Sneak Peek at the Brides Beauty Awards!

I'm so happy with the way the opener (that's what we call the first page of a section) turned out! 

A few of the makeup winners!

So I couldn't wait to give you guys a quick glimpse at something my team and I have been working on for the last few months: the Brides beauty awards! Yep, the Brides staff tested hundreds and hundreds of products to determine the very best of the best. We've got the top makeup, skincare, haircare, body products, nail polishes, and fragrance--all selected with brides in mind (but every single one is pretty darn awesome for anyone).

I've included a little peek, but if you want to check out the rest of the winners, be sure to pick up a copy of the just-hitting-the-stands April/May issue. And then tell me your beauty favorites below! I'd love to know.

Behind The Scenes of a Hair Video: How to Create A Braided Bun

Lights, camera, action!

Props

Matt busy doing a little pre-video prep on one of the models.

A stealthy mid-shoot shot.

A selection of gorgeous hair accessories at the ready.

That's a wrap!

A few weeks ago, I hinted on Instagram that I was working on a fun project for my day job (beauty director at Brides, if you're new here...!). And now I can finally share it: I was busy working with a great team to shoot a series of four hair how-to videos with the amazing NYC stylist, Matt Fugate of the Sally Hershberger Downtown salon.

I am so happy with the way the videos turned out! Matt is amazing (so cool, so talented, so freakin' good on camera), our models were gorg, and the styles turned out so pretty. 

Since we're Brides, all of the hairstyles are obviously wedding-appropriate, but they're definitely not only for weddings. Any of them would be awesome for any special occasion, date, Tuesday, etc. (Translation: The videos are totally worth watching even if you're not a bride-to-be!)

Above are a few behind-the-scenes photos I snapped at the shoot, and below, is the first video in the series, Braided Bun. The following three will launch over the next few weeks. Check it out (it's short!) and then please let me know what you think. I'm dying to make more and would love to hear your honest thoughts. Plus, any beauty video requests that you have! What would you love to see on video?

Thanks for watching!

Sneak Peek at the New Brides Magazine!

The new issue of Brides magazine--my very first as beauty director!--just hit stands. I started there partway through the issue prior, so I did work on that one, too, but this is the first that's start to finish me. And I'm so happy with the way it turned out! 

If you're a bride-to-be (or just really want to support me--haha!), please pick up a copy and let me know what you think.

In the meantime, here's a quick peek at some of my favorite stories in the issue. Enjoy!

Here Comes The... Big News

Flashback: Me (and part of my blog-shy husband's hand!) on my wedding day in New York City

#BridalBeautyThrowback: Hairstylist Sean James Decuers carefully forms "Gisele-like waves" before my wedding.

Did you guys have a good weekend? If you follow me on Instagram, you might have seen that I spent the last few days in Mexico! So. Much. Fun. (And more on that later...) Well, I'm back now, and just popping in quickly to share some news. Kind of big news, actually. And that news is that... {drumroll} ... I got a new job! 

Yep, tomorrow, I'll be starting as the Beauty Director at... Brides magazine! I'm so excited! Because weddings are so exciting, no? And beauty is such a key part of them. It was for me. Those months of wedding prep and planning from a few years back are a bit of a blur of fittings and cake samples for me, but I can clearly remember how important the beauty thing was. I had a very clear vision of what I wanted (glow-y skin, me-but-better makeup, Gisele-like waves), and thanks to two awesome experts (hairstylists Sean James Decuers and makeup artist Erica Whelan), I was able to achieve it. Now, in a small way, I'll get to help other brides with their own beauty visions. Kind of cool, right?

(Oh, and BTW, this site won't change, if you're wondering. I'll still be blogging about all of the same things. I'm already married, of course, so this won't become a wedding blog! For that, read this.)

So, that's my news! Thoughts? If you're a Brides reader, be sure to let me know. And if you're getting married soon (or recently got hitched), please, please, please tell me below if there are any wedding-beauty stories that you're just dying to read. Don't be shy! You have a connection now, after all. ;)