Alright Brides I hear it daily in my treatment room, “I want flawless skin”, “How do I get clear skin?”  Here are a couple of tips I tell my Brides:

• Stop using 50 different products on your face.
• You must cleanse your skin morning and night, no excuses of being too tired.
• Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate
• Invest in high quality skin care products, this does not mean $1000 cleanser it means know what you are putting on your skin.
• Have a morning and night time protocol
• Feed your skin with serums
• Use a chemical free SPF no less then 30 that’s oil free.
• Get on a 4-6 week standing facial appointment for a deep clean each month.

Pink Clarisonic Pro

 I am not big on pushing tons of skin care products that my Brides and clients are not going to use.  It’s important to understand what you are putting on your skin, not cherry picking from 10 lines and hoping for that flawless skin.  Having great skin is actually quit simple, if you use the Clarisonic Pro and the Opal Sonic Fusion you will see dramatic results guaranteed when using the proper skin care.  I personally use both the Clarisonic Pro and The Opal Fusion system and have seen a dramatic change to my skin.

Fresh Beauty Studio just launched their Bridal Flawless Skin Boot Campthis month.  The package includes the Clarisonic Pro in pink, The Opal Sonic Fusion, $100 worth of Image Skin Care and a The New Yorker facial all for $500.00 (a $105 savings). Hello clean clear flawless skin ready to walk down the isle.   

Flawless Bridal Skin

The most important part and the first step towards flawless skin is cleansing your skin, this step is often overlooked.  Basic manual cleansing can leave behind dirt, pollution and oil trapped in pores. This build-up can cause acne breakouts, bumps, uneven skin tone.  Having congested skin will keep your skin care products from working like they should.  The Clarisonic Pro which has 4 speeds (3 lower speeds for face and one speed for the areas of the body needing extra attention) only available through a skin care specialist  uses a patented sonic frequency of more than 300 movements per second to gently, yet thoroughly remove 6X more makeup and 2X more dirt and oil than cleansing with your hands alone.  The Clarisonic is gentle enough to use twice a day, it will reduce oily areas,  dry skin patches and blemishes.  Remember your handsome groom is also part of the skin care ritual.  You will see a huge improvement after properly cleansing your skin when you apply your serums and creams, they will actually penetrate into  your skin instead of sitting on top of the epidermis; basically wasting product and not benefiting your skin.  In other words if you want to have that “Blushing Bridal Glow” you must take a good look at your skin care routine and make the necessary investment with your skin care products and skin care system.

Opal Sonic Fusion System

I was at the Trump hotel in Las Vegas last month and had a facial that included the Opal Sonic Fusion for my eye area.  Since I use the Clarisonic Pro in my facials for my Brides and clients, I was excited to experience the Opal and see if I wanted to bring it in to my facial treatment room. I am always hesitant when new technology comes out and the claims that they have. I have waited on trying the Opal to see what the reviews and feedback were.  The Opal Sonic Fusion is a palm-sized infusion device, it is specially designed to help build skin’s resilience over time and prevent future damage around the eyes. The Opal gently infuses their specially formulated Anti-Aging Sea Serum by gently tapping the skin around the eye at 125 sonic movements per second maximizing absorption in a way that’s not possible with your finger alone.  I was very surprised how tight and hydrated my eye area felt (always a plus when you are not 18 years old).   The eye area is very delicate, all those late nights dancing in Louboutins sipping on that sexy martini are starting to show which is not so sexy the next morning. If you are looking to tighten your eye area, look younger and refreshed the Opal Infusion System is a must.  I am so excited to use this product after seeing how hydrated my skin looks after long nights working on location and flying.  An added benefit with the Opal is that you can also use it on your lips, brow and forehead areas.

Both the Clarisonic and Opal Fusion can be bought on www.freshbeautystudio.com

My possible wedding shoes by Oscar de la Renta

I received an email from Ever After www.everafter.com a Couture wedding dress boutique in Miami announcing their annual designer wedding dress sample sale.  WOW!! What perfect timing, I cleared my schedule for the morning and rushed down for my early appointment, as you know first come first serve with sample sales.  When I walked in to Ever After it was very chi chi with Louboutian, Carolina Herrera and Grace Ormonde coffee table books out for perusal.  I flipped through a couple books for inspiration and looked around at all the Couture gowns from Monique Lhuillier, Vera Wang, Ines Di Santo (one of my favorite designers) and Oscar de la Renta to name just a few.  I was offered a glass of bubbly while I picked out dresses which always make everything seem that much more glamorous.  I wasn’t thrilled thinking about buying a sample dress that had been tried on by 500 brides, soiled, torn etc. my main motivation to visit Ever After was to go to a bridal boutique that had all the main Couture designers.  I picked out about 8 dresses and started trying on which is somewhat of a workout.  I was delighted to find in my dressing room 5 different heels (in my size believe it or not) by Oscar de la Renta to Mononlo waiting to be worn.  I slipped on a little number by Oscar as you can see in the picture above and fell in love. Dress number 4 was the ultimate classic wedding dress by Oscar de la Renta which we all agreed fit my body and style perfectly.  The wedding dress had exquisite hand embroidery, the matching veil was French toile with a scaloped edge that matched the slimming mermaid style dress. 

Oscar de la Renta

I am finding that the more dresses you try on the more confused you get.  I had one of my dear friends Jennifer from www.interviewher.com meet me to help give advice, thoughts and share a glass of celebratory bubbly.  I don’t suggest trying on dresses by yourself, you need the support from your family and or friends to help guild you.  Jennifer took pictures of me in each dress because when I was on number 8 I was like “What did number 3 look like on?” “Did I like it?”.  Make sure you take pictures and review them after you are finished.  I was surprised that I liked some dresses better on then in the picture, something you don’t want to say when you are editing your wedding pictures.

I am getting closer to finding the perfect wedding dress, I have my eye on a beautiful Oscar de la Renta gown right now so I am hoping by my next wedding dress blog update I will confirm that I placed my order.

I have had the honor of working with over 150 Brides in my short career over the last 5 years. I am so excited to start 2012 with beautiful hair and makeup created by myself and my talented team of artists for all of our upcoming weddings both in South Florida and nationally. We look forward to meeting with you whether you are getting married in 2012, have a black tie, birthday party, anniversary or just because. Fresh Beauty Studio is ready to create red carpet magazine quality hair and makeup for you.

I thought being in the bridal business for over 5 years would make picking out my wedding dress a piece of cake (pardon the pun).  To my surprise it is everything but simple.  There is a lot riding on picking out the perfect wedding dress.  Your dress whether it is romantic, trendy, classic, simple or casual has to fit in with your wedding venue and theme not to mention your body type.  I have never tried on wedding dresses before so it was a shock to see an amazing couture dress on the mannequin and then to try it on and have it not look so amazing on.  My number one tip for all Brides-to-Be is to make sure you try on multiple dresses in all colors and styles.  For example, I tried on a dress in a color called “Cafe” similar to a  dark champagne color, not your typical color for a wedding dress but looked beautiful on with my skin tone which happens to be ultra white.   I thought I would love lots of beading and lace but once I tried it on, I wasn’t so thrilled. My experience was that trying on wedding dresses outside of your vision box will give you options that you never considered.   

I went on my first wedding dress adventure today with my Mom and let me tell you I had no idea what I was in for.  First stop was Zola Keller on Las Olas in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.  Zola  is known for her bridal gowns for the past two decades, she has dressed everyone from Miss Latina Florida to Miss America.  I knew I was in good hands with one of the top bridal dress experts here in South Florida for my first run at finding the perfect wedding dress.   I was plesently surprised at  the wide variety of bridal dresses from simple to couture, the large veil selection and the decorative hair pieces.  I had Zola herself working with me in the bridal suite pulling amazing dresses for me to try on and fitting each one to my figure.  We started out with the couture collection, lots of beading, lace, and full heavy trains, I felt very “Dancing with the Stars” or about to skate out on the ice for the winter Olympics.  After giving my feedback to Zola that my style was more classic and simple she pulled out a couple more options and then I found the perfect wedding dress {Enter angels singing in the background}.  I have heard it so many times in my studio “You just know when it’s the one” I am talking about dresses girls not men but it’s basically one in the same.  It’s the feeling that when you put on the dress from the second you step into it, the way it fits your body, when you can actually see yourself walking down the isle holding your bouquet; you know it’s THE ONE.  I put on a beautiful dupioni silk classic wedding dress and fell in love.  

Another key tip from my adventure today is that it takes anywhere from 5-6 months from time you order your wedding dress to when it comes in, you then have multiple fittings, picking out the right veil with your dress and finding the right hair pieces and accessories, not always the easiest thing to find at last minute, so make sure you plan with enough time.  I have a couple more appointments scheduled this week before I make my final decision; in the meantime I wanted to feature my two top bridal designers Oscar de la Renta and Carolina Herrera below for inspiration on their Spring 2012 collection. 

Oscar de la Renta Spring 2012

Carolina Herrera Spring 2012

Love is in the air at Fresh Beauty Studio, I love everything French, romantic, pink, crystal, elegant….. I could go on and on.  Having designed and created the look and feel of an intimate French bridal studio for Fresh Beauty Studio over 5 years ago, I am beyond excited to design and create(of course with the input from my wonderful fiancé) the ultimate French romantic wedding for 2012.  My company has worked with over 150 Brides for hair and makeup both nationally and in the Caribbean since our doors opened in 2006.  It is interesting now to see my industry from a different perspective as a Bride not a vendor.  I am excited to share with all of you Beauties my journey from picking the theme, designer dress, time saving tips, hair and makeup trends, the best bridal SHOES; which as we know is the best part.  I will disclose in my upcoming blog entries the vendors that I will be using and posting beauty YouTube videos on wedding makeup looks on www.youtube.com/freshbeautystudio  using Fresh Beauty Studio Cosmetics.  Below you will see a glimpse of my vision of the perfect romantic wedding.    

Romantic dress, Hair & Makeup Look

The perfect Bridal Louboutians

Carolina Herrera one of my favorite designers

Love the Bird Cage Veil

Elegant

Unique and different

Eiffel Tower Ice Sculpture

French themed stamps for your invitations

Escort holders

Details Details Details

After my training with Gina and Jesse the creators of LashDip in New York City www.lashdip.com  I created my own spin on the new semi permanent mascara treatment called The Fresh Beauty Dip (see before and after pictures below). I test marketed this look on over 15 Beauties before I offered it on my treatment menu. The Fresh Beauty Dip has all the benefits of LashDip (check out www.lashdip.com for all the details) but with the added sexiness and glam factor of Xtreme Lashes www.xtremelashes.com.  If you want to make an impact with your eyes but still look natural this is the treatment to book.  Fresh Beauty Dip costs $250 which includes top and bottom lashes being dipped and the bonus of 20-30 Xtreme Lashes applied to each eye.  You will receive the LashDip sealer and Oil Free Eye Makeup Remover, plus you can come back in 2 weeks for a refresh.  This summer is about looking beautiful without the time and effort it takes to pull it all together. Simplify your life and book your Fresh Beauty Dip www.freshbeautystudio.com

Fresh Beauty Dip Client

Fresh Beauty Dip Client

Fresh Beauty Dip Client

Fresh Beauty Dip Client

Could it be true? Only one way to find out Beauties. Most push up bras have so much padding you feel like a football player ready to tackle. This new push up bra called “Gorgeous” from Victoria Secret can be worn 4 different ways. It has supersoft padding, peek-a-boo cutouts and a hint of eye-catching sheen. Contrast piping on straps and under cups. Solids, $48,Prints, $52. I love how sexy and fresh this bra is compared to most padded/push up bras on the market. It’s more petite and not overwhelming. You can guess I bought this bra in pink, black and nude.

• Can be worn classic, halter, cross-back or low-back
• Padded for extreme lift
• Underwire cups
• Adjustable straps; includes low-back converter strap
• Imported polyester/spandex

Oh La La

Extra Straps for low cut tops

Great for Summer Tanks

I heard my client Mary say something at her first appointment with me 2 weeks ago about how her fiancee bought her a customized Louis Vuitton purse but it really didn’t click with me until I saw Mary again today in the studio.   I asked her again “What did you mean by personalized Louis Vuitton?”  She looked at me in disbelief and pointed to her fabulous bag.  Louis Vuitton will personalize your Speedy, Luggage or Carry All with your initials.  The 17 colors offered are the very same colors used for over a century to paint Louis Vuitton trunks.  Not only can you have your initials painted on your classic bag but you have over 200 million different combinations possible and with LV’s advanced technology, the personalization will not only age but look even better over time.  I was totally sold and you know that I will be ordering my initials with the pink and chocolate brown stripe.  I think this would be a great birthday gift to myself!

If you are a bride or just a style conscious girl that wants something different; that is not only high quality but sets you apart, order your personalized Louis Vuitton or put it on your wish list.   It takes about 8 weeks for delivery of your very special bag that you will have forever.

So classy!

A very detailed craft

Got to love the PINK!