Feature: Fox 45 Morning News August 2012

Did you miss us on Fox 45 yesterday morning? 

You can view our clip here and see what Beth and Kelly are up to!

Mondays with Mindy: Perfect Wedding Day Hair!

I love what I do. I am lucky enough to make people not only look, but feel beautiful on one of the biggest days of their lives. Half way through my fifth wedding season, I’ve found a few simple tricks a bride can do to ensure perfect wedding day hair.

1.) Before your trial- Knowing your hair. Is your hair thick, thin, coarse, fine? Can it hold a curl or does it go limp in a matter of minutes? Is your hair curly, wavy, or straight? Knowing the answers to these questions can make all the difference in the world when determining your wedding day look. Mix this knowledge with the time of year of your wedding and the typical weather for that time of year and you have the ability to choose the perfect style for your hair! For example, if your hair doesn’t hold curl well and you’re having an outdoor ceremony in July, an updo may be your best option due to the humidity and your hair type. If you have healthy, long hair which holds a curl and your wedding is indoors (or in a controlled environment) your options are a little more open. Keeping these things in mind before meeting with your stylist is such a great idea because your vision is realistic.

2.) Before your day- Trims. Yes, usually brides want the longest hair possible on her wedding day. Today, I am going to bust the myth that having super long hair is best for an updo. This is not the case. If you can get all your hair up, so can we! Obviously, the longer your hair, the more we can do with it when in an updo. But most updos can be created with shoulder length hair.  If half up or all down is the look you’re going for, length is important. But more importantly is the health of the long hair. If the ends of the hair are unhealthy (dead ends), curls have a very hard time staying throughout the entirety of the night. Also, long layers help with these styles. All one length hair is very heavy. This added weight can pull down your curls and leave your hair less curly/wavy by the end of the night. Layers act like “stairs” for each curl to lie on. Getting a tiny trim a couple weeks before your wedding day will give it time to relax after the cut and also leave your ends looking perfectly fresh for the big day. Please go to a stylist you trust and stress it is your wedding day!! Even suggesting a light “dusting” to your stylist can help communicate the importance of receiving the slightest trim.

3.) Day of- Prepping your hair. In order to keep to a schedule, there a couple easy things you can do on your wedding day. When your stylist arrives, please have 100% dry hair. Throughout my experiences, my biggest pet peeve has become damp hair. If the hair has the slightest bit of wetness, our irons can scorch your hair. Plus, it saves so much time if everyone is ready to go! Also, do not flat iron your hair before receiving hair services. Flat irons are so hot and now have ionic capabilities which temporarily erase the memory within the hair strand. Therefore, when a curling iron tells the hair to have circular movement (curl), the hair will want to revert to its former straight state. Trust me, my hair is not a pretty sight with just using a blow dryer or god forbid, by air-drying.  But when we walk in on the day of a wedding and see hair close to its natural state, we are thrilled because we know the style will stay throughout the night.

These very easy, but often overlooked tips can be the key to looking your absolute best on your special day.

P.S. Tell your bridesmaids ;)

Xoxo Mindy

Feature: Perfect Wedding Guide

We are delighted to see our work on several pages in the newest issue of the Perfect Wedding Guide. We love that this issue addresses the picture perfect hair and makeup trends. Thank you to Christine Barker Photography, Balance Photography, our past models and brides! The first feature is Christin. Former bride and now one of our talented hairstylists. Her wedding was featured in the wedding spotlight.  Enjoy!

Real Wedding: Olga

So we are a little behind (A LOT BEHIND) on our real wedding blog posts but that means we have so much awesome material from real brides to share with you! Olga was married last year and her wedding day was picture perfect. Kyle Bergner captured her effortlessly and really displayed Olga's awesome personality. Earlier this year, Olga joined us for our shoot with Christine Barker and we were thrilled to have her model with us. Enjoy!

 I think the image below is one of my favorites!

 See? These girls are a blast!

Feature: AWP

 Last night was a great night for meeting new professionals in our area! As a guest attending AWP's networking event, I was lucky to meet some of the best in the Washington, D.C. area!

Meeting at Fosters, National Harbor last night, I got to meet some great wedding professionals and learn more about the D.C. area, so I can share that knowledge, with you, our brides! A fantastic dinner and fantastic views...

 yummm!

 

I highly recommend a trip to the National Harbor to look at these top restaurants for rehearsal dinners and more! xoxo Lindsay

Features: Feeling the love worldwide

Nothing makes our hearts skip a beat more than seeing our name across the world wide web. Over the past few weeks, we've made several appearances! Enjoy each individual event as much as we did!

Oh we could have hung out all day with this calm and awesome bride! Check out their stunning and green wedding here! Think she has extensions or is that her real hair?

Katie's weddings was spectacular! What a dreamy day with her girls in green dresses and the country club as the beautiful backdrop! Check out the feature on Maryland Wedding Blog. Photos by Travis Curry.

The following day, we had a feature of my sister's bridal shower in Delaware earlier this spring. With a destination wedding planned, we embraced her beach theme. Check out the feature of the Delaware Wedding Blog!

Another appearance on Jackson Photography's blog! Amanda and her girls prepped at one of our favorite places in Baltimore, the Hyatt! I worked mainly with Amanda's mom and she was such a pleasure!

Julia's Lemon inspired wedding featured on East Coast Bride. Drop dead gorgeous images taken by Meaghan Elliott Photography!

There's nothing like seeing your work on a fashion blog! Thanks Bride Chic for the feature on this awesome project. Sneak a peek at the behind the scenes here! Stunning photos by Balance Photography.

 Last but not least, a little feature on the "Get To Know Me" section of American Chronicle. Enjoy!

Mondays with Mindy: Surviving Summer

Everyone loves the summer time. But I would be a liar if I said I loved everything about it. With the increasing temperatures, more and more precautions need to be taken to avoid the harmful rays of the sun. No matter how hard you try to avoid it (especially when you a natural red-head like me…shhh!) sun burns can still occur. And since no one likes a whining lobster on vacation, here are some unconventional tips I’ve learned.

Strawberries: Yes, they are delicious and thank God they’re more abundant in the warmer months, but they may have some unknown benefits when it comes to the sun. Did you know eating strawberries can actually limit the sun’s ability to burn your skin? It’s true. Strawberries contain Ellagic Acid which naturally helps protect skin from cellular damage from the sun. The acid boosts skin cells capability and helps prevent dangerous UV radiation from penetrating the skin. By adding strawberries to your regular diet, your body can naturally reject sunburns. In just 3 servings per week (about 18 strawberries total), your body can produce natural sunscreen. **Eating strawberries should not in any way replace sunscreen, but can be used as an extra precaution in addition to sunscreen**

Tomatoes: Like strawberries, tomatoes have natural capabilities to fight against the sun. Other than antioxidants, tomatoes have Lycopene.  Lycopene boosts skin cells integrity. Cooked tomatoes have an even higher level of lycopene. In addition to eating tomatoes, if you have an existing sunburn the actual tomato can be put on the skin. Tomatoes can reduce redness and soothe sunburned skin. Now there is a use for the part of the tomato you usually throw away! Tomato juice or puree can even be added to a bath for all over soaking.

Vinegar: If put in a spray bottle, vinegar can be sprayed on the skin when burned by the sun. It’s normal to think the acidic properties on a burn would not be a good combo, but the reverse is true. Because it evaporates quickly, vinegar is known to reduce pain and cool down sunburn. Be sure to let the vinegar dry before touching any clothing or fabric.

Cucumbers: Mostly everyone has used or at least heard of putting cucumber slices on your eyelids. The reason for this is because cucumbers naturally moisturize, alleviate redness, and nurse skin back to health.  Therefore they are great for sun burned skin.

Milk and dairy products: people sometimes think water can soothe burned skin however it does the opposite. Water can dry your already thirsty skin whereas milk or yogurt hydrates skin. Because of the natural fat in dairy products, it can add the moisture back into the skin.

Want an all-over body, spa-like experience for sunburn? Place about 7 tablespoons of oatmeal into a clean white sock. Fill a bath tub with moderately temperature water. Think of the oatmeal-filled sock as a teabag in a big mug, which is your bath tub. Let it “steep” before entering the tub and squeeze the sock. A milky substance will escape which are the polysaccharides. They create a barrier on your skin that can soothe any skin irritation. Then add a bit of honey and milk to the water. Both are natural moisturizers. Then, and this is the most important part, add a few drops of lavender oil. Lavender oil is amazing on burns. It helps fight infections, lessens blistering and scarring, promotes healing, and helps to relax you. Enjoy!

**All products should be tested on skin before applying. If more redness or irritations occur, stop immediately. And of course, I'm not a doctor so consult yours when using any new product!! **

xoxo Mindy

Real Wedding: Jessica

Ashley and Beth,

Thank you so much for making the girls and I as beautiful as I've ever

seen any of us! I can't believe your professionalism, how you threw

yourselves in as part of the party ( much, much appreciated), and how

great we all looked! I received so many compliments on my hair and

make-up and just kept repeating "updosforidos! updosforidos!"

I couldn't believe how well my hair and make up held up in 100 degree

heat! Thank you!!

More pics featured on the incredibly talented, awesome Australian accented Stephen Govel's blog! 

Product of the Week/The Venting Bride

Its Wednesday. Hump day. On the countdown to the weekend! Have any plans for Friday or Saturday night? If so we want your hair to be the best it can be. Our product of the week, are Chi Products, in particular a Chi flat iron. 

Chi Products use ceramic compounds to make their tools. A chi flat iron produces negative ions and moist heat allowing your hair to stay healthy and shiny. Your hair will resist drying out using this tool and spraying a heat protector on your hair, also helping with shine and reducing frizz! It also offers consistent heat when flat ironing your hair, which is a must. Starting at the root and ironing your hair out to the ends, you can create a very sophisticated look. Our artist will use a flat irons in certain situations so that you have the perfect hair on a wedding day! 

The Venting Bride~ 

First let me introduce myself... My name is Lindsay Carroll, I work for Up Do's For I Do's as a hair and makeup artist. I recently got engaged and am going through the process of planning. I see brides all the time, every week, but I see the final product. I see the bride on her actual day, the planning is done.  As I start my planning, I am not only overwhelmed but what this industry has to offer, but excited at all the choices available. This is the beginning of me, talking to you, about going through my bridal planning experience.  

I got engaged and immediately my fiancé had in mind what time of year he wanted for the wedding. As an artist my occupation can sometimes have me scheduled up to a year in advance, so my date is set. Now it's finding a venue that can accommodate our set date. Oh and we plan to be married in Panama City Beach, FL.  After reviewing my options for different venues, I realized that an intimate wedding is more...us. I didn't want a huge hotel where I would rarely see my guest's, but a place where we can all relax and enjoy each other's company since people will be taking their time to come down here to celebrate. I want them to feel like it is a three day party! I ended up booking a venue where we can take over the whole place, and have that intimate feeling, of one on one with our guests. What would you like out of your venue?

Feature: My Deejay Blog and CALL ME MAYBE!

Last week we were pleased to see one of our favorite wedding memories on MyDeeJay's blog!

Megan, one of our June brides had an awesome flash mob during her reception! To see more of her story and our thoughts (alongside some other favorite wedding friend vendors), check out the post here!

Giveaway: Baltimore Bridal Show

Email Ashley@updosforidos.com for tickets (while supplies last)!

Mondays with Mindy: My New Town

I have lived within a 7 mile radius my entire life. I’m from Maryland, where the steamed crabs are abundant and where “O!” is yelled louder during the national anthem than anywhere else in America! Because my hometown is so small, I usually say I’m from Baltimore. But then I typically get the response, “like where The Wire was filmed??” No. I lived inside the beltway in Baltimore County. I grew up within walking distance to my elementary and middle school. I have vivid memories of getting snowballs with extra marshmallow dipping down my Styrofoam cup, decorating my bike for the local Fourth of July parade, and having more pizza places and hair salons around than people! It was the perfect mix of down-home feel with a dash of city. So, needless to say, when I decided to move to Northern Virginia it was a BIG deal. Yes, it’s not across country but when I told my family and friends, you would have thought I was moving to Denmark.

One thing I’ve learned since moving is Virginia is HUGE! The roads and highways are incredibly wide. There are people walking, running, biking, and driving everywhere. Whole Foods and Targets here are the size of villages. And the trees. The trees are magnificently statuesque. Another thing I’ve learned is you’ll see a lot of this beautifully massive scenery while behind the wheel of your car. Me and my car are now in a serious relationship with one another. Apparently big roads equal bigger traffic. I don’t think I’ll ever understand how something 4 miles away can take 30 minutes to get to or why there’s bumper to bumper traffic on 495 at 10:45pm on a Wednesday evening. Besides the traffic, NOVA (what the cool kids say) has so much to offer. I am having a fabulous time checking out all the different towns. Falls Church, Reston, Leesburg, Old Town Alexandria, Arlington, Tyson’s Corner, and Vienna are all so unique and exciting to explore. I just wish my bank account could handle more of these field trips!

Not only did I move, but my boyfriend, Sean and I decided to get a place together. After countless horror stories about dirty clothes on the floor and toothpaste in the sink, I am happy to say I love living with him:) He is more than I could ever ask for in a boyfriend, friend, and now “roommate”. Now his dog, his dog is a whole other blog post! To add to this monumental time in my life, I helped open the second location of Up-Do's For I Do’s. Our studio is located in the sweet town of Vienna and is stunning! I still can’t believe everything we’ve accomplished and all the amazing things to come. Sky is the limit from here and I can’t describe how immensely happy I am to be a part of it all. Go Team Updos!!

So while I miss the “grittiness” of Baltimore, I have to say I’m liking Virginia more and more each day. While it will never take my hometown’s place, I think it is the perfect area to make new memories in during this crazy thing called life.

xoxo Mindy

 

Features: We h.e.a.r.t Wedding Season

Nothing like a good ice cold beer. Such a creative and thirst quenching photo. Love Sarah Harper's style and you can see more of her photos and images from Lauren's wedding  here! 

Also, I was completely blown away with how beautiful the Tremont was transformed for Kathleen's wedding. 

How cute is this little one getting her shimmer? See more elegant photos on Rachel Smith's blog! 

....and one memorable day with Theresa and her gals...more striking photos over on D.Bryant's blog. So honored we get to work with this great guy so often! 

EXCLUSIVE: Now Serving NOVA/DC Area