The Nail Story

Mehndi is an adornment of the South Asian bride that is both a marvelous piece of art and is one amazing aphrodisiac :)
So the nail design and mehndi are two parts of the wedding look that carry over to the post wedding and honeymoon and many brides for this reason choose the french manicure as their nail design.
While the french manicure may look extremely neat and very classy on a day to day basis, it doesn't always work out with the mehndi. Mehndi gets darker 48 hours after its initial application and the more your body temperature rises, the deeper it appears! And that can become too stark a contrast with the white tips- Here are my recommendations for nail color and design-
If you are wearing a red, maroon or orange theme that has gold accents and wish to stay away from those colors for the nails good alternates are:
1. Champagne or light sand shimmering nail color
2. Taupe color with copper tips (shorter nails only)


For pink, blue, green outfits that may have silver detailing
1. American manicure but with pearl tips (no white or creame please)
2. Sheer silver nail polish (it doesnt look tacky)
3. Diamond dust or very subtle glitter solars

Airbrush design on the nails is a personal preference but can some times look a bit too busy with the intricate mehndi design on the hands.

If getting solars or acrylics, do request a slightly rounded square tip and get them done atleast 4 days before the wedding event start as the cuticle area can throb or hurt the day after the nails are put on!

Happy nail styling!
XOXO
Saman

Sound bytes from desi weddings

With every lovely new bride, trial makeup session, unique wedding, excitement and buzz comes an exclusive memory of random statements... here are some of the latest ones:

1. I want to look like my self. (Of course, but do you wear a heavilly embroidered lehnga with all that jewelry every day?)
2. I don't want to look like a christmas tree. (That really isn't my style either)
3. I hate red-lipstick. (Hmm that is personal preference but i don't do red lips with a pink outfit either)
4. Can you make my dupatta feel lighter (Sorry sweetest! I can pin it so it does'nt intefere with movement but weight is something that should have been considered with purchasing the outfit)
5. I don't know what color Im wearing for the wedding. Can we do a trial makeup session ( For what color theme???)
6. I want to look pretty. (And i want the same thing for you too)
7. I don't want to look caked up (DO any of the brides you've seen in my portfolio look like they have icing on them?)
8. Do i have to pay tax too?
9. Do i have to reimburse the parking fee/valet fee too?
10. My wedding is over budget, we have 600 guests, can you give me a break (i would love to, but im working from 3:00 a.m- 7:00 p.m on your wedding my dearest to make you look and feel fantastic, shouldn't that be paid more than the price of your centre piece arrangements?
:D )

I adore all my brides- this is what makes the whole process so much fun!
XOXO
Saman

Some tips (From experience)

Here are some tips and tried and true recommendations for all brides to be as well as those preparing for a big event-
1. If prepping your face for a hair free look, please take care by scheduling facials, waxing and threading at least a week prior. Any less than that and you can have bumps, pimples and scars on your face that will be harder to conceal.
2. Hair works with gravity & weather- If you desire a down do with large curls, remember that they need to start as smaller curls which will open up and get looser as time progresses. Use too large a barrel for curling and the hair will go straight too soon. If the weather is dry and static, the hair will get fly away distorting those large curls again. If its humid, the large curls will stick to your neck and face and look like un-styled hair! So trust your artist and let them do tighter curls and enjoy them through the event as they slowly get looser and bigger.
3. Do not fixate your self on one portion of the face to make it perfect. Look at the entire face, from an arms length (how many people will see you from 3 inches away?) The complete look should be pleasing :) Visual balance is achieved when you stand 2 feet away from the mirror and it all looks good.
4. Do your part and get some good sleep before the event. Hydration and rest are essential and even with the finest makeup techniques nothing can compare to the real, fresh look of well rested eyes and nourished skin!
5. You know your skin and how it behaves best. So if its oily, do not go for a shimmery glowing look as it will go overboard after an hour when your natural oils come through the makeup. And yes, flash photography where the flash faces you, will enhance any shine so unless you want hot spots on your T zone that look neon- keep the shimmer/fairy dust/glitter/shine/glow/bronzer to a minimum please.
6. Don't over moisturize your skin, it will cause the foundation to slide. Don't layer on chapstick before the lip color, it will cause it to bleed!
7. Trust your experienced artist (that is why you chose them right?) You are the essence of beauty and when enhanced with makeup should look elegant, divine and diva like, so stay away from the untouchable, too perfect, too polished, too porcelain a look and have a lovely event!

XOXO Saman