Bridal Beauty Tip # 17 What The Groom Wears

I recently had the honor of being part of the team shooting one of the covers for the 15th Anniversary issue of Phoenix Bride And Groom Magazine.

For those of you not living in Arizona, this is a gorgeous, glossy magazine full of fabulous ideas and resources, not just for local brides and brides coming to beautiful, sunny Arizona for a destination wedding, but for brides anywhere in the world.
You can see a digital version of the magazine here:
Phoenix Bride and Groom Magazine online 
I also write and shoot bridal beauty based stories for their blog

The story that I shot with them for the 15th Anniversary Issue
was all about what the groom wears. Rather than the traditional black tuxedo, the magazine paired up with designer Ted Baker and explored some fashion forward options for the guys in the wedding party.

The story was shot at one of our stunning wedding venues in north Scottsdale, Sassi
Photography by Ben And Kelly Photography
Styling by Jennifer O'Bannon
Hair by Amber Tillinghast
Makeup by Corinna Cooke

in the makeup room for the Phoenix Bride and Groom 15th Anniversary cover shoot

Makeup Tips For The Mother Of The Bride ~ Bridal Beauty Tip #15

The Mother Of The bride has probably been dreaming about her daughter's wedding since shortly after she was born.
And in that dream she probably envisions herself looking lovely, fresh faced and beautiful.

image via www.dresses8.com

It's easy for the day of the wedding to be both stressful and busy for the bride's mother, so she needs to plan ahead and factor in her own beauty needs.

Here are my beauty tips for the mother of the bride:

1. Get Your Skin Ready
No matter how skilled your makeup artist is, your makeup will never look fantastic if your skin is not looking fabulous underneath.
Start having regular facials in the months leading up to the wedding, or if the wedding is just around the corner give yourself a good (but gentle!) exfoliating treatment and use some sheet masks in the days leading up to the big event. Sheet masks are super affordable but also super effective. Look for masks that are hydrating and brightening. I order mine online at Memebox

2. Hydrate.
On the morning of the wedding apply liberal doses of both eye cream and moisturizer when you get out of the shower. You need to allow plenty of time for it to absorb in before you put on any makeup.

3. The Makeup Artist.
If you have a makeup artist coming to get the bride ready, have her do your makeup too. When you are booking her ask to see samples of her mother-of-the-bride makeup. Some artists are very heavy handed and only know how to do Instagram inspired heavy contour and mega brows, which frankly looks awful on everyone. If she can't do your makeup either book someone else, or if you are doing your own makeup follow these tips.

4. Prime time
Use a good quality primer such as Charlotte Tilbury Wonderglow Primer. This primer will not only give your foundation a perfect surface to adhere to, making it go on more smoothly and last longer, but it will also add some vibrancy to your complexion.



5. Fill In Your Brows
Typically as we age gravity sends everything downwards. Makeup-wise we want to create the illusion of everything being back up where it used to be. Filling in the brows with a complimentary color in a brow pencil or powder (don't go too dark) redefines your face, and directs the viewer's eye upward.

Helen Mirren on the red carpet is the perfect example of gorgeous, flattering makeup for a mature woman.
She always looks stunning.

6. Keep The Eyes Defined But Soft.
Stay away from eye-makeup that is dramatic, overblown or dark, and avoid black eyeliner like the plague. All these things are super aging and draw attention to every fine line and wrinkle around your eye. Black liner grabs light and sucks it in, making it the first thing anyone sees when they look at you. In all your photos it will make you look like you are squinting. Opt instead for deep espresso brown or purple browns that will give you the accent you want, but won't collapse your eye.

7. Use A Waterproof Mascara
Chances are you will tear up during your daughter's wedding, so prevent the inevitable damage by wearing a waterproof mascara.

8. Use A Cream Blush
Cream blush gives the complexion a lovely radiant glow. The color is buildable so you can gently add more color, or if you've been too heavy handed it is easy to correct by swirling your foundation brush back through it. Try Laura Mercier Creme Cheek Color



9. Use A Satin Finish Lipstick
Glossy lips look great on a teen, but look silly on a mature woman.
Matte lips are super aging, but  a satin finish lipstick makes the lips look soft and alluring and is very flattering.
I am obsessed with Charlotte Tilbury K.I.S.S.I.N.G Lipstick. The finish is gorgeous and the colors are perfect. 



10. Avoid Aging Makeup Mistakes
I have an entire post on makeup mistakes that age you. Learn more tips and tricks by reading it here

Bridal Beauty Tip # 14 ~ How To Wear A Red Lip On Your Wedding Day

Red lips are stunning, dramatic, and wildly alluring.
They can compliment a white wedding dress and a glowing complexion like nothing else, giving you a look that is fresh, modern and uber chic.

Super fresh and stunning - bride in a red lip

But they also can be tricky to pull off on a day as huge as your wedding day, so here are  tips for How To Wear A Red Lip On Your Wedding Day.


1. Do I or don't I? 
If you normally wear a red lip, absolutely! - Go for it! If you don't normally wear a red lip, proceed with caution. Red is trickier than any other color to wear, and as it is such an attention grabber, any hiccups that occur along the way, happen front and center.

2. Balm It.
If you are planning on going red for your wedding look, make sure you start prepping a few days out. Gently exfoliate your lips then keep them super hydrated with a thick and nourishing lip balm day and night leading into your big day.
Cracked, chapped lips, even slightly chapped lips, look awful under a bold red lipstick.  Get those lips smooth and hydrated before you go near a red lipstick. Try Nuxe Nourishing Lip balm (click on image below)



3. Saturate Your Color
Choose a lipstick that has really saturated color. Pinky/nudey glosses don't really require too much color saturation, and will look fine even if the color is a little wiggly or patchy. Bold colors like reds really need dense, even pigment to make the entire lip look even. A patchy red lip looks awful.
(Click image for link to Temptu Imperial Red Lipstick)



4. Line It Twice.
I like to use two lip liners when working with red. The first is slightly darker than the lip color I'm using. This helps to create a multi dimensional lip, and stops the red from looking like it's just sitting on top of your skin. (You will blend your lipstick through this line and make it disappear, but it will still be doing it's job for you underneath.)
The second lip liner is the same shade as the lipstick, and you will fill the entire lip in with it. This way if your lipstick starts to come away you will have a matching color underneath.

5. Finish Strong.
Although glossy reds can be fun I don't recommend them for weddings, instead I direct my girls to a matte finish.
Mattes hold longer - glosses tend to slip more. A matte lip in a bold color lets you opt for a glowy gorgeous complexion offset with a firm brow.
Another thing to consider when thinking red lips is the fellow you are planning on kissing. 
Men both love and fear a red lip. Red lipstick commands attention, is madly sexy (it will have him thinking about the wedding night allll day long!), but if you have a glossy or satiny red lip he will fear kissing you because he doesn't want a trail of red slime all over him. A matte lip is both alluring and kiss friendly!

3 Bridal Beauty Tips Four Months Before Your Wedding Day

If you have at least four months before the big day I have 3 bridal beauty tips for you!

Lash Out

Most of my brides head somewhere beachy for their honeymoon, and don't want to look totally makeup free even while frolicking in the waves, so I advise them to up their lash game 3 to 4 months before the wedding. A great fringe of lashes paired with a pretty lip gloss not only looks lovely but is super easy too.
I'm not a fan of lash extensions. They look great the first week but then start looking messy, twisting and twirling, falling out and looking patchy. My best friend had them a while back and after 3 rounds of fills all of her own eyelashes broke and fell out.
On the wedding day I love false eyelashes, but my favorite thing is to actually grow eyelashes. I swear by a product called Latisse. Not only does it give you longer lashes, but it makes them grow thicker too.

Latisse before and after

Try starting Latisse 3 or 4 months before your wedding and you will be amazed at how gorgeous your lash-line is by the time your wedding rolls around!



Reduce The Lines
I am a huge fan of Botox. Huge.
So long as it is done by the right person it can be the most brilliant thing ever. 
We've all seen bad botox jobs - here in Phoenix we have the Scottsdale mask Of Horror, a delightfully hideous yet oddly frequent affliction where it looks like someone has grabbed the woman in question by the back of the scalp and tugged her face back. Somewhat Norma Desmond-like these women trawl the shopping streets of Scottsdale, devoid of expression other than the moment immediately prior to a scream. 
It's too fantastic for words.
The really great work however, goes un-noticed, which is exactly how botox should be. A gentle softening of the fine lines and wrinkles, removal of frowns, a slight lift to the brow, an imperceptible lift to the outer corner of the lips. When done correctly by a master technician, Botox is divine.
I recommend Botox to many of my brides/bridesmaids/mothers of brides. 
Generally I have first timers go 4 months prior to the wedding. Botox lasts about 3 months, giving them a chance to experience the effects of it, and then get a little touch up the month before the wedding. Botox averages about 72 hours to take effect. I never want my brides having any injectables the week of the wedding, just in case they bruise or get any needle marks.



 Backfat Buster

Plenty of girls have an extra little roll of love popping out over their strapless dress. Maybe its backfat, maybe its rolling around her under arm. Its one of those places that you can workout and half train yourself to death, but it won't go away.
If you are planning on a strapless dress, a low back dress, or a dress that shows a little something that you want to hide, you may want to think about Coolsculpting. Coolsculpting will grab that extra fat, freeze it, and make it disappear. Its magic! It works pretty much anywhere, but my favorite is watching it take away the roll of fat that wants to seep out over the back of a strapless dress. Coolsculpting takes about 3 months to take full effect, so I advise my brides to have it 4 months before the wedding, givingg them time to have any final alterations done to their dress.



I send my clients to Botox Guru Dr Blume of Blume Skin Centre in Scottsdale. They get Coolsculpted, lasered, get any Botox or filler at Blume Skin Center and I have never had anyone less than absolutely ecstatic with the results.

Read more about Botox here
Read more about Coolsculpting here

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

1. 
   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!

2. 
   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

3. 
   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.

4. 
   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.

5. 
   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!

6. 
   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.

Bridal Beauty Tip #13 Tips For Choosing Your Wedding Perfume

When it comes to your wedding day perfume you have to decide whether you are going to wear your usual fragrance, or a new one.

Jo Malone Peony And Blush Suede

Your usual fragrance may just be something you wear everyday, and that you like, or it may be your trademark fragrance, a scent that identifies you, a scent that inhaled anywhere in the world by your people will make them think immediately of you.
He knows you in that perfume. He fell in love with you in that perfume, and maybe you reason that he should marry you in that perfume.
And that is totally perfect.

Or maybe you want something new for your big day. Something new and special. Something that will powerfully link you, your husband and that beautiful dress forever, making an olfactory memory that snaps you both back to that magical day for the rest of your lives with just the faintest whiff.

Tips For Choosing A Wedding Perfume.

Choosing a new perfume for a really big occasion can be daunting. Especially for something as huge as your wedding day.
Here are 4 tips to help you choose 

1. How Do You See Yourself?
What words do you associate with seeing yourself walking down the aisle? Do you think of words like serene and pretty? Or romantic and sensual? What about sexy and alluring? Every perfume has a mood, a feel, an emotion to go with it and if you can find the words to describe your feeling, emotion or mood finding your fragrance becomes easier.

2. Match Your Theme
If you have a beach wedding think about a fragrance with florals and marine notes. Getting married in the great outdoors? Think about woodsy notes, chypres, vetivers. Is your wedding going to be candlelit and sensual with deep dark red roses? Try a sexy, spicy, musky fragrance.

3. Don't Fight Your Bouquet
Don't let your perfume fight your bouquet, especially if your flowers are fragrant. Either choose something complimentary, or wait til the reception to apply your perfume.

4. No Surprises
You don't want to be wearing and new perfume on your wedding day and find out later that he didn't like the way you smelled. If you have a new fragrance in mind consider giving him a secret sneek preview by wearing a sample and gauge his reaction. If he leans in for another breath of it its a winner. If he has no reaction or clearly doesn't like it, you may want to try another one.

6 Amazing Wedding Perfumes

Narciso Rodriguez For Her
Sexy, sensual, musky, for a modern, confident sophisticate.

Jo Malone Peony and Blush Suede
Charming and beautiful, flirtatious yet sensual.

Giorgio Armani Si
A tribute to modern femininity, a combination of grace, strength and independent spirit.

Coco Mademoiselle
Sexy, fresh, oriental, utterly feminine, refined and luxurious.

Kenzo Flower
Modern, chic, fresh oriental for a fashion forward, uptown girl

Tom Ford Neroli Portofino
A heady, sexy mix of sparkling water, cool breeze and the lush foliage of the Italian Riviera. Everything Ford does oozes sex appeal, decadence and luxury. Portofino is magnificent, so is this fragrance.

Bridal Beauty Tip #12 ~ The Wedding Makeup Trial Checklist

I can't stress enough how important your pre-wedding day makeup trial is. Not only is it your opportunity to perfect your look for your big day, but it is also an opportunity to avoid a major disaster on the biggest day of your life.

Jenny Lee Wedding Dress

In the past few weeks I have had multiple brides call me the week of their wedding to tell me their makeup artist has cancelled on them. They wind up being totally stuck because all the good makeup artists have invariably been booked for months, and unless they get incredibly lucky they have to face their wedding day with no makeup artist.
I even had a maid of honor call me in tears 2 hours before the ceremony because the artist they booked didn't bother to show up. 
He decided he had something better to do.
The bride and all her bridesmaids came with no makeup because they were paying for  makeup artist. Can you even imagine walking down the aisle with no makeup on??
I was already booked and couldn't help her.

The common thread in each case was that the bride had gone the super budget route, and had chosen a makeup artist from Thumbtack. I'm sure on some level you can find a good makeup on a cut rate service, but I don't like your odds.


So how do you avoid a wedding day makeup nightmare?
Start with the clues you can spot at your makeup trial.

1. Beware the "free trial"
When someone offers a free trial they are telling you straight up that they don't attach value to their time, their skills, the products in their kit. If they don't see themselves as worthy, why should you?
A professional will attach value to your trial. 

2. Expect Punctuality.
A good artist will arrive to your trial on time and fully prepared.
If they arrive late to your trial you can't expect them to arrive on time to your wedding. The trial is the job interview - your artist needs to present their A game, show you that they respect your event.

3. Note Their Appearance.
As above, this is a job interview. Your artist needs to present looking like a great hire. That means clean hair, good grooming, nicely - not sloppily dressed, and they should be sporting nice makeup. If their makeup is poorly applied or looks overblown, you can take that as a warning sign!
Even if the artist's work is brilliant I would see a sloppy appearance as a giant red flag. 

4. Check Out Their Kit.
When that makeup kit opens up there is a goldmine of information looking right up at you!
My first concern is how clean is the kit? Does it look dusty and powdery? Are there broken powders and shadows floating around? Are the bottles of foundation and palettes of products looking clean and well cared for, or are they messy?
Next you want to glance at the makeup brushes. There is never, ever any excuse for anyone to arrive with dirty brushes. Artists carry brush cleaning fluid, and part of packing up from a job is cleaning your brushes before you head out to the next job. When an artist gets home the expectation is that they wash their brushes, no matter how late it is.
Think about a chef after a busy night at the restaurant. Does he say he's too tired to clean up and leave dirty dishes and food scraps everywhere? or does the entire restaurant get cleaned spotlessly?

5. What Products Are They Using?
We all use a variety of makeup products, but the majority, if not all of the products in your artist's kit should be quality products. Cheapie products aren't built to last 12 hours. You are paying for the artist to do a great job with quality products that have been designed to work well, be photographed and last all night.

6. Listen For The Questions.
Is your artist asking you a lot of questions? He or she needs to ask questions about you, your makeup style and preferences, your dress, the overall look of your wedding, the time of your ceremony - there are tons of questions to ask. A good artist will get the information and then create something fabulous to go with it. 

7. Where's The Contract?
You don't have a deal - a business deal - without a contract.
A contract binds the 2 of you together for your big day. I would be very wary of anyone who didn't give you a contract to fill out and sign. A freelance makeup artist is an owner operated business. The contract shows their commitment to their business, without a contract its all just talk. 

8. Check Their References.
Check your artist out online before you make the commitment. If they have been doing weddings already (do you want to be their first?) they will probably have reviews that you can read. If they don't have reviews you can call around wedding planners and photographers and see what the word on the street is about this artist.  People love to praise artists who have been reliable and who have done a fabulous job.

Remember: when it comes to your wedding makeup, a bargain is seldom a bargain. Don't blow $5000 of photography on $50 worth of makeup

Bridal Beauty Tip #11 Should You Wear Facial SPF On Your Wedding Day?

Brides are always asking me whether they should skip facial SPF on their wedding day.

image via www.thefrenchbouquettulsa.com

There is a lot of noise out there about facial  SPF's and flashback with flash photography, which makes many brides panic and think their faces will flare white in their (super expensive!) wedding pictures.

Because I am such a die-hard facial SPF obsessive, (I like to think of my self as an SPF enthusiast, but really, who am I kidding??)
I would never in a million years even consider being out in the sunshine without a facial SPF myself, so there is no way I would ever advise a bride to go get herself a good burn on her big day.
But I do have some rules when it comes to the subject:


1. No Moisturizer Containing SPF
There are two main reasons that I am anti moisturizers that contain SPF.
Firstly they are deceiving. Most girls don't apply a large dollop of moisturizer and then work it in evenly across their entire face, throat and decolletage. It takes a thick, even coating to get the advertised SPF value - you may think you are applying SPF 20 but actually may only be getting random patches of SPF  2.
Secondly I don't know what the active ingredients are. And for the most part I'm not interested in wasting time on a wedding day googling the bride's moisturizer to see what the SPF ingredients are.
They probably are going to involve zinc oxide or titanium dioxide, the two main culprits in SPF flashback. 
I prefer to use my own moisturizers or hydrators on my bride's skin, so that I can get the skin prepped the way I want it, have no greasy film on the surface of the skin, and then apply my own, photo friendly facial SPF in a layer that will protect the skin properly (otherwise the whole exercise is a waste of time) and that will not flare under flash.

2. No Foundation Containing SPF
Mostly for the same reasons as the moisturizer equation, but also because the foundations I use are pro foundations, and don't come with SPF. I need my bride to look flawless for 12 to 14 hours, so I use foundations that are designed to last that long, look gorgeous on camera, but also look like beautiful skin to anyone standing close or leaning in for a kiss. 
My personal feeling is that if I were to go after the SPF protection on the bottle I would need a thick, opaque layer of foundation, which is the exact opposite of the look I'm going for.

3. Use a free standing facial SPF.
By that I mean it is it's own product, not built into anything else.
When you use a freestanding SPF you are completely aware of where you are applying it, and how evenly you are applying it. You actually can get the protection advertised on the product.
I have two main facial SPF products that I use not only on weddings, but also on any outdoor shoot, be it with models or actresses, or anyone else. I like them for the protection, I like that they don't leave any greasy residue, and I love that they never, ever flashback.

The first is Kiehls Super Fluid UV Defense SPF 50+
Oil free, super lightweight, broad spectrum (protection against both UVA and UVB rays) with a patented photo-stabilizing technology, this one not only gives you long lasting protection, but is weightless. Some facial SPF's feel heavy, I like that this one feels like it disappears into the skin




The second is Neutrogena Dry Touch With Helioplex SPF 85
This is the product that I wear 365 days per year. I buy the highest SPF number they have on the shelf - If they have 100, I buy SPF 100, if the highest they have is SPF 75. I buy SPF 75.

There is some debate about the efficacy of anything over SPF 30, but the way I see it with sun damage being the leading cause of skin aging, and with my desire to completely avoid melanoma and carcinoma, if there is so much as a whisper of a chance that there might just possibly be more protection in a bottle of SPF 85 than in SPF 30, you can count me in!
Neutrogena's product is definitely heavier than the Kiehls product, but it's dry touch finish is perfect for makeup.

4. If You Insist 
If you insist on using your existing facial SPF that has flare potential, you can minimize the flashback by setting your foundation with a loose, color pigmented powder like Makeup Forever Super Matte Powder, which is a staple in my pro kit.

5. If You're Still Not Convinced...
Think about what time of day you will be outdoors having pictures taken. If your pictures are happening after 3:30 when the sun is  starting to soften a little (this does not apply to Phoenix, where the sun is white hot until much later), and you really don't want to risk wearing a sunscreen, you can probably get away with not wearing it. Personally, I would always wear SPF, but that's just me...

Bridal Beauty # 10 Wedding Makeup Tips For Green Eyes

Did you know that only 2% of the world's population have green eyes? I love being part of that tiny percentage! 

Angelina Jolie gorgeous green eyes

I also love it when I get to do wedding makeup for a bride with green eyes - it is so easy to make a green eyed girl's makeup look simply stunning, and with very little makeup.

If you look at this picture of Angelina Jolie (who has green eyes) you will see that her eyes captivate you, not her eye makeup. In fact she doesn't look overly made up at all. She just looks beautiful.


When you are approaching makeup, and especially approaching bridal makeup, the key is to create the illusion that there is very little makeup going on. You want to bring out the best features, make the eyes spark, and see gorgeous girl rather than piles of makeup.
When he sees you we want your groom to get lost in your eyes instead of trying to find you under layers of makeup.


With green eyes they key is to play up the eye color so that they become the focus on the face. The way to do this is by using basic color theory. Choose eye shadow colors that are opposite green on the color wheel.

You can see here that the shades opposite to green are made up of reds, purples and pinks, edging their way into oranges. I translate the orange end into beautiful copper bronzes and melon tones.
Although I am crazy about red eye shadow, it's not a shade we normally associate with wedding makeup looks. Instead of red eye shadow, think about red based brown.  
The best eye shadow shades for brides with green eyes are pinks and plums, reddish browns and copper bronzes.

Here are 7 Celebrities With Green Eyes
Each of these are beautiful wedding makeup looks.
  

Angelina Joile

Kate Winslet

Kristen Stewart

Kate Hudson

Amanda Seyfried

Adele

Emma Stone