WEDDING GUIDE 2016 | BEAUTY Q&A

date posted: April 08, 2016

BEAUTY Q&A with Courtney Benedetti from Brides by Benedetti

The biggest day of your life is approaching, so naturally you want to look your absolute best.In order to do so, it’s essential that you communicate well with your chosen beautician and ask them any important questions you may have.Here are a few questions we asked Courtney from Brides by Benedetti.

Q: WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE HAIRSTYLE ON A BRIDE?

A: MY FAVORITE TYPE OF LOOK RIGHT NOW IS EFFORTLESSLY ROMANTIC.
That means hair can be down and softly curled or in a swept back updo. I love when the hair doesn’t look too stiff or too sprayed.

Q: BRAIDS ARE A BIG THING RIGHT NOW. Do you worry that brides are going to look back at photos in ten years and wish they hadn’t gone so trendy?

A: I LOVE THE LOOK OF BRAIDS — I wear my hair in a braid all the time—but, unless a bride is really going with an ethereal look, I would try to avoid them. While a hairstyle should reflect however the bride feels most beautiful, it also needs to match the overall wedding style. For instance, a braid looks incredible for an outdoor garden wedding paired with a romantic lace dress but wouldn’t be the right look for a big ballroom affair and a structured satin dress. My recommendation is to have fun with the style the night before if you want to be a little trendy and stay classic for the wedding day.

Q: DO YOU USUALLY RECOMMEND EXTENSIONS?

A: I TEND TO PREFER AN EFFORTLESS LOOK, but I do love to use clip-in extensions to help enhance. Extensions are great to use in updos, as they allow people with short or fine hair to have much more volume—and no one will ever even know. Clip-in extensions are also great when you wear your hair down, as they add volume and thickness that will last all night.

Q: VEIL, OR NO VEIL?

A: I DIDN’T WEAR ONE WHEN I GOT MARRIED, AND I REGRET IT! I am a sucker for the timeless veil-flowing-in-the-wind photo, so I always encourage brides to wear one. I will say that veils tend to be pretty rough on hair, so you should try to limit the amount of time with the veil in. Here’s an insider tip: Always spray your veil with static guard before wearing it!

Q: DO ANY OTHER IMPORTANT WEDDING DAY TIPS COME TO MIND?

A: YES, LOTS...

LIMIT THE AMOUNT OF PEOPLE S TOPPING BY DURING HAIR AND MAKEUP PREPARATIONS — too many bodies and too many opinions. I’ve found it best to just stay surrounded by your bridal party and see everyone else at cocktail hour!

• PHOTOS BEFORE THE CEREMONY ARE BECOMING THE NORM NOW. Make sure to pick a special spot for the first look and consider saving your veil for the ceremony. The veil is the final bridal touch, and it’s nice to save that for your walk down the aisle and a few special photo ops.

• IF YOUR HAIR IS OMBRE’D AND YOU PLAN TO WEAR IT UP, you should really consider blending some highlights to your roots. Your bun could look like a clip-on if it’s a lot blonder than the rest of your hair!

• MAKE SURE TO BRING YOUR USUAL PRODUCTS, like shampoo, conditioner, and moisturizer, if you are staying at a hotel the night before. I’ve had to deal with some tangly and staticy emergencies due to hotel shampoo!

makeup

When it comes to bridal makeup and hair, there is a fine line between too little and too much. It can be tricky. Your style should make you stand out and look your best, but it should also seem effortless. A beautician can help you

figure it all out.Be sure to review beautician portfolios before you book an appointment, keeping your eye open for ones filled with styles similar to what you want for your big day. Once you’ve chosen one or two stylists, take them for test-runs.

This will help you make sure they can deliver, and it will also help you make certain whether you actually like the way your chosen style looks on you. Arrive to your trial appointment with pictures so the artist can do his or

her best to recreate your chosen look. Also bring any hair accessories or specific makeup you are considering wearing on your wedding day, and wear a shirt similar in color to your dress so you can see what the final result will look like.

BLOOM SALON & MAKEUP BAR Voorheesville, 518- 655-0043, bloomsalonandmakeupbar.com

Bloom Salon & Makeup Bar is an eco-friendly business focused on creating the perfect look for your wedding day. Bloom has worked on a wide variety of bridal looks, ranging from natural and glowing to glamorous and dramatic. They believe in creating individual looks as unique as each bride while keeping styles timeless and flawless. For more information and inspiration, check out their Instagram @bloommakeupbar.

BRIDES BY BENEDETTI Hudson Valley, bridesbybenedetti.com

Courtney Benedetti brings her classic romantic styles from Manhattan’s cityscape to upstate New York’s lush scenery. From extravagant affairs on the Italian Riviera to simple backyard gatherings, Courtney has been making brides beautiful for over a decade in all types of settings. She currently hones her craft as the head of the hair department on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, adding to her diverse experience in both television and print.

GIANNETTA SALON & SPA Beacon, 845-831-2421, giannettasalonandspa.com

Giannetta Salon & Spa offers complete beauty solutions for the bride, groom, and wedding party. Services range from high-definition airbrush and traditional makeup to manicures, pedicures, waxing, and flawless bridal updos and blowouts. They also offer spa packages including massages, facials, body wraps, scrubs, and muds. All services include a signature homemade apple banana bread, fresh fruit, and orange juice.

LA TUA BELLA BEAUTY BAR Rhinebeck, 845-876-2826, latuabella.com

La Tua Bella is thrilled to be part of your big day, offering in-store services and on-site packages to meet your every need in addition to a top bridal makeup and hair stylist for the day of your wedding. Relax, unwind, grab a bottle of Champagne, and let them take care of you. They also offer pre-wedding prep packages including facials, massages, oxygen-infusion treatments, and eyelash extensions.

LAV BEAUTY Ulster Park, 845-339-3368, lavbeauty.com

LaV Beauty offers on-site makeup application featuring LaV products and can also provide you with a full team on-location for makeup artistry and hair design. A lifelong artist and designer, Karen’s experience working with photographers and stylists will put your mind at ease. Whether you desire a natural glow or a more glamorous touch, LaV will give you a perfect look for your wedding day.

RAGE HAIR SALON Kingston, 845-331-2211

Mike and Joe are the two fashion-forward geniuses behind Rage Salon. These long-time pros have a professional, sophisticated style complimented by their fun and witty personalities. Rage is a guaranteed spot to achieve your dream hair style for the big day. Not just a service, visiting Rage is a friendly, chic experience that leaves you feeling confident and excited to walk down the aisle.