Wedding Hairstyles for the African American Natural Bride

Have a great weekend!

Do I really need an MUA?

The number one question that I am asked from brides that are considering beauty treatments- “Do I really need a makeup artist?” Yes, yes and yes!! Do you honestly want some bridesmaids with red lips, others with pink, and someone with enough eyeliner for the entire wedding party in your pictures?! I didn’t think so. Most of the times brides mention that a cousin, friend or mother is willing to do their makeup for them, which is a very sweet gesture filled with good intentions. However, on your wedding day, the day that you have dreamed of since you were a little girl, you want experts at every helm. You wouldn’t hire a DJ that had only set up his IPOD play list, or get your cake from a baker who had only made sheet cakes for Sunday dinner. The same goes for your makeup.

It’s a makeup artist job to ensure you are in love with your look, unlike your cousin, who owes you nothing in this regard. Let’s face it, you’ve given her 200 other things to do, she did not have time to practice! Think about it, although there are many elements to your wedding day, what is the one element that will be the focal point…..Your Face! It will be in 90% of all your pictures, it’s what people see as you make your grand entrance, and most importantly it’s what your groom will be gazing into the entire ceremony. So ensure that you are the most beautiful you by hiring a professional to work with you on your look for that day.

The benefits of a MakeUp Artist (MUA), are many, we will just touch on a few:

1.A Makeup Artist is just that, an artist whose sole purpose is to create and contour your natural beauty to awe inspiring perfection.

2. A trial run is guaranteed, 3 months before the wedding an MUA can consult with you trying on various looks, and should take, and email you photos of the looks so you can decide on one of them, no later than 3 weeks before. Trust me you will change your mind, at least 3 times…it’s okay though.

3.Hiring a makeup artist is a great way to feel pampered without breaking the bank. Having to sit and close your eyes while someone puts all their attention and effort on you, allows you the time to sit and soak in the moment of being the pampered bride that you should be.

So in conclusion it’s your special day, ensure that special attention is given to your most important accessory….you.

For more information on booking a MUA in the North Carolina or Texas area http://www.theluxegroupbride.com
For other areas check out http://www.weddingwire.com

Have an exceptional day!

A Stress Free Bride is a Beautiful Bride

Stress is the one thing that all brides can relate to at one point or another during the wedding planning process. So to avoid needing those extra facial beauty treatments, relax for goodness sake! With all the planning and meshing of families it is easy to forget what got this party started in the first place, the love of two people, you and your fiancé.

Hold on to your sanity, and keep crazy family and friends at bay by taking time with the one who started it all. Remember without a proposal there would be no wedding, so take time with just you and your groom. Even if you take 30 minutes in the evening, or an entire afternoon each week, cut off the phone, do not mention your wedding, breathe, and most importantly laugh together.

A couple, who laughs together, stays together. Here are a few ideas for you and your groom’s, “Couple Time” that will not interfere with the wedding budget:


1. Listen to your mutual favorite album while sipping a soothing cup of tea or your favorite bottle of wine. Music is a great way to relax, releasing those happy endorphins, while bringing back all the good memories you have had together when listening to it in the past.

2. Take a drive. Sometimes it’s the simple things that relax the mind, not to mention it will take you away from the TV, phone, and unwelcomed visitors.

3. Play a board game, there’s nothing wrong with healthy fun competition. You know you’re going to beat the pants off him in Monopoly anyway!

Have an exceptional day and enjoy!

Wise Brides Pass on Their Beauty Wisdom

Daily Makeover.com researched thousands of brides and compiled the top 15 bridal beauty tips from some pretty wise brides. Get prepped and ready for the bridal beauty marathon with these tips!

Stash baby wipes in the bathroom to freshen up. "I was literally dripping sweat down my back I was dancing so much! I was having fun, but it's not so elegant when someone goes to give you a hug. I used baby wipes to freshen up. They're also great for getting out stains in a pinch without leaving a big ring like water can."
-Vanessa O'Malley, full-time mom, Summit, NJ.

Dirty hair is the secret to a long-wearing updo. "I have super fine hair that doesn't like to stay in an updo. I didn't wash my hair for four days before the wedding so it was slightly greasy. This gave my hair some grip and it stayed in place all night!"
-Alyssa Dineen, fashion stylist, New York, NY.

Do a trial run, even if you don't hire a pro. "Prior to my wedding, I had a friend create a smoky-eye look on me. In my opinion it looked too dark, but after wearing it for a while, I got used to it and it really looked nice! If I hadn't had a run-through, I would have been freaking out on my wedding day! After seeing my wedding day pictures, I was really glad to have gone with that look."
-Tammy Gibson, author of A Mom in Red High Heels, Redlands, CA.

Don't stray too far from the real you. "Experiment with different hairstyles, but then choose the one you are most comfortable with, the one that is most you. You don't want to look back at photos of the special day and wonder "who is that?"
-Kim Van Dang, branding consultant and founder of KVD NYC, New York, NY.

Reduce pre-wedding jitters with a personal spa ritual. "Make sure to pick one beauty regimen that is personal to you, like taking a nice and relaxing bath,"
-Marta Walsh, editor, TalkingMakeup.com, Scottsdale, AZ.

Splurge on a makeup pro. "I kept my hair very simple and did a simple chignon myself since it was going to be hidden by the veil anyway. I invested more time and energy into my makeup look. I did a trial run with a professional makeup artist keeping in mind how it would look in wedding pictures. To this day, I've never looked better in photos makeup wise, and I still use the tricks the makeup artist taught me."
-Stephanie Smirnov, President, DeVries Public Relations, New York, NY.

Make sure your touch-up kit has all the right colors. "I didn't own the makeup shades my makeup artist used, so she gave me the lipstick, lip gloss and eyeshadow. Not all makeup artists do this, so make sure to ask yours. You don't want to realize later on during your wedding that you don't have the right stuff for touch ups."
-Karen Bierman Hirsh, full time mom, Greenwich, CT.

Don't O.D. on blush. "My makeup artist didn't use a lot of blush for my wedding look because she said my cheeks would be flushed all night and then I'd be too red in person and pictures. And she was totally right! My make up looked gorgeous all night!"
-Alix Campbell, Photography Director, Marie Claire Magazine, New York, NY.

Go for waterproof mascara. "I made a huge mistake at my own wedding. I wept like a baby and had black track marks in some of my pictures (before my sisters pulled me into the bathroom for some damage control). I love Lancome Hypnose Waterproof Custom Volume Mascara because it makes lashes look super-lush, and comes off easily with eye makeup remover."
-Tia Williams, author and beauty blogger, Shake Your Beauty, Brooklyn, NY.

Not a fan of waterproof mascara? "I used a lengthening and curling mascara first to help build my lashes, and then added an additional coating of waterproof mascara at the very ends, which also helps hold the curl in lashes."
-Bailey Clark, writer, Makeover Momma, Staunton, VA

Don't rush to remove your veil. "If you decide to wear a veil on your wedding day, wear it for the entire day - from your walk down the aisle until the end of the reception. A veil is that one element that transforms you from a woman in a white dress into a bride. Looking back at my wedding photos, I wish I hadn't been in such a rush to take off my veil and show off my hair. I much prefer the photos of me wearing the veil; they have a much more romantic quality."
-Daneen Baird, writer & editor of Spoiled Pretty, Philadelphia, PA.

Get your brows groomed by a professional. "I did my own make up and had my hair styled in a simple french twist, but what really made me look polished was a professional eye brow shaping. I had my brows done a few days before the wedding so they wouldn't look red or bumpy on the big day. It made such a difference in photos to have perfect brows!"
-Jennifer Cattier, corporate lawyer, New York, NY.

Avoid bold nail polish. "Your hands will be on stage for the entire day---signing the certificate, showing off your rings, shaking hands---you'll want them looking pretty and feminine. I made a huge mistake on my wedding day by painting my nails BURGUNDY and now I cringe every time I look at my wedding pictures. My hands jump out and scream "bad trend!" in every photo. Do yourself a favor and choose a pretty pale pink or nude for your wedding day manicure."
-Erika Valente, editor of Makeup Bag, Reno, NV.

Reduce your sodium intake. "A few weeks before my wedding, I cut out salt from my diet. In just a few days, the eye puffiness was gone and I could see a big difference in the contours of my face."
-Mina Pontarelli, DailyMakeover.com Team, New York, NY.

Layer your makeup for ultimate wearing power. "Alternate lipstick with pressed powder, keep face makeup in place with makeup primers, line fillers, and setting powder -- these all help to ensure your makeup lasts for as long as you want it to!"
-Christine Mielke, editor, Temptalia, San Jose, CA

Have an exceptional day brides!

Welcome to Luxe Inspirations!

The Luxe Group Mobile, LLC was born out of the need for less stressed brides, worldwide. So our blog will give you information and inspiration for all things wedding beauty. As the bride you are the center element of your big day, so ensure that you are as beautiful as you feel. We will definitely welcome comments and "Bridal Postings" from our brides as we go along.

As a bride, we would like to answer your questions, as real wedding professionals, with over 30 years combined beauty experience. We are here to help. Looking forward to a beautiful partnership. Happy planning brides!