Top 10 beauty tips for brides

(i guess it's time for the h2b to contribute something about wedding stuffs... )

IN the past, as full-time beauty editor, I took on hair and makeup jobs on the side to supplement my magazine income. I worked on advertising shoots, music videos and weddings during my free time.

Weddings proved to be the most challenging of them all. I never knew what to expect. But at the same time, working the bridal circuit taught me many things, and the experience is currently helping me put together my own nuptials.

I caught up with two other makeup artist friends to exchange ideas on the dos and don’ts when it comes to one’s big day, and essentially gather tips on how to look one’s best (and most photogenic) on the event that took months to prepare.

Their answers were both hilarious and helpful. I am only too happy to share them with you.

10. “Do not sleep later than 12 midnight even if your wedding is after lunch,” says Barbi Chan, chief makeup artist at Maybelline New York, who has worked with more than 300 brides. “Trust me, it shows, [and] it’s so hard to conceal swollen and tired eyes!”

9. Steer clear of foundation that contains titanium dioxide (a common sunscreen ingredient), as it turns white in pictures. This only emphasizes the importance of making it to your trial makeup session and reviewing the photographs. On that note, “Do not be late or miss your appointment,” says Mayone Bakunawa, a former Estée Lauder guest makeup artist who has been doing makeup for five years now. “If you have to [cancel], inform way ahead of time [as a] courtesy to the makeup artist and her other clients.”

8. Avoid any medical or dermatological treatments like facials, waxing or threading at least a week before the wedding, and never ever the day before. “No amount of makeup can cover burnt skin or an infected pimple,” explains Chan.

7. “Do not drastically change your hair color,” warns Bakunawa. “Asian hair has a lot of copper undertones so if you’re going for a light brown shade, you’d have to bleach first.” Bakunawa recommends going to a reputable salon or a professional stylist. “It will be worth it, otherwise you might end up with orange hair.”

6. Don’t treat your suppliers like hired help. Your makeup artist, hair stylist, photographer and everybody else are there to make sure you look your best, and they deserve to be treated with respect. Treat them right and you’ll be rewarded with a well-made-up face, great hair and amazing pictures (even, possibly, lasting friendships).

5. Avoid unrealistic expectations, at least from the hair and makeup team. “Do not expect us to be magicians or surgeons,” says Bakunawa. “Granted, we will do everything we can in our power to make you the most beautiful you, but you’ll still look like yourself.” So brides, take note: no asking for ‘nose lines’ please!

4. “Do not neglect skin care and ‘leave it up to the makeup artist,’” shares Bakunawa. Chan agrees, having advised many women in the past to take care of their complexions. “Clear, blemish-free skin is the perfect canvas for makeup to go on,” she says. Besides, if your skin is in great shape, you won’t need that much makeup.

3. Try not to stress about the small things. “Brides should learn the art of letting go,” says Chan. “As long as you have your photographer, makeup, gown, and of course, groom, then everything else can fall apart and you will still be the most beautiful bride. Let go and everything will be alright.”

Says Bakunawa: “Stress will manifest in different ways, such as hair loss, dry skin, breakouts, rashes, you name it. And it shows in pictures.”

2. “Your wedding day is just one day, do not expend all your energy and be drained afterwards,” urges Chan. She also encourages couples to focus on the pending marriage itself, and not just get caught up in the preparations. “Planning a wedding is easy, getting married is not. So make sure that you are sure about it—no doubts, no hesitations, because we are talking about spending the rest of your life with this person.”

1. Don’t forget to feed your suppliers. “Do not assume that while we work in the fashion and beauty industry, we do not eat,” expresses Bakunawa. And Chan shares the same sentiment: “Even if it’s just a simple mamon [small butter cake], it really helps a lot!”

By Mariel Chua
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 23:07:00 07/09/2009

link here

Finally, it's UP

Yey! Our wedding blog is finally UP. After a long while of deciding where to house it, i finally settled on blogspot still. I tried it on wedding announcer, mywedding and wordpress. I want a page that will have tabs or additional pages for easy navigation. I want a page that I can put widgets in a breeze. A wide page so that fonts and pictures will not be too crowded in the center. And the top criteria among all is a page where I can put customized header. At first, I thougth, it will be at wordpress but seems that I a more familiar using blogger. Hahaha.

Anyhow, the quest has ended and I am happy I can start to journal our preps. Actually I started already. ^__^

See it here.

Unique

I've seen this before but doesn't have the time to post an entry. Hehehe.
Now that I have the time + will to do it...the entry begins. Yey! [see the emphasis on time + will?..hehe]

Jay + Sarah Wedding = Rockstar Wedding
Very unique, simply beautiful. I love it.

I don't have to elaborate more on who Jay is coz definitely most of Pinoy blog readers would definitely knew or the least have an idea who this guy is. But Sarah Abad is Kaye Abad's sister. Sarah was a former child actress. If I remember her correctly, she's the child on drama role who always cry. :P

Nwei, to continue, The first time I learned about Jay, i must say, I've been a fan. I like his wit, his sense of humor, his somewhat weird way of presenting himself on cam, on tv, on print. He's simply UNIQUE. He speaks his mind. I read that the idea or their wedding theme came from the brilliant mind of Jay. [I read lang ha...take note]

Jay Contreras - Sarah Abad Wedding
Prenup: Clarkfield Cemetery, Pampanga
Ceremony : Paco Cemetery
Wedding Date : February 12, 2009
Photo: [mangoRED + edwin tuyay]Make up: Madge Lejano
Hair : (Felicity Son + Joel Estrelles of theMakeUpStudio)
Coordinator: Evens Events

Prenup Pictures:

More prenup pictures here.

Wedding Pictures:



More prenup pictures: mangoRed + edwin tuyay



------------------------

On the side, here's another Sarah...Sarah Meier's Prenupmore pics here.

Search for my Wedding Dress

We've attended several bridal affairs since Jan of this year and I talked several friends who tied the knot for recommendations for their gowns. I phoned several local suppliers and grabbed almost every supplier brochures for wedding designers, couture, etc. Send several emails here and there. I even read entries on W@W. (but so many entries nakakahilo magbasa..hehe)

So, just last night...I was checking new pictures of Richard Buan and Paul Vincent. For the record, Paul Vincent was my favorite Photog. I've been a fan/follower of him for almost 2 years now. However, we settled with Richard Buan because of budget. I must say, Richard Buan though is equally talented. (I hope hindi magtampo si Richard if ever he reads this. :P )
Anyways, to continue my story..... as I was browsing Paul Vincent's site, I went to one of his links. Hovered my mouse to "The Veluz Bride". Instantly I was WoWed by her creations. It's beautiful. I browsed and browsed for older posts and every bride was amazingly beautiful with the her dress. I sent her an email asking for her rates, etc. then went to sleep.

So today, I was lucky to be home early. I opened my rig...checked emails to see if Veluz replied then visit Veluz' site again. Since there's no reply, I sent SMS to the mobile number posted on the site. As expected I got a reply but not from Veluz but from Gercel. Exchanged few SMS with her. I was already stitching thoughts of myself, with my gown made by Veluz when an SMS came from Gercel. The SMS was:

Gercel: "Ms. Janice, sori po bt we r fully bookd na po on dat date..."

Me: "why? how many brides do you accommodate ba?"

Gercel: "Yes po, we only accomd8 4 brides in a day.."

Me: "Ganun? So quota na kayo? :-( "

Gercel: "Yes po, so sori po tlaga.."

Me: *sigh*

My dream dress from Veluz....Gone!!! :(