We are so thrilled to share that we are starting a series of blogs that share the knowledge and expertise of some of our trusted vendors. The internet is such a great source of information and inspiration, but also a source of misinformation. So, we want to be that source you can trust for information on all of your wedding planning needs.
The series is starting with all things Bridal Beauty. And we are lucky enough to have the amazingly talented Christie Lopez share her expertise with us. So let's get right to it.
1. Tell us a little bit of your background as bridal and special event beauty professional.
Well Jennifer, I have been lucky enough to be in the bridal business over 12 years now. I began my career working for Estee Lauder at Lord & Taylor in Tampa, FL. My love for makeup grew more and more over the years and when I moved to South Florida I began freelancing for bridal beauty groups and learning all about bridal business. A few years after only providing makeup to my clients, I began to also provide bridal hair styling. I think the ability to provide the total package really gives me an edge to provide the perfect look for my clients.
2. What type of skin care regimen should be a bride be consistently doing? And how long in advance of the wedding should be start a beauty regimen for her skin?
A daily skin care regimen is SO important prior to your wedding or any special event. You want your skin to be balanced for your wedding (not too dry or too oily) and NO sunburns (so purchase that daily spf! if you are planning a day at the beach). Also, don't forget the delicate under-eye area and your lips! If you haven't started using an eye cream or lip balm nightly, NOW is the time. The more time you have the better, so as soon as you know your date, start to plan what you want to improve on and how long it will take.
For instance, if you want to work on pore size, begin by purchasing medical grade cleansers and serums/moisturizers to use on a daily basis to keep the pores clean and invisible. You will also notice less oil buildup and longer makeup wear. I highly recommend a professional evaluation and consultation prior to your wedding so you will know all the latest modalities available to you in order to help you reach your skincare goals.
As a licensed Medical Esthetician, I provide consultations free of charge to my brides and discuss all options prior to the wedding date. If we only have a few months we can still change the quality of the skin by doing biweekly treatments and proper home care. Also keep in mind, any facial waxing should be done 2 weeks prior to the wedding date and not in conjunction with any exfoliations such as microdermation, chemical peels or Retin-A products.
3. Will you share the pros of using airbrush make up? Is it buildable? Can you do contouring and blush as well with airbrush?
There are so many positive benefits of using airbrush makeup. First of all to those who are not familiar with airbrushing, it is a hypoallergenic, microfine airbrush specific formula sprayed onto the skin with an air compressor and airbrush 'gun'. The foundation is custom blended into the air gun and is so fine and controlled you will never see any makeup lines on your neck or have overspray onto your clothing or hair.
I have been using TemptuPro airbrush systems for my entire career because it lasts over 12 hours without shifting or oxidizing on the skin. The specific formula I use is silicone based foundation, blush, bronzer, contour and highlight. I can build the airbrush by doing layers on the skin so I can go from a very light coverage to a heavier coverage flawlessly. You must be patient and allow for the layers to dry a bit between but it is so worth it! I also use silicone based blush , contour and highlight to give you a professional look without being overdone or harsh looking. My clients boast how light and natural the airbrush feels on their skin.
4. What are the pros of using traditional liquid foundation?
Traditional liquid makeup definitely has is place. I like using traditional makeup on people who need more coverage due to acne, discolorations or wrinkles. If I am not worrying about long time wear (i.e. photo shoot that lasts 2 hrs) or sweat (dancing, outdoors etc.) then traditional works just fine. I do not use traditional makeup that much honestly. I like to custom blend shades and airbrush allows me to do just that.
5. Are there cons to airbrush and traditional liquid make up?
With airbrush makeup you need to be careful not to tear and leave the acidic tear trail on your face, it will leave a LINE! Silicone based formula and water do not mix well .... so brides must catch those tears and not let it stay running down her cheek! Airbrush can be harder to touchup especially a line....the entire area would need to be sprayed again. So brides, RUN away from Aunt Bertha with red lipstick coming to give you a big kiss on your cheek, it may mean re-doing airbrush on that entire side of your face!
Liquid makeup can be heavy or cakey depending on formula. Liquid can also oxidize and turn a different color shade over time and also transfer onto clothing and other items you may not want makeup on (ie. Wedding Dress). The long wear aspect of liquid does not compare to airbrush wear. You will find yourself touching up with power a lot more than airbrush.
6. Can you tell us about eyelash application and choices? Full sets of lashes? Individual Lashes? Semi Permanent lashes? And what do you recommend for brides on their wedding day?
It's ALL about the LASHES! Whether you opt for a lash for the day or lashes for a month , I highly recommend wearing them for your wedding. It's not just the brides getting lashes, its moms bridesmaids and the guests! I use both strip lashes and individual clusters on wedding day. Most mothers enjoy wearing the clusters which are more natural looking and feel weightless the entire day.
Most recently we are offering our bridal parties LASH EXTENSIONS prior to wedding day. The application takes 2 hours and places a faux mink lash on top of each individual natural lash. The company we use is Xtreme Lash, the Global leader in lash extensions. Our lash extensions can last up to 4 weeks but we normally do touch ups every 2 to keep them looking their fullest. This is the best option for brides before their bridal shower and before their honeymoon so they can fully enjoy the ease of wearing little eye makeup on vacation and looking 'done' at all times. NO mascara is such a treat! Especially on a cruise or doing other water activities as the adhesive is waterproof. Lash Extensions can be removed at anytime. Check out before and afters on my instagram !
www.instagram.com/luxelashesbychristie
7. Let's move on to hair styling for the wedding day.
Do you recommend that brides get extensions for their wedding day?
I just applied a set of extensions on a bride today for a trial run. It helped give the bride the look she wanted for her wedding day. Without extensions, her hair was too thin to look that full and too short to give the length she wanted in the back and on the sides. REMY hair extensions are able to be curled and washed like real hair. We can curl it after the wefts (strands) are clipped in to the hair at the base near the root. It is virtually undetectable! Only you will know you have hair extensions in that day and the best part is that you take them off and can reuse them multiple times as long as you brush them and give them the proper care.
8. What are some recommendations for styling short hair on a wedding day?
We love styling short hair and surprisingly you still have a lot of options! Whether you want a beachy wave, voluminous curls, or to wear it straight, you can add hair accessories with bling or headbands that dazzle. You can still do a side braid and pull some of it back or leave it all down. If you have at least 2 inches of hair we can still do an updo! YES! a faux up-do would instantly give you a youthful appearance while keeping the front pieces around your face and lift the hair off your neck area (perfect for South Florida).
Thank you so much Christie for sharing with us. Please check out Christie at:
Christie Lopez Makeup
We Bring the Beauty to YOU!
NOW OFFERING XTREME LASH EXTENSIONS
954-681-4480