Bridal Makeup Tips & Tools

Summer is in full swing and with that comes the influx of weddings and bridal related events. A bride wants to not only look and feel like the best version of themselves, but feel like they’ve been transformed into a bridal goddess.

Bridal makeup is its own sub-genre of makeup application. It’s a special mixture of enhancement, correction and transformation.

By using the right tools, any makeup artist can hear the bride’s gasp of joy after she’s been spun around and shown what she’ll look like on the most important day of her life.  

When doing bridal makeup a few products and application tips are essential to achieving your client’s desired look. Blending is of utmost importance as harsh lines can easily be detected in photos. Building an even-toned, blemish-free canvas is essential to keeping your makeup lasting all night. Applying a matte, shine-free foundation is as critical as properly applying fake lashes. Both need to look flawless and last all night. 

If you haven’t already done it invest in:
An airbrush makeup kit
Face and body primer
Eyelash curler
Fake eyelashes
Adhesive eyelash glue
A great set of brushes including a foundation and powder brush 

     Here are some of the steps I used to create my latest bridal look:

SKIN:

I applied a layer of NYX HD Studio Photogenic Primer using a foundation brush all over the face. I then dabbed Guerlain Terracotta Touch Highlighter around her nose, on her brow bone, and around the corners of her mouth to cover dark areas.

Airbrush makeup feels light on, gives a bride a flawless, even complexion that lasts all day and is able to withstand sweat, tears and environmental elements. Using the Luminess Air System, I sprayed the bride with a foundation one shade darker than her natural skin color to match her more tanned body.

I then swept Bare Escentuals Tinted Mineral Veil all over her face to set the foundation. To highlight and brighten I used Julie Hewett Bud of Roses Blush onto the apples of her cheeks and a combination of Physicians Formula Bamboo Silk Bronzer, Duwop Illuminating Blush in Mango and Bobbi Brown Shimmer Brick Compact in Bronze on her face to give a bronzed glow. Don't be afraid to blend a few colors together to get your best shade. 

EYES:

I prepped her eyes for shadow using Maybelline FIT ME Concealer in Light on her lids and under her eyes. I set the concealer with Julie Hewett Translucent Oat Powder. Using DUO Adhesive Glue, I added MAC False Lashes in 7. The key to adding false lashes is bending the strip into a semi circle so they’re a little more pliable and then taking the lashes and measuring them on the eyes to see if they fit or need to be trimmed. I took a Q-tip and applied a thin layer of glue on the top of the lash strip. I then put the lashes a few inches away from the inner corner of the eyes so the lashes are exaggerated out and the eyes look elongated and dramatic. I then placed them on the edge of the lids and held them down for 30 seconds. Once they dried I took an eyelash curler and curled them along with the bride’s actual lashes. This lifted the lashes up and brightened the eyes. I then added a highlighter called Mary-Lou Manizer by the Balm onto her lids and blended together taupe shades from a Maybelline Eyeshadow Quad in Mocha Motion and a Clinique Eyeshadow Trio in Rain Forest on the outer corner and crease. I added a dab of the gold from the Bobbi Brown Shimmer Brick directly underneath the eyebrow in her arch to highlight and lift the brow bone and then darkened the brows with a Model Co. eyeshadow in Portofino.

LIPS:

I lined the lips with Clinique Lip Liner in Nudey and filled the lips in with the pencil to create a more natural color. I then added a swipe of All Heart pink lipstick by Clinique with a layer of 15 Minutes of Fame lip gloss by Lipstick Queen in 10 Minutes. Lipstick will come off at some point so having the colors on hand is key for reapplication. More importantly however, is keeping the focus on the eyes and keeping the lips low key rather than relying on lipstick to last all night and tie the look together.

After you’ve applied all the makeup, take a powder brush and go over the face to make sure everything is blended. If you see a streak or excess makeup that has fallen from the eyes, take a foundation brush and blend it off. Both brushes will blend the makeup you do want and remove the makeup you don't want.

The Beauty Buff's Lip Balm Hall of Fame!

For me having dry lips is like having chapped, moisture-hungry hands; not to be over dramatic, but it's excruciatingly uncomfortable. I need soft, happy lips at all times. I've tried a lot of balms in my day and some work wonders while others make my lips feel even more dry. How is that even possible? Here's a collection of my favorite lip treatments. The balms I swear by, can't live without and am borderline addicted to. They each provide a unique texture, scent, and feeling on the lips and all work mini-miracles. Check out my top Beauty Buff-approved beauty balms to silken even the roughest lips in the business.

Rosebud Lip Salve-This perennial favorite can be seen tossed in the handbags of most young ladies and with good reason. This old school salve satiates even the driest lips and makes your pucker feel glossed and smooth for hours. It not only gives your pout a healthy flush but it also relieves dry skin, rough cuticles and hands in desperate need of moisture.

EOS (Evolution of Smooth)-This futuristic looking balm is more than just aesthetically appealing. The geometric shape actually helps when applying the sweet mint flavor on your lips. The roundness of the solid balm and firm grip of the container smooths effortlessly over the lips. The wallet-friendly lip treatment is also eco-friendly and ridiculously relieving on the lips. It's one of my most fav. new beauty finds.

Kiehl's Lip Balm #1 is a soothing potent petroleum skin protectant with a dash of SPF. This no-nonsense balm is perfect for dry weather when skin is cracked and chapped but also perfect to apply all year long. It coats the lips with a thick cooling solution that tingles the skin and keeps moisturizing all day so you don't have to think about reapplying for hours. Plus it's very dude-friendly-no frilly smells here!

Julie Hewett Camellia Lip Balm is a delicate blend of mostly organic ingredients including essential oils like rose, camellia and orange. Camellia Oil is closest to our own natural oils which makes it absorb quickly and refresh the skin in a unique way. The addictive balm comes in a easy to use pot or lipstick application and is heavenly on the lips.

Fresh Sugar Lip Treatment SPF 15 is made with reparative oils, waxes and real sugar for a sweet taste and cushiony texture. The SPF provides important protection against damaging UV rays but the balm isn't sticky and gently exfoliates as it softens. Overall a fantastic treatment option.

Labello Lip Balms-I first tried Labello when I was on vacation in Italy five years ago. Their lip products are very much a European mainstream staple. I've been OBSESSED with the brand ever since and can't get enough of the balms that have a cult status across the pond. I've raved about the tinted lip hues-They are my absolute favorite ever-but I can't speak enough about their collection of lip treatments. The formulas are creamy, smooth and smell amazing. Try their Milk & Honey Lip Balm, available online, you won't regret your purchase but be warned you might end up taking a European excursion just to stock up on these addictive lip savers!

Elemis Lip Revive is a petroleum free balm. It comes out looking a little gooey but isn't sticky at all and makes your lips supple and soft. Japanese wild mint and peppermint oils keep your breath fresh and lips tingling. A great addition to any makeup bag.

What's In Your Makeup Bag Today?

I tend to overstuff my makeup bag with cosmetics and products. That way I can dash out of the house sans makeup and expose my under eye circles and uneven skin tone to only a few innocent bystanders on my commute to work. Then, as soon as I get to a secure location I whip out my face transformation tools and magically add on youthful rest, bright eyes and flushed cheeks. It basically looks like my version of a superhero costume change or in 80's iconic girl power cartoon childhood obsession terms: Jerrica Benton to Jem and the Holograms-with only slightly less spiky pink hair and cheezy fashions! 


Here's what I have in my makeup bag right now:

Clinique: Perfectly Real Compact Makeup in Shade 138 (my saving grace powder foundation that matches my skin to a T)

Lipstick Queen Oxymoron in Minor Crisis (a long lasting beautiful light pink convertible lip and cheek color that's natural and feminine looking)

L'OREAL Paris Voluminous Mascara in Blackest Black (Not actually one of my favorite mascaras. The wand is a bit too big and the mascara smudges on my eyelids as I apply it on. I definitely don't think this tube is as good as DiorShow Blackout or Maybelline Great Lash but it really does separate the lashes and gives them plenty of volume)

Lancome Effacernes Waterproof Undereye Concealer in Bronze (stays on all day and isn't cakey or heavy)

Labello Nivea Tinted Lip Balm

in Cherry (My ALL TIME FAVORITE lip color and lip balm. Labello in Cherry makes my lips look beautiful and instantly revives my dull skin. I literally look ten times better with this universally appealing color. The texture of the balm is absolutely satiating to extra dry lips and it smells AHH-MAZING!)

Lipstick Queen 15 Minutes of Fame Lip Gloss in 9 Minutes ( a pink/raspberry tinted unsticky gloss with an easy to use one-click brush from one of my true favorite lip brands. You'll never get more innovative lip colors and applicators than you will from Lipstick Queen)

Julie Hewett Creme Liner/Shadow in Mystere (a gorgeous gray/silvery brown hue that's a fantastic base, all over the lid or accent color on the eye)

Julie Hewett Eyeliner Pencil in Soot (the liner goes on smooth, especially because they use Camellia oil-an oil closest to your skin's natural oils).

Clinique Eyeliner Pencil in 207 Black Amethyst (an amazing purple/black eyeliner that looks amazing on anyone with brown eyes)

Paula Dorf Cheek Color Cream in Candy Apple (an easy way to get instantly flushed, rosy-looking cheeks)

I'm a little fickle when it comes to product loyalty in my makeup bag. It's just not in my nature! I'm loving one blush one week, (cream blush is great when the weather is dry, a cheek stain works well when it's rainy out). I'm always adding new products and taking others out to change up my look and try new things out but right now these are some of my beauty staples. What's in your makeup bag and why would we love it?

Look and Feel Posh-Spice Airport-Ready No Matter Where You Are

Out of Office Reply up? You're in Vacation-Mode!

Gain your world traveler wings with this season’s most skin suitable and smart to use products on-the-go.

Pack the tools that optimize space, time and effectiveness.

Summer has finally arrived! Shielding yourself from the bitter temperatures in your faux-fur parka and face wrap was mildly amusing, but now you're more than ready for warm weather and sunny beach days. You may not have the means to fund a Tahitian vacation-extraordinaire right now but wherever you decide to journey, (surf and sand at the Jersey Shore or poolside in Miami) you'll need the right accoutrement to make you're travels easy and skin effortlessly glowing. The fun of vacations is their sometimes unexpected nature. While spontaneity might work for your itinerary, it won't for your skincare routine. Packing products that are either multi-purpose or compact is a great start, but too often people compromise quality for travel ready. There's nothing worse than being in your dream location, ready to drink in the culture and night life but instead stressing over an inopportune zit or frizzy hair day (since your without your favorite products).

Carry-on in style!

Dress your liquids up in packaging as stylish as your airport outfit.

Conveniently varied in style and size, Japonesque's Gotta Go Weekend Travel Bag ($20, amazon.com) comes with identification labels so you don't confuse your toner for mouthwash. This bag is perfect for all those obscure but necessary fluids that you must journey with.


Identifying adhesive labels make storing liquids easy.

Skin Solutions for Every Surface

“Hand-ie” for your face.

While this bottle may not appear travel-friendly, it is! Satin Soaps by Jason Natural Products ($6.75, jason-natural.com) is all natural and so gentle on your skin you can use it on your hands and face. We love the one infused with Herbal Extracts. It has avocado oil to moisturize and aloe vera to soothe the skin. Use this multi-faceted wash to cleanse your exterior and enjoy the satin smooth hydration you’ll experience. Throw some in one of your newly acquired airport-ready bottles.

The foaming solution will keep your hands and face soft to the touch.


It's summer so wearing thongs (sandals that is) is a given.

Outdoor activities can be rough on your feet. Having dry, calloused and cracked feet takes away from the beauty of your tanned, freshly manicured (in neon pink of course) toes. Tips 'N Toes Hands & Feet Kit by Burt's Bees ($8.50, burtsbees.com) includes a pumice stone, miniature peppermint lotion and creams in coconut and lemon butter. The concoctions smell delicious and are enriched with ultra moisturizing cocoa butter.



I Can See Clearly Now

Topical treats that allow your summer skin to be as clean and makeup free as possible. Don’t waste time on vacation doing prep-work when you can be squeezing in back to back activities. Sometimes, that means jumping from beach to bar without much time for touch-ups. Unfortunately, heat and humidity increases the activity in your oil glands causing pores to clog and creating breakouts. Try AcneRecovery's System Kit ($99, acnerecovery.com). These powerful treatments contain benzoyl-peroxide and salicylic-acid and come in convenient packaging. Additionally, their special "dial-in" technology allows you to adjust the amount of active ingredients you use depending on your needs. The clearer your skin, the less time you’ll spend applying makeup and the more confident you’ll feel in your new locale.



Other Travel Favorites Include: Solid perfume roll on sticks by Crazylibellule and the Poppies ($18, Poule de Luxe Vanilla Lemon Pie is my favorite), Yu-be Moisturizing Skin Cream To Go ($15), Smashbox’s Photo Finish Foundation Primer To Go SPF 15 Dermaxyl Complex ($17) -all available sephora.com- and Oscar Blandi’s Proteine di Jasmine Protein Mist for Restyling Hair To Go ($8, drugstore.com)







Tip: Use the spray bottle for rosewater if you're on a plane. Spritz on your face after you land to rehydrate your moisture-thirsty skin. Try Pure Persian Rose Water by Julie Hewett ($24, thebeautymark.com)