Create the Look: Pride and Prejudice Inspired Make-up

Hello,
this is a post that I wrote a few weeks back for a make-up website who wanted a Pride and Prejudice bridal make-up look, she later decided that instead of a tutorial she wanted information instead. Rather than let this original post go to waste, here it is :)


Pride and Prejudice, written by Jane Austin was set in the turn of the 19th century, a time where subtlety was the key to beauty. Only the more well off could afford cosmetics so the look that I have created is soft and neutral; designed to simply enhance your natural beauty whilst looking effortless and elegant.

Creating the Look:

Face: Wedding day complexion plays a big role in how you will appear in your wedding day photos. A good base will look smooth and blemish free without looking caked or unnatural. Here I have used a primer all over the face to create a smooth surface to apply foundation over. Using a primer in your bridal makeup is important because not only will it even out complexion and create a smooth canvas for the rest of your make-up, but it will also increase the longevity meaning that you will be able to enjoy the day without worrying about touch ups during the day. Instead of using a heavy foundation I opted for a BB cream which sits more softly on the skin and gives a more dewy finish. Dab a small amount of concealer over any blemishes and then blend in carefully. Use a light dusting of powder to set the face, taking care to focus on areas you know are prone to breakthrough shine. Finally, using a blush that is similar to your natural flushed colour (for me this is Dandelion from Benefit which is perfect for a very fair complexion) lightly sweep across the apples of your cheeks and up towards your ears to create a soft rosy glow. Make sure not to be heavy handed and instead build up the colour slowly.

Eyes: The aim of the game here is to brighten your eyes without looking as if you are wearing make-up. Use matte shadows for the most natural effect. First, use an eyelid primer to ensure that your eye make-up is long lasting and stays smudge free during your wedding. Use a nude shadow that matches your skin tone to cover the whole eyelid. This will even out the skin tone and make the look more polished. Next, use a slightly darker shade to contour the fold of the eyelid and along the lash line. This will add depth to the look. I then used a soft pencil liner to faintly line the lashes along the lid, although this is an optional step and is only advisable if you have dark hair and lashes. Smudge the liner softly into the lashes to soften the effect. Finally apply one coat of waterproof mascara. As Bryony has mentioned in a previous wedding makeup post, waterproof mascara is a must in bridal makeup because you are almost definitely going to shed a few emotional tears and a normal mascara just wouldn't be up to the job. In my experience, waterproof mascaras are less effective when it comes to giving lashes volume so you ladies with shorter lashes may benefit from using eyelash curlers to maximise the look. However, remember that we are going for a natural look so don't go mascara mad!

Lips: Lipstick can be a nightmare during the wedding day as it requires a lot of maintenance. Instead, my recommendation is to use a lip stain. A stain is perfect for this look as the effect is much more subtle and doesn't have the same heavy finish as many lipsticks, instead leaving you with "just bitten" looking lip colour. First of all, use a lip scrub to remove and dry skin on the lips (if you do not have a lip scrub then gently buffing with a soft toothbrush will work well too). Next, using a stain that is of a likeness to your lips when gently bitten, dab across the entire lip gently, making sure to blend using a finger to avoid a hard line around the edge and let dry. To make lips look fuller I have also dabbed a small amount of a darker lip stain in the center of the bottom lip which just fills the look out. Finally, top with a little lip balm to lock in moisture.

And there you have a Pride and Prejudice inspired bridal makeup tutorial. One last step that I always advice, is to set the look with a spritz of makeup setting spray because this will seal the look for longer.

As for popular hairstyles, during that period, it was the height of fashion to sweep hair into an updo, full of furls and volume whilst leaving a few strands loose to frame the face. These would be curled into tight ringlets along with the rest of the hair. Fresh flowers made a readily available hair accessory and were often used to add interest to hairstyles.

Natural beauty and purity are key to this look and make you look every bit the blushing bride.

Annie x

The Weekly Wedding Fix #9

Hello,
Wednesday again. Doesn't time fly these days?!
This week for the Wedding Fix I have put together a lovely Destination Wedding theme for you in tribute to the beautiful weather that we've been having here in England recently.
Enjoy : )

1. Destination weddings are usually held in a hot location so you need to remember this when choosing a dress. A popular style to for destination weddings a Grecian dress which is very light and floaty. However, I have instead chosen this short, puffball dress as it is a more fun choice and allows you to show off your wonderfully sun kissed legs on your big day. If you're getting wed on a beach, it also avoids getting sand all over the hem of your dress.

2. I love this twist wrap dress from Dessy. The dress can be styled in many different ways to suit all of your bridesmaids and it is available in lots of lovely colours. The material is also easy to care for and will not crinkle easily which is an important consideration for a destination wedding.

3. Guests may become a little over heated if your wedding is held out doors or in a sunny room so these brightly coloured paper fans make the perfect favour for your guests. The handle can also be personalised so that people will always remember your big day.

4. It is likely to be difficult arranging flowers for a destination wedding so instead, why not make use of a beautiful parasol as an alternative option that is ultra feminine and will also keep the sun off your face, avoiding any heat related make-up malfunctions. You can get these in any colour under the sun so you are sure to find a beautiful parasol for you and your girls.

5. Destination weddings bring to mind visions of dreamy fruit cocktails for me and there is a whole host of wonderful options available to you. You could choose a drink that is a popular local choice or go for something more classic. I have chosen the Bahama Mama which is a Jamaican classic and truly delicious.

6. Footwear always provides a little dilemma when abroad I find. For smart occasions I want to wear beautiful shoes but my feet just get so uncomfortable. For a style that is both smart and comfortable, why not consider beautiful floral sandals similar to these from Office? They will stay comfy in the heat all day and allow feet to breathe, whilst still being fitting for the event.

7. To follow on from the theme of travel at your reception, you can make good use of luggage tags or labels as place settings. If you only have a small party of guests, you could even get them specially personalised as an extra touch.

8. The cake is another part of the day that can be problematic to plan from the UK but by rule you should remember that you will not need a large cake because you are likely to have less guests at a destination wedding, and people also have suppressed appetites in hotter weather. It would be wise not to choose a chocolate decorated cake unless you are sure it will be kept in a well air conditioned room until being served and over all. As a different option, why not try a local bakery on your pre-wedding trip to the area and ask them to provide individual cakes or pastries for the wedding.

So there we have a beautiful destination wedding. I hope you enjoyed this one because I loved putting it together.

I'll be back later with some photos of the lovely girls day out I had with my friend Kassi today and what I bought.

Annie x

The Weekly Wedding Fix #8

Hello lovelies,
Its that time of the week again so here we are for another Weekly Wedding Fix. This week in feeling the lovely spring vibes so I've put together a soft yellow wedding theme for you. Enjoy :)

1. A soft colour theme allows you to choose a pretty, delecate wedding dress. This fishtail gown with a lace overlay would look so pretty with any light clour theme and the fishtail adds a touch of fashionista edge.

2. Yellow is a very feminine, fresh colour but you need to be careful when choosing the style of dress as pale yellow is very easily made frumpy by an unflattering cut. This little dress from Forever 21 has a young looking, figure hugging cut.

3. Small scented candles make a sweet favour for your guests. If you were to burn the same scented candles during your wedding reception, the scent would also remind guests of your happy day.

4. Yellow is a tricky colour to pair up exactly, so instead of choosing yellow shoes for you and your bridesmaids, opt for either white or cream to match the wedding gown. These classic white courts from Office are perfect.

5. I love simple bouquets and I think that a pretty yellow bouquet of tulips tied simply with white ribbon would look stunning. And as they are a brighter shade than the other, softer shades of yellow, they will also stand out proudly.

6. Nature is beautiful. Bring it into your wedding theme with lemon name cards. They will look lovely and fresh sat on the table and guests can take them home after the event if they wish, if not, you can make use of them yourself.

7. The obvious choice of drink for this yellow themed wedding is freshly made lemonade. But because I can't resist a good cocktail, here is the recipe for spiked lemonade which tastes wonderful and is lovely and refreshing on a hot day.

8. With a lightly coloured wedding theme, it is possible to coat the cake with icing in a shade of the chosen theme colour. This yellow wedding cake shows this perfectly. The over all effect is sweet, tasteful and not over the top. Just be careful to go for a very light shade.

And there we have it, a pretty, light yellow wedding theme. I really like this one personally, especially the pretty cake and classic shoes. What do you think?

Annie x

Weekly Wedding fix #7

Hello,

Its time again for the Weekly Wedding Fix, and this week we have a pretty new header.

I'm sorry I'm posting this a day late. I travelled over to Canterbury from Bath yesterday and got here all worn out so went for a 30 minute nap which turned into me waking up at almost 10pm having fallen asleep at around 7 :S Oops!

Anyways, this week I have put together a pretty red wedding theme for you.

1. The obvious choice for a red bouquet is romantic red roses, but I think that this poppy bouquet makes a beautiful, less predictable arrangement. The slightly softer colour and visual appearance of the poppies also makes it a perfect choice for a less formal wedding.

2. This red Coast dress is a rather expensive choice for bridesmaids but the colour, style and length are wonderful. I often feel that full length bridesmaid dresses look a little too formal but the ruffles and edgy sweetheart style neckline counteract this and make it a beautiful and stylish choice.

3. This stylish cake offers an alternative to the traditional tiered cake decorated with royal icing and ribbons. Using small gemstones to add decoration to the cake is a lovely idea but you must remember that whoever is in charge of distributing the cake is aware that they are not edible and must be removed before being served. Alternatively, you could use edible silver balls to stud the cake and avoid the issue of removal afterwards.

4. I spotted these shoes at the weekend in Ted Baker and instantly fell in love. The photo does them no justice, they really are breathtaking. They are the perfect way to add a little glitz to your outfit. Think how lovely they would look amongst the white or ivy of a wedding dress for a fun and edgy alternative.

5. This eye catching cocktail is a Blood Orange Margarita. The beautiful red colour comes from the orange and would look wonderful against white table linen and crockery. The recipe is incredibly simple and sounds totally delicious.

6. With a red theme, it is very easy to go over the top when decorating tables. Instead of going all out and using red tablecloths, glassware, crockery and napkins and giving a complete over kill. Instead keep it light and use all white and just use a simple red floral arrangement as a centre piece and add small injections of colour such as a red napkin ring or red place settings. This cork name holder uses a simple red ribbon to add colour.

7. These sweet little heart shaped boxes filled with red chocolate treats will look beautiful on the table and also use the idea of just using very small amounts of the theme colour to create a light and pretty look.

8. Last but not least, is this beautiful wedding gown from Ian Stuart, my very favourite wedding dress designer. The Swan Lake inspired gown boasts layers of delicate tulle frills and graduates from a knee length skirt into a floor length train at the back. I think the soft, slightly unusual look of this gown works perfectly with this theme.

I hope you like this week's red theme, I had great fun putting it together, and I'm very sorry it's up a day later than planned.

Annie x
PS. Today is the last day to enter my first giveaway and win some pretty handmade gifts as well as a bonus secret beauty prize.

Weekly Wedding Fix #6

Hello again,
How is everybody this evening? I'm  feeling pretty good after having some lovely dinner, moisturising my hands with The Righteous Butter (everyone needs some, seriously!) and looking forward to a girly catch up and shopping trip tomorrow with one of my best friends, Kaii.

This week I've been feeling a little old school so I've put together An Old School Glamour themed board for you. Enjoy :)

1. A glamourous wedding allows for a show stopping dress. I was so excited when I discovered this gown in Yolan Cris' 2011 collection. The 1920's inspired design is perfect for an old school glamour wedding as well as accentuating your curves beautifully.

2. A soft pink is a good choice for bridesmaids as it is a classically feminine yet glamourous colour (think Audrey Hepburn).  I chose this full length dress as the gleam of the rose coloured fabric flatters the figure and the length of the dress is more formal than a shorter style.

3. Cream shoes are nearly always a safe choice for your girls, no matter what the theme of the day, as they are neutral, do not divert attention and can be worn again and again after the big day. This pair from Office do all of the above, yet they also follow the theme with their vintage look t-bar buckle strap. The heel may look a little chunky but it does allow for photographs on grassy areas with no damage to the heels.

4. I love everything about these bottle stopper favours from the vintage style packaging to the shine of the chrome. These provide a practical gift for guests that will not lie in a cupboard forgotten about. And there is something about shiny chrome goods that are oh so glamourous.

5. These beautifully simple place settings are perfect for an old school glamour wedding. Use lightly coloured vintage china and decorate with an ornate napkin ring and a single road for a stylish, formal effect.

6. With your bouquet, I feel that in this case, less can be more. A small, tight bouquet made up of one type of flower can look just as beautiful as a large, cascading one. This Lily of the Valley bouquet is small and sweet and as a little bonus, will smell wonderful as well. Lily of the Valley is an expensive choice but I think the look it gives is worth the money spent.

7. Again, less is more in the world of glamourous wedding cakes. Instead of going over the top with an elaborate design, why not stick to a classic white design and use white ribbon to decorate. Vintage brooches also make beautiful accent decorations.

8. You cannot have a classically glamourous wedding without a classically glamourous cocktail. For me, the only option here had to be a dry martini as you can't get much more classic than that. Even just holding a martini glass makes you look the part (think Pierce Brosnan as James Bond)

And there we have it, the ingredients for a beautiful old school glamourous wedding.

Don't forget to check back tomorrow for details on how to take part in my first giveaway as well as a few other exciting things.
Annie x

Weekly Wedding Fix #5

Hello,
I've spent most of today travelling once again between Bath and Canterbury and this evening I'm relaxing with Daniel and our friend with a takeaway and a few glasses of Malibu and lemonade :)

This week I've put together a pretty golden wedding for you.

1.This beautiful dress from Phase Eight is a romantic yet sleek, understated design, and I think it would be the perfect choice for a golden wedding. The simple design allows the gold detailing to make a big impression and would look wonderful teamed with a boho inspired hairstyle.

2. Light gold is a sweet choice for the bridesmaid dresses which also have detailing in the fabric adding a pretty touch to the simple cut of the dress along with a touch of glamour. Darker gold dresses tend to be unflattering on certain skin tones so be careful when picking out your colour.

3. What girl can resist a pair of glittered up shoes? This light gold pair from Kurt Geiger are the perfect shade for this theme and they're currently in the sale. The across foot strap also makes them a comfier choice to party the night away in.

4. Elephants are considered to be very lucky in many cultures and this Lucky Elephant bookmark provides a lovely reminder for your guests of your big day whilst also showing them that you wish them well in the future. And lets face it, they're incredibly cute too!

5. Peonies are a traditional wedding favourite, and lets face it, they're beautiful. I love that this bouquet pairs the beautiful light peonies with fresh green buds which instantly lifts the whole display. A bunch of white roses would also be a romantic choice.

6. A gold theme allows you to go all out when it comes to extravagant decorations and this gold embellished cake shows that although too much gold can seem tacky, if you get the balance just right you can create a stunning effect that will wow your guests.

7. Charger plates are a beautiful way to carry your colour theme onto your tables. They add depth and visual interest to the table as well as making the overall effect more impressive. I really like the shining gold pattern on the crockery used here.

8. Believe it or not, this gentle peach cocktail is a take on the traditional Spanish drink, sangria. Made using peaches and vanilla beans it has a much softer, summery flavour and would be a lovely choice for a summertime wedding. 

And there we are for another week. I hope this post has given you some inspiration and that you're now ready to start planning your beautiful golden wedding day.

Annie x

The Weekly Wedding Fix #3

Hello,
Its time for the weekly takeover from Sugar and Spice for the Weekly Wedding Fix.
Last week I was asked for some help with finding the right bridesmaid dress for a purple themed wedding so I thought it would be the perfect time to do a purple themed mood board.

1. This dress by Benjamin Roberts is a feminine choice. In my personal opinion, a lighter shade of purple is more fitting than a dark shade for a wedding as it is fresher and more romantic. This lace dress really suits a light theme as it is very soft and dainty.

2. Rather than going over the top with purple table clothes at the wedding reception, a more gentle way to bring the theme to the table is with the use of crockery either with a purple pattern, like in the image above, or alternatively you could use purple glasses or purple charger plates. (I'm very sorry but I forgot to save the source of this image, if you know where it is from then let me know, thanks!)

3. It can prove difficult to match bridesmaid shoes to the colour of their dresses so why not opt for shoes in a complementary colour? I love the look of gold shoes with a purple dress. Similarly silver or nude shoes would look just as charming.

4. Purple is a fairly difficult colour to wear, but the rule is that the darker the shade of the dress, the better it would suit a darker complexion. Those with fair skin should wear a light dress if possible or if you have your heart set on a darker tone then maybe you could treat your bridesmaids to a spray tan to give their complexion a sun-kissed glow that would work well with a darker dress. Purple dresses also work best in shorter lengths so keep your eye out for a knee length number.

5. How cute are these little purple chocolate lollipops? They are the perfect token gift to your guests and could also double up as place settings with a label affixed to their stick.

6. Purple bouquets can be stunning. I think they are at their best when left looking a little wild. Building in several different varieties of flower as well as a selection of shades can work well if assembled in a wild way. It is also a good idea to break the colour up with white flowers and greenery.

7. A purple wedding cake would most likely look a little over kill, especially at an elegant wedding, so instead, a good choice would to be to opt for a white cake and then decorate this with touches of your chosen shade. This could be done with ribbon or, like above, using purple flowers matching the floral arrangements.

8. There is a lot of scope with a purple wedding theme to develop a gorgeous looking and tasting feature cocktail. Purple Rain is a classic cocktail that tastes great and has a fantastic flavour. You may want to consider the risk involved reguarding stained clothes at the hands of a spillage however!

Well there we have it for this week. I hope I have given you some inspiration for your beautiful, purple themed wedding. If you have any advice for other readers then please comment, I'd love to hear from you :)

If you would like to visit Sugar and Spice to see all of the other great inspiration on offer there then simply click *here*

Annie x

Sugar and Spice

Hello,
Some time ago now, I set up my other blog, Sugar and Spice.
When I got into writing Three Little Buhos so whole heartedly, it's sad to say that Sugar and Spice fell rather into disuse with no new posts for months.
I've now decided it's time to resurrect this other blog and fully utilise Sugar and Spice, posting regularly about all things wedding. I will share useful links, inspirational mood boards, give advice on finding the perfect suppliers for you, featuring some of my favourite wedding sites and suppliers, giving tips on DIY projects for your big day and of course posting lots of photos to give you all the inspiration you need to create the perfect day :)
If you're interested in following, then you can find Sugar and Spice *here*.
Annie x

The Weekly Wedding Fix #1

Welcome to the first installment of The Weekly Wedding Fix!
This week's board is inspiration for all of the couples out there planning their wedding on a small budget. You can still have that beautiful wedding you always wanted without it costing the world.

1. A beautiful wedding dress need not cost the world. There are many online bridal shops offering great prices for the same dresses that you would find in a boutique. This lovely dress from The Online Gown Shop costs just £139.16 and you will more than save the money that you may need to spend altering the size by buying this way.

2. Much like the bridal gown, cute bridesmaid's dresses can be found very cheaply if you look in the right places. This red dress was found for just £18.99 in the New Look sale. Searching for bridesmaid dresses in high street shop sales is a great way to find dresses that your girls love for a price that isn't daunting.

3. The perfect pair of shoes complete an outfit, but a good pair of heels can prove very expensive, even from high street stores. For a good deal on your favourite branded shoes, why not pay Ebay's Fashion Outlet a visit. Retailers sell off sale and clearance stock here so you can find some truly great bargains this way.

4. Bouquets look beautiful, not matter how simple or elaborate. The cost of flowers can be kept very low by building a simple hand tied bouquet yourself. This reduces the cost to a small bunch of seasonal flowers and any decoration you may wish to add.

5. Everyone expects a cake at a wedding, yet a high quality, beautifully iced cake can cost hundreds of pounds from some suppliers. A much more purse friendly solution is to have a tea party style cake display of homemade offerings. Friends and family will quite likely be more than happy to provide a cake or two, you could even make a day of it, inviting your girls over to have a baking day.

6. Favours, although by no means an essential part of the day, provide guests with a little token to take home from your wedding. Here, if you have the time, you can save lots of money by creating your own. Traditionally sugared almonds are the gift of choice but for a more modern option why not create little homemade treats like these chocolate dipped pretzels for your guests to enjoy.

7. Weddings are a time for celebration, and many people like to indulge in an alcoholic drink to do so. Large jugs or jars containing pre-made cocktails can prove to be very successful, and can also work out cheaper to provide. How about Pimms for a simple and classic cocktail? One bottle of Pimms will stretch a long way when diluted into the classic fruity drink.

8. If a seating plan is in use, then place settings are a necessity. Even the cheapest ready made settings can add up when the number of guests is high. Instead, how about using simple luggage labels tags which can be decorated using stamps or freehand drawings to any design you want.

So there we are, 8 ways to help stretch a small budget and yet still have the beautiful wedding that you dreamt of. I hope I gave you some help :) 

Annie x

Happy Halloween from a Happy Lady!

Hello,
Happy halloween! Hope everyone is channeling the spooky vibes! What you you planning to do on this creepy eve?
I have had an amazing weekend full of wedding related fun. The engagement party on Saturday was an amazing success and everyone had a lovely time especially the fiancee and myself who were made to feel like absolute royalty on our special night by all of our favourite people :)
One particular hit of the evening was the DIY cocktail table that we arranged. We set up all of the ingredients and a recipe for three different favourite cocktails and encouraged guests to make their own drinks and fill them with umbrellas, straws and other fun accessories. Everyone fast became experts of course :P I would definitely recommend this idea for any grown up party, it was huge amounts of fun and really helped people get into the party mood :)
I haven't had a chance to upload the photos yet but I will be sure to share any particularly good/awful/ embarrassing snaps when I do :)
Toodles, Annie x

A Lovely Sunny Sunday ♥

Hello!
Today has been a lovely hot, sunny day here in Somerset and provided the perfect backdrop for a day of happy things.
This morning I visited a wedding fair in Homewood Park, a beautiful house surrounded by amazingly pretty gardens. It is the perfect place for a fairy-tale wedding and looked lovely in the sun. We were plied with free bucks fizz and met lots of local suppliers selling a wide range of things including a lady who designs bespoke dresses for brides for incredibly affordable prices and a four piece jazz band who's music suited the venue perfectly. I came away with loadssss of information and business cards ready to share with future clients :)

This afternoon provided another fun experience as I visited the Bath V & A Antiques sale in Green Park. It was amazing and I was like a child in a sweet shop surrounded by all sorts of beautiful, vintage furniture, clothing and jewellery. So it's no surprise that I came away with a big bag of goodies including two pretty scarves, a pashmina, four cute ice cream glasses and a purdyyy teal nibbles dish. Soooo happy :)

I will be visiting again next month for sure! And I would hugely recommend the market to any other person who likes antique and vintage items. It takes place every last Sunday of the month in the Green Park Market here in Bath :)
I'm off now for Sunday dinner with the OH's family.
Toodles,
Annie x