Tina & Steve made for such a beautiful couple! They tied the knot at the Ocean Key Resort in Key West on a sparkling day, the weather was just perfect.
I met Tina in her suite where she was surrounded by lots of fun girls and family who simply adored her. :wub:

 

Tina was going for a timeless look that would complement her flirty and super feminine gown. My wonderful Natalie did Tina’s hair in a classic, low on the nape, and off to the side chignon, and I the makeup. We kept the makeup very classic as well. Notice how the lipstick and the hairpiece match? I think that’s so fabulous!

 

 

Congratulations you too! And thank you to Manolo from In Focus Studio for the gorgeous images. XO

 

I met Jordian and her family in their suite at the Ocean Key Resort. It was a rainy day but NOTHING was going to stop all these ladies to get gorgeous. The minute I saw Jordian, I knew something great was about to happen. Isn’t she beautiful? I got so excited!!!

 

 

Right of the back Jordian said she wasn’t afraid of makeup and wanted to be glam. Love that! And notice the fab eyelashes? That alone always brings the makeup to a different level. A must for any brides, even the ones aiming to look natural.

 

Thank you Jordian for your wonderful feedback, I just loved being a part of your day!!! XO

Well, lovely ladies, it’s hard to believe, but we are officially more than halfway through the month of May. We kicked off our Second Annual “Live Gorgeously!” Facebook Fan Photo Contest at the start of the month and we’ve already got four lovely contestants competing for the Grand Prize: FREE hair and makeup for the bride and her entire bridal party! This year, we’ve also thrown in two runner-up prize packages in addition to our monthly semi-finalist prizes.

Meet Brandi, Tara, Aimee, and Emma on our special “Live Gorgeously!” Contest Facebook app. There, you can learn all about their love stories and their Key West wedding details. You can vote for your favorite gal, interact with them through comments, and even enter yourself into the runnings (of course, as long as you’re planning a Key West destination Wedding after March 31, 2013!).

One lucky girl each month from now until December will win her choice of FREE false eyelashes or a FREE spray tan, and she’ll be entered into the finals round to compete for the Grand Prize and Runner-up Packages. So spread the word! Do you know anyone planning a destination wedding in Key West? The contest is a lot of fun and we’re so excited to be meeting so many lovely ladies as the months fly by.

For complete rules on how the contest works and how to enter, click here.

I’m not gonna lie… I was pretty psyched to receive my May Gossip Girl Themed Birchbox.

But first what is Birchbox?

Katia Beauchamp and Hayley Barna launched Birchbox, almost 2 years ago. Birchbox is an online service that ships highly desirable beauty samples to its members’ every month. For $10 a month what you get is basically a beauty subscription. The subscription includes 4-5 product samples of the top 43 brands like NARS, Benefit, Laura Mercier, Stila, Korres and Cargo that arrived in your mailbox monthly. If you like the product sample, you can order the full size product from them. Birchbox is hot right now and the wait after initially signing up is about 4 weeks.

Here’s what’s in my box

For those of you who don’t know me, I love taking pictures of pretty things. So here ya go!

Gossip Girl themed Birchbox has been highly anticipated by many, including moi!

A little card explaining the theme of the month, along with the listing of the products present in my box. One of my item was missing… Twistband Hair Tie. Don’t know what happened there. I hear Birchbox has stellar customer service, I’m sure I’m only a phone call away for the omission to be rectified. I wont bother though.

Miracle Transformer Skin for BodyOne, of the item I was so hoping to receive was in my box –  SCORED! I will try it asap and post a review. But what is wrapped in the pink tissue…?

All my goodies!

Kiehl’s | Abyssine Cream +

A long time bestseller, this anti-aging moisturizer uses microscopic Abyssine molecules to soften wrinkles and protect skin from free radical damage. ($48)

 

Color Club | Nail Polish in Clambake Coral

Just in time for Summer, this warm coral will set off your newly (self-) ($8)

Miracle Skin transformer Body SFF 20 in Glow

Don’t settle for anything but flawless skin – all over your body. This tinted treatment erases blemishes and scars on arms, legs, and decollete. ($34)

BVLGARI | Omnia Crystaline Eau de Toilette Spray

Inspired by Luminescent crystals (so glam), this fresh scent combines notes of lotus flowers, bamboo, and nashi pear. ($47)

Birchbox is a brilliant concept if you ask me. :biggrin: Oh, and there’s one for the boys too…  Birchbox Men.

Emily and her party were so much fun! I met them all the morning of Emily’s big day at the Ocean Key Resort. Lots of beautiful girls ready to get gorgeous while Simply You Weddings was busy attending to every details ensuring Emily THE perfect day.

Flowers by Mama Flowers

As you can see, Emily is absolutely beautiful. The makeup was all in the mauve and neutral brown to enhance her stunning eyes.

She debated so much on whether to wear her hair up or down, and since she felt the sexiest with her hair loose we opted to put it partially up. She turned out AMAZING.

 

 

And here’s a couple of shots of her fab shoes and divine hairpiece. I couldn’t help myself!

 

 

Thank you Emily for letting us be a part of your big day. It was so nice to meet you!!! Lifetime of happiness to you and your hubby. XOXO

Bronzer is truly a must-have, good bronzer that is, the kind that creates the perfect sun-kissed glow. A bad bronzer, on the other hand, can look too obvious, or worse, muddy. Or even worse, a bronzer with shimmer overload can make you look greasy and shiny like a disco ball. Which brings me to this…

Isn’t it odd that bronzers devoid of shimmer are hard to come by?? I just don’t get it. It’s one thing to carefully choose where to place highlights on my face, and quite another to sweep shimmer ALL OVER it.  Maybe if I were 12…

SO… Make Up Forever has done it again with their fabulous products, and has me head over heals for their newest addition Mat Bronze ($30).

Packaging

 

Mat Bronze comes in a metallic bronze case with a magnetic snap-closure. Very attractive with a luxurious feel.

 

 

The compact top pan flips open to a another pan that has a puff applicator. Why the powder puff?? It’s useless. I know this sounds harsh, but use a bronzer or contouring brush for optimal result.

 

The formula

An oil-absorbing bronzing powder for the face, MAKE UP FOR EVER Mat Bronze was created especially to give skin a tanned complexion – without a glimmer of shiny-looking shimmer. The powder absorbs any skin slickness while adding a healthy natural-colored glow.

This is all true, my lovelies!

The texture of Mat Bronze feels like butter. It’s so smoooooth and blends effortlessly into the skin, disappearing, and leaving behind the perfect color. It gives a healthy glow without the actual glow.

Another plus, the powder finish of the formula literally sets my makeup, ensuring a long-lasting matte finish. It makes my clients and me so happy, especially when dealing with the South Florida heat and humidity.

Shades

There are 4 shades available, which I love:

• 10 Apricot
• 20 Honey
• 30 Cinnamon
• 40 Amber

I often find bronzers to be too intense on light skin. With 10 Apricot, even the lightest beauties will be able to enjoy a very natural sun-kissed glow.

10 Apricot

 

 

20 Honey

 

 

30 Cinnamon

 

 

40 Amber

Love this stuff!!!
Studio Marie-Pierre Rating: A+

 

Darci tied the knot at the Ernest Hemingway Home in Key West.  I met Darci in her room and got her ready for her big day. She had a very clear idea of what she wanted. Deliberately messy, braided updo and natural, with a touch a glam, makeup.

And then she pulled out her hairpiece saying she had made it out of a vintage necklace and wanted to know what I thought… One word… LOVE!!!! I get so excited over hair accessories. :biggrin:

 

 

Thank you so much Darci for trusting me with your hair and makeup on your special day! It was such an honor to be a part of it. Congrats!!! XOXO