Makeover Mondays: Naturally Radiant

Makeover Mondays are a new segment written by makeup artist Laurie Starkey

Every bride wants to have that flawless radiant glow on her wedding day. A great makeup artist is key to achieving your desired look on your big day, however a flawless makeup application actually begins with great skin. Although it will take some time and patience, below are some of my simple tips to help you achieve gorgeous radiant skin.

#1 Water: Believe it or not, water is my number one go-to beauty remedy. I recommend 8-10 glasses of water a day. Not only will the water replenish your skin and give you a supple hydrated appearance, it will also flush all the toxins out of your body. Remember, your skin is a reflection of what’s going on inside your body, so you want to rid of all the harmful toxins. To boost your water detoxification, add two capfuls of Bragg’s apple cider vinegar to your water 3 times daily.

#2 Exfoliation: Naturally we all accumulate dead skin cells on our face, and all over our body for that matter. Exfoliating can reveal healthy glowing skin under those dead cells. One of my favorite store bought exfoliators is the Burt’s Bees Deep Pore Scrub. You can find it in virtually any drug store and it’s 100% natural! Or, if you are a do-it-yourself’er like me, you can concoct a simple scrub with honey, lemon and sugar. It’s simple, natural and really does the trick! I recommend a scrub 1-2 times a week.

#3 Treat stubborn pimples: If you are dealing with a stubborn pimple or feel the dreaded onset of one, I recommend tea tree oil. Tea tree oil contains natural antibacterial properties which makes it a great alternative to harsh chemicals found in most acne treatments. If will effectively treat the pimple, without the dryness and irritation.

#4 Increase your fruit and veggie intake: As women on the go, it can be tricky getting all the nutrients and vitamins found naturally in fruits and vegetables. However, these foods are essential to fighting free radicals, improving your complexion and contributing to your overall health and well being! If you are not a fan of sitting down to a big green leafy salad, you might consider juicing. It’s a great way to pack tons of fruits and veggies into your diet with a quick convenient drink!

#5 Spare your pockets: As a makeup artist I’ve tried pretty much every potion, lotion and serum around. If you are anything like me, you are obsessed with trying all the new, so-called life changing beauty products on the market! Now, don’t get me wrong, there are some great products out on the market. However, as someone who has tried virtually everything under the sun, I am here to tell you the your natural glow begins on the inside. Planning a wedding can be a stressful time, so take time to give yourself a break once and a while. Drink plenty of water, make healthier food choices and enjoy this time before you say your “I-do’s” You will surely be radiating on your big day!

Create Your Own Wedding Skin for Your Gadgets

The latest trend for personalizing your gadgets has come – creating a custom skin for your favorite phone, iPod and more.

Some of the most popular custom skin websites include: SkinIt , ClingSkins and Unique Skins.

To get started, all you have to do is upload images of your choice, or choose from a large design library from the site you will be purchasing your skin through.  Most custom skin sites have the following design options in their design libraries: film, music and sports celebrities, Disney characters, special non-profit causes and more.  These websites currently produces vinyl covers for iPods, iPhones, Blackberry phones, flip cameras, kindles, laptops and games consoles, such as the PS3, Wii, PSP and DS, and, they continue to increase this range as new devices are introduced to the market. Once you have uploaded or chosen your design, you can then preview the final cover before you complete your purchase.  It is that easy!

The cost of each skin varies depending on the website you use and if you are creating a custom design or choosing one from their design gallery.  Expect to pay on average, $6.00 for a custom iPod or mobile phone skin and $29.95 for a custom game console or laptop skin.  Gadget covers are printed using the latest digital techniques and are made of patented 3M vinyl, allowing easy application and they don’t leave any residue once removed. And, best of all, these covers are easy to create, apply to your gadgets and peel off easily, so you can change them out whenever you want.

What a great way to protect your gadgets from scratches, knicks and other damage caused by daily use!  Now you can create your own covers and change them up to match your mood.  Some brides have created covers with their engagement photo, ring or favorite photo depicting their love story, and then after the wedding, they update the covers with a wedding photo.  This is a great way to show your chic style while also cherishing one of life’s most special moments.