Considering Airbrush Makeup for your Wedding Day? 

Airbrush makeup From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Airbrush makeup is makeup sprayed onto the skin using an airbrush instead of being applied with sponges, brushes, fingers, or other methods.^[1] It is popular in film, theater, and sunless tanning; although systems designed for personal cosmetic use in the home are also available. Airbrush systems designed for these purpose are usually smaller and work at a lower pressures than systems used in industrial applications. The technique was first used in 1925 on actors in Ben Hur^[2] and has since grown in popularity in the entertainment business.

Fact:  Airbrushed foundation looks great on High Definition TV.

Does it always look great in person?  Not really.  Depending on a person’s skin type, airbrush foundation applied with an airbrush machine can crack and separate on the skin.  Once applied, airbrushed foundation is set on the skin until removed with makeup remover.  All face makeup (concealer, blush, bronzer, and highlight) is applied under the airbrush foundation and with a heavier hand.  So essentially, you are wearing way more makeup than necessary and you actually look like you have foundation on your skin which isn’t a desirable look for most brides on their wedding day. 

Any experienced Makeup Artist knows how to apply foundation traditionally (with a brush, sponge, or fingers) so it looks flawless and can make it last from your walk down the aisle through your last dance.

If you are concerned with looking like you have a face full of foundation on, don't be. There are so many different formulas of foundations out there from light coverage, to buildable/medium coverage, and full coverage. At your makeup trial, be specific as to the type of coverage you are comfortable with and I'm sure your Makeup Artist can accommodate you.  If you like a dewy and fresh look to the skin (not matte), then you will prefer traditional foundation application.  If you have a more oily complexion and are worried about getting shiny – ask your makeup artist to use a shine control makeup primer under your makeup and to set it with a translucent loose powder.  That being said, traditional makeup applied by a professional will look just as good as airbrush makeup in photos and on your wedding video (even if it’s HD).


Brides tend to be interested in airbrush makeup because many celebrities use it on TV and for photo shoots.  While airbrushing is popular and trendy, it can be more high maintenance than it's worth.  The biggest difference is the price.  Airbrushing requires more time for application per person and more equipment and product for the makeup artist.  Therefore, most Makeup Artists charge more for this service.


My opinion, stick with traditional makeup on your wedding day so you look your best in person on your wedding day.  Try airbrush if you happen to be on “My Fair Wedding” or “Say Yes to the Dress”! 

Your turn! Review those Amazing Vendors!!

Most wedding vendors I know LOVE working with brides and hope that there brides LOVE working with them.  Show your vendors you care and take a little time to give a thoughtful review.   I'm sure reviews from past brides helped you choose your vendors, why not join in and give future brides the benefit of learning your personal wedding experience?  

Don't worry if you aren't giving each vendor 5 stars - 

constructive criticism is always appreciated and drives most wedding professionals to learn from their mistakes and strive to do better next time.  

Happy reviewing Newlywed!  

Beauty Calls  

Photography by Antique Honey

http://antiquehoney.com/

 Makeup Workshops for the "Everyday Woman"

A few years ago I created a series of workshops that teach the everyday woman how to apply her makeup with confidence and ease.  Early in my career I was taught by Trish McEvoy who implements a teaching philosophy with her line of skin care and cosmetics. As I was being trained on applications techniques I was simultaneously learning how to teach my clients how to apply their own makeup.  It was a great way to learn and I love sharing the knowledge with all the women I work with.  At the end of the day, we all want to look and feel our best.  If you answer yes to any of the following questions, a Beauty Calls Workshop would be very beneficial to you and your friends.

Have you ever felt...

intimated to go to the makeup counter?

felt forced to purchase every product the sales person put on your face because you liked the end result?

too embarrassed to ask questions on application techniques while you are at the counter?

felt frustrated that the sales person didn't take the time to learn about your lifestyle and what you will realistically apply to your face everyday?

annoyed because although you were excited about your new makeup purchases, you have no idea what to do with them once you get home?  

have you ever wanted to return cosmetics that didn't turn out to be the best color, formula, etc?  did you decide to keep it because you didn't think "used" products could be returned? 

do you ever think that you aren't wearing the right shade of foundation, blush, or lipstick?

do you think that applying makeup will add too much time to your morning routine so you don't even bother?  

would you be willing to take just 3-5 minutes to put on a little makeup in the morning if you knew that your makeup will look really natural but lasted all day?

Other workshop topics include:

Eyebrows, Lashes, and Liner Clean and Simple - This workshop focuses on how to draw attention to the eyes without shadow. Find your most flattering brow shape; learn how to apply liner that lasts all day and how to make the most of your natural lashes.

Special Occasion Makeup Made Easy - Learn how to change your day look to night in just a few simple steps. Guests will also learn how to achieve a smoky eye that looks sexy not messy.

Common Makeup Mistakes and Solutions - Are you too heavy handed with your blush? Did your mascara transfer to your eyelids and ruin your shadow? Become a pro on how to fix these common problems without having to start all over.

Tricks and Tools - This workshop spotlights the essential brushes you need to achieve your everyday and special occasion looks. Guests will also learn makeup secrets of celebrities.

Like Mother/Like Daughter - Does your daughter steal all your makeup? Do you wish you could look as young as her? Learn trends that work for both of you.

I May Not Feel Well but I Look GREAT - Perfect for the woman who has health issues, hair (brow/lash) loss, or would like to learn how to brighten up their complexion and to look less tired.

Makeup Workshops are perfect for:

Fun lunchtime activity for office

In-Store event for retail location

Sorority event

Moms/Girls night outing

Church Group or Sisterhood event

Bachelorette Parties

Bridal Showers

Post Planning Pretty Vendor Spotlight

One of the best parts about going to a party like Planning Pretty where a lot of vendors are in the same place at the same time is being able to watch them in action. You can see how they interact with other people, how they manage crowds, and—if you’re lucky—you can watch them practice their craft. This is a huge bonus when you’re hunting for the perfect wedding vendor.

Planning Pretty guests definitely lucked out because we got to watch a few potential vendors in action all in one night.

Monica Fish, Antique Honey Photography

Monica worked the party much like she would work a wedding. Most of the time, I didn’t even realize she was there. She weaved through the crowd like a stealthy little fox, getting her shot without ever getting in the way of the guests.

She definitely showed that she is not one of those photographers that guests complain about afterwards. You can bet she won’t be in the way during the ceremony or obtrusive during any other magical moment—but she’ll still get her shot!

The one thing you did notice was her bee booth, which she created because of the eyesore photo booths usually create. Her booth is big enough to fit a big group of friends inside and is handicap accessible while also being much easier on the eyes than a typical metal photo booth.

The photo booth is mobile enough that Monica can usually accommodate two backdrops and spaces for an event. This versatility has resulted in amazing photo booth photos with the NYC skyline as the backdrop during one couple’s rooftop cocktail party.  

 Jason Scrofani, In-Home Personal Trainer

Jason is a corrective exercise specialist and holistic nutritional coach who takes all aspects of your life (sleep patterns, stress levels, pain etc.) into account when designing a personalized exercise and nutritional program. He’s basically your health and fitness go-to guy. Bonus? You don’t actually have to go anywhere. He comes to you.

Jason shared some great tips at the party. Two of my favorites were fat burning secrets: apple cider vinegar and coconut oil. He says to drink two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar in 12 oz of water twice a day and to cook with coconut oil (you can also use it as a moisturizer!). Doing either of these things will help you burn fat without moving a muscle. Awesome, right?

Jason also shared with us what he calls the Busy Bride Fat Shredding Workout. Here it is:

• Day 1: 15 squat and press, 15 pushups, 30 jumping jacks (3 times)
• Day 3: 30 oblique twist, 30 step back lunges, 30 jumping jacks (3 times)
• Day 5: 10 low back raise (each side), 15 biceps curl, 15 triceps extension (3 times)

All photos courtesy of Antique Honey

And for those of us who were about to whine that we didn’t have enough time in our busy schedules for even that, Jason gave us a nightly commercial workout tip (which I talked about in my recap post). Instead of absentmindedly shoving snacks in your face while you watch your favorite guilty pleasure TV shows, you can try Jason’s little trick during commercial breaks: do quick squats or shadow boxing for the duration of every other commercial.

And Jason didn’t just talk. He actually pulled ladies out of the audience and showed them how to do the exercises he was discussing—and they liked it (see above)! You could tell that he’s passionate about his work and that he has the ability to make you passionate about it too.

So have I convinced you yet that you need to be at the next one of these parties?!

 _______________________________________________________________________

Jen Garry is co-founder of Bijou, a new online bridal magazine and blog.

Post Planning Pretty Post

If you missed the Planning Pretty party, you missed a whole lot of fun! From the ridiculously delicious desserts from Sugar Mama (I seriously think I ate about six cake pops) and the yummy savory snacks by Fresh Company to the gorgeous floral arrangements from Engaging Floral Designs and the seemingly endless array of handmade raffle prizes, it was a bride’s dream!

There were so many fantastic ideas to take in and lots of vendors to get acquainted with. Luckily for you, I’ve put together a little recap of all of the helpful information you may have missed (or that you can’t remember exactly because you don’t attend parties with notebooks like I did!).

When we first got there, we wandered around Meredith’s adorable house, which had been transformed with floral arrangements by NY Engagement’s Sarah Lusardi (who, for the record, is a total sweetheart!). There seemed to be wedding-related goodies in every nook and cranny! Meredith, Monica and Melissa worked hard to transform the place. From Antique Honey’s Bee Booth and all of the raffle prizes upstairs to tables of gorgeous jewelry by A Little Simple and LML Designs, invitations from Perfectly Personal, by Jen, and Mrs. Why Knot’s cute bracelets downstairs, guests were never at a loss for something to examine.

While we were checking everything out, Monica from Antique Honey and Jen from Jen Cassaro Productions were milling about taking photos and video of the event while David Nazario from A Perfect Blend Entertainment made sure there was a constant flow of music.

Next up were a few presentations that were chock full of great tips and advice.

Meredith did a makeup demonstration with a bride-to-be in the audience. She made over half of the bride’s face, letting the bride do the other half to demonstrate to all of us how easy it is. In the process, she gave some great tips, including these:

• When putting on foundation, use a brush because it settles as opposed to sinking in when you use your finger.
• Use blush in the crease of your eyelid for a bright pop of color.
• When applying bronzer, put it on in the order the sun hits your face: forehead, nose, cheeks, chin (I’ve been doing this ever since!).
• When filling in your eyebrows, use a shade or two lighter than your natural color.

After Meredith, Melissa Scrofani pulled one of her former brides out of the audience to show us all how simple it is to put in extensions. Here are her tips:

• Pull your hair up.
• Tease a small section of hair at the nape of your neck.
• Clip in an extension.
• Keep moving up in small sections doing the same thing.
• Place the longest piece right above your ears.

Next up was Sarah Lusardi from NY Engagements. As a wedding planner, she’s right in the thick of the most stressful parts of the wedding planning process on a regular basis. It was really helpful to hear some of her tips on reducing stress:

• Order your invitations and thank you cards together and address envelopes in advance or do them on the plane on the way to your honeymoon.
• Have a wedding emergency kit.
• Remember that you can’t plan everything.
• Store your vows and any speeches online in case someone forgets them.
• Relax on the day of and delegate responsibilities to other people like your bridesmaids.
• If you stain your dress have a brooch or ribbon available to try and cover it. Don’t use stain remover (it can make it worse!).
• Do your escort cards at the last minute in case of changes.

Last but not least was Jason Scrofani, who gave us some distressing tips from a personal trainer’s perspective. First, he showed us how to take deep breaths from our core (you know, for those times when your fiancé is being a little less than helpful!). He also showed us some simple exercises, my favorite of which he calls a “nightly commercial workout.” For every commercial break during one of your guilty pleasures, do quick squats or shadow boxing for the duration of every other commercial. He promises it’s a good workout and—better yet—it makes sure you have no excuse to skip exercising!

As you can imagine, I couldn't possibly begin to cover all of the helpful information that was floating around this party. This post is just a start... which means you'll have to join us next time so that you don't miss out!

 

Jen Garry is co-founder of Bijou, a new online bridal magazine and blog.