Be A Bold Bride - Try a Red Lip

In November I wrote a blog entry on 2012 bridal lip colour trends. Keeping this in mind I thought I would share with you a makeup and hair trial I did recently with a bride who loves a little colour.  Check out these bold and cheeky lips and look at how white her teeth looked with this colour on!  I know a bold lip is not for everyone but for some, it's stunning! 
(Photo taken on my iPhone before I left.)

Lip colour used was by Cinema Secret - Red Rose.

Brides By Vicki Millar Wins Weddingwire Bride's Choice Award 2012

A Special Announcement!!



I'm very excited to announce that I won the Weddingwire Bride's Choice Award 2012. That's 2 years in a row!  I want to thank all my wonderful and thoughtful brides for taking the time to write reviews on my services. I feel so grateful and blessed to have such wonderful client's.

Wedding Makeup and Hair - How To Avoid The 4 Biggest Mistakes

1. Vagueness = Disappointment. I cannot express this enough and I find myself repeating it in many of my blogs but it's worth saying again and again because it's so important. Put into plain words the look you want to achieve with your makeup artist and hair stylist. For example, if you want a smokey eye be sure you explain what type of smokey eye you really want.  Everyone has different versions of a smokey eye so unless you have a good idea of what you like you'll get whatever version your makeup artist feels will suit you. If you're asking for some height in your hairstyle be clear on how high you want it to be. Explaining what look you want in a clear and concise way will help you achieve exactly the look you really want. Sureness = Delight!

2. Show images to your bridal makeup/hair artist of the look you want to achieve but be sure your images are of a consistent nature. For example, if you really want a natural look don't show an image like this.

Although the makeup is lovely it's not natural and you will confuse your artist.

Instead, show an image like this.

If you have 6 images be sure all the images are of a similar nature. Colours may vary but the style of the makeup you desire should be consistent in the images you show your makeup artist.

3. Book a makeup and hair trial before your wedding day and be certain you get to know your artist well. It's important that you're happy with your makeup and hair but it's also really important you like the person you're going to be spending time with on your wedding day. You need to trust this person 100% and be sure they understand and will appreciate you and the people in your wedding party.  Meeting your artist at a trial before your wedding ensures you'll be happy with your wedding day makeup and hair.

4. Let your makeup artist and hair stylist do their job. I know there are all types of personalities out there. Some are "Type A" personalities and they like to know exactly what's going on and quiz the artist about their every move as they go along.  Bad idea.  All that does is create anxiety and you don't want your artist to be anything but relaxed while they are working on you.  It's a good idea to ask your questions and be sure you're both on the same page BEFORE your makeup/hair artist starts to work on you. Once they have started their job, trust they know what they're doing and that they want you to look amazing and let them get on with making you look gorgeous.

Just sit back and relax and enjoy being pampered! 

See you all soon!

Vendor Spotlight - 28 Delights Bakery

Tropical Delight Cupcakes from 28 Delights Bakery

It's been awhile since I've written a vendor spotlight review but I believe in only promoting those businesses that go above and beyond in my opinion....and have I found one to share with you!!

Now, this may seem unusual for a beauty blogger to spotlight a bakery but hold your fire......there is a method to my madness! I work in the bridal industry and I know which wedding trends are hot. Cupcake tables are unique, creative and very popular!

Seriously...who doesn't love a cupcake?

But wait.....28 Delights Bakery don't just make your average cupcake.
They make cupcakes for the Gods to eat!  They also do amazing cakes and brownies too!

Personalize your own cake from 28 Delights Bakery

Devil in a white dress brownie from 28 Delights Bakery

Back in the summer I was on set for an advertising campaign with one of my regular client's. A lot of time when I'm on set there are tons of goodies to munch on and this day was no exception to that. Among all the food (and there was lots!) sat this gorgeous display of cupcakes. I was super busy getting my models ready so didn't get a chance to eat much but the talk around set was all about these cupcakes. I mean the hype was pretty unique. Especially for cupcakes! Everyone on the team was raving about them! So, when I had a minute between models I decided to give one a try. One of the models had her agent with her and he strongly suggested I try one of the Banana Bliss Cupcakes.

So, I did.

Banana Bliss Cupcakes from 28 Delights Bakery

Amazing doesn't do it justice! I'm not kidding when I say it was the best tasting cupcake I've ever had! The middle had some sort of filling that tasted like heaven! (if heaven was a cupcake that is)

It just so happens the owner and head baker (Debbie Walker) was on site that day.  Debbie told me she was about to expand her cupcake business and I asked her to let me know the moment she had her site up and running and guess what, she did just that. She contacted me last week to let me know her business is online now and needless to say it's already booming!  Up until now, word of mouth has kept Debbie's cupcake business busy but now the sky is the limit!  No surprise really.  She has only had her site up for a couple of weeks and she has already started taking bookings for 2012 weddings!

Jamrock Cupcakes

This blog is one big "shout out" for 28 Delights Bakery. For all you brides out there that are looking for something beautiful and unique, not to mention unbelievably yummy, please get in touch with Debbie Walker from 28 Delights Bakery.  She is super talented and really nice! Tell her I sent you!

Contact Info...for Toronto and GTA.
http://www.twentyeightdelights.com/

For my followers who want more information please contact me for a brochure and pricing.  For whatever reason I can't add the brochure and pricing page to this blog entry.

Bridal Hairstyle Trends for 2012

Want to know what's hot in bridal hairstyles for 2012?  Check these out!

The Ever Popular Side Chignon ... for 2012 add in some side curls

 The Bridget Bardot half up / half down style

 

The Looped Under Ponytail

Side Hair Upswept With a Barrette

Long Loose Curls

The French Twist ... elegant and versatile

Be Beautiful On Your Honeymoon

When the wedding day is over.....what bride doesn't want to keep looking her best?

On your honeymoon, you definitely want your husband to realize how lucky he was to marry you!  Below are some of my favourite practical makeup products to bring along with you on your honeymoon.  Enjoy! 

Wild and Chic - The Best of Make Up For Ever Kit

Wild and Chic - Aqua Cream Collection from Make Up For Ever

Smashbox - Try It Kit

MAC Strobe Cream

MAC strobe cream...for those days you want to go without makeup or use it under makeup. 
It will light up your skin and give a warm glow! 
An absolute must in your honeymoon kit!

Cover FX Acne Treat and Conceal Kit

If you suffer from acne breakouts this kit is a must!  One of the best foundations on the market today for full natural looking coverage

Laura Mercier - Oil Free Flawless Face Kit

See you all soon!

Beautiful Bridal Makeup - Get The Look!

Beautiful bride Lora.  Photography by Mark Fiddian, Cambridge, UK

Do you love Lora's wedding day makeup? I know many of you do so I thought I would share a step by step guide on how I achieved this beautiful wedding look.


First I moisturized Lora's skin using Embryolisse 24 hour miracle cream.  Lora has good skin and this cream was the perfect base to start building her dream bridal look.

Next I applied Face Atelier Ultra Foundation in Ivory (a silicone based foundation) using my dampened Beauty Blender Sponge and blended seamlessly until Lora's skin looked fresh and dewy. I then followed with Keromask concealer in Light only where it was required.

Next I applied Graftobian Creme Blush in Raspberry and lightly buffed it into Lora's skin using an Alcone sponge.

To set the foundation and blush I used Ben Nye Visage Poudre Luxury Powder in Banana colour. It leaves a beautiful candle light glow to the skin and it really gave Lora's skin some extra oomph!

Photography by Mark Fiddian, Cambridge, UK

For Lora's eyes I used Paula Dorf all over the lid in Cherub followed by Yaby in Rosewood in the crease. I followed this up by blending the colours using a MAC blending brush #217. I then added Yaby antiqued frost bronze in the centre of her lid and blended again using #217 brush. Then I added little dap of vanilla pigment from MAC under the brow as a highlighter. Using a smudger brush I added Yaby Bark on Lora's lower lash line. Next I added the tiniest amount of Yaby White shadow to Lora's tear duct area and blended well. I finished her eyes off by using 2 coats of Waterproof Maybelline Great Lash mascara in Black.

Next I groomed Lora's eyebrows using Smashbox's Brow Tech in Brunette.

To give Lora a natural sexy bridal pout I applied Graftobian lip colour in Nude.

Photography by Mark Fiddian, Cambridge, UK

Come by next week when I'll share with you some beautiful bridal hair styles for 2012.  See you soon!

Your Wedding Makeup and Hair FAQ's Answered

My most popular bride makeup and hair questions ... some food for thought when searching for your own bridal makeup and hair artist.

Do you charge for trials?


Yes I do charge for trials. I offer 2 hour makeup trials which include airbrush if requested, where your bridal look is created or a 3 hour trial that also includes hair styling. I prepare a detailed face chart which is used to ensure that you will look exactly the same on your wedding day as you do at your trial. I also offer invaluable hints and tips for skin and hair preparation to prepare you for your big day. 

Do you provide any specialty services? (airbrushing, hair extensions, etc.)

For those brides who are looking for luxurious red carpet treatment, I offer speciality services such as airbrush makeup application. Feel free to bring clip-in hair extensions with you to your trial and/or wedding day. I regularly work with hair extensions and am very comfortable creating many hairstyles using them.

Do you travel to your client on the wedding day? If yes, is there a fee?

I am completely mobile and will come to you directly for your trial and wedding day at your convenience. I do not charge for travel within the Toronto and Greater Toronto Area including Barrie, Ontario.  Outside of this area you will incur a small travel charge.

How many customers can you serve at one time if the bride were to book her entire bridal party?

I am able to accommodate wedding parties of any size. For larger wedding parties I work closely with valued and trusted assistants who work to my standards and timelines. My overriding priority is the level of customer service provided to my clients. To this end I only work with assistants who understand and agree with this ethic and who demonstrate the same degree of professionalism and quality as I strive to provide. Large wedding parties will incur a small additional fee which will be included in your initial quote.

How far in advance should I book your services?

Clients should book services a minimum of 6 - 9 months in advance of their wedding day. I am often booked up to a year in advance during high wedding season.

 Do you specialize in textured hair?


I am very experienced working with all hair textures although I do not specialize in natural African American hair.

My makeup artist just cancelled on me - can you accommodate my last minute request.

Yes, I can accommodate your request provided I do not have a previous booking on the same day. I often refer brides who I am unable to accommodate (due to other bookings) to trusted colleagues that may be available to accomodate your request.

Do you cut and colour hair?

I do not cut or colour hair.  I can style hair for your wedding including updo's, braids, french twists, styled down and more.  I am able to refer you to some of the best colour specialists and salons in most major North American cities to accommodate you if you require a colour and/cut.

What is your cancellation policy?

If you cancel your booking your deposit is not refundable; if you cancel your booking after cleared funds are received, before and including a booking date. If I am obliged to cancel your booking every effort will be made to provide a replacement makeup artist of equivalent ability and cost. No guarantee is offered or implied as regards the ability or availability of a replacement makeup artist. If a replacement artist accepts the assignment, your deposit will be passed onto that artist. If a replacement makeup artist cannot be provided your deposit will be refunded in full.