- For the nails: I, personally, don’t love how acrylic nails leave my actual nails looking: weak, broken and bumpy.  Broadway Nails are an excellent option! They are sold at Target, Walgreens, and any other local convenience store. These nails are able to be applied in less than 5 minutes.  They come with a nail glue that you apply only a dot on your own nail along with the fake nail, press down for 10 seconds and you are ready to go! They stay on anywhere from 4-7 days too.

They look just as great as going to a salon!

For your smile: Wearing a beautiful, all white gown can draw attention to your pearly whites…or lack there of. Crest Whitestrips are the best investment I’ve ever made for my teeth.  In pictures, having a dazzling white smile just adds that extra sparkle. You only need a half-hour a day for a week (varies depending on teeth sensitivity.) I sometimes wear them when I’m driving, or even working out!

For your eyes: One of my favorite little extras that really glam up anyones look is fake eyelashes. No, you do not need to wear 5 inch long lashes or lashes so thick it looks like a caterpillar decided to stop and rest on your eyelid. But having a little extra length or thickness can help anybody! You can pick up a pair of ModLash fake eyelashes at Target, Walmart, or CVS. Make sure it comes with eyelash glue. The trick: use liquid eyeliner on your upper lid so its less apparent of where the lash is glued on.

The best number for a more subtle, girly lash: Modlash 53. Want something a little longer and more glam? I love the 105′s for a more intense look!

Glamour magazine just did a great article on various styles of eyeliner for the different shapes/sizes of eyes. The showcased examples of small eyes like Taylor Swift and big round eyes like Zooey Deschanel to name a few.

I was naturally drawn to the tips for the large round eyes, as that’s my eye shape. Here’s what I learned.

• Apply a strong and precise line to your upper eyelid.
• Don’t line the bottom side of the eye, instead, just apply mascara.
• Liberally add mascara to the top lashes as well.

Product Recommendation:

Bobbi Brown Gel Eyeliner — Michelle Money from the Bachelor recently posted a great tutorial of how to use the liner. So fabulous!

I love love love this bride from Graddy Photography. It’s slightly sexy and very feminine. Having the veil at the crown of the head is not as common as it used to be, but when placed right, the veil adds height to the look and is ultra flattering.

Also, check out the beautiful bling she added to her hair, pinning it back on one side. It’s a great touch, especially when most brides remove their veil during the reception. Voila! You can show off your hair piece or barrette.

As for the makeup, I love the bride’s smokey eye and sculpted brow look. It looks like she has a strong and thin eyeliner application and a dark chocolate color contouring the eyelid at the corner and the crease.

By far, my favorite part about the makeup is the lip. Since the eyes are bold and sexy, the lip is sweet and subdued. A light pink on the lips looks great. Make sure to line the lips and opt for a matte pink color here, to really leave the focus on the eyes, but still make the lips prominent.

A recent post by The Beauty Counter confirmed the advice that I usually give to people, to get more radiant skin. Adding retinoids by way of a moisturizer, serum or even a cleanser can r

eally help with skin cell rejuvenation. The reason I know that retinoids work, is because I have experience. I was a long time acne sufferer. In fact, the reason I became so fascinated with makeup is because I was forever trying to conceal blemishes. All the experimentation helped me learn about makeup and concealing techniques to really erase any acne evidence. Also, along the way I was put on Retin A – a strong retinoid based acne medication. The treatment worked (after a rough period of dry peeling skin) My face was clear, smooth and blemish free. It was pretty miraculous how retinoids affected my skin. Not only was my acne gone, but my skin was even and bright. It was amazing!

Many “over the counter” products have retinoids in them. I highly recommend incorporating them into your skincare routine, especially if you’re getting married. you’ll want your skin to look flawless. And while makeup can do wonders, there’s no replacement for healthy glowing skin.

Here are some products that have a retinoid ingredient in them:

DERMAdoctor products: Poetry in Lotion — these have high concentrations of retinol for rapid results

This is an Allure Best of Beauty Winner 2009 — Roc Retinol Correxion

I’ll admit it, I was a Laguna Beach fan. I was on team L.C. and have been impressed with the way she’s made a career out of her reality show debut. From the Hills to writing books to designing clothes, Lauren seems to have a good head on her shoulders. But what I’ve really been watching in the last years is her beauty looks. She definitely has her signature makeup looks. Tasteful lack liquid liner with a slight cat eye, and dewy bronze skin are her trademarks. Let’s look at Lauren as wedding makeup inspiration. If you’re a bride wanting to look bronzed but natural, with a feminine sophistication, try her look.

The first part of Lauren Conrad’s look is the skin. It’s a bronze tone and is dewy.

The skin:

1. Prepare the skin with moisturizer (oil free to avoid thick shine).
2. Choose a foundation slightly warmer or deeper in color than your skin tone. Apply lightly all over, blending especially on the jaw and neckline.
3. Then, add a highlighter at the top of the cheekbones, just below the under eye area.
4. Finally, add a peach blush to the apples of the cheeks.

The eyes:

1. Prep the eye lid with an eyeshadow primer from lash line to the eyebrow.
2. Add a wheat or champagne eyeshadow to the eye lid area. (avoid too much shimmer, instead choose a “pearly” shade)
3. Add a gel or liquid liner. A video below shows you the art of the winged eyeliner technique. Don’t be afraid to try it!

Some of my favorite eyeliners include Bobbi Brown Gel Eyeliner and Lancôme Kohl Eyeliner.

For the technique, I would suggest a highly defined, not smudged line, since elegance and intensity is the key for your bridal beauty.

Below, one of my favorite celebrity beauties, Blake Lively shows off her Blue Eyeliner

I also did Julie’s makeup for the day. Obviously, she’s not a hard client, she looks beautiful no matter what, but I had a great time playing up her gorgeous eyes. We used a lot of Lancome makeup. Specifically Lancome eye kohl in grey and Dual Finish Foundation (one of my all time best powder foundations).

I also got great use out of my favorite beauty secret: Sally Hansen Airbrush Legs. It’s an airbrush tan in a bottle. It lasts for one day, is water resistant, and natural looking. You can buy it at any drugstore like Walgreens or Walmart.

Enjoy the photos below, taken by Gabriel and Carin Photography of Williston, ND.

Paul and Joe Alice In Wonderland Makeup

Furthermore, in the world of beauty, which I never ignore, there are some AMAZING new makeup collections. Thanks to the Primping Parleur for pointing out the new Paul and Joe Beaute Spring Collection. Paul and Joe Cosmetics have the whimsical feel to them that I adore. Their lip glosses are adorable, their lipsticks and other products come in beautiful packaging. Hmm… do I sense a great bridesmaid gift package?

Whimsical Reception

Great Red, Pink and Blue Combination

I think a really simple way to incorporate a whimsical Alice in Wonderland feel to your beauty routine, for your wedding or otherwise is to pair lavender plus coral. The feeling of Alice in Wonderland is sort of bold, but girly, so pairing a purple with a coral can give you that contrast while still maintaining the feminine.

I recommend for the eyes: A light lavender shadow. Line very lightly with a black liner, and add mascara.

Then for the lips and cheeks choose a peach or a coral.

Voila,  you’re like a pretty Alice ready for the tea party

lavender eyes, coral lips and cheeks

What you see here with the makeup.

• Deep outer corner shading of the eyes, with a pointed and upturned shape.
• Likely a matte brown used for the deep shading.
• Possible false lashes.
• Defined and arched brows.
• A very subdued lip with gloss.

Here is the look in color. Very polished yet it pushes the envelope. Love that! For products to use I would choose Lancome’s Color Design cream bronzer, Bobbi Brown’s Gel Eyeliner in Black ink and any matte brown shadow (with an ash tint) for the contouring. Also, try some false lashes!

Photo from the incredible photographer Lilia www.Lilia.com and makeup artistry of Bara Krejcikova