the lash line, making you look squinty in your pictures. Be careful with strip lashes if you are not used to wearing them. Tears can weaken the glue in the inner corners of the lash, making them lift away and look crazy.

8. Foundation Mis-match.
Your foundation needs to match your skin, not only in depth of color, but also in undertone. Your makeup artist needs to know if you are a cool tone or a warm tone, and needs to have a solid grasp on color theory, so that they can build you a perfect color. Once your perfect shade is created it needs to be applied in a sheer and even veil. Thick, chunky foundation looks awful, especially in the daylight. It should look like perfect flawless skin, not thick, opaque makeup.
I just read on a Facebook pro makeup artist community page a post from someone bragging that they do 10 faces in 4 hours for weddings. That is only 24 minutes per person, which tells me some major steps are being missed, and my guess is the first missed step is going to be the creation of the perfect complexion.

6 Summer Bridal Beauty Tips To Avoid A Makeup Meltdown

Gorgeous sunny summer weather makes for the perfect backdrop for your wedding. But the hot and sometimes humid weather can set you up for a makeup meltdown, so here are 6 tips to keep your summer wedding makeup looking flawless and staying in place until the night is over.

Use A Light Moisturizer.
Unless you have dry skin use a lightweight, gel formula moisturizer. Apply it as soon as you get out of the shower and give it plenty of time to soak in before you move on to makeup.
Blot away any residue on the surface of the skin with tissue before starting makeup.
A fabulous alternative is to use a gel sheet mask to revitalize your skin. Try Glacier Water Gel Mask from Memebox

Invest In A Mattifying Primer
Give your complexion all the help you can by using a high quality mattifying primer to keep foundation in place and too aid in fighting shine. Mattifiers have light diffusing properties that will stop light from bouncing off the smooth planes on your face.
Try Hyaluronic Hydra Primer by Terry

Check Your Foundation Formulation.
If you are being airbrushed on your wedding day ask for a water based formula rather than a silicone base. Water based is much more sheer and weightless.
If you are using traditional foundation keep your application as sheer as possible. The thicker the application the more gooey it will look as it heats up. Try Giorgio Armani Lasting Silk SPF 20 Foundation at Nordstrom.com

Be Aware Of Lash Length.
If you will be outdoors or are having outdoor photography be cautious with strip lashes and with the length of your false lashes.
A lash that is too dense will collapse your eye and make you look like you are squinting in all your pictures. (The dense black line of the lash will grab light and suck it in).
Lashes that are too long will act like an awning over your eyes in the sunlight, creating  a shadow below which leaves you looking tired and haggard.
The same applies with lash extensions - they may look good indoors but if they are too long or too dense they can destroy your look when you step  outside.

Seal It with A Kiss.
A matte lip can be a lifesaver on a hot or humid day.
Matte lips can tone down the extra glow or shine you are sporting when it's hot outside and act as a neutralizing balance.
A glossy lip can make your whole face appear extra shiny.
Matte lips don't slip, and with a good color payoff last longer too.
Try Charlotte Tilbury Matte Revolution in Miss Kensington

Finishing Spray.
A light misting of finishing spray can help hold everything in place on a humid, steamy day. Try Face Atelier Face Finish from FaceAtelier.com

I found this fabulous article on TheKnot.com

Are you on The Knot? I am. Check out some of my fabulous reviews here. I absolutely love my brides!!

If you are getting married in the AZ (or anywhere else) hit me up :))

In the meantime enjoy this article:

15 Ways To Jump-Start Your Bridal Beauty Routine

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   PHOTO BY MARIA MACK PHOTOGRAPHY
   1. Schedule Weekly ManicuresFace it: As soon as you got engaged, everyone was asking to see the ring. Keep those nails and hands primed and pretty with regular weekly manicures. This is your chance to experiment with colors (pretty mauves and pinks) and get to know your manicurist. When you get your nails done, look at your nail bed. Shape your nails to match, giving your hands and nails a balanced and elegant look.
   Want to splurge? Shellac manicures use UV technology for a harder and smoother finished nail. They're a bit pricier but can last up to twice as long as a traditional manicure!

   
   

   2. Whiten Your TeethYou want pearly whites for all those beautiful pictures you'll be posing for (but we also know how crucial coffee is right now with all the planning). Most toothpastes have whitening ingredients in them, but for faster results, choose a special whitening one. White strips are also a great option.
   Want to splurge? Get your teeth professionally whitened. However, makeup artist Sonia Kashuk says, “Don't go overboard. Anything that looks too artificial becomes too prominent in a picture." Get a professional whitening six months out so your teeth aren't too brilliant the day-of. Beware, though: Teeth whitening wears down your enamel, making your teeth more sensitive to hot and cold, so don't overdo it!

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   PHOTO BY HEATHER ROTH FINE ART PHOTOGRAPHY
   3. Eat Healthier 
   If you can bear it, try staying away from sugar, lots of sodium and processed foods. These all lead to belly fat and bloating. Instead, focus on green vegetables, fruit and lots of water -- all great for staving off food cravings and clearing up your skin. Watch out for carbs as well, especially fried foods (that means no French fries!). Stay away from too much booze -- alcohol makes your skin puffy and dry (not to mention, you crave more snacks and junk food when you're buzzed). 
   Want to splurge? Sign up for meal plans that deliver healthy meals right to your door every morning like the Zone (ZoneDiet.com) and The Fresh Diet (TheFreshDiet.com). Or, hire a nutritionist to get you on the right diet track!

   
   

   4. Work Out RegularlyWe know it's an obvious one…work out on a regular basis. “Working out will help tighten and firm your body while also detoxing your skin," Kashuk says. A good workout gives you a boost of energy, helps you lose weight and makes you feel happier (hello, endorphins!).
   Want to splurge? Join a gym. You won't have the weather to use as an excuse, and you'll have all the equipment right there. Plus, working out with other people is always a huge motivation.

   
   

   5. Lift WeightsAdd weights to your workout routine. That age-old myth that you'll bulk up is false! Some simple dumbbells will make all the difference between toned arms and that little bit of arm fat that's so hard to shake. Try a trainer-approved exercise like a seated dumbbell press.
   Want to splurge? Pick a personal trainer over a workout video. Your trainer will customize the session to your needs and change up your workout every time

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   PHOTO BY MEG PEROTTI
   6. Have a Day-Of Bag
   Whether it's flyaway hairs or fall-off fake lashes, you should make sure you have an arsenal of bridal beauty fixers on hand the day-of; this means being prepared for any scenario. Start adding items as you begin to work out the details of your wedding, as well as during your makeup trials. You should have a plan of attack with your makeup artist should they not be there in a moment of need!
   Want to splurge? If you don't have the time to pull it all together, you can buy premade kits that come complete with hair spray, clear nail polish, deodorant and all those things you haven't thought of.

   
   

   7. Get a Smooth FaceA primer is a great place to start. Use it daily. It provides a smooth surface for foundation to adhere to all day. Or try a hydrating facial serum. Apply it daily before your makeup for softer and smoother skin.
   Want to splurge? At least three months out from your wedding, start planning monthly facials. Facials boost your skin's health, meaning it will look clearer and brighter! We're loving blueberry soy facials — the antioxidants in the blueberries help firm your skin and naturally exfoliate at the same time.

   
   

   8. Go for the BronzeSun-kissed skin will give you a natural, healthy glow. Use a gradual self-tanner like Jergens Natural Glow moisturizer. The pros at Brazil Bronze Glow Bar in NYC say brides should get a spray tan a few days before their wedding for a beautiful glow (this leaves enough time to fix any trouble spots and let the color calm down). A one-time tan will give you just enough bronze for a sun-touched look in your photos. Whatever you do, don't use a tanning bed or go out in the sun without sunblock.
   Want to splurge? Some tanning salons like Brazil Bronze Glow Bar make house calls.

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   PHOTO BY STILL MUSIC PHOTOGRAPHY
   9. Do a Makeup Test Run
   Besides your hair trial, you should also schedule a makeup trial. Have a trial at least three months before the wedding. This is where you'll fine-tune your look with your makeup artist so that you know exactly how you'll look the day-of.
   Want to splurge? Hire your photographer to take photos of you after you've had your makeup done (or schedule your makeup trial the same day as your engagement photo session). This run-through will ensure you know how you look in multiple lights for your wedding photos. If your makeup looks too harsh or too subtle, have your makeup artist experiment and repeat.

   
   

   10. Have Your Brows ShapedIf you do your own tweezing, take this opportunity to splurge on brow shaping. The pros at salons will follow your advice, as well as offer suggestions for the best brow shape according to your face. Waxing is a popular option. Threading uses a cotton thread rolled along your skin to catch hairs. The process is quick and more precise than waxing (also, if you're on antibiotics or skin medications, threading is the safe way to go). Start shaping appointments six months out, waiting three to four weeks between sessions. Schedule your last shaping a month before the wedding in case you need to grow out any areas.
   Want to splurge? See a brow specialist -- “someone specializing in the care and maintenance of your eyebrows," says Kashuk. They'll know best for your brow line.

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   PHOTO BY DELMORE PHOTOGRAPHY
   11. Get Longer LashesIf you weren't blessed with long lashes, consider trying false ones. Don't want to look overdone? Get a softer, more romantic look by applying half lashes in the outer corners of your eyes. Longer lashes will enhance the shape of your eyes and focus all attention on you. Don't want runny mascara on your wedding day? Try this: Apply your favorite mascara, and curl your lashes. Then apply a top coat of some waterproof mascara. This will give you beautifully curled lashes without the heavy feeling that many waterproof products have.
   Want to splurge? Get semipermanent lash extensions at a salon. Extensions eliminate the need for mascara, which can actually lead to healthier eyes and lashes. They also last much longer than at-home kits. Applications stay on until they fall out naturally (you'll have to get touch-ups every two to three weeks).

   
   

   12. Focus on Your LipsTake care of your lips each night by applying a generous coat of lip balm or Vaseline. “Gently rub it over your lips in a circular motion with a wet washcloth," says makeup artist Mally Roncal. This will exfoliate and soften your lips at the same time. Go for a glossy lip on your wedding day. A matte lipstick will look classic but may not hold as long, and could crack and wear down. Put a gloss over your lipstick to cover up those imperfections.
   Want to splurge? Some salons offer special lip treatments that focus on exfoliating, moisturizing and energizing your lips!

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   PHOTO BY SWEET TEA PHOTOGRAPHY
   13. Have a Hair PlanWork with your hairstylist to map out your hair care plan of attack. Try an at-home treatment with your favorite conditioner and mashed-up avocado. The creaminess of the avocado will increase your hair's silkiness. Start doing weekly treatments months before your wedding if you can. For an extra-glossy finish, look for shampoos and conditioners infused with olive oil. The oil helps tone down frizz and boost shine. 
   Want to splurge? Go to your salon and have your stylist give you a customized conditioning treatment for your hair type. For example, curly hair needs more moisture than straight hair. Your stylist will treat your hair type accordingly.

   
   

   14. Get Smooth SkinHave a tough-to-treat spot like dry elbows? A good body scrub in the shower will get rid of dead skin. Then, moisturize with a good almond butter or shea butter lotion. Wrap your elbows in a cloth and keep the moisturizer on for about an hour.
   Want to splurge? Get a full-body scrub at a salon for allover smooth skin. Go for a sugar scrub for a soft and sweet-smelling finish.

   
   

   15. Plan Hair RemovalThat little peach fuzz just above your upper lip may not seem like a big deal in your everyday life, but you don't want it showing up in wedding photos. Start getting monthly waxes for best results. Not into the pain? Salons now offer special waxes like chocolate wax and sugaring (a sugar paste), which are great if you're looking to walk out of the salon without too many sore spots. 
   Want to splurge? Get ready for your honeymoon by booking laser hair removal appointments in one month intervals (three treatments are recommended for best results). After around seven treatments, the results can be permanent.