Summer may be over but wedding season is still in its prime.  CitySaheli got a glimpse of what some of our favorite makeup artists have been doing and the pictures speak for themselves—Va Va Va Voom!! From au natural to dramatic bold looks, these blushing brides definitely make a statement.  All of the artists featured worked with their brides to create “the look” they were dreaming of for their big days.   

CitySaheli would like to thank the artists for their contributions to this article.  They include Lilly Rivera of BridalGal, Karuna Chani of KC-Makeup, Ayesha of Singhar and Sonia Mansoor. 

BridalGal, Lilly Rivera

Bridalgal offered CitySaheli some great before and after shots.  Owner and makeup artist Lilly Rivera wanted to showcase some of her most natural look brides and some more classic Bollywood looks. 

One of Lilly’s most dramatic transformations is shown below and was captured by Sandeep of  http://www.bestphotog.com.

Bridalgal can create dramatic and natural looks that are stunning as shown below. These are personal shots from Rivera herself.

Karuna Chani, KC-Makeup

Karuna Chani of KC Makeup definitely achieved some unique looks with her brides.  She has worked with runway beauties to create the most dramatic looks and has brought these fresh runway looks to brides.

The name of the look below is Bronze Goddess. This bride requested a vintage inspired look with a modern twist for her makeup. Instead of using the typical yellow gold eye shadow and heavy kohl eye liner to emphasize the eyes, Karuna opted to use bronze shades with a touch of shimmer for a more updated look.  False lashes add an extra a dose of glamour that any bride can appreciate. Makeup was done by Karuna Chani, hair was done by Sanjana for KC Makeup and photography is courtesy of Ian Cuttler. 

The second look from KC Makeup is a high contrast, high impact look.  This bride had selected a beautiful and elaborate lengha for her wedding day and KC Makeup wanted to create a look that complimented her outfit without being overpowering.  Typically many Indian brides make the mistake of pairing over-the-top outfits with over-the-top makeup.  For maximum impact Karuna and the bride decided to contrast the lengha with a very natural look.  The result is subtle and classy bringing out the natural beauty of the bride.  Makeup was done by Karuna, hair was done by Jason Spark and photography is courtesy of Jay Seth.

Ayesha, Singhar

Ayesha of Singhar loves working with eyes to tell different stories.  This summer she showcased different looks to accentuate each bride’s beauty.  The look below is old hollywood glamour. The eyes are smoky yet not over done to keep the summer month in mind. Cheek bones are prominent with a touch of bronzer. Red lips give a very red carpet look and the hair is teased in a bouffant style up do. The look is finished with flowers in the hair.  Hair and makeup was done by Ayesha and photography is courtesy of House of Talent Studios. 

Pastels are popular during the summer. Ayesha’s second look emphasizes the usage of pastels and lighter colors.  Here eyes are dark with the rest of the face in neutral colors. Lavendar is used on the cheeks and eyes. Airbrush with a tint of concealer is used to give it a very glowy look.  Photography courtesy of House of Talent Studios.

Sonia Mansoor, SoniaMansoor

 Sonia Mansoor also shared some beautiful looks with us.  Located in Manhattan, Sonia worked with different colors to create very beautiful looks for her brides.  The first look is all about shimmer.   Sonia loves the look on the eyes and cheek. Gold is the ‘desi’ girl’s best friend. The hint of gold on the lower waterline gives basic black a break while drawing out the lashes.

Metallic Violet shadow is a favorite trend from Versace’s spring 2010 show. The look below is ‘customized’ for the turquoise and purple bridal lehnga and the intricate diamond earrings. The lashes make a statement of their own for the modern bride who wants to sparkle.

For more information on the looks shown above please use this contact information:

BridalGal – http://bridalgal.com/
KC Makeup – http://www.kc-makeup.com
Singhar-http://www.singhar.com/
Sonia Mansoor- http://soniamansoor.com/

Check out Rivera’s tips for your bridal beauty countdown and find out which treatments, diet and more is right for you. 

1. How early do you think a bride should start her skin care regimen?
 Ideally, a bride should begin three to four months before the big day, but it’s never too late to start. If you have serious skin conditions you want to improve such as hyperpigmentation (uneven skin tone, dark spots) or acne, you should start as soon as at least 6 months ahead of time.

As a professional in the wedding industry,  I’ve seen brides try to do too much too soon before the wedding and not enough in the two to three weeks prior.  Your last facial should be about two weeks before the big day. If you do too much right before the wedding, the end result can include a litany of problems which can increase stress and lead to more skin issues erupting (no pun intended).  Allow your skin to heal before your wedding day.   Planning ahead is the best advice I can give, and remember that taking care of your skin should be part of your daily routine!

2. What can brides do to ensure a glow for their wedding day?

Rest,  rest, and more rest,  and water, are essentials in any brides tool kit if she wants make sure she is glowing.  As I mentioned earlier, it’s important to have a consistent routine with your skin, which includes a daily beauty regimen.  These are the essential steps to beautiful skin:

1. Cleanse

2. Exfoliate

3. Moisturize

4. Protect with SPF  (preferably those that contain Zinc and titanium dioxide).

It’s also important that brides have the appropriate products for their specific skin needs. Pairing that with consistency will produce amazing results. Consult with a skin professional and get a customized skin evaluation.  A professional will guide you to set goals for your desired results for the allotted time frame.  

3. What foods do you recommend to help plump the skin and make it look vibrant?  Many South Asians are vegetarian, what foods would help their skin?

Foods high in antioxidants:  Deep green dark vegetables (spinach and kale) and fruits high in antioxidants including  blackberries, blueberries, strawberries, and plums . Antioxidants protect your skin cells from free radical damage. Free radicals can be formed from sun exposure and can damage the membrane of skin cells, resulting in premature aging and wrinkles.  Other foods that are high in antioxidants include artichokes, beans (black, red, and pinto beans), prunes, and pecans.

Vitamin A is another vital component in your diet for skin health and beauty.  Eat low fat yogurt to help skin growth. 

Salmon (for the non vegetarian) and  walnuts, canola oil, flax seed and olive oil. These seemingly unrelated foods all deliver essential fatty acids omega 3 and 6 which help plump the skin.

Whole grains provide vitamins minerals that are especially great for the skin as well in addition to fiber which cleanses the system. Keep away from too much fat, sugar salt.

4. Many brides turn to peels or microdermabrasion to make sure they are bright and dewy for the big day.  Can you describe the differences between the two and what they are used for?

Here is the breakdown as I see it.

Microdermabrasion consists of a jet of micro crystals which are propelled through a small pencil like hollow across the skin surface. It removes damaged and dead cells with vacuum pressure. The results are great and very effective for reducing scars, wrinkles, and hyperpigmentation. It stimulates collagen production and cell turnover and the often results in smoother, healthier and younger looking skin.

Chemial peels have a wide spectrum of skin conditions they can treat.  They are applied directly to the skin and change the composition of the skin. Peels deliver a very controlled type of superficial tissue destruction removing the outer layer of the skin. The skin then repairs itself allowing new skin to emerge.  There are various levels of peels: superficial, mid depth and deep.   These peels in the right professional hands can deliver amazing improvements to the condition of the skin.   It takes approximate 7 to 10 days for the skin to go through the peeling and healing process (which depends on the intensity of the peel). Smoother more healthier skin is the result.   Your skin consultant will know the method of treatments that will best suit the condition you would like to treat. 

5. How many times should a bride be exfoliating her skin?

It depends on how sensitive your skin is but approximately once or twice a week is appropriate.   Be careful not to over exfoliate, since it can strip your skin of the natural oils it needs to protect the skin.

CitySaheli wants your groom to look just as good as you on your big day. We found a varietyof stylish wedding wear to suit every type of groom, even yours!

For the Traditional Groom

 Traditional Sherwani from Kurta Palace

Raj Kundra Sports a Black Sherwani

For the Modern and Hip Groom

Top designers have modified the traditional sherwani for the modern man. You will likely see western patterns or a slightly different cut. This year keep your eye out for unique drapes and velour accents that take the traditional sherwani to the next level! 

John Abraham Wearing Rohit Bal

 Unique Draping in Rohit Bal’s Newest Collection

For the Fusion Groom

If your groom isn’t into the traditional sherwani, but still wants to sport some ethnic accents, there are a variety of fusion options to choose from. Most designers start with either the base of the traditional sherwani or the base of the western suit. Each designer then branches off with his or her own creative patterns, textures, and cuts, from which your groom can choose what fits him best.

A Long Jacket by Manav Gangwani

Narendra Kumar’s Suite Collection

For the Western Groom

If you’re groom doesn’t want an ornate look, the classic suit or tuxedo is likely the best option for him. Many grooms in India choose to get married in a suit and embrace the Western culture.

Tuxedo by Giorgio Armani

Red: Hindu and Muslim brides traditionally wear red for their wedding.  Hindu brides wear a deep red and Muslim brides wear a cherry red.  The color red has deep rooted significance as it represents abundance and fertility.  Today, many brides stick to this tradition and wear red on their wedding day, while some brides wear offshoots of red, such as pink or orange.  You won’t, however, see a Hindu bride wear white, since white is the color of mourning in India.

White: Christian brides, on the other hand, do wear white.  Gujurati brides wear a white panetar and sometimes wear a red sari on top of the white sari.  White symbolizes purity and joyous celebration since early roman times.  Wearing white on your wedding day, however, only became tradition in the late 19th century.  Before that Christian brides wore any color except black or red. 

Check out some red and white bridal attire from different South Asian cultures.

Bengali bride: The benarasi sari is the most common dress for Bengali brides in both Hindu and Muslim cultures.  The distinguishing accessory worn by a Bengali bride is the white head crown.  For example, check out Aishwariya Rai in Devdas.

Gujarati bride: Gujarati brides wear a combination of red and white in their bridal dress.  The white panetar is something the bride’s family gifts, whereas the groom’s family brings the red sari, known as a garchola, to cover the bride in a red color.  A garchola is traditionally a red bandani sari with golden squares woven in it. Today, however, you will see Gujarati brides are incorporating blue, green and gold in the traditional red and white combo. 

Punjabi bride: A salwar kameez is usually worn if the bride and groom are from the Sikh religion.  Hindu Punjabi brides, however, traditionally wear a ghagra choli which can incorporate many different colors.  Shades of red usually dominate the dress and white is not used in the Punjabi bridal wear.  A Punjabi bride usually has red and white bangles on her hands known as chuda and signify her status as a married woman. 

Pakistani bride:  A salwar kameez or a ghagra choli is traditionally worn by a Pakistani bride.  Pakistani bridal fashion usually entails zardosi work and intricate detailing in the blouse and skirt. This picture is courtesy of HSY.
 

Tamil bride: Tamil brides wear Kanveejam saris that also are in the red and orange tones.  The bride is usually adorned with heavy gold jewelry.

Tamil Brahmin bride: A madisar, a nine yard sari, is worn by various South Indian cultures but predominantly by Tamil Brahmins.  The nine yard sari functions as a one piece outfit.  One fold is pulled between the legs so you can walk freely.  The style fully covers and flatters any figure.  In South India, the nine-yard madisar symbolizes the unity of the male and female principles of the universe. The sari has pleats and a pallu and the lower part looks like a dhoti.  Sridevi is pictured below in a madisar. 

So as you do your bridal shopping, remember the significance and tradition behind the color and dress you choose to wear on your wedding day!

1. Ask what the artist uses for the mehndi mixture.  New mehndi mixtures have a dye in it to ensure you will have darker mehndi.  CitySaheli has seen some brides have very light mehndi which often looks less attractive on the wedding day.

2.  If you have a style or design in mind, show a picture to your artist and ask if they can replicate it.  Many times artists replicate the same design (dulha, dulhan, raja rani) and you may want something different.  Ensure that what you have in mind can be done.

3.  Make sure you see how thin or thick the artist’s mehndi is and that you are satisfied with his or her look.

4.  Look at the artist’s portfolio carefully and ask to see examples outside of bridal mehndi.  Chances are your mom as well as other family members may use the same artist for less elaborate mehndi.

5.  Ask how long your mehndi will take. If you are having a mehndi party, you may want to start prior to the party so you won’t be getting tattoed the entire time you are sitting with your guests.

6. Ask the artist if she has any new mehndi books.  Mehndi books are easy to find in South Asia and artists are constantly creating new designs.  These books can help you choose the design you want as well as the designs you want to offer your guests.

7.  If you are hiring artists for a mehndi party.  Ask what they charge per hand, foot, arm, etc.  This can vary.  Some artists provide and hourly rate, which can be a more cost effective option.

And now the moment you all have been waiting for, a list of Mehndi artists! We’ve included samples for some of the vendors listed.  Enjoy!

Bridal Gal

CitySaheli’s saw Mansi’s work and were pleasantly surprised.  Very thin mehndi and beautiful designs.

Henna Studios

Sandy creates beautiful designs and has been in the mehndi artist industry for over 12 years.  Below is a sample of her work.

Sangeeta (Based in India) comes to the US during prime wedding season and is booked every weekend.  She is very popular due to strong referrals.

Lena Mehndi (201-467-1426)

This salon comes recommended to CitySaheli by vendors in the industry.

Payal Beauty Salon

They bring their salon to your event.  Mehndi is only one among the many services offered by this salon.

Studio Sush

Sushmita is a well respected mehndi artist in the NY/NJ area that has a team for any size party.

Experience:  Ensure the artist you choose is qualified to do the job.  Ask each artist for references and call those brides to ask them about their experience.    Also take a look at each artist’s portfolio to make sure you like his or her work.

Availability:  Think about whether you need your make up artist for the entire day or just a few hours. Many times makeup artists book two events for the same day. Ask for the artist’s availability and if they plan on booking another wedding before or after yours.  Also ask what the cost would be for the artist to stay with you the entire day, if you want to ensure you are covered. 

Type of Makeup:  There are different types of make up and make up applications.  If you have problematic skin or any scarring you may be interested in air brush makeup. Some makeup artists can contour and highlight your facial features to make your nose look smaller, cheeks more full, or to elongate your face.  Be sure to ask the artist what they recommend for your face and think about what suites your style.

Trial: Ask the make up artist for a trial before your big day.  This way you can discuss the look you would like to achieve and determine if the artist is really right for you.  Many times the artist will ask you to bring a swatch of your wedding outfit and the jewelry you plant to wear so they can coordinate these with your make up.  After your trial, take a picture of yourself.  Make sure your make-up looks good in photos as well as in person.

Type of Wedding:  If you are having a traditional South Asian wedding, you want to ensure your artist has experience with traditional bridal make up.  If you’re having a fusion wedding, you may want to choose an artist that has experience with both eastern and western weddings or that is able to create a look that can be changed during the day.

Budget:  The cost of a make-up artist can vary significantly.  To be efficient, decide how much you plan to spend on make up before you start your search.  Many artists list prices on their website, as well as sample photos of brides, making websites a great place to start.

Comfort Level:  Each artist is a different person with a unique personality.  You will be spending a lot of time with your make up artist on your wedding day.  And remember, you are hiring your make up artist to reduce stress during your wedding.  Make sure you like the artist you choose as a person and that you feel comfortable communicating your vision with him or her.  

Make-Up Artists for Our Brides  

Bindiya Beauty Salon: A salon that has come recommended to CitySaheli and is found in Parsippany, NJ. (973-263-9867)

BridalGal: BridalGal is a one stop shop for hair, makeup and facial care.  Owner Lilly Rivera listens to each bride to design a complete look for a big wedding day.  Conveniently located in the heart of Manhattan, BridalGal’s focus on multicultural beauty will make you feel at ease with her wide knowledge and extensive experience.

Nina Doshi:  Nina has been in the wedding industry for over twenty years and has provided make up
services for numerous brides in the tri-state area.  (516-747-1482) 

Piera Canu:  Piera has worked on many Saudi Arabian princesses and even flies to the Mideast for her brides.  She is very familiar with our darker complexion.  (917-251-8221) 

Poonam Sethi: Poonam has been serving Indian brides exclusively for the past ten years. (973-343-2911) 

Sushmita: Another veteran in the wedding industry, Susmita has recently opened Studio Sush, a spa dedicated to beauty and wellness.  She has assembled an army of hair and makeup artists and services South Asian brides all over the world. (973-202-1717) 

KC Makeup: Karuna Chani is an experienced make up artist who makes sure her brides start off with a great beauty regimen. From recommending skin specialists to assisting with the entire look of the bride, Karuna spends a lot of time and cares for her brides.  (917-478-9965)

Mehndi has been around for centuries and likely originated in the Middle East.  It was brought by the Mughals to India in the 12^th century.  During that period the royal and rich used Mehndi to decorate themselves.  It became very popular and women wore patterns characteristic of that time period on both their hands and feet. 

Today mehndi is no longer limited to folk art designs and is sported by both women and men.  These days popular wedding mehndi includes floral and paisley patterns, which symbolize fertility and love.  Gemstone embellishments are also very popular for brides.

Over the years, many superstitions developed around brial mehndi.  For example, it is said that when a bride has mehndi done for her wedding, the darker the design, the more her mother-in-law loves her.  It is also common for the names of the bride and groom to be hidden in the mehndi design; and the wedding night cannot commence until the groom has found the names.  Moreover, a deep colored design is said to be a sign of good luck for the new couple.

The Mehndi tradition has held strong throughout time and continues to be a component of many happy occasions.  Stay tuned as CitySaheli will report mehndi tips and the newest designs in the upcoming months!

How many events will you have?

You want to have variety in your looks, so try to make each hair style  different.  It helps to pull ideas from magazines or the internet.  Keep a file of looks you like and plan to mix it up!  Remember that your wedding day is the featured event, and will probably be the most photographed, so save the best for last!

Will you have time to change styles in between?

If you don’t have much time between your wedding ceremony and reception, it might be better to keep the same hair do.  It’s better to make sure you have enough time to for your ceremony and to change clothing.  Remember, it isn’t necessary to have traditional ceremony hair (e.g., an up do for your wedding ceremony).  CitySaheli has seen many brides wear hair half up, adorned with a tikka, and they’ve looked stunning! Choose the style that looks best on you and don’t stress yourself out by trying to squeeze several hairstyles into one day.

Will the style suite the shape and frame of your face?

Certain hairstyles can be used to accentuate your face.  For rounder and fuller faces, a high up do will elongate the face.  For faces that are more oval shaped and long, a low bun will make your face look fuller.   Also, keep your hairline in mind and remember to pick a style that suites your hairline.   Keeping the frame and shape of your face in mind will help you choose a style that will look great on you!

What jewelry will you be wearing on your head, if any?

There are so many choices when it comes to accessorizing your hair.  Most brides wear a maang tikka on the center of their forehead.    Some brides choose to wear the Shringar Patti, a necklace that adorns the hairline. Pakistani brides often wear a jhumar, which lies on the side of the hair.  Modern brides wear flowers and skip the jewelry.  The accessories you choose will help determine the hairstyle to select.  

CitySaheli found that the two most common styles used when jewelry is worn:

Middle Part: Many brides who wear a maang tikka in the middle of their head opt for this part. Shringar Patti’s also are worn with a middle part.  Although this is the most obvious choice for the South bride, you can style your hair in many different ways.  Hair all up, hair half down, curls, or pin straight are just a few options.  Any way you do the center part, your jewelry will stand out and look beautiful.  Options are limitless with this traditional style.

Side Part: Many South Asian brides stay away from the side part, since its not the obvious choice if you are wearing a maang tikka.  Today, however, the side part is the choice for many modern and creative brides.  Some brides that choose the side part wear the string of the maang tikka under the hair with the tikka only showing.  Others allow the string to fall down the side part and wear the tikka off to the side, similar to the jhumar look.  The side part looks great with hair down, half up and even all up.  A great choice for the modern bride.

Are you wearing a dupatta over your head?

Many South Asian wedding ceremonies require the bride to cover her head.  If you are covering your head, be sure to decide how far back the dupatta will rest.  Recently, we’ve seen many brides wear the dupatta further back to show off their head piece and hair style.

The fabric and embroidery on your dupatta will also play a role in your hairstyle. A heavier dupatta is typically worn closer to the hair line so that it doesn’t fall back and ruin your hair.  CitySaheli has found that a sheer dupatta shows the hair most.  It is also lighter than many other options, so the bride tends to be less concerned with the dupatta falling down or messing up her hair underneath.  To keep your dupatta from moving, ask your hair artist to sew the dupatta into your hair, to ensure that it does not fall off during the ceremony or pictures.   

Just remember to keep the style and weight of your dupatta in mind when choosing your hairstyle!