HEALTH AND WELLNESS | 10 WAYS TO CREATE YOUR OWN PRE-WEDDING LUXE SPA DAY AT HOME

Getting married should be fun.

After all, you've found the person of your dreams, you're in love... they put a ring on it. Smooth sailing, right? Unfortunately for many brides, not so. Why? STRESS!

GUEST POST: 3 STEP MAKE-UP TIPS TO LOOK AMAZING IN PICTURES

A few months ago celebrity hair + make-up artist and owner of Tabiba Styles, Abibat Durosimi shared her wedding day beauty tips and trends for the season with us. Today, we're really excited to welcome Abibat back to share her 3-steps to a flawless make-up application that when done correctly will leave any bride looking absolutely amazing in pictures. 

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image via Tabiba Styles

Hello Future Brides - When it is not in your budget to get a professional make-up artist for your wedding day, sometimes it is up to you to be camera ready for your unforgettable wedding day. Here are 3 steps to make sure that you look radiant on your special day.

STEP 1

Do an at home facial a few days before the wedding. Exfoliate and moisturize and make sure to use products that fit your skin tone. Product suggestions: 

Dry skin - Olay mild cleansers are great for dry skin. Try the Olay Skin Smoothing Cream Scrub to deeply hydrate and moisturize your skin or the Olay Pro-X Hydra Firming Cream which helps to optimize elasticity and firmness by plumping and locking in moisture.

Combination/Oily Skin - The St. Ives Fresh Skin Exfoliating Apricot Scrub deeply cleans your face and instantly leaves skin smooth and glowing. When using these product don't forget to moisturize.  I reccommend using the Olay Complete All Day Moisturizer With Sunscreen SPF 15 Combination/Oily Skin.

Women of Color - The AMBI skin care line Even & Clear works wonders! It helps even out your skin from dark spots caused by acne prone blemishes while moisturizing your skin.

If you have any blemishes or your skin is acne prone, find a professional Esthetician or Dermatologist depending on the level of your skin.

STEP 2

To be HD camera ready, before applying your makeup use a primer/base to moisturize and protect your skin. Products Suggestion: 

The SmashBox Photo Finish Foundation Primer creates a perfect canvas for foundation application. (Use before applying your foundation). The Urban Decay Original Eye Primer Potion is great! Apply it before your eye shadow for a more vibrant crease free color that will last for 24 hours!

STEP 3

By the time you have completed step 1 and 2, your are ready for makeup application. Use cosmetic lines that compliments your completion. If your wedding ceremony is outside during the day, I suggest going for soft light colors on your eyes and using a brown tone for eyeliner and mascara. After applying your makeup use one of T.S. Faves - the Urban Decay All Nighter Long Lasting Make up Setting Spray that will give your makeup some serious staying power.

*T.S. Tip* If you're taking your wedding photos during the day try a dark smoky eye. This will give your eyes depth and give the illusion that of "endless" eyes. At night, contour your face and highlight your t-zones to create dimensions for a evening shoot. 

Need help highlighting and contouring? Or help creating the perfect wedding day look?

Book with Tabiba Styles! Not only do they offer classes where they can teach you how to apply make-up but, you can also book Tabiba Styles to do your hair + makeup for your big day!

Phone: 571.882.2422

Web: Tabibastyles.com

Email: TabibaStyles@gmail.com

IS THE WAY YOU SIT AT WORK EFFECTING YOUR BRIDAL BEAUTY?

Across the board, photography professionals agree that good posture (i.e standing up straight) can make you to appear slimmer and even enhance your bridal beauty. It's easy to remember your posture when taking a photo, but what about when your at work? Many people don't realize how much of an impact their posture at work truly has their body but trust us, its huge!

Think about it,  no matter how much you work out, if you sit like this for 8 hours a day, 7 days a week, 52 weeks a year you are most definitely setting yourself up for future problems. What kinds of problems you ask? Well, how about faulty motor engrams (your body tends to recruit the wrong muscles during movement), poor circulation, poor breathing, headaches, carpal tunnel/shoulder impingement, a host of back problems... and the list goes on. 

And... to make matters worse, when you weight train, you lifting can be effected particularly if you do exercises like back rows (e.g. shoulder blades may not move properly so you don't get a good contraction) or back squats (e.g. rounded shoulders can cause bar to rest improperly on the neck instead of the shoulders and rounded back increases injury risk.) 

Solution? 

Stop sitting like this and ssssttrreettccchhhhhhhh!

When stretching, focus on the back/sides of the neck, the chest/front of shoulders, the mid (thoracic) back, hips and possibly the ankles (medial aka inside part) and the wrists. Also, do MFR (with foam roller, Stick, tennis ball) and/or regular massage therapy to address adhesions/restrictions and encourage circulation and better tissue quality. Of course, be sure to connect with your doc before changing what you do and ask a qualified fit pro or physical therapist for help with your unique situation.

Look out for another post with examples on some exercises to strengthen good posture! 

A LOCAL EVENT: PORTLAND FASHION WEEK BRIDAL FASHION

In an earlier post we told you about the fabulous Portland Bride & Groom event on September, 29th but if you're looking to find a little bridal inspiration a bit sooner, boy do we have the perfect event for you! 

Portland Fashion Week is 3 day event filled with runway shows of local PDX fashion designers, pop-up shops, social events and local art & music. In a nutshell, if you love fashion and you love supporting your fellow Portlanders, you're definitely NOT going to want to miss this event! 

Portland Fashion Week is September 12th-14th at the Oregon Convention Center, but on Friday September, 13th the runway will be all about bridal fashion! Local designers Sophie Chang, Kimme Designs, Amrapali Boutique and Sunjin Lee will all be showcasing the designs from their newest collections on the runway! 

Click here to get your tickets! 

GUEST POST: INTERVIEW WITH CELEBRITY MAKEUP ARTIST ABIBAT DUROSIMI ON WEDDING MAKEUP + TRENDS + TIPS

The following blog post was submitted by Brytani Sierra of Downtown Glamorous. Brytani is a life + fashion blogger from Portland, Oregon as well as a 2013 Style Collective Blogger for Portland Fashion Week.

INTERVIEW WITH CELEBRITY MAKEUP ARTIST ABIBAT DUROSIMI ON WEDDING MAKEUP + TRENDS + TIPS

A few weeks ago I attended Portland Fashion Week's Mid Summer Mixer at the Jupiter Hotel, where I had the pleasure of meeting PFW's fashion + beauty director, Abibat Durosimi. Abibat is also a celebrity makeup artist, hair stylist and owner of Tabiba Styles.

After talking with Abibat I became an instant fan. You know those people who you can tell are genuinely friendly and warm spirited? Well, that's Abibat! Despite all her claims to fame, and trust me she has many, Mrs. Durosimi is extremely humble and definitely a pleasure to be around.

As a full supporter of local businesses I decided to reach out to Abibat for an interview to help brides navigate the beauty side of their wedding. Below, Abibat shares with us current trends in wedding beauty, as well as a few tips and tricks. Enjoy!

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First, we'd like to congratulate you on your position as Fashion + Beauty Director for Portland Fashion Week 2013. That's amazing!

How long have you been doing hair + makeup and how did you get into the industry? 

I have been doing hair for over 15 years and in that time I found my love for makeup about 8 years ago. Art has always been my true passion and I try to interpret that into my work.  I love making people feel beautiful from the inside - out, and have been truly blessed to meet the right people at the right time.  

As a makeup + hair artist what has been your greatest achievement thus far? 

My greatest achievement is being able to work for PRINCE.

What hair + makeup services do you offer to brides?

Great customer service, I treat all my brides like they are my guest.  Along with that, referrals to a great esthetician (great skin on your special [day] is always a ‘yes’ factor).  I have my “guest” meet me for a consultation to talk about their needs and wants for their wedding look (i.e. their wedding colors and when they will be taking their wedding photos) all that factors into their wedding look.  We also talk about how to achieve their desired hairstyle (if we would need to add hair extensions for volume or brighten up their hair color).  From there, they will share with me their make-up inspiration.  After our beauty brainstorm we do a mock up of their wedding make-up and hairstyle. 

On the day of, the bride will get their wedding hairstyle and makeup with custom individual flare lashes to complete their look.

What's your favorite thing about working with brides and their bridal party? 

Being able to feel part of it and experience different wedding cultures.  

What are the current trends for summer and fall in bridal hair + makeup?  

Tabiba Styles Bridal Hair & Make-up Trends are:

Summer - For skin, that natural dewy glow with tints of pinks, peaches and golds.  For the hairstyle, a beautiful high, voluminous ribbon like buns with a side part or bangs or a side gorgeous tousled braid.

Fall - Keeping that glowing skin with a touch of purple and orange hues, bronze and golds. Let’s not forget a creamy plum to red lip colors.  For the hair, style and classic chignon or hair pulled to the side with soft romantic waves cascading down.

Winter - Skin matte, bright and clean. Eyes in grays, purples, blues and dark greens or dark eyeliner (inblue, purple or black).  Add lip color in deep plums, red hues or nude.  For hair, a partial up and down style with soft curls or a low beautiful pony tail to the side with a slight body wave.

What is your personal favorite hair + makeup trend/style.  

Simple, fun and natural.  My summer look has been lashes and lavender and pinkish/gold lip gloss. With my hair tossed in a high bun.

Do you have any advice on how to achieve healthy glowing skin on the day of the wedding? 

I always advice my brides to take prenatals [vitamins].  It gives you all the nutrition you need and it promotes get healthy skin, hair and nails. Drink lots of water, eat healthy and work out.  Also, get a facial a few weeks prior to your wedding date.

What are some things a bride should NEVER do the day before the wedding?  

 Never get a facial, a haircut or color, and get a make-up artist last minute.  

In contrast, what are some things a bride should ALWAYS do the day before the wedding?  

EAT!!! I have seen a few faint, and it’s not a good look.  Get a massage, it helps that wedding stress you build up planning the wedding.

Do you have a favorite makeup tip that all women can use?

Use a lip pencil to create your desired lip color.  It stays on longer and you can add lip gloss for a shine or leave it alone for that matte look. 

Where do you see yourself in the next 5 years? 

I plan to own a Styling Agency.  Where anyone from brides, celebrities and fashion designers will be able to get that Tabiba Styles touch from head to toe *ping*

Book with Tabiba Styles today! 

Phone: 571.882.2422

Web: Tabibastyles.com

Email: TabibaStyles@gmail.com