One of my beautiful brides, Anuja, was featured on Style Me Pretty Canada! Her wedding was a stunning array of colours. Click here to view the rest of the story! 

If a bold, dark lip isn't for you here's one trend everyone can definitely wear this Fall: metallics. Metallics come in all different shades and look instantly richer and oh-so luxe. There are many ways to wear it so have fun and experiment. 

To wear a metallic smokey eye here is a MTV Fora tutorial from MTV Canada's Head Makeup Artist Lucky Bromhead! 

I think the '90's are calling me back! Do these names ring a bell? Toast of New York. Black Cherry. Black Honey. Paramount. If you're a beauty junkie and wore lipstick in the 90's, then you're probably having a throwback moment to your teens. My go-to lippies were Revlon's Toast of New York and M.A.C. Paramount. I never thought for once as a "grown up" I'd be loving a dark lip again. This time around the dark lip that seemed like a faux paux seems so modern this time around that it's a must-do!

Most of you may run the other direction, but here are some tips on wearing the darkest hues of the season!

The end of a summer is bittersweet; the hot humidity turns into brisk winds but the leaves change to brilliant shades of fiery red, orange, and yellow. I love the fall season. Fashion becomes cozier and makeup becomes moodier. Crimson lips aren't a seasonal trend anymore. This red hot hue is a beauty staple meaning a red lipstick is a must in your beauty stash! 

How To Wear Crimson Lips: 

• To really make the lips the focus, wear barely-there shades on the eyes with just a touch of mascara. 
• Skin should be flawless so use a good coverage foundation and conceal where needed. Always set your makeup with a translucent powder.
• To give this look some edge, contour the cheeks with a matte bronzer. Highlight the cheekbones with a shimmery - not glittery - highlighter. 
• Full brows help frame the face so don't skip the brows! Slick brow hairs down with a wax or clear brow gel. For really unruly brows, spray some hair spray on a mascara wand. 
• For a dash of glam, line the eyes with a liquid liner and wing out. To make a statement, pair the bold lip with defined smokey eyes. 
• Make sure lips are in good shape. Exfoliate with a damp, warm cloth and move in a circular motion. Apply lip balm to moisturize and then blot with a tissue.
• For stay-proof lips, fill the lips in with a matching red lip liner. Apply your lipstick then blot with a tissue or dust with a translucent powder with a tissue placed over your lips. Then reapply again. Don't like lipstick? Use a gel lip stain. 

How To Pick The Right Shade of Red: 
Everyone can wear a red lip if you choose the right red for your skin tone. For pale skin tones, try a cool and bright cherry red. (Think Gwen Stefani). For medium yellow and olive skin tones, try a warm-toned fire-engine red. For dark skin tones, try a wine or burgundy red.

What I Used: 
The photo above is from a recent beauty shoot I did. Here are the products I used. 

• Face: Benefit Hello Flawless Brightening Foundation, Cover FX Concealer, Clinique Translucent Powder #8
• Cheeks: Benefit Hoola Bronzer, Yaby Cosmetics Highlighter in Light
• Eyes: M.A.C. Eyeshadow in White Frost
• Brows: Clarins Eye Brow Palette, L'Oreal Elnett Hairspray to set brows
• Lips: Fresh Sugar Lip Treatment, Julie Hewett Cocoa Noir Lip Liner, NARS Pure Velvet Matte Lipstick in Terre de Feu 

I had the awesome opportunity to interview uber talented hair stylist, Eva Therese of Eva Therese Studios, about all your bridal hair needs. I met Eva when I did my friend and fellow beauty blogger, Monica's of Beauty Parler, makeup for her wedding. That's her in the above picture looking all gorgeous. Eva has been Monica's longtime hair stylist and of course did her hair for the big day! 

When you find an amazing hair stylist that gets you and that you connect with, never let go! Thank you Eva for the very informative Q & A!

1.What are some of your favourite bridal hairstyle trends this season? 

Eva T: Lots of texture and loose flowing waves are prevalent this season. The wedding looks are very romantic and beach-inspired. I really like the way that braids and twists are being incorporated into the bridal looks this season. This looks good on most types of hair. I really love pieces loosely twisted back with wavy hair for a summer wedding. Curly hair looks amazing when it is twisted back as part of an updo. 

2. Do you recommend brides choose something more classic or do a combination of classic and trendy?

Eva T: I really believe that unless the bride is very edgy, classic is always better for bridal hair. When you look back at the pictures, most women don’t like the idea of trendy hair, as it will go out of fashion (i.e. the cringe-worthy 80’s bridal permed and teased coif). When hair trends are incorporated, I only believe it really works if it suits the bride’s texture, and truly highlights the bride’s natural beauty. 

3.Like makeup, are there appropriate styles for day vs. an evening wedding?

Eva T: The style of hair for a wedding is determined based on a few factors as well as the above mentioned. The bride’s hair texture, the cut of the wedding dress, suitability, as well as weather all play a part in the decision. Loose flowing hair is so beautiful for summer weddings, as well as hair up or down as a side style. The only risk is that if there is a high level of humidity, hair can fall and lose its wave in finer hair textures or get frizzy with curly textures. Updo’s are a good option for evening weddings. Manicured and refined styles usually provide a stress-free option for dancing the night away.  

4.What are some hair tips a bride should do or don't do leading up to her wedding day?

Eva T: Depends on the bride’s hair. I will usually recommend a deep treatment once a week for a client that has dry or curly hair so the hair is looking it’s healthiest. For my clients I usually do custom shampoos and conditioners with essential oils to take home at their trial with instructions to take the guess work out for them. The hair stays better when it is one day after washing, so I usually have my clients either come to have their hair washed the day before, or wash it themselves so it is ready for the ‘big-day’. If the bride’s hair is super fine and gets very oily quickly I will wash it the day of the wedding with no conditioner. Hair is much more slippery when it is freshly washed, so it just doesn’t hold as well. Also, I really don’t recommend drastic hair colour changes before a wedding, as you may look back and really regret not looking like yourself.

5. What products do you recommend or love to make a bride's hairstyle last all day? 

Eva T: My absolute can’t live without is Elnett Satin Extra Strong hold hairspray by L’Oreal Paris. It has the best hold of any hairspray I have tried, without making the hair hard. It allows you to brush through and create lasting beautiful styles that hold without interfering by drying solid. When doing loose waves, I spray it after I do the wave, then brush the hair and finish the look by re-forming the wave by twisting the hair with my fingers. You can find it at Walmart or Shoppers.
I also am able to use it on any type of hair, with is very important to me as a multi-cultural stylist. 

Eva did her first haircuts in 1984 at the age of four with her Mickey Mouse scissors on her friend and sister. From that point forward there was no looking back and Eva’s passion for hair has continued to flourish and grow. Eva Therese Studios is her lifelong dream come true.

Eva Therese is a master colourist and multi-ethnic hairstylist. She completed her training at Marvel school in Yorkville and L’Oreal professional academy. Eva’s resume includes Canada's premiere day spa the Elmwood, as well as a multi-ethnic salon in downtown Toronto, Urban Textures Salon, as a stylist and master colourist. Eva’s portfolio includes Toronto News personalities, Musicians, Artists and Models. In addition, Eva does hair for photo shoots, TV, and fashion shows and editorials. 

Eva has written articles as the Toronto hair expert for examiner.com an online newspaper, as well as a hair blog evatheresestudios.blogspot.com and as hair guru for beautyparler.com. Eva held the position as Associate Director/ Director of hair for Toronto Alternative Fashion Week for four years. In 2009 Eva opened the exclusive boutique salon in South Etobicoke overlooking lake Ontario. She has since started to create a skin and hair product line called ‘Love My.’ This line is the culmination of Eva’s extensive knowledge of conscious hair products, essential oils, and natural elements that create healthy hair and skin and are kind to the Earth. Eva has a passion to make people look and feel beautiful!

Pole dancing is a great way for the gals to unleash their inner "vixen" and learn some new moves to impress their significant other. Dancing a pole is a lot harder than you think. It is a MAJOR workout and requires a lot of upper body strength (not that I've tried but I've heard).

Bridesmaids, if you're planning the bachelorette night check out pole dancing studio Brass Vixens located 721 Queen Street West Suite 202. 

Now that you've booked your party, what to wear right? You could go bare faced, but you might as well look like a bombshell while your upside down hanging onto a pole right? Here are some ideas that will keep you looking like a smudgy, sweaty schlep!

Whether you're a fan of Megan Fox's or not, there's no denying she is drop dead gorgeous. I did a bridal trial today with one of my past bride's maid-of-honour, Carla . Now it's her turn to say "I do"! I'm really excited to do this wedding because these two friends love makeup, are super nice and fun!

This photo of Megan is Carla's makeup and hair inspiration. I LOVE this look. It's glamorous and oh-so red carpet - perfect for bridal. I just love how the light catches the eyes and how the lush lashes give this simple look some glam and flirtiness. 

Here's our version. I chose a mix of shimmering soft pinks with charcoal-y grey blacks. What do you think? (Lashes aren't actually glued on or cut to size!)

Face: 
New! Benefit Cosmetics Hello Flawless Oxygen Wow! brightening makeup oil-free (review to come)
Clinique Translucent #8 Powder
Cover FX Full Coverage Foundation/Concealer

Cheeks:
Dior Nude Tan Bronzer 001
NARS Douceur Blush (apples)
Lancome Illuminating Powder  001 - cheekbones

Eyes: 
Cover FX Full Coverage Foundation/Concealer - lids
Clinique Translucent #8 Powder - set
Tarte Cream Shadow in Shell Pink - lid
Make Up For Ever Aqua Shadow Pencil #4E (matte taupe grey) - outer lash line to outer crease
MUFE Aqua Cream Steel #2 - mid to outer crease
Urban Decay Naked Palette Virgin - brow bone
Dior 5 Couleurs Garden Edition Garden Pastels - center pink to inner to center of lid and bottom inner lash line
Clarins Graphites Palette - shimmering charcoal grey on outer crease and outer bottom lash line
Lancome Black Fishnets Gel Liner - top
MAC Behold Shadow - contour crease
MAC Carbon Shadow - outer lash line 
Clarins Black Mascara Volumizing
Ardell Lashes #110
Clarins Pro Brow Palette - mix medium and dark brown

Lips: 
MAC Dervish Lip Liner - to shape lips
Cover FX Tinted Lip Balm in Pink Copper
Chanel Glossimer in Mica on top

My brides to begin with are gorgeous, but I love seeing how makeup transforms them into a more glamorous version of themselves. I never want the bride to look like the makeup is wearing her. My pet peeves for bridal makeup are when the brows are too drawn in, when the foundation is too caked on, the shadows look too frosty, or when the fake lashes look too drag or crooked. 

Here is a list of my go-to products that I used on Kristen that day: 

Face: 
Face Atelier Foundation
Cover FX Full Coverage Foundation as concealer
Clinique Translucent Setting Powder in #8
CARGO Blush in Cannes and Catalina

Eyes/Brows:
Clarins Brow Kit 
Cover Fx Full Coverage Foundation on lids set with Clinique powder
Chanel Illusion D'Ombre Longwear Luminous Eye Shadow in Emerveille as a base
Dior 5 Couleurs in Royal Khaki - green shade on the lid
Urban Decay Naked Palette - Naked in the crease, Smog and Darkhorse in the outer crease
NARS Coconut Grove Shadow outer crease and bottom outer lash line
Lancome Liner Design in Black Fishnets
MAC Skinfinish in Shimpagne on brow bone, inner corner and inner bottom
Clarins Wonder Waterproof Mascara
Ardell Lash Accents #305

Lips: 
MAC Dervish Lip Liner - used to shape the lips and not fill in
Dior Addict Lipstick in Jet Set (Summer 2012)
Clarins Colour Quench Lip Balm in Peach Nectar

The photographers from Jennifer Moher Photography captured Kristen beautifully! The pictures are stunning. Be sure to check out their work!