Posts in March, 2010

I have to admit — when it came time for me to plan my own wedding back in 2007, I had my fair share of DIY projects. It was in me to design and create things just the way I wanted them. I made my invitations, for example. Gosh – the many nights I spent on my dining room table completely covered in papers, glue, ribbons, stamps – how did I do it?! I have to admit though, that a professionally done invitation – without a doubt – would’ve looked 100 times better. But I had fun doing it, and invitations was one of those things I figured I could get away with – unlike weddings in the US, Chinese weddings in Malaysia seem to place less emphasis on the paper invitation itself, and more on the actual personal invitation (i.e. phone call or house visit). I also didn’t put a lot of priority on the wedding dress – no luxurious, expensive wedding gown for me. All I wanted was something simple, and more specifically, I wanted a simple Chinese cheongsam. So that was easy – I ordered a dress off a website from a company in Shanghai, then had my mom, who is a very talented streamstress, alter the dress for a perfect fit. Cost? 3 outfit changes over the 2-day celebration = $400+

However, I hired professionals for most of the other elements of my wedding – my wedding planner, the decor, the food, the venue, the favors, the photography (of course! spare no expense here!), and the hair + makeup. The best decision I ever made for my Malaysian (Penang) destination wedding was hiring my wedding planner – Eileen Lui from Nupts & Such. She planned the entire wedding from start to finish and got me the best vendors a bride could ask for (which I will be listing at the bottom of this post).

That brings me to an article I saw on the PPA (Professional Photographer’s Association) Magazine this month. I don’t even have a proper daily makeup regimen, so I have ZERO idea what I’d do for my own wedding. I didn’t even want to attempt to think about it – so the moment I landed in Malaysia, the first thing we did was go for my makeup trial at Beauty Haven with Cindy. I remember telling Cindy during the trial, how heavy my eye makeup looked, to which she responded — “it will look better in pictures, trust me” and she was RIGHT!

For those of you who are considering your own wedding beauty regimen, take a read on this article. Even if you are hiring a professional, keep these tips in mind and talk to your makeup artist about it – I found it helpful because this article has beauty tips that are important so that your makeup will photograph well (specifically, what NOT to do so that you will look good in photos!)

Excerpt from: March 2010 Professional Photographer Magazine, “Glamourpuss – Bridal tips for a picture-perfect face” by Lorna Gentry

1. BLEND, BLEND, BLEND. You can use your everyday makeup, but use more than you normally use every day. Many makeup professionals use airbrush makeup, the method of choice for high-definition TV, because it’s lightweight, waterproof and gives flawless coverage.

2. SOMETIMES LESS IS MORE. Use less makeup for a day wedding and more for evenings. You can get dramatic with eye makeup.

3. DON’T SKIMP ON CONCEALER. Use a moisturized concealer on the thin, sensitive skin under the eyes. If your concealer isn’t moisturizing, blend it with a skin cream. For blemishes, first treat them with a natural or over-the-counter anti-inflammatory, then cover with concealer.

4. DO A MAKEUP TRIAL RUN. It’s the only sure-fire, stress-free way to make certain your makeup will look beautiful.
*I would also add that my trial gave Cindy a chance to work with me and my skin and get an idea of what I liked. I have to admit – my trial experience was only OK – because it was the first we’d ever worked together – but the final results on my wedding day was MORE THAN SPECTACULAR!*

5. NOT ALL MINERAL MAKEUP IS CREATED EQUAL. Titanium dioxide, a chemical used as sun block, can reflect flash, giving the bride a ghostly appearance. In 2009 makeup artist Annie May launched a line of mineral makeup especially formulated for photography called Advanced Mineral Makeup. May promises it won’t white-out the bride under a flash.

6. USE WATERPROOF MAKEUP WITH STAYING POWER. You don’t want to spend your reception in the bathroom reapplying your makeup. Foundation, eyeliner and mascara all should be waterproof. And in case you cry (and you probably will), have a tissue or handkerchief handy to gently blot your tears right at the eye.

7. KEEP YOUR LIPS MOISTURIZED AND COLORED. Dry lips look dreadful in photos. Have someone carry your lipstick for you and touch up often. Matte and gloss lip-stick both photograph well, and be sure to use blended lip liner for enhanced definition.

8. DON’T FORGET THE GROOM. If the groom is red faced due to too much sun (or drinking), a little powder can help. That goes for shiny heads, too. And it’s a good idea to slip a tube of Chapstick in the grooms’s pocket for his dry lips, as well as a handkerchief to dab well-wisher’ makeup smudges off his suit.

9. DON’T SPRINKLE ON GLITTER. In photographs, it tends to look like little white spots, as if there’s something wrong with the camera.

10. REMEMBER to apply foundation and powder to your neck, shoulders and décolletage — you want your head to look like it belongs to your body!

Lornal Gentry is a freelance writer in Atlanta

The article also mentioned that you should not go to a tanning booth or use a spray tan right before the wedding – a bad tanning job can give you an awful orange look in photos – remember Anne Hathaway in Bride Wars?

Now on the list of vendors at my wedding, in case any of you are curious (and honestly, I’m so proud of them, I really just want to give them kudos, and a big thank you!)
Wedding Planner: Eileen Lui at Nupts & Such (www.nuptsandsuch.com)
Venue + Catering: Outdoor Garden at Parkroyal Penang (http://www.parkroyalhotels.com/hotels/malaysia/penang/parkroyal/index.html)
Photography: The Photoz (http://www.thephotoz.com)
Makeup + Hair: Cindy Chang at Beauty Haven (http://www.debeautyhaven.com)
Flowers + Decor: Confetti

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