Bridal Beauty Secrets Unlocked: 5 Experts Reveal Their Top Tips

Wondering how Houston brides manage to look so freakin’ fabulous on this here blog, in the pages of Weddings in Houston, and IRL? How ’bout we let a handful of leading Houston bridal beauty professionals explain what it takes to get from fine-for-everyday to…OMG, yassss. Take it away, ladies!

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Photo: Courtesy of Your Fab Fairy

 1. Get serious about your skin.

“Great skin is the foundation for a glowing and radiant bride,” says talented beauty expert Margaret Fahnbulleh of Your Fab Fairy (the wedding-services offshoot of Fab The Salon). “A great place to start is by partnering with a dermatologist who can help you identify the right products and skincare regimen that are best for your skin type.”

Meanwhile, traveling makeup artist Andrea Benson of Makeup by Andrea, recommends: “Get monthly facials in the months leading up to your wedding,” while Cheryl Sorrels, owner of KAX Salon, which prides itself on a total VIP experience for brides, bridesmaids, and everyone who seeks out its skin, hair and makeup services, admonishes: “No face picking! If you get a pimple, compress with a very warm towel for five minutes every hour until the pimple has shrunk.” Bam!

2. Banish unwanted hair with care.

While a bit of fuzz may be fine for everyday, professional wedding makeup is best applied to a smooth canvas. But don’t wait until the last minute to depilate. “Make sure you have done all hair removal 10 days before your wedding date,” cautions beauty expert and lash wiz Donyale Jones of Donyale MUA. “We don’t want any peach fuzz on that upper lip to show!”

Sorrels of KAX Salon agrees that it’s crucial to give yourself a good window of time before your wedding to get eyebrows, upper lip and other facial areas in shape. “Do NOT thread or wax the day before the wedding,” but DO make hair removal part of your bridal beauty regimen. “This way your makeup will go on smooth and even,” she explains.

Kax-Salon

Photo: Sharon Nicole Photography | Hair & Makeup: KAX Salon | Tanning: KAX Tanning Souffle

3. Tackle major “issues” well in advance of your wedding.

Even the most confident among us have things we’d like to change about our bodies—especially when we know we’re going to be in the spotlight.

If you’ve been as devoted to your workout routine as you are to your future spouse, but still can’t manage to achieve the sleekness you seek, Wendy Gentile has the solution. The spa manager for Radiance Advanced Skin & Body Care in The Woodlands advises: “CoolSculpt away unwanted fat four months before the big day for your best wedding-dress look.” The fat-freezing process involves no knife, no suction hoses, no needles…not even a laser, and you’ll be back at work (or play) right after your treatment.

Worried about wedding-day waterworks…and not the tear-duct kind? “Schedule your MiraDry treatment for one month before your wedding. It eliminates the sweat glands under your arms for a clean, perspiration-free result,” Gentile says. “Raise a wedding-toast glass with confidence!”

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Photo: Courtesy of Donyale MUA

4. Be extra kind to your eyes.

As a bride, you’re going to want big, beautiful, dramatic, expressive eyes in person and in photos. Which means professional makeup, designed to emphasize and enhance this most beautiful feature of every bridal face. Which can be tricky if those peepers of yours are not in tip-top shape.

“Dehyrated and puffy eyes can be challenging for a makeup artist,” Sorrels says. “Invest in a good eye cream and apply it every night. Then apply a cold towel compress in the morning.” Cutting back on salt and alcohol can help, too. And getting plenty of sleep is absolutely key!

Plus, Jones adds: “Drink a lot of water during the entire month before your wedding. This will have your skin”—including the delicate skin around your eyes—“at its very best.”

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Photo: Courtesy of Radiance Advanced Skin & Body Care

5. Be good to yourself, and it will show.

“Planning a wedding is one of the most exciting times in a woman’s life. She is making all these fabulous plans for her big day,” Your Fab Fairy’s Fahnbulleh says. “But it can also be very stressful.” As a bridal beauty expert, she sees herself as not just an applier of makeup, but a counselor and guide to her bridal clients, helping them to achieve radiance on the biggest day of their life. And this is her advice: “Bride-to-be, do not neglect your self-care during your wedding planning journey. It is so easy to get stressed and overwhelmed during the planning phase. Sometimes you have appointments all day. However, you cannot put your best face forward on your big day if you haven’t slept well in months and you are dehydrated. Great self-care months before the wedding will definitely create that effortless and classic glow from the inside out that every bride wants!”

We couldn’t agree more.

Find out more about these and other top Houston bridal beauty, fitness and health experts here. And get ready for your close-up, darling. xo

Houston Beauty Experts at the Feb. 28th I Do! Wedding Soiree

Like your wedding flowers, wedding cake and wedding photography, your wedding day hair and makeup are best left to the professionals. After all, this is the biggest occasion of your life, and you will be in the spotlight, from start to finish! Our I Do! Wedding Soiree beauty experts have the talent and skills to make sure your wedding day look is polished, beautiful, and will last you throughout the night…and maybe even into the honeymoon!

Two top Houston beauty salons—Azur Salon at West Ave. and KAX Salon—will showcase the hottest bridal beauty trends, while KAX Tanning Souffle will offer tips for keeping a glowing, natural-looking tan for your big day and beyond. See below for hairstyles, makeup and faux-glow inspiration, and be sure to purchase your advance-sale tickets to Houston’s ONLY luxury wedding event, coming to The Corinthian on Tuesday, Feb. 28, from 6 to 9 p.m. Tickets will sell out, they always do! Bonus: Purchase your tickets by 11:59 p.m. this Friday, Feb. 17, and you could WIN an awesome $700 on-location engagement shoot from acclaimed Houston wedding photographer Adam Nyholt!! Our winner will be notified next week, and announced live at the I Do! Wedding Soiree. Don’t miss out!

Houston Beauty Vendors I Do! Soiree Top Left Photo: Azur Salon at West Ave | Bottom Left Photo: Kax Salon | Right Photo: Kax Tanning Souffle

Fall 2016 I Do! Wedding Soiree at The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston

WOW, what a show! Our Fall I Do! Wedding Soiree at The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston was one for the record books. We would like to thank our adorable couples and stylish guests for attending Houston’s only luxury wedding event of the season, and we want to thank our incredibly talented vendors for putting on an incredible show!

If you missed the Soiree or just want to relive last week’s extraordinary event, check out these gorgeous images from our official show photographer, D. Jones Photography!

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Photo: D. Jones Photography | Flowers & Decor: Todd Events

From the moment our lovely guests set foot in The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, they found themselves surrounded by the event styling of A-list wedding consultants A Day to Remember and Kat Creech Events.

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Photos: D. Jones Photography | Planners: Kat Creech Events & A Day To Remember

Couples in search of talented wedding photographers found much to love, from D. Jones Photography, Adam Nyholt, Civic Photos, Lindsay Elizabeth Photography, MD Turner Photography and Taylor Golden Photography.

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Photos: D. Jones Photography | Top Left: Adam Nyholt Photographer | Top Right: Civic Photos | Bottom Left: MD Turner Photography | Bottom Middle: Taylor Golden Photography | Bottom Right: Lindsay Elizabeth Photography

Our brides were oohing-and-aahing over stunning couture gowns from top Houston bridal salons Mia Bridal Couture, Houston Bridal Gallery, Weddings by Debbie, Parvani Vida Bridal and Formal, and chic accessories and custom children’s wedding wear from alterations expert and atelier MW Couture.

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Photos: D. Jones Photography | Top Left: Mia Bridal Couture | Bottom Left: Weddings by Debbie | Top Right: MW Couture | Middle Right: Houston Bridal Gallery | Bottom Right: Parvani Vida Bridal and Formal

Couples and their guests alike were mesmerized by stunning tablescapes and floral displays from Todd Events, EB Inc. Event Rentals & Design and Plants N’ Petals.

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Photos: D. Jones Photography | Top Left: EB Inc. Event Rentals & Design | Bottom Left: Plants N’ Petals | Right: Todd Events

The fantasyscape didn’t stop there. There were more amazing floral arrangements and wedding reception table designs by Darryl & Co., LBL Event Rentals & Design, Haute Flowers & Events and Balushka Paper Floral Artistry.

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Photos: D. Jones Photography | Top Left: Darryl & Co. | Bottom Left: Haute Flowers & Events | Top Right: LBL Event Rentals & Design | Bottom Right: Balushka Paper Floral Artistry

Our couples also had the chance to chat with top Houston wedding videographers Danielson Cinema and MD Turner Photography!

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Photos: D. Jones Photography | Left: Danielson Cinema | Right: MD Turner Photography

Invitations? Absolutely. Bella Dia Stationery, Bering’s and Isabella Invitations presented so many magnificent wedding invitation designs, couples had a tough time settling on just one!

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Photos: D. Jones Photography | Top: Bella Dia Stationery | Bottom Left: Bering’s | Bottom Right: Isabella Invitations

If you had a sweet tooth that evening, your craving was fulfilled by Jackson and Company, Susie’s Cakes & Confections and Dessert Gallery Bakery + Cafe’s scrumptious cakes and divine desserts.

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Photos: D. Jones Photography | Left: Jackson and Company | Top Right: Susie’s Cakes & Confections | Bottom Right: Dessert Gallery Bakery + Cafe

For diamond dazzle, guests needed look no further than Zadok Jewelers, Nazar’s Fine Jewelry, Loggins Jewelers, Eklektic Jewelry Studio and Lewis Jewelers.

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Photos: D. Jones Photography | Top Left: Zadok Jewelers | Top Middle: Nazar’s Fine Jewelry | Top Right: Lewis Jewelers | Bottom Left: Loggins Jewelers | Bottom Right: Eklektic Jewelry Studio

Houston bridal beauty experts Nyoka Gregory Beauty, Marilyn Monroe Spas, Kax Salon and Naturally Glam by Rae Michele treated our lovely guests to luxury beauty treatments and on-the-spot makeovers!

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Photos: D. Jones Photography | Top Left: Nyoka Gregory Beauty | Top Right Photo: Civic Photos, Kax Salon & Kax Tanning Souffle | Bottom Left: Marilyn Monroe Spas – The Woodlands | Bottom Right: Naturally Glam by Rae Michele

And, of course, because this was the I Do! Wedding Soiree, gourmet eats were on the menu, courtesy of elite caterers Cafe Natalie Catering and Jackson and Company.

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Photos: D. Jones Photography | Left: Cafe Natalie Catering | Right: Jackson and Company

Pianist and composer  Scott Graham started the night by serenading us with well-loved melodies, and Lewis Grell of LG Entertainment kept the party going strong with his killer beats and suave MC skills. Danny Ray and The Acoustic Production also showcased their renowned musical offerings…and a super cool display of musical instruments!

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Photos: D. Jones Photography | Left: LG Entertainment | Top Right: Scott Graham Piano | Bottom Right: Danny Ray and The Acoustic Production

We mean it when we say there’s something for everyone at the I Do! Soiree. Couples in search of a beautiful destination wedding and honeymoon locale fell in love with O Weddings by Oasis Hotels & Resorts, and those seeking must-have items to add to their registry were wowed by Bering’s fabulous collection.

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Photos: D. Jones Photography | Top: O Weddings by Oasis Hotels & Resorts | Bottom: Bering’s

Got a monogram idea that you want to project on your big day? Take a look at how Bright Star Productions showed off our very own logos!

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Photo: D. Jones Photography | Weddings in Houston Logos: Bright Star Productions | Flowers & Decor: Todd Events

We would like to thank The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, for hosting the I Do! Wedding Soiree, and for inspiring couples on the hunt for a truly exclusive, and artful, wedding venue! Want to see more pics? Check us out on Facebook and Instagram. And stay tuned for details on our next I Do! Wedding Soiree, coming in early Spring, 2017!

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Photo: D. Jones Photography | Venue: The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston

WOW, What a Show!

If you were one of those fortunate (and savvy) enough to have attended last Thursday’s utterly magnificent I Do! Wedding Soiree at The Corinthian, you experienced first-hand the all-encompassing splendor of Houston’s ONLY true luxury wedding event and VIP bride/groom cocktail bash.

If you weren’t present for Thursday’s festivities, well…let us give you a little glimpse of what you missed.

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Photo: Civic Photos | Decor: Darryl & Co.

We’re so thrilled to have benefited from the talents of the following show contributors, without whom we could not have put on this one-of-a-kind wedding fantasyscape and sumptuous fete: EB Inc. Event Rentals & Design, LBL Event Rentals & Design, Johanna Terry Events, DJU Productions, LG Entertainment, Scott Graham Piano, and our awesome show photographer (and top Houston-area wedding photography studio!) Civic Photos, whose pix we’re featuring here.

WOW, What a Show!

Photos: Civic Photos | Top Left: Plants N’ Petals | Top Right: Flora & Eventi | Bottom: Johanna Terry Events

From the moment our guests entered the majestic Corinthian in downtown Houston, they knew they were in for something special, as they encountered floral-and-finery flights of fantasy from the likes of Plants N’ Petals, Todd Events, Flora & Eventi, Darryl & Co., Johanna Terry Events, Nuage Designs, Inc., EB Inc. Event Rentals & Design, LBL Event Rentals and Flowers of Kingwood.

WOW, What a Show!

Photos: Civic Photos | Top Left: Nuage Designs, Inc. | Top Right: Darryl & Co. | Middle: Todd Events | Bottom Left: EB Inc. Events | Bottom Right: LBL Event Rentals

Helping couples to refine their wedding-day vision, and coordinate the details of their big day, planners Kat Creech Events, A Day to Remember and Cocomar Ladies met one-on-one with attendees, and showed plenty of examples of the incredible Houston wedding celebrations they’ve brought to life for their grateful clients.

WOW, What a Show!

Photos: Civic Photos | Top Left: A Day To Remember | Top Right: Kat Creech Events | Bottom: Cocomar Ladies

Brides who were searching for wedding-day style and fashion found plenty to love, from Parvani Vida Bridal & Formal, Winnie Couture, Now & Forever Bridal Boutique, Houston Bridal Gallery, Damsel White Label, Tess Harriss Designs and MW Couture.

WOW, What a Show!

Photos: Civic Photos | Top Left: Now & Forever Bridal Boutique | Top Right: Houston Bridal Gallery | Middle Left: Winnie Couture | Middle Left: MW Couture | Middle Right: Tess Harriss Designs | Bottom Left: Parvani Vida Bridal & Formal | Bottom Right: Damsel White Label

And just in case they weren’t sure whether they’d prefer a head of flowing waves or a glam updo, a sun-kissed glow or shimmering bare shoulders, a full set of lush lashes or just a bit of enhancement, our guests could experiment with looks, get advice and try out products from Nyoka Gregory Beauty, WINX Lash Studio, KAX Tanning Souffle and Hotze Health & Wellness Center.

WOW, What a Show!

Photos: Civic Photos | Top Left: Kax Tanning Souffle | Top Right: Nyoka Gregory Beauty | Bottom Right: Winx Lash & Makeup Studio | Bottom Right: Hotze Health & Wellness Center

Of course, no wedding-day look is complete with the right…sparkle. And guests found oodles of glimmer and shine (and a few VERY substantial rocks), at the dazzling displays put on by Peran & Scannell Jewelers, and Donoho’s Jewellers.

WOW, What a Show!

Photos: Civic Photos | Left: Peran & Scannell Jewelers | Right: Donoho’s Jewellers

Couples seeking a talented photographer and/or filmmaker to capture the beauty and emotional resonance of their special day had an abundance of options, with exhibits from Adam Nyholt, D. Jones, M. Wang, Lindsay Elizabeth, MD Turner, Steve Lee, Serendipity, Danielson Cinema, mutli-Emmy-award-winner Sculpting With Time, and our very own show photographer Civic Photos.

WOW, What a Show!

Photos: Civic Photos | Top Left: Serendipity Photography | Top Middle: Steve Lee Photography | Top Right: Sculpting With Time Productions | Middle Left: Danielson Cinema | Middle Left:  Adam Nyholt | Middle Center: Civic Photos | Middle Right: D. Jones Photography | Bottom Left: MD Turner Photography | Bottom Middle: Lindsay Elizabeth | Bottom Right: M. Wang

Cakes? Gifts? Invitations? The I Do! Soiree had something for each and every couple, from Houston icons Susie’s Cakes & Confections, Bering’s and Isabella Invitations.

WOW, What a Show!

Photos: Civic Photos | Left: Susie’s Cakes & Confections | Top Right: Bering’s | Bottom Right: Isabella Invitations

While they wandered through the Soiree’s wonderland of wedding WOW, guests were entertained by top Houston MC, DJ, and live-music experts DJU Productions, LG Entertainment and pianist Scott Graham. And, of course, since this WAS a party, eager attendees indulged in fabulous food, sips and sweets from Jackson and Company.

WOW, What a Show!

Photos: Civic Photos | Top Left, Middle Left & Bottom Right: Jackson and Company | Top Right: DJU Productions | Middle Right: LG Entertainment| Bottom Left: Scott Graham Piano

Along with the grandeur of The Corinthian all around them, venue-seeking to-be-weds could virtually tour The Parador and Chateau Cocomar—two beloved Houston sites for ceremony and reception.

WOW, What a Show!

Photos: Civic Photos | Top: Chateau Cocomar | Bottom: The Parador

To round out their full wedding- and marriage-planning experience, guests had the chance to chat with Minister Lynn Turner of Weddings Performed, and expert realtor Michelle Ray, of Michelle Ray Properties.

WOW, What a Show!

Photos: Civic Photos | Left: Michelle Ray Properties | Right: Weddings Performed

We are so thrilled to have had the honor to celebrate and serve so many Houston couples, and their friends and family, at this month’s extraordinary I Do! Wedding Soiree. From food and drink, to stunning tablescapes, to beautiful exhibitor displays, to luxury swag bags and superb door prizes (including our hold-your-breath giveaway of 5 nights’ luxury oceanfront accommodation at Bermuda’s fabulous Pompano Beach Club), the Feb. 4 I Do! Wedding Soiree was an absolute knockout.

We welcome you to post, pin, tag, share and comment on photos, and, if you attended Thursday’s show, let us know what you DISCOVERED, what you LOVED, and what you’d RECOMMEND to Houston brides and grooms starting on the journey to planning the perfect wedding.

Thank you…and HAPPY PLANNING!