Blushing Bride

We all have pictured our dream wedding. Everything is perfect, from the cake to the flowers, and especially the Bride. Enveloped in the gown she had been dreaming about since she was 7 years old- her makeup is flawless, not a single hair out of place, and her skin... glowing.

So how do you get that seraphic radiance that everyone envies? First of all, I have to say, STAY AWAY FROM SHIMMER on your face as much as possible. Shimmer on your eyes is okay, but any on your face will translate into oiliness on camera. The best way to achieve a healthy glow is with primers and highlighters. My favorite wedding day primer is Spotlight Skin Toning Perfector (Estee Lauder, $32). Instead of using this primer the conventional way, I like to mix it in with a

long lasting, matte finish foundation such as Lancome's Teint Idole Ultra (Lancome, $40). Mixing the formulas, I don't have to sacrifice my La Base Pro, and radiance is optimal.

After smoothing your foundation and illuminating primer of your choice over your face (as well as concealer in choice areas), apply a liquid highlighter to the parts of your face that the sun would naturally kiss. Your forehead, cheek apples, nose and chin are the most common areas. I like to add a little to defined jawlines and cheekbones for a softer look. My favorite highlighters are the Up-lighting Liquid Illuminator collection by Clinique ($22.50). These highlighters come in 4 shades; Natural, Blush, Peach, and Bronze. Follow with a matte finish loose powder.

Now that your base color is set, you can proceed with blush, eyes and lips. Minimal shimmer blush in shades of light pinks or corals work best to enhance a natural glow. My favorites are Estee Lauder's Silky Powder Blush in Peach Nuance and Rose Nuance ($26). These variegated pressed powder blushes are shimmer free and have buildable coverage. A soft natural lip and eyeshadow in demure shades of pink and peach give a pretty touch to dewy perfection.

Makeup Mondays: Pink!

Until a few months ago the color pink made me uncomfortable. It was so feminine, so demure, so "girly." To me, "girly" was a bad thing. It meant giddy, air headed, boy crazy and shallow; everything I didn't want to be. When I was pregnant with my daughter, I would tell people "no pink please," in fear that she would inherit those traits by simply wearing the color. Well, just a few weeks ago I admitted to the Facebook world that I liked pink! What really triggered my admiration for the color was Aaron de Mey's debut color line for Lancome, Pink Irreverence.

I was practically forced into liking pink. As I looked through my Lancome spring business planner, I stopped jaws dropped on the pages gushing with hot pinks and sparkly blacks. I could hardly contain my excitement...for pink? A couple months later the line launched, and I was surprised to find out that I actually looked good in it! I then declared that anyone can wear pink. It's just a matter of finding the perfect shade for you.

I would go into detail about how to chose and wear the right pink for you, but cosmetiholic already interviewed me for this very subject. I was featured on her "Makeup Artist Monday" article back in June. You can view the blog here: http://cosmetiholic.com/2009/05/31/makeup-artist-monday-marissa-rhoades.aspx

Here are some of my favorite pinks:

Eye shadow:

• "MMM...Brains" by Coffin Color
• "Romping," from M.A.C.'s Hello Kitty "Too Dolly" eyeshadow quad ($38)
• "The Pink Carpet" by Lancome (unfortunately this color is discontinued, but you can search eBay for it.)
• "# 26 Fuchsia" by Make Up For Ever ($19)

Lips:

• "Bamboo Pink" Long Last Soft Shine Lipstick by Clinique ($14),
• "Rock Icon Fuchsia" Color Fever Lipstick ($25), and "Electric Pink" La Laque Fever Gloss ($26) by Lancome
• Posie Tint Lip and Cheek Stain by Benefit ($28)

Blush:

• "Iced Lotus" Blushing Blush by Clinique ($18.50)
• "Rose Fresque" Blush Subtil and "Shimmer Pink Pool" Blush Subtil Shimmer by Lancome ($29.50)
• "Thrrrob" cheeck powder by Benefit ($28)