How to Get the Pixie Look for Your Wedding

alamster — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 16:46:01 -0400

For a little late Thursday afternoon wedding inspiration, check out the adorable Cassie with her pulled back hair and chic yet understated pixie dress. We love how the dress hangs perfectly on her and accentuates her thin frame and blonde hair.

Check out more photos of Cassie and her wedding to Paul here!

Have you ever thought about going the less traditional dress route? The results could be great!

The Ups & Downs of Brides' Hairstyles

alamster — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 11:58:28 -0400

How much thought have you given to what you're going to do with your lovely tresses on your big day? Do you go for the chic updo with intricate pinning or do you let it go relaxed and wavy?

Well, what about a happy medium? Take a look at this gorgeous photograph of Tess, who recently got married to her fiance Adam in California. She chose to go with a stunning side twist with a vintage flair, only to be matched by her gorgeous vintage wedding dress.

Big Top Wedding

alamster — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 14:43:55 -0400

Looking for a fun and creative theme for your wedding? Been feeling nostalgic for your childhood? Try taking some inspiration from Adam and Halli, who recently had a circus themed wedding.

The duo wed with a full spectrum of circus-related colors and guests dined on fun finger foods like hot dogs, corn, ice cream, and rock candy. Better yet: There were kissing booths and blue backdrops for photos!

Check it out: The pair ran the circus theme throughout the entire wedding, including their engagement photos and the invite!

To see more photos from this fun and summery wedding, check out Josh Goleman's blog.

The Down Lo: DIY Photography Makeup

OWD — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 09:07:29 -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.

Cutie Pa-tootie Michelle from California contacted me about doing her own makeup for engagement photos. Michelle has a good grasp of makeup and just needed a little tune up!

Lo,

I have my engagement pictures this weekend and am doing my own make up for ease on the budget. Do you have any tips for make-up for photography?

On a daily basis I wear: Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer (Almond ), Laura Mercier Creme Eye Base in a neutral color, Bobby Brown Shimmer Brick, Laura Mercier Golden Mosaic shimmer block under the cheek bones as a bronzer, and M.A.C. Peachykeen blush. For mascara: black (I always feels like mascara ends up under my eyes though); eyeliner: Mac Fluidline - Glitz and Blitz; lips: chapstick or Bare Escentuals Buxom Lips in Amber.

When I go out it is pretty much the same, but I use Laura Mercier pressed powder over the moisturizer. I do similar things with the eye shadow just a bit darker with usually a brown or this dark gray color from MAC I have. Sometimes for a base I'll start with MAC vanilla eye cover, which is similar to Shroom. I use a black liquid liner across the top of the eye and the Mac fluidline on the bottom. I'll usually use a neutral lip liner and one of my glosses like Amber. I'd like to find a lipstick because Mark (my fiancé) doesn't like it when my lips are "sticky."

I was planning on doing some make-up shopping so if you have specific product recommendations I'd love that. I really need a good concealer and natural looking/matte lip color.

As for the look I'm going for: I think I want a soft and romantic look with a sort of happy glow. I want to look like I have make-up on, but not for it to be overpowering. We aren't going to be dressed formally and a lot of the pictures will be on the beach. Maybe a subtle and smokey eye with a more natural colored lip?

Michelle,

You are a beautiful woman and I think that with a few changes in your makeup routine we can easily make you even more photogenic! If you think of your makeup like your wardrobe, then I would say you have all of the classics. Now, we'll just fine tune with the proper accessories and I’ll show you how to dress up your look!

1. I love tinted moisturizer, but it disappears quickly. I recommend buying the Laura Mercier oil-free foundation (unless you have dry skin) which will give you light coverage and will last longer. It can be more economical as well, because you have the option to simply mix it with an inexpensive face moisturizer. Voila!, you have made your own tinted moisturizer and have the option for more coverage if you like. Always set with a loose powder (I love Laura Mercier’s translucent loose powder); this will add longevity, fight shine and create an even canvas for blush and bronzer.

2. Don't use shimmer under your cheekbones. It is a highlight and works best on your cheekbones. Please watch my shimmer video on my site! Bronzer can be used on and under your cheekbones for contour and warmth then add a “pop” color of blush on the apples of your cheeks.

3. Peachykeen is a great blush that you can apply on and under your cheekbones, but I suggest that you also add a bright "pop" color on your apples. A peachy pink blush (Bobbi Brown Nectar) would be perfect for you. Don’t do a "pop" color if you blush easily or turn red due to rosacea.

4. I prefer crème shimmers better than powder for the cheek. I use Nars Multiple Stick in Orgasm on everyone.

5. Laura Mercier and Bobbi Brown make great creamy under eye concealers. I apply this after eye makeup to avoid having to clean up shadow that has fallen.

6. M.A.C. Fluidline liner and Shroom shadow are great for you. I would add M.A.C. Nehru to your “wardrobe”. I can tell that you like to wear blue and this is a great contrast to your blue eyes. You can wet Nehru and use it as eyeliner and then smudge it up for a smoky look. To “dress up” your look just do a slightly thicker line and you can use a M.A.C. eye shadow like Print, Shale, or Sumptuous Olive to smudge into the liner for a smoky look. You don’t have to do a full out smoky eye – that can be difficult. Just smoke up the liner and blend, blend, blend into your shadow! The bottom line should never be darker or more prominent than the eyeliner on top of your lid. The focus should be drawn to the top of your eye, not the bottom.

7. Use waterproof mascara. M.A.C.’s is good and I also really like Maybelline Define-a-Lash in black.

8. M.A.C. lipstick in Twig could be a great neutral color for you and you can top with a little bit of sheer gloss in the center of your lip for a little moisture. I recommend this for outside photos as wind blows hair into gloss. As for your fiancé not liking the stickiness, tell him to get used to it or to stop kissing you!!!

9. To avoid the eye shadow creasing I recommend eye shadow primers (which you are already using) and then apply a neutral shadow color on top of it to set it. Shroom is good, but it is also great to have something without shimmer. For more longevity use a matte shadow first then add shimmer shadow like the shimmer brick as a final touch on top. Shimmer bricks are very light and sheer and won't last as long as other shadows.

Makeup does fade with time, but the best way to slow the process is to build a look using light layers. Whether on your eyes, face or lips remember the following steps: prime, add neutral color, add desired color, and add shimmer if desired.

Makeup for the camera:

1. Apply more coverage for your skin, especially under your eyes and any pink or uneven areas. Carry a powder compact and powder your t-zone as you get shiny.

2. Apply heavier blush which will add dimension and much needed color when shooting with a flash

3. Apply thicker eyeliner. Leave it as a clean line or smudge the line out for a smoky look.

4. Fill in eyebrows to accentuate the shape

Good luck and let me know how it goes!!

xoxo,
Lo

Love, Casually

OWD — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 10:20:37 -0500

This morning check out some really interesting, non-traditional engagement and wedding photographs by Max Wanger, a photographer based out of Los Angeles who takes photographs you could read books about.

He was featured back in November by Glamour Magazine for his wedding photographs of Shoko and Julian. These are exactly what caught Joanna and Alex's eyes, and led them seek out Wanger to shoot their engagement photos.

These pictures have beautiful composition, adorable ideas, and showcase Wanger's ability to bring out the best in the subjects he works with.

The OurWeddingDay Blog

How to Get the Pixie Look for Your Wedding

The Ups & Downs of Brides' Hairstyles

Big Top Wedding

The Down Lo: DIY Photography Makeup

Love, Casually