Something blue, something new.

As a young girl, we grew up hearing “Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed Something Blue.”  Well, that something blue will be the new trend in 2010 for brides. Bright, bold cobalt blue will be seen more at weddings in the flowers, bridesmaids’ dresses, the brides’ shoes and even bright bold eye shadows.

Blue eye shadow was very popular in the 70′s & 80′s and after a few years, women stayed away from wearing any shades of blues. But now every makeup line has come out with bold cobalt blues that any bride could easily find from matte, satins, shimmers, metallic’s, and even loose pearl eye shadows.

A shot of blue punks up the W-day look.

At a recent bridal photo shoot I decided to play with an L’OREAL HIP DUO blue eye shadow in Forgiven that can be used in a more smoky way. Remember when wearing a strong eye you should keep the lip color very light and I went with NYX Cosmetics Diamond Sparkle nude lip gloss in Beige Sparkle.

So brides your something blue doesn’t have to be hidden anymore, it can be glamxuriously worn down the aisle.

Model: Jamielyn Arcega
Photo by: Fred Plunkett with Latigid Photography
Hair by: Mariah Grant
Makeup by: Brandy Gomez-Duplessis with BGD Makeup Artistry
Wardrobe Stylist: JL Closet

 

Strip lashes by Shu Uemura

When I complete a makeup application the last item I always grab for are lashes. A must have item that is perfect for all brides on their wedding day…a day wedding, an evening wedding, a destination wedding, and even a wedding at the justice of the peace.

With so many voluminous and dramatic styles like goldglam leaf, snow twist, farfallina false, minx, criss cross, synthetic, hand crafted feathers, and faux diamonds all with alternating lengths to choose from, it’s almost like shopping for the perfect clutch handbag or stiletto shoes.

Here’s my Lashes 101 Lesson:

Strip Lashes are for a one time wear but if taken off correctly you can usually wear them 3-4 times. You are able to apply these lashes by yourself and it takes about five minutes. Strip lashes also come in various colors, styles and textures. These are perfect for a fun change of pace or for an “ultra glam” look.

Brandy working her magic.

Individual Lashes look more natural when applied correctly and they last 7-10 days. You will have to visit a professional to apply these. You have a choice of soft brown or medium black. I prefer the flare ones and choice of color for me is the soft brown for my blondes and black for my brunettes to really play up a natural look. I also favor these because it’s so much easier on the wallet.

Semi- Permanent will last you 3 months but have to be maintained at least twice a month and can be very expensive. You have to have a certified professional to apply these…please do not have your BFF attempt these while drinking martinis at your bachelorette party. I don’t suggest these if you have sensitive eyes because the glue is very strong. Just be prepared to give yourself at least 1.5-2 hours for an application. This is no service to get done on lunch break.

Goldglam Leaf Lashes by Shu Uemura

Snow Twist Lashes by Shu Uemura

Lashes are a great beauty accessory and can become addictive once you start wearing them. They really give the face a perfect finish! That’s why your favorite celebs never leave home without them. To review all of the FABULOUS lashes visit Shu Uemura Tokyo Lash Bar.
GoldGlam Leaf & Snow Twist Lashes picture courtesy of Shu Uemura

Makeup Artist: Brandy Gomez-Duplessis
Model: Jamielyn
Photo by: Jerome Holmes with JHolmes Photography

 

With time comes change and with change comes a fresh perspective on weddings and that includes hair. The Updo is a classic wedding hair do that is as timeless as the rite itself, but change is a good thing. Upgrade your glamour hairstyles by leaving the Ringlets (Spirals Curls) Updos to sweet sixteens/proms and modernize your look for your day. Embellish your do’s with feathers, jewels and even headbands. Set-up a consultation with your selected hair stylist and bring them a few tear sheets to customize your own couture updo. GLAMARIZE a new do that will help you look and feel like the elegant sophisticated romantic modern bride you are, and not a debutante at her “SWEET SIXTEEN.”

Old world romanticism

HAIRSTYLE DETAILS
Look : updo
Type: straight, wavy, curly
Style : classic, romantic
Length : medium
Photo by Jennifer Robbins

High flying fashionista

HAIRSTYLE DETAILS
Look : updo
Type: straight, wavy
Length: all
Style: modern
Photo by Dan Lecca

Sixties Siren.

HAIRSTYLE DETAILS
Look : updo
Type : straight
Length : long
Style : glamorous
Photo by Michael Waring

Classic curls

HAIRSTYLE DETAILS
Look : updo
Length : short
Style : classic
Type : curly
Photo by Michael Waring

 

Glamxurious lips by Brandy.

My holiday brides are normally the ones that request the most for glamorous and luxurious lips…old Hollywood inspired. I personally think this may be one of the hardest looks for a bride to pull off but, definitely the most glamorous. To achieve that high pigment & high gloss lip color, I am going to share with you a beauty industry secret.

My newest love when it comes to lipstick for brides is OCC Lip Tar from Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics. OCC Lip Tars are an amazing non drying high pigmented long wearing lipstick with a high finish gloss. The Lip Tar goes on very easy, just a little goes a long way. When it dries it has a great satin finish and the hemp and peppermint oil feels slick and minty on the lips. I find that I almost forget that I am wearing it. When applying I prefer using a lip brush because the texture is very smooth. Great to use with or without a lip pencil.

OCC Lip Tars are also GLAMTASTIC when it comes to Hi-Def Video and Digital Photography.

For the modern bride, who loves the attention and loves all the paps flashes, make sure your makeup artist has OCC Lip Tar in his/her makeup kits. The best Lip Tar colors for brides are:

Lip Tar Indashio-a deep sea coral

Lip Tar Hush-antique bridal pink

Lip Tar NSFW-a scarlet red lacquer

Lip Tar Vintage-a deep burgundy

 

W-Day drama - the eyes have it.

There is nothing is sexier than a girl next door becoming a bride walking down the aisle wearing her dream dress and looking glamxourious like recent bride Khloe Kardashian. Every bride wants to transform from their everyday look on their wedding day and the eyes are always the main feature. Smoky eyes is sexy on every bride, but one of the hardest look to pull off or achieve. Smashbox cosmetics has a great collection to help you with creating a soft, smoldering smoky eyes. Ladies get ready because the spotlight will be on you.

1. Photo Finish Lid Primer An ultra-luxurious lid primer, $20.00.

2. Jet Set Waterproof Eye Liner in Midnight Black. Line and define the eye with this gel-formula that glides over the lid without pulling or tugging. The quick-dry formula sets quickly and stays put all day, $22.00

3. Cream Eye Liner in Image . A Smashbox signature, this unique cream formula can be applied with a brush for amazing, smudge-proof coverage, $22.00

4. Single Eye Shadow in Safari. Long-lasting, brilliant multi-dimensional eyeshadow, $16.00.

5. Single Eye Shadow in Bliss. Long-lasting, brilliant multi-dimensional eyeshadow, $16.00.

6. Bionic Mascara in Jet Black. Smashbox Bionic is the first ionic mascara, and it allows for longer, stronger, and more voluminous lashes! The specially-engineered brush coats lashes with our revolutionary long-wearing, water-resistant formula for a dramatic full lash, $19.00.

Picture and makeup from Smashbox cosmetics.

 

Regal reception chic.

Hindu weddings are grandly festive with rich, colorful decor and have many religious insinuations replete with rituals and customs. A professional makeup artist is a must on the day of the wedding.

I have worked with many Indian brides and I love all the timeless outfits, crystals, bangles, bracelets, attractive tikka headpieces, and of course the metallic bold makeup colors, especially on the eyes.

Brandy works her magical makeup mojo.

I like to dress up the eyes with jewel tones and sparkle. Applying a shimmery white-gold shade as a highlighter under the brow bone and on the inner corner of the eye gives the eyes amazing pop. Eye shadow colors I tend to use are: golds, greens, teals, aqua, royal blue, and reds. I normally line the upper lash line and the lower lash line with Lakme’ Jewel eyeliner or the Lakme Glide on Eye Color in Metallic Black eyeliner.

I then fill in the lips with a warm creamy lip color in pink, plum, wine, or burgundy. I like to coat it with Lakme’ Lip Chrome, a high shine lip gloss for a dazzling effect.

Regal, rockin, and right on, she's ready to rumble.

To complete an elegant and sultry bridal look, don’t forget to add bronzer with shimmer, and contouring the cheeks to help showcase the now beautiful glow. My last step to a glamorous look is adding Shu Umeura eyelashes to pull off an effortlessly sophisticated feminine look on the bride’s wedding day.