BellaSugar

What's Your "Something Blue"?

BellaSugar — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 10:00:17 -0700

In April, I mentioned that my friends Liz and Dave would be tying the knot in Boston. I'm happy to report that the ceremony and reception went off without a hitch, and the newlyweds are off on their honeymoon. The bride already knew how she'd be wearing her makeup, and her hair was styled in a classic looped bun. As for her nails? She opted for a neutral polish on her fingers, and cleverly in keeping with the traditional, "something borrowed, something blue" theme, she wore a beautiful steely blue shade on her toes.

While she could have opted for a lovely blue shadow or nail polish on her fingers, I have to admit that I was a huge fan of her pedicure choice. Model Agyness Deyn recently wore some bright royal blue polish to complement her funky style, but for a wedding, a more muted version is a great option. Plus, by keeping the more adventurous shade slightly hidden, Liz was able to mix trendy with the traditional and subtle with the bold. Check out my widget for some inspiration.

Bridal Style From Around the World

BellaSugar — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 07:00:00 -0700

It's a nice day for a white wedding - and a blue one or a red one, too. Different cultures have different customs, many of which extend to bridal style. We've searched the globe to find some of the most beautiful big-day looks, both contemporary and traditional. Read on to see some inspiring ways to look while you say "I do."

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Have You Ever Been Asked to Do the Bride's Hair or Makeup?

BellaSugar — Thu, 28 May 2009 09:00:22 -0700

With all of the wedding coverage across the Sugar network, we've given you lots of information when it comes to bridal beauty. This got me to thinking. While I've never taken a walk down the aisle myself, I've attended my fair share of weddings, and on a few occasions, I've been asked to assist the bride with her hair and/or makeup.

Last year, I helped my friend Sabrina go fresh-faced, natural makeup for her ceremony. I was also the official makeup-toucher-upper for Mr. Bella's sister at her wedding in the Finger Lakes. How about you? Have you ever been called upon to provide your beauty expertise to help the bride look her best on her big day?

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Six Smart Tips For Better Wedding and Engagement Photos

BellaSugar — Wed, 27 May 2009 08:00:42 -0700

Are you having a wedding on a budget? Or do you just want to preserve a few before-the-big-day moments in a photo session? Either way, going the DIY route is a totally do-able option - as long as you follow a few guidelines. We asked Meg Messina, a San Francisco-based photographer, to share her secrets for going behind the lens.

For six of her best tips, read more.

Photograph at the Right Time of Day
"This is the simplest tip, because it lets natural light do most of the work for you. When the sun is directly overhead or high in the sky - say from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. - it creates harsh, unflattering shadows. Shooting before or after will give you fewer shadows and a more even glow. Use morning light for a beautiful cool tone and late-afternoon light for a look that’s warm and soft. If you have to shoot mid-day, make sure it’s cloudy or overcast - or find a big spot of shade."

Pick Your Wardrobe Wisely
"His-and-her sweaters? All-denim outfits? Bad ideas. The goal here is not to match but to coordinate your clothing. Choose colors that complement each other and avoid patterns that clash. And most importantly, stay away from logo tees. You might love a band, but your engagement photo is not the place to advertise."

Use Flash to Make Your Photos Pop
"It’s very common for flash to be too strong - wiping out details and creating ugly red-eye. But when used correctly, your on-camera flash can add a nice glint to your photos. The surrounding light may cause your flash not to trigger, so first, set your flash to 'on' instead of 'auto.' Next, tape a small piece of tissue paper over the flash. The paper will act as a diffuser, softening the light just a bit before it hits your face. Make sure the tape itself does not cover the flash or you’ll be left with weird shadows. Now take a few test shots to determine how close to stand to the camera. Find the correct distance and angle and this little burst of light will add a beautiful glint to your eye."

Use a Digital Camera With a Self-Timer
"If you have a friend willing to press the shutter button, that’s great. But a self-timer and a tripod (or a safe flat surface) will work just fine. Unless you’re more experienced, stick with digital so you can see what you’re getting and make adjustments as you go along. The first step is to frame the shot on your fiancé from behind the camera, leaving room to one side for you to jump in. Set the self-timer and be ready to get in place as soon as you press the shutter button. A self-timer is a great way to eliminate the stiff posed look some photos have. There’s no time to pose because you’re running into the frame!"

Don’t Skimp on Printing
"If you want high-quality prints of your photos, take the files to a high-quality printer. There’s a huge continuum of photo printers, from drug stores to high-end labs, and something in the mid-to-high range is the way to go. Drugstore printers use machines and lower quality ink and paper. Since they’re dealing with a larger volume of customers, your prints may lack the attention to detail that make them look great. A high-quality printer will use better materials and trained professionals who make adjustments to the image before running it through the machine. They may also offer retouching services, if you need to remove a blemish, an under-eye circle, or whiten your fiancé’s teeth. Even if you decide not to have prints made, labs can improve photos before you email them out or post them online. "

Have Some Fun and Show Your Personality
"This is the most important tip of all. Your engagement photos are meant to capture your personalities as individuals and as a couple. Find a way to show that in your setting, activities, or expressions. For example: was your first date in a photogenic spot? Use that spot as your background. Do you love backpacking or camping together? Photograph yourselves in a tent. Are you both complete goofballs? Take a photo with your eyes crossed and tongues sticking out. Whatever your version is, know that you’re not confined to a perfectly posed smiley photo. So create a photo that is unique to you!"

Photograph courtesy of Meg Messina Photography

9 Ways to Go Classy For Your Next Bachelorette Party

BellaSugar — Wed, 13 May 2009 08:00:11 -0700

I’ve attended my fair share of bachelorette parties, from the tame cocktail hour/swanky dinner varieties to the no-holds-barred blowouts complete with Chippendales and all things phallic. When it comes to celebrating the bride on her big night out, there is definitely a difference between classy and trashy. Don't get me wrong. Both types of party styles have their places, but I've gathered together some examples of how to make your next bachelorette party "tastefully tacky." Source

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Make a Bachelorette Beauty Bag For the Gals!

BellaSugar — Thu, 07 May 2009 08:00:09 -0700

A few years ago, my dear friend Becky got hitched to a handsome fella. Before she walked down the aisle, we had a no-holds-barred bachelorette shindig for her. I was in charge of where we'd be going, and what we'd be doing, and I wanted to make the other guests feel special, too.

One of the other bridesmaids and I decided to put together a little beauty bag for all in attendance. We made it small enough so that the contents could easily be transferred into a clutch or small purse for our big night out, and most importantly, we tried to make it simple and fun. Tips: Buy items in bulk, if possible, to help defray costs, and customize by incorporating colors of the upcoming nuptials in your goody bag. And if you have the funds, consider putting the gifts in a cute makeup bag. If that's not a possibility, use colored paper gift bags, like we did.

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Marvelous Mehndi: Beautiful Bridal Henna Designs

BellaSugar — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 07:00:09 -0700

If you've ever been to an Indian, Moroccan, or Pakistani wedding ceremony, you've probably seen - or worn - mehndi. Many brides, both abroad and in the United States, wear these henna "tattoos" on their hands and feet for wedding celebrations; look closely and you might spot their loved one's name worked into the design. Read on to see some strikingly beautiful examples of this decorative art form. Gorgeous!

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Tips For Keeping Beauty Bridezilla at Bay

BellaSugar — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 08:00:35 -0700

Some brides are low-key and happy to do their own hair and makeup. And then there are Bridezillas. Years ago, I worked with a woman who was so insistent that everything be "perfect" for her big day that she spent literally thousands of dollars on beauty treatments. During the eight months before her wedding, she may as well have left a cot at the spa, because she was there every week.

That's a little extreme, but if you're the kind of person who loves - nay, needs - months of pampering before the wedding, why not find a happy medium? For a few alternatives to in-spa treatments, read more.

Instead of microdermabrasion treatments . . .
Microdermabrasion can give skin a healthy glow, but just one in-office microdermabrasion treatment can cost $250. For the same price or less, you can get similar results with an at-home kit. Look for a cream with very fine particles, and massage it into your skin gently to get rid of dead cells. If living luxuriously is your game, Révive Microdermabrasion Renewal System ($250) banishes dull skin. Plus, the cream is so dense that the jar will last forever. If you prefer a bit of a peel with your skin-sloughing, try Olay Regenerist Microdermabrasion & Peel System ($26.99), which includes a very mild alpha hydroxy acid peel.

Instead of regular manicures . . .
For the wedding itself, you may want to treat yourself to a manicure. But in the planning stages, save yourself time by using nail polish decals ($5). These press-on strips give the look of a professional manicure, but they're insanely easy to apply - which gives you more time for cake-sampling. Check out my review and you'll see what I mean.

Instead of professional tooth whitening . . .
Every dentist I've had has said that at-home whitening products are effective, so why spend lots of cash on a pricey whitening treatment? This Go Smile kit ($89) is great because you can take the whitening ampoules with you wherever you go, and you don't have to wear trays. Maintain your newly gleaming chompers with a whitening toothpaste; I find Supersmile ($13) to be extremely effective at keeping tea-teeth at bay.

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Preview Your Wedding Look With a Fun Photo Shoot!

BellaSugar — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 08:01:09 -0700

Mr. Bella and I are headed to the wedding of his best friend, Dave, and his fiancée, Liz, in just a few short weeks. Boston, here we come for some wicked awesome times. After snooping around on Liz's Facebook page, I spotted these convivial photos, along with some well-applied makeup and perfectly waved hair on the bride-to-be.
If you're getting married, ask your hairdresser for a makeup artist recommendation. That's how Liz found Shauna Shay, the makeup artist who used MAC products in these photos for Liz's soft bridal palette. Find out how the future Mrs. Dave used her trial run makeup appointment - along with an antique Boston trolley - to create a fun pre-wedding photo shoot when you read more.

Liz said,

A lot of people schedule their hair and/or makeup trial for the day of their shower or some other event they want to look good for. Our photographer includes an engagement shoot with his package, but we had already sent our engagement announcement in to papers and everything, so this shoot was pretty much a freebie, and I used it to see how the makeup would photograph. My cousin helped us get a permit for a trolley line in Boston that has antique cars, and we just had fun taking pics. It was good to work with our photographer before the big day and get comfortable, too.

Looking for some more wedding planning inspiration? Check out my wedding coverage for other beauty-themed posts.

Photos courtesy of Charles Bandes Photography

Download Your Wedding Beauty Checklist!

BellaSugar — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 10:02:56 -0700

If you're getting married this year, helping a friend plan her wedding, or just want to get some ideas for a possible wedding down the line, this printable beauty checklist should make things easier. It's filled with tips to help you plan as far as a year out, and as close to the ceremony as possible. Just download it and you'll be ever-prepared to look and feel your best for the big day.