When should you begin looking for a makeup artist and hairstylist for YOUR Wedding?

One of the top items on your Bridal To Do List must be finding a professional makeup artist and hairstylist.  When should you being your search?  Aside from the obvious answer of "as soon as possible", I believe the optimal time is as soon as the wedding dress has been chosen.  The reasons behind this are 1) you will have a better feeling/understanding of your wedding look once you have chosen your gown and  2) even if you have been dreaming about, imagining and planning your wedding since you were five; choosing the gown somehow focuses you. Sometimes the gown you ultimately chose will be very different than the gown you imagined.  Always, alway keep in mind that your makeup and hairstyle must compliment and harmonize with your dress.  Your picture-perfect look includes everything you wear: your gown, jewelry, makeup, hair and veil.

Did you notice that I did not mention shoes?  I would just like to add that although I believe that shoes are one of the most important fashion choices any woman EVERmakes; wedding shoes fall into one of only three categories: (1) ugly, comfortable and thank G-d no one sees them under my long wedding dress; (2) insanely high, gorgeous and murderous and what a shame no one sees them under my long wedding dress and finally (3) insanely high, gorgeous and they no longer kill me because I removed them thirty seconds after the chuppah.

 

A FEW WORDS ABOUT VEILS

I want to discuss veils.  Sometimes the choice of a veil is an afterthought; bought, borrowed or found sometime between picking out the dress and standing under the chuppah.  The most versatile veil is a "simple" veil made of layers (the number of layers is a personal choice) of lace and/or silk and attached with a comb with the tines facing in. 

Do not choose a veil that is permanently attached to a tiara or other hair accessory, as this type of veil drastically limits the type of hair style you will ultimately choose. 

If you chose to wear a tiara, you should be able to position the tiara on your head, regardless of where the veil is attached.

Order of work on the day of the wedding:

ü  Hairstyle

ü  Tiara (sometimes the tiara is positioned whilethe hairstyle is being created, as some of the hair may be combed/positioned to hide the tiara's clips and/or combs)

ü  Makeup

ü  Veil

A MONTH AND HALF BEFORE THE WEDDING…

By a month and a half before the wedding you should have selected your makeup artist and hairstylist and decided on your makeup and hairstyling choices.  This will give you enough time to let your hair grow, you brows grow in and give your skin a chance to improve.  Write it or insert it into your calendar:

MUST CLOSE HAIR AND MAKEUP BY ________________

HOW DO I CHOOSE MY MAKEUP AND HAIRSTYLE?

Remember:  Your wedding photos are meant to last a lifetime - this means your makeup and hairstyle must be timeless!  I always tell my brides that they should be able to look back on their wedding photos and at their wedding hair and makeup choices five, ten and even fifteen years from now without shaking their heads and saying "What was I thinking? ". 

This means that you should:

1)   Keep an open mind!  Look and explore the net and magazines for the latest hairstyle and makeup fashion choices.  Look at what your friends and family are wearing on "both sides of the pond".   If you Google "wedding hairstyles and makeup" you will get millions of results. You can narrow the search a bit by focusing on your hair length (long, short, curly, etc). 

2)   Do not be fooled by wonderful shots of hairstyles using models that have blonde hair with blonde highlights.  Blonde / blonde highlighted hair shows off just about any style and will nearly always look gorgeous.  The exacthairstyle on dark hair will look less wonderful, as the blonde highlights bring out the curves, curls and waves in the hairstyle.  Also keep in mind that lighting and Photoshop play a part in how the hairstyle is portrayed in photos.  This is why blonde hair is the most popular hair color to photograph for a hairstyle photo shoot. This does not mean you should dye your hair for the wedding; it just means you should be aware of this fact and manage your expectations accordingly.

3)   What styles appeal to you?  First of all: forget about your dress, your shoes, what hair colors and styles appeal to you.  (I know what I said at the beginning of this article) NOW what hair and makeup styles are the most flattering for your facial structure? 

Now let's put this all together: what appeals to you, what flatters you and what suits your wedding style. 

Now that you have an idea of what hair and makeup styles appeal to you – talk to your makeup and hair stylist.  Arrange for a Bridal Beauty Trial Session.   DO NOT SKIP this session!  This is the only opportunity you will have to try on and try out a variety of styles and decide – before the wedding – which you like best.  Take a trusted friend along with you.  A second opinion is vital here.  

Clear your schedule and make an appointment.  Take all the time you need.  This is not the time to rush or choose "whatever".  Be thoughtful and patient.  The effort and consideration you put into this session will be in direct proportion to your satisfaction with the final result on the day of the wedding!  Take pictures.  This session will also help you calculate the amount of time you will need to create your bridal look on your wedding day. 

Once you have chosen your makeup artist and hairstylist and the styles you want - you can check one more item off your To Do List!

Bridal Makeup and Acne – two words you really don't want to see in the same sentence

In this article I want to discuss the issues of acne and bridal makeup.  Let's be honest, bridal makeup and acneare two words you really don't want to see in the same sentence.  Ever! Acne can occur at anytime, but it may occur or re-occur during the pre-wedding period due to side effects of taking The Pill, the pressures and stresses of the wedding planning, all the above, or it is just an ongoing problem.  Yes, I know grooms can and do suffer from acne, but I am here to discuss the bride's issues (they don’t call me the kallahwhisperer for nothing).

Talk to a Professional Skin Care Specialist

If you suffer from acne, the first thing you need to do is make an appointment to see a dermatologist as soon as you can.  Discuss with her/him treatment options: both topical creams and oral medications.  You should also consult with a good cosmetologist who can give you some cleansing and treatment routines that may help to alleviate acne symptoms.  It is important to inform any skin specialist of your impending wedding date to help manage expectations, as well as help in the formulation of a skin routine for both the best results both in the short and long term.

Six-to-Eight weeks before the Wedding

No matter what the treatment, always use your own common sense and never try any harsh abrasive skin treatments within six-to-eight weeks of the wedding.   Keep in mind that even treatments that you have taken for months - without any adverse effects - could become "toxic" to your skin.   Be extra kind and gentle to your skin during this pre-wedding period.

Your Skin, Your Moisturizer and Your Makeup

Be extra vigilant about cleansing your skin during this period.  Ask your cosmetologist for a good oil-free cleanser and moisturizer.  But do not overdo your cleansing routine, this can strip your skin of the necessary oils it does need.  Also, never sleep in your makeup – always go to bed after you have completely removed your makeup, cleansed your face and applied some kind of moisturizer.

Always wash your hands before touching you face, applying and removing makeup.  Make sure to use oil-free, good quality makeup on your skin.  Make sure the makeup brushes you use are clean and use a new sponge to apply makeup. 

I would like to add a word about hypo-allergenic facial products.  As there is no universal standard to label a certain product "hypo-allergenic"; the term is subjective to say the least.  Even well-known products labeled hypo-allergenic can cause allergies in some women.  If your skin is extra-sensitive, I recommend you tryout a product, in advance, on a patch of skin behind your ear or knee and see if a rash, burning sensation or itchiness occurs.  If any of these symptoms occur, do not use the product.

Makeup for Your Wedding

Try on all cosmetics at least two months before the wedding. Tell your makeup artist about your skin condition in advance.  Remember a makeup artist is not a doctor or a miracle worker.  She can mitigate redness, alleviate color differences and even out skin tone.  She cannot smooth or flatten the swelling or bumpiness of pimples, scars or blemishes.

The bridal makeup trial session is especially important for acne sufferers, in order to discover the best products and methods to conceal acne, avoid makeup that make acerbate the problem and in general, create a plan of action for your skin.  Once the makeup has been applied, wear it for several hours or even a full day, to find out whether the makeup causes itchiness and/or additional redness, how it feels on your skin and how your skin looks after it is removed.   Always use an oil-free, alcohol-free makeup remover. 

Remember to be extra-kind to your skin and yourself at this time.

The following are unretouched photos of skin before makeup and after concealer, makeup base and powder were applied.

Some Tips to Hide Acne

There are two roads to hiding acne.  The amount of products used and work needed depends on the amount of acne on your face.  Always pat to apply concealer, base and makeup.  Never rubon a product.

1. For a few individual pimples or a few very small acne-affected areas on your face or neck:  you can use concealer in cream form and loose face powder. Pat on concealer, in your skin tone, to the affected areas until it is blended gently into the area.  The concealer should cover the redness, but not change your skin tone.  You can apply concealer with your fingers or a brush.  Then apply makeup base with your fingers or a sponge and then face powder with a large natural bristled brush to a slightly larger area than was affected.  You can apply two very light layers of powder on the areas.  Once you have concealed theses areas, you can now apply your makeup as you usually do.
2. If the affected areas are very red, you can apply a green-toned concealer, then a skin-toned concealer and makeup base and then the facial powder, as described above.  Once again you can apply the concealer with your fingers or a brush, base with your fingers and a sponge and the powder with a large natural-bristled brush.  Once you have concealed theses areas, you can now apply your makeup as you usually do.
3. If larger areas of your face are affected:
1. You can apply a primer to minimize the oiliness of your skin.  You can apply with a brush or your fingers.
2. Then apply green-toned concealer to the reddest parts of the areas. You can apply with a brush or your fingers.
3. Apply normal-skin-toned concealer over all affected areas, including the areas covered with the green-toned concealer.  You can apply with a brush or your fingers.
4. Apply base over all the areas with your fingers or a sponge.
5. Apply a little face powder over all the areas you touchup.  This will help to take away shininess as well.  Apply the powder with a large, natural-bristled brush.
6. You can spray your face with on a fixative spray (spray at nearly 'arms length') if you wish to set your makeup.

Retouching Photos

I know that any photographer can retouch/air-brush/Photoshop your wedding photographs and thereby remove any trace of acne from your wedding pictures, but it is a very expensive project to retouch hundreds of photos.  Your first line of defense is good skin care and good makeup.  You can always have a special bridal portrait retouched for framing if you wish. 

Just stay clean, stay stress-free and be beautiful!

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Makeup Secrets Made Easy!

How many times have you wanted to improve your makeup routine or just get a better understanding of the art of applying makeup? 

The following tips and secrets can help you on your way. 

Foundation, Powdering and Eyes

Foundation color match: Want to know how to ensure a perfect match between your skin tone and the foundation color? Try a liquid foundation shade on your cheek area and a solid foundation shade on your chest just under your collar bone. Apply a bit of foundation to the area and gently rub in, if the foundation is indistinguishable from your skin tone, you've found the perfect color.

Powdering tip: If you do not have face powder, apply a thin layer of baby talc (unscented, white).

Your Eyes: Eye makeup is the most important and dominant part of the art of making up your face. Confused about where to put "it" all? First 'divide' your eye into three sections measuring from the top of your nostril to the top of your brow with a makeup brush. Section 1 is from your nostril straight up to the beginning of your brow and until the beginning of the iris. Section 2 is from your nostril across from the beginning of your iris to the end of your iris, including the highest point of your brow. Section 3 is from your nostril, past the end of your iris and through the corner tip of your eye and to very end of your brow. These section divisions are also excellent guide lines to determine how to shapes your brows .

Most eye shadows will be placed in sections 2 and 3. Eyeliner will be placed along the top of whole eye, but under the eye you can place eyeliner or eye pencil under just section 3. Start with eye shadow, either a light shade on the eyelid and a darker shade along the crease or the darker shade on the eyelid and a lighter shade along the crease. Brush your brows with a brush comb. Curl your eyelashes and add two coats of mascara and you're set.

A liquid foundation or concealer is perfect for older skin. Apply foundation or concealer around your entire eye area. Lightly powder and then apply eye makeup, blush and lipstick. If you have wrinkles under your eyes – do not powder this area. Before powdering your eye lids, lightly smooth the area with your finger and then powder.

Your Cheeks and Lips

How to apply blush: A pinky shade of blush can be used on almost any skin color and facial shape. On facial skin that tends to redden or a round facial shape use a peach or orange shade of blush. How to apply blush? Use a blush brush and dip it into the blush and tap off the excess. Smile and lightly apply on the apples of your cheeks and brush lightly and gently towards the middle of your ear. Brush gently backwards (towards your ear) and forwards (towards your nose). Always use very little blush and add as needed (it's easier to add than to remove!).

Your lips: Not sure what lipstick color suits you? Before you invest in expensive lipsticks you will never wear – do the following. First look at your wardrobe. What color clothes do you wear? Dark shades? Light shades? Maybe even a combination of the two depending on the season? Buy an inexpensive palette of lip colors (five or six different shades and tones). Try on each of the shades wearing different color clothes. Now you can take the shades you find attractive and purchase more expensive lipsticks in these shades. Do you have a lipstick color you like, but the color is too dark? Apply a coat of lipstick on your lips and then blot it with a tissue for a second. Now apply a coat of sheer lip gloss over it. The base color remains, but is more muted.

Try wearing different summer and winter shades of lipstick: warmer, darker shades in the winter to match (usually) darker winter clothes and softer, lighter shades in the summer to match (usually) lighter, pastel clothes.

Your skin care

Best kept beauty secret: Cold water! Wash your face daily in cold water. The old idea that hot water was the best for your face as it opened the pores, was a bad idea. Cold water closes your pores and keep your skin clean.

Second best kept secret: Keep your eye cream in the fridge. Now every time you apply the cream you’ll feel refreshed!

Makeup from the skin up Clean your skin thoroughly, pat dry and then apply a thin layer of moisturizer. Wait about twenty minutes to allow the moisturizer to fully absorb into your skin. No time to wait for your moisturizer to absorb in the mornings? The first thing to do in the morning is wash your face and moisturize before you get dressed. This way, once you are dressed, the moisturizer has done its job and you are ready to apply makeup.

No time for makeup, but you still want to look your best? Cleanse your skin, moisturize and then put on a light foundation (or foundation/powder combination). Put on blush and lipstick and you are ready to go. Don’t forget to have a lipstick and mirror in your bag for touchups during the day.

Celebrating a Simcha? Your face deserves to celebrate as well! It's time to think about your face and makeup at the same time you plan your simcha. Make an appointment with a cosmetologist to clean your skin and start a regimen that will give you softer and younger skin by your simcha date. Then call me.

On the day of the simcha clean and moisturize your skin at least two hours before you plan to apply makeup.

See and learn more on Styles by Yochi: Your makeup artist, hairstylist, wig stylist for all your weddings and simchas

Before the Wedding: Makeup and Hairstyling Trial Session

What is a makeup and hairstyling trial makeup session and why is it important for you, the bride?

A trial makeup and hairstyle session allows you, the bride, to try out different makeup and hairstyling looks to find the one best suited to your appearance, life style and the wedding style. Once a makeup and hairstyle plan is established, you have one less worry and one less task on your never-ending list of wedding tasks. This session can be relaxing and fun at a very stressful time.

I warmly recommend that the trial session be carried out in my studio, enabling you, the bride, to disconnect from everything around you and immerse yourself totally in the process. The actual makeup and hairstyling for the wedding can be carried out at my studio, your home or simcha site, according to your needs.

The trial session is a two to three hour session. Clear your schedule and make your appointment. You are invited to my studio to enjoy good coffee, something sweet and lots of no-stress attention.

What to expect at the trial session?
We will talk about:
• Your lifestyle, attitudes toward makeup (Do you rarely or always wear makeup? Do you like dramatic or understated makeup?) and hairstyling (Do you want a dramatic hairstyle or a simple, easy-to-wear look?).
• Your wedding gown and wedding style (Country? Formal? Casual? 'Shanty'?). Have you already selected your gown and wedding style or are you still searching? At my studio we can discuss your choices and look through magazines (Israeli, American and English) to help you find the look you've dreamed of.
• Your dream hairstyle and accessories (crown, clips, earrings).
• Your wedding color scheme and flower choices. These can influence the makeup colors and styles.
• Your skin condition and routine, allergies and skin sensitivities
• Wedding season
• Outdoor or indoor wedding
• Special makeup/hairstyle requests

What will Yochi do?
• I will dress you in a lace overtop over your white top (to simulate the top of a wedding dress) and then I will begin to create your hairstyle. Curling, teasing, straightening your hair until I achieve the result you want.
• We will also talk about whether you want to let your hair grow, add hair extensions, or change its color (gradually) or add highlights and think about any other changes you wish to make for the "big day".
• Once the hairstyle is to your liking, I will begin to create your makeup look.
• I will match your foundation to your skin tone and then I will begin to build your look. I will create either one or two eye makeup looks.
• Once we decide on an eye look, I will finish off the look with powder, shimmer, blush and lipstick/gloss.
• I will take sample photographs to see how the makeup looks "on camera" and make adjustments as needed.
• I will then add a veil, crown and jewelry to complete the perfect look. I will then take final photos.

Who should accompany me to the trial session?
• I recommend you take someone with you to the session; your mother, a trusted friend. Bring someone who will be objective, helpful and fun.
When should you schedule your trial session?
• Schedule the trial session as soon as you can: either as soon as you have set a wedding date or once you have seriously begun to think about your wedding look (whichever is first), so we have a start off point and can make the session as effective as possible.
• At this point you should also tentatively schedule the wedding date with me as well. You will need to close the wedding date with me as soon as possible.
• After the session you can then schedule the following appointments:
o with the cosmetician to ensure your skin is at its best
o We can schedule appointments to help improve/maintain your haircut/style, change your hair color (gradually), add highlights.

Other scheduling issues
Rule of thumb: You should schedule the makeup/hairstyle wedding session for at least 5-7 hours before the wedding is set to begin. To this time frame you should add extra time, in the event that you will need to travel more than 40-60 minutes to the hall or photography site.

What to bring to the trial session?
• Please wear a white top (without buttons). I provide veil choices and crowns, as well as a lace over top.
• Pictures of the gown you choose or gowns you like or websites of gowns you like.

Costs
• Consultation (at this type of session we can talk about many of the issues listed above in "What to expect at the trial session? We will talk about"): - free
• Makeup and hairstyling trial session: All the work described above involves a lot effort and costs money. The cost of the trial session will be deducted from the final amount, should you choose to hire me to do your wedding makeup and hairstyling. Call me to discuss trial and wedding day makeup and hairstyling.
• Wedding day makeup and hairstyling: Complete makeup and hairstyling as agreed during our trial session. I will also discuss with you (or a companion) how to make touch ups throughout the wedding, especially before the chuppah and get a 'touch up kit'. Call me to discuss trial and wedding day makeup and hairstyling.
• Additional service: I can accompany you throughout the wedding evening, touching up your makeup and hair, as needed.
See and learn more on Styles by Yochi: Your makeup artist, hairstylist, wig stylist for all your weddings and simchas