Bridal Beauty Do’s and Don’t

I’m obsessed with weddings! Every year I look forward to friends or family tying the knot. I get so excited to check the mail and see what color scheme and venue the invitation will reveal.

Maybe its the love, the details, that inner glow of a blushing bride, or a bit of nostalgia [I’ll be celebrating 9 years of marriage this year! ((sigh))], I love ‘em.

If you’re just dreaming up that perfect day, or recently engaged and planning your entire wedding around what you’ve found on Pinterest, it is important to remember the beauty related details.

Let’s be real, it’s the biggest day of your life! You will care more about how that lip combo looks than any other moment in time. All eyes will be on you.

No pressure, right?!

The way you style your makeup for the big day is very important to your overall bridal look. Keep in mind, wedding makeup falls between your everyday casual look and more dramatic evening makeup; in terms of color, style, and intensity. Except, if you’re going for a themed wedding; then you will need to style your makeup accordingly.

Makeup will highlight your best features and bring out the hidden beauty in your face. It will also turn you into that blushing bride we all want to see and you’ve always dreamed of being.

So I have created a Bridal Beauty Do’s & Don’t list to consider:

MUST DO:

+ Hire professionals: for both makeup and hair. Trust me! Even if you’re going for an au naturel look, you will still be wearing a significant amount of makeup that is beneficial for photos and will last all day.

+ Setup trial-runs: Super important so there are no surprises and you get the exact style/look you want. Have realistic expectations; but don’t be afraid to speak up. At the end of the day, the professional you hired wants you to be happy with their work too.

+Moisturize,Moisturize, and then moisturize again: Sometimes planning a wedding can cause anxiety/stress that can wreak havoc on our skin. Of course, its easier to say don’t stress, but let’s be real here. So extra moisturizer will make your skin prepped and ready for a flawless makeup application.

+Have day old hair (or more depending on hair type): Even I, with crazy grease-monkey hair, withheld from washing the day of. Every hairstylist I know recommends this and actually prefers dirtier hair; it’s easier to style. If you’re concerned about oil, use a good dry shampoo [UNITE 7 Seconds Dry is a good choice].

+Wear False Lashes: A must! Seriously, don’t be scared. They look incredible in person and can do wonders in photos. I prefer strip lashes, but have seen individual lashes done beautifully too.

+Spray tan well before: Naturally, you will want to look like a bronzed goddess. So a good spray tan will do the trick. Doing it 2-3 days beforehand will allow the extra bronzer and that nasty smell fade into a sun-kissed glow. Don’t forget to exfoliate like a maniac right before though.

+Wear waterproof/Smudge-proof Mascara (even with lashes on) & Stay-proof Foundation: A few tears are bound to happen. It can be a very emotional day[!!]-so it’s best to be prepared. Wearing a good smudgeproof or waterproof mascara (find the one I recommend here) will ensure everything stays in its proper place. Also, setting your stayproof foundation with a translucent or mineralized powder is an essential technique.

photo 1
My stunning cousin, Joelle.

ABSOLUTELY DON’T:

+ Do anything Cray! Seriously, its not the time to experiment. The main goal is to look like yourself, only more stunning. So no cutting, coloring, or any other potentially disastrous change you might be considering.

+No random facial treatment(s): it may sound like a fab idea, but don’t even think about it. Start any facial treatment program at the very minimum, 3 months before. You want to give your skin time to recover. Plus to make sure your skin doesn’t have a bad reaction. Could you imagine developing a rash? It can happen people.

+Though shall not wax/thread/tweeze your eyebrows: At least a week prior. Makeup WILL NOT adhere to fresh skin. It can also leave bumps and redness behind that is impossible for anyone to cover. [For brow grooming tips visit my post on eyebrows.]

0145-Parks Wedding cap
My beautiful friend, Kim at her wedding last year.

Essential products/tools to purchase

Even if you hire a professional, these are important items to have with you.

Lip combo of choice: liner, lipstick, and gloss for touch ups.

A new mascara: no one likes old clumpy mascara. Plus, I’m a freak about my own personal mascara that no one else has ever used-even if your MUA uses disposable mascara wands.

Lash Curler: Shu Uemura is the best!

Blot powder/blot sheets: MAC makes both and they work wonders for oil control.

Fashion tape: You never no if a dress mishap will occur.

Bobbi Pins: I never leave home without a few in my purse.

0128-Parks Wedding cap
Loved the look we went with!

More Bridal Beauty Tips:

  • Get as much sleep as possible the night before! There is a real meaning behind beauty rest.
  • Morning of the wedding cleanse skin, moisturize skin and lips, and put on under eye cream
  • Exfoliate lips by scrubbing them in a circular motion with an old toothbrush. Apply a lip balm. Viola! Luscious, soft, fresh lips.
  • Use eye drops if your eyes look red or tired
  • Eat! No one wants to see a bride faint. Make sure to have some protein and a good carb, like oatmeal, to sustain you.

Trick to making your lipcolor last longer

*Outline and fill in lips with a lip liner. [<<this is key to keep color locked in place]

*Apply lipstick color

*Apply gloss, but no too much and concentrate more in the center of the lips

*Blot lips lightly on a tissue

*You will need to touch up throughout the day/evening so put one of your bridesmaids in charge of lipstick/gloss duty

photo 2
I die over her look! Absolutely timeless.

My last and final tips:

DO have a fabulous wedding

&

DON’T forget how gorgeous you are

Any tips/tricks I missed? Please share yours! I would love to hear.

Love,

LL

xo

“There is no cosmetic for beauty like happiness.” -Maria Mitchell

Bridal Looks for Spring

The Bernardo Winery Faire turned out to be a huge success for both Chandra and I. We had a great time with the beautiful models in the fashion show and meeting so many brides-to-be!

They were some amazing vendors too. It made me want to re-do my wedding again. [sigh] I love meeting and seeing people so passionate about their business.

loveleighbeauty-chandracamposmakeup
Artists at work! Collaborating on what bridal looks we want to create.
chandracamposmakeup artisty
The gorgeous Alisa. She has been a professional model for years and is truly stunning.

For Alisa, Chandra wanted to create a clean, yet elegant, look for her.

Eyes: 

Bamboo (M.A.C.) in the crease for a pop of color

Vanilla w/ Grain (M.A.C.) packed on the lid for a limited sheen (mature eyes should stay away from too much shimmer. It can increase the look of fine lines/wrinkles)

False lashes, no eyeliner to bring out her eyes

Blush:

Blushbaby (M.A.C.)

Lips:

Whirl lipliner filled in with Snob lipgloss (both M.A.C.)

Foundation:

Makeup Forever HD Foundation

MAC Mineralized Skinfinish Powder on top to set foundation

loveleighbeauty-bridal looks
The beautiful Kiersten! She actually was married at the winery and is about to celebrate her 1st anniversary.

Kiersten’s skin is flawless! [like, to die for ah-mazing]

She is South African (loved her accent) and happens to also be a professional ballerina.

The look I created for her was inspired by Spring and more of a fresh face look. I wanted to play up her porcelain skin.

Eyes: 

Naked Lunch (M.A.C.) all over the lid & inner corner (tear duct)

Samoa Silk in the crease for a pop of color

Soft Brown (M.A.C.) lightly on the outer crease for   subtle definition &

on the lower lash line

Dipdown Fluidline Eyeliner (M.A.C)

Red Cherry #747S Lashes

Blush:

Peaches with Fleur Power  (M.A.C.)

Lips:

Staunchly Stylish lipliner (filled in the entire lip) with Razzle Dazzler lipgloss (M.A.C.)

Foundation:

Makeup Forever HD Foundation

MAC Mineralized Skinfinish Powder to set foundation

bernardo winery-loveleigbeauty-17
Loveleigh Beauty & Chandra Campos Makeup Artistry booth.
bernardo winery-loveleigbeauty-3
One stop shop for all your beauty needs.

bernardo winery-loveleigbeauty-4

bernardo winery-loveleigbeauty-8
Nerium– the skincare everyone is talking about. Contact Chandra for more info.

bernardo winery-loveleigbeauty-7

The venue is so charming and quaint! I was in complete awe over the grounds and lush landscape. The rustic ambiance is a perfect backdrop for any San Diego Style wedding.

Recently Updated5
13330 Paseo Del Verano Norte, San Diego, CA 92128 (858) 487-1866

Love,

LL

xo

Don’t be shy! Follow Loveleigh Beauty on Facebook, Instagram @lauraleigh_xo & Twitter @loveleighbeauty

Falling for Fall-My Best Friend’s Wedding

Fall. By far, my favorite time of year. I may be a little biased because I was born in the greatest month of Fall [Heeeyyy, October babies]. I love it.

My best friend Ahsue [pronounced Ah-sue, thank you]  got married last month and her choice of colors for a fall themed wedding were breathtaking. Everything was so sweet and I couldn’t help but be in awe of all the little details-they really set the mood for the whole day. It was truly loveleigh.

+Plus, my children were a part of the festivities and that might have added a touch more of amazingness too [just sayin’!].

The day was filled with so much love, laughter and culture[<<—my fav part]

Flower girls and the Persian ceremony setting. Pics don’t do it justice–everything was so ornate and beautifully detailed.
How gorgeous is this bouquet? It was hand made and included a tiny pic of her Grandma.
The bright, perfect for fall, flowers.
Fashion Deets: my reception dress found here
I will be posting Ahsue’s bridal makeup look soon and introduce you to one of SD’s amazing bridal MUA, Chandra Campos.

Get ready!

Love, LL

xo