Welcome to the Bridal Beauty Buzz Blog!

'A must read' says BRIDES magazine's Beauty Editor, Alice du Parcq.

As an award winning makeup artist, I am often asked by brides to give them tips on how they can achieve a perfect makeup look on their wedding day and what skincare products I can recommend for them to use at home, so their skin looks flawless on their wedding day. I have applied the makeup for 100's of brides on their wedding day - some of these brides are beauty editors and experts in the wedding industry, so I have many tips and tricks to share! I also regularly work as a makeup artist for Brides magazine, a makeup expert for Wedding TV and I am the Director of Makeup Artistry for celebrity makeup artist Daniel Sandler.

In my blog, I will reveal the beauty products that I have used and know give fabulous results, I will try and test the latest products on the market and keep you posted on the latest product launches. I will also give you fabulous tips on applying your wedding makeup, so you can look your best on your wedding day.
To visit my website, go to: www.sarahbmakeup.co.uk. Sarah x

Getting married abroad? Makeup that will withstand the heat

February 7th, 2010

Charlotte Balbier Getting married abroad7

If you are getting married abroad and are applying your own makeup, it is essential that you purchase makeup to take with you that will not only look flawless, but will also stay put in the hot weather.

I do many makeup lessons for brides who are getting married abroad – this way I can show brides how to apply their makeup and they can take the makeup with them for their wedding day. If you do not have the budget for a makeup lesson, here are some tips to help you make the right choice:

The most important thing is to get your makeup base just right. First of all, choose the right primer to go underneath your makeup. This will help your makeup stay on longer – try the Smashbox Photo Finish Primer (www.qvcuk.com). Next to foundation – look for an oil free, silicone based mineral foundation (Daniel Sandler’s Super Mineral Makeup is perfect, www.danielsandler.com) this product also has an SPF to protect your skin.

Remember – if you are going to be spending a few days abroad before you get married, are you going to be sunbathing and have a slight tan? If so, you need to take this into account and maybe buy a foundation a shade darker.

Make sure you use powder to set the product and use a long lasting eyeshadow such as the Estee Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place ShadowCreme (www.boots.com) and use a black waterproof mascara to make your lashes look long and glossy.

My must have for your cheeks is the award winning Daniel Sandler Watercolour Blush – a waterproof, silicone based liquid blusher that won’t budge and will give you a beautiful bridal glow – I love shade Cherub.

Keep lips moist and pretty by applying the above cheek stain in Cherub to your lips for a gentle ’stain’ to the lips and apply a little gloss on top (choose a gloss which isn’t too ’sticky’ in texture – Lancome’s Juicy Tubes Gloss is perfect).

Think light, pretty, oil free makeup which is silicone based wherever possible and you will look gorgeous and fresh on your wedding day.

Photograph of bride kindly supplied by Charlotte Balbier – www.charlottebalbier.com

Eye supreme multi-active eye patches by [comfort zone]

February 3rd, 2010

EYE SUPREME PATCHES

Ideal as a weekly treatment and when you are particularly tired, anti-stress instant tensor patches by [comfort zone] work absolute wonders on the under eye area and the treatment only takes 10 minutes.

Already a big fan of [comfort zone] skincare, I knew that these eye patches would give amazing results – the first time I tried these patches, when I removed them from my eyes (after 10 minutes) the results were fantastic – the fine lines under my eyes were gone and my eyes looked lighter, brighter and younger!

How do these patches give such amazing results?  

Innovative hydrogel patches enriched with Eyeliss™, Colaxyl™, Haloxyl™, aloe and Phytodermina lifting for an intensive instant treatment of tired , puffy eyes with dark circles and wrinkles.

Use them weekly on the run up to your wedding, but my top tip is to make sure that you have some patches on the morning of your wedding – first thing in the morning, cleanse and dry your face, apply the eye patches and lay back and relax for 10 minutes. Remove the patches and reveal brighter, younger looking eyes for your wedding day!

To read more about this range and the other fabulous products by [comfort zone] , go to www.comfortzone.it and to find your nearest [comfort zone] salon/spa, call 01827 280 080.

For eyeshadow that lasts, try ESTEE LAUDER Double Wear

January 31st, 2010

Double Wear Eyeshadow Creme

Every bride wants her makeup to look perfect from the second she applies it until she removes it when the wedding day is over. Your eye makeup will need to withstand wedding day tears and still look perfect at the end of the evening.

This is possible – we all know that there are many fabulous waterproof mascaras on the market and there are also waterproof eyeliners, but what about your eyeshadow?

I always stress in a makeup lesson how important it is to prepare the eye area for your eyeshadow – always apply foundation on your eyelid first, followed by powder to set it (there are so many clients who forget to do this). This will avoid your eyeshadow creasing, which is not a good look for your wedding day photos!

There are some ladies who seem to have this problem (of eyeshadow creasing) more than others – if this is the case, I recommend first to not apply too much eye cream before your foundation (which will help prevent your foundation sliding off your eyelid).

There is a great product from Estée Lauder – the Estée Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place ShadowCreme, which is suitable for all skin types and is ideal for mature skin as it minimises pulling and tugging of the delicate eyelid. It’s stay-true colour at your fingertips with matte to demi-pearl finishes; creamy formula goes on smoothly, blends easily and gives seamless coverage won’t crease or fade (which also makes it great if you are getting married abroad in hot weather).

It comes in a range of colours which can be used alone – but my top tip is to use shade 06 (called Ivory Lace) which is a gorgeous cream colour which gives a clean look to the eyelid and is a perfect base for your powder eyeshadows.

(RRP £15.00 , www.boots.com)

Stimulskin Plus Divine lifting cream from Darphin

January 27th, 2010

If you are looking to address moisturising, lifting and smoothing, radiance and skin brightening, the Stimulskin Plus Divine lifting cream will address all of these concerns. A “must-have” within Stimulskin Plus line, this cream offers an ultra-comfortable, fresh, melting texture with an irresistible scent, and a comprehensive solution to visible signs of aging. The more mature your skin, the more you will love this serious skincare product:

Stimulskin Plus Divine Lifting Cream2This exquisite, quickly absorbed, delightfully scented cream helps to boost natural collagen production and elasticity for visibly firmer, more resilient, supple skin.

How it works:

Intensive lifting and smoothing action:The Stimulskin Plus Divine Lifting Cream technology helps to improve the firmness and elasticity of the skin.

Enhanced radiance and skin brightening:The Stimulskin Plus Divine Lifting Cream helps reduce the appearance of dark spots, redness and helps restore the skins radiance and helps to even the complexion.

Intense moisturising effect whilst offering comfort to the skin:Applying the Stimulskin Plus Divine Lifting Cream helps to improve moisturisation and suppleness of the skin, offering a cocoon-like effect of softness and and deep comfort to the skin. 

This exquisite, quickly absorbed, delightfully scented cream helps to boost natural collagen production and elasticity for visibly firmer, more resilient, supple skin. If you have never used Darphin products before, I can only describe them as luxurious products which deliver exceptional results and are a total dream to use.

This isn’t a product for a younger bride who has no ageing issues with her skin, this is a product for someone who has ageing concerns with their skin. Unlike some anti-ageing skincare creams which can feel greasy, this product is not heavy at all and is really easy to use (plus the packaging is gorgeous, which also makes the experience of using this product even more special).

For a more intense treatment, I first apply the Darphin 8-Flower Nectar Serum to my face/ neck and layer the Stimulskin Plus Divine Lifting Cream on top and my top tip is to only use a small amount of these products at one time – they will last you for ages as a little really does go a long way.

Read more about Darphin and their products at www.darphin.co.uk

Get the look – Bruce Oldfield

January 24th, 2010

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The British couturier, Bruce Oldfield, has opened a new atelier and boutique at No.34 Beauchamp Place, London, SW3, designed as the perfect bridal destination. This one-stop wedding shop includes couture, custom-made and ready-to-wear outfits for the entire wedding party.

Bruce Oldfield, who was awarded the OBE in 1990, has been a famous name in British fashion for more than 30 years, best known for his red carpet and couture occasion-wear for Hollywood stars, British and international royalty, the European aristocracy and has designed the wedding dresses for a host of high-profile brides, including Samantha Cameron, Queen Rania of Jordan, and Jemima Khan.

A Bruce Oldfield style of glamour, sophistication, luxury, expert craftsmanship and using only the most luxurious fabrics, will ensure that any bride will look and feel amazing on that special day.

When I saw the photographs for Bruce Oldfield’s bridal collection, not only did I absolutely adore his dresses, I also loved the whole look including the makeup, which was created by makeup artist Emma O’Byrne and the photographer of the shoot was George Bamford.

If you adore the makeup look in these photographs, here are a few tips to help you re-create this look on your wedding day:

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Your foundation needs to be mid to full coverage and set with powder to achieve this flawless look to the skin. Try Diorskin Nude, Natural Glow Hydrating Makeup (RRP £28 , www.boots.com).

Cheeks are kept to a minimum, so as not to compete with the eyes and the lips. For a subtle look to the cheeks, try the Daniel Sandler Watercolour in shade Gentle (RRP £12, www.danielsandler.com).

Eyes – this look is all about the definition around the eye, as you can see in the above photograph, the model has a pretty shimmer on her eyes from the eyelid to the brow – use  Lancôme Ombre Absolue Eyeshadow in shade Moonlight , which has a 6 hour hold (£16.00 www.lancome.co.uk). To define the top lashline, use the Shu Uemura Liquid Liner Pen (£11 www.spacenk.com) and draw a line across the top lashes, getting thicker towards the outer eye, to give a lift to eye area. The, take a matte black eyeshadow from Daniel Sandler (£10 www.danielsandler.com) and using an eyeliner brush, apply the matte black shadow over the liquid liner to add intensity and then apply the matte black shadow to the lower lashline – keep it near to the route of the lashes. Apply waterproof black mascara and for even more drama, you could add some individual false lashes to the outer edge of your upper lashes.

For lips, I would use the Daniel Sandler Automatic Long Lasting Lipliner in shade Heather (RRP £9) and then apply the Luxury Lipstick in shade Entice on top (RRP £13.00 www.danielsandler.com)

To find out more about Bruce Oldfield, go to www.bruceoldfield.com , photographs kindly supplied by Bruce Oldfield.

Wedding day makeup tip – prime your lips!

January 20th, 2010

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With all of the kissing , eating and talking that you will be doing on your wedding day, it is essential that you apply your lip products perfectly. This way, your lip colour will stay on for longer and require less ‘touch ups’ during the day and will also ensure that you are ‘camera ready’ for all of those wedding day photographs!

Before you think about your lip colour and gloss, use a lip primer. This will smooth out your lips, help your lipstick stay on longer and will also help prevent your lipstick from feathering.

Here are a few recommendations for your wedding day lip primer:

COSMETICS A LA CARTE PLUMP & PRIME: CALC_Plump & Prime

Plump & Prime for lips lines, gives added volume, helps lip colour to stay in place for longer and helps prevent “feathering”. Built in moisturisers and peptides makes it a daily skincare treat for lips.

‘Maxi-Lip’ peptides boost collagen synthesis and help moisturise lips, making them firmer, smoother and better defined. Beeswax forms  a flexible, waterproof cushion, while Vitamin E keeps lips in tip top condition. Kaolin powders create a neutral, soothing canvas so lipstick stays put and colour true.

To use: Apply sparingly all over lips and over edges to smooth out fine lines before applying lip colour.

RRP £18.00 www.cosmeticsalacarte.com

DANIEL SANDLER MAGIC WAND:

DSMagicWand

Daniel Sandler’s “Magic Wand” is a long lasting line filler with a waterproof and creamy texture in an automatic pencil. It dispenses the liner easily without sharpening.

Preservative and mineral oil-free. Contains antioxidant Vitamins C and E.

Helps reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles around the mouth (and can also be used around the eyes or anywhere on the face). Can be used under makeup or apply on top of makeup to help with those deeper lines and wrinkles.

Apply on and around the lip area before applying your lipstick/ lipliner.

RRP £10, www.danielsandler.com

(Wedding photography by www.englishroseweddings.co.uk, makeup by Sarah Brock)

Reduce redness in your skin with CLINIQUE redness solutions

January 16th, 2010

Redness Solutions Group 4

Many people suffer from Rosacea, which is frequent flushing on the face (similar to blushing). For some ladies this can be permanently visible on the face, whilst other ladies find that certain factors aggravate the skin and make flushing worse. The most common things that may ’trigger’ the skin to flush are extremes of temperature (in particular excessive heat), alcoholic drinks, strenuous exercise, stressful situations, sunlight, spicy food, hot drinks.

When applying the makeup on a wedding day for a bride or member of her bridal party, I often hear from ladies that they are concerned with redness on their face. A wedding day can be stressful and most of these clients know that they will have an alcoholic drink, which can be a main cause of redness in someone who suffers from Rosacea.

This is not a problem as I can add extra coverage with a concealer to the area they are concerned with – but if redness on the face is a concern of yours, why not treat this concern with a product designed specifically for redness in the run up to your wedding day?

Clinique Redness Solutions offers different dermatologist certified solutions that visibly reduce all red skin conditions.

The redness solutions redness regimen (RRP £38, www.clinique.co.uk) is a great place to start as it is a boxed kit with step by step instructions.

 It is 4 week supply which is proven to better skin’s appearance and comfort in 4 weeks:

• Quells persistent, visible redness, blotchiness.
• Helps calm and comfort skin.
• Maintains skin’s moisture balance.
• Helps avert future flare-ups.

How to use:

Use these extra-gentle, oil-free formulas together, consistently, in a twice-daily regimen appropriate for skins with mild-to-moderate persistent redness:

• Redness Solutions Soothing Cleanser 75ml 
• Redness Solutions Daily Relief Cream 30ml
• Redness Solutions Daily Protective Base SPF 15 15ml

If you know that redness will be a concern for you on your special day, start to address the issue as soon as possible.

Read more about the Clinique Redness Solutions range at www.clinique.co.uk

Getting your foundation right – a wedding day essential!

January 13th, 2010

 Getting foundation right

Getting your foundation/ base looking perfect on your wedding day is essential. Every bride wants a flawless, glowing complexion on her wedding day. If this looks perfect, then everything else you put on top of your foundation will look better. Even if you do not have the budget to spend a lot on your colour products (ie eyes/ cheeks / lips), I always say to brides that it is worth spending a little more on a good foundation – I really do believe that when it comes to foundations, you do get what you pay for.

Before you start your search for the perfect makeup base – even if you have a large budget for a good quality foundation, it will be a waste of time if you choose the wrong shade and incorrect texture for your skin. We all know that there is nothing worse than a line of foundation on your jaw line which is the wrong colour and trust me, if you do this on your wedding day, it will show up even more against a light coloured wedding gown! Also, wearing a foundation which is too dry for you can make you look older and if you wear a foundation which is too heavy and oily, it will slide off your skin and you will look ‘greasy’ in your wedding photographs.

Whichever foundation you wear, remember to use a light moisturiser first to hydrate the skin and then apply a small amount of primer before you apply your foundation.

So where do you start? As you know, there is a huge variety of foundations on the market. Makeup brands are improving their formulas everyday and offering a bigger choice, which makes our task even more complicated. When choosing a foundation it’s important to know what type of skin you have, since there are specific products for each type of skin. You can find foundations that are fluid/ powder/ compact/ mineral, with a matt effect, brightening, oil free – the list is endless!

super_mineral_makeup

If you’ve got dry skin a fluid, nourishing and creamy foundation is ideal, especially if you’re looking for a foundation that covers the skin – but remember that a creamy foundation doesn’t have to be heavy, there are moisturising foundations on the market that are lighter formulations.

For oily skin it’s important to choose an oil-free fluid with a matt finish – if possible, also try to find a formula which is silicone based. Mineral based foundations are fabulous for oily skins as the ingredients are pure and will not encourage blemishes or excess grease on the skin.

For combination skin I still recommend a light, oil free silicone based foundation as you still need to avoid a greasy T-Zone on your oily areas. Go easy on the face powder on your dry areas (ie cheeks and eyes). Some brands do now make foundations for combination skins – which reduce oil where needed and add moisture where you are dry, these might be worth a try but again make sure that the formulations are not thick and heavy.

When you have decided on your budget and the formula you wish to wear, my biggest tip is with reference to choosing the right shade – do not test the colour on your hand or your forearm!!! It has to be on your jawline – test 3 shades and the shade that you cannot see is the right one.

My next tip is after you have chosen your foundation is to invest in a good foundation/ base brush – this will give you a more ‘airbrushed’ finish to your makeup – I wouldn’t apply foundation with anything else.

(Wedding photograph by www.loveasart.com, makeup by Sarah Brock. Photograph of The Daniel Sandler Super Mineral Makeup foundation is kindly supplied by Daniel Sandler, www.danielsandler.com)

Banish blemishes with award winning skincare – Murad

January 9th, 2010

If you have tried several acne, spot or blemish products and have not seen the results you were hoping for, the Murad Blemish Control range is a must try award winning skincare range.

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An award winning range from a serious skincare brand which is respected by the professional beauty industry, this range offers many products within the range, so you can select the product/ products which will fit into your skincare regime.

More information on the founder of Murad, Howard Murad, M.D. :

Murad founder, Howard Murad, M.D., defines vision and direction for Murad. Dr. Murad provides direct oversight to the Murad Inclusive Health Center® and Spa, Murad Medical Group and Murad Research Laboratories and travels the world speaking both as a brand ambassador and skin-health educator.

A board-certified dermatologist, pharmacist and Associate Clinical Professor of Medicine (Dermatology) at UCLA, Dr. Murad is widely acknowledged as one of the world’s foremost authorities on skin health. A true visionary, Dr. Murad has changed the fields of skincare and dermatology. His pioneering efforts include creation of the first line of doctor branded skincare, the development of the first Esthetic AHA formulations, the first medical spa and the first Inclusive Health Center®. He continues to create cutting edge formulations for topical and Internal Skincare®, including countless discoveries that have translated ethnobotanical resources into important advances in health and wellness.

Dr. Murad introduced his breakthrough discovery, The Cellular Water Principle®, in his book Wrinkle-Free Forever. Dr. Murad shared more of the fruits of his research in The Cellulite Solution and is currently working on a third book.

Dr. Murad continues to actively see patients and has seen more than 50,000 patients over the course of his career.

As someone who suffers with an oily T-Zone, I have tried and tested many brands over the last few years – these are the Murad products that I have seen amazing results from and regularly recommend to my brides to be who want to improve the condition of their oily skin:

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 Murad Oil Control Mattifier SPF 15 ( RRP £29.50),  protects skin while providing all day oil control and will reduces excess oil by up to 78% for 8 hours. To use, massage evenly over your face every day after cleansing.

 

2. Exfoliating Blemish Treatment Gel

 

 

Murad Exfoliating Blemish Gel (RRP £40.95) a product which penetrates deep to clear clogged pores and control breakouts. Use every day after cleansing and toning – massage a thin layer over your face and neck.

 

 

 

 

 BlemishTreatCont_Light 

Murad Blemish Treatment Concealer (RRP £14.50) This oil-free formula leaves skin with a flawless finish by treating blemishes with blemish-fighting medication while providing long-lasting coverage. Apply a thin layer once or twice daily or as needed.

 

 

 

 

 Find out more about Murad Skincare Products at: www.muraduk.com

Pure Fiji Coconut Milk & Honey Sugar Rub – for glowing skin

January 6th, 2010

Not only do your want the skin on your face to look fantastic on your wedding day – you will also want your skin on your body to look radiant and smooth – if you will be wearing a strapless gown, you will want your decollete and arms to look smooth and feel soft and if you are going away on honeymoon after, you will want your whole body to look fabulous too!

As with the face, it is important to moisturise your body but it is also important to exfoliate the body to remove dead skin cells.

Pure Fiji Coconut Milk & Honey Sugar Rub is an extraordinary body treatment, which gently buffs away dead skin cells, cleans and unclogs pores and restores your skin to a fresh, healthy glow.

Pure Fiji _Milk_Honey Sugar Rub

When I first tried this product, when I opened the beautiful jar the first thing I noticed was the gorgeous fragrance! I have used many scrubs in the past, but many of these are very greasy and oily and leave a mess in the shower. This product comes with a scoop inside, you remove a small amount of the scrub, add water and massage into the skin. If exfoliating your body is something that you avoid as it is an extra ‘chore’ then you will love this scrub – not only does it exfoliate the skin beautifully, the gorgeous scent remains on your skin all day and your skin will glow after. I look forward to using this product!

Raw cane sugar and honey will buff away aging skin cells and unclog pores and polish your skin clean. Your new smooth skin is protected with nature’s best source of anti-oxidants and the powerful hydration and nutrients in a blend of pure coconut and exotic drift nut oils. Ideal for all skin types. This generous 8.5 oz  jar (rrp £26.50) will give 15-18 treatments.

With regular use, your body will be smooth, soft and glowing on your wedding day!

 Pure Fiji is available at www.purefiji.com/uk and stockists nationwide including Glitterati Beauty Salon 842-844 Green Lanes, London N21 2RT T: 020 8364 1662