Beautiful Bridesmaid

The big wedding day is almost here.... that means a whole day of getting pampered and dolled up to feel and look as beautiful as you could.  Blushing Bridesmaids is showing you the top makeup trends for 2012 that will make you glow as you walk down the aisle.  Check em out...

Go Red: Throw out all your nude lipsticks and lip glosses. This is the year to paint your lips anything from bright red, candy pink or orange. They are versatile and can be worn on any outfit. The 20th Anniversary Lip Palette from Bobbi Brown has quite a few shades of red.

Skin tone, not hair color, should determine which red lipstick looks the best on you. The newest crop of red lipsticks are sheer, which makes them easy to work with and a must for every woman's makeup arsenal. The modern woman should think of red lips as the beauty equivalent of the LBD (little black dress). A few tips for finding the perfect red lipstick for your skin tone. Try on red lipsticks in our virtual makeup studio.

Skin with yellow undetones looks best in orangey-red lipsticks or red lipsticks with a golden base. If you have an ultra milky complexion that rivals Snow White, chances are you also have cool, rosy undertones. As a general rule, pinkish skin calls for a red lipstick that is blue-based.

Warm up red lipstick with a touch of golden gloss, applied to the center of your lower lip. For a fresh, youthful take on the red lips trend, forgo lip liner and apply the color with a lip brush, instead of applying it directly from the tube. To tone down the color, apply it to the back of your hand first (but makeup sure you have plenty of makeup remover on hand as it's difficult to remove red lipstick).


Find the perfect red lipstick for your skin tone by "trying on" different shades on this fabulous new website: Taaz.

Be Cheeky: No matter what shape your face is, you can change it with the help of some blush. Contouring your cheeks emphasises your cheekbones. It can be used to make narrow faces look wider by using a more horizontal motion or wider faces look narrower by using a more vertical motion. Dior has it's own DiorBlush or you can opt for Signature Satin Creme blush by Estee Lauder.

There's a huge difference between a blushing bride and a bride who's obviously wearing blush. Bridal makeup should always look effortless and enhance your natural beauty instead of overwhelming it. Blush can be the trickiest element to get right.  On the wedding day, makeup artist Bobbi Brown recommends using two different shades of blush: a soft natural color and a slightly brighter shade in the same color family. "Using two hues gives cheeks a pop of color and also helps blush last longer." Apply the natural blush first, sweeping it all across cheeks, then swirl the brighter color just on the apples.

To select the right blush colors for your skin tone, first consider whether you have cool (blue) or warm (yellow) undertones in your skin. Then follow these rules: Don't fight your complexion by picking a shade that's opposite your skin tone (pale skin with cool undertones, for example, won't look good with warm apricot blush). At the same time, don't choose a color that has too many of the same undertones (a pinky-violet blush could make pale skin with cool undertones look ruddy or blotchy).
It's a tricky balancing act! Check out the chart below for help, and remember when you're shopping to pick out a light and a bright version. "To double check that you have the right bright shade, hold the blush color next to your cheeks. It should immediately brighten your face," says Brown.

Fair skin tone with cool undertones: baby pink with hints of mocha or beige; soft rose
Fair skin tone with warm undertones: golden apricot; light peach with a touch of pink
Medium skin tone with cool undertones: cranberry or light raspberry; rosy pink
Medium skin tone with warm undertones: sunkissed apricot; soft coral with brown undertones
Dark skin tone with cool undertones: plum; grape; dark raspberry
Dark skin tone with warm undertones: brown suede; deep coral with a little bronze

See how you look in a new blush shade in the Makeover Studio. Try on blushes virtually and find the hue that's right for you.

Cat Eye: The familiar flick of liner returned to the outer corners of eyes but this time fashioned with inventive, even playful, variations (who says that up-tick has to be tapered? Why not apply two layers of liner instead of one?).

Need some more makeup inspiration?  These celebs always look classy and gorgeous with just the right amount of makeup.  Check out these beauties to get some wedding beauty inspiration for the big day.

The most important thing to remember to apply for the big day is your smile and love for the happy couple.  No matter how much mascara you put on or rosy up your cheeks, the key to absolute beauty is what comes internally.  We know that you will look beautiful on the big day and be glowing as you walk down the aisle, and not to mention the perfect shade of red lipstick to match!

Style On,
XO Lauren