Archive for the ‘Fitness’ Category
15 Beauty Tips Every Bride Should Know – Part 3
Thursday, May 3rd, 2012Today we finish up our list of excellent tips for the newly engaged bride-to-be who may need guidance in creating a schedule of services and routines prior to her wedding. Most of these tips are fairly simple and have both a low and high end option for achieving the desired effect.
Who knew inexpensive things like vaseline, avocados and olive oil could prove to be such valuable beauty tools in your arsenal? Let us know how some of these tips worked out for you.
11. Focus on Your Lips
Take care of your lips each night by applying a generous coat of lip balm or Vaseline. “Gently rub it over your lips in a circular motion with a wet washcloth,” says makeup artist Mally Roncal. This will exfoliate and soften your lips at the same time. Go for a glossy lip on your wedding day. A matte lipstick will look classic but may not hold as long, and could crack and wear down. Put a gloss over your lipstick to cover up those imperfections.
Want to splurge? Some salons offer special lip treatments that focus on exfoliating, moisturizing and energizing your lips!
12. Get Longer Lashes
If you weren’t blessed with long lashes, consider trying false ones. Don’t want to look overdone? Get a softer, more romantic look by applying half lashes in the outer corners of your eyes. Longer lashes will enhance the shape of your eyes and focus all attention on you. Don’t want runny mascara on your wedding day? Try this: Apply your favorite mascara, and curl your lashes. Then apply a top coat of some waterproof mascara. This will give you beautifully curled lashes without the heavy feeling that many waterproof products have.
Want to splurge? Get semipermanent lash extensions at a salon. Extensions eliminate the need for mascara, which can actually lead to healthier eyes and lashes. They also last much longer than at-home kits. Applications stay on until they fall out naturally (you’ll have to get touch-ups every two to three weeks).
13. Get Smooth Skin
Have a tough-to-treat spot like dry elbows? A good body scrub in the shower will get rid of dead skin. Then, moisturize with a good almond butter or shea butter lotion. Wrap your elbows in a cloth and keep the moisturizer on for about an hour.
Want to splurge? Get a full-body scrub at a salon for allover smooth skin. Go for a sugar scrub for a soft and sweet-smelling finish.
14. Have a Hair Plan
Work with your hairstylist to map out your hair care plan of attack. Try an at-home treatment with your favorite conditioner and mashed-up avocado. The creaminess of the avocado will increase your hair’s silkiness. Start doing weekly treatments months before your wedding if you can. For an extra-glossy finish, look for shampoos and conditioners infused with olive oil. The oil helps tone down frizz and boost shine.
Want to splurge? Go to your salon and have your stylist give you a customized conditioning treatment for your hair type. For example, curly hair needs more moisture than straight hair. Your stylist will treat your hair type accordingly.
15. Plan Hair Removal
That little peach fuzz just above your upper lip may not seem like a big deal in your everyday life, but you don’t want it showing up in wedding photos. Start getting monthly waxes for best results. Not into the pain? Salons now offer special waxes like chocolate wax and sugaring (a sugar paste), which are great if you’re looking to walk out of the salon without too many sore spots.
Want to splurge? Get ready for your honeymoon by booking laser hair removal appointments in one month intervals (three treatments are recommended for best results). After around seven treatments, the results can be permanent.
For a complete listing of our beauty professionals, visit saweddings.com or austinweddings.com.
* Tips provided from The Knot
Posted in Advice, Beauty, Fitness, Planning | No Comments »
15 Beauty Tips Every Bride Should Know – Part 2
Wednesday, May 2nd, 2012Today we look at the next, in a series, of tips for newly engaged brides. The idea is to get a jump start on a beauty regime that will become so second nature that it won’t seem so overwhelming by the time your wedding gets close.
Make sure to let us know if any of these tips are helpful, or if there are any others you would add to a brides arsenal of pre-preparation tasks.
6. Work Out Regularly
We know it’s an obvious one…work out on a regular basis. “Working out will help tighten and firm your body while also detoxing your skin,” Kashuk says. A good workout gives you a boost of energy, helps you lose weight and makes you feel happier (hello, endorphins!).
Want to splurge? Join a gym. You won’t have the weather to use as an excuse, and you’ll have all the equipment right there. Plus, working out with other people is always a huge motivation.
7. Lift Weights
Add weights to your workout routine. That age-old myth that you’ll bulk up is false! Some simple dumbbells will make all the difference between toned arms and that little bit of arm fat that’s so hard to shake. Try a trainer-approved exercise like a seated dumbbell press.
Want to splurge? Pick a personal trainer over a workout video. Your trainer will customize the session to your needs and change up your workout every time.
8. Have a Day-Of Bag
Whether it’s flyaway hairs or fall-off fake lashes, you should make sure you have an arsenal of bridal beauty fixers on hand the day-of; this means being prepared for any scenario. Start adding items as you begin to work out the details of your wedding, as well as during your makeup trials. You should have a plan of attack with your makeup artist should they not be there in a moment of need!
Want to splurge? If you don’t have the time to pull it all together, you can buy premade kits. Our personal fave is The Knot Wedding Shop Bridessentials Survival Kit, complete with hair spray, clear nail polish, deodorant and all those things you haven’t thought of.
9. Have Your Brows Shaped
If you do your own tweezing, take this opportunity to splurge on brow shaping. The pros at salons will follow your advice, as well as offer suggestions for the best brow shape according to your face. Waxing is a popular option. Threading uses a cotton thread rolled along your skin to catch hairs. The process is quick and more precise than waxing (also, if you’re on antibiotics or skin medications, threading is the safe way to go). Start shaping appointments six months out, waiting three to four weeks between sessions. Schedule your last shaping a month before the wedding in case you need to grow out any areas.
Want to splurge? See a brow specialist — “someone specializing in the care and maintenance of your eyebrows,” says Kashuk. They’ll know best for your brow line.
10. Do a Makeup Test Run
Besides your hair trial, you should also schedule a makeup trial. Have a trial at least three months before the wedding. This is where you’ll fine-tune your look with your makeup artist so that you know exactly how you’ll look the day-of.
Want to splurge? Hire your photographer to take photos of you after you’ve had your makeup done (or schedule your makeup trial the same day as your engagement photo session). This run-through will ensure you know how you look in multiple lights for your wedding photos. If your makeup looks too harsh or too subtle, have your makeup artist experiment and repeat.
Don’t forget to check back with us tomorrow for the final installent of pre-wedding preparation tips. And for a complete listing of beauty professionals, visit saweddings.com or austinweddings.com for contact and location information on our amazing wedding professionals.
* Tips provided from The Knot
Tags: Beauty, fitness, makeup, wedding preparationsPosted in Advice, Beauty, Fitness | No Comments »
15 Beauty Tips Every Bride Should Know – Part 1
Tuesday, May 1st, 2012Over the next few days we will be sharing information we located from The Knot. Today, enjoy part one of our hot tips for brides to jump start their beauty regime way before their wedding day.
So you’re engaged — that means it’s time to step up your daily beauty routine. We’ve talked to the pros, and we’re arming you with the tools for looking your best before, during and after your wedding.
1. Schedule Weekly Manicures
Face it: As soon as you got engaged, everyone was asking to see the ring. Keep those nails and hands primed and pretty with regular weekly manicures. This is your chance to experiment with colors (pretty mauves and pinks) and get to know your manicurist. When you get your nails done, look at your nail bed. Shape your nails to match, giving your hands and nails a balanced and elegant look.
Want to splurge? Shellac manicures use UV technology for a harder and smoother finished nail. They’re a bit pricier but can last up to twice as long as a traditional manicure!
2. Go for the Bronze
Sun-kissed skin will give you a natural, healthy glow. Use a gradual self-tanner like Jergens Natural Glow moisturizer. The pros at Brazil Bronze Glow Bar in NYC say brides should get a spray tan a few days before their wedding for a beautiful glow (this leaves enough time to fix any trouble spots and let the color calm down). A one-time tan will give you just enough bronze for a sun-touched look in your photos. Whatever you do, don’t use a tanning bed or go out in the sun without sunblock.
Want to splurge? Some tanning salons like Brazil Bronze Glow Bar make house calls.
3. Whiten Your Teeth
You want pearly whites for all those beautiful pictures you’ll be posing for (but we also know how crucial coffee is right now with all the planning). Most toothpastes have whitening ingredients in them, but for faster results, choose a special whitening one. White strips are also a great option.
Want to splurge? Get your teeth professionally whitened. However, makeup artist Sonia Kashuk says, “Don’t go overboard. Anything that looks too artificial becomes too prominent in a picture.” Get a professional whitening six months out so your teeth aren’t too brilliant the day-of. Beware, though: Teeth whitening wears down your enamel, making your teeth more sensitive to hot and cold, so don’t overdo it!
4. Get a Smooth Face
A primer is a great place to start. Use it daily. It provides a smooth surface for foundation to adhere to all day. Or try a hydrating facial serum. Apply it daily before your makeup for softer and smoother skin.
Want to splurge? At least three months out from your wedding, start planning monthly facials. Facials boost your skin’s health, meaning it will look clearer and brighter! We’re loving blueberry soy facials — the antioxidants in the blueberries help firm your skin and naturally exfoliate at the same time.
5. Eat Healthier
If you can bear it, try staying away from sugar, lots of sodium and processed foods. These all lead to belly fat and bloating. Instead, focus on green vegetables, fruit and lots of water — all great for staving off food cravings and clearing up your skin. Watch out for carbs as well, especially fried foods (that means no French fries!). Stay away from too much booze — alcohol makes your skin puffy and dry (not to mention, you crave more snacks and junk food when you’re buzzed).
Want to splurge? Sign up for meal plans that deliver healthy meals right to your door every morning like the Zone (ZoneDiet.com) and The Fresh Diet (TheFreshDiet.com). Or, hire a nutritionist to get you on the right diet track!
Make sure and check back tomorrow for the next installment of beauty “jump starts.” And for a complete listing of beauty professionals, visit saweddings.com or austinweddings.com for contact and location information on our amazing wedding professionals.
Tags: Beauty, fitness, pre-wedding beauty, wedding fitnessPosted in Advice, Beauty, Fitness | No Comments »
No Guilt Turkey Day
Tuesday, November 22nd, 2011
Depending on when your wedding is, you might be feeling the pressure to not over indulge this holiday season. Well rather than deprive yourself of any normal size servings or whip out a scale on the dining room table to measure the perfect 4 ounces, maybe this timely event could be an option for brides and their bridal party.
Trim the Turkey Boot Camp
When: Thursday, November 24th, 2011, beginning at 9:00 a.m.
Where:B3 Body Sculpting and X-Train Fitness Community
917 W. Anderson Ln.
Austin, TX 78757
RSVP: Barron
(512) 789-4268 or
barronkj@gmail.com
B3 Body Sculpting and X-Train Fitness Community would like to invite you to be their guest at their THANKSGIVING DAY BOOT CAMP!
B3 Body Sculpting and X-Train burn up to 800 calories before you indulge in your Thanksgiving feast. The workout will leave you feeling great and help fight the holiday weight gain.
The cost is just $10 (or $15 for two) and boot camp will begin at 9:00 a.m. — leaving you plenty of time to get home to prepare for your meal.
We’re dying know how awesome this boot camp is, so if you go, drop us a line on our comment section and tell us if you would recommend this to others.
Tags: Beauty, fitness, health, planningPosted in Articles, Beauty, Bridal Events, Fitness, Planning | No Comments »
An Education in Tanning
Thursday, October 27th, 2011 Submitted by Beach Ready Tan
We at Beach Ready Tan get asked about spray tans all the time. Should I get one? Should I stay pasty white? I say do it. They look great if done properly and make you feel amazing.
Spray tanning started to kick off about 8 years ago, in that time the color has gone from green/orange to the beautiful bronze that some companies have now. The reason we say some, is that some companies are not making the investment in the higher tech solutions. Due to that, the results are still giving some people bad experience with an orange tint and not the brown they desire.
Stay away from systems like the mystic and “automatic” type sprays. Most of the automotive systems our now free to buy solutions anywhere and from anyone. That means…cheaper solutions and watered down. Also be careful with companies that advertise 100% all organic solutions. There really is No such thing as 100% all organic, as these products would have a very timely shelf life and no one could afford it. There are solutions out there that are, 100% paraben free, “natural” and have 100% organic DHA. But even these products have a very small amount of alcohol to assist the product flow through the system.
We use Bronze Glow; this is amazing. It has a brown undertone, not a golden/orange under tone. Golden under tone is good on some skin types but not all and could leave you with a orange tone. However, the Bronzed Glow solution with its brown undertone, will leave any skin tone with a rich bronze beach like tan.
I highly recommend to get a trial done first, and make sure the same person will spraying you on your next session.. Be sure and schedule that same 
person for your wedding day session to obtain the exact same look. All though, each sunless specialist are all trained similar, they all develop their own technique, just as hair and makeup artists do.
Exfoliate before hand. This is best done the night before. Cover yourself with a highly moisturizing cream (especially your knees, elbows and ankles) this allows you skin to become evenly hydrated. The biggest mistake people make is that they exfoliate too harshly with salt, sugar scrubs, mitts or loofah these materials may be too harsh. DHA, the active ingredient that gives you your sunless tan interacts with dead skin cells, so if you exfoliate too harshly your spray tan might turn out splotchy. You only want to remove loose dead skin cells. I recommend you shower lightly with a wash cloth or gentle loofah
Do not wear a bra after you tan. Bronzed Glow can be washed after 2-4 hrs, that is why we love it so much. Find a top or loose dress that will not cause lines. Plan your time after your tan so the “no bra thing” will not be an issue. Use loose clothes in dark colors, and cotton is best.
Call Beach Ready Tan today for your $30.00 trial session at our Lakeway Studio location. Party packages are available and our sunless specialist will come to your location. 5 or more guest the host is FREE.
Tags: tan, tanning, wedding tanningPosted in Articles, Fitness, General info. | No Comments »
