*As a BONUS, MAC Cosmetics is giving free samples of their Zoom Lash Mascara  to our Absolutely Charmed Blog Readers with any online purchase.  Zoom Lash is an instant Volumizer for lashes…what Bride doesn’t want that?  Enter CODE: LASH89 at checkout to get this awesome sample!

{ONE :: GLOSS ME!}

Lip gloss is what keeps our smiles so shiny and pretty in photos, but it’s also the easiest to fade.  We recommend the Dior Lip Maximer with Collagen that plumps your lips and leaves a cool, minty (literally) sheen to your lips that is picture perfect.  Also try the Plush Glass Lip Gloss from MAC Cosmetics that gives a natural gloss loaded with Vitamin E that moistures.  We love that!

{TWO :: BE SHINE FREE!}

Nothing is worse than having visible facial oils that illuminate the face.  Inner glow is good, literal “glow”, eh, not so much for pictures and such.  Urban Decay makes a GREAT De-Slick Mattifying Powder that stops unwanted shine that applies invisibly without ruining your make-up.  It’s light weight so you won’t even know that it’s there!  And, of course, you can always fall back on blotting papers to absorb unnecessary oils as well.  We recommend the Bare Escentuals Shine Control Sheets, available exclusively online at Sephora.

{THREE :: PERFECTION PLEASE!}

It’s imperative to have a good concealer handy, especially for touching up under the eyes when unexpected tears fall.  I HIGHLY recommend Yves Saint Laurent’s Touche Eclat, it comes in different skin tone shades and it’s an absolute miracle worker!  Not only does it conceal and brighten, it also eliminates under eye baggage from fatigue instantly!  It’s a must have.  The Benefit Erase Paste is also a winner in this category, it is “correction perfection” as they call it.

{FOUR :: BLUSH BLUSH BLUSH!}

Beautiful cheek color makes all the difference not only for pictures, but the right shade of blush can really make any bride glow and absolutely stunning.  One of our favorite blush products will have to be Fusion Lights by Smashbox Cosmetics.  This multi-colored powder really illuminates the skin to give that wanted and natural radiance from within.  For an actual rosy blush, nobody does it best like NARS; it’s natural and gives just the right pinch of color!

{FIVE :: JUST A DASH OF PERFUME}

As a perfume fanatic, I must say that if small dabs of perfume throughout the day is nice and sweet on a daily basis, it’s a MUST on any bride’s wedding day.  Thankfully, perfume ateliers have made petite perfumes and perfume solids that have become very popular as of late.  I love the Daisy by Marc Jacobs solid perfume.  It’s so handy and pretty to have.  The mini J’adore by Dior perfume bottle is divine, I have never met anyone who doesn’t like the scent.  Sephora has a great selection of the newest and most popular perfumes in petite form or perfume solids that come in trendy casings and accessories, and most importanly, are easy to carry.

ENJOY!

[1]  Creative Shapes and Sizes

I love invitations that come in sizes, shapes and formats that are out of the ordinary.  I absolutely love the vertical/horizontal panel size presentation of the invitations below as well as the”Journal” Invitation from Dauphine Press.  It’s just the smallest differences that make the invitations so unique.

Image 1::Rustic Daisies Invitation by Dauphine Press, featured on Minted.com

Image 2::Journal Invitation by Dauphine Press

Image 3::Whimsical Stripes Wedding Invitations by The Happy Envelope, featured on Minted.com

[2] Skyline/Neighborhood Recognition

I think it’s wonderful to incorporate the city skyline or neighborhood sketch of the location you will be getting married at.  Not only is this visually fun for those who open the invitations, there’s something so simple about it that it’s just absolutely nostalgic.  The skyline or neighborhood sketch can also be an important graphic that ties other elements of your wedding into one cohesive theme.

London Skyline Invitation by hellolucky.com

[3] Wedding Logos

I personally think that having a wedding logo is a must at some point in your wedding planning.  It really does give your wedding an identity and like the skyline motif, it can be used throughout your wedding on almost everything printed.

Love Logo #16 Invitation by Betsy White Stationary Boutique

[4] Silhouettes

I love Silhouettes that are incorporated into the Wedding Theme.  I think it’s so cute and definitely, historically iconic of the Belle Epoque Era.  I think that it would be even cuter if the silhouettes were personalized profiles, but in any case, it’s the perfect visualization of a boy meets girl romance.

Face to Face Wedding Invitations, Aqua Marine by Modern Girl Invitations

[5] Chandeliers = Chic

I love how chandeliers are so prevalent in Weddings and Large Social parties these days.  They really are so elegant and a wonderful graphic motif that tells so much about the couple and event. I love this ode to classical elegance.

Chandelier Invitations by Papeterie

[6] Must love flowers!

So it’s supposed to be a top 5 list, but just because we love flowers sooo much, we had to include some floral motifs into our list.  Yes, they are pretty standard, but we find the hand drawn floral motif to be just charming.  Who can resist these deliciously drawn out flowers in such pretty colors?!

Image 1::Carolyn Wedding Invitations by Wiley Valentine, featured on Minted.com

Image II::Meghan Wedding Invitations by Wiley Valentine, featured on Minted.com

{ONE:  Sparklers are an economical but grandiose way to make an exit!  They are always classic and leave guests with the “WOW” Factor}

{TWO:  Celebrate Belle Epoque Style!  What better way to show tribute to an era that is making a comeback by riding off tandem style.}

{THREE:  VESPA VESPA VESPA!  If ever a time to take after our European friends, it is now.  Vespas are not only a fun and cute way for a send-off, they are also very green and very in right now!}

{FOUR:  Vintage cars, perhaps, are the ultimate way of being sent off in class and charm.  Go ahead, have some fun and rent one for your special day!}

{FIVE:  For those that are lucky to be in areas with hot air balloons, I think that this is the ultimate send-off filled with romance and charm.  Once again, it is a nod to the Belle Epoque Era, but I absolutely adore that period…can you blame me?}

{Photo Credits:  Photo 1:  Intimate Weddings, Photo 2:  Grazier Photography, Photo 3: En Pointe Photography, Photo 4:  Frolic!, Photo 5: Thai Photo Blogs