WeddingChannel.com



How To Look Your Best on Your Big Day
Chat Transcript with Celebrity Make Up artist Taylor Pham
and WeddingChannel.com Editor, Marilyn Oliveira.


Chat_Host: Welcome to the chat! Today's topic is How To Look Your Best On Your Big Day. We are chatting with Celebrity Make Up Artist Taylor Pham and WeddingChannel Editor Marilyn Oliviera.

Chat_Host: Hi Taylor and Marilyn! Welcome and thanks for being here today to take some of our questions!

Chat_Host: and now the first question...

newbee: Taylor - I'm getting married in the tropics in July, how do I keep my makeup from sweating off?
Taylor_Pham: First you need to make sure what skin type she has first. If she has normal to oily skin she needs a foundation with a silocone base because they last longer and creates a nice sheen without looking oily. For eyes hadow make sure to use a cream shadow as a base before applying eye shadow. Make sure the eye shadow is creaseless. And for blish, use gel blush. It provides a longlasting effect, so it's great for humidity.

bride-to-be: Marilyn - how do you find someone to trust to do hair/makeup?
Marilyn_Oliveira: The best thing to do is ask friends and family for referrals, and then meet with a couple of different people (well in advance of the wedding) for run-through sessions to see which artist(s) you prefer.

Steffie: Taylor - So how do we get photo friendly makeup? does airbrushing or tradtional make a difference?
Taylor_Pham: Airbrushing nowasayd si great beacuse it lasts a lot longer becuase of the silicon. Airbrushing makeup does come off a lot more flawless than traditional makeup. The key is to look for a makeup artist who specializes in airbrush. I would recommend using airbrush for the foundation, but for eyeshadows and blush use traditional hands-on applications.

nik: Marilyn - What is the best self tanning product? My dress is champagne and my skin WHITE -- I really need a tan. Should I try a spray on salon?
Marilyn_Oliveira: If you go with a spray-on tan, be sure to go for a trial run a couple of months in advance of the wedding to see if you like the results. Another option is to build a tan over time at a tanning salon that only uses UVA rays; you can control the depth of your tan, and won't have to worry about patchiness or streaking.

debbie: Taylor - How do I keep from breaking out?
Taylor_Pham: First of all, make sure your cleanser has salicylic acid. That helps clean the pores of the skin. A tip I have for a bride that breaks our the day of the wedding is to use a concealer that has that salicylic acid in it. If you wake up the day of the wedding red make sure you have some Visine or hydrocortizone on hand.

sim: Marilyn - what is the best colours to use for a morning wedding
Marilyn_Oliveira: I recommend that you use the colors that are flattering to your skin tone, but in slightly paler shades than you would wear at night. For example, if your ideal shade of blush is a rose, stick with it -- just use a softer shade for morning.

nessa: Taylor - i have dark circles under my eyes what will help
Taylor_Pham: If it's due to a lack of sleep then you need something you can cover with, the right product. I recommend using the cream texture concealer. Thick, creamy treaxture concealors are great. When you apply it make sure to use the fingers -- gently -- in a padding motion. If not, you're jsut wiping the concealer off. And make sure to set the concealor with loose powder. Make sure the concearler is yellow based, not pink or white based. Search for a concealer that is at least one to two shades lighter than your skin tone.
Taylor_Pham: Another tip is using Preparation H beacuse it has ingredients that will reduce the swelling. It works a lot.

dale: Marilyn - I am 5'1" and I will be wearing a halter-backed gown. I would prefer to wear my hair partially down in the back. Is that suitable?
Marilyn_Oliveira: Wearing your hair down in the back would look lovely against your bare skin -- I think that particular hair style would accent a halter dress beautifully.

anabell: Taylor - What is the best make up to where so your skin looks good for pictures?
Taylor_Pham: For pictures you have to consider it's going to be a long day. Using matte foundation and matte products is a MUST. That's why I recommend silicon-based foundations because its great, it also gives a matte finish. A good foundation is Vincent Longo, Liquid Canvass, SPF 8. It will make the skin look really luminous. Another trick is using cream blush first and applying powder blush over. Because over the day your blush will glide off.

joanie: Marilyn - my hair is long, and I don't want to cut it; how can i fix it?
Marilyn_Oliveira: Having long hair actually gives you the most styling options. You can have your hair styled into an updo, or leave it long and loose. We have slideshows of different style options on WeddingChannel.com, so you can flip through the pictures and print out your favorites for your stylist to see.

blueyes: Taylor - do you have any suggestions on skin care leading up to the wedding?
Taylor_Pham: Again, you need to find out what kind of skin you have. I recommend using products with AHA. Before using it consult your dermotologist, make sure you're not alergic to it. Another suggestion is to exfoliate once a week, it will leave your skin softer and lighter. And make sure to mask once a week. If you're oily use clay masks. If you're dry use a gel mask.

brokenrunner: Marilyn - if you are wearing a strapless dress, how do you make the skin on your shoulders look good?
Marilyn_Oliveira: A great way to polish up your skin is with an at-home body scrub; many manufacturers sell body masks as well. Start a skin-care regimen several weeks before your wedding, or consider an all-over salt glow at a day spa.

BrokebackBride: Marilyn - Hi, I'll be six months pregnant when I get married in May, do you have any suggestions for my dress? Is it still okay to wear white?
Marilyn_Oliveira: Hi, BrokebackBride! It's perfectly fine to wear white on your wedding day if you wish -- you should wear whatever shade makes you happy. A flattering gown silhouette for pregnant brides is the empire waist -- Jennifer Garner wore it for her island wedding to Ben Affleck (and please note that her gown was white).

grumpebear1976: Taylor - Is there any way to cover up tattoos w/make up and how do u do it and what kind of make up?
Taylor_Pham: When you purchase products for tatoos you have to make sure the pigments are a lot thicker, heavier. A company called covermarks.com has a kit that will cover up tattoos. When applying concealer make sure to use a sponge. And be aware that tattoos that are green and blue will change the color of the concealer. Mixing is very important. Make sure you practice at least a couple times before the wedding. After the concealer is on the skin, set the concealer with powder. The bride should purchase a fixer and spray it over the covered area. A great fixer on the market is Krylon. And make sure it's the aerosol spray.

pat816: Marilyn - Are their any ways to do my own make-up without going to a makeup counter or paying for it to get done?
Marilyn_Oliveira: You might consider going to the makeup counter several weeks in advance of the wedding and having a consultant walk you through the process. The best way to learn the correct way to do it is have her work on one half of your face, and then do the other half yourself while she's there to help. Be sure to get a lot of practice applying it yourself in advance of the wedding, and do a test-run with the hairstyle you'll wear on the big day.

pearly: question for taylor pham: my bridesmaids are going to be wearing navy blue dresse and i was wondering what colors for the makeup would be appropriate and look fabulous. thank!
Taylor_Pham: Soft pinks would look really great, mixed with soft neutrals. Make sure all the girls' makeup looks consistent. This is key.

Shay: Marilyn - What is the best kind of hairdo that will look great with a flower? Or the best kind of flower that will complement my round-shaped face?
Marilyn_Oliveira: A pretty chignon lends itself well to a single flower like a rose or gardenia -- have your stylist tuck your favorite into the side.

MonikaM: Taylor - what type of lipstick do i use to last all day?
Taylor_Pham: Keep in mind if you want to use a lipstick that lasts all day long the product may have ingredients that make the lips appear really dry. One product that is great is Lipstay by English Ideas. It's a sealer and you put it over your lips and it seals the lipstick. Another trick is making sure to apply a little bit of concealer around the edges of the lips and then sealing in the lips with a natural lip color and then dusting it with loose powder. And apply lipstick over that. Taylor_Pham: After you apply the lipstick take tissue paper and blot the lips. What this does is take off the exess oil. Then reapply the lipstick. Viola!

vals: Marilyn - How do I tell my bridesmaids not to over do it with the makeup without hurting their feelings?
Marilyn_Oliveira: One way you can address the problem is to hire a makeup artist to work on everyone, something many brides do even if heavy makeup isn't an issue. If a makeup artist isn't in your budget, you can consider hosting a makeup party where a consultant comes to your home (for free) and helps everyone choose colors and work out proper application for the big day.

Am: Taylor - I usually wear no makeup. How can I be sure that the makeup salon knows what they are doing?
Taylor_Pham: Definitely have a trial, at least a month before the wedding. Keep in mind if your wedding is in the summer your skin color may change as it gets closer to the wedding. If you have the trial done in the winter your skin color may be different. So make sure to do the trial as close to the date as possible. Make sure before hiring anyone from a salon to see their work.

faith: Marilyn - What is the best way to wear your hair on your wedding day in a humid environment? I'm getting married in FL in June, and my hair does not look good slicked back or pulled back very tight. I wanted to wear it up, but looser with curls. Any suggestions?
Marilyn_Oliveira: Hi, Faith. I strongly recommend that you work with a stylist in advance of the wedding to try different looks and see which one holds up the best. Over several visits, the stylist can experiment with different products for taming frizz, and together you can find the perfect look for you.

jellybino: Taylor - How can I reduce the look of red blotches on my skin, and keep them from coming through my makeup as the night goes on?
Taylor_Pham: The tip is mix the concealer with a little bit of neutralizer, or foundation with a neutralizer. That counteracts the redness because the neutralizer is a light green color, and after the make up is done make sure to spray fixer over the face. A good neutralizer is Lorac Oil-Free Neutralizer. It neutralizes the face without using too much foundation or concealer. You want the skin looking nice, fresh and light.

Aundrea: Taylor - I have blemishes on my upper chest from my bra straps and tips on how to cover or remove?
Taylor_Pham: Same trick as covering tattoos. Apply a concealer that is a bit heavier, set it with powder then spray it with a fixer -- because during the day you'll be hugging people, and you don't want the concealer coming off. And use a body scrub once a week to exfoliate the skin.

clove: Marilyn - I am getting married june 10th of this year and need to lose 20 pounds. is it possible to attain this goal?
Marilyn_Oliveira: While it may be possible to lose 20 lbs. between now and your wedding day, try not to focus on a particular number. Increasing exercise while cutting down on calories is the tried-and-true way to lose extra weight -- whether you're adding morning walks to your routine, or hiring a trainer to work with you. Put together a realistic program that you're likely to stick to, stay away from crash dieting, and be proud of whatever weight loss you achieve.

Kari: any recommended brands for waterproof mascara?
Marilyn_Oliveira: Maybelline Great Lash is fantastic, and used by many professionals. Just remember to dab at tears rahher than wipe them away to save your other makeup that isn't waterproof.

bride2be_2__Guest_: Marilyn/Taylor, my girlfriend suggested that I wear fake eyelashes on my wedding. She says it really accentuates the eyes. What do you think?
Taylor_Pham: Eyelashes are THE biggest trick in Hollywood. Good eyelashes can make a big difference for the wedding. You want to look as natural as possible with a touch of enhancement. I would suggest using individual eyelashes. I actually created my own eyelashes for weddings called Lush Lashes. They come in four lengths. The trick to getting to nice, full lashes is mixing different lengths together becasue if you use one length you'll look very unnatural and artificial. To view these lashes check out www.thicosmetics.com. Make sure to try these lashes during the trials so you can determine the intensity you want them to be the day of the wedding. Lashes definitely enhance the eyes without a lot of make up.

Chat_Host: Unfortunately, our time with Taylor and Marilyn is up. Taylor and Marilyn, thanks so much for being here today and for all of the great advice!

Chat_Host: Please join us on March 30 when we will discuss How to make your hair look your best for the big day!