I had the honor of doing hair and makeup for Lauren in March! We instantly hit it off! She is quite the prankster and smack talker and I can appreciate that because those are definitely two adjectives used to describe me all the time!! Here are a few shots from the wedding day…
I had to include this last picture because it’s the two of us cracking up!!
I’ve also included a link for their wedding video. Just a warning…..it’s a tear jerker!!! 
Check out this love story by following this link to Charlotte Ashley’s blog!! http://www.charlotteashleyblog.com/2011/10/brab-and-jillian-charleston-sc-wedding.html
One of our brides was recently featured on The Wedding Row!! Follow this link to see all of the pictures! http://theweddingrow.com/
I haven’t been on here in a while because we’ve been blessed with the opportunity to do so many brides so far this Spring Wedding Season! This is just a quick sneak peek of some of the brides that we’ve done so far! Trust me…….I’m still waiting on a ton of pictures but all of the talented photographers in Charleston are really busy this time of year too! I promise as soon as we have more I will post them. I hope everyone is taking a moment to stop and enjoy this beautiful weather that we’ve been having! xoxo Carrie
Made very clear by all of the celebrity engagements over the holidays (hello, John Legend, Matthew McConaughey, Steven Tyler, Danny Gokey…), Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Eve/Day are some of the hottest dates to pop the question. For you newly engaged brides-to-be, I know your heads have already been spinning with all of the planning you’ll be doing in the coming months.
As with the end of every year, predictions and trend alerts are hitting newsstands and websites for the hottest bridal looks for 2012. Washingtonian Magazine laid out some excellent trends for color, cake, fashion and food that are worth reading.
Here are some trends I think will be all the rage in bridal hair and makeup for 2012.
If bold pops of color is making its way into accessories and fashion, why not incorporate it into makeup? Just think how stunning your wedding photos will look if the bride has youthful, pink lips or gorgeous shadow that really makes her eyes stand out?! Of course, you should play with colors during a trial run to make sure it really is the look you want for the big day. I know few brides who want a Big Top theme to their wedding.
Photo Source: WeddingObsession.com
Yes, Kate Middleton (Princess Kate? Katherine? Duchess Kate?) got married in 2011, but we’re seeing her romantic, royal look still heavily duplicated. Soft retro hair worn down and loose definitely complements this look very well.
Photo Source: MitchellWade.com
Spend any time on Pinterest and you’ll notice that the updo is as popular as ever. Except, today’s updo is modernized with interesting twists – wear a low bun to the side or in a super high ballerina-style; incorporate Grecian-style headbands or braids; add flowers or sparkly combs. Any of these options will add pizzazz to an updo and speak to your personality and style.
As we head into awards season – you know, the Golden Globes, Emmys, Oscars, etc. – keep your eye on the red carpet. I guarantee many of the styles worn by the celebrities will be duplicated down the aisles this year.
What wedding trends do you think will be most popular in 2012? Which do you wish would just go away?
Love ‘em or hate ‘em, New Year’s resolutions are all the buzz this time of year. I’ll admit it, I’m not the type of person go to all gung-ho on making resolutions because, like most people who do make them, I typically start strong and fizzle out pretty quickly.
However, I think there is something to be said about recognizing that there are things you’d like to change and taking small steps to get there. Kudos to those of you who resolve to work out every single day or keep your home clean year round, but most of us don’t have the focus, time, energy or stamina to make it actually happen.
So, whether you start on January 1 or sometime in June, here are some pretty awesome (and easy) things you can do to make you feel and look better – especially your skin and hair!
For all of you ladies who got engaged over the holidays – congratulations! Now would be an excellent time to resolve to try one or all of these tips to help you be a more radiant bride on your big day!
Wash your face every night. By simply adding an extra two minutes to your “getting ready for bed” routine, you’ll add years to your skin and look so much more refreshed. Your skin comes into contact with so much dirt and bacteria throughout the day and replenishes itself as you sleep, so going to bed with a fresh face really does make a difference!
Drink water. I know we’re all supposed to drink 8 glasses a day, but how many actually do? Water makes your skin softer, brighter and just plain pretty. It also strengthens hair and nails. If you have a hard time getting all 64 oz. in every day, try adding one more glass than you normally drink each day and gradually build up.
Sleep more. This is probably one of the most difficult things to achieve, but makes such a huge impact on your mental and physical well being. Instead of vowing to get 8 hours of sleep each night, try going to bed just 15 minutes earlier than normal and build up to a full night’s sleep. I promise you’ll be so much more ready to take on the day when you wake up from a great night of sleep!
Walk it out. In lieu of making some unattainable fitness goal that is just setting you up for failure, start small. Try taking a 30 minute walk every day – after dinner, over lunch, whenever. It’s good to get your blood pumping and who knows, maybe you’ll love how being active makes you feel so much, you’ll start adding in extra workouts and eventually reach that pie-in-the-sky weight loss resolution without even knowing you got there!
Do any of you make New Year’s resolutions? What has been your most successful resolution? The most ambitious?
I’ve noticed a lot of DIY up-do tutorials floating around the web lately. If you’re on Pinterest (and you should be; it’s totally fun and inspiring!), you know what I’m talking about. While most of these tutorials boast super-easy steps, it dawned on me that none of them will be easy if you don’t know the proper way to use a bobby pin.
Sounds silly, right? You might be surprised to know how many people improperly use bobby pins, resulting in an up-do that quickly becomes an up-don’t (or perhaps a down-do?). Anyway, I’ve outlined a couple of simple tips to help you get the most out of your bobby pin usage.
Tip #1: Don’t open the pin.
It may seem like the more hair you can shove in the bobby pin, the better. It’s not. A bobby pin is meant to hold only as much hair as it can hold when inserted from a closed position. No more; no less. In fact, when you over stuff a bobby pin, it forces the pin out of your hair, causing the hair to fall out of the up-do.
To properly insert a bobby pin, simply slide it into the spot you want it to hold in its natural, closed position. You might be surprised at how much more effective a bobby pin is when inserted correctly.
Tip #2: Use the right bobby pin for your hair.
If you’ve ever shopped for bobby pins, you know that there are several types to choose from.
Photo source: Photobucket
If you have fine, thin hair, a smaller bobby pin is what you want to use. If you try a pin that’s too large, it won’t hold your hair. On the contrary, ladies with thick or curly hair should use the larger bobby pins – you’ll need the extra oomph behind these pins to hold your locks.
A hairpin is a bit of a twist on the bobby pin and is distinguished by its U shape and wavy pattern on both sides. I never use these types of pins on their own to create an up-do. They’re more useful in holding down an unruly piece that has escaped or for pinning a longer bang piece back into the up-do.
Tip #3: Don’t put too much thought into it.
Unless you’re going for a very sleek look, don’t try to be too “perfect” with your up-do. Agonizing over the exact placement of each pin and whether or not any of them can be seen takes all of the fun out of getting a great look. Besides, slightly messy, imperfect hair is an absolute “do” right now!
What are some of your favorite up-dos to do to your hair? Have any additional bobby pin tips or tricks?
I’d be lying if I told you I wasn’t a bit impartial toward red hair…I love it. It’s fiery, conveys a spunky personality and there are just SO many shades to play with.
As we inch closer to fall my head has been swarming with visions of brides with tresses the color of changing leaves, so I thought I’d share some of my favorite red looks with you!
For a more subtle red, auburn is a great choice for brunettes and blondes can kick it up a notch with a strawberry color.
Photo: Fashionising.com
Photo: everythinglovely.tumblr.com
However, if you want to really let your hair flame, these options are super fun and will definitely turn heads:
Photo: flickr.com/photos/velvettears
I love the mix of highlights in this one – it really does look like a beautiful fall landscape!
Photo: beautifulredheadoftheday.com
Keep in mind that if you do decide you want to be a ginger for your big day, you should definitely experiment well in advance. I absolutely advise against drastic color change too close to your wedding day – especially if it’s a tone or shade you’ve never tried before.
Also remember that red is one of the most difficult colors to maintain and can be incredibly high-maintenance. Because it fades so quickly, you’ll want to cut the hair washing down to only a couple of times a week and definitely use a color treating shampoo. I also recommend throwing a color depositing shampoo into the mix every couple of weeks. It will give your red a boost and can help keep it from looking dull or brassy.
Who are some of your favorite redheads?
Braids are experiencing a surge in popularity right now and are definitely a great way to add some romance to your wedding hair.
No longer just for little girls, athletes or Pippi Longstocking, braids can be sophisticated, playful or add a bit of bohemian flair.
Here are some of my favorite takes on braided wedding hair:
The braided bangs:
Photo: BecomeGorgeous.com
While the photo above is an example of a pretty simple braided bang (great for beach or farm weddings!), you can definitely get more complex and create a “halo” effect.
Photo: GoodHousekeeping
Another modern take on braids is the fishtail braid. This braid can look super funky or truly bohemian, depending on how it is styled.
Photo: GreenWeddingShoes.com
It looks similar to a French braid, but uses a different technique which creates a look much like a fish tail (hence the name).
Photo: blog.FreePeople.com
One of my absolute favorite ways to style a braid is in an up-do – especially since there are just tons of ways to do it.
Photo: CarterandCookEventCo.com
I adore the way the braid in the photo above was twisted into an elegant bun. It adds so much dimension and would look beautiful with a flower, sparkly clip or fascinator.
This braided up-do puts a spin on the traditional French braid:
Photo: LoveMaegan.com
Gorgeous!
Have you seen a braided style that you’re dying to try? Please share a link or photo in the comments.
A funny thing happens when most women get engaged…their hair instantly starts growing. It’s as though a nerve receptor is triggered the moment that ring hits their finger that sends pulses of panic straight to the hair follicles.
The thing is, a lot of you look AMAZING with short hair! It’s your style of choice and the way that most people think of you. Yes, you want to look glamorous and princess-like on your big day, but you also want to look like YOU.
Believe it or not, but there are so many beautiful ways to style short hair for a wedding. Think finger waves, sparkly clips, tiaras and headbands. Here are just a few places to take some inspiration for short wedding hair:
The Red Carpet
Think about it. If Michelle Williams, Halle Barry, Natalie Portman, Winona Ryder, Meg Ryan, Carrie Mulligan and Reese Witherspoon can all make short hair look fabulous on some of Hollywood’s biggest nights, so can you on your big day.
Photo: Getty Images
Photo: GetStunning.com
The Roaring ‘20s
There’s something wildly seductive about a well-placed pin curl. Take a cue from the Flapper days and embrace this incredibly romantic look. You can even jazz it up a bit (HA! Get it? Jazz?) with some sparkle or feathers.
Photo: HairArchives.com
Photo: TheWeddingManual.weebly.com
The Internet
Ok, so I know that’s a bit of a broad suggestion, but I promise if you Google “short wedding hair,” your head will spin with all of the incredible ideas out there. Also try searching on Pinterest.com and YouTube.
Photo: HairstylesImages.com
Your Stylist
Duh. But seriously, you’d be amazed at what we can do with some well-placed bobby pins and hairspray. AMAZED! It’s part of our job to stay on top of new trends and use our knowledge and some imagination to create magic with just about any head of hair.
Of course, if you find that even after all of these great ideas you still want long hair for your wedding, there’s always the trusty hair extension. : )
What are some of your favorite short hairstyles? Please share them in the comments!