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 - Natural Look

Hi friends! I have another hair and makeup trial for you. Meredith reached out to me about a year a go asking for me to do her hair and makeup for her wedding. She's someone I went to Middle School and High School with, so it was so lovely and nostalgic to be able to see her again and catch up!

She doesn't wear makeup on a day to day basis, so she wanted something very natural and close to what she looks like on the regular. She did however tell me one thing she wanted to do was help some of the redness around her face. So I used one of my all time favorite redness products, bye-bye redness by it cosmetics! :) So all I really did was even out her skin tone, warm up her complexion a bit, give her a little more definition around the eye area and gave her a natural lip color. For her hair, she wanted a sleek look that was out of her face and neck with an inside out braid.

She has always been one of the sweetest, no fuss girls. and it totally showed, since I finished her trial in an hour! (generally it takes appx 3 hours)

Here's how she came out! :)

before :)

after!

just a hint of shimmer and definition on the eyes! 

her inside out braided hair look. I ended up make a small bun out of the ends since it wouldn't tuck in because her hair was a bit long.. but I love how it came out! 

Meredith, it was so great catching up and seeing you again after all these years! I can't wait for your big day! xoxo

Products used: 

Eyes: mac naked lunch, jouer amaretto, urban decay primer potion, benefit are they real mascara, mac black track liner 

Face: Itcosmetics bye-bye redness, ben nye foundation, nars creamy radiant concealer, makeup forever HD powder 

Cheeks: MUFE bronzer, jouer peach bouquet 

Lips: Mac Supreme Sheen in Ultra Darling, Jouer Lipgloss in Divine

Hair: SexyHair Soy Touchable Hairspray

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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 Nail Collab & Giveaway

Charmaine of b3bed0llxoxo and I decided to do a bridal collab video where I did a unique take on a bridal nail look and she shows us how she makes her bridesmaids giftboxes (omg GORG!). There is a super fun giveaway at the end of it!

Here is the look I came up with - inspired by my own wedding sash:

Products I used:
Topless and Barefoot by Essie
Butter London Hardware top coat
beads purchased off amazon
dotting tool from bundle monster

Giveaway ENDS in one week on May 24, 2013. Winners will be chosen randomly.

Giveaway Prizes for US & International on jessicalee422's channel:
Clinique Brush of Color Set
Deborah Lipmann Polish in Shape of my Heart
Stella & Dot Radiance Coil Bracelet
AB Hex Glitter Jar
My Beauty Diary Masks (7 top ten)

Giveaway Prize for US viewers on b3bed0llxoxo's channel:
Any Dogeared product up to $75!

Rules:
1. Must be subscribed to both of us:
http://youtube.com/jessicalee422
http://youtube.com/b3bed0llxoxo
2. Like our videos!
3. Comment on both of our channels: "what was your most memorable moment?" (comment as much as you like, PLS NO SPAMMING)

GET MORE CHANCE ON WINNING!
1. Follow both of us on Instagram: @jessicalee422 and @ofroyalty
http://instagram.com/jessicalee422
http://instagram.com/ofroyalty
2. Repost the giveaway picture & use the hashtag #sayyeswithjessnchar so we can find your entry.
5. You can post as much as you like.

Good Luck, my friends! Hope you enjoy this tutorial! xoxo


(I am posting this early, video will be live Friday, May 18 @ 11am EST)

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Wedding OOTD

We just got our wedding pictures back and I made sure to ask my amazing photographer, Albert, if he could make sure to get pictures of my outfit so you all could see who/what I was wearing. 

It was such a magical day and I can't wait to finish sifting through the photos to unveil everything that happened and take you along with me on this amazing journey.

So here was my OOTD on Nov 3, 2012. It was a very windy and cool day... and you definitely wouldn't have known.. you also would have never known that Hurricane Sandy had just passed through as well!

I wore a Monique Lhuillier lace gown. I picked it up at a Kleinfeld's Sample Sale! I was so lucky to find such a gem at a sale :) 

My sash was custom made by Kacey H from Twisted Crystal  - the design was EXACTLY what I was looking for and she was so careful and everything was so thoughtfully made. Each belt is handmade with a bajillion swarovski and pearly beads. So magical! Sashes are SO expensive, but she can help you fit your budget (by adding/taking out beads etc). Every penny gone to this sash was totally worth it! Thank you Kacey!! :) 

My bracelets are from Stella & Dot  - I picked this up when I was with Wendy and she recommended I stack a couple of them together to make a statement with my wrist candy. I'm so glad I have a lil guru to help me out because I LOVED the way this bracelet added fullness and fun to my outfit!

My high heeled shoes are from Kate Spade. These babies added so much sparkly fun to my life and really made me feel like I was walking on a party. They are totally my style and were super comfortable! 

When it was time to kick off my heels and change into more comfortable shoes, I wore these custom made shoes made by my husband! He surprised me with a pair of aldo flats and he took small swarovski pink crystals and glued them on the shoe one by one. He said one shoe had over 1500 crystals!!! Isn't he a keeper!?!! 

My good friend Melissa Chiu Wang who is a fashion designer helped design and make this gorgeous removable piece. She knew that I sometimes feel a little bit self conscious about strapless dresses and didn't want to wear another dress since my wedding dress was a good chunk of money - so she helped to devise a plan to build this for me. I absolutely adored how romantic and comfortable it made me feel! AND i loved how it was removeable! 

The necklace is a borrowed piece from my sister, who wore this custom made diamond necklace on her wedding day <3 

Mel also made my veil which was beyond my wildest dreams. I told her how i loved scalloped detailing and how I loved lace, but I dont like when its so heavy looking. She delicately sewed a scalloped lace border that tapered off as it got closer to the top so it was just enough lace. 

My ceremony hair piece was also custom made by a great childhood friend, Laura who is the owner, designer and maker of all amazeballs jewelry at prismera. I showed her a picture of hair pins that I liked and she totally exceeded all my expectations by making this romantic, delicate and just enough fancy/bling piece.

My reception feather piece was made by WeeGardens. I wanted a blush colored hairpiece and thought a feather might add some fun! 

lastly, is my face. My favorite part of my face? My eyelashes - I think that they were just subtle enough to look natural but full enough to make my eyes look bigger and more beautiful! I absolutely adore these velour lashes in you complete me! They are mink lashes that are my all time favorites!

As for my makeup - all of the makeup was done by me, so it was my every day makeup that I knew I loved: 

Out of all foundations - expensive and cheap, I ended up going with the Revlon ColorStay Whipped foundation. Isn't that ironic?! 

Shadows: Mac - naked lunch, blackberry, carbon 

Eyeliner: dolly wink eyeliner

Concealer: cle de peau 

Blush: Nars Douceur and deep throat

Lips: Shiseido lip lacquer in 203 

Thanks for reading! I can't wait to share more with you about Felix and my big day! <3 

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I got married!!

Here are some polaroid sneak peeks of my wedding day ;)

pics taken by my polaroid best friend, steph!

opted to do my own makeup for the day ;)
putting on my shiseido lip lacquer in 203! 

one of my favorite 'getting ready' photos! 

because of hurricane sandy, i made a huge streamer thing and hid behind it for the first look.
this was after we finally saw each other! 

my felix, always making me laugh!

and we lived happily ever after ;)

more to come.. now after hurricane sandy and this winter wonderland storm.. fel and i are just trying to get settled into married life. promise will post more soon! xoxo

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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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Instagram Love!

Man, I feel so sad! It's been way too long since I've been on here. I promise it isn't because I'm neglecting you! I've been so incredibly busy with life recently, I haven't had the chance to catch up with you all! I HAVE been obsessed with instagram lately - I think the last post that I posted I was still with phone from the early 1990s or something. HA! I've finally upgraded to an Iphone!

Here are my instagram updates because they essential sum up what I've been up to ;)

I got a new phone as Felix embarked on making me new bling-ed out cases! 

lots of flats shopping since I wear them every day for work! 

Finally getting to break in my wedding shoes! 

Drinking some late night tea for relaxation while sporting my favorite nail polish!

Speaking of nail polish.... um addicted. Esp with all the new colors! 

Had to take a picture of the happiest car in the world

Finally graduated (and walked) from graduate school! I'm officially.... a master! 

Lots of food and celebration of course goes with that ;) 

And of course - nail tutorials for you guys... while Felix is sleeping ;) You can find this tutorial here :)

If you'd like to keep up with my updates or follow me- you can find me at jessicalee422 or at http://web.stagram.com/n/jessicalee422/ :) 

Promise next time I wont go too long without a post again! ... I hope.. HAHA 

til next time!!! x

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Engagement Shoot Outfits!

This is, I suppose my first "look book" -- hm, not sure how I feel about this! BUT, many of you asked me for some tips on what to wear for YOUR big day! I don't have tips for you since I did have to seek some help, but I did learn a couple of things along the way :)

Here is my first outfit - and is one of my favorites. This is an outfit I would probably wear in regular life. It is a Forever 21 lace top dress, a Gap cardigan, a necklace that I stole from my sister and Steve Madden high boots. I do have a scarf incase it gets a bit nips.

Lesson #1: Wear something you are used to wearing... something you feel comfortable in! At first, we were trying to pair this outfit with heels or other shoes, but I found that in the end the boots were the easiest and most comfortable for me. And it might be cold, so it covers more skin!

Here is my second outfit - this is the outfit I would least likely wear. I feel like I fell out of a J Crew summer catalog. Here I am wearing a LOFT skirt, H&M Tshirt, Cardigan from LOFT and necklace from Kimski Makes, H&M platform shoes.

Lesson #2: If the outfit doesn't scream "you" - make sure you at least have some pieces that do! I don't think I would necessarily wear this outfit or choose to wear it, but I think it looks nice and classy - which is why I thought it would be nice to wear. Because I don't think I would ever wear the skirt, I made sure that there were pieces that I loved - like the necklace, shoes and the color of the cardigan.

Here is my final outfit - which is going to be the night outfit (I also have my jacket but it is not shown). I'm most excited about this outfit because it lets me bring out the rocker - edgy girl in me. I'll be sporting a poof by the end of the night and red lips with this outfit. The cardigan is from Gap, tanktop is from Joe Fresh, scarf is from Gap, Jeans from AE, thick bracelet from LOFT and the thin spikey bracelet from stella&dot (thanks wendy!) -- the shoes are from steve madden, but I want to wear my leopard flats which i can't find HAHA.

Lesson #3: Bring out your inner goddess ... subtly ;) I love this outfit because it allows me to be my gaudy, unruly self without showing too much. I paired my lips with the accessories- but the rest of the outfit is very toned down to balance it out. sometimes too much is not good! (sadly lol)

I hope you guys enjoyed my first 'fashion' post! I will update with some pics hopefully of the engagement session in the future!

Let me know what you think of these types of posts! xx

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