With less than a month to go, I’ve been investing a lot more in taking care of my hair and skin—to make sure that I look my very best on my wedding day! As much as I’d want to visit the hair salon or a skin care clinic to get treatments regularly, it’s so hard to find the time—so I’ve opted to just be wiser with the products I use every day.

Calyxta Engagement Stories:

Cayo Fragada and Gretchen Gatan

August 27, 2018 at the Church of Gesu

Below are hair and skin care products I can honestly vouch for to help me prep for my wedding:

As someone with very fine hair strands (which makes it harder to maintain volume) and who tends to suffer from hair fall when I’m stressed out, I wanted to make sure that my hair is at its healthiest come September. This is why I’ve been using Zenutrients Gugo Shampoo and Conditioner, which has been so effective in preventing hair fall, giving my hair that much-needed volume, and strengthening its strands. I’ve also been spraying Minoxidil Regroe 5% twice a day—to promote hair growth and make my mane even thicker!

Having oily and acne-prone skin can be such a hassle—and because of these skin care woes, I never not have a pack of COSRX’s Pimple Patch with me. It’s great for covering and drying up little pimples—making them disappear even faster. I also use their Hyaluronic Acid Power Essence to hydrate my skin—since hydrating is essential no matter what your skin type is! I’ve been using this essence for almost two years now, and it has helped make my skin softer and more supple.

To achieve firmer and tighter-looking skin, and to reduce the appearance of UV damage and fine lines, I’ve been patting on The Ordinary’s Retinol 0.5% in Squalene as well. Be careful though, because retinol can make your skin extra sensitive to the sun. It’s important to apply sunscreen daily. Glossier’s Invisible Shield is my top pick, since it protects my skin from UVA and UVB rays without the sticky feeling!

Body care, for me, is technically still skin care. Apart from using a gentle soap to cleanse my skin without drying it out, like Kala Milk, I also use the St. Ives Body Lotion Refresh and Revive twice a day to moisturize, replenish, and rehydrate my tired skin. These are crucial, especially since my bridal gown’s design will be showing off a lot of my back and arms.

As for my underarms, just so that I can confidently move and dance around during the reception, I’ve been applying the new Dove Intensive Renew Deodorant Dry Serum with Collagen and Vitamin B3. It’s actually more than just a deodorant for me. I use it more for the skin care benefits, because I need it to lighten dark spots, even out my underarm skin, and prevent them from coming back. I’m so glad I discovered this before my wedding.

So those are current staples in my daily beauty routine just three weeks before my wedding day!

Written By:

Gretchen Gatan

MANAGING EDITOR

Gretchen is a writer, makeup artist, and the beauty and lifestyle blogger behind www.gretasjunkyard.com. Her love for beauty all started when she discovered the wonders of doing her brows with a good eyebrow pen. Despite her girly ways and obsession with skin care, she loves watching wrestling and gets competitive while playing Ultimate Frisbee.

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1. Google Drive

As soon as we got engaged and started booking our suppliers, we created a shared main folder on Google Drive with sub folders to organize rate cards, contracts, receipts, and other files related to our wedding—including a master file on Google Sheets, which brings me to the next one…

2. Google Sheets

Our master file on Google Sheets contains anything and everything about our wedding—including personal details, entourage list, guest list, supplier list, venue comparison (back when we were still comparing the different venues we were considering), budget and expenses, music worksheet, program flow, etc.

3. Pinterest

I’ve always had a vague picture of how I want my wedding day to look like—sophisticated yet minimalist, and Pinterest definitely helped give me a lot of pegs and references. I created a Wedding Board with sub-sections on my Color Palette, Bridal Gown, Bridal Shoes, Hair and Makeup Looks, Bridal Bouquet, Event Styling, Invitations, Wedding Cake, Wedding Rings, Wedding Souvenir, Engagement Shoot Layouts, etc. The more specific you are, the easier it is to visualize everything and see if they’re all cohesive! I even took it as far as creating a PowerPoint deck and style guide to really trim down all my pins from Pinterest (since it can be a bit overwhelming), to help our suppliers understand what we want.

4. Trello

Written By:
Gretchen Gatan
Managing Editor

Gretchen is a writer, makeup artist, and the beauty and lifestyle blogger behind Greta’s Junkyard. Her love for beauty all started when she discovered the wonders of doing her brows with a good eyebrow pen. Despite her girly ways and obsession with skin care, she loves watching wrestling and gets competitive while playing Ultimate Frisbee.

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TRADITIONAL VS. AIRBRUSH MAKEUP: WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE?

Products from Calyxta You Might Like:

You can never be *just* a guest to all the weddings you’re attending. However little your role, trust us when we say you’ve got to bring your A-beauty game to these milestone celebrations. (Remember, cameras will be everywhere!) To save you extra time and energy, here are the beauty looks we recommend for every type of wedding.

You can trust the air-conditioning to help keep your full face intact, so consider this an opportunity to go for a full-on glam evening look.

1. Work on a perfect base with a Beautyblender, sunscreen, primer, and foundation—you know the drill.
2. Go big on the eyes: a two-or-three-tone eye shadow in brownish pinks and soft grays, mascara and eyeliner, and make sure your brows are well-groomed but not overly done.
3. Shamelessly contour and highlight (the bridge of your nose, temples, cupid’s bow, et cetera) as this is the key point of your hi-glam beauty look.

BEAUTYBLENDER PRO, P990

The major question to really ask here is if you’re getting married in a city hall locally or overseas? If it’s the former, the just…

1. Keep it fresh and—well, semi-casual, if you know what we mean.
2. Work on precisely defined brows, thick lashes, brown tones on your eyes, and thick eye liner. Call it a cat-eye for day wear.
3. Go for a drunk blush, lots of highlighter (as a pre-sweating trick), and a natural lip.

L’OREAL PARIS FALSE LASH BUTTERFLY WATERPROOF BLACK MASCARA, P500

Exposure to the sun, sand, and sea will make you want to wear a naked-as-can-be face.

1. Put on sunscreen (of course!) and a non-matte primer. We suggest looking already dewy, before you become really dewy (which we shall try to avoid!).
2. Nonchalantly put on pinkish, gold, or a bronzy shimmer on your lids with your ring finger, or an EcoTools shade brush if you insist. Put on fake lashes but only if you’re skilled at it.
3. Finish your look with translucent powder and say a prayer.

FACE REPUBLIC SUPER SCREEN SUN GEL SPF 50+, P499

1. We recommend a dewy base, and put on primer even over your eyelids!
2. Stay on the rosy browns and nude side for your eyes and lip colors. No need for perfect arched shadow applications and all that jazz. It’s a garden wedding—so chill!
3. Ruin your hair even before the wind does.

TONI&GUY BODY AMPLIFY CREATION HAIRSPRAY 250ML, P960

Look as prim and proper as ever, like a true daughter of the heavens.

1. Work on a flawless base-a concealer for all your impurities, a primer to erase all the scars, et cetera.
2. Contour perfectly (use an EcoTools brush for god’s sake—pun intended!) as if your life depends on it. Key areas are your temples, cheeks, and chin area, for a smaller, saintly face.
3. Feign innocence with doe eyes: darker eye shadow on the outer area of your eyes, a slightly winged liner, and longer and fuller fake lashes on the outer area of your lids.

ECOTOOLS SIX PIECE DAY TO NIGHT SET, P1,150

Written By: 

Patti Sunio aka Tita Pacita

BEAUTY CONTRIBUTOR

Tita Pacita of www.titapacita.com is a lifestyle, culture, and fashion & beauty writer from Manila. With her wisdom and almost thirty years of life experience, she likes to share what she knows and give unsolicited advice, true to her Tita ways. Her makeup choices are primarily based on instinct, and, believe it or not, K-Beauty.

Whether you’re a blushing bride-to-be or a distinguished guest, choosing your dress for an important event isn’t the hardest decision you’ll have to make. Namely, it’s the kind of makeup should you go for. No, I don’t just mean choosing what shade of lipstick or eyeshadow to wear. More like—should you take the classic, traditional route or splurge a little extra for some fancy, airbrush makeup magic? If you can’t make up your mind (it’s tough, I know!), here’s the low down on both types to help you deal with that mental dispute:

The biggest advantage of sticking with tradition is that you can do your makeup in the comfort of your own home. If you’re already a regular makeup wearer, this should be a piece of cake for you. Just stick on a pair of falsies, swipe on a luscious shade of lipstick, and you’re good to go. But if you’re not so confident with your makeup skills, you’ll likely need a professional MUA to help out. Traditional makeup can easily look cakey, overdone, and downright unflattering if you don’t know exactly what you’re doing, so a good MUA is key. Unlike airbrush makeup that tends to look good throughout the day, traditional makeup might still need occasional touch-ups and probably won’t look as great hours later. If you’re on a budget though, going traditional is best. Whether you’re DIY-ing your #MOTD (Makeup Of The Day) or hiring a MUA, you’ll save significantly more.

Helpful tip: whichever one you go for, just always remember to keep BEE in mind: Budget, Event, and Expertise!

Written By:

Ari Yupangco

BEAUTY CONTRIBUTOR

Ari has been blogging since 2012 about all things beauty with a sprinkle of different topics here and there. She loves makeup just as much as she loves almost anything nerdy like video games and comic books, and is big on Japanese culture.

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Planning about your entire bridal beauty look must include your fragrance. After all, you’ll be spending a lot of time greeting guests. Not to mention, facing the love of your life and vowing to spend eternity with him. Surely such a momentous occasion deserves careful thought and planning.

If you are deciding on whether to go with a favorite scent, a completely new one, or a perfume your husband-to-be absolutely loves on you, let these real brides and their own experiences help you decide.

Chrina Cuna-Henson, Managing Director and Producer – Married 4 Years Scent: Jo Malone’s Peony & Blush Suede

I chose it for my wedding day because it’s an elegant scent that’s appropriate from day-to-night. I loved the romantic full floral notes layered with the softness of blush suede and a fresh top note. I find that it’s a unique scent that is not overpowering but is still extremely long-lasting.

I distinctly remember spritzing myself with perfume and feeling like it was the final touch to my bridal look. The scent made me feel very feminine and confident—the way I always feel in Peony & Blush Suede. After all, I really just wanted to smell like myself and didn’t want to show up on my wedding in a brand new, unfamiliar scent.

Eliza Constantino-del Rosario, Reading Clinican – Married 1 and 1/2 years Scent: Versace Bright Crystal

I wore it because it was the scent I was loving during that time. It was also a plus that pink is my favorite color and it helped that it was in a pretty bottle, so it also looked great in photos.

I didn’t have to worry knowing that the scent I chose was something I used every day because I was confident that it is tried-and-tested.

Zild Ansay-Aquino, Hotelier – Married 2 Months Scent: Jo Malone Nectarine Blossom and Honey and Versace Bright Crystal

My main perfume was Jo Malone Nectarine Blossom and Honey. I used this during the ceremony.  I searched literally everywhere for my wedding scent. Jo Malone really matched my personality. I knew it was the one. Love at first sniff.

I wanted to use it as well for the reception but one of my husband’s Titas gave me a Versace Bright Crystal as her bridal gift. I wanted her to know that I appreciated her gift, which is why I wore it during the reception.

I didn’t want to use my usual favorite, which is Lancôme La Vie Est Belle. I really wanted to pin that memory to a new scent so that when I smelled it in the future, I would remember my wedding day and nothing more. I used it also during my honeymoon! So that perfume really reminds me of the best days of my life.

Meira Furuki-Chua, Pastoral Administration Assistant – Married 7 Months Scent: TOCCA Eau de Parfum in Florence

Around a year before our wedding, I wore this fragrance one day and my then-fiancé-now-husband, absolutely loved it! We have always struggled with finding the “right scent” for me that we both loved. My husband is a fan of citrus, clean scents, while I much prefer to lean towards the floral side. So when I got a favorable reaction from him, I decided to cease using it in the meantime and save it for our wedding day!

There were barely any flowers around since our wedding was during the tail-end of winter in Japan, but the elegant floral scent was a piece of warmth amidst the chilly day. Picking the right fragrance for me definitely completed my overall look. Every time I smell it, I am reminded of our wedding day and I always find myself smiling from ear to ear.

Ronna Capili-Bonifacio, Writer – Married 7 Years Scent: Dolce & Gabbana La Roue de La Fortune

In spite of being a beauty writer for many years, including the year I was preparing for my wedding, I was not able to give my perfume choice a lot of thought. I had a couple of scents I rotated and Dolce & Gabbana La Roue de La Fortune was a newly opened bottle. At first, it was the name that captured my interest—it is translated as wheel of fortune in English—it felt like an appropriate name for the big leap I was about to take. Once I sniffed it, I knew it was perfect for the occasion. It was unlike the usual clean and citrusy or floral scents I gravitate toward. It was a bit more mature and sensual, perhaps because of the patchouli and vanilla base notes. I still love spraying it to this day when we go on dates because the scent reminds me of us.

Written By: 

Ronna Bonifacio

BEAUTY CONTRIBUTOR

Ronna Capili Bonifacio is a writer, editor, and columnist covering beauty and lifestyle for over a decade. She now also tries to humorously write about motherhood as a mom of two. Apart from skin care and cosmetics, Ronna’s true weakness are books and coffee. You can follow her on Instagram @ronnabonifacio and her blog: www.ronnabonifacio.com.

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SOLEIL ET LUNE BRIGITTE EAU DE TOILETTE, P380 – P1,180

Minimalist 

No falsies, no layers of foundation, no heavy contours. Most women would gasp at these three absences, but not you. If you aren’t one to put on lots of makeup on a daily basis and prefer to feel lightweight on your wedding day, maybe this one is for you! Think Coleen Garcia when she married Billy Crawford at the beach. If you’re having an outdoor wedding or even a beach wedding like the Crawfords, this look makes a lot of sense, too. Who wants to be worrying about melty makeup on one of the biggest days of your life?

Something Blue

Instead of wearing blue undies or blue heels, why don’t you work in a bit of blue eyeshadow or blue eyeliner into your look for your “something blue“? A skilled makeup artist would love the room to play around with some color on the bride, rather than the usual range from nude to nude. A bit of navy on the eyes might be fun over smoking your eyelids with the usual browns. The key is to balance it out with your cheeks and lips, so it looks seamless rather than a shock of blue.

Monochromatic

Take inspiration from the K-Beauty trends and wear the same shade on your eyes, cheeks, and lips! This is perfect if you’re going DIY with your makeup and are a practical gal– you won’t have to buy too many new things just for the wedding. Try using the same lip and cheek product on all three features. Just don’t forget to add a bit of dimension with eyeliners, contour and highlighting products, and mascara. This also works for softer hues like mauves and pinks for an ethereal look that could go well with a flower crown.

Written By: 

Ronna Bonifacio

BEAUTY CONTRIBUTOR

Ronna Capili Bonifacio is a writer, editor, and columnist covering beauty and lifestyle for over a decade. She now also tries to humorously write about motherhood as a mom of two. Apart from skin care and cosmetics, Ronna’s true weakness are books and coffee. You can follow her on Instagram @ronnabonifacio and her blog: www.ronnabonifacio.com.

Your wedding dress should be white.

Certain colors just make us feel better, don’t they? Some ladies claim to be more bold and confident when donning red, or fun and flirty in pink. Others like to keep it toned down and chic with an all-black ensemble. If you’re a bride-to-be and aren’t too keen on slipping into something white for your big day, don’t feel pressured to. Many women, both regular Janes and celebrities alike, are choosing to wed in colors they like best and feel most comfortable in. Whether it’s baby blue, lavender, or any other color of the rainbow—you do you! Walk down that aisle in whatever color makes you as happy as the person waiting for you at the end of it.

Be sure to look extra glamorous.

All the bridesmaids have to dress alike.

If you want to be comfortable and let your personality shine through with your chosen wedding dress, shouldn’t your bridesmaids get to do the same? They’re likely your closest gal pals or relatives after all. Get creative and allow your bridesmaids to choose what colors they’d want to wear during the wedding, and even if they’ll opt to grin and bear it with heels or not. Of course, there still has to be a common theme or some uniformity going on. If they’re going to be choosing dress colors, or even fabrics, give them a range of options you selected and maybe have them sporting the same accessories. In the end, it won’t only be the bride having tons of fun that day.

You’ll need to invite lots of friends and family.

Serve cake at the reception.

Believe it or not, not everyone’s got a hankering for cake. Switch it up when it comes to what your guests will dine on by having a tower of donuts or cutely-decorated brownies. Or maybe pass around some scrumptious ice cream sundaes instead. If you and your partner are in agreement, you can also opt for no cake at all. There’ll be plenty of other treats to keep the guests happy. Plus, you can skip those slightly awkward photos of you and your partner feeding cake to one another.

Splurge on an expensive honeymoon getaway.

Written By:

Ari Yupangco

BEAUTY CONTRIBUTOR

Ari has been blogging since 2012 about all things beauty with a sprinkle of different topics here and there. She loves makeup just as much as she loves almost anything nerdy like video games and comic books, and is big on Japanese culture.

Hair up during the ceremony, and down during the reception. This is the usual style brides opt for and it’s a fail-proof plan. The updo complements the solemn ceremony and timeless portraits, while the kick ass party you planned is just begging you to let your hair down, literally and figuratively.

But after deciding on an updo, just what kind should you get? There are endless ways to pull up your hair, soon to be missus. Here’s a short list to help you pin down your bridal look.

1. Romantic Updo

Pulling up all the curled hair into a loose updo is a surefire romantic look. You can put a flower crown, hairband braid, or even a fishtail as an accent. This look would complement a lace gown well, or an outdoor garden wedding. Don’t forget to leave face-framing layers to really turn up that romantic bride vibe.

2. Low, Easy Bun

3. The Side Bun

When partnered with a deep side part, the side bun is one of the most classic looks you can’t go wrong with. Ladies who prefer clean silhouettes, Sabrina necklines, and A-line gowns would love this updo. Allowing your bangs or hair to frame your face can also help with giving you a smaller face shape.

4. Top-Knot

5. That Meghan Markle Updo

We bet it’s the updo everyone’s going to be asking for in the next few years. The Duchess of Sussex has cemented the messy updo with a center part as her signature hairstyle and it gives off such an approachable vibe. Do it like Meghan and juxtapose it with stiffer fabrics or let it work with your laidback wedding style. The finishing touch to do ala-Meghan Wear jewelry with restraint.

Written By: 

Ronna Bonifacio

BEAUTY CONTRIBUTOR

Ronna Capili Bonifacio is a writer, editor, and columnist covering beauty and lifestyle for over a decade. She now also tries to humorously write about motherhood as a mom of two. Apart from skin care and cosmetics, Ronna's true weakness are books and coffee. You can follow her on Instagram @ronnabonifacio and her blog: www.ronnabonifacio.com.

Products You Might Like:

1. Exmouth

Possibly the closest match to the classic wedding font of yonder (it probably would very closely match the first thought bubble that comes to your head when someone says “wedding font”), this font is brimming with elegance and class.

Download link: https://www.dafont.com/exmouth.font

2. Better Together

3. Champagne & Limousines

If you want to veer away from the traditional swirly script that makes up most wedding invites, go for minimalism and opt for this sleek, clean font that is simple but very classy.

Download link: https://www.dafont.com/champagne-limousines.font

4. Sweet Hipster

5. Beyond Wonderland

If you want something old-fashioned and rustic, look no further than this very medieval-looking font (think Lancelot and Guinevere). You can even write this on scrolls to nail the theme, if you wish.

Download link: http://www.1001fonts.com/beyond-wonderland-font.html

Text by: Yasha Barretto

These are the three items you must bring on your honeymoon.

I’ve often wondered, if I were to get stuck on an island, which three beauty items would I want—or need to have with me? I think the same goes for travel or going on a romantic getaway. Which three things would I absolutely need to have with me 24/7 in order to look and feel good?

SPF

I think that it goes without saying that the top product would be SPF. Skin cancer is such a reality these days that the most important thing to consider would be protection from the harsh rays of the sun. This would guarantee safety as well as comfort in knowing that I won’t be seeing premature wrinkled or unsightly sunspots anytime soon.

Pond’s Age Miracle BB Cream SPF 30, P499

“We love that this lightweight BB cream hides flaws and protects your skin at the same time.“

Dry Shampoo

Another item that I think should always be with you is a dry shampoo. Hair is so major that it really does make a difference when it looks good. You may not have time to wash your hair as often as you’d like to while traveling so this keeps it fresh, and provides volume sans a blow dry. Another plus? If your hair is colored, it’s better to use a dry shampoo over a conventional shampoo where you have to wet your hair and all, because it keeps your hair color from fading and turning brassy.

Toni & Guy Sky High Volume Dry Shampoo, P990

“We love the fragrance and volumizing wonders of this easy-to-use hair rescue product.”

Lip and Cheek Tint

Lastly, a lip and cheek tint product should do the trick, makeup wise. A little color always helps, and a monotone look is enough to make one look fresh. Go for tried and tested multi-functional makeup products that blend easily, and don’t steak or crease. Also, remember—you can use the same color on your lids!

Pink Sugar Sugartint Lip & Cheek Tint, P349

“These blend in effortlessly, and the pigment payoff is amazing!“

Text by: Agoo Bengzon

What exactly is a minimoon? Well, it could be a simple but relaxing weekend of pampering and romance at a location close to home, but far away enough to not have to deal with the daily grind. It is a mini break from the real world, or a recovery period after all the grueling wedding planning. A minimoon need not be extravagant, after all, the only thing that matters is that you and your partner are together in what is pretty much the beginning of your forever.

Here we list some of the most idyllic minimoon destinations for you and your partner to getaway to:

1. A Staycation in Subic

Subic is one of the most accessible destinations from the big city, just a three-hour drive away from Metro Manila. There is a plethora of new hotels to choose from, lots of Duty Free shopping to do, and some nature trails to trek. If you lovebirds just want to stay in, turn off your mobile phones and Netflix (and chill! Wink, wink!) in your hotel room. And should you want to go to a tranquil beach, the Zambales coastline is just a short drive away.

2. A Holiday in Hong Kong

If you feel like going overseas without the hassle of jetlag or a long-haul flight, Hong Kong is the way to go. The flight is only over an hour away (which, let's face it, is sometimes less than the time it takes to get from Point A to point B in rush hour Manila traffic). This bustling Metropolis with bright lights, amazing (and affordable!) street food, tons of shopping options, and awesome amusement parks (Disneyland! Ocean Park!) is the best quickie out-of-the-country getaway.

3. A Break in Batanes

This island on the far north of the country is so breathtaking that it has been hailed "The New Zealand of the Philippines." The picturesque green landscape, the scenic coastline with waves splashing against the shore, the tranquility of it all makes Batanes an idyllic minimoon getaway.

4. A Sojourn in Siargao

You know you've made it as a destination when an entire movie revolves around you (and is your namesake, too!). But even with its heightened popularity, it still isn't as tourist-congested as other beach hotspots just yet, and you and your partner can certainly revel in each other's company, unbothered by crowds and noise. Beyond being a surfer's paradise, Siargao has lots of secluded and lush islands to traverse, blue green waters to dive
and snorkel in, and hidden caves and coves to explore. The key word here is: secluded.

5. Canoodling in Coron

Ahh Coron---perfect as a postcard from every angle. From the beautiful blue waters of Lake Kayangan and the Twin Lagoon, to the underwater mountains of the Barracuda Lake and the remains of a Japanese shipwreck, Coron is a breathtaking piece of nature (and highly Instagrammable!). As far as minimoons, go this one would be unforgettable.

Text by: Yasha Barretto

The right kind of makeup matters, depending on where the wedding will be!

Weddings nowadays sure aren’t what they used to be. Whether they’re at the top of a hill all the way in New Zealand or in a small chapel tucked in a secluded island, one thing’s for sure—you want to look the part of a gorgeous guest, but you also want to be comfortable. Here are our top beauty tips for those of you who’ll be witnesses (or the bride herself) at a wedding:

Hotel

If you’re going to a good ol’ hotel reception, thank your lucky stars for air conditioning! Take advantage of the cool temp by donning a dewy look, which would be close to impossible to pull off at a scorching hot beach wedding. When wearing highlighter, always remember to apply it only on high areas, and avoid the t-zone. No one really enjoys staring at a shiny forehead.

Prime Picks:

GLOSSIER HALOSCOPE, P1,650

Beach 

A wedding by the beach calls for some semi-matte foundation and powdered formulas. Heat and humidity are often the mortal enemies of cream and liquid formulas, so it would be best to stay away from them. For this type of look, you can still use a liquid foundation but make sure to set it with a good pressed or loose powder to seal the deal. You can also opt to use metallic eye shadow so as not to make the entire beauty look fall flat. A good powdered metallic eye hue will elevate your look, and more importantly, will hold throughout the ceremony. Finish off with a makeup

Prime Picks:

MILANI MAKE IT LAST SETTING SPRAY PRIME + CORRECT + SET, P650

Winter

Attending a wedding in cooler climates sounds like a dream (goodbye, melting makeup!) but it has its cons too. Often, the problem with cold climates is it can be really harsh on your skin, and can even make skin flake and make your foundation crack. Your best weapon? Primers! Choose one that has skin care benefits, and make sure to give it time to set before you apply your foundation, and the rest. Oh, and stay away from liquid matte formulations for lips—those will just end up drying out your lips. Go for creamy textures instead as those will keep your lips healthy-looking and moisturized.

Prime Picks:

PINK SUGAR HD LIPSTICK, P299

Text by: Agoo Bengzon

Enter the mismatched bridesmaid gown trend, where the entourage aren’t fully required to wear exactly the same things and can choose different dress styles that can express their individuality (and best assets! Hello, collarbones!). While Katherine Heigl’s character took the mismatched trend to another level, when done right, this trend can take your wedding photos a notch higher and not look like a hot mess. Here are some handy tips on how to pull it off flawlessly:

Discussion is key. Tell the girls what you have in mind and get their input. It would be best to talk to them all together in one go, too, so everyone can express their comments and suggestions. Consider their personalities and physique. Some dress types and colors just don’t work well on different body types and skin tones. Don’t give them too much leeway to shop and design their own outfits without consulting you and the rest as well, as this could potentially backfire and have someone look like the odd one out. All of you should arrive at a compromise that works for everyone. Of course, the bride still gets final say. It is your day after all.

Photo by Stylish Wedd

Although, as a bridesmaid, it is understandable to want to get bang for your buck with a dress that can be re-used (especially if your arrangement with the bride is that you’ll take care of all wedding outfit expenses yourself). However, you may have to accept the fact that most of the time, these dresses are for one-time wear only. Do not agonize about if these dresses will be wearable elsewhere, or you’ll spend endless hours discussing and revising to make it suitable for things beyond the wedding. Rock it confidently for the entire duration of the wedding and it will be worth it. Also, it will definitely get maximum mileage in the wedding photos and SDE video anyway.

Photo by Bridal Musings

Beyond the dresses, a perfectly executed wedding theme will take into account all aspects of the wedding, from the flowers to the table center pieces, to the venue. Everything must go together, including your bridesmaids’ outfits. If you’re having an outdoor garden or beach wedding, best to have flowy or shorter dresses and stick with wedges or sandals for shoes. If you’re in a grand ballroom, formal full-length dresses and stiletto heels would be more apt.