Friday, August 26, 2011

Beautiful Bride

We were privileged to style "D" for her Bridals and Wedding Day.  She is stunning, inside and out.  We loved her dress and jewelry, simple and elegant.  She opted for a more relaxed half-up hairstyle.  Her makeup was a more dramatic smokey eye, bronzed cheeks and nude sparkly lips.  
Rachel Clare Photography took her lovely pictures, and you can click the link to see more.








XO-Dee & Laura 

Wednesday, August 24, 2011

Anthropologie & Kate Spade's Wedding Love

We at Swell Beauty are obsessing over the yummy eye candy of the New Couture Wedding Line's from "BHLDN" from Anthropologie and "Kate Spade".  Not only are the Gowns/Accessories gorgeous, but the Hair and Makeup Looks are flawless!
Here's our Top Picks . . .

Kate Spade's WEDDING BELLES DABNEY DRESS

"B H L D N"  Anthropologie GOWNS




Tulle Era Dress



               Sweeping Taffeta Ball Gown


                                                         

                       Crescendo Gown



                 Ethereal Monarch Gown



                  Burnished Organza Gown



                   Pleated Fantasy Gown


    B H L D N  Wedding Accessories











 BRIDESMAIDS DRESSES/ ACCESSORIES 









                                                   KATE SPADE'S WEDDING JEWELRY
PEARL SCALLOP BIB NECKLACE

PEARL BAUBLE NECKLACE

PEARL BAUBLE BRACELET

XO- Dee & Laura




Monday, August 22, 2011

PHOTOSHOOT FUN!!

We did an awesome photoshoot with a Beautiful Bride and Missy Shots Photography.  We decided to style her with trends that are happening now in Bridal Beauty.  The hair was styled in a low, sleek, side bun.  We added her adorable feather flower accessory, which the bride made herself, giving it an extra pop of glam!  Her makeup is a smokey purple eye, really enhancing the green in her eyes.  Finished with a soft pink cheek and nude lips.  We love how sophisticated and glamorous this look is!  Thank you Amy and Melissa!!










XO- Laura & Dee

Thursday, August 11, 2011

Bronzed Babe


By now, you've probably got your summer tan going strong.  But, it's so very important that you protect your face and chest from the harsh rays!  
Make sure you layer your sunscreen on and grab a hat on the way to the beach or pool! 
That being said, everyone wants to have that touched-by-the-sun look.  You can still achieve this without getting premature wrinkles!  There are tons of tanning options- spray tan, self tanning creams and wipes.   
After that, choose a great bronzer to sweep on your cheeks, and you'll look like you've spent the week sipping drinks by the pool!

 When shopping for a bronzer, take into account your skin color and type.  If you are fair to light, select a bronzer that is pale beige with a rose-gold undertone.  And, if you are Medium to dark skinned, go for a bronzer that is truly brown with golden undertones.  Try to avoid getting anything that may look orange, it looks very unnatural!  Powder for Oily to Normal skin, and Cream bronzers for dry skin.  



To apply your bronzer, there are 2 ways.  You can lightly brush where the sun would hit you (forehead, nose, and cheeks) for a natural all-over look.  Or you can Contour, by applying it under the cheekbones. Then add a highlighter to the tops of cheekbones keeping that area below the eyes light and bright.  Also on the forehead and along the jawbone.
  

Here are some products that we use and love!  Some have shimmer, some are matte, but remember the most natural is just a touch of shimmer!
Normal-Dry skin:  Nars Mulitple "Laguna", can also use on lips and eyes
XO- Laura 

Beauty Tips you can do a week before your Wedding!

So your wedding is in a week . .
We at Swell Beauty have been busy during this wedding season!  Brides are always asking if we have any tips to share.  Here is a list of tips we send to all of our brides a week before they say "I Do".  These are things you can do at home that can help prep your hair and skin for the big day.  Who doesn't love a little extra pampering, right?!
Here you go, in no particular order:

Skin-
1.  Drink a lot of water over the next week.  It will flush out any unneeded toxins in your body.  Your skin will look clear, extra hydrated, and you will feel great!

2.  Mask it up!  It's always a great idea to do a mask a day or two before your wedding.  Get a mask that matches your skin type- Oily, Dry, or Normal.  They also have masks for Acne prone skin too.  Masks are great in giving you moisture, cleaning out the pores, and leaving you with tight, glowing skin.

3.  Exfoliate, exfoliate, exfoliate.  The texture of your skin sets the base of how your makeup will look.  It's always a good idea to exfoliate twice a week, getting rid of the dead and flakey skin sitting on the surface!  Another great idea- Biore Deep cleansing Pore Strips!!  Love these!  Do it the day before your wedding to get rid of any dirt that may be clogging your pores!  

4.  Puffy eyes?  If  you tend to get puffy eyes and dark circles, there are a couple things you can do.  First, try to get good rest the week before the wedding.  Second, find a good eye cream or gel that combats puffiness.  There are a ton out right now.  Usually these creams are packed with things like Chamomile, Cucumber extracts, and even caffeine.  These help to soothe and wake up the delicate skin under your eyes.  Use it the night before and the morning of your wedding.  Lastly, if you are really worried about puffiness, you can get a cooling eye mask.  These are great to keep in the fridge, and whip it out when you need to shrink down those bags under your eyes.  Find them at most beauty/makeup stores, and even Target.  You can use this the morning of your wedding!

5.  If you decide to go tanning, cover your face!  Any rays on your face will damage it, whether it's the real or artificial sun.  If you want your face to have more color, get a self tanning cream meant for the face, and use it after you exfoliate.  Jergens Healthy Complexion is a great one. Also, bronzer works wonders!

Hair-
6.  Avoid getting your Hair colored/highlighted and even Cut a few days before your Big Day.  At the least,  try to schedule your appointments 4-7 days before your Wedding.  Just to avoid any chemical accidents or stylists mistakes!

7.  Keep your Hair out of the Pool a least a week before your Wedding.  Chlorine is a strong oxidising agent and it tends to damage the cuticle, which is the outer layer protecting the shaft of the hair.  In result it can cause dry, porous hair.  Plus it could turn some blondes Green or leave a green Hue!  NO good for the Pictures on your Wedding day!!

8.  Protect your Hair from the sun and heat from blowdryers and irons.  No bride wants fried, damaged hair for their wedding.  Wear a hat when going out in the sun for long periods of time.We suggest, you   use heat protectant products.  We love the Biolage Sunsorials Line such as: the after Sun Shampoo and their Daily Mist. Also Redken has a great styling Serum thats great on wet & dry Hair.  These products can be purchased at most Beauty Supply's.  

9.  Try not to wash your hair the day of your wedding unless we have discussed otherwise. Your Hair tends to be longer lasting and hold better the dirtier it is.  For some hair types , like thinner hair, washing the day of is perfectly fine. 

10.  Invest in a great Deep conditioning Treatment for your locks, like Joico's Deep Reconstructor Product.  You want your hair to be moisturized, polished, look and feel fabulous for your Wedding.  We recommend you do a conditioning treatment a week or  3 days before your Wedding Day.  You will LOVE the results!

We hope this gave you some ideas or helpful hints on how to look extra amazing on your special day!!  

    
XO- Dee & Laura

Monday, August 8, 2011

Vintage Glam Photo Shoot

We did an awesome photo shoot with Lisa Webb Photography and our beautiful model Cara.  We really wanted to play up the Vintage style that is so "in" right now.  We had a great time creating a very classic look, with our own dramatic twists.  Her makeup is mainly dark plums and wine colors.  Dark smokey eyes, red wine lips, and a soft cheek that really make a statement.  Her hair is a Vintage Finger Wave, with a side chignon, and added diamond accessories.  This would also look fabulous with an antique broach, a way to bring in the "something old".  
This look pairs so nicely with all the beautiful vintage inspired wedding dresses out there!















XO-Laura & Dee