Meet My Wedding Day Glam Squad, It's Here

It's here!  Joe and I are getting married on Friday and running away to honeymoon in Italy – unplugged.  Well, as unplugged as possible so I'll talk to you when we return! I felt it was only right to share details on my wedding day glam squad, especially since I'm so fortunate to be able to work with the best in the industry on a daily basis so this was a huge decision.  Drumroll please...

Hair Stylist: Liam Carey of the Jeff Chastain Parlor assisted by Jan-Marie Arteca

Makeup Artist & Brow Specialist: Maribeth Madron

Dermatologist: Ilyse Lefkowicz

Spray Tan Artist: Erica at EC Beauty Studio

Lash Specialist: Tamara at Courtney Akai

Manicurist: Specialists from the Jin Soon Nail Spa

When choosing a hairstylist and makeup artist for your big day, make sure of course, that not only can they understand and can implement your vision, but also pay attention to their energy during your trials.  It was so important to me to work with positive, fun, yet chill people.  The energy in the room will set the tone for your day!

I selected each person and salon through a series of trials not just leading up to my wedding day, but through relationships I've built throughout the years, too.  Getting married? If you have any wedding day glam squad questions, please ask!  I've also been documenting my bridal beauty countdown, a beauty timeline for brides-to-be over the last year.  Hope it helps!

Of course, when we're back from our honeymoon and I get my photos, I'll share images of their work! Stay tuned and please excuse me for taking some time off to spend with my new husband!

Bridal Beauty Count Down: One Month

My May calendar is full of appointments, which is nothing unusual, except for the fact that they're all wedding related.  So here we are – bridal beauty countdown – one month! It's time to put the icing on the cake ladies.  

Skin

If you've gotten Botox or fillers earlier in this bridal beauty countdown series, now's the time to visit your dermatologist touch ups.  "Now’s also a good time to try a peel to help you achieve that wedding day glow," commented NYC dermatologist Dr. Ilyse Lefkowicz.  But don't forget about your body.  Schedule a trial spray tan, too, once your face is done peeling. You want to book your spray tan for two to three days before you wedding day.

Hair

Make an appointment with your colorist for a touch up or gloss.  If you dye your hair yourself, now's the time for a color refresh.  Even just a clear gloss over your hair will add smoothness and shine that will reflect beautifully in your photos.

Smile

Whiten your pearly whites!  Whether you choose to do this professionally or at home, the results of a more beautiful smile are well worth it.

Make sure to check out the rest of the Bridal Beauty Countdown series.

Bridal Beauty Countdown: 3 Months

Three months from today I'll be exchanging "I Do's" so I thought it was only appropriate to post about three months in the Bridal Beauty Countdown series.  When I first got engaged, I spoke to some of my favorite artists to figure out a wedding plan. Are you there, too?  Maybe you know someone who is.  At this point, you've picked out your dress and now, it's time for hair and makeup trials.  Celeb Stylist, Ted Gibson and Makeup Artist, Mai Quynh weigh in.

If possible, book hair and makeup trials with two to three artists.  This is your day and you need to feel confident with the way you look.  Remember, they're going to be around you and your bridesmaids all day so personality matters almost as much as talent.

Hair

“Always bring a picture of yourself in your gown,” says celebrity stylist Ted Gibson.  “It will help you and your stylist have a clear picture of how you want your complete look to flow on the big day.”  I'm bringing inspirational images from the red carpet to my hair trials along with clip in extensions.  Even if you don't wear extensions regularly, nows the time to add some hair as it always photographs thinner.

Makeup

Pictures say a thousand words.  Make sure you have inspirational images of how you’d like your wedding day makeup to look.  “You should look like you, but slightly enhanced,” explains celebrity makeup artist Mai Quynh.  Now's not the time to try a new look.  I have a whole Pinterest board dedicated to my wedding and there are lots of hair and makeup pictures on there in case you want to use them.

Bridal Beauty Countdown: 6 Months

Welcome to the bridal beauty countdown series!  Here's post two.  With six months until your wedding it's really time to tune into your skin.  Personally, I'm a bit anal about mine.  Remember, those pictures last a lifetime.  For some reason many brides jump to injectables right before their wedding.  Here's some advice.

Skin: Plan on experimenting with injectables?  Now’s the time to start.  “Sometimes first-time Botox users feel differently in the first few weeks after treatment, but in my experience it rarely happens with subsequent treatments,” says Dr. Lefkowicz.  Whether you’re interested in Botox or trying to plump out deep folds with fillers, it’s always a good idea to try them out in advance and get touch ups before your wedding.  As soon as I reached my six month mark I started to get facials with peels every five weeks and plan on continuing until closer to the wedding.

Hair: If you're looking to remove any unwanted hair for good nows the time to begin laser hair removal sessions. It takes four to six laser hair removal sessions spaced a month apart to see 70 to 80 percent reduction in hair growth.

Makeup: If you’re considering switching up your tried-and-true makeup products, now is the time to experiment with different eye shadow colors and lipsticks.  My theory though: stay with your tried and true.  

If you're not here yet, check out the 1 year post.

Bridal Beauty Countdown: 1 Year

Get engaged over the holidays?  Congrats!  So many people I know did, but if you're not the one rocking the new bling this year, chances are you know someone who is. With less than five months until my wedding (yay!) all of my beauty ducks are in a row.  When I started planning, I spoke with some of my favorite beauty experts to map out my regimen.  Of course, it's only right I share it with you.  I'll be posting a series, but here's what you should be thinking about at one year.

Skin: Visit your dermatologist.  “Brides-to-be come to me all the time with concerns of getting that perfect glow for the day, clearing up any existing acne and evening out the skin tone/pigmentation,” explains Dr. Ilyse Lefkowicz.  When it comes to skincare it’s best to begin addressing any concerns when you first get engaged so your dermatologist can put you on a plan. “I like patients to be on a routine specific to their skin type for at least two months, so they can clean up as much as possible, and then we can use some office-based procedures in conjunction,” says Dr. Lefkowicz.

Smile: If you’re looking to get any dental work done beyond whitening, now’s the time to go see your dentist or orthodontist.  “When women get engaged, they’re motivated to look their best for their wedding, and just like women wanting to get into shape, I see a lot of women wanting to straighten their teeth,” says Dr. Joseph Hung, a NYC-based orthodontist.  He recommends Invisalign, because the clear aligners effectively straighten teeth without impeding your social life.

Hair: Unwanted hair.  How nice would it be to not have to worry about hairy legs, underarms, bikini line (the list goes on) on your honeymoon? This is the time to consult with a dermatologist or laser specialist about laser hair removal services.

Makeup: Take a makeup class.  I thought about doing this, but instead asked for a makeup lesson during my makeup trial, which I booked early. Even if you don't plan on doing your makeup on your wedding day, you still want to make sure you really know what you're doing for all of the parties up to the it – engagement, bridal, bachelorette, rehearsal dinner, etc.

Happy New Year! Ringing in 2013 with A Very Special Announcement!

Happy New Year BeautySweetSpot readers!  This year, I promise to continue bringing you exclusive celebrity interviews and a peek inside my life in the beauty, men's grooming, health and fitness industries I've become so passionate about, but that's not all. 2013 is going to be an especially exciting year, because over the holiday season, Joe proposed!  Therefore, this bride-to-be has some extra duties to report on. We're so excited to be getting married and beyond grateful for the love and support we've been getting from our family and friends and congratulations we've been receiving from everyone! This girl has celeb glam squads on her speed dial!  So get ready BeautySweetSpot readers, because a bride-to-be's beauty is definitely worth blogging about!