5 Wedding Day Makeup Mistakes

We’ve all been there, either as the bride ourselves or attending the wedding of someone we know—the makeup the bride wears on her wedding day is something that has great importance and needs to be considered with caution. I can’t begin to tell you how many weddings I have gone to where the bride thought she was going to the club rather than getting ready to recite her vows. Do you know what I mean?

So here are a few things to stay away from lest you consider them wedding day makeup mistakes:

1: Stay away from bold eye shadows. Now is not the time to experiment. Maybe you’re having a holiday wedding and think silver and gold may be appropriate, but let’s leave that to holiday ornaments. Or those trendy new colors from your favorite cosmetics company are all the rage, but save them for another day. Keep your eye shadow simple, clean and neutral toned.

2. Avoid shimmery blushes. Sure they’re pretty, but you want the focus to be on your dress that you mortgaged your left leg for not the glistening at the apples of your cheeks. Keep your blush more natural looking and matte.

3. Don’t try to match your foundation yourself. There is nothing worse than watching a Morticia look a like walk down the aisle or even worse, someone looking like a Sunkist with that foundation line at their neck. Find a local makeup artist at a trusted salon or department store counter (Prescriptives, Clinique, MAC, Benefit, etc.) weeks in advance and have them match the correct foundation to your skin tone. Take them up on that free makeover to make sure you are comfortable with how it looks.

4. Avoid trendy lip colors. Sure that MAC Dazzle Glass in Comet Blue looks amazing any other day of the week, but your wedding is not the time to make the statement that you are indeed the trendsetter that you are. Stick with a simple lip color, matte or dewy, that is a complement to your eyeshadow and blush to complete your overall look.

5. Do not wear mascara that is not waterproof. This should be common sense and the most obvious, but how many brides have you seen with that black trail of mascara tears? I know it’s difficult to part with your Elizabeth Arden Double Density Mascara, as amazing as it is, but opt for waterproof mascara to avoid the biggest makeup mistake of all.

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Wedding Tresses Made Easy

(MS) - Most brides don't want stress while getting well-tressed for their wedding day. Besides hiring a reputable stylist and ensuring a practice hairdo run before the wedding, here are a few helpful tips.

· Wear a button-down shirt when having your hair and makeup done on your wedding day - or for any other special occasion. This way you can take off the shirt without touching your hair or makeup.

· Bring in your veil or headpiece in advance so your stylist can ensure that the haircombs attached will be in the right position for the style you've requested. If they're not, you'll have ample time to have that rectified.

· Don't apply conditioner to your hair on the day of your wedding. Conditioner may make your hair too silky and smooth, which could be a disadvantage when you want hair to stay put and hold combs or pins in an up-do.

· Opt for a two-piece veil if you desire a long cathedral-style veil. This way you can keep the long portion attached for pictures and the ceremony and then simply remove a portion for the reception and dancing the night away.

· If your headpiece has gemstones or crystals in the design, have the stylist cover the stones up as much as possible before locking in your style with hairspray. After the wedding, talk to a jeweler about the right way to clean the stones. Otherwise the spray can tarnish the headpiece and potentially damage the stones.

· Go with a simple style that matches your personality. You don't want to look like a completely different person on your wedding day - just a better representation of yourself.

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Additional Wedding Advice:

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Fun Weddings
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The 5 Most Common Diet and Exercise Mistakes

By Rosie Peters

Can't lose weight? Tried absolutely everything, but still frustrated by fat that won't shift or worse, more weight packing onto your tummy, hips and butt despite your best efforts? Frustrated, fragile and reaching stealthily into the larder for a bit of comforting chocolate? Stop right there. Have the strength to put that calming little treat back where you found it and read this - with an open mind.

With a willingness to accept your mistakes. Because you can lose weight and keep it off for life. What's more you can be fit and healthy while you are doing it. You have the key; you just haven't worked out how to use it. Stop bashing your head against the wall and find the door!

If you can admit that the buck stops with you, accept responsibility for your diet and exercise mistakes and move on, then you are on the road to success. These are 5 of the most common diet and exercise mistakes. At the moment you are probably making more than one of them, but don't realize it, or don't have the guts to admit it or don't have the tenacity to get over it. Time to change your attitude. If you want to lose weight and be fit for your lifetime you have to admit your mistakes and move forward.

Diet and exercise mistake #1

Expect weight loss and fitness results immediately. This afternoon, straight after you've skipped your hamburger and large fries lunch and replaced it with an apple and low fat yogurt that you walked all the way to the deli to pick up yourself. If you don't lose a kilogram or so in the first 3 days, give up. No one can say you didn't try.

Reality: It took a long time to pile on your excess weight. It's going to take a long time and a lot of committed discipline to reverse this. Don't struggle - accept this cold hard fact and get on with losing that unwanted weight. The time will pass and the weight will drop off.

Diet and exercise mistake #2

Embrace a fad diet out of the latest popular magazine. Something endorsed by someone very famous; they wouldn't lie to you. Look, it works for Posh Spice - a diet of lettuce and fresh air will work for you too. And it's so severe you won't have to keep at it for too long.

Reality:
Posh Spice, on fairly close inspection, seems to have some surgical aid and personal trainer type involvement to embellish the lettuce and air combination. Her body is part of her business enterprise and she has the money to spend on it. Chances are you are going to have to use your tenacity and dedication rather than your gold plated credit card and impeccable connections in "the industry" to lose weight and keep it off. Stop dreaming; commit yourself to a proven diet and exercise program that you can stick to for life and your erstwhile dream will come true.

Diet and exercise mistake #3

Develop diet and exercise amnesia. When you record your calorie intake and output for the day, underestimate the food you have eaten - both in what you actually ate and in the portion sizes. Skip your exercise today cause you went hard at it yesterday, or was it last Sunday? Never mind you can always exercise more and eat less tomorrow (or eat less and skip the dreaded exercise again).

Reality:
Unless you keep a food and exercise diary and record accurate portions and calories, you are lying to yourself about your diet. If you don't make exercise a daily habit, you have sabotaged your weight loss and fitness program before you even really start. Any diet that tells you not to worry about calories, fat and exercise doesn't really seem to be a diet by definition when you take a minute to think about it.

Diet and exercise mistake #4

Lose some weight, feel good about it, maybe even buy some new slimline clothes, then go back to eating what made you fat in the first place. Get your exercise locating the TV remote and shuffling off to the kitchen for sustenance.

Reality:
If you don't change what you eat and the way you eat it and your exercise regime or lack of it for the term of your natural life, you will be doomed, doomed I tell you (insert manic laughter here). Look, you don't like being fat and unhealthy. In order to turn this around, you have to be willing and able to make permanent changes to your habits that will be disturbing and difficult at first. Over time, your faithful, long suffering body will reward you for your excellent decisions by performing at a much-improved level, with a much better physical and mental outlook. Your cunning brain will begin to crave good food if you give it the time to get used to the idea. It's up to you to take responsibility for permanent change in your life and wait patiently for the rewards.

Diet and exercise mistake #5

Pay no heed to reality. Try to convince yourself that you are OK at this weight, at this level of (non) fitness. Unflattering photos have been taken from a bad angle. Boutiques are stocking only ungenerous brand sizes, not meant for real people. You medical adviser is over-reacting to your cuddly shape with creepy conversations about type 2 diabetes.

Reality:
You can't be Cleopatra (Queen of Denial) forever. Telling yourself you are OK at this weight and that you don't really need a change of diet or exercise is just plain lazy and dodging the issue. You want to lose weight or you would not be reading this. You have to want it enough to be honest with yourself about your current weight and fitness levels and what your goals are.

You have to make a plan for weight loss and exercise and have the determination to stay with it - it is simple. Don't make the mistake of thinking it should be easy. It cannot be easy. Nothing worth doing is easy. But it is very much worth the effort.

Recommended Reading


http://merrybrides.livejournal.com/
http://funweddings.blogspot,com/

Wedding Dresses - How to Shop for your Wedding Dress

Author: Cori Locklin

You have done the research. You're an expert on ballgown silhouettes and sweetheart necklines. Now the time has finally arrived wedding dress shopping day! But like the rest of the wedding planning process, shopping for a wedding dress is slightly more complex than shopping for your basic pair of slacks. Know what to expect before you hit the stores! First, you must decide where you are going to shop; here are the most common options:

Independently Owned Full Service Bridal Shops

These stores offer a full range of services for the bride and the wedding party, with designers and prices ranging from moderate to high-end. While off-the-rack is possible, these stores typically special-order wedding gowns for brides and attendants, so you should be prepared to wait a few months for your gown to arrive. You will mostly likely be able to purchase all of your bridal accessories, such as shoes, veils, undergarments and jewelry, and an in-store seamstress will consult with you on custom alterations.

Couture Bridal Shops

Couture bridal shops represent a subsection of independently owned full service bridal shops. Offering the same range of services, they carry exclusive designer labels at higher-end prices. These bridal boutiques are usually found in major cities.

Department Stores

Department stores such as Saks Fifth Avenue, Bergdorf Goodman and JC Penny offer wedding gowns, while others such as Lord & Taylor and Hecht's only offer bridesmaid dresses. These gowns are usually bought off-the-rack; however, your wedding dress may be specially ordered from another store if your size is not in stock. Most of these stores offer in-house alterations.

Discount Bridal Outlets

Discount bridal outlets offer a mix of discontinued national brands and privately labeled merchandise at reduced prices. While you will not find the same level of service found at privately owned bridal shops, you may be able to find the designer wedding dress of your dreams at an affordable price. Dresses are bought off-the-rack, so you may take the gown home the day your purchase it. Since these stores typically do not offer on-site alterations, make sure you can find a trusted seamstress.

Nationwide Bridal Chain Stores

Bridal chain stores manufacture, import, and sell their own private label wedding gowns. While the style selection is more limited than in other types of stores, the prices are usually lower. Be prepared for a lower level of service and little sales assistance, but the ability to buy off the rack at a reasonable price can be a good option for short engagements.

Custom Gown Designers

For a one-of-a-kind wedding gown, you can collaborate with a custom gown designer to specially create a wedding dress just for you. You can find such gown designers in most major cities. Be sure to select a designer whose vision you appreciate and trust.

What to expect once you're in the shop:

� Make an appointment, and, if possible, try to shop during a weekday. You will receive more attentive service if your sales associate can dedicate his/her time especially for you.

� Consider bringing the lingerie that you will wear at the wedding. This will help you determine exactly how the wedding dress will look and feel on the big day.

� Bring someone with you whose opinion you respect and trust, but avoid bringing an entire brigade of "experts." Too many opinions will distract you.

� Many bridal boutiques will not simply allow you to browse through the selection of wedding dresses; rather they will bring gowns to you one at a time. At these boutiques, a sales associate will sit down with you to discuss your style and will bring you dresses that reflect your vision.

� That said, allow them to bring you many styles. While you may have an idea of what you want, you never know what looks best on your body style until you try it.

� Most likely, you will not try on dresses in your actual size. Stores typically carry sample sizes (8-10), and the sales associate will pin it to your body.

� Remember that you will have to be fitted - up to 3 times - before your wedding dress fits perfectly. If the store has an in-house seamstress, ask for an alterations estimate.

� Wedding dresses tend to run small, so be prepared to order a size that is larger than you normally wear.

� Go with your gut! If you need to be convinced that a wedding dress looks good on you, it's probably not "the one."

� If there is a specific feature you want changed, you can usually request it. Keep in mind that any design changes will increase the cost of the wedding gown.

� When determining the cost of your wedding dress, remember to factor in the cost for the veil, which can run up to $500 and beyond, and other accessories such as shoes, headpiece etc.

� Sleep on it. Most stores have a no return policy, so you need to be sure before making your final decision.

� Once you have found "the dress" and made your final decision, you will usually pay a 50% deposit on the dress.

� Afterwards - the store will take your measurements to order size - don't be tempted to order one too small in hopes of losing weight.

� Remember that the dress usually takes a few months to be made, so make sure you leave enough time for alterations.

My Favorite Wedding Resouces:

Create your own Wedding Website!

Buy Bridal Lingerie at HerRoom.com

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More Great Wedding Advice articles
Merry Brides
Ultimate Brides
Fun Weddings
Weddings by Ashlee


For a complete guide to creating an elegant and memorable wedding celebration, visit http://www.elegala.com/, your ultimate wedding planning resource.


This article is free for republishing Source: http://www.articlealley.com/article_63129_41.html
Cori Locklin is editor-in-chief for Elegala.com and Elegala Magazine (and a recent bride!). Elegala is a new wedding planning resource offering a comprehensive portfolio of superior wedding reception sites and their recommended vendors, along with planning articles, expert advice, checklists and photo galleries. http://www.elegala.com

Exploring the Dark Side of the Sun

(MS) - Despite the warnings of experts, millions of people continue to go about their days with little concern about sun damage. However, too much sun exposure can significantly damage human skin in varying degrees. Whether you are walking the dog, heading out to the car, sitting indoors by a window or spending time outside when it is cloudy, you are being exposed to harmful UV rays.

The heat of the sun dries out areas of unprotected skin and depletes the skin's supply of natural lubricating oils. In addition, UV radiation can cause burning and long-term changes in the skin's structure, in addition to cancer. Those who have been exposed to the sun long-term may experience extrinsic aging, which is an early aging caused by repeated exposure. The skin may show lines, wrinkling and lose its elasticity. In addition, age or other forms of discoloration marks may appear.

PREVENTION

Taking active steps to shield oneself from the sun is key to keeping skin healthy. Some people are more susceptible to sun damage than others, so they must be extra diligent in their protection efforts. These individuals include fair-skinned people; those who take certain medications such as antibiotics, which may cause heightened sensitivity to the sun; people who live close to the equator or in higher elevations; those with a family history of skin cancer; and those who spend a lot of time outdoors participating in work or recreation activities.

To safeguard the skin, take these measures:

· Cover up - Search for shade at every possible occasion. Wear wide-brimmed hats and firmly woven, loose-fitting, full-length clothing for additional protection. Also, wear sunglasses that block 95 to 100 percent of UV rays to protect the eyes.

· Sunblock - Sun protection should be applied 20 minutes prior to leaving the house, whether indirect or direct sun exposure is expected. The American Academy of Dermatology recommends a product that offers an SPF of 15 or higher with broad-spectrum UVA and UVB protection. Areas to focus on include the face, ears, lips, neck and the scalp if hair is thinning. For extended exposure, reapply every few hours.

· Don't substitute - Some people think that indoor tanning beds are safer than outdoor tanning. This is not the case.

· Watch the clock - The sun is the strongest between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., so limit exposure during these times. Try to do outdoor activities in the early morning or in early evening when the sun isn't so powerful.

TREATMENT

There are many people who now wisely take care in the sun, but may have previous sun damage from their youth or when they were less informed. There are a range of treatments for sun damage which include nonprescriptive, prescriptive and cosmetic options. Here's a look at the options:

1. Nonprescriptive: These are typically appropriate if sun damage is very minimal. Such treatments can be purchased at a neighborhood pharmacy.

· Alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs): AHAs remove dead skin cells from the surface and increase moisture levels below to create a smoother, more healthy skin tone.

· Antioxidants, like vitamins C and E: These substances work from within to stimulate the formation and support of the skin, including collagen production. They can also be applied topically to lower the appearance of wrinkles and skin discoloration.

· Retinol: This substance is pure vitamin A. It is important in the structure of healthy skin and stimulating the renewal of keratinocytes, which are the cells that synthesize keratin. Keratin is a protein that makes up hair, skin and nails. Retinol can smooth and soften skin.

2. Prescriptive: These treatments are prescribed by a dermatologist based on the severity of skin damage.

· Tretinoin: This gel or cream has been shown to reverse sun damage and smooth the skin in a number of weeks. It can also fade brown spots and improve skin texture.

· Hydroquinones: These topical treatments reduce the production of melanin, the substance which colors the skin and is responsible for tanning. This treatment helps remove overpigmented cells while enhancing skin tone and clarity.

3. Cosmetic: Cosmetic procedures involve a trip to the dermatologist or perhaps a plastic surgeon.

· Chemical peels: A chemical solution is applied to the skin to remove the outer layer. Redness and irritation may occur, but as the skin regenerates, the results may be smoother and softer skin.

· Microdermabrasion: The outer layer of skin is gently scraped away to encourage new growth. Fine lines, discoloration and texture can occur after multiple applications.

· Collagen injections: Injections fill out wrinkles or scarring caused by sun damage. Regular injections may be necessary.

· Laser resurfacing: A laser essentially removes the outer layers of skin to improve appearance.

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Choosing The Right Cosmetic Colors For YOU!

By: Jessica Tracy

As a former Beauty Advisor, I am constantly getting questions from people about which colors they should pick when choosing cosmetics. This article will give some basic pointers for anyone who does not have someone readily available to help them.

The first thing you need to do before picking out colors is to decide if you have a Warm, Neutral or Cool skin tone. One way to do this is to take a good look at yourself in a mirror in natural sunlight. Decide if your skin color has more Blue or Yellow to it, or if they are pretty well even.

More Blue = Cool
More Yellow = Warm
Equal = Neutral

Another way to find out what skin tone you have is to compare your skin to the colors Silver and Gold. Generally if your skin looks good with Gold, you have a warm skin tone, Silver means cool, and if it looks good with both, then you have Neutral.

Sometimes it can be hard to tell on yourself, so you may want to ask a friend to help you decide.

Once you have decided your skin tone, it is time to choose a Concealer, foundation and Powder. Depending on where you buy your cosmetics from, you may have a hard time figuring out which one looks best on your skin tone. The best way to choose a Concealer, foundation and powder is to try it out!

Generally for a concealer, you should pick one that is a shade lighter than your natural skin tone, so that when you use it to cover dark areas and imperfections it will blend and look natural.

If you have a lot of red spots (acne, scars, etc.) then
you should also look into getting a Green spot neutralizer, you use this under concealer to neutralize the red spot and make it look natural.

After you have chosen the right concealer for yourself, you should choose a liquid foundation that matches your skin tone as closely as possible. If you have freckles it is recommended to match the color with your lightest freckles to help even out your skin color.

Your powder should match your liquid foundation as closely as possible.

After this you should choose an eye shadow. Again, depending on where you purchase your cosmetics you may have trouble finding shades that look good on you as they aren't always labeled for skin tones.

From my experience I have found that for Cool skin tones, Pinks, Berries and Blue/greys seem to look best. For Warm skin tones Earth tones tend to look best (greens & browns and some reds ESPECIALLY for redheads), and for Neutral Skin tones, I try to combine the 2.

After you have chosen and applied the appropriate eyeshadow, you should apply an eyeliner and Mascara. For people with light colored hair, brown or brown/black is an excellent choice of eyeliner and mascara. For people with Darker hair, Black is best, Although black looks very dramatic on anyone, it is a great choice for evening time.

After eyeliner and mascara it is time to choose and apply a lipstick.

Generally you should match your lipstick to your eyeshadow, keep it in the same general color family, so if you are wearing pink eyeshadow, try a similar color lipstick, maybe a shade darker or lighter. Grey eyeshadow
looks great with different shades of red lipstick!

As a rule of thumb, if your eyeshadow is shimmery, you should avoid shimmery lipsticks, and vice-versa.

I recommend to all of my clients to DAB lipstick on, not to wipe it across their lips. By dabbing you have more control over the intensity of the color and you can make a more natural or bold look.

As with everything, this is just a guideline, play around with your makeup, take whatever seems helpful and leave the rest, this is just meant to give some suggestions, the best way to find out what looks best on you, is to try different things out!

Good luck!

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   Source: http://www.wedding-wisdom.com
   Author Bio: Jessica Tracy is a Married WAHM of 2, and an Independent Distributor for 3 direct sales companies, which she promotes through her website www.enchanted-scents.com. Jessica is also the owner of www.marketplacemamas.com, a resource site for work at home moms. This article may be reprinted so long as the Author Bio is attached