Smart Bride Blog

Budget Beauty: Hair Serum

admin — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 19:26:55 +0000

We love hair serum, here at SBB. In the Midwest, hair tends to get very dry in the winter, and an oil or serum is one of the only ways to add instant hydration. We’ve noticed a lot more budget serum products on the shelves in the last months. Here’s some of our favorites.

Organix Coconut Milk Serum

This is great for towel dried hair. Apply a very small amount to the ends. Whether you go to sleep with your hair wet or style as usual – two things are for sure. Your hair will smell delicious, and it will be lustrous. A word to the wise, this is very very thick, so start with a small amount. Too much will make your hair greasy.

Dove Nourishing Oil

This is a lighter weight serum that is great for towel dried hair and even for dry hair when you need a bit more shine to flat ironed hair. I’ve used this as a leave-in conditioner and it makes my super coarse hair feel moisturized.

So if you’re going for hair-down on your wedding (which is so feminine and romantic) start experimenting with serums at night, during and after styling. See what works best for your hair texture.

Here’s one of my favorite celebrity hair styles – goddess Jennifer Aniston, when she married what’s his name…

This ring is bananas

admin — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 17:11:39 +0000

Found this on Wit and Delight

Nude, Blush and Peach – Wedding Dresses and Hair!

admin — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 14:54:34 +0000

In the last few days we’ve noticed a major trend in fashion and beauty. We’ve seen a lot of nude, blush and peach color in wedding dresses and even in hair!

We first noticed the trend when Lauren Conrad posted on her beauty blog her dyed peach strands. They look quite lovely!

Next we noticed Vera Wang’s new collection of black and nude wedding dresses comning down the runway:

Don’t worry – David’s Bridal has an affordable version of these nude dresses. Check out this blush colored dress from White by Vera Wang:

How Beautiful, Side Swept Curls

admin — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 19:00:39 +0000

Gorgeous side-swept wedding hairstyle. I love the big billowy curls. They look so feminine especially paired with the forest and mountain backdrop. This style would be easy to achieve.

Section hair into inch wide sections.
Use a combination of medium and large barrell curling irons to create curls.
Place bobby pins and a barrette behind the right side of the head and pile hair on the other shoulder. Pin as necessary to keep hair side-swept.
Don’t over-spray the curls, as they won’t get the movement and beauty we see below.

Image Credit: Gabe McClintock

Old Hollywood Wedding Hair

admin — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 18:55:35 +0000

Rachel McAdams, our favorite Canadian beauty models some old Hollywood glamour. Rachel McAdams is definitely a beauty veteran, we loved her at the Oscars. This style is extremely popular in the wedding industry these days. Red lips , constructed curls. We like how Rachel makes this seem young and fresh, yet still distinctly classic.

To pull off a down style old Hollywood look, set curls early in the morning and once taken down, don’t brush the curls out. Use a comb to “shape” the curls instead.

Old Hollywood Glamour

Pretty Bun as Modeled by Lauren Conrad

admin — Mon, 10 Oct 2011 16:41:32 +0000

Image credit: Andrew Macpherson

We think Lauren Conrad is fabulous. Her hair and makeup are always great inspiration for wedding beauty. Lauren Conrad was just featured on People.com talking about her favorite room in her house. She loves her bathroom and unwinding with a bath. We just really dig her hair in this photo. The high bun is adorable and very chic.

Check out this tutorial:

Braided Bride

admin — Mon, 10 Oct 2011 16:30:02 +0000

Simple and elegant. We love this braid as well as the hair adornment from http://www.tessakim.com

A braid is a great style to choose for your wedding day or your reception. It adds a bit of fun and can help show off a neckline.

And we continue to love Emma Stone

admin — Thu, 06 Oct 2011 18:35:35 +0000

Well Brides, we know a red lip is classic, beautiful and sexy. But what about a barbie pink lip? Sounds slightly scary. But look, the gorgeous Emma Stone is pulling it off so well here:

I also love the complimenting eye makeup. She chose a blue-gray shadow with what seems to be a navy liner. Pink/Blue are great compliments to one another.

The hair is also a home run. Loose waves, loosely pinned to one side of her neck. Slightly retro but with a contemporary feel. This would be a great hair style for a heckline that maybe has sleeves that you want to accentuate.

Here’s another view of Emma with a lighter pink lip. Proving blondes can wear pink well too.

Dramatic Braided Bun

admin — Tue, 12 Apr 2011 15:33:19 +0000

I’ve had a few emails the past few days about great summer updo’s that won’t move and will keep the bride cool. I found this Jessica Simson style and love the idea of it. It’s very dramatic but would be great for an outdoor wedding where wind and heat are a factor. It appears as though the hair is pulled back and fixed using styling cream or serum. Then the hair is tightly wrapped around the base of the ponytail. Separate out some hair and create 2 or 3 small braides. Wrap the braids in different directions around the bun and fix with bobby pins. Spray the whole look generously with super hold hair spray.

Simple 60′s Updo

admin — Mon, 11 Apr 2011 14:31:42 +0000

I’m so excited to share this little gem I found. The blog is called Casey’s Elegant Musings. In a recent post she shares how to create a 60′s inspired updo. It’s simple, easy and great for every day, a rehearsal dinner or even your wedding day. There’s a great video tutorial as well, to learn how to make this look work for you.