Gorgeous Braid Styles You Can Do Yourself

Braided or plaited hair styles are an easy way to dress up a hairstyle and showcase your many talents. Some braids are simple to do and can be mastered at one time whereas others may take more time and patience to perfect. Either way, rest assured that popular and unique styles of braiding will not leave you disappointed and will definitely score you some compliments from both friends and strangers alike.

 

 French Braid
French braids are one of the most popular braids to do. Often when one thinks of braids, they imagine a French braid. This style of braiding is the go-to style for a fix to moments when you need to tie your hair up quickly, a day with particularly windy weather, or one of those mornings where you just don’t feel like styling your hair. They’re easy to create and is a cute hairstyle that can be worn in almost any setting.

 French braids can be worn in one single braid down the back of the head, one low braid to the side, or as two braided pigtails. This is known as the simplest braid that you can do and it can be done on any type of hair with ease. Hair is crossed over one another when creating this braid, as crossing underneath would make this braid a Dutch braid.

 

Waterfall Braid
The Waterfall Braid is one of my favourites and can be a little bit difficult to master if you are not patient with your braiding. This braid is normally done as one braid going around the head but sometimes, it can be seen cascading down an individuals head for a totally unique look. Waterfall braids are a three stranded braid that involves including strands of hair from the top of the head and leaving out or ‘dropping’ strands of hair from the bottom. It sounds confusing, but it can be done with practice.

Four Strand Braid

The four strand braid is an alternative to the three strand braid look and is done in the exact same fashion as its alternate. The only and obvious difference is that the four strand braid uses four strands instead of three.

Four Strand Braid

The four strand braid is an alternative to the three strand braid look and is done in the exact same fashion as its alternate. The only and obvious difference is that the four strand braid uses four strands instead of thre ..

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Angelika
(credit: MAG)

The Wedding Guest Wardrobe Guide

Yup, it’s wedding season! Invitations to summer weddings are rolling in, and you need something cute to wear to all of them. Should you opt for a glammed-up gown? An adorable minidress? Something alternative? From the casual backyard wedding to your fanciest black-tie nuptials, we’ve got you covered. Just click to shop your way through our favorites and solve your wedding-guest outfit drama now. Click through those looks to start planning.

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Angelika
(credit: Mag)

Stunning Bridal Makeup Looks

Whether you’re doing your makeup yourself or not, the day of your wedding, wash your face and use a light moisturizer. Whatever your routine has been, now is not the time to change it. If you exfoliate, however, stay away from a harsh scrub and opt instead for a gentle exfoliating cleanser. If you have a blemish, dab some Visine on it but otherwise leave it alone.

 

 Make sure your makeup matches your hair and dress. Because your gown most likely will be white, you’ll need some color to compensate for its lack of color. Yet just as you don’t want to wear too much makeup, you also don’t want to wear the wrong style of makeup. Your goal is a cohesive look in which each piece makes sense with every other. Even if you love a certain style of makeup, or are simply accustomed to wearing makeup one way, that doesn’t mean it’s going to look good with your hair and dress.

 

 Wedding experts generally don’t recommend a darkly dramatic eye, opting instead to use eye liners in colors other than black, paler or muted eye shadows complementary to your eye color, and highlighters to make eyes look large. Try brown, grey, and green eyeliners and apply it on both your top and bottom eyelids to draw attention to your eyes. Using a cream eye shadow will last longer and is best used on the lids of your eye while a powder is best in the crease of your eye. Use a powder highlighter in the corners of your eyes and under your brow.

 

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Angelika

(credit: Mag)

The Wedding Guest Wardrobe Guide

Yup, it’s wedding season! Invitations to summer weddings are rolling in, and you need something cute to wear to all of them. Should you opt for a glammed-up gown? An adorable minidress? Something alternative? From the casual backyard wedding to your fanciest black-tie nuptials, we’ve got you covered.

Just look to shop your way through our favorites and solve your wedding-guest outfit drama now. See  through those looks to start planning.

 

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Angelika

(credit:Mag)

Parisian Weddings

Let's face it–the French know what it means to be effortlessly chic. And weddings in the City of Light (and love) are no different–nuptials en françias opt out of the overdone centerpieces, the far-too-big bridal parties and there is usually no place to plug in a desire for chicken, fish or vegetarian on your reply card. Instead, the bride and groom dine with their guests (yes, there is such a thing as eating at your own wedding) and brides don't stress about an overwrought chignon staying put all night. When it comes to wedding planning, there's a lot to be learned from the French style icons like Jane Birkin, Brigitte Bardot and Carla Bruni, just to name a few. Here are the lessons to glean from Paris' high-style bridal set.

 

1) Bridesmaids Aren't Required.

Yes, they're optional. In France, couples first have a civil ceremony (which they deem more important than their religious ceremonies or parties) followed by a religious celebration or a festive reception. The most important women or men in your life are witnesses at your civil union and perform all the necessary duties of bridesmaid-hood, like making sure your champagne coupe stays full at your bachelorette party, all without donning the prerequisite chiffon dress in your color of choice. Wearing what they'd like to your celebration means they show up to your special day looking and feeling amazing. You are who you surround yourself with–when your entourage looks good, you look good.

2)  Second Looks Are More Sophisticated Than Sexy.

While we in the States have caught on to the idea of a wedding night costume change, in France two bridal looks are a given. Heading to the courthouse requires a tasteful and typically fashion-forward look, like a sweet lace mini, sharp jumpsuit or a Chanel tweed suit. After French couples make it official,  a more romantic, formal gown for a religious ceremony or reception usually follows. With the civil ceremony kicking off the festivities, sophisticated cocktail dresses are worn before a more dramatic gown, leaving little room for those overly sexy party dresses we've seen on too many American dance floors. 

 

3) There is no such thing as a Parisian Bridezilla.

Brides in France are more relaxed when it comes to wedding planning. You'll likely never spot a Parisian bride having a tantrum at a hair trial (if they have one), and you certainly won't find a French bride-to-be with rollers in her hair arguing with her mother, maid of honor or florist. Instead, these brides go with the flow. The takeaway: Stress is not photogenic, and a calm mindset on your wedding day makes for radiant skin–and stunning bridal portraits.

4) Wedding Food = Good Food.

Is there such a thing as bad food in Paris? Probably not, so there is certainly no such thing as bad Parisian wedding food. Wedding dinners in the U.S. bring up bad memories of overcooked vegetables and inconsistent filet mignon, but French couples realize the importance of splurging on food and drink no matter how large their party's size. Take a cue and keep dish concepts simple but special for your wedding day, opting for a high-end balance of bright vegetables and decadent proteins. Trust us, your guests are much more likely to rave about a perfectly cooked steak than an attempt at molecular gastronomy. Don't neglect your wine choices or bar options either, your guests will appreciate options that pair well with each of their courses and the ability to order a digestif at dessert.

 

5) No-fuss beauty.

Say goodbye to Pinterest-inspired updos. The irreverent, bed-headed bobs and lobs of French It-girls paired with a romantic, bridal silhouette is the epitome of effortless style. Rather than overthinking your big day beauty, choose an update on your everyday look with glowing skin for the day-of. Only wear a bold or deep-colored pout if it's something you know how to pull off on the daily.

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Angelika

(credit: HarpersBazaar)

Monique Lhuillier 2017 Bridal Collection

 Monique Lhuillier was feeling nostalgic this season.

Celebrating her 20th year in business, for Fall ’17, she mined her earliest bridal collections from the ’90s for inspiration. “I noticed that the dresses haven’t changed that much [since then]. The only thing that’s really different is the hair and makeup,” she said with a laugh. So she reimagined some of her first silhouettes and details, like deep V-necklines, which dipped even lower here; scooped-out backs, which were sexier than ever; and satin sashes around the waist, which became skinny, bow-tied ribbons for 2017.

I wanted to capture the feeling of being madly in love and someone who feels pure bliss,' says Lhullier. 'My Spring 2017 bridal collection is inspired by a woman running through a garden.'
Models wearing whimsical floral or crystal crowns floated down the catwalk in gowns with Lhullier's signature deep necklines and fairytale-like embellishment. But for Spring Lhullier has exercised a more delicate touch.

 

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Angelika

(credit: Mag)

New Year - New Wedding

 

Bridal's Spring 2017 season was all about exaggerated shapes (cue the bell sleeves, collared gowns and super-full skirts), textural floral appliqués and a more edgy, badass bride. Fall 2017 has us going back to basics, refreshing bridal staples in hopes of making the classics–like beading, tiers, bows, super-feminine laces and frothy tulles–new again. Below, bridal's new looks, fresh takes and fashion-forward updates worth noting.

 

 After seasons of sheer gowns, super-sexy looks and borderline risqué silhouettes, designers covered up for Fall 2017. After all, the concept of the bride wearing white, at its core, is about virginity and purity. This season, designers turned up the volume on traditional roots, sending covered-up, angelic looks with delicately pleated, Victorian necklines, full skirts, ladylike laces and feminine, textural appliqués down the runways. The trend hearkened to a youthful innocence the bridal runways have been lacking lately, and the proof lay in both the designers' inspirations and the execution: Vera Wang dubbed her Fall 2017 collection "Young Love," while Monique Lhuillier started her show notes with a string of adjectives, beginning with the keyword "youthful." 

 

 Bows for brides...groundbreaking. While this may seem like the most bare-bones idea for bridal, this season bows took on new forms–from oversized and abundant to architecturally draped and folded. No longer simply used to cinch your waist (and we'd typically discourage you from wearing add-on sashes that feel more like afterthoughts than part of the dress' design), these ties, knots, obis and twists adorned and embellished gowns of all shapes and styles. 

 

Fine lace will always have its place, but ribbon-work, matelassé, devouré and textural laces like guipure, macrame and re-appliquéd and embroidered laces gave this season's dresses a third dimension. While undoubtedly luxe in quality, these textures lend structure to otherwise romantic styles, and add visual interest to architectural silhouettes. 

Keep saying I do!

Angelika

(credit: HarpersBazaar)

 

 

 

 

 

Vera Wang Bridal Collection For Fall 2017

A-line dresses featuring fringed silk organza flange at the skirt, corsets bodice with hand-knotted ribbon detailing, and crystal and pearl embellishments on the lattice like neckline.

Check out  some of  Vera Wang Bridal´s  Collection For Fall 2017... and are you already in wedding mood ???

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Angelika
(credit : Mag)

Bridal Dresses Inspiration For Fall 2016

Fall is one of the most popular times to plan a wedding -- and for good reason!


Brides-to-be just got far more choices and clever detailing for their very special walk down the aisle ....

 

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Angelika

(credit: Mag)

Beauty Looks From Bridal Week

This week, I shared a post on how to get a look from New York Bridal Fashion Week at home. Miami bridal stylist, Niurka Mendoza owner of salon Styles by NM shared her tips on how to get this gorgeous tousled hair look. Today, Mendoza is going to help you achieve a classic updo as seen on the New York Bridal Week runway. Check out the look below and let me know if you try this look at home.

The braided look below seems complex, but according to Mendoza, it’s all about perfecting that technique. “The braided look, it’s a little more complex because if you don’t know how to braid your hair yourself it’s not going to be easy for you. YouTube has great tutorials on brides which is always a plus.”

1. Start off with curled hair to create some texture. To decrease frizziness, Mendoza suggests reaching for a pomade before sectioning your hair into two parts, the crown and the nape. Start off by pinning you hair from your crown to the top of your head as you’ll be working with hair from the nape of your neck.
2. “Put the hair at the nape into a medium high pony tail. Use bobby pins to pin sections of your hair onto the scalp in order to create a soft bun effect.”
3. Now that you’re done with the bottom section of your hair, you want to focus on those intricate braids. “Part the top section of your hair down the middle and begin a French braid on each side so that you have a middle part and two French braids. Bring the braids to the back to overlap the bun. Secure with pins and spray with Moroccan oil spray to keep the hair in place.”

 

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Angelika

(credit: L.R.)

New York Bridal Week: The Short Wedding Dress Trend

New York Bridal Week brought us a ton of gorgeous bridal looks. In terms of trends, there were plenty of floral embellishments, lingerie inspired styles, hi-low skirts and short dresses. Yes, you read that right. Short dresses were definitely all over Bridal Week and they’re brining a new twist to some old traditions. I’ve fallen in love with this trend because it’s new, fresh and perfect for the alternative bride. Below, I’ve compiled some of my favorite short dresses from New York Spring 2017 Bridal Week. Check them out below.

Berta- I love this dress because it’s got a modern vibe with some vintage flair. That tea length skirt is perfect if you’re a bride looking for a dress with some retro trimmings.

Oscar de la Renta- The design below is so sweet. It combines the short-dress trend with some 3D floral embellishments. It’s definitely a classic dress. 

Ines Di Santo- Show some leg witout sacrificing length in this Ines Di Santo design. It’s definitely got a fashion forward yet chic style. Very unique. 

Monique Lhuillier- Monique Lhuillier is the biggest name in bridal so it’s almost no surprise that this short dress is the most gorgeous of the bunch. It’s all about that simple design and flared skirt. I also love the crop top effect. 

Mira Zwillinger- The “nude” dress has gone bridal. This dress is definitely for the alternative girl who loves to be on-trend. 

 

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Angelika

(credit: L.R.)

Dresses to Wear as a Wedding Guest

Do you cringe at the sight of those wedding invitations stacked up beside your desk? Sure, you want to support your friends and family as they celebrate their love for each other. It’s just that shopping for a dress as a wedding guest can feel like a total nightmare. You go to a crowded shop and end up spending hours looking through dresses that aren’t exactly your style. Trust me, I know the struggle. This wedding dress season leave the shopping to me. Below, I’ve got some beautiful dresses that I think you will love. Check them out below and be sure to let me know what you think in the comments section.

Chi Chi Floral Print Midi Dress $93.82- If you’re looking for something classic with a trendy twist, go for a dress with a floral print. It’s the time of the year to rock florals so why not wear them at a wedding? The dress below incorporates a classy style with a floral pattern. Love it!

Lauren Ralph Lauren One-Shoulder Brooch Gown, $190.00- Wear something that’ll stand out this wedding season. The dress below is all about showing off those curves. It’s sure to flatter every figure. 

Keepsake All Talk Halter-Neck High-Low Dress, Ivory, $71.00- Go for something super trendy that’s worthy of this year’s Met Gala. The high-low halter dress below is just the ticket. In my opinion, it’s no longer a faux pas to wear white to a wedding. Wear what you want! What do you think? 

Dress the Population ‘Gwen’ Knit Midi Dress, $194.00- Attend your next wedding in black. It’s a classic color that you can play with by pairing with some classic pumps and fun jewelry. Don’t be afraid to play up this look. 

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Angelika

(credit: L.R.)

 

The other Veil For The Unique Bride

If you’re an alternative bride, a regular veil just won’t cut it. You want your wedding to be just as unique as you are, which means that you’ll be looking for veil alternatives to match the personality your wedding. Below are some options to give you inspiration. Check them out! Which one is your favorite?

The Veil Head Wrap- Instead of wearing your veil the traditional way, go for wearing it like a head wrap. Add some bling or some flowers to it. Get creative.

A Bohemian Headpiece- Go for something really unique like the bride below. This headpiece brings bohemian cool and 1920s vintage together to create something totally different. I absolutely love it.

A Geometric Headband- Wear something bold if you’re a modern bride like this geometric headband. It’s creates a fascinating effect.

A Hooded Cape- Go for something really unique like a hooded cape to match your fun alternative wedding.

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Angelika

www.styleupbyangel.com

(credit: L.R.)

THE ROW

Who doesn’t know the name Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen these days? These 20 something year old twins have long been in the spotlight for their beauty, acting skills, and their brilliant fashion empire. With a career that started at the age of 2, these girls have been working their whole lives and it’s certainly paying off!

Affectionately known as the the ‘billion dollar babies’, they have created an empire that began with a tween clothing line sold in Wal*Mart and now have their designs prominently featured in Barneys sold next to the likes of the most famous designers of our time.

The Row was established in 2006 by the Olsen twins and since its launch, the brand has expanded to include a range of ready-to-wear, eyewear, and handbags. Their brand reflects a sense of relaxed and timeless elegance, focusing on fine fabrics and the perfect fit. In 2012, The Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) proudly named Ashley and Mary-Kate as Womenswear Designers of The Year. Part of The Row’s mission is to support high-end fashion manufacturing in the US.

Focusing on perfecting the basics, Mary Kate and Ashley set out to create a line of clothing that encompassed the needs of every woman’s wardrobe. From the perfect pea coat to brilliantly tailored white button ups, they don’t work around the trends but rather enhance the basics. It’s true that no matter what the runways say, there will always be a need for a comfortable tee, proper fitting trousers, and of course a never ending selection of classic little black dresses.

While their price range may soar up into the $$$$ mark on many items, it is not without good reason that the price tag be above the average. Their pieces are crafted with the finest materials, which if cared for properly, can last a lifetime and then some. You really do get what you pay for when you purchase from their highest line of fashion.

Recently, the twins announced they opened up their first flagship store in Los Angeles, which is a delight to classic fashionistas at last! With a minimalistic approach, much like their garment designs, the girls have begun to cultivate their in store presence as a learning experiment with hopes to open more brick-and-mortar shops for their other brands as well.

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Angelika

www.styleupbyangel.com

( credit: Kate Heimann)