Mondays with Mindy: 5 Tips for a Fantastic NYE

Another year has come and gone. Why not celebrate 2012 by looking and feeling your best?? Here are 5 tips to help you let this year go out with a bang.

1.) Wear glitter. Glitter is definitely making a comeback especially around the holidays. So you don't look like a KE$HA video, try using a glitter eyeliner in gold, silver, or pewter tone to amp up your eyes. Or try adding glitter to your favorite nail polish. Glitter headbands are an easy way to glam up any New Year's Eve outfit.

2.) Deck your party out with fun decorations. However, it doesn't need to look like an 8th grade sleep over! Hang mini disco balls at different lengths from the ceiling for a simple but festive party look.

3.) Serve up a fun champagne cocktail like this one. No need for super expensive champagne when its being mixed with other ingredients;) Try something like this recipe:

Lucky 13

Ingredients:                                                    

Lemon slice
Granulated sugar
1 ounce X-Rated Fusion Liqueur
1/2 ounce Orange Liqueur
1-2 dashes Orange Bitters
4 ounce Sparkling Rosé
1 teaspoon Grenadine

Directions:

Rim a Champagne flute with sugar by rubbing it with a cut lemon, then dipping it into white, granulated sugar.
Pour X-Rated Fusion Liqueur, orange liqueur and bitters into a mixing glass. Shake with ice. Gently strain into sugar-rimmed Champagne flute.
Top with chilled sparkling rosé.
Gently drizzle grenadine into the glass, allowing it to settle at the bottom to create a layered effect.
Drink! (and grab someone cute when the ball drops!)

4.) If you're going to a party, take something nice. It's a celebration so spend a little extra and really "wow" the host and fellow attendants. Or search for something that looks like a million bucks that doesn't break the bank. Lobster is the cheapest its been in decades! Try something like a Lobster BLT

5.) Plan out your ride home!! Don't trust the "whoever is the most sober" method especially on a night like NYE. Add a few local cab companies numbers to your contacts BEFORE you go out. Be prepared for the cabs to take a decent amount of time to get to you. Or don't be ashamed of asking 'ol Mom and Dad to pick you up! They would much rather have you safe at home then lose out on sleep! Anyway you choose to get home, be safe. Between other drivers on the roads and more police watching over them, it's a good idea to plan out a safe ride home. You don't want to start 2013 off with a DUI or worse!

Have a Glamorous, Sparkly, and Safe New Year's Eve! Here's to a fabulous 2013!

XOXO Mindy

Feature: Holiday Hair Do on 15 Minute Beauty

Every once in a while we share our secret tips with the fabulous gals at 15 Minute Beauty (full directions on the style can be found here). We were delighted to see one of our favorite go-to style's featured last week and just in time for a New Year's Eve celebration!  Many thanks to Brittany Eby for always allowing us to use her beautiful hair. She is certainly one of our favorite hair models! You may have even seen her gorgeous strands grace the walls of our Baltimore and Virginia studios! If you have any events or parties to attend this weekend, we encourage you to give this easy style a try! Share your photos on facebook or twitter! We'd love to see them!

 Happy Friday!

Bridal Shows: Come See Us!

Saturday January 5th - Chesapeake Bay Beach Club * Noon to 5pm

Chesapeake Bay Beach Club, Kent Island

Sunday January 13th - What's Up? Weddings Bridal Expo * 1-4pm

Loews 126 West Street, Annapolis

January 20th - Washington Bridal Showcase * 11-5pm

Patriot Center, George Mason University

Saturday January 27th Great Bridal Expo * 12-4pm

Hilton Alexandria at Mark Center, Alexandria

February 2nd and 3rd -Baltimore Bridal Show * 11-5pm

Baltimore Convention Center, Baltimore

February 23rd - Hotel Monaco Alexandria Open House * 11-3pm

480 King Street, Alexandria, VA 22314

 March 24th- Capital Bridal Affair and Fashion Show * 11-4pm

The Mayflower Renaissance Washington Hotel 1127 Connecticut Ave, NW

March 24th- Style to Aisle...a Bride's Runway  *  3-7pm

L'Enfant Plaza Hotel 480 L'Enfant Plaza Hotel, SW Washington, DC 

April 7th - Historic Inns of Annapolis Wedding Show  * 12-3pm

58 State Circle, Annapolis 

Dazzling Details Bazaar * 11am-12pm VIP Breakfast, Bazaar 12pm-4pm

 Hotel Monaco, Baltimore

Product of the Week: BB Cream

So what is all the rage with this new product out there BB cream? Is it something we should add to our makeup regimen? So where did it come from?

What was to become BB Cream was originally formulated in the 1960s in Germany by dermatologist Dr. Christine Schrammek to protect her patients' skin after surgery. It was introduced to South Korea and Japan in 1985 – where healthy-looking, porcelain skin is heavily prized – the cream was hailed as "the secret of Korean actresses," and was heavily endorsed by Korean celebrities. These Korean women talked up the product so much, that it soon made it's way over to the Western world! Lucky us.  (cosmopolitan.com/wikipedia.com)

Here are the benefits:
* Produces a very natural, "no makeup look"

* Provides perfect coverage like a foundation would but since it's not as thick, it doesn't clog the pores

* Works pretty much like a tinted moisturizer

* Conceals all types of pigmentation, discoloration, acne and other blemishes

* Has healing properties that soften, smoothen and refine skin

* Encourages skin regeneration to create and maintain youthful skin

* Contains UV Protection for healthy skin (SPF levels differ for each brand/product)

* Anti-wrinkle and skin-lightening benefits (available for some variants)
                                                                                   (http://www.squidoo.com/b-b-cream)



So how do you know which one is right for you? You should treat it like skin care. If you have oily, dry or sensitive skin, go with a product that compliments that. You don't need to spend a fortune on BB Creams. Try a few out and see which ones you like!

xoxo, Lindsay 

(photo credit: Google.com)

Mondays with Mindy: Holiday Beauty Guide

Well folks, they're here. No more escaping. The holidays have come! This time of year is bound to bring on some type of stress (good or bad) so why not look your best when running to four different Christmas parties or while being cornered by weird Uncle Harry?? Here are seven beauty tips to ensure a fabulous holiday!

1.) With crazy fashions constantly hitting the shelves, nails are sure to be a hit this year. But instead of painting them like candy canes or the always popular cranberry shades, try glamming up a neutral. Neutral hues are always classy but how about adding a glitter polish as a top coat? Try OPI nail lacquer in "Bubble Bath" as your neutral than your favorite glitter polish. You're sure to be a perfect 10!

2.) Nix your old faithful eyeliner for a look that will be the envy of the party! Try using a sapphire or plum shade on your bottom water line. Not only will these colors make your eye color "pop", but they also make the whites of the eye look whiter, which tend to yellow the older we get. I use Urban Decay 24/7 eyeliner pencils in "Binge" and "Rockstar". TIP: Is your eyeliner too soft or crumbling? Pop it in the freezer for 15 minutes before applying. Works like a charm and feels great putting it on!

3.) When the holidays approach, some many experts say, "try a red lip!" Well if you don't know exactly which darker shade looks best, this trend can go really wrong. Instead, try a neutral high shine gloss. This allows your eyes to grab the attention and your lips to keep them looking. Glossy neutral lips can make your pout fuller. So if thin lips are what you've got, try this instant (and painless) plumper. TIP: Running low on your fave gloss near the holidays? Drop your closed gloss stick into a mug of warm water for 10 minutes. The heat melts gloss off the sides so you have more to use. And then pray for a gift card to MAC from Santa!

4.) Sometimes we want a new hairstyle but don't want to cut it or don't know how to style it. Here's a way to do both without changing your length at all! Blow dry and curl your hair. The curls underneath don't have to be perfect so waves will do just fine. As soon as it's curled and the front looks the way you want it, take the ends of your hair and roll them under creating a faux wavy bob updo! Secure the hidden hair with a few long pins or bobby pins. The undone wisps of hair make this look modern and fresh.

5.) Want fuller eyelashes without the hassle of false lashes? Using a waterproof eyeliner in a dark neutral shade, trace the upper inner rim of your lash line. Lashes can look or actually be sparse. This trick fills in the gaps and gives the illusion of thick, full lashes. TIP: Try this method before you shadow your eyes. This way the shadow doesn't get on your fingers and on the rest of your face. Using a make-up brush, horizontally push on your eyelid. This will expose the inner lash line. Use a sharpened pencil so the product doesn't get into your eye!

6.) Give your hair a little sparkle for a holiday party. A low bun will not wow anyone. But a low bun with a glittery head band will! Dress up a messy side bun will a sparkling clip or pin. You can even bobby pin in a brooch made from crystals. Or if you really want to wow people, re-purpose a sparkly necklace.  Attach a necklace onto a ponytail holder. Put your hair up and start to braid, only in one of the sections, add the necklace so its like a strand of hair. Continue to braid and then wrap the braid around into a bun. Secure with bobby pins and Presto! You now have that glittery necklace woven into your hair.

7.) It's a fact. There will be more treats and drinks at holidays parties than anyone knows what to do with. The problem... other than your waistline, is puffiness! Your face and hands can retain water because of dehydration and too much salt. The solution? Drink LOTS of water! This will help flush out the salt and keep your face looking fresh. Try to stay away from caffeine as well. It will only dehydrate you and your skin more. 

Here's to a beautiful holiday season and an even more glamorous 2013!!

XOXO Mindy

Inspiration: All About Nails

There are so many details to consider before the big day. Whether its your wedding day, preparing for the Christmas or New Years eve party, or the winter formal, every girl is thinking the same thing. What should I do with my nails? Rounded or square tips? What about the polish? There’s the classic French Manicure, or mix things up with the accent finger, ohh the possibilities! Follow this new infographic by SimplyBridal to help you personalize your style.

Inspiration: Celebrating 2012

With such a busy year of photo shoots, weddings and other fun events, we pulled together some of our top photos from 2012. Leave a comment if you see yourself or someone else you know! Thanks again to all of our fans, readers, brides, families and friends who support Up-Do's For I Do's and our artists! We LOVE having you in our life!

The Venting Bride: A Makeup Station

Here is a sneak-peek at what a makeup station will look like on your wedding day!

1.  Your makeup artist should have a variety of shades in order to customize the right color for your skin tone. This is a cream base and is easy to mix and blend.

2. Hydrate, Hydrate, Hydrate. And drink more water! This will help your skin look young and healthy. Drinking plenty of water will also help with break-outs and bloating.

3.  The artist should come with several colors of eye-shadows in order to create custom looks for each bridal party member. Eye-shadows with a variety of finishes will be included in a makeup artists' kit.  The most popular are mattes, shimmers and frosts.

4. Eye-primer is a must for the long wedding day.  In order to keep that tailored look all day, the artist should apply an eye primer first. This also helps reduce the eye makeup creasing.

5. In addition to using cream or powder foundations we come equipped with airbrush materials. Airbrush foundation is great for brides with oily or sweaty skin. The airbrush foundation also gives brides a natural glow and dewy finish.

6.  Custom mixing foundations and shadows on palettes is a key tool for makeup artists. The palette also allows the artist to keep the tools sanitary.

7. Tools of the trade ~ Makeup brushes! A makeup artist can never have too many. Using the right tools allows us to create a perfect, customized look for each face we create.

xoxo, 

Lindsay

Dream Team: Happy Holidays!

Every year we love to get a little silly and have some fun! Happy Holidays to our readers, clients, brides, friends, vendors and families! Big thanks to Say Cheese! Paper Props for helping us spread a little holiday cheer!

Real Wedding: Rebecca

Just wanted to let you know that Belen and Kara were absolutely wonderful.  They did a great job and everyone looked fabulous!  Please tell them thank you.  They were both so nice and I appreciate their help in making everything perfect on my wedding day.

~ Rebecca

Photos by Pete Redel.

The Venting Bride: Prep your face!

Our favorite tips for a relaxing and stress-free day! Follow these tips for a flawless makeup application:

1. Drink plenty of water! It is important to be drinking as much water as you can the week of your wedding to help keep your skin looking healthy and youthful. It will also help reduce blemishes.

2. Keep the sweet and salty snacks to a minimum as this will encourage breakouts.

 3. Use an oil free makeup remover. We prefer Neutrogena or Mary Kay. Removing your makeup from the previous night is really important so it doesn't interfere with your bridal look.

 4. Wash your face with an exfoliating cleanser. I like Clean and Clear's Exfoliating daily wash. It is a gentle cleanser with round micro-scrubbers. You always want to use an exfoliating wash that has a round scrub. It is easier on your skin and won't cause any damage.

5. Make sure you moisturize your face! Cetaphil is a wonderful product. In the past it was a  prescription moisturizer and can now be found over the counter. It is non-comedogenic and fragrance free.  This is good option for clients that have very sensitive skin or skin allergies. 

xoxo,

Lindsay 

Photo credit: Google.com