While planning a wedding many brides get super stressed out and start to feel a little down. Whether it is that your hubby-to-be doesn’t share the same enthusiasm about napkin color as you, or that you didn’t realize planning a wedding would be like a part-time job, it can be common to find yourself a bit frazzled. A friend of mine gave me this simple anti stress “make-up kit” and it really works to restore balance and sanity. The goal is to accomplish all in one day. I love implementing this check list daily because is a brilliantly simple but effective way to feel relaxed and happy again.

__natural light (30 minutes of sunlight helps regulate the melatonin in the body- this can be walking etc.. not sunbathing)

__exercise (can be walking the dog etc.. 30 min)

__relaxation (did you do something relaxing today?)

__ gratitude journal (just jot down a few things you are thankful for)

__staying hydrated (8 8oz glasses/day)

__humor (YouTube is great for a quick laugh)

__positive people (give a friend a call etc.)

__stop negative thoughts

__doing something nice for yourself

__daily meditation/scripture

Best Wishes,

Leslie

The Wedding Cafe offers a semi annual workshop series for engaged couples to attend to help them through the wedding planning process. Several weeks ago I was involved in the “Beautiful Bride” workshop. My company is featured starting at about 40 minutes into the video. Enjoy!

Best Wishes,

Leslie

The Wedding Cafe “The beautiful bride hair, make up & fashion trends” from Image Creations LLC on Vimeo.

When my husband and I were in the process of getting engaged we were clueless of where to start. We got referred to The Diamond Specialists by another wedding professional and I am so glad I found them. From the start Russell and his staff took plenty of time to sit down and do a free “Diamond Education” class for us… it was SO informative and also pretty exciting because it meant we were on the road to getting married!!! The owners and staff are incredibly accommodating and I was able to get exactly the engagement ring of my imagination. I told my husband what I wanted and then the owner brought in a variety of diamonds for my husband to choose from, and then helped him custom create the setting using a high tech 3D computer program. The Diamond Specialists are the epitome of boutique service. I stopped by today just to say “Hi”, and get my jewelry cleaned while I was killing time to avoid rush hour traffic. Whenever I stop by I feel like I am visiting family and they NEVER make me feel bad for just stopping in to get my ring cleaned Today they even gave me a cute little cleaning kit totally free so I can maintain the sparkly-ness at home. If you are in the market for jewelry.. engagement rings, wedding bands, bridesmaid gifts… you should stop by the Diamond Specialists first. It’s always good to support local businesses, and being treated like family never hurts either. If you stop by tell them I say “Hi”!

Best Wishes,

Leslie

My client Jenny just sent me this and I had to post it on my blog. She is so cute! We did a hair and make-up trial in June and she took her save the date pics afterwards. Jenny wanted a smokey eye with the color darkest towards the lash line and a soft berry colored lip. Photographer was Eric Wehner.

I gave birth to my son in January and since then the time I would normally devote to “primping” has lovingly been devoted to my son instead. Being the girly-girl I am, I would never consider “letting myself go” however I happily welcome any tools or tricks that make my life easier and allow me to get ready for the day in less time. Here are a few favorites that really come in handy as a new mom:

1) Big Sexy Hair Volumizing Dry Shampoo: This dry shampoo spray allows me one extra day in between hair washings. All you have to do is spray 8″ away from the root/oily area, wait a minute and then brush out. I love this for clients that have super fine hair as well.

2) Downy Wrinkle Release Spray: Saves me from looking like a wrinkled mess without the ordeal of ironing.

3) Sally Hansen Insta-Dry Nail Color: It really is hard to fit in a pedicure while caring for a baby, so I opt to do it myself. Who doesn’t have 60 seconds?

4) Sally Hansen Instant Cuticle Remover: I use this before I use the polish to make the manicure/pedicure look more professional. It works in 30 seconds!

5) E.L.F Nourishing Cuticle Pen and Nail Polish Removing Pads: I pick these up at Target for $1.00 each and they come in handy all the time. Small enough to fit in purse.

6) Body Shop Coconut Milk Spray on Lotion: Easily sprays on and absorbs. Not too strong a fragrance, so it won’t compete with perfume.

7) Neutrogena Make-up Remover Towelettes: Sometimes I am just too tired to do the nightly face washing routine. These are super handy- although I only use now and then cause it is always better to thoroughly remove make-up and cleanse/moisturize skin.

Hope these help you all! Most items can be found at Target with exception to the dry shampoo.

Best Wishes,

Leslie

Hi All,

If you don’t know about the Wedding Cafe, it is a great resource center for Brides and Grooms. I especially love the semi annual workshop series they do to help couples navigate the waters of booking vendors and wedding planning. The workshops are every Wednesday night for six consecutive weeks. For more info visit them at www.theweddingcafe.net

Wedding Cafe :: Workshops from KAI MEDIA on Vimeo.

Best Wishes,

Leslie

Destination brides always ask me if there is anything special they should do before their wedding and before meeting me. There are several tips/products below that can help make my job easier and you look more beautiful on your wedding day.
1) HYDRATE: Drink 64oz water per day. Hawaii is HOT and it is easy to get dehydrated without even knowing it!
2) MOISTURIZE: I love Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Mositurizer w/SPF 15 for the face and Kiehl’s Lip Balm #1 for the lips. Sometimes skin freaks out when traveling so keeping it moisturized helps keep skin looking healthy.
3) PROTECT: Sunscreen!! At least SPF30 for face and chest…. also if your dress is strapless don’t forget to wear a bandeau style swim suit to save yourself from tan lines.
4) SLEEP: It seems simple, but it is not easy! Many destination brides are swamped with guests asking them to do all sorts of events before the wedding. While this is fun, you need to remember to carve out time for yourself and especially for adequate sleep. A rested bride is a beautiful (and happy) bride.
5) MODERATE: Don’t overdo it on the alcohol…especially the night before the wedding! The Mai Tai’s can sneak up on you Too much oily food can also wreak havoc on clients skin so make sure to balance the oily foods with healthier options.
6) EXERCISE: Pre wedding jitters can be easily kept at bay with as little as a 10-15 minute walk.

I know these tips are common sense, but it is easy to forget yourself and get carried away with taking care of everyone else when you are a destination bride!

Best Wishes,

Leslie

The bride I worked on yesterday got super sunburned the day before her wedding and she called me freaking out! As a professional make-up artist I have all the tools I need to cover up such a catastrophe My technique includes several steps of priming, color equalizing, concealing and finally airbrushing. As you can see she got an amazing result, although it is much easier for you to avoid such incidents by covering yourself with plenty of sunscreen(SPF of 30 or higher is preferable). Many destination brides come to Hawaii and don’t realize how strong the sun is here… they will say “it was only 9AM and I was only walking to get coffee” or something similar to that nature. Why risk it?? Just use sunscreen until after the wedding. Don’t avoid sunscreen because you want that beachy tan look, I can create a totally natural sunkissed look with airbrush make-up. Without the redness, skin damage and ouch factor!

Best Wishes,

Leslie

This video shows me and my team in action… and also the amazing skills from Kai Media

Suann + Shu :: Same Day Edit from KAI MEDIA on Vimeo.

Best Wishes,

Leslie

This video answers some questions about our company and also about hair and make-up for weddings.

The Wedding Cafe Workshops – Makeup from KAI MEDIA on Vimeo.

Best Wishes,

Leslie