Indian Bridal Makeup Artist

Modern Indian Bridal Makeup Tips from Khush Singh

2012-04-18T11:53:00.000-04:00

A wedding day is an auspicious and important day in the life of every bride and it is natural for each one to want to look their fabulous best, yet retain some of their inherent everyday charm.

Use a professional makeup artist if possible. Have a pre-wedding consultation so your makeup artist already knows what you want.

Working with The Indian Bridal Makeup Artist (Hopefully Khush ;) can save you quite a bit of time but make sure you collect pictures from magazines to show the makeup artist so he or she can get an idea of the look you're going for. Keep in mind that your wedding is not the time to start experimenting -- stick to an enhanced version of your everyday self.

Schedule trial runs before your prewedding parties or other special events (friends' weddings, class reunions, etc.). Some makeup artists do charge you for these practice sessions -- so find a crowd to wow!

Take a close look at yourself a few hours after a trial makeover to check how the makeup wears on your skin. Does it last or fade away? Note any color changes or allergic reactions.

Have a facial two weeks prior to your wedding. If you’ve not had facials in the past we would recommend you start this process 3-4 months prior to your wedding.

However the below is a makeup tutorial for those who would like to do it on your own - here are the tips:

The makeup should be classy, yet not so overdone as to draw attention away from the rest of you. Splash cold water on your face in the morning to help reduce morning puffiness.

Moisturize:

The first of these Indian bridal makeup tips involves moisturizing. Once the face is clean and free of any excess oil or dirt, apply a sheer layer of moisturizer. This will help to hold the makeup better, and make sure that it lasts longer. You should also apply a layer of oil-based concealer under the eyes, in preparation for any tears that may arrive during or after the ceremony. Allow the makeup and concealer to set for about 20 minutes

Foundation:

Make certain your foundation is an exact match to your skin tone. Use heavy-pigmented cream foundation and layer it with powder foundation to make the skin look smoother. Using your fingertips or a sponge, apply a sheer but even layer of foundation. Check for any lines around your jaw bone.

(Makeup Artists will combine 2 or 3 different foundation colors to match the bride's skin tone perfectly and also possibly combine 2 or 3 different coloured concealers to conceal things like dark circles.)

Apply a matte powder all over your face; using a powder based product, this will ensure skin looks perfect in the photographs. The shine free oil control loose powder, will help control the oil that usually develops around the 'T zone'. This will last long & give it a matte look. Add a little blush; pick a peachy pink color that will look natural on you.

When you’ve applied it, dust on some loose powder to seal it all in.

If your dress has an open neckline, be sure to warm up your neck and chest with a dusting of Bronzing Powder.

Blush:

For a pretty flush that lasts, use two shades of Blush. First, apply a neutral shade on the apples of cheeks, blending up into the hairline, then downwards to soften. Then apply a brighter shade just on the apples of cheeks.

Eyes:

If you have dark brown eyes and want to have a smokey eye effect, then focus on using deeper colors, as these complement the natural color of your eyes. For a more dramatic effect you can use colors that shimmer, but in general deep, rich, matte colors work best for dark brown eyes. Some excellent colors are purple, gray and brown.

For a perfect eye shape, use a small brush to blend a medium tone color from just below the brow arch downwards in a semi-circle motion.

Basic smokeyeye makeup uses two shades of eye shadow, one light and one dark, in order to achieve the dramatic effect. However, using three colors can really enhance the make upon brown eyes, since brown eyes are less dramatic than, say, blue eyes. Do make sure, however, that the shades you select are complementary and do not clash.

Begin by cleaning your eyelids and applying a primer. If you don’t have a primer, you can dab on a light layer of concealer or moisturizer for around the eyes. This will ensure that the makeup is absorbed better and continues to look fresh for much longer. Once you have primed your lids, line both the top and bottom lids with brown or black eye liner. Smudge the line on the bottom lid to make the effect more dramatic.

Once you begin shadowing, you will immediately see the effects of smokey eye makeup for dark eyes. Brush the lighter shadow over the entire lid, up to the brow ridge. Next, gradually blend in the darker shade, starting at the outer corner of the lid.

As you get closer to the eye crease, switch to the other, slightly lighter dark eye shadow. Blend continuously. To finish your makeup, apply a few layers of black mascara to you lashes.

The foremost tip that you must remember before applying Smokey eye makeup for dark brown eyes is to select the right colors. Choose deep, rich tones to complement and enhance the color of your eyes.

End with lining the eyes with kohl, to accentuate the look.

Lash Extensions:

Every Bride wants her eyes to pop on her wedding day. It’s all about the lashes.

The extensions are single strands of synthetic eyelashes that are curved to replicate a natural eyelash. They provide length and thickness to your own lashes and are available in varying lengths and thickness. They are applied to your individual eyelashes, one lash at a time. There is no need for mascara even though a water based mascara is fine to use. The result is thicker, longer, eye opening eyelashes that are safe in the shower, while swimming, sleeping or exercising.

Lipstick:

Use a light to medium lipstick that is long wearing. Choose a lip liner that blends easily with lipstick for that soft glossy look that looks good in photographs too. Start with a pencil lip liner. Apply from the centre and line outward; make sure you have completely outlined your lips. Lip liners help lip color stay longer and also avoid bleeding. Now fill in your lips with a moisturizing lip color, helps keep lips soft and supple and the pick a color that is most striking.

Thin and small lips look more sensuous with light lip colors while fuller lips can use deep shades. Keep the Lipstick handy to freshen up your pout after the kiss. Add some gloss to your lips for a great impact.

Nails:

Go get yourself a manicure & pedicure! It will ensure the hands & feet look duly moisturized. Well polished and shaped nails add spark to the looks of a bride. The color of nail polish should ideally match the wedding dress of the bride. Apply it to your nails in single sweeps. Apply a base coat on the nails because it gives strength to your nails.

Remember:

Place the focus on the face either on eyes or on lip and underplay the other with neutral pink or brown shades.

Neutral and pale lip colors look washed out in photographs, so choose a lipstick that’s one to two shades brighter than what you normally wear. Pinks, roses and plums are great choices for brides.

When applying your makeup wear a button shirt that can be easily removed when its time to dress.

Get plenty of sleep, please!

Don't try anything new on your skin 7-10 days before your wedding. You don't know how your skin will react.

Well-shaped brows can open up your whole face, get them done ten days before the wedding, then two days before get them touched up or pluck the few strays yourself.

Choose a hairstyle that will suit your face shape. Round faces will look good on high ‘up dos’ and sleek long styles while long faces suit styles that have width and volume.

If your wearing sandals then about a month before your wedding start your foot treatment so your feet look as good as the rest of you.

Do not do your own makeup. Have a professional makeup artist do it. Chances are you’ve got a bit of the jitters with all the excitement which could result in you having difficulties doing your own makeu

Khush Singh - Celebrity & Indian Bridal Makeup Artist ...Born with a Brush in her hand...

Pop to your Lips as you walk down the aisle

2012-03-27T19:34:00.000-04:00

This summer you might want to add a little pop to your pucker as you’re walking down the isle. Shake things up a little! After all it is summer and color is everywhere…Hot colors include shades of red, orange reds, and fuchsia. Check out Max Factor Long Wear Lip Color, Cover Girl Long Wear Lip Color, Avon’s Perfect Wear Extralasting Lipstick. These lip colors will stay on long after “You may kiss the bride…”

With a veil like this you can focus all of the attention on your lips and keep your eyes looking soft and subtle. Use Beth Bender’s Get in Line Eye Liner Stencil Kit to help you to achieve this simple eye look in minutes! It’s so easy to use you won’t need to hire a make-up artist. (With the extra money you can splurge on a bigger wedding bouquet.)

Remember girls, keep a journal close by. This way you can document all of your wedding tasks and check them off as you go. I find brides who glue photos of make-up looks they want to recreate for their wedding day into their journal as a reference really handy when they come to me. It made it easier to match colors when we chose lip colours to match the dress, jewelry and look.

<a href="http://khushsingh.com/">Khush Singh - Celebrity & Indian Bridal Makeup Artist</a>

Essential Bridal Makeup tips & Tricks - Asian, Indian & Western notes.

2011-12-21T17:23:00.000-05:00

The eyes are the window to your soul and you want them to look their best on your wedding day. Follow these tips for big, beautiful eyes that shine:

1. Hire a makeup artist

I don’t think there is anything wrong with doing your makeup yourself, but unless you’re knowledgeable about bridal makeup and how looks photograph, it’s best to hire a makeup artist for a wedding. That’s because bridal makeup is different from everyday makeup. On your big day, makeup needs to be waterproof and tear-proof so your face won’t look like a big mess if you shed a few tears. In addition, your makeup should look good both in the flesh and in pictures. A professional makeup artist knows how textures and product turn out in photos and will make sure you won’t look greasy, shiny or bad in them too.

2. Choose the right colors

There are a few things to consider when choosing what eyeshadow colors to wear on your big day. They have to suit your skintone, go well with your dress, bouquet and everything else you chose for your wedding. You also have to feel comfortable in it, but avoid trends or wearing too much makeup. Remember that you will have to look at your wedding pictures for the rest of your life so it doesn’t matter whether a certain look or color is in at the moment, you want to opt for something classy and timeless that will look beautiful in the years to come as well. Simple and natural looks would be best but if you love colorful makeup like me, you can always use some soft pink or gold on your eyes (or you can opt for a bright lipstick instead).

3. Use an eyeshadow primer

An eyeshadow primer is mandatory on your wedding day. You don’t want spend time to make your eyes look beautiful only to find out a few hours later that the eyeshadows have creased, the eyeliner smudged and everything is fading away. Your makeup needs to stay put and perfect for the entire day and a makeup primer will help you achieve just that.

4. Opt for matte instead than shimmer eyeshadows

Even though I adore shimmery eyeshadows and the way they make my eyes sparkles, they aren’t ideal to wear on your wedding. Shimmery eyeshadows, especially those that are very frosty, can look very greasy and shiny in photos. And you don’t want that, do you? Instead opt for matte shades as those are the ones that photograph best. But if you still insist on wearing some shimmer on your eyes, then apply a white or peach eyeshadow with only a hint of shimmer on your browbone to illuminate the eyes and use a matte shade on your crease as this will add more dimension and definition to your eyes. And remember to blend well as any harsh lines or mistakes will be visible in pictures.

5. Black, brown or no eyeliner at all?

If you are going for a very natural, barely-there makeup look, using eyeliner is not an absolute necessity. You’d still look great without and it’s one less thing to retouch if your lids are so oily or the weather’s so hot that even with a primer some fading could occur overtime. If instead you want to add some definition to your eyes or you’ve decided to wear false lashes and need help hiding the lash band, a precise line of black eyeliner will do the trick and, if you don’t go overboard, it can still look very natural. But if you think that’s too much, you can always opt for brown eyeliner, for a softer, more subtle look. But whatever you use, remember to test the eyeliner you’re gonna use on your big day beforehand so you’ll know how well it stands the test of time.

6. Make sure your mascara is waterproof

Start by curling your eyelashes and then apply two generous coats of mascara. Make sure that the mascara you are using is smudgeproof and waterproof so that it won’t travel everywhere on your face and ruin your makeup if you cry or the weather is too hot and humid. As with all the other products, test the mascara well in advance. It doesn’t matter if the mascara claims to be waterproof, that’s not guaranteed that it’ll withstand tears and humidity and you don’t wanna find out it doesn’t fulfill its promises on your wedding day, do you?

7. Don’t forget your eyebrows!

Often overlooked, eyebrows frame the face and make you look polished. Doesn’t matter how good the rest of your makeup is, neglecting your eyebrows will ruin the overall look. If you’ve never done anything to your brows before, I strongly suggest you to book an appointment to have them done professionally. An esthetician will be able to find the perfect shape for you and explain how to take care of them. If you decide to have them waxed or threaded, go at least a week before you wedding, which will give the redness time to subside and go away in time for your big day. If you have sparse brows, fill them in with an eyeshadow that matches their color exactly. You can also use an eyebrow pencil to do the job, but powders usually look more natural.

8. Don’t experiment with new makeup products

Whatever look you decide to wear, don’t use any new makeup (or skincare for that matter) product that you’ve never used before on your wedding day or even a few days before it. There is always the risk, albeit small, that a new product may cause an irritation and make your eyes all red and swollen. Trying new products a few weeks in advance will make sure that even if a bad reaction occurs, you’ll have plenty of time to treat it.

9. If you’re undecided, try several looks

Are you unsure about what makeup to wear on your big day? Try several looks in the months or weeks before your wedding so you can decide which one you like the most and better suits you and the overall theme of your wedding. If you’ve decided to hire a makeup artist, always do one or more test runs with her. That way you can tell her exactly what you want, or if you don’t she/he can offer some valuable advice. In addition, by doing test runs, you will also find out how long a look lasts on you, replace products that turn out to smudge or fade soon on you and see if any of the items used on your face causes an irritation or allergy.

<a href="http://khushsingh.com/">Khush Singh - Celebrity & Indian Bridal Makeup Artist</a>

How to Clean a Makeup Brush

2011-11-20T17:18:00.000-05:00

Cleaning each individual makeup brush is an important beauty step that many women forget about. Read all about the importance of keeping each makeup brush clean, and also learn the step-by-step process of cleaning a makeup brush.

Why should you clean your makeup brush?
Cleaning makeup brushes is incredibly important because makeup brushes, like anything else, collect bacteria. As makeup brushes are used on your face, you don’t want harmful bacteria coming in contact with your eyes, nose, or mouth. Keeping your makeup brushes clean will help keep you healthy and infection-free. In addition, using a dirty makeup brush can result in mixed pigments and smudging, which will cause a less-than-flawless appearance. A clean makeup brush will always give you better results than a dirty one. Finally, keeping your makeup brush clean will make it last longer. Just like a car, regular maintenance will result in higher performance and a longer life.

How do you clean a makeup brush?
Fill a small bowl with warm water. Add a small amount of gentle shampoo to the water and mix it in. Insert the bristles of the makeup brush into the water and gently rub the bristles of the brush between your fingers, allowing the soapy water to come in contact with every bristle. You may see makup residue being washed away from the bristles of the brush. After the makeup brush seems thoroughly washed, run the brush under some warm water to rinse it off. Finally, pat the bristles dry with a paper towel and leave the makeup brush in a cool, dry place so it can air-dry.

Tips for a Clean Makeup Brush
--If you can, try to gently cleanse your makeup brushes with a baby wipe after each use.
--You can also invest in a makeup brush cleaner, which can be purchased at specialty beauty stores.
--Try to clean your brushes about once per week for best results.

<a href="http://khushsingh.com/">Khush Singh - Celebrity & Indian Bridal Makeup Artist</a>

Wedding Tips that no one tells you

2011-10-27T22:15:00.000-04:00

10. Everyone makes a list of things to pack, but you should also make a list of things to bring back.

Have you spent hours creating those programmes/fans? Did you create your own photo booth? Have you hand-crafted several ornate decorations that you plan to hang onto for several years? You'd be amazed at what people leave on site and forget to collect, simply because they think someone else has arranged to bring these keepsakes back.

Very often these things aren't noticed until you come back from honeymoon, in which case the venue may have unwittingly thrown them out. The best way to circumvent this is to not only give your bridal party a list of things you must have back from the venue, but make sure the venue coordinator has a list of this as well. That way, if anything gets lost in the shuffle your venue coordinator will know to hang onto it for you until you get back from honeymoon, or can make other arrangements for delivery.

9. Assign someone you trust to download as many photos as possible before your guests leave the party.

…brief a trusted friend to be your photo catcher. Their job is to download as many memory sticks as possible onto a designated laptop before your guests leave.

All of us already know that one of the great thing about weddings today is that almost everyone brings a digital camera. And although many of us also hire professional photographers, we still would like copies of the photos our guests have taken.

The best way to expedite this process is to brief someone who is a trusted friend to be your photo catcher. Their job is to download as many memory sticks as possible onto a designated laptop before your guests leave. If you catch people right then and there you have a much better chance of getting all the images you'd like and without the hassle of chasing them down later.

You'll probably also have the best luck getting images if your photo catcher is NOT in the wedding party. We asked my dad to take on this role, but as a member of the wedding party he got waylaid with other duties at the time.

8. You may have already been advised to make sure to take some time for you and FH during the big day. But try to make some time just for yourself, too.

One of the things I found during the wedding was that from 7am I had no time to myself. There was always someone in my room, always someone who had question, always a well wisher and always someone ready with a camera. It can become difficult to keep energy levels up when you're "on show" for twelve or more hours at a stretch. I found myself wishing for a few minutes every few hours or so just to be able to go somewhere quiet and collect my thoughts / recharge my batteries / have a glass of water / check my lipstick or just be uninterrupted for a few minutes so I could then enjoy the day more.

7. Which brings me to assigning a poking coordinator…

Having a trusted family member or friend help create space around you can be extremely helpful and allow you to enjoy those hugs…

Having a trusted family member or friend help create space around you can be extremely helpful and allow you to enjoy those hugs… but to also make sure you don't OD on being stroked before the end of the day.

6. If you find yourself freaking out a little, do something more "normal."

Yes, I had my awesome shoes, my awesome dress, my awesome OTHER dress and every decoration that made me and FH smile under the sun. It was most certainly Our Party. However, there were times in the day I felt distant from it all. There were times I still felt disconnected from everything that was happening. I reached a real turning point in the evening when I was tired of feeling like someone other than myself –- comfy clothes and comfy shoes aside. I put down the bubbles and grabbed a beer instead and found an old friend who sat for ten minutes and told me about her life for a while.

I should say that I drink bubbles outside of weddings so swapping champers for beer wasn't really the issue. But it was such a relief to not talk about me, the wedding or our hopes for the future. Having those ten minutes to sit in the back corner, drink a beer and chatter on about nothing at all really helped me feel more like myself again. If you have a friend who doesn't feel obligated to only talk about your wedding, spending a little time with them could be a welcome break!

5. Brief your key speakers/celebrants on anything they need to know about your guests.

This probably sounds like an inane comment, but in actuality I found myself briefing both our celebrant and my mom in regarding what our friends and families would need to know.

For example, we really wanted our guests to ask us our vows and to also pronounce us. Our celebrant totally got where we were going with this and was happy to lead everyone in these sections. But we were still worried that our guests would be so surprised to take on this role that it would be so quiet that we'd only hear a tumbleweed go by. We went back to our celebrant and asked her to write a preamble to set everyone's expectations about their role in the service up front –- and yes, as a result their voices were as loud as we hoped they would be!

Similarly, I didn't know much about my mom's speech but I did know she was planning to weave in the Jewish tradition of the breaking of the glass. It suddenly occurred to me that she would expect to produce the glass, have Hubby stomp on it and that everyone would applaud. In actuality, 99% of our guests were Church of England, and I had to advise her that if she wanted everyone to applaud and yell out "Mazel Tov" she needed to tell them in advance. She then amended her speech to include a very short definition of Mazel Tov and her favourite reason for the tradition of the breaking of the glass – and everyone applauded and cheered when it was broken in the first go.

4. Which leads me to: trust your guests.

We absolutely trusted that when people showed up, they would embrace the journey –- and they did.

There are a lot of comments on the OBT about how friends and family members wig out when something tests their boundaries of what they think a wedding should be. However, we found that our guests were absolutely fascinated by being part of something different. The framework was something recognizable (bride, groom, ceremony, rings) but the details were different enough to keep everyone completely attentive through the entire event. We absolutely trusted that when people showed up, they would embrace the journey –- and they did.

3. Provide a detailed hand over to your wedding party earlier than you think you should.

I know this sounds really corporate, to have a hand over meeting. But if you have an offbeat wedding, you may need to pass the reigns over to someone else earlier than you think you need to.

In most of our cases we have someone in our lives we can trust and who has been part of the planning process with you every step of the way. In my case, it was my two sisters. However, they were still sort of on the periphery until the day I sat down with them (about two weeks before the wedding) and went through a very detailed, exhaustive document with all my thoughts about how the day would run.

Bless my sisters for printing these documents out, scribbling their notes all over them and delivering the most seamless day an event planner ever could have hoped for. And bless them for also sharing this with the onsite coordinator… and all the ushers. I absolutely know that if I hadn't given them enough time to own the process on their own, it wouldn't have worked as well as it did.

2. When it's all over, remember to thank your vendors… publicly.

If you really love your vendor, one of the greatest gifts you can give them is to… write something that could sway couples to call that company.

Like most OBTers I've had a little love-in with nearly all my vendors. I simple cannot believe that they've taken some sketchy brief and come back with designs, flowers, decorations, etc., that completely surpassed my expectations. After the wedding I wrote each one an incredibly detailed thank you as I wanted them to be able to use my comments as a testimonial to share with other brides and grooms.

If you really love your vendor, one of the greatest gifts you can give them is not just a letter of profuse thanks, but to also take it upon yourself to find a public site that rates said vendor and write something that could sway couples to call that company. I know it's not really in our job descriptions to act as their marketing departments. But as so many of them went out of their way for me, I am genuinely moved to want to make a difference to their business.

1. Have a registry? DON'T write thank you letters in advance.

You've probably guessed by now that I'm a Type A personality. And when I read an online suggestion to write thank you letters in advance as guests start to buy gifts or make donations, I jumped at the idea. So precise, so organised! And I would be able to express my thanks without suffering perhaps quite as much letter fatigue as someone who wrote them all in one go (i.e. after the wedding).

What I found through the planning process is what everyone else here has found. That it is inevitable we will need colossal amounts of help before everything is over. And until it's all over you really can't get your head around who has helped you in ways that really need to be acknowledged more than the toaster you may receive.

Right -– so that's my top 10 then! Although I'm now an old married woman (7 Years!), I'm really curious what lessons and advice YOU would give others –- every day is a new learning experience.

The Mangalsutra

2011-10-25T21:52:00.000-04:00

(Image source:meenajewelers.com)

Indian brides, across the different diverse cultures and communities, wear a number of beautiful ornaments that signify their new marital status. One of the most recognized symbols or pieces of jewellery, especially in predominantly Hindu cultures, is the Mangalsutra. It is one of the many fascinating bridal ornaments seen in this culture rich nation.

Hindu weddings comprise of many rituals and sacred ceremonies that mark the beginning of the coming together of two people and their spiritual advancement. The word mangalsutra comes from mangal = auspicious or holy and sutra = thread. Generally, the groom ties the mangal sutra around his bride’s neck during the wedding ceremony signifying their marital union. It is normally done amidst the holy deities and chants and prayers by the priest. In some communities thread is used during the ceremony and later replaced by the beaded mangalsutra.

Most married Hindu women in India wear this sacred symbol of wedlock and it is called different things within different communities in Northern and Southern parts of the country (for example: thaali or maangalyam). The mangalsutra also has different variations regarding the look of this precious necklace. You will find mangalsutras made of small black, gold or red beads and gold disk like pendants, also coral beads and even multi-hued cords with varying pendants. The commonly used black beads are said to ward off the evil eye.

Modern Indian brides have a plethora of designs to choose from and often opt for stunning diamond pendants or intricately designed gold and platinum pendants added to their beaded mangalsutras. Bridal jewelry of India has evolved drastically with very sophisticated designs of traditional wedding jewellery.

Indian Brides: Mahasrtrian Brides

2011-10-19T21:52:00.000-04:00

(Image Credit : Tanishq)

A traditional Maharashtrian bride is beautifully attired in a green Paithani nine yard saree on the wedding day. The green colour stands for fertility and is considered to be very auspicious for the bride. Paithani sarees are famous hand woven silk sarees from Maharashtra usually embroidered using pure gold threads. Distinctive motifs like peacocks, mangoes, lotus, and coconuts are found embroidered in the sari border and pallu.

Maharashtrian bridal jewelry is simple yet elegant. Brides from Maharashtra wear something called as mundavalya – stings of pearls tied horizontally across the forehead in a cascade from the temples down to the shoulders, framing the face. Matching to the saree the bride wears green glass bangles along with gold bangles. The bride also wears a nath- nose ring studded with pearl and bead and chandrakor (crescent moon) bindi.

Tanmani- is a typical Maharashtrian necklace. It has three or four strings of pearls with a central pendant, or seven or eight strings of pearls attached to a green bead in the centre. Also seven pearl earrings and silver toe rings are a must.

Indian Brides Collection

2011-10-17T21:52:00.000-04:00

Photo Courtesy : Tanishq – Blushing bride – Sharon Nayak

A land which is vast and diverse in culture, yet incredibly rich in heritage, where languages and customs change every few kilometers, but are yet bound by common traditions….India. A place where celebration knows no bounds and every affair is rejoiced in the most extravagant manner…especially weddings!! They are one of the most celebrated affairs in India.

Wedding traditions across most cultures in India overlap in some way but most are still unique to their region and differ in many ways. Similarly, Indian wedding outfits vary from state to state in terms of patterns, styles, textures, designs and jewelry depending on the local culture, craftsmanship, availability of raw material, traditions and climate.

Like, in most states, Red is considered an auspicious colour as it brings good luck to the bride while some others consider Green as a lucky colour, because according to them green stands for fertility. The commonality between the bridal outfits would be that, all are extremely opulent in design and are tailored using the most exquisite fabrics but the material would differ from state to state. For example Bengalis bridal saris are made of Banaras silk while a bridal sari in Tamil Nadu is made from Kanjeevaram silk where as an Assamese bridal wear is crafted from Muga silk but as we know all are varieties of silk, but are region specific.

So let’s see which are the traditional wedding outfits for Brides of India across various states, and in which way are they similar or different and how did they inherit the influence form the region.

Do follow our wedding blog to know more about the Brides of India!!

Indian Bride: The Bengali Bride

2011-10-15T21:52:00.000-04:00

Bengali brides usually adorn a vibrant red or a crimson Banarasi saree woven in silk with intricate golden embroidery and a rich brocade zari border. The bride also wears a silk dupatta called chunni over her head. This is similar to the veil worn by Christian brides and something like a tiara known as mukut. This is pinned on her head over the silk chunni.

The bride is considered to be an incarnation of the goddess of wealth – goddess Lakshmi. She is opulently decked in heavy gold wedding jewelry comprising of a necklace, nose ring, earrings, tikka and anklets. The designs are usually unique and have motifs of flowers, peacocks or butterflies. The wedding jewelry is supposed to bring good luck and charm to the bride and also signifies the continuation of wealth after marriage; hence the heavy wedding jewelry. The bride usually wears three types of bangles namely – Shankha - a conch shell bangle, Pala – a lac bangle and Loha- an iron bangle. These distinguish a Bengali bride from brides of other communities and also signify the marital status of Bengali women.

The most unique feature of a Bengali bride is the artistically painted design of white and red dots on her forehead just above the eyebrows which extends to her cheeks and the chin. This enhances her look and makes her look like a princess. A big red bindi in the centre of her forehead along with the sacred vermilion and skillfully applied alta on her hands and feet, completes the look of the Bengali bride.

Indian Brides: The Tamil Bride

2011-10-13T21:52:00.000-04:00

(Image Courtesy : Tanishq)

The traditional wedding attire for Iyengar and Iyer brides from Tamil Nadu is a 9-yard Kanjeevaram silk saree draped in madisar style. The madisar style of draping the sari is a little different and more complicated than the regular style of draping a 6-yard saree. These sarees are usually in hues of green, maroon or red with a heavy gold zari border and buta work.

The other Tamil brides usually opt for the regular 6 yard saree but in contrasting colour combinations like green and red or yellow and maroon. Tamil brides are heavily bejeweled with lot of flowers and gold jewelry. They usually adorn stunning pieces of ancestral temple jewelry studded with precious stones. The bride also wears a special kind of neckwear that is comprised of small sized gold coin pendants.

Apart from the regular bridal jewelry, brides from Tamilnadu wear unique jewelry around their waist and hair. Oddiyanam –an attractive waist belt worn to keep pallu, pleats and folds intact. The bride also wears something known as Nethi – which is the traditional wedding jewelry for the hair usually made of pearl and gold.

The bridal hair do varies from community to community within Tamils. Like for example Iyengar and Iyer brides wear buns on one side their head- known as kondu which are decorated with flowers and gold accessories while other brides from the region, plait their hair and deck them with fresh orange and white flowers. Flowers complete the look of a traditional Tamil bride!

The Proper Way to Remove Makeup

2011-10-10T17:50:00.000-04:00

Avoid leaving makeup on through the night - It can clog pores, especially if it is thick makeup or there is a lot on. It is the key to keeping skin looking gorgeous, especially. However, it can be tricky to make sure all of it is gone.
Remove any eye makeup
Use a gentle makeup remover just for eye makeup. Regular makeup remover can irritate the eyes. Make sure you get most off, if not all, of any eyeliner and mascara you had on, as well as some eye shadow.

Steam your pores

Drape a towel over your head and hold it over a sink of hot, steaming water. This opens your pores and is easier for cleansing.
Remove your lip color

Apply a small dab of makeup remover to your lips, and gently rub it in with cotton.
For your eyes

For a perfect eye shape, use a small brush to blend a medium tone color from just below the brow arch downwards in a semi-circle motion. Line your eyelids with a pencil and blend a darker shade into the crease and outer corner. Shadow application should be from inner to outer corners. Complete your glam look with ultra dramatic lashes. Sweep some mascara across the lashes to complete the glam look. Always apply mascara in a zigzag motion, this helps in avoiding clumps.

Use a gentle face wash
Most of your makeup should come off on this stage. Be sure the face wash is gentle and you don't scrub harshly. Your skin has been covered in makeup all day and it needs to breath!
Remove any eye makeup that ran while you washed your face
It's pretty common to see a bit of mascara or eyeliner under your eyes, and very easy to remove with a dampened cotton swab.
Close your pores with a splash of cool water

Rub in some moisturizer to soothe your skin.
Pat your face dry with a towel and rub in a light moisturizer
The rigor of the removal of makeup can dry out your skin in irritation. Soothe this with a light moisturizer.
<a href="http://khushsingh.com/">Khush Singh - Celebrity & Indian Bridal Makeup Artist</a>

Indian Brides: A Gujarait Bride

2011-10-09T21:52:00.000-04:00

Image Courtesy : Anil Tohani

The traditional outfit of a Gujarati bride is a saree draped in the Gujarati style. There are two basic types of wedding sarees in Gujarat the Panetar, which is a white sari with red bandhini border and the Gharchola, the traditional bandhini sari red in colour, with crisscrossed woven gold squares, enclosing small ethnic bandhini motifs or auspicious symbols like a lotus or a peacock embroidered in gold in the center.

Image Courtesy : Anil Tohani

During the wedding ceremony the bride wears a Panetar which is considered to be the last garment she receives from her parents. During the ceremony her mother in law gifts her with a Gharchola which signifies that the bridegroom’s family is ready to take all her responsibility from that day on. Most Gharcholas have traditional patterns like “bavan bagh” that is Fifty-Two Gardens or “Ras Leela” which is the depiction of Lord Krishna dancing with his Gopis and are woven and dyed in Kutch, but the final red color is given in Jamnagar. According to an old belief the waters of Jamnagar are said to have auspicious properties which when used for dying a bridal Gharchola saree will produce the most brilliant shade of red that a bride can ever have for her wedding ceremony.

The Gujarati bride is decked with royal and expensive gold, kundan and diamond ornaments. Her hair is tied back neatly in a stylish bun or braid over which the dupatta is attached with a pin. A matha tikka is pinned through the parting of the hair with a chain. A bindi is put in the centre of the forehead below the matha tikka. Heavily jeweled necklaces along with equally heavy earrings are worn. A bajuband or armlet is tied around the forearm and a combination of gold and glass bangles are worn on the hands. A waist band is tied on the waist. The bride also wears anklets and toe rings around the feet. The most beautiful ornament which beautifies the brides look is the nose ring known as nath. This is put on the left nostril which has a long chain and the end of the chain is attached to the hair.

It is believed that the tie and dye technique was brought to Kutch from Sindh by Muslim Khatris and the locals have inherited this art and incorporated it in their lifestyle. Hence the bride wears a bandhini saree which is highly unique to the region.

Booking a Wedding Trial with a Professional Makeup & Hair Artist

2011-10-08T14:45:00.000-04:00

It’s no secret that good makeup artists are in high demand all year long but in particular during peak spring/summer wedding seasons. It just makes sound sense to book your chosen makeup artist well in advance. I recommend spending some time looking over different makeup artists portfolio’s and this can be done easily over the web. Find someone who’s style is similar to your own. Look for reviews and recommendations from past clients. Once you’ve chosen your favorite artist, contact him or her and book a wedding trial. I always suggest booking a wedding trial as far in advance as possible however essentially carrying out the trial 2 -3 months prior to your wedding day. The earlier you book your trial the more likely you are to get the most talented and "in demand" artist working for you on your wedding day. Most makeup and hair artists require a deposit before confirming your date. Find out the terms and conditions of your chosen artist and be sure you are clear on how your date will be held. You may also need to put a deposit towards your wedding day prior to your trial taking place if you are concerned your wedding date may be taken by someone else. "In demand" artists are often booked a year in advance especially during the popular summer wedding weekends.

Before your trial, be sure and take clippings of makeup and hair styles from magazines that you like. Be open and honest with your artist, tell him or her if you have any skin or hair problems and be honest about what you really want from the experience. Listen to your makeup artist, take his or her advice on what works for your skin and hair type. The best professional makeup and hair artists have been well trained and should have a keen eye for detail.

Work closely together with your artist and the results will be incredible and exactly what you were hoping for.

<a href="http://khushsingh.com/">Khush Singh - Celebrity & Indian Bridal Makeup Artist</a>

Indian Brides: A Punjabi Bride

2011-10-07T21:52:00.000-04:00

Image Courtesy : AJ Studio

The traditional Punjabi bridal wear is Shalwar and Kameez along with a heavily embroidered Dupatta which would cover the head. The outfit is usually of Patiala style. This was originally the attire of the royal families of Punjab. The Patiala Shalwar has many pleats that gather towards the waistline and drape below gracefully. The Kameez is a knee length fitted top. Usually the outfit is in hues of Red with a lot of embellishments intricately embroidered with unique motifs and sequence.

Image courtesy : Rob & Lauren

The bride traditionally wears gold jewelry and matching foot wear. The parting of her hair is decorated with a gold ornament called the Tikka. The bride wears bangles made of ivory known as Chooda. These are White and dark Red in colour and hold great significance to the bride. They are usually in multiples of four and according to the tradition the bride must wear it at least for a year after her marriage. But nowadays brides wear the Chooda only for a month after the wedding.

Friends and sisters-in-law tie Kalire, a hanging ornament made of gold or silver on these bangles. Kalire’s are encrusted with dried coconut and dried beetle nuts. It is said that after the wedding the bride rubs her hands against each other to drop the Kalire on the heads of unmarried girls, and who so ever gets the Kalire first is expected to get married within a short period.

There is a similar tradition practiced by Catholic brides. Towards the end of the wedding celebrations, when the bride is about to depart, she throws her bridal bouquet to a group of unmarried girls following her, and whichever girl catches it is expected to get married next.

Isn’t it interesting…both these cultures are so different yet, some of the traditional practices they follow have similar significance.

Indian Brides: Kashmiri

2011-10-03T21:52:00.000-04:00

(Image Credit: www.flickr.com/photos/youngdoo)

Kashmir Pundit brides wear beautifully embroidered lehengas, usually red in colour with a lot of glitz. If not Red, it can be Pink or Yellow in colour. They also wear a head gear known as Kalpush. It is an extensive cap folded three or four times and is lined either with silk or cotton from the inside. A white color cloth known as Zoojh is wrapped in three to four layers over Kalpush and a glace paper is stitched over the Zoojh. This entire head wear is known as Tarang. The lehenga has a lot of zari work done using golden threads and is blended with Kashmiri embroidery. The Dupatta is put over the head wear and enhances the look of the bride.

The bride adorns heavy gold jewelry around the neck, gold bangles on the hands and Paayal and toe ring in the feet. A special and very unique ornament known as Dejharoo is worn by a Kashmiri bride. Dejharoo is a pair of gold pendants hanging on a gold chain through the holes in the ear lobes. This holds the similar significance in Kashmiri pundits as a mangalsutra does among Hindus. A waist band which is two meter long and a half a meter wide is also forms an integral part of the bridal wear.

Kashmiri Muslim Bride

Kashmiri Muslim brides wear beautifully embroidered traditional outfit known as Pheran, which is a long loose fitting robe and is well suited for the cold weather conditions. It is usually Red in colour. They wear a similar head gear to the Kashmiri Pundit brides but it is known differently. They call it Kasaba. It varies from the Tarang as it is simply a cloth of any colour of your choice which is held tight by silver pins and trinklets. It is decorated with gold embroidery and embellishments of silver pendants hanging on the forehead.

These brides usually wear heavy bunches of silver jewelry which shines and can be noticed from a distance. The jewelry also, includes heavy Jhoomar style earrings which are supported by thick silver chain, necklace, bracelets and Paayal around the ankle.

This was just a peek into the Kashmiri culture. As you see there is so much diversity within the two kinds of Kashmiri bridal outfits but at the same time they are similar in some ways. Stay tuned for more on Indian weddings & Indian brides from Marry Me!

Indian Brides: Malayalee Bride

2011-10-01T21:52:00.000-04:00

The bridal attire of a Malayalee Hindu bride is very simple and elegant. The traditional bridal dress consists of a two piece cream colour saree called Set Mundu with a thick woven gold zari border. But very few brides choose to dress in the traditional Set Mundu today. Instead they opt for expensive Kancheepuram silk saris, which are available in plenty of bright colours like red, maroon, magenta, green and blue.

Though the bridal saree is quite simple, the jewelry complementing it is very unique and heavy and forms a very important part of the bridal attire. The jewelry designs are inspired by nature or temple statues mainly consisting of motifs like paisley, rice grains, melon seeds, cobra heads or birds and usually crafted in red and green semi precious stones. The jewelry from this region is commonly known as Temple jewelry.

A Malayalee bride is heavily decked with bridal jewelry from head to toe. The piece of jewelry worn along the parting of the hair is known as Netti Chutti. It is very similar to Mang Tikka which is worn by brides from northern parts of India but the design and style of a Netti Chutti is very different from a Mang Tikka. Typical hanging earrings in the shape of an umbrella known as Jhimkis are worn and suspended by an artistic chain called Maattal which goes around the ear. The hair is adorned by a stone studded ornamental chain which is worn over the plait is known as Tirukkuppu. The bride also adorns various gold necklaces with designs inspired by temple borders and comprise of a gold disc in the centre with different designs and motifs of goddesses. These necklaces are traditionally called – Nagapada thali, Laxmi thali, Palakka mala and Kasu mala. The bride also wears a combination of gold and stone studded bangles along with other pieces of jewellery like gold anklets known as Padaswarams, a waist band embellished with pearls and stones, a stone studded nose ring and a gold armlet.

Though Malayalee bridal jewelry is known for its bold and heavy designs, brides these days are opting for more contemporary designs and are switching from the yellow gold to diamond and platinum jewelry.

Indian Bridal-WeddingTrousseau Shopping

2011-09-23T21:34:00.000-04:00

Indian wedding trousseau shopping includes everything that a bride-to-be assembles for the most important day of her life; and of course for the functions preceding and following the main day.
With Indian weddings stretching for as long as a week, the list of bridal trousseau has only extended over the years. The clothes, shoes, accessories, jewellery, make-up, etc. for each event is to be planned months in advance. For many brides in India, trousseau shopping may also include lots of extra things, such as western clothes, linens, accessories and any other essentials that she will need to take with her post marriage to her new home.
It’s easy to get stressed out and feel overwhelmed with the choices at hand. What’s in this season and what’s so very passé? What’s chic yet reasonable and what will burn a hole in your pocket? Custom-made or ready made? Phew!
The fashion weeks, couture carnivals and bridal exhibitions, which are held few months before the wedding season kick starts are a great way of knowing the latest trends of the season. Creations by famed and budding designers, latest accessories – shoes, handbags, jewellery, etc. will make your life a tad simpler. Even if you don’t feel like going the exorbitant way by spending truckloads on designer couture, you can always attend the exhibits and fashion shows to check out the various silhouettes, colour palettes and other embellishments.
While shopping for your Indian wedding trousseau, it is good to go ahead with a plan of action. Make a list of all your functions and what all you need. Also, set aside a budget in mind so that you don’t end up spending all the money on one or two outfits. Try to go for a different look for every function. So if you are planning to wear a saree for your mehendi, wear something different for your cocktail or sangeet. Unlike a mehndi function, a cocktail or a sangeet involves dancing, moving around and being on your toes. So choose your clothes and shoes accordingly.
Do not repeat colours; it just takes away from a beautiful and expensive outfit. Also, remember to go for subtle colours and pastel shades for daytime functions. Your bling elements will look way classier and not in-your-face in the evenings. With the help of an experienced wedding planner you can find out where to get the best deals for your shopping and trousseau packing.

Khush Singh - Celebrity & Indian Bridal Makeup Artist
<a href="http://KhushSingh.com/"> Indian Bridal Makeup Artist NY, NJ, CT, UK and all points of the globe </a>

Keeping your Makeup Healthy

2011-09-19T17:14:00.000-04:00

If you never think about how long that powder, foundation, eyeliner, and especially mascara, have been in your medicine cabinet or purse, perhaps you should. Those cosmetic products could be bacterial breeding grounds.
You’ve probably heard some of the rules about makeup and keeping it clean. One of the most common is to never share your makeup with other people, even your best girlfriend or your mother. However, you may be surprised to know that even if you keep your makeup collection to yourself, you could still be putting yourself at risk for infection and germs. Want to make sure your makeup arsenal is safe? All you’ll have to do is follow these simple tips and you’ll be good to go.
One of the first things you’ll have to accept is that as long as you use your makeup, you are potentially exposing yourself to germs and possible infections. Get around this gross dilemma by being diligent with cleaning your makeup items and tools - and that means more than once a month or a couple times a year. The more you use your makeup, the more frequently you should be cleaning the items in your kit. Sponges, powder puffs and brushes are the main breeding grounds for bacteria. To combat this, make sure you use fresh makeup sponges each time (if you have the type that can be reused, wash and rinse in hot water thoroughly after each use or follow the cleaning instructions on the package) and replace your powder puff with a new one after about one month of use.

For makeup brushes, use your favorite shampoo or purchase brush cleanser and wash in lukewarm water. Set it out to dry and your brushes will be good as new. This should be done every two weeks.

Did you know that bacteria love to gather in places where there is moisture, heat and humidity? Each time you leave your makeup kit in your backseat, trunk or out where there is direct sunlight, you are increasing your chances of developing bacteria inside your makeup. Icky, huh? The only way to prevent this from happening is to store your makeup products in a cool area at room temperature. If you have to take your makeup with you, make sure to put it in your purse and not inside your car or other areas where it can get hot easily. On a related note, when stashing makeup in your purse, push it to the bottom where it is darker and cooler. Leaving it near the top with your purse wide open and exposed to direct sunlight while driving in your car still makes it prone to attracting germs. It is also important to make sure you close up your makeup items tight after each use - that includes screwing on the caps tightly, making sure you hear that “click” when you snap close your compact, etc. Germs sneak into even the tiniest of openings so don’t give them that chance.

Another crucial factor to keeping yourself free from infection is to honor the shelf life of your makeup. As much as you love your items and don’t want to spend money, keeping age old makeup past its prime will not only put you at risk for bacteria and other types of germs, it will also negatively affect the way it looks on your skin. Keep it fresh and know when to replenish your supplies.
<a href="http://khushsingh.com/">Khush Singh - Celebrity & Indian Bridal Makeup Artist</a>

The Essential Bridal Beauty Countdown

2011-09-17T22:09:00.000-04:00

Your step-by-step guide to bridal pampering

A smooth, radiant complexion that's glowing with health and vitality and flawless make-up are both achievable if you embark on a beauty regime now. Whether you've got months, weeks, or merely days to go until you tie the knot, there's plenty of time to make yourself gorgeous for the big day...

One year until the wedding
The easiest and most effective way to improve your complexion is to drink lots of water. You need to have at least eight glasses a day to hydrate your skin and flush out toxins from your system. Add a slice of lemon if you find plain water too bland, but avoid sparkling water. It contains carbon dioxide, which is a toxin that stops the absorption of calcium and can eventually cause osteoporosis.
Good skincare is a must. Your make-up only looks as good as your skin, so get into the habit of cleansing, toning and moisturizing every morning and evening. Use a gentle exfoliator once a week to slough off complexion-dulling dead skin cells and follow with a moisturizing face mask.

Six months to go
Treat yourself to a facial. Skin cells renew themselves every 28 eight days, so this is a great once-a-month treat. Don't worry if you get a few spots - they're a good sign! This is your skin's way of getting rid of impurities, and better now than on the day. Get skin in peak honeymoon condition by dry brushing all over with a natural bristle brush once a week. Start at your feet and work upwards in long, firm strokes towards your heart. Follow with a moisturising body lotion. Your skin will feel smoother and will tan better too.

Three months to go
Have another facial or use a deep-cleansing face mask to rid your skin of toxins. Don't neglect your feet, especially if you're having a beach wedding or getting married in the summer and wearing strappy sandals or open-toed shoes. Smooth your feet with a scrub or foot file every few days to stop rough skin building up and get into the habit of moisturising them every night.

11 weeks to go
Your hands and nails will be on show on the wedding day. Get them ready for that ring-on-the-finger moment by rubbing sweet almond oil or cuticle cream into your cuticles every night to keep them moisturised and healthy. If your nails are brittle and prone to breaking apply a nail strengthener every couple of weeks. Get into the habit of using hand cream whenever you wash your hands and always wear rubber gloves when you do the dishes.

10 weeks to go
Treat yourself to a professional feel-good spa treatment, such as a seaweed wrap, to detox, distress and relax - you deserve it! Improve the appearance and texture of lips by brushing them with a dry toothbrush and then rubbing in lip balm. Relieve tired eyes by covering them with cooling slices of cucumber or teaspoons that have been chilled in the fridge and lie down for five minutes with your feet higher than your head.

Nine weeks to go
Once a week, smooth feet with a clay face mask, wash off and slather with a rich foot cream. Spritz your face with floral water throughout the day to soothe, refresh and revive tired skin. This is especially important if you work in an air-conditioned office, is very drying for your skin. As a special treat, run a luxurious bubble bath, lock the bathroom door, light a scented candle and enjoy some well-deserved "me" time away from the wedding preparations.

Eight weeks to go
Gloss nails and cuticles with a hot wax conditioner to stimulate blood flow to the nail bed. Get your body silky smooth by exfoliating with a scrub once a week. Massage over damp skin in small, circular motions, shower off and apply body lotion.

Seven weeks to go
After weeks - or possibly months - of traipsing around the shops looking for your wedding dress and checking out suppliers, ease tired feet with a simple massage. Use a mild oil, such as sweet almond oil, and gently squeeze and pull your toes then massage your feet with your fingers underneath while your thumbs move up and down in a gentle rotating motion. If you're really tired, get your fiancé to do it for you.

Six weeks to go
Have your eyebrows professionally shaped at a beauty salon. You'll be amazed what a difference it makes to your appearance and it's easy to keep them tidy afterwards. Soothe and tone your skin by smoothing nutrient-rich honey over your face and neck. Leave on for 15 minutes before rinsing off with warm water.

Five weeks to go
Get rid of rough, dry skin from elbows, knees, heels and ankles with a body exfoliator or make your own by mixing a handful of oatmeal with olive oil. Rub onto wet skin and shower off.

Four weeks to go
Have a wedding make-up practice run, whether you're doing your own make-up or having a professional do it for you. Have a relaxing night in, cover your feet with a rich foot cream, slip on a pair of cotton socks to help the cream penetrate and enjoy a romantic video. Treat yourself to a nerve-calming aromatherapy facial at a beauty salon.

Three weeks to go
Turn up the heating, steam up your bathroom and cover your body with a mineral-rich refining mud mask. Warm up the mud first by dunking the tub in hot water. This will increase the mud's ability to draw out toxins from your skin. Have your eyelashes dyed so that all you'll need on honeymoon is clear mascara.

Two weeks to go
Slap on a treatment mask penetrate your skin. Ease tension and cleanse your skin all over by having a sauna.

One week to go
Relax by lighting a destressing aromatherapy candle and place an aromatherapy diffuser in the house. Get your fiancé to massage a calming potion into your shoulders and neck where you are most likely to feel tense. Get your legs and bikini line waxed for the honeymoon. Book yourself in for a manicure and pedicure.

One day to go
Tidy your eyebrows and make sure you've got everything you need for the big day. Get together a wedding day make-up bag in case you need to freshen up on the day and give it to your mum or chief bridesmaid to look after. If you can't sleep because you're too excited burn some calming lavender essential oil in your bedroom to help you relax.

On the day
Relax in a luxuriously fragrant bath. Thoroughly cleanse, tone and moisturize your face. Stick to the make-up routine you've rehearsed. Spur-of-the-moment changes don't work and you won't have time to rectify any mistakes. Wear a front-opening shirt when your make-up is being done so you don't have to pull anything over your head, which could smudge it.

Solah Shringar - 16 vital components for Indian Brides

2011-09-15T21:24:00.000-04:00

A traditional Hindu wedding procession takes place following various rituals and ceremonies. The marriage is a reflection of the rich Indian culture where every ritual has its own importance. Out of many rituals ‘Solah Shringar’ of the bride is one of the most important one.

What is ‘Solah Shringar’?
A traditional Indian bride has to dress up using sixteen vital components of her beauty known as ‘Solah Shringar’ which includes make-up items, jewels and other accessories. From head to toe she is adorned with accessories that add spark to her beauty. These objects of beauty are believed to be associated with the well being of her to-be husband. Having knowledge about accessories that comprises ‘Solah Shringar’ helps you understand their worth. We offer you a brief description of the sixteen accessories worn by the bride.

Face Accessories and make up include the following components:

Bindi: It is considered to be a mark of identity for a married woman. Traditionally, it used to be round in shape and red in color. But nowadays, a large variety of Bindis in various shapes, sizes and shades are available in the market. Generally, a girl chooses her bindi that is matching to her wedding dress.

Sindoor: Sindoor (vermillion) is a red colored powder that is applied on the centre parting of a bride. It has various religious and mythological connotations.

Mangteeka: It is a hair accessory that is generally worn in the centre parting of the hair and it comes till fore head. It is generally made of gold/silver.

Anjana: Anjana (kajal) is used to highlight the eyes of a bride. It is black in color and is applied on the edges of the upper and lower eyelids. It makes a bride’s face look beautiful and attractive.

Nath: Nath (Nose Ring) is another important symbol of holiness associated with marriage. It is a big, round ring that can be worn in a pierced nose. It is also generally made up of gold/silver.

Karn Phool: Karn phool (ear rings) is worn by a bride in both the ears. They are generally heavy and it further beautifies the bride’s face.

Hand Accessories include the following components:

Mehandi: Mehandi (henna) is prepared from the dried leaves of a tree. It is applied in the hands and foot of a bride. It stands as a symbol for the love between a wife and her husband. Mehandi applying ceremony forms an important part of an Indian wedding.

Choodiyan: Choodiyan (bangles) are worn in both the hands of the bride in large number. They are made up of glass or metal. They are believed to fill colors in the life of the bride.

Baajuband: Baajuband (armlet) is worn in the upper arms of a bride.

Aarsi: Aarsi (finger rings) is worn in the fingers of a bride.

Other Accessories include the following components:

Haar: Haar (necklace) is worn around the neck of a bride.

Keshapasharachana: Keshapasharachana (hairstyle) is also as important as the face. Different types of flowers and other ornaments are used to adorn the hair of a bride.

Kamarband: Kamarband (waist band) is worn around the waist of a bride.

Payal: Payal (anklet) is worn around the ankle of a bride. It produces sound when the bride moves.

Itar: Itar (fragrance) is applied to a bride to create a soothing aroma around her.

Wedding Dress: Normally a ‘Saree’ or ‘Lehenga’ is worn as a wedding dress. They are usually of bright colors like red, maroon etc.

These sixteen signs of beauty ensure complete adornment of the Indian bride. Though many modifications have been done in beautification of a bride, still these sixteen signs of beauty continue to hold their importance.

Darling, Will You Marry Me

2011-09-14T21:37:00.000-04:00

”Will you marry me?” “Yes!” So you have been just been proposed to.
These days young brides have so much running through their minds when they are proposed to and in some cases when they propose to their partners.

While you are still drifting on cloud nine, here are a few points to consider when you are organising your wedding.

Depending on the religious and/ or cultural background couples may choose to celebrate their wedding day with more than one type or style of wedding.

1. What type of wedding do you want? Religious, Cultural or Civil
It is very important to determine the style of wedding you want as this helps to set the framework for the entire wedding ceremony and reception.

While prospective brides and grooms may practise the same religious beliefs they may originate from the same or different regions or country. A bride originating from Southern India may marry a groom originating from Western India in a traditional hindu style wedding and may choose to incorporate unique cultural practices from the South and West in the ceremony which can be the the distinguishing feature.

An example of this is the recent marriage of Bollywood actress Aishwarya Rai to Bollywood actor Abhishek Bachhan in April 2007. Aishwarya was born in Mangalore, in the state of Karnataka, South India whilst Abhishek Bachhan was born in Mumbai, in the state of Maharashtra, Western India. Although they are both Hindu and come from India the different States have different cultural practises. They celebrated with a traditional hindu wedding in Mumbai.

Couples may also not wish to have a wedding based on their religious beliefs and instead opt for the civil ceremony.

On the other hand prospective brides and grooms who practise different religious beliefs may originate from the same or different regions or country. A christian bride may marry a groom practising in the Hindu faith and and may decide to celebrate their wedding by having two distinct ceremonies.

An example of this is English actress Elizabeth Hurley who recently wed half-Indian half-German businessman Arun Nayar in March 2007. Elizabeth Hurley married Arun Nayar in a civil ceremony at Suedely Castle and on the following day said their vows at a religious service at the English castle. This was followed by a lavish traditional Hindu wedding ceremony at Umaid Bhavan Palace in Jodhpur North India.

In addition couples of a non South Asian background may also have chosen to celebrate their wedding in Hindu or Bhuddhist style ceremonies. A famous example of this is the marriage of English rocker and lead singer of the Rolling Stones, Mick Jagger, to American supermodel Jerry Hall. They had a spectaculor Hindu wedding in Bali in 1990 which was later anulled as the marriage was not legally recognized under English law.

2. In what location is the wedding?
Are you organising a wedding and reception locally? If you are then it will make it easier for your family and friends who live locally to attend both the wedding and the reception. You may consider a wedding and reception interstate if your partners family is interstate.

However, more and more young prospective brides and grooms are contemplating getting married in their country of origin ie. Fiji, India, Pakistan, or Sri Lanka and then having a reception back home in Australia. For example a couple may travel to India to get married at the ancient Guruvayur Sri Krishna temple (Hindu temple) in Trissur, Kerala which is popular for South Indian weddings and then head back home to Australia for the reception.

In some cases couples may also consider a wedding and reception in the country of origin as well as having a reception back home. This may be time consuming and expensive but it really depends on where all the family and friends are and where the couple want to mark their special day.

Increasingly more and more couples are having weddings abroad and its not necessarily in their country of origin. Popular wedding and honeymoon destinations include Bali,Indonesia as well as Fiji, and Thailand.

3. Where is the wedding held?
If you are having a religious wedding you may decide to have the ceremony conducted at a Church (Christian), Temple (Hindu, Buddhist, Jain, Parsee) Mosque (Muslim), or Synanogue (Jewish) etc.
If you decide to have your wedding at a temple, then unless you can arrange the reception within the temple grounds, you will need to hold the reception in an alternate venue.

If you decide to to hold a religious or civil ceremony in a hall then this will be alot easier if you combine the wedding ceremony and reception under one roof.

4. How formal is the wedding and reception?
The question on how formal your wedding is will most probably be determined by your budget.
Indian Weddings in general are always described as rich and colourful and in most weddings parents of the bride and groom usually spare no expense.

However as more and more brides and grooms opt to pay for the wedding they may be limited as to how formal their wedding can be.

Most Indian weddings are formal to very formal with ladies wearing colourful saris and ghagra cholis and men dressed in suit and tie as well as traditional Indian wear such as the sherwani.
The wedding venue and reception can be held in places of worship, private homes to ballrooms of high-end hotels and rented reception halls.

Most Indian weddings include a large number of family and friends and are usually over 150 depending on the size of the wedding. Smaller weddings may exist but will more often than not retain an air of elegance and formality. The famous wedding of Lakshi Mittal’s (the Indian born, London based steel tycoon) daughter, Vanisha Mittal to Amit Bhatia, a Delhi born investment banker in the grand 17th century Chateau Vaux Le Vicomte in France in June 2004 included 1000 guests.

During the reception guests can be catered to in a buffet style or can be served with a multi-course meal.
How much can you spend per head on your wedding and reception? At an average cost of $75-$100 per head you may only have the capacity to invite 150 guests to the wedding & reception. So you will need to calculate how many guests you can cater to with your budget.

5. Is there a theme for the wedding?
Some couples indulge in a theme for their wedding day.

Whether it is having an outdoor beach theme as depicted in the Bollywood movie ‘Salaam Namaste’ featuring actors Saif Khan and Preitty Zeinta or a castle wedding in Italy like the wedding of American actors Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes who had their wedding in Odescalchi Castle by Lake Bracciano, Italy in November 2006.

A Royal Palace wedding theme in India is becoming more popular with not only with foreigners but also with South Asians looking for a unique setting to celebrate their wedding day. The theme for your wedding can also include colours as there really is nothing stopping you from choosing your own theme.

6. When would you like to get married?
You may wish to set your wedding day based on the season. Autumn weddings are beautiful when set in outdoor locations and set in sprawling parks with the backdrop of leaves on trees changing colour. Spring and Summer weddings are always popular year after year.

7. How far away is this from now?
Once you have determined which season and which year you would like to have your wedding determine how much longer you have from now to organise the wedding ceremony and reception.

On average young prospective brides and grooms can take about a year to organise everything from the venue right down to design of the wedding cake.

Photo: Indian Actress Aishwarya Rai in ‘Umrao Jaan’

The Advantages to Hiring a Makeup Artist

2011-09-13T14:45:00.000-04:00

I have worked with hundreds of brides during my career and the one thing that remains common is they all want to look their best on their wedding day. So often a bride plans every detail of her wedding months and sometimes years in advance, from the venue to the photographer and from the flowers to the gown.

Quite often the bride is so focused on the 'big' picture she forgets her vision of how she would like to look and feel beautiful on her special day. This is why you need a pro on board!

Are all makeup artists created equal?
Unfortunately, no. It's important that your chosen makeup artist is properly trained in all area's of makeup artistry. This means they should understand colour theory and the correct placement of colour for your face structure. It sounds simple but it's not.

Understanding which colours work on every skin tone is a skill. Knowing how to interrupt your ideal "wedding day look" is a talent!

A true professional makeup artist should display work that demonstrates their talent and range. When viewing their work, consider if their style of artistry suits your own style. Do the brides look fresh and pretty and does their work look clean and natural? Your chosen artist should correspond with you in a professional manner. You should feel comfortable speaking to him or her and be able to express what you want and be able to get it.

An experienced well sought after makeup artist will have published work in national and international magazines. This means they are trusted in the industry to provide the right look on camera.

Why does this make a difference to you and how you look on your wedding day?

A professional makeup artist will understand what looks great on camera and in person and what doesn't. They know how to hide imperfections, ensure you're glowing without looking shiny and make all your attributes come to life!

When you hire a professional makeup artist on your wedding day, you will look fantastic in all your images. This means your wedding album will be something you can be immensely proud of for years to come.

Hiring a professional makeup artist on your wedding day will make you look and feel absolutely wonderful! Look for artists who also offer hair styling to make your whole look complete. You deserve it!

Makeup and Skin Care tips

2011-09-12T18:00:00.008-04:00

Choosing the right makeup can be tricky. A wrong choice could really be disastrous. A makeup product which contains drying ingredients could make a person with dry skin appear to have face dandruff. What could be more embarrassing than dry skin peeling and falling off of your face all day? It definitely would not present a professional veneer at work. On the other hand, a person with oily skin would want to avoid make up which could make their skin even more oil prone. As excess oil production is one of the leading causes of acne break outs, this is something to be avoided.

There are certain requirements which all women, regardless of skin type, should seek from their make up products. Your face is one of the parts of your body most often exposed to the sun’s rays. As such, your face needs constant, year round protection from the damaging rays. Foundations are now produced with spf ingredients just for this purpose. Why choose a product which cannot protect your skin from the sun when there are so many which do? Applying sun protection everyday is a necessity. It protects your skin from premature aging and skin cancer. Using a foundation with spf included eliminates the need to apply two separate products.

Oily Skin
Foundation is often a staple of a woman’s make up regiment. A person with oily skin may shy away from using this helpful make up product though. Oily skin doesn’t always mesh well with foundation. It can make oily skin even shinier and magnify enlarged pores. Even worse still, oily skin can cause the foundation to darken throughout the day so it looks unnatural and uneven. Just because you have oily skin doesn’t mean you cannot use foundation. Cosmetic companies have finally realized women have different skin types which have different needs.

Find a full coverage foundation specifically formulated for oily skin. The oil control formula will help conceal unsightly blemishes or acne prone skin while absorbing and/or drying up the excess oil. A water based matte foundation is preferable. A person with oily skin shouldn’t use any type of oil based make up. Only apply a light coating of the foundation to limit the possibility of a mask like appearance. Apply with a make up sponge. Do not use your fingers to apply unless you want to rub the oil from your fingers into your oil prone skin.
Blush and powder foundation can be problematic if you use the wrong textured products. Pressed powder is the best option for both blush and a foundation finisher as it isn’t greasy and will not exacerbate a problem with oily skin. The powder you use after applying liquid foundation should be pressed powder. Pressed powder will keep your face smooth and your look even. This type of powder is oil free and will absorb excess oil. Do not use a cream or liquid blush. Stick with a pressed powder blush also. Additionally applying some of the pressed powder to your eye lids can help prevent oily skin from causing eye liners to run or form a new line in the crease of your eye lid.

A new ingredient in many cosmetics is salicylic acid. Cosmetic companies are including this acne fighting ingredient in much of their make up lines. Concealers with salicylic acid may not clear up your skin by itself, but it definitely helps to have this ingredient included in the make up products you apply to your skin. You can fight acne and cover it up at the same time. If you have oily skin, these medicated make up products are a great addition to your skin care regiment.

Dry skin
A woman with dry skin should always apply a moisturizer to his skin prior to applying makeup. Choose a moisturizer which won’t feel heavy on your skin and will dry quickly. Cosmetic companies offer dry skin foundations formulated for dry skin. Choose a foundation which is water based and contains moisturizers. Some foundations contain aloe vera which possesses many skin enhancing properties. Powder foundations are not recommended for dry skin. Stick with a cream foundation.

Blush and eye shadows come in a variety of forms. Fortunately for women with dry skin, there are many cream blushes and shadows. Creamy formulas will keep your make up from flaking and cracking and provide you with a flawless and even look. Even lipstick is now available in moisturizing formulas. As with foundation, you want to stay away from powder products. These types of cosmetics will not apply evenly and will flake off through out the day or evening.

Sensitive skin
It can be difficult to purchase make up products for sensitive skin. The ingredients included in cosmetics come from a wide range of sources. During the manufacturing process they can be exposed to various substances and fragrances which could be irritating to sensitive skin. What could be worse than spending $10 on a cosmetic only to have it break your skin out in red blotches or bumps?

Cosmetic counters in department stores are great places for women with sensitive skin to buy make up. The people who work in the cosmetic departments are generally very knowledgeable about the products they sell. They should be able to advise you which products are best for sensitive skin. They sometimes provide free samples and they allow you to sample the products at the counter before purchasing. You can wear the product out of the store and are then able to see whether your skin will have a bad reaction to the cosmetic.
If cosmetic counters are too expensive for your budget, you can avoid try to avoid a problem with cosmetics by selecting products which are made for sensitive skin.

The new mineral make up is great for sensitive skin. Mineral make up is not supposed to contain any ingredients usually irritating for sensitive skin. Mineral make up is free of any dyes, fragrances, preservatives, alcohol, and talc. This line of cosmetics offers everything you need; from foundation to eye shadow to lip stick. Generally you should be able to purchase mineral make up with minimal concern of irritation to your sensitive skin.

Khush Singh - Celebrity & Indian Bridal Makeup Artist ...Born with a Brush in her hand...

Indian Wedding Makeup that Lasts

2011-09-11T17:54:00.000-04:00

Indian Bridal Makeup that Lasts...

On your big day, you want your makeup to last. Not only that, but you want to look stunning in your photographs. In order to insure that your makeup will last as long as possible, it may be best to hire a professional to take care of it. However, here is some advice to keep in mind even if you do hire a makeup artist. {mosgoogle}
Get rid of extra shine. A shiny face looks even worse in photographs, especially if the photographer uses a flash. After washing your face, apply an oil controlling product. After that absorbs, apply a thin layer of loose powder. Apply foundation and the rest of your makeup as usual. Follow up with another thin layer of loose powder. Carry some pressed powder with you so you can control any shine as the day progresses.
Use a makeup base. Several cosmetic companies offer products that go on under your eye makeup or lipstick that help your makeup last. Eye makeup base provides a layer that your eyeshadow and eyeliner can adhere to. This prevents creasing and helps the colour stay on longer. They offer similar products for lipstick. However, try to find a lipstick base that is also moisturizing. Some products contain ingredients that dry the lips out. You’ll need your lips to stay nice and moist so you can smile all day.
Lasting lipstick. One of the first things to fade is your lipstick. Follow these tips that will help your lipstick last. First, apply a moisturizing lip base. Then, apply lip liner in a shade that is a little darker than your lipstick. Use a soft pencil. Fill the lips in with the pencil. Apply one coat of lipstick and blot gently. Apply another coat of lipstick but this time do not blot. Press a thin layer of facial tissue gently to your lips. Using a large brush, apply a thin layer of pressed powder to the tissue. The tissue acts as a screen, letting in only a small amount of powder. The powder helps the lipstick set and keeps it on longer.
Pack a makeup bag. No matter how hard you try to create a lasting look, you still may need to do some minor touchups throughout the day. Pack pressed powder, lipstick, mascara, and eyeshadow just in case your colour needs a boost.
<a href="http://khushsingh.com/">Khush Singh - Celebrity & Indian Bridal Makeup Artist</a>

Tips for not wearing to much Makeup

2011-09-07T17:26:00.001-04:00

When it comes to wearing makeup, some women tend to go overboard. To make matters worse, they often are not aware of the fact that they are wearing too much. This bad habit not only makes for a makeup mishap, it can wreak havoc on their complexion in the long run. If you’re guilty of this common occurrence, there are steps you can take to learn how to lessen your makeup load. Your skin will thank you for it!

We’ve all seen it: the woman that has so much makeup piled on her complexion that it appears like a separate mask. For women that are aware of their dependency on their cosmetics, the first step is to identify how much makeup you are applying and how often. If you happen to be the type of woman that can’t leave the house - even to run simple errands - without layering on the makeup, you’ll find the idea of lessening your load a bit of a challenge at first. However, with time and practice, you’ll eventually learn how to minimize how much foundation, concealer, eye makeup and lip color you wear on a daily basis. Sporting layers of foundation and concealer on a daily basis is not good for your skin so your first lesson will be training yourself to use a light hand when it comes to application. Do not cake on your foundation! This makeup item is only to be used for creating a smooth and uniform skin tone. Use your finger to dab some of the foundation onto your complexion and then smooth it outwards using your fingertips and blend. Check your progress in the mirror with good lighting. One application of foundation should be more than enough. If you think you have too much on, use a makeup sponge or cotton ball and run it over your complexion. This will soak up excess foundation. Apply a few dabs of concealer as needed but don’t overdo it. If you have a hard time changing this part of your routine, try switching to brush-on foundation in powder form (for dry skin types, you’ll need to stick to a cream or liquid formula).

Think about your routine and what makeup you apply. Do you go all out with the foundation, concealer, powder, blush, eye liner, eye shadow, mascara and lip color? Then try taking away one or two of these factors out of the equation with each passing day. For example, try wearing foundation, concealer, powder, blush, eye liner, mascara and lip color but skip out on the eye shadow. Then the next day try only wearing foundation, concealer, blush, mascara and lip color. With each passing day, you should try to eliminate one or more of the makeup items you normally apply to your complexion. Eventually you’ll learn how to create different, lighter makeup looks that will keep your skin happy and still give you the coverage that you feel comfortable with.

<a href="http://khushsingh.com/">Khush Singh - Celebrity & Indian Bridal Makeup Artist</a>