Down The Aisle Wedding Day Beauty Products That You Can Use Everyday

Hello lovely brides-to-be and readers!

 I may be in the minority, but I tend to have the philosophy in my makeup routine that if I'm going to take the time to put makeup on, I'm going to put makeup on. It's either bare faced or all done up.

Because of this proclivity to wear a full face most days, I was once asked if there were any products that I would recommend for use daily as well as part of one's wedding day beauty routine.

After thinking and mulling that question over, I have a list of products I would definitely recommend!

 Urban Decay Naked Skin Beauty Balm ($34 www.urbandecay.com)

Over the past year, tons of cosmetics companies have come out with their version of a BB cream. What sets this particular product aside from the rest is it's formulation, texture and benefits. While it sports a peachy hue, it literally melts into the skin and visually looks like your were airbrushed. It minimizes the appearance of pores and wrinkles and hydrates the skin beautifully. With continued use it promises firmer, smoother skin and will banish redness, freckles and wrinkles in as little as 8 weeks. I love how it makes my skin look softer and smoother and feels fresh and moisturized. I use this daily under my foundation and powder.

Smashbox Photo Finish Hydrating Under Eye Primer ($29 www.smashbox.com)

I suffer from dry under eyes and while I love a highly pigmented concealer, I find that they settle in the fine lines and just look blech. That is until I discovered this little wonder. It primes the under eye so that any lines are instantly filled in and at the same time it hydrates so that any concealer glides on smoothly and stays fresh looking all day.  It also decreases puffiness, wrinkles and darkness with continued use. A MUST on your wedding day!

Peter Thomas Roth Lashes to Die For The Liner ($28 www.sephora.com)

What sets this eyeliner apart from other liquid eyeliners is that it is infused with SymPeptide which enhances the appearance of natural lash length and thickness.  With continued use, it acts much like PTR Lashes to Die For Platinum which will actually grow longer and thicker lashes. I love this because I really have seen an increase in the bulk and length of my lashes AND this lasts all day so I don't have to worry about it moving around the eye area. A little swipe of this on the upper lash liner and your eyes look bigger and brighter, something we women want everyday and especially on our wedding day.

Questions? Ideas for me to blog about? Want to Be listed on my directory? Want to book me for your wedding day? Email me at rebecca@bridalmakeupartists.com or visit my website www.bridalmakeupartists.com

Winter Brides and Bridal Makeup Skin Care Prep

Hello lovely readers!
 It's officially Winter and boy is it cold outside! Many of my readers are Winter brides and with the cold winds, dry conditions and our skin being subjected to heaters it's important to follow a skin care regimen that will combat flaky, dry and chapped skin. In order to have fabulous looking bridal makeup, one needs a good foundation of soft and supple skin. Luckily, with 2013 comes a score of new beauty products that are sure to leave your skin soft, glowing and moisturized.

MAC Mineralize Volcanic Ash Exfoliator, $28 www.maccosmetics.com

 MAC cosmetics latest exfoliator has a mix of volcanic ash and fine sugar crystals that's safe for all skin types as it loosens the dead skin that lies on the surface of the skin. Once those are removed, what's revealed is brighter, softer and more moisturized skin. Recommended use is at nighttime 2-3 times a week.


Moroccanoil Dry Body Oil $38, www.morrocanoil.com

 The famed Moroccanoil brand that is best known for it's rich argan hair oil treatment has come out with a dry body oil spray that can be used no only on the body but the face too. Infused with argan oil, olive oil and avocado oil, you can say bye-bye to dry and flaky skin!


Ahava Time to Clear Eye Makeup Remover, $18, www.ahavaus.com

I don't know about you all, but when I walk in from the cold outside to the heaters on full blast in any store, restaurant or movie theater, my eyes get teary. To compensate for that I tend to use waterproof eyeliner and and mascara. It's all gravy until I get ready to take off my eye makeup and I realize I've used a heck of a lot more than I normally do. It's a vicious cycle and then my eyes look and feel dry and I just hate it. Well, luckily for me (and you all!) Ahava has come out with a new eye makeup remover that uses its famous Dead Sea minerals, aloe vera, cucumber, palm oil, and lots of other minerals and botanicals  to create a gentle yet highly effective oil-based formula that removes even the most stubborn of waterproof eyeliners. Rejoice!

Like always, if you ever have questions, concerns or would like to book me for your wedding hair and makeup you can contact me at my website:

www.bridalmakeupartists.com

Pro Bridal Makeup Artist Tips on How to Turn Fall Trends Into Wearable Bridal Makeup

 I love Fall. It means so many things to me. Changes in the weather, changes in clothing and of course, changes in makeup!

 For those brides that are planning and having Fall weddings, it’s important to know what the latest Fall bridal makeup trends are and how to incorporate them in your bridal makeup look.

Wine Colored Lipstick and Lip Stains

While red lips are still in for Fall, a new lip color has come on the scene. Wine is making a big splash and adds a bit of drama to any look. How to effectively use this in your own bridal makeup look? Use a stain as opposed to an all out matte color. By dabbing a bit of a wine stain and toning down the rest of your look, you will have a romantic wedding day look.

Smoky Kohl Colored Eyeshadow and Eyeliner


Smoky charcoal eyes were seen everywhere on the catwalk. However that may not translate so well on the bridal pictures. How can this work for your bridal makeup look? Simple. Instead of using black or dark charcoal, simply use a gray shadow and you can use it on just the lids instead of all the way around the eyes. Paired with a soft pink cheek and lip, you have a defined yet ethereal look.

Bright and Colorful Eye Makeup

While the majority of the runway looks utilized bright colors, bridal makeup looks need to be suitable for the setting and time of day. I have found using more neutral versions of the brighter colors (eggplant instead of purple, navy instead of cobalt, emerald instead of kelly green). Or using a liner in the toned down version is another great option.

Whether you decide to use one (or all!) of these trends, always let your inner beauty shine. If for whatever reason you are unsure, hiring a bridal makeup artist is great way to take all the stress and pressure off and allow you to enjoy your day! If you are in the Southern California area, contact me at www.bridalmakeupartists.com

Wedding Day Makeup Savers

Hello lovlies!
I will be the first to put it out there: I have amazing brides. I love what I do. I love being a bridal makeup artist and I love working with all types of women on their wedding day. I will from time to time however work with brides who are quite emotional. And why shouldn't they be? This is one of the most beautiful and important days of their life. Fortunately, I have an arsenal of products that will ensure that none of the gorgeous wedding makeup I applied on them will run when the waterworks start.

 Since I love talking about bridal makeup products, I will let you in on my little secrets to create a smudge-free face for your special day!

Urban Decay All Nighter Long Lasting Makeup Setting Spray $29

I love this product for two reasons: 1) It's a product that actually does as the label promises. It IS a long lasting makeup setting spray and it WILL allow you to have fresh looking makeup all night long 2) You only need a little. Really. You only need to spray it three times across your face for maximum coverage. It's not one of those products that you have to use half the bottle for it to actually work.

Ben Nye Final Seal Matte Makeup Sealer $ Price varies

Now for those ladies who tend to get oily and/or sweaty throughout the day, this is a miracle product. While it can be hard to find in store, there are many place online to purchase this spray. This particular makeup sealer gives a matte finish, ideal for those who experience shine as the day wears on. Infused with spearmint, it temporarily minimizes pores so you stay looking shine free all day long. And it smells fresh and minty too!

Face Atlier Transforming Gel $26

What others way can one waterproof their bridal makeup you ask? Well I never leave home without my beloved Face Atelier transforming gel. This product will allow you to create waterproof eyeliner, eyeshadow, lipstick, blush and even mascara. Just add a drop to any powder or cream product and poof! Instantly waterproof once it dries. I use powder-to-cream eyeliner with this and brides are amazed that even through tears, their liner didn't move an inch. It's truly transforming!

Cinema Secrets Eyeliner Sealer $ Price Varies

Much like the Ben Nye Final Seal, Cinema Secrets eyeliner sealer can be hard to find in-store, but you should have no problem finding it online. This differs from the Transforming Gel in the way that instead of mixing it with a product, you simply apply a thin layer to the entire eye area if you want, or just over eyeliner to literally "seal" the product. I generally mix the transforming gel with liner, then set it with this product. You can cry all you want but it ain't gonna run!

Now that you have an idea of what it takes to make your bridal makeup last all day, you can rest assured knowing you wont have rings of black as you say "I do"!

Your one bridal makeup wish-Granted!

"My one wedding day wish is to have my makeup stay in one place all night while I kiss tons of friends and relatives and dance the night away".

If that quotes sound vaguely like something you would say, then this blog post is especially for you! What DO pro's use to keep makeup on all day? Well, one of the main products is a sealant. Don't let the name scare you. It's not some products that will clog your pores or give you flaky skin. It's truly a lightweight clear spray that ones dries it locks your makeup in places until you wash off your makeup. Lots of brands make them but Urban Decay recently launched a trio of sealants for every skin type: Dry, Oily and Normal.

For today's post I'll focus on the one that is truly a sealant, the one for Normal Skin so aptly dubbed “All Nighter”. Once you apply your makeup just close your eyes and mist your entire face. Once it dries your makeup will last hours and hours.

A bonus? Urban Decay has an exclusive “Urban Bride” Boxed kit that comes with a travel size “All Nighter”, a travel size "Lip Junkie" gloss in a beautiful neutral shade, a travel size of their new “Supercurl” mascara which I have to say is ah-ma-zing! Without having to curl your lashes, you will have curled and defined lashes. You also get a full-size "Primer Potion" (a cult-classic must have!), full-size Marshmallow flavored edible, sparkly body powder and a razor-finish setting powder. It’s an amazing deal with incredible products for you or it makes a great bridesmaid gift. It's limited edition so go grab it now!

Luminous Skin

Anyone who knows their makeup stuff will tell you that the basis for beautiful makeup is beautiful skin. There are lots of options out there to get your skin glowing, but a must try is bareMinerals new skincare line. After a total packaging revamp, the new line is truly sleek and sophisticated but it's what inside that is so special. bareMinerals partnered up with Shiseido to bring us the best product ingredients for our money. Powered 100% by bareMinerals ActiveSoil Complex, it is clinically proven to promote faster cell turnover, pore size reduction, increased luminosity and antioxidant protection.

What's great is that they are not only offering a sort of "try before you buy" cleanser and moisturizer duo, they are now offering a cleanser and moisturizer in their get started kits so that you can see first hand how great your makeup will look with great skincare underneath. Skincare duo sets are $23 and the get started kits are $60 with the original formulation foundation and $63 for the matte formulation.



No worries, you can thank me later ;)

Spring Bridal Beauty Product Highlight

Hello Brides!
I have a week of great Spring Bridal Beauty Product reviews planned for you, so let's get started :)


AG Cosmetics Curl Trigger Curl Defining Spray $19.99




Spring is around the corner and soft, carefree, slightly messy beach-y curls are one of the hair trends of the season. AG's Curl Trigger is just the product to help control, define and enhance curly and wavy hair types.

Bonus: Can be used as a refresher spray if your hair gets a little limp throughout the day.

I personally really love the product as my hair can't decide if it's straight, wavy or curly. With Curl Trigger I get really pretty waves all over my hair and if I spray it on damp hair and then blow dry with a diffuser after, I get much more defined curls.

I compare this product to Bumble and Bumble's Surf Spray, but I have to say that I like the way Curl Trigger smells much better.


Too Faced Romantic Eye Palette $35




I received this palette awhile ago but I've been using it on a weekly basis since. The minute I saw the colors I thought how perfect this palette is for wedding looks. Then I saw the shadow names and realized "oh...Too Faced meant this to be a bridal palette too..." :) With names like "I Do", "First Dance" and "Ever After" how could it not be? These colors are soft and feminine, perfect for Spring. My favorite look by far is the Classic look that combines a pale pink, a shimmery lilac and a deep eggplant with sheen to it.

For professional use, these seem fairly easy to depot and would be a great addition to a bridal palette. For personal use, these shadows are super pretty and easy to wear and blend. I also think these would be a cute bridesmaid gift too!

Mario Badescu Herbal Hydrating Serum $30




We all know and love Mario Badescu for his Drying Lotion. It's amazing! I really don't know why I overlooked the other gems in his line, but I got to try some out and my new favorite skin care treatment of the moment is Mario Badescu's Herbal Hydrating Serum.

Most of the serums I tried in the past were nice, but they usually left my skin feeling slightly tacky after initial application (the exception being Merle Norman's Energizing Concentrate, love that stuff!) which I personally can't stand. My rule of thumb is if I don't like the way it looks/feels/smells on myself, there is no way I am putting it in my kit and subjecting my clients to them. What's so cool about the Hydrating Serum is that it's a gel that is instantly absorbed by the skin and gives a cool, fresh and perfectly moist feeling. Love it!

Bonus: If you have oily skin, this can be used as your moisturizer

Stay tuned the rest of this week as every day I'll have three new product reviews for you!

Rebeca Liceaga
President / Owner / Key Makeup Artist
www.BridalMakeupArtists.com

We won the Bride's Choice Award for 2011!!

Hello Brides!
We've been doing some new and exciting things at www.bridalmakeupartists.com for the wedding season and we think you will be pleased! For now though, we wanted to share some news regarding Wedding Wire's Bride's Choice Awards 2011. We won again! We are so pleased and wanted to thank our beautiful brides for their wonderful reviews and support.

I'll be updating everyone once we get our new and improved site going! Until then, stay gorgeous :)

Skin care and Hair Products for the hubby on the Big Day

Hello!
An article was recently published where I was asked for skin care and hair product suggestions for males getting ready for their gay weddings, but I figured it would also work for the males in our lives who wanted a little extra something on their Big Day too. So I have copied and pasted the highlights in case you or someone you know would enjoy reading it. I would also love to hear any other product rec's that the men in your life also love to use

Beauty: Wedding Day Beauty Products for Men

We talked to veteran makeup artist Rebecca Liceaga, and she gave us a few prewedding products sure to leave you feeling pampered.

For the face and skin?

* Check out the men's skin-care line from Lancome. "The Ultimate Cleansing gel is so easy to use and doesn't leave residue on the skin that can be irritating for men," she says. Also try the Hydrix Micro-Nutrient moisturizing gel from the same line. Men can use it after shaving and it doesn't contain a large amount of alcohol like some products, so it won't burn.


* For eyes, consider Christian Dior HydrAction Visible Defense eye creme SPF 20. The SPF protects the very thin skin around the eye from sun damage.


* If you’re looking for a facial mask, try Liceaga’s fave: the Merle Norman’s Luxiva clarifying clay mask.



Hair products that work?

* Liceaga is all about Sebastian’s Threads styling products. “It’s a styling cream with a microfiber technology that literally threads hair together to maintain a superb hold on any style,” she says. “It’s great for guys with longer or fuller hair.”


* As for hairspray, check out Bumble and Bumble's Does It All styling spray. It's a mid-level spray with extreme versatility; you can set a style with it and use a variety of hot tools without having to reach for another product.



What about sunscreen?

* If you’re looking for a nongreasy sun-care formula, try ColoreScience Sunforgettable SPF 30 powder sunscreen. It comes in a translucent formula so no one will be able to tell you have it on.


* Also check out Makeup Forever’s HD foundation primer. Though it’s supposed to be used underneath foundation, it gives you a matte, flawless complexion that’s silky smooth to the touch. While the primer isn’t available yet to consumers, you can get a similar effect with their HD powder.



-- Emma Sarran

Special thanks to veteran makeup artist Rebecca Liceaga, president and founder of BridalMakeupArtists.com.

__________________
Rebecca Liceaga
Professional Makeup Artist
www.bridalmakeupartists.com
On-Location Bridal Beauty Services
Serving Southern California
Visit my blog at http://bridalmakeupartists.blogspot.com

A Guide to Looking Beautiful For your Big Day

In the weeks leading up to your wedding day, there is so much to be done on your part. I've put together a handy guide that's easy to follow and makes putting your best face forward a no brainer.

Skincare

*When it comes to makeup, having great skin is more than half the battle. If you haven't already begun, start by establishing a good skin care regimen tailor made for your skin type.

*If you have dry skin, don't use harsh scrubs or drying cleansers and toners. Instead, invest in a cream cleanser, an age defying or specifically made for dry skin toner. The bulk of your investment should go into a fabulous cream that will make your skin glow.

*If you have oily skin, a gel or powder cleanser is your best bet. An oil absorbing toner will rid your skin of excess oils and an oil-free gel or light cream moisturizer will give your skin the boost of moisture it needs.

*Try to schedule regular facials to keep breakouts at bay. If that isn't an option for you, opt for a "home made" facial. After cleansing, grab a large mixing bowl and fill it with hot water. Lean over the bowl and put a towel over your head to trap the steam, and remain that way for about 5 minutes. This will allow the steam to open your pores to allow the next steps to penetrate to a deeper (and more effective) layer.
Next, follow with a toner and then use a purifying mask to draw any impurities out. Allow to dry for 10 minutes. Rinse and apply your moisturizer.
By following this routine once a week, your skin will be in tip-top shape in no time.

Daily Care

*Be sure to use a sunscreen everyday to protect from sun damage and hyper-pigmentation. Whether it be a cream, gel or even powder sunscreen make sure it's a minimum of SPF 15.

*While it may be a pain to wash your face twice a day, make sure you at least manage to wash it at night. Dirt and free radicals that age your skin accumulate on your face during the day, so make sure you spare 5 minutes at the end of your day to treat your skin well.

*Beautiful and glowing skin comes from the inside out. Make sure to drink plenty of water and work in some fruits and vegetables into your everyday meals.

I hope our brides-to-be find this a helpful guide to prepare your skin for a very Special Day

__________________
Rebecca Liceaga
Professional Makeup Artist
www.bridalmakeupartists.com
On-Location Bridal Beauty Services
Serving Southern California
Visit my blog at http://bridalmakeupartists.blogspot.com

What not to do the day before your wedding...

I have compiled a small list of "Beauty Dont's" that a bride should never do the day before her wedding. I hope it is as informative as it is entertaining

Face

*Wax/Thread/Overpluck eyebrows (or any part of your face for that matter!)
-This should be done a at least three days before your wedding day (5 days is optimal), to allow for any redness, swelling and sensitivity to vanish. It's also not the time to try that "new dramatic" brow look you've always wanted to try.

*Trying out that new self-tanner
-If you've never tried it before, this certaintly would not be the time.

*Glycolic Peels, Microdermabrasion or Pore Refining Facials
-In short, you could have scabs, redness, breakouts and iritated skin as a result of these procedures. Believe me, it's loads of fun using liquid bandaid to apply over scabs so that makeup will at least adhere to the brides skin

*Eyebrow bleaching/lightening
-Unless you do this on a regular basis, it's best to have this done a couple of days before the wedding. Some women's brow hair will turn orange if bleached, even slightly. If this happens, at least you can try and get an appointment to have some color thrown on top of it.


Body

*Mystic Tan
-If you have mystic tan freshly applied, color may come off on your clothes...like a wedding dress.

*Get a Brazilian Wax*
-This should be done a few days prior to the wedding. If you've never had it done, the day before is not the day to experiment...you do want to be able to walk down the aisle, right?

*Laser hair treatment
-I will leave it at that.

*Nair
-Even if you do a patch test, you could break out in horrible red bumps on your legs (especially if you leave it on longer then the recommended time)


Hair

*Extensions

*A "trim"

*A perm

*Highlights

*Anything that alters the chemical makeup of your hair.

If anyone has anything else to add to the list, please post!

__________________
Rebecca Liceaga
Professional Makeup Artist
www.bridalmakeupartists.com
On-Location Bridal Beauty Services
Serving Southern California
Visit my blog at http://bridalmakeupartists.blogspot.com

Spring 2009 Bridal Makeup Trends

It's that time of year again. New Spring color collections are coming out from our favorite makeup lines and we see what will be the bridal makeup trends. I've done my research and found some fun and lovely products that I think will be a big hit with brides who are getting married this spring

Trend: Peach/Coral Tinted Cheeks
While summer generally leans towards bronzed cheeks, spring brings a more subdued hue and the color of the moment is a peachy coral. This is a great color for every skin tone as it adds warmth and color without the "fake bake" look that bronzers can sometimes give.

Hot Products:

*Benefit "Coralista" - If you love the other face powders in Benefit's expansive collection (Dallas, Georgia, Throbbb, etc.) you will love Coralista. It's a great product for a pinch of peach color on your cheeks and has a light fruity fragrance.

*NARS "Super Orgasm"- One of the most famous blushes of all time is undoubtedly the legendary Orgasm from NARS. Super Orgasm is an updated and decidedly better version of the blush we all know and love. NARS added an extra dash of pigment and just an extra hint of the dreamy golden sparkle.

Trend: Pops of color on the eyes
While we do see washes of pastels on the eyes as a favorite look for spring often, the looks on the runway were noticeably brighter and the colors carried a heavier application of the beloved pastels.

Hot Products:

*Sephora "Moroccan Sunrise Palette" - This palette contains 5 silky and highly pigmented shadows in shades that range from a pearly cream, to a stunning sienna and a lovely deep eggplant. These coordinating colors allow you create a lighter look for day or a decidedly more smoldering evening option.

*Urban Decay Primer Potion in "Sin" - For many pro makeup artists, Urban Decay Primer Potion is one of the best eyeshadow primers you can get. It prevents shadows from creasing and allows the colors to stay true to color all day. Urban Decay has added to their inventory by coming out with a new primer potion in Sin. This is a sparkling champagne toned hue that will give warmth and a slight shimmery to any combination of shadows placed on top. In my opinion a must have for the spring!

Trend: Pink-toned Lips

While you may have visions of Barbie pink running through your mind at the mention of pink color lips, I assure you that the look for spring is much more sophisticated than that. This pink is meant to enhance the natural pink hue of your lips. Throw in a dash of glossy goodness and you will have a pout that will pair perfectly with the more colorful eye and cheek looks for the seaosn.

Hot Products:

*Dior Addict Lip Color in "Undressed Pink" - A shy and coy pink that has the slightest peach undertone that pairs perfectly with the coral cheeks the models were sporting at the runway shows.

*Too-Faced Girls Dig Pearls Lip Gloss in "Mermaid" - Wear it on top of a lovely lipstick or wear it alone, Mermaid is a gorgeous beigey-pink that will allow the bolder eye colors of the season to shine and still give a gorgeous pink glow to the lips.

Press Release: Bridal Makeup Artists.com Receives 2009 Brides Choice Awards From Wedding Wire

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 3rd, 2009

Contact:
Rebecca Liceaga / (562)480-1006
Rebecca@Bridalmakeupartists.com



Bridal Makeup Artists.com Receives 2009 Brides Choice Awards From Wedding Wire

LOS ANGELES, CA-WeddingWire, the nation’s leading wedding technology company, just announced that Bridal Makeup Artists.com has won the 2009 Bride’s Choice Awards™.

In its inaugural year, the Bride’s Choice Awards recognizes and honors vendors from the WeddingWire Network that demonstrate excellent quality of service, responsiveness, professionalism, value of cost and flexibility. This year’s recipients represent the top three percent of WeddingWire’s vendor community, which includes over 100,000 wedding vendors from across the US.

President, Founder and Key Makeup Artist for Bridal Makeup Artists.com, Rebecca Liceaga, began her makeup artistry career in December of 2000. Starting off in retail, Rebecca soon realized her artistic talent and love for the makeup artistry field and decided to start her own bridal hair and makeup artistry business to beautify people of all races and walks of life.

In addition to making her brides look elegant and dazzling, Rebecca has also done hair and makeup for celebrities, numerous advertising campaigns, commercials, infomercials and photo shoots for several advertising agencies in the Southern California area. Her work can be seen not only on the radiant faces of happy brides, but also in fashion shows and magazine spreads.

Bridal Makeup Artists.com has had the honor of receiving the Fox 11 Hot List Award for one of Los Angeles Best Bridal Beauty Businesses for two consecutive years. Bridal Makeup Artists.com is also currently one of Southern California’s top bridal beauty businesses, booked up to two years in advance during the peak wedding season.

“We are excited to launch this annual award program to honor high-performing vendors based solely on the experiences of our WeddingWire community,” according to Timothy Chi, WeddingWire’s Chief Executive Officer. “This year’s recipients have set the bar high, exhibiting excellent service and expertise in the wedding industry.”

Unlike other awards in which the company selects winners, the Bride’s Choice Awards are determined exclusively by recent newlyweds through surveys and reviews.

“ It is such an honor to be recognized by our wonderful brides and to know that we made such a positive impact on what is undoubtedly one of the most important days in a person’s life,” beams Liceaga, “It makes what my team and I do that much more special and why we love our work.”

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How To Achieve A "Fun" Makeup Look While Still Looking Classic

Hello Brides-to-be!
I recently received a question from a summer bride asking how she can have an "updated and fun" makeup look while still maintaining a classic appearance. I have a few suggestions any bride can incorporate into their own look :)

Add a "splash" of color to your eyes

By adding a wash of a brighter color to your eyes, you automatically up the "fun" factor. The key to maintaining a sophisticated look is by making sure you literally apply a thin wash of color to your lid and crease. Then, simply pair it with some liner (a slightly darker color similar to the shadow shade and smudged out will look absolutely stunning!) mascara and complete the look with soft lips and cheeks and you will look absolutely radiant. Some beautiful soft colors that have great pigment and blend very easily are from Nixie Cosmetics (www.nixiecosmetics.com) and a few of my personal favorites are:
*Deep Coral
*Evergreen
*Majestic
*Blue Sea
*Moss

Nixie also carries multi use pigment powders that you can mix with your foundation to add a subtle shimmer, add to your body lotion and and apply to your decollete, or just add a touch to your cheekbones, the ridge of your nose and just below your bottom lip for an absolutely radiant glow. Some great colors are:
*Almond
*Firefly
*Flirty
*Affection

Let your lips be noticed

You can also allow your lips to be the center of attention by applying a rich lip color. It's a slightly unexpected twist, but when paired with soft neutral eyes accented with crisp eyeliner and perfectly groomed brows, this look will not only be updated and fun but romantic and fresh as well. Nixie also makes some great lip products, and one of my favorites is their lips stains. These colors will last all day and give a natural, flushed look. And added bonus: You can thinly apply the stains to your cheek for a coordinating look that will stay fresh and dewy. Colors to consider are:

*Cinnamon
*Pink Pout
*Raspberry Delight
*Sunset

These are two ways one can add a bit of creativity and uniqueness in their bridal makeup while still looking radiant and feminine. Keep the questions coming ladies as I am always available to answer them!

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How to Decide What "Look" To Have on Your Wedding Day

Hello Brides-to-be!
Today's blog will cover different makeup "looks" and which one you should go with for your wedding day. There are lots of different looks ranging from natural, to bronzed, to smokey. It all depends on your personality, location of your wedding, time of the year and even the color palette of your wedding. Here is how I go about helping to choose a look for a brides.

*Questions to Consider*
1) What time of the year am I getting married?
Unless you don't wear much makeup and you just want a clean, natural look, you are going to have to decide exactly what look you want to go for. If you are thinking a beautiful "Bahama Bronzed" look, but your wedding is in February (and not in some tropical locale) you may want to reconsider. 90% of Brides that get married in the winter months tend to either choose a color palette that is "wintery" (silver, white, baby blue, light pink, pearl, etc.) or if they are getting married in February they will choose a more "romantic" palette (red, wine, cream, black, white, eggplant, etc.) If you fall into this category, you may want think about choosing a makeup look that incorporates these colors. For instance, if you are going to have a wedding with red, cream and black, you could go with a dark red or wine colored lipstick, a pretty mauve cheek color and simply but defined eyes with black liner for your look. Or, if you have the more wintery color palette you could go soft on the lips and cheeks with a light lipcolor and do a more smokey eye.

2) Where am I getting married?
If it's the spring and you are getting married outside in the morning, you may have a slightly different look to consider. You will probably keep the focus on your eyes with dark liner and a soft wash of color on your eyelids matched with dewy, glowing skin. Or, if it's summer time and you are getting married in the afternoon, a bronzed "healthy" look is the one that suits you the best.

Next, how exactly do you make these different looks work for you?

I usually stick to the rule of thumb that if you are playing up your eyes, you will probably want to keep the cheeks and lips more neutral. Reason being, if you have gorgeous smokey eyes with false lashes that just make your eyes "pop", you don't want your cheeks and lips competing by wearing a dark blush and dark lips. It also looks too overdone unless you are on stage. So I have compiled a small guideline when trying to create the "picture perfect" look for your Big Day.

Smokey Eyes
*This generally consists of 3-4 eyeshadow colors that are blended and "smoked" out to give the illusion of more depth of the eye and it gives the air of dramatisicm. False eyelashes and black/dark brown eyeliner are usually attributed to this look. Softly colored cheeks (light pink/light bronze) and soft, nude lips are what compliment this look perfectly. This look can work anytime of the year and can be adjusted to ones feautures and complexion.

"Bronzed Baby"
*Think J-Lo. Bronzed, glowing skin and alluring eyes are what make this look work. A cream or liquid bronzer is generally mixed into the foundation to make the skin look soft and glowy. Bronze is then applied to the face where the sun would naturally hit it, giving a "just tanned" lift to the face. Light lips in the gold, apricot and bronze family are used sparingly and brown and bronze shadows are mixed to give an exotic and refreshed look. False eyelashes may or may not be used in conjunction with brown or bronze eyeliner. June to August is the best time of year to try this look.

Autumn Sun
*Rich, warm and jewel colored tones are used in this look. Eyes come alive with shades of sapphire, emerald, onyx or aubergine incorporated with soft neutrals to make a bold statement. Lips and cheeks are given a "flushed" look, and false eyelashes are almost always used to perfect the look. August through November is the most popular time of year for this particular look.

Snow White
*This is where more intense lips and cheeks are the focus by using reds, wines, burgendies or merlot colors, the eyes soft and neutral, and defined only by the use of black / dark brown eyeliner and "natural"looking false lashes for added thickness. This look is used most often by Brides getting married in the Winter months.

Spring Pixie
*This is where the skin looks healthy and refreshed, complimented with dewy peach colored blush, peachy-pink glossed lips and beautiful pastel colors used as a "wash" on the eyelids to give a subtle hint of color. Liner is used very thinly and is not smoked out, while lashes are lenghted and curled to give a "wide eyed" look of innocense. Very popular with spring-time Brides who are having an outdoor wedding.


Next time we will discuss the importance of matching makeup colors to your hair , jewelry selections and wedding color theme.

Until Then!

Rebecca

Visit Rebecca's On-location Bridal Beauty Service at www.bridalmakeupartists.com Currently serving Southern California

Wedding Day Makeup Tips and Advice-Colors

Hello Again!
Last week I wrote about foundations and powders that were appropriate for photography, and tips to make sure you look flawless on your wedding day. Today, I would like to focus on makeup colors and complimenting jewelry types. I will also include a little advice on how to determine your "color category". Believe it or not, the category that you fall in should determine what your wedding colors should be, the color makeup you wear and the type of jewelry you should use.
Many people don't realize that hair coloring, eye coloring, skin coloring and undertones determine what category we fall into. The three categories are as follows: Warm, Cool and Neutral. Those who fall under the "warm" category generally have golden blonde, strawberry blonde, red, orange-red, auburn,golden brown, chestnut brown, chocolate brown and espresso colored hair. To go along with those hair colors, they will also have brown eyes with specks of gold, hazel, green or blue eyes with gold and/or brown specks. People with warm coloring also have green veins and a golden undertone. "Cool" colored people have platinum blonde, ash blonde, "dirty"blonde, ash brown, light brown, medium brown, and dark brown hair colors that do not reflect any golden or reddish colors in the sun. Those who are cool will also have "black" brown eyes that have little to no silvery flicks, dark brown eyes that have silver flecks, green eyes that have silver flecks and blue eyes that have silver flecks. Those who have these combinations of hair and eye colors will generally have blue colored veins and rosy/pink undertones. "Neutral" color types will have "mousy" brown hair, plain dark brown hair, and black hair. They will also have "black" brown eyes and dark brown eyes that are free of silver or gold flecks. The coloring of the veins are a little hazy, sometimes seeming blue, sometimes seeming green, and an olive type of undertone that "shouts" neither cool or warm. Now that i've classified the different types of color categories, I can elaborate on what colors and looks to consider for your wedding.

Warm Colors

Once you have assesed yourself as being "warm", you can begin to think about what colors you want to use on yourself for your wedding. Now, I know that from the day you start planning your wedding you will probably have a certain color scheme set in your heart. However, if you are a classified as a warm, I don't suggest using powder blue and baby pink, or silver and mint green. Colors that would be beautiful are chocolate brown, salmon pink, dusty rose, black, teal, lime green, sage green that's on the more yellow side, sapphire blue, garnet, burgundy, wine, emerald green, amethyst purple, ruby red, gold, cream, turquoise, and white.

Colors for your makeup can range from light and pretty to bronzy with bright color accents. For example, if your wedding colors and chocoalte brown and dusty rose, then your makeup can reflect that. You can wear a dusty rose colored lipstick, blush, and contour your eyes with the blush or a similar eyeshadow color, then use a chocolate brown on the outer corners of your eyes to accent, and follow up with a dark brown eyeliner and black mascara. If you are a little more daring and your wedding colors are cream and teal, you could use a tan lipstick with caramel colored lipgloss, lightly bronzed cheeks, a skin colored eyeshadow as your base, contoured with a tan colored eyeshadow and a dash of teal eyeshadow on the outer corners with matching eyeliner and black mascara. These are merely suggestions, a trained makeup artist can work on finding a look that is perfect for you.

As far as jewelry goes, make sure you use yellow gold jewelry. Silver, white gold and platinum jewelry should be reserved for cool or neutral color types. Gold jewelry with pearls will also look beautiful.


Cool Colors

Great cool colors for wedding colors are powder blue, baby pink, mint green, silver, white, easter yellow, teal with more blue than green, lilac, kelley green, aquamarine, black, lavendar, royal blue, sage green that's on the more minty side, and a blood red or blue based red.

Makeup colors will follow a similar trend as with warm: If your wedding colors are silver and sage green, then you could wear a soft pink or a baby pink, cool pink blush and light pink base eyeshadow color on your lid, a slightly darker pink in your crease and a sagey green color on the outer corners...or for the more daring, you could put a sage green on your lid and a darker green or smokier black on the outer corners with black eyeline and black mascara.

Silver, white gold and platinum are the best metals for cool colored people.

Neutral Colors

Well, if you were one of the people that fell into the neutral catergory...LUCKY YOU!!! People who are neutral can wear either warm OR cool colors and can pretty much have thier wedding colors be anything they want! They also don't have to worry about what type of metal thier jewelry is set in. So the advice that I can give to you neutrals is to chose whether you like cool colors or warm colors, and then use the advice from those sections to plan from there.

Next time, I will post about makeup looks, such as natural, bronzed, brightly colored or smokey looks.

If you live in the Southern California area and you are interested in getting your makeup done by a professional makeup artist, You can contact me for a trial bridal makeover at www.bridalmakeupartists.com

Until Then! :D

Rebecca

Makeup Tips For Your Wedding Day

Hello Brides-to-be!
I'm sure many of you out there are wondering about Makeup Tips for your big day. As a professional Bridal Makeup Artist, I know a thing or two about applying the right type of makeup for the occasion. As you probably know, makeup for weddings tends to be a little heavier than one might wear on a day-to-day basis. But this doesn't mean that it has to look dramatic. Bridal makeup can be made to look natural and enhance your bone structure with the right colors and finishes. Today's blog will focus on the right foundations and foundation types for the perfect look in your wedding pictues. Here are some aspects of Bridal Makeup to consider:

• Because most weddings either take place outside or the wedding pictures are taken outside, the bride must remember to wear a foundation that is medium-full to full coverage so that the sun doesn't drain the color from her.

• Since most photographers use a flash when taking wedding pictures, the brides foundation must be free of any SPF because camera flashes are a form of light, and SPF's are meant to block any damaging light rays from our skin. What happens when a foundation with SPF and a camera flash mix is that dreaded "white faced" picture where we have a ghastly white face and a normal colored body attached. I will list some great foundations at the recommended products section of blog.

• While our personal idea of beauty differs from person to person, I suggest the following if you are thinking of enhancing your color:
-If you are a normally fair skinned person and want to achieve that "bahama bronze" glow for your wedding, I suggest using gradual self-tanning lotions or bronzers roughly four weeks before the big day. Whatever you use on your body, make sure it is safe to use on your face as well, or the manufacturer has a version for the face because if you use two different tanning agents, who knows if the colors will turn out the same. If you want immediate gratification however, I suggest using mystic tan a few days before the wedding. This will last for about a week, and your entire face and body will be the same color.

-Once you are tanned, make sure you let your makeup artist (If you are having your makeup professionally done) know that you need a foundation check when you get it done. If you are doing your makeup yourself, I suggest heading to the makeup counters and asking for help choosing a foundation to match your new complexion.

• If you are a naturally tan person and want to achieve a "snow white" complexion, I suggest staying out of the sun for a few months before the wedding and using SPF religiously whenever going outside. While you may not become incredibly fair skinned, this is as light as you will get. I DO NOT suggest using a foundation a few shades lighter to try and "fake" it because it will just look gray and unflattering and unprofessional anyways. Remember, wedding makeup is meant to enhance your NATURAL beauty. Trying to work against it will always backfire.

• It is also a good idea to consider what consistency you want your foundation to be. If you are a normally oily-skinned person and your wedding is going to take place during the summer, make sure you invest in a mattifying foundation or a water-based foundation so that you don't suddenly get greasy mid-ceremony. Likewise, if you are normally dry-skinned bride and you are dreaming of a winter wedding, be sure to look for a liquid or cream-based foundation that is rich in emollients to ensure your skin stays moist through the reception.

• When applying your foundation (Or having it applied) make sure you blend all over your face, underneath your chin, and slightly onto your neck. Since your foundation should match your coloring perfectly, it won't be noticeable, but your want to make sure the consistency of your face and your upper neck blend. If your ears will be showing, you might also want to put foundation on your ears as well. (Mine tend to get red easily, so I always make sure they have a nice coating of foundation when I know they will be showing.)

• The last step to finishing off wedding perfect foundation is the powder. Since powders come in different finishes and sometimes effects, it is important to find the right one for you.

-I suggest only using translucent powder if you have light to medium light complexions. On more olive or darker skin tones, it tends to look ashy.

-When finding a powder that actually matches your foundation color, try and stick with the same brand because they will generally have a complementary color to thier foundation.

-Mineral powders are fabulous because they are not talc based and they will blend in seamlessly with foundation colors in the same color family.

Suggested Products:

Dry Skin Foundations / Dry Skin Powders

• Merle Norman HC-12 Foundation / Merle Norman Flawless FX powder
• Merle Norman Total Finish Foundation / Dermablend Setting Powder
• Dermablend Creme Foundation / Vincent Longo Perfect Canvas Loose Powder
• Prescriptives Custom Blend Foundation / Chanel Double Perfection Powder Compact
• Lorac Liquid Foundation / Studio Finish Powder/Pressed
• MAC Studio Tech Foundation / Dior Skin Pressed Powder

Oily Skin Foundations / Oily Skin Powders

• Merle Norman Aqua Base Foundation / Merle Norman Ultra Powder Foundation
• Nars Balanced Foundation / Dermablend Setting Powder
• Lorac Oil Free Foundation / Lorac Oil Free Wet/Dry Powder
• Smashbox Seamless Liquid Foundation / Dior Skin Ultra-Mat Powder

Stay Tuned for my next blog where I will will discuss different types of makeup looks for your wedding day!

If your wedding is coming up and you are thinking of having your makeup professionally done and you live in the Southern California area, feel free to visit my website bridalmakeupartists.com to schedule a preview makeover with me and my team :D

Until next time,

Rebecca