Bridal Hair - Low Chignon

So many gals message me to ask me for inspiration photos for their wedding - and of course, top request is ALWAYS for the low chignon!!!!!

I'm going to share with you three of my FAVORITE low chignon looks I've done and the products I used to get the perfect look :) All three of these looks have braids incorporated in different ways. In the first, there are small braids to give a bit more texture with a more texture, intertwined looked. The second (unicorn hair is the BEST!) has a fishtail braid going down the side. And the third is a dutch braid. These give more of a bit of fun rather than the traditional textured chignon!

Products I ALWAYS use when I'm making these perfect chignons: 

1. Aveda Brilliant Damage Control Styling Spray - of course, I must start with a good thermal protectant. This one help to protect your hair against any combing or heat. 

2. Aveda Smooth Infusion Nourishing Styling Creme - this allows the hair to fight against humidity from the beginning! 

3. Aveda Air Control Light Hold Hair Spray - This is my ALL TIME favorite hairspray. I think I've gone through over 5 bottles already. It doesn't add any extra weight to your hair, doesn't make it "crunchy" but allows for great holding powder. this is the PERFECT finisher to allow your hair to stay in place without it looking heavy! (MUST HAVE!) 

4. Alterna Bamboo Smooth Kendi Oil - This is a must have for anyone with coarse or dry hair. I use this before I begin pinning hair! 

5. Kérastase Carré Lissant Smoothing Sheets - I RECENTLY just found these.. and they are AMAZING! They look like dryer sheets but I use them at the end to tame any extra frizz, get rid of static or flyaways - this is a perfect on the go product. I now send my brides with some of these, especially if they are taking photos outdoors and I can't touch them up!  

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Bridal Hair & Makeup Trial - long hair

Hi friends! I have a busy couple of weeks with lots of fun makeup/hair trials. busy season is starting! woot.

Here is lovely Ester :) She's such a fun, sweet lovin' lady - was so fun chit chatting with her and getting to know her better! She wanted an eye look that would compliment her greenish eyes, with a more contoured look and rosy lips. For hair she wanted her hair down and curled with some pinned on the side.

I decided to go for a golden (bordering on coppery) color for her lids with a more purplish toned grey color for the crease to enhance her eyes, add some fun contour on her cheeks and pairing it all off with a beautiful rose lip color.

Before - so sweet and cute! GAH! don't you wanna squeeze her? 

After :) (what a goddess!) 

close up of her eye look 

Close up of the curls

I had so much fun making her up and can't wait for the big day! :) Happy Planning, Ester! xo 

HAHA. can u spot the unicorn btw? :P 

Eyes: Mac Smut, Too Faced Chocolate Bar Palette, Bobbi Brown Gel Liner

Face: Lancome LA Base Pro, Ben Nye Cream Foundation, Nars Radiant Concealer (Vanilla), BeautyBlender, Shu uemera hard pencil #9, MUFE Setting Spray, MUFE HD Powder 

Cheeks: Kevyn Aucoin Sculpting Powder in Medium, Jouer Cosmetics Blush in Peach Bouquet

Lips: Jouer Lipstick in Elizabeth, Bite Lip Crayon in Amarone and Mac Lipglass in Florabundance

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Joanna's Wedding Trial

Long times ago, I did my good friend Laura's hair for her wedding (remember in Tennessee??). It was one of my first brides that I've done. Man, how time flies! I remember just starting out in the beauty world - a little bit nervous to do it for real, but so excited to challenge my creativity.

One of laura's bridesmaids (first picture in old post) approached me to do her hair and for my good friend (and old roomie + childhood friend), Jenn, to do her makeup. JUST LIKE OLD TIMES!!! Jenn and I are a dynamic duo when it comes to wedding prep. She's an awesome makeup artist and hair assistant with an extensive knowledge and passion for cosmetics. We bounce a lot of ideas, opinions and positive energy around with one another, so I'm so glad to be teaming up with her again.

Anyway, she came in for her hair trial looking for a romantic side chignon that flattered her face shape. She didn't want too much volume on top, yet didn't want it too loose because she's a party animal and needs her hair to stay put. She also asked if I could put a couple of small braids just to add some extra texture to her hairstyle.

Here's what I came up with. Of course - as usual, all my hair trials don't have hairspray - especially after teasing, please pardon any frizziness :) [PS. I apologize for any photo coloring mishaps. It's my first time using an editing software on my new computer and I'm still trying to get used to it!]

side view

side view with braids

back view

For makeup, Joanna likes a bit of heavier makeup because she's bold and it's friggin' awesome! She wanted a smokey eye that would compliment her monolids and make her eyes look larger. And she played with different colors for her, but eventually she chose to go with a nude lip.

Here's what Jenn came up with. Look at my baby - so hard at work ;D

attempting bold lips with Mac's RiRi Woo

And here are just some fun shots of her final look :) I especially love the one where she's admiring herself. BAHAHA! She's gonna be such a fun bride! 

mirror mirror on the wall... ;) 

Hope you all enjoyed that! Can't wait for your big day! <3 

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Bridal Hair Trial!

I'm so used to posting up trials of girls that I do, I totally forgot to post up pictures from my own bridal hair trial!!!! 

Some of you may know, I am opting to do my own makeup because I'm just so particular about the way my makeup looks. Even if everyone in the world thinks a certain look looks amazing on me, there is still a particular way I like to see my own makeup!! (so anal i know ha!) I know that my hair, although I can do it myself, can be a bit of a frustration on my wedding day.. so I knew I was going to get a hair stylist. 

Ever since before my sister's wedding, when my sister's friend got her hair done by this hairstylist.. about 4 years ago, I KNEW i wanted to book her. IMHO, she's one of the BEST! 

I booked Sachiko Yanese, who was originally trained in Tokyo and was a top hairstylist and makeup artist. Because she wanted to test her skills and she came on over to NYC and has been here for the past 15 years. I even had the honor of working side by side with her at on of my friend's weddings! Her upbeat and infectious personality, and positive attitude made this experience so easy and fun! 

--

Here was the inspiration photo. I really wanted something that was romantic, loose and curly. I didn't want it to be too 'bun'-ish so I could take my hair down later on in the day and so I could put lots of hair  accessories in my head! 

so sorry, i don't have the source for this, i just screenshot it!
if anyone knows, please let me know so i can source it! 

And here is how my hair turned out. Omg I am in love. My friend is making hair pins for me, so I didn't have them on hand, but I will be wearing the feather for the reception [weegardens, etsy] and that headband fascinator [off saks] for pictures! (I also have a little top hat thing that I totally forgot to bring) 

[Also remember at a hair trial, she doesn't really use hairspray so she can keep changing up the hairstyle as needed!]

closeup!

side view

back view

back view with the headband fascinator!

I loved how soft and free flowing my hair looked. I think it looks so romantical and perfect! I was so happy with the look! 

Because we had some extra time since I already was set on this hairstyle, I told her about our afterparty and how I wanted to look rockerchic haha! I also had this gorgeous headband that I wanted to try to use - so she had a ball bumpin' up my hair SO high and letting loose some curls! I loved this look, it was totally fun! She even gave me some extra pins and hair products to help me do my own hair for that night! 

If you are in the NY area and need your hair or makeup did, i would 10000% recommend using Sachiko. You can check out her website here :) 

And look for a vlog soon ;) 

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My Best Friend's Wedding :)

Long time no post. I've been so busy! So sorry! About a month ago my best friend got married. She was one of my first friends in life. We've been through so much and it was surreal to imagine that she was getting married!

Anyways, it was such a special moment because I was able to do my best friend's hair and make up for her wedding (and her chinese banquet the next day). I was honored that she trusted me with her hair and makeup for her wedding day! It was one of the most fun and unique weddings I've been to. She and her hubs made pretty much everything for the wedding... and it was on a farm! And food? FOOD TRUCKS! so fun!!! :) It was such a wonderful and memorable day, I could not be happier for them! :)

Here are some pictures of her hair and make up from the wedding.

before the wedding:

Steph & the flower girl. 

I die. just want to bite her. SO cute.

Congrats <3 

And of course.. the happy couple biked off the farm!

 Some shots from the chinese banquet:

 Such a wonderful time with such wonderful people. I love you both and wish you nothing but joy & happiness for your future <3

Photos from Kate Murphy Photography (she's amazing!)

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