5 Pre-Wedding Day Beauty Tips You Need To Know

  1. Get a Facial from a Pro! My face was a mess from pre-wedding day stress. My acne usually flairs up when I’m overly anxious, so it was no surprise that my skin was worse for wear in the weeks leading up to my wedding day. I got a deep pore cleansing facial the week before my big day and then one more hydrating and rejuvenating facial the week of. I also had an eye contour treatment add-on to make sure my eyes looked bright. My skin never looked better. Be sure to go to a licensed professional in a clean and trusted environment. Whatever you do, don’t squeeze or pick your skin yourself — it may lead to infection and scarring. If you have a blemish and can’t get to a pro, use an overnight treatment based on salicylic acid – the blemish should be gone by the time you wake up.
  2. Get a natural glow. My complexion is peaches and cream on most days, but I always prefer the way I look with a bit of a tan. Afterall, you are wearing white and we all know white always looks best with a nice golden hue. Now, please don’t get an orange glow – you are not auditioning for Dancing with the Stars. Applying a light selftanner the week of your big day will give you a nice splash of color without turning you into an oompah loompah. Don’t ever go to a tanning salon as the rays are cancer-causing and don’t tan outside even with an SPF because you may end up with tan lines not to mention it’s never safe to be in the sun for extended periods of time. A tan in a bottle is a safe alternative and gives you a nice healthy glow.
  3. Eye Lash Extensions! My hair/make up artist recommended that I get lash extensions. I was apprehensive at first, as I don’t love the idea of something glued to my lashes not to mention the hefty price tag but trusted the advice of my stylist. The lashes were well worth the investment. They survived the tears that I shed before and during the ceremony – never having to fear a streaky tear moment á la Lindsay Lohan! My sister turned to me and gasped “after the wedding you have to tell me what mascara you are wearing…” Bonus — my lashes looked great throughout our beach honeymoon in St. Barths. Having great lashes saves you loads of time in the morning, not to mention, waking up looking just as pretty as when you went to bed!
  4. Get your hair and makeup touched up after the ceremony. It was wonderful having my makeup/hair stylist there after the ceremony to touch up my makeup and change up my hair. I let my hair down after the ceremony, literally, and I was ready to party the night away.
  5. Calm down. It’s your day. Enjoy it. Words that are easier said than done. I didn’t know that my nerves and the emotions of the day would get the better of me but thankfully my sister was there to calm me down with some calming essential oils. She cusped her hands and let me breathe into them. Whatever it is that helps you relax, have a trusted friend or relative be equipped to be the one to help you through the moment. Just breathe and enjoy it. Remember, it’s your day and you have a lovely man waiting for you at the end of that aisle because he wants to spend the rest of his life with you. Everything else will fall into place.

Photo: iStockPhoto|Elle.com

About Shiri Shiri Sarfati is a beauty industry expert. She holds a Masters Degree in Cosmetic and Fragrance Marketing and Management from The Fashion Institute of Technology, as well as a Bachelor of from Columbia University, Barnard College. When she’s not blogging, she works with top salon and spas around the world with Repechage, her family business. She has been featured and quoted in The New York Times, Women’s Wear Daily, and SpaWeek Daily and appeared on FOX and CBS. Follow her on Twitter @SpaHeiress She also blogs on LydiaSarfati.com as well as her own blog spaheiress.blogspot.com.

Product Review: Karmin G3 Flat Iron

Recently I was introduced to the Karmin G3 Salon Pro Ceramic Flat Iron. This product is fabulous for a quick straightening with smooth, silky results! In hot tools, I look for a product that not only heats up quickly but also does the job in a quick manner. This product does both!

Key features of the Karmin G3 Salon Pro Ceramic Flat Iron:
1. Genuine ceramic plates infused with tourmaline crystals
2. Infrared heat technology for a long lasting hair styling result
3. Variable heat settings that allow for perfect usage on all types of hair
4. Micro chip temperature control for flash-quick heating
5. Fast heat up to 420°F
6. Multi-functional features that enable different hair styles such as curling, flipping, and creating waves
7. 360 degree swivel cord to prevent tangling
8. Three year limited warranty

The benefits of using this flat iron by Karmin include:
1. Causes less damage to hair due to ceramic and tourmaline properties
2. Enables long lasting results due to infrared heat technology
3. Prevents bacteria and fungi as a result of ionic properties
4. Seals in hair’s natural oils and locks in moisture by virtue of its ion field and micro porous elements

This product can be purchased at a variety of leading retailers, including Folica.com, MyHairStylingTools.com, SalonHive.com, Giell.com, MySalonTools.com, ProfessionalHairTools.com, FlatironExperts.com, HairShearsPro.com, HairProductsPro.com

Products featured in this post may have been received complimentary for review from a public relations professional. Please view our DISCLOSURE page for more information.
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About The Author

Victoria Stiles is a make-up artist from Washington, DC working in New York and worldwide for commercial print, editorial fashion, red carpet events and weddings. Victoria’s client roster includes celebrities Roberta Flack, Jordin Sparks, Real Housewives of New York’s Jill Zarin, and publications Glamour, O Magazine, Vogue, Surface, Virginia Living, and Washingtonian. Stiles’ expertise in make-up is frequently called upon by local and National publications. Recent articles in Washingtonian, Real Simple, Women’s Health, American Baby, and Northern Virginia Magazine showcases and quotes her knowledge in make-up and labels her as an industry leader.

In addition to artistry, Stiles is a presenter for The Powder Group-- an organization uniting makeup artists worldwide with relevant industry information and career guidance. She has presented seminars nationally at The Artist Summit and The Makeup Shows.

Follow her on Twitter @victoriastiles and add her on other social media networks here.
www.VictoriaStiles.com

Sebastian Volupt Spray: Get Big Hair

Sebastian

Every woman wants full and sexy hair, right?  But how does one achieve a voluminous look with naturally limp, straight hair (like mine)?  Total Beauty sent me a free bottle of Sebastian Volupt Spray to try out.  I have to say, the results were amazing!  I went the extra step this past week and purchased the Sebastian Volupt Shampoo and Conditioner to test with the Volupt Spray.  Check out my big-hair-how-to and results!

BEFORE SEBASTIAN VOLUPT SPRAY
Before_Sebastian

AFTER SEBASTIAN VOLUPT SPRAY
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The Sebastian Volupt Spray is not a finishing spray.  You apply this product to damp hair before blow-drying.

PREP HAIR

1.  Wash hair with Sebastian Volupt Shampoo and Conditioner

2.  Towel dry hair

3.  Apply the Sebastian Volupt Spray from root to tip of hair and massage through

4.  For curly hair, air dry to enhance waves and curls

5.  Straight hair, follow my direction below for a sexy voluptuous blow-out!

STEP ONE

I have bangs, so I like to dry and style them first so they do not dry weird.

DryingBangs

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STEP TWO

Start the styling process from the bottom up.  My hair is not that thick so I just divide my hair in half and work my way up to the crown.  Round brush and blow dry from the root out.

Styling1

STEP THREE

Continuing round brush blow-dry in sections.  Lift the section straight up from the root as you are drying, especially around the crown.

Styling2

Styling3

Finger through your hair to style, not to disturb the shape and volume created by this process.  Finish hair with Sebastian’s Shaper Zero Gravity– a product that is not too heavy but firm enough to hold the style and control flyways.

FINISHED!

After1

For more information on Sebastian products, please visit www.SebastianProfessional.com

Products featured in this post may have been received complimentary for review from a public relations professional. Please view our DISCLOSURE page for more information.
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About The Author

Victoria Stiles is a make-up artist from Washington, DC working in New York and worldwide for commercial print, editorial fashion, red carpet events and weddings. Victoria’s client roster includes celebrities Roberta Flack, Jordin Sparks, Real Housewives of New York’s Jill Zarin, and publications Glamour, O Magazine, Vogue, Surface, Virginia Living, and Washingtonian. Stiles’ expertise in make-up is frequently called upon by local and National publications. Recent articles in Washingtonian, Real Simple, Women’s Health, American Baby, and Northern Virginia Magazine showcases and quotes her knowledge in make-up and labels her as an industry leader.

In addition to artistry, Stiles is a presenter for The Powder Group-- an organization uniting makeup artists worldwide with relevant industry information and career guidance. She has presented seminars nationally at The Artist Summit and The Makeup Shows.

Follow her on Twitter @victoriastiles and add her on other social media networks here.
www.VictoriaStiles.com

Celebrating Mercedes-Benz New York Fashion Week’s Last Season at Bryant Park

TheDaily_CommemorativeIssueCoverCall it sentimental, call it the last hoorah, whatever you call it don’t call it the end of New York Fashion Week.  This season’s Mercedes-Benz New York Fashion Week will be the last season at Bryant Park.  There is something to be said about an event held at one particular location every year– it’s routine, familiar, it becomes a “ritual” so to speak.  Folks, including myself, may be commemorating the last Mercedes-Benz New York Fashion Week event by celebrating the Bryant Park location, but at the same time, looking towards the future for bigger and brighter opportunities.  I’m making a personal dream, one that I have had since a teen, a reality by staying at The Bryant Park Hotel across the street from the tents and covering shows for Beyond Beauty Basics and my personal site Makeup Artist Backstage along with providing makeup for shows at this season’s Fashion Week sponsored by Mercedes-Benz.  This may be the “end of an era” but it’s not the last you will see of talented designers, awe-inspiring fashion shows, or make-up and hairstyles that shape next season’s look.

The rumors are true, from February 11-18, 2010, Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week will celebrate its final season in Bryant Park, moving in September to its new home at Lincoln Center. To honor the occasion, memories will be shared through both the Tent’s graphics and in a special commemorative issue of The Daily Front Row.

The now iconic Bryant Park Tents will be adorned with quotes from fashion industry insiders sharing their memories of how the event has impacted the world of fashion and changed the lives of both designers and industry professionals. Once inside, look for The Daily’s Commemorative Issue. A staple of the New York event, this go-to-glossy will mirror the memories shared on the exterior with fun and forgotten moments.

In September, the shows will take place for the first time at Lincoln Centers Damrosch Park, a move that puts the event squarely in its place as a cultural landmark, and that allows the event to adapt to a new century.

Title sponsor Mercedes-Benz is joined by DHL, American Express®, Maybelline New York, W Hotels Worldwide, TRESemmé, The Heart Truth Campaign, Starbucks Frappuccino® Coffee Drink, Peroni Nastro Azzurro, Chambord® Black Raspberry Liqueur, Rums of Puerto Rico, Sherry-Lehmann Wines & Spirits, Martini Gold Mixers and O.N.E.™ One Natural Experience as well as the following media outlets The New York Times, Vevant, AOL Inc., Women’s Wear Daily and Getty Images. Each of these sponsors will be providing hospitality, services and amenities to make the hectic week of shows as effortless and pleasurable as possible for all attendees.

Mark Badgley & James Mischka: “Showing in Bryant Park has been a major part of the fashion world for us. The Tents have been an amazing venue, but things in fashion and the city change—we hope that Lincoln Center will be as wonderful an experience!”

Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week is an IMG event.

Follow Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week on their Facebook Fan Page

Be sure to check Makeup Artist Backstage and Beyond Beauty Basics for the latest coverage of Mercedes-Benz New York Fashion Week!

Products featured in this post may have been received complimentary for review from a public relations professional. Please view our DISCLOSURE page for more information.
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About The Author

Victoria Stiles is a make-up artist from Washington, DC working in New York and worldwide for commercial print, editorial fashion, red carpet events and weddings. Victoria’s client roster includes celebrities Roberta Flack, Jordin Sparks, Real Housewives of New York’s Jill Zarin, and publications Glamour, O Magazine, Vogue, Surface, Virginia Living, and Washingtonian. Stiles’ expertise in make-up is frequently called upon by local and National publications. Recent articles in Washingtonian, Real Simple, Women’s Health, American Baby, and Northern Virginia Magazine showcases and quotes her knowledge in make-up and labels her as an industry leader.

In addition to artistry, Stiles is a presenter for The Powder Group-- an organization uniting makeup artists worldwide with relevant industry information and career guidance. She has presented seminars nationally at The Artist Summit and The Makeup Shows.

Follow her on Twitter @victoriastiles and add her on other social media networks here.
www.VictoriaStiles.com

Style Me Pretty: Winter Wedding Inspirations

Style Me Pretty has published 3 shoots I styled the Hair and Makeup for! The professional wedding team from Washington D.C. included: Genevieve Leiper Photography; Flowers – Holly Heider Chapple Flowers; Gown- Hitched Bridal Salon; Model – Leigh Ann from Hitched Bridal Salon; Paper – Christina M. Barbour, Paperzest; Linens, China, glass – Design Cuisine; Cake – Kendall from Kendall’s Cakes; Venue- The Stone Manor Country Club

Winter Wedding Inspiration Cello

cello7web cello3web

cello1web cello2web

The hair was styled to be “sweet” and almost ballerina like.  The hair was pulled tight on top of the head and filler hair was used to create the full bun.  A white ribbon tied in a bow finished the look.

For the makeup, I added a touch of pink color to the eyes, lips, and cheeks while still keeping the soft bridal look.

Winter Wedding Inspiration Woodlands

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The hair was styled to perfection in this series.  This up-do takes on a non-traditional look by sweeping the hair and designing the hair to one side.  This look, although finished, is not pulled tight as the top is left loose with volume.

The makeup takes on a more dramatic role– but still bridal soft.  Emphasis around the eyes was achieved by rimming the eyes with a black kohl liner and adding lots of mascara.  The lips were softened with a nude gloss shade.

Winter Wedding Inspiration Pheasant

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This hair and makeup look is completely soft and bridal clean.  The hair was styled with a 1″ curling iron through out and the curls were separated and styled by hand.  A soft finishing spray completed the look.

The makeup is minimal as just a touch of foundation, a little top eyeliner, one coat of mascara, cream flushed blush, and a natural lip shade were used to design this look.

For more information on my bridal services, please check out my website: www.VictoriaStiles.com

Products featured in this post may have been received complimentary for review from a public relations professional. Please view our DISCLOSURE page for more information.
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About The Author

Victoria Stiles is a make-up artist from Washington, DC working in New York and worldwide for commercial print, editorial fashion, red carpet events and weddings. Victoria’s client roster includes celebrities Roberta Flack, Jordin Sparks, Real Housewives of New York’s Jill Zarin, and publications Glamour, O Magazine, Vogue, Surface, Virginia Living, and Washingtonian. Stiles’ expertise in make-up is frequently called upon by local and National publications. Recent articles in Washingtonian, Real Simple, Women’s Health, American Baby, and Northern Virginia Magazine showcases and quotes her knowledge in make-up and labels her as an industry leader.

In addition to artistry, Stiles is a presenter for The Powder Group-- an organization uniting makeup artists worldwide with relevant industry information and career guidance. She has presented seminars nationally at The Artist Summit and The Makeup Shows.

Follow her on Twitter @victoriastiles and add her on other social media networks here.
www.VictoriaStiles.com

Bumpits: Do They Really Work?

bumpitsWe’ve all seen the infomercial at 2:00AM advertising big hair in minutes through a revolutionary piece of hardware conveniently named Bumpits. But do they really work? How do they stay in place? I’ve got the answer to your burning questions…

First off, yes they do work and quite nicely. They are easy to use when hair is styled around the insert properly. Below are my tips to securing your “bumped up” style!

1) Section hair at the crown of your head.

2) Tease the section of hair at the root just behind, not in front, of the section.

3) Tease the section of hair just below the first section on the top at the root.

4) Spray the roots of both sections with hairspray. I like LOREAL’S Elnett Satin Hairspray.

5) Place the Bumpit at the root in between both sections of hair.  The Bumpit has tiny edges around the base that grip hair.  For extra security, place one bobby pin at the base of the Bumpit in the middle and point the bobby pin downward- not upward through the hair because it would show through.

6) Style hair around the Bumpit using a Mason Pearson Brush, or an equivalent style of brush made to smooth hair.  Spray with hairspray to set the style.

Although this video tutorial is showing you how to do a soft smokey eye, I am wearing the medium sized Bumpit in my hair. :)

Products featured in this post may have been received complimentary for review from a public relations professional. Please view our DISCLOSURE page for more information.
-------------------

About The Author

Victoria Stiles is a make-up artist from Washington, DC working in New York and worldwide for commercial print, editorial fashion, red carpet events and weddings. Victoria’s client roster includes celebrities Roberta Flack, Jordin Sparks, Real Housewives of New York’s Jill Zarin, and publications Glamour, O Magazine, Vogue, Surface, Virginia Living, and Washingtonian. Stiles’ expertise in make-up is frequently called upon by local and National publications. Recent articles in Washingtonian, Real Simple, Women’s Health, American Baby, and Northern Virginia Magazine showcases and quotes her knowledge in make-up and labels her as an industry leader.

In addition to artistry, Stiles is a presenter for The Powder Group-- an organization uniting makeup artists worldwide with relevant industry information and career guidance. She has presented seminars nationally at The Artist Summit and The Makeup Shows.

Follow her on Twitter @victoriastiles and add her on other social media networks here.
www.VictoriaStiles.com

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