Fun Gift Ideas for Your Bridesmaids & Groomsmen – That Won’t Collect Dust!

Treat your bridesmaids and groomsmen with these great gift ideas from the Bridesmaid Gifts Boutique and Groovy Groomsmen Gifts! Personalized tumblers for the ladies and a flask box set for the gentlemen will be sure to make them smile.

The personalized tumblers can be customized any way you’d like; so perhaps it’s an initial, first name or a fun nickname that the two of you have shared over the years, the tumbler is a great gift idea that can be used over and over. Enjoy hot or cold beverages in them – perfect for those days sitting out by the pool or sipping on coffee in the morning. Give them a gift that they’ll use again and again with this super cute tumbler!

 

 

 

 

Now the “Cut to the Chase” box set is perfect for those groomsmen that you aren’t sure what to get but know you need to get them something unique. A flask and a throwing ax! Both of the items come personalized and in a gift box so this gift is classy and fun.

 

 

 

 

You can find both of these items online along with many other gift ideas as well, just visit Bridesmaid Gifts Boutique and Groovy Groomsmen Gifts and start shopping!

 

How to Get A Natural Look on your Wedding Day

What is “simple” bridal makeup?

Every week when we receive bridal inquiries, we are asked for “simple makeup”.  What that usually means is that the bride is looking for makeup that looks natural, not over done, and doesn’t look/feel heavy or cakey.  Here’s a little secret…Natural makeup is NOT simple.  If it were simple, anyone would be able to do it.  In fact, doing the “no makeup, makeup” look takes about the same amount of time and work, if not more, than any other makeup application.

Creating a natural look that will last hours through happy tears, kisses, hugs, dancing AND comes through in photos beautifully is no easy feat.  The makeup look below gets a lot of comments and we are often asked to re-create this look or something like it.  Most comments consist of:

“Her skin looks so flawless”
“She looks so natural, I want that”
“I love that her lips are natural yet have color at the same time”

natural wedding makeup arizona babydoll weddings

? credit: April Maura

This natural look took about 45 minutes to create.  The true secret is in finding the right neutral colors to accentuate you natural glow so that you don’t look ‘made up’.

To achieve the best experience and results, don’t just tell your makeup artist you want simple makeup.  Perhaps try communicating that you want your makeup to look natural.  Be honest, if you wear little to no makeup, tell them.  If you’re contacting someone who has been doing this for a long time and knows what they’re doing, they’ll know exactly what you mean, will able to work with you and do the exact look that you want.

Want to try to achieve this at home? Concealer is a must and blend, blend, blend your shadows so that you cant tell where one color stops and the next starts. Be sure to choose a color that is two shades darker than your skin tone. As for lips and cheeks, light pinks, peaches and sands are best to achieve a neutral, natural pout.

For more wedding day looks visit our IG.

Clip In Hair Extensions: The Miracle Worker

Clip In Hair Extensions: The Miracle Worker

So, your big day is approaching and you’ve already gone through hundreds of Pinterest and Google Image posts of the amazing hair you want. The problem— your hair texture or length just wouldn’t make your desired look possible. The solution— clip in hair extensions!

Many brides show us inspiration pictures of amazing, thick, luscious, long and layered hair they want for their wedding. Often times, her hair isn’t long enough or thick enough for the style she desires but, thanks to clip-in hair extensions, we can make her dream a reality.

hair-extensions-wedding-day-hair

What are clip-in hair extensions?

Clip-in extensions come in a variety of lengths, textures and colors. There is a difference in extensions available on the market and we never suggest you go into a purchase blindly. Synthetic extensions often look very similar to real hair extensions but you can’t apply heat to synthetic extensions.  This means no curling iron, flat iron or blow dryer.

Clip-ins are super easy to use. Each piece of hair weft is attached to a small clip that, when placed on your scalp and draped with your real hair, looks like a fuller version of your own hair!

A professional hair stylist or someone familiar with them can put them in for you. Once you start using them often, you’ll get the hang of it and be able to do them yourself. It’s really that simple.

Budget wise–a good idea?

Real human hair extensions are very popular and, believe it or not, they’re incredibly affordable. Some opt for the best quality hair (this can be upwards of $1,200) which is often “virgin” hair. This means the hair has never been dyed or chemically processed. It’s naturally beautiful, thick and healthy. This hair tends to keep its high quality longer than more inexpensive hair. Basically, you get what you pay for.

You can still get great quality hair without breaking your bank, though. Real human hair extensions are available for as little as $160. If you aren’t sure you want to add extensions to your daily beauty regimen, Babydoll Weddings offers the option to rent extensions your big day.  Available at a fraction of the purchase cost, our extensions are high-quality and available in an array of colors (specialty colors are not available for rental).  Be sure to ask our Bridal Liaison about extension rental or talk with your stylist at your trial.

Who really uses them?

Extensions are seriously the biggest beauty secret ever. So many women sport clip-in hair extensions on a daily basis. Especially celebrities.  Extensions often provide an additional layer of self-confidence as your hair is lush and voluminous.

Interested in a quick pick me up or style change whether for your wedding day or every day? Clip-in extensions are such a simple and affordable fix, it’s no surprise that so many women wear them. It may be the quick fix you desire for your big day!

hair-extensions-wedding-day-hair

photo credit: pinterest

Wedding Day Hair Styles

Wedding Day Hair Styles

We are often asked “how” a bride should begin choosing her wedding day hairstyle.  In all honesty, there is no specific answer. Your hair style should compliment your dress as well as your face shape. That being said, sometimes the style you like might not match your dress (as it might cover the details on the dress) or your face, so its always good to get advice from your stylist as he/she will know what suits you best! Below are some crib-notes on the most popular styles.

Popular Wedding Day Hair Styles

wedding day hair styles

  • Updo

This has quickly become a popular style for brides. Whether you style it high or low, this hairstyle lets the focus remain on your face, ensuring that nothing will get in the way on your beautiful day. It’s also a great way to add flowers or other adornments to your hair, and give that extra pop in pictures that helps compliment your dress.

  • The Messy Bun

If a whimsical, fairy-tale wedding is your dream, a messy bun may be the perfect updo for you. A messy bun looks effortless; as if it didn’t take you half the day to get the look and yet somehow you look perfectly put-together. This look is a great complement to a flowing wedding dress, and can make a wedding seem a little less uptight and formal.

To pump up hair and add more definition to the bun, try using a volumizing spray before you set your bun. This will give your hair some volume and thickness, while also holding the bun in place.

  • 1/2 up 1/2 down 

By far the most popular of wedding hairstyles, this look can be achieved a number of different ways. You can add in braiding or weaving, decorative pins, flowers, or hair accessories, or keep it simple and classy. This hairstyle also works well with straight or curly hair, and and can be left long in the back or pinned up in a half bun or braid, depending on the look you are going for.

  • All down 

Ideal for a summer or beach wedding, this hairstyle is simple yet breathtaking. It’s best for women who have medium length hair, and is a great style for fine hair, as it can easily add volume and thickness. All you need is a curling iron and hairspray, and you’ll be ready to dance the night away, (without having to worry about your hair!).

  • Side bun/ponytail 

This gives a modern twist to the traditional bun. The style suits most faces, and is great for those who like a bit of hair showing but still want it off their shoulder. It always looks really beautiful with a flower and is playful, young and fresh. You will want to consider which side your bun/pony is placed. Take into consideration any detail on your dress AND the side facing the guests during the ceremony.

  • Braids 

A fun braid is a great current hairstyle to try! This trend has been around for a while now, likely because of its feminine beauty and versatility. Whether you want a french plait, a braided crown, or a couple of braids woven into a hairstyle, there are endless possibilities.

  • Hair accessories 

As much as you want to rush out and buy everything you like JUST IN CASE you can wear it for your wedding day, STOP! Try going shopping after you’ve had your trial just so you know what to look for. Also, the style you thought you like may not necessarily be the one you end up having. We do carry a limited supply of items from Hair Comes the Bride or you can order from their Try Then Buy program. It’s a great way to try a couple of different accessories before committing!

Just one last thing, please be realistic! Everyone’s hair is different, so what you see in a photograph may not be right for you. Instead, your stylist should be able to do a version just for you so that it matches your features and dress so be open to suggestions and don’t stress about it! Have fun!

Kissable Lips for Valentine’s Day

Kissable Lips for Valentine’s Day

“When we think of Valentine’s Day, we think about luscious lips. What babydoll doesn’t want kissable lips for Valentine’s Day?  There’s nothing more seductive and glamorous than sexy red lips! That is, of course, if we take the right approach. No blue tints, no orange hints – using a TRUE RED lip color is the key!  But a good, true red lipstick can be hard to find so we hit the MAC counter to find the perfect shade.  We know, our job is sooooo hard!

MAC’s Ruby Woo lipstick is one of the best “Reds” you could ever find. Matte, velvety and long lasting, it is a must-have in any makeup artist’s kit. Wonderful for Runway, and Bridal Makeup as well.

kissable-lips-for-valentine's-day

To stir things up, dress it up with MAC Lustreglass in LustreWhite. This will make your lips sparkle like crystal cherries! Or, for irresistible gloss and shine, glaze it up with MAC VivaGlam Lipglass in Rihanna. Your lips will glisten into the night!