Archive for the ‘Wedding Day Beauty’ Category

Wanting to experiment with some self-tanners to try to get that bronzed and beautiful glow? After sampling multiple formulas that all promise results, we can finally bring you our top self-tanner picks that made the cut (yeah, we know…it was a tough editorial assignment!). These are also recommended and work for nearly every skin type. Just don’t forget to exfoliate beforehand!

The product:  St. Tropez Bronzing Gel; $35.00 for 5 oz.

The grade:  A-

My experience:  This easy-to-apply gel gave a perfect, streak-free and gorgeous tan for nearly six days (it began fading after four). The application was relatively easy – one of the best things about St. Tropez self-tanners (check out their Bronzing Mousse if you like the gel!) is that no matter how streaky they look after application; they rinse off to reveal a perfect even tan. When applying the gel, use their foam Applicator Mitt ($6.00; sttropeztan.com) to ensure the product blends into the skin evenly without staining hands. Since the color-guard dries dark, apply the tanner at night before bed (the color needs a good four to eight hours to develop) and wash the excess off in the morning to reveal your perfect color – or, leave it on for four hours during the day and rinse off for more of a “glowing from within” look. The tan faded very naturally, and by day seven it was gone. Remember to keep your skin moisturized to prolong your tan and keep your skin from looking “patchy.”

Great for:  Vacations; dark and light skin tones

Where to buy:  Sephora, 1125 Galleria Boulevard, Roseville, 916-772-8800; or at sttropeztan.com

The product:  Bare Escentuals Faux Tan; $22.00 for 4.5 oz.

The grade:  A

My experience:  This easy to blend and natural tan looked beautiful on fair skin. The color only barely develops darker than the tan, so it’s great for putting on right before an event or night out. The dry-time was very quick and even though I rushed to put clothes on, my white shirt was surprisingly un-stained after a long night out. The beachy, coconut scent is to die for – and no self-tanner smell! The final color was a gorgeous light brown. The tan began to fade on the fifth day, and by the sixth into the seventh day it was gone. For continued use, reapply on day five. If you want to gradually build the color for a darker tan, apply every three days.

Great for:  Applying before events and parties; dark and light skin tones; coconut lovers

Where to buy:  Bare Escentuals, 1151 Galleria Boulevard, Roseville, 916-782-3111; or at bareescentuals.com

The product:  Xen-Tan Dark Lotion Absolute Luxe; $56.00 for 8 oz.

The grade:  B+

My experience:  The first thing that we noticed about this self-tanner was the heavenly smell – it has a rich and creamy caramel aroma. The color blended well, especially when used with Xen-Tan’s helpful Hard to Reach Back Applicator ($18.00) on trouble spots. The color was a little orange-y while applying, but developed into a very nice golden brown tan, and looked very natural once the color guard is rinsed off. The color does dry very streaky, so apply before bed and rinse off in the morning. The color faded naturally, and didn’t even begin fading until day 10. For continued use, reapply after 10 to 12 days – sooner if exfoliating regularly.

Great for:  Vacations; long honeymoons; dark and light skin tones

Where to buy:  ULTA locations; 2381 Iron Point Road, Folsom, 916-984-8010; 1232 Galleria Boulevard, Roseville, 916-780-1117; or at xen-tan.com

The product:  Fake Bake Beyond Bronze Mousse; $30.00 for 4 oz.

The grade:  B+

My experience:  Although the application was fairly difficult (the foam expands quite a bit and the nozzle will spray tiny particles everywhere that will stain your flooring if you aren’t careful to point the tip downward) the resulting tan was light and natural looking – great for fair skin tones. It is recommended to build the color every day until you reach your desired tan level – even if you’re light skinned. The tanner took quite awhile to dry, and it left a film on the skin while sleeping (unfortunately it did transfer onto my sheets). However, the developed color was unbelievably beautiful, and after a quick rinse-off it looked far more natural than any of the other tanners. You can use this product during the day or before going out – the color guard does develop dark, but the resulting tan is so light that many might prefer the color guard to the actual tan. This tanner faded better than any of the others, with almost no exfoliation required, and lasted about five days.

Great for:  Fair skin tones; those looking for an extremely natural tan

Where to buy:  ULTA locations; 2381 Iron Point Road, Folsom, 916-984-8010; 1232 Galleria Boulevard, Roseville, 916-780-1117; or at fakebake.com

Blog post by Real Weddings Magazine Contributor Danielle Enns.

Photos courtesy of St. Tropez, Bare Escentuals, Xen-Tan and Fake Bake.

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Howdy, gorgeous Real Weddings Brides. Every bride knows you can’t work a great gown without equally amazing hair and makeup. Enter Hello Glam…one of our new favorite blogs for all things beauty.

Edited by Renee (hair) and Leiani (makeup), this handy blog is filled with pretty shots of brides all dolled up for their walk down the aisle. If you’re on the hunt for the perfect eyes, lips and hair, or tips on how to look your best for your big day, we highly suggest you comb through their pages for plenty of inspiring ideas!

Check them out at here!

Blog Post by Always a Bridesmaid Columnist Darren Elms.

Photo courtesy of Hello Glam.

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Every bride-to-be finds herself in the pursuit of flawless, glowing, youthful skin. That’s because she knows that the first step to achieving that jaw-dropping, heart-stopping, groom-melting bridal look starts with great skin! I recently came across a new innovative product that helps us girls get our skin “wedding aisle” ready in no time!

WrinkleMD from University Medical is a high-tech device that replenishes hyaluronic acid in the skin, via an eye patch. Wearing the eye patch once a week for 40 minutes leaves your skin brighter, smoother and younger looking… all from the comfort of your own home!

According to University Medical, “WrinkleMD can act as a preventative measure against wrinkles for brides-to-be in their 20s, lessen the appearance of lines for those in their 30s and work to decrease wrinkles in brides-to-be in their 40s.”

Using the system is really easy! All you need to do is stick the eye patches around your eyes and leave them on for 40 minutes twice a week to start and then once a week after the second week of the system.

While using the system, I could feel my skin begin to tingle and warm as the eye patches activated and worked their magic. The patches are very comfortable to wear and I was even able to resume my normal activities while they were hard at work fighting my winkles for me. After the 40 minutes is up, the patches automatically turn off.

WrinkleMD provides an Ion-Infusion Moisturizer and an Ion-Infusion Eye Serum C to apply after using the eye patches as well as in the morning and evening. The moisturizer and eye serum felt great on my skin, especially when I applied them right after I used the eye patches. They gave my skin a nice cooling sensation and left the area around my eyes feeling extremely hydrated.

I suggest not to make any plans directly after using WrinkleMD. The system does leave your skin red where the patches were applied. For me, it was about the same redness I would get from a wax and disappeared after 30 minutes to an hour. I do believe the redness could be concealed pretty well with makeup if you did have to go out right away.

After my first application, I instantly noticed a brightening of my skin. After a couple applications, I noticed a plumping around my eyes. Overall, I’ve noticed smoother, brighter, fresher skin.

At the risk of looking a little silly with those sticky eye patches on, WrinkleMD is a great alternative to needles and injections.

Using the WrinkleMD Eye System in preparation for your wedding might just be the answer you were looking for in your quest for flawless skin.

The WrinkleMD Eye System is available for purchase at universitymedical.com for $129 for a Deluxe 30-Day Kit.

Blog Post by Aimee Carroll, resident Girl Tested, Bride Approved Columnist.

Photos courtesy of University Medical.

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GLOWING SKIN ON THE GO…perfect to throw in the honeymoon suitcase!

Getting a bombshell blowout, a deep tissue massage and a relaxing facial not only make us feel better, but it makes us look better. However in this economy my bank account won’t let me get everything done on a regular basis, so what’s even better than a facial at the salon for glowing skin? A free facial at home of course!

On Saturday evening as I was getting ready to go out I decided to try L’Athene’s Purifying Clay Mask. It has been created by skin care consultants and Registered Nurses and contains peppermint, tea tree and clove oils with witch hazel and mineral clay to help your skin have a deep-cleansing, pore-fining mask that refreshes skin, helps prevent blemishes, and makes your skin feel and look young and rejuvenated once again.

I was in a rush so I wore the mask and then popped in the shower to get ready. I had the mask on for fifteen minutes and during that time the clay didn’t make my skin feel to tight or dry, but instead it felt cool and moisturizing. It also filled the bathroom with the aroma of peppermint and tea tree oil and helped me relax.

As I washed of the mask with the warm water, my skin felt fresh and clean. There was no redness, irritation, or dry skin. Instead, I threw on my sunscreen and put on my make up and let my skin glow.

Visit L’Athene’s Web site for more information.

Blog post by Style Media Group’s Executive Editor Desiree Patterson.

Photo courtesy of L’Athene.

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Welcome back to another installment of Real Weddings Magazine’s Partner Profiles!

This week we highlight the beautiful Jen Haupt from Makeup By Jenifer Haupt! We go way back with Jen, she’s been “making beautiful” (which is Jen’s motto) with our Real Weddings Magazine’s Cover Model Finalists since day one!  In fact, her bride, Lindsay Soldati recently won the Summer 2011 cover of Real Weddings Magazine! We love Jen’s bubbly personality, contagious positivity and, of course, she is one kick-ass stylist!  Take it away Jen!

Makeup By Jenifer Haupt

Tell us a little about your company?  I am a Certified Makeup Artist and specialize in bridal make-up and hair.

When did you establish your business?  I have a new studio set up in Midtown. But, not new to the industry of course.

What sets you apart from your competition?  I LOVE what I do. You can see the passion I have.

Where do you find inspiration?  Make-up comes natural to me. I am constantly looking at the current trends in magazines and online and take classes when I can.

When you opened shop, what was your promise to your customers?  A flawless look you will love.

Do you have any hidden talents?  I am a mini Martha Stewart. I can do anything crafty including baking.

What trend do you see coming for weddings in the next year?  Right now for 2011 the romantic feel is big, but I think that brides are starting to want some color. A splash of color for the bride will start to become a trend. A colorful flower in the hair, color on the dress, or a splash of color for the makeup.

Do you regularly blog? If so, what’s your blog site?  Yes! I just started and I have so much to say about wedding make-up. Click here for Jen’s Blog.

Do you Facebook?  YES…. I am a Facebook fool.  Click here for Jen’s Facebook page.

Photo by Jacqueline Photography. Shot on location at Arden Hills Resort Club and Spa. Make-up by Jenifer Haupt. Please see Summer/Fall 2011 issue for additional credit details.

Photo by Jacqueline Photography.

What’s your favorite local restaurant?  Bj’s Brewery (love their Hefeweizen beer)…

What’s your favorite local charity?  Loaves and Fishes. We have so many homeless people in the Sacramento area.

What is your favorite fun thing to do locally?  Farmers’ Markets when I get the chance. I love to buy fresh local produce and flowers.

Do you have secret vice or indulgence? What is it?  Cheesecake. I never turn it down.

What are you most grateful for in life?  My Husband!!! He treats me like a princess.

If you were to plan your own wedding, or re-do your wedding, what elements would be most important to you?  I want a re-do with my flowers, cake and DJ.

What advice would you can give to brides and grooms getting married today?  Take a moment to enjoy at your wedding because the day goes by SO FAST… pictures are worth a thousand words and memories.

Anything else you’d like to share with Real Weddings Magazine’s  brides?  I not only love what I do, I do what I love…

Find out more about Makeup By Jenifer Haupt by visiting her Web site, blog and Facebook Page!

Photos courtesy of Jenifer Haupt.

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