The OurWeddingDay Blog

Holiday Glamour & The Down Lo

OWD — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 10:07:31 -0500

Laura Nadeau is the creator and owner of Lo & Co Makeup Artists, specializing in creating a fun and fabulous community for brides or any woman who wants to step-up her beauty routine. In addition to her own blog, The Down Lo, Laura shares her insight and advice on bridal beauty secrets right here, for the OurWeddingDay.com community.

This week I was in Grand Rapids, Milwaukee and Nashville spreading my love of all things shiny!

Holiday Glamour was the theme of this media tour and I had a blast meeting with my favorite anchors. It is truly like visiting old friends only it is smashed into a 5 minute segment. Molly Fay in Milwaukee welcomed me with a big smile and hug and Kelly Sutton in Tennessee insisted on showing me her new favorite website about shoes after we quickly discussed how much we love our dogs. Women can bond quickly and nothing brings us together like the universal language of beauty and shoes! I showcased the season's trends in a purple ruffle t-strap shoe (Nine West) and all of the women at the stations were dying to know where to buy them. At the end of one segment, the anchor told me that she was getting asked by the producer through her earpiece about the shoes!

The Down Lo on TV and Autumn Weddings

OWD — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 11:13:37 -0500

No, I didn't drop off the face of the earth - I was on TV! I traveled around the U.S. doing segments about autumn weddings on morning shows from Milwaukee to Albuquerque. I spent most of my time in airports and hotels, but I had a fun getting out and seeing how the rest of the country looks. I am always surprised by the amount of tan people out there, as most of the people I see in the Northeast are quite a pasty bunch!

Check out this clip from Milwaukee's Morning Blend with Molly Fox and Matthew Blades. There were so easy to work with and Molly was nice enough to give me some great advice about working in front of the camera after the show.

I love people in the Midwest - they are crazy friendly and their accents crack me up. I was also happy to have anchors that are my height or taller. Most female anchors are much shorter than me and one even had to stand on an apple box so I didn't look so Amazonian. You never know what you are walking into with each station, so I was thrilled by the great energy that I received in Milwaukee.

All of the items that are on my table had to be transported in my carry on luggage. I was surprised that I was only stopped once going through security considering I had a huge toaster in my suitcase!

My sponsors were JCPenney Registry and Dove Clinical Protection deodorant and let me tell you that I really stand by both of them. One of my first jobs was at JCPenney and I have liked their products ever since and I swear by DCP deodorant - it really works.

The Final Word on Honeymoon Planning

OWD — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 11:27:19 -0400

We just posted an exclusive new article by wedding expert Robbin Montero about planning for your honeymoon.

Robbin Montero is the wedding planning expert and owner of A Dream Wedding who Travel & Leisure magazine calls, “The expert wedding planner in the California Wine Country.” Now she shares her advice on planning the perfect honeymoon with the OurWeddingDay.com community.

Check it out!

The Down Lo: DIY Makeup Lesson

OWD — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 16:07:19 -0400

Laura Nadeau is the creator and owner of Lo & Co Makeup Artists, specializing in creating a fun and fabulous community for brides or any woman who wants to step-up her beauty routine. In addition to her own blog, The Down Lo, Laura shares her insight and advice on bridal beauty secrets right here, every week.

I work with many brides who are having out of town or destination weddings. They feel more comfortable doing their own makeup than leaving it to chance with a local artist so they come to me for a lesson. I always try to convince the bride to take me with them (especially to island destinations), but unfortunately the air and hotel costs for me isn't in their budget - darn economy!!

A lesson is always fun and even if the bride is going to use a local artist, I will often design the look for a bride and she can use that as a guideline for anyone who does her makeup. I don't want to disparage non-NYC makeup artists, as there are great artists everywhere. The trouble is finding someone with the same aesthetic and because makeup styles differ regionally and culturally it can be difficult to explain your preferences to a foreign artist. A good makeup artist will understand this and should be happy to have as many details as possible and not consider it an insult.

Alisa came to see me for a makeup lesson last April and we worked together to find a great look for her upstate NY wedding. Alisa was kind enough to share her experience with me.

Lo: Why did you decide to do your own makeup?

Alisa: I wanted to have more control over my look. I was getting married out of town, so was not to familiar with the makeup services there. I was worried about being overdone. I knew I was going to get my hair done professionally, so I wanted to concentrate on finding someone I was comfortable with for my hair and do the makeup myself. Plus my maid of honor is my sister and she prefers to do her own. My two bridesmaids are 11, so they didn't need a lot of makeup. So finding someone for one person might be tricky. I also have been getting mixed results from the mac counter where I usually get my makeup. I wanted to get an update especially since I am not a twenty-something anymore!

Lo: What was the most difficult part to do/learn?

Alisa: The false eyelashes were tricky but worth it. Other than that it was pretty smooth. I wear makeup, so it wasn't like I was learning a new skill. Just refining and learning better techniques.

Lo: Was there anything that surprised you about your makeup and/or taking a lesson?

Alisa: Nothing too surprising. But I learned about how to get my makeup to last throughout the day. That was really important. A lot of the products I was using seemed like they would be gone in three hours. Now I know what to do so my look lasts throughout the day.

Lo: What advice would you give another bride who is doing their own makeup?

Alisa: Practice, practice, practice. I had my appointment in the beginning of April for a late May wedding. Plus, if you are going to be a nervous wreck the day of your wedding, you might be better off having someone do it for you. Also, time yourself and schedule the right amount of time you need. You don't want to rush on your wedding day! I got married at 4pm. I had my hair appointment at 11:30. I started my makeup before the appointment. Afterward, I touched up my foundation and did my eye makeup and final touches after. I was ready on time for photos beforehand, everyone else was a little late!

I feel like a proud mother bird, pushing her baby out of the nest and seeing her fly! Great job, Alisa.

The key was to keep Alisa's makeup soft while still adding definition. With fair skin and light brows one needs to be careful not to overdo the eyebrows or use colors which are too severe. This can make a women look older instead of prettier. I think the only female who wants that is an 18 year old trying to pass for 21 at a bar! We still want to use color, but we want everything to be blended and soft.

The look: M.A.C eyebrow pencil in Fling, M.A.C eye shadows (Quarry, Coquette, Shroom), Bobbi Brown Granite Gel Liner (smudged into the eyeshadow), #53 Andrea Lashes, M.A.C Twig lipstick (a fantastic lip color to wear alone or with gloss)

Thanks Alisa and best of luck!

xoxo Lo

The Down Lo: Basic Nail Polish

OWD — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 10:54:57 -0400

Hi Lo,

I would like to wear a natural-looking, sheer nail polish on my fingers and toes for my wedding. However, I have a hard time finding a color that doesn't look too white, pink, or yellowish when applied.

Do you have any suggestions for a good basic shade? I have pretty fair skin with pink undertones, and medium-dark brown hair.

~ Emil

Great question and no one has asked it before. I recommend Essie and Opi polishes as they have a gazillion colors in sheer white/pink and are in most salons. I like Ballet Slippers and Delicacy for fair to medium skin. They are sheer but still give a hint of color and make your nails look "special". You can play around with doing one or two layers for the perfect opacity. Some people even layer with different colors, but I try to keep it as simple as possible. My basic rule for lip color, nail color, cheek color is that regardless of the color family it should make your skin look better. Avoid colors which look flat or lifeless on you and or have heavy shimmer or frost. If you aren't sure - bring a friend with good taste and ask her/him.

Keep in mind that you can do a bolder color on your toes. Many of my brides do a neutral color on their hands go with a red or even blue (closed toe shoes) on their toes. Only do two different colors if one of them is a sheer nude polish. We don't want coral and the hands and fuchsia on the toes!

I hope this helps you.

-Lo

Inviting Those Who Won’t Attend

OWD — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 09:39:47 -0400

We just posted a new article which answer the question: "Why invite someone who's not going to come anyway?"

Each person cut from the guest list will save an average of $100, so brides on a budget often try to keep their weddings on the small side. But should that mean not inviting people who live far away, simply because you assume they won't want to travel?

Check it out!

Receptions in San Francisco

OWD — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 10:59:53 -0400

We just posted a new article all about some San Francisco reception hot-spots. It's the latest update to our San Fransisco Bay Area.

Look for a brand new local wedding guide to be launched soon, plus more articles and updates in all of our current wedding guides, including Los Angeles, the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex, and New York.

Manhattan Reception Hot Spots!

OWD — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 09:29:18 -0400

We just posted a new article on New York City reception hot-spots! It's the latest update to our New York Wedding Guide.

Big City, Intimate Gatherings

OWD — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 09:23:05 -0400

We just posted a new article about wedding reception sites in Dallas.

Check it out!

It's the latest edition to our ongoing Dallas/Ft. Worth Wedding Guide.

Look for a brand new local wedding guide to be launched soon, plus more articles and updates in all of our current wedding guides: New York City, the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex, Los Angeles and the San Fransisco Bay Area.

David's Bridal Sale!

OWD — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 10:05:31 -0400

There's a great sale right now at David's Bridal!

Every bridal gown - including designer selections - is on sale up to $300 off!

Check it out.